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'This, of course, could not have been possible without adequate legislation,' I took occasion to interpolate, 'so how was this secured ?

'To put it mildly, it was not the easiest thing I ever attempted to do, largely because there was then pending in the legislature a bill for the appropriation of $90,000 to purchase a site for the building of a great hospital to care for crippled children, It was difficult for a while to persuade the Governor and others that this expenditure would not at all solve the problem. Finally we gained our point. The hospital was not built; and the first bill affecting crippled children- was signed in 1919 by Governor Cox. Two years later when Governor Davis signed a further bill providing legislation according to our ideas, the state of Ohio ushered in a new era for crippled children on this continent. Thus was formed what is known as the "Ohio Plan," which had for its aim the care, cure, and education of all crippled children in Ohio.'

'What made possible the "International Society for Crippled Children," and where was is formed?'

'It was the manifest success of the "Ohio Plan" that led to the creation of the "International Society." The work in Ohio began to attract the attention of men and women outside the state, and led to inquiries as to what was being done and how, and whether the same thing might not be initiated in other states. I spent more and more time speaking to groups of Rotarians about the success of the "Plan" in my state. Many were profoundly interested, and even Paul Harris came down from Chicago to see me. A meeting of representatives from Michigan, Illinois, New York, the Province of Ontario, as well as a large number of Ohio people, was held in Toledo, October 13, 1921 to discuss what was being done in Ohio, and to consider the possibilities of extending the "Plan" into other states. There and then was born the "International Society for Crippled Children".'

'How do you set about introducing the work in a new state?' I then asked.

'As the saying runs, "This thing was not done in a corner." It would be difficult to find a state in the Union, less so now, of course, than formerly, where some people could not be found with considerable interest in the welfare of crippled children. It is this kind of people, often orthopaedic surgeons, teachers in schools, representatives of state departments, social workers, Rotarians and members of other service clubs, whom we call together, and discuss with them the possibilities of the work in their own state. I could tell many an interesting story concerning these initial gatherings, of the enthusiasm generated, the plans laid down, and the fine sacrificial work projected and accomplished.'

'What do you mean by taking the crippled child early and seeing him through?'

'It is a scientific fact, emphasized by all medical experts, that the best results are obtainable if the child is taken immediately after the onslaught of any crippling disease, or as soon after as possible. The earlier the child is taken and cared for, the greater the chance for recovery. We are assured by those competent to speak that fifty per cent of the crippled children need never have been so handicapped, but for an ignorance of the knowledge of what early medical attention means. Ninety per cent of the children affected by those diseases become crippled before school age. How necessary, it therefore becomes, to get the child in those tender years when the possibilities are great. I remember once attending a clinic in Chicago, at which Dr. Charles A. Parker was examining a child about eleven or twelve years of age, who had a withered arm. I asked the parents how long it had been that way, and they told me several years. Nothing had been done for the child, because they did not know that anything could be done. I asked Dr. Parker what the chances were for obtaining satisfactory results, and he said eighty per cent, and the time necessary, about a year. When I inquired what attention would have meant to this child if given when two weeks old, he replied, only two weeks work, with one hundred per cent results. By "'seeing a child through" we simply mean giving him the best physical care possible, the best education which he can assimilate, and the fitting of him for the best place in life, for which he is suited. The phrase, "take the crippled child early and see him through" sums up our whole philosophy on its practical side.'

If I may inquire, what is the goal toward which you are working?'

'Nothing less,' he promptly replied, 'the gradual elimination of the crippled child from the picture of life, or as we say, the complete eradication of crippledom.'

'What constitute the real values in this movement?'

'I should be inclined to say economic and spiritual. When I say economic, I mean that we definitely save cripples from being a burden to themselves and their families, and make of them happy, self-supporting citizens who take great pleasure in making the utmost use of their limited faculties, if a complete cure has not been possible. While this is a strong side to this work of reclamation, and I can appraise it fully, yet to me the problem is a spiritual one because it means the development of all the capacities of a child, until recently largely left aside in the race of life. There is another aspect to this matter which pertains to the many throughout the country who have become interested in the work, I know many men who never tasted the real joy of living till they became interested in some child, and determined, as a real god-father, to see that it had every advantage which science, education, and sympathy could secure for it.'