The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-12-04
WHO IS TO BLAME?

Further reports of petty %pilfering by BOzeman
children have come to light since last week, when
local newspapers carried items based upon COM
plants of merchants.
Sunday morning, on the South side, an incident
of this character occurred. Two little girls, ap-
parently about 10 years of age, spied three milk
bottles on a porch. A hurried conference ensued.
One of the children ran across the street, seized
the bottles and rejoined her companion. Then
both FASTENED away.
But the theft had been observed, and the house
wife pursued them. Overtaken, they gave up their
spOils and admitted their error. It developed that
they intended to sell the bottles, for 10 cents
each, at a downtown establishment. They were
given a severe reprimand and permitted to go.
The child who took the bottles is a member of
a highly esteemed Bozeman family, and her par
ents undoubtedly would be shocked and grieved
to know that their daughter so thOughtlessly
violated the law. But in this particular instance
it is evident that there is a lack of parental over
sight and control-a lack that is entailing serious
consequences.
Undoubtedly the greater portion of this thievery
by children is due to the failure of parents not
perhaps, to endeavOr to teach law obedience and
respect for the rights of others, but to know at
virtually all times where their children are, with
whom they are associating, and what they are
doing. It is a considerable task properly to exer
else such supervision and control, but it is a nee
essity and a duty.
On the other hand, the merchants are not en-
tirely blameless for the unfortunate situation that
now confronts them. In certain past instances
some of them have shirked the duty of prescott
ing or forcing restitution simply because the guilty
ones belonged to families numbered among theil
good customers" Such temporizing is fatal
Prosecution and public disgrace may be necessary
only in rare cases, but some sort of action il
called for in every instance where the identit.
of the thief is known. Only by cooperation cal
the erring child be brought to a realization of tn
importance of obedience to law. If such trans
gressions are winked at for any reason whatsO
ever, in what manner can needed correction b
had?
One should not infer from news and editOria
comment that any great number of BOzema
children are addicted to offering. Far from i
The great majority compose a group as well trair
ed, as courteous, and as law abiding as can b
found in any city or town in the country. Tt
offenders, however, are sufficiently numerous nc
only to cause considerable trouble and loss, bU
to exercise a most undesirable influence upo
those with whom they come in contact.
The great burden of setting this matter arigE
rests squarely upon the shoulders of parent
whose natural duty it is to watch over, counse
and guide their children until the age of di
cretion and responsibility is reached. Merchant
however, should cooperate by notifying paren
whenever a theft is detected and the identity
the guilty child established. This may cost the
a little trade, but isn't the future welfare of Il
child worth such a small sacrifice?