The Washington times., 1910-06-23
Friends of Legislation to Pro
tect Children Encouraged
BY Report.
MEASURE PROVIDES
FOR INVESTIGATION
Decrease of Infant Mortality, De-
linqUency, Birth Rate, and En-
ployment to Be Studied.

The fact the Committee on Expendi-
lures in the Department Of Commerce
and LABOR has reported favorably the
bill or Representative Gardner Of
Michigan TO establish in the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Ia Dor a bu-
reau to be known as the children's
bureau, is looked on by the friends OF
child labor legislation as step IN
advance II IS pointed out that few
years ago the idea of such a bureau
vas taken lightly. Now. a bill for
one has been reported, and report
made setting forth in striking fashion
1he need for a bureau of this sort.
The bill provides for bureau under
the direction OF a chief, appointed by
the president. by and with the advice
aBa consent OF the Senate.
This bureau is 10 investigate and
report on all matters pertaining to
the welfare Of children and child life.
especially THE questions Of infant
mortality, the birth rate, physical de-
Generacy, orphanage, juvenile deliu-
QuCncy and Juvenile courts, deseruOn
dangerous occupations, accidents and
diseases Of children, employment, leg
lslaJlon affecting children IN the sew
eral states and Territories. and such
oiher information as may have
bearing upon the health. efficiency,
The results Of the Investigations will
DC published from time to time.
Such phllanthrOplsts as Jane Adams,
Judge Ben B. Lindsey, Prof Samuel
Mcclure Lindsay. director OF the New
York School Of Philanthropy, and a
long list Of others who might be named
nave favored the establishment of this
bureau. Such organizations as the Cen
eral Federation of Women's Clubs the
American Federation of Labor, the
american Prison Association and the
National Child Labor Committee. with
many others, have likewise favored il.
Power in States Doubled.
1t is disputed whether the Federal
Government can interfere in the employ
ment OF child labor through the com
merce clause Of the Constitution, as
proposed by Senator Beveridge. but the
friends Of child labor legislation gem
orally recognize that if the Federal
Government furnishes information as
10 conditions il viii be of much benefit
As emphasizing the need Of colIeC-
ton Of information the committee in
reporting the Gardner bill said il was
estimated that 10000 children under
one year OF ase die every year IN the
United States and that one-half Of
these deaths are pTeventa bic by the
knowledge and application OF the proper
remedies or preventive measures.
Thus, said the committee taking
into account the unpreventable mortal
1ty OF late years. 1000 900 American born
children are lost 10 the country every
ten years through lack of proper infOr-
nation OF course, 10 is not claimed
Inat all these children can be saved
by the establishment of a children s
bureau which would investigate the
problem Of infant mortality, but UNI
doubleday the general diffusion OF sani-
tary knowledge, the general instructions
as 10 proper care or children, would
a. n LE
republic IN years to come. just as bulIe-
tins Of the Department of Agriculture
have enabled the farmers 70 save their
i've stock and the orchard men their
trees
Field for Investigation.
II is pointed out that where the infant
mortality rate in higher in one city than
in another. the chiIdren-s bureau might
investigate and give the necessary III
formation for remedying conditions
Other problems TO be studied relate
TO preventable blindness of children.
and to dependent children.
The whole question Of Institutional
care Of the orphans and the work of TIE
hOme-plaCinE societies is suggested for
authoritative inEesti ga ton. r. is esUi-
mated that there are 5000 children col
lected IN institutions, and that the cost
OF supporting them IS between $1,000 guI
and &30,00l,Op) a year II is presumed
that there are 81, 600 orphans taken care
Of by other charitable agencies Of va
rious kinds. How these 10000 or 159.-
600 children are being cared for, and
how they turn out after leaving these
institutions or the home of their adOp-
ton, is a matter of profound interest TO
che nation.
Along with such subjects as these, is
child Ia bor and tie accidents 10 child
zen, whether children are laboring under
conditions dangerous physically or NOR
ally. and the like. Juvenile delinquency
and the best methods of treating deliu-
Uuent children are deemed Of great inn
portable by the committee