New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-12-26
PARENTS At FAULT.
FOR BOYS THEFTS
So Charges Prosecutor Colon-
Justice Orders New Leaf
FLAMES AWAKE CHILDREN

Liquor Fine Paid In Record Time
-sneircnlan-Weiner Engagement
Town Receives Si,OOO-Briefs.
Charging that their parents were
the ones really at fault, Prosecutor
Charles r. Conlon this morning Sc.
/ verely condemned the lack of p2r-
entail restraint which had resulted in
the arraignment of 10 boys. ranging
| in age from nine to II years, for
petty thefts and had brought them
into court on charges OF theft and
, breach Of the peace. Agreeing with
the grand juror, Justice NJ. o. Ryder
stated that he had no doubt of the
guilt of all 10. but he continued their
cases until l o'clock Saturday after
noon, January 26, issuing strict or
dsrs that the boys must meantime
turn over new leaf and become
model youngsters in their action or
face the alternative Of terms in re-
form school.
The boys were arrested last week
by Constable George Schubert after
-ney had admitted to him that they
had committed the thieveries OF
which they were accused. Seven are
pupils at the Broad street school
and three are in junior high school.
Two boys were charged with nu-
I merous thefts, one. represented by
his mother, pleading guilty, and the
other, of whom Truant Officer Ed
ward r. Madeley was appointed
guardian ad litme. denying the
charge at first. The other eight were
charged with breach of the peace.
and the court appointed Principal
Orrin l.. Judd of the Broad street
school as their guardian.
Constable Schubert told of the ad-
missions of the two most serious Of
tenders According to their own
stories. he said, they had taken fruit
and cigarettes from various stores
in Plainville, money from the pop
corn machine at the Hayes e. Mar
inc store on West Main street, HASH
lights and other articles from auto
mobiles parked outside the Strand
theatcr, four toy airplanes from a
Bristol store, and three valuable
cigar lighters and two boxes OF
CARTRIDGES from s. J. Castles store
Further. in order that they might
rob parked autos in darkness. theS
had smashed lights about the thea
ter he stated:
The other eight formed a gang
the Constable said, and had beeh
arrested on a complaint by George
lie Witt that they had entered the
old Community theater building
ransacled it, and destroyed guam
,ity of things. They also had oeen
in the habit of stealing cigarettes
and hiding them by the red barn
behind the Seuuassen block. he SAID
returning later to smoke them.
Mr.. Judd took the stand and said
the boys had been reprimanded oy
Schubert on severa occasions IN ms
presence. They were all good IN
school, he stated and he blamed
late hours for their trouble.
One boy said few words and the
mother of OF another told the court
she had not known her boy was TAX
ing things.
Percy Williams. employed by Mr..
Dewitt, testified that he had caught
one of the eight leaving the Commu-
nifty building with his pockets stuff
ed with pads, ink. and books, and
had finally run him down.
eff they are petty thieves now.
what will they be in two or three
years." asked Prosecutor Conlon in
presenting his argument to the
Judge. "rhere ought to be some way
to keep them off the streets, and II
they persist in running wild they
must be sent to reform school. Their
parents are to blame. They ought TO
keep them in the house. not let them
60 running about the streets where
they can form gangs and do these
things" Lamenting the lack OF a
juvenile court or probation officer.
Attorney Conon said. I'VE are
where we we're 100 years aSo ana
have no adequate way to handle
these boys except 10 send them to re-
form school, ii thing we do not want
to do" In concluding. he shook his
finger at the boys and warned them.
Watch your NSp or you'll all be
down in Meriden."
The Justice said he was convinc-
ed of the guilt of the whole ten. In
continuing their cases. he gave them
strict orders to govern their conduct
in the coming month. The boys. he