Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-15
President Sends Special
Message on Depend
ent Children.
URGES FEDERAL LAWS
Says National Authority Alone
Can Grapple With the
Problem.

Washington, Feb. 15.-Legislation,
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.
FavOrs Special Bureau.
OF particular importance is the pres
ident's recommendation for the estab-
lishment of federal children's bu-
reau; the enactment of such legisla-
ton as will bring the laws and prac-
tices in regard to the care of depend.
ent children in all federal territory
into harmony and certain legislation in
behalf of dependent children in the
District of Columbia The president
believes that such legislation is import
ant not only for the welfare of the
children immediately concerned, but
important ''as setting an example of IA
high standard of child protection by
the national government to the sew
eral states of the union, which should
he able 10 look TO the nation for
leadership in such matters"
Tells of Conferences.
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
conferences here on the care of de-
pendent children in accordance with
the request of that organization. De-
claring that their conclusions "consti i
tute wise, constructive and progress
i've program of child-caring work. the
president says that if given full eff
feet by the proper agencies, existing
methods and practices in almost every
community would be profoundly and
advantageously modified"
Statistics showing the large numbe.
of dependent children in the country
are presented by Mr.. Roosevelt
Each of these children represents
either a potential addition to the pro
ductive capacity and the enlightened
citizenship of the nation says tht
president. cor, if allowed to suffei
from negelct. a potential addition Il
the destructive forces of the commul
ity. The ranks of criminals and otho
enemies of society are recruited in II
altogether undue proportion from
children bereft of their natural home:
and left without sufficient care. TIL,
interests of the nation are involved IL
the welfare of this army of children
no less than in our great material al
fairs
Nation, Only, Can Succeed.
In urging a children's bureau. one g
whose duties will be to investigate ;
report upon all matters pertaining I;
the welfare of children and child life
the president points out that "the ma
tional government is the only agenc
which can effectively conduct sucl
general inquiries as are needed for tn
benefit of all our citizens"
1T is not only discredtable to u
as people that there is now no recos
nized and authoritative source of il
formation upon these subjects rela
ing to child life," declares the pres
dent, "but in the absence of such |,
formation as should be supplied by tn
federal government many abuses hay
gone unchecked; for public sentimen
with its great corrective power, ca
only be aroused by full knowledge {
the facts" He adds that there ar
few things more vital to the welfar
of the nation than accurate and d.
pendable knowledge of the best metl
DDS of dealing with children, particl