The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-09
from all sectarian influence. This would cost
less and be conducive to better results"

1888 ana DO conducive 10 pettoT TebutS.
VIEWS OF c1TIzENs AT LARGE.
The Rev. DR.. II. g. Macarthur expressed his
hearty approval OF the Comptroller's plan. II
think Coler Ia on tho right track" he said.
Il am inclined to think the city has been over
generous to certain pet institutions. While /
have no specific charges to make aRainst these
institutions. think they have had more funds
than they are entitled to. It seems TO me that
this 10 good time for welding the municipal
knife. l have no doubt OF Mr.. Coer's sincerity.
and like his methods"
IT have not yet had time to give the matter
all the thought which 1t deserves" said Col.
Daniel Appleton. Il think. however. that II
ought to be taken up and discussed thoroughly.
And Mr.. Coler has. In my opinion. proved him
self q very energetic official"
The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Murphy. President
OF st. Francis Xavier's College. said: In
every case where contributions OF public
money are granted the State or the city should
have the full right OF inspection"
The farming out OF public charities is the
most indefensible. and II we had not actually
done It the most unthin kable business that
civilized Christian city could indulge in" said
John Dewitt Warner. and when 1t is extended
las to some extent 1t is) to cases which involve
correction and punishment. we stand with
MEDIEVAL France anil Turkey OF to-day rather
than with the more civilized countries"
Douglas Robinson said that while reform was
needed. great care would have to be taken in
applying the proposed measures. 1t will be
a difficult task" said Mr. Robinson. to deter
mine which are the worthy and which the
unworthy charities. and the benefit OF the
doubt should be given in every case to the
organization. ! believe that Conn troller Coer
is OF this opinion. and that under his immediate
supervision no injustice will be done IL the re-
form is put In practice"
The practice OF appropsiating public
money for private societies and institutions"
said Secretary Willis Holly Of tho Park Board.
has grown into an abuse that demands
remedy. and believe the citizens will support
Mr.. Coler in trying to carry out the recommen-
dations he made in his report"
NOTE OF ALARM IN BROOKLYN.
The suggestIsns OF Mr.. Coler are not we'll re-
ceivel by persons interested in the various
charitable institutions In the Borough OF
Brooklyn. and In some instances the interested
persons look upon them as direct attack upon
the local institutions.
1T Is perfectly outrageous. this attack on
Brooklyn charitable institutions" said Dr. +.
H. Cotton. Secretary OF the Brooklyn Eye and
Ear Dispensary. Take the report OF the work
done by this institution as an example OF the
WORK DelnR uOne III tHe poroush bui ihe e"'
year there was 1887 new patients received. a
gain OF $50 over the previous year. The num-
Der OF surgical operations performed was 2.172.
and the number OF visits no less than 40, $50.
Yet they want to take away what little they
have been giving Over sixty men are giving
their time and efforts in the cause entirely
without remuneration. What does Mr.. Coler
think We are doing 1t for' There Ia no benefit
to ourselves. That's what makes the action
more deeply felt. Every ono interested In char
lily in the city is discussing tho Com ptroller's
action and criticism is far from favorable"
Mrs. c. c. Martin. treasurer OF the Memorial
Hospital for Women and Children in Brooklyn.
said; In the past three years occupancy OF
our hospital We have had 45 $40 hospital days.
OF which 1921 days-about four-fifths-have
been absolutely free days. given to self-sup-
porting women and to children OF the poor.
mostly requiring surgical treatment. These
benefciarics were from every walk OF indus
trial asherwomen. teachers. clerks. mis-
sionaries. seamstresses. &c. whose living
depends on their daily toll. Such humane work
whether IN the hospital or in any other ap-
peals to our sympathy and generosity and
merits liberal support"
A. Abraham. who is prominent In charitable
work In Brooklyn said: Il have not given the
subject as much attention as 1t deserves. l
may say. however, that do not agree with all
the Com ptroller says. l believe that insttu-
tons dependent in part or the whole on public
money should be conducted in a business-like
way. I favor system which will provide for
tho equitable distribution Of public moneys in
tended for the support OF charitable Institutions.
/ may add that l think that they should be
given to only such institution as are Justly en-
titled to them"
DR.. A. Mathewson who is interested in va
rious Brooklyn charities said. There are
certain few who give yearly to the institutions
and as a general thing teey are too we'll versed
In the amount OF good credited to them to be
Influenced by the statement OF the Comp
troler."
william Bsrr. formerly President Of the
Board OF Trustees OF the New York and Brook
Ign Bridge said; Il regard 1t mistake to do
anything calculated to prevent charitably dis
posed persons from contributing to worthy
charities or institutions"
In referring to the Brooklyn Home for
Friendless Women and Children. Com ptroler
Coler said: This also Is another institution
which appears to be able to provide for itself
without city assistance. 1t receives from the
city $1,000. 1t has q surplus OF SCOOPS.
Should it lose the city assistance 1t would still
have 1880 % to its credit" Mrs. Herman
Stutzer. tho treasurer Of this institution. was
very much exercised over Mr.. Coler's char
acterizatlon. Il have Just written to
Mr. Coler." she said. that l think
the report Is unjust and that it
may result in some Of our contributors with
drawing their customary donations II they
think we are rich enough to get along without
them. The report is correct SO far as the
figures are concerned, but 1t Is misleading for
this reason. The amount mentioned AZ bal
ance ON hand in 1897 included some
bonds which had been called In and were
q month later reinvested so that instead
of having that amount to draw upon
for current expenses We have but the
interest. which does not amount to 80
large a figure 1t would be impossible for
us to get along without city assistance and lam
sure there IL not an institution In the borough
run upon more economical lines than ours. At
tho end OF our nscal year in October We shall
find. / know. that We have but small sum on
hand. and l have given Mr. Coler the figures OF
our yearly balances from the time that have
been treasurer"
DIR. H. o. Rockefeller. Of the Twenty-sixth