The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-04
Great Work accomplished in
20 Years by ChildrenS Bureau
BY JULIA BLANSHARD
NEA Service Writer

-WAsHINGToN, May 4-The
w foreboding shadow of gov
ernmental economy hovers over the
United States childrens bureau on
it's twentieth anniversary.
With heads of the bureau and
leaders of child welfare ozganiza-
tons united in opposition to bud
get slash, the senate will vote soon
on proposals TO lower the bureaus
annual appropriation from 1895 900
to $50 900.
Even the former sum has been
considered inadequate in the past.
Summarizing twenty years Of
achievement, the bureau viii at
tempt to show the legislators why a
reduction in the appropriation will
be a direct blow at the health and
well-being Of the nations children.
Lillian Wald and Florence Kelly
originated the idea. Letters were
pouring in: Why do children die
like flies in summer timer" Why
must I put my children in a heart
less orphans home just because /
have lost my husband, when I could
keep my home and little ones to-
gether with Just a little help?" g.
"The government pays TO inves-
tigate its cotton crop and to learn
how farmers should treat cattle and
horses. Why shouldn't it have a
bureau to study the child crop?'
Miss Valid exclaimed.
THAT was in 1909. She wired
Il President Roosevelt and he re-
piled Bully" But it took three
years before bill framed by Sena-
tor Borah passed, creating this all
important branch Of government
work.
During the twenty years succeeN-
ing. first under the leadership Of
Julia Lathrop for nine years and
under Grace Abbott for the next
eleven. this childrens bureau has
done three distinct and able jobs:
First. in child welfare. Second,
in child delinquency. Third, in
child labor.
When the bureau started, infant
mortality was its first interest.
Eight typical cities were taken.
Surveys were made.
1t was found that rich folks lost
one child in twenty seven; poor
folks one in seven. Physical care,
sanitation, feeding were found the
reason in the difference.
It was discovered that more
mothers died in child
birth than in any other civilized
nation for which statistics were
available. Halg of these mothers
were found to die unnecessarily.
Out o. this years investigation,
which meant at least $4,000 per
sonal visits to homes, the Shepard
Towner bill was passed.
Under this bill the government
the states in funds. to set
up bureaus for mother and infant
health.
Only three states failed to accept,
5000 permanent child health bu-
reaus grew out of it, and mothers
and older sisters were taught baby
care.
DEFORE this bill passed, 76 out
ID Of every 1000 babies died the
first year. Seven years after its
passage, the ratio dropped 10 81.
Millions of mothers have learned
how babies need spinach and
orange juice and that cod liver oil
and sunshine Will counterfeit rick
cts.
Even now, however. New Zealand
has only half our death rate, so
there is more educational work -
be done, though over 100000 600
pamphlets on child care have been
films and lectures given
all over the country, and child
clinics in more than 5000 cities
permanently established.
This astounding record In in
FAINT and mother health is matched
by the accomplishments OF the
Children's Bureau in juvenile de-
linquency.
Before 1912, when Sammy stole