The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-11-03
help GIRLS
Fat MEDICAL
LAKE HOME
Re-education Rather Than
Reform Is Idea Behind
New Institution
ny A. KANOFI.

which was opened september l. at
Medical Lake. looks more ike we'll
kept family hotel than a corrective
nsss.dtion.
commented upon this condition
% Miss Margaret s. Gillian. the gu
pcrintendent. who very courteousiy
showed mo thru. and she explained;
I'VE have tried TO get away as
much as possible from the atmos-
phere OF the usual home for WON
en-. I haven't heard a single COM
plant from any OF the girls yet. and
as a matter OF fact two OF our latest
arrivals or their own volition asked
10 be committed here In order to take
the drug cure"
- PRESIDENTS
AT THE HOME
At present there are 20 residents"
a the home ranging In ages from
Is 10 so years. II from Seattle. five
having been committed on drug Of
fenses. and tho remainder for INSIDE
meanors Of a varying nature
The girls are instructed In sewing.
9rassnaking. hama and power laun-
dry. and dou.etaic science. Including
khe preparation and service OF meals.
For outdoor exercise and play. there
u gardening and PHYSICAL education.
under the guidance OF trained In
etructors-
Next year they plan 10 raise all
their vegetables. dairy and poultry
products on the grounds. as this
win not only effect a reduction In ex.
p~nses. but also afford q chance sor
heaishfui work and training.
The girls live In single rooms
which are the ulsimats in tidincss.
and for recreation during evenings
either read books borrowed from the
travelling libraries or gather about
the piano In the auditorium and sing
and dance. There Is no dearth OF tai
emit. as one OF the girls was a cabaret
singer before her commitment and
some have had training In music and
other forms Of entertainment
All this work and play. however.
serves merely as background TO the
greater task Of the institution. which
d not so much reform as reeduca-
ton.
ASSOCIATE WITH WOMEN
o. HIGH IDEALS
How do you !mplsnt IN than the
Ideals which win safeguard them
from a return 10 their former lives
after discharge asked.
~Chiefiy BY association with WON
en- Of high ldeals--the matrons and
nurses"
How effective does that prover
We do not know yet Our girls
ave only been here SIX or seven
seks, and none OF them has been
enlarged. But we feel that the
l<wsiar. healthy life they lead. and
HE chance to reflect that II affords
Them. generally brings them to n rec.
bxnition OF the error of their past
ways. Then. again. they are not dis.
charged until they have received a
thoro training In an occupation
which can net them a living wage.
Before a girl IL discharged, con
genial position IL found for her. and
shc IL placed upon probation She Is
visited at intervals by women who
take a real interest In her welfare.
and she = given advice as to the CON
duct Of her affairs
In my past experience. i have
found that many Of the younger girls
! marry. and the training they receive
Nhere will certainly 1T them for matri-
mony."
LACK or GOOD HOME CHIEF
CAUSE or DELINQUENCY
what do you think IL the chief
cause Of delinquency among the
younger giris?'
Lack Of a good home. I have
found that most OF the girls come
from homes where one or both Of the
parents have been divorced. and as
q result she has not received the
lasting influence Of good home
-one thing that I find here" she
added, lis that a great many Of the
husbands expect their wives to work
after marriage. This divides the In
terest Of the wife. brings her In con-
tact with outside Influences. and fire.
.quentiy results In a breaking up Of
the home.
Another cznse II that many
girls are lured from rural and small
communities by the glitter Of the
larger cities. Their native craving
for romance helps lead them astray."
Would you say then" l asked.
sthat one of tho purposes Of the
home Is to disillusion girls and
women. and 20 prove to them the
treachery OF tho adventure call Of
L<tfies."
@.Yes. believe I would was the
reply.
DANGEROUS DISEASES
CURED. III POSSIBLE
without entering into the ques-
ton Of the permanent effectiveness
Of any institution to re-educate de
Iinquent girls and women. one point
remains clear. That many Of them
are afflicted with diseases which
they would undoubtedly spread with
costly results. 10 society at large. and
these are cured and returned to tho
world as healthy physically as Is
possible. Also they leave with bet
ter sense of fitness and self-conff.
dence to undertake the wage strug-
gle.
30 tIdt III oniy 20 per cent OF
our girls eventually become good and
useful women. the results justify any
expenditures and efforts by the state
in their behalf"
Advises Teachers
to Be Less Prim
SACRAMENTO. Nov. 3.--Win c..
Wood. superintendent OF public in
struction, in an open letter. advised
school teachers to be less prim. 'Dig.
nifty Is an essential thing" said he,