The Sidney herald., 1956-12-20
montana zhiS Week.

other words, cells in which tc
restrain ob~streperous girls guilty
of riotous and destructive express
sions of their RIGHTEOUSNESS
Compared with the total number
of inmates, these incorrigibles are
few, but they might do more
damage to the program of re-
Mobilization than all the zeal and
diligence of the institutions staff
can offset.
Four or five years ago there
was a comparable situation at
Miles City. 1t appears that now
the matter is pretty well in hand,
but what some people forget is
that a correctional institution of
this kind is not a Sunday school.
There is always threat of trouble,
and this trouble is usually gen.
Grated by boys and girls who
have the idea that to cause trou-
BILE makes them important. Per-
haps that is n way of express
ing personality, but certainly it
is a misguided way.
What the Montana child well
fare advisory committee proposes
in its report is more realistic and
fundamental procedures in deal
ing with the erring youth before
he gets out of hand. The COM
mittee found no wonder drugs
to cure the ills that exist among
our young people. Success will
not be assured alone by legisla-
tive fiat. This many facet prob
lem needs and demands assistance
from the parents, the churches,
the schools. and the communities
of our state"
Phases touched on include ade-
quately trained probation Off
GERS, making juvenile court pro-
cedures mor adaptable to the
needs, coping more effectively
with dependency and neglect,
greater consciousness of family
problems, foster homes and, in
general, the functions of the
state in protecting the interests
children.
A recommendation that gets
to the point is this:
Sale of narcotics and liquor to
children should carry more Sc
we're penalty"
Asked in the report is this
question, Should parents be held
'eiiable for damages incurred by
heir ~children's acts?" AS far
IS the committee seems prepared
go toward the answer is the
comment:
The extent of this problem is
defined by the fact that the re-
,ort to this committee by the Is
judicial districts of the state of
Montana shows that approximate
y one-third of all cases of jul
delinquency are concerned
With destruction of property"
Destruction of property is includ-
d in the largest single category
f juvenile ~offenses, listed in the
eport as negligent and danger
use operation of a motor We
licle. AS in the case of adults,
he automobile becomes particu-
arly deadly when liquor is in
'olved. But so long as so many
seem TO think nothing
f it to take on a load and then
iet behind the wheel, we really
ant expect anything better from
minors.
In compliance with the legis-
mandate, the committee is
proposed laws to- pro-
ide more efficient administra-
i've machinery all along the line.
he legislating of morality is not
ndertaken, of course, nor are
1ese proposals a sermon on COM
obligations or on the So
lal problem involved.
In long range, and even more
Immediate, significance the as
embly will have nothing more
Important before it than the e
ort and recommendations of the
Mid welfare advisory commit
.e. The problem is not a new :
ne with our lawmakers. Every
ession they have some manifes-
atoms of it. There has been
esitancy in the past to deal with
decisively because of founder
lg uncertainty as to the wisest
----