Evening star., 1948-05-09
Better Housing
Urged by Family
Conference
Prepoid Medical Core,
Other Reforms Asked
As Sessions End

Inc IdIC-ElIenQeT- wagner NOUS
ing bill, prepaid medical care plans
and widespread reforms in educa-
ton emerged from the National
Conference on Family Life yester-
day as the Nations main needs to
Offset forces tending to disintegrate
the ties of home hfe.
After the closing session at Lisne1
Auditorium, about 900 delegates
took to their homes results of a
four-day scrutiny into virtually
every phase of individual and group
welfare. They decided Government
must carry its share Of responsible
ity, but that most family problems
must be met at local levels.
Chairman Eric Johnston proposed
the formation Of councils in every
community, through which existing
organizations could concentrate on
specific goals.
Housing Needs Emphasized.
Housing needs took precedence
In most discussions, with emphasis
on explanations that 2,750,000 fami-
lies who are forced to double up
with relatives or friends are unable
to develop strong ties. A special
committee which indorsed the Taft
Ellender- Wagner bill also called
for more renting housing and urged
formation of co-operatives to stimu-
late building.
Most revolutionary recommended
ton, made by committee headed
by the American Bar Association,
proposed a presidential commission
stndy and revision of marriage and
divorce laws.
1t proposed that the present di-
vorce court system be junked and
replaced by domestic relations courts
with power to deny divorces when
investigation showed any chance of
saving marriages. Legislation also
should be studied, it said, to halt
elopements, large number OF
which end in broken homes.
Sex Education Urged.
High school courses, another COM
mittee said. should include practical
training in marriage and family
problems, and sex education should
begin as early as the kindergarten
knowledge of sexual development
and reproduction, the group said,
usually is too little and too late"
The committee on health favored
strongly the principles of prepaid
health programs, but ducked action
on the controversial, administra-
tion-backed plea for compulsory
health insurance. 1t urged COM
munity groups to extend education
programs for expectant mothers and
cited pressing need for facilities
to care for premature babies.
In direct recommendation to
families, delegates urged that par
ents take time to provide family rec
reation in which all members can
take part and that the home be
opened to children as q meeting
place for their friends.
Psychiatry's Mistake.
In an address at the closing ses-
sion yesterday DR.. Leslie Holman,
of Duke University, told the dele
gates psychiatry probably has made
a mistake in selling its theories of
mental hygiene too we'll before
establishing them through research
and experimentation.
He said he was afraid educators
and social scientists have been so
swept by our promises and our theo-
1etical concepts that they are little
more than blind, enthusiastic fol-
lowers of psychiatrists."
At the same time, however, he
urged the extension OF mental hy-
giene clinics and said he thought an
experimental sociology and indivi-
dual psychology offer most Of our
hopes for the future development OF
mental health"
Stanley P. Davies, director Of the
Community Service Society of New
York, told the conference the field
of social welfare now has taken its
place among all economic groups.
Shreve Speaks.
an fact" he declared, people Of
means are turning to us in increas-
ing numbers. Help in New York to-
day is needed just as much by Park
avenue as it is by First avenue"
Earl o. Shreve. president OF the
United States Chamber of Com
merce, said in an address that fam
ily life can best be helped by a
return to the basic American be-
lief in individual freedom" and
called for closer restriction OF the
Federal Government to its consti-
tutional limitations"
In an attack on the present ad-
ministration. he said that Govern
ment policy too often has been
forced down from the top by Gov
ernment public relations experts on
the Government payroll" He said
the congressional elections last fall
sounded an awakening against
crackpot elements who had attached
themselves to the Democratic Party.
Mr.. Johnston urged representa-
tives of the l25 national groups par
ticipating in the conference to try
to "popularize" home management
so that families can get the most out
of their resources. He said, through
the establishment of community
councils, they also should seek wider
support for family counseling
services.
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