New-York tribune., 1901-01-29
CHARITIES BO1RD REPLIES.
DIsAPPROvEs GOVERNOR ODELLs RECON-
MENDATIONs OF RETRENCHMENT

Albany jan 2s-The State Board of Charities
replies in fits annual report. TO the statements Of
Governor OdeIl that the work Of the Board can be
conducted more economically. The report says in
part:
The work and the expenditures of this Board
readily be summed up in a few words.
cifcally impose certain important and extensive
duties upon the State Board of Charities. These
are not only mandatoTy but they are also generay
1t mus! be apparent that under these cireum-
statutes could not honoraby be disregarded by the
gard them might very properly subject the mem,
bers to charges of neglect OF duty and TO removal
In this as in every case where duties i'm
posed two courses have been oPenuone to neg
other 20 seek attend to il. in accordance with
To board composed of business men the latter
course naturally seemed the proper one 10 pursue,
and has accordingly been followed to the extent
that the Legislature has from year 10 year appro-
priated money for dsR the RuFTpSSe FsS given 70 tho oar m
the Legislature to carry out the requirements of
s6e of the revised State Constitution and the
enactment Of the State Charities law and the Poor
en- the means al the Boards command were totally
INADEQUATE In view Of the work before IT, how
ever the Board urged upon the Legislature the
necessity Of an increased Appropriation, and finally
- Better than any other authority probably. the
nature and scope of the work and the means
The force of employees in the Boards service is not
row sufficient the neld or work in the
systamatie and orderly way required by its Inn
portance.
Roa rd's force Of employees land in other way of
spv moment can the expenses be recuced) will
only he 10 cripple work carried on in accordance
with the requirements OF the Constitution and the
laws hut Will also be 10 waste the valuable expert
ence which the employees of the Board have gained
in prosecuting the States work. This seems to be
An undestra bic and injurious policy, and is
tatniy the reverse of what a successful business
house would be likely TO adopt .-,..,, -,
No single official act of the Board, including the
employment OF it's officers. inspectors and other
employees has been dictated by any political or per-
sonal consideration. all appointments having been
made strictly IN accordance with the rules OF the
Civil Service The Board has. therefore. been under
no temptation 10 increase its force beyond the
number necessary to accomplish the work intrusted
by
The non-partisan character Of the Board has
been considered and respected by the Governors
Of since the Board established.
There are members sitting in its councils
who though Republicans were appointed by Dem
ocratic Governors. and the other hand there
are Democrats sitting the Board who APP
pointed by Republican Governors All the judicial
districts OF the State represented within its
membership ; also the different forms OF
religious belief.
With a keen realization OF the many serious evils
and abuses that fostered In the adminst tion
OF public charitable and resormatory institutions
when their management Is controlled or directed