The Washington times., 1906-02-24
Manufacturers and Charity
Basis For Discussion.
REFORM SCHOOLS WORK
Effort to Have Change Made Brings
Up Lively De-
bate.

Washington's Board of Trade last
night again took up the question wheth-
| er manufacturers ought to be encouraged
| to settle In the District of Columbia
| The board finally voted to refer back
to the committee on commerce and man
ufactures that committees majority and
minority reports so that the members
might have time TO frame and submit
10 the board a thorough and well de-
veloped plan.
This action was taken on the requests
! of the gentlemen submitting the ma
| jority and minority reports, who real
| lied. they said. that they had not had
sufficient time TO develop in detail any
| fixed plan for the project agreed on.
Reform School Discussion.
The greater part of the evening was
| taken up With a discussion of whether
SUCH institutions as the Boys Reform
/ School and the Girls Reform School
should be put under the Jurisdiction and
control OF the Board of Charities. Ac-
/ tiOn on the proposition was nnally post
poned until the next meeting, to the
end that meantime the members might
have full opportunity 10 consider the
question,
When Walter (. Clephane submitted
/
| i,Ies and corrections. ne called attention
| 10 the tact that the report contained
| the following paragraph;
| 1t Is essential IUr the unItcation and
effective management OF local cOrrecN
tionaI agencies that such Institutions as
the Boys Reform School and the Girls
Reform School should be placed under
| the control Of the District Commits
siOners.'
b. H. Warner was on his feet IN
moment. saying he did not wish it 10 30
forth the opinion Of the Board OF
Trade that the Boys Reform School
should be transferred to the control OF
the Commissioners He mentioned that
he and other members OF the Board of
Trade were members of the board of
trustees of the Boys Reform School.
He moved 10 strike out the entire para
graph in question.
For what reason?" asked Charles
Foster.
Mr.. Warner explained that the Boys
Reform School Is under the Depa-ir
ment Of Justice and Is properly man
aged Col George Truesdeu here called
for the reasons Of the committee max
ing the recommendation for the change,
We all know, said Mr.. Clephane, in
explanation, that much private infiu-
ence is every year brought to bear on
Senators and Representatives for ap-
p-opriattons for the various charity in
stitutious in the District This has led
10 a duplication OF work in some in
stances. These private influences are
still working in Congress for the apprO-
priations. Your committee is convinced
that there should be some central
agency 10 manage all charities IN the
District. so that every cent appropri-
ated for charities may be handled eco
1nTnfIfRRnTlN
Now, as regards the boys and girls
reform schools: When abuses have Oc-|
abuses have been singularly few-the
District Commissioners have been
powerless 70 step in and apply any
remedy II doesn't seem to your com
mittee that this should be the case
1t IS also hard to get reliable statistics
from these institutions.
Unwise and Undesirable.
1T is true that the Department OF
Justice controls these two institutions,
but the department itself is on record
that such a supervision is unwise and
undesirable. The District Commits
sioners ought to have the right to ap-I
point the men to supervise and look
after these institutions"
1t was at this point that Colonel
TruesdeII sounded his warning note
The Board of Trade" he said,
ought not 70 go on record on this sub
ject. 1t is a very big subject and a
very broad one, and, before it is set
tied, it is apt to create a great deal
Gated by the Board Of Charities, is
adopted here, 1t viii cause much hard
feeling
For thirty years or more MANY of
the ladies Of this District. ladies Of the
prominent families, ladies who are rep
resented in this Board Of Trade, have
labored hard TO build up many OF the
charitable institutions in Washington.
Any infringement Of their territory or
their privileges would be net by these
ladies who know how to tight and to
assemble around themselves others
who know how to fight,
1T has always been the custom of
the Board Of Trade TO deal only with
those questions affecting broadly the
welfare OF the whole city and District
and TO keep its hands off topics on which
there shall be controversy and some
personal interests TO be subserved. For
instance, many people want suffrage in
the District, but IL would be ulwise for
the board TO enter this controversy.
so, Mr.. Chairman, I submit here to
you that TO take up these charities
would cause a very long and very
earnest controversy
Colonel TTuesdells speech vas greet
ed with applause He was followed by
DR.. Charles p. Neill, who said he spoke
as a member of the Board of Charities,
private citizen and as member
of the Board of Trades committee on
charities and corrections.
All Want Home Rule.
Il had thought" he said, this this
organization would support the Board
of Charities in its struggle for home
rule. All your committee wants is
home rule for the District. At present
you have no voice in the management
of your own insane al st. Elizabeth's.
In other institutions it is the same way.
The Board of Charities may not be any
good, but it's all you have to represent
| you in such matters. If it doesn't suit
you. you ought to ask for its dismissal
/ and get another.
| 81 know that IN some Of the hos
pitfalls here cases have been treated free
/ when the patients were perfectly able
| TO pay their own expenses. Many cases
are railroaded in here, simply because
word has gone forth that people can
be treated without charge here at the
| expense of the people OF the District.
| One case was brought here from as far