The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-11
TO PROTECT CHILDREN.
4 Favorable Report to the senate on
the Compulsory support Bill.

Mr. Gallinger, from the Senate Commit
tee on the District of Columbia. has pre-
scented favorable report on the bill to
provide for the compulsory support Of chill
dren by parents in the District.
The report recites that the laws in force
in the District Of Columbia provide for
bringing before the District courts chill
dren who are found by the police and other
officials charged with that duty, and who
are believed to be neglected. On the
judicial ascertainment OF the fact OF such
| neglect these children are committed to
the charge OF the Board of Children's
Guardians, who place such children in free
homes as quickly as may be possible. and
who retain a supervision over them in
such homes. For longer or shorter time.
as the case may be. these children are a
charge upon the community.
1t frequently happens that the neglect OF
children arises from deliberate desertion
on the part OF parents who are able but
unwilling to care for the offspring. The
purpose of this bill is to compel parents to
provide for their children's support up to
the limit Of their ability. The bill follows
! itBlSidAlUu III ttl' 0AdNtS EtlAtldllNs anu tHt
enactment Of such law will tend TO re-
lieye the public Of charges which properly
should he borne by parents.
The bill is recommended by the Commits
sioners by the Superintendent of Chart
ties and by the judges Of the Police Court.
John W. Douglass. agent OF the Board OF
Children's Guardians, submitted tC the
committee 4 report on the following cases,
which he had taken from his records:
4 IT
Street northwest. applied to the Board
for the public care of little boy five years
of age. left with him under promise of
payment for his support. No payments for
that purpose were made. Ii was learned
that the mother of the child is. the owner
of real estate in the District Of Columbia.
that rent for this property is regularly col
lect"d and RENTED to her by the agent
MIR. Henderson was neither able nor will
ins TO keep this child at his own cost when
its mother was living in greater comfort
elsewhere
IL white infant. James Fitzgerald, be-
came ward OF the Board by court COM
mitment in 1898. His father was earning
sl050 per week. He refused 10 provide in
any way for the support OF his child.
Five white children OF tie name Of
Knott. came under the care OF the BOARD
for their protection against starvation and
suffering. Their Iaiher Is an dble- bouleu
blacksmith having steady work. and re-
fuses TO contribute one penny TO the sup
port OF his family.
Lorenzo Corcoran. n white boy, twelve
years of age. was found destitute OF sulta
Bile home aud support. and was committed
to the guardianship OF the Board. His
father has in his possession large sums Of
money
philip Brown. colored was for many
months employed at fair wages. His in
FAINT child was supported as a ward OF the
District after court commitment for desti-
tuition.
Claude Cooper at the age OF three
months. became ward Of the District
through legal process, having been found
destitute and neglected. His father was
employed at SIS or $50 per week. When
approached as To his duty to his child. na
desired to know what We proposed doing
about it. and refused to contribute to the
support OF the child.
November % 1899. Joseph Kelleher
twelve years old. was placed under the
protection of public authority. He had
been brought up in st. AIMS Infant
Asylum and St JOseph's Orphan Asylum
He was taken from ST J0scph's Asylum
about two years ago b. his father, who
had Inherited small fortune. He was
found sleeping in a stable. without SUI
hcient clothing. and destitute and neg
lected.
September .. 1893, three children OF the