Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-05

ature. The opening os the library on Sun
days and holidays since July /. 1905. has
been deservedly popular, and the Commits
slonerS heartily recommend the contln-
vance of the necessary appropriation.
The report of the library trustees plain
~ shows that the greatly increased and
more effective work Of the library has
been accomplished with very Inadequate
force of employees and with insufficient
funds for maintenance. To keep pace with
the rapidly increasing demands made by
this highly Intelligent and book-loving
community 1t Is important that the appro-
priations asked for by the library trustees
and recommended by the Commissioners be
granted by Congress. The vital needs of
the main library are more books and more
assistants The special appropriation of
$4,000 for books, made in 1902 is now ex-
hausted, so that the regular annual book
fund must be increased or the library win
materially retrograde. 1t is highly deslra-
bic that the library be enabled TO occupy
its entire central building, including the
chlldren's room in the basement and the
periodicals. room on the second floor, To
do this will require not only an increased
BOOK fund but the increase in force In
Guided i'll the librarys estimates Some
of these additional assistants are also
much needed even now when the entire
building is not yet occupied by the active
work of the library.
The Commissioners recommend favorable
action on the request that Congress au-
thorize the building of at least one branch
building with n part of the money offered
by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie for the establish
ment of system of branch libraries.
They also express the hope that the appro-
priation of $4,000 asked by the office of
public buildings and grounds for the i'm
provement of Mount Vernon square and
the approaches to the library building may
be granted. so that the curbing and walks
in the grounds may be completed TO the
east and west OF the building.
Supervision of Charities.
The five years of effort by the board of
clarifies with the earnest approval of the
Commissioners. to bring about "unification
of control and the proper coordination or
the various agencies comprising the public
charitable and reformatory work of the
Distict'' has had important results. Through
the action of Congress. and through the
gradual acceptance of the principles which
the board has advocated, many of its OBJ
jects have been attained and greater eff
cheney and economy secured. The work
has been so quietly done that its success
and significance have not been generally ap-
preciated although it affects one of the
most important of the public services and
although the cost of the public charitable
and correctional work is the second largest
item in the District budget.
The Commissioners desire to repeat their
hearty Endorsement of the policy of the
Board and to renew their recommendation
Nat provision be made for the appointment
of the members of the Board of Charities
and of the Board of Children's Guardians
by the Commissioners They specifically
Endorse the recommended tons in the annual
report of the Board of Charities.
That report reviews the work of the year
in the various institutions subject to the
supervision of the Board, and notes nu-
merous improvements that have been made
-scme as the result of changes in the laws
and others by improved administration.
Many important changes in the law are
Noted. which were made by Congress last
year in response to the recommends lions of
the Board of Charities and the Commits
sioners. AS result of these changes the
subsidy system of lump-sum appropria tons
to private agencies has been largely elm
mated, and the contract system of pay
ment determined by the amount and char
acter of service rendered has been substi-
tuted.
Attention is called to the numerous I'M
provements at the Washington Asylum
I12ade by the new superintendent appointed
by the Commissioners last year.
The Board has continued its careful in
vesugation of the cases of alleged INDECENT
insane persons, and, as in former years.
has succeeded in lessening the number of
such cases chargeable to the District by re-
turning nonresident persons to the places
OF their legal residence and by compelling
payments in the cases of persons who are
found not to be INDECENT During the year
eishty-four cases were taken from the roll
of those chargeable TO the District of CO.
lumbia.
Following the careful review of the work
accomplished, the Board submits these rec
onmenda lions:
l. 1t is recommended that the contract
system of making payments to institutions
on the basis of services rendered be contin-
Hd. being decidedly better than the
subsidy system of lump-sum appropriations
not based on the amount or character of
service rendered.
. II is recommended that the Reform
School for Boys and the Reform School for
Girls be transferred from the jurisdiction
of the Department of Justice and be placed
fT7Ia ha al "a may
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
3. 1t is recommended that an appropria-
ton be made for the erection of a hospital
for INDECENT consumptives on the ground
owned by the District Brightwood ave-
nue.. In connection with this recommended
ton attention Is called to the deplorable
lack of facilities for the care of this class
OF cases and the menace 10 the community
that is involved in the neglect to properly
provide for these patients. The board urges
this appropriation as the most important
immediate need in the District charities
4. 1t is recommended that the work of
the hospital the Washington Asylum
grounds be limited to the care of prisoners
from the workhouSe and Jail, and that pro-
vision for the care of general city cases
now sent to that institution be made as
soon as possible in buildings to be erected
on the new hospital grounds on Brightwood
avenue.
;. It is recommended that the appropria-
ton for the care of INDECENT patients under
contract should be made in q lump sum
allowing the board to apporton the same
according TO the needs of the service.
G. 1t is recommended that a juvenile
court be established having jurisdiction in
all cases involving delinquent and depend
ent children.
Z 1t is recommended that the Industrial
roue School for white children be moved
10 location farther out IN the country
where larger grounds be secured
About half of the ground and nearly all of
the buildings of the present school plant
lie within the limits OF the Naval Observa-
tory circle. and the Navy Department
desires TO acquire this property IN order to
complete the circle, authorized by law.
8 1t is recommended that the members
of the Board of Children's Guardians be
appointed by the Commissioners.
O. 1t is recommended that the institution
for the care of the aged and infirm now
almost completed. be known as the Home
for the Aged and Inhrm," and that the use
OF the word "almshouse' be discontinued
10 1t is recommended that a parcel Of
ground. comprising approximately 10 acres.
adjoining the tract on which Is located the
home for the aged and infrm and on which
IS 20 be located, also, the Industrial home
school for colored children. be acquired
This parcel of land is so located as to
seriously interfere with the proper utiliza-
ton by the District, of the land already
owned.