The San Francisco call., 1909-02-16
PRESIDENT URGES
CHILDREN'S BUREAU
Legislation Suggested Which
Shall Correct Certain Forces
of Destruction
Government Should Try to Safe
guard the Future. of Many
Dependent Ones

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-Legisla-
tion which, it is believed if enacted
into law, will make an important
epoch in the future well being of the
dependent children of the nation, is
recommended in a special message by
President Roosevelt sent to congress
today, in which he makes a strong
plea in the interest of children coming
within this class.
OF particular Importance is the pres
ident's recommendation for the estab-
lishment of a federal children's bu-
reau; the enactment of such legislation
as will bring the laws and practices
in regard to the care of dependent chill
dren-in all federal territory into har-
mony and certain legislation in behalf
of dependent children in the district of
Columbia. The president believes that
such legislation is important. not only
for the welfare of the children imme-
diately concerned, but important ''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 leadership in such mat
ters"
CONCLUSIONS ARE WISE
The president also transmits with
his message to congress a copy of the
of the proceedings of the recent con-
ferences here on the care of dependent
children, in accordance with the re-
quest of that organization. Declaring
that their conclusions constitute a
wise, constructive and progressive
program of child caring work, the
president says that if given full effect
by the proper agencies, existing meth
DDS and practices in almost every COM
munity would be profoundly and ad-
vantageously modified"
Statistics showing the large number
of dependent children in the country
are presented by Roosevelt. Each of
these children represents either a po-
tential addition TO the productive ca
pacity and the enlightened citizenship
of the nation" says the president, "or,
If allowed to suffer from neglect, po-
tential addition to the destructive
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 without sum
cient care. The interests of the ma
tion are involved in the welfare of this
army of children no less than in our
great material affairs"
In urging a chi1dren's bureau, one of
whose duties will be to investigate a
report upon all matters pertaining to
the welfare or children and child life,
the president points out that "the na-
tional government is the only agency
which can effectively conduct such
general inquiries as are needed for
the benefit of all our citizens"
AROUSE PUBLIC SENTIMENT
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 relating
to child life" declares the president.
but in the absence of such informa-
tion as should be supplied by the fed
eral government many abuses have
gone unchecked; for public sentiment.
with its great corrective power, can
only be aroused by full knowledge of
the facts He adds that there are few
things more vital to the welfare of
the nation than accurate and depend
able knowledge of the best methods of
dealing with children, particularly
those handicapped by misfortune.
The president makes a strong plea
for keeping the family intact and de-
clares that poverty alone should not
disrupt the home