New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-09
THE CITY AND PRIVATE CHARITIES.

Controller Coler takes the right position In
recommending that the city should pay private
charitable institutions only for work actually
performed His report to the BOARD Of Estimate
and Apportionment is a convincing exhibition OF
the evils Of the old system Of lump sum appro-
priations II encourages loose business methods
in private Institutions and is direct bid for
the establishment of such institutions where
they are not really needed hy persons DESTROYS
Of doing charitable work at public expense.
For The support OF prisoners and paupers under
runicipal control the city Is now paying
So 4.45G while for the support Of dependent
persons 10 private institutions It devotes
S31315SO The per capita cost Of maintenance
in these places is frequently excessive. they
often keep inmates NJ public expense who are
able 10 pay their own way and in some IN
stances they usc the city Appropriation not to
care for the citys dependents but 10 accumu-
late building funds or to pay debts. The only
way 10 stop such abuses is rigidly to limit the
allowance which the city will make for private
maintenance to scrutinize carefully every case
TO see that it is q proper one for institutional
treatment and is actually dependent and then,
when the propriety OF the service IS established.
to pay for the actual service rendered and moth
not hc permitted 10 care for persons At the OK
pense IF the city when there are places vacant
IN public institutions where these persons could
have adequate attention.
The Controller is neither ruthless nor radical
fl his proposals. He admits frankly that pr
waite institutions are necessary, and can he used
hv the city with advantage. The various reg
ious homes for children are particularly valua-
hle The rearing Of children in institutions is an
evil II rObs them of individuality. and espe-
chilly for little children the best community OK
iS,ence is worse than almost any home life
Yet ii is a necessary evil, and, as Mr.. Cocr
Saws. "it Is not likely that public employees could
.Dc obtained who would rear children as eco
"nOmicaly ne cfhcaciOusly or with the same
devotion and selfdenal ms is the case with
"lhe religious orders and associations now per
forming this work" Likewise he admits the
desrability of public aid for many medical
charities and homes for various classes of
adults and even where he considers such aid
intrinsicav undesirable he refrans from advis-
ing any attempt 10 substitute new public for
/ existing private institutions or 10 deprive the
Inter Of any reasonable assistance when they
do really respond 10 a public need, instead OF
using the city 10 serve their own purposes This
some hospitals and 0ispcnsaries undoubtedly do.
They are established 10y medical schools and
par, of the plant with which they carry on
business. Students pay for the privilege Of
studying in those hospitals. Physicians estah-
Hsh dispensarieS 70 gain reputation ard sift out
from the mass Of free patients a paying prac
tlce. This is all we'll enough, but there Is no
reason why the city should be made to pay for
patients who are desired for their own sake 1t
Is not uncommon to see physicians who for any
reason have retired from a hospital staff start
ing new institution and seeking TO attract scl,
people TO IT, They may take free cases. hut
they are not charities in any sense
Some OF these institutions do not need civ
aid The Controller refers 20 one which receives
$500 from the city treasury and has a balance
Of over $4,000 from the years work. and II II
had received no public aid the profits OF ite
charitable endeavors would have been NOR,
than $1,000 Another institution received
S2625O from the city. but without It would
have had profit 10 show Of nearly $1,000 II
It IS entitled 20 aid why should not some Of oul