New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11

One valuable national asset which this govern
snent hitherto rather neglected is about TO have
Official recognition: that is II a certain bill now
under consideration in the United States Senate
becomes a law. DR. Samuel McCune Lindsay, sec
rotary Of the National Child Labor Committee at
whose request Senator Crane introduced this bill,
argues that If the country can maintain an agri-
cultural department and fish commissioners en-
pioying experts to search for causes and suggest
remedies when young cod become less plentiful I'm
our waters. the boil worm threatens the cotton
crop, il can also afford spend few thousands
annually in the investigation OF such human prob
lems as infant mortality. Juvenile delinquency the
fate OF orphaned deserted children child Hitter
acy, and the employment of babes ia factories and
shops. Wherefore he, with the help OF DR.. Felix
Adler and several other members of the Child
Labor Committee drafted this bin calling for the
establishment in the Department of the Interior Of
g bureau be known the Children's Bureau.
The project has aroused a lot OF discussion. Some
people heartily for it, others heartily against
81
DIR. LINDSAY's IDEAS.
Up at the rooms of the Child Labor Committee,
In the United Charities building. the other day.
Or lindsay told 4 Tribune reporter what it is
hoped the Chldren's Bureau VIII do if II becomes
q fact.
..Nhat We want" he said lis have gathered
IN Washington group OF experts in matters re
lating the welfare Of children. These experts
would make a study OF child life and child prob
lens would collect data and statistics from all
parts of the country, and present the same in the
form Of bulletins TO the people No. they would
not, some frivolous minds have suggested, tabu-
late cases OF collie and teething. or instruct
mothers when their babies should be spanked. Sc
riously now this committee is constantly receiv-
ing letters innumerahe letters from far and near,
asking all kinds Of questions-for instance, about
child labor regulations in New-York I peg along
In my small way trying TO answer them, but L
cant possibly keep UP with them. If a farmer
wrote TO ask about the culture OF mangel wurzels.
the care Of pigs, he could be referred TO the De
psrtment of Agriculture, which would give him the
benefit OF the latest scientific discoveries about
mangel wurzes and pigs. Is it unreasonable TO
think that our government should include a de-
partment. bureau TO which searchers after the
truth matters affecting the crop OF children could
Would the Children's Bureau be formed on the
plan Of the Census Bureau?' DR.. Lindsay was
Somewhat. But it would go a lot further than
the Census Bureau IN its particular line. The
mortality IS great in places and less in other
places, s9J n0l the ProNnes OF me Censns Blu
the CLildren's Bureau
Would the bureau pay special attention to the
why. no it couldn't pay special attention to
interrelated. You go TO educator and ask why
80 many 81 aSTk shlieIfn are on The streets
IS type of boy who is born criminal. who can't be
There the question OF child degeneracy gets mixed
with that OF education; and 50 it is through the
be studied before these things can be adequately
another question. we wouldn't expect the Chill
drens Bureau TO secure national child labor
law. because Congress has power enact such
law until the Constitution Is changed, and that's
not likely 10 happen in our day. But the con-
slant publication OF the various State laws on
the question would shame the States where they
are most lax, and tend raise the level ana IN
would stir the public conscience. Open peoples
eyes wide 10 the fact that thousands Of mere
babies are tOiling long hours IN glass factories.
box factories swea. shops; din it into their ears
what tlls means 10 US IN the way OF racial de
generation. and reform may come. That is why
we want Chidren's Bureau"
MR. BRACE AGAINST PROJECT.
But when Charles Loring Brace. secretary OF the
chnoren's Aid Society, asked what he thought
about the Crane BIN. he shook his head and
groaned. Another device" he said sadly for
flooding us with papers containing long lists of
questions 10 be answered. We have received
Shoals Of such papers from the Census Bureau
and the Department of Labor asking US about
everything we have done or intend 10 do
turned them To Washington. where T6ev were
1lEeoilloied, and that the end of IL
~, Inc reporter remarked that the Chlldrens Bureau
80 eNilis ~ efedteGD 70 disseminate
tins NS " NNile
Which the people would PROMPTLY nut in the
saste JAZZ nasket said Nj Brace WHO eyer
reaos statistics? And the people would have no
lltn u Llls bureau because il would be a poitcaI
nittee because that is made up OF rriyate ,tizene
working not Tor salaries, for they get no salaries
III oUi 81 pure devotion the work N ,bts
bureau could be organized viii, rDar lflo n
Lindsay 81 The head that would he IN rfelpt. -,
that wouldn't be done. II might bepiD tsat -
Dut Win the election Of another President ii would
! see thar the bill provides for salaries 5rhss
bureau. Nj. Brace went on would simply make