The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-07
PROPOSES
CLUBS AID
SCHEME
Mrs. Watkins Says Plan Would
Bring Happiness to Thou
sands of Orphans.
By GEORGE FRANKLIN.

By GEORGE FRANKLIN.
Adoption of two children by
families which have no more than
two children, and whose circum-
stances permit them to increase
their responsibilities in this direc-
ton, is urged by Mrs. Reyburn
Leonard Watkins, of Tampa, Fla.
Mrs. Watkins was formerly Miss
Ann Smith, of Washington. Her
husband is interested in 10-cent
store syndicate. Mrs. Watkins
has been in Washington for sew
eral weeks. She has laid plans
TO start national movement to
carry out her idea.
Thinks Proposal Practical.
EFT is quite practical and would
insure thousands of young Ameri-
cans good homes where they would
receive the benefit of proper train
ing and come under the enduring
influence of home love-" said Mrs.
Watkins, today, on the eve of her
departure for Tampa.
No criticism of orphan asylums,
or the management Of homes for
orphans, is intended explained
Mrs. Watkins. only in Florida
we have many orphan children
come to us after spending years in
orphanages and one is constantly
reminded that with the best inten-
tons in the world the arrangements
of such institutions are unable to
exert over their charges anything
approaching in character parental
influence.
Those of US who were fortunate
enough to have grown up in homes
where we experienced the loving
care of parents know that all
through after life it continues to
exert a powerful influence. Ny
idea is to inspire a proper con-
ception of what we owe to child
hood surroundings, and among
American families In circumstances
warranting greater responsibilities,
in bringing up children awaken
the desire to perform a patriotici as
well as humane, duty in this way.
Il am quite certain that among
the hundreds OF thousands of club
women an active organization, with
the purpose before it L, have out
lined. can be effected and made
operative in every State. Such an
Organization could be maintained
without expense other than incur
red in the actual adoption proceed
ings. OF course, it goes without.
saying, the authorities would lend
willing hand in furthering the
PLAN
Details of Her Plan.
According to Mrs. Watkins she
fayors the adoption Of children,
where this is possible, by families
having some acquaintance with the
children's parents. This would re-
suit in the children in, most in
stances remaining in neighborhoods
or communities with which they
Ire already familiar and spare
them the ordeal of being suddenly
injected into surroundings entirely
foreign to their past experiences.
1t would keep brothers and sisters
together.
There are thousands of children
who will be left to the care Of in
situations even if my plan be gen.
orally adopted said Mrs. Watkins.
But on the other hand, as near as
! can estimate from the figures I
have been able to obtain, not less
than Is per cent of the children
now in orphanages could be placed
In desirable homes. This would
leave more room for those without
family friends who must be cared
for in such places. There are many
families quietly doing what 1 hope
TO see more generally done and
when you inquire among them you
find nothing would induce them to
c'T-ilge their policy"
angers to the children of a
"SE " through the introduction of
lie en- of other families into the
close family circle, Mrs. Watkins
did not consider such as to warrant
hest 'ncy in accepting her plan.
Doesn't Fear Associations.
Children like children company.
They play together. They become
confidents. They have their own
little democracy. They will follow
out these lines regardless of the
restrictions of parents. You might
as well undertake to make water
run up hill as to limit the social
activities Of children. Tommy may
be a bad boys and Molly a little
, tomboy, but nothing you can say
will induce Percy and Alice from
knowing them, playing with them,
and often being fascinated by them
In fact L am inclined to think the
occasional, interrupted associations.
are more harmful than if Tommy
and Molly were made daily, hourly.
companions under PROPER family
regime where, by precept and ex-
ample. they could be induced to
correct their wilder tendencies.
mo, 1 am not so much afraid
of the continued associations of
that kind as / am of the stolen
associations carried on slyly where
Tommy and Molly get a chance to
exert their undesirable influences
untrammeled by possibility of su.
pervision."
With Washington the national
. center of American clubwomen's
activities, Mrs. Watkins advocates
national movement started
through general club headquarters
o. which will result in clubs through
peut the country taking active steps