Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-14

mendations:
Trustees
ut 10 too much to expect Of a part
time board to give them the manage
ment of institutions as large as the two
State hospitals and the School for the
Feeble Minded. The creation Of a
separate board for the School for
Feeble Minded is recommended.
I'VE believe the appointment Of in
stitution heads, or of any subordinates.
should not require the approval OF the
governor and council. Trustees alone
should be held strictly accountable for
the character and qualifications Of the
executive heads Of their respective in
stitutions; similarly the executive
heads Of the institutions should be al
lowed to select and be held responsible
for their subordinates.
County JaiIs
'"It Is recommended that the powers
and duties of the Board of Prison In
spectors, in so far as they relate to
county jails, be transferred to this
board. The law now provides that two
boards shall do practically the same
work. This is an unnecessary duplica-
S1OAlS dlo lIlc luSpCCllOI VI equity
Jails is an integral part of the inspec-
ton Of the whole system of charitable
and correctional institutions for which
this board was created.
Most Of our county jails are lacking
In even temporary Accommodations for
women prisoners. Few Of them have
matrons. Higher standards of cleanli-
ness as to bedding, the use Of sheets,
ETC., and special sleeping garments, and
other habits of personal hygiene are
needed. Workshops are successful only
IN limited way. County commission
ers and sheriffs are not taking full adj
vantage OF the authority given them to
employ prisoners on highways and else
where outside the Jail proper. The law
making the sheriff the jailer results in
divided authority between the sher-
IN and the commissioners. To be sure,
there Is apparently little friction, but
undoubtedly better results would be
obtained If the jailer were employed
by the commissioners to serve during
good behavior, and so long as he rem
dered efficient service.
Uniform Financial Records
"A uniform classification Of income
and expenses of state charitable and
correctional institutions is much needed
The Board has tried to bring this
about; 1t is not yet an accomplished
fact but it Is hoped that it will be in
the near future. Such q classification
once established for the state institu-
lions can be followed by the Board in
its requirements for reports from coun-
ty, municipal and state-aided institu-
tons.
Property Accounts
I'm all of our state institutions a
uniform system of property account
ability for non-consumable or movable
property as we'll as consumable sup
plies, and audit by the state auditor is
needed. Some of them have excellent
systems for consumable supplies but
all are lacking as regards furniture
and equipment ard other non-consum-
able property.
School for Feeble Minded
THE state institution whose lack Of
accommodations for those who need to
be cared for therein is being most wide
ly felt throughout the state and whose
present inadequate capacity is likely to
generations. is the School for the
Feeble Minded. This institution needs
sufficient cottages to care
for 200 children. 1t needs a central din
ing room in addition to the kitchen
which is under construction. 1t needs
new permanent power plant. The
present heat and power plant is a tenn
porary affair, not adequate even for
present needs.
For Uniform Period
Reports of state charitable and cor
rectional institutions are now made
for different periods ending on different
oates, namely. June So September go
November 30 and December 81. Some !
are printed and published annually. |
some biennially. Appropriations are
made for the calendar year. The re-
porting year and appropriation year
should agree, the date should be mi
form for all institutions, and since the |
Legislature meets only once in two
years. printed reports should cover
tWo-year periods, ending at a date SILL
early so that the reports NAV
De printed and mailed to each senator
ana representatlve-elect from one to
TWO hlonths before the legislature con-
Venes The saving in cost will he con-
siderable, and the value Of the renorts
will be largely increased. The renort
or this board so far as relates to fin
anclai and other statistical data should
be made and printed for the use of the
legislature for biennial period cor.
responding to that covered by the in
Sututlon reports. conditions found at
inspections of institutions and recom-
mendatlons made to the manaoenoan+
to be reported quarterly to the Cover
nor ana printed in a quarterly bulletin
issued by the Board
Plans for Alteration of BUILDINGS
The law now requires that all plans
and specifications for new buildings of
institutions under the supervision of
The Board shall be submitted to the
Board for criticism and suggestion.
the law should be amended
to include plans and specifications for
alterations. additions or repairs which
involve any change-in the design.
character, or use of building.
"A necessary corollary of the author
ty now given to the Board to prescribe
such forms not inconsistent with those
otherwise prescribed by law as it deems
necessary to secure uniformity and ac-
,uracy In the statements Of the several
CT H. -,