The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-09
M E N w O M E N
 A N D T HIN c s

dren of Europe, let no one think for one moment that it beats any the less sym pathetic for the. little ones at home.
 I knew that Birmingham, Jefferson county and Alabama would raise their quotas for the European relief council State Chairman Ramsay and County Chairman Jack Adams had a cause which Appealed strongly to young and old. rich and poor. high and low.
 We are all glad that the starving chii- dren of Europe are toNbe fed, and that medical attention will be given those who need it. It's a great record the United States has made since the war in rescuing 100000 children. It will ity as the outstanding accomplishment of the twentieth century.
 It is also good to know that here in this state the various churches have made provision for the orphan children. Some of the institutions have been long in existence and are admirably equipped. as is those of the great secret orders. happen to know that the Baptists have recently bought a tract of land at. Troy and are getting ready to build more modern home than the one now at Ever green.
 have always worked in sympathy with the church and dodge orphan homes, and yet have felt the need of still another organization free from any denomina- tional clevage. yet in heart and purpose in closest touch with the spirit of the Good Shepherd, who when he was on this earth took little ones into His low ing arms and blessed them, and em- 'balmed fin religious. literature some matchless parables about the care of the lost
 It was my good fortune to be present at the dinner given at the Southern club on Monday by the Children's Aid so- ciety in connection with it's annual meet- ing, which drew peope here from every section of the state. Dr. Henry M. Ed veritable melting pot of creeds, for around the table sat representatives from all of the evangelical churches, and one of the leading spirits was Dr. New field of Temple Emanu-El, who presided over the business meeting.
 The work done by this the newest of the child organizations in Alabama Is one that has long been needed We are fast learning that the problem of chii- dren is not problem of race; it is not a problem of speech; it is not a problem of politics; it is not problem of eco nomics; it isn't even mere problem of religion. It is just a human problem which must primarily be worked out in the interest of the child first and society afterwards.
 It is. well for us to have national bureau for the care of children, just as it is important for both the state, the county and the city to each do it's part. It is expected that each denomination will at least care for it's own dependent ones; but with government, state, county, municipal church and lodges tackling the problem, there is yet room for an organization whose first question is, Does the child need help?" And not whether it is a member of this religious body or connected with certain secret or ders. I realize that any of the institu- tions will not close their doors in the face of any child on account of church utilization. but I do know that the churches first feel responsible for their own.
 It is In perfect sympathy, therefore, sit down to magnify the exceptional work which has been done in the past few years through the Alabama Children's Aid society. The report of Ralph Barrow, state superintendent of the work. showed that 1,222 children have been helped dur have been adopted and taken into perma- nent homes. During the past year more than 100 children have been adopted and given good homes and foster parents.
 
 The feature about the work which most appeals to me is the careful plac- ing of the childen in worthy homes. There is no chance of thing occurring here as happened in Atlanta in the sem sational story of a mothers love caus- | ing a womtan to adopt Il children and make it appear that they were her own. have only seen the newspaper accounts, and am not familiar with husband and wife or the institution or parties from whom the babies were obtained I can only say that no one can get a child from the Alabama Chldren's Aid society until they and their home surroundings have been thoroughly looked into by experts One good way to judge a charitable organization is to study the personnel o1 ] it's officers. trustees and board of di- rectors. This society of which am ] writing can show on it's roster as fine a body of men and women as can be picked out of the entire state. For in the selection of each one the only thought
 was to get people of standing who deep down in their hearts were ready to make
 sacrifices of time or money or both tc see to it that every dependent child had a proper home.
 ! The Alabama Children's Aid society is
 not only we'll officered and directed by
 men and women of financial, social anc
 religious standing, but it is in close and
 sympathetic touch with all of the other
 child organizations in the state To give
 list of the men and women present a, L>