Evening journal., 1918-12-19
Mts.Ann nn nrC.nr
DAIaEU III D[UIDL
WlN7z[L Status
Hrobasicn Officer Appoint
ment Referred by Coun-
Gil to Solicitor
SCHOOL BOARD HEAD
DEFENDS SELECTION


City Council. sitting as a committee
n the whole last night, decided 10 re-
quest City Solicitor Bayard for an opin-
on as to the legality Of the appointment
. j. II Wentzel, OF Auburn, n u as
Ihief probation officer OF the local
Juvenile Court. Protests against the
sppplntment Of Mr.. Wentzel, which were
received last week. were referred TO
Council as a committee OF the whole
md these were considered last night.
objection TO him is based on the
round that he is a nonresident.
George B. Miller, president OF the
Board Of Public Education, In defending
hr. Wenzel's appointment, stated that
Mr.. Wentzel had accepted the position
pnly after private citizens had added to
he salary allowed the offlce by Council
rhe councilmen replied that had Will
ningtonans known that the position
Nas to pay more than the salary fixed
by law an abler class OF Wilmingtonians
night have applied for the position.
In seeking the opinion from Mr..
Bayard on the question Council based
rs query on the Revised Code OF Della
ware dealing with probation officers
which gives authority for making ar
rests.
L, was the fact that a man who is
not a citizen OF the State should be
Fiven the authority 10 place under ar
rest those who are citizens, that aroused
NE members interest especially.
Article 1888. Section IS. Of the State
Code, giving this authority. reads In
part. as follows:
"And said Chief Probation Onlcer |
shall possess all the powers and au-
thorlty Of the Sheriff to make arrests
and authority to so In the home OF any
delinquent child"
The eminent ntnes OF Mr.. Wentzell for
the position he holds here, Is shown In
the following letter. which has just
been received by Judge William 5.
Prickett. OF the Juvenile Court;
GO Nineteenth ST., Albany, N. Y.
December II, 1918.
william s. Prickett,
Judge Juvenile Court,
Wilmington, Del.
My Dear Judge Prickett: From a
COPY OF the Wilmington Morning News,
Of December i3. which has just reached
me. / learn that there Is discussion In
your city as to the wisdom OF the ap-
poIntment Of w. F. H. Wentzel, as Chief
Probation ONCE OF the Juvenile Court.
AS one who has known Mr.. Wentzel for
a considerable time. observed his work
and his methods, known the apprecia-
tion with which his work has been re-
celved throughout New York State,
venture to write you In the hope OF add
ing to the confidence you already have
that the appointment was In the best
interests of social service In your state
Mr.. Wentzel possesses In a remark
able degree the special qualifications
necessary for the position to which he
has been appointed and | feel conf
dent that Wilmington will yet recognize
that In bringing him TO your city you I
have rendered a valuable service TO
your city and State | am engaged In
work and ] know from
experience that the type OF man best
fitted for this service Is not found 4
everywhere. Mr.. Wentzel is OF this rare I
type | have been In almost daily con- r
lact with him. / have seen him In his
home and know that temperamentally "
and morally he possesses In a high n
degree the fundamental qualification OF b
absolutely necessary for O
success along this line. b
His personal qualifications have been
strengthened by a unique experience.
He has education, a fine breadth OF n
view. a knowledge Of juvenile person. a
,llty-wlth It's shortcomings, hopes and 4
,spiratlons-a most valuable expert
snce gained In the teaching profession, h
and a splendid record Of two years h
amongst the humane organizations OF 3
New York State. Travelling from city s
10 city from town to hamlet, meeting r
all classes OF social workers, he has S
lad an experience which could not be G
obtained In any other way. He has Y
seen the best as well as the worst In v
operation. has seen life In all It's n
phases, has seen the good and the bad A
side OF reformatory Institutions, has L
seen the pitfalls which trap the un- G
wary. He has organized societies for
the protection OF children In various b
parts Of New York State, he has h
others, turned many from @
failure to success and prevented others
rom becoming defunct. WhenIhave met 4
leaders of the movement ln this State h
have heard nothing but praise OF Mr.. n
Wentzel personally, and Of his work. 4
And let me add that at the convention u
1f humane societies Of New York State, s
held at Ithaca, September % and 26, +
was passed unanimously q
Urging that every endeavor be made 10 g
'etain Mr.. Wentzel In this State to con- n
inue his work. 3
Your appointment, therefore, is no h
Experiment You have a most efficient r
nan, one whom / should be glad at any v
ime 10 have as an associate II oppor-
unity permitted. II Is TO the advan- q
age Of any community to secure such h
men. wherever they may be found The s
wisdom Of this appointment will be II
'roved finally In the future citizenship n
4 your city and State. .,
Faithfully yours,
RICHARD C. CRAVEN" n
Field Director, American Red Star n
Inimal Relief 4,