The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-27

pupnc welfare OfflciAlS, the local press succeeded in obtaining de- cision from Judge MaScolo allowing the presence of ncWspapermen at hearings conducted for the purpose of shifting wards in local private families care to the county home.
 Today's hearing was the result about month ago of the state board of finance and control in ape proving shifting of the expense of caring for 140 local children from the shoulders of the municipality to Che state and making them wards of the county.
 Protest Exclusion
 City Editor William T. Earring ton of the Democrat and Harold Senior of the American successfully combatted the motion made by County Commissioner A. Sidney Lynch and supported by Mrs. Con- stance Meyers. a representative of the state bureau of child welfare, and Miss Kathleen Crowley, local probation officer, which would have excluded newspapcrmen. Sec ton 1862 of the general statutes governing hearings in juvenile courts was quoted by Miss Crowley to sup" port the move to exclude the press.
 The opponents to the motion charged that "star chamber" Scs- sions involving the 40 local wards would not be for the best interests of the public. They contended that the hearings do not involve criminal procedure and that the public mind would be set at rest, especially on the subject of possible railroading of youngsters out of local homes.
 Miss Whites Threat
 Miss Grace White, an investigator for the local child welfare division o fthe public welfare department, was the one who threatened to go over Judge Mascolo's head In his refusal to remove two children from a local home. He committed seven children to the county home from one family and one from another but refused to act immediately in the case of the other two children when Mrs. Thomas Lynch, City Edi- tor Harrington and Thomas r. Bane
  being given the two youngsters m duestion at their present place of dolnicile.
 "Of course, Judge Mascolo, you know that we are prepared to re- mcVe the children from the home in question even though you have or- dcred continuance of a months," asserted Miss White. Judge Mascolo asked Miss White to at least grant hira the courtesy of a month in which to survey the case. Miss White made no promise while Mrs. Meyers and Mrs. Margaret Verdon, head of the local welfare depart merit, declared that immediate re- fnoval to the county home should be ordered. Judge Mascolo expressed a reluctance to break Up family of children If they are being properly cared for.
 Reasons Offered
 They don't call the lady who is caring for her mother or aunty," was one of the objections raised by Miss White.
 ."They live on third floor" was one of Mrs. Verdon's objections. She also said that the lady taking care of the two children in question is about GO years of age. We want youth in caring for children" she added.
 "The lady won't let the children go to the moving pictures or to the parks" was another assertion of Miss White in demanding immcdi- ate removal of the children to the county home.
 City Editor Harrington declared that the children involved arc well taken care of. He based his testi- nIony on personal observation. I've known some children that have bEen raised better by grandparents than by younger people. even their own parents" asserted MT. Bane. "Thcse children are cared for by ttie woman in question and her daughter, who is about 28 or 90 years of age," declared Mrs. Lynch.
 .That supplies the youth for you, d0csn't 1t, Mrs. Verdon?" remarked Judge Mascolo.
 ,1 Commission Present
 Commissioner Lynch was present atA the hearing along with County Commissioners Robert Gerrish and Jacob D. Walter He objected to the presence of the press and Miss Crowley procured copy of section 1862 of the general statutes which reads as follows
 Judges of juvenile courts shall during hearings before them ex- cludc from the room in which they arc held any person whose presence iS, in the courts opinion, not ncces- sary. Such hearing shall not be held in room regularly used for the transaction of criminal business. For the purpose Of such hearings, the court shall have authority to summon witnesses and compel their attendance. The conversations of the judge with child whose case is before the court shall be privil- eged"
 Ruling Sought
 Welfare officials at today's hear ing departed after leaving the in- ference that they would seek q rul- ing from the attorney-g general of Connecticut on the interpretation of , the statute. Judge Mascolo stated | that his ruling would stand. re- garding the presence of the press at all future hearings. unless he is forced to reverse himself by the at- tOrney general.
 Commissioner Lynch stated that there are still l30 more local chil- drens cages to be disposed Of. ex- elusive Of the two cases continued today. He said that hearings will take place from month to month | until the entire list Of children iS cleared up. He defined the state laws to the effect that all the local wards must be physically" registered at the county home. He said that A.. A..