Evening star., 1947-03-16
Citizens Oppose
Shift in Child
Welfare Setup
Against Corrections
Department Ruling
institutions Here


The Federation of Citizens Asse-
Citations last night voted its opposi-
ton to pending legislation in Con-
gress which would remove the
Board of Public Welfare's jurisdic-
ton over juvenile institutions here,
In taking this action, the fedora
tion supported the report of its
law and legislation committee
which was critical of the proposal
to place juvenile institutions under
the supervision of the Districts De-
partment of Corrections.
Pointing out that the corrections
deals with adults, the
committee declared:
'It seems to us to be the consid-
cred opinion and final conclusions
OF those who are expert in the ham
ding of child welfare problems that
the administration of child institu-
tions should not be placed in any
administrative body which also has
the care of adult delinquents.
Approves Child Center.
The federation, however, approved
provisions of the Hebert bill to
establish child center and classi-
flcation service under the direction
of the Board of Public Welfare. The
bill provides for the blishment
OF the latest scientific and diagnostic
treatments and methods in dealing
with each child placed in the care
OF the board.
The juvenile institutions affected
are the Industrial Home School, the
Industrial Home School for Colored
Children and the National Training
School for Girls.
In another action, the federation
voted to ask Congress to regulate
the construction of television- and
radio towers in residential areas.
1t asked that Congress properly
protect the health, safety, property,
residential development, school and
recreational facilities and the beau
ty of the Nations Capital"
The Federation also asked the
Commissioners to take action to in
sure greater traffic safety along Con-
necticut avenue NV. between Til
den and Albemarle streets.
Baxter Smith, chairman of the
Federation Safety Committee, said
"a serious problem exists in this
area"
Delay on Bridge Urged.
The Federation also voted that the
construction of a bridge over the
Anacostia River in line with Massa-
chusetts avenue should not be un-
dertaken until some of the more
urgent highway needs of the Dis
trict have been met" However, the
Federation asked District authorities
to give priority to the Massachu-
setts avenue bridge request ahead Of
any other structure which may be
built over the Anacostia.
Clifford H. Newell, president, pre-
sided over the meeting, held in the
District Building. .r.
Mr. Newall announced plans for
the annual dinner of the Federation
at pm. Wednesday in the Hotel
StatIer. The dinner will celebrate
the 37th anniversary of the Fedora
ton and more than 600 members Or
citizens associations are expected to
attend.
A feature will be the presentation
Of The Evening Star Cup for out
standing civic worker of the year in
the Federation to Dr. NJ Virginia
O'Neil. First woman named for the
award, DR.. O,Neil won 1t for her work
in combating juvenile delinquency
here. She served as chairman of the
federation's committee on youth
problems. DR.. O'Neil is delegate
from the Mount Pleasant Citizens
Association.
Cain And Dirksen to Speak.
Senator Cain, Republican, Of
Washington, chairman of the fiscal
affairs subcommittee of the Senate
District Committee, and Representa-
tive Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois,
chairman OF the House District Com
mittee, will be the principal speakers.
The dinner committee is headed
by James A. Crooks, delegate from
the North Capitol Citizens Associa-
ton.
Guests at the dinner will include
District Commissioners John Russell
Young, Guy Mason and Gordon r.
Young; Senator Capper, Republican,
of Kansas and Senator Johnston,
Democrat, of South Carolina, both
members of the Senate Districs
Committee; Representatives Bates,
Republican, of Massachusetts, and
Mcmillan, Democrat, of South Caro-
lima, both of the House District
Committee, and Representative Ste
fan, Republican, of Nebraska, of the
House Appropriations Subcommittee
on the District.
Other guests will include James
R. Kirkland, counsel of the Senate
District Committee; Chairman
James H. Flanagan of the Public
Utilities Commission; James w.
Lauderdale, PUG commissioner;
Peoples Counsel John O'Dea, Mrs.
Gertrude Parks, president of the
District Federation of Women's
Clubs; Mrs. o. G. Hankins, George
Stewart, ]. M. Heiser, president OF
the Federation OF Businessmen's
Associations; B. M. McKelway,
editor of The Star; Alexander F.
Jones, managing editor of the Post;
Frank c. Waldrop, editorial writer
of the Times-Herald, and Joseph
C. McGarraghy, president of the
Board of Trade.
lVeternnIs Record