not a spy nor detective, he must acquaint himself with the daily routine of the child's life, and if he is an efficient friend of delinquent children, he will take such steps as will lessen the temptation to repeat offenses, and will strengthen children in their purpose to remain law-abiding. To supervise the activities of the child in order to prevent degeneration, to turn his attention to wholesome sports and amusements, to interest him in better companionship, to surround him with elevating influences, to discourage any proclivity toward truancy, to persuade and enable parents to give their children proper care and guardianship, to make the child's home his opportunity instead of his stumbling block; in short, to build up his character- these are some of the duties which the probation system imposes upon its officials.

The probation officer should do considerable field work as well as require the child to report in person at stated intervals, although reports need not always be made at the court, especially in the case of girls. These conferences should cover the work and conduct of the child since the time of the last report and contain suggestions for the future. Written reports are also filed. These consist of reports made out by the delinquent himself, reports from the school which he attends, reports from parents or guardians, and perhaps employers, and occasionally from others. The probation officer also files his own report of the conduct of the child, and his official record should be a reliable history of the moral advance of the child. Success can be best obtained by securing the coöperation of those agencies that are able to work permanently for the reclamation of wayward children and to surround them with good influences after they have been released from the jurisdiction of the probation officer.

The officers must deal with two kinds of delinquents: those who are released and simply placed under the care of some official, and the children who are conditionally released from some institution and who are said to be "on parole." Two distinct classes of offenders are represented in these types and the methods of supervision must be made to correspond.

At the beginning of the juvenile court movement, probation officers in many cities were designated by the court to serve without pay and were not considered professional workers. The Pennsylvania law of 1903, for example, provided for the appointment by the court of one or more discreet persons of good character to serve as probation officers during the pleasure of the court, said probation officers to receive no compensation from the public treasury; and it further required that the probation officers make such investigations as the court might demand, that they be present in court when the case was heard, that they furnish the court such information and assistance as might be required, and that they take such charge of the child before or after trial as the court might direct. Volunteers had to be discovered to do this work.

Social workers recognized almost immediately the necessity of granting compensation to the probation officers in order to secure enough competent officials for the work. The burden of providing salaries was sometimes borne by women's clubs, sometimes by churches, and sometimes by settlements and other organizations interested in social betterment. It is needless to say that the compensation given under this system was far from adequate. This fact, together with the justice and propriety of salaries paid from the public treasury, hastened the advent of a system of public compensation.

Exceptions still occur. For example Brooklyn has regularly had three officers - a Catholic, a Protestant, and a Jew - each supported by those of his own faith. Practically every state with probation laws has provided public compensation for its probation officers, although in many cases very meager salaries are being paid.

c. Volunteer Workers.

The relation of the volunteer worker to the court system is somewhat different from that of the appointed unpaid worker. The volunteer deliberately undertakes without compensation part of the work falling within the jurisdiction of the probation officials, and is expected to do faithfully the work assigned to him. In Germany under the Elberfeld system such honor

attaches to unpaid work as to make the office a stepping stone to a public career. Only an incentive of this kind can insure successful results from unpaid work, but in the United States, as yet, no such incentive has been developed. The volunteer is not drafted into the service, but is appointed only after signifying his desire to assist in the work of the probation office. Therefore it might be supposed that only persons sincerely interested in the work would apply for appointment. In actual practice, volunteer work, which is most commonly carried on by women, is handicapped by the following disadvantages:

1. Frequently the volunteer has only a short-lived interest in probation work - an interest excited by a sudden contact with the fascinating features of the problem. After a few reverses in attempting to reform delinquent children, her ardor cools, and as she does not feel the responsibility borne by a paid official, her efficiency rapidly declines.

2. Volunteer work is often in danger of becoming fashionable. When this is true it is less the spirit, than the popularity, of service which dominates the volunteer.

3. It can never be regarded as more than a mere avocation, and this can often be conveniently slighted, when other interests absorb the mind. The needs of the child are not made paramount, and therefore do not receive sufficient attention.

On the other hand, capable volunteers for probation work are frequently secured from the general body of social workers in any community. The principle of volunteer service must be maintained, but whether such service shall be given in connection with the juvenile court or with some other form of philanthropic endeavor depends upon the results. Some temporary harm may be tolerated if the undoubted result would be an increased voluntary interest in social conditions. Social progress depends upon a widened area of intelligent interest in the welfare of humanity.

The most extensive experiment with volunteer probation officers in the United States was tried in Indianapolis where, since only two regular probation officers were at first available,

it was necessary to rely in part upon volunteer help. During the first year of the existence of the juvenile court in that city, nearly 190 men and women offered their services. A large percentage of the volunteers were men of affairs full of practical suggestions. The philanthropic organizations and societies also contributed some efficient workers. About 80 of the volunteers were employed, and 240 children, or an average of three each, were assigned to them. At first the system in Indianapolis met with considerable success, but its efficiency gradually declined.

The city of Buffalo depends largely upon a corps of volunteers for its probation work. The court is assisted by many such persons, the majority of whom are connected with educational, religious, or philanthropic work. In many of the larger cities volunteers have been accepted and a number of cases assigned to each officer, but the practice is being discouraged in favor of a working corps of paid officials.

d. The Judge as Probation Officer.

In a few cases the judges partially assume the function of probation officer, and compel delinquent children to report to them as well as to other officials. The principal cities in which this system has found favor are Denver and Washington. Its success depends largely upon the concurrence of two factors: a judge with a strong personal influence, and a city of small or medium size, such as the cities named above. Judge Lindsey of the Denver juvenile court originated the system; boys report to him at regular intervals, and come into direct touch with his personality; common-sense talks are given, and loyalty to the court and to law is inspired in the boys. When this system began, a class of voluntary delinquents developed—that is, a class of boys who voluntarily confessed to the court that they had been violating the law. Many of these boys wished to mend their ways, but found it difficult to do so without being placed under the jurisdiction of the court.

Although several cities have adopted in part the method of

1 Children's Courts in the United States, 58th Congress, 2d Session. House of Representatives, Document No. 701, p. 143.

the Denver court, the majority have delegated the work of probation to their probation officers. Unless the judge understands children thoroughly and has the proper temperament, he cannot inspire the delinquent boy with uplifting motives, but loses his dignity and falls into contempt. Under ordinary conditions this plan should not be attempted.

e. The Police as Probation Officials.

Little needs to be said about the police. It would be better if regular probation officials could be secured in sufficient numbers to do all of the work required. Often this is not the case, and policemen are detailed to assist the probation officers in their work.

3. Qualities of Probation Officers.

Since probation officers are the most important adjunct of the juvenile court, their qualities will determine the success of the system. They must have a comprehensive understanding of child psychology and know how to deal with children; they must have personal touch and know the secret byways to the child's heart; they must be able to influence their wards and rouse in them moral and noble ambitions, and they must promote the development of the child's moral qualities. This they cannot do without an unlimited fund of patience. They must be sympathetic, but not sentimental, and they require a quality of firmness which will give the child resolution. This is urgently needed, for the absence of firmness in the home is responsible for much serious delinquency. The probation officer must have a good knowledge of family standards, be able to deal with parents, and know how to develop proper responsibility in them. Finally, he must be never ceasing in his vigils, for the time allowed him to mold the child's character is all too short.

4. Selection of Probation Officers.

Probation officers have usually been appointed by the judges, although there is no good reason why this method should be made permanent. Where this method of appointment is not used there is usually some form of state control. The appointing power should be required to make the selection from a certi