Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-15
DEPENDENT YOUTHS
NEED ATTENTION
President Roosevelt Recon-
mends Special Legislation in
Interest of Children
ASKS FOR SPECIAL BUREAU
Large Number of Dependents Who
Make Either Good or Very Bad citi-
zens-President Deems Lack Of At
tention to Them Has Been Discredit-
able to Nation.


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 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 i'm
medately concerned. but important
..as setting an example of a high stand
ard 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 mas
ters"
The president also transmits with
his message to congress a copy OF the
conclusions. together with the full text
of the proceedings of the recent con-
ferences here on the care of dependent
children. in accordanc with the request
of that organization. Declaring that
their conclusions constitute wise,
constructive, and progressive program
of child-caring work. the president
says that if given full effect by the
proper agencies. existing methods and
practices in almost every community
would be profoundly and advantageo-
usly modified"
Making Good or Bad Citizens.
Statistics showing the large number
of dependent children in the country
are presented by Mr.. Roosevelt. Each
of these children represents either a
potential addition to the productive ca
pacity and the enlightened citizenship
of the nation" says the president, "or
if allowed to suffer from neglect,
potential addition to the destructive
forces Of the community. The ranks
of criminals and other enemies OF So
ciety are recruited in an altogether
undue proportion from children bereft
of their natural homes and left with
out sufficient care. The interests OF
the nation are involved in the well
fare of this army of children no less
than in our great material affairs.
"In urging a children's bureau. one
of whose duties will be to investigate
a report upon all matters pertaining
to the welfare of children and child
life, the president points out that the
national government is the only agen-
cy which can effectively conduct such
general inquiries as are needed for the
benefit of all our citizens"
Lack of Attention Disoredtable.
''It is not only discreditable to us as
a people that there is now no recog-
nized and authoritative source Of M
formation upon these subjects relating
to child life," declares the president,
"but in the absence of such informa-
ton as should be supplied by the fed
eral government many abuses have
gone unchecked; for public sentiment,
with it's 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 de-
pendable knowledge of the best meth
DDS of dealing with children, particu-
larly those handicapped by misfortune.
The president makes strong plea
for keeping the family intact and de-
clares that poverty alone should not
disrupt the home.