Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-06-29
STATE
CAPITAL
state orphanaae survey.

recommendation for a thorough
survey OF all Institutions Of the State
which house dependent children re-
ceived the hearty Endorsement Of
many delegates to the legislative Con
ference. State League Of Women Vot-
ers, in a recent session at the House
Of Delegates, State House, Annapolis.
The motion was introduced by Mrs.
@. Abram Moss, chairman Of the Child
Welfare Department Of the organiza-
tion, who declared that in the light Of
recent exposure Of child treatment in
certain Maryland orphan asyiums
some such survey should be required
by thinking women Of the State.
The question proved a storm center
Of the conference, and after lengthy
debate was referred to the committee
for more careful drafting Redrafted
and adopted by the some IS women
present, u read In part;
Whereas dependent children must
be considered wards of the State. and
the state is responsible for their vel.
fare. we believe that all Institutions
for children in Maryland be thorough
ly surveyed and are willing to back
any competent, dIsiuterested organi-
zaiion ready to undertake such an In.
vestigation.-
Opposition was based on the fact
that newspaper reporters are all the
criticism Of such Institutions at
hand and Il was stated that there
fore the League should be cautious
in bringing charges. II was also
stated that snch investigations are
the duty Of the State Board of Chari-
ties, and that any survey should be
under the supervision OF said board.
Miss Harriet Freely OF Montgomery
county, lawyer and one OF the lead
ers of the Maryland organization. told
delegates that similar survey had been
conducted in Washington with good
results and said that the survey had
been attended the cooperation OF
Washington charitable organizations
outside and disinterested experts.
making such a survey could find out
just what conditions do exist. as was
done in the 19201921 school survey,
and immense good could come Of the
report. she said. Miss Freely was
vigorously applauded and final pas
sage Of the resolution was virtually
unanimous. The Russell Sage Foun-
dation was suggested for the work
Other resolutions adopted we're that
statement of age upon application for
registration to be required of neither
men nor women; that Governor
Richie be commended for his ap-
polntment of a committee to study
farm problems; that the Board Of
Police Examiners to be abolished as
unnecessary and its duties be commit
ted to the State Employment Com
mission; that the Maryland State Po-
lice be duly established as force
necessary to public protection
A measure introduced by Mrs VIII
liam NJ Maloy asking endorsement
of a bill to provide zoning in the
counties was stormily contested ana
finally passed by one vote. Resolu-
tions asking that the league support
legislation for an eight,hour day for
women received prolonged debate and
was finally laid on the table
AT luncheon in Carvel Hall Colonel
Claude B. sweezey spoke on needed
prison reforms, suggesting the expe-
diency of separate building for women
prisoners. H. i. varian. volunteer
State police, Catonsville. asked sup
port for a recognized State force. as
provided in New York and otheE
States. A resolution endorsing Colonel
Sweesey's plan was unanimously
passed.
The report of the Committee on
Uniform laws was much discussed
and the following measures made
part of the legislative program. which
Is to be pushed at the January ses-
sioa of the state Assembly
That health certificates be required
of both parties before the Issuance Of
marriage licenses: that the gropEd for
divorce, proven unchasity Of wife
before marriage" be stricken from
Maryland statutes. and that bill be
introduced by tho League providing
for a uniform marriage evasion act.