The Washington herald., 1909-01-26

conserve Lhe CnAGTens MAINTAIN liiS
family and the home, for the home and
the family form the corner stone Of So
oiety." said Rabbi Emil G. Hirsh. speak
ing before the conference called by Presi-
dent Roosevelt on the care OF destitute
children. in the ballroom OF the Willard
Hotel, last night
Other speakers voiced the same senti-
meHt- Practically all agreed on the sub
5ect, yet some 10 a greater degree than
others. Rabbi Eirsh argued for the homes
as against the rescue institutions. Rev.
j. J McMahon argued for family in
fuence and ether speeches followed in
the same trend Booker T. Washington.
the negro educator, spoke Of the destitute
negro children OF the South.
The meeting last night was public and
the immense ballroom was taxed 10 hold
the crowd The audience was appreciatIve.
and applauded literally the expressions
CT sentiment arguing for the conservation
of homes.
The child OF to-day is the citizen Of
tomorrow" vas the sentiment uttered
by President Roosevelt in calling the
conference 10 order. It was the keynote
of the thoughts OF the audience, too, as
expressed By the speakers
District Extends Welcome.
Commissioner Henry 3. r Macfarland
made the opening address. giving the
delegates assurance Of the hearty Wel-
come and best wishes Of the District
government and the citizens. He in
vited the conference to hold its meeting
of to-day in the board room at the
Municipal Building, which invitation was
accepted
Mr. Macfariaad told Of the formation
of the juvenile Court and Of its powers.
and Of the probation system attached
thereto. He reviewed the work Of the
court since Il began operations. and told
Of the excellent record Of the District IN
placing its wards in suitable homes.
The home versus the institution was
the subject OF the address delivered by
Dr.. Emil Hirsh. president OF the National
Conference Of Jewish Charities. In open
ing. Dr- Hirsh spoke Of the efforts being
ests. the lands. the rivers. and other nat
Ural utilities. adding While you are
conserving natural resources. do not for
get the chHd. the greatest resource Of The
nation and Of the world. When the
mother is alive the home IS always ready
for the child. No matter what the condi-
tion. il Is Yet a home. When parents die.
and there Is an estate left. a guardian is
appointed 70 watch over that child. When
the mother OF the poor child dies. there
fore. appoint q guardian for il z The
mother and father live and yet ~ i'm
moral or inefficient, appoint an individual
guardian for the child.
Assist the Mother Also.
THE child cry IS all potent Sonla-
times It IS drowned out by other cries.
but II II is helped along by a few SYM
pathizers it VIII reach 70 the Uttermost
corners Of the land and will be heard
by every woman in America"
Dr.. Hirsh urged that the mothers in
destitute condition he assisted financially.
that they might live and keep their chill
7ren. He said Il did not matter how OF
by what agency they were helped. If il
be done In closing he said:
BY extending financial aid 10 the moth
er or other foster parent We shall enable /
her 20 find he family shelter IN other
quarters az the city. The social neCsS-
stiles into which rescue work enters zre
so interviewer that action at one point
cannot but affect all others. By aiding
the child to remain with the mother We
WELD an influence. at the same time, |
making for the wiping out % the Sums"
Speaks on Family Influence
- Right Rev. D. J Mcmahon. supervisor Of I
Catholic Charities. Archdiocese Of New
York. spoke on the subject OF Family
influence He said that relief for par
ents had better be left to private sources; /
that care Of the children was or should
be the first interest OF the State and gov
eminent. as on It depended the existence /
Of the race itself. He told OF the ties
binding children 10 their homes and par
ents.
strong plea for better protection Of
the life and health OF American mothers |
was made BY Miss Jane Adams. head /
worker at Hull House. Chicago She told 4
OF methods taken by European countries I
10 safeguard the mothers and fathers out 4
lining the laws and regulations IN Ger /
many. Switzerland, and other countries
In this country, said Miss Adams, the 1
men start 70 work too young. and by the /
time they raise up families they are
worked out and must live on charity, /
and their children must also seek aid
from charity. England, she said, is slow
to adopt reform measures, but already ]
the country has recognized the needs Of /
the working people and has adopted the
employers liability act
Seek the Base OF Things.
why don't We do something? Why
can't We get AT the base Of things? Why |
not seek the beginning and apply rem /
edy? Is It not easier 10 repair the hole !
In the dam than to stay the waters OF the
fOOdZ" Miss Adams demanded
Keep the natural home instead Of try
Ing 20 substitute foster parents" she
said. IN closing
Dr. David F. Tilly, member OF the /
State board Of charities OF MassachG- /
sets. spoke eloquently OF the ''Preser-
walton OF the family home" He said:
One Of the questions for consideration /
is the keeping together Of worthy fami- /
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