Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-07
BOARD OF CHARITIES.
Met Yesterday Afternoon and Talked
Over City's Poor.

Over City's Poor.
 Mayor E. G. Kilduff presided at the meeting of the board of charities yes terday afternoon at o'clock, at which every member was present with the exception of Commissioner Brewer.
 Applications for appointment as city physician were received from Drs D. ]. Maloney, NJ J. Donahue, H. 10. Bal lard and J. J. McLinden and were placed on file The receipt of these applications was due, no doubt, to the fact that at the last meeting of the board there was an animated discus sion in regard to appointing the city physician for longer period of time than month, as under the present sys- tenn. Commissioner Filling was of the opinion that two city physicians should be appointed during the year, each re- ceiving a remuneration of $500. He thought that the present system of changing the city physician every month was wrong; that it was far from beneficial to the patients. Commission CT Moore was not in favor of changing the present system. After much dis cussion 1t was voted to appoint Dr F. J. Dwyer city physician for the next month.
 
 to pay visit to the New England Home for Incurables in Hartford.
 Mayor Kilduff sought information from Superintendent Doran in regard to the number of towns owing this city for the care and maintenance of char ity patients. Superintendent Doran stated that he could not give the exact number but that there were more than a few towns which owe Waterbury money for such cases. He also stated that he had found 1t very difficult in collecting such debts. Mayor Kilduff thought that if legal difficulties were to be avoided and the resultant litiga- tion, the accounts with other towns should be kept as near paid as possi- ble. Commissioner Filling considered 1t unwise to leave accounts with other towns to remain unsettled for six months or more.
 It is the intention of the mayor and the commissioners of the board to make some changes for the better if ! possible, In the system used at the Brookside home. A detailed statement of the number of inmates at the Brook side home, the number of applications for charity and the number to whom aid is being given.
 In reply to a question from the mayor in regard to how often he investigates the cases under his Jurisdiction. and if he had system of making such inves- figations, Superintendent Doran replied that he was driving about all parts of the city every day, making a thorough Investigation of every appeal to him Tor charity. Mayor Kilduff replied that the board well knew that the superin. tendent was doing good work, especial. ay in the face of changes from the old system. The new system was now being used. but it could not be expect. ed that radical changes could be made immediately. It requires time to bring about those changes. Yet everybody Is cognizant of the fact that the city is growing large, the appeals for charity more numerous. and consequently the investigation must be thorough. Some people are fond of drifting into pauper. ism when there Is no need of it. Such cases must be prevented, if possible He quoted an example of such q case which occurred day or two ago.
 Commissioner Finn thought thai some law should be enacted which would enable the city to reach hus band who deserts his wife and children and leave them to be supported by the town.
 The meeting adjourned to next Mon day at p. m.
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