Evening star., 1923-05-16

Speaking on Social Welfare as a
Factor in International Relations"
Secretary Charles E. Hughes of the
Department of State will deliver the
principal address tonight in Polls
Theater. opening the semi-centennial
gathering of the National Conference
OF Social Work. More than 5000 dele
gates. including social workers. public
health and welfare authorities and
representatives OF private philan-
thropic organizations in this coun-
try. Canada, Europe and Central and
South American countries are in
Washington to attend this great in
ternational forum for the discussion
of charities. corrections. relief. health
and philanthropy.
Secretary Hughes was chosen as
the principal speaker, not only be-
cause of his official position, and out
or respect to the many notables in
the delegation from other countries.
but because he has for many years
been an active worker in the social
welfare cause.
Aided New York Work.
Secretary. Hughes, when governor
or New York state. participated ac-
lively in the campaign instituted by
the State Charities Aid Association
TO check tuberculosis County tuber-
culosis hospitals were established,
dispen nsaries opened. public health
nurses employed and an intensive
campaign Of education about the dis
ease was carried on throughout the
state. The campaign began in 1907.
Since that time the death rate from
tuberculosis in New York state, out
side of New York city, has decreased
one-third. Tuberculosis, which was
then first among the causes Of death
In that area is now fifth.
Social work in the life of today"
will be the general subject of the
weeks meetings and discussions
The addresses will emphasize what
public social service and private well
fare work mean to American life.
Homer Folks of New York, as presi-
dent of the national conference. will
deliver the opening address in Polls
Iheater tonight, calling attention to
the spreading good that the organiza-
tion has done during the half century
OF its existence.
Honored at Luncheon.
He was rendered testimonial
luncheon at the New Willard Hotel
today in honor of his thirtieth ami
vel dS secretary OF tne state
Charities Aid Association of New
York and thirty-three years in social
work. About 800 men and women who
have been associated with Mr. Folks
in various phases of social work were
present. An engraved silver tea serv-
ice was presented to him.
Addresses on Mr.. Folks work In
various fields Of public welfare were
delivered by Secretary Hughes. DR.
Livingston Farrand. president OF
Cornell University: DIR. Edward T
Devine of New York. Dr. Hermann N
Of New York: the Rev. Mgr. J. l.
Reilly of Schenectady, DR.. Hastings
H. Hart of the Russell Sage Founda
tion. New York: Amos w. Butler OF
Indianapolis. Ind. and DR.. Thomas w
Salmon. Arthur w. Towne. Frank
Burritt. Owen r. Lovejoy and Johr
A. KinRsbury of New York.
Mr.. Folks became general superin.
tendent of the Children's Aid Society
OF Pennsylvania in 1890. In February
1893. he became secretary Of the New
York State Charities Aid Association
This position he has since held. except
during his term of office as commits
sioner of public charities of New York
city. under Mayor Seth Low. and his
service abroad with the American Red
Cross during the war.
Aided Cuba In 1900.
In April: 1900, at the request of Gen
Leonard Wood, military governor oil
Cuba. he spent six weeks in Cuba
studying the public relief OF the island
and prepared the charities law, Great.
Ing a Cuban department of charities
under which the charities and institu.
tered.
In 1908 he was instrumental in Sc.
curing the passage of the bill creatins
the New York state probation commits.
sion. Later he was appointed by Gov
hughes as chairman of the commits,
sion, and served until July. 1917
This was the first permanent state de.
partment of this character in the
United States.
In 1912 Mr.. Folks was elected presi.
dent of the National Association TO,
the Study and Prevention of Tubercu.
losls. the first layman to hold tina,
position. He is member of the public
health council Of the New York state
department Of health.
Served in World War.
During the world war he organized
and directed the department of civil
affairs Of the American Red Cross ir
France, and twice since the war haf
served on Red Cross missions hvesti-
eating health and living conditions
in southern and southeastern Europe
This Is the second time Mr.. Folks ha
been president Of the National Con-
ference of Social Work. having served
In 1911. when 1t met in Boston.
There was a big crowd all day long
today around the registration head.
quarters at 1414 F street. With con-
siderable rivalry as to who would
be frst to register. that honor went
to Alexander Johnson of Fort Wayne
Ind, pleasantly known to social
workers the country over as Uncle
Alec" Having long served the con.
ference as secretary, he will be given
the additional honor of making the
announcements tonight. recalling his
old-time activity in that capacity.
Was Once President.
Uncle Alec. who is seventy -si1
years old. calls himself an "old.
timer" but in spirit he is one of the
He was president Of the conference
way back in 1897, when the bod.
met in Toronto. Canada. He served
as general secretary of the
ginning in 1904. He was born at Ash.
ton -under-Lyne, Lancashire, England
and came to America in 1859.
He has held important executive po
sitions with the associated Charitie'
ganization Society of Chicago. the In
diana state. board of charities. tn.
Indiana School for Feeble Minded
Youth, the Training School for De-
fectives, at Vineland. n. j.: the Ma
tional Committee for Provision fol
the Feeble Minded. at Philadelphia
Alexander Milne Home School fol-
Feeble-Minded Girls, Frellsen. La
During the war he was stah repre-.
sentativ of the southern division Of
the American Red Cross.
Uncle Alec has just finished writing
his latest book. entitled adventures
in Social Work." which gives ir
highly interesting and picturesque
form the highlights of his long anc
successful career.
One Subject Each Day.
Each day of the session OF the Ma.
tional Conference Of Social. Work will