New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-10-02

Federal government TO the purposes
we desire to attain. While others may
have their eyes fixed upon somc partic-
ular piece of legislation. or come par
ticular policy of social justice which
calls for the sympathetic interest of
us all, | say, without Hesitation, that
out primary consideration must be the
machinery of administration, and that
when the tins comes FOR us to reor-
ganize our administrative government
IN Washington, we must all stand to-
gether for the creation of department
of public welfare.
ut is almost useless for us to 20 on
eXpending our energies in advancing
humanitarian policies which we wish
put into effect, and it is useless for us
to nope for the effective administration
OF humanitarian policies already under
taken by the Federal government, un-
til we have prepared to create an adj
minstrative center for the application
or our program.
At the present time we find social
welfare bureaus and social welfare I'M
dertakings scattered hopeessly through
the departments, sometimes the one
overlapping the work of the other. and
sometimes, indeed, engaging in bck-
erlngs between themselves The pic
turc is one of nefficiency and Of wasted
funds.
"ln creating Federal departments for
the administration of social Justice and
social welfare, we must avoid the fear
full results of bureaucraav. am in
cuned to think that rs between a bU-
reaucracy Of a military power which
paid little attention to the regulating
! of domestic affairs ana bureaucracy
OF soclal rules and regulations. the lat
ter would Cypress the soul of coun-
try more.
I'VE do not want, and we will not
have, either in America. Undoubtedly
the great blessings Of our Constitution.
appearing. indeed as if our Consti-
3ution had been written by the hand of
Providence. are the checks which it
places upon the development in n ma
tlonal center OF great bureaucratic
paternalism.
Rights of the Individual
1--WE are momentarily irritated at
times when we desire to enact meas
uies which appear to be dedicated
wholly to the welfare Of mankind. when
We md that constitutional limitations
prevent their legality. But we have
been saved through these many years
and VIII be saved throughout Americas
continued progress from the growth OF
natter
nallsm, too much bureaucracy and too
much infringement of the individuals
rights TO construct his own life within
our American standards of reason and
justice.
Il would like to point out to all
America that there is grave danger at
hand when centralized expression be-
gins to take from local communities
al the burdens of social conscience
Inc. best that humanity knows comes
up from the individual man and woman
through the sacred institutions OF the
family and the home, and, perhaps.
hhds its most effective application in
the community where life is personal
and where there is not an attempt 10
cut men and women to pattern and
treat mankind as Wholesale cormod
it,.
Sure Footing Necessary
Il raise these cautions. not bceause
| am doubtful Of the wisdom Of the
federal government doing all that it
can to conserve the human resonrcos
OF the United States, but, on tho con-
trary. because / believe we must move
forward upon sure footing. With
out undertaking Impractical or unwise
/ programs which lead to disllusion-
ment, and in the cud retard. rather
American conscience and its applica-
lion 10 the welfare of the American
people.
with these cautions, however. guild
ing US, as we go forward, 20 create.
If possible, the right kind of Federal
machinery for social justice, we will
feel more confidence in creating a Fed
sral department OF public welfare
When making the proposal for a de-
A,t.,
am aware that have made a step
IN advance OF any platform. I have
chosen to speak to you or the practical
questionable question of how to do tho
tasks we must do, the things American
ccnscieNce is calling TO have done.
"Wc al knew that we face tasks Of
social justice. which we must under
take With dispatch and efficiency. Who
can suggest one Of these tasks which
can supersede, IN oar hearts, or in
toe rank which foresight ard wisdom
The protection Of the motherhood Of
America cannot DC ACCOMPLISHED until
the state and the nation have enacted
and. BY their Example, have enforced
customs which protect Wonarhood it.
self. know full Well that there are
women who insis; tha, women snail be
treated upon the same basis that men
are trea ted.
hey would rave rlght to take TINS
position IN their OWE behalf, but in
sist that all true Americans must in
sist. that no woman speaks for herself
alone. She is the possessor Of our flu
turc. and though she becomes engaged
in the tasks and services of civliza-
ton. VIC must preserve to her the right
of wholesome maternity.
10,000,e0O Women Work
we no longer arc speaking Of a
small group. Twelve million women
in the United States, 40 per cent of
them between fifteen and twenty years
OF age, are engaged in paid occupations
! or professions. Such an army of po-
tcntia, maternity doma1ds from Amer
lea careful and ADEQUATE protection in
w. p az