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trained probation officer, and in this way we could cover the whole state with trained and qualified probation service. One of the most important features of this plan would be the absolute divorcing of the treatment and handling of children's cases from the jurisdiction of the criminal courts without the creation of any new court system, against which there seems to be very strong objection. This method would require but very few Judges to try the cases for the whole state, say five, arranged by counties and a minimum of probation officers. Such a bill was before the last general assembly, 1917 session, and was known as senate bill 142 and its substitute.

(d) What sort of a Juvenile Court is needed? State wide, or only in the large cities?

This question has already been an swered to a certain extent, by the discussion of our second question. But there remains a word to be added relative to the question of whether it should be state wide or local?

From observation of many, and from the opinions of many others, it would seem that such a court should be state wide in its jurisdiction. The child of the small community needs this sort of care and treatment just as much as the child of the large community, and it might be questioned if he did not need it more, for he is more often the victim of neglect, ignorance and inefficiency in many phases of his treatment than is the case with his city cousin. Frequently cases have come under my observation of boys 16 and 17 years of age and up, being arrested in some small community, bound over to the Superior Court, and allowed to lie in jail nearly three months awaiting their trial, for minor offenses, with the consequent loss of health, self-respect, personal efficiency and morale. Then too, there are those cases of offenders from small communities frequently brought into our high criminal courts for various, and sometimes serious offenses, who range in ages from 10 and 11 years and up. The children are not usually understood by their parents, and when they fail to handle or direct them, and they seemingly get beyond their control, these parents frequently appeal to

the criminal authorities, who go through some form of a trial or procedure, and the case in some way reaches the higher court, either by appeal, or because the authorities below think there is some higher power up there in the Superior Court that will be able to cope with this problem. Not only is much of this in absolute violation of the law upon the statute books today, (providing for chambers hearing of juveniles in Superior Courts), but as a rule, very little good results, and in many instances the only result is that of bringing the child directly into contact with the vicious influences and atmosphere of the criminal court. This is a striking example of the methods employed, and the effectiveness of the criminal court system in handling the juvenile offenders. What more can we expect of a court that sometimes hears and disposes of 121 cases of offenders in less than two days actual court time, or about twelve hours?

The child of the small community is denied the opportunity of contact and experience with most of those helpful influences such as exist in many cities, in addition to being the victim of adverse circumstances. Certain it is, that you can get a candidate for Meriden, Cheshire or Middletown Institutions for youthful offenders as easily in the country towns as in the larger cities. There is also a hesitancy to interfere in delinquencies until too late, in the small communities, due partly to the fact of their being the neighbors' children, and therefore you do not want to bring them before a criminal court. I maintain that the child of the small community is just as much in need of the care, aid, guidance, protection and discipline of the state, as the child of the large city, and is just as much entitled to it.

(e) This brings us to the final question of the kind of "Legislation" needed. Broad, elastic and comprehensive on the one hand, or piece-meal legislation on the other. I would make a strong plea for the former instead of the latter. Give us a law covering the whole subject, in such a manner that the responsibility of those dealing with the child may not only be fixed, defined and determined, but elastic and broad enough so that,

that responsibility may be fully and efficiently met. We want constructive legislation that we can all understand, and not the type of some of the past, much of it meaningless, unknown and unused.

We do not have laws at present covering this subject of dealing with these youthful offenders in an efficient and effective manner. Most of the laws relating to this subject of the past, have been acts changing the rate of compensation of probation officers. Elementary laws or suggestion relative to the control, investigation or methods of probation officers. Payment of fines and the collection from offenders on probation, and legislation of this character, that does not vitally affect the real question at issue. You can no more operate a Juvenile Court efficiently under the criminal court system, than you can paint a house by finger daubs. You might cover it in

time, but, oh, what a mess you would make in doing it.

I would touch upon briefly an important matter connected with our interest in these problems, and that is a "Lack of a proper understanding of this subject of Juvenile Courts and kindred subjects such as 'Widows or Mothers Pensions,' 'Placing Out Work,' 'Public and Private Charity,' 'State Control,' and their relation to the child, its status, and to each other."

This has been the cause of much of the inefficiency, jealousy, lack of co-operation, and unjust and ofttimes harmful criticism of the past, which has greatly retarded the progress of us all in the treatment of these problems.

Let us all seek a more clear understanding and vision of the inter-relations, the scope, the field and the limitations of these social agencies and forces, and of ourselves, for this is God's work and his little ones.

G

RAND RAPIDS has her bad boys like any other city, big or little; unlike many other cities big and little, Grand Rapids has the Big Brothers to help with the boy problems.

The Big Brothers get their little brothers from several sources: Juvenile Court, the Social Welfare Association, the parents and the boys themselves who introduce their pals.

The churches too, are interested in the Big Brothers' movement and Dr. Dingman talked upon this subject to the class in Applied Christianity at the Fountain Street Baptist Church recently, telling the story of Jimmie the worst boy in Grand Rapids and how he became a Big Brother.

"The Worst Boy in Town" is sometimes an undeserved title that has been lightly won, but Jimmie had come honestly by it though he wasn't honest usually. Anybody could look up his crimi

nal record and said record would speak for itself.

The police of several cities were on Jimmie's list of acquaintances, and he would relate with pride his many arrests and police station experiences.

One day a little Finnish boy without money or friends, came into the Union Station.

The city hustle and bustle was new to him, but he had come to seek his fortune and he got busy at once. Jimmie happened to be near. I don't know what he saw in Jimmie's face or whether he saw anything or whether it just happened that he spoke first to Jimmie about finding work and a place to sleep, and friends.

