Evening star., 1924-11-20
FAVOR EXTENDING
!. JUVENILE COURT
CIttzens, at Hearing, Advo-
scate More Authority in
( ChiIdren's Cases.

More authority for the Juvenile
Court in dealing with child delin-
Quency was favored by a. majority
or the citizens who attended the pub
Tic hearing of the Commission on
Public Welfare Legislation in the
District Building yesterday afternoon.
Ihe commission is about to draft
new Juvenile Court law for the Dis
trlct and its purpose yesterday was
TO sound out public opinion on four
or hve of the most essential features
Oh the law before it goes to Congress-
A proposal that the Juvenile Court
6e elevated to branch of the Dis
trlct Supreme Court was favored by
vote of 16 to 4 of those present
II IL should remain an inferior
court, as at present, the audience
voted 2b to . in favor of extending
its jurisdiction to include the handling
OF capital and infamous offenses COM
hhtted by minors. This proposition
carried with it proviso, however,
tnat the judge of the court should
nave discretionary power to refer
serious cases to the grand jury when
such an acti>a was deemed wise
More Authority Over Wards Needed.
The gathering also discussed the
duFlsabllIty of giving THE Juvenile
Court more leeway in committing its
"aros 10 guardianship during
minority. William Hodson, expert
cohsultant to the welfare commits
sion, explained that under the pres
ent law the Juvenile Court NAV COM
mt child only to the Board of
1hlidrens Guardians. the National
ailins School for Boys or the Ma
tlonal Training School for Girls.
one of the suggestions being con-
sfdered for the new law is thar in
ADDITION to the foregoing, the court
De empowered to commit children for
temporary periods to properly licens-
cd private institutions.
another proposal put forward by
the commission for discussion was
tnat the Juvenile Court be given juris-
dlctlon over the legal process of child
adoption, now handled by the Dis
trlct Supreme Court. There was not
much discussion of this item. Mr.
Hodson explained that it was felt
the Juvenile Court had the machinery
at hand for making preliminary in
Vestigation of adoption cases.
Consider Woman,s Bureau.
What shall be the relationship of
the woman's bureau of the police de-
partment to the Juvenile Court?" was
another question put forward for con-
ing of the new law
Former Judge Milton Strasburger.
who presided in the absence of Justice
Frederick l.. Siddons. closed the meet
ing with an earnest appeal to all
Washingtonians to unite in SUPPORT
ing the new Juvenile Court bill when
1T reaches Congress.
I'VE do not expect to be able to
draw perfect piece of legislation.
a n hn fiyoo Irof
the wishes of every one interested in
child welfare in Washington. But
remember that one Of the greatest
social needs of the District is a new
Juvenile Court law, and we should
put aside our personal desires and
join in getting the measure through"
At the opening Of the meeting, DR..
w. A. White of st. Elizab this Hos
pital, spoke in favor of broadening
the Juvenile Courts field of activity.
Favors Raising Age Limit.
II think it is a great mistake to
limit the Juvenile Court to certain
kinds of cases. said Dr. White "Ex-
tend its operations as far as possible.
] would be in favor of raising the age
limit of Juvenile Court cases to 81
years.
Rev. DR.. John O'G-ady of the Cath
Ollie Charities advocated making the
Juvenile Court a branch of the Dis
trict Supreme Court. He also urged
that the court be empowered to COM
init children to responsible private
agencies.
A. Y. Bradley, a lawyer, was in
Clined to doubt the wisdom of giving
the Juvenile Court broad jurisdiction
over criminal cases. He also was
doubtful of the advisability of max
ing that tribunal a branch of the
District Supreme Court.
The commission will give careful
consideration to the arguments ad-
vanced yesterday when it meets to
make the final draft of the new law.