New-York tribune., 1909-02-16
DEPENDENT CHILDREN
PRESIDENT MAKES PLEA
FOR THEM.
Says PoUerty Alone Should Not DIS
rupt the Home-Urges Federal
ChiLdren'S Bureau.


Washington Feb. 15-Legislation which it
! is believed. If enacted into law will make an
| important epoch ia the future wellbeng Of the
| dependent children OF the nation is recon-
mended in special message sent by President
I Roosevelt to Congress to-day, in which he
makes a strong plea in the interest OF children
Of this class. The message follows:
| On January % and rs. 1909 there assembled
in this city on my invitation a conference the
| care OF dependent children. To this conference
/ there came from nearly every state in the Union
| men and women actively engaged in the care
of dependent children, and they represented all
the leading religious bodies
The subject considered is OF high impor-
tance TO the wellbeing of the nation. The cen
Fus bureau reported in 1904 that there in
orphanages and children's homes about ninety
| three thousand dependent children. There are
probably fifty thousand more (the precise num-
ber never having been ascertained) in private
homes. either Oh board or in adopted homes
provided by the generosity Of foster parents. In
addition to these there were twenty-five thou
sand children in institutions for Juvenile delin-
Quents.
Each of these children represents either po-
tential addition to the productive 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 commu-
nity The ranks OF criminals and other enemies
of society recruited in altogether undue
proportion from children bereft of their natural
homes and left without sufficient care.
The interests of the nation are involved in the
welfare of this army Of children no less than IN
our great material affairs.
Notwithstanding wide diversity Of views
and methods represented in the conference. and
Notwithstanding the varying legislative enact
ments and policies Of the states from which the
members came. the conference, at the close or
its sessions. unanimously adopted a series OF
declarations expressing the conclusions which
il had reached. These constitute wise con-
structive and progressive programme of child
caring work If given full effect by the proper
agencies existing methods and practices III al
most every community would be profoundly and
advantageously modified.
More significant even than the contents OF the
declarations is the fact that they were adopted
without dissenting vote and with every demon
stration OF hearty approval on the part Of all
present They constitute standard Of accepted
opinion by which each community should meas
ure the adequacy of its existing methods and to
which each community should seek 10 conform
its legislation and its practice.
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 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 breadV1nner.
should be given such aid as may be necessary to
enable them to maintain suitable homes for
the rearing Of their children. The widowed or
deserted mother. If a good woman, willing 20
work and do her best, should ordinarily be
helped in such fashion as will enable her to
bring UP her children herself in their natural
home. Children from unfit homes and children
who have no homes, who must be cared TOT
by charitable agencies should. far as pract-
cable. be cared for in families.
CONCLUSIONS OF CONFERENCE.
transmit herewith for your Information
COPY OF the conclusions reached by the confer
ence of which the following is a brief sum
/ Homo care-ChIdren OF worthy parents
OF deserving mothers should rule, bo kept
with their parents at home;
Tha eff ghn ha
made to eradicate causes OF dependency, such as
disease and accident, and to substitute comPen-
sation ana insurance FOR relief.
3 Home Findng.-Homeless and neglected
children. II normal. should be cared for IL fam
lies, when practicable.
the cottage plan. with small units. as far as
possible.
.. corporation-Asencies caring for depen-
dent children should be Incorporated, on ap-
proval Of a suitable state board.
s. State lnspeetion.-The state should inspect
the work OF all agencies which care for depen-
:. Inspection OF Educational work.-F;duca-
tional work Of institutions and agencies caring
for dependent children should be supervised by
state educational authorities.
8. Facts and Records.-Complete histories OF
dependent children and their parents. based
upon personal investigation and supervision
should be recorded for guidance Of child caring
g. Physical care-Every needy child should
receive the best medical and surgical attention
and be instructed in health and hygiene
10 Co -operaton.-Local child caring agencies
should cooperate and establish joint bureaus
OF information.
II. Undesirable Observation-Disclosures leg
islation against transfer of dependent children
between states should be repealed
H. Permanent Oraanzation.-A permanent
organization for work along the lines or these
resolutions is desirable.
49, Federal Chdrens Bureau.-Estab1lsh-
ment of federal children's bureau Is desirable.
and enactment Of pending bill is earnestly rec
commended.
Ia Suggest special message to Congress ia
vorlng federal Children's bureau and other leg
islation applying above principles TO District OF
Columbia and other federal territory.
While it is recognized that these conclusions
can be given their fullest effect only by the ac-
tion OF the several states communities
cerned, or OF their charitable agencies the
ference requested me. In Section Il OF the
clusOns TO send TO you message recommend
Ing federal action.
CHILDRENs BUREAU URGED.
There are pending In both houses Of Congress
bills for the establishment OF a chidren's bu-
reau-i. e. Senate bill No. 1923 and House bill
No 24.14S. These provide for children's bu-
reau in the Department OF the Interior which
shall investigate and report upon all matters
pertaining to the welfare OF children and child
life and shall especially Investigate the ques-
tons OF infant mortality, the birth rate, physical
degeneracy, orphanage, juvenile delinquency
and Juvenile courts, desertion and illegtimacy,
dangerous occupations accidents and diseases OF
children of the working classes, employment,
states and territories and such other facts ms
have a bearing upon the health, efficiency, char
acter and training OF children.
One OF the needs felt most acutely by the con-
ference was that of accurate information con-
cerning these questions relating to childhood.
The national government not only has the IN
questioned right of research in such vital mat
ters but Is the only agency which can effectively
conduct such general inquiries are needed
for the benefit of all our citizens In accordance
with the unanimous request of the conference
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