Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-28

aDle ana correctional establishments of
other large cities in respect TO uniformity
or systematic direction, or economy OF man.
agement which can only be secured by the
steady pursuit Of a symmetrical administra-
tive plan. There is yet urgent need OF the
consolidation, combination, or other direc-
uon that Will insure the conduct OF the
charitable work Of the District with the
ieast interference or misapplication OF effort
ana without duplication OF charitable ex-
peholtures The present superintendent OF
charlties Is not yet prepared to submit in
detail a perfected plan to fully Accomplish
! these purposes OF the law OF 1890. The ex-
lsuns arrangement Of charities OF the capi-
Ia. city OF the United States is TO some ex-
tent the outgrowth Of the exigencies OF the
civil war. In this way IL came about that
hospitals which, from accident of location
anu superior facilities, were used for sick
ana wounded soldiers have remained under
the control OF the War Department. In like
manner other institutions, first devoted TO
.ne care OF colored inmates became subject
TO the jurisdiction of the Department of the
Interior. through the operation OF the freed
mans bureau Again, there are asylums
homes and reformatory establishments un-
ger the direction of the law department.
such as. for example, the reform school
Tor girls. just constructed, the recent in
sutution OF which under such departmental
supervision is evidence that the custom of
scattering through departments OF the ma
tional government charitable and correc-
tlonaI foundations for purely local service
mas not yet come to an end. The superin-
tenoent OF charities Is convinced that with
IN another year all charitable institutions
OF the District can be brought under one
ControL with the assent OF all the depart
menus OF the national government now con-
cerned In their direction, and TO the salts
facuon OF the institutions themselves as
Wen as TO the great advantage OF the public
erne Sedurns a more equitable and efficient
expenditure OF sums appropriated" 1t il
believed that in this way, within the time
! stated. the distinctive preliminary mission
OF me act OF 1880 can be fulfilled that the
/ n
least upon a basis OF equality with those OF
Boston, New York, Philadelphia Baltimore
ana other large cities OF the country, and
tnat thereafter there will be simply a oues-
uon OF honest and competent adrninistration
| fined.
Meanwhile, the superintendent OF charities
Is prepared TO recommend In this report
certain preliminary administrative reforma-
uons, which seem to be plainly necessary,
ana the carrying out OF which will pave the
way Tor the work OF complete reconstruc-
ton' while preventing current waste and
securing better return for treasury OUTLAWS.
Unique State of Anairs.
II Is with a view to making the recon-
mendations for legislation at the coming
session OF Congress sound ana complete
as practicable. while recommending nothing
for immediate enactment not based upon
experience. that this report has been de-
layed until a late date. in order that obser-
walton OF peculiar local conditions might
correct supplement or supplant theoretical
views, however strongly advocated by 9TH
ers, or entertained by the reporting officer.
The conditions OF charities and corrections
existing in the District of Columbia are not
paralleled anywhere else In this country or
| in the world. In the mixture of local ana
general contribution, in the participation TO
| an uncommon degree, of the creations OF
private benevolence, In the benefits OF public
appropriations attendant upon the dual con-
troll OF federal and local government and In
the natural tendency OF theorists TO seek
trial Of cherished projects in the capital city
or great country, lie the causes OF WASH
ington's peculiar characteristics as a center
| or charitable and correctional effort Ac-
cording to many experts of varying views
| II would be better IL, in one way or another
| the institutions OF the District OF Columbia
were different to their relations TO the
government and government aid. Some
hold that the public should have nothing to
| do with establishments founded or directed
| by private citizens. Others are inclined to
| the view that these private, or quasi-private,
| institutions could be 30 utilized as TO obvi-
ate the necessity for much OF the current
public expenditure. The present superin-
tendent Of charities. while not unacQuainted
with the various theories on this subject
| and long familiar with trial OF them In the
| largest of American cities. deems IL his duty
| TO lay aside all theoretical partialities and
at least in the first instance and for some
time to come. to deal with the institutions
| OF Washington as he has found them, with a
view to securing from them the greatest
| possible amount OF good at the least prac-
ucable cost.
Opposed to New Institutions.
There are now pending a number OF prop
ositions for the creation OF new charitable
institutions through support from public
funds. To all OF these am opposed. for the
reason that the means which would be de-
voted to them could be better used by ap-
plication to existing institutions. To use
what We have well and wisely seems to be
the full and sufficient duty OF the time. To
| Illustrate this. there are hospital and dis
pensary buildings within the District having
capacity for the doing. on the same prem
lses, or more work, and that OF character
often urgently needed. than can be done In
the establishments as now equipped. Some
or these hospital structures have rooms ap-
propriate for wards which are not fitted
for occupancy. AT the time of the disaster
at the Fords Theater building this defect
| was realized. and IL was necessary TO make
sudden transfer OF appliances for caring for
the injured from one institution TO another
in order to cope with the exigency. IL il In
this view that recommendations for ad-
ditfons TO some existing establishments.
without involving new and expensive build
ings. have been covered in the schedule OF
appropriations submitted, while In no case
has the request been made for money for
the founding or erection OF any new institu-
ton. This applies TO establishments main
NnOllN at PUBIC COST well 10
those only partly sustained by allotments
from public funds.
Instead OF increasing the number OF insti-
buttons drawing support, through the appro-
priation acts. from the treasury, a decrease
has been effected in accordance with the
general views on that subject entertained
by my predecessor well as by myself.
The National Temperance Home, which at
one time received $1,000 annually. has been
discontinued. as also has the Home for
Friendless Colored Girls OF the women's
Union Christian Association. which received
$1,000 The Hope and Help Mission. which
has done much good work. has received a
small allotment from the District fund for
the relief of the poor instead OF the former
appropriation OF $1,000. The apportionment
OF this relief fund is shown by my letter
OF recommendation and the minute OF sc-
ton by the board OF Commissioners OF the
District in accordance herewith. which are
herewith transmitted. The Home for Friend
less Colored Girls was a very small estab-
lishment. the work OF which comes properly
within the province OF the excellent Nation
al Association for the Relief OF Destitute
Colored Women and Children. Examination
OF other aided Institutions. with a view TO
effecting economy without withdrawing aid
absolutely required, ana well used. has
failed to convince me that further curtail-
ment could be made with propriety or TO
advantage.
With the notifications above mentioned
and with those relating to the opera ffona