New-York tribune., 1919-01-10
Probation System
Collects Big Sum
For Dependents
Families of Delinquent Men
Receive $l,885, ,643 III
Three Years; Reforms
Suggested by E. J. Cooley

In three years the probation system
Of the magistrates courts has collected
S1,S85, GAS from delinquent husbands
and fathers for support of dependent
wives and children. During the same
pc iod the probation officers have
handled an average Of 10000 cases q
year, at least so per cent Of which in
vclved non-support Of one or more de-
pendents, according to report sub
mitted yesterday to Chief Magistrate
William McAdoo, by Edwin ]. Cooley
chief probation officer.
In the report, the first separate and
detailed exposition of probation work
in New York City, Mr.. Cooley declares
that instead Of beinc an added expense
it has been tax saver, and by its sue
cess in handling domestic difficulties in
thousands Of families. and forcing
shftless or Irresponsible men to sup
port dependents, it has lifted large
burden from organized charity.
Extensions Of work and amendments
to the existing laws relating to the
courts Of domestic relations are urged,
which Mr.. Cooley declares will result in
further benefits.
Reforms Suggested
One reform urged by Mr.. Cooley is
an amendment 10 tha law which pre-
vents prosecution Of q delinquent hus-
band who has been once convicted until
six months after the expiration of SEN
tencc- He says it is extremely desir-
able to have sucn men continuously
liable to prosecution. But ne would
abolish altogether the practice Of
merely sending men to prison for not
supporting their families.
This, he declares, is taptamount to
Furnishing inoffensive and suffering
wives and children as well.
Instead, he proposes that men be
sentenced for stated periods, to be re-
newcd at the expiration of each pro-
bationary period if necessary, to some
productive employment while in prison,
the proceeds to be devoted to the care
OF dependents.
Mr.. Cooley furthermore urges. a
closer scrutiny of probation work by
magistrates. lie suggests organization
Of a probation court, to exercise jul
H..
This court, he says, would periodically
review the progress of probations, both
men and women, and greatly increase
the benefits derived by the city from
the system, whose work. he declares,
among delinquent women and children
is perhaps even more important than
among men.
Families Brokcp Up
TIE report cites statistics showing
that half Of the 1888 boys held in re-
formatories and other corrective insti-
tutions in various parts OF the country
come from homes that have been
broken up by the dereliction of father
or mother. The same proportion. Mr..
! Cooley asserts, holds in the cases of
delinquent chldren in the city For
that reason, he declares the probation
system's work in the courts of domes-
tie relations is Of prime Importance.
In this connection Mr.. Cooley also
recommends that offenders be subjected
IN ALI cases To careful physical and
mental examination, 40 that in in
stances where it Ia shown that their
offending is due To physical or mental
conditions they may not be herded with
criminals whoge tendencies they must
necessarily imbibc and thus destroy
any chance of being useful 70 society
even To Il limited extent.