Middletown transcript., 1911-07-22
WELFARE EXHIBIT IN N. Y.
What Hit as Accomplished for the
Children
New York. Jpiv 9.

was AOImeu W COHCeubfab6 the s60FeQ
wisdom of the leading social workers,
thinkers and investigators, on the diff.
cult problem of safeguarding the children
so that We shall produce a nation of
strong, happy upright men and women.
The Welcome Exhibit
Last winters Child Welfare Exhibit"
held in the great Armory of the Seventy
first Regiment was an effect to show what
was being done and left undone for the
city's children. No one who saw this ex.
hibit will ever forget it, and the throngs
of people of all classes, ages and conditions
that come day after day and night after
night testified eloquently, that the heart
of the city had been reached, and wide,
spread interest aroused.
Childish Demonstrators
Some of the most fascinating exhibits
were the spaces where boys from the MAJ
nual training school were making gay
strong "do-with" toys, and the play shop
with its delightful array of toys built
from spools and paper boxes, especially
the dolls house furnishings that every
small girl was anxious to duplicate. In
another place children trained in cooking
were preparing an appetizing meal for
their working father and mother, and
thoroughly equipped nursery was shown,
the entire furniture made from old groe.
cry boxes. ga nursery corner" that
should be duplicated in very small space
was occupied by little children happily
playing regardless of spectators. The
children themselves everywhere we're by
far the most wonderful exhibit shown,
In the Center Court
Iu the very center of the vast drill hall
a court was used every afternoon and
evening for talks, moving pictures, folk
dances, etc, all bearing on the healthful
enjoyment and wise up-bringing of the
child. The organization of boy scouts,
Summer Camps and Big Brother move
ments were described.
Boys gave a mock trial that showed
their understanding of the administration
of justice and the processes of the law.
Trained Volunteers
The meaning of the exhibits was ex-
planned by trained volunteer workers,
who showed mothers the economy and
food values of different supplies, and
gave hints on wise buying of materials
and clothing for the family. Thele was
model dental clinic where the importance
OF caring for the mouth aud teeth was
demonstrated, and a nursry where the
babies were to wear home their, pretty
white dresses, as souvenirs of their visit
to the show.
Cartoons and statuary
A significant group of statuary by Mr..
Louis Potter, showed a grandfather,
mother and father bent under lIfe's heavy
burdens, with little child already droop-
ing in the shadow of the same fate. A
series of cartoons showed graphically the
treason why" OF a large proportion of the
12,437 infant deaths recorded in New
York City last year, and how 5000 babies
per year can be saved from like fate if
they are properly fed and cared for.
Cheap and nourishing rations for school
children formed valuable and suggestive
exhibit.
Results
1t is only few months since the We'll
fare Exhibit closed here but its soul, like,
John Browns is marching on. Many of
the exhibits have been transferred, in
tact, to Chicago and other large cities,
where little children are holding out their
hands for the cities made of schools play
grounds, innocent amusements and
health safeguards, that will raise the
standard of citizenship, and shorten the
list of criminals and paupers.
Business and Philanthropy
One does not customarily think of busi-
ness and philanthropy as associated, but
we are learning that helpfulness and
neighborly kindness is often the best sort
of practical business. Firms that manu-.
facture articles for children were intensely
interested in the Welfare Exhibit and
many of them are giving efficient and
practical help in solving the problems
there presented. A year ago the Nestle
Food Company established model nur-
sery over in the crowded East side, where
the motheos are largely foreign-born,
many unable to speak English. Trained
nurses explain not only the preparation
of food suited to their children, but in
struct them in general hygiene as well,
and show how it is possible in their sur
roundings TO secure health and happiness
for their children. The Nestle Food has
the advantage of requiring only the adj
dition Of cold water and two minutes boil
ing to be ready for the feeding, and
enough for the whole day can be prepared
at one time, as it is not necessary to keep
the food iced to have it sweet and whole
some.
A PhilanthrOphic BrOOklynits
A wealthy man in the borough of
Brooklyn was so pleased with the model
dental clinic at the "Welfare" Show that
be has given $l5, 600 to have it duplicated
in a real clinic in Brooklyn: These are
only a few of the results go far evident,
but the influences set going are working
in many directions for the good of the
children.