The Washington herald., 1909-02-16

Recognizing the Importance o. the sug-
gestions contained in the Presidents
message relating 70 the care and pro
lection Of children. senator Owen. OF
Oklahoma, yesterday obtained permission
OF the Senate for the printing OF 2000
additional copies for distribution
The message. read IN the Upper House
Of Congress. contains the proceedings Of
the recent conference held in this city. to
consider the care Of dependent children.
President Roosevelt. in addition 70 urg-
ing suitable legislation for the various
States in this regard, calls especial at
tention 10 the needs OF the District OF
Columbia. and enumerates the pending
measures now before Congress that re-
QUire action TO benefit the children COM
PEELED TO seek refuge outside their own
homes.
Lack OF Information.
Emphasizing the present lack OF infor-
nation concerning questions relating to
childhood the President recommends
speedy action Of the bills for the estab-
ushment Of a Children's bureau.
Legislation recommended for the Dis
triet is summarized by the President as
follows
I. That the approval Of the Board OF
Charities be required for the incorpora-
ton OF al child-caring agencies. as well
as amendments OF the charter OF any
benevolent corporation which includes
child-caring work. and that other than
duly incorporated agencies be forbidden
70 engage in the care Of needy children
This legislation is needed in order 10 in
sure the fitness and responsibility OF
those who propose 10 undertake the care
OF helpless children. Such laws have long
been in satisfactory operation IN several
Of the larger States OF the Union
- That the Board Of Charities. through
its duly authorized agents. shall inspect
the work OF all agencies which care for
dependent children. whether by insttu-
tional or by home-fnding methods. and
whether supported by public OF private
funds The state has always jealousy
guarded the interests OF children whose
parents have been able 10 leave them
property by requiring the appointment OF
A guardian. under bond. accountable d.
rectly 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 10 be no
less sacred than those Of the more for
tunate orphan who inheTits property. II
the protection OF the government Is
necessary IN the one case, IL Is even
more necessary in the other II We are
10 require that only incorporated institu-
tions shall be allowed 10 engage in this
responsible work. it is necessary 10 pro
vide for public inspection. lest the state
should become the unconscious partner
Of those who either from ignorance or
ineficiency are unsuited 70 deal with
the problem
g That the education OF children IN
orphan asylums and other similar insti-
tutions in the District OF Columbia be
under the supervision Of the board OF
education. in order that these children
NAV enjov educational advantages equal
10 those OF the other children Normal
school life comes next TO normal home
life in the process Of securing the fullest
development Of the child.
- That al agencies engaged in child
caring work in the District Of Columbia
be required by Law 10 adopt adequate
methods Of investigation and make per
nanent records relative to children IN
der their care. and TO exercise faithful
personal supervision over their wards IN
I'll legally adopted OF otherwise clearly
beyond the need OF further supervision
the forms and methods OF such investi-
cation, records, and supervision 70 b
prescribed and enforced by the Board Of
Charities
Embodied in the message Is a Letter
received BY the President at the conclu-
sion OF the conference on January .
last, in which the following resolutions
summarize the action taken by that or
ganizatiOn:
Resolutions OF the Conference.
Home care-ChiIdren Of worthy parents or de
s-r7ins mothers should. rule. be kept Wit
their parents a. hone
Preventive Eork-S0ciety should endeaFor 10 sradi
causes Of despondency ike disease and 70 sub
sfituts compensation and insurance for relief
Home finding Homeless and neglected children
Il normal should Be cared for II families, whei
p-scTiCshie
CottaSe syste1n-Institutsons shouid Be on The 90,
tare plan with snail units. far as possible
Incorp0rstion-Ageneies caring for dependent chi
6rcn should Be incorporated. approval Of = suit
abis state board
state iaspection-Ths state Eboald inspect n
work Of al agencies which care for dependent chi
drsn.
INSPECTION Of educational work-Educztionsl vor
Of institutions and agencies caring for dersndsu
children sh0uld Be supervised By State educztjona
autborities-
Fscts and rso7js-Conplsts histories Of dsrsndsn
children and their parents should be recorded 70
guidance q children-cz-iEE agencies
Physical cars-EreIy needy child should receir
TIE bes medical and surgical attention and be in
stTuc,ed IN health aud hygiene.
Co-opeTstien-Local ehild-caring agencies should C
oTerate ard establish joint bureaus Of information
Undesirable lezisIztion-PFohibitire Legislation
against transfer Of dependent children betRee
SIafes should Be repealed
Permanent 0rgzniEstion--A permanent orgz1izztio
t0r work along the lines Of these resolutions is d
sirahie.
Federal Children's BuTeau-Esta hlishnent q
Federal Children's Bureau IS desirable. aud en-
sctment y pending bin Is earnestly rsconnendsd-