I don't know what Jimmie saw first, someone to be helped, or someone he could help, but by the time the stranger had made it clear that he didn't "know nobody," hadn't "anywhere to go,"

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and had "ten dollars," Jimmie was his friend and Jimmie had a friend.

The lads went to Dr. H. W. Dingman, now president of the Big Brothers. Dr. Dingman put it up to Jimmie to act as guardian for the new boy and Jimmie took the responsibility little knowing that he was, henceforth, to take care of two new boys.

A few months later the new boy who had been Jimmie, "the worst boy in town," came into Dr. Dingman's office with a Y. M. C. A. membership card and a true story of his steady work at $12 a week and a promised raise.

Both new boys have made good.
That is why Dr. Dingman tells the

story in his Big Brother talks and that is why the Grand Rapids Herald tells the story of "Jimmie, the Hero." It's why I'm telling it to you. We're all interested in the Big Brother movement.

Earnest K. Coulter, of New York City, founder of the Big Brothers started the work in his city in 1904. In 1914 it was started in Grand Rapids, and on May 28 and 29, 1917, Grand Rapids had the honor of the first national convention of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Workers from every part of the country attended, among them Earnest K. Coulter, the founder, and Judge Ben Lindsey, of Denver.

D

O you

see this coat, Judge?" demanded the small boy. "It needs a belt, doesn't it?" "Does it?" asked the Judge meekly. "Yes, and you see this button?" He pointed to the top one on his blouse. "Well, it's there, but I had to tease for half an hour to get it sewed on and when my mother had finished she slapped my face. It's no use, Judge, I can't stand it. If you don't want to send me to the reform school, won't you please have my father pay my board at some boarding house?"

"How about a hotel?" inquired the Judge jocularly. "Would the 'Prince' do?"

"That would cost too much, I'm afraid."

"I'm afraid so, too. Your father hasn't money enough, neither have I. Couldn't afford it for myself."

This interview took place at an informal hearing—quite informal. When Judge Annis was trying a case in the civil court one morning the doorkeeper came in to report that there was a boy out in the hall who insisted upon seeing him.

"Take him into my office," said the Judge, “and I'll be through here directly." Knowing that I was interested in such cases, the Judge suggested that I follow.

They talked matters over for a while and I certainly liked the boy and the Judge looked as if he would be quite willing to have him for his own. Judge Annis tried to impress upon him that he paid too much attetion to small things. "You got the button," he said, "and you'll finally get the belt if you need it." He agreed to go home and be as good as possible.

I had gathered that this was not the first interview and when the small visitor was gone Judge Annis explained that on the previous Saturday a man of fairly good appearance had brought to court this nine year old boy and had accused him of stealing.

"The reform school is the only place for him," the father had urged. "If you'll just send him there for a while, perhaps he will learn to appreciate his home and to behave himself properly."

"Yes," said the boy. "I wish you

would send me to the reform school and be done with it. I'd rather be there than at home."

"This surprised me at the start," continued the Judge, "because whatever the home conditions may be it is rare that a boy goes willingly to any institution bearing the name 'reform.' I talked the case over with father and son and then advised them to go home and try again. 'No one has brought a charge against your son and you certainly do not want to go on record as so doing.'

"They went off reluctantly and I thought to myself that there was something wrong with that family. I'm more sure of it now, but it's rather a delicate matter for an old judge."

And the 'old judge' went off to lunch looking very thoughtful.

Ten days later on a Saturday morning I was visiting the Juvenile Court when the next chapter in the story occurred. Our little friend Lester appeared in court escorted by his mother and a neighbor.

"I've come to give the boy up," said the mother as if she had been urged to do this for some time. "He's been stealing again. I can't do anything with him."

"Yes," said the boy, "you'll have to send me to the reform school. I stole $1.59."

"Indeed! And what did you do with it?" asked the Judge.

"Had a good time," was the cheerful answer. "Took a couple of fellows to a show and bought them candy and chocolate sundaes."

"Not ashamed of yourself at all, are you?"

"It's no use, Judge. I can't be good. You just send me up for a while."

"How long do you think he ought to stay at the school?" Judge Annis asked of the mother.

"Two years at least," she replied and the neighbor nodded her approval.

"How long do you think, my boy?" asked the Judge.

"Gee, Judge, until I'm twenty-one," he said gleefully.

The Judge was evidently thinking it

over.

"Are you willing to file a complaint to go on record in this court against your son for stealing?"

She certainly was. No trouble about

that.

“Well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do," announced Judge Annis finally. "I'm going to send the boy up for-just one month. We'll see what will happen then."

The officer appeared to take the boy

away.

"Good-bye, Judge," he said gratefully. "Aren't you going to say good-bye to your mother?" asked the Judge.

"No," replied Lester. "Why should I? She wants me to go and I'm sure I want to."

The mother made no sign of regret and the boy was taken off.

“What do you think will happen?” I asked of the Judge.

"I don't know. But there's one thing certain. No boy I have known has ever wanted to return to the school. They treat them justly out there but there's something about it that doesn't please. They are kept at some kind of work most of the time and that taken in conjunction with the regular hours, may be what works the desired effect. Perhaps this youngster will decide that home is preferable. If he doesn't, I'll be sure that the fault is entirely with the parents. Anyway I thought that the month would give me time to find out something of his home conditions. The parents seem a good sort except in their attitude toward the boy. Perhaps the mother is too fond of clubs."

* * *

I'm going to court again in a month to see what happens then in regard to this boy. His case has interested me especially because it is the first time in my experience that a child has recognized the fact that the Juvenile Court may be used as a place of appeal for the children against the parents quite as well as for the parents or others against the children.

[The above account is true but for obvious reasons the Judge does not wish the name of the city in which the court is held to appear.]