Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-03


present librarian's salary Is too low by
comparison with the pay OF other mqnici-
pal CHIEF librarians. and In view of the
| record made during the last three years
The report of the librarian shows that
| the library Is constantly losing its heads
| Of departments and other skiliful workers.
| In order to prevent this great loss in
efficiency 1t is necessary that the library
creases in the library staff are needed. IN
order to meet the present demands made
upon it, to open q separate periodicals
room and to conduct the settlement sta
tons by paid assistants instead OF by
volunteers. The chief work Of the public
schools is to teach the child to read and
millions are devoted to this end Having
taught the community to read it seems
shortsighted to fail to furnish an ade-
auate supply of good books. With the
present book appropriation such is the
case. The Commissioners cordially ap-
prove the estimates of the library truss
tees and earnestly recommend favorable
action on the whole library budget, in
ries. more money for books and a larger
contingent fund to meet the increased
expenses for heating. lighting, repairs
and supplies.
The record made by the volunteer
settlement deposit stations shows the
need for branch libraries. The Cnmmis-
sioners urge upon the Congress the I'm
portance Of speedily enaetiHg legisla-
ton that will authorize the acceptance
from Mr.. Andrew Carnegie Of the money
he has offered for the purpose II con-
structing branch library buildings.
Nearly Ave years ago Mr.. Carnegie Of
fered $350,000 or any necessary sum
for the purpose Of building a system of
branches. Proposed legislation previd-
ing for the acceptance Of all or any
part Of this sum has failed OF enact
ment in two Congresses. The present
Congress is asked to enact the bill pro-
vytAi rcr fhA of
with which to build the first branch.
Other municipalities less popuIous and
less widely scattered than this one are
rapidly building branches, either with
money furnished by Mr.. Carnegie or
with funds raised locally.
The Commissioners Endorse the RECON-
mendation' of the library trustees that
an appropriation Of $4,000 be made for
Square and the approaches Of the: liz
bFary building; SO that the cnrbing and
walks In the grounds may be completes
to the east and west Of the building.
Board Of Charities, t.
The report Of the board Of charities
| shows that it Is faithfully carrying out
the purpose of Congress in establishing
It. according to the most approved prin-
cipie. of charity administration. Its poll
cies now have q larger measure Of appre-
citation and support from the general pub
lie. as they have had time TO show i'm
portant results In efficiency and economy,
and more effective eo-opeFatten be-
tween the different institutions, public
and private. The board Of charities has to
perform the duties perfefmed elsewhere
by state and county and city authorities.
and the appropriation for charities and
corrections, which Is tho second largest
Item in the District budget covers appro-
priations made elsewhere by state and
nfx 40 NE kh~
lag the Commissioners have heartily ap-
proved the desires and Recommendations
Of the board of charities. They now
recommend the estimates which they have
submitted and the legislation which they
desire. The Commissioners be lieve that
Congress should provide for the appoint
ment of the members Of the board of
charities and the board of children's
guardians by the Commissioners. so as to
unity the administration.
The annual report Of the board of Thar
tiles reviews the work of the past kear,
calling attention to what has been &C.
complished in various lines and pointing
out needed improvements for the future
connection with the Washington Asylum
during the year. The aimshouse depart
ment of this institution was discontinued
and the inmates transferred to the new
Home for the Aged and Infirm at Blue
Plains In October, 1906. The experience
of the first year at the new institution
Is encouraging and promises well for
future development. 1t is a great step
IN advance to see the aged and infirm re-
moved from the environments of the
Workhouse and the jail and transferred,
as they have been. to a wholesome institu
ton In the country.
The second wing Of the new Workho,lsa
Tor males has been completed and Is now
IN use. Plans for the administration
building Of this werkhouse, authorized by
Congress last winter. are well advanced.
and work upon the building will be COM
menced as promptly as possible. The
BOARD urges the necessity Of an immediate
appropriation for the third wing Of tina
workhouse, because it Is still necessary
to use the old workhouse building, where
several prisoners are kept in enc eeP,
This cond..ion should be remedied jus
as quickly as possible. No reformatory
or correctional institution should be
obliged to keep more than one prisoner in
a cell.
The old aimshouse building at the Wash
ineton Asylum is being remedeied with a
inebrtates. and the board urges that a
law be passed authorizing the courts to
commit fnebriates for treatment SO that
they may be detained without the neces-
sity of committing them as prisoners to
the workhouse.
The facilities fer the care of the insane
who are temporarily detained at the
Washington Asylum are still woefully in
adequate. This hospital Is the only place
to which INDECENT mental cases may be
sent pending their commitment to the
Government Hospital for the Insane The
board urges the necessity of providing for
these cases in psychopathic wards to he
located on the Districts hospital site on
Brightwood avenue
In reference to medical charities. the
board urges the impertasDe of the con-
sideratfon of a comprehensive plan: for
future development. If approximations
are made to meet immediate needs, With
out proper consideration for future deyeI-
opment, great lack Of economy and Of
efficiency will be the result. The b.Iild-
Ing for the care of tuberculosis patients
on Brfghtwood avenue is now nearing
completion, and the board has estimated
for an appropriation for wards for the
care of chronic and conyaleseent patients
It again urges that all patients except
those. from the wOrkhouse and jail, should
be removed as soon as possible from tn.
environments of the criminal institutions
on the Washington Asylum grounds.
After the building for chronic and con-
yaiescent patients. wards should be pro-
vided at once for, mental cases and for
maternity cases. All these buildings
should be on the site on Brightwood ave-
nue.. and the board urges the importance
of providing, In this connection, for a