Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-16
PRESIDENT IN SPECIAL MESSAGE
RECOMMENDS LEGISLATION
FOR FUTURE WELL-BElNG OF
NEGLECTED CHILDREN.
WANTS A BUREAU
OF CHILD LIE E
NOTHING MORE VITAL TO NATION
SAYS ROOSEVELT. THAN
KNOWLEDGE OF METHODS OF
DEALINGS WITH HOMELESS.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 15.-Legis-
lation, which, it is believed If enact
ed into law, will make an important
epoch in the future wellbeing of the
dependent children of the nation, els
recommended in a special message by
President Roosevelt sent to congress
today in which he makes a strong pleas
in the interest of children coming
within this class.
Of particular Importance Is the
presidents recommendation for the
establishment of Federal Children'S
bureau; the enactment of such legis-
lation as will bring the laws and prac-
tees in regard to the care of depen-
dent children in all federal territory
into harmony and certain legislation
District of Columbia. The president
believes that such legislation is I'M
portant not only for the welfare of the
children Immediately concerned, but
important 'as setting All example of q
high standard of child protection by
the national government to the sew
eral states of the union, which should
| be able to look to the nation for lead
ership ~ suoa matters
Sends Full Text OF Proceedings.
| 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 con-
ferences here on the care of depen-
dent children, In accordance with the
request of that organization. Declar-
ing that their conclusions constitute
a wise, constructive. and progressive
program Of child-caring work." the
president says that il 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 mum
ber Of dependent children in the coun
try are presented by Mr.. Roosevelt
Each of these children represents
either potential addition to the pro
ductive capacity and the enlightened
citizenship of the nation" says the
president, cor is allowed to suffer
from neglect, potential addition tc
the destructive forces of the com
munity The ranks of criminals anC
other enemies or society are recruit
ed in an altogether undue proportion
from children bereft of their natura
homes and left without sufficient care
The interests of the nation are in
volved in the welfare Of this army o
children no less than in our great ma
terial affairs"
National Government Only Agency.
In urging a Childrens bureau, one o
whose duties will be to investigate
report upon all matters pertaining t.
the welfare of children and child life
the president points out that "the ma
. tional government is the only agenc
which can effectively conduct suc1
general inquiries as are needed for tn
benefit of all our citizens"
1T Is not only discreditable to us a
people that there is now no recoe
nized and authoritative source of infol
nation upon these subjects relatin
to child life," declares the president
"but in the absence of such informs
tion as should be supplied. by tn
federal government many abuse
have gone unchecked; for public sent
ment, with its great corrective power
can only be aroused by full know
edge of the facts" He adds that ther
are few things more vital to the we
fare Of the nation than accurate an
dependable knowledge Of. the bes
methods OF dealing with children, pa
; ticularly those handicapped by mil
: fortune.
: The president makes strong pie
! for keeping the family intact and d.
clares that poverty alone should nc
!, disrupt the home,