Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-26
JuveniIeC Court
Secrecy Probed
ySenateUni
OfficioIs Questioned
On ACCESSIBILITY Of
Admitting Press

oCIldOOE MAI Gal Gu SIidSc Oiliitii,
Republican, of Maine questioned
District Juvenile Court officials to-
day on the feasibility of having
news reporters cover court hear
ings so long as they withhold
identifying information on chill
dren involved.
Delving into the secrecy with
which the court handles its cases,
Mrs. Smith conducted a hearing
Of the Senate District judiciary
Subcommittee in place of Senator
Nicely, Democrat. Of West Virginia.
the chairman.
The hearing was on a proposed
amendment to pending legislation
seeking two permanent judges for
the court.
Mrs. Smith said she wondered
whether more publicity on the
problems and experiences of the
court might not result in less diff
Guilty in getting appropriations.
With more information, she said.
the public would be more likely to
realize the needs in the field Of
juvenile delinquency.
Cites Press War Record.
In connection with protecting
the identity of children coming
before the court, Mrs. Smith COM
mented that during the war the
press showed excellent judgment"
in recognizing that secrecy was
necessary in some matters.
Miss Virginia Clary of the courts
social work department, expressed
some question" as to such pro-
cedure on the theory that the
principle of closed hearings had
been pretty we'll established
throughout the country.
She said she felt that statistics,
as we'll as analyses showing trends
of crime involving juveniles. should
be made available. But the pur-
pose of the Juvenile Court Act
embodies rehabilitation and pro-
lection of children, size added.
Lack of Personnel Cited.
Miss Clary and other court Of
ficials said the court is kept from
making public timely information
on numbers, disposition and
trends of court cases by a lack
Of personnel.
Miss Clary said the annual re-
port Of the court both states ap-
parent causes of delinquency and
makes recommendations. The re-
port for 1948, however, Is not yet
out because of the lack Of per-
sonnet, she disclosed. Miss Clary
said it was hoped the report would
be Forthcoming in three weeks.
The amendment which was the
subject Of tpday's hearing would
provide that cases. complaints
and other matters before the
court be made available to the
public together with court action.
It would provide that names. adj
dresses and records OF the indi-
vidual defendant or compliments
be kept confidential.
Marked Rise in Cases.
Miss Hilda Reagle, clerk at the
court, expressed surprise at the
committees thinking" that statis-
tics had been withheld. She said
any one who wishes statistics on
the number and type Of offenses
and the disposition could have
them as soon as they have been
compiled. She noted, however. that
there are always several vacancies
on the staff because Of lack OF
funds.
She said both children's cases
and adult cases-involving con-
tributing to juvenile delinquency,
child labor cases, and compulsory
education law violation and nom
support-have increased markedly
over the last 10 years.
She said juvenile cases had in
creased from 1877 to 1855 during
the 10 years and adult cases from
1872 to 3,503.
Corporation Counsel Vernon
West said he doubted whether
the proposed amendment would
be necessary since statistical in
formation already is furnished.
Mrs. Smith replied. that she
wondered whether something
more than statistics is needed to
impress the public.
Coe q Witness.
Another witness. Assistant
Corporation Counsel Una Rita
Morris. said that If the court
could be assured that court hear
ings would be handled confidenti-
ally she could see no reason for
barring reporters of the public
press. But she added, I'VE have
no authority over what the press
does and sometimes just relating
an incident could reveal the
identity of child involved"
Another witness was Lowry Coe.
president of the District Bar As
ISOLATION, who said that he felt
any judge at the court should
have a balance Of child psychology
social work knowledge and legal
background.