The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-04-02

edge.
feel sure club women will bear
with me long enough to hear out
lined few OF the reforms that come
within the range of club work, and
the mention Of conditions that unless
changed for better must work disas-
ter in degree to the social and re-
ligious life Of the nation, even threat
ening political purity, and a better
citizenship.
~ Better Babies.
The first In Importance to be mem
toned is the more or less national
movement for better care Of infants,
which has ripened into a concentrat-
ed effort for a week Of special effort,
to be called "Baby Week. The chill
dren's bureau Of the United States
Home Economics and Public Health
departments Of the general federation
OF woman's clubs have set apart the
week beginning March 4. 1916, for this
campaign, and they desire and need
the individual and collective help Of
every club woman, and every club in
the country in order to make 1t sig
nal success, and 1t is my hope that
West Virginia clubs will be foremost
In this very important movement. Am
pie statistics have been tabulated and
published by the government in re-
gard to infant mortality and the vari-
Gus phases in the case Of young chill
dren that should be in the hands Of
every club woman. and can be pro-
cured without expense.
Next in Importance is better and
more practical system Of education
in our public schools. 1t is common
knowledge that large majority Of
pupils leave the public schools after
finishing the eight grades, in order to
earn a living for themselves and
others. To these It is important that
the grade studies should be as prac-
teal as possible. To this end, voca-
tional study and guidance should be
introduced in the grades very early
and remain prominent to the end.
Practical handicraft can be taught at
an early age, which coupled with
proper mental training must be the
mainstay of those who go so early
into the battle Of life. !.
OF similar importance is the physi-
cal training of the great army Of
school children, the value Of which so
far has been very much under rated.
The mature health OF the woman is
| vitality affected by the physical life Of
the school girl. AS the boy Is the
future bulwark Of the nation, both in
defense and extension, 1t is import
ont that hio frojn{,,o, hn such a {o AZ
him for military proficiency, and In
still jealous regard for the honor Of
his home and his country. 81
- Immigration Problem.
The problem Of the .aimmigrant"
presses hard upon the country. And
to the women Of America 1t comes as
a great duty and special privilege,
for no distinctly national problem at
fects the ultimate home life so nearly
as the assimilation Of the great hordes
Of Europeans landing daily at our
ports. Teaching the immigrant the
Requirements as well as the rights Of
American citizenship. He comes to
us, poor in mental development as
we'll as in purse, with narrow preju-
dices and fantastic ideas Of. govern
ment. To become a safe. American
citizen, he must. :be helped into ave-
mites OF profitable employment.
schoo1ed in the rights and duties, of an
American: citizen. and urged after care
full preparation torbe naturalized, and
become living unit Of the republic.
This can best be accomplished through
lectures especially conducted night
schools, and frequent assembly in
civic icenters. For these things our
public school buildings are we'll adopt
ed. It is for us to inaugurate these
movements. and support them by that
personal interest which Is necessary
Ito bring success in all social reforms.
With the child OF the immigrant we
are also deeply concerned. 1t must
not only receive a cordial welcome
into the schools Of the land. but re-
ceive the special training. both phys
ical and mental. that will at It for
the Industrial life Of which, It must
he largely a factor and engender in
it love of country and ability and
Willingness to defend It. For these