New-York tribune., 1912-01-29
OPPOSES CHILD BUREAU
J. D. Lindsay Says Bill Before
U.S.. Senate Is Unnecessary.
WOULD LEAD TO DISC0RD
Declares Federal Measure Would
Seriously Hamper Work of So
cieties in Various States.

with the bill providing for the estab.
iishment of a chidrens bureau in the
Department of Commerce and Labor as
introduced in the Senate by Senator Borlh,
M Idaho. about to come up for final PAS
sage in the Senate. the cry of those who
have opposed IL is heard louder ;han over.
While in the opinion Of those who have
become most deeply interested IN the
measure # is expected 20 exercise a most
beneficial influence toward doing away
with the exploitation of child labor IL
those sections Of the country where # Sc
stin permitted by law, strong objection IS
taken to tho measure by certain prominent
philanthropists. particularly those who
have to do with some Of the societies for
the prevention of cruelty TO children.
II appears that the opposition is based
mainly on the grounds Of interference with
state rights by the federal government in
the passage of such a measure; that
bureau the principal function Of which s.
I, investigate conditions and collect "ohd'
statistics is sUpernous because the work
could be done just as well by the Cersus
Bureau and that generally. the establish
nent Of such a bureau would seriously in'
rair the work Of the various societies
That is the position taken by John =
Lindsay, president Of the New York So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty tc
children. Elhrdge r. Gerry. the founder
% that society, and others. Mr. Lindsay
las drawn an exhaustive brief iu opposi-
ton to the bill in which he SAYS. in part:
TIE movement for the creation Of a fed
eral chidrcu's bureau first took dennlt"
form In 1902. when bill was introduced IN
. the American Humane Association
Before Each Succeeding Congress.
When that great and justly influential
crganization. which is composed OF 692 of
the Leading auti-Cruelty societies thiouSi!-
out the country, abandoned the plan. as IL
speedily did. the subject was taken up ny
the sociological workers oi the country.
whose untiriuG energies have hrouEht ~
Vigorously. though uusucceSsiuIly, 10 the
attention Of each succeeding congress o.,
-- The present bill. which is not essentially
diffCrent from its predecessors. proposes 10
A9tHiblsh a bureau To investigate ana re-
Init upon all matters pertaining To. lN'
welfare Of children and child litc. ana oS-
YrciaIv 10 investigate the question of IN
fant mortality. the birth rate, orpA"haN'
5uyenilC courts. deSeTtiOn. dangerous occu-
Iatious accidents and diseases Of chldIel
omploymont. legislation aneCtnS tMldr"n
i'm the several states and territories. ana
fhe welfare of children" The bill further
provides that the chief of the bureau lntt
from time to time puhlsh tht irStm' o'
1besc iuycstigatiOus The bureau VIII r.
ouirc a total initial appropriation OF $l'N"
Although the committee on education aHI an;
labor recommends The passage OF me 3ld
for other reasons, its real ana IUhld-
mental purpose, according TO the brlet Sud
mittcd by the National Child Labor noTi-
rrittee. which drafted the present mn !.
aiif secure goVcrnmental service lot lut
collection Of statistics by ,inquisiuonal
methods ana me S,lhS lueIl laSt - ma Cur
- ra,oa rn,l, 20 nri,ato rbiIanthropic and So
Sio1o"i,al endeayor. and 60 arouse the
corrective power OF public sentm nj 80
The advocates 9i ",l,. -" tId cr;fd .,.i,e vii.
cure o,,rd i,,'a' IN s,rnTn Of men Ito gather ~
an the valuable information that Is beng ,,l'
lrouCht ont in the sciCnIlng, III 'cILHGTer