Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-16


agent ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 60O.OO
&2.4OO.OO
The estimate for an assistant agent
Is limited to $780, for the reason
that the act establishing the
hoard permits but 81, 400 to be
spent for the salaries Of mot
more than two agents." In view
Of tho responsible duties of the
agents. the principal agent ought
to receive not less than 5000.
and the assistant agent $1,000.
For two clerks 81 900. 90
For rent Of office rooms ......... 10000
For stationery and printing ......... 30O.00
For Office and suntry expenses. 24O.O0
For expenses in placing and visit
ing cNlI0ren.. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 9OO.OO
$4,000
If the limit upon salaries Of the agents
be raised rs above stated the total es-
innate for administrative expenses be-
comes Sc. no. '-.--
To Raise Agents Salaries.
In asking that the limit of the salaries
Of agents be raised and that the board
be enabled to pay two thousand dollars
TO principal agent. and twelve hundred
dollars to an assistant agent. 1t is proper
to state In some detail the character of
the work required of agents and the re-
sponsibility which rests upon those OFF,
GERS and upon the board through them.
The agent Is not only the executive and
administrative agent of the board, but
is also Its principal adviser. Upon him
devolves the duty of receiving applica-
lions from parents and friends of children
and from workers I'm charitable ami other
fields. to have the needs of children sup
piled, or the abuse of children rectified by
the presentation Of their cases in court.
He must visit the children in their homes,
or receive them If they are destitute Of
homes. and provide for them temporarily,
M rIcrnf ha ,l,t, 30 tt,nt
made to him, and advise the court whether
these are well founded, must advise the
board of the circumstances under which
the children are committed to it, ami of
the capacity and need of the children for
the several kinds of care which the board
is allie to bcstow upon them
He must receive applications from per-
sons and institutions who wish to take the
wards OF the board into their care and
custody, whether as boarders, apprentices,
employees, or members of their families;
he must investigate these applications, and
acquaint himself SO fully with the pecuni-
airy and moral quail, fcations of the appli-
cants and their families that he can safely
ADVISE the acceptance or rejection of such
applications. He must visit each ward of
the board at least once in every year, to
comply with the law. but In fact, he must
keep so much in touch with these wards
by occasional visits as to be able to assure
the board that the children are safe fIcm
abuse and are, moreover, being cared for in
helpful manner.
Important and Delicate Duties.
Such duties as these are of the most i'm
portant and delicate character. and can be
performed properly onlyby a person of great
tact and good judgment, and one who has a
large power of insight into human nature.
No less tact and abundant sympathy with
abused childhood is required to adapt the
children to the homes selected for them,
and TO make them contented at first to so
and stay with strangers. Much patience
also is requisite, for 1t Will be understood
readily that the children, as well as the
families with whom they are placed, will
create many difficulties before perfect adj
justment is attained.
In it's first selection of an agent the boa I'd
exercised much care and sought the most
expert advice. 1t has had no cause to re-
greet its selection. The present agent served
during the fiscal year to which this report
relates for a salary Of $3.50 per month. In
the interest of the board, in whose success
he takes pride, he is understood to have
refused higher salary offered TO him else
where, and in recognition of the apprecIa-
ton which the board has manifested tor
his services, and in devotion to the cause
he has done so much to promote, he has
not deserted the board, although the APP
preparation for his salary for the fiscal
year 1898 has been limited to $1,000. The
demand for the services of persons compe
tent to fill such position as It should be
filled is such that a salary of 81 900 would
not command them. 1t Is to be hoped that
justice may be done to our present agent
for the present year, even though it may
cost another $500
In addition to the delicate duties above
mentioned. 1t is the duty of the agent
agents of the board to keep the records,
not only Of the results of their investiga-
tons in regard to the antecedents, char
acter and condition of life of the children
received by the board, but also those of
the subsequent hstor of these children.
For the details and results of the work of
tl,~a rnfa fc tnhn TO hic
which will be submitted with this.
The following estimates are made for the
expenditures of the board for board and
care of children for the year ending June
80, 1896:
For feeble minded children:
80 children, at an average of $225.. So 90
For children not feeble-minded:
so infants, at an average OF $lOS.. $4,000
$50 children at an average of $50. L., 10000
200 children in free homes. ........
Clothing for 100 children. 10000
Medical care for 200 children...... 100000
Temporary care of children pend
ing investigation or while being
transferred from place to place.. $4,000
100000
1t is a necessary consequence of the obi
CATION to make estimates almost a year in
advance of the beginning of the period and
nearly two years in advance of the compile
ton Of the period In which the expendi-
lures are to occur that in work like that
of this board. which is 50 new in this
locality, and of such uncertain growth, lit
tie definiteness can be attained.
During the past year the expenditures
for care of feeble-minded children were
more than $500 although that item in
the estimates was only $4,000. 1t is known
that there are many feeble-minded chill
dren in the community for whom pro-
vision should be made and might be made
were fl ndS available.
As to Children Received.
During the past year the board received
BOB children and retained 1S5. Owing
mainly to the fact that for the present
year the several private institutions for
children formerly receiving government
aid have again received appropriations
nearly as large as those they received in
the year before the work of the board be-
gan, 1T is estimated that the board may
receive 120 additional wards, bringing it's
ha 2ll the Ruth of June 1874