New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-31
Political Expediency in
Plan to Reconstruct
Body, Says Report
"SALARIED PLACES A
DANGEROUS POWER
Would Make Independent
Supervision Impossible
Of Accomplishment

Tie state Board o. Charities made
public Yesterday its answer TO the re
nor OF Commissioner Charles h.
sfrorg vho was appointed by Governor
Whitman in November. 1915. TO eN-
anime INTO the management OF the
state board. the fiscal supervisor and
certain other related boards and com
missions.
While the board agree, with the Com
missioner in few OF his recommends
tons. the Strong report as whole -
called an instrument contributing little
OF value 10 the discussion Of the grave
social problems which confront the
state
Commissioners Strong, in presenting
lis report to the Governor IN October,
urged a stat. board, with three paid
head, and sir members who would
serve without salary. and that e. least
ono member should be woman.
This feature OF NJ. Strong's recon
mendations was vigorously attacked oy
tho reply OF the state board. wnlch
foresaw IN this provision political IN
terference with the operation or sta'e
Institutions.
The chief purpose OF Comm ssioner
Strong. as indicated IN his report, says
the replv OF the state board. seems 20
be the reconstruction of the board so
that IL NAV afford three sslaried posi-
tions for. possibly, some member, OF
the cabal Who are behind the move
ment TO destroy 10. While some OF the
Commissioners recommendations are
ccncurrei in, the others are mischieV-
Gus in that they would concentrate
dangerous power in the hands az three
proposed salaried members OF the
board-a power which might easily be
used TO promote political ambitions and
otherwise force those connected with
the various institutions and charitable
agencies o. the state 20 yield obedience
70 selfish interests
One Of the important features Of
the Strong report which received the
anrroval Of the state boards report
was Mr.. Strongs declaration that the
state had not made sufficient provision
for the proper care Of the feeble
minded.
The principal recommendations OF
the Comm ssioner the state board re-
CARDS IS destructive. The report says:
when Mr.. Strong's conclusions and
recommendations are analysed u ~
evident that either the Commissioner
entered upon the Investigation deter
mined to make fundamental recomrnen-
dations which would be destructive OF
the state board as at present constl-
tucd. or else has no comprehension
OF the effect Of the legislation he rec
onmends. In other parts OF his re-
mort indications OF bias adverse n this
board have been manifested. but IN
tho recommendation for the reorgani-
7ation Of the card in the manner pro
posed. with three salaried members
and six figure heads. the fell purpose
Of those desirin the destruction IS
accomplished.
"The Commissioner afIirms that THIS
recommendation is for the welfare OF
tho state, but the plan proposed clearly
shows that logic, consistency snd ef-
pcrience are all cast aside FOR tine
