The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-30

O 7ANY of the clubs of the city IN\MI have discussed the Mothers JlNLl Civic Responsibility" recently,
 and the following excellent paper was read at a meeting of the Mothers club at Woodlawn by Mrs William Lee Roueche. It will be read with keen interest by those who are in terested in the subject.
 The world war more, than anything i, else has taught mothers their responsi- \ bilities as citizen. It has shown us -Four greatest virtues and our chief 4 shortcomings.
 There is a great rejuvenation of every vital interest in American life. The home should reap the benefit of this new enthusiasm more than any other institution. This is where mothers civic responsibility comes into play. There are regulations that seemingly belong more to the woman's mind than to a mans. Who should be the most in- terested in the milk supply? Who would know best the garbage situation? Which parent is most familiar with school? All of these propositions point directly or indirectly to the child Men, of course, are interested in the physical, mental and moral develop ment of their children, and they prom ise their support and their help, but they let things that seemed to them to be more important and more weighty overlap them.
 Every one realizes that the chief eff fort of the nation in the future must be to conserve and foster child life and promote child welfare. It is heard on every side now that the advancement of the nation depends upon the care ana culture of our children.
 Women are now beginning to feel 1t their civic duty to come from the realms of their fireside to plead for these regulations that are vitally im- portant to their homes, their cities and their nation. Men who had only a meagre interest in such measures are beginning to wake up and to realize that the women are commencing to pull together and to demand that their in tereSts be seriously considered in the framing of rules and laws that are to regulate our daily life. Women should be united in every community that they may act together in securing leg islation for the betterment of our cities and state. There are now several or ganizations that are devoted to such. We have woman's suffrage, mothers clubs, housewives league, and others.
 l feel that child welfare is what we in this club most interested. It is reasonable to say that most of the fac tors that affect child welfare are of public or civic character. A mother cannot promote the welfare exclusively of her children best by keeping within the bounds of home Many mothers complain that they have sacrificed ev- erything at home for her children, and still they have fallen short of her eX- pectations. Why? Because at least half of our children's lives today is spent outside of the home. The influences of the street, school and moving pictures n1a prevent it.
 There are numerous reforms affect ing our children and our home, and last, our country, which must be the next few years. There should be health regulations, pure food regula- tions, amusement regulations.
 l. As to health regulations, expert medical examinations, and public clin- ics and nurses to carry out the recom- s mendations.
 9 As to food regulations, there should and I believe there are some, but under stand these are inadequate. Our milk supply should be better analysed and re- ported upon.
 5. Clean and moral amusements should be provided for the children, such as (censored) moving picture shows, super vised playgrounds, gy1nnasums, reading rooms, etc.
 When mothers see that all or part of these plans carried out they will be able to give to the world, true loyal, honest, healthy, and just citizens. Then we will known and realize that we have performed to the best of our abilities Our Civic Responsibility.