Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-05
N EAR A SENSATION
BOARD OF CHARITIES AT POINT
OF REsIGNING.
Harmony and Hopefulness Result of
Exchange of Views With Chief
Executive--The Details.

| Members of the Board of Chari-
ties, Speaker Cannon, Secretary AL
| lison, Commissioner Macfarland end
others drectily connected with the
matter held conference with Prcsi-
dent Roosevelt at the White House
this morning over the control OF
local charities, which was far-reach-
ing in its Importance.
1t developed that all the members
of the Board of Charities were on
the point OF rendering their resigna-
tons on account OF friction IN the
control of local charities, which has
existed for some time
The result of the conference will
probably be radical change in the
management OF local institutions,
together with legislation and appIo-
prlatlons by Congress along these
lines.
1t was stated by one member that
the entire board has been discolr-
aged for some time over the inter
ference they have met on many
| sides.
| A conference of far-reaehing impor-
| tance as to District charities took place
at the White House today, and the result
/ ma ha ,,l1gA ii
DDS, laws and plans relating to this part
| of the affairs of the District
Back of the conference Also is fact
| that comes near being a sensation 1t is
| that the members of the board of District
charities have been on the point of re-
| signing their positions for some time as
| the result of the unsatisfactory condi-
| tions under which they are compelled TO
! carry on their work and that they have
| been deferred from taking such a radical
| course by the request of Commissioner
| Macfarland and the promise that they
| would have opportunity to lay their COM
| plants, as well as their views before the
| President
| The President regarded the whole thing
| as of sufficient consequence to call In
| Speaker Cannon. Senator Allison chairman
! of the Senate committee On appropriations.
| and Representative McCleary, chairman of
| the subcommittee of the House appropria-
| tons committee having District matters in
| charge. These gentlemen met Commits
| sioner Macfarland and three members of
| the board of charities-S. W. Woodward
John Joy Edison and Charles p. NeiI. Ali
! of them were with the President more than
| half an hour and there very thor
| Ough thraShing over of the entire matter,
| resulting in an understanding that an at
| tempt would be made to change some of the
| methods that are now in existence
| Many views We're expressed in the confer
| ence, but the outcome may depend upon the
| Presidents ideas. He gathered much in
formation this morning and when he has
| had time to study it all over and make
| up his mind he is expected to have further
| conferences. There is no subject so near
| to him as that of the proper admnistrat ton
| of charity in the District and elsewhere,
and he has long had some forcible thoughts
| on the subject
Too Much Interference.
| The burden of the recommended tions of
| the members of the board of charities was
| that there was too much interference, too
many hands mixed in District charities:
! that there would continue to be trouble, dis
| appointment and failure of full benefit of
| the intentions of the people and Congress
| until there unifcation of control of
| the charitable and reformatory institutions
| of the District.
On the project of unification several of
| those in the conference suggested that all
| institutions under local control should be
| managed entirely by local people, without
| the interference of many influences con-
| stanty working upon Congress in which
| many ladies take part and that institu-
| tions for federal purposes shall be con-
trolied by federal authority. thereby sharp
( ly defining the authority and putting an
| end to the many differences constantly
| arising 1t was declared that such course
| would greatly clear up the atmosphere and
permit of much more effective manage
ment of charitable matters
Four Recommendations.
! The four most important recommenda-
| tions made by the representatives of the
| District who were present were these:
| /. Transfer the Boys Reform School and
the Girls Reform School from TIE Depart
n.ent of Justice to the Commissioners of
| the District of Colunbi
g Appropriation of moneys direct to the
| board of charities for the care of INDECENT
| sick. without directing their use for any
| special hospitals.
5. Gradual elimination of the subsidy sys-
| tenn.
| 4. Appointment of the members of the
| beard of chidren's guardians by the COM
| miSoners
Another important point was the recon-
| mendation that the Freedmans Hospital
| tapge be settled one way or the other,
i either by making it a District institution al
| together or by giving it to Howard Uni
| versity, and relieving the District of all
| part of its maintenance except in case LHs-
| trict patients should be arranged for on
| contract basis.
| The members of the board of charities
| likewise urged the establishment of hos
| ptal for the care of INDECENT tuberculosis
patients, and asked for the appropriation
for the hospital this year.
The desirability of the establishment of
a Juvenile court and probation officers
likewise urged
1t is expected that the District authori-
ties will present the facts to Congress in
the best way possible and ask for changes
If something is not done toward uniiication
before Congress adjourns the expectation
is that the board of charities will resign
in a body. showing disapproval of the adj
verse conditions under which they must
constantly work
Views Of Member.
"The conference Was entirely satisfactory
to the board of charities" said one OF its
members to n reporter for The Star. land
we hope for better things in the future an
a result of It.
THE members of the board Of charities