Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-03
JUVENILE CRIME
TREATMENT IS HIT
Courts Lose Sight of Indi-
viduaI Child, Dr.. Van Waters
Tells Women'S League.

Despite the efforts made by welfare
organizations, juvenile courts and
scientists, little has been achieved
toward solving the problems of juve-
nile delinquency and much is to be
desired In the handling and DISPOSE
ton of cases Of law violators under
18, declared DR.. Miriam Van Waters,
child welfare authority, at luncheon
held yesterday at the Hotel Hamilton
by the Voteless District of Columbia
League of Women Voters.
DR.. Van Waters; as referee of the
Juvenile Court of Los Angeles and
consultant for the National Committee
on Law Observance and Enforcement,
has made a profound study of condi-
tions affecting child welfare and juve-
nile delinquency both in this country
and abroad Startling examples of de-
plorable legislation existing in the
United States were cited by her before
the ITO guests and members at the
luncheon.
Before building up new institutions
for children, and starting on new pro-
grams carrying on modern methods"
said DR.. Van Waters, I'VE should eX-
anime the state of present affairs. There
is too much machinery attached to the
problems of juvenile delinquency, while
the individual problem Of the child
is lost sight OF"
Penitentiary Terms Given.
Cases of children sentenced to serve
penitentiary terms were cited by DR..
Van Waters, who pointed out that little
improvement had been made in the
past 80 years, when the movement was
started to inaugurate juvenile courts
and special handling OF child delinquents.
DR.. Van Waters told of one boy now
serving life sentence for crime COM
mitted when IL years old.
1.-THE results shown today" continued
DR.. Van Waters, "discredit our methods.
In Europe the American Juvenile
Court idea has been taken but in
terpreted along lines more in keeping
with community spirit"
In most European countries children
under is or IS are not considered ca
pable of entertaining criminal motives,
said the child authority.
Small foster homes for children in
stead of reformatories and intelligent
custodianS to study individual problems
instead of an inflexible application of
unsuitable laws was offered by DR.. Van
Waters as an upward step In lettering
present conditions.
Flexible System Urged.
Courts should have flexible proceed
ings." she declared. They should pro-
coed not only will. reference to the
offense but with reference to the child
as a whole"
There are just as many children in
jails today as there we're before the ex-
istence of Juvenile Courts" she con-
cluded. THE people engaged in juve
nile work should be IN the work because
of constructive Interestingly should be
loTable individuals, and Mould bear in
their hearts and minds the slogan,
More joy for the YOUTH"
The luncheon was held under the au-
spices of the Social Hygiene Committee,
Of which Mrs. F. B. Croxton is chair
man.
Many distinguished guests attended,
including Sanford Bates, director of the
Bureau of Prisons; Stephen z. Kramer,
first assistant superintendent of schools;
DR.. p. j. Ewerhardt, director and
psychiatrist, Washington Child Guild
ance Clinic: Mrs. E. P. Costigan, former
president of the District Of Columbia
League of Women Voters, and Mrs. Ell
mer street, chairman of the Social Hy-
giene Committee of National League of
Women Voters. Others at the guest
table were Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle
and Miss Fay Bentley, who introduced
the speaker.