The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-30
A CHARITY BOARD
A Proposed Change in the Law APP
proved by the Commissioners.
The superintendent of the Work
Finds IL Impossible to Comply
with the Demands of the statute
An Anomalous Position Created by
Congress Provisions of the Bill.

Yesterday afternoon the Commissioners
made a favorable report on the bill now
before Congress for the creation Of a board
of charities to take the place of the present
Office of Superintendent. This bill is SINH
lar to one which was introduced in Con-
gress last year. and almost the same re-
port is made. The Commissioners received
the bill for their consideration late last
week, and it was referred TO Herbert w.
Lewis. Superintendent of Charities, for
report. Mr.. Lewis states that he is con-
WINGED that the present organized Office
of Superintendent OF Charities is OF little
use The law creating the Office bears
evidence of desire on the part of Con-
gress to remove the complications in which
the Appropriation Committees found them
selves from year TO year by placing in
position of trust an officer who should col
iect and transmit to Congress and 20 the
Commissioners such information as might
be required, and who, by bringing expert
ence to bear on the study of all conditions
could be an impartial advisor. whose policy
could be safely followed. The expectation
of the creators of the position were never
realized, Superintendent Lewis states, and
at the end of seven years after the office
was authorized the charities of the District
will be as far from a satisfactory condi-
tion as they ever were, unless the board
OF charities is created.
THE Superintendent of Charities finds
it impossible 10 do the things which are
made his duty by the law creating the
Office Mr. Lewis continues. His super
vision of the accounts of institutions is
merely formal. since he has no authority
over expenditures either as to prices paid
for supplies or the selections of proper
objects OF public benefactlon. His plans
for the collection of complete information
come to naught because of the few who
decline TO report or whose unbusiness-like
methods make ii impossible for them 20
furnish the information desired. One in
stitution denies the right of the supein-
tendent 10 enquire as TO the amount and
sources of its income and another refuses
to place in his possession information from
which he can ascertain the quality ana /
success OF - work. These conditions |
might possibly yield 10 persuasion and pa |
thence. but there is nothing to prevent their 1
being set UP again at any time.
The first Superintendent of Charities /
after two years experience, and that /
board be set up in its place. Various pl ans
md recommendations for the reorganiLa-
ion of the charities of the District have
,een proposed during the last four years
~ the Superintendent of Charities and \
,thers only to be deferred while waiirg l
or the action Of one after another of he
-arous commissions appointed for the pur
rose of investigating the whole subject
The Joint Select Committee OF beth Houses
# Congress. after Investigations continued
through nearly two years made a report
declaring that the first step toward The
.fticient reorganization of the District
,hariiies is the appointment CT board Of
harties.
The bill under consideration seems 10
ave been prepared from a modification OF
he Ohio law with important elements OF /
he new statutes and the provisions of the
lew constitution OF the State.of New York.
he Ohio board has been especially valua-
lie in that State. and the provisions en-
arging the powers of the New York
'oard are working admirably. The Till
ears uumistakable evidence OF extensive
Of the work and organization of
he various State boards Of charities. 1t
rovides for all that is essential to the
uccess of such board, and is not encum-
'ered with useless or experimental pro-
isions."
Mr.. Lewis then makes a statement OF ne
lumber OF boards of charities that are now
n existence and the amount Of work that
las been done. giving a number OF in
tances in the various States where a su-
erintendent would have been powerless to
ope with the emergencies that arose. In
edition TO this he states that il Is not
easonable to suppose that such States as
ave already established the boards would
mite in perpetuating useless or superflous
gencies.
The bill provides for the appointment Of
board of five members who shall serve
Without compensation. The office OF the
resent Superintendent will correspond
Il. Il 4. |