The evening times., 1900-07-17
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Secretary WiIscn, Of the Board Of
Charities, Explains tie New Law.
Charitable Institutions Supported
by Public Money, wholly or in
Part. to Be Inspected-AIl Must
Make Reports when Requested To
Do SO-Other Matters of Interest.

George s. Wilson, the Secretary to the
Board of Charities, has taken charge OF
the Office of the board. and is giving his
time and attention 10 the duties Of the new
position. According to his own view of the
situation there is plenty to DO. at least
for the heated term, and he thinks that the
official burdens Of his office Will be quite
enough for one man TO carry.
Mr.. Wilson, speaking of the work OF the
new board, explained to a reporter OF The
Times today 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 il was not only
the duty Of the board 10 visit and inspect
charitable institutions supported by money
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 cvder o.
things would necessarily put large labors
on the Office of the board. Taking I'D q
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 10 the visiting duties
Of the board the law says:
The said Board OF Charities shall visit
inspect. and maintain a general superVi-
sion over all Institutions societies or asso-
Citations OF charitable. eleemOsynaTy. cor
rectional, or rc:OrmatOry character which
are supported in whole or in part by ap-
prOpriations Of Congress made for the
care or treatment Of residents Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia: and no payment slali be
made 10 any such charitable eleemosyna-
~. correctional. or refOrmatory institution
for any resident Of the District Of COlum-
biI who is not received and maintained
therein pursuant to the rules established
by the Loard Of Charities. except in case
Of peT sons committed by the courts or
abandoned infants needing immediate
care"
Remarkiug upon this feature Of the law,
Mr.. Wilson said IL was evident the inten-
tl0n OF the statutes was that the board
should assume large supervisory powers
over the charitable institutions OF the Dis
triCt which are aided or supported BY public
money. The board is not only to visit
but 10 lay down rules for the conduct f
such institutions, the secretary thought,
ana II is specially enjoined that the iusti-
tutions are 10 heed said rules II they are
TO continue to receive money from The
| Government. Calling attention 10 anO her
part Of the law, Mr. Wilson showed THAI
| the statute required that the officers in
charge OF all Institutions subject TO the su-
peTvisiCu OF the Board OF Charities shall
furnish sand board. on request. such in
formation and statistics as may be desired.
and 10 secure accuracy. uniformity, and
+ r1alF- Of
may prescribe such forms Of report ard
registration as may be deemed TO be e.
sential, and all plans for new institutions
shall before the adoption OF the same be
submitted TO said board for 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 10 the duty OF the beard
10 lay before Congress each year sched-
ule Of appropriations for the several in
stitutions under their care.
Mr.. Wilson called attention 20 the Law
as follows: The said board shall make
az annual report 10 Congress. through the
Commissioners Of the District OF Columbia.
giving a full and complete account Of al!
matters placed under the superyis on OF
the board. all expenses in detail end all
officers and agents employed with a report
/ or the secretary. showing the actual con-
dItiOn Of all institutions and agencies uu-
der the supervision OF the board. the econ
omy Of administration thereof and the
amount and sources Of their public and prI-
yate income. The report shall also include
recommendations for the economical and
efficient administration of the charities and
the refoTmatories Of the District OF CO.
lumbia- The board shall also prepare and
include with its annual report such esti-
mates OF future appropriations as will. in
the judgment OF q majority Of its members.
best promote the effective, harmonious and
economical management OF the affairs IN
der its supervision. and such estimates SUD
mitted shall be included in the annual Book
OF Estimates"
Here it will be seen. continued Mr..
Wilson. that the duties Of the board ex-
tend to the point OF looking after the f.
nancial welfare Of the charitable and re-
fOrmatory institutions OF the District
This part Of the work Of the board is new
10 the authorities of the District Mr.
Wilson thought that the theory Of the
statute was for the institutions 10 look to
the Board Of Charities for their appropria-
uons, which would hereafter be included
in the regular estimates for the annual
expenses of the District Government
While the Board of Charities has thus
large powers given ii by the law Mr.
Wilson explained that its authority would
not be used in any arbitrary manner. The
board yet has no policy. and Mr. VIII
son said its efforts at the start would be
directed to looking over the field and find
ing out what was needed. To this end he
thought there would be invited and well
coined the fullest cooperation OF the OH-
GERS in charge of the several institutions