The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-23
THE STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Recommendation by the Board OF Charities
for Legislation.

ALBANY, Jan. Accommodations for
general legislation and for appropriations
have been made to the Legislature by the
State Board of Charities for the fourteen
State charitable and reformatory institu-
tions it visits and inspects. The expendi-
lures OF these institutions during the past
Gscal year aggregated 81 $40 POI and their
beneficiaries numbered S,9n The institu-
tions were found in good condition by the
inspectors and boards charged with that
duty and making substantial progress.
but the deferred expenditures Of the past
few years have apparently made necessary
largely Increased appropriations. The fol-
loving Recommendations for legislation are
made
That al the special appropriations 10 en-
large or improve the Sthte institutions Wlthln
the Jurisdiction of the Doard be included IN
one bill with such provisions as VIII insure III
every instance the most careful and economi-
cal expenditure OF the moneys appropriated,
in exact accordance with the Intentions or
the Legislature. The board believes that 1t
would be found economical. as well as prac-
ticable TO concentrate expenditures for con-
struution work az a small number Of the ~
stitutions annually. This course should ex-
pedite such work and secure more favorable
Terms from the contractors.
Tint the House OF Refuge on Randall
Island be reorganized as state institution.
with MANAGERS ,apponfed by the Governor
and confirmed oy tno 2eriate; aitu Crtn., AZ
us OF tho laws OF 1904. II be removed 10 Il
country site a. soon as possible. The board
also recommends that the appointment Of
employees at this institution be made in
accordance with the rules OF the State civil
service. IL practicable.
Minded Women at Newark and the Rome
state Gust odiaI Asylum at Rome be enlarged
40 "a to enable them to receive all the feeble
minded and idlotio persons now retained in
almshouses contrary 10 the provisions OF the
Poor Law and the Penal Code. or provided
for in private institutions at greatly enlarged
cost 20 the various counties. cities and towns
of the state and the adult feeblesminded
now Improperly retained at the Syracuse
STATE Institution for Feeble Minded Children.
The board recommends appropriations
for the maintenance Of the State institu-
tions aggregating Sl,391 SO and Tor better
ments amounting TO ssa2 ,27s On increase OF
$4,000 over the appropriations of 1904.
In regard 20 construction work at the
State institutions, the board says:
In the opinion OF this board 1t would be
greatly 10 the states advantage Il some
deGnlte and comprehensive plan for the con
strlction OF State buildings and the laying
ont OF their grounds could be adopted. In
this way something approaching standard
could be followed and the more or less hap
hazard methods, through which the state has
evnended millions Of dollars In construction
work. avoided hereafter \ commission com ill :
men should be able to decide upon some plan
that the State might wisely follow, such a
commission az the Mayor OF NeW oIh CITY
has appointed to suggest plans Tor the eN-
tension and Improvement or inst CITY on
definite lines Is suggested
The Board also recommends extensive
improvements at the New York state
Reformatory for Women at Bedford, includ-
ing two new cottage dormitories for in
mates, which are needed TO relieve the
present overcrowding and TO provide for
future commitments. The construction OF
a new sewer at the site Of the New York
State Hospital for Crippled and Deformed
Children at West Hayerstraw, which IL
soon TO be moved from its present site at
Tarrytown, is also recommended