The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1922-04-12

they may receive necessary travelling
expenses. They are asked to send re-
preventative to an annual conference,
and this year regional conferences are
being held, there will be one in May
for this county, Brown and Sibley-at
New Ulm. All those who attend must
pay their own way but those who do
go are truly interested
''The names of the members of our
board have just been in the paper so
YOU all are acquainted with them, but
l would like to speak just word of
commentator here in behalf of Mr.
Aune. He is the county commission
er on our board. l believe every one
on the board appreciates his patience
and his helpfulness. His experience
as county commissioner and his wide
acquaintance enables him to give
much helpful advice.
"Since Jan. l, 1918 when the law
went into effect-seventy child well
fare boards have been appointed. You
will be glad to know that Redwood
County was one Of the first to take
advantage of this law for the benefit
of it's neglected children. The first
board was organized with the follow
ing memberships. Hillig of Morgan,
Chairman, Mrs. Katherine Johnson
Praxel, Secretary, Mr.. Jim Gaffney
was the county commissioner men,
Der, Mrs. Wolley of Lamberton, and
Mrs. Adella Duncan.
'Minnesota's seventy child welfare
boards mean approximately 800 peo-
pie definitely concerned about the pro-
lection of children, and who have Of
fetal responsibility therefor. These
guardians of childhood are interested
not only in the individual cases which
require attention, but in the great
fundamental problem of prevention.
If you forget all else | say keep in
mind that biggest thought-"the great
fundamental problem of prevention"
communicates needs and it's social
This means an understanding of the
resources-an appreciation of the fact
that community environment plays an
important part in the molding of
young life. We would all like to shut
our eyes to the influence of the pool
room, the dance hall, and to certain
types of movies. Most welfare work
ers say supervision of dance halls is
one of the most difficult problems
they meet. That most successful little
worker over in Yellow Medicine coun-
ty confided to me that was the one
thing she was afraid to attempt. She
said, 1--WE done all else they ask of
U.S."
"Perhaps l should not say this but
7 am firmly convinced one dance hall
in this county has sent us three I'M
married mother cases the last year,
and we never know how many never
come to us at all. Youth loves excite
ment, just read a note to the effect
that 10000 children under 20 years of
age, last year in Chicago alone, failed
f. keep even the common law. The
Grand jury and the Criminal Courts
there, and in all our big cities show
that a great majority of their cases
are those between the ages of Is and
25 years. Men up to 80 years commit
crime but the recklessness, bravado,
and horror are youth. They do not
stop to think in their hot-headedness,
they believe they are only claiming
their share of joy of life, they do not
understand their desires, aspirations,
and longing for companionship.
"While you keep the above figures
in mind listen to this criticism of well
fare work-it came in a letter to me
within the month. "Social welfare
work as it is done-too much of it
morally ho1nS tho 11pforf,,noto RI boor
their troubles in your way, or my way,
not their way. The pain is there just
the same, only diverted, and thus re-
lieved little bit by the person hav-
ing to make a new REIMBURSEMENT.
All one does is to help bear the load
after the deed is done. That's about
all any organization is doing at the
present time. No method has been
be headed off before it happens. Too