Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-04

new name of the District poorhouSe. II
has population of about $50 white and
colored residents.
A smaller group of brick and frame
structures are those of the Industrial
Home School for Colored Children of the
District of Columbia. 1t is the only
public institution in the District of
Columbia for the betterment of the col
ored race which is in charge OF colored
people.
1t was at this point on the road along
the ridge that the Rambler came up with
a crowd of colored boys of many sizes.
They We're of good behavior and cheer
full disposition. From one of the older
boys the Rambler learned that the In
dustrial Home School for Colored Chill
dren is a development of the Hart School
near Piscataway, Nd, which the Ram
bier visited on a camera walk good
many years ago. The present superin-
tendent of the school, o. F. N. Madden,
told the Rambler an interesting story Of
the history, work and hopes of the
school,
He said that the records of the board
OF chiIdren's guardians show that that
board made a contract with Prof. VIII
liam H Hart November 10. 1897, for
the care. maintenance and training Of
male wards between the ages Of eight
and eighteen years. upon his farm near
Fort Washington, Md. This contract
was in force until June 80, 1906. when all
wards were removed. The record states
that MIR. Hart went into bankruptcy"
The institution is owned and operated
directly by the District government.
Boys only are received, from eight to
seventeen years of age. on account Of
dependency or incorrigibility. coming
from the board of children's guardians
after commitment to that board by the
Juvenile Court. During the school ses-
sion, which is the same as in the city,
each boy attends classes half day. the
other half being spent in the kitchen,
laundry. carpenter or blacksmith shop,
on the farm.
The school occupies about 100 acres of
land, sixty of which is farmed. There
are six large brick buildings, three cot
tage homes, school building, administra-
ton building and superintendent resi-
dence.
The capacity of the school is sixty
five. Originally the intention was to
have both sexes. bit the limited capacity
prevented this. Boys are received for
three months. six months, one year and
for indefinite periods of time. Practi-
physically, mentally or morally, and
sometimes in all three respects. They
come largely from the alleys and courts,
and while a small number are illegltt-
mate. a much larger number have lost
one or both parents. and through lack of
care have committed some minor Of
lenses against the law.
e
There are no fences and no guards al
this home other than the regular watch
man. who is also farm laborer. Recent
ly visiting member of Congress inquired
how the boys were kept at the school
after being committed by the Juvenile
Court. He was told that constant eff
fort is made to impress them with the
fact that they are not there to be pun.
ished, but to be helped. 1t has been found
that they are kept reasonably contented
by fair and kind treatment with suitable
recreations There are ample Fairgrounds
with swings, slides, etc, and a large
cement bathing pool constructed mainly
by labor of the inmates. While there
are occasional runaways the number is
not large.
The boys assist in planting and Guilt
waiting all the ordinary farm and garden
crops in caring for horses, milking cows
butter making and in the work at the
poultry plant. The poultry plant is one
of the especial features of the school WorR
and the boys are taught natural and ar
tificial incubation of eggs, the use OF
breeders and the care of hens and chicks