The Washington herald., 1909-05-23
CARE OF THE CHILDREN.
Practical Results of the National
Conference Held in Washington.

FEaGEiCa1 AeSuAss OF Nne 11tAOnAA
Conference Held in Washington.
Prom tie Nay Dsliaezto-.
The most powerful influences Of Anaeri-
can democracy have been set IN motion
IN the interest OF the welfare OF depend
ent OF homeless children Within the
last few months everything that has been
advocated By the DeIineator IN its child
rescue campaign has received Endorsement
from unouestionable sources The notable
White House conference vas a widely
representative gathering. including Jew
ish rabbis. eminent Catholic divines. cler-
gy-men from nearly every Protestant de-
nomination. judges OF juvenile and other
courts. members OF the State boards OF
charities. educators. settlement workers,
and superintendents OF orphan asyiums.
and home placing organizations from
nearly every State IN the Union from
Maine 10 California Their unanimous
conclusions were transmitted 70 Congress
by President Roosevelt IN a vigorous spe-
cial message stating the keynote OF the
conference in these words: Home life Is
the highest and finest product OF civiIiza-
ton Children should not Be deprived OF
sons. Poverty alone should not disrupt
any home" This Is distinctively Ameri-
can.
More than this, The President trans
mitted. with his personal Endorsement,
the declarations OF the conference 20 the
government CT every State in the Union
requesting their cooperation.
For months the daily press n al parts
OF the country hiss given much space 20
the wise constructive and progressive pro
gramme which was agreed upon without
dissenting vote
Surely this Is marvellous progress. and
the practical results are encouraging in
this or that instance, but much remains
10 be accomplished. The greatest problem
in the eazse Of the dependent or home
less child has been, and still remains. 10
gain the interest and intelligent action
OF the good men and women who serve
as members Of boards OF managers and
trustees OF institutions IN which the $4,000
children are now confined Upon them
rests much OF the responsibility Of decid-
ing whether many Of the conclusions Of
the conference shall be given practical
effect in the near future.
Strange as It may seem. although most
OF the Institutions for children are oper-
ating under charters given by the state.
and in some cases even at public expense.
vet the State Is without authority 20
require on account Of the stewardship
Of those who are voluntarily serving as
officials OF these Institutions How sb-
surd this is For, as stated IN President
ROoseveIt's message, the State has al
ways jealousy guarded the interests
Of the children Inheriting property
by requirsng the appointment o. a
guardian under bond. accountable
directly TO the courts. even though
there be a competent surviving parent
Yet the penniless orphan Is left 10 the
unsupervised control Of people who may.
either from ignorance or inehcie1cy, Be
unsuited properly TO discharge their duty!
Upon them rests ? tremendous responsi-
biiity.
DR.. P r. Reeder. superintendent Of the
New York Orphanage in speaking Of
this problem. aptly sets forth the situa-
ton In these words:
The old style Institution must and ought 70 pas
=Ezy. There ars many q them stil n ths coua-
try. Nothing short Of such shaking up IS ths
Presidents ccafs-encs VII give then is hksly to
r-oduce any sIecL ScOTes q them Z-s s1uEiy
tucked away n quiet cc-ns-s OF fenced around n
The great cities With high walls where but little
q this vafn world can e1ts-. They are ike the
seraw and bubble riding quietly st sncao-. slowly
TcTolying n their mimic harboE un5isur5e5 by the
rush Il the Passing current VII the msla<srs
q these institutions sld Their s1zf1s eTen k15E
that E1ch conference IS being heidi Thess people
are good and po1s; they cnsceatio1sly beisTe that
they are doing noble wu-k b keeping Tie poo-
orphans wrapped up IN cotton and oatmeal
Are you connected with one OF these
old-style Institutions Do you have any
influence with any members of boards OF
directors OF trustees? II so. upon you
rests the responsibility OF doing all in
your power by personal effort 70 put IN
practice the methods recommended BY
the conference and indorsed by the Presi-
dent