The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-05

We'll deserve it.
 This quotation from Addison may need to be taken for the motto of the welfare work for women and chil- dren of the D. A. R. for while it is impossible to command conditions, yet we can so strive to attain a better ment of these as to at least desire success
 The chairman of your committee has written 150 letters and cards to the 26 chapters, receiving from most of these replies showing interest and willingness to cooperate.
 The following subjects were sent out by your state chairman with the re- quest that some of them be placed in the year book for special study: How to prepare a well balanced meal Psy- chology of the child. laws affecting women and children in Alabama, wei fare work of women and children
 Many of the chapters heartily adopt ed these suggestions and are studying welfare work this year
 Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Hunts vile report having obtained weekly half holiday for the clerks during the summer Many local chairmen have reported that they have visited the stores and find that seats are pro- vided for the clerks during the sum- iiitl- i'ii liiil $ ldlil TepOFlS Ter CeHc- ment houses in splendid condition quoting verbatim: .They have most exalted idea of their rights as ten ants, for they manage to have all the rents that they pay put back into the houses for repairs" Instead of com pil1ng reports from the local chair man, I would like to read each re- port so that this conference could see the real interest manifested in the well fare work for women and children, but l must proceed to my legislative story.
 l. As to the birth registration law in Alabama. Both pr. Owen and Dr. Sanders informed me that the birth registration law in Alabama is ample for all practical purposes but the state health department says these laws are not adequately enforced Your chairman has secured the consent of a state senator in introducing and fol- lowing up birth registration bill but it seems impossible to ascertain what constituted an adequate bill in the judgment of the United States authori- ties; and the information came to me so late during the session of the leg islature that it was useless for prac- tical purposes. The state health de- partment insists that the most neces- sary thing is to create a public senti- ment in favor of the enforcement of the present laws.
 2. The legislature gave several coun- ties in the state, through their boards of commissioners. the right to employ an "all-time health officer" Walker county has already availed herself of this right. Madison county has made provision for the salary, but has not yet selected the man. Among the duties of this officer will be the medical in spection of schools.
 I would urge every one of you to f1,, oh, Nffi oso iv, county.
 3. compulsory educational bill was also passed for children from to 15 years, inclusive, compelling attendance at school at least 80 days per year. The county or city boards of educa- ton can reduce this to 60 days in in dividual cases. The state illiteracy commission has been appointed by the governor, whose duties shall be to en- deavor to remove illiteracy from our state. The state committee has ap- pointed subcommittee in each county. This is a most commendable work and should have our hearty indorsement. .
 A. There were few changes in the child labor law save that the scope of the bill was broadened. It no longer ap- plies simply to cotton mills, but to ern- ployment in every business enterprise except agriculture.
 5. There was no law passed for giving portion of the convict's wages to his family, but a law widely affecting women and children was enacted. This law pro- vides that if a husband refuses to sup port his wife and children under IS years of age, he shall be sentenced to labor. and 50 cents per day of his labor be given for the support of such children.
 6. No appropriation was made for the elimination of tuberculosis in our state, but a cornmisson was formed, appointed by the governor, to investigate this white plague and to disseminate information