Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-16
CARE OF NEEDY CHILDREN


OtstINhon anu lItklllndCss uduBtlbus w
equations. accidents and diseases Of child
rem of the working classes, employment,
legislation affecting children in the several
states and territories and such other
facts as have a bearing upon the health,
efficiency, character and training OF child
rem
"One OF the needs felt most acutely by
the conference was that of accurate in
formation concerning these questions re-
lating to childhood. The national govern
ment not only has the. unauestioned right
of research In such vital matters, but Is
the only agency which can effectively con-
duct such genera. inquiries as are needed
for the benefit OF all our citizens. In ac-
cordance with the unanimous request OF
the conference, / therefore most heartily
urge your favorable action on these meas
ures.
Need of ChIId statistics.
1T is not only discreditable to us as a
people that there is now no recognized and
authoritive source OF Information 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 sentiment, with it's great corrective
power. can only be aroused by full know
ledge of the facts. In addition to such in
formation 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 obtained without any duplica-
ton of effort or interference with h
In 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 dealing with children,
especially with those who are in one way
or another 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 Children'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 the phil
anthropic, educational and religious bodies
in all part Of the country.
Il further urge that such legislation be
enacted as may necessary in order to
bring the laws and practices in regard to
the care of dependent children in ali federal
territory into harmony with the other con-
illusions reached by the conference.
Legislation in Territories.
Congress took a step In the direction Of
the conclusions of this. conference in 1898,
when, on the recommendation of the late
Amos G. Warner, then superintendent of
charaties 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 commsndeble progress and it's
work should be Strengthened and extended.
II 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:
Il. That the approval of the Board of
Charities be required for the Incorporation
of all child-caring agencies, as well as
amendments of the charter of any benevo-
lent corporation which includes child
caring work. and that other than duly in
corporated agencies be forbidden to engage
in the care of needy children. This legis-
lation is needed in order to insure the fit
ness and responsibility of those who pro-
pose to undertake the care of helpless
children. Such laws nave long been in sat
isfactory operation in several OF the larger
states of the union.
"2. That the Board Of Charities, through
its duly authorized agents, shall inspect
the work of all agencies which care for de-
pendent children. whether by Institutional
or by home-finding methods, and whether
supported by public. or private funds. The
state has always jealousy guarded the in
terests of children whose parents have
been able to leave them property by re-
quiring the appointment of a guardian, I'M
der bond. accountable directly to the
courts, even though there be a competent
surviving parent. Surely the interests OF
the child who is not only an orphan, but
penniless. ought to be no less sacred thar
those of the more fortunate orphan who
inherits property. II the protection of the
government is necessary in the one case II
is even more necessary in the other. If we
are TO require that only Incorporated in
situations shall be allowed to engage in this
responsible work II Is necessary to provide
for public inspection, lest the state should
become the unconscious partner of those
who either from ignorance or inefficiency
are unsuited to deal with the problem.
Education OF Orphans.
d Ihat education or children in orphan
asylums and other similar institutions in
the District of Columbia be under the SUI
pervlsion OF the Board OF Education. in
order that these children may enjoy edu.
%cational advantages equal TO those of tbs
other children. Normal school life comes
next to normal home life in the process Of
securing the fullest development Of the
child.
-. all agencies engaged in child
caring work in the District of Columbia b,
required by law to adopt adeauate methods
Of Investigation and make permanent rec
ords relative TO children under their care
and to exercise faithful personal super
vision over their wards until legally
adopted or otherwise clearly beyond tn,
need of further supervision; the forms anC
methods Of such investigation. records anC
supervision to be prescribed and enforced
by the Board of Charities.
II deem such legislation as is herein
recommended not only important for the
welfare Of the children immediately con
cerned, but important as setting an exam
pie OF a high standard OF child protection