The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-07
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

OUT of the fog of reaction which is gather
" ing in California there stands forth one
clear ray of light, namely the comeback of
Judge Ben B. Lindsey, who was elected judge of
the Superior Court in Los Angeles last Noven-
Der by the largest vote ever cast in contest for
that office in the history OF the state
In discussing his election with me, Judge
Lindsey admitted that he was somewhat sur
prised at the outcome. He believed that he
Slipped by because the big interests in California
were too much interested in stopping Upton Sin
clair and his EPIC plan. They had little time
or money to spend in snuffing out the judges
aspirations.
In spite of this, bitter effort was made
locally to destroy the Judge The campaign
against him was vindictive and full OF Vlllltlca-
ton It was one of the bittereSt and one OF the
most INSCRIPTIONS OppositionS which the judge
has ever faced. But the money that was poured
into southern California by the big interests
was spent mainly to defeat Sinclair and the
Judge won handsomely in spite of the fact that
he had to conduct his campaign personally on a
shoestring with his wife acting as his campaign
manager.
The Judges victory is a sweeping vindication
of his brave fight against his Denver enemies.
Liberals everywhere will be likely to nail his
comeback with qualification When all is said
and DONE Ben Lindsey has been syinnoI OF
humanity and civilization for over third OF
century.
FUDGE LINDSEY first came prominently be-
j fore the American public as pioneer in the
movement to bring about a more civilized treat
ment of youthful criminals.
Probation and juvenile court acts had been
passed before his experiment but he was the IrSG
to give these more humane methods practical
trial and to dramatic his efforts through MS
writings and lectures
Before his day it was common to treat
juveniles in the same harsh way that we still
deal with adult criminals and to sentence them
IN brutal reform schools, where they were almost
Inevitably headed toward a career as habitual
criminals.
In 1899 the Chicago Woman's Club started al
vigorous campaign for sensible treatment OF Ju-
venile delinquents and the state OF ColorauO
passed a law in the same year which permitted
Judge Lindsey to put such advanced Ideas INTO
operation. :,
Today. Juvenile courts are commonplace IN
all advanced states of the Union and are ac-
cepted as one Of the major advances OF huInaI1-
tarianism in our generation.
But it took great courage, nearly 40 years ago,
to espouse such practices in the face OF organ
lied savagery. The fact that we take juvenile
courts as a matter OF course today Is que more
than anything else to Judge Lindsey's daring ana
perseverance and to the fact that he carried on
an educational campaign in benalt OF MS pro-
gram all over the United States.
A FTER having made the United States safe
N for Juvenile courts Judge Lindsey next de-
voted himself beginning a little more than lO
wear ago to promoting more civilized and rea-
sonable ideas and practices with respect to mar
riage divorce and sex problems.
It was here that he developed his famous no
ton of companionate marriage, as safeguard
against prostitution, venereal disease, abortlons
and needless divorces. This campaign was
linked I'D closely with the defense OF birth con-
troll. which was an integral part OF his COM
panionate scheme.
In several books and many lectures Judge
Iindsev carried on propaganda for this program.
AS was to be expected, the opposition was more
fierce and INSCRIPTIONS than that which ne nae
been compelled to face in defending his juvenile
court movement. But the more sensible IDEAS
that prevail in this field today owe much 10 the
Judges persistence and bravery.
The reactionary interests in Colorado never
forgaye Judge Lindsey for his able prosecution
of one of the great American utility mogulS. so
a few wears ago they stirred up the khan 10
launch a mob movement against him and tney
disbarred him on the basis of a trumped-up ana
trivial charge But he was cleared by the Call
forpia bar. where he could get fair hearing.
Prior to nv recent visit with the Judge III
Los Angeles, the last time I had seen him was
when presided at his meeting at mecca Iemple
after his run-in with Bishop Manning at the
Cathedral of st. John the Divine couple OF
He is now a new man. He is cheerful, indus
triols and looks ten years younger. AND ne mas
had some lucky breaks recently. Mary PICK
fords divorce and his more recent wrestling
with the Hollywood marital quadrangle have
once more made him a national figure on the
front pages of our national newspapers
There is every reason to expect that the judge
has still before him at least decade IN whlcn
TO serve as a staunch protagonlSt OF urbanlty
and decency