Evening journal., 1919-11-17
DECLARE CITY NEEDS
GIRFEW ORDINANCE
To Be Effective Speakers
Agree Public Sentiment
Would Have TO Support
WOULD HAVE LAW
INCLUDE 1S YEARS

Wilmington uetuo culltW law. DuL
unless public opinion would be so
strongly behind it that the law would
be enforced. Il would do no good was
The concensus Of opinion Of the speak
ers at The Wilmington Public Forum,
yesterday. The me6iing was we'll at
tended. The statement Of Miss Ellen
Samworth. Of the city schools. that
She would like a law 10 extend 10 boys
and girls up 10 IS years. instead Of
stopping with the i6-ycar-0ld. was
loudly applauded. The meeting was
preceded by a brief memorial 10 Pa
trOlman Thomas l.. Zeblcy. whose
funeral was taking place at that hour.
Irving C.. easier, OF the Community
service, sang Lead. kindly Light as
solo, and all present sang Nearer
My God 10 Thee"
The Rev. William A. Nrooman. chair
man Of the forum committee, presided
over the meeting. which was under
the auspices OF the Forum and Of Alert
Branch. Sunshine Society.
Mrs. George w. Dorsey, Jr.. State
President Of the international Sunshine
Society, spoke Of the law as a preventive
measure. keeping the children from get
ting into mischief and out Of parental
control.
Mrs. J. Edward Wilson, president Of
Albert Branch, said the proposed law
would require children under i6 years
of age, 10 be or the streets after q
O'Clock unless under proper adult chap
eronage
Probation Officer Paul Green asserted
That % per cent. Of the children
brought before the Juvenile Court wan
der the streets from morning until late
% night. He said he could cite cases for
an hour OF children brought before the
rourt who had been going home late at
night and golion into robberies, their
ihioFing frequently showing such a
Of criminal methods that the
police were deceived by Il, thinking II
The work Of professionals. lie thought
q curfew law would stop much juvcn-
he delinquency IN The city The Juven-
he Court. he said. would prefer to act
upon parents rather than on the little
but the law gives them no.such
Tile curfew would ere
lte a habit OF early hours at home, in I
Doe children. he suid.
Frank Mitchell, Of the \. VI. C. A. /
poke Of tie necessity for such a law as /
evidenced by his own personal obser-
.aiion.
lie said there were half a dozen sec
ions in the city where immortality pre- |
rallied among young boys and girls on I
he streets late at night lie said on /
.ers stationed at the barracks on I
french street last year complained Of |
De conditions IN that section. saying
-Oung girls were hanging around The |
.ailWay station until midnight. An en- 1
0rced curfcw law would do much 20 /
top this training in crime. Mr. /
Mitchell th0urs't. and would compel |
he parents 20 pay more attention 20 |
Heir children.
Miss Helen Hart echoed this senti- !
nent. She said the foreign born were |
handicapped by unfamiliar conditions 4
n this city I'm The old country. chn /
ren were kept at home and the girls
ale-guarded. The children here learn
american ways and feel superior 20
ielr parents because Of this better
nowledse Of English and Of American
'ays. They get out OF parental con.
rol. "
Mrs. Bessie Bowser, speaking in he
AR Of the colored women Of fbe
ity, said they want a curfew law moi
My Tor this city. but for The smaller
owns Of the state as well.
Miss Ellen Samworth. principal Of
chool No. ~. spoke Of the necessliv
Z cooperative spirit between The
chOol and the home. both In lessons
nd moral conduct. She said the in
uence the children get at the corner
nd in the back lots. IS the influence
hey try 20 bring into the school
9oms Shs heartily endorsed a curfew
Nv.
Bernard Klcilz, a High school boy.
aid a great deal OF sentiment is found
nong the High school girls for the ,
Iw. but suggested 20 would be a good /,
ling If Probation Ollcer Green could \
ldress a mass meeting Of the boys.
Doctor T.. /. Hubbard. in the course =
his remarks. said: THE child does +,
OF belong 10 The parent primarily. It's :
rst interests belong TO the state. as
pom the development Of the child de- ,
ends The future Of the State. The na- :
on and civilization. 4.
Mrs. Wilson, in reply 10 a question. .
ated 6j large cities already have cur !
w laws similar to The one proposed
" Wilmington. among them Newark. q,
and Topeka.