The method of investigating quarrels and giving advice to families in cases of domestic troubles was explained by W. F. Donovan, probation officer of the Cambridge third district court, to members of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau at a meeting held in Phillips Brooks House last night.

When a conflict cannot be fixed up outside of court the case is brought before the judge and Mr. Donovan tells him what information he has discovered and makes recommendations as to what should be done. Frequently offending persons are placed on probation with an order to report weekly to the probation officer and sometimes to pay him a fixed amount of money for the support of the offender's family. Mr. Donovan follows up the case to see that the order of the court is obeyed. If the family is getting along without any further trouble he advises the judge as to the final disposition of the case.

Ackerly Also Speaks

Another speaker was John Ackerly, a member of the Cambridge police force who performs the specialized task of bringing into court those defendants in domestic cases who refuse to obey the stipulations of the probation officer and who refuse to come into court of their own accord. Mr. Donovan has developed a reputation in Cambridge for knowing the underworld.

T. E. Dudley 3L, president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, explained the purpose of these lectures. He said, "These talks were given so that members of the Legal Aid Bureau will know how the local courts function when domestic cases come before the judge. We also want to know how to cooperate with the two men who spoke before us tonight. Over one-sixth of the cases handled through the bureau involve domestic troubles and therefore this knowledge is quite essential."