Evening star., 1953-05-03
Chief Murray Pushes
Idea Of School for
Delinquent Adults
Plans to Ask City Heads
To Study Plan in War
On Youthful Crime

Encouraged by public reaction,
Police Chief Robert V. Murray
is carrying to the District Com
missionerS a revolutionary plan
that would hold the parent re-
sponsible for juvenile crime.
Since last Sunday when The
Star printed Inspector Howard
v. Covell's idea of a school for
delinquent parents" the Police
Department has received more
than so telephone calls and many
letters of congratulation.
Church, school and civic lead
ers applauded the approach
as long-needed. The Catholic
Standard, official newspaper of
the Washington archdiocese, edi-
torially expressed approval.
"The response has been heart
ening," said Maj. Murray. 1T
shows thinking people are aware
that this is a problem all must
tackle in the home, in the church
and the school,"
Maj. Murray said he will dis
cuss the subject with the Com
missioners in mid-May, after he
and other police officials have
further sampled public opinion.
Measures Outlined.
Significant was q recent COM
ment by Commissioner Samuel
Spencer, who thought the Covell
plan interesting and deserving
of consideration. Commissioner
Renah Camalier agreed the pro-
posal had merit.
Briefly. Inspector Covell sec
ond in command in the Police
Department. suggested that
rapidly rising juvenile crime
might be curbed by Cd bringing
parents into consultation on
every case, CD requiring them to
attend an appropriate school
after second offenSes and (3)
compelling them to pay for dam
ages or theftS if the lawlessnesS
persists.
One authority studying the
proposal believed it might be in
troduced by the Juvenile Court
without legislation, on the order
of the District traffic school. The
latter is device wherein traffic
offenders are given probationary
sentences providing they attend
the school.
Everybody'S Problem.
Last week the Catholic Stand
ard agreeing with police that
juvenile crime is everybodys
problem. said in part:
Those most connected with
the problem. especially 1t. John
F. Ryan Chead of the police
juvenile squad, are convinced
that negligent parents produce
criminal or delinquent children
and that one cannot be cured
without curing the other. Spe-
ci&i commentator is due 10
these police officers who are Ia
boring so we'll to eradicate the
cause of crime.
We agree with these officers
that in some way parents must
be taxed with the deeds of their
erring children"
Among the letters was one
from Mrs. John J. Tamborelle,
1851 Mount Pleasant street NV.
who told police they "are now
on the right road to accomplish
ing something worthwhile to ju-
veniles and to property owners
in the city"
At the suggestion of Mrs. Tam
borelle. 1t. Ryan agreed to speak
May Is to The Political Study
Club. of which Mrs. Tamborelle
is program chairman, on Re
sponsibility to Delinquency"
Miss Bertha M. Nienburg, of
1925 New Hampshire avenue
NV, former president of the
Altrusia Club, offered the sup
port of a church and women's
club in pressing for this most
sensible idea that has appeared
on the juvenile crime prevention
subject"
More support came from an
elementary school principal, who !
(See DELINQUENCY, Page A-2.)