The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-14
A Word in Behalf Of the
Boys Club and Tag Day.
Mr. Maurice Willows Superintendent Talks About the Work
Great Good That Has Been Accomplished-Ev
cry Man, Woman and Child In Birmingham
Should Take An Active Part-Tag
Day Next Saturday
by DOLLY DALRYMPLE.

know something of our work, while all
the business men know our superin-
tendent, Mr.. Maurice Willows, and will
not only call on him for help, but when
they have anything to give away they are
liable to give 1t to him.
This naturally leads us to comment upon
Mr.. Willows, and the excellent work
which he has done ever since he has been
connected with the Boys club; his single
mindedness, his devotion to the cause
which he makes labor of love; his good
business judgment; his fine tact, through
which much of the success of the Boys
club has been attained.
With Tag Day so near at hand-only
day for the Boys club, when it public
1y asks support from the citizens of
Birmingham, I chatted with Mr.. Will
lows about the work a few days ago
and among other interesting things he
said:
Every city, no matter how enlight-
ened or cultured a population it may have,
has it's share of dependent, neglected and
delinquent children. The number of de-
commercial conditions. Provery, disease
and death leave the pathway strewn with
dependents. The scriptures say:
g The poor we have always with you
"Those of us engaged In the work for
children often feel like saying: The poor
dependent child we have and always will
have with u.s.
How does Birmingham stand in pro-
portion to other cities on this scorer
inquired.
Birmingham is no exception" an
swered Mr.. Willows. But Birmingham
has made the stout determination that
her dependent children shall not be neg
lected. 1t would surprise You to know
how many of these cases come to our
notice."
do you readily find homes for depend
ent children or do people object to adopt
ing them?' / asked.
1.-THE officers of the Boys club during
the past Is months have sent IS children
to various institutions and we have placed
81 boys in splendid homes, where they
are happy and well cared for. Double
that number have found help through
the club" said he.
rs the dependent child the main OBJ
ject of your work?' I queried.
ut forms an important item, of course"
said Mr.. Willows, 'but it Is merely
casual when compared to the neglected
boy the truant and the boy of the street.
He is our especial care. These are the
little tag-ends' of humanity that mo-
body cares for and very often they turn
out to be diamonds in the rough
"And where do you find these little
fellows?" L asked, greatly interested.
Naturally enough they are the boys
who drift into our police courts was
the quick reply. 'The education that the
demoralizing at best. These, too, are
usually the children with half-parents,
near-parents and no parents at ALL
How pitiful!' I exclaimed, scarce
knowing that I gave vent to my feelings.
"And are they not difficult to deal WITH"
"With the dependent boy of course 1t
is only a question of finding his rela-
t,ves TO take him or an institution to
care for him, or seeking a good Chris
tan family, who will adopt or appren-
tice him. But with the boy of the streets
and the neglected class it is oh! SO
different! Here we have to deal with
causes; we must know the boy; where
hs lives; who he is; his father. his moth
err the neighborhood, his school advan-
tages and all the rest. We see him when
he IL down town selling his papers; we
visit him in HIS home; we make friends
with his people; and In this way we are