Evening journal., 1914-05-29
$4,000 IS NEEDED
BY service BOARD
Committee Outlines Why
That Amount Is Necessary
in Welfare Work
CAMPAIGN TO GET
AT THE CONDITIONS

The organizing committee Of the
proposed Delaware Society OF Civic
and Social Welfare held a meeting
in its temporary office at the DUPONT
Building yesterday afternoon. There
was an interesting discussion of the
work
Some members of the committee in
talks with friends had been asked a
question of the need for $4,000. This
shows that the people Of the State
have not yet appreciated the thor
oughness and extent of the work
planned and what it means to do the
work right. There is no agency in
the State at present familiar with
the details OF all welfare work and
legislation.
Very few citizens can answer the
question as to just where Delaware
stands in the matter of civic and So
cial progress in its many depart
ments. There is a need of study to be
carried on with thoroughness and
serious purpose. TO make this study
worth while by gathering first hand
and accurate information of condi-
tions within the state and experience
outside of it, will require available
funds. To treat as a whole the inn
provement needed in the state and de-
eide on the relative urgency of special
questions, the General Service Board
must be familiar with the details of
all questions, and reduce them to a
basis for study and presentation to
the public This will mean that quail
flied representatives must devote con-
secutive days to the preparing of data
on many points and that a capable
general secretary conduct investiga-
tions and carry out the work.
Once the study of a question or
questions has been completed and the
society as a whole has voted on a line
of procedure in regard to approved
measures, the efforts Of the board and
general secretary will be devoted to
an educational campaign. The thor
oughness and efficiency of this cam
paign will again depend upon funds
for bringing the necessary informa-
ton before the people of the State in
a telling manner.
In many cases the hard and unsel-
FISH work of small group of people
IN the State has failed or ended in
compromise unsatisfactory to busi-
ness interests and reformers alike.
Had such a General Service Board and
society been in existence to conduct
hearings and prepare an impartial
setting forth OF the situation based
upon thorough and comprehensive
study and investigation, supplement-
ing and backing the efforts OF the
original workers, the history of these
movements might have been more sat
isfactory.
While the educational campaign is
being carried forward by the General
Service Board on any particular APP
proved problem which calls for legisla-
tion, the legislative committee will be
preparing for the final presentation of
the measure before Legislature or
Council employing the outside legal as
sistance necessary. For, by whatever
individual or group of individuals bills
may be presented, legislation itself
which is to fulfil its purpose for the
permanent and effective protection Of
human rights and the preservation Of
the material well-being and resources
Of 2 community must be prepared under
the direction of trained minds
There is no limit to the possible
activities of such permanent body
as the proposed Delaware Society OF
Civic and Social Welfare with its ac-
tive general service board. There are
many questions concerning which il
is not necessary to go to law. Only
an awakened conscience or accurate
knowledge on the part of the public is
suficient to correct many of the minor
evils and unfortunate conditions OF
today.
The committee does not believe that
this General Service Board and Society
will be able to carry through every
measure necessary for the good Of the
State without meeting difficulties ant
DELAYS. but those who have given most
thought to the problem do believe that
the idea. ii sufficient support can b'
secured to work it out properly, i
worth trial, and that the good result
ing from continued concerted effort OF
these broad and thorough-going line
viii more than repay the citizens fol
the expenditure Of the moral and finan
cial support now called for.