Experts in France and America tell us that crime is on the increase. They also tell us that statistics show very clearly and conclusively that those members of society who have developed as hardened and incorrigible criminals began to transgress against the law at a very early age. Defective training is admitted to be one of the main causes of crime, and it is particularly in reference to defective training that the power of Probation is felt in the case of children, who are simply and purely the victims of environment.

I contend under certain conditions, when the State is called upon to undertake the responsibility of providing for certain children who are beyond their parent's control, its method of exercising supervision over them should approximate as closely to family relations as is compatible with the interests of the community.

The Laws in relation to Juvenile Delinquency have been brought into force in so many countries that it seems strange to most of us that the agitation for a more humane treatment of juveniles did not begin earlier than it did. A child cannot be a criminal! A child is only a delinquent and must be treated as such. So then, if we have to treat juvenile delinquents different than adult criminals, we must look around for the best means of dealing with those that are brought under our notice, and our conception of best must be based upon a thorough knowledge of child-nature and environments; and a thorough appreciation of the essential importance of the "family life," the factor in our social organization, which is the greatest aid to our living a practical, Christian life. So I ask you in what better way can we deal with these wayward children than by a properly devised system of probation. Probation, if actively carried out in its full and proper spirit, will be one of the greatest factors in the diminution of crime throughout the world that was ever devised. It holds and turns and sways the embryo criminal before he has embarked upon his criminal career. It enters the sacred precincts of the home, and there finds the cause of the delinquency, and with this cause it wrestles-not in any officious, intrusive punitive spirit, but with patient, persistent, persuasive zeal, having for its object the saving of the child. In New South Wales, the delinquent child, after being brought before the Children's Court and examined by the Special Magistrate, is given a chance to prove that he is not so bad as he has been painted by the prosecuting officer, and that if he is allowed an opportunity will show that the offence for which he was brought before the Court was a temporary lapse, and not a criminal act. Children are not fully responsible beings, and cannot be treated as such. They may be thoughtless and irresponsible, but not criminal. They must be firmly and humanely dealt with, and so we search diligently for the best system of doing what is necessary to make them good and useful citizens. They are not punished for their misdeeds at the outset; they are not injured in their self-esteem and self-respect; they are not torn from their family. They are advised, made acquainted with social observances which they have not hitherto learned, forgiven, and sent home. But often their home is not what it should be, or they may have trials and temptations which are the direct outcome of their surroundings, so they are supplied by the Court with a friend, (termed technically a probation officer), whose duty it is to smooth their path and to help up the hill of life. There can be

no question but that the whole system of probation rests entirely with the probation officer, and depends upon their tact and judgment.

In America, the home of the Juvenile Court, the greater proportion of probation work is done by honorary officers, although there are paid officials connected with it. In New South Wales each district is placed in the hands of a paid official, who acts also as School Attendance Officer, and Inspector of State Children. Associated with this officer are honorary officers of the various religious denominations. In this State the duty of bringing the child before the Court does not rest with the honorary officer. He visits the children frequently, and if he finds that there is going to be trouble, he at once communicates with the paid officer, and if necessary the child is again brought into court. In the United States the Probation Officer has the power of arrest. but in New South Wales this is not so. No doubt such power helps to bring the delinquent before the Court more readily.

The system of reporting by children under probation has not yet been introduced into the work in New South Wales, but this will be done in the near future. Judge Lindsey of Denver, Colorado, lays particular stress upon this phase of the work and insists that it does as much good as a visit of the officer.

So far as I am personally concerned, I assure you that I look for the greatest results in the matter of Juvenile Reform to be obtained through the proper exercise of Probation, and I feel that in placing my trust in this particular form of reformative treatment, I shall have the cordial endorsement of all those who share the belief that the brotherhood of man is no mere empty phrase, but is capable of a very literal interpretation in connection with the humane movement of Probation.

"There is something in the half famished cry of a neglected, ill-treated child that reaches the heart of the most unsympathetic adult, touches the chords of sympathy that have been silent, perhaps for years, and sets them vibrating. The helpless wail of a poverty-stricken, sin-environed child is maddening to one interested in that branch of sociology which deals with the saving of the child. It forces im to go deeper and deeper into the causes which produce such pitiful and shameful conditions in the hope of finding, if possible, some remedy for them.

"I wish you could come into my court and see these boys and hear them tell their story, or hear the story of their lives from mother, father, policeman, uncle or aunt. I know your heart would be touched the same as mine. You would say something must be done. Will you not help these neglected boys, that they may be saved from crime, saved to society, saved to their country, saved to religion, and saved to God?"-Judge Tuthill, Chicago.

