Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-02-18
NATIONS DUTY
TO THE CHILDREN
PRESIDENT SENDS TO CONGRESS
STRONG MESSAGE ON The
5UBJECT.
FROM REPORT OF CONFERENCE
Points Out How Closely the Interests
of the Country Are involved In
the Welfare Of the Dependent
Child.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. which, 1t
believed, If enacted into law, will
make an important epoch in the future
of the dependent children
Of the nation, is recommended in "a
message by President Roose-
Welt to congress, in which he makes a
plea in the interest of children
within this class.
Substantially the message was as
follows: Il
On January 1926, 1909, there assem-
bled 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 actively engag-
ed in the care of dependent children,
and they represented all the leading
religious bodies.
The subject considered is n of
high Importance to the ~well-being of
the nation. The census bureau report
ed in 1904 that there were in orphan
ages and children's homes about 3d.
900 dependent children. There are
probably $4,000 more (the precise
number never having been ascertain
ed), in private homes, either on board
or in adopted homes provided by the
generosity of foster parents. In ad-
dition to these there were $4,000 chill
dren in institutions for juvenile de-
%linquents.
Each of these children represents
either a potential addition to the pro-
ductive capacity and the enlightened
citizenship of the nation, or, if allowed
to suffer from neglect, a potential ad-
dition to the destructive forces of the
community. The ranks of criminals
and other enemies of society are re-
cruited in an altogether undue proper
ton from children bereft of their nat
ural homes and left without sufficient
care.
The interests of the nation are in
volved in the welfare of this army OF
children no less than in : our great
material affairs.
The keynote of the conference was
expressed in these words:
Home life is the highest and finest
product of civilization. Children should
not be deprived of it except for urgent
and compelling reasons"
Surely poverty alone should not dis
rupt the home. Parents of good char
acter suffering from temporary mis-
fortune, and above all, deserving moth
ers fairly well able to work, but de
prived Of the support of the norma
breadwinner, should be given such ait
as may be necessary to enable then
to maintain suitable homes for tn
| rearing of their children. The wild
owed or deserted mother, If a goot
woman, willing to work and to do he
best should ordinarily be helped il
, such fashion as will enable her Il
bring up her children herself in thei
natural home.
g Conclusions of Conference.
/ transmit herewith for your infol
nation a copy of the conclusion
U reached by the conference, Of whic
$ the following is a brief summary:
/. Home Care.-Children of worth
Il parents or deserving mother shoult
! as q rule, be kept with their parent
at home.
a 2. Preventive Work.-The effol
should be made to eradicate cause
o of dependency, such as disease and a
J. cident, and to substitute compensate
and insurance for relief.
IS 3. Home Finding.-Homeless ar
2. neglected children, if normal, shou.
10 be cared for in families, when pra
t, ticable.
l. 4. Cottage System. - Institution
e should be on the cottage plan wi
o small units, as far as possible.
'e S. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS carii
II for dependent children should be i
corporated, on approval Of a suitah
k. state board.
IN G.. State Inspection.-The sta
Id should inspect the work Of all age
cies which care for dependent Oh
iu dren.
tn T. Inspection of Educational Wol
OF Educational work of institutions a
agencies caring for dependent childr
OF should be supervised by state edu'
ST tional authorities.
a 8. Facts and Records.-Complt
histories of dependent children a
re their parents, based upon personal
ne v~estigation and supervision, should
recorded for guidance Of child-cari
agencies,
9. Physical Care.-Every needy oh
should receive the best medical
surgical attention, and be instruc
n in health and hygiene.
i'm. 10. Co-Operation.-Local child-c
ing agencies should cooperate |
to establish joint bureaus Of informati
ing Ii. Undesirable Legislation.-Pr'
bitive legislation against transfer
dependent children between sta
the should be repealed.
sar. 10. Permanent OrganizatioD-A
get, manent organization for work al
the lines of these resolutions is de
able.
per I3. Federal Children's Bureau
'est Establishment OF a federal childr'
bureau is desirable, and enactment
mo- bending bill is earnestly recomment
While 1t is recognized that tn
~ conclusions can be given their full
she effect only by the action Of the sew
IAN states or communities concerned,
~ ,f their charitable agencies, the