Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-11

An Omcial Dehfal of Facts Alleged by
Mr., Mann.

At a meeting of the board of managers
of the Industrial Home School. held at the
residence of Mrs. II. W. Blackford, the sec
rotary, 1856 p street, on Tuesday last the
publication in The Evening Star on 9TH in
slant of views expressed by Mr.. B. Pick
man Mann was read and discussed, and
the committee on admission and placement
OF wards was instructed to make official re-
ply to the statements made by Mr.. Mann,
and which, il was asserted, were incorrect.
Mr.. Lewis Abraham as chairman of the
committee has prepared a reply. First, Mr..
Abraham denies Mr.. Mann's statement that
the board OF children's guardians enter
tains no hostilities to the child-caring in
situations and does not compete with them
for appropriations" Some members of
that board" Mr.. Abraham says. ARE con-
stantly importuning Congress to place all
funds in their hands and make no appro-
priation for the Industrial Home, the ST
Rose and other similar institutions. Last
year they succeeded in reducing our yearly
revenue 40 per cent, this year they have
done the same in the appropriation bill in
the House of Representatives, and have
had an amendment introduced in the SEN
ate TO take away the remaining 90 per cent
and transfer IL into the treasury of the
board of children's guardians. One of the
reasons given is: 1t does not appear, how
ever, lDdI any one OF these private lnSIl-
tutions undertakes TO determine in regard to
the applicants for its bounty whether such
applicants or their parents are or have been
residents Of the District for such time as to
entitle them to care and support at District
expense, nor are these institutions general
ly disposed to limit their field of action to
District dependents AS far as the Industrial
Home School is concerned this statement
is without foundation. Whenever applica-
ton is made for placing a ward in TINS in
stitution the first inquiry made is as to the
domicile of the child and residence of per-
sons in charge. II not inhabitants of the
District of Columbia, no matter what other
conditions exist, the application is imme-
diately refused. Again, the publication re-
ferred TO states: Neither does il appear
that these institutions discriminate care
fully amongst grades of dependency. In
fact, it is the normal tendency of private
institutions to measure their success by the
number of their inmates and to favor ad-
missions rather than to rejoice the more
they find parents and relatives endeavoring
to discharge their obligations at home This
is equally untrue. No children are admit
ted to our institution unless after careful
investigation, as TO dependency and other
facts, necessary to entitle them to care and
custody of the home. where. besides receiv-
ing material support, education is given
the same in the common schools of the
District, training in some Industrial branch
that Will enable them to earn a livelihood
when discharged, and be producers instead
of consumers, in after life. Scores of chill
dren educated in our home have been placed
in positions where they are earning honest
support for themselves and aid in main
tenance of their families" Mr.. Abraham
protests against what he characterizes as
false accusations of neglect of duty against
the pious, benevolent and faithful members
of their board. MANY of Them" he saws
have performed arduous work in manag-
ing the affairs OF the home for over a quar-
ter of century, and they are all as well
acquainted with their duties and are better
a Fh.lr
of environments. to perform them than any
stranger imported into the District in yio-
lation OF home rule, TO domineer over them
Our secretary. Mrs Blackford, has filled
the office for twenty-seven years. she never
received one cent of compensation and
there is no necessity for spending money
for salaries out Of public taxation, such as
Is now drawn by non-residents of the Dis
trict OF Columbia. Besides the chairman
who subscribes to this article, the commit
tee on admission and placement of our home
consists of the following persons who not
only serve without pay. but contribute out
OF their own pockets to afford comfort to
inmates of the home: Dr. b. Hood. Mrs. j.
b. 7. Upper, Miss Allison Wilson Mrs. y.
7. Janney and Archdeacon Gilbert F. Will
Jams The committee on this branch meets
on the second Wednesday of each month at
the rooms of the Humane Society I'm the
Sun building, + street northwest, and care
fully considers every application for admis-
sion or discharge. 1t is but justice to state
dren's guardians who have been consulted
on the subject of the publication herein re-
ferred to say that 1t and others of similar
character are in no respect Official and do
not voice the sentiments of the board, and
regret that individual members should ar
rogate to themselves to spread such views
before the public without authority And
further, your committee was told that the
accusations referred to met with hearty
disapproval. AS guarantee to the public
that the affairs of the Industrial Home
School are controlled by honest and hon
orable citizens who work gratuitously in
the cause of humanity and charity. having
solely in view the suppression of pauperism,
the board consists of: President, W. b. Cur
ley; first vice president, DR.. T. B. Hood;
second vice president, ]. d. Mcpherson;
secretary, Mrs. II. w. Blackford; treasurer,
B. 7. Janney. Managers-Hon. o. u. Con-
ger, Jas. b. Nourse, j. b. T. Upper, Mrs.
Emily Nourse, Mrs. J. b. T. Upper, Rev.
Nelson Falls, Mrs. j. b. Edmunds, Mrs.
Chas. E. Foster. Lewis Abraham, DIR. NJ.
d. Peck, Jas. Somerville, Archdeacon G. +.
Williams, Mrs. B. T. Janney, Miss Allison