New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-12
Head of Sheltering Guar
dams Charges State
Board Shows Spleen.
PROBERS PREJUDICED,
SAYS DR.. BERNSTEIN
Rating of His Institution Cut on
Technical Grounds When He
Becomes City Expert.

The Hebrew Sheltering Guardian So
ciety's January bill for caring for pub
lie charges has been held up BY the
State Board OF Charities. DR.. Ludwig
b. Bernstein, head of the society and
an expert of national reputation, in
Cured the displeasure Of the board
when he was made consulting expert
Of the city Department of Charities. A
significant fact pointed out at yester-
DAVIS hearing before Commissioner
Charles II. Strong was that this same
institution always had the highest rat
ing before DR.. Benstein's differences
with the board.
Technically, the Hebrew home for
bovs at Pleasantville violated one OF
the boards rules by having beds closer
together than two feet. But the beds
occupied exactly the same position IN
, 1912, DR.. Bernstein said, when the
state boards investigators gave the in
stituton the highest rating Of any in
stltution in New York.
After the present charges were filed
against the state board, OF which
Thomas VI. Mulry is head, an inspector
was sent 10 Dr.. Bernstein's institution
and an adverse report was made for
the first time. Miss Mary A. Steer, who
made the investigation, announced that
those in charge Of the home did not
know the first requirements Of child
rearing.
Miss Steer backed up this assertion
with the statement that the children
we're conceited and they were weighed
: down by the responsibilities OF their
republics.
These disclosures. along with the po-
/ sition Of the beds. were accepted by the
/ state board as sufficient grounds for re-
/ ducing the institutions grade from
"one-one" TO two"
"Do you mean to say that you are
taking this action against the school
otter ignoring the position OF the beds
since 1922 demanded John Kirkland
/ Clark. attorney for Commissioner
/ strong.
"Yes. sir" was the emphatic response
OF John ". Bowers. who represented
the state board.
Nlr. Bowers endeavored TO exact a
promise from DR.. Bernstein that he
/ would change the position Of the beds,
+ but failed TO do 80. There are coo
/ public charges for which the city pays
/ 80 each per week II the state board
continues 20 hold up the funds tor
January At its next meeting, II Will
f be necessary for the Hebrew organ va
+ lion to raise about $1,000 BY public
subscription in order 20 pay current
bills.
In marked contrast 10 the rating OF
Dr.. Bcrnstein's home was that OF the
Society for the Aid of friendless
/ Women and Children. which was rated
by the state board as Very good IA
spite of conditions that other experts
described as "shockingly bad Ida May
Robinson. 2 district superintendent
Of the Bureau OF Social Investiga.
ton. said that she had found all
available bath tubs filled with laun-
dry, TO the exclusion OF those VINO
who might have desired 70 battle
Children with earachc had remained
unattended for two or more days
sleepinc rooms were disorderly, be,
springs were sagglng and dirty, bee
clothes filthy and a lack OF chair'
made 10 necessary for occupants 20 pll'
clothing on their beds az night, sh'
said.
Alter just one inspection Of tn
Ottilie Orphan Asylum at Jamaica, l.
l.. the city decided that it was NJ
place 70 send its children and cease,
sending them there. The state board
however, gave il the high rating o
"one-one." \ days menu at tn
Jamaica home, said Miss Clsrlc'
Auerbach, who made the inspection
consisted Of: Breakfast, bread an'
cocoa: dinner, lentil soup and bread
supper. bread and jelly.
Another witness told Of an inspection
Of the Brooklyn Training School ioi
Young Girls, where he found that The
exits of fire escapes were securely
locked, and the keys were carried by
caretaker.
An investigation Of the Shelterns
Arms Nursery's report Of vital sta
tistics showed that IN 1914 three DIFF
ferent totals had been given for the
number OF deaths among the inmates
One statement said - had died, an
other 81 and another 81.
John A. Kingbury. Commissioner OIL
! Charities, explained hls selection OF
Deputy Commissioner william }
/ Doherty, and said that he mad selected
him because DOherty was q Catholic
and might be able to cope with the
opposition of the Catholic Church.