The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-02-18

While It is recognized that these
conclusions can be given their full
est effect only by the action Of the
several states or communities con
cerned, or of their charitable agencies
the conference requested me, in sec
ton IA OF the conclusions, to send to
you message recommending federal
action.
Legislation Urged.
/ There are pending In both houses OF
congress. bills for the establishment
of children's bureau, l. e., senate bill
No. 1928, and house bin No. 24,148,
These provide for a chiIdren's bureau
in the department OF the interior
which shall investigate and report
upon all matters pertaining to the vel,
fare OF children ana child life, and
shall especially Investigate the ques-
tions of infant mortality, the birth
rate, physical degeneracy. orphanage,
juvenile delinquency and juvenile
courts, desertion and illegitimacy, dan.
gerous occupations, accidents and dis
eases OF children Of the working
classes, employment. legislation af.
fecting children in the several states
and territories, and such other facts
as have bearing upon the health, eff
ficiency, character and training OF
children"
One of the needs felt most acutely
by the conference was that Of accur-
ate information concerning these CUES.
tions relating to childhood The ma.
tional government not only has the
unQuestionedsright of research in such
vital matters, but is the only agency
which can effectively conduct such
general inquiries as are needed for the
benefit Of all our citizens. In &C.
cordance with the unanimous request
of the conference, therefore most
heartily urge your favorable action
on these measures.
II 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, but in the absence OF such
information as should be supplied by
the federal government many abuses
have gone unchecked; for public sen.
timent, with its great corrective pow.
er, can only be aroused by full knowl.
edge Of the facts. In addition to such
information as the census bureau and
other existing agencies of thesfederal
government already provide, there re-
mains much to be ascertained through
lines of research not now authorized
by law; and there should be correla-
ton and dissemination of the knowl-
edge obtained without any duplication
of effort or interference 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 DEAL
ing 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 endeavor. The bills for the
establishment of the childrens bureau
are advocated not only by this confer.
ence, but by large number of ma.
tional organizations that are disinter.
estedly working for the welfare of
children, and also by philanthropic.
educational, and religious bodies in all
parts Of the country.
l further urge that such legislation
be enacted as may be necessary in
order to bring the laws and practices
In regard to the care of dependent
children in all federal territory into
harmony with the otner conclusions
reached by the conference.
Safeguarding Children.
1. That the approval of the board OF
charities be required for the incorpo.
ration of all child-caring agencies, as
well as amendments Of the charter of
any benevolent corporation which in.
cludes child-caring work, and that 9th.
er than duly Incorporated agencies be
forbidden to engage in the care OF
needy children.
2. 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 competent surviving parent Sure.
ly 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. II the protection OF the
government is necessary in the one
case it is even more necessary in the
other. II we are to require that only
incorporated institutions shall be al
lowed TO engage In this responsible
work, 1t is necessary to provide for
public inspection, lest the state should
become the unconscious partner OF
those who either from ignorance or in.
efficiency are unsuited to deal with the
problem.