The Washington times., 1922-07-14
MOTHERS BAND
TOGETHER FOR
CHILD WELFARE
Monster Mass Meeting Sched-
uIed for Tonight to ,Ad-
vance Pleas. -

will meet tonight in the auditorium
Of the Interior Department building,
Nineteenth and G streets northwest,
to demand, for the first time in, the
history OF the District, that depen-
dent children of the city be given a
square deal.
The fundamental appeal of the
give the child a chance" campaign,
brought about by criticism OF activi-
ties of the Board Of Children's Guar
dians, has enlisted the aid Of every
prominent welfare organization in
the city. Many of these will send
representatives to the meeting or
will attend en- masse.
Miss Alice Paul, president of the
National Woman's Party, told
leaders In the movement today. that
her organization was keenly in.
terested in the local situation and
that a delegation from the Wom-
ans Party would be present at the
meeting.
Open to Public.
Mrs. Theodore Tiller, president
OF the League of American Pen
women, will preside. Among the
speakers Is Congressman Arthur
NJ. Free OF California, father of
two sets of twins and an authority
on child welfare.
AS the meeting is open to the
public, general discussion of con-
ditions affecting children in the
District will be a feature. Follow
ing the regular addresses, talks
from the floor will be limited to
three minutes each.
The entire question Of child well
fare and mothers pensions I'm the
District will be taken up" said
Mrs. l.. NJ. Clements, chairman OF
the District mothers committee, to-
dpy." All sides will be considered,
as we feel that our work will not
Ue accomplished IL representatives
OF every group concerned are not
heard
Our purpose is constructive, and
not destructive. We want to build
what facilities we have in Wash
ington for child care, and we shall
determine at the meeting what cor
rective measures are necessary to
relieve the existing conditions"
Want Immediate Action.
AS the Commissioners are en-
powered by law to act, without
reference to Congress, In municipal
crises, the mothers will urge at
the meeting that this power be as
sumed by the city heads. so they
may take full charge of children's
and charitable agencies of the Dis
trict government
The recall of the appointments of
members Of the Board Of Children's
Guardians will be requested of the
District judges, who, appoint the
guardians.
This meeting will not be the last
held for this purpose" Mrs. Clements
said. We will hold another meeting
a week from today, and at that time
we hope to receive replies from the
commissioners and the judges on our
petition. II these bodies decline to
act, we will try other methods"
Mrs. Clements will present TO the
meeting petition setting forth the
position Of the mothers of Washing.
ton on the question of child welfare.
-The document will be offered for the
signature Of every prominent wom
ems organization in Washington.
Would Retain Home.
The retention of the Wisconsin
Avenue Industrial Homel School as
temporary receiving home for de-
pendent children, and especially for
unusual cases, will he strongly ad.
vocated at the meeting, with the
recommendation that children COM
mitted TO the institution be allowed
TO remain there throughout the
school year. in order that their
studies may not be interrupted.
The mothers are heartily in ac-
cord with the movement to place
children in private homes" declared
Mrs. Clements. 1--WE agree with the
Board of Children's Guardians that
institution training is far less de-
sirable than home atmosphere.
No one. knows that better than a
mother.
in which children are placed by the
District be frequently and thorough.
ly Investigated, and that the mothers
of such children be treated with
common kindness and cooperation.
We do not believe that the ptesen.
policies of the guardians board are
productive Of the hast reaultS apd