Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-03-03
FivE.MINuTE TALKS
BY NATIONAL LEADERS

established the first juvenile court in
the world. He has profoundly at
fected the child delinquency system
of. this and other nations. At the
request OF the International News
Service he has written the following
exclusive article on
"The Girl Problem
BY Ben B. Lindsey,
Judge Of the Denver Juvenile Court.
When children's courts were first
instituted in this country the mum.
Der Of boys dealt with by those courts
far exceeded the number OF girls. But
gradually the cases concerning girls
grew in number. until now, in some
jurisdictions, the difference is not
nearly so great: and while the cases
concerning boys, as yet in most
cities-are considerably in excess of
those concerning girls, the girls
cases are growing, not only in mum.
Der. but in difficulty.
This Is because more attention is
being given to the case of the girl;
more cases are being discovered that
need such attention through the more
effective work OF those courts that
deal with youth. Girls are being
better protected than ever before. Be
cause OF the privacy and secrecy
thrown about such cases for the pro-
lection Of the girl, both the girls and
their parents are more willing to
present their troubles to these tri-
bunals.
Perhaps ninety per cent OF the
cases concerning girls are what are
known as sex cases" We find. in
our own experience, very few girls
charged with larceny. although out.
side OF the sex cases. cases of petty
stealing are most numerous. Girls
Ike pretty things and the temptation
that comes through this fact Is the
chief cause OF the cases of larceny in
which they are involved. Larceny
cases are frequently reported by de-
partment stores and other small
shops and by people who employ
young girls as domestics. AS n rule.
they are not difficult to deal with.
Contributory delinquency laws that
permit the officers to hold adults
strictly accountable for their conduct
with young girls. have been a great
help In getting girls. disposed to be
maynard, under the protecting arm
or the court officers before II Is too
late In the case OF the girl. the old
adage that IAN ounce OF prevention
Is better than a pound of cure" is
especially applicable.
L am not one OF those who are dis.
posed to despair over the case of the
chronic delinquent girl or the girl
who is Indifferent as to her virtue
am always anxious to emphasize
the Importance and the value of the
work for girl before she takes the
iatal step. After that the difficulties |
increase In far greater proportion.
The desire for pleasure and to com. |
pete with other girls in the matter of |
dress and finery are among the chief
causes OF the downfall of girls. II
OFTEN begins In that sort of rebellion |
that expresses itself first in the home |
when the girl, in spite OF the warn. |
Ing OF her mother, persists In hay.
ing her own way to go where SIZE
pleases and, generally. when she
pleases, to places of amusement.
Ihese places are mostly the picture
shows. theaters, dance halls and on
automobile rides. 1t is perfectly
amazing how careless girls are be.
coming as TO their conduct In this
regard. Many girls think nothing of
taking up with absolute strangers
whom they meet on the street. I'm
picture shows or that accost them
while passing In an automobile.
The great majority of such sudden
'cquaintances are, of course, danger.
'us. a certain type OF young men in
he cities makes a business of i'm.
losing upon girls who are given to
UGH indiscretions.
- MANY houleS lnere Is Separa. |
Ion between father and mother,
eaVing the girl with the mother.
Who. because Of the separation and
the responsibility OF small.
n children, is forced into the double
BURDEN Of bread.winner and home.
maker.
The pleasure loving girl. of the
haracter have described. comes out
best In these conflicts in the home
that is, she comes out in what she
egards as best"
She loses all respect and love for
er home. and the home tie is no
niger restraint. And yet, there Is
ne girls side to many Of these cases:
ne is healthy, vigorous. youngl
nimal; she Graves companionship.
I'd she is entitled to legitimate
easure. Because, largely, OF the
onomlc conditions of her life. these
inss arc denied her.
While these are not excuses for n
beillous conduct, or for the com.
m indiscretions OF this type OF girl
" nevertheless enlist for her a cor.
n amount OF legitimate aynnnotby