The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-25

subsidy or gratuity system or doing
charity work should be abolished, as
far as Congressional appropriations are
concerned. and that uniform supervi-
sion. and col troll Of all purely local pub
lie charities should be placed under the
Commission RS of the District.
Estimates for the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1905, are explained and urged
for favorable consideration. These were
published in The Times several weeks
ago. The report is signed by S. w.
Woodward, Charles p. Nell. George
William Cook. John Joy Edison. and 81
mon Wolf
Present System Ineffective.
In recommending the permanent and
definite policy in dealing with charities,
the report says the present arrangement
is lacking in effectiveness. and is the
result OF a growth without any specific
plan. The report also says the annual
appropriations for correctional and
charitable institutions now closely ap-
proximate q million dollars, and the
longer the present system is allowed to
continue the more difficult it becomes to
make it satisfactory
Dealing with the subsidy system, the
report says:
zone prominent feature of the pres
ent arrangement is the so-called sub
sidy' or gratuity system-that is. a sys-
TEN granting appropriations of public
moneys in aid OF private charitable or
EaniZations The experience in the Dis
trict of Columbia only tends to cor
rObOrate the experience Of other COM
munities. that this policy is unwise.
and the board believes that it should
be discontinued here, as Il has been in
other progressive communities. We have
dwelt at length on this subject in for
mer reports. and our experience leads
rs to believe more strongly than ever
that the tendencies Of this system lead
10 ineficiency and wastefulness; but if
il should be determined by Congress
that the system is TO continue. then
some effort should be made TO render it
as equitable as possible.
The present distribution OF subsi-
dies is without plan or Justification, the
current appropriation being fixed APP
parently without regard 10 the needs
OF the institution or the service il is
rendering to the public Some institu-
tions, the volume Of whose work is
large, receive a comparatively small
subsidy; wis., others. the volume of
whose work a. relatively small. receive
a comparatively large subsidy.
Lack of Organization.
Another important subject dwelt upon
IN former reports is the need of a more
unified control of the purely public insti-
tutiOns. Largely BECAUSE Of the lack Of
proper organization. the public, we'll
as the private. charities Of Washington,
fail 10 attain a proper degree OF CO.
operation and efficiency. Some OF the
public institutions are under the Imme-
date direction Of the Commissioners of
the Dlstric. OF Columbia; others are
under the direction of boards appointed
by the Commissioners; others are under
the direction of the Department of JUS
tiee: while stin others are under the
direction of the Interior Department.
Such a disjointed arrangement neces-
sarily results IN loss OF effectiveness and
in wastefulness OF resources.
The demand that provision be made
Immediately for the care OF patients
suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis
Is peculiarly urgent This disease is
such menace to the community that
public sentiment has become greatly
aroused. and an insistant demand is
made that measures be taken providing
for the proper isolation Of persons suf-
fering from this disease. Al present. no
such provision is made. we believe that
Congress should AT once authorize the
erection Of buildings on the new munich
pal hospital grounds. already purchased
BIZ an appropriation made for thar pur-
pose. sufficient 10 accommodate from 80
10 800 patients of this class
Estimate for Hospital.
AN estimate is made for sl5O.O0o for
beginning the work at this hospital. and
IL is recommended that the Commits
sioners be authorized 10 enter into con
an
plete the bsiiatngs necessary for che
care OF the .1se mentioned number OF
patients.
I'm recommending that the child-car-
ing work should be- under the direction
OF the Board Of Children's Guardians.
this board Is Of the opinion that instl-
tutIons should be available for the
training OF such children as are unfit
ted for placement in private homes. OF
FOR whom private homes are not avail
able.
fWholesome family life is doubtless
more desirable for children than insti-
tutional life. but. in many cases. suit
able family life FOR dependent children
ia the District Of Columbia is. for 2
time at least. impossible. either because
the child itself Is untitled for such life
or because the proper home Is not avail
able. This board IS OF the opinion thai
the difficulty can hes; be settled by
leaving the matter in the hands Of tn
BOARD Of Children-s Guardians
THE work OF the probation officer
under the direction OF the Board Of
ChIldrens Guardians. while II may stil
be regarded IN the light Of an expert
ment. because so recently inaugurated
s.ill, IL has been 50 encouraging a. e
leave no doubt as 10 the desirabiit:' Of
the probation syst,fp. Indeed, the esSab
ment Of a juvenile court without Drovis
ion for the necessary probation officers
would be but little Improvement upOr
the present system II is earnestly rec
commended. therefore. that In connection
with the establishment OF a juvenil,