Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-07
Public Fairgrounds.

That form of public education known as
Fairgrounds, which would better be
called outdoor schools. has obtained no
additional sites during the past year be-
cause Congress made no additional ap-
propriations for purchase Of sites. but the
Commissioners are asking In the esti-
mates for SIS. 600 for the purchase Of such
sites and further appropriations for the
facilities necessary. The sites already
purchased during the past year have been
most profitably used, and that use has
strengthened all the arguments for max
ing these outdoor schools a part Of the
municipal system of public education
mended by the Commissioners are being
expended annually In other cities than In
Washington, and a number of cities have
come into the movement for Fairgrounds
during the past year Inc Presldent OF
the United States has given powerful I'M
petus to this movement by his public
appeal to the municipalities of the country
to provide adequate playground and IA
cilities.
The Commissioners once more commend
the recommendations and estimates Of
the board of charities, which has since
its creation in 1900 greatly improved the
public charities and the relations OF the
District government to the private char
tiles whose services 1t employs. The con-
sistent policies of the board Of charities
are now generally understood and their
results appreciated by intelligent citizens,
and especially by those who are interest
ed in the private charitable institutions
taking public dependents. There Is a bet
ter cooperation than ever before, due to
this better understanding. The duties OF
the board Of charities cover those per-
well as municipal authorities, and the APP
preparation for charities and corrections.
which is the second largest item in the
District budget. covers matters which
elsewhere are met by city and county ap-
propriations rather than those of mu-
nicipality.
The appointment of members Of the
board of charities and members Of the
board of children's guardians by the
Commissioners is once more recon-
mended.
Board Of Charities.
The annual report Of the board of
charities reviews the work of the insti-
tutions under supervision, and discusses
the general policies that have governed
the board in its activities. In discussing
questions OF policy. the board reiterates
the views expressed in former reports
and dwells upon the necessity of a clearly
marked division between the fields Of pub
lie and private charity. 1t Is pointed out
that the system Of granting public appro-
priations for the aid of private institu-
lions has resulted In duplication, waste
1ulneSS ana lnenlclency. Inc private in
situations themselves have been injured
by this system, because private philan-
thropy has been discouraged and the in
situations have fallen into a state of help
less dependence upon government aid.
Particular attention is called to the dupli-
cation Of work in the hospitals as a re-
suit of the system Of government sub
sides. The public funds have been dissi-
pated by distribution to a large number
of small institutions doing practically the
same kind OF work, while at the same
time many of the suffering poor are In
adequately provided for because they are
class Of patients that Is not desired and
will not be received in these private, gov
ernment-aided institutions.
The board emphasizes its conclusion.
after eight years Of careful study, that
the only adequate remedy is the estab-
lishment Of necessary public institutions
to care for legitimate public charges, and
allowing private institutions without in
terference by the government to find
their support from private sources, az Is
done IN most communities. 1t IL urged
that the most pressing immediate need in
the development Of our public charities ID
the enlargement Of the public hospital