Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-16
ANNUAL ESTIMATES
STATEMENT TO COMMISSIONERS BY
BOARD OF CHARITIES.

The annual estimates of the board OF
charities for the new fiscal year beginning
July /, 1905, were submitted to the Com
missioners this morning. In their requests
for appropriations the board this year asks
for only few increases OF salaries, but
places in position OF paramount Importance
its recommendations that the construction
Of new buildings at the Columbia Hospital
be authorized and that new municipal
hospital be started. One hundred thousand
dollars Is asked for the former. with the ex-
planatory provision that the buildings shall
not cost more than $30O,0 For the latter
1t Is estimated that $4,000 will suffice to
carry on the necessary preliminaries and be-
gin construction.
For its general work In dispensing medf-
cal treatment to the INDECENT, the board
asks no increases in the various hospital
allowances-the only change being tna'
$4,000, heretofore appropriated for ex-
penditure at the Emergency Hospital. and
s., co., allowed on the basis for the Cas-
ualty Hospital, are not included as sepa-
rate items In this years budget. Both OF
these are carried under the general head
which provides funds For emergency care
and treatment of INDECENT patients. under
contracts or agreements with hospitals ana
dispensaries." This year the appropriation
for this purpose totals 5000. For the same
purpose next year, as indicated IN .ne
ualty hospitals, the amount asked Tor Is
SIT 900.
Increase in Appropriations.
In passing upon the estimates Of the board
Of children's guardians the board Of chari-
ties recommends the increases requested for
maintenance of feeble-minded children and
for board of all children committed to the
care of the said board by the courts. The
former item this year amounts to $4,000.
Next year an increase OF $4,000 Is deemed
necessary. The specific designation OF
Sc, 900 to be expended in board OF sixty
wards Of the board Of guardians at the
Hart Farm School Is not included In the
estimates for next year, but the general
item for board Of children Is increased from
10000 to 5000 To support the INDECENT
insane Of the District Of Columbia in the
Government Hospital for the Insane the
board thinks $279, 400 will be required next
year, as compared with $272. the apprO-
priation for the current twelve months
Because the almShouse will be separated
from the Washington asylum at or about
the beginning of the next fiscal year the
board of charities estimates include many
reductions In the force at the asylum, and
corresponding list, with some increases,
under the heading of maintenance Of the
Home for the Aged and Infirm'' at Blue
Plains. D. c.
Mr. Macfarland's Comment.
In speaking of the whole estimates Of the
board of charities and explaining its pur-
port. Commissioner Macfarland said:
THE estimates Of the board Of charities
for the next fiscal year amount to $1.OjO966
as against the estimate for the year
amounting to 81 .231, 453, and appropriations
for this year amounting to s914, and as
usual they have been carefully prepared
on the lines of policy adopted by the board
and approved by the Commissioners. The
reduction in the estimates is due to the
fact that money asked last year for new
buildings was given In the current appro-
priations. All the changes and improve
ments IN the administration Of public chart
ties and public aid to private charities. and
notably that bringing the emergency serv-
ice into contractual relations with the Dis
tflct, have worked WELL II the plans for
further improvement Of the public charity
system worked out by the board as the
result of its five years experience are all
carried out we shall have the model sys-
tenn of the country. Public control or SUI
pervision Of all work done for public money,
the prevention Of duplication, unification
for economy and efficiency, are the princi-
Piles of the policy of the board and the
Commissioners. The most important new
institution needed is the municipal hospital,
beginning with the tuberculosis wards, for
which the board asks s150.000. We shall
continue to work for this with vigor, in
view Of the danger of the white plague.