New Britain herald., 1918-06-13

to the creation of state and county welfare boards. The suggested plan called for the consolidation of all so- cial work done by the county in one departm ent with a superintendent and adequate staff. Contemplated activities outlined were outdoor relief, parole and probation work for adults and juveniles, after care of the insane, employment finding, and child plac- ing.
 This plan unifies and systematizes the social betterment work of each county MT. Halbert continued. Tt provides a local agency which may come closely in touch with the unfor- tunate and their problems, which state agencies heretofore have dealt with from a distance. It would make it possible to have at least one skilled social worker in every county!"
 ''The functions which the depart ment of the Interior has assumed justify it's being called the National Public Welfare department, since it deals with Indian affairs, national parks, forest reserves, soldiers pen sions, the reclamation service and education.
 'The small group of people re- sponsible for the formulation and de velopment of the first welfare board and of the National Welfare league, have taken the ideals of social work seriously and have undertaken to make a program to realize these ideals.
 ''They have acted upon the faith that the purposes of social work can be fulfilled and their accomplishment i- T l,,,fo toc gram is based on the idea that so- cial science and social invention can revolutionize society. It accepts no misery as inevitable and no wrong as irrem ediable.
 Reconstruction Work for Soldiers.
 Reconstruction work for returned soldiers has already begun. We are seeking to make the soldiers home unnecessary, said Major Richard H. Hutchings of the United States Medi- cal corps Already wounded men are receiving a line of treatment fur nished for those who are prostrated by shell shock Hospital care for shattered nervous system is later fol- lowed by carefully planned recon structive treatment. The man is given an occupation which he can endure. The occupation will be production. Time and the treatment of physicians will restore the man who otherwise would have been useless to health and livelihood. An important fea- ture is provision for hospital treat ment for the broken soldier near his home and relatives, in his own state, if possible.
 Regarding the morale of our men in service. reports are most encour- aging. Since the war began there is much less 1llegitimacy than was eX- pected. A greater problem is that of the early marriages. When we re- alize that in Georgia the age of con- sent is ten years and in Alabama from nine to eighteen years. there is little hope of immediate results ,ln- til these laws are changed When the public will arise and give voice early marriages-there much will be accomplished.
 "Where in years past the army and navy were supposed to abound in Venereal disease the fact now stands that the proportion of this disease is greater in civilian than in military life. Our mems slogan is fit to fight. Because of their splendid training, their lectures, movies and literature which are compulsory, our country is turning out the cleanest army that e"er went forth.
 'Dr. Catherine Bement Davis says that whereas in malaria We eradicate the swamp, in venereal disease the swamp is prostitution and prostitu-