The Washington herald., 1922-06-25
Home Investigation.

ANI- regret tndt the bOarQ OF SnaritieS mas
w seen fit to conduct such a superficial in
vestigation of homes where children are assigned
by the Board of Children's Guardians
In their report TO the District Commissioners
they state that thirty-one homes have been visited
This enabled them study the situations Of ninety
eight children. About nine-tenths of the cases
which should have been investigated are left un-
touched
District people unwilling to allow the
scandal which in connection with the pro-
posed closing OF the Industrial Home School such
a facile "whtewashing" The Board of Charities
has been engaged in its investigation for over
a month. Herald reporter, snatching spare
minutes here and there during the past three weeks
has visited nearly many homes. He has found
conditions not exactly the official visitors say
His visits not expected. He broke into the
weekday life of the homes. He found and talked
with some Of the children when their little faces
washed for company.
Unfortunately, the Board of Charities nvestiga-
ton about par with most official in
vestigations. 1t revealed facts. The Board
it is true has urged the retention of the Industrial
Home School but it has made recommenda-
ton for the OF boys and girls already assigned
to private families. Some of these are in
lamentabe circumstances.
In fact, the official visitors say they found
conditions rather satisfactory. This, however, is
the case. Every home should be investigated
The Herald reporter furnish the District Com
missioners with another sort of report than that
which they now have before them.
That children thrive best in good private
homes is probably true That good private homes
hard to find is truer still. Such homes
not available for $40 or $50 month-sums which
enable the foster parents to make a slight profit
on the children if they utilize their services eff
GENTLY and cruelty The Herald reporter has found
number Of homes where the Of these chill
dren is undertaken as business proposition. The
families engaged in this traffic looking for
substantial and immediate reward than the
favor Of the Lord.
Let every home be investigated Let children
be retained in any home only after the most rigid
probe. An official visit does not tell the story.
The Commissioners need another report before
they can pass judgment on the system of child
slavery in practice.
\ lady in Vienna, Va, who has several Board
of Guardian wards in her home writes the Herald
with constructive suggestion. She thinks both
the Industrial Home School and private families
not properly investigated are poor places for chill
drcn. We pass her idea along to the Com
missioners and the Board of Charities for what it
is worth to them.
Il think all the mothers of these children
would approve of a child welfare colony. Build
small cottages bungalows in colony style. Place
house mother charge OF each. Only women
who love children should fill such position. Put
not more than ten children in each cottage. Five
or six would be better
Then with a house mother to watch
them, these boys and girls could live more
fortunate boys and girls live, enjoying the
freedom. Place this whole colony under head
but give each house mother the right to for
her little brood in her way, long she
conforms to certain rules. This will take money,
it is true. But think what it will mean for the
children! 1t will pay in better citizens of the
future"
She further suggests that the Industrial Home
children. These, she says cannot be mixed with
others to good advantage.
The child colony idea would require an original
undertaking. But Washington is facing an unusual
proposition. Why not be original, now and then?
Where can child welfare movements best originate
than here?
If this suggestion could be followed the District
might be in a position to set a good example to
other communities. At present usually must
wait until progressive city takes the
initiative
The Board of Charities report contains nothing
which disputes the charges of child slavery made
several weeks ago. Private Investigations have
tended to substantiate these charges We advise
the Commissioners to obtain thorough in
formation before deciding upon any sort of action
their investigation. These will not be concluded
until the whole is cleared up.