Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1923-01-05
OPPOSITION TO
WELFARE MERGER
Mothers Pension Commits
sion Wants to Continue
Separate Body
OTHERS WILLING ON
EFFICIENT BASIS
stan Correspondent


, DOVER. Jan. 5.--At leest one OF
the commissions that would prob
ably be effected. the Mothers Pen
sion Commission. is opposing the
proposed merging under one depart
ment OF tho several welfare and
! charitable commissions OF the State.
az recommended by Governor Den
ney in his biennial message 10 the
/ Legislature.
Representative Of several other
I commissions while not opposing
the merger at this time. as the bin
providing for the merger has not
been prepared. are anxious over the
situation. Before % gals their fun
support they want TO be assured
that the present scope and efficiency
OF the various commissions will be
maintained under the merger.
A meeting OF the Women's Joint
Legislative Committee was held here
yesterday when the matter was dis
cussed. The committee adopted the
following resolution on the subject:
The Women's Joint Legislative
Committee would endorse merger
OF State Commissions with budgeted
appropriations adequate TO maintain
the present scope and efficiency OF
each or the said commissions.
The governing board OF such a
merger shall consist OF nine-mem-
beers, three or whom shall be women. /
ihree or whom shall he men. and
three OF whom shall be physicians. I'm .
each case one coming from each
county and each OF the merged com /
missions being represented by at
least one OF its present membership. /
The members OF the governing board /
shall serve without compensation /
other than necessary travel and ad-
minlstrative expenses.
The Executive Oficer shall he /
appointed by the Governing Board (
but shall not be member OF he
Governing Board and shall he a per
son with administrative experience
in social welfare"
The wOmen's Joint legislative
Committee represents such organiza-
lions az. the Delaware Federation OF
Women's Clubs. the Delaware state
Grange. the women's Auxiliary OF
the American Legion. W. c. r. L..
League OF Women Voters. Women's
Democratic Committee. Women's
Republican Committee. Tuberculosis
Commission. Consumers League
state Parent-Teacher Association
Visiting Nurses Association and
several Others.
Early yesterday afternoon several
OF the women attending the com
mittee meeting visited the House
chamber and discussed the proposed
merger proposition with some Of
the members. Among those In the
party wers Mrs. Julia a. Ashbrook.
Mrs. Mabel s. Derby Miss Clara
Mrs. s s. Pennewlll. Miss
Marie Lockwood and Mrs. Henry
Mrs. Ridgely is chairman
Of the committee.
Some OF the women Informed the
House members that they were anx-
Gus TO protect the present efficient
work or the commissions in which
hey are Interested and IL this is as ,
'ured will not oppose the merger.
Representatives OF the Mothers
'ensiOn Commission, however. let il
20 known that they were opposed
o being taken into such a merger
they are anxious 20 continue as
eparate comm lssion and point TO
he efficient management or the I
commissions work a. a reason why
he comm ssion as now existing
hOuld be let alone. The Improved
)rder or Red Men. which organlza-
ION advocated the creating Of the
Commission, is backing rhe women
members OF the commission in their b
ght to remain a separate organiza-e
ion.
Most OF the House members ap-
reached. informed the women that %
ley had not seen bill rs yet pro-
iding for the merger and until they
se and study such a bill they can
OF make any promises There is a
,ntiment. however. favorable to
ierging the different commissions.
'gardless or the opposition TO those
the present commissions. II the o.
tate can be saved money by the :
roposition.