Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/23

 SCHOOLS FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN g

In 1895 Mr. .Edward L. Bradley, a graduate of Princeton University, established a settlement of boys near Lake Villa, 111., about fifty miles from Chicago, on the Wisconsin Central Rail- road. Its object is to furnish a home (with a little h) for the homeless and neglected boys of Chicago. It was not organized under any state law, but "The Allendale Association," which now has supervision of the work, is an incorporated body. The institution idea is avoided as much as possible. The association owns 120 acres of good farm land, and there are five small frame cottages, an administration building, a " city hall," and a gym- nasium, besides several farm buildings. The property is valued at $16,000. The number of boys is limited to fifty, and the cot- tage plan prevails, each family consisting of eight or ten boys. The management believes strongly in the small family, and it is sought in every possible way to produce a real family life. The settlement is organized as a "junior municipality," with its city council, a court, and police department. All discipline is in the hands of the boys. If an offense is committed, the offender is arrested and brought before the court and tried. If found guilty, he is fined 25 cents, 50 cents, $i, or $2, according to the offense. Every boy is paid for his labor at the rate of 30 cents an hour, outside of school hours, and a boy usually earns $3.60, and some- times $4, a week in Allendale money. He pays $3 a week for board. Should his court fines, board, and clothing exceed his income, he becomes a member of the pauper class. The paupers sit at a special table, with a curtailed menu, and lose their citizen- ship. This sort of discipline is all that is necessary. All boys attend school, and the course of study used in the public schools of Chicago is followed as nearly as possible. All services are donated, except those of the cook and the farmer.

The annual expenses aggregate $3,600, or $72 per capita, and the farm is supported entirely by voluntary contributions. Since its opening Allendale has received 144 boys and discharged 106, leaving 38 on the farm. Some of these boys were returned to their parents or guardians ; some were placed in families in the country or city ; some secured business positions ; and some entered advanced schools of learning and are educating them-