A SHELTER FOR GIRL OFFENDERS.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIE,—Metropolitan Magistrates and all who have knowledge of what is known as the social evil have ample evidence of the great unwisdom of the present system, which obliges Magistrates re- mantling girls charged with soliciting and other similar offences to send them to prison for the period of remand. The need of some sort of clearing-house to which girls on remand and admitted to bail could be remitted by the Magistrates, similar to that known as Waverley House in New York, has become very urgent.
The Committee of Social Investigation and Reform are anxious to open such a house in London, and they believe that the need has only to be made known to evoke a generous response from the public. The proposal is 'to accommodate not more than fifteen girls in one house in order that there may be no atmosphere of the institution. To this house girls admitted to bail could be sent by the Magistrate instead of their going to prison, and it could also be used for young girls on probation and taken direct from the- streets. Here they would be tested as to their suitability for various employment and- be given educational opportunities in the form of clams, in cooking, sewing, housewifery, and the like, with Physical training such us. drill,..and edneational subjects such as shorthand. Here, too, suitable employment and housing would be secured, and 'the girlswould be assured of medical aftcndence and supervision if they needed it after leaving th6 home.
Such, in very brief 'outline. are the objects which the Committee have in mind in appealing to your readers to suppcirt them in a piece of constructive social Work. The project has ree6ived the warm support and commendation of a great malty men and women interested in social affairs, and of these perhaps it will be enough if I mention Sir George Cave, the Home Secretary; Mr.. Clarke Hall, Mr. Cecil Chapman, and other Metropolitan Magistrates: Sir Malcolm Morris, Adeline Duchess of Bedford, Dr. Helen Wilson, Mrs: Creighton, and the Rev. William Temple.
At least £1,000 is needed to inaugurate the scheme (not a very large sum in these days), and a regular income of not less than £600 per- annum will be needed. Donations should be sent to Major-General D. A. Scott, C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O., Committee of Social Investigation and Reform, 19 Tothill Street, Westminster,
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