Evening star., 1921-04-17
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

MAI 1OI< OIL d IeueIdl Oepdi -
ment of social welfare in the
4 scheme of reorganization OF
the government establish
ment seems assured since President
Harding in his address to the joint
session specifically laid this recon-
mendation before Congress as one OF
the particular tasks of the e1traor-
dinary session. In calling upon the
legislative branch for such action.
President Harding fulfilled a cam
paign promise to the women OF the
country given October I. from the
famous front porch" in Marion. At
tat time Mr.. Harding openly ad-
mitted that he was taking step In
advance of the party platform.
The crection of department OF
social Felfare. comprehending most.
If not all, of the so-called woman's
program. will come as the first big
recognition of phe influence of the
enfranchise1A Aomen of the country
in feders1 administration. 1t is urg-
ed upon Congress by the President
as the most practical and efficient
way u Iudhc Tic PAo6 OLA Va SSSA>>>
justice and social welfare real and
functioning rather than visionary
and 1eficient-the program includ-
ing legislation to build up the most
vital asset of the nation-the health.
happiness and enlightenment Of every
American.
Combines Many Plans.
IN
the social justice" program such
hitherto disjointed legislative pro-
posals as:
Protection of the motherhood Of
the nation. preserving to women the
right and highest duty of wholesome
maternity. 80.
Safeguarding women In industry, by
establishing an eight-hour day. Sc
curing for them living wage, and
equal pay for equal work without
discrimination as to sex.
Safeguarding the prosperity OF the
farmer 80 that he may compete with
other industry for an adequate. nor
mai supply Of labor.
Greater consideration for women
who toll on the farm by providing
other labor for the farm as well as
the factry.
Protection Of childhood in its
rights to health. happiness. education
and to prepare to embrace future
responsibilities. thus exercising eco
nomic thrift by saving the blood.
posterity and future strength OF the
nation
Coordination Of all public health
activities and agencies for q well di-
rec4ed drive against-ea) the low
standard Of health among children.
fb) fnvasions Of disease which attend
n low standard Of morals and (c)
the invasion Of epidemics and the
neglect Of the chronic diseases OF
maturity.
President Harding's policies re-
sarding the proposed department OF
social welfare will be advanced In
Congress under carefully selected
leadership and after deliberate coun-
sells. While a number Of prominent
legislators from both parties and in
both branches Of Congress have
already urged measures covering the
different proposals in the social JUS
tice program, tho President himself
hss made 1t plain that he is de-
cidedly Of the opinion that 1t should
not be done piecemeal and haphazard.
but through Q well eo-ordinated ad-
ministrative agency. s.
Ye0 wo11A Take CAarge.
It sesmao probable that Representa-
tive Simeon d. Fess, chairman Of the
republicau congressional committee,
win tzke charge Of this presidential
program. Representative Fess comes
from Ohio. . state which has already
given great advancement to the
woman's program. In fact, Mr.. Fess
was vice president Of the Ohio con-
stitutional convention. which ad-
vanced the women's enfranchisement
by constitutional sanction He has
already given close study to the So
cial welfare proposals and has IA
thered several Of the most popular
measures along this line in the
Housa He 10 chairman Of the COM
mittee 90 education. which has been
conaidexinS tho entire social welfare
proxram, and Nh. Harding's policy
is fundamanta1y ono Of education
~physical moral and spiritual" Rep
reeent1ffve Feos has been and still
In q valued counselor of Mr.. Hard
ing and doubtless has been advising
WITH him for some time on this par
ticular phase Of desirable federal
activity.
Becares there has been q strong
Renaral, growing sentiment Id Con-
Rress and outside for a department OF
education. the functions of which
would BE- 80 closely related to those
Of the proposed department OF socia
veaf1rA, Of which education Is funda-
mental, there u a strong probabilit,
that the two may be combined into 4
department OF education and socia
servtoaL Before any action Is takeI
toward pughing the matter in Con
zrsss. conferences Will be held viii
President Harding by Representative
Eoss and other Legislative leaders.
Mxy Have SPECIAL Committee.
What committee will handle thi
lexaEs&tou depends considerably upol
how the measure IL framed. A pro
posal for q new department woul
naturally 60 to the judiciary commit
tee. Il public health 10 stressed I
might go to the committee on inter
state and foreign commerce. II In
hor. or voman-in1ndustry provision