Evening star., 1932-09-30
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
President Hoover has taken the posi-
ton that "in the larger sense none OF
the problems before us Is greater than
the problems of the home and the chill
dren."
The Chief Executive expressed this
view in q message to round table
conference of representatives OF more
| than 1900 women's organizations. helo
in New York under auspices OF the New
York Herald Tribune Institute. 1t was
broadcast nationally last night from
the Lincoln study of the White House.
Mr.. Hoover repeated to the confer
ence the "children's charter" evolved
, at the White House Child Welfare Con-
ference and pledged his support to its
realization.
Text of His Adress.
His address follows:
Your meeting is for the purpose OF
forming programs of work In local ao-
vancement during the next year. l
have been asked to speak for few mo-
ments on the question of housing and
of children. I could have taken part
of my time to speak to you about such
problems as world disarmament, Amer.
lean policies in advancement OF world
peace, the Importance Of the forthcom-
ing economic conference in Europe. the
problems of reconstruction from the
present depression the tremendous
problems Of reorganization we must
face as result OF our experience III
the last three years.
"All of these are vital questions to
which the women of America are in
terested and in which you can con-
tribute enormously to advancement.
But in the larger sense none OF the
problems before us is greater than the
problems of the home and the children.
Second only in importance to the
direct problems of childhood are the
collateral problems of home surround
ings and home ownership. The con-
ference in Washington on Housing and
Home Ownership in which many of
those present with you this evening par
ticipated, has established a basis for
national thought and progress in the
great social and economic problems IN
volved. The work of that conference
already has f1owered in the creation OF
a new system CT Home Loan Banks,
which I recommended to the Congress
for both emergency purposes and for
the permanent advancement OF home
ownership. The authority in the Re
construction Finance Corporation act
to make loans for slum clearance in the
cities Is another evidence of the ad-
vance of public thought. To you who
are planning ahead programs of work
for earnest groups of organized women
l strongly commend study of the new
data, new ideas and methods and plans
envisaged by this most exhaustive con-
ference on Housing and Homes.
Children safeguarded.
"Our most immediate question is the
strain of the depression upon the chill
dren. In this depression as never be-
fore the American people have re-
sponded with high sense of response
bility to safeguard and protect the chill
dren, not only as the humane necessity
of the day, but that there may be no
danger for the future. The devotion of
voluntary effort, the solicitude being
given throughout the Nation to the well
fare of children through this trying dis
tress is a stimulant to the spirit of
every one of us. The continuous re-
ports of the Public Health Service
showing a less infant mortality, less
infant disease than in prosperous times,
can mark only one thing and that Is
the most extraordinary devotion to
those who would be normally the most
hard pressed I know of no greater
service than constant watchfulness of
your groups that they shall continue to
be safeguarded.
There is another opportunity grow
ing out of these times to advance the
cause of children. 1t is obvious that
the discoveries Of science and inven-
ton, of labor-saving devices, have out
run the rapidity with which We nor
I1yy I<o1a wit
ployment in production of new COM
modities and new services. The result
is a large increase in what we popu-
larly call archaeological unemploy-
ment' One answer to 1t lies in Short
ening the houE of labor that all may
ultimately participate in the produc-
tive work Of the Nation. But there also
is another contribution which can be
made-that is the steady elimination
of child labor. A great deal has been
accomplished in this direction in past
years. But it would not only help
childhood, but would aid in the better
distribution of work among adult
breadwinners If more children were
eliminated from those few industries
where they are still employed. 1t would
be step toward the permanent elm
ination of young children from indus
try
is no more helpful to children than it
is to adults, and that rigorous en-
forcement and support of school at
tendance is of vital accompaniment of
all reduction of child employment
which, in turn, brings us to the neces-
sity of maintaining and supporting our
schools as e first charge upon all of
our resources in these times of emer-
gency. Not alone should we maintain
and support and expand them for the
purpose Of absorbing the comparatively
small percentage of children who other
wise might be engaged in industry. We
cannot afford to slacken one moment
in the preparation of the new day of a
generation of Americans stronger ano
better, not only physically and intel
lectually, but. above all, morally.
I'VE can do much to help the Ma
ton and the children over the present
emergencies. But the greatest service
in the long visw is the endowment We
can give to the next generation ir
health and character. In that field lies
the progress of the Nation in stamina
health and character. So much have
I felt this to be an imperative respon.
sibility, that have given every weight
| VI tl1o O1uSC dllu HULL lullc LII dooO'
citation with these efforts.
The Children's Charter.
'Latterly have been much interest.
ed in the systematic formulation of tht
conclusions of the White House confer.
ence on problems of children. Out o.
! this conference came the Children
| Charter, containing definite program
"a program near to your heart anc
mine, a program so comprehensive, 81
varied as to provide a foothold for ever!
kind of organized interest, program
so definite that your can make it per
sonal and specific undertaking. Tha
it struck responsive chord in the Ma
ton is evidenced by the millions o
copies of it which have been reproduced
ITO refresh your memory of it ant
to re-express my own interest in it,
shall repeat to you an abbreviated con
densation of it. This then should b
our creed and our program for child
hood: