Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-25


alone of lowering the death rate from
preventive causes, Commissioner
Bristol points out that health work
is worthy of the support of every citi-
zen. as well as a generous appropria-
ton for it's maintenance.
Charities and Corrections
Makes It's Annual Report
The annual report of the State
Board of Charities and Corrections
which has been filed with the Cover
nor and Council recommends that the
appropriations for certain selected
hospitals. shall make a general ap-,
preparation to be apportioned by the
State Auditor among all incorporated
charitable hospitals and municipal
hospitals whose standard of care are
approved by the State Commissioner
of Health and whose rates of charge
and methods of investigation as to
the ability of the patient to pay are
approved by the State Board of Chart
ties and Corrections, in direct proper
ton to the amount of service which
the several hospitals qualifying for
aid actually render to persons who
are unable to pay for the same.
"This plan should provide that
cities and towns which do not main
tain their own hospitals for care Of
persons needing hospital treatment
who are unable to pay for it, may
contribute towards the care of such.
| persons in an incorporated hospital.
| if they elect to do So" says the report
of the Board of Charities and Correc-
| tons.
at should further provide that per-
sons receiving the benefit of any such
| city or town payment shall not be
deemed paupers because Of such
| treatment.
Probation.
Probation is steadily becoming
more and more important factor in
the treatment of the delinquency
problem. To very considerable de-
gree the probation officer is an arm of
the court and in many states he is
appointed by the court. In our State
| Cumberland county excepted), he is
appointed by the Governor for term
of four years and his salary is fixed
by the county commissioners.
"Inasmuch as he should possess the
! complete confidence of the court. and
should be available for service in all
| courts having criminal Jurisdiction, it
! is recommended that a general statute
be enacted, including Cumberland
county. providing for appointment by
| the justices of the superior courts in
! nd in,
other counties by the chief justice Of
the supreme court, the appointee to
continue in Office at the pleasure Of
the appointing power.
"The number Of officers to be ap-
pointed and their rate of compensa-
ton should be fixed by the Legisla-
ture, having in mind that these Of
ficers must adequately ser'-e the
municipal as well as the higher
courts. The salary and necessary
| travelling expenses. when approved by
the appointing power, can be paid
| either by the state or county, as the
\ Legislature may find expedient. IN
some cases it might be well to pro-
| vide that one probation officer should
serve more than one county.
'The duties of the probation Of
ficers are more or less administrative
I and the work of all of them should
be SO co -ordinated as to have the adj
vantage of the best thought and ex-
rperience on the subject. To that end
it is advisable to provide that such
officers keep such records and such
data as the Board of Charities and
Corrections shall prescribe.
II Juvenile Courts.
! In recent years there has been a
| development of the Juvenile court
| Maine has not thus far established
any such court. To be effective, such
a court needs the full time service of
/ a special judge, and one or more full
time probation officers. Our scat
tered population has appeared to
make the creation of such court of
predetermined nature. Such a court
! might we'll be created on the part of
the State, giving its jurisdiction in
all Juvenile cases over a distance
| which should include, say Portland.
| Biddeford and Lewiston, and the sur
/ rounding territory. The headquarters
could be at the Cumberland County
Court House, with authority to hold
y
erection of the presiding magistrate at
any convenient court room within the
| district. -
/ Family Courts.
1T is believed. however. that a
! much better solution of this problem.
(. for Maine, in any event and doubtless
| for almost any other state, would be
the establishment Of a statewide
system of family. courts, circuit courts
IF the territory to be covered makes
it necessary, having jurisdiction over
all cases involving the family rela-
| tionship. such as desertion, non-sup-
/ port. divorce, separation. neglect of
/ children and Juvenile delinquency or
! action of adults contributing in such
i delinquency"
i Public Utilities
4 Adhesion was rendered Wednesday
4 by the Public Utilities Commission
4 Diminishing the petition of the Maine
/ Central Railroad Co. that standard