The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-28
Juvenile Welfare Committee of
Topeka Fully Organized.
J. D. NJ. Hamilton President,
John V. Floyd Vice President.
MOTOR CAR IS A MENACE
Young Drivers Responsible for
Juvenile Delinquency.
Persons to Watch Dance Halls,
Pool Halls and Theaters.

| The juvenile welfare committee of
topeka today was formally and finally
| organized, with a complete staff of
| officers, a constitution and bylaws
and with the object of the committee
being stated as Ito initiate, support
land promote, without radicalism, ac-
tivitfes which will determine the phys
! zeal, mental and moral welfare of boys
and girls, and to oppose such forces as
threaten and endanger their welfare"
There were twenty delegates at the
meeting held at noon today at the
Chamber of Commerce, representing
as many civic and ethical organiza-
tions which are interested in the well
fare of Topeka's boys and girls. Mem
DerShip in the committee is still open
to representatives of other similar or
CARNATIONS, and to individuals who
are interested in the same subject.
J. d. NJ. Hamilton, probate judge of
Shawnee county, is president Of the
committee, John V. Boyd, Boy Scout
executive for Topeka, is secretary and
treasurer, and Capt. W. P. MacLean,
superintendent of the State Boys In
dustrial school, is vice president.
Committees, which will serve for a
year, are to be appointed by the
president on the following subjects:
Health, recreation. dance halls and
theaters. pool halls and tobacco Gas re-
lated to minors), the enforcement of
the liquor law, publicity and the cur
lew OtIeT special committees are
also to be appointed by the president
of the committee.
Very Few Laws to Obey.
Following the adoption of the con-
stitution and bylaws, which were pre-
scented by committee of which c. ".
Seeley was chairman. Judge Hamilton
gave a short digest of the laws which
apply to Juvenile welfare in the city of
topeka. He recited both the state
laws and the city ordinances.
The small number of the laws was
a subject of surprise to the members
Of the committee. THE scarcity of
the laws regarding child welfare and
disgrace to this community" Bishop
James Wise. the originator of the plan
for the committee. declared in speak
ing of the report of Judge Hamilton.
Sins of the Motor Car.
According to the ordinances of the
city of Topeka, no person under the
age of 4 years is permitted to drive
an automobile.
If you can get the city commits
sioners to raise this age limit to 16
years and then enforce it, you will do
more to put a stop to juvenile delin-
quency than in any other way know
Of" Judge Hamilton told the mem
bers of the committee. Il am firmly
convinced that 80 per cent of the
Juvenile delinquency comes from the
use of the automobile"
Judge Hamilton told the committee
members that their most difficult task
will not be in the passage or enforce
ment of laws stating what children
must not do, but in getting the par
ents of the children to take the proper
interest in them, and to look after
them in the home.
1t was determined that copies of the
digest of laws should be prepared and
sent to each organization which has
on the committee. and
that one of the tasks Of the committee
shall be the circulation of these or
dinanees and laws, looking toward
their enforcement.
The next meeting of the committee
is to be held at the Chamber of Com
merce at noon, December II.