Teen-Age Citizens

Last week, 120 teen-agers were hard at work on 550 hilly acres in upstate New York. Boys were digging potatoes, tending 75 dairy cows, painting, sandblasting a new oil storage tank, manufacturing cement blocks for new buildings, remodeling an old lodge into a modern residence hall. Girls were canning home-grown corn, washing & ironing, cooking and serving meals, doing secretarial work. They were the current citizens of the 54-year-old George "Junior Republic" at Freeville, N.Y., and though most of them were trying to make a second start in their young lives, all of them were there of their own free choice.

Like more than 15,000 boys & girls who have gone through Freeville or one of its offshoots* since Manhattan Manufacturer William George founded his Junior Republic in 1895, they were neither delinquent nor retarded but had the problems that come from bad home and neighborhood environments. Their goal during their stay at the Republic: to work out a good "adjustment."

Ditch-Digging & Plumbing. On the record, the odds were in their favor; better than 90% of George Junior Republic's boys & girls have grown up to be useful and successful citizens. Most of the Republic's actual operating expenses are covered by contributions from outside friends, plus $65 monthly tuition paid by the parents and guardians of the majority of the citizens.

Whatever his background, a youngster entering the Republic earns his own livelihood, pays for his board & keep in one of the nine cottage-type dormitories in the Republic's own currency (redeemable at about 50-c- on the dollar). Jobs range from ditchdigging and housekeeping to plumbing, carpentry, masonry, welding, and office chores. Average income of a Republic citizen is about 15 Republican dollars a week, of which living expenses take about ten. Chief drains on the remainder: Republican income taxes, to pay salaries and expenses of junior government officials; clothing and travel; savings.

Crime & Punishment. George Junior Republicans make their own laws in monthly meetings where citizens over 15 years of age (who pay a $1.50 annual poll tax) are allowed to vote. The kids also run their own police force and courts, impose and enforce sentences. Last week, only four were serving sentences for misdemeanors. Sample sentences: for boys, extra work with pay confiscated; for girls, more work and no makeup.

Last week, blond, 44-year-old Donald T. Urquhart, son-in-law of Founder "Daddy" George and present executive director of the Republic, was studying plans to expand the community to double its present size, establish a teaching center where other U.S. educators and social workers could study Republican methods.

* In Litchfield, Conn., Grove City, Pa. and Chino, Calif.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.