Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-14
Care OF Children
4 Big Problem For The
Soviet Government

! Soviet Government
Philadelphia, March l4.-chtldren's
gardens 6r..colonies. in which boys and
girls between the ages of three and
eight years are kept throughout the
day at public expense, constitute one
OF the most interesting phases Of the
Soviet government in Russia. accord
ing to information received by Arneri-
can Friends Service committee.
Arthur j. Watts, English Friend,
town. ~. j., is in Moscow inspecting
institutions and distributing supplies
for the American committee describes
these colonies in a report just received
here, ~
Mr.. Watts says that more than ESQ.,.
200 children are registered in: chill
:drsn'a gardens in various parts..of4
NEARLY. 1000 children enrolled: They
80 in the morning to the garden which
would be called a playground in Amer
lea, and remain there throughout the
day. They attend classes, exercises,
play games, eat lunch and supper and
return home at night.
Relieves Mother.
This relieves the mother. Of a vast
amount Of responsibility and if she is
4 wage Garner, she can attend to her
labors in the factory or store without
htndrance from her family.
>s.SBastdes these gardens, or colonies
there-are special summer colonies for
children ldcated mostly in country dis
tricts. The largest Of these latter is at
pyetskoe Selo, 40 miles from P.etro-
grad, where the children ate lodged in
two palaces tha(belonged to the late
Emperor Nicholas. It was formerly
known as the Cars village" Several
houses, which formerly belonged to
converted into ciaildren's colonies, a
group of three, or four houses forming
q colony and Is. boys and girls, under
the direction of manager, occupy each
building.
~ These colonies are conducted on the.
co~-educational plan which is. preferred.
because of the natural ~comradship be-
tween boys and girls.
One Of the colonies at Dyetskoe Selo
is conducted along the lines Of the
George Junior Republic for morally
defective boys and girls.
Can Visit Children.
children in these homes and colonies
and the atmosphere is not at all Sin
s~titution." Mr.. Watts says, it is made
as home-like as possible.
III Russia has no ~orphanages. There
are Thousands OF orphans but they are
registered. in the gardens. boarding
schools and colonies with the more
Corporal punishment is forbidden in
this institutions. A boy or girl who
comes to the table with dirty hands is
punished by getting no food and the
disobedtent child is isolated from its
playrnates. -.
The feeding and clothing Of every
child registered in an institution comes
under the provisions Of the peoples
comnissariat for supplies. This or
supplies.food to the little folks on fam
lily ration cards. =.
Russian parents. for the most part.
are eager to send their children to the
colonies and gardens because they.
know they wifi receive meals regular
ly there. which. is not always the case
IN the home. says Mr.. Watts. For t3fA
reason, MAN. parents who might be
disinclined other wise to place their
children in these institutions are rec
onciled to the new system.
Many Underfed.
Nevertheless, the food problem has
been so acute in Russia, owing to war
and blockade, that thousands Of chill
dren. in these Institutions. which are
under government supervision, are IN
derfed andZin many cases are reported
Most 81 TIE children Of eight years
schools, where they receive onfkmeal'
at noon, or to commune houses. other
wise known al children's. houses,
which correspond to American board
ing schools: Mr.: Watts said that g.
000,0 900 children. are registered in day
schools whore they are taught manual
training. such As carpentry, boodbtnds,
Ing. needlewo-k and millinery. There.
ars special schools for institution In.
mtasic and art. -
All this work 10 under the direction
OF the comntssariIt for public instruc-
ton. Its work is supervised or preced-
ed by that Of the conarniss9riAt for the
protection Of health which exercises
supervision " the health Of the
child. beginning its work before birth.
,ns to Mr.: watts a mother who works
In I. factory isletven . THROUGH Of Is
weeks with, full pay at the birth of
hef chtld-eight weeks before and
eight weeks Afterwards. Mr.. Mats
says that rest homes for mothers. ma
ternity hospitals and maternity exhibit
tons oman extensive scale are 1nclu3-
ed In the Russian scheme OF child-we
fare. The materuitys exhibitions, are
given to show the dullest-minded wo-
men the need ..pf proper care for both
mother and child.
THANK ExrLoEER. 81.
Vancouver. 3. G.. March H.
vifhJaltner stefansson. noted Cana
diAn I. "A refic ~eYn1nror rorAptly Sror
voted a formal vote of thanks by the
privy council Of Canada for his work.
in exploring uncharteredi Canadian,
lands In the northern seas, according
to. word received here from ottawa..
Herald Mkat Ads Hritr R.sults,