Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-07
GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN
MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD
SATURDAY EVENING.
Substance of Reports Received and
Rcad-Nisits Made to Wards
in the States.

he ieSu monthly meeting Oh tne
board of children's guardians was held
Saturday evening last, the following
members being present: Mrs. ]. w. Bah
son. Mrs. Lucy S. Doolittle, Mrs. Mary L.
D. mcfarland and Messrs John F. Cook,
b. P1ckman Mann. VIM. ]. Miller, Louis
Stern and James B. T Upper. Agents
John W. Douglass and Samuel S. Parkman
and Herbert w. Lewis, superintendent of
CHARITIES, We're also in attendance. The
only absent member, Dr. Nj. D. Peck, sent
excuse because of severe illness.
President Doolittle and Secretary Mann
ofhclated. The minutes of the preceding
meeting We're read and approved and a re-
Pcit VI 'he executive committee was made,
giving names and ages of children commit
tea permanently or temporarily during the
past month, disposition made of these chill
uleh ana approVals of expenditure for their
maintenance; also names of homes APP
proved for the reception of children and
names and ages of children placed in the
several homes
Inc committee appointed to consider the
payment OF a salary to the secretary re-
ported through Chairman Miller that a let
Ter ASKING to have such salary granted
ia" peeh addressed. over the signatures of
all the members of the committee to the
s up OF charities who stated that
Inns letter mad been approved and forward
ed to Senator Allison chairman of the Dis
tiict subcommittee of the Senate appropria-
ions committee, but the state of advance
meht OF the District appropriation bill for
the coming year was such that no action
was practicable.
Mrs j. w. Babson, as committee unon
wv EiSitifS ilSt, reported that 1Wi wards of
me board had been visited in boarding
homes in the District of Columbia durine.
the month; 30 children are now in hens
III virginia, of whom - were last visited in
io' Wo We're last visited in 1888 and
I bnm IN 1s, these children having excellent
MONIES from which the agent had good
reports. The remainder of these children
were visited in 1890.
fnty-seven children in MARYLAND were
visited IN 1899 and 1900, several of them
twice In one year. Of 10 children in Penn
sylvania, were visited in 1894 and 2 IL,
!:@i; OF = in New jersey 5 were visited in
1883 and ; in 1890. Twelve in Delaware
III west Virginia and 1 in Connecticut
We're visited in 1899 one in New York state
llVlns with an uncle and well cared for, was
VISITED IN 1888; one other in 1888 and 1909;
one IN Vermont, having a very desirable
nome with an aunt. has not been visited
since November. 1898 because of the dis
lance and expense, although the law d.
reefs that annual visitations be made.
Mt j. b. L. upper was appointed COM
mlttee on the visiting list for the ensuing
month.
The chairman of the committee on the
care of the boys at the Hart Farm School
presented letter for the consideration of
liit Dpdlu- CONSIDERATION OF the relations
or the board to this school was deferred
until the next meeting. the committee be-
ing requested to make full report at that
meeting.
boys in Court Under Charges.
Mr. Lewis, superintendent of charities
addressed the board upon the need of bet
ter provision for the care of boys brought
to the Police Court on charge of petty Of
lenses. The attention of the District Com
missioners had been called by a letter from
Senator Money to the number of bows in
[ ne JAIL and the workhouse. This letter was
by the Commissioners referred to Mr..
Lewis. The peremptory character of the
treatment of these boys in the Police Court
was considered Objectionable, but the po-
ice Judges did not appear to be able to
give to the boys the time and attention
which they should receive. Mr.. Lewis
favored the appointment of proba ton Off
Ger, in whose care these boys might be
placed by the court to prevent their con-
fncment with adult criminals, and desired,
with the approval of the board, to propose
legislation making one of the agents of
the board such probation officer. He de-
scribed the probation system in successful
operation in some of the states. Upon mo-
ton of Mr.. Cook this proposal Of Mr.. Lewis
was approved unanimously.
Inc monthly reports of the agents were
read and accepted, and the monthly re-
port of the physician received and filed
Cases involving 60 children We're inves-
t'Bdted ana acted upon during the month,
40 children not being adjudged to be proper
subjects for commitment to the board. Ten
were committed permanently, 3 of them
after temporary commitment, and 10 others
Were committed temporarily. The whole
number of wards is now 623. of whom 1l3
are in institutions at board. 1o7 in family
homes al board II in free institutions, $50
in free homes and 3:s at large or self-sup-
porting. Sixteen children We're placed in
family homes, and - children residing out
side the District Were visited. A very
favorable report upon the Hart Farm
School was made.
The physicians report showed IS pro-
fessional visits made to 81 children. Two
permanent wards and temporary wards
died, at the age Of three months, l at five
months and / at three years
The dsbursing officer reported expendi-
lures to April ], 1909 on the administra-