The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-01
SOCIETY AND HOME TOPICS FOR WOMEN
Mr. R. E. L. Neil, Secretary Slate Orphans Board, Has
 Interesting Things to Say About Worthy Enterprise
Ny DOLLY DALHYMPLE

from MT. R. D. l.. Nell, secretary state orphans board great council of Ala bama, Improved Order of Red Men, he sets forth some interesting facts regard ing a very worthy and very commendable enterprise, in which he is largely con- cerned, and to which he is giving his earnest attention and untiring energy in the establishment of in the state of Ala bama.
 The letter is instigated by the appear ance of the "second annual report of the committee on widowed mothers pensions and child welfare and among other things MT. Neil says:
 q am sending you under separate cover a report of the special committee on widowed mothers pensions" of the great council of the United States, Inn proved Order of Red Men. l feel sure you will find in it subject which carries with it a great incentive. There is an ef- fort to be made when the Alabama legis- isture reconvenes in July to have passed tor this state measure similar to that recently adopted in New York and al- ready in force in g states in the union. The Alabama great council of Red Men dl ilS iiCStiib idot ludy HI DCtatui dP- pointed a committee to bring the matter to the attention of the Alabama legisla- ture. The committee consists of myself as chairman, J. T. Letcher and s. H. Saul. Mrs. Hardeman, president of the Alabama Mothers congress, has assured us of her aid and a special committee. Dr. Thomas NJ. Owen of the state archives department is helping in every way and a number of members of the legislature ha axr int a helping hand will find it labdr well ex- pended and I feel sure crown the effort with success Pardon the length this letter promises to assume, but my zeal for the unfortunate little ones bereft of their natural protector cringing from separation of brother and sister and mother by the insttut;ons bleak walls, must speak my excuse. The plan of not a single orphans home, but home for every orphan was inaugurated by the Improved Order of Red Men about IA years ago. Under it the indigent child of a deceased brother is maintained in the home of the mother, the latter not having to give up the flesh of her flesh and being saved in many instances from an alternative fate worse than death. In Alabama the state orphans board of the order is caring for 32 half and two full orphans. On April warrants were sent out to II tribes to assist in the care of these little ones, the amount small, of course, being $332, but it no doubt made many mothers eye brighter and heart lighter.
 Alabama is making strides in fostering and conserving it's resources when it comes to it's game and fish. its-forests and farms, it's cattle and hogs, it's commerce and it's mines, but is doing nothing to turn into an immeasurable asset the liability-"the children of today who will be the fathers and mothers of tomor- row."
 My own notion is to provide for "wid- owed mothers pension" or "child welfare boards in each county of the state, the governor to appoint three, the county commissioners two and the city commis- sicners or council two from each city of 5000 population or over. These boards to be composed of both men and women. The funds will be appropriated by coun- ries and cities and disbursed only to needy children of deceased fathers deserters of the family. Full orphans, of course, would be included and would be cared for in the homes of nearest of kin. The de- tails easily be worked out. whereby Alabama may not lag behind in the march of progress and enlightenment"
 Mir Neirs letter is a stirring appeal to the people of this great commonwealth to cooperate Tn an enterprise Whlcn should interest and does every man, wom- an and child in the state.
 In the Second Annual Report of the Committee on widowed mothers pensions and child welfare which was transmit ted to the great council of the United States Improved Order of Red Men at it's great sun 'councl in the hunting grounds of Portland reservation of Maine. on the seventeenth sun of corn moon, c. s. D. 42S September 1T, 1914, the following is the keynote to the situation:
 Chiefs and brothers. do you ask Is the Improved Order of Red Men accom- plishing anything worth while through the operation of it's orphans fund.-?
 At the recent great sun council of the reservation of New York, held at Clean, through the praiseworthy thoughtfulness of the local chairman, Past Sachem Charles H. Rafferty, at the public meet ing at which members of the order and palefaces participated, an impressive and Illuminating innovation to the regular programme occurred by the unexpected in- troduction of five bright, happy, well nur-