Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-02-15


unquestioned right OF research in
such vital matters. but il the only
agency which can effectively conduct
such general inquiries as are needed
for the benefit of all our citizens. In
accordance with the unanimous re-
quest of the conference. therefore
most heartily urge your favorable ac-
ton on these measures.
Abuses are Unchecked.
1t is not only discreditable to US
as people that there is now no re-
cognized and authoritative source of
information upon these subjects re-
lating to child life, but in the absence
OF such information as should be sup
piled by the federal 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. In
addition to such information as the
Census Bureau and other existing
agencies Of the federal government
already provide, there remains much
to be ascertained through lines OF
research not now authorized by law;
and there should be correlation and
dissemination of the knowledge OBJ
tanned without any duplication of eff
fort or interference with what Is al
ready being done. 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, especially
with those who are in one way or an
other handicapped by misfortune;
and In the absence of such knowledge
each community 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 Child
ren's Bureau are advocated not only
by this conference, but by a large
number of national organizations
that are disinterestedly working for
the welfare Of children, and also by
philanthropic, ed cational, and re-
ligious bodies in all parts of the
country.
] further urge that such legislation
be enacted as may be necessary in or
der to bring the law and practices
in regard to the care of dependent
children in all federal territory into.
harmony with the other conclusions
reached by the conference.
Legislation for the District.
Congress took step In the direc-
ton Of the conclusions of this confer
enee in 1898, when, on the recon-
mendation of the late Amos G. War
ner the superintendent 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 COM
mendable progress and it's work
should be strengthened and extended.
| recommend legislation for the
District of Columbia in accordance
with the fifth, sixth, seventh, and
eighth sections OF the conclusions of
the conference. as follows:
1, That the APPROVAL OF the board
OF charities be required for the incor-
poration of all child-caring agencies.
as well as amendments Of the char
ter OF any benevolent corporation
which includes child-caring work,
and that other than duly Incorporate
edagenoles be forbidden to engage in
the care of needy children. This leg
islation is needed in order to insure
the fitness and responsibility Of those
who propose to undertake the care Of
helpless children. Such laws have
long been in satisfactory operation in
several or the larger states OF the
Union.
2. That the board of charities.
its duly authorized agents,
shall Inspect the work Of all agencies
which care for dependent children,
by institutional or home
methods, and whether sup
ported by public or private funds.
The state has always jealousy guard
ed the interests Of children whose
parents have been able 20 leave them
property by requiring the appoint
ment OF guardian. under bond, ae-
directly to the courts, even
though there be competent surviv-
Ing parent. Surely the interests Of |
the child who is not only an orphan |
but penniless ought to be no less sa-
red than those Of the more fortunate
orphan who inherits property. II the
of the government Is nee