The times., 1897-09-29
Mr.. Lewis Recommendations to
the Commissioners.
TOTAL OVER HALF A MILLION
Changes in the Methods of Caring
for Homeless Children work To
BE Done Through Public Agencies
Instead OF Through Private insti-
tutions. as Heretofore.

Mr.. lewis suggestions are numerous and
those relative To the chId-caring charities
are especially Important.
Speaking OF his report TO Il Times re
porter, last night, he said:
- have presented "a plan for the child
caring charities which, in my Judgment
meets the requirements or the law with
regard TO these charities. ] have sug
gcsted that the medical charities, homes
for the aged, refofnIatories, and charitable
homes for women be left Ia practically the
same conditions with regard 10 appro-
| priatians as they now are, not because 1
am satisfied that their relations 10 the
public are in all respects right and proper
BAT because it is not well to attempt too
much at one time
The only new thing in the plan for
the reorganization and consolidation OF
the child-caring Work OF the District is
the abandonment of the policy of granting
| public subsidies to private institutions and
| the adoption of the plan Of accomplishing
| the public work through public agencies, at
| all times under the control of public
| authority. A single exception has been
made IN the case of the National Associa-
ton for the Relief of Destitute Coiored
! Women and Children. For this asSocia-
tion l have recommended an appropriation
| which can only he paid to the association
in he form of specific paymentf for specific
service rendered, 1t being at the same
! time provided that from aud after June
| 80, 1 SOS, the children received by the
! association to be supported rIom this aP-
/ preparation snail be received in manner
| provided by law
4 am not unmindful of the responsibility
| involved in thus radical departure from es
| tablished custom. The recommendations,
| however, are made advisedly, and if car
| ried out VIII make unnecessary any great
| increase in appropriations for like pur-
| poses hereafter. The plan when matured
| and in operation win take care Of all chill
dren necessarily dependent upon the Dis
trict for some time to come
As TO the other estimates, Air. Lewis
says, in his recommendations, that at
| the Washington Asylum a new building
for the hospital nurses is needed Here
tofore, Mr.. Lewis says, the nursing has
been OF an inferior order, sometimes be
caase nurses would not 90 TO the asylum
on account uf the lack OF conmodation.
They have been obliged TO sleep and ca I
with the patients and have objected.
The cost of the building is S4,50G.
An increase in the contingent expenses
is also asked for, based on the estimated
increase of the number of inmates at
500 per year per capita
Mr.. Lewis refers to the request OF the
health officer for a crematorium for the
potter's field, and although he does not
himself say this is necessary, he says
some other provision for the dead poor
than there now is VIII soon be absolutely
unavoidable.
The reform school estimates are mostly
| unchanged and are exactly these sub
mitted by the board OF trustees
The insane asylum estimates are those
submitted by Dr. Godding.
For the relief of tie poor separate
appropriation for the physicians Or the
poor is requested.
No changes are nadein the recornm enda-
tions for medical charities.
rr. Lewis has omitted from his est-
mates those for the various charitable
hospitals and institutions maintained by
religious sects, and all To W hich the
Government pays subsidies. He makes the
comment that this is made necessary by
the recent act Of Congress.
In brief, tile following are the changes
in the estimates made, which accompany
the comments above noted. Mr.. Lewis
asks for an increase Of S510 for the ad-
ministration of his office.
An item of S12 ,235 additional is asked
for maintenance OF the Washington Asy-
Ium, making the estimates for contingent
expenses So. 500. For the erection of a
building for nurses home, 81 800. For
the erection of and expenses for one year
of a crematorium for the disposal Of bodies
in connection with potter's field, $50 900
is estimated For repairs to buildings for
the care of col0red women in the aims
house department, 81 ,000-
An add .ional sum of $500 is recon-
mcnded for maintenance of the reform
school, as well as S13,l0O for new build
iugs there.
IN the Insane Hospital an increase of
s1,23S.64 is asked making the total
S11o,5lT.6O.
In the charities esdma tes: For the
relief of the poor $1,000 is asked. For
physicians to the poor, for medicines To
be furnished on prescriptions of such physi-
clans, for prin ing prescriptions, and for
coffius for deceased paupers S11,2O0 is
asked, being an increase Of $1,000.
Another increase is that OF Sc 400 for the
repairs TO the Children's Hospital, and a
! new item Of $1,000 for a house and lot for
. the Hope and Help Mission is asked. He
asks for an increase of $500 for the munich
pal lodging house. 20 make repairs, and
includes an i.em OF $1,000 in the estimate
Of the Industrial Home School for build
ings and repairs.
There is AN increase OF 50, 500 for adj
rninistrative expenses for the Board OF
Chndren's Guardians, as well as $4,000 for
the care Of children
! These various increases for charity are
Offset $27 600 by the abolition OF the
subsidies To the various hospitals main
: tained 10y sectariaR organizations.
The Washington Hospital for Foundlings,
St Johns Orphanage German Orphan
Asylum, st AIMS Infant Asylum, Houst
Of Mercy, House OF the Good Shepherd, st
Rose Industrial School, St Joseph's y sylum
and the Newsb3ys' and ChildrcnS' Aid So
ciety are all cut ore entirely
The National Association for the Relief
of Destitute Colored Women and Children
is cut down $500.
Four Fortuuate Republicans.
The following appointments by the Presi-
dent were announced al the White House