The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-14

any money for caring for her chill
dren in their own home; yet II legally
can and does pay some other mother
for boarding those selfsame children.
Hundreds OF little boys and girls are
so placed, and others are placed in
institutions who would be better on
in their own homes under the care
and guidance of their own mothers.
OF this there cannot be the slightest
question, and yet New York city is
forbidden TO keep the children where
they naturally and rightly belong
at home.
Commissioner Kingsbury is ex-
trernely anxious to see the city
granted authority whereby II may
help to support children in their own
homes under proper and responsible
supervision OF level headed but sym
pathetic workers trained in such
oversight. He talked over the matter
with the Mayor a day or two ago,
and this afternoon Corporation Coun-
sci Polk received n copy of proposed
amendment to the charter which
would give the city power to take
this humane, scientific, common
sense course whenever the individual
child at home warrants tt
Commissioner KinRsbury explained
one reason for his ideas regarding
home and institutional life.
when was child" he said.
| owing to lack of money had to
leave my home and go to an institu-
ton. l have had personal experience
at first hand with institutional life.
Many institutions have done and
are doing noble work for destitute
children, especially for those left
without parents or near relatives.
But where a home exists with a
mother in II. whose only dra vback
is sheer poverty-that home iS the
one place for the child. I cannot
speak too emphaticdlly on this poi1t."
Part Of the work of the Bureau OF
Social Investigation will be to ascer-
| tain with eNaCtness just what are the
moral and the financial conditions OF
a home from which 1t is proposed TO
take a ohild. II the proposed charter
amendment II adopted Mr. Kingsbury
hopes the city will early thereafter in
stitute a system Of supporting chill
dren in their own homes whenever
practicable. This bureau, by tho
way. among other duties supervises
the expenditure OF $4,000 Of the
citys money this year in caring for
the poor Including adults) who are
placed in private institutions alone.
This large sum does not inc,uSe the
money expended in support Of those
who are inmates OF public institutions
The Charities Department has for
First Deputy Commissioner Henry G.
Wright formerly Secretary OF the
City Club, who has long been making
gvaN w4naVV. l.. ~.
management; William J. Doherty,
Second Deputy Commissioner. for
u.erly executive secretary of the Cath
Ole Home Bureau, well known for his
efforts in behalf OF dependent chill
dren, and G.. c.. Thompson, Third
Deputy Commissioner, who was Sc
cured IN ar unusual way.
The Charities Department needed a
man of special ability to serve as
sort of general business manager. In
} stead OF following the old plan OF
selecting a professional politician. the
department advertised in the news
papers for a business executive, COM
petent TO handle large matters and
work hard, for a salary OF S. 600
knowledge Of the departments plan
, leaked out. and different political lead
ers exerted all the pressure they could
bring to bear in behalf OF men Of their
choice, The replies to the advertise
ment were sifted and finally Mr..
Thompson was interviewed his rec
ord was investigated and he was
chosen as the best man that could be
, obtained for the work and the salary.
Commissioner Kingsburys secre-
tary, Mr.. Howe, served two years as
educational secretary OF the Public
Charities Association of Pennsylva-
MIA, an organization supported by prl-
! vate citizens the object OF which was
TO aid in developing and improving
J public charities OF the State. Later
he had two years Of active experience
with the New York Association for
: Improving the Condition OF tile Poor.