Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-02
A Board of Charities.

The amendment to the District appro-
priati0n bill proposed by the joint select
committee on District charities. as repro
duced III yesterdays Star is along lines
that promise a satisfactory solution of the
puzzle of efficiently and economically ad-
mir.istering the affairs of the local charit-
able institutions. The proposition is to
create board of supervision and control
thar shall bear to the charitable establish
ments much the same relation that the
board of school trustees bears to the pub
lie school system. The provision that the
members OF the board shall be residents
of. the District and shall serve without
pay should ensure an organization free
from the prejudices of non-residents and
from the suspicion of office-hoiding greed.
The fact of appointment by the President
and confirmation by the Senate ought like
wise to operate advantageously in creating
a board of exceptional ability and charac-
ter.
1t is unnecessary to discuss the details
of the plan. which are plainly intended
to simplify the process of supervision and
10 create commission to which Congress
can look with confidence for advice and
recomme 7tatiols. and upon which the
Commissioners can at the same time rely
for accurate information as to the state
of the local charities and the need of re-
formatory or corrective action. 1t sufficcs
tc point out ore particular where 1t would
seem to be advisable if not necessary to
amend the amendment in order to pre-
vent the creation of an anomaly and GER
tainly TO correct an anomalous condition
created several years ago. 1t is proposed
that the superintendent of charities shall
become the secretary of the board and
shall discharge such duties as may be
imposed on HIM by the board and shall
receive such salary as may be fixed by
the said board. subject to appropriation of
Congress This materially changes the
status of The superintendent of charities.
by making him. instead of the sole admin
istrator of charitable affairs in the Dis
trict merely tine executive officer of a gen.
eral board TO which he shall serve as sec
Rotary.
Presumably it is the intention that the
superintendent o charities shall perform
only such duties as the board may direct.
ara Shah draw only such salary as the
beard may vote and Congress NAV appro-
PIRATE Were not this the case the SUPER
ir.tendent Of charities would remain NOM
1naily in his prese ut position and draw his
present salary in addition to performing
his Kew functions and drawing an aidf
uonal salary If the fair presumption he
correct. 1t would seem 10 be wise to write
IN the anne ndmcnt some limitation that
VII! prevent any misunderstanding The
intefjection of the word only before the
words duty and salary in the clause
relating TO this matter might accomplish
this result
But the amendment would leave stand
ing the law which provides for the an
pointment of the superintendent of chart
ties by the President. and stipulates that
he shall be Il non-re resident of the District
There may be reasons not very obvious
why the President instead of the board
Itself should choose the boards secretary
but II is assuredly unwise to continue in
force the absurd limitation about his place
Cf residence Coupled with the amendment
should be distinct repeal of SO much of
the act creating that office as requires the
superintendent of charities 10 be a nom
resident This would leave the field open
for the selection of the incumbent of the
office. who Is admittedly well qualified to
serve as the exec Itive officer of the pro-
posed board. Whatever else is done or
omitted. this restriction should be removed,
and the board of CHARITIES of the future as
the benefit Of the services of a man as it's
lieutenant who Is by mis- associations ia
nilidr with the local needs.