The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-05
WORK Of THE CH|lDREN'S
DEPARTMENT BUREAU
Evolve New Standards Concern
Concerning Children.

Seven years ago the children's bu-
reau of the United States department
OF labor was created by act Of con-
gress II was charged with the duty
Of investigating and reporting on "all
matters pertaining to children and
child life among all classes of the peo-
ple,'' and directed to study certain
specific questions such as infant NOR
tality. Juvenile courts, dangerous occu-
equations. accidents and diseases of
children. employment. and other mat
ters Attracting children.
In fulfillment OF the duties assigned
ii, the bureau, since it's beginning, has
conducted various Investigations and
inquiries. the results Of which have
been published in a series of about
Atty report issued under such group
headings as the Care OF Children. De-
pendent. Def tive. Delinquent
Glasses; Infant Mortality: Industrial.
Legal: and Children's Year The coll
lection and distribution of misccllane-
Que information regarding child well
fare activities In this and other coun-
tries. the preparation of publications
giving directions for the inauguration
OF local child welfare work in various
centery OF population and the issuance
OF directions for testing birth registra-
ton are among the additional activi-
ties undertaken by the bureau
The Childrens year campaign con-
Quoted during 1S1s19, in co-opera-
ton with the child conservation sec
tion OF the council of national defense
set forth a program for the protection
of children embracing public protec-
ton OF maternity and infancy: moth
ers care for older children. enforce
ment OF all child labor laws and fun
schooling OF all children and youth
abundant. decent, protected from ev-
cry form OF exploitation" The car.
ryiny out OF this program together
with that OF the bureaus baby
weeks Of 1851. stirred up in
creasesed interest in matters connected
with child welfare in all parts of the
United States.
AS elimination Of the children's
year campaign, n conference on child
welfare standards was held In Wash
ington during the week Of May &. un-
der the auspices OF the children's bu-
reau. A number Of foreign guests.
who had been Identified with work
for children IN European countries
during the war. and small working
committee Of American experts were
present at this conference at the invi-
tation OF the secretary of labor.
The purpose Of the conference as
outlined by MISS luna I.atnrop was
tow-fold First. IT was felt that the
chfldren's bureau, as part Of the de-
partment OF labor---a department con-
cerned fundamentally with the prob
lens of human welfare as exemplffied
in the great mass of the working peo-
pie of America which It represents
had the responsibility of bringing to-
eether and co-ordinating opinion con-
corning the welfare of children In
the United States. IT was hoped that
the standards evolved by the confer
ence might adequately represent that
opinion. Second. the conference seem
ed the most direct way of fulfilling the
aim OF children's year, as expressed by
the president, to set up certain ire
ducible minimum standards for the
health. education. and work OF the
American child Such standards. It
was felt. should he considered not as
goal. but, as a suggested point Of
departure"