The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-05-23

'one-room schools were assisted in pro-
curing First Aid Kits. A total of 300
families and individuals have been as
sisted. Investigations and check-up
for veterans have been conducted as
required.
Presentation of these figures seems
an impersonal matter, but the social
service contact with the people de-
velops allied interests in which the
community should take some respon-
sibility; for instance, there is juvenile
delinquency. This subject is attract
ing wide spread interest because it is
a general as we'll as a local problem.
So far, in spite of all the study of this
subject, no specific solution has been
found.
The causes leading to juvenile de.
linquency are so various and some
times complicated that it has been i'm
possible to recommend any one thing
as a sure cure. 1t has been fairly well
established by the study of thousands
of cases that the beginning of the
trouble is generally due to conditions
in the home. For time it was thought
that the establishment of the Juvenile
Court would be the solution. IN
doubtedly this institution has been a
great help, but, according to authori-
ties, of this subject, the success of the
Court greatly depends upon the per-
sonality Of the Judge and the extent
to which the Judge is assisted in the
follow-up work.
There is a most interesting and en-
Tightening article published in "This
Week Magazine" of the Baltimore
Sunday Sun, May 18th issue, called
Primary School of Crime" by Garrett
Smith. 1t is well worth your study.
Formerly, when child became COM
munity menace the easy way was to
have it committed to an institution I'M
til it became of age. This relieved
every one by getting that particular
child out of sight and circulation for
the time being. But now there are not
a sufficient number of institutions to
take in all the delinquent children, and
perhaps this is very good thing, be-
cause, until it has been shown that all
other measures are failures and that
the community cannot cope with the
case, no child should be sent to re-
form school. There is not only the
effect on the child but the financial
part is worthy Of consideration. Do
you know that it costs the county
S185.00 year for each child sent to a
State institution, besides the local cost
of Magistrate of Court? Thus, just
the three children who have been sent
away during the past several months
are costing the taxpayers $555.00 per
year. But under the circumstances
what else can be done; the States At
torney would be glad to know.
With his usual foresight and spirit
of progress our County Superintend-
ent of Schools is aware Of this prob
lem and in order to place the schools
in line to do what is possible to aid in
its solution, he and the Board of Edu-
cation have at last been able to put in
operation the first of series of rooms
that will meet the needs for a differ
ent educational training for the chill
dren who are unable to keep up with
the standard requirements of the mod
ern school room.
These little ones are made miserably
unhappy because they cannot achieve
that which their companions seem to
acquire so rapidly. These children
drift along, absorbing some things,
but having to repeat the grades and
feeling that it is useless to try. They
are apt to become restless, and seek
amusement by annoying the other
children and tormenting the teacher.
The law requires them to attend
school until they are 16 years of age,
they hate it and attend under protest,
they miss as much as they can get
away with, and quit as soon as they
dare. Potential trouble makers, who
have not been taught the things they
could learn, and are finally more apt
to be liabilities than an asset to
community.
In the fall of 80, the four requisites
having been obtained for the opening
of this room, namely first sufficient
number of children of the required
status, 20 being the average number,