Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1921-06-11
IMPORTANT LAWS
Digest of Important State Laws Affecting
Women Enacted BY the Last Leg
islative Session.

Pierre, S. d., June Ga digest Of the
important laws enacted by the 1921 leg
islature which are of particular interest
to women Of the state, in that they affect
women and children, has been worked
out by Miss Ida NJ. Anding Of the State
Historical Department. The digest con
tains brief summary Of each law and
the chapter to which it has been as
signed in the 1921 session laws which
will be ready for delivery next week
The following is the result of Miss And
ing's work
Chapter ] Makes crime of abduction
receive u maximum sentence in the
penitentiary Of not to exceed 20 years.
Previously the sentence was not,exceed-
ing 8 years, and there was also chance
of having a county Jail sentence or mere
y hne. Now it is only penitentiary
sentence and SO much strengthened
Chapter 30. Appropriation of SlO,-
900 for civilian rehabilitation to meet
the government appropriation for this
use
Chapter 81. Appropriation Of Sl3, 800
for the relief of wives and widows OF
| Civil War Veterans This is meant for
those unable TO go to the State Soldiers
Home
| Chapter 1877. Making it possible for a
woman having an ilIegitimats child to
make her complaint as to its fatherhood
to any committing magistrate in the
county where she is The law formerly
required such complaint be made to a
Justice Of the Peace She can now make
the complaint to any officer where she
IS or where the accused may be found.
Chapter l4l. Provides that in cases
relating to delinquent children the pro
baton officer shall be a woman if The
child in the case be a girl. Formerly il
was not specified whom the probation
should be. Also makes it possible la
counties having a population of 10000
or more to have probation officer al-
pointed by the County Judge. Former
ly it was counties having $4,000 popula
ton or more This act also provides
that in trials of this sort the general
public shall be excluded from the court
room, and only such persons as have
direct interest in the case, witnesses,
etc, and accredited persons interested in
the social conditions study shall be ad-
mitted. Previously there was no pro-
hibition as to who could attend. The
act also provides that the records can be
| withheld from the undiscriminating
| public, but of course are open to the
child, its parents, etc. Also provides
that any adjudication under the act shall
not operate as disqualification for the
child for any public office and no child
| shall be denominated as a criminal by
such adjudication or be considered a
convict.
Chapter % and l42 Provide an APP
preparation for the child welfare com
mission, Chapter 29), and for County
Welfare boards The appropriation
chapter is for the child welfare commits
sion to work with and amounts to S3, 900.
Chapter 235. Creates state commits
sion for the control of the feeble mind
ed. The duty of this commission is to
make survey of state institutions aud
Of the state at large and to report all
feeble minded cases TO the county com-
missioners, the county board Of insanity
being the county feeble minded commits
sion under this act. The purpose ofthis
law is to make all feeble minded persons
in the state, wards of the state and to
keep them segregated that they may not
reproduce their kind.
Chapter 253. Makes November llth,
Armistice Day, legal holiday.
Chapter 254. Creates a home build
ing department which will distribute
financial aid from the state for those
wishing to build homes. Certain re-
quirements are made of the individual.
The department will be managed by the
already existing Rural Credits depart
ment which now has charge Of agricul-
tural affairs of state aid to individuals.
The maximum amount which can be
borrowed under this new law is limited
to 81 900, and the loan cannot constitute
more than so per cent Of the cost of the
home. The remaining 20 per cent must
be furnished by the individual.
Chapter 26l. Provides for insurance
of children by fFaternal societies.
Chapter 273 Display of flag on Moth
ers' Day, requested of state officials and
others by governors proclamation.
Chapter 29l. Mothers pensions ex.
tended to expectant mothers in need OF
aid. Also raises the aid for mothers,
pensions to S22. 80 per month. This was
formerly fixed at Sl5 per month Raises
the amount for each additional child
from 81 to $40 per month.
Chay ter 325 Makes father and moth
er equal guardians of child. Previously
the mother was guardian if the child
was very young but this responsibility
rested with the father if the child were
old enough to require education.
Chapter 334. Provides for license
and other regulation of public dance
halls. Power to grant license and fix
fee given to county commissioners. Law
prohibits persons under Is years attend
ing unless accompanied by parents or
guardian.
t,hantar goo Streputhans lo xoIo,