East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-09-23

The teeming slums and foreign
quarters OF Chicago fascinated her
and the years that followed her col
lege in Grand island. Neb., she di,
= alleviato the conditions which sh,
= found all too prevalent in the Windy
: City Fer some years she was tiirec.
= tor of the Chicago League for the pro.
lection of immigrants, an organization
which many prosperous Chicago
business men remember gratefully.
Then Boston attracted her and she
went to Massa achusetts as executive
secretary Of the state immigration
commission. Under her direction ar
exhaustive Investigation and report
were made in immigration problems
Then Illinois reclaimed her ana she
went back to the scenes of her early
experience as executive secretary of
the state immigration commission Gre
ated in Illinois.
To use her own expression, Miss Abb
hott "oame up from the ranks" to her
present position.
! She learned early in her welfare
work that to accomplish the most
good welfare work must be started
with children. So in 1917 she came
to Washington as director of the child
labor division Of the children"s bu-
reau Of the department of labor.
Champion of Children.
This division administered the first
federal child labor law. and Miss Abb
bott was, from the beginning. respon-
sible for the formation and develop
ment Of its policies.
Feeling that she ought to get into
work more closely allied with the war, |
Miss Abbott transferred her abilities
to the war labor policies board and
rendered able. efficient service until
the war closed.
And there's the story she con-
cluded.
That was not quite the end for !
few days ago President Harding Sc +!
lected her from n horde of applicants |
TO head the children's bureau in |
which she has labored so diligently as
a divisional chief. The polition pays
$4,000 q year and is one of the most /
eagerly sought positions in Washing I
ton.
She has entered upon her new du |
ties with a vigor and close application |
to duty that set a hard example for
her associates.
1t was sweltering late September |
afternoon when the question was pro- I
pounded to her of what is the crying !
need Of the American child. Outside I
thousands Of government clerks were /
hurrying down the heat-waved streets. /
their day finished. But Miss Abbott 4
stuck grimly to her desk. perspiring. I
It is true, but sticking. She keeps no H
union hours.
Education is the keystone" she
said simply THAT is our principal I
aim. You see, our funds and our per- |
5onnel are too limited to do direct
contact work, so we must content our
selves with preaching. teaching and
CWtaiEment Injuries.
You would be surprised Mt tba
number of letters we receive every
month asking information on child
Welfare. Last month they were S. 600
Many Of them came from mothers
many came from students. One thing
n particular they want-a pamphlet
N infant care.
we comply to the best of our abil-
", but our resources are so scantv
n comparison with the demand. We
an only fill about half the requests
Fe receive for literature and advice.
he advice is easy, but the literature
.omcs hard. Like all other depart-
lents in these days of economy we
lave had to curtail our operations.
.articularly our printing bill, and it
5 hard not to be able to supply the
.emand.
Miss Abbott is going to give partic-
lar attention TO betterment. of child
lie in the rural districts Of America.
'he grew up in rural Nebraska and
he knows some of the problems and
he heartaches Of young rural Ameri-
a.
For years" she said. "we have
leard so much about the terrors of
mud life in the slums and congested |
'enters Of cities. 1t is all true, but is
-lso true that conditions in some of
'ur rural regions are just as bad.
Children are kept out of school TO
lelp with the crops; they are kept out
Of school to tend stock; they are kept
'ut OF school to tend to the thousand
ma one things about farm, and it
sn t right. Children in the rural dis
riots should have the advantages Of
school just as much as those in the
;ities."
She is undaunted by lack Of funds
md other resources necessary to the
growth and expansion Of the bureau.
These are hard times" she said, |
milling. I'VE will do the best we can"