New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-16
NOT WELLFED AT REFUGE
BENDER RENEWS CHARGE
Mr. Orr Admits Lack Of Clothing
and Food-Sags Funds Are Short.


report OF Alexander T. orr. president or The ooara
a. managers OF the RandalIs Island House Of Ret
uee upon charges made that tho supply OF 1000 IA
the institution insufficient: that the boys are ~
properly clothed; that the classnoauon OF tne an
mates Is deficient that the House ~ Refuge is con-
6rc.es as nrivate charitable institution and that
while its per capita cost is So a year greater 'hh
.bat q tne Rochester Industrial School, me results
are not so good.
The Governor has received also the report OF
L. "a 13c,aer Fiscal Supervisor Of State Char
s,,ez 10 whom he submitted Mr.. Orrs reply anu
who IN more detailed report. not only rene"s 'ie
charges of rnisnanagement but directs attention 70
several branches Of the rules laid down ior
lions wholly or partially supported by the STATE
and charges specifically poor food supplies. insu-
Gent shoes and clothing. and Indirectly great
waste 81 public funds.
President orr replying 10 the charges made gen
orally against the institution. claims. first that
while there is a controlling board OF management
-, under she direction OF the state. the institution
&c Dc facto a state institution although he admits
that the land and the buildings are owned oy 'he
society OF which he is president
second ne admits that the board OF managers olo
80, -ort out 10 the State authorities or the legis-
lators the shrinlage in the funds contributed py
the city Of Nevy-Yori, because al the urne the 9'
ennronriation was made such a shrinka6e was hO'
.nticipated: bur he claims that the board olo an
.,cinste a growth in the population or the hetuse'
80 40 request the legislature 20 appropriate more
money which request was refused. In TINS saine
line ne points out that the price OF cosl aoN3lOeu
50 rapidly that several thousand dollars more "as
needed even with the strictcst economy 10 supply
the institution with fuel
rrbirs he urges the lack % funds as reason
for the ourtailing OF the food and clo'nhs sup
niles. but calls Il a natural effect
F4e admits that the Fiscal Supervisor has re
.,uertlv called their attention 20 what he called
isck 81 rroper nourishing food. but says that
better suprly could be obtained without exceed
ing the appropriations given the inst'ou0H y
State and city.
ADMITS NEED OF CLOTHING.
Fo,,rth-Referring the charge that the ch-
y-en we're badly clothed. President Orr admits that
a. - ,.,e s,,r,np and early summer in the case
OF the fooe supply. the clothing supply was mus
unsatisfactory" but contends that this has oeeh
largely rennedied by more liberal allowances IN the
monthly estimates.
anifa for maintenance OF the inmates at Randall
Island exceeds that Rochester, but says thst
the apparent excess is made up OF insurance on te
buildings which insurance is not carried at Koch
ester. He admits that the Rochester school has
been furnishing clothing its inmates at less cost
than Randaus Island. but says that in 1901 and
1902 the clothing furnished at Rochester was n
sufficient and ragged-so much 50 as to cause pre-
sentiments to the grand 3ury OF Monroe County
For 1908 he admits that the clothing at handalls
Island not good in previous years. because
OF a decrease in the allowance
Sixth-Renerring TO the charge OF improper classi-
S-ation OF inmates President Orr says that the
elimination OF girls from the institution has been
suggested several times. but the legislature has
fGned 10 act upon the suggestion. The girls form
& barrier 10 proper classification OF the boys but
the board has done its best with the facilues at
In conclusion. President orr says that the dis
cIpline q the institution has steadily improved,
Reports and punishments have decreased enc the
exhibition Of scholastic and Industrial work has
been most creditabe." He refuses TO commit him
sututlon 20 some otaeT psos IN Iis Se'e 6Sizs
ted and he inst be
T1s q more 5is seif-s Staring anu
MR. RENDERS REPLY.
The answer 10 H. H. Bender. Fiscal Supervisor OF
State Charities 20 President Orr's communication
Is a reafirnation OF the charges made against the
Randalls Island Institution and. in addition 20 re-
plying 90 the specific statements OF President orr.
makes additional charges Of incompetency in the
banding Of the funds whereby there were poorer
results FOR the children at a larger expenditure
than in tho Rochester Industrial School. Mr.
Eender says the outset:
am very much impressed with tho idea that
Mr. Orr desires 10 avoid discussion OF what would
f,6eration. viz. First@iIsve the appropriations
ne pf Pic i inmates e ne TSe % me
satisfying quantity Of food and clothing. and II
well managed?
IN answering these questions Mr.. Bender says
he has taken all the Years since ses and pre-
pared 20 show that AT time has the State APP
propriated $4,000 for maintenance. and that
this has been ample for the excellent care Of thu
Inmates. while the contrary. the City OF New
York has continually reduced the appropriations
Tor Randalls Island that from slSSs6 in 1901
q has decreased So 80 in 1903
He denies specifically Nj Orr's suggestion that
the board ~ managers did not know that the citys
appropriation would be decreased. by calling at
tenton 10 letter Of Superintendent Sage written
70 the fiscal supervisor In December last IN which
De said that the appropriation be only So 20
In reference 10 the food and clothing supplies Of
the institution Mr. Bender SAYS
BOYS NOT WELL FED.
% nor asree with Mr. Orr when he states that
cations are thar they have not. They DO require
and ere entitled 10 liberal and sustaining fare
anc ths remark leads 10 the inquiry. What has
become 81 the food allowed For my claim is that
20 give the inmates than the menus indicate
they have received. IT VIII be noted that days
Rsndalrs Island but coffee. bread aud syrup.
whereas az Rochester the children received va
NIX eZavy ginger cookies. cracked wheat, beef.
during the same seven days.
NJ. Bender quotes from a letter Of the resident
physician OF the Randall's Island institution. IN
which he says that the quantity OF food particu-
larry meat and vegetables. is deficient and. an
SNering such complaint says.
II the inmates OF the institution are no, getting
tresh Negetabies--as apparently they not. be
cause there are none on the menus. with one OK
cepuon-it Is matter FOR inquiry. BY converting
sts vegetable gardens into lawns and flower beds
OF fresh vegetables.
In the matter q leather for shoes n spends mora
Einlira Refornatory notvfthstandinr the ssct mat
there are one hundred and FIFTY boys without shoes
At ROchsstsr the ,,. boys are vel and sufficiently
COINED Al hanoal : Island they are not whereas
8 s5 and Randalis Island $50 81 The experience
Ter OF clothing has been that the best iudeent hss
not been exercised IN its purchase that the best