Evening star., 1943-10-10
Juvenile Delinquency
Increased Is Pct. in
Two Years, owl Finds

1940 and 1912 was reported yester-
day by the Office of War Informa
ton on the basis of statistics which
while incomplete nationally, were
the best obtainable.
The Children'S Bureau of the
Labor Department. described as hav-
ing the most comprehensive data
available, reported, after a study
OF 63 Juvenile courts, each serving
an area Of 100000 or more popula-
ton, the number of delinquency
cases increased from approximately
$1,000 in 1910 to $500 in 1912.
Despite this general rise, the num-
Der of cases in 10 .of the areas
dropped during the period.
This increase" said OWL" is seri-
Gus and substantial, but it is not
universal. Many of the authorities
who furnish authentic data about
the rise of juvenile delinquency in
certain areas likewise furnish equally
reliable data to indicate that the
great majority of American children
are measuring up well to the de-
mands OF the war emergency"
Girl Delinquents Increase.
The special wartime study of the
S3 courts showed that the increase
III girls cases was proportions ely
greater than those of boys. The
increase in girl delinquentS for the
two years was 38 per cent. while
that of boys was 1l3 per cent.
While there was an increase in
juvenile delinquency in both areas
which had increased and decreased
in population, the rate was relative
ly higher in those which reported
growing populations.
Crime reports compiled by the
Federal Bureau of Investiga ton
showed that the number of girls
under 81 arrested in 1912 showed an
increase of 55.7 per cent over l941
On the other hand. according to
these figures, the total number of
arrests of boys under 81 decreased
36 per cent during the year. Ger
tain specific offenses of boys
showed an inCreaSe-aSSault. rape.
drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
The FBI said the age of young
people most frequently arrested dur
Ing 1912 was l8, drop of one YEAR
from l94l. Director j. Edgar Ho0v-
er called this "a tragedy that can
not be overlooked
1912 16.6 Per Cent Over 1910.
The National Probation ASsocia-
tion estimated 1876 per cent rise in
juvenile delinquency throughout the
country in 1912 over 1910. In some
communities. the report said the
increase scared to 40 per cent and
IN one it reached II per cent.
The picture is further confused by
varying methods of defining and
treating Juvenile delinquency in diff
ferent communities. In some cities.
II a Youthful driver gets ticket for
double parking, he is listed in Gelin-
ouencN records. Others reserve only
serious ofenscs for juvenile court.
The age limits Of children over whom
these courts have jurisdiction varies
from State to State and sometimes
within States.
With the wartime fight against Or
eanlzed vice closing many segregated
districts. Owl said, the problem of
the young pickup" girl remains seri-
Gus. The average age Of party"
girls arrested by vice squads had
dropped from between l8 and 20 to
Is and lover, according to a consul
tant of the United States Public
Health Service.
ID. c. Girls Cited.
The case of group of girls in
Washington Junior high school was
cited. Teachers had seen them
flashing $40 bills and none came
from Wellto-do families. Investiga-
ton disclosed that they were operat-
ing on an AFTERNOON shift in an
apartment run by a woman known
to the police, entertaining civilians
who worked at night in a factory.
The girls always went home in the
evening and studied
The lure Of the uniform these
oaVS was mentioned as a contribut-
ing factor in the sex delinquency of
young girls. Such girls frequently
are found infected with venereal
disease.
Another Washington case cited.
among a number in other cities.
was that of three Well-mannered
BOYS from prosperous families who
admitted that on three successive
nights they had entered stores and
houses in their own fine suburban
nelghborhood. The father of one
was a high-ranking officer. The
boys said they wanted to do some
thing exciting"
Some blame crowded homes and
schools. Others point to lack of
religious and recreational facilities.
Home Conditions Blamed.
The FBI says the basic cause of
Juvenile delinquency can be found
In unsatisfactory home conditions.
where divorce, poverty, ignorant
parents and similar factors mill
tate against the children getting a
firm start in life" And, the agency
adds, young people lacking proper
supervision, seeking excitement,
turn to places and persons morally
degrading. for lack of better alterna-
tives."
In discussing remedies. Owl said:
while communities are urged to
solve their problem locally. it is
pointed out that the Federal Gov
ernment has help to offer but that
national plans should be translated
into the neighborhood remedy. A
perfect plan for City A might not
work IN the adjacent City B. Cities.
rs we'll as citizens. have their aller-
eles. Many community programs
have been started to help children,
with a view of relieving unsatisfac-
tory home conditions, providing rec
reational facilities and child guild
ence and pSyChiatric clinics.
Hartford Is Praised.
Hartford, Conn, was given as an
outstanding example. The war has
made Hartford a boom town, and
the number of employees in 43 in
dustrial plants has more than
doubled in two years. When juvenile
delinquency began to increase. a