The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-18
TIE BOARD OF CHARITIES
Secretary Wilson Talks of the
Work Before 1t.
An Explanation of the Law Cover
Ing Its Operntions-ObIiEa of
Institutions Which Are Supported
by Public MOney-HOw Approprin-
lions Will Hereafter He Obtained.

The Secretary of-the Board Of Charities,
George 8. Wilson. has assumed the duties
of his office.
Mr.. Wilson, speaking of the work Of the
new board explained to a reporter for The
Times yesterday that the field Of operations
had been much enlarged as compared with
that Of the former Superintendent Of Char
tiles. by the act Of Congress creating the
board. He stated that 1t was not only
the duty of the board to visit and inspect
appropriated by Congress, but it will be
called upon to furnish the committees of
Congress annual estimates for the appro-
priations to the institutions that look to
the National Treasury for their support
in whole or in part.
The secretary stated that the law was
very explicit in its provisions on these
points. and he thought the new order o.
things would necessarily put large Iabors
m the office of the board. Taking I'D a
copy Of the organic act approved by Con-
gress June 6, 1900, Mr. Wilson pointed out
the duties Of the board as laid down in the
law. With regard to the visiting duties
of the board the law says:
THE said Board of Charities shall visit,
inspect. aud maintain general supervi-
sion over all institutions. societies, or asso-
Citations of y charitable. eleemosynary, cor
rectional, or reformatory character which
are supported in whole or in part by APP
preparations Nf Congress made for the
1Aw-
trict of Columbia; and no payment shall be
made to any such charitable, eleemosypa-
ry. correctional. or reformatory institution
for any Nresident OF the District of Column
tia who Ms not received and maintained
therein pursuant to the rules established
BY the Euard of Charities. except in case
of persops committed by the-eourts or
abandoned irfants needing immediate
care
Remarktng upon this feature of the law.
Mr. WILSON, said 1t was evident the inten-
\tion Nof LEGISLATURES was that the board
should assume large supervisory powers
over the charitable institutions OF the Dis
tTict which are aided or supp ortsd by PUBIC
money. The board is not only to VS. t
but to lay downNsule Tor the conduct
such Institutions. Nhe-sscretary thought.
and it is specially enjoiHed that the ins,i-
tutions are to heed said rules II they are
to continue to receive money from he
Government. Calling attention 10 aLo hzr
part Of the law, Mr.. Wilson showed at
the statute required thai the officers in
charge OF all institutions subject 10 the su-
peryision OF the Board Of Charities shall
furnish said board. on request. such in
formation and statistics as may be desired,
and to secure accuracy, uniformity, and
completeness of such statistics the board
may prescribe such forms of report ard
registration as may be deemed to be e.
sential, and all plans for new insti ut.o1s
shall before the adoption of the same be
submitted to said board Tor suggestion and
criticism.
This shows. Mr.. Wilson thought. the
scope OF the duties OF the board from the
standpoint of visiting and supervision.
and the law. he thought. was no less ex-
plicit in regard to the duty Of the bca d
to lay before Congress each year a seed
ule of appropriations for the several in
situations under their care.
Mr. Wilson Called attention to
the following provision of the
law The said board shall make an
annual report to Congress. through the
of the District of Columbia.
giving a full and complete account OF all
matters placed under the supervision OF
the board, all expenses in detail and all
officers and agents employed. with report
Of the secretary. showing the actual con-
lition Of all institutions and agencies IN
der the supervision OF the beard, the econ
1rGy OF administration thereof. and the
AMOUNT and sources of their public and pri-
Sate income. The report shall also include
commentators for the economical and
sfiicieIt administration OF the charities and
ihe reformatories of the District Of CO.
umbia: The board shall also prepare ana
include with its annual report such esti-
mates Of future appropriations as Will. in
he Judgment of majority of its members. |
best promote the effective. harmonious and
economical management of the affairs uu-
Ter its supervision. and such estimates suu-
nitted shall be included in the annual Book
If Estimates
Here it viii be seen, continued Mr.. |
that the duties OF the board ex- /
tend to the point of looking after the f. /
lancial welfare of the charitable and re-
foImatory institutions of the District. /
This part of the work CT the board is new
10 the authorities of the District. Mr.
wilson thought that the theory of the
statute was for the Institutions to look to
he Board of Charities for their appropria-
ions, which would hereafter be included
n the regular estimates for the annual
expenses of the District Government.
While the Board OF Charities has thus
arge powers given it by the law Mr.. /
Wilson explained that its authority would
lot be used in any arbitrary manner Tie (
beard as yet has no policy. and Mr. Will |
son said its efforts at the start would be
ERECTED to looking over the field and find
Es out what was needed. To this end he
nought there would be invited and well
omed the fullest corporation of the "a
'ers in charge Of the several institutions
which would come under their supervision
dr. Wilson thought the board would not
make any recommendation Until such tins
IS ii would be recognized by the public
hat they had acted wisely.
A M