Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-06
GOTTL|EB SCORES
BOARD MAJORITY
CONTINUED from First Page.)

ing the condition of the annual APP
preparation, which resulted in the
overdrawal of the homes account.
The allegations have been admitted
by Mrs Elizabeth Mansell Book
keeper Williamson and Clerk Mere
dith submitted conflicting sets of
figures as to the amount of over
drawal. The board of trustees be-
lieves that the correct figure would
not exceed $4,000.
I'VE called attention." the state
ment continues, "to the failure on the
part of the proper officers and the
treasurer to supply this information
when requested, and the lack of
knowledge of this fact on the part of
the treasurer It is a significant fact
that since October ! last we have
made every effort to ascertain the
state of our appropriation for the
fiscal year and that in no instance
has the information been given nor
anyone's attention called to any book
which the officials claim would con-
tain the information. The burden of
many a board meeting has been
Have We overdrawn our appro-
priation. and, if so. how mueh?'
'In fact, Treasurer Baker being
asked by the board of trustees as to
this fact stated that he did not know,
altl ough it developed at the hearing
that the treasurer had been notified
by the comptroller's office of this very
fact. Why did not the treasurer ac-
quaint tho board with that fact and
why did not his books, which he had
never produced, show that fact?"
No System in Storehouse.
The condition Of the store house,
continued the report, will show that
even at present its allegation that
there was a lack of proper system in
keeping and checking supplies is still
true. The condition of the records as
o girls paroled and girls in the home
is such that it would not be compar-
able with records in other institutions
of like character.
Another point which the board
claims has been borne out in the tes-
timony of superintendent Mansell and
| the other officials is the failure to
keep proper records of wages due to
girls parole and the lack of know
| ledge of amounts due and the general
! failure of vigilance in their collection.
! The board also believed that there is
abundant evidence to prove that there
! is a general confusion in reference to
records and that many troublesome
mistakes are made in them.
Discipline In the Home.
| 1--WE called attention" continued
the speaker, Ito the failure to inform
| the board on matters of discipline
and the general policies and .prac-
| tises thereto. This is proved by the
testimony of the board of trustees
and the fact that the board never
knew of the failure of the superin-
tendent to adopt its plan of discip
line, nor did they know of her sub
shutting other punishments nor that
whipping had continued down to o
comparatively recent date, nor of the
mouth-washing punishment and the
general system of penalties for in
fraction of rules. The evidence as to
the failure of the board of managers
to transact its business according to
a parliamentary order and its failure
to observe the provisions of the by
laws is uncontroverted and over
| whelming.
I'VE have also proved the failure
on the part of the superintendent ia
institute regular systematic fire drills
and the failure to instruct the in
mates and officers in the proper use
of the fire escapes.
"rhe minority have been agrees
sive in their belief that DR.. Otis, the
| psychologist, is necessary and
proper officer, and her evidence we
| believe to be convincing. The ma
! iority have frequently reflected on her
work and criticised her methods and
policies They have also questioned
| tho need of such an officer and Won
| dered whether we could afford to pay
her S75 per month. 1t has not been
! controversial that the new bylaws
are a great improvement over the old
ones. nor can ii be denied that they
were urged by the minority and
! drafted by two of them and fought
for by all of them.
! Deprecate Use Of Acid on Bills.
1--WE strongly deprecate the practice
of the home in erasing the dates from
bills and using acids to erase dates
from sworn statements in order to
bring them within an appropriation
to which they were not entitled,
"To conclude, we believe that, with
| faithful observance of the new by
laws, with a hearty cooperation OF
all in our new educational plan, will
the carrying into effect of the new
disciplinary system. and with the new
methods and policies adopted during
the last few months, that the home
will be in a much better condition
than il ever was before.
1--WE believe that in the three new
| amendments to be made Is the solu.
tion of all our troubles, and that il
the right persons are selected that
the policies of the board will be rea-
sonably harmonious and efficient"
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