The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-15

LacIs as nave bearing upon the health,
children
One of the needs felt most acutely
by the conference was that of accurate
information concerning these questions
relating to childhood. The national
toned right of research in such vital
matters, but is the only agency which
can effectively conduct such general
inquiries as are needed for the benefit
or all our citizens In accordance with
the unanimous request of the confer
ence, I therefore most heartily urge
your favorable action on these meas
ures.
1t is not only discreditable to us as
a people that there is now no recog-
nized and authoritative source of in
formation upon these subjects reIat-
ing to child life, but in the absence of
sq . In1orrnatlon as should be sup
piled by the federal government many
abuses have gone unchecked; for pub
lie sentiment, with it's great corrective
power, can only be aroused by full
knowledge Of the facts. In addition
to such information as the census
bureau and other existing agencies of
the federal government already pro-
vide, there remains much to be ascer-
tanned through lines of research not
now authorized by law; and there
ton OF the knowledge obtained with
out any duplication OF effort or inter-
ference with what is already being
done There are few things more
vital to the welfare of the nation than
accurate and dependable knowledge of
the best methods of dealing with
children, especially with those who
are in one way or another handi-
capped by misfortune; and in the abb
sence of such knowledge each COM
munity is left to work out its own
problem without being able to learn
of and profit by the success or failure
OF other communities along the same
lines of endeayor. The bills for the
esta blishment of the children's bureau
are advocated not only by this con-
ference, but by large number of ma
tional organizations that are dis
interestedly working for the welfare
thropic, educational and religious
bodies in all parts of the country.
I further urge that such legislation
be enacted as may be necessary in or
der to bring the laws and practices in
regard to the care of dependent chill
dren in all federal territory into har-
mony with the other conclusions reach
ed by the conference
Legislation for the District.
Congress took a step in the direction
of the conclusions of this conference in
1898, when, on the recommendation of
the late Amos G. Warner, then super
intendent of charities for the District
of Columbia, the board of children's
guardians was created, with authority,
among other things, to place children
in family homes That board has made
commendable progress and its work
should be strengthened and extended
recommend legislation for the Dis
trict of Columbia in accordance with
the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth sec
lions of the conclusions of the confer
ence, as follows:
1. That the approval of the board
of charities be required for the incor-
poration of all chiId-caring agencies,
as well as amendments of the charter
of any benevolent corporation which
includes child-caring work, and that
other than duly Incorporated agencies
be forbidden to engage in the care of
needy children. This legislation is
needed in order to insure the fitness
pose to undertake the care of helpless
children. Such laws have long been in
satisfactory operation in several of the
larger state of the union
.. That the board of charities,
through its duly authorized agents.
shall inspect the work of all agencies
which care for dependent children,
whether by institutional or by home
finding methods, and whether sup
ported by public or private funds. The
state has always jealousy guarded the
interests of children whose parents
have been able to leave them property
by requiring the appointment of a
guardian, under bond, accountable di-
rectly to the courts. even though there
be a competent surviving parent
Surely the interests of the child who
is not only an orphan but penniless
ought to be no less sacred than those
of the more fortunate orphan who
inherits property. If the protection of
the government is necessary in the
one case it is even more necessary in
the other. If we are to require that
only incorporated institutions shall be
allowed to engage in this responsible
work, it is necessary to provide for
public inspection, lest the state should
become the unconscious partner of
those who either from ignorance or
inefficiency are unsuited to deal with
the problem.
g. That the education of children in
orphan asylums and other similar in
stitutions in the District of Columbia
be under the supervision of the board
of education, in order that these chill
dren may enjoy educational advantages
equal to those of the other children.
Normal school life comes next to nor
mai home life in the process of secur-
ing the fullest development of the child.
l. That all agencies engaged in child
caring work in the District of Columbia
be REQUIRED by law to adopt adequate
methods of investigation and make per-
manent records relative to children
under their care, and to exercise faith
full personal supervision over their
wards until legally adopted or other
wise clearly beyond the need of further
SUPERVISION, the 1OTlIIS anu HlSluoOS VI
such investigation records, and super
vision to be prescribed and enforced by
the board of charities.
deem such legislation as is herein
recommended not only important for the
welfare of the children Immediately con-
cerned. but important as setting an ex-
ample of q high standard OF child protec-
ton by the national government to the
several states Of the Union. which should
be able to look to the nation for leadership
in such matters
I herewith transmit a copy of the full
text of the proceedings
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House, February Is, 1903.
nNAV MENTTnN