Evening star., 1919-08-31
HoWWomen and Girls
in Their Charge Are
Cared For andE Efforts
Made to Remake
Their Lives Lead
ers Of the Depart
ment, Which Does
a Unique Work.
Where All Is Not
Discipline.
"\A1Hs;sss ;ss.;~ i; your dearest wish
II you were "police-
woman" and responsible

II you were a "police-
woman" and responsible
for the good conduct OF
. score of delinquent girls and young
women every day, would 1t occur to
you that the answer to that question
would help you to understand and re-
form your wards?
what did you have for breakfast
today, and how did you enjoy ttT"
II twenty young women and girls
had been arrested, incarcerated and
turned over to you as a guardian
under police rules. would 1t make any
difference to you what they ate?
How did you spend the afternoon
and In whose companionship? With
whom did you spend the evening and
what were your impressions? Did
you dream last night. and. II 80, were
the dreams pleasant?'
Now. you say. there Is some sense
In the last group Of questions. Tho
girl under police guardianship must
have good companionship and think
clean thoughts and have q clear con-
science as evidenced by her dreams.
+ y \ y
But Carolyn Votaw. policewoman,
wife Of Heber votaw and sister OF
United States Senator Harding. has
proved that the psychology Of dealing
with her wards rests upon an exact
knowledge Of the mental and spirit
ual activities of these young women
whether hardened in questionable
ways or irresponsible Victims of un-
disciplined homo life.
Mrs. Votaw. unframed as a welfare
or social worker in the common ac-
ceptance of the term. has made a dis
covery which has already attracted
the attention of leading social and
police workers in this country and in
Europe. Less than a year ago she
took up her work as a policewoman.
But she doesn't look like q police Of
ffcer as she appears at her desk day
by day or visits the homes of her
wards in investigative work.
She has an attractive personality
and a charm OF manner, but she has
more than this. Spirituality Is deeply
imbedded in her nature and dominates
her daily life. 1t was but recently
that she returned with Mr.. Votaw,
from years of grilling work as mis-
sionary in India, worn out with the
labor but filled with spirit which
impels her in her work. And, know
ing this. you know the logic actuat-
ing this question which this police
woman put to the interviewer:
DO you believe that conversion
changes the brain cells?'
Without waiting for an answer she
continued: II do. That is why try
to encourage spiritual development
and higher thoughts In my wards.
Perhaps you think sentimentalism
has no place in police work. / prefer
not to call 1t police but moral re-
construction The exercise of
woman's instinct, together with the
awakening of true sentiment In tho
minds Of my wards. puts me In close
touch with their innermost lives. II
fail to reach this inner chamber of
their hearts I fail. most often. In
placing their feet in the straight
road"
1t often remains for those who
enter a work for the first time to
think out Innovations that should
long before have been adopted. I'm
trained as professional social
worker. this woman Immediately
sought a way to place her wards
upon an honor basis with SEM
blance Of control necessary for
discipline. Experiments showed the
way, and to Mrs. Votaw is due the
credit for organizing the daily diary
and catechism" which promises to
find It's way into every welfare de-
partment in the world.
Under the new police rules in the
District of Columbia every girl or
woman placed under arrest Is at once
reported to and given into the charge
OF the woman's department, which Is
directed by Mrs. Nina c. Van Winckle
as chief. The case having been
handled either on q criminal or de-
linquent basis is, II possible. placed
upon the probationary list and be-
comes the concern of Mrs. Votaw.
And then begins the effort at the re-