Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-04
A NEW BUILDING NEEDED.

The Annual Report of President Falls of tho
Reform School-An Overcrowded institution.
Mr.. A J. Fails, president of the board o. trus-
tees Of the reform school Of the District. has
submitted to the Attorney General the twenty
seventh annual report Of the institution. which
states that since the organization of the school
I.6ol boys have been received. The maximum
number during the year was 20S and the mini
mum 1888. the average for the year being 1913.
The average age Of boys committed to the
school during the year was thirteen and half
years No death from disease occurred
during year, but one boy died from the effects
Of wounds inflicted with a knife. The boy who
was guilty of the assault was indicted and
finally sent to the Albany penitentiary. Ninety
boys were discharged during the year. The
estimates Of appropriations for the next fiscal
year amount in all to S75. 252. including Sl5G02
for salaries, S26. 900 for support OF inmates ana
$S3, $50 for buildings and improvements. these
estimates make provisions for an additonai
family building and the furniture Tor same ana
for o brick and stone chapel, besides other I'M
provements. Additional teachers are asked Tor
on account Of the growing population OF the
school
CROWDED BEYOND ITS CAPACITY.
The school is now crowded beyond its ca
pacity," the report says. land it has repeatedly
been my duty under the act Of Congress. to
notify the courts of the District of Columbia
that no more boys could be received. 1 have
often been appealed to by the judges OF the
courts to make room for boys who should be
sent to the school instead of to the jail or work.
house. but have been unable to comply with
their requests In the estimates submitted the
trustees have, therefore, asked for another
family building. ar an expense OF S2O.OOO, and
il is earnestly urged that this appropriation be
made by Congress at Its coming ses-
sion. This will be absolutely necessary,
in order that these boys who have taken
their first downward step in life, instead
of being relegnted to the pernicious influences
Of the jail work house, with associates har-
dened in crime, may be sent to the school,
where under kind treatment and refining IN
fuences they may be diverted from the hope
less career that may be before .hem. 1t must
be taken into consideration that the population
Of the District Of Columbia is rapidly increas-
ing year by year. and. unfortunately. this in
crease brings with il in the same ratio its share
Of crime and of maynard and incorriglble boys,
who must be provided for in our school !! they
are to be reclaimed and made useful and hon
orable citizens"
OTHER POINTS IN THE REPORT.
The farm during the past year has yielded
more bountifui crops than ever before. An
abundance Of fruits and vegetables OF all kinds
has been raised in sufficient quantities to more
than provide Cor The wants of the school.
Attention is again invited to the necessity Of
some legislation giving the trustees OF the
school control over boys who have been dis
charged from the school during their minority
Mr. Falls speaks in praise of tine faithful man.
ner in which the employees of the school have
discharged their duties and especially COM
mends Mrs. Shallenberger. the matron, for her
considerable. kind and motherly treatment of
the boys, especially when sick.