“While the large sum of money collected by the probation officers of the state is not covered permanently into a public treasury, it is not less an actual financial benefit. Consisting very largely of enforced payments from other wise non-supporting husbands and fathers, it goes to the same extent and without diminution to the natural dependents. It relieves the state and the municipalities of the cost of caring for these neglected persons, and observation shows that this saving is substantially equal to the amount collected. Meanwhile the probationer who is made to contribute it is usefully employed, as he must be to provide for the payments, and the public is relieved of the expense of maintaining him in jail.”
“While the large sum of money collected by the probation officers of the state is not covered permanently into a public treasury, it is not less an actual financial benefit. Consisting very largely of enforced payments from other wise non-supporting husbands and fathers, it goes to the same extent and without diminution to the natural dependents. It relieves the state and the municipalities of the cost of caring for these neglected persons, and observation shows that this saving is substantially equal to the amount collected. Meanwhile the probationer who is made to contribute it is usefully employed, as he must be to provide for the payments, and the public is relieved of the expense of maintaining him in jail.”
“That shows a tremendous saving of money, as well as preventing the waste of the same money in idling away time and getting into closer touch with crime. What that means can be still more plainly seen from the report that in 1909 non-supporting husbands to the number of 617, contributed $25,218.13, but in 1913, non-supporting husbands to the number of 1,240 gave up $140,773.96. That shows a gain of 100 per cent. in the number of cases, but nearly 450 per cent. in the amount collected. That leads the Commission on Probation to ask for more money than it is allowed under the law, and a bill goes before the house at Boston to give the Commission more than the $5,000 it has now. The Commissioners do not draw salaries, but they have an office, with a salaried deputy and stenographer. They want a chance to enlarge their powers and work, because many courts are calling for probation officers and what business they do must come under the care of the Commission. But the serious question is as to what the State is coming to while it enlarges on the plans to make the delinquents pay their way as they do in the cases cited and still have an increase of crime and dependence on the public charity for support. The courts do no less, the jails and prisons no more, and still there is the claim that the people are being taught to do better.”
Scrapping Metal and Scrapping Men.—Governor Foss of Massachusetts recently said: “Let me add in all seriousness that the managers of my own shops and factories make a more efficient and intelligent sorting and reclamation of scrap metal than the laws have generally made of the living men and women that have been thrown upon the scrap heap of our jails and prisons.”
Miss Margaret Elliott of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly connected with the Training School for Girls at Geneva, Ill., has been appointed superintendent of the Indiana prison. She will succeed Miss Emily E. Rhoades, who resigned last December.
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, ETC. of THE DELINQUENT
Published monthly at New York, N. Y., required by the Act of August 24th, 1912.NAME OFPOST OFFICE ADDRESSEditor, O. F. Lewis,135 East 15th St., New York City.Managing Editor, O. F Lewis,““““““Business Manager, O. F. Lewis,““““““Publisher, The National Prisoners’ Aid Association,““““““Owners,“““““““““““There are no bondholders, mortgages, or other security holders.O. F. Lewis, Editor and Business Manager.Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of September, 1913.H. L. McCORMICK, Notary Public No. 6, Kings County.My Commission expires March 31, 1914.
Published monthly at New York, N. Y., required by the Act of August 24th, 1912.
NAME OFPOST OFFICE ADDRESSEditor, O. F. Lewis,135 East 15th St., New York City.Managing Editor, O. F Lewis,““““““Business Manager, O. F. Lewis,““““““Publisher, The National Prisoners’ Aid Association,““““““Owners,“““““““““““
There are no bondholders, mortgages, or other security holders.O. F. Lewis, Editor and Business Manager.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of September, 1913.H. L. McCORMICK, Notary Public No. 6, Kings County.My Commission expires March 31, 1914.