The Washington times., 1908-12-24
CARE OF CHILDREN
PRESIDENTS PLAN
Roosevelt Calls Conference
of Child Savers On
January 25.
JUVENILE COURT
OFFICERS ASKED
Invitation Is Made at Suggestion of
Men Interested in the
Subject.

President Roosevelt. aroused at the
manner in which dependent children are
allowed to grow I'D in this country with
out proper care or fit surroundings, has
issued a call for a conference in this
city in January OF many Of the most
prominent "child-saving workers" in the
United states. Those who attend the
conferences will meet the President in
the East Room OF the White House on
January p, at 2:S0 p m The next day
will be devoted TO consideration Of vari-
Gus problems, the place for the deIibera-
tons TO be decided later.
Some OF the prominent men who Will
be sent invitations 10 attend are:
Judge Lindsey, OF the Denver juvenile
court
Jacob Riis.
Booker T. Washington
Ernest 2. BiCkneU
DR.. Elmer r. Brown.
Judge William II DeLacy.
John joy Edson.
Mrs. H B. +. Macfarland
II. 3. F. MacfarIand.
D Pickman Mann.
James E West
George S. wilson
Mrs S. W. woodward.
The Presidents letter or invitation Is
as follows.
The Invitation.
'Sir-I have received a letter of which
1 enclose copy together with q state
ment Of the official positions Of the per
sons who signed II and a memorandum
which Is suggested for consideration and
action II the conference which the letter
suggests be held. am confident that
you win be impressed with the very
great importance Of the subject touched
on in This letter. and the deslrability
that there should be the fullest discus
sion OF the propositions. a memorandum
Of which ! enclose Surely nothing
ought 20 interest our people more than
the care Of the children who are desti-
tute and neglected but not delinquent.
Personally, very earnestly believe that
the best way in which 10 care for de-
pendent children IS in the family home.
In MaFSa chusetts many orphan asy-
lums hgvl .eeo discontinued and thOus-
ands or the children who formerly have
gone TO the orphan aSylums are now
kept in private homes, either on board,
with payment from public or private
treasures, OF in adopted homes pro
Vided by the generosity Of foster par
entS. Many religious bodies have with
in the past ten years organized effective
child placing agencies am according
" inviting q number OF men and women.
a list Of whom I viii announce, TO q
conference to be held In Washington.
January . and 26- The conference Will
the White House, January .. at 80
p m Can you attend2 VIII pOu riease
communicate with James T. West. 1913
Ghfton street northwest Washington,
D c."
Reason for Call.
The Presidents call was issued In re-
sponse to a letter signed by some Of
the most prominent child-workers Of
the nation. The letter referred 10 a
portion OF the Presidents message OF
December S. 1904. urging the establish
ment Of a juvenile court for the Dis
trict OF Columbia. The portion quoted
follows:
NO Christian and civilized commu-
nifty can afford TO show a happy-go-
lucky lack Of concern for the youth
OF today; for, Il 50. the community will
have TO pay a terrible penalty Of finan-
cial burden and social degradation in
the tomorrow" Congress- the letter
says, responded, and an excellent juve-
nile court Is now working in the Dis
trict.
After considering the care OF children
who are merely unfortunate" not
troublesome like those who come be-
Roosevelt says:
unfortunately there has not been as
frequent interchange Of ideas and ex-
periences among the officials Of orDhau
asylums, with consequent progress, as
among those who work for delinquents -
The signers of the letter were
Homer Folks, secretary New York
state Charities Aid Association;
Hastings H Hart. superintendent
Illinois ChiIdrens Home and Aid So
ciety; John NJ. Glenn, secretary and
director Russell Sage Foundation:
Thomas NJ Mulry, president st. Vim
cent de Paul Society Of the United
States; Edward T. Devine, editor Of
Charities and the Commons; Julian
w. Mack, ex-president National Con-
ference Jewish Charities, judge cir
cult court of Chicago; Charles W. Brit
well, secretary Boston Children's Aid
Society; Theodore Dresser, editor of
the DeIincator. and James l.. West
secretary National Child Rescue