Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-30
HOME IN D. c. URGED.
FOR DEL|NQUENTS.
Judge Sellers Sees Need of
Institution Like One at
Blue Plains, Va.


Lack of a suitable public institution
In the District Of Columbia for white
boys and girls undeserving commitment
to the Reform School during their mi
nority was deplored today by Judge
Kathryn Sellers in discussing some of
the problems Of delinquency with which
she deals in the Juvenile Court.
The establishment of an intermediary
institution for this class of white chill
dren and colored girls, such as the one
maintained by the District for colored
boys at Blue Plains, Va, Judge Sellers
believes, is perhaps the greatest need
In the proper supervision of 0 majority
of the delinquency cases that come
before her.
AS conditions exist today, she pointed
out, white boy guilty of some minor
offense Of non-criminal nature must
be sent to the National Training School
during his minority, where he comes
into contact sometimes with extreme
types of youths whose ages alone keep
them from prison.
Brought to Congress Attention.
"No public institution for white boys
and girls or colored girls such as is
found in the model establishment for
colored boys, the Industrial Home
School, exists in the District" Judge
Sellers said, although the need for one
has been brought to the attention OF
Congress"
Judge Sellers comes into daily con-
tact with children of destitute families
some of whom have the run of the
streets, with a result that sooner or
later they are brought into the Juvenile
Court. Some of these are sent to the
Industrial Home School, on Wisconsin
avenue, where homeless children are
given a place of refuge by the District
Welfare Board. This school, however
is not one of disciplinary nature and
hardly the place, she believes, for boys
and girls who should be placed for six
months or a year, perhaps, IN some
house of correction.
Confronted with this situation, Judge
Sellers Is forced by necessity sometimes
to commit youths to the National Train
ing School until they reach the age OF
81 for offenses which clearly call fol
less severe discipline.
At Blue Plains, Va. different prob
lem is met in the colored youths sent
there for training and development into
citizenship. The boys committed there
most Of them for short periods, ara
sent to the school more for discipline
than punishment. They are the types
of mild offenders, probation breake =
and hayward boys who have done moth
ing of a criminal offense deserving
severe form Of punishment.
Personal Interest Manifested.
It was to see what this school is pro-
ducing in the way of results that a
representative Of The Star sought Supt
Wendell p. Tucker, under whose guild
ance boys have been going out into the
world from the institution.
IT have found" said the superintend-
ent, that the best permanent results
with boys sent to us are obtained by
the personal interest element manifest
ed In each individual. A study Of each
boys habits and shortcomings should
be made to secure the best results In
his character development. Another
matter Of greatest importance Is to
keep the boys busy with o constructive
program all the time" ~
The Blue Plains institution comprises
five cottages and office buildings. Each
cottage Is in charge of matron. Order
and cleanliness are observed in every
building on the place. From the beds
in the dormitories, which are cared for
by the boys themselves, to the living
room and dining room, these cottage
homes are kept In perfect condition.
The food Is simple, but of the best
and the health Of the boys Is watched
carefully by a visiting doctor and dent
ist who have modern clinic at their
disposal.
Trades Are Taught Boys.
The boys not only receive elementary
school instruction daily, but Mr.. Tucker
lays stress upon the importance OF
vocational training. Several trades are
taught. including carpenter work. brick
masonry. blacksmith work, automobile
repair work, electric wiring. plumbing
metal work and shoe making.
In the basement Of the adminiStra'
ton building is the equipment for shoe
repair work. Here may be seen severa
young boys learning the shoemakine
| trade as well as doing all the repair
work on the shoes worn by their school
| mates. Constructive work Is encouraged
as well as individual talent.
Mr.. Tucker keeps his boys contentet
| and he feels that one Of the most salts
| factory results Of his work Is the fac
! that he receives visits every month from
| at least IL to Is boys who have lief
| the school and who return to give vol
untary reports Of their progress out
side.
Several cases Of boys who have mad,
| a success after leaving the school wert
| cited One of Mr.. fuckers boys, no
more than 19 years old. who Learned
| his trade at the Industrial Home, tool
out a permit recently for carpenter ant
concrete work at which he is making.
| success. One of the professors of thu
| Armstrong High School, called the In
duStrial Home superintendent a few
days ago TO report that two of tn,
former institution boys had been put OF
the honor roll Of the high school TO
| the year. Mr.. Tucker states that he ha.
received many reports of the satisfac
tory progress Of boys who had formerl!
been Gin training" at the Blue Plain
School.
| Vegetables Are Raised
The Industrial Home has a 65-acr
farm, where. under the direction of al
expert farmer. the boys raise PRACTICAL.
all the vegetables used throughout tn
year. Vast quantities are raised through
out the season, and during the Summe
vegetables are canned by the matrons
| All of the repair work on building
| and grounds also Is done by the boys
| The office building. including electri
equipment and steam fittings, and
| concrete garage. as well as concret
walks. are pointed out as examples o
the work which has been done entirel.
by the boys.
A playground IS provided at ths
home, with q base ball diamond ant
basket ball court. The boys are also en-
couraged to read and in each livinl
room is q little bookshelf
ARAB TRIBESMEN BATTLE