Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-02-15
ROOSEVELT REQUESTS
FEDERAL BUREAU
FOR CHILDREN
Urges Congress to Take AC.
ton on Legislation In
Behalf Of the
SUBMITS REPORT
OF THE CONFERENCE
Care Of the Dependent Child One
OF the Most Important Be-
fore the Nation. He
SAYS In Special
Message.

Legislation. which, it is believed il
enacted into law, will make an i'm
portant epoch I'M the future well-be-
ing of the dependent children of the
nation, is recommended in a special
message by President Roosevelt sent
to Congress today in which he makes
a strong plea in the interests of
children coming within this class.
OF particular Importance is the
presidents recommendation for the
establishment of federal children's
bureau; the enactment of such leg
islation as will bring the laws and
practices in regard to the care of de-
pendent children in all federal terri
tory into harmony and certain legis-
lation in behalf of dependent
children in the District of Co
lumbia The president believes that
such legislation is important not only
for the welfare of the children i'm
mediately concerned, but important
''as setting an example of a high
standard of child protection by the
national government to thet Several
states of the Union, which should be
able to look to the nation for lead
ership in such matters"
The president also transmits with
his message to Congress IA copy ot
the conclusions, together with the
full text of the proceedings of the
recent conferences here on the care
Of dependent children. in accordance
with the request of that organization.
Declaring that their conclusions CON
stitute a wise, constructive, and pro-
gressive program OF child-caring
work." the president says that ifI
given fun effect by the proper agen-
cies. existing methods and practices
in almost every community would be
profoundly and advantageously mod
ihed."
Statistics showing the large num-
Der of dependent children in the
country are presented by Mr. Roose-
welt. Each of these children repre-
sents either potential addition to
the productive capacity and the en-
lightened citizenship of the nation"
says the president. cor. if allowed 10
suffer from neglect, a potential addi-
ton to the destructive forces of the
community. The ranks of criminals
and other enemies of society are re-
oruited in an altogether undue pro-
portion from children bereft of their
natural homes and left without suff-
cient care. The interests Of the ma
tion are involved i'm the welfare of
this army of children no less than in
our great material affairs.
In urging childrens bureau. one
of whose duties will be to investigate
II
to the welfare of children and child
life. the president points out that
the national government is the only
agency which can effectively conduct
such general inquiries as are needed
for the benefit Of all our citizens"
at is not only discreditable to us
as a people that there is now no rec
ognized and authoritative source Of
information upon these subjects re-
lating to child life" declares the pres
ident, but i'm 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" He adds that
there are few things more vital 10
the welfare of the nation than accu-
rate and dependable knowledge Of the
best methods of dealing with chill
oren, particularly those handicapped
by misfortune.
The president makes a strong plea
for keeping the family intact and de-
clares that poverty alone should not
disrupt the home.
THE subject considered is of high
importance to the well-being Of the
nation" he says "The census bu-
reau reported In 1904 that there were
in orphanages and children's homes
about $4,000 dependent children.
There are probably $4,000 more (the
precise number never having been
ascertained) in private homes either
on board or in adopted homes pro-
vided by the generosity Of foster par
ents. In addition 10 these there were
$4,000 children in institutions for
juvenile delinquents."