The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-05-12

SiOscI IecltuS pSCWeeu CnD mcupucI
of his or her immediate family, ana
plan recreations for the whole fam
lily, this6iffculty might be over
come" closing. Mr. Hodson
urged a telling Of responsibility on
ths part of the community, to fur
tLA feeling Of duty OF the people
to help the board in whatever man
ner would be of the most benefit.
When this is done, and people re-
alize that they also must help this
little band of workers, then viii
the community, the county, the
state and our country be a batter
place to live in.
The Blue Earth county child well
fare board and work accomplished
by 1t was then discussed by w. II.
Detamore. county superintendent
Of schools.
In resonse to a petition from
the board Of county commissioners
Of Blue Earth county, the state
welfare board in this county In Az
gust, 1919, consisting Of the follow
ing members: Mrs. H. r. :Wiecking
of Mankato, Mrs. H. c. Hotaling of
Mapleton, Mrs. e. D. Baker of Lake
Crystal, Commissioner T. II. Foley
and County Superintendent OF
Schools W. H. Detamore. With the
efficient help Of Miss Ruth G. STRAIT
tom the social worker Of the Red
Cross at that time, the work vas
well organized the first year.
During the next year DR.. Helen
Hughes Hielscher acted as chair
man of the board in the absence of
the permanent chairman, Mrs. II.
r. Wiecking, and, during the same
year, Miss Eleanor Closson served
as executive secretary.
Commissioner Matt Sanger was
appointed in 1921 to I'LL the vacancy
resulting from the resignation Of
Commissioner T. H. Foley and Mrs.
George John OF Garden City was
recently appointed in the place of
Mrs. z. D. Baker, who resigned
some time ago. Mrs. Wiecking. as
sisted By the county nurse, Miss
Inga Peterson, is very efficiently
acting as Field Worker during the
present year.
Duties Rather Vague.
At the time of organization, the
duties Of the child welfare board
we're rather vague and the need Of
such board was more or less con-
jectural. Now the question is how
to find the ways and meals and
time to take care Of the ever in
ereasing demands for. help that
come to the board Because OF the
nature of much of the work, it must
be treated as confidential and no
great amount Of publicity is pos
sible.
The board meets regularly once
a month and the following brief
summary will show in a general
way what activities have been car
ried on:
Number now receiving co.
allowances to mothers. 80
Number County allowances 49,
Number County allowances
Amount paid Der child per
month in county allowances s7.5o
Number cases OF neglected
children ................ %
Number cases OF adoption. Is
Number cases Of unmarried
m0tnerS SU
Number cases of miscellane-
Gus 50
Total investigations ........ 173
Total letters written ........ $50
Total visits and interviews. 1416
It has been the policy of the
board from the beginning, as an
agency of the children's bureau Of
the state board of control, to keep
in close touch with that depart
ment and the response from there
in every possible form of coopera-
ton that has been realized has been
greatly appreciated.
The help and support Of the
board of county commissioners has
been all that could be expected and
Judge Harry A. Johnson has work,
ed in very close touch with the
board and his frank counsel and
consistent loyalty to the policies
agreed upon has meant much in the
accomplishment of constructive pro-
gress.
1t is fully realized that only a
small beginning has been made in
the work Of this great needy field
so long neglected. Suggestions and
criticisms are invited.
Every member is anxious to learn
of any existing case of needy child
hood. Anyone seeking counsel OF
the board. or any member Of it,
may feel sure of a welcome and
sympathetic hearing.
We ask the charity. sympathy,
and active support Of the people of
Blue Earth county in attempting
this small part in meeting the
greatest obligation Of and people at
any time:-The Conservation OF