"The whole life of this most far reaching reform hangs upon the faithful execution of the probation law. The child who gets yanked into court is a victim, not a criminal. He is sinned against rather than sinning. He is not wicked, but weak. Hence our fight in the cities for better homes, for human rights for the lad, for play, for school, for everything that makes a natural childhood for him. It is bad to waste money on food, but 'to waste the morrow of the republic is criminal.'"-Jacob A. Riis.

The large-eyed wonder of the aspiring boy who has felt within him the awakening of ideas, who stands as it were, on the threshold of the world peering into the years of life, which must be years of thought, of work and attainment, seems to be more in need of helps to do, than of the all too many "don'ts" offered him by both parents and instructors. Boys, at this time, are more in need of models than of critics. Models of such an uplifting nature that the years of boyhood may not lead to blighted hope, to struggle and to failure and, perchance, in the end, to useless despair.

A boy's nature shows an impulse to be ever active, which is the outward expression of that inward longing of the heart to know the mysteries of this great world. When the heart answers truly to all impressions from without, the boy must no longer be regarded as a mere appendage to another being, but counciled seriously until such a time when he becomes so preoccupied in doing what is right, that ambition finally dominates, and the will no longer a sluggard, moves along the righteous

way.

This young spirit, awakened out of Eternity, yet still wondering what is meant by Time, cannot too soon be taught that much depends on facing life with the right outlook. A healthful, cheerful outlook, coupled with a belief in the best in all men, means success, while a hope cultivated to its highest, brings a sense of security and of power which sees the young aspirant well on the road which can have naught but a successful issue.

Courage will keep pace with hope, so that everyday trials will be viewed without too much unhappiness, and discord will be felt to be but the absence of harmony, and darkness the curtaining off of light.

Let him learn that it is not luck or chance, or help from others, but rather the determination and earnestness of the individual which unlocks the door of opportunity.

Strong characters are not built up simply by not doing anything wrong. If our boys lack an ambitious and progressive spirit to the verge of shiftlessness, there is little to congratulate ourselves in the fact that they do not smoke or play cards. If their greatest virtue seems to be in not doing questionable things, they soon become negative characters. Not the past ages, nor the present period of activity, nor the veiled,

By ALICE E. CAFFREY

mysterious future can ever give us a strong character built upon the things that have never been done. For we cannot become intellectual by refusing to read bad books, but we may become learned by studying our best authors and by knowing the best and most inspiring in literature.

There is hope for an ignorant boy if he has stamina; there is hope for the cripple who has courage and perseverance, but success is sure to pass by the one who loses heart at the first onset of opposition.

A strong manhood requires the study and vigorous activity of all the faculties of soul and body to accomplish results worthy of the noble destiny for which man was created. The avoiding of bad habits, either because they weaken selfcontrol or because they lead to a dissipation is not enough for the strong, vigorous growth of character. It is to the one who faces and overcomes with credit to himself and glory to his Creator some tremendous temptation that the laurel wreath of victory must be given. The strongest bulwarks raised to manhood's character have ever been the outgrowth of temptations vanquished, trials o'erstepped, and difficulties surmounted, and rightly may one say:

"He whom temptation never has assailed

Knows not that subtle sense of moral strength;

When sorely tried, we waver but at length

Rise up and turn away, not having failed."

In constantly cultivating right, wrong gradually loses its grasp upon our lives and the good we love and cherish will stamp humanity with the divine seal.

The accidents of birth, wealth or social positions are, at the best, but unreliable props, which often tempt a youth to neglect early opportunities of developing to their utmost the talents the good God has given them. Waiting for help from others is a great waste of the most precious gift of time, and is a drawback placed upon God's gifts, too often left dormant. The youth, anxious to succeed, will call into activity all his energies; he will forge his own key and open the door to vast possibilities.

The world's greatest works have never been accomplished by waiting for the enchanted moment or for some special tools with which to work. The great Michael Angelo would have been unknown today had he waited for just the right piece of marble for his wonderful

statue of David. But the efforts of a strong and determined will, the marble which other sculptors had discarded became in his hands a masterpiece and remains for all time a monument of the value to be set upon the right use of opportunities at hand. To build up a strong, sturdy, influential manhood that will command respect and enforce it everywhere, the youth must have honor and truth. These are such essential qualities that they may be called the fundamentals in character building and an effort at making a career without these qualities would be as useless as an attempt to erect a large building upon the sand. Next comes genuine simplicity of character, which has well been called the chief attribute of greatBut the luxury of power is gathered into the spirit of generosity which is the greatest virtue belonging to strength. What a mine of untold wealth is found in the spirit of generosity which teaches the youth the happiness of giving, and also that he must give value received to the world, for the blessings bestowed upon him.

ness.

