Williams news., 1914-01-22
Concerning Mothers Pensions

 providing a pension for the widowed mother upon whose shoulders falls the necessity of providing for her children. In those countries when the father dies or deserts his fam ily, the family falls heir to no such humiliation or privation as is the common heritage in such cases in America. Such unfortunate or phans in those countries still have fair chance alongside other child ren. Here, we must confess, the orphan is placed under sore dis advantage.
 A case has recently come to the attention of the editor here in Will jams. The father is deserter, we are credibly informed. From what cause, we do not know, nor does it | matter much in this case, since there seems to be no law at present to meet out justice to such men. The mother with a baby of few months to provide for as well as care for , began taking in washings some time ago, in the endeavor to make an honorable living for her self and child. Not being strong woman, this work was hard for her. Probably because of the mothers hard work, the baby soon had to be put on the bottle and he has never thrived on that. Not only has the baby not thrived, but he has been sick much of the time, thus increasing the care and worry thrown upon the mother. What might be expected to be the result?
 What did result was that one day the mother who was behind with her washings due to the baby's S sickness and fussing, and with the baby crying for his mothers care, which he undoubtedly needed under these conditions, the mother lifted tub of water and so strained her back that the county physician ordered her to give up all hard work for some time to come. Moth CTS who have had ailing children can easily understand how this ac- cident should happen. The county has done something offered rent and fuel, but that is not enough. Despite these, a mothers health and happiness, and a boys just chance in the world are being sae ri- . feed.
 There are generous hearts enough in Williams to make up purse for the baby that will help this one worthy woman out of her present difficulties, and the News would be glad to contribute to such a purse, but let us not lose the lesson that this case teaches us.
 From one hand this woman re- ceives aims from the state, from an other she may receive charity from sympathetic neighbors. Humilia. ton is hers, but for the good of hel
 little son, under present conditions
 she should conquer her repugnance
 for receiving aid, and accept what
 may mean life and health to hel child. But we, far from gloryine
 in our charity, should feel chagrin
 at having permitted a needy ano
 worthy woman to suffer so in oul
 midst, and should work to perma'
 nently remove the curse at present
 placed upon widowed mothers anc
 their children. We should take s steps to meet out fair opportunity b and justice to both mother anC n child.
 g Germany has led the way. Ger g many realizes that the mother who s rears a son-or another mother $ to give her country, performs a' a great a service for that nation al
 the man who offers his life tha
 that nation may live. Accordingly Germany pays the widowed mo'he
 as liberal a pension as she pay V her disabled veterans. Motherhood
 is honored. The humiliation is removed. The assistance is ia reaching and effective. The assist l ance is given not as a charity but al as rightfully hers as any insurance