The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-11

1894 the total expenditure of the Board
 of Charities, deducting the cost of the
 disposal of garbage. which at the
 present time is chargable to a separate
 account. amounted to $59. 30, while the hospital charges amounted to $3,- 063.33. In 1900 the total expenditure
 was 53.3O3.53. and the hospital charges
 amounted to $5,077.18. In 1906 the total
 expenditure was $64. .135.0O and the hos
 pital charges amounted to $7,403.85. In 1909 the total expenditure of the Board
 was STA, ,668. .28, while the hospital
 charges were $19719.11. Thus while the
 total expenditure has a little more than
 doubled since 1894 and 1900. the hos
 three-fold since 1906 nearly four-fold
 since 1900. and six-fold since 1894. This
 large and disproportionate increase in
 this branch of the Department de-
 wolves upon the Board a careful study
 of the causes as well as of the efhci-
 ency of the present methods of the
 city physicians.
 The reason for the material increase in the expense of the care of the poor,
 both at I4akeview Home and in the
 city. was to a certain degree unavoid-
 able. and accountable for by the busi-
 ness depression which extended over
 the fiscal year 1908-1909.
 From the attention and study which
 the committee. has been able to devote to the subject of the methods of the
 Board of Charities. the committee has
 arrived at a conclusion that no sus-
 p1cion rests upon the actions of the
 Board of Charities. Or it's individual
 members. requiring a further investi-
 gation. It is, however the opinion of
 the committee that a thorough reor-
 ganization of the business methods of
 the Board is necessary, and for this
 reason the committee has possibly ex-
 ceeded the directions of the Common
 Council in the resolution of May 3, 1909
 in thus laying before your honorable
 body the facts which have been herein
 set nrfh fc nr,1xy foiv fr fI.n Doe av47
 to call your attention to the peculiar
 difficulties in the management of this
 Department The support and care of
 the poor in a respectable and decent
 manner is not only necessary by req
 son of the law of universal humanity
 but is made mandatory by the statute
 law of the state, regardless of cost.
 Sudden and violent fluctuations in the
 amount of charity which it is neces-
 sary to. dispense render the estimates
 for future appropriations uncertain,
 and occasional deficits are unavoid-l
 able. There is a large amount of de-
 tail in the purchase of supplies, and
 the oversight of the Department, which
 devolves upon the Board. If. however
 the difficulties are great. there should
 be a corresponding degree of care in the business methods of the Board, and
 to render the conduct of the Depart ment successful there must, in the opinion of the committee. be a sye- tematic reorganization of the business methods of the Board. While deficits in years of abnormal business condi- tions are unavoidable. they are, in normal years. inexcusable, and can be
 avoided by a definite method of com putting the cost of maintaining the De- partment. Contracts. so far as possible. should custom of allowing members of the Board to contract with the Board should cease, except when safeguarded by public competition. The system of sr,I1 commodities should be extended and perfected.
 Such reforms should be instituted and carried out by the Board of Chari- ties under the guidance. if necessary of an expert in business systematfza-' ton, and are neither within the pur- pose nor scope of committee of in- veStigation. Adopted.
 RESOLUTIONS By Alderman Wilder:
 Whereas. His Honor, Mayor Henry Lee, has recommended in his annual message to this body, that a commit tee be appointed to confer with the Connecticut Company in reference to obtaining six C6) tickets for twenty | five (25) cents, as fare on the trolley cars, of the Connecticut Railway Com Whereas, it is desired that such a result be brought about as soon as possible. therefore be it Resolved. That a committee of three (3,) consisting of the Mayor, one alder man, and one citizen be appointed by the mayor. such committee to con- fer with the Connecticut Company relative to this matter. Adopted.
 By Alderman Conner:
 Resolved, That an electric light be located at the southwest corner of
 Bunnell street and Deacon street. and resolved that a electric light be To- cated at Union avenue, about 200 feet south of Williston street.
 Referred to the Committee on Lamps By Alderman Gould:
 Resolved, That the Committee on Ordinances be instructed to consider the question of so amending the exist ing Ordinances of the City of Bridge mort as to provide for three officials to be known as Captains in the Police Department in said Department. Referred to the Committee on Ordf- nances.
 By Alderman Fletcher: Be it ordained by the Common Coun- cil of the City of Bridgeport. That section of the ordinance rela- tive to salaries of the Police Depart ment as amended October 2. 1907, be amended by striking out the figures s275f after $he word Drivers and substituting the words ''to be graded same rate as Patrolmen.'
 Referred to the Committee on Ordi- nanceS.
 By Alderman Zink:
 Resolved. That a fire hydrant be located at the corner of Connecticut avenue and Sixth street. Referred to the Committee on Fire Department
 By Alderman Bullard:
 Resolved. That a sewer well be To- cated at corner of Blackstone street. and Union avenue.
 Referred to the Committee on Sewers. By Alderman Carroll:
 Resolved, That a light be placed on Congress- street, between Washington
 avenue and Lyon Terrace