The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-05
THE WILD BOYS OF AMERICA

Not so long ago one of the thrillers in newspa-
pers and periodicals vivid account of the wild
boys of Russia. Countless thousands of Russian
country like droves of wolves, half clothed and
fighting like wild beasts over each crumb they
could extract from garbage heaps.
Today Russia has made remarkable progress in
controlling and retaining her homeless youth,
while we have in the United States, according
to federal Statistics quarter million homeless and
wandering boys beating their way on freight trains
automobiles and whatnot from one shelter or hobo
camp to the next.
Their plight and an account of what Russia has
done for her wayfaring youth was the subject of a
symposium at the New School for Social Research
recently.
This is a serious problem for our country and
demands the attention of welfare officers and social
workers alike. The increasing crime rate among
youths is appalling, and most of these young delin-
quents have in the past come from homes where
they had some semblance OF decent life and care
What can expect if we sit idly by and per-
nit the recruiting of great army of wild youth
deprived of any normal home, school and conlmu-
nifty influence?
There have been number of articles describ-
notable of which is, perhaps, A. Wayne McMilIen's
AN Army of Boys on the Loose" in the Survey
Graphic
The figures collected by the Salvation Army, the
Volunteers of America and other organizations
which care for these rowing youngsters give us
startling insight into the conditions which prevail
Even in Phoenix, Ariz, the Volunteers lodged and
fed more than 1900 boys last winter
TT,a Co1v,o
more than 1000. In Oklahoma City, it looked
after $500 The Southern Pacific railroad elected
about 10000 boys from its freight trains and yards
This, admittedly, was only small percentage
of those who actually beat their way on the trains
OF the road The situation is as bad in other parts
OF the country and on other railroads
The conditions which prevail among these juve-
nile Migrants lamentable in the extreme. 1t is
becoming ever more difficult to get motor rides and
the boys thus are forced TO walk, often with bare
feet or to take to the "gondolas"
Diseases and death due to exposure and near
starvation are alarmingy numerous. Many of the
fellow transients of the boys are hardened Grim
inals Degenerates look upon these homeless boys
as easy and fair prey.
Hoboes try to convert them to their philosophy
OF floating through life. The general health and
resistance of the whole group is lowered as result
Of ill-feeding and exposure. All this makes for
death, disease, crininAity and degeneracy
Unemployment of parents and lack of adequate
relief facilities appear to De the main causes which
have spewed forth this array of pitiable youngsters
one case, not at all unusual reported parents out
OF work and relief allowance of $500 a week for
family of nine.
Many of the boys are too young to get work
under good conditions, and facing the present I'M
precedented unemployment, their plight is hopeless
Mr. McMllen suggests remedies Most impor
tant are the preventive measures which might be
taken: Cd Publicity as to conditions and needs:
CD better employment and relief facilities in con-
nectlon with the parents Of these boys and CD
activities, including healthy sports designed to
buck up the morale of the migratory youth Fed
eral unemployment agencies should speed up ac-
Invites in securing employments for those old
enough to hold steady jobs
In the meantime it is up to the communities
where these boys congregated to do all possible
70 prevent them from dying off like flies or from
becoming habitual Migrants criminals or degen
crates. AS Mr.. McMillen well concludes:
No plan of action will stop immediately or
completely the present migration of rowing bows.
But considerable proportion could be halted and
the present blind wandering with its attendant risk
and hardship, could be reduced
An honored principle of military strategy as
serts that in crisis it is better to do the wrong
thing than to do nothing. crisis contronts us. 1t
is time to act"