Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-21
DEFENDS THE BOARD
Mr.. Chaplin Brown Discusses
Girls Reform School.
COMMENTS ON REPORT
EXPLANATION OF MATRON
O'BRIEN'S REMOVAL.
Commissioners Decide to Approve APP
pointment of Her Successor-Other
Cases Held Up.
COMMENTS ON REPORT

The publication in The Star yesterday OF
the report of the committee of the board
of charities which investigated the AFFAIRS
of the reform school for girls has resulted
| in the receipt by the District Commissioners
of letter from Chaplin Brown, president
of the board of trustees of the reform
school, defending the action of that body
in removing Mrs. O'Brien, formerly matron
This is one of the cases commented upon
SO forcibly in the report of the Investigating
committee, where it was minated that GER
tain employees might have been removed
for no other reason than that they testified
before the committee against the interests
of the board of trustees.
The letter refers only to the case of Ma
iron O'Brien, end says that "the resigna-
ton of Mrs. o Brien was requested solely
upon the ground that majority of the
board of trustees determined that it would
be for the better interest of the school that
another person be appointed to the posi-
ton of matron."
The letter goes on to say that this actlon
was taken only after careful consideration.
1t admits that Mrs. O'Brien was very
faithful employe," but for some reason not
given in the letter the board of trustees
thought they could find some one better
qualified for this position
This was one of the cases which COM
missioner Macfarland held up. AS stated
In The Star yesterday, the Commissioners
have nothing whatever to say concerning
the removal of employees, but they nave the
prerogative of approving the appointments
to the vacancies caused by such removals
When Mrs. O'Bren was removed Commits
sioner mcfarland was not satisfied that the
action was warranted, believing that Mrs.
O'Brien had rendered extraordinarily Valu-
able service at the time of the last general
outbreak of inmates. Consequently ne de-
clined to approve the appointment of Mrs.
O'Briens successor, and none has been APP
pointed to date.
Will Recommend Approval
In regard to the explanation made by
Mr.. Brown, as president of the board of
trustees, Mr.. mcfarland said he would
recommend to his colleagues that it be ac-
cepted and that the new appointee be APP
proved. 1t is understood that this approval
is given, not because the answer is salts
factory, but because the Commissioners
have nothing else to do under the clrcum-
stances. The board of trustees is made up
of persons standing high in the community,
and IT, they state, they had good and sufii-
cient reasons for the removal of an en-
ploye, it is not contended by the Commas
sioners that these reasons must be given IN
detail even if it should be intimated that
the discharge was brought about by testi-
mony adverse to the management or the
institution.
1t is worth mentioning also that the only
person especially commended in the report
of the board of charities investigating COM
mittee was Mrs. O'Brien. With reference
to her the report said
only five girls escaped at the time or
the outbreak The larger number of girls
were held in check by the matron. MS
O'Brien, who, with a worthless pistol IN
her hand. Intercepted the mad rush of the
enraged girls toward the fire escape. The
courage displayed by the matron in this
connection is worthy of high commenda-
ton
Appointments Held Up.
The appointment of Miss Elizabeth A.
Whitney to succeed Miss Florence B. Rus
sci is also held up by Commissioner Mac
farland. because sufficient reason has
been given for Miss Russelfs discharge
The board % trustees of the reform school
has been asked for an explanation, but none
has been received.
There is still another case which Mr.. Mac
farland is watching. third employee had
been discharged for administrative pur-
poses, but no successor has been recon-
mended by the board of trustees. Until
this recommendation is made the Commits
sioners have no jurisdiction, but if it is
made they will act they have in the
other cases and request further explana-
ton.