The morning times., 1896-02-10


ties, naturally the head of the many Dis
trict agencies for dispensing benevolence,
| is alwaysa busy one.
Under the law, the superintendent is
required 10 inspect All organizations which
receive public money in any form, whether
| through government appropria tons or
from other sources, and such Institutions
| AZ are aided by the government are required
10 present quarterly accounts TO him, show
| ing all their expenditures. These accounts
pass through the superintendents office
/ for Inspection and approval.
The statements are uenomina ted accounts
current. and many OF them have as many
as 500 and 700 bills or vouchers. which
must be examined separately. The office
is able To determine by these bills whether
or not any institution is paying for its
supplies more than the ordinary market
prices.
A Times man spent a few hours recently
in the office, and the long list of callers
and their varied wants give Slight icea
| of the big pace il 1ills III the city's neeas.
An old man entered, not warmly clad
and evidently in need OF release from
hunger's thralis.
lis ais where dc sup intendent of charity
stays?'' he GGericd.
Yes
''%elI, deed Isc in roed OF sometin' 10
eat" came queruiousiy from the ancient
lips. Il Jis LaiB't had muffin strength
enin' for a week"
His name and address were taken and
he was assured of relief without delay.
SEEKER AFTER INFORMATION.
''Col. Tracey not in?'' was socn after
wards heard at Tie CCor.
mo, sir; he's ont This morning on his
usual tour of Inspection; win be in about
noon.'
II can see him. then, this afternoou?,'
Oh, yes; would the gentleman leave his
name? The gentleman would not, but
would can later.
A lady came in, a member OF an institu-
TONS board of directors, TO leave quar-
terly report. IL was received and placed ON
! file
The reporter inquired the object served
by this particular quarterly report.
1t is sample OF many 81 id the clerk.
IN show you what this represents
When dissected the paper was found Ia
contain a rec,rd OF the number OF persons
| cared for during the preceding quarter.
Iten: 20 housed, - fed and clothcd. 20
furnished with lodgings Item: Expense.
| $500. Source of inoomc, donations three
fourths; government appropriation, one
/ fourth
do we have many appeals from indi-
yiduais? Oh. yes. many who are not at
tached 10 the institutions. Any distinc-
lions madee NJ: every one who files a
That is the policy OF the office"
batch OF papers lay upfn the desk.
What are lhese?' was asked.
SENATE ana House bills pertaining ;o
charities. They are brolsht here for Col.
rraccy's indUrsement.''
TRACEY'S DUTIES.
The superintendent is required by the
law under which his office was created TO
formulate suca systems or pans Of organized
charities as viii, by means of consultation,
combination, or other direction, BEST Sc
cure the objects contemplated 10y the
several Institutions or associations for which
Congressional appropriations are made.
The law also specifies that under the
general direction of the superintendent
The several sums appropriated for char
itles' shall be expended for the purposes
indicated. and he investigates the char
acter and administration of the several
beneficiaries OF the government appropria-
tions.
1t is likewise incumbent upon him TO
inquire into the needs of the buildings oc
cupied, ascertaining in each case the
amounts contributed from private sources,
either for support or construction, and
l. H. f.xe
number of inmates in each, how many are
employed. and whether or not the money
appropriated by Congress benefits those
for whom it is intended.
Frequent inspections OF institutions and
offices is an essential part OF the super
intendents duty. These. inspections are
not made merely at stated intervals, but as
practicable andesp pecially whenever, through
acquisitions reports, applications or in
formation from any source. there is be-
lief in the opportunity for improving ef-
ficiency or remedying a fault
The examination OF accounts and requi-
sitions 10y the superintendent. in addition
to the authority conferred by law, is con-
Quoted under standing order OF the Com
nlssioners. whicl. sends to the superin-
tendent as the examining agent, as well as
for his Official Information and guidance,
all financial papers within his province
regarding the objects provided for in the
District bill, without technical distinction
as TO the schedules in which they arc en-
braced.
OFFICE CONTAINS A LIBRARY.
The office of the superintendent contains
library OF reports of the charitable insti-
utions OF many States, through the medium
OF which information is obtained of the
vast system OF benevolence extending to
all parts OF the Union.
The Institutions and associations in the
District devoted to works of mercy and
charity, most OF which ccme in whole or
10 part under the supervision OF the su-
perintendent of charities, are as follows:
The Aged Women's Home; Association
for Works Of Mercy, Incorporated Febru-
airy 6. 1884; American Colonization So
ciety. incorporated March %, 1897; AS
sociated Charities, incorporated January
l6, 1882; Baptist Home of the District,
Incorporated March %, 1880; Board OF
caildren's Guardians, organized under the