Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-02-15

hoIi.mrent of federal chudrcu's bu-
I'tu Is desirable. and enactment of
pending hiu is earnestly recommended.
IT, Suggest special message Co Cou-
fitss favoriug federal childron's bu-
r,au ana other legislation APPLYING
above principles 90 District OF Column
hia and other federal territory.
While it is recognized that these COM
cluslous can be given their fullest Df-
feet only by the action OF the several
states on communities concerned CO.. OF
their charitable agencies. tho confer
ence requested me. in section IA of the
conclusions, TO send 90 you message
recommending federal action.
PENDING BILLS.
There arc pending In both houses OF
Congress bills for the establishment OF
a childrCn's bureau, 8. e.. senate bin
no. 1923 aud house bin No 2iliS. These
provide for q childron's bureau iu the
department OF the Interior which "shau
investigate and report upon an mat
tCrs pertaining 90 the welfare OF chill
drcn and child life. and shall especially
Investigate the questions OF infant NOR
tality the birth rate, physical dcgen-
cracy orphanage, Juvenile delinquency
and juvenile courts, descrtion and illc-
gitimacy, dangerous occupations. acct
dents and diseases Of children OF the
working classes, employment lcgisla-
ton affecting children in the several
states and territories. and such other
facts as have a bearing upon the health.
efficiency character, and training or
children"
One of the needs felt most acuteIy by
the conference was that Of accurate
Information concerning these questions
relating Co childhood. The national
government not only has the unques-
toned right of research I'm such vital
matters, but sc SIS the only agency
which can effectively conduct such gem
eral Inquiries as are needed for the
beneht of AN our citizens. In accord
ance with the unanimous request Of
the conference, / therefore most heartily
urge your favorable action ON these
measures.
DISCREDITABLE TO PEOPLE
It is not only discreditable 20 us as
people that there IS now no recog-
uized and authoritative source OF iu-
formation upon these subjects relating
TO child life, but I'm the absence OF such
information as should be supplied by
the federal government many abuses
mcnt, with it's great corrective power
can only Doe aroused by fun knowledge
OF the facts. IN addition TO such infor-
nation as the census bureau and other
existing agencies OF the federal gov
eminent already provide. there remains
much o. be ascertained through lines
of research not now authorized by law;
and there should be correlation and dis
scminatiOn Of the knowledge obtained
without any duplication OF effort or in
reference with what is already being
done. There are few things more vital
TO the welfare OF the nation than ace
curate and dependable knowledge OF
the best methods of dealing with child
rem, especially with those who are u
one way or another Handicapped by
misfortune, and iu the absence Of such
knowledge each community is left TO
work out it's own problem without be-
ing able 20 learn of the profit by the
success or failure Of other communities
along the same lines Of cndcaNOI The
bills for the establishment Of the
Childreu's bureau are advocated not
only by this conference but by a large
number of national organizations that
are disintcrestcdly working for the well
fare OF children. and also by philan-
thropic educational, and religious
bodies in an parts OF the country.
I4EGlSLAIION URGED.
further urge that such legislation
be enacted as may be necessary iu ore
der to bring the laws and practisos in
regard 90 the care of dependent child
rem in all federal territory into har-
mony with the other conclusions
reached by the conference
Congress took 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 Childr- n
In family homes. That board has made
Commeudablc progress and itS work
| should be strengthened and extended.
recommend legislation for the Dis
trict Of Columbia IN accordance with
the NTH. sixth, seventh and eighth sec
tions Of the conclusions OF the confer
enco, as follows:
]. That the approval of the board Of
charities be required for the incorpOra-
/ ton OF an child-caring agencies, as
/ well as amendments OF the charter OF
any benevolent corporation which IN
! cludes Child-caring work, and that other
| than duly Incorporated agencies Dee for
| hidden TO engage iu the care Of needy
children. This legislation is needed an
order 10 insure the fitness and re-
spousibuity OF those who propose 90
undertake the care Of helpless children.
Such laws have long been DOB saJisfao-
! tory operation In several of the larger
states of the Union.
O. That the board of charities,
| through its duly authorized agents,
shall inspect the work Of an agencies
/ which care for dependent children,
whether by institutional or by home
l finding methods, and whether supported
l by public or private funds The state
/ has always jealousy guarded the inter-
| esLs of children whose parents have
| been able TO leave them property by
requiring the appointment of a guard
/ ian. under bond, accountable directly
| TO the courts. even though there be 90
competent surviving parent Surely
/ the interests of the child who De- not
only an orphan but penuiless. ought 90
| De- no less sacred than those OF the
more fortunate orphan who inherita
property m the protection Of the gov
eminent rs necessary in the one case n
| is even more necessary iu tho other
| N we are 10 require that only ino0Tu-
rated institutions shall Doe allowed t0
! engage in this responsible work Do ia
| necessary Go provide for public inspeC-
/ ton lest the state should become tho
! unconscious partner OF those who either
/ from Ignorance OF inefffciency are uu-
suited 90 deal with the problem.
g. That the education of children IH
/ orphan asylums and other similar in-