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be excellent in its structure and purpose. It has been met with considerable enthusiasm by the professional people in the field who are charged with the responsibility of providing facilities and opportunities for predelinquent youth. I am sure that S. 812 could do much toward the prevention of delinquency and crime, as well as provide the United States with a valuable program of conservation and development.

It is difficult for me to determine the relative importance of two such fine proposals, as they approach the identical problem from two entirely different levels, each as important as the other. No legislator or administrator would, as a general of the Army, select only one weapon with which to defend his country. Nor can we ask that only one weapon be provided to combat delinquency and crime. We can only pray that Federal assistance may be provided to prevent the rise in juvenile delinquency as well as to better prepare our professional people to handle the current and future individual problems of the children of our Nation.

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House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MRS. GREEN: I read your bill (H.R. 772) with much interest, and concur wholeheartedly that what you purpose is a valid starting point for the understanding and control of this thing we label juvenile delinquency.

In my some 16 years experience, including graduate work, in the field of correction I have attended a good many conferences and institutes where attempts were made to analyze and come up with methods or procedures of control. In the majority of these conferences the final conclusion pointed up the need for trained personnel, research, and demonstration as a floor, or a starting point. While most of us in the field have recognized this, the sad fact remains that we have not achieved the desired results in setting up machinery to cope with the problem. We have seen islands throughout the country where some success has been achieved, and we like to think of our agency in Multnomah County as one of these islands. However, our own crippling limitations lie in the area mentioned in your bill, that is, lack of trained personnel and research. Over the years we have heard of many panaceas or cure-all methods of delinquency control, but most of them have ignored the basic facts that delinquency will have to be controlled at the local level, and if the local communities are to be expected to do this they will need a great deal more direction and help, such as proposed in H.R. 772.

The control of the devient person, as you know, is an expensive one, and the figure mentioned in your bill is only a start, but I can think of no other area where the investment of dollars will produce dividends as great, both in money saved and lives reclaimed. I am sure we would see an added incentive and buoyancy in programs throughout the country if the Federal Government became actively involved in providing some leadership and the means to accomplish the sought-after results.

The advisory council, as mentioned, is a most important part and, as we all know, it will have success so long as the leadership is of top quality, but of course we have to assume this will be carried out.

In ending, I would like to say that all of us on the firingline are very grateful to you for the sincere thought and effort you have demonstrated, and I feel that by enactment of the proposals mentioned we will be arriving at a sound operating base.

Thank you again for everything, and If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Very truly yours,

ALBERT B. GREEN, Director, Juvenile Court and Home.

Hon. EDITH GREEN,

CIRCUIT COURT OF OREGON,

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT No 12,
Portland, Oreg., March 10, 1959.

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR MRS. GREEN: My comment concerning H.R. 772 is, of course, the same as it has been for similar proposed legislation before. Facilities and trained personnel, along with research, seem to me to best point the way toward solution of our ever-mounting juvenile problems. This bill which you have proposed is directed toward these ends, and, therefore, I strongly favor it. I believe that few people, outside of those who are dealing constantly with children in trouble, are as keenly aware as we who work with the children of the need for trained personnel. It is a desperate need, and it is getting more desperate all the time. Perhaps what I have said here will be sufficient for a statement for the committee. I would, of course, like to appear before the committee, but it is not easy to take the time or to get the expense money for traveling to Washington. However, I have been invited by the National Education Association to a conference in Washington on the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency on May 14 and 15. Apparently several people from around the country have been selected for these invitations, and the conference is planned to implement the yearlong study being made by Dr. William C. Kvaraceus, director of the NEA juvenile delinquency project. The NEA will apparently pay all of the expenses of the invitees while in Washington, but the invitee must arrange his own travel expenses. The Oregon Education Association, at the present time, has under consideration the question of defraying my fare back there, and will not decide until a meeting along about the middle of April whether it will do so.

As soon as I receive word as to whether I will be able to get to the conference, I will let you know, and perhaps I can make an appearance before your committee at the same time.

With kindest personal regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,

VIRGIL LANGTRY, Circuit Judge.

OFFICE OF THE JUVENILE DEPARTMENT,

COUNTY OF LINCOLN, Newport, Oreg., March 12, 1959.

Mrs. EDITH GREEN,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR MRS. GREEN: Thank you for your kind letters regarding our mutual interest in prevention and control of juvenile delinquency. I regretfully will not be able to be present at the delinquency hearings commencing on March 16 of the subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and Labor. At this time I do not propose to submit a statement to the committee.

I am personally much in favor of your bill, H.R. 772. It seems to me to incorporate some very practical methods for beginning real progress in delinquency control. A Federal Advisory Council on Juvenile Delinquency ought to be able to contribute much constructive advice concerning treatment and control of this cultural sickness. It would be a delight to me if such a council could have something to do with determining the actual extent of delinquency in the United States. It seems that each time one reads a newspaper or magazine one finds statistical totals of delinquency by the latest FBI, Children's Bureau, or some other agency or person and often these figures vary by hundreds of thousands of cases. This must indicate that statistics are of value only on the local level. But it would be helpful to have some reliable national data.

