The evening times., 1900-01-10

In the recent report OF the District Com
missioners several suggestions were made
for the organization of a Board of Chari
ties for the District to supersede the pres
ent Superintendent of Charities The mat
ter was also discussed by a committee from
Congress which investigated the charities
of the District some time ago and out
lined the duties of the board which will
probably be authorized during the present
session of Congress. The report states in
part:
The duties of the board should be to
aid in securing the humane and economical
administration of all institutions subject
TO its supervision; 10 advise the officers
OF such institutions in the performance of
their various duties; to aid in the secur-
ing and erection of suitable buildings for
the accommodation of the inmates of such
institutions; to approve or disapprove the
organization and incorporation of all in
stitutions of a charitable. eleemosynary,
correctional. or reformatory character
which are. or shall be. subject to the su-
pervsion and inspection of the board; TO
investigate the management Of all insti-
tutions made subject TO the supervision
Of the board. and the conduct and eff
cheney Of the officers or persons charged
with their management. and the care and
relief of the inmates of such institutions
therein in transit; to aid
in securing the best sanitary
conditions of the buildings and
grounds Of such institutions. and advise
measures for the preservation and protec-
tion OF the health of the inmates; 10 aid
in securing the establishment and mainte-
nance Of such industrial educational and
moral training institutions having the care
OF children as are best suited 10 the needs
Of the inmates to establish rules for the !
reception and retention Of the inmates OF
all institutions subject TO the supervision |
of the board; to investigate the condition
of the poor seeking aid, and advise meas
ures for their relief: TO administer the
laws providing for the care. support. and
removal OF the poor who are properly de-
pendents OF other States: TO collect statis- |
tical Information with respect to the re- /
ceipts and expenditures of all institutions |
societies. and associations subject 10 its |
supervision. and the condition Of the in
mates thereof and the poor receiving pub |
lie relief
The board should further be empow- |
cred 10 take proofs and hear testimony re- 4
lating 10 any matter before it. or before !
any member of the board upon any visit 1
OF inspection. The members Of the board /
should have full access to the grounds. 4
buildings, books, and papers of all insti-
tuuons subject TO the care OF the board
ana should have the power 10 require from +
the officers and persons in charge thereof
any information that may be deemed nee
essary in the discharge of its duties; also
The board should prepare regulations ac-
cording TO which and provide blank
forms upon which such information shall
be furnished in a clear. uniform. and
prompt manner for the use of the board.
Provision should be made for the pun
ishment of any officer or employe Of an in
stitution who shall unlawfuIly refuse 10
admit any member, officer, or inspector Of
the board for the purpose of visitation and
inspection, or who shall refuse or neglect
10 furnish the information required by the
board or any of its members. officers, or
inspectors
THE members and officers of the hoard
should be prohibited from being interest
ed, directly or indirectly in the furnishing
OF materials labor or supplies for the
use Of any District charitable institution
The board should make to the Commits
sioners Of the District Of Columbia an an
nual report covering its work for the year.
and also suggestions for the Improvement |
OF the work Of charitable and reformatorv !
NASAi'' NA4'A ltDblt SuOQlQ De SUBJ I
mltted TO Congress with such recommen-
datlons as the Commissioners might sug-
gest.
In advocating the creation OF a general |
board OF supervision the committee has J
had in view, as one object. the gathering
and presenting Of such information as viii !
enable the committees Of Congress 10 have
an intelligent SURVEY Of the whole field I
This result Congress has often striveD for
in the past, bu; has never attained. As q [
consequence the Appropriation Committees =
nave been compelled annually 10 organize
themselves into committees on charities.
and TO hear presented the claims Of each s
individual organization {
without knowledge Of local conditions ]
ana needs, with membership changing !