New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-08
CHARITABLE WORK HALLS.
T41IM1NY 1T FAULT.
De Forest Society Crticises Political
Control of Departments.

I OntTOI OF DcpdFtWtHto.
The report of the Central Council of the Charity
Organization Society. of which Robert w. ID. For
est is president. makes strong and earnest appeal
that the Department Of Public Charities. ana the
similar departments directly affecting the condition
of the poor of the Tenement House. Health, Cor
rection and Police departments be removed from
political influence and direction. Particularly is
the work of the Department Of Public Charities
hampered and retarded by the fluctuations Of
municipal campaigns, the report declares 1t has
been or less consistent policy in the con-
duct of the State charitable and reformatory in
situations TO disregard the political affiliations of
managers and employees, and TO exempt them
from the influence of change in political man
agement. The Central Council earnestly advocates
in it's report that the heads Of such depar tments
a the Public Charities be made exempt from po-
ltical changes. where. 1t is pointed out there is
clearly no room for difference of opinion OF the
advantages of permanent tenure for competent
officials, and where the interests at stake would
suggest that it was imperative that whose
efficiency and experience had been proved should
be continued in office
Without casting any reflections on Commissioner
Tuy. the report sets forth what would have been
accomplished by the Department of Public Chari-
ties had Homer Folks continued be it's head
after January, 1904. when Mr.. TuIly succeeded him.
Not one of the enterprises started by ex-Commis-
sloner Folks, 1t Is asserted has been carried into
effect or advanced beyond the stage which it
was left on New Years Day and far can
be ascertained no new plans have been substituted
for them with the exception OF the selection of a
site for a municipal lodging house.
OF the work which would have been accomplished
had the tenure of office of the Commissioner not
depended political affiliations the report says:
It IS safe to say that there would have been
expended under pending or completed contracts at
least 100000 for buildings and improvements.
among which would probably have been six addi-
tonal cottages for aged infrm persons on Staten
Island an adequate dormitory for employees in Met
On RandaIrs Island for Children sufrerine from
Coney Island which might serve also as con-
ment and hospital for nervous diseases on
Blackweis Island The last would not neces-
into group Of buildings already existing the six
other nervous diseases giving them the e. great
benefit of special staff of physicians expert in the
ment therefor. Undoubtediy the nursing in the
wards for sick children on Randalls Island would
have been definitely organized a part of a train
ing school for nurses, male consumptives would
quarters in Kings County Hospital. a camp for
cOnvalescent consumptives established at the city
cution OF deserving ia theirs ana husbands who have
absconded from the State leaving their families
dependent, would have been begun
These measures are enumerated. not as baseless
we're well under way on the first day of January.
For example. the hospital for nervous diseases,
plans had been to some extent worked out by DR.
Frederick Peterson and DR. Pearce Baily, two OF
the foremost specialists. had been made the sub
Jet Of full Investigation reports had been received
and Infirm and other preparatory steps taken With
a view to action early this year.
The report continues:
The considerations which have been urged with
reference TO the Department of Public Charities
would apply with almost or quite equal force to
Department and the Health Department,
The Committee on the Prevention of Tubercu-
iosis has already published handbook containing
contributions on the treatment Of the disease. and
plans well advanced FOR the publication by the
society for national directory of institutions and
societies dealing with tuberculosis in this country
and Canada
The society has taken an active part in the
movement fer parks and Fairgrounds and
tried to have, the notorious lung block" RACED
chaAv bacause f The onnneit{ apIa[Gn i,,
clan and parish priest who feared the loss OF
constituents and parishiouers.
Of this city dealt with length in the report
In an article in Charities for February. it
nual deficit OF $4,000 The Charity Organization
Society itself in its effort to keep abreast OF the
for constructive philanthropy. also needs increased
rent work On November % the Central Council
OF the society accepted the gift of securities pro-
endowment from the School of Philanthropy Mr.
Kennedy reserved the right TO transfer his gift TO
his lifetime it is found desirable give the school
from Mr.. Kennedy's gift will become available be
fore the opening of the next session of the school
next October. BY the first of next month there
will be an extensive readjusment of the society's
district boundaries.
Two Of the three district Offices have been re-
moved to their respective districts, leaving in the
United Charities Building only the for that
district. The ten districts in which the society
divides the city have an average population of not
less than 10000. The society wishes to establish
In each district a nelghbOrhoOd building. to contain
the district office day nursery, penny savings
bank an Office Of the Provident Loan Society the
office OF a district nurse, with perhaps a laundry
or workroOm. This would not only save rentals but
would actively promote the spirit of cooperation
among the various charitable bodies.