The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-25
ORPHAN ASYLUMS
 ARE DECREASING More Poor Children Are Cared
 For In Homes ROOSEVELT SENDS LETTER Suggestions Are Made for Proper Care of Dependent Children, and Meet ing Is Arranged to Be Held
 In Washington.
ROOSEVELT SENDS LETTER

WaSh1ngtOn, December Z4.-- lle pes1 way to care for dependent children is in the family home," says President Roose= welt in a letter made public today call ing a conference to be held in this city on January %, next, for the discussion of the problem of caring for dependent children. With approximately 150,000 youngsters coming within that classi- ieation in the United States the ques- tion has awakened the interest of many leaders in the cause throughout the country. The conference was suggested in a letter submitted to the President by Secretary Homer Folkes of the New York Charity Aids association, Super intendent Hastings H. Hart of the 1lli- nois Childrens Aid society, who is chairman of the study of the child placing of the Russell Sage founda tion;" Secretary and Director John M. Glent of the Russell Sage foundation; President Thomas M. Mulrey of the St. Vincent De Paul society of the United States; Judge Julian w. Mack of the United States circuit court at Chicago, Editor Theodore Dresier of the Delinea- tor; Edward L. Devine editor of Chari- ties and Commons; Secretary Charles w. Birtwell of the Boston. Mass, Chil- dren's Aid society, and James E. West of this city, secretary of the National Child Rescue league.
 The President sent his letter to about 100 prominent men. The establishment of bureau to gather information as to dependent children and other subjects will be considered.
 The President in his letter says:
 q am confident that you will be im- pressed with the great importance of the subject touched on in this letter and the desirability that there should be the fullest discussion of the propo- sitions, memorandum of which l en- close. Surely nothing ought to interest our people more than the care of the children who are destitute and neg lected but not delinquent. Personally very earnestly believe that the best way to care for dependent children is in the family home. In Massachusetts many orphan asylums have been dis continued and thousands of the children who have formerly gone to the orphan asylum are now kept in private homes, either on board with payment from pub lie or private treasuries or in adopted homes provided by the generosity of foster parents. Many religious bodies have within the past 10 years organ ized effective child-placing agencies. am accordingly inviting number of men and women, list of whom will announce to a conference to be held in Washington January 25 and 26. The conference will open by my receiving members at the White House, January 25, at 2:30 p. m. Can you attend? Will you please communicate with MT. J. E. West, 143 Clifton street, north, Wash ington, D. CT"
 The letter of the charity worker suggesting the conference to formulate a plan for the Presidents consideration with a review to recommend congress sional legislation says: "The state has dealt generously with her troublesome children, but what is she doing for those who make no trouble, but are simply unfortunate?"
 Destitute children certainly deserve as much consideration and help as those who by reason of some alleged delinquency en- force the attention of the state and be- come objects of it's care; but only a few states have defined responsibility for this class of children. Their administration is left Tn many localities to the fidelity of voluntary agencies without requiring proper standards of merit and efficiency and without definite responsibility to the state or to the community. According to a special bulletin there were in the Uni ted States in orphan asylums and kindred institutions on December 31, 1904, no less than 99,a01 children. In addition to these there were probably some 5O,00O dependent children in family homes under super vision.
 'In many states, however, little or no child saving work is done; and in many states the organizations are greatly handi- capped by the lack of appreciation and of adequate financial support.
 'It is of the highest importance to the welfare of this vast number of future cit izens that all the child-savlng work shall ba conducted on a high plane of effi- ciency; that in the placing of children in families the utmost care shall be taken to exclude all undesirable applicants: that every precaution shall be taken in the subsequent supervision of the children to rrevent neglect overwork. insufficient ed- ncstion or inadequate moral and religious training and that institutions shall be so | carried on so as to secure the best physi- l cal mental, moral and religious training , of each individual child and to fit it for | active and creditable citizenship l Judge Lindsey of the Denver juvenile ' court. Jacob Riis of New York city, Book i CT T. Washington of Tuskegee institute [ and United States Commissioner Brown
 are among those to be invited to the con { ference.