Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-14

State Board Of Mothers Aid. In
each town and city the Municipal
Board Of Mothers, Aid, which is the
Board Of Overseers Of the Poor. I'M
less the city or town by vote or or
dinance creates a special board, will
become the Municipal Board Of Chill
drens Guardians.
Secretary James F. Bagley Of
Charities and Corrections. when
asked concerning the operation Of
the new law said:
The duty Of investigating cases Of
neglect and abuse of children and if
necessary. of making complaint to
court Is placed by la First. upon
the municipal boards; second. upon
GERS. generally the latter will be a
woman: and third and last, upon the
State Board.
1t is clearly the intent Of the law
that the work of the State Board
shall be generally supervisory and
perhaps supplementary to the work
of the local officers in cases present.
/,
tons. To carry out the provisions
of this new law and to carry on the
work of the former Mothers Aid law.
the State Board has created a divis-
ion of Mothers Aid and Children's
Guardians, with DR.. Gertrude E.
Hall as supervisor in charge. In this
division we are to employ as many
! field agents as the appropriation for
salaries and travelling expenses will
permit. namely. five. The main Of
flee will be at the State Capitol at
Augusta. Branch Offices are to be
opened at the court house in Port
land and the court house in Bangor.
The count commissioners OF
Cumberland and Penobscot counties
were able to and agreed to furnish
the office rooms in their county
: seats, if the State Board would es-
/ tablish and maintain the branches.
/ 1t was hoped that the same might be
done in Aroostook county. but the
Arcostook commissioners were I'M
| able to provide the room. SO that
county will be managed from the
branch Office in Bangor.
THE law provides that we shall
seek the cooperation and assistance
of children's homes and child vel
fare organizations. This we are very
glad, indeed, to do. 1t also contemp-
lates that conditions involving ne
glect or dependency of children shall
! be taken up with the local authorities.
| In many towns the local authorities
| had had little experience in this
work. We, therefore, hope that
| whenever a case of neglect or de-
tendency cones to the attention OF
Home Finding society. the officials
of such society will so far as their
facilities permit assist the Municipal
t Board where the child is living in
determining what are the facts of
| the case and the best course of pro-
cedure to safeguard the welfare of
the child anC of. the community.
I'VE need not assure anyone that
! it is the belief of this board that the
breaking up of the family and the
| sepa "a ton CT the children from their
relatives should be the last resort;
that case should not be taken to
court until all other resources. both
public and private. have been enlist
ed and have failed to accomplish the
desired end. Should the resources OF
the local community. including priv
ate social welfare agencies. as well
as the Municipal Board. prove made
i quate, then the case may be referred.
! either to the county probation OFF,
| GERS or direct to the State Board.
| II am sending the substance OF
what | am telling you to all the
Home Finding Societies in the State,
as the chance in the law involves
| considerable change in methods OF
procedure heretofore generally fol-
| lowed, that the necessary instruc-
! tions may be given"