To one sure of himself, and determined, stumbling blocks mean only steppingstones, while small defeats but lead to something higher.

Victory becomes great only as it is quered spirit.

Cornelia, the Logical.

The new baby sister was attracting so much attention that it annoyed Cornelia. It seemed as if no one could think of anything except the baby, and Cornelia felt that she was being slighted in some

way.

"Cornelia," said her mother, "you must be an awfully good little girl now."

"What for?" asked Cornelia.

"Because," explained her mother, "it is your duty to set a good example for your little sister."

Cornelia was not impressed. “She's just from heaven, ain't she?" she asked. "Of course."

"Well," declared Cornelia resentfully, "I don't see how it's up to me to set an example for anybody that's just come from heaven."

A Local Item.

Extract from the personal column of a country weekly: "The man who stole the thermometer that hung in front of our office might as well return it, for it does not register high enough to be of any use where he is going."

Free Premiums

In this issue of the Juvenile Court Record, we are listing a few of the many premiums that we are giving to ambitious boys and girls for raising Clubs of new subscribers to this magazine.

Many of the young folks, as well as the grown-up folks, have been very generous in helping us to make this magazine larger and better.

We do not wish anyone to work for nothing, and as well as paying cash commissions, we are now willing to give premiums to the many friends we have among the young folks to aid us in our campaign.

We have a great variety of articles to select from beside the few listed in this issue, and any one wishing any special article, and willing to devote a few hours work for the same, we shall be pleased to furnish them with a special proposition so that they may obtain the article without extra cost.

In other words, if a boy wishes a rifle, or a woman a Morris chair, for instance-if they will write us, we will furnish them with an outfit and plans to get the premium free.

Write us, explaining just what you wish, at once, and we will tell you the number of subscribers required by return mail.

Fifty Beautiful Post Card Views

Given Free for Only One Yearly Subscriber

Everybody nowadays collects post cards, but how seldom you get one from a world-renowned or historically famous place. Here are

TRIPAROUND T

Fifty beautifully colored souvenir post cards, no two alike, reproduced from direct photographs taken by a noted traveler and expert on one of his numerous trips around the world. Without leaving home you can see, by means of this wonderful collection of cards, scenes and people, domestic and foreign, that would cost you thousands of dollars and many months of actual travel to This is the instructive and entertaining set of cards have ever seen, and we heartily recommend them to the readers as a premium of unusual value and merit. We will give the Fifty Colored Souvenir Post Cards above described free for only one new subscriber to the Juvenile Court Record at $1.00 per

visit. most

year.

we

THE WORLD

Extension Roller Skates

Given Free for a Club of Only Three Yearly Subscribers at $1.00 Each

Boys' Baseball
Outfits

Any boy or team of boys wishing complete outfit, or suits alone, for their team, will do well to write us for our special proposition to obtain them free of cost, if they are willing to do a little work for us in their spare time. We do not reserve the right to state the quality or make of outfit furnished, but give you whatever you state.

Address this magazine, Circulation Department.

JUVENILE COURT RECORD

637 Unity Bldg., Chicago, III.

Never before was roller-skating so popular as now, and from appearances it would seem that this delightful and healthful pastime will continue as one of our great national amusements. We are prepared to make boys and girls happy by giving hundreds of pairs of good roller skates absolutely free for a very little easy and pleasant work to be done for us. These skates are made throughout of iron, with leather straps, and are strong and durable, as well as easy running. They have extension foot plates, so can readily be made to accommodate any size shoes from 7 to 10 inches long. The clamp style is furnished for boys, or with full heel strap and toe clamp for girls. We will give a pair of these Roller Skates, either boy's or girl's, as may be desired, free for 3 yearly subscriptions at $1.00 each.

Rubber Type Printing Outfit

Given Free for Only One Yearly Subscriber at $1

This is a practical printing outfit consisting of a full set of interchangeable type and figures, typeholder, everlasting inking pad and a pair of tweezers. Its capacity is one, two or three full lines of type, consequently can be used for printing cards, stationery, envelopes, labels, etc. It is equivalent in usefulness to several separate rubber stamps but costs less than the price of a single one. It is a handy thing to have around the office or house; good quality, and will last for years. We will give this Rubber Type Printing Outfit free for a yearly subscriber to the Record at $1.00 per year.