Page:1954 Juvenile Delinquency Testimony.pdf/303

Rh probing for prevention, arresting the growtl and endeavoring to control the spread of this cancer of modern day society.

it can be said that our State has achieved unique suecess in the refommative and correclioual processes of our erring youth. On Mareh 35, Life magnuzine featured an article on the great strides of oir State in tiis department. The title of this article was, "Helping Bad BoysA Plan Pays Off for New Jersey."

Ty rechtiming our youth, the dingnostie center at Menlo Park. and the High- fields experimental project—the former Lindbergh home at Tlapewell—are in- Spiring landmarks in the reformative field. The latter program, begun in July of 1950, ts deseribed in a report based on a T7-nionth Operativnal period, as ae- complishing “as much, if nol more, in its + wonils of residential treatment, as the reformatory at Annandale does in its more than 12 monilis.” Moreover, the rate of success on probation or parole, in the ease of boys released from Highliekls. was shown to be snbstantially higher than the record for Annandale. Experiments such as these in the conservation of human resourees, inay very Well provide methods which will bring abont a turning point in the tide of Juvenile delinquency. The continued strengthening ef such facilities shold greatly augment the courr’s effectiveness in fulfilling one of its prineipal Mune tions—the rehabiltilation of juvenile olfeuders,

{n unraveling juvenile delinquency, the pathway does uot lic im unrelenting aud vengeful punishment. but in persistently seeking and uptooting the causes; in probing for the syinptoms, rather Gian in treating the disease ‘after the horse has been stolen.”

Our legislators, psychiatrists, probation officers, pirent-teachers groups, reiig- ious and ciyie organizations are wrestling with the question posed tiv Che adinit- ted monthly publication of D0 million comie or pocket hooks, 25 percent of which ure estimated as being principally deyeted to horrer, criine, and sex exploitation and stimulation, heamed to juvenile eyes and slanted for juvenile consumption because of their easy accessibility and cheap cost. Obscenity, lewdness, aud indecency to the sensiliveness of the adolescent litter the magazine racks. Just like ic drowning man who grasps ata straw, there is a growing school of thought thet points an accusing finger al this msidionus and pernicious infimence on the mints of onr youth. Santnyana once said, “The mar who gives a wrong twist to your mind medlles with you just as truly as if he hit yeu in the eye; the mark may be less painful, bul it is more lasting,’

Interspersed with this lorreat of filth, are commendable publications that are a evedift ta the industry. Js that sraaller portion, characterized as literary gar- hage, protected by the freedom of the press, harmful to the mind of 9 ehtla? Is seduction of the tnnocent and moral disarmament of our yonth induced throvgh the subtle and pervading effects of erime aud sex comics? Do these magazines and the crime and love comics that flood the newsstands, contribute fo delinguency? Wnitortunately, there is ne stock answer.

Marly this year, a grand Jury in Middlesex County drew a direct connection betweeu the public display of pornographic literature and the growing nunher of nonsupport and desertion cases, Police Canmissioner O'Cannar of Chicaga says thar the recent iverense in rape and sex erimes is directly altyibuiable to the influence of (urid imigazines and books, The juvenile court judges in Minoesats have issued au approved reading list for young people. They feel that it is part of their joh ta get indecent publications out of youngsicrs’ sight and touch. (See p. 18, Report of New York State Joint Legisiative Commitiee to Stndy Publication of Comics.)

We have in (his conuiry some af the most jieautiful, thoughtful, amusing and informative magazines in the world. Among the pockethooks on the newsstands are some of the best reading values ever offered ; Dibles, atlases, ald geographies, books on child care. reprints of the great novels and short stories, Tul crowding all of these useful and enjoyable nuigagzines and books, are publications which ean hove no possilde effect, except to misinform the adoelesecnt, debuse hig thoughts, and degrade his emotions. The publishers of such oraterial will stop al nothing to cateh the eve,

The laws of our State make rhe sale of obscene and indecent literatinre an indictable offense (24 :315-2). The test of what is obscene and indecent is net easily definable. The test generally laid down is wherher the writing is of snch character as would fend to deyrave the morals of those inio whose hands the publication might fell, by suggesting lewd thoughts and exciting sensual desires. In Pusart vy. U.S, (297 U. 8. 655), the Supreme Court imlicated, us one test, that the ianguage must be such as would be calculuted to corrupt and debauch the minds and morals of those into whose hands it might fall.