Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-11-06


at any time, upon request, information
or advice in reference to any insti
tuition; and to make a report of its
work annually to the Legislature on
the 3lst day of December. The board
is also empowered, when authorized
by the Governor and Council, to make
special investigation, with power to
summon witnesses, compel their at
tendance and demand the production
of papers and documents.
The board is also required to give
its opinion as to the advisabllity Of
the proposed Incorporation of any f,
stitutlon Of charitable or correc-
tional nature which would be sub
iect to its supervision. and all plans
and specifications for new institu
ti0na buildings which are to be in
any way under the inspection of the
State Beard must he submitted to the
board for criticism and suggestion,
before the same are accepted
THE personnel of the present State
Board appointed by the Governor un-
der this law is as follows. John Will
son of Bangor a lawyer by profess
sion one of the members of the orig
iHdl oOIillfilSSiOi dppoiiecu Ds oo'SA
nor Cobb, in 1907, to investigate the
advisability of State Board of
Charities and one of the loyal sup
porters of this measure from it's in
ception; John S. Liggett of Augusta,
educated in the law, a director in the
Maine Central and several leading
financial institutions, one of the most
promising of the young business men
of the State, who is interested in phi
Jantbropic work; Rev. Thomas j. Nell
Egan. pastor of st. Mary's Roman
Catholic church of Augusta, who is
well qualified to represent the many
excellent Catholic charitable institu-
tions throughout the State, and whose
interest in philanthropic work is such
that Immediately after his appoint-
ment 10 the board he took the "Trip
across the continent to attend the
National Convention of Charities ana
Corrections at Seattle. Mrs. Grace
Wing. the one woman who is MEM
her of the State Board has been a
member and officer of numerous wem-
ems clubs and societies and has been
long identified with newspaper work
both as a correspondent and special
writer, ana is nuch ih''i
nhi1op,hropic and charitable work,
NV own appointment is the flfth mem
her of the board was due undouhted-
ly 70 my membership on the original
commission to investigate its aaels-
ability. and long association with the
measure.
, .'rrhe board under the provisions ol
the law was confined in It's choice oil
secretary TO candidates who HAD neet
residents of the State for at least iN'
! years Ample time was taken and care
full investigation made to procure as sec
retarv the man within the state whe
: was best qualified by association VIII
charities and institutional work to meet
all requirements of the law. As n re
suit the board has chosen as its secre'
tary James T.. Eagley. who for II years
last past has been associated with tn
| management of the National Home fol
! piabled Volunteer Soldiers at Togus Me
Mr. Basley has risen to the position
. which ne occupied iii the Home altei
+, long years of service. he is faniiia'
With all phases of Institutional WORK ane
' an expert in analyzinS and tabuiaunt
detailed statistics and in the preparing
of reports He thus brings to the WORT
/ special qualifications and abundant en-
ergy and enthusiasm. lie has already
made special trips IT, other states to IN
vestigate the work of similar STATE
, boards, and proposes rs rapidly as pos
sible to qualify himself most thorough
ly for the position which he is to occu
ny We believe in him and are conf
dent that he will make good, and com
| mend him to tho confidence of the trus
| tees and officers of the institutions
which are to come under our inspection
These institutions which under thu
law come under our supervision are
those which are supported wholly or II
part by State aid aud are 81 in mum
ber. eight of which are strictly sta:'
Institutions. supported wholly by State
aBpropriatiens and 10 of which are part
ly supported by State funds. In addition
to these institutions there are also tho
several county iails and the city ano
town almshouses, of which municipali
ties there were, i'm 1907, 52i in the STATE
of Maine. which it is the duty of the
State Board to inspect every year. either
by its secretary or one of it's author
lied agents It is manifest, therefore
that the task which confronts the board
is no slight one. and the duties of its
secretary will be anything but sine
cure. 1t can only be accomplished sue
cessfully and efficiently by careful or
ganization and systematic work. which
will require time and painstakinG eff
fort
And now, then, it may fairly be ask
ed, when the board has perfected its or
ganization. systematized its work and
gotten fairly into the swing of its duties
and functions. what IL can reasonably
be expected to accomplish for the bene.
fit of the State. What is it going to dc
to us? you are doubtless asking. In
what way is it going to interfere with
us? How is it going to improve us?
will try to answer these questions brief
ly, and right at this point is perhaps
an appropriate time for me TO bring tc
you Just word of reinsurance. Your
board realizes full well that while its
creation was desired and earnestly
sought bv the greet majority of the
,-s. srna.it he and
correctional inst..,''itfs # TIE stab q u
earnest philanthropic workers, ueS ertne-
less the proposition had its honest crit