The broad ax., 1912-12-28
ny N. BARNETT DoDSoSL


tien Of Child Life.
By N. BARNETT DODSoN
New York.-Under the auspices Of
the people Of the neighborhood Of Sam
Juan hill In this city, with the coop
Grafton Of the New York child welfare
committee, an exhibit on health was
given In the rooms OF the Henrietta
school in West sixtysthtrd street from
Thursday, Dec. u, to Wednesday, Dec.
IS inclusive. The exhibit presented
In a clear and vivid manner how par
ents may more inteiigently feed,
clothe and care for their children.
Admission to the exhibit, which was
held every afternoon and evening, was
free to all. Health talks were given
at each session by prominent physi-
clans. Doctors and nurses were In
constant attendance TO give informa-
ton and advice to parents and others
who have the care OF children. Pam
phlets OF instruction on health were
furnished free and in abundance.
The program was arranged so as 70
allow twenty minutes for entertain
ment, twenty minutes for health talks
and one hpCr for visiting the various
exhibits each day and evening. The
problem as how best to Danish ignO-
rance and prevent that carelessness
which blights so many young lives Is
one which has long called for serious
attention. The plan OF action for the
exhibit had the cooperation OF physi-
clans, clergymen, teachers, settlement
workers and business men and wo-
men, through whose efforts the exhibit
was prepared
Two generations ago the nelghbor-
hood Of West Sixtieth street and Am
sterdam avenue was known as Mount
Eagle, with gardens and cultivated
fields throughout the district. This
same territory has undergone a COM
plete transformation within recent
years and is now inhabited by at least
1,5O0 colored people, not to mention
the thousands OF white persons Of diff
ferent nationalities.
The new name, San Juan bill, was
given to this neighborhood shortly
after the gallant charge OF the colored
soldiers up San Juan hill during the
Spanish-American war in 1898 It is
q most encouraging sign OF real con-
struction work to note the interest
which the people generally manifested
in the exhibit which, besides being
highly educational, afforded an oppor-
tunity for personal contact Of those for
whom it was especially given.
Two Of the largest and most inhuen-
tial organizations at work for the anne
Iteration Of the problems OF discrimina-
ton on account Of color and for proper
housing and sanitary conditions among
Afro-Americans gave hearty co-opera-
ton in making the affair q success
namely; the National Association For
the Advancement Of CoIored People |
and the National League on Urban |
Conditions
Something Of the public interest man
Tested In the Child Welfare orEaniza-
don on the part Of persons Of large re-
sponsibility may be cleaned by a look !
at the names Of those who were at the |
head Of the various committees. For
instance, DR.. W. z. Burgardt Du Bots |
was chairman Of the executive COM
mittee, Miss n. T. Emerson chairman
Of the neighborhood needs committee,
3. K Jones chairman Of the exhibit
committee, DR.. A. s. Reed chairman Of |
the committee on health talks, Miss z. |
G. Burleigh chairman Of tae committee
ON music and entertainments, Mrs. E. |
E. Greene chairman Of the committee
On explainers, Miss Kate Kaufman
chairman Of the literature committee, |
@. O. Allison. Jr., chairman Of the CON-
mtttee on publicity, and the Rev. Vic
tor G. Finn was chairman Of the /
finance committee.
The committee Of arrangements was |
composed Of Miss L A. Morgan, en-
christ Stewart, Miss II. 7. Emerson,
Eugene x. Jones, DR.. A. s. Reed, Miss |
Eva G. Burleigh. Mrs. E .. Greene,
Miss Kate Kaufman, Charles o. AM |
son, Jr, Rev. Victor q. Finn. Matthew |
P. Adams, DR.. Addison W. Baird, Rev.
William n. Brooks, Miss L. Russell, |
Thomas J. Ben, Mrs. n. 8. Collins, Mas
a. Conklin. Nathaniel B. Dodson, Miss
B. Gannett Rev. ". p. Hayes. Jr.,
Rev. J. Wesley Johnson, Dr. P. A.
johnson. Rev. Thomas n. O'Keefe, Rev.
George 81. Sims, Miss n. L Stewart |
Mss Kats Walsh. Mrs. A Dwight |
Charles =. PoWIison and Frank O. !
MJers.
The exhibit has caused an aVaksn-
ing among tie masses Of the people IN /
TIE san Juan section Of the city, which /
b sure to result IN the promotion Of !
better home life among those VINO wit |
messed the series q exhibits flustraf- |
1nS the various problems Of child vel |
11rs ana home culture TIA lesson Of !
cooperation was also most ensctivsly /
eesdsy seksols aIsss IN oIss Cove