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

lures ana Tor other meetings devoted to
pubiic ends has contributed to the libra
rvs popularity, as have also the exhibit
tons of books suitable for Christmas gifts
ana OF railway and steamship travel liter
allure. The opening OF the library on Sun
Gays and holidays since July ], 1905, has
been deservedly popular, and the Commits
sloners heartily recommend the contin-
uance OF the necessary appropriation.
The report of the library trustees plain
ly shows that the greatly increased and
more effective work of the library has
peen accomplished with verv 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 it is important that the appro-
priationS asked for by the library trustees
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 1862 is now ex-
hausted, so that the regular annual book
fund must be increased or the library will
materially retrograde 1t is highly desira-
its entire central building, including the
children'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
cluded in the Hbrary's 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 Il part Of the money offered
by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie for the establish
ment OF Il 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 OF
the various agencies comprising the public
charitable and reforma tory 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
item in the District budget.
The Commissioners desire to repeat their
hearty Endorsement of the policy of the
Board and to renew their recommendation
that 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
ndorse the recommendations in the annual
report of the Board of Charities.
That report reviews the work of the year
in the various institutions subject 10 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 recommended tons of
the Board of Charities and the Commits
sioners. AS a result of these changes the
subsidy system of lump-sum appropriations
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
made by the superintendent appointed
by the Commissioners last year.
The Board has continued its careful in
vestgation of the cases of alleged INDECENT
insane persons, and, in former years
has succeeded in lessening the number of
such cases chargeable TO the District by re-
turning nonresident persons to the places
oI regal reSldenCe ana by competing
payments in the cases of persons who are
found not to be INDECENT. During the year
eighty-four cases We're 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
concentrations:
l. 1t is recommended that the contract
system of making payments to institutions
the basis of services rendered be contin-
ued, as being decidedly better than the
subsidy system of lump-sum appropriat tons
not based on the amount or character of
service rendered.
2. 1t 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
under the control and management OF the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
3. 1t is recommended that an appropria-
ton be made for the erection of hospital
for INDECENT consumptives on the ground
owned by the District on 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 to 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 on the Washington Asylum
grounds be limited to the care of prisoners
from the workhouse and jail, and that pro-
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.
5. 1t is recommended that the appropria-
ton for the care OF INDECENT patients under
contract SHOULD be made in lump sum-
allowing the board to apportion the same
according TO the needs of the service
q. 1t is recommended that a juvenile
court be established having Jurisdiction in
all cases involving delinquent and depend
ent children.
T. 1t is recommended that the Industrial
Home School for white children be moved
to a location farther out in the country,
where larger grounds can 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, as authorized by law.
8. 1t is recommended that the members
of the Board of Chidren'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 the Home
for the Aged and Infirm.'' and that the use
of the words 'almshouse'' be discontinued.
10. 1t * recommended that parcel of
ground, comprising approximately 10 acres,
adjoining the tract on which is located the
home for the aged and infirna, and on which