Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-02-16
PRESIDENT MAKES
STRONG PLEA FOR
CHILDREN
Special Message to Congress
Urges important Legislation
in Interest Of Dependent
Little Ones,


ms Morning journal Specis, Leaned WirsI
Washington. rob. 1j-Legislation
which. II ia believed " enacted into
|, law, will mark an important epoch
ln the future well-bcing Of the de-
pendent children ~ the nation, Is rcc-
commended in q spocinl message by
President Roosevelt sent 10 congress,
today Ia which ho makes 4 strong
plea in the interest of children con
Ing within this class.
or particular importance Is the
presidents recommendation for Tho
establishment of q Federal Childcn's
hurrau the enactment Of such legs-
lation as VIII bring the law and prae-
.ticcs IN regard 10 tho cnrp OF de-
pendent children Ia an federal terri-
tory into harmony ana certain legis-
latiun in behalf OF dependent chill
drcn in the District Of Columbia The
president believes that such ~lcgisla-
ton Is important not only for the
welfare Of the children Immediately
concerned. but important ''as setting
an example Of a high standard Of
chiid protection by the national gov
eminent 10 the several states OF the
union, which should be able to look
TO the nation for leadership in such
matters"
Tie president also transmits with
his message TO congress a copy of the
conclusions. together with tho fun
toyt Of the proceedings Of the recent
conferences here on the care OF de-
pendent children. IN accordance with
the request Of that organization De-
clnring thai their conclusions Con
stitute a wise. constructive. and pro-
grcssivc program of chlld-caring
work the president snys that If
given fun effect by the proper agcy-
cics. existing mcthoGe aud practices
In almost every community could be
%rrofnndly ana adyantagcously modi
nod.'
Statistics showing the large num
Der Of dependent children Ia the
country are presented by Mr. ftoosc-
yclt, each of these children repre-
SCENTS either a potential addition to
the productive capacity and the en-
llghtcnod citizenship OF the nation,
snNs the president. "ur, IL allowed
to- suffer from neglect, a potential ad-
dition to the destructive forces of the
community Tho ranks OF criminals
ana otliof enemies of society are re-
rrulird IN an altogether undue pro-
portion from children bcreft of their
natural homes ana lcft without sur
tlcicht care The interests Of the na-
tinn ara involved IA the welfare OF
THIS army Of children no less than Ia
our great material affairs
Ina arguing for q childrcn's bureau
one Of whose duties viii bo to intcsti- |
gate d report upon AN matters per
tanning to the welfare Of children and
child life. the president points ou
that the NATIONAL government is the
only ngencN which can effectively
conduct such general inQuiries as arc
needed luf The benefit OF an our riti-
yon4"
ut Is not only discrcditahlc to MS
as 8 people that there is now no
recognized and authoritative source
OF Information upon these subjects re-
lating to child life," declares the pres
idtnt "but IN the absence Of such
Information as should be supplied by
tho federal government many abuses
have gone unchecked, for public sen
timent, with It's great corrective pow
can only b. aroused By fun knoWl- |
edge ct the facts" lie adds that There
arc few things moro vital to the VOL,
fare of the nation than accurate and
knowledge of tho best
methods at dealing with children.
particularly those handicapped Us
misfortune
The president makes a strong plcn
FOR Keeping the family intact and do
that poverty alone should not
IIaftf.f ffA. homo