Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-06

the District Of Columbia organized a little
club for the purpose of studying matters
" hich would help them to be better moth
ers to their children. Other women with
no children, but having a maternal ten
derness to all childhood, desired to join
and study for the sake Of the little folks
who had no mothers to care for them.
Soon the club included teachers and other
persons interested in children's welfare.
From this small nucleus has grown the
mighty movement for child welfare repre-
| scented by the National Congress Of Moth
ers. Under the auspices Of this organiza-
tion there will be held in Washington this
month the greatest International con-
gress on child welfare ever held in the
world.
There never has been another orsaniza-
ton which included so large a number
of women in its ranks as the Congress Of
Mothers. Each week adds to the number
Of ahiliated organizations, because the
mother heart is universal and in every
nation women are responding to the ap-
peal to work for the betterment of child
hood conditions. 1t is the American or
are glad to follow. The Italian govern
ment recently has requested the women
OF that nation to take UP the study Of
child welfare. Cnder the direction Of
thc <AHCIiNdu SOHkIeSS VI MOtu0TS, u
committee has been appointed for this
purpose with Sisnora Aida Orlando Of
Rome as chairman.
In the Argentine Republic the Club de
Madres has lately been organized in
Buenos Aires. IT has secured a public
playground in that city for children Of
all social conditions and is planning q
newsooys home. 1t has distributed plants
among school children to interest them in
nature study and is taking up many other
matters which the Congress Of Mothers
has already demonstrated as helpful in
America.
All Of the civilized countries have been
invited to send delegates to this interna-
tional congress Of
congress Here child welfare.
to Be Important. h.sn ".s sce;x a a
from most Of the governments stating
that their nations will be represented.
Each state in the Union will send a dele
gate especially appointed by the govern
ment for this purpose. The mayors Of
over $50 American cities have been asked
to send special representatives.. In addi-
tion to these. there will be delegates from
hundreds OF individual mothers clubs
scattered over every part Of the United
States. besides clergymen, teachers and
philanthropists who realize that in caring
for the child the nation IL making the
safest, sanest and best provision for its
own future. Reports will be made on ex-
periments already tried. New ideas will
be exchanged and a mighty impetus to-
ward the child welfare of the world can
not but result from this congress.
The questions to be considered In their
rfnI1Q nha tnc11Yda haQlYh Arrn0 and
dependent children. the working child,
the country child, the city child, schools,
Fairgrounds. police. the home and tho
church. One or more meetings will be
given to each of these subjects and topics
bearing upon Them and the program will
include some of the most distinguished
speakers Of the world. Among those al
ready known are Ambassador Bryce Of
sresn, Dr.. Floyd =. TompRn s Dr.. TSeo,
date Smith, Gov Hooper of Tennessee.
Judge De Lacy of the Juvenile Court in
the District of Columbia and Mrs. Ella
National Education Association.
In connection with health, means for
prevention OF the enormous amount Of
infant mortality will be considered. This
subject already has been valiantly
in many of tho larger cities. In the tene-
ment districts of several cities plainly
printed cards entitled How to Keep Your
Baby Well have been circulated. These
cards give full directions for feeding, bath
ing and dressing babies especially dur
ing the heated weather. Mothers meet
ings have been held in public places, at
which physicians have given free lectures
on simple, practical methods OF home
sanitation. In order to give every child
the best possible conditions at the be-
ginning of it's life the Congress of Moth
ers. with the aid Of various afhliated
examinations is endeavosing to provide
q trained nurse for the mother of every
newborn baby. The number of children
under one year Of age who died last year
was over 315. coo. knowing that many OF
these little ones died from the ignorance
Of their mothers led the Congress OF
Mothers to establish a special crusade
in this direction.
In most Of the large cities branches of
the Congress Of Mothers afiiliate act
lively with the
Branches in Cities board of health,
Doing Good Work. associ atoms,
the board Of education and the Asso-
ciated Charities. The unity Of forces
secures many advantages. In connec-
ton with the subject OF health the