Evening star., 1940-01-20
educated. healthy and happy citi-

Zens."
"You tell me In effect" he said
to the conference, what I have
been talking about for many years
that we are moving forward toward
an objective of raising the incomes
and living conditions of the poorest
third OF our population, that we
have made some dent on the prob
lem, and that most decidedly we
cannot stop and rest on our some
what meager laurels."
1t was there that he interjected
his declaration that mere grants
in aid constitute no permanent solu-
ton" Earlier, he said:
After reviewing the record of
the past 10 years. your conference
finds that We have definitely i'm
proved our social institutions and
public services. You conclude, and
rightly, that to have made progress
in a period of hardship and strain
proves that America has both
strength and courage. But we have
still much to do. Too many chill
dren are still living under conditions
that must be corrected If our democ-
racy Is to develop to its highest
capacity"
The conference addressed by the
President was the fourth in a 30
year series, the first having been
held in 1909.
Indorses Proposals.
President Roosevelt indorsed con-
ference proposals which he de-
scribed as follows:
CD "A program for the perma-
nent resettlement of at least one
million people" who are now migra-
tory. (2) "A national commission,
under private auspices, to study
leisure-time needs and recreational
resources" 80 complete service
for all women during maternity
and for all newborn infants" And
a. that I appoint a national nu-
triton committee to review our
present knowledge and coordinate
our efforts"
Secretary of Labor Perkins, who
introduced the President, after
wards pledged the conferences best
effort to carry forward in every
State the ideals and aims of America
for its children"
Prior to the Presidents address,
Homer Folks, chairman of the con-
ference Report Committee and Sec
retary of the State Charities Aid
Association, New York, reviewed the
work of the conference.
Citing improvements in the past
decade, Mr.. Folks said there was
"every reason for confidence that
they may continue with accelerated
momentum in the reduction Of ma
ternal mortality and tuberculosis"
Not Self-Starting.
Eighty-three recommendations Of
the Report Committee were accept
ed. but Mr.. Folks pointed out they
will mot be self-starting." The next
move, he said, is to follow up" the
recommendations.
Mrs. H. w. Ahart, president Of the
Associated Women of the American
Farm Bureau Federation, also ad-
dressed the meeting at the White
House. She said she felt "the Gov
ernment was going to make light
ming war on some Of the inequalities
Of opportunity that now exist.
The greatest potential danger to
American democracy, Mrs. Ahart
said, "lies In the attitude of our
youth to the solution of nressinp
economic problems" Ten years CT
widespread unemployment and the
feeling Of insecurity that permeates
various groups, she added, have
caused certain dangerous tenden-
cies to manifest themselves in both
the lower and upper age brackets"
Children under q democracy, Mrs.
Ahart concluded, are entitled to all
Of the emoluments that provide
necessities Of life and opportunities
for constructive service to self and