Newark post., 1919-07-09


in spite Of the war. Aside from slight revision
in the Income Tax Law, the recent General As
sembly approved the acts and attending con-
sequences of the previous session. The 1919
session maintained and advanced the spirit and
the record. But these laws are but the formal
recognition of the work and thought which pre-
ceded them, and the significance of the advance
in public responsibility since the beginning Of
1917 is this: that it has had it's roots in the will
and inclination of substantial number of the
people at large without regard to any sectional
or partisan lines
During the two years of the war; conditions
unfavorable to the well-being of the State and
its maximum contribution to the nation, were
made vivid.
Child Welfare
Especially prominent was Health Administra-
ton. The serious need of reformation and
advanced legislation in this work was brought
out by the Woman's Committee in its Child Wei
fare Division. The results Of their work cannot
be over-estmated, and the facts obtained by
their investigation and experience startled us
into action.
Health
The health committee of the Council of Defense
undertook program to remove from Delaware
the stigma which was being attached to it bv
Federal departments. A survey Of health ad-
ministration and facilities made imperative
definite and immediate action
Surrey
The Council of Defense was SO impressed with
the survey made of health, that survey of adj
ministrative affairs of State, county and citv
was proposed. BY the generosity of interested
citizens, the State Conuc was enabled to have
thorough studies and recommendations made bv
the New York Bureau of Municipal Research
They were presented ITO the General Assembly,
The surveys were a striking and practical ex-
ample OF the policy: in time of war; prepare
for peace Delaware, for once, was bold enough
to lead IN a new movement.
Edacatoa
The School Survey Commission, with the expert
assistance Of the General Education Board also
presented its report and recommendations to the
General Assembly, resulting in the adoption Of
a new school code. The work of agencies and
individuals extending over several years finally
met state response III substantial approDria-
ton for the education of the foreign born
Seldom, certainly not in generations, has such
an opportunity been presented in Delaware for
successful Statewide program Of public i'm
provement. The credit for this fortunately can
not be assigned any one man or party It is no one
man campaign. Conditions Of civic unrest and
dissatisfaction, aggravated by the war, brought
out the lack of efficiency in administration Of
government affairs and caused Delaware TO face
the accusation that from shameful lack Of ih-
terest we had allowed "well enough to be a
fixed and contented policy.
Rec0gnalon of Needed Chanqes
only those in active official contact with the de-
mands OF the war, realized fully our condition
Rules, procedures and laws TODAY are in effect
that would alarm any business man. No blame
lor ths IS to be put upon officials They were
helpless. The citizens, disgusted with things
politlcal, lost knowledge and interest Practical
poiltlcians, so called, opposed change. fearing
that modern methods would handicap patronage.
The war made demands that called for efficiency
speed ana economy. Men who had paid no at
',n'ion 10 statecratt were called to help and for
'he hrst time realized that changes were neces-
saiy' ana recognized that officials We're probably
DONG their best with bad situation
Oilio Welfare and Health demand attention bv
i"'iohai command and only casual investigation
showed oerehctlon to duty that was, in effect,
oiiiiillal IN education, our rank was a disgrace.
Our expenditure for schools, our standino in
lllteracy, lnsulted our pride Our boasts on war
"oiA became Idle, when we made patriotism
matter OF conscience and truth as well as mar