Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-06
BOARD Of rHAR|TEs
Its Work &c oYmended by.
Commissioner ef Mcfarland.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE Or
GANIzATIoN.
Effort for Economy and Greater Eff
cheney in the Local Charity
System.

TT would have been a great mistake to
think that the work of the board of char
tiles has been in vain" said Commissioner
Macfarland to a reporter The Star to-
day. "On the contrary, the board has ac-
compIished great deal of good and If its
plans for the future are carried out great
economy and greater efficiency in the local
charity system will result
This statement of Commissioner Macfar- 1
land was made in response to questions
relative to the conditions surrounding the
board of charities which were ascertained
after the conference at the White House
yesterday, and which were reported ex-
clusively in. The Star. -.--g- .a-
1t was pointed out that the board of char
tiles was created in 1900 after an investiga-
ton of local charities in 1S9s-89, conducted
by joint select committee of both houses
of Congress- At that time the members of
Congress made an exhaustive inquiry into
all the public semi-public and private char
liable institutions in the District. The joint
committee found unsa tisfactory condi-
ton existing, in that there was duplica ton
of work, extravaganza in expenditure of
public money and lack of official super
vision.
Appointment Of Board Authorized.
Following the conclusion of the investiga-
ton Congress in 1900 authorized the APP
pointment of the board of charities, and
President Mckinley selected for the mem
bers of this board some of the most prom
inent citizens of the District, many of
whom were already connected with and in
terested in local charitable institutions, and
who were obliged to give up their personal
connection with these institutions in order
to accept places on the board. During the
first year after the appointment of the
board the members devoted their time al
of local conditions and the charity system.
They went to work carefully and made
tentative recommendations for changes the
necessity of which was obvious.
One of the first defects that the board dis
covered was the lack of unifcation and
official control Of the institutions in the
District charity system, and the board has
recommended, at intervals, that this defect
be remedied. ''f
With reference to the work already ac-
complished by the board of charities it is
stated that great advancement has been
made with respect to improvements in the
institutions entirely under the control of
the District. Numerous changes for the
better have been consummated in these in
situations and former defects have been
remedied. Besides this, all hospitals in the
District, excepting the Emergency, have
been placed under contract for services to
the District, and many recommendations
have been made for more efficient operation
in the charity system -
WOIh VI Lie w
The board of charities has been active in
the movement for "a new municipal hospital
and for securing separate wards for chronic
tuberculosis patients. Several sinyestiga-
tions have been made by the board of local
institutions and the reports of the investi-
cations have brought to light the necessity
for changes in the manner of maintaining
and controlling these institutions. The
board has also been successful In. starting
the movement for a new Industrial home
for colored children, and in securing appro-
priations for new District almshouse.
AS yet however. it is stated. the board
has not succeeded In bringing the reform
schools for boys and for girls and other
institutions under control of the District
authorities, and 1t has not succeeded IN
aboIishing the subsidy system.
1t is believed that within short time,
probably at the present session of Congress,
the appropriations for emergency hospital
service will be made in lump sum to be
expended directed by the board of chart
ties and under the control of that body.
1t is also believed that the time Is not far
distant when the boards recommendation
that the reform school for girls and the
reform school for boys and other local in
situations be placed under control OF the
District authorities will be adopted by
Congress and the plan of uniform control
of public and sem-public institutions will
be given to the local officials.
One of the Urgent Needs.
The board of charities and the Commits
sionerS believe that one of the greatest |
needs of the District is the erection of a |
new municipal hospital ON site removed
from the Washington Asylum grounds, |
where separate wards may be provided and
persons afflicted with chronic tuberculosis |
may be treated and properly isolated from |
the rest of the public. |
Commissioner Mcfarland said today that |
the presence In Washington of at least $50 |
persons affected with chronic tuberculosis, |
coming almost daily in contact with the |
other citizens of the ma tional capital, con- |
stitutes "a present danger of pressing |