The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-01-07
STAYS AT
HEAD OF BOARD OF
PUBLIC CHARITIES
Organization of Board for 1913
Effected With Mayor
Wilson Presiding
Miss Merry Is Chosen StenOgra-
pher at Charities Head
quarters


Wilson, the inaugural meeting of the
Board of Charities for 1913 was attend
ed by every member yesterday after
noon. Commissioner Henry Harris, in
troduced by the Mayor, replaced the
vacancy created by the retirement of
Judge Patrick Kane.
With a few words the Mayor, acting
as chairman perfected the organization
by requesting a nomination for pres
ident which upon the motion of Rev
Matthew Judge, seconded by Commits
sioner Harris, resulted in the unani-
nous election of the former president,
William F. Behrens, for the ensuing
year.
With thanks for the honor and a
promise to perform the functions de-
volving upon him to the best of his
ability in the interest of the public
the new officer accepted the chair, va
Gated by Mayor Wilson
The Citys head before Withdrawing
from the meeting said: Il wish to
thank the Board for its painstaking
and efficient efforts during the past
year. think the way in which char
ity work has been handled is most
gressive administration. You have
uniformly shown the most careful
thought and consideration and I know
this year will be as fruitful and sue
productive of good to the people at
large and the city as a whole. Permit
me to express my personal thanks Tor
your painstaking efforts
After the reading of the minutes a
communication from CharititS Supt.
Fred Johnson was submitted in which
particular attention was directed to
the immediate necessity of having the
State Board of Charities provide some
adequate place in which to care for
minor imbeciles. A recent case inTolv-
ing a young girl temporarily a patient
at Bridgeport hospital but for whom
there is apparently no place of refuge
upon her discharge, was cited as an
example Of the need for immediate ac-
ton.
A discussion of the case further dis
closed that about year ago the girl
both incorrigible and slightly inbecf1e,
had been confined i'll the LakeviIle
home from which she escaped. Going
to New York she returned to Bridge
port, where she became mother. At
ter her discharge from local hospital,
as she was legally a resident of
Bridgeport, though without parents,
ties who again attempted to have her
returned to Lakeview but were refus-
ed upon the ground that no vacancy
remained. She was taken to Lake
view home where the surroundings
| and facilities were inadequate.
While in the present instance the
prosecuting attorney is considering the
possibility of disposing of her at the
House of the Good Shepherd or the
Florence Crittenden Home, upon Grim
ina1 charges of abandoning her baby,
| other similar cases in Bridgeport in
which such charges could not be pre-
ferred.
Not alone in this respect is this
city, for New Haven, Waterbury and
other larger places are likewise con-
| frohted with the problem of disposing
of minor fmbecile cases, requiring care
and educa ton.
Upon the recommendation of Com
missioner Judge it was voted to have
Supt. Johnson formulate letter of
appeal to the State Board of Charities
to be signed by the members and for
warded to Hartford
Announcement was made of the ap-
pointment of Miss Elizabeth Merry, of
226 Congress street to the position of
stenographer at headquarters. Miss
Merry with four years experience in
the offices of the Frank Miller Lum-
Der CO., is said to be well qualified
for the work she will undertake
Reports of the past months work in
the department. as well as outstand-
ing bills and the monthly payroll were
approved. An appropriation of 5000 to
be utilized in caring for the outside
poor was authorized
A communication from City Attor-
ney John F. Pullman advising the
board that dependent children could
legally be placed in families through
the Connecticut Chi1drens Aid or 9TH
er societies was read
After the customary annual invita-
ton by Supt. Merle Cowles of the
Lakeview Home had been extended
the new board to visit the institution,
was accepted for today at 2:30, ad-