New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-21

Hcmely Ones in Great Need Stand No Chance
Beside Them

The weak spot In placing agencies is the fact
that few societies make really close investiga ton
In the selection Of homes into which the children
are sent" said Mr.. Buck. inspector Of charitable
institutions the Summer Srnool of Philanthropy
yesterday morning THE Charities Aid Associa-
uon. in looking up the records OF 100 children who
mad been placed out, could find trace of o. per
cent OF them. It is easy for persons 10 come to
some institutions in existence to-day and by giving
any reference take away child. The child is
kept track Of and if the home isn't good
IS the wiser except the child
Mr.. Buck made this statement in the discussion
which followed a paper by Mrs John NJ. Glenn. in
the placing system method Of solving the
problem What do with children that have
been separated from parents guardians" Mrs.
Glenn is associated with the city charities OF Baiti
more, where prevails the system Of putting young
charges of the State into private homes.
a placing agency must have feXihiity, she
declared. 1t must gain by the knowledge of what
has gone before and must constantly begin afresh.
Children should Oe treated individuals No
child is exactly like any other. therefore there can
De really typical from which judge.
The agency should guard. a well maintain. the
child which has been placed out. The number OF
times annually that child needs be visited de-
ponds entirely upon the kind OF child 1t is The
majority of agents make two visits year each
charge
Il believe that the placing agency should
have concurrent supervision Of the parents along
with the supervision OF the children That Is, It
should keep IL touch with the parents or relatives
visiting them frequently.
As soon the guardians of child who is
placed by the State able TO give him proper
care their control should DE restored We never
want TO break the family tie. but when this IS alb
solutey necessary. it IS at times the next oest
thing is restore il as possible
I believe that there should be no papers passing
between the foster parent and the agency TO hold
either side the contract when a boy or girl IS
placed out" continued Mrs Glenn. Time may
prove that the nome into which a child goes, even
though 1t may be Il benevolent home. not the
best place Tor that child In such event We
want to be able TO transfer the charge. or, per-
what was expected. II would never De for
the best interests OF the child to be obliged 10 con-
which does not want it. This question of getting
the right homes for the boys and girls placed out
Is or utmost Importance. Most of them viii have
10 earn their own llVing as soon as they are Oid
enough and care should be taken that they are
gwen an education It happens sometimes. espe-
cally IN the Southern States that children put
that two or three months OF schooling during the
year-in the winter when there is nothing 10 do on
, tendance laws n force will counteract the
neglect OF the foster parents along this line"
Mrs, Glenn said she believed that placing out
agencies should always have the power of sending
out children. either as free charges boaTdeTs
sometimes person comes who Is willing take
a child 10 good home. without remuneration. but
family that We know to be first class and who are
willing 70 care for the child, but cannot well afford
should certainly take advantage OF the chance"
MIS-. Glenn gave the great danger OF the
placing out system the fact that IT is the children
with the attractive faces or personalities who get
taken by foster parents nine times OF while
the unattracuve ones. who often in greatest
need OF help. are showed aside
r R Reeder, superintendent Of the Orphan Asy
luCl Society 81 NewI York described the running OF
It's orphanage. near Yonkers.