The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-03
Salvation Army Faces Problems

F0rCysuve years ago the S8lVattO0 Army opened in Boston its first home In New England for unmar- ried mothers. The early lays were hard and trying ones, but today, cs a result of the labors of brave work CTS who had vision and faith to blaze the trail, the Evangeline Booth Maternity Home stands out as a landmark in the field of social serv- ice.
 Facts concerning this home, which represents but one phase of a na- tion-wide network of Salvation Army activities in behalf of women in trouble or need, are embodied il. its annual report just received by the oflcer commanding the local center of the Salvation army, Adjt. Hugo Wiberg.
 The girl facing motherhood out of wedlock, dismayed and alone, forms one of the most perplexing problems of modern communities. And the Salvation Army's handling of that problem evokes, according to its leaders, a more spontaneous re- sponse os admiration and respect than almost any other Salvation Army activity.
 Good Medica! Treatment
 A splendidly equipped hospital, en 1orsed by the American College of Surgeons, is operated in conjunction with the home, and both institu- tions have been under the direc- ton of Lieut.. Colonel Katherine Eckerle, superintendent, for 26 years. The hospital provides the best of medical and surgical treat mem: while the home is real home, for as long a time before and after the birth of the girls cAilG, as experienced judgment con- si-'ers wise.
 With utmost patience the girl is given instruction in the household arts, personal hygiene, the care of he. baby, and. last, but not least. religious instruction. Services of a noa-sectarian nature are held daily and each girl is urged to give re- ligion a definite place in her life. under whatever banner of faith or creed she chooses to live 1t. The staI of workers strive in every way to place before the girls higher ideals and wholesome living, and to stimulate in each the desire to live Q clean and useful life.
 At the beginning of the year, the report shows, there were 45 moth- CTS and babies in the home. During the year 117 girls were admitted and 96 babies born. They received 17,687 days care and were served 53,O61 meals. Ten girls were dis charged t o situations. 4 to hospi- tals and other institutions and 186 to parents, guardians and friends. while 2 were married.
 Of the IF girls. S4 had completed a high school education and A oth- CTS had attended high school with out graduating.
 As to occupations. 28 were regis- tered as At home";; 35 had been engaged in domestic service. l3 had been attending school, and 10 had been working in factories.
 Two of the girls were only IA years old. The ages most numerous ly represented were 18 and 2l-- there were IT girls in each of these age groups. Only { girls were 9 years old. Girls % years old and over numbered 2i.
 Confidence Winners
 One point brought out in the report Is that forced marriages are rarely countenanced by the Home Officers. The fact that the girl is in the home at all is usually evil dence that the father will not or cannot accept responsibility. Some times this does not hold true. In one instance, the girl, deeply humil- iated by her experience, showed the utmost disinclination to discussing her problem with the officers. Eventually they won her confidence in their Judgment and she told them the mans name. Discreetly, tl information was put to use. It developed that he had no knowl- ecge of her plight. nor had her frantic family, from whose sight she had dropped completely. The baby's father gladly and happily agreed to marriage. while the family were re-