Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-15
SENATORS CLAIMS
CALLED IGNORANCE
Reed and King Are ASsailed
for Speeches Against
Maternity Act.

DIR. John A. Lapp, president of the
National Conference of Social Work
speaking at u luncheon under the aus
pices Of the Washington Council OF
Social Agencies in the Burlington
Hotel yesterday, termed as "1gnoran nj
utteranceS" statements made In the
Senate by Senators Reed of Missouri
and King of Utah. while speaking in
opposition TO the Sheppard TOwner
maternity act.
IF Senator King believed the things
he said in the Senate Thursday, God
help u.s." continued DR.. Lapp. Still
speaking Of the maternity act, DIR.
Lapp declared people like Senator
King have never visioned what 1t
means. Without mentioning other
names, he classed the statements
made by other opponents of the bill in
the same category in which he had
placed those made by Senators King
and Reed.
Had they known the situation, they
could not have been made to make the
statements they did he said. He
also referred in a general way to other
persons who speak against improving
welfare facilities. declaring that it is
a lack of understanding of human well
fare that causes them to act the way
they do.
100000 Babies Saved.
DR.. Lapp said that 250,000 babies
did not die in 1926 that would have
died under conditions prevailing 10
Years ago. AT the same time he indi-
Gated that the general work of reducr
ing the rate of infant mortality is
still merely in the early stages. of de-
velopment.
In line with the general subject of
l. o,,Jc of Child
Health in a Modern City" DR.. Lapp
advocated "a passion for understand
ing and Justice" By the social workers,
who, he said, should instill in the
minds of the general public the need
for rendering proper aid and justice
to persons dependent.
An understanding and sense of JUS
tice, continued the speaker, would
make people realize that children born
in poverty and without chance
should be aided to rise above their
surroundings. He also advocated some
plan of taking care of all crippled
children in order to give them "a
chance
Would Enlighten Public.
With the public having a thorough
knowledge of conditions and sense
of rendering Justice to children in the
DR. Lapp indicated it would be easy
to secure the enactment of legisla-
ton providing for carrying out vel
fare work. He told the group at the
luncheon that the same men who
fought the Sheppard Towner mater
nifty act would certainly be for at least
an intermediate educational program,
because they know the public would
be in favor of it. In the same way,
DIR. Lapp said, they would be in favor
of adequate welfare programs If they
knew the whole public was for them.
DIR. Lapp advocated a check-up on
the cost of government in respect to
various activities, and particularly
pertaining to child welfare. Welfare
activities for aiding children in need
should be limited only as the ability
of people to carry through those activ-
fties is limited, he concluded.
A. c. Moses. president of the Wash
ington Council of Social Agencies.
who introduced DIR. Lapp, referred to.
the increase in taxes in the District,
and stated that child welfare work
should be carried on, with streets and
lighting facilities neglected, If neces-
Sary.