Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-10


against her will, repulsive to every fiber
of her mother-love. forced to part with
her own children because she is too poor
to maintain them, No other cause. No
crime!
Thus the children are swallowed up ,in
the pauper, institutional or foster homes,
and mothers are weeping for their chill
dren-"refusng to be comforted because
they are not"
1t costs approximately 81 to house and
board child in an institution for one
week.
That institution frequently farms out
the child with foster mother and pays
hcr-the foster mother-for its keep.
Heretofore more money, energy, time
and attention have been devoted by the
federal and state governments for the
conservation of the streams and forests,
for the protection OF fish and game. for
the treatment of diseases OF the horse,
the COW and the dog. for the care of
epileptics, feeble-mindcd. insane and the
more unfortunate beings totally bereft
Of reason, than has been given to the
willing and waiting, sane and susceptible.
eager and bright little children hungering
and longing for the mother-love and
some one to help until they can help
themselves. and afterward render more
than an equivalent to their benefactors,
to society and the state Now the coun-
try is beginning TO awake to the needs
Of a widowed mothers pension law
Illinois, under the leadership of Henry
Neil OF Chicago. was the first to blaze
the way in 1912, and since then twenty
states have followed. why should Nav
York. the greatest state of all, lag be-
hind?
This bill is now before the Legislature
and If passed will take effect October J.
1915.
1t is not fight against institutional
homes
1t is not a protest against private char
tiles!
1t is a supplemental or comparative
proposition working on harmony and co
operation and not against real charities.
Instead OF giving the child and 81 pc
week or any other sum, to the institution.
localities are empowered at their discre-
! ton TO give the So direct to the mother
and not tear the child away from her
affection-often as It has transpired to
the grevtous disaster OF both mother and
child.
But while we are waiting for the wise
men Of New York state TO pass this bill,
and for IL to go into action, there is an
opportunity TO assist private organiza-
ton banded together for the same pur-
pose. the assistance of widowed mothers
and orphans.
This is the Widowed Mothers Fund
association. This society has strong
names to sustain ii, Mrs. Simon Baruch
AMI Mrs. AIunroe stern being among the
number. 1t has existed six years, and it
has spent S26.OOO. OF this amount $4,000
was used directly in giving relief TO
widowed mothers, 5000 only being en-
ployed in expenses incident to the organ
izatlon.
\ great many of our large charities use
thrce-fourth Of the money they receive
to pay for expensive quarters and to pay
salaries to their officers; therefore. It is
rather unusual to find an association
which can show such statistics as the
Widowed Mothers Fund association
Only those who try to assist the unfor-
tunate women who have been left wild
ows with small children and with no in
come realize the need which exists all
about US.
With all the charities which can be
named there is no one more worthy thar
this association. organized by a few
women who realized the tremendous
amount Of good that could be accom-
plished in this particular field Througr
the efforts ~ this association hundreds
of worthy but destitute mothers and theil
little children have been cared for. This
examination derives its support from tn,
general public by voluntary contribution
and annual membership dues IT.
sphere OF usefulness is limited only 10y
the funds At its disposal. 1t is a WORTHY
organization, and should he maintained
and strengthened