Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-11
MR. WILSON'S REPORT
Work of Charities and Cor
rections Conference
AT PORTLAND, OREGON
BOARD OF CHARITIES SECRETARY
TELLS OF HIS TRIP.
Growth of Juvenile Court Movement
tuberculosis Prevention
Public Charities.

missioner Macfarland for a report on the
principal features of the national confer
ence of charities and correction meeting at
Portland, Ore, and the application of its
lessons to the administration of public and
private charities in the District of Column
bia. Mr.. George S. Wilson, secretary to the
board of charities and one of the official
delegates appointed by the Commissioners,
submitted to Commissioner Macfarland the
following statement today:
THE annual meeting of the national con-
ference of charities and correction, which
was held this year at Portland, Ore. COM
pares favorably with the many successful
meetings of the past.
Tine conference was notable. not so much
for the excellence of any one special sec
ton of the program a. for the high average
of reports and papers in all the various sec
tons and for the sustained interest in all
the discussions
The growth of the juvenile court idea
has led to the appointment q a standing
committee dealing with the subject of jul
venile delinquency. 1t has been shown that
through the agency of the juvenile court,
with the assistance of efficient proba ton
officers. many boys and girls. who are likely
to go 10 reform schools. might properly be
returned TO their homes under the SupervI-
sion of these probation officers. and under
the disciplinary influences of this system be
encouraged and directed in the ways of
right living, and in many of the cases prop
erly handled, the necessity of commitment
to a reformatory is thus avoided The idea
of the juvenile court and probation system
Is now accepted and approved with pract1-
cal unanimity by the leaders in reformatory
work throughout the country. Washington
Is endeavoring to develop this system,
under the direction of the board of chill
dren's guardians, but is still greatly handi
capped because of the lack of a sufficient
number of probation officers The good
people of Washington, who are Interested
in this questioi~of child dependency and de-
linquency, must continue the active efforts
TO secure the necessary legislation to put
Washington, in the near future, on a par
with the other progressive cities of the
country.
Preventive Work.
Another direction in which the confer
ence has shown marked development in re-
cent years, in the study of preventive work
Is in reference to the subject of tubercu-
losis That subject, this year, was given
special consideration by a committee under
the chairmanship of DIR. Devne Of New
York city. Very active interest was shown
In the meetings of this committee, and en-
couraging reports were made from all over
the country as to the steps already taken,
and now being taken, not only to provide
proper care and treatment for those al
ready afflicted with the disease. but also
by better housing conditions. and an i'm
proved system of sanitary regulations to
prevent, as far as possible. a spread of the
disease, by removal of the causes of in
lection. Especial emphasis was laid upon
the necessity of wholesome housing condi-
tons. Washington's housing problem is not
SO serious as that reported from most Of
the larger cities, because there Is not the
same amount of congestion here, and If
only proper attention Is given TO the mat
ter of providing against future evils, and
abating the insanitary conditions that
obtain In many of the small shacks In the
alleys, this matter be properly ad
justed in Washington without any great
sacrifice.
I'm the matter of providing for the treat
ment of tuberculosis cases, Washington Is
still far behind the cities of the country
generally. AS delegate from the national
ca ital l was obliged to confess that we
have made no adequate provision for the
treatment of this class of cases. up to this
time
THE usual interest was shown in the
work of associated charities. with its allied
activities of provident savings, summer out
ings, friendly visiting, etc. In this depart
ment of work, Washington made a very
credtable showing. The organized charity
unteer organizations, now compares very
favorably with that of most cities of its
size in the country. Indeed. In many re-
spects, Washington may be said to be TAX
ing leading place in this work.
THE Importance of the work of public
charities more emphasized than has
been the case at recent meetings. 1t was
very clearly pointed out in the course of
the papers and discussions, that however
active the voluntary organizations might be,
still the great burden of caring for the
delinquent and dependent classes belonged
to the state.
Public Charitable Institutions.
1.-The most generally approved method
OF dealing with the organization and
supervision of the public charitable in