The report of the General Secretary shows in detail the nature, range and extent of C. A. S. activities. Attention to 329 cases with some measure of benefit to 996 children constitutes an impressive record of important achievement. Our appreciation grows as we study the nature of the work and the kinds of adjustment effected.

We have become responsible for 76 wards; and we have placed 39 of these in free homes. Though we are likely to be most impressed by such concrete results, we should remember that the break‐up of a family is and should be the last resort. Where there is anything to build upon rehabilitation work should enable the family to hold together under acceptable conditions. So it happens that the greater part of our work is of the preventive and constructive sort called “case‐work." The detailed investigations, the numerous conferences, and the effecting of various delicate adjustments within the family or of the family to the community, constitute a complex and costly work which, in the long run, pays both in economic and social respects.

Our work has called attention to one serious gap in Vermont's program of welfare work. Various lines of social work can be carried on effectively only when facilities are available for thorough psychological examination of individuals concerned. All dependents and all delinquents should have a mental test which reveals intellectual grade or capacity; they should also have the broader and deeper personality study which reveals capacities and defects, tendencies, dispositions and characteristics. Only on the basis of such clinical study and diagnosis can we proceed safely and surely in prescribing for and disposing of cases.

Vermont needs facilities for thorough psychological examination of all dependent and delinquent individuals. This lack is the most serious defect perhaps at present in the work for prevention and correction of social evils. In this connection Vermont needs also a Mental Survey which will locate every case of mental defect within our borders. So many cases of dependency, delinquency, illegitimacy, etc., reveal mental defect as at least contributing cause, that social wisdom and social economy demand closer attention to this factor. At present little is done for a large class of Morons who are not sufficiently defective to be sent to the Brandon School and who have not yet become delinquent within the meaning of the law. The call for thought and care comes from Morons in all parts of our commonwealth: “Come and help us – for we cannot help ourselves; and in helping us to avoid evil and error you will be serving your own interests and the welfare of your own children as well."

Through the cooperation of The Child Welfare League of America, of which our Society is a member, we have enjoyed the advantages to be derived from a study of our work and policies by one of the foremost authorities in the field of child‐helping. C. C. Carstens, the General Secretary of the League, spent several days with us in May, going over the working of the Society in detail. After a study of the records of cases worked upon he addressed our Board of Directors. His references to the policy and work of our General Secretary, Miss Webster, were highly laudatory; and he complimented us upon having so able a staff of paid workers. In one respect he advised a change of policy. This change would involve extending the scope of our work to include care for children of border‐line mentality. On his recommendation our Directors voted to devote a part of our resources each month to the problem of effecting the requisite adjustments for subnormal children. More recently, through agreement with the State Board of Charities and Probation (November 20, 1921), we have undertaken to provide the service needed in finding boarding‐homes and suitable supervision for Morons whenever the town concerned will agree to meet the necessary outlay for board and clothing of such children. In this way we are seeking to fill in the biggest gap existing in the program of welfare work of public and private agencies in our State.

Though no organized effort has yet been made to secure a permanent endowment, we have the nucleus of such a fund. Our First Vice‐President, Mortimer R. Proctor, sent as Christmas present, December 25, 1920, a check for three thousand dollars. This generous gift with sixteen life membership fees gives its a start of $4,600 on a fund that we hope will grow constantly through gifts by subscription and by legacy or bequest. We have received intimations that certain friends have remembered us in their wills. Bankers and lawyers in advising clients relative to charitable bequests are respectfully urged to have in mind the needs and the claims of our Society.

It was the happy thought of Mrs. Matthew H. Buckham and her sister, Miss Susie Tyler, to give a Christmas tree and party for C. A. S. wards in Burlington and vicinity. The jolly group is shown in the frontispiece laden with gifts provided by many generous friends in various parts of the State.

On behalf of 996 children helped, and as one citizen in the commonwealth thereby enriched and improved. I desire to express grateful appreciation to all whose contributions of thought and effort, of time and of money, have enabled the conduct of our elaborate work of preventive and constructive endeavor.