The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-02-15
President, in Message to Con-
gress, Recommends Federal
Bureau for Children.
WANTS UNISON IN AID.
Mothers in Need Should Be
Assisted by the State in
Keeping Families Together,

WASHINGTON, Feb. l5.--Leglslatlon
which, It is believed II enacted into Law
will make an important epoch In thu
future well-being Of the dependent chill
dren OF the nation, is recommended ir
special message by President Roose.
yelt sent to Congress to-day in which
he makes strong plea In the interest
OF children coming within this class.
The President declares for the estab-
ilshment OF Federal Childrens Bureau,
the enactment OF such legislation as
will bring the laws and practices in
regard to the care Of dependent children
in all Federal territory into harmony
and certain legislation In behalf OF de-
pendent children In the District of Co.
lumbia.
He believes that such legislation Is I'm.
portant not only for the welfare OF the
children Immediately concerned, but i'm.
portant "as setting an example OF a
high standard OF child protection by the
National Government to the several
States OF the Union. which should be
able TO look to the nation for leader
ship In such matters"
Nations interests Involved.
The President also transmits with his
message to Congress copy OF the con-
illusions. together with the full text
OF the proceedings OF the recent confer
ences here on the care OF dependent
children, In accordance with the re-
quest OF that organization. Declaring
that their conclusions constitute
wise, constructive and progressive pro-
gramme OF chlld-caring work" the
President says that II given full eff
feet by the proper agencies. existing
methods and practices in almost every
community would be profoundly and
advantageously modified"
Statistics showing the large number
OF dependent children in the country |
are presented by Mr.. Roosevelt.
Each OF these children represents .
either a potential addition to the pro-
ductive capacity and the enlightened |
citizenship OF the nation" saws the /
President. 'or, II allowed to suffer from
neglect, potential addition to the de-
structive forces Of the community. The
ranks of criminals and other enemies
OF society are recruited in an altogether
undue proportion from children bereft
OF their natural homes and left with
out sufficient care. The interests OF
the nation are involved In the welfare
OF this army OF children no less than
In our great material affairs"
For children's Bureau.
In urging a ChIldrens Bureau, one Of .
whose duties will be to investigate a
report upon all matters pertaining to .
the welfare OF children and child life,
the President points out that the ma |
tional Government is the only agency |
which can effectively conduct such gem !
eral Inquiries as are needed for the |
benefit OF all our citizens"
TT is not only discreditable to Ms as .
people that there is now no recognized |
ana authoritative source OF information |
upon these subjects relating to child |
life" declares the President but in |
the absence of such information as
should be supplied by the Federal Gov
eminent many abuses have gone un.
checked; for public sentiment, with its
great corrective power, can only be
aroused BY full knowledge Of the facts " |
lie adds that there are few things more
vital to the welfare OF the nation than
accurate and dependable KNOWLEDGE Of
The best methods of dealing with child. |
rem particularly those handicapped by
misfortune
The President makes strong plea for
Keeping the family intact. on this sub. |
ject he says.
surely poverty alone should not dis
rupt tie home, Parents Of good charac.
ter suffering from temporary mlsfor-
tune, hnd above all, deserving mothers
fairly well able to work, but deprived
OF the support OF the normal breadwIn.
ner, should be given such aid as may he
necessary to enable them to maintain
suitable homes for the rearing OF tho,r
children. The widowed or dessrtei
mother. II good woman. willing IN
work and to do her best, should 9rdI.
harily be helped In such fashion as viii
enable her to bring up her children her
self in their natural home Children
from unfit homes, and children who
have no homes, who must he cared TO-,
by charitable agencies, Should, 80 far
as practicable, be cared - in families