Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-26
THE CHILDREN'SGUARDlANS
STATEMENTS CONCERNING BOARDS
WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
Mr.. Douglass Replies; ito Criticisms-
The Views ofiP0lice Court
officials

The statement is sometimes made that the
board of chfldren's guardians Is engaged In
the work Of breaking up families. Convers-
ing on this subject with q reporter OF The
Star, Mr.. ]. w. Douglass, an officer Of the
organization, said: @It is true that such
accusations are occasionally, made, but
when our books demonstrate that 621t per
cent of the children under temporary care
are returned to relatives or friends, the
showing will not bear out the charge In
some cases the welfare of children and the
welfare of society absolutely demand the
severance of family and home ties; but they
are comparatively few. A deaf ear is never
turned to the pieadngs of worthy parent
for the return Of child taken under public
guardianship, either temporarily or perma-
nently, and any public agency dealing with
dependent children which does not exercise
its functions with heart well as heao IS
and ought to be distrusted by the COM
munity.
1T Is the constant aim Of the agents to 40.
minister this, as all other departments OF
their work, with sympathy and consldera-
ton for the unfortunate children anu
kindly thoughtfulness for parental FEELINGS
During period of twelve montns ap
plications were made and inVestisaIoiis
completed in behalf Of more than Voo chll-
dren. Each received careful conslderaI oh
No influence is required to have chlidren
committed to the guardianship OF the Doaru
Do they need such guardianship, ana are
they entitled to it? are the only quesuohs
which an investigation must answer al
firmatively and positively. About 30 per cent
of. the children in whose behalf appllcauons
are made are received under either tempo
rary or permanent guardianship II Is tEe
constant aim to adjust cases without the
necessity of a commitment. BY kindly ad-
vice, ways and means out of temporary
distress are often found. All resources are
exhausted before seeking what should be
the last resort-to become a ward OF the
state. Governments ought not to do Tor
children what private parties should. "a
ternalism in the care of Door children
should be jealousy guarded. We aim to
study causes of dependency and, so far as
possible,' apply remedies at the fountain
head"
Mr.. Douglass cited several instances
which demonstrated the character OF the
work accomplished, and the necessity for
the mediation of the board.
Views of Police officials.
Judges KimbaI and Scott of the Police
Court and Mr.. Joseph Y. Potts, clerk Of
the same tribunal, agree that the mission
Of the board is of the most important char
acter. Judge Kimball said 10.
I'm my judgment and from my observa-
lions, know the great need there is of just
such an agency as has been created to look
after destitute, improperly cared-for chill
dren and children from vicious homes. The
but has only begun. There is a great field
yet untouched. The present society Is, in
my judgment. doing all, its limited appro-
priation permits. 1 think there ought to be
more agents, not only to do the work of the
District of Columbia, but that every
child under the care of the board should be
visited several times q year. and more care
full supervision had than the board is now
able to secure"
Judge Scott said: Il consider the board Of
childrens guardians of great importance IN
the line of work performed, and know of
no organization association that could
better do the work 1t has in charge. It ap-
pears to be doing It's duty, and doing it
we'll"
Mr.. Potts says he has been so placed in
the performance of official duties as to he
frequent observer of the boards efforts to
better the condition of the youth and the
success attained in that direction. There
can be no doubt of the excellent work per-
formed by the board, which in itself should
afford ample proof of the usefulness and
value of the society, together with it's worth
to this community. Apparently 1t goes 10
its limit. he says, in meeting the demands
made upon it, but he is satisfied that were
its powers enlarged by legislation and the
means provided for the purpose, the board
could be of still greater benefit to the COM
munty. .