The Elbert County tribune., 1909-02-18
SPECIAL MESSAGE ASKS LEoIs-
LATIoN FOR DEPENDENT
CHILDREN.
MANY THINGS NEEDED
WOULD PREVENT THE BREAKING
UP OF HOMES BY
POVERTY.

Washington.-Legis which, It
is believed II enacted into law, will
make an important epoch in the fu-
ture well-being of the dependent chill
dren Of the nation, is recommended
In a special message by President
Roosevelt sent to Congress Monday,
in which he makes strong plea in
the interest of children within this
class.
He says that there are few things
more vital to the welfare of the ma
ton than accurate and dependable
knowledge of the best methods Of
dealing with children. particularly
those handicapped by misfortune.
The President makes strong plea
for keeping the family intact and de-
clares that poverty alone should not
disrupt the home
The Presidents message in part
says:
"On January 1926. 1909. there as
sembled 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 engaged in the
care of dependent children. and they
represented all the leading religious
bodies.
"The keynote of the conference was
expressed in these words:
est product of civilization. Children
should not be deprived of it 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
breadwinner, should be given such aid
as may be necessary to enable them
to maintain suitable homes for the
rearing of their children.
''I transmit herewith for your infor-
nation a copy of the conclusions
reached by the conference, of which
the following is brief summary:
i. Home care Children of
worthy parents or deserving mothers
should, as a rule. be kept with their
parents at home.
"'2. Preventive work-The effort
should be made to eradicate causes of
dependency, such as disease and acci-
dent, and to substitute compensation
and insurance for relief.
"'3. Home finding-Homeless and
neglected children. II normal. should
be cared for in families, when prac-
ticable.
-. Cottage system Institutions
should be on the cottage plan with
small units, as far, as possible.
"'5. orporation-Agencies car
ing for dependent children should be
incorporated. on approval of suit
able state board.
"'6. State inspection-The state
should inspect the work of all agencies
which care for dependent children.
".7 Inspection Of educational work
Educational work of institutions and
agencies caring for dependent chill
dren should be supervised by state ed
ucational authorities.
".s. Facts and records-Complete
histories of dependent children and
their parents, based upon personal in
vestigation and supervision. should be
recorded for guidance of child-caring
agencies.
80. Physical care-Every needy
child should receive the best medical
and surgical attention, and be in
structed in health and hygiene.
"'10. Cooperation - Local child
caring agencies should cooperate and
establish joint bureaus Of informa-
ton.
I'll. Undesirable legislation-Pro-
hibitive legislation against transfer of
dependent children between states
should be repealed.
"12. Permanent organization "A
permanent organization for work along
the lines of these resolutions is desir-
able.
".13. Federal children's bureau
Establishment of federal children's
bureau is desirable, and enactment OF
pending bill is earnestly recon-
mended.
"14. Suggest special message to
Congress favor.ng federal children's
bureau and other legislation applying
above principles to District of Column
bia and other federal territory"