Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-05-18
M'DEVITT URGES
PROPERTY BOARD
Scores Idle Reformers Who
Adversely Criticise but Offer
No Practical Remedies
Special to the Telegraph

DiXmont, Pa, May is. - II. S. Nc
Dewitt, solicitor of the State Economy
and Efficiency Commission, address,
ing the Association of Trustees and
Medical Superintendents of the State
Incorporated Hospitals for the Insane
and Predetermined of Pennsylvania,
here this afternoon severely censured
the calamity howlers' who seek to
destroy the time-honored institutions
of the State. Said the speaker on this
topic:
They take the position that all
that is. is wrong. Many of them are
idle rich who have no conception of
the wants and rights of the patient
poor. They howl about a spendthrift
Legislature, needless subsidy system
for charitable institutions and in
competent management of State af-
fairs. But they never offer sensible,
practical or workable plan for better
ing conditions. ] have studied condi-
tions in a score of the largest and
wealthiest States of the Union and |
am happy to say that Pennsylvania
surpasses all of them.
Autocratic Supcrintcndents
THE worst criticism that we hear
in Pennsylvania's institutions is the
autocratic attitude of some superin-
tendents. They have lost sight of the
fact that the taxpayers own the insti-
tutions which they superintend and
that as public servants they should
afford the public every courtesy and
consideration. / shall not burden you
with specific instances.
Every public institution should
submit to the most eXacting publicity.
State Charities are not a private en-
terprise, but a public trust, and the
public has a right to know. not merely
how IFS nOnpN ie Snpnt hI1t 1ou If
dependents are actually cared for. No
properly conducted institution resents
expert advice or friendly criticism"
Eighteen months ago the Economy
and Efficiency Commission recom-
mended the creation of State Board
of Property, to consist of three mcm-
bers, one to be appointed by the Gov
ernor, one by the Auditor General and
one by the State Treasurer, and / am
more convinced to-day of the neces-
sity for such a board than ! was when
it was recommended.
THE present restriction of the Con-
stitution which provides that all con-
tracts for supplies shall he approved
by the Governor, the Auditor General
and the State Treasurer should be re-
tanned. The public is entitled to this
safeguard when millions Of public
funds are being disbursed.
"'To this board should be transferred
of Commissioners of Public Grounds
and Buildings, consisting of the Gov
ernor, Auditor General and State
Treasurer. which board now purchases
all supplies for the various depart
ments of the State government. The
proposed board should be authorized
to purchase supplies for both depart
ments and State institutions.
Plan and Erect Institutions
'Such n board could plan, erect and
supervise all State institutions. They
would have authority to require uni
form accounting and recording. The
board would regulate the development
of the institutions and their super
vision would be one of instruction. adj
vice through experts and assistance in
solving problems that are common to
most of our State institutions.
can examination of data collected
during the last four months concern
ing the purchases of staple articles by
the various institutions shows a great
difference in the prices paid for the
same articles and a great difference i'm
the methods used for purchasing.
These defects would be overcome by
such a board as has been recon-
mended."
He discussed the problem of caring
for the insane and the lack OF uni
formity in salaries in that branch OF
the government