New-York tribune., 1902-01-13
STATE CHARITIES AM,
u RErDV L ,

'o YildlS IOf
OF this statement is gives
STATE CHARITIES AM,
REPLY.
The only eomsor.aAl.
homes, " in the ssnss sao'
buildings that are smsT
hCmelike. which have 20
provided have been built -
!HS the last ten years So .
are the cottages Accom-,
dating from twsnrv-6v~
seventy-ive patients an
grounds Of the ST. I-ay~.,
Singhamton and Middlar-s.
state hospitals. That ~
newly erected buildlnz -
Kings Park and Central ,,e
cover very large areas
De regretted. but this ns-.
Que 20 excessive ecSno,
NOT TO eXtravsgance. ir 49,
possible 10 build cotrsS-ss
within the per capita sos,
allowed only when hesrSss
lighting, cooking and simi1s'
plants are already estsa
lished.
This provision was a n-
OF the state Care Act 60
ter 126. Laws Of IS9O :,
cOrdance with whicb -
buildings erected wifbi, a.
last ten years have hss-
built.
The impression gained h,
the visitors OF The Sea-,
Charities Aid Associatier =
not 50 much OF a fuplics-,,.
q administrative and sxscr-
tive powers as OF a gradua,
and, beyond a Certain nai,-
unfortunate. tTansteTence ~
authority in matters az ,r+
ternal administration ,rsr,
the boards OF managers =
the state Commission n
LGnacy.
The boards OF manay.-,
have clearly defined funcrir7t
Of internal adminisrrsfis,
which need not be confuss5
with the equally defnz1
functions ard powers of N
pervision and complste 6nan-
ciai control which are now
vested in the State Comnis-
sion.
II is the duty OF the star.
Commission in Lunaev :,
exercise general supervise,
over the execution OF tb.
laws relating 20 the cus-odv
care and treatment OF ira
insane Wn0 now nurb..
over %, 600 II has conrroi a.
all expenditures in counsc.
ton with the state h0spitaIS
involving more than 5000
OC0 annually, except as thsss
expenditures are subject 70
revision by the State Cor
troller. Il thus has an e.
fectiVe check On the policv
of any superintendent whoss
administrati-n does not meet
with its approval. and the
existence of an aurocraric
superintendent, under thsss
circumstance, Is difficult %
conceive.
To take from the boars.o,
managers this vital power 10
and remove supsrin-
tsndsnts would be 70 take
from them their greatest
means Of usefulness, and
their one means OF control
over the internal adminisrs-
rion ot the institution
The state Commission n
LUnacy has already chargs
% such matters, and all SER
arate houses for resident
officials have been built
under its direction TIE
policy OF building separate
houses for resident of,cs-s
was adopted 70 prevent ex-
trsva ganCa, as 10 has been
found q be cheaper % build
such houses. Of non-drsproOf
material than % spa-s
suitable quarters in the nan
buildings OF ths institutincS-
A uniform schedule OF sal-
aries and wages for all o.
icers and employees was es-
by the state Con-
several years age.
and IS in operation az tbs
present time. The salaries o.
he officers are far from s1.-
,sssive for men or women
Who must have high profes-
sional qualifications
The reason that this has
rot already been done "a
hat not enough money has
oeen provided 70 carry u
through
The lowest annual per
>apita cost OF maintsnancs
IS found az the Manhattan
State Hospital West. with 3
population on October !.
1901, OF 2,7S4. The highest
per capita cost is AZ the Co
wanda State HomG0pathic
Hospital. with a population
IN the same date of 342 pa
tents. The annual per cap
ia cost il the former for ths
year ending October I. 1901,
S Sl45; that in the latter FOR
The same period S22S. a tif-
ference o. SSS between ths
highest and the lowest. Be
tween hospitals OF nearly tbs
same size the differences ars
slight
Setting aside. IN the pres
snt discussion, the legal
phase Of the admission Of
inmates ID hospitals for the
insane. IL may be said that
Il - already the duty Of the
State Commission IN Lursey
70 see that the STATE IS re-
.mbursed. in whole or IN
part. from relatives who are
able % make payment for
The support q inmates.
Seven agents are now en-
1loyed 10 make such neces-
sary Investigations and co-
The work of such visiting
committees appointed an
lually. each visiting several
arce institutions. and vested
With NJ authority whatever
,oUld not take the place y
hat accomplished BY sep
lrats boards OF managers for
zach institution bringing 70
heir work the knowlecsS
md experience gained n a
seven years term q ofnce.
frequently extended by reap
1ointmenr-
As has been shown. there
$ practi cally but one inde-
pendent POWER vested n
present boards % Manages
namely. the appointments or
he superintendent and the
treasurer.
II has already been stated
.hat while precedent has d.
reed that The state CON-
mission shall be non-paru
AN. there Is 10 posltiVs
that az some tihns
2 NAV not become stronsiy
,artisan- To place IN the
lands OF a board thus cor
ltituted powers in additiol
q those ALREADY held ~ y
demands stronger Justircs-
son than a 1lea tor ths
,crraction of eNtravaganoe1
which, y they 90 exist. a.
,I~es+v wlthir the p0wer y
he state Commission m
.unacy 70 correct
TST. PIANIST.