The Springfield herald., 1909-02-19
SPECIAL MESSAGE ASKS LEGlS
.LATIoN FOR DEPENDENT
CHILDREN.
MANY THINGS NEEDED
WOULD PREVENT THE BREAKING
UP OF HOMES BY
POVERTY.

is believed if enacted into law, VIII
make an important epoch in the fu-
ture well-being OF the dependent chill
dren of the nation. Is recommended
In special message by President
Roosevelt sent to Congress Monday,
in which he makes strong plea In
this interest of children within this
class.
He says that there are few things
more vital to the welfare of the ma
ton than accurate and dependable
knowledge Of the best methods oil
dealing with children. 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 Presidents message in part
says:
"On January 1926, 1909. there as
sembled in this city, on my invitation,
a conference on the care Of dependent
children. To this conference there
came from nearly every state in the
| Union men and women engaged In the
care of dependent children. and they
represented all the leading religious
bodies.
"The keynote of the conference was
expressed in these words:
".Home life is the highest and I'm
est product of civilization. Children
should not be deprived of 1t except FOR
urgent and compelling reasons.
Surely poverty alone should not
disrupt the home. Parents OF good
character suffering from temporary
misfortune. and above all deserving
mothers fairly well able to work. but
deprived of the support of the normal
breadwinner, should be given such ana
as may be necessary to enable them
to maintain suitable homes for the
rearing of their children.
"I transmit herewith for your infor
nation copy of the conclusions
reached by the conference, of whicf
the following is a brief summary:
-. Home care - Children o
worthy parents or deserving mothers
should. as a rule, be kept with theii
parents at home.
".2. Preventive work-The enor
should be made to eradicate causes
dependency, such as disease and acci
dent. and to substitute compensation
and insurance for relief
".3. Home fnding-Homeless an'
neglected children, Il normal, shoul'
be cared for in families, when prac
ticable.
90. Cottage system - Institution
should be on the cottage plan VIII
small units, as far, as possible.
"5. rporation-Agencies cal
, ing for dependent children should b
incorporated, on approval OF SUI
able state board.
80. State inspection-The stat
should inspect the work of all asencie
which care for dependent children.
".7, Inspection of educational wor
Educational work of institutions an
agencies caring for dependent chi
dren should be supervised by state et
ucational authorities.
IS. Facts and records-Complet
histories of dependent children an
their parents based upon personal IL
! yestigation and supervision, should b
recorded for guidance of child-carin
agencies.
8 80. Physical care-Every need
child should receive the best medic;
and surgical attention, and be II
structed in health and hygiene.
!; "1O. Cooperation - Local chii'
- caring agencies should cooperate an
establish joint bureaus Of inform'
: ton.
al. Undesirable legislation-Pr
hibitive legislation against transfer
:. dependent children between state
. should be repealed.
"12. Permanent organization -
, permanent organization for work alor
the lines of these resolutions is desi
able.
"13. Federal children's bureau
u Establishment of federal children
bureau is desirable, and enactment
% pending bill is earnestly recof
mended.
. "14. Suggest special message
Congress favoring federal children
bureau and other legislation applyir
above principles to District of Colul
bia and other federal territory"