Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-28
DISTRICT CHARITIES.
Continued from Ninth Page.)


ly reports, and showing the disposal of
money drawn from the treasury on requi- |
sitiOn against the annual appropriations,
discloses glazing discrepancies in prices
paid for supplies. These differences often
amount to much as ~ per cent on stand
ard articles apparently of the same quality |
and intrinsic value. 1t is not just to con-
clude that this eXJrayagance is the result |
OF either conscious prodigaiity or of dis
honesty. 1t is 10 be accounted for, IN
many instances. by the purchase at retail
and consequently at higher prices OF artl-
Giles which should be bought at wholesale
al the lowest figure secured by compeu-
ton, and which, however delivered, should
be ordered in large quantities instead OF
from day to day. The exclusively public
Institutions. the expenditures of which are
specifically placed by law under the con-
troll of the authorities OF the District, are
thus furnished with supplies in accordance
with price lists at stated and minimum
charges. L earnestly recommend the APP
plicauon of this method of procuring sup
plies to all the institutions receiving aid
through congressional appropriations, Win
modification in case of the mixed or un-
official institutions, in order TO avoid in
reference with the freedom OF their man
agement
To this end. 1t is recommended that a
price list for supplies be furnished to all
the institutions periodically; that the prices
in the list be such as are currently paid
through the District authorities for art1-
cles provided for the exclusively public
institutions. and that all institutions re-
ceiving public aid for maintenance be re-
quired to purchase their supplies at cost
not greater than the list prices. The su-
perintendent of charities should have au-
thority. and IL should be his duty. 10 as
approve all bills for articles purchased at
higher rates than those on the pubic nSts
In this way cheap supplies for all institu-
lions would be secured. while the managers
OF thera would be free to buy from Wnat-
ever seller or in whatever market they
might prefer They could always obtain
articles at the regular list price from the
establishments purveying for the exclusive
" public institutions. There would, there-
fore, be no hardship or loss TO them from
their being required to conform to the
standard rates, or atsleast not to exceed
them. There is reason to believe that the
aided institutions would not object TO the
Introduction of the system recommended.
but would welcome IL as an assistance ana
guide to economical management ana as
enabling them to accomplish more GOOD
with the sums of money allotted 10 them
From such estimates as / have been en-
abled to make by the examination or IN
stitutional accounts II seems enurely sale
to say that the enforcement of the proposed
plan would effect an economy compared
with recent OUTLAWS Of at least slO,OOo
year.
gestion effective, it is recommended that
there be inserted in the appropriation Dill
& clause providing that the appropriations
for the support of institutions be condi-
toned on the purchase of these supplies AT
prices not exceeding those paid for the use
of exclusively public institutions OF the DIS
trict. 1t is submitted that the carrying
out of such a system would be pracuca!
and simple realization of the first object or
the creation of the offices of the superinten-
dent of charities as specified in the act oil
August 8. $50. which Is Tor tns Psarpose
of securing a more equitable and efficient
expenditure of the several sums approprl-
ated for charities
-he Children's Guardians.
Herewith are transmitted the annual re-
port of the board of children's guardians
and subsequent reports of that board Inc
board was organized and commenced lts
preparatory work during the last fiscal
year. the appropriation of five thousand
dollars for administrative expenses by the
Fifty-second Congress having been rem
derei Immediately available" Its regular
work was, however, not fully initiated until
the beginning of the current fiscal year.
1t is of much Importance that Congress
should have information down TO the latest
date practicable of the work attempted anu
accomplished by this newly organized ofl-
cial body, under a system in some respects
entirely novel IN the history OF the Distrlct
and with reference TO the connection OF us
appropriations with those OF the INSTITUTIONS
OF a certain class, which is unprecedented
anywhere. The establishment OF TINS
board was regarded a highly important
the juvenile class, whom 1t was de-
signed TO help and save, but also
10 infant asyluns and hospitals and
children's homes. The trial is certainly
a most interesting one. 1t has therefore
been deemed wise to transmit, not only
the reports above referred to, but also cor
respondence to and from the ONCE OF the
SUPERINTENDENT of charities, which Illus
trates not merely the merits and advan-
tages OF the operations Of the board, but
likewise certain obstacles to its successful
conduct as harmonious part OF the chari-
table and correctional system Of the District
OF Columbia
The superintendent of charities has been
anxious in the extreme to facilitate the
work of the guardians board and TO re-
move difficulties from its path. 1t Is be-
l.eved that the recommendations on TINS
subject made in communication to the
Commissioners of the District OF Columbia
on the 18TH day of October. 1888, will OBJ
viate the most serious difficulty encountered
in this connection, and will enable the
board to fulfill its mission within It's ap-
propriate sphere, free from entanglements
and misunderstandingS. and without those
continued conflicts with asylums long es-
tablished here, which, under the present
system, have proved to be unavoidable and
greatly to the detriment of our charities.
Hence, with reference to the communica-
ticn above referred to, and also to a cor
respondence OF similar nature concerning
the Association for Works of Mercy, and
to the statements made in the annexed
annual report of the Industrial Home
School i earnestly recommend that sepa-
rate. specific and independent appropriation
be made for the board Of children's guard
ians for the next fiscal year, and that It's
amount be determined by the expenditures
of that board up to the 31st Of December.
at which time the board of children's
guardians will have been in operation for
half year. l also recommend, for the
reason fully stated in said communications,
the restoration to the children's institu-
lions of the District of the several sums.
amounting to forty per cent of their former
appropria tons. of which percentage they
were deprived for the sake of the board
Of children's guardians A schedule of
such amounts, and Of the appropriations
recommended. will be found in my append
ed communication OF October % OF this
year.
The members of the board Of chldren's
guardians, it's officers and Its very capable
and experienced agent have applied them
selves to their work with energy, ability
and system. They are entitled TO recogni-
ton for devoted services, which, on the
part Of the members of the board, call for
the unrequited sacrifice of much time to
its works OF benevolence. The extent. mo-
tives and method of their benevolent under
takings are SO fully and clearly stated In
their reports, herewith transmitted to
render recapitulation by me unnecessary.
The report then discusses in detail various
charitable institutions of the District. 1t
reviews briefly and in a commendatory
view the work Of the agent of the Humane
Society, notes the establishment of the
girls reform school, the distant and some
what inaccessible location OF which Mr..