The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-26
CHILDREN SHOULD
| FEEL INFLUENCE
Of HOME
INDIVIDUALS MUST ASSIST IN UP
LIFT OF uNFoRTuNATEs, SAYS
PRESIDENT RoossvELT-w WIS.,
DOM MUST BE EXERCISED.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-President
Roosevelt delivered an address at the
difference on the care OF dependent
hildren, which was formally opened
the White House yesterday. Inc
istoric east room was the scene OF
| ne meeting. The 200 delegates were
| Deceived by the president In the east
bonn before the conference was call
10 order. The Importance OF the
reservation of the home was the Gen.
ral theme around which the discus
ion revolved. The subject under
onsideration was Should the break
az OF a home be permitted for rea-
pms OF poverty, or only for reasons OF
deficiency or immortality"
President Roosevelt said In part:
There can be no more important
ubject from the standpoint of the
alton than that with which you are
, deal: because, when you take care
the children you are taking care OF
ne nation OF tomorrow, and 1t is In
umbent upon every one of US to do
II In our power to provide for the
aterests OF those children whom cruel
Misfortune has handicapped at the
ery outset OF their lives.
/ Il earnestly hope the members OF
lis conference will take a progressive
hand. 80 as to establish a goal toward
hitch the whole country can work.
IN other words. | earnestly hope that
Ach Of you will consider not only the
Interests OF his own immediate local
|ty. but those OF the nation as a whole.
There are several different types
I conditions which you are trying TO
beet. | believe we all have come 10
| he conclusion that where possible
ne thing to be done for the child is
| b provide a home for 1t, and that
there that is not possible we should
bake the conditions as nearly as pos
bile like those which the child would
ave In a home. There is ample room
| pr all existing institutions. but the
pssibler be work of extension in
ome placing.
Types Of Children.
There are half dozen dierent
Ikpes Of children for whom we need
p care. There is first OF all the COM
pete orphan. the child who has lost
9th father and mother. For this
Ihild we wish 10 make a permanent
rovision. My own belief Is that this
hild should be placed in home.
I'VE then have to meet the case,
me OF the most distressing, where
ne father has died, where the mother
sould like to keep the child. but sim
sly lacks the earning capacity. Sure
In such case the goal towards
fhich we should strive Is to help
pat mother SO she can keep her home
nd keep the child In it. How the re-
EFF shall come, public, private. or by
mixture of both. In what way, you
re competent TO say and l am not.
Then we come TO the case OF the
hild who must temporarily be taken
(way from the parent or parents but
there It is not desirable that the sep
ration be permanent. Those children
)ner cases for which this institution
peculiarly fitted.
There are other problems OF course,
hat you will have to deal with-for
distance. the crippled child. the child
pat cannot be treated at home for
hisease but yet can be completely
{ured In a hospital; and the case OF
ne child whom parents are hopelessly
icious or hopelessly inefficient.
Here We must provide for the ex-
rcising OF the greatest wisdom In
moving just where TO draw the line;
b as to know just when II becomes
Necessary to say that even the un-
oubted advantages Of keeping the
hid In pretty poor home IL that
Tome Is It's own, are counterbalanced
~ the fact that the home has become
source Of menace and danger.
individuals Must Help.
"The government can do much. But
lever forget that the government can
lot do everything; there must always
se help by individuals and associa-
ions outside, religious and philanthro-
ic associations OF many different