Evening star., 1898-10-25
Former Estimates Renewed


THE increasing number of wards sub
iect to the supervision of the agents of the
board involves an increasing need of ex-
penditures for travel and transportation in
tine process of selecting and supervising
homes for the children 1t involves more
over, an increase from time to time in the
number of agents or supervising officers.
1t is regarded as reasonable to adhere to
the estimate made III former reports that
there should be one supervising officer for
each $50 children placed in homes outside
OF the District of Columbia. There is need,
moreover, of at least one person who
should have the qualifications of agent,
and might well have the title also. to in
vestgate applications for the commitment
or care of children within the District
The number of such applications during
the year was 5l1.
THE keeping of the records of the office
requires the services of at least one per-
son constantly, with such aid be
given by the clerk employed as stenog-
rapher and typewriter.
The number of children placed out in
homes outside of the District of Columbia
at the end of the year was 143 With the
increased facilities for placing out chill
dren resulting from the increase of the ad-
ministratiVe fund for 1S9S-1S!9. it is esti-
mated that at the close of that fiscal year
this number may be 80 and by January
/, 1900, 300 or more. 1t is evident, there
fore that for the year 1S99-1900 the board
SnOulQ nave Two NlSlIlnS agents, besides
the investigating officer or agent and the
office force of two clerks. The act estab-
fishing the board restricts the board to the
employment of not more than two agents,
but it is suggested that this restriction
should be removed, as well as the reStric-
ton that the average salary to be paid to
the agents be not more than 81 900 each.
Experienced persons, of the quality needed
for the work of the agents. cannot be re-
tained at such salaries.
The Aid of Congress.
The members of the board being select
ed by the Criminal Court Judge of the Su-
preme Court and the two judges of the Po-
lice Court of the District of Columbia for
terms of three years each, assuring fire.
quent revision of the list. and a majority
of them having served from the time of
the establishment of the board, X does not
appear unreasonable to ask that discretion
be given to the board to pay such salaries
to its employees, including its agents, as
may seem from time TO time necessary or
proper. 1t is suggested. furthermore that
II would be well for Congress to grant an
appr opriation to the board without distinc-
ton between the fund for administration
and that for maintenance of children
Under the law the board cannot take
charge CT children over sixteen wears of
age. If ii retain these children until
the age of twenty one. at least five
years must elapse from the time the
child is taken in charge until it is
released by reachlng the age of majority.
The work of taking children in charge be-
gan in July 1893, so that no child then
taken could come of age before July 1898
/ Nearly all children taken in charge We're
| much younger. ana a large proportion of
| them came TO the board IN the first years
of their life. many in the first month The
number received annually is likely there
| fore. for long time. to exceed the num-
| Der discharged; but with adequate means
| of placement il is hoped that the number
received annually may not exceed and NAV
| even fall short for some years OF the num-
| ber placed out in free homes under inspec-
| ton.
| Appropriation Asked For.
with the request that a single appropria-
| tion. not conditioned to details, may be
granted TO the board for the fiscal year
ending June so. 1900. the following estimates
are now made:
Salary of two or more agents and neces-
sary clerks. s5 00o; rent of Office rooms, $500:
stationary and printing, 500: office and
sundry expenses telephone, furniture. etc.,