Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-31
WHAT Vt. DOES
FOR UMREGENERA7E
Not Much Yet, but Something,
State Charities Board Is
Informed.

Rutland. Jan. '23.-sixty people at.
tended the opening meeting Of the
two days sessions OF the Vermont con.
ference Of charities ana corrections In
this city to-day. Some Of the best
speakers on social reforms in this part
Of the country were listened to and
the reports by those interested in the
State association indicated that Yer.
mont has made rapid progress in its
associated charities and allied work In
the last year. Governor Graham was
a speaker at the afternoon session. He
showed a deep interest in the work Of
the conference and pointed to the Inn
portance of work which will result in
making good citisens out OF at least
a part Of our criminals.
w. ]. Van Patten Of Burlington.
president Of the association. outlined
the purposes Of the meeting and W. H.
Jeffries Of Montpelier, secretary OF the
board and State probation ofhcer. told
Of work accomplished, particularly
among children. The need Of work
among vermont's criminals was touch.
ed upon by Judge John q. Weeks OF
Middiebury, director OF State institu.
lions.
| H. w. Slocum Of Burlington spoke in
behalf Of the Vermont Society for the
Prevention Of Tuberculosis. explaining
how work Is being done to remove
children from unhealthful environ
ments and to care for those already
exposed to the white plague. The
speakers at the evening session were;
Robert A. Woods, president Of the Bos-
ton Bureau Of the National Conferences
Of Social Work whose topic was 'The
state as a Community" and Robert C.
Dexter Of Montreal. general secretary
of the Charity Organization Society
who spoke on social problems Of war
time.
Probation Onicer Jeffrey, In his address,
cited certain unwholesome social condi-
lions in the State which have been re-
vealed through the charities board inves-
LEGATIONS and which seem to justify the
law creating the board. The inspection
Of poorhouses has revealed some depior-
able conditions. Investigation Of the
housing Of certain degenerate families in
various parts Of Vermont and an account
Of what was found at the baby farms
in Burlington were included in Mr.. JET
frey's address.
VERMONT NOT UNIQUE.
"The conditions which we are finding
in Vermont do not differ materially from
those found throughout New England
and other older settled sections Of the
country" said Mr.. Jeffrey. vermont has
no greater percentage Of degeneracy and
"Reminiscences, no larger number Of
dependent and neglected children than
other rural communities We are simply
uncovering a condition that has long ex.
listed. but which has been recognized and
treated in most Of our sister States
With a wholly inadequate appropriation,
all that can be expected, in addition to
the administration Of the probation de.
partment. IL at the most, careful and
painstaking investigation Of our poor de.
partments; the investigation Of com.
plants and the giving Of temporary re-
lief to as large a number Of dependent
and neglected children as possible. Scien.
tihc handling Of these cases cannot be
accomplished until the State becomes
acquainted with the actual conditions and
meets them with suitable legislation and
an adequate appropriation"
A Mr.. jeffrey reported in detail what
was found in several Of the poorhousei
=. Of the State. Filth and low state OF
morals. shocking living conditions and
feeble-minded parents and children
were the outstanding features Of a
number OF institutions. but there are
isolated "shacks" and other building.
| III vermont which bu0lCcT OF nave 0Hol'
tered most everything miserable anG
undesirable in living conditions.
THE BABY FARM.
Last fall" said Mr.. jeffrey my at.
tention was called to Burlington. In.
vestigation showed that there existed
several places that might be termed
baby farms quote from my repor,
to the board as follows:
| IL "a h~t "a AA{a
lature included as one Of the duties Of
the department Of charities. the inspsc
ton Of poorhouses. Happily the tevu
system has almost disappeared. MI
persons chargeabls with the maintenance
and the care Of those whom the Master
said: The poor - have with YOU
always are coming 70 Q realisation thai
the town cannot give that degree Of care
that humane and proper treatment which
society demands should be given oul
unfortunates. Our small towns have thu
same problems to meet that are found
} in the great cities. the only difference
! being the number. It 10 not unusual te
: find the aged. the epipleptic. the syphilitic
} living under the same roof and associat
ing together.
! Most OF our poorhouses are conducted
as we'll as can reasonably be expected
, under the circumstances and conditions
that have to be met. There 10. however
altogether too large a number where
the chief concern seems to be, How
can we get along with the lease expense
until through the natural law. we car
be relieved Of the burden
I'VE found cheap. plain cottage house
consisting of four small rooms and q
dark bedroom downstairs. In one room
we found nine or ten Of the Il infant,
which this woman had in her care. Sh,
informed US that II Of the 10 were illegi
innate and I should Judge the oldes
one could not be more than IL or "A month,
old. The place was disorderly, unkemp
, ana dirty. The air was foul and tn,
stencil terrific. Some Of the children
were fairly clean. while others shovst
unmistakable signs Of neglect. Whe,
. suggested to her that It must be ,
TASK to care for SO many during tn,
night. she without hesitancy. said: tn,
doctor had left a bottle of medicine ant
that she gave each a little and the,
everything was all right until morning.
Drought this matter before the prone,
CITY omcials and suitable action has beer
taken. Daylight has been let In and thes,
places required to secure a license ant
CONFORM to such rules and regula ton,
as may be prescribed by the health de-
partment. or denied a right to exist.
Said Mr.. jeffrey:
vermont will never solve In satisfac
'ory manner the problem of the demand
ent ana neglected child until II has mad,
aoequate provision by suitable legislat tive
acuon' ana by providing sufIicient huild