Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-22
National Policy
Urged toFighf
Child Crime
Preventive Measures
With Congress Aid
Needed, Group Hears
BY WiIIiom A. MiIIen

sion today at the Departmental Au-
ditorium, was told that Congress
should adopt a broad housing pro-
gram to aid communities in Kidding
themselves of slums and bNghted
areas.
The housing program was one OF
Is prepared by as many panels,
which have been studying various
aspects of the entire problem. Henry
Monsky, president Of the Order Of
B'nai Birth, presiding, said the re-
ports. If adopted without objection
by the entire conference, will be
referred to continuing body for
action.
Mayor Hubert H. Humphrey OF
Minneapolis presented the housing
report, which said that the char
acter Of ,child's home determines
its future life. The report declared
the current housing shortage has
caused the breaking up of families
and increased juvenile delinquency.
National Policy Is Urged.
The goal of the conference. the
report said, should be decent home
In suitable environment for every
family in America and this must
be brought about as national pol
Icy with appropriate legislation.
Congress should adopt a unified
national policy and provide for some
100000 housing units without delay,
with Federal aid to local groups to
wipe out slum and blighted areas.
The report also called on State
and local authorities to enact suit
able legislation providing for housing
betterment, adequate planning and
the use Of new materials and pro-
cesses.
Program Suggested.
Private developers and builders
should study local needs for ade-
quate facilities for proper family
Life, the report said. It urged elm
nation Of seasonal unemployment.
that banks adjust mortgage terms
and extend their lending for long
term housing for middle and low
income groups and that labor lead
ers gather facts to develop an annual
stable wage and eliminate jurisdic-
tlonal disputes. The report adyo-
Gated that religious leaders particle
pate In adequate community plan
ming and development and that
proper youth activity be established
in neighborhoods.
Thomas G. Pullen, superintendent
OF schools in Maryland, presenting
the report on schools, declared that
Juvenile delinquency is the response
pllity OF the entire community.
spiritual and moral values should
be part OF any educational program.
the report said Teachers should
work with individual students and
special attention should be given to
children with special problems, the
report pointed out.
A report on the home, presented
by DR.. Alice v. Keliher of the School
OF Education, New York University.
addressed to parents, said the child
should be made to recognize that he
Is loved and wanted; that he should
have some time and space of his
own; that he should be made to feel
that he Is a part of the family, and
that he has freedom that fits in
with the needs of his age.
Religion Is Stressed.
The child should be allowed to
say what he feels and talk things
over without embarrassment in the
family circle, DR.. Keliher said, and
he should know parents are doing
their best for him and that the
family sticks together.
DR.. Beverly Boyd Of the Federal
Council Of Churches, presenting the
church report, said it must be re.
ferred back to the individual church
groups for adoption. In principle,
he said, the panel recognized the
Importance Of religion in preventing
and controlling delinquency and
that "the good society" cannot be
built without youth participation on
the highest level.
The report called on clergymen
to aid agencies dealing with be-
havior, including courts and police.
It said there should be more ade-
quate participation by laymen aid
ing clergymen in solving juvenile
delinquency.
Harry S. Wender, chairman of the
Districts Recreation Board, at
tackled radio programs, comic strips
and movie serials that glorify crime
and particularly violent death. He
spoke at joint meeting of the press,
radio and motion picture panels
yesterday afternoon at the Justice
Department.
Mr.. Wender said he was not adj
vocating censorship but rather
urging self-restraint on the indus
tries concerned. He pointed out
that the press itself cleaned house
on yellow journalism" There
ought to be more programs to help
young people, he said.
The Panel on Institutional Treat
ment submitted d report that
charged that many present train
ing schools for youthful offenders
are dumping grounds" like aims
houses OF 100 years ago. It urged
the conference to lead a drive for
Improvement. These schools, the
report said, are often the "catch-
ais" for neglected and homeless
children, feeble minded and men
tally Ill children and those needing
skilled medical attention.
Youths are being treated as pint
sized criminals" instead of needing
special aid, the report pointed out.
Competent stats and adequate
buildings and facilities were urged
upon the conference as a remedy.
1t said: Corporal punishment
should be outlawed."
The National Fathers Day Com
mittee sent a telegram to the con-
ference's Executive Committee. say
ing that it has dedicated next
Fathers Day, June is, to aid In
controlling and preventing juvenile
delinquency. 1t promised complete
cooperation" on behalf of $4,000, 900
fathers and national city-wide pro-
grams in June and said it planned
an intensive publicity campaign.
I'VE shall make Fathers Day an
annual holiday of commemoration