The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-08
QUIZ IS BEGUN
OF DETENTION
HOME CHARGES
'0verCroWded, InSanitary,'
Is Claim of Voters
League Chief.
children C00PED up
Assertions of Mrs. Daniels
Draw Answer From
Superintendent.

'OVercroWded children are
cooped up and get no exercise =.
education is neglected it's
surprising there has been no epidemic
OF some dangerous disease p"
With this indictment against the
Marion county juvenile detention
home, 225 East Michigan street. in
report by Mrs. Joseph j. Daniels
chairman of the child welfare COM
mlttee Of the League of Women
voters, steps were taken today for
an investigation of the institution.
We're making the most of OR
limited facilities" was the reply of
MISS Susanna Pray, detention home
superintendent for twenty-five years.
we welcome an investigation, but
no undesirable conditions that can
be helped will be found"
criticism of the home by Mrs
Daniels, at luncheon of the Indian
apolis Council of Social Agencies
Monday at the Christ church parish
mouse, resulted in the proposal for
probe to be referred to the coun-
CHS child welfare committee. of
which Miss Gertrude Taggart is
chairman.
Claims No Degregation
Miss Taggart said today that a
meeting of the committee probably
will be held Wednesday when plans
Tor an inquiry will be discussed.
The institution constantly is
overcrowded," said Mrs. Daniels.
She alleged that there is no prac-
tical segregation OF white and Ne
gro children, or of delinquent chill
dren and those neglected by their
parents.
No definite medical program is
provided, she said, pointing out
that there is no separate room for
medical examinations.
Its surprising that an epidemic
has not swept the home" Mrs
Daniels asserted.
No Yard at Home
Lack of education is appalling
she continued, with no teacher
provided.
There is no yard at the home,
and children never get outdoors
Boys can be found sitting around
the home for sixteen hours a day
They are punished sometimes by
being made to stand for two or
three hours at a time. Lack of oc-
cupation is frightful.
THE dining rooms of the institu-
ton are almost pitch dark"
The detention home is an old
three-Story brick residence, and was
established to avoid putting children
into Jail before their cases can be
heard, and in some instances they
remain there until they can be
placed in other homes and institu-
tions.
In Use for Years
Today, Mrs. Pray said, there were
fifteen boys and five girls in the
home. During this month the daily
population of the home has ranged
from twenty to forty.
The home on East Michigan street
has been in use for five years. Dur
ing this time. Miss Pray said,
county commissioners have talked
continually of erecting a new
building.
To take the place of school work,
Miss Bray said. she has an assembly
for one hour every morning. During
this period she teaches the children
Bible lessons, and leads them in
singing. At these meetings boys and
girls are in separate rooms.
An hour and half each evening
is devoted to similar studies, radio
music and story reading.
Every Sunday morning Sunday
school exercises are held. Each
Wednesday evening a scripture les
son is taught by local minister.
Boys up to 16 are housed in the
home on the third floor with sleep
ing facilities for twenty-five in the
dormitory.
Boys Aid in Cleaning
Miss Pray admitted that standing
often is the penalty for disobedience
or misbehavior, but she denied that
any child had ever been harmed.
I'VE believe that standing is more
reasonable than beating" she said.
Boys aid in cleaning the base
ment, helping with the washing and
keeping their quarters clean. Games
are also provided for amusement.
Sleeping quarters and wash rooms
are kept sanitary and clean. y,
Girls to the age of Is are housed
on the second floor with sleeping
facilities for nineteen.
A sitting room also is provided
where games are available and sew
ing is taught. Girls also aid in
cleaning, cooking and washing. Sep
arate dining rooms for girls and
bows are provided.
Special doctors look after the
health of the children, Miss Pray
said. Before they are released to
homes the children are given phys
ical examinations
During last year Miss Pray stated,
there has been no serious illness.