Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-03
PENSION LAW is
PROVING A HELP
To THE MOTHERS
Mrs. Carrie o'Connor, Chief
Probation Officer Submits
Interesting Report.
MANY ARE RECEIVING AID
Total Number Of Applications Is 2e-
Most of Them Are From
Moline

MIS-. Carrie O'COnnOr, chief proba-
ton officer of Rock Island county, con-
tributes the following interesting re-
port relative TO the mothers pension
law and it's operation:
The mothers pension law was en-
forced the first time in September,
1912, but originally the provisions of
this act were too often misconstrued
TO cover cases not intended TO come
under its Jurisdiction: therefore more
rigid amendments and radical changes
were made IN July, 1913.
This law is virtually a child's pen
sion, for By its stipulations a certain
amount of money is allowed the moth
CT for the maintenance of each child
according TO its classification.
A brief summary OF the important
changes made in this law is given be
low:
The age limit is now II years in
stead Of 1G.
Mothers shall not receive such re-
lief who own real or personal property
other than household goods; and must
have resided in this county three years
previous to application. She shall not
receive aid If her children have re,a-
tives able to support them.
Duty of Officer.
II is the duty OF the chief probation
officer to investigate all applications,
TO visit, and also supervise the expen-
ditures when they are properly made.
The Law does not make any provision
for desertion and abandonment cases.
Should the fund herein authorized be
sufficient 10 permit an allowance TO
only part Of the mothers coming
within the provisions Of this act. the
court shall select, in its discretion,
those in most urgent need OF such al
lCwance
Any person or persons frnudulently
attempting to obtain or fraudulently
obtaining any allowance FOR relief un-
der this act shall be deemed guilty of
misdemeanor and on conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine of
not less than five dollars nor more
than 500. or Imprisoned in the coun-
y jail for a period OF not to exceed
six months. or both
Report OF Expenditures.
From Sept l.. 1912. 70 Dec. !. 1913
Total number OF applications .. 20
Applications not recommended 90. ,
Number Of families receiving aid. 20
males. 80; females. 3Oj Total 63
Ages OF children froI 1 to Il years.
Inclusive. Residence and number OF
applicants follow:
Moline. Observation-Disclosures. s
Rock Island NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. z
Coal Valley NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. >
Milan. Neutrality-suspicious.. 1
Buffalo Prairie Observation-Disclosures. i
East Moline Observation-Disclosures. 1
Widows 10. desertions :. father in
capacitated l.
Nauonalities: Americans :. swed-
ish S. Germans ,. Irish 1. Jewish /
Smallest amount allowed each child.
81: largest. Sc. smallest amount per
month 20 family. 50; largest. S25. total
amount per month expended TO date
S254: total amount expended to cate.
S2,O37. at present rating, per year,
S2.SOS
There are five applications TO be
added this month and Judge Bell is
anxious that the mothers receive this
before the latter part OF the month
in order TO add Christmas cheer.
Withhold Judgment.
Before the mothers pension law is
dIsapprovd by the public IL should be
most carefully considered and weigh
cd pro and con. as II has been en-
dorsed by countless men and women
who are devoting thetr life and
entire time To the uplifting OF human
ity and general public welfare. OF
course the pension law itself must pass
through many changes until il is per
fected. in order 10 be adapted 10 all
conditions and situation which will
arise; but until such time of perfec-
ton by a judicious and thorough in
vestigation OF the worthy cases. much
can be done 20 strengthen the home
conditions. which will mean the prop
er education and rearing OF the chill /
dren who are 70 become our future |
citizens and time will tell il il is able /
20 prevent the causes OF poverty.
misunderstanding Redheld OF
the department OF commerce and Jo- I