The Washington herald., 1922-08-09
MOTHERS PENSION
is PROVIDED IN SEN
|ATOR CALDER'SB BILL
Measure Would Set Aside
100000 for Fund in
District.
PENALTY FOR FRAUD
Administration w o u d Be
Placed in Children's
Guardians Board.

Mothers pension administered
through a board appointed by and
responsible to the District Com.
missioners is provided in q bill in
troduced in the Senate yesterday by
Senator William NJ. Calder. of New
York. Designed to provide home
care for children who otherwise
would be placed under the Board Of
Children's Guardians, the bill estab.
fishes a fund of 100000 for depen-
dent mothers.
The bill is said to be broader In
scope and more liberal in its pro-
visions than any measure Of its kind
heretofore introduced. Aid Is pro-
vided for ANY woman. the custo-
dian of q child dependent upon her
for support. who 10 unable without
the aid herein authorised to main
tain a suitable home and provide
proper care for such child"
The Congress of Mothers recently
announced opposition to the Pome-
rene mothers pension bill on the
grounds that its provisions were
not sufficiently liberal.
-@Ae by thS SiAA "SaAe
be paid mothers in monthly INSTALL
ments and in such amount as de-
termined by the board. II condi-
tions wal rant the allowance may
be extended in the discretion Of the
board.
Years Residence Required.
One years residence in the Dis
trict Immediately previous to appli-
cation is required of mothers seek
ing aid.
Provisions OF the bill follow:
That upon application the board
shall make an investigation to de-
termine u) whether the mother is
mt person. capable of bringing
up such child; (2) whether condi-
tions in the home are suitable for
the proper upbringing of the child:
I'D what resources are available
for the maintenance of the fam
lily; 90 il the father of such child
be living and able to provide sup
port. whether legal steps have been
taken to compel the fulfillment OF
his obligation; and go the amour,
OF aid needed.
II upon investigation the board
finds that the mother would be
oeA~ ~ iAoihtaIh u HOInc ana ElNe
proper care to the child il granted
aid. and that such aid is necessar,
to save the child from neglect OIL
from separation from its mother
II Is authorized to make a monthly
allowance IN an amount deemed
necessary.
Review in Six Months.
Sec. 5. That the board may
award an allowance for a continu.
Gus period not to exceed sis
months. shall review the award
prior to the expiration of the
period for which the allowance ID
granted. and may renew any allow.
ance for q continuous period moi
to exceed six months at the same
an increased. or a decreased rate
but an allowance shall not be de.
creased in amount or discontinued
unless reasonable notice is given
10 the mother. If the mother re-
fuses to comply with the rules and
regulations made by the board, the
allowance may be discontinued i'm.
mediately.
Sec. s. That payment shall not
De continued after child has
reachced the age Of 1S years, unless
the board is satisfied that the men,
tai or physical condition of such
child necessitates further aid.
Sec. z. That the board is all
thorized to make an emergency
payment to any mother in an
amount not to exceed $50 IL the
board is satisfied that such emer-
gency exists.
Sec. s. That the board shall
cause every home to be visited, for
which an allowance has been made
by its representatives, who shall
report upon the conditions"
Penalty Is Provided.
Fine and Imprisonment is pro-
vided for fraudulent attempts to
procure aid. Section 10 also au-
thorizes the board to organize and
make appointments of officers and
employees subject to civil service
regulations.
The bill. which was referred to
the Senate District Committee, is
said to be modelled on the law now
In operation in New York. It's
provisions, however, are reported to
De more liberal. Senator Calder,
FORMER member of the District
Committee. has been making a
study of such legislation, 1t Is said,
since beginning Of the controversy
over activities of the Board of
Children's Guardians.
Norrn ~n,,onI ze I'LL ~