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THE BUILDING DEVOTED TO THE CARE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS. COURT
AND PROBATION OFFICES ON THE FIRST FLOOR; DETENTION AND MATRON'S
ROOMS ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

ALBANY

The State lost a conscientious and faithful woman probation officer by the death in September of Mrs. Rose D. Fitzgerald of the Police Court. Her successor, who stood first as a result of a civil service examination, in which the Commission assisted, has taken up the work and developed it with much enthusiasm. Probation is largely used in this court. Some of the work, especially in nonsupport cases, is cared for by the court without the assistance of the probation officers.

UTICA

For four years the Commission has called attention to the great need that exists for a separate building for the detention and trial of children and for the probation offices. The old accommodations were entirely unsuitable and in fact harmful to the children involved. Appropriations made during 1913 and 1914 were never utilized and no steps were taken to meet the need. At the close of the year the matter was again taken up and another appropriation secured. As this report goes to press the home is about to open.

An increased salary for the chief probation officer in the Utica City Court has been provided. The salary had long been inadequate.

SCHENECTADY

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This is the largest city in the State without a publicly salaried probation officer. The local agent of the Humane Society has done all the probation work, and has done it effectively in the past, but in the opinion of the Commission he is no longer able to carry on the increasing work in addition to his many other duties. investigation and hearings before the city board of estimate and apportionment were conducted by the secretary of the Commission to secure an appropriation for the purpose by the city. No action has yet been taken.

BINGHAMTON

During the past year the city provided separate detention rooms for women and children. The woman probation officer of the city has handled many cases informally in addition to her regular pro ation work. The securing of employment, charitable relief and arious other kinds of social service are carried on extensively.

ELMIRA

The need for regular salaried probation officers in this city still exists. The experience of other cities has proven without exception that the work of the probation officer should be carried on independently of the work of the police. In Elmira, as a temporary expedient, the chief of police was made probation officer. Investigation has shown that the results are as might be expected, that very little real probation work has been done. The matter was taken up during the past year with the city authorities and with various citizens and is still pending.

NEWBURGH

The new city probation officer was appointed and began his work in February, following the civil service examination in which the Commission assisted. Newburgh is a comparatively small city, having a population of 27,800. They have never had a salaried probation officer. Doubt was freely expressed by persons not in sympathy with the movement as to whether the new officer was needed. The records of the officer show that he has received in less than one year 92 probation cases and at the close of the year had under his care 66 cases; 29 juveniles and 37 adults. He las actually collected and paid over $1,306.86 in non-support cases under his charge. In addition he has cared for 19 informal cises. His work has proven of great value to the city, in fact would now be considered a necessity. Newburgh has set an example o the other cities of the State and justified the belief of the Cammission that all cities of 20,000 population should have a salaried probation officer giving his whole time to the work.

LACKAWANNA

In this industrial city of 15,737 population, a salaned probation officer gives his entire time to the work and had, at the end of the year, 99 cases under his care. During the past year his salary · was increased. His work has met with the support and confidence of the people generally.