Evening star., 1926-01-21
PLEAD FOR LOCAL
MOTHERS AID BILL
Spokesman Almost Unani.
nous in Opposing New
York Workers. Plan.

Residents of the District snC
spokesmen for "a number OF the larg
est organizations renewed their ap
peal for passage of the mothers alC
bill as drafted by the local commits
sion on public welfare legislation, In
preference to the plan advocated by
New York social workers, at today's
hearing before q Senate subcommit
tee.
Practically all Of the local people
who spoke at uoday's meeting were
unanimous in supporting the commits
sion's bill. which would place admin
iStration of mothers aid under the
Board of Charities instead of creating
d. separate agency, as advocated by
the New York social workers.
Former Commissioner Mabel Board
man made a strong appeal to the
members of Congress to heed the re-
quest Of the people of Washington on
this subject.
Implores Aid for Bill.
William Hodson, the expert who as
sisted the commission on public vel
fare legislation in going over all of
shington's welfare laws during the
past few years, also implored the com
mittee to approve the commission g
bill, declaring that it represented the
views Of nearly all the people of
Washington and was drafted after
careful consideration and the holding
OF public hearings. at which all local
interests We're heard.
Senator Bruce OF Maryla nd asked
Miss Boardman for an opinion on
another bill sponsored by Senator
Gerry of Rhode Island, which would
eliminate all boards and appoint two
executive directors, one TO handle
penal institutions and the other TO
handle welfare work not related to
crime. Miss Boardman answered that
directors, in their individual capacity
could not unite the different welfare
interests as we'll as a consolidated
board Of welfare. Miss Boardman also
declared she saw no merit in the argu-
ment OF supporters of separate
agency that there would be a stigma
Of charity placed on mothers II they
had to apply to a general welfare
board for financial allowance.
Several times during the hearing
Senator Copeland inquired If it was
true that the total cost OF paving
mothers allowances would be borne
by District taxpayers. as he had been
informed. Several OF the local speak
ers said that was their understanding
Senator Copeland said he would find
out definitely. since he regarded that
as having an important bearing on
the question.
A good natural colloquy took place
between Senator Copeland and Mrs
Louis Gutenberg OF the "Voteless'
League OF Women Voters of the Dis
trict. when she laid emphasis on the
word voteless and said the lack of
vote was being felt particularly at
this Time.
Embarrassment Denied.
Senator Copeland asked her why
the lack Of the ballot was being felt
more at this time than ordinarily.
Mrs. Gutenberg replied because il
the people of the District had a Rep
resentative in Congress he could
speak for them
Senator Bruce of Maryland observ-
ed with a smile that Maryland was
very close TO the District Of Columbia.
Il think she had in mind, perhaps,
that it's a long way TO New York"
said Senator Copeland in a friendly
spirit after the testimony was con-
tinued. Mrs. Gutenberg. answering
the argument that If mothers aid was
administered by the Public Welfare
drive up to the door. said she had
never seen a charity wagon draw up
to anybody's door. Miss Louise Beall
of the Associated Charities also re-
futed the contention that mothers
would be ambarra ssed by visits from
a charity wagon. pointing out that
the Associated Charities has been ex-
tending aid to mothers and has al
ways done it by check.
James f. Stuart, agent OF the
Board of Children's Guardians told
the committee he was not appearing
2" spokesman for that board, but eX
pressed the view that if it We're log
ical to have a separate agency to ad
minister mothers allowances, the
same argument could be used to con-
tinue other separate agencies.
He pointed out that the Board Of
Children's Guardians, which would be
abolished by the local public welfare
bill has Endorsed that bill.
Supporters of Plan.
Others who spoke in support OF the
local plan We're Dorsey W. HYDE ir.
representing the Board of Trade and
the Monday Evening Club; Mrs. ".
A. Robert of the social service COM
mittee Of the Federation of Churches,
Miss Borchard Of the Women's Trade
Union League. Rev. DR.. John Ryan
of the Consumers League. Miss May
Fay Bentley. Women's City Club,
and John Ihlder. member Of the
on Public Welfare Legis-
iation.
Throughout the meeting today
there were frequent good-natured
references to the differences Of opin-
ion existing between the people of
Washington and the social workers
of New York over the form In which
this legislation should be passed.
At the conclusion of the hearing
Senator Copeland of New York. chair
man Of the subcommittee, assured
those present that the subcommittee
would give most careful considerae
ton to the views Of the people of
Washington before taking any action
Earlier in the meeting Senator Cope
land declared that he had no feeling
of preference between the two bills.
but was seeking light on the subject.
The only local person who made ex-
tended argument against the commits
sion's bill was Rev. John O'Grady of
the Catholic charities, who advocated
the Wadsworth bill. embodying the
theory of the New York social work
ers that the mothers aid law should
be administered by separate agencies.
Miss Boardman declared she was
supporting the local commission bill
because her experience on the board
Of District Commissioners several
years ago disclosed to her that a be
situation" exists at the pres
ent time with a number of different
boards functioning separately, and not
all responsible to the Commissioners
This situation, she said, convined her
of the necessity Of having one united
welfare board.
LONDON POLICE SOUGHT.
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