Evening star., 1904-03-22
EDUCATION THE THEME
The Neglected Children Of the
District and Their Needs
PUBLICLY DISCUSSED
ADVOCACY OF A COMPULSORY
EDUCATION LAW.
Congress Asked to Pass Measure-Ad-
dress by Mrs. Ellen Spencer
Mussey and Others.
PUBLICLY DISCUSSED

A public meeting was held under the aus
pices of the Legion of Loyal Women at the
Public Library last evening to consider the
conditions of the children of the District OF
Columbia and their needs in an educational
way. Through the courtesy of the trustees
the hall of the library was thrown open
for the occasion. The argument that lack
of educational facilities was a great high
way to crime was advanced, and legislation
was suggested and asked for that would
make education a cCmpulSion in this Dis
trict
Among those who braved the storm to be
present at the meeting were some of the
foremost advocates of the advancement of
the District-men and women who have
put forward their best efforts toward ac-
complishing for the community what has
been done for others and setting it on a
mount where all who run may read the
lesson of education as a factor in the i'm
provement of mankind and safeguard
against crime, the PRISON and the aims
house. The argument to erect schools
and compel the children to attend them
and the problem of crime would be solved
The Opening Address.
The order of exercises included an invo-
cation by Rev. II. N. Couden, chaplain of
the House of Representatives, and brief
addresses by Mrs Ellen Spencer Mussey,
B1 ainard H. Warner Mrs. Julia G.. Bar
nett and others. The meeting was opened
by Mrs. Barnett, chairman of the commit
tee on good of the order of the Legion of
Loyal Women, who said:
IT is needless, perhaps to say that we
are here tonight to consider the existing
conditions of the neglected children of the
District of Columbia, and to aid, if pos
slble, in procuring legislation by the present
congress for compulsory education and the
regula ton of child labor
The meeting is called by the Legion of
Loyal women, an organization which sure
ly needs no introduction to the Washington
public 1t is justly proud of its record of
penehcent deeds in many directions and
entertains a reasonable hope for future
success in its efforts for the betterment of
humanity. Permit me to add that its
patriotic work is known and recognized
from this our capital city even to our new
possessions, the Philippines
Through the kindness of the board of
trustees of the Public Library we have
peen given and accept with thanks. the
use OF this beautiful hall tonight.
AS presiding officer of the evening we
nave the pleasure of presenting TO Won the
vice president of the board of trustees of
the hprary, an honorary member of the
legion of Loyal Women. and one of the
most distinguished and public spirited citi-
zens of the District of Columbia Mr.
Bralnard II. Warner"
MI. warner then took the chair and in
% %eiouuceu the subject happily by saying he
presumed he had been asked to accept an
honorary membership in the society and
10 at the same time act as the chairman
OF the evening because the ladies wanted
10 get rid of him, but that he purposed. be-
iofe taking back seat, to once more give
ms ms nearly approval to what the women of
the society are doing and have done and
that Whatever he could do in cooperation
ne would do with a will. He referred to
the very efficient work that the ladies mad
uohe on many field of effort, and said
1ney wouio yet show themselves to be
worthy of the great cause which thew had
cnamploned He did not think they could
al TINS session of Congress get what they
wanted In the way of an educational bill.
out lhey would get it at, perhaps the next
ana tney have the best strength of the
community behind them and are bound to
succeed. =