Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-14
FOR HUMAEITY'S SAKE
ToDAY's PROCEEDINGS OF MA
TIoNAL CHARITIES CONFERENCE

PHILADELPHIA, May 14.-Among the
| many topics discussed at today's session or
| the national conference on charities and
| corrections were needy families, defective
and difficult boys. Industrial training for
| children, immigration and training for So
cial workers.
The principal speaker on the subject OF
detectives was Edward r. Johnstone su-
perintendent OF the New Jersey training
school at Vineland. N. j., and chairman OF
the committee on detectives.
In speaking Of the laws for the prevention
of the increase of detectives, Mr.. Johns
tone said:
"A careful revision OF the marriage laws
in the various states is needed. Elope-
ments, marriages under age, consanguinous
marriages, the marriage of people while in
toxicated. all need legal restriction and en-
forcement of the laws. Laws requiring the
permanent custody of feeble-minded women
at least, are needed. We need II to be man.
datory to send the detectives to the insti-
tutions, and the capacity of institutions
must be sufficient to work in harmony with
compulsory education laws
Essential for Growing Children.
Discussing the topic of Education Before
Literature" Thomas NJ Ballet, Ph D.,
dean of the School of Pedagogy, New YORK
University, said:
what is essential in education or de-
velopment Of the growing child In his
early years is fresh air, wholesome food
abundance of sleep, abundance of oppor-
tun1ty to play, opportunity to use his senses
upon things which he wants to know. and
intercourse with other children and with
adults whose personal influence Is whole
some and uplifting. Reading, writing and
arithmetic become of greater and greater
importance with advancing years, but they
must not occupy the dominant place in the
early education of the child. where many
people of conservative type would assign
them.'
Lillian Brandt. secretary of the commit
tee on social research of the New York
Charity Organization Society made plea
for setting such standards that the work
of charitable societies in one city could
be compared with that of similar organi-
cations in other cities. and that their re-
ports be more than figures. She described
a card catalogue system of tabulating cases
quite as practical in its bearing upon the
work of her society as the cost schedules
of an industrial establishment.
That the United States should send Its
representatives into foreign countries anu
weed the good from the bad among pro-
posed immigrants was the declaration OF
Broughton Brandenburg, president of the
National Institute of immigration, who
spoke on How to Make Our lmmfgrat ton
Laws Effective" Mr.. Brandenburg said
the right kind of immigrants are desirable,
not the criminals. the diseased and the in
sene that are coming In such large num-
bers. He said in part:
1.-THE question of immigration is a PROB
lem of humanity. not of merchandise. Its
financial and economic importance is mini
ntized by its tremendous social consequence.
Its complexity Is battling. Its changes
year by year are distracting. Its tmmensIty
pals upon the patriot who confronts il.
Only when men of all standards and creeds
realize that If unheeded it menaces the
destiny of the nation will the whole people
a nrn a nd aIff of lava fnr
their native land settle the question and
settle 1t right
If we are to have any immigration II
must be selected immigration and must
be selected in the one spot where the PROOF
Of every mans quality can be found
among his own people"