Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-05-18
Juvenile court
ASKS new Home
Urges City Council to Pro-
vide Better for Child
Delinquents
WOULD SAVE MONEY,
ASSOCIATION HOLDS

Basing their plea on the conhden
belief that a new detention hous
would save the city considerable
money each year. a delegation rep
| resenting the Juvenile Court Asso
citation last night conferred for NOR,
than an hour with the finance com
mittee of City Council.
At the close OF the hearing, which
was held in the Public Building, tn,
committee promised TO give the
question serious consideration, but Il
was evident from remarks by Coun.
Gilman James b. McManus, chair.
man, that II was extremely doubtful
IL any appropriation of size for such
a purpose would be granted in the
forthcoming annual budget.
I'VE have a number Of people
who are for better schools in VIII
mlngton." he said. but you know
how they stand on increasing the
tax rate for that. The directors OF
Public Safety want to put the va
rious fire houses in good condition.
and you know how the people stand
on that. You are advocating a noble
idea. What will the sentiment Of
the people be on that? You must
first educate the people to a higher
tax rate"
The delegation was headed by E.
Paul dupont. president of the Ju-
venile Court Association, and was
composed OF Miss Anna NJ. Ferris
Judge william S. Prickett OF the Ju-
venile Court. Peter ]. Ford, DR.. David
A. Ward superintendent Of city
schools, ]. Paul Green. chief proba-
ton officer, the Rev. Frederick T.
Ashton and Richard Sellers. While
the hearing was in progress Mayor
Harvey Joined the delegation, and
later suggested that In view Of the
effort TO keep the tax rate at its
present figure. another building
might be rented temporarily for a de-
tention house.
Miss Ferris submitted a plan OF
a model detention home. which the
association feels would meet the ac-
tual needs of the city. TO cost APP
proximately 100000. At the same
time she submitted a pan for a
unit which would meet the imme-
date needs OF the city. but which
would only be the initial step toward |
the erection of a model home. Z
which would entail an expenditure 1
Of $4,000.
The plan submitted TO the finance
committee as the ultimate goal Of
the Juvenile Court Association con- &
-. 9 he
emile Cour, ami 4t9 various depart /
ments to a building Of its own. Plans
for this building have been approved /
by the Russell sage Foundation.
Judge Prckett said that while
proportion Of the support for
the detention home movement
should apply 10 Levy Court. as
many cases from tho county came
before the City Courts primarily L
Is matter for tho city. because most
Of the cases in which Juvenile offend
ers are concerned come from the
city.
Superintendent David a. Ward said
he problem Of the Juvenile Court is
not so much the punishment for
crime as IL is TO direct juvenile Of
lenders into the paths Of ght, so
hat they VIII become assets Instead
" liabilities TO the community. The :
sbsence OF a proper place TO detain
hem. he maintained. hasa tendency
o nullify the Jaw. he insisted that
he sooner the city provides proper
detention home the sooner the city
3 going to raise the standard of its d
citizenship. The city, he said. will
ain in a way that cannot be meas [
fred by dollars and cents.
Judge Prickett explained the ne
.ess.ty for having some kind OF a J
detention home. He explained that '
uvenile offenders are usually de- I
aimed a week or two to diagnose I