42 Anderson JP'illiain Clark 



state control and supervision of both the institutional care of 

 children and of the placing-out system. Does anyone believe that 

 political "bossism" and the "spoils system" in the management 

 of charities will continue forever? Students of modern society 

 can see the signs and promises of better things in social and 

 political evolution. The way has been prepared by private charity 

 for state control. Placing-out agencies have experimented until 

 well-defined principles and methods have been established. It 

 appears that the time has come v^hen the state could assume full 

 control and supervision. The best experts of the country, men 

 and women with special training and adaptability, are available. 

 These men and women can be depended upon, as officers of the 

 state, to investigate homes thoroughly, to take into account ques- 

 tions of kind treatment for the child, moral and religious envi- 

 ronment, educational and social advantages, and financial condi- 

 tions. They will be able, therefore, to select the very best homes 

 for these wards of the state. This will give unity, harmony^ 

 economy; and efficiency in the work. 



At present there is much unnecessary duplication, friction,, 

 waste of time, waste of energy, and waste of money. In nearly 

 every community a half-dozen child-saving societies are solicit- 

 ing funds and operating often to the detriment of each other, 

 and with great loss of efficiency. 



XIV 



IMPERATIVENESS OF STATE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION 



Immediate state control is demanded in order to save the 

 lives of thousands of infants and small children who are to-day 

 in the hands of ignorant and sentimental nurses and caretakers, 

 where they suffer from poor ventilation, unsuitable food, and 

 bad sanitary conditions. These little ones are left to languish 

 and die. Some of these workers, in their enthusiasm, are over- 

 religious and self-deceived believing they are working for God 

 and for the good of humanity. Others see in it the opportunity 

 of getting a living. The generous public is imposed upon while 

 the lives of bright and promising children are blighted. 



39« . 



