Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-29
WIDOWS PENSION
i LAW IS FAvORED
State Charity Organizations
Through Representatives
Pledge Support.

A cordial attitude toward the au-
thorities in administration of the
mothers pension law was adopted by
representatives of the charity or
ganization societies of the State,
gathered in conference at the Social
Service building yesterday after
noon.
AS most of the societies have been
carrying a number Of pension cases.
the meeting was held to discuss the
new situation arising from the pen
sion law which goes into effect
July 4. Among the points brought
out in discussing whether families.
now in care of the various societies
should be turned over to the Stale
Board OF Childrens Guardians were
these, that many mothers of depend
ent children now being helped are
not widows. and, therefore, cannot
be helped by the State under the
present law. and that the amount
allowed by the State is Inadequate,
and additional aid will be needed.
A. w MeDongal, superintendent
of the Bureau of Associated Chart
ties, opened the discussion with
general presentation of conditions.
He said in part:
whatever may be our opinion as
to the wisdom of widows pensions
out of public funds, the step is taken
in New Jersey, and we are now fac
ing the fact. Two lines of policy are
open to us One-We may be UNI
friendly onlookers gathering facts
that will help us to move for the re-
peal of the law at the next session
of the Legislature, or two-We may
accept this step in State policy as
final and set about devising means to
safeguard Its beneficiaries and to
avoid the harmful tendencies that we
know are SO possible under such an
act.
'-'rhe act distinctly states that it is
TO promote home life for dependent
children. Is the State Board Of
Children's Guardians adequately
equipped to investigate and select the
families that are to be benefited and
to effectively supervise these faml-
lies after they are in receipt OF the
relief provided by the act. Shall. we,
who are executive officers of the
charity organization societies, whose
primary purpose is the rehabilitation
of dependent families and the promo
ton of self help. offer our assistance
to the State Board of Children's
Guardians in this work of supervi-
sion and will our State Board of
Children's Guardians want and In
wife such assistance?"
Those Who Spoke In Debate.
The discussion was taken part in
by C. L. Stonaker secretary of the
State Charities Aid and Prison Re-
form Association, who gave an out
line of the law and told of the plans
of the State Board of Children's
Guardians to meet its added respon-
sibilities, including the addition Of
two trained workers to its force.
Other speakers were Miss Nellie
Schwartz, of Elizabeth: Walter w.
whitson, Orange: Miss Mabelle Phil
lips, Plainfield: J. B. Gwin, Paterson,
and Mrs C. V. Grant. of the local
bureau.
A resolution declaring for cordial
cooperation in the administration of
the law and agreeing that the So
cieties should offer their assistance TO
the judges of their respective coun-
ties was adopted Mr.. McDougall,
Miss Phillips and Mr. Gwin were APP
pointed committee to draw up reso-
buttons to this effect with plan by
which societies could cooperate, and
to send copies to each of the State
charity organization societies.