Evening journal., 1918-02-22
STUDY CHILDREN
Wiki Wiki III \ DELHHHRt
Next Legislature to be Asked
TO Create Code
Commission
SEE NO NEED OF ANY
MORE ORGANIZATIONS

WONE OROt1AN'A<'A
AT child-welfare meeting Of unusual
importance at St. Andrews parish
house yesterday afternoon steps Were
taken looking toward the creation Of
a Children's Code Commission, the pui-
nose of which Is to study thoroughly
ihe needs Of children throughout Dela-
ware and to draw up a well-Daianceu
sci Of bills in their behalf for prcsents-
fion at the session OF the Legislature ID
1919 AS Governor ! townsend has al
ready expressed his approval, lhe ap-
uoinimeui Of a Children's Code Com
mission seems likely.
The meeting was called by The Chill
drens Bureau of Delaware and an al
xisory survey Committee to hear the
report OF c. Spencer Richardson, OF
the Russell Sage Foundation, upon o
study OF Delaware children's work,
which he had made al their request
pnd to take action regarding MS recon-
mendations.
The run report. which describes the
nurpose. plan. and activities Of the
different organizations and gives sug-
gestions for the Improvement OF their
work and also for a Statewide chill
dren's program, is now being printed
for general distribution.
Mr.. Richardson said in part There
appears TO be no need OF additional
o. eanizatons IN Delaware to care Tor
the dependent. delinquent and defec-
tive children. The IS existing organi-
cations represent the different kinds
required. The present need Is to
strengthen, extend and unite the eX-
isting agencies. There are three groups
Of colored children which are not now
cared for: Delinquent colored girls,
babies under three years OF age, and
babies OF unmarried mothers; but In
each case Il would be possible to pro-
vide care by an extension Of the work
OF existing organizations.
.grhe Wilmington Juvenile Court dur
ing the six years Of It's existence has
amply justified Itself II has had to
meet serious difficulties IN the form
Of unframed and too few workers. who
have received meagre pay or no pay at
all. and also OF a certain amount OF
prejudice against q separate court for
children. Today, however, the juve-
nile Court. thanks to the devotion Of
its workers and to the efficient aid
rendered by the Wilmington Juvenile
Court and Probation Association, has
an assured standing In the State We
recommend that the Juvenile Court
system be extended throughout Dela-
ware. that II be under one Judge who
shall be paid a suitable salary and
that 1t be given jurisdiction over adults
In non-support and conTibutory de-
llnquency cases.
''The placing-out Of dependent chill
dren In private foster homes In this
country was begun by the New Yorl
Children's Aid Society about 65 year.
ago The movement has spread rapid,
until now nearly every State has oni
or more public or private placing-ou
agencies. and many Of the agencies have
developed high standards Of work
Placing-out has established itself as a
leading method of child care.
"Placing-0ut of Delaware children Is
being conducted by ten local organiza-
tions, only two OF which employ for
the purpose trained agents. The Della
ware Children's Home Society has per-
formed faithful service along this line
but it IS not equipped TO handle an
mend the consolidation Of all placing
out work In Delaware and, to effect
st. a merger OF the Home for Friend
less and Destitute Children and the
Delaware Children's Home Society.
"Co-operatlon is just as essential in
the social work world as It Is 10 the
business world. There is little coop
GRAFTON among the ohildren's organiza-
tions in Delaware: but there Is a very
real appreciation on the part Of many
organizations Of It's need Indeed, this
appreciation gave rise last year 10 the
founding Of the Childrens Bureau OF
Delaware whose purpose Is to co-or-
dinate the work Of the various chill
dren's orgahizations. The Ch.ldren's
Bureau felt that its FIRST necessity was
Tor fuller Information regarding chill
dren's conditions IN the State as q
whole; with the result that this study
was undertaken
I'VE recommend tht the Children:
Bureau Of Delaware enlarge its worl
SO as to perform for the organization
for dependent. delinquent and defective
children throughout the State prelim
mary case study OF children lncudin.
Investigation OF family homes. anl
medical and psychological examlna
tious: supervision OF children who hav,
left Institutions preparation Of uniform
records: conducting Of conferences 70
the Institutions; and the use Of a Con
fdential Exchange giving for common
benefit helpful information regardin.
families.
"The need for proper care OF thl