New-York tribune., 1908-02-03
P4TPERISM DECREASING.
annual Report of State Board OF
Charities Made Public.

Albany, Feb. "A decrease OF pdupSlISiIl HI 'iS
state is reported by the State Board OF CHARITIES,
in it's forty-first annual report be submitted
! to the Legislature tomorrow There are 1holca-
tions that the proportionate number OF dependents
is slowly decreasing the board says IN printed
abstract of the report given out to-right but the
decline in the ratio of paupers to the total popu-
Iation is due TO a more effective administration
OF the poor law rather than TO new statutes The
methods of alnshouse administration have i'm
proved greatly since publicity has been given to
official reports of inspection. The efforts of the
state to secure the segregation of the feeble
minded, the insane and the epileptc classes are
also bearing fruit, it checks the propagation OF
the degenerate and unfit
The custodal policy in the Of the mentally
enfeebled and defective classes which has been in
operation in this state for some years, assures
better conditions for all the dependents who re-
main and maintained in the almshouses. This
is especially in the larger institutions of this
class, both county AMI city. The increased pro-
portion of removals therefrom to the state chart-
able institutions favorably affects the general con-
ditions which are directly influenced by tho pres
ence Of idiots and epileptics who in almshouses
frequent subjects of abuse by other inmates
The board advocates the extension of Civil Ser
vice rules to all almshouses. 1t says:
Since November |. 1905, the rules of the state
Civil Service have been IN force in connection with
are the counties Of albany, Erie, Kings Monroe,
Meschester TRe 6enecfa effects are apparent
in more efficient service and improvement in ad-
rules is not complete even in these nine counties
in effect The keepers Of aIn1shouses the matrons
and similar employes should have the penent ana
rules which make it effective. This viii attract
capable men and women. and the result will be
In many counties the wages now paid are TOO
sensation and assured tenure of Office viii result
in satisfactory administration One of the
h fond in tb freouef Changes mainly for petty
keepers
Il is hoped that the extension of the rules TO all
Changes in this service devoted to the care of the
poor. It is also recommended that the list OF ex.
all' employees in ar1shouses who receive a salary
oe removed from the exempt class
The report goes into the details of the operation
of the various institutions under the control Of the
board and makes a strong plea for the segregation
of the various forms of dependents for whom the
state is responsible for their proper and COM
fort
The board recommends the extension from three
10 five years of the limit for the return of alien
paupers after their arrival in this country The
report expresses approval Of philanthropsts in
vidng large funds for social betterment and the
prevention of paupersm and for special investiga-
tions Of many social evils such the establish
raent of the Russell Sage Foundation during the
last year. with view toward fundamental rene
dies The board, however recommends that il
should receive supervisory power over private char
liable institutions subject TO inspection
quired account for the expenditure of trust funds
The board expresses its approval Of counties
erecting pavilions for the OF tubercuous pa
tients.
During the year there 1,91s pupils in the
schools for the deaf, the largest number In their
history.
The board comments at length on certain legis-
lation of last year and suggests changes In these
recently enacted laws. Various recommend atoms
designed improve conditions at various institu-
items made. 1t is recommended that a
prehensive plan be adopted for the construction
of state buildings and laying out of grounds The
board believes that the proposed new New York
Training School for Boys should be open within
two years. if the Legislature will provide the
funds and recommends that appropriation be
made to carry into effect the recommendation Of
the special commission appointed to select a site
for the Eastern New York State CustodiaI Asylum
Special Investigations made as result of
complaints being fled against certain institutions
The results Of these Inquiries set forth in the
report
There thirty thousand dependent and
delinquent children in the charitable institutions
under the supervision of the board Fourteen
charitable Institutions. subject to visitation and
inspection of the board. are maintained by the
state The receipts of these institutions for the
fiscal year ended on September 30. 1907 amounted
to S1,73o647 q Their expenditures aggregated ST.
572. .56l q, sZ306s6 73 being for maintenance s383-
123 % for improvements while SS74053 was re-
turned to the State Treasurer. pursuant to the
provisions Of law. The total number their bene-
fcares 10Ga.
Ten schools and institutions under private man.
agement mainly supported by state appropria-
tions. and also subject the boards vista
tion and inspection. The receipts these institu-
lions for the fiscal year ended September 80
1891. From cash hand, s2l4 357 80; from
public $500 s77 o. private sources 1868 800 92
tota! receipts. S.1ss 735 30 Their expendituI , ae-
gregated sl42sl4 II. and the total number Of their
benefciariee 3.167