The evening times., 1900-07-11

1t is expected that the new Board of
Charities. composed Of John Joy Edison, S.
W. Woodward Simon Wolf George W.
Cook and DR.. Charles p. Neil. will hold
its first meeting in the District Building
tomorrow. when the board will be organ
lied and will Immediately take up the du-
ties with which it is charged under the
law.
One OF its frs duties will be the selec-
tion OF Secretary to the Board for which
Congress has provided a salary of SO 600
annually. The position is one OF respon-
sibility, as the Secretary will be charged
with carrying out the wishes of the Board,
and will be in fact both its secretary and
executive officer 1t is first Of all Il posi-
tion for an expert in the matter Of chari-
ties, and then il is one for a man Of large
talent wise judgment. and one possessed
of the ability TO command the confidence
and respect of those with whom he may
come in contact.
II is understood that the former Super
intendent Of Charities. Herbert W. Lewis,
is a candidate for the position, and that
up to ten days ago. when he was taken ill.,
made an active canvass for the appoint
ment. Furthermore. Mr.. Lewis and mis-
trends expect that he will be the choice
OF the Board. and IL has been hinted that
no other name would be proposed for the
position II is claimed by the friends OF
Nr. Lewis that his long familiarity WITH
the conduct Of the charities Of the Dis
Irict. together with his deep study of
charity problems make his services in
valuable to the new Board. and that i:
would be folly to look for anyone else %
take the place.
But there is a little inside history TO
the creation of the Board by Congress. and
to Mr. Lewis administration Of the Office
OF Superintendent Of Charities. which puts
quite another phase upon the subject IL is
hinted that the motive for creating the
Board OF Charities was TO get rid Of Mr..
Lewis II IS well known that for years
he has been a bitter opponent OF granting
money TO UNCONVENTIONAL or other chart
ties In lump sums. He has insisted Strenu-
ously upon paying charitable institutions
for the work done He has fought for this
principle on all occasions 10 the annoyance
Of all concerned.
He not only set forth this opposition IN
annual reports but IN his recommendations
20 the Commissioners of specific 6liOt-
ments Of charity funds and in similar
Recommendations TO the committees OF
Congress. In short the Superintendent CT
Charities could be depended upon 10 CP-
pose anything which went beyond the ap-
plIcation Of District funds other than by
the contract system
This opposition was carried TO such an
extreme. II is said. 70 embarrass the
authorities OF the District. In the Cen
EressIonaI con- nittee rooms the SupeTln-
.enient was regarded. sCme say, as a nui-
Eance and the testimony Of more than one
member Of the District and Appropriations
Committees has been that his notions were
such as could not be embodied in legisla-
lion without making the two chambers o.
Congress ridiculous II the eyes CT the pco-
pie.
II was hinted while the bill creating the
Board Of Charities was under cOnsidera
lion that Il was for the purpose OF taking
the important matter OF the District char
tiles from the hands Of one man OF auto
cratic tendencies OF mind and placing them
Ia the hands OF a commission where the
judgment OF several men could end express
sion.
Il is regarded as no wonder that with
such a record opposition to Mr. Lewis be
ing Secretary 10 the new Board should
have arisen. II s said that the opposition
has made itself felt upon the Board. and
that the fOrme. Superintendent of Chari-
ties will have b. TO means ar easy road
10 appointment. Those who do not favor
Mr.. Lewis. II is said. have been carrying
on a campaign against him quietly but ef-
fectiveIy. There has been no demOnstra-
tiOn, but the objections urged against him
are believed to be Of sufficient weight 10
be final. Those who did not think well of
Mr.. Lewis as Superintendent would think
no better Of him in the chair Of Secretary.
and II is understood that among those who
ere determined that he shall have nothing
more 10 do with the District charities are
Senators and Representative who have
made their opposition known even at the
White House.