Evening star., 1928-05-24
MARYLAND WOMEN
STUDY CHILD NEEDS
Convention Turns to Welfare
Problems as Session
NearS End.

Concluding its eighth annual con-
vention at the Manor Club today. the
Maryland League of Women Voters
turned its attention to child hygiene
and welfare, heard national and State
needs outlined by several speakers and
passed a resolution urging additional
appropriations to enlarge the work of
the Maryland Bureau of Child Hygiene.
Declaring that maternal mortality
constitutes "an indictment of our intel
ligence," DR.. j. H. Mason Knox, lr,
the head of the bureau, urged the
league TO work for legislation designed
to protect the health of eXpectant
mothers and young children. He Saio
that the prenatal and early childhood
were the most neglected at present.
Estimates Value of Children.
DIR. Knox said that great strides had
been taken in recent years IN saving
children of school age and those IN
industry. Estimating the value OF a
male child at $4,000 and the temaie
child at about half that, he dectareo
that public health work has saved the
United States on the average OF OIL
lion dollars a year.
Renorts of the main department OF
research and legislation were made by
AIRS c.. Abram Moss on child wellare
legislation. by Miss Mary Wooten on
the child labor legislation, by MISS
Helen Brown on the status OF llleeitl-
mate children and by Miss Gertrude
McNaIy on women in industry.
Mrs. ElIicott Reelected.
AIRS Charles E. Ellicott of Baltimore
waS reelected president of the league
and the following vice presidents were
chosen: First, ST. George Barber; sec
o1d. Mrs. Calvin Gabriel, Mrs. 1,
Emmett Holt. IT.; Mrs, Charles 5. WOOD
Y7lff was reelected secretary, ana MRS.
Edwin w. Rouse, jr., treasurer.
The following district directors were
named. First district, Mrs. James
Rayard Noble: third, Mrs. John P.
Guckert: fourth. Mrs. Ralph Bonwit;
fifth, B. F. Wade; sixth, Mrs. b. Asnoy
Leavell
The child hygiene resolution indorsed
the work of the bureau IN Baltimore
and asked for additional appropTia-
tions to extend the bureaus actlVitles
TO children of pre-school age.
Back Forest Reserve.
Other resolutions recommended that
the legislative conference OF the league
indorse an appropriation for woman
dormitory at the University OF Mary
land: recommended purchase OF waste
land for a big forest reserve: indorsed
the enabling act to permit countries 10
establish regional institutions Tor the
aged and dependent poor: and peti-
toned Gov Richie TO appoint q woman
member Of the board OF regents OF the
University of Maryland.
nF ho National
Planning Commission was outlined at
the luncheon meeting by Col. U. S.
Grant. Sd, director of Public Buildings
and Public Parks of the National Capt.
tai. Col. Grant explained the regional
development by which the Capitals park
system would be extended into Virginia
and Maryland, illustrating his talk with
slides showing the proposed extension
In Maryland
Mai. E. Brooke Lee spoke on Prob
lens of Suburban Administration" and
Oliver Short on Stated Retirement
act."
8 Government operation of Muscle
Shoals as q "yardstick'' was urged at
the opening session by Mrs. Harris
Baldwin of Washington. chairman of
the national committee On living costs.
The convention vii continue throgh
tomorrow
Mrs Baldwin urged the women 10
support the bill now before Congress SO
that the country would have an oppor-
tuntty to compare Government opera
. tlOn with that Of private interests She
semphasized. however. that the league
did not advocate the general policy Of
Government operation Of industries.
Gives History of Project.
The support of the Nation was also
urged on the ground that Muscle
Shoals is needed for national defense
and for development Of fertilizer. Mrs.
Baldwin said that although the Norris
bill was not exactly what the league
wanted it vas the best proposition pre-
Sented SO far.
Tracing the history of the Muscle
Shoals development and outlining the
various proposals for private operation.
she said that the best bid so far offers
iilst about the amount OF money that
the Government now makes by running
four Of its eight power generators. III
long term leases could be granted, she