Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-21
Attorney Generals Ruling.

Under date of October "a. 1900, Secretary
Hitchcock of the Interior Department re-
quested of Attorney General Griggs an
opinion as to the relation of the board of
charities to the Government Hospital for
the Insane. the Columbia Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb. Freedman's Hospital and
Asylum and the Washington Hospital for
Foundlings. In his opinion ON this ques-
ton Attorney General Griggsj among other
things. said: 80 - g
1.-The first point to be investigated Is
whether, che four institutions mentioned are
subject to the supervision of the board of
charities. The general supervision which
they are to maintain embraces all charit-
able. eleemosynary, correctional or reform
atory institutions. / do not propose to
construe the act in general, but may point
cut what seems to me its salient provisions
in the light of its purpose as drawn from
the history of the administration of char
tiles in the District. 1t is. l believe, COM
monty understood that the evil or defect in
the charitable work of the District hereto
fore has been a lack of uniformity Of super
vision and of coordination or cooperation
among the various agencies of control and
direction. This act seems to be the last
step in the efforts of Congress to remedy
this defect. In brief the act directs
the board of charities to visit. inspect and
maintain a general supervision over the in
situations described. forbids any payment
to be made to such institutions for any resi-
ane maintained therein pursuant to the
rules established by such board of char
tiles. with certain exceptions, and directs
such institutions subject to the supervision
Of the board of charities to furnish. on re-
quest. information and statistics in such
form as the board may deem essential.
1.-The District Commissioners may order
an investigation by the board of the man
agement of any such institutions and the
board shall report to Congress annually
an account of all matters placed under
their supervision including in their report
their recommendations for the economical
and efficient administration of charities
and reformatores of the District, along
with estimates for such future apropria-
tons as will best promote these objects.
Duty of Board.
Again in the opinion Attorney General
Griggs says: TT is at least certain that the
board of charities is charged with the duty
of visitation and of general supervision
over all the institutions described, is
clothed with power of investigation in
conjunction with the Commissioners of the
District and is directed to report the re-
suits of it's work with it's recommended
lions and estimates to Congress"
1t is also stated in connection with state
ments made in Mr.. Gaines recent report OF
affairs at the reform school that the Com
missioners have recommended to Congress
that all charitable and correctional institu,
lions in the District which are supported
in whole or in part by appropriations OF
Congress be placed under the cOntrOl OF
the District Commissioners These inst1-
buttons were not specifically mentioned
but the recommendation included the he
form School for Girls well as other IN
stitutions in It's comprehensive terms.