Further, so many who write professionally seem to have a pet theory about delinquency causation and are prone to illustrate it profusely at 5 to 10 cents a word. These opinions often suffer severely from superficiality and lack of scientific method. We can't rely on this kind of thinking. The theories so often are oversimplified and break down under careful scrutiny. The public could use some valid guidance in this area. Perhaps a council would have some enlightenment for us.

The grants for training personnel could fill such a very obvious need. In Oregon, and nationally, juvenile court workers are vastly undertrained. As long as we remain semiskilled in our casework efforts, we can perhaps only

offer to troubled youngsters a sincere interest and supportive attitude rather than constructive therapy.

Grants for special projects could have lasting influence. Certainly research projects to promote a few breakthroughs in behavioral science are urgently needed. Perhaps we could see some of the same kind of progress in understanding of human behavior as was afforded the field of medicine during and after World War II or the recent successes enjoyed by those in our outer space program. We can and do manipulate environment, i.e., clean up slums, etc. Such projects certainly involve contributing factors in delinquency causation; but to really whip the problem, we must know a great deal more about basic human behavior. Psychology and sociology are yet mere infants among academic disciplines. Research grants could do much to hurry their potential contributions.

I recall reading in recent issues of the New York Times about several demonstration projects currently being activated in New York City and in Chicago. Such programs should have great meaning for us when their effect has finally been assessed. It undoubtedly would be of value if such results could be integrated in a national program and made available more readily to all of us in this field.

I've appreciated your letters, please me know if there is any way I can be of any service in your delinquency prevention work.

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DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN GREEN: Thank you for informing me of the coming hearings scheduled by the subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee, beginning March 16, to consider bills in the area of juvenile delinquency and also for the copy of your H.R. 772 bill.

As you are probably aware, our agency, Neighborhood House, dealing in social, education, and recreation services, has dealt with the juvenile delinquency problem for many years. One of our main difficulties has been in securing proper and qualified personnel to handle this phase of our program. I noted with great satisfaction that your H.R. 772 bill provides the mechanics for each State to develop research projects as well as formulating a program for training highly skilled personnel. In my estimation these two elements are the most important in the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency.

Since your H.R. 772 bill contains some of the most desirable objectives which we seek as an aid in the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency, I strongly endorse and urge the passage of your bill by the subcommittee.

I am enclosing a copy of a letter given to Hon. Carl Elliott when the Citizens' Committee met with both of you. This letter is sent as a reminder of our deep concern here in Portland for the need of legislation on Federal level to give us the proper tools and qualified personnel to stem the growing tide of juvenile delinquency.

You are at liberty to pass these letters on to subcommittee chairman, Hon. Carl Elliott, if you so desire.

With very best wishes, I remain

Sincerely,

Hon. Congressman ELLIOTT,

LOUIS N. GALLO.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL, Portland, Oreg., November 1, 1957.

Chairman, Subcommittee on Education, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN ELLIOT: The following statement represents the unanimous opinion regarding the need for Federal action in the field of juvenile delinquency. The people endorsing this statement have been asked to represent the Citizens' Committee on Juvenile Delinquency from Portland and Multnomah County, and the Community Council of Portland, Oreg. These persons are actively involved in 38436-59-pt. 1-16

a wide cross section of community life, including Parent-Teacher Association activity, schools and education, settlements and neighborhood centers, law enforcement, public welfare administration, public recreation, and community planning in the social welfare field.

We believe in and want to support the principles expressed in Senate bill 4267 as passed on July 27, 1956, and in various bills introduced in the House of Representatives on the subject of juvenile delinquency, including particularly H.R. 652 by the Honorable Edith Green, which we understand have not been favorably acted upon by your committee.

Both because juvenile delinquency is a national problem and because local communities need stimulation, leadership, and practical assistance, in working for the prevention and control of this problem, we urge that the provisions of these bills be passed at the next session of Congress and that the early implementation of them be firmly supported.

As a representative citizens group, we have been disappointed in the lack of action on bills dealing with this subject by the Subcommittee on Education during the last session of Congress.

Thus, we are presenting this statement to you while you are in our community and, at the same time, we would appreciate very much the opportunity of meeting with you so that our views can be presented orally and directly.

