Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-03
CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS
REPORT. OF GEORGE s. WILSON TO
THE COMMISSIONERS.
Delegate From the District Discusses
Matters Before the National Con-
ference at Minneapolis.


turned from the thirty-fourth annual meet
Ing of the national conference of charities
and correction, held at Minneapolis, where
he served as an official delegate from the
District of Columbia, said yesterday In a
report submitted to the Commissioners that
the conference was one Of the most inter-
esting and representative ever held. over
I0O delegates from outside of the state Of
Minnesota" he said, were in attendance.
Admirable arrangements were made for
the entertainment and work of the confer
ence. All the sessions were well attended,
and the discussions following the papers
were spirited and interesting. Judge De
Lacy of the Juvenile Court Of the District
of Columbia attended as official delegate
and took an active part in the discussions
of the conference.
THE subject of child labor was considered
at length. United States Senator Albert ].
cussed the subject at great length, explain
Ing the bill which he has introduced in
congress to prohibit interstate commerce
IN goods produced by child labor.
Secretary Taft,.of the War Department
was also present at one of the meetings,
and spoke of the work of the Red Cross,
making plea for increased interest and en-
larged membership.
One of the most interesting sections Of
the conference was that on state supervis-
lon and administration, under the chair
AidhShip vi IkCD6Il V" f1eDDdTu, COiNiDlS-
sioner of public charities of New York city.
In this section there was discussion Of
peculiar interest to the District of Column
bia on the subject of public supervision Of
trict has large number of Incorporated
charities, maintained in whole or in part
by private contributions and endowments.
Favors State Supervision.
The discussion was opened by paper
presented by Rev. William ]. White D. D.,
supervisor of Catholic charities of the do
cese OF Brooklyn, N. Y. Father White
came out squarely in favor Of state supervis-
lon of all charitable organizations, whether
or not such organiZa lions were In receipt of
appropriations Of public money. He teele
the position that charitable organizations,
usually being Incorporated and as rule
their property exempt from taxes, are In
a manner quasi-public institutions; but,
aside from this he contended that the work
OF charitable associations and institutions
was a work that vitality concerned the well
rare OF the state, and the state, therefore,
should supervise all such work regardless
OF whether or not 1t was supported by state
appropriations. 1t developed IN the discus
Sion that while practically all were agreed
that institutions In receipt of public appro-
priations should be subject to public super
vision there was difference of opinion on
the subject as to whether or not charitable
organizations and institutions not in receipt
OF public funds should be subject to public
supervision.
Another subject which was dealt with
IN most interesting and profitable manner
by the section of public charities was the
vagrancy problem. Mr.. Orlando F. Lewis
OF New York presented comprehensive
study on this subject, and his study, in
printed form was distributed among the
delegates. Mr.. Lewis had secured the CO.
operation of most Of the railroads of the
country In the preparation of his paper,
ana Maj. Pangborn representing the Bal
n ,.af1~
the conference and took an active mart in
the discussion. 1t seemed to be the general
opinion that if the railroads and the state
authorities would cooperate in a campaign
against the evil the number of professional
tramps could be very greatly reduced, even
Ii the tramp could not be entirely elimi-
mated
Next Conference in Richmond,
The delegates from the District of Co.
lumbfa were interested in the selection of
a meeting place for the next conference,
particularly as Richmond, Va, was an
active candidate for the honor OF enter
tanning the body. After a spirited contest
between Richmond and Cleveland, Ohio.
Richmond was selected as the meeting
place for the conference next year. The
meeting will be held probably during the
month of May.
Mr.. Thomas l.. Mulry of New York was
elected president of the next conference.
MI. MuTy IS president of the Superior
Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society
OF New York city. He is well known
among charity workers throughout the
country He Is a former president of the
state conference of charities.
Before returning to Washington I had
the privilege of attending the two days
meeting of the National Fairgrounds Asso-
citation. held at Chicago These meetings
were intensely interesting and instructive
as setting forth the marvellous development
in the playground movement in the past
few years. One entire day was devoted
to play festival at Ogden Park one of the
recreation centers in South Chicago. This
play festival was participated in by thou
sands of people. from the little children in,
the kindergarten up to full-grown men and
women.