Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-28
Superintendent Tracy Submits His
Annual Report.
SOME PROJECTS DIOAPPROVED.
A Restoration of Appropriations to
hiId-Caring Institutions Proposed.
CHILD REN'S GUARDIANS

Tracy. Is In favor Of restoring to the Dis
trict institutions concerned with the care
OF children the full measure OF appropria-
tons heretofore granted them, and which
were diminished 40 per cent under the last
appropriation In order to provide a fund
to be expended by the board OF children's
guardians. He recommends that an indie
pendent appropriation be made for the
use Of the board mentioned. This subject
forms one Of the chief topics discussed by
Mr.. Tracy in his annual report, handed to
the District Commissioners today. In some
other matters he expresses dissent from the
views urged by his predecessor. Mr.. War
ner. Mr.. Tracy's report says:
Taking Office on the 10th day OF April Of
this year. my first duty was to ascertain
the condition and prospects OF charitable
and correctional projects initiated during
the incumbency OF my predecessor. and
upon his recommendation. The most impor-
tant Of these new enterprises, yet in the ex-
perimental stage. are the municipal lodging
house. the reform school for girls and the
board OF children's guardians. Respecting
each Of these it is my purpose to report in
some detail. with sincere acknowledgment
OF the meritorious intentions that inspired
their Inauguration, but with perfect frank
ness as to any points in which results have
failed to fully respond TO the expectations
Of founders. 1t is virtually impossible that
such plans should. in all respects and de-
tails, Justify the hopes Of their authors, and
am convinced that, had the late superin-
tendent of charities continued in office, eX-
perience would have led him, in great de-
gree to the same conclusions that / have
now reached.
Not Approved by Mr.. Tracey.
There are. however. certain recommen-
dations made by Superintendent Warner re-
garding plans OF benevolent and correc-
tional administration. not yet initiated.
which do not feel myself at liberty to adopt
1t is therefore requested that as to new
works. or future administrative manage
ment of public charities. or the creation Of
new boards. or the extension of the juris-
dicton Of this office. or Of any other, the
present superintendent Of charities be not
regarded as concurring in suggestions made
before his term. except in SO far as may be
specifically set forth by him. BY way Of
illustrating this reservation and indicatin
why 1t - deemed necessary, reference is
made to the Recommendation of the super
tntendent's report OF last year for the
estsbitshtnent OF national bureau Of
charities and correction, and to the one for
OF Charities for the District OF Column bia
The project for the establishment of a fed
eral bureau l do not regard as one within
my province to entertain or suggest The
Institutions of benevolence and of reform
atory Christening within the District OF Co
lumbia are admirable In the charitable and
humanitarian spirit that has inspired them,
in the benevolence that has richly endowed
many OF them and In the constant and gra-
tuitous devotion OF their managers to the
good works which they have placed among
the principal objects of their lives. At the
same time, there have been incongruities
and defects in the direction of these excel
lent Institutions, public, private and of
mixed support, through concurrent per-
sonal benevolence and government aid
which called for the establishment OF the
office Of the superintendent of charities
and for the wise provision that the incum-
interested as between institutional. corpo-
rate and other local interests. The field is
wide. the labor great, and the material, as
well as the moral end to be attained. very
important to the public welfare 1t is sub
mitted that this task. defined by the act
of August q. 1890, is a clearly specified one
OF great consequence, not only to the fed
eral capital, but indirectly also TO the coun-
try, which naturally looks for model man.
agement Of public institutions to those at
and near Washington, directed by officers Of
pervision OF the heads OF the federal Depart
To attempt to magnify or to merge the
functions instituted by this needed local
statute into those of a national bureau
would, 1t is respectfully submitted. tend to
confuse the difficult and delicate duties OF
this office, and to prevent or retard the
local administrative reforms contemplated
by the law creating the superintendency.