Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-12-02
REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
ANNUAL REPORT OF ITS PREsI-
AENT.
Health and state of Discipline Pro-
nounced Good-EGect Of Re-
cent Lesislation.

Henry M. Hoyt, assistant attorney gen.
eral and president of the Girls Reform
School of the District, has submitted the
following annual report to- the Attorney
General:
THE net increase in the number of in
mates was from twenty-eight on July 1,
1900, to forty on June 30, 1901, this rise
being due to the completion and occupancy
of the new building In that building the
colored girls. who are and doubtless will be
more numerous, are housed, and the Old
building. after necessary renovation. Is now
used for white girls. Of whom two were
received during the year. The plan OF the
school Is that the two classes OF girls snail
be entirely separated in their living ar
rangements and work. although they are
treated In identically the same way.
Health and Discipline Good.
'The health of the school and the state
OF discipline have been good. There mas
been no concerted INSTRUMENTATION, and In
dividual instances requiring ordinary pun
ishment have not passed beyond an extent
which is to be expected.
I'VE find the new building, with its COM
pleted equipment, in most respects well
adapted for its purpose. we may pafticu-
larly remark that the doors OF the girls
dormitory rooms are controlled by an auto
matte locking device which works well, and
that two modern fire escapes have been
placed at proper points. and that there Is
an adequate provision of hose and hre ex-
tinguishers.
During the year revised scheme of dis
cipline, daily work and fire drill has been
adopted.
1.-THE two buildings have now been con-
nected. as well as completed by a substan-
tiai brick wall, which surrounds them both,
giving separate yards, and by brick cor
ridor along the front wall, which enables
joint administration to be carried on. The
outside appearance and condition OF the
property is gradually being brought up to
proper standard, now that the disorder
consequent on building is over and SYM
metrical grading can be done. The ordt-
nary repairs required have been thoroughly
looked after and a great part OF the nee
essary work of this nature has been done
by officers and employees Of the school.
1--WE estimate that the appropriation for
the next fiscal year should be the same
amount for salaries, namely, $685.. and for
maintenance, SO, 000-an increase Of ZOO.
Effect of Recent Legislation.
1--WE are fully convinced that the legis-
lation of the past year affecting the school
(31 Stat, 500, by reducing to seventeen
years the age limit of commitment, and by
granting to the board Of trustees more
specific power as to the employment, dis
cipline and conditional or parole release Of
girls, ETC.. will permit of more effective
work in the way Of reform and will soon
show satisfactory results. The act OF
March 3, 1901 81 Stat, 1880, enlarges the
powers of the courts and Of the board of
children's guardians respecting delinquent
children under seventeen years of age, and
has bearing upon the school, since by this
act, as well as by previous acts, this school
is one of the institutions which the courts
and the board Of children's guardians may
and commonly do resort to, In the respective
manners pointed out by the law, for the
care and custody of delinquent or incorrigi-
BILE girls -t'r
The Superintendent Report.
The superintendent report shows that
July 1, 1890, there were present in the
school twenty-eight girls; June 80, 1901,
forty girls, ranging in age from eleven
years to nearly twenty-one years. Twenty
five new girls have, been received during
the year, and three who had been appren-
ticed during previous years were returned
Three girls have been finally released at
twenty-one years of age, seven have been
returned to parents or guaruIans. and three
have been apprenticed in suitable homes,
and we hear favorable reports concerning
most of them. Two girls escaped During
the year 3,411 garments were made in the
sewing room. ---.
The superintendent says: THE cid build
ing has been thoroughly renovated and re-
paired for the reception of white girls. We
have but two white girls at this time but
are ready to receive twenty-seven when
they may be committed to us.