St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1955-05-13

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servation commission.
The punishment of the lads has
by no means ended the efforts OF
the school authorities, law en-
forcemept agencies. community
agencies and churches In their at
tempt TO solve or correct the
problems that are the cause OF
such outbursts.
Henry Thomas, executive direc-
tor of Phyllis wheatley settlement
house. called the incident at
Lincoln "symptomatic" OF the un-
DERIVING problems that exist In
the community served by Lincoln.
The problem at Lincoln Is not
new, The first indications that
there was potential trouble spot
at Lincoln came to the attention
OF this paper several years ago.
One Of the prime factors In the
situation Is that the community
liz In a state OF transition or
change and as yet no one has
come up with the answers TO the
problems developed by the situa-
ton.
Another sore spot h that with
fcw exceptions, most adults who
have shown an interest IN the
youth Of the community have
done little 10 take thcir inter
est beyond the panel discussion
stage.
For example. one Of the settle
ment houses In the area has q
hard time getting people who are
supposedly interested In youth to
use their automobiles to trans
port members of the various
teams OF the house to compete In
the league play Of thu settlement
houses.
This director went on to say,
that while the Importance OF dis
cusion can't be overlooked. a per-
son who would volunteer the use
OF his automobile to transport
youth, does a lot more In helping
the youth than attending a dozen
panel discussions.
In sociological circles, It's axio-
matte. that wherever youth con-
gregate without guidance or sup
ervision, there's every likelihood
that there is apt 10 be mischief.
Without supervision. the corner
group can turn into a gang. with
supervision, II can be a club.
To this end the Wells Memorial
center Is conducting what Is cali
ed the Decentralized Group pro-
gram.
Roughly the program operates
this way. A particular neighbor-
hood is surveyed to find the
groups and cliques in the area
After this Is determined. a trained
worker goes into the neighborhood
and joins the group. This way the
worker gains the confidence Of the
group and Is able to influence
them.
II, for example, the worker
gains the confidence OF a group
that is directing most OF Its en-
ergies towards destructive ends.
the job of the worker Is to first
try and put an end TO that, then
attempt to channel their energies
along a more productive route.
The program in Minneapolis Is
relatively new and the success or
failure OF the program Is stiil too
early TO determine.
The program was first tried In
New York on the lower Eastside
where the Juvenile gangs have
reached an alarming scale. where
II has met with considerable sue
cess.
The exponents Of the decentrai-
lied group program are quick to
admit that the big drawback to
the plan is that 1t Is slow.
But they contend that It's eff
fects are lasting and carry over
into adulthood. They also point
out that the settlement houses at
tract only the good" kids In the
first place and they're not who
they are primarily concerned a
bout.
Another local authority believes
that parents escape their respon-
sibiiity to their children too cas-
lily when their children are taken
over by the Juvenile authorities.
He believes that the role Of the
parent Is not given enough i'm
portsnce and that most OF the re-
lstionship Ia between the child
and the probation officer.
n Il Is necessary for a child 10
be- placed In a training school or
reformatory, the parents should
be forced to pay for the chih's
maintenance according to their
ability TO pay. tho expert said.
Also. he continued. they should
be compelled 10 attend sons type
Of course that viii better pre-
pare them 10 x,lide their children