Respectfully yours as individual representatives of the Citizens' Committee on Juvenile Delinquency for Portland and Multnomah County, and the Community Council, Portland Oreg.,

John M. Whitelaw, Chairman, Associate Director, Community Council; Lt. Edward J. Carney, Bureau of Police; Dr. Leslie M. Chase, Director, Child Services, School District No. 1; Louis N. Gallo, Executive Director, Neighborhood House; Albert B. Green, Director, Juvenile Court and Home; Gus B. Lange, Administrator, Multnomah County Public Welfare Commission; Dorothea Lensch, Director of Recreation, Bureau of Parks and Public Recreation; Carl Shaw, Executive Director, Friendly House Community Center; Mrs. Stephen A. Turel, President, Portland Council of Parents and Teachers.

STATE OF OREGON, MACLAREN SCHOOL FOR BOYS, Woodburn, March 19, 1959.

Hon. EDITH GREEN,

Representative, Third District, Oregon,
Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MRS. GREEN: Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in sending a copy of H.R. 772 relating to juvenile delinquency.

For many years, there has been a heavy demand for exactly the personnel training and special projects outlined in your bill. The National Conference of Training Schools and Juvenile Agencies along with the National Conference of Training School Superintendents have repeatedly pointed out the unmet needs of institutions and agencies dealing with juvenile delinquents.

The relative importance of research and training as set forth in titles II and III seem to be quite reasonable and appropriate. It should be borne in mind that some training may need to be invested even in those who are doing research. The need for trained staff is well known and adequately documented. Our own State of Oregon is suffering severely for lack of trained persons. Virtually no funds are available to improve the picture.

I regret that I shall be unable to meet with the subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee. I shall be attending the National Conference of Training School Superintendents in New York on March 25, 26, and 27. From 50 to 70 superintendents attend this conference and should be in a position to talk with Members of Congress or the subcommittee in New York. Attached find a copy of "The MacLaren Approach" which gives a partial picture of our position in Oregon. Again, thanking you for remembering us personally and as an agency, I am

Sincerely,

AMOS E. REED, Superintendent.

THE MACLAREN APPROACH

A child's major experiences, qualitatively and quantitatively, are most closely related to the home and to the school. Pensonality and character are primarily developed through meaningful and significant relationships with father, mother, and teacher. These are expanded to include other relatives, playmates, and acquaintances who play secondary but important roles. If the primary sources of child training and character building are inadequate, the child's behavior then, of necessity, must be shaped by the secondary sources supplemented by the biological strengths of the child himself. The too often sad results of the latter are the social ills including delinquency, retardation, and psychosis. With this in mind, the MacLaren School for Boys attempts to reemphasize the importance of the child-father-mother-teacher relationships in an ongoing, cooperative, and comprehensive program.

The most effective method of testing the validity of counseling and casework services to children in institutions, or with their parents, is to examine the degree to which the institution's programs incorporate basic casework skills. No one, not even the committting court, can force the child, or his parents, to seek help, or to accept that which may be offered. In like manner, no one not even the most highly trained professional person, can compel the child, or his parent, to utilize services if they lack the capacity to do so. Finally, no one can deny the inherent right of the child and his parents to make their own decisions and determine for themselves what their life will be.

These principles, if applied to casework services in institutions, presuppose that programs will be developed which will incorporate understanding and acceptance of the individual as a person; that the primary aim of such services will be to help the individuals deal in a responsible manner with themselves, and with the life situations which confront them. It entails the concentration and direction of all human and material resources of the institution to the task of helping individuals use their capacities, according to their own measure of talent, to live personally satisfying and socially useful lives.

While MacLaren School for Boys understands and accepts the principle that no one can be forced to accept that which he does not want, it recognizes its responsibility to develop the kind of atmosphere which is based on profound respect for the dignity of the individual. It is this kind of atmosphere, wherein both boys and staff can live comfortably, which promotes the utilization of casework services while developing a personal sense of responsibility, which must accompany the exercise of the individual's right of self-determination.

To accomplish these things, MacLaren has sought to break down and eradicate the traditional concepts of training schools and training school operations. It seeks to focus attention upon the need for the kind of school in which neither real nor psychological fences inhibit the free interchange of ideas and services between the school and all communities throughout the State. While belonging to no one community, the school is an extension of the services which each community, however small, can provide for its troubled and troublesome youth. In order to emphasize the school's role as an extension of the community, it is imperative that communities be well informed as to the services which the school can reasonably be expected to provide. To this end, professional staff members, at the school and in the field services division, are encouraged and, in some instances, assigned to participate vigorously in activities and organizations on both the local and State levels. In their contacts with individuals and groups, they are urged to stress the personal responsibility each citizen has to inform himself of the nature of an operation which so vitally affects young people in this State.

It is becoming increasingly evident that if the training school is to do an effective job, it must carry on broad programs designed to educate the general public. With this in mind, MacLaren School has encouraged a variety of groups and community organizations to visit the school and to supplement our programs. Students from Willamette, Linfield, and Monmouth Colleges actively participate with the boys in social activities. The junior chamber of commerce, Knights of Columbus, Rotary, Youth for Christ, Boy Scouts, Lions, and Kiwanis have taken leadership in helping to enrich our programs.

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