Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-13
Keller Praises Workers.

In reporting the mothers aid bill
To the full committee Mr. Keller paid
tribute to The District men and
women. the finest in the world who
have given two years 10 an intensive
study in welfare work. as a result of
which a public welfare commission
drafted bill providing for consolida-
ton and Co-ordna ton of all public
welfare activities and for a mothers
aid bill. which would he Co-ordinated
with other public welfare work
We might he able to put through
the original bill drafted by this pub
lie welfare commission. which does
not provide for its administra ton ny
separate board said Mr. Keller
'tui. in my opinion. if YOU expect 10
Get this legislation through. Won must
accept the amendment which en-
bodies the main feature of the Mills
bill for administration of the mothers
aid fund by a separate board.
Representative Rathbone. represen-
tative OF Illinois. asked Mr.. Keller if
he personally preferred the origina
bill. which Mr.. Keller himself had
introduced. or the bin as amended
ana Mr.. Keller replied ''as amended =
Mr.. Hammer asked the opinion and
preferences of the local people whC
Mad drafted the bill after two years
A representative Of the Russell Sage
Foundation. Mr.. Keller replied: TIC
he frank. they feel that neither tho
Keller bill nor the Mills bill goes fan
enough. They give aid only TO moth
ers. In the event of their deaths. we
would like 10 have given aid 10 near
relatives who would take care of
the children
lie pointed ont that TO State now
gives aid 10 a mother who has funds
He said that ideal legislation would
give aid 10 mother even if she had
81 600 in a bank
Congress is willing TO go. If YOU pa ss
this bill as now recommended YOU
will have as good a mothers aid
statute here as In any other State IN
the Union"
Mr.. Rathhone suggested that the
committee should draft the hill from
the best possible standpoint and sub
nit il To the House. Then we will
have done our full duty" he said.
Model Bill Sought
Nj. Blantun said. Mr.. Keller ha 3
shown that he is open to conviction.
and has shown good Judgment" Mr.
Rathbone reminded the committee that
asked Congress Ia get out a model bill.
MIR. 'nderhill. who has had wide eX,
periOnCe in social welfare administra
tiOn and in drafting original mothers
aid law in MasSa ChusettS. said: Amy
la Nv that we report out and Congress
passes will he an Improvement on pres
ont conditions. This reform is for A
specific purpose and ought not To he
called mothers pension
primarily it is for the relief of chill.
dren and to keep families together.
1t is not particularly for INDECENT
mothers. This legislation should in
rlude parents. We should pass nett Their
a mothers bill nor A fathers bill. but
a childrens bill. Why neglect chill
dren who have lost "A mother any more
than those who have lost a father"
Mr.. Jnderhill said his experience
shows that in such an effort AZ this
administration Of the fund cannot be
left TO any board with other duties to
perform. 1t should not he called a
charity for one reason. and more es
peciaIly 1t should he under distinct ad
miniStratiOn because the underlying
purpose is the Mobilization of the
family. The money contribution Is
only incidental, while preservation o.
the family unit is paramount. He ex
pressed himself as strongly in favor
Of having a special board of organiZa
ton for administration of the law.
Might Hurt Measure.