Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-29

Department OF Justice Is now before Con-
gress with comprehensive plans and with a
request for 100000. for rebuilding.
Mr. NJ ]. Weller asked II the 100000
should be appropriated. would the District
be required to pay one-han and the United
States pay the other half.
Mr.. Warner answered that In so far as
have the entire expense borne by the pres
ent owners of the school and grounds.
Has the board of charities a comprehen-
sive plan in view for the consolidation of
all such institutions and charities in the
DISTRICT MIR. John Weaver inquired.
The query was referred to Mr.. s. w.
Woodward. president OF the board of chari-
ties. and he replied that in so far as 1t is
and consolidating. and that In everything
that has been done the board has had the
support of the District Commissioners.
Apparently. the sense of the meeting was
expressed by MIR. Adds B. Browne when he
said that he hoped no action that might be
premature would be taken
IL We insist on a transfer of control of
the reform schools" he declared, 'ft goes
without saying that Congress will require
the District to bear one-half of the expense
of rebuilding at the boys reform school.
We do not want to be the agency respon-
sible for costing this District the sum of
SO, 600"
Mr.. Brownies remarks were greeted with
applause. and Immediately afterward the
question was put to vote. and the board
agreed to strike out the following para
graph from the committees report.
1T is essential for the unification and eff
fective management of local correctional
agencies that such institutions as the boys
reform school and the girls reform school
should be placed under the control of the
District Commissioners
Substance of Report.
The balance of the report was then unani-
Ir,1 kAl -
forth that the proper District officials should
be empowered to inspect any and all chart
table agencies which receive contributions
In this District. to record the result of their
Investigations and to recommend to the
Commissioners of the District such Improve
ments as they may deem advisable; that
the charitable treatment of dependent and
delinquent children is such an important,
delicate and difficult task that all local or
CARNATIONS and institutions interested in
this field should be required to systemat-
Ically cooperate with the board of chill
dren's guardians: that in the same way the
Associated Charities should be used as a
source of information and means of sys-
tematic cooperation by all organizations
and individuals interested in the relief or
upbuilding of needy families in their homes
Compulsory Education.
That the large number of children out
Of school. the considerable number employ
ed before they are fourteen years of age
and the illiteracy of many of both our
white and colored people emphasize the
need of legislation compelling education;
that the President recommended the APP
po,ntment of special commission on hous-
ing ana health conditions in the national
capital In this recommendation we earn
estly concur.
That the public Fairgrounds committee
OF the Associated Charities has demon
fra ar NV fIyan ,f
rapidly progressive achievements that small
park Fairgrounds, located In crowded city
centers. are essential supplements to the
public schools and Indispensable means OF
good citizenship.
Care of Criminals.
That particular attention has been de-
voted by your committee during the past
year to the study of modern thought upon
the subject of the proper care of crimi-
nals. 1t should be constantly borne in
mind that the object of all penal trea tment
is twofold-first, to impose upon the con-
vict such punishment as will deter others
from the commission of crimes, and sec
ond, to so regulate the hours of employ
ment and mode of life of the offender as
to remove him as far possible from
former evil habits, and So if possible, to
compass his reformation. If any system
of punishment should fail to produce these
]
be amended.
That attention is called to the present
laws which make it Impossible for our
police judges to impose cumulative sem
fences for series of petty msdemeanors.
When our criminal laws are revised this
should be remedied
That during the past year under the
auspices of this committee, there has been
eSta bliShed a Legal Aid Society, composed
Of competent lawyers. who have freely
given their time and services in helping
those Of the deserving poor who have been
in need of advice and assistance in legal
matters. 1t is surprising what impostions
are practiced upon INDECENT people who,
because they have not the means to SCI
cure competent legal aid, must submit to
all sorts of indignties and abuses.
That the work which has been quietly
conducted for some time past by the Pris-
oners Aid Society deserves the commenda-
ton of this board.
BY direction of the chair, the secretary
the recently enacted fire escape law, which,
1t was stated. contemplated restoring con-
ditions as provided in the Commissioners
fire escape bill. This. amendment has i'll
view the non-requirement of fire escapes on
such buildings as are equipped with two
stairways more than thirty feet apart and
on buildings which the Commissioners may
determine to be fireproof After some little
discussion the matter was referred to the
board of directors with power to act, and
Gen. Wilson stated that he would call
meeting of the board within week.
Judge Kimball again called up the reform
schools subject when he offered a resolu-
ton that Congress be urged to make an
appropriation for the construction of two
family houses at the BOYS reform school
and to increase the appropriation for main
tenance of that institution. The resolution
was adopted.
Manufactures and Commerce.
Mr. B. II Warmers plan for encouraging
manufactures and commerce in the District
was adopted
In submitting the report the committee
called attention TO the District of Columbia
as a commercial and manufacturing com
munity. Exclusive of government under
takings, manufacturing or otherwise, the
District 1t was declared. is today a manu-
featuring point. According to the twelfth
census it has more private capital invested
in manufacturing enterprises carried on
here than either of the cities of indianapolis,
Denver Kansas City. st. Paul, Syracuse,
Toledo Trenton or Wilmington 1t has
greater number Of private manufacturing
establishments than either of the cities
named or those of Louisville, Lowell. Roch-
ester and Worces ter. 1t has a. greater num-
her of persons employed in private manu-
features than either of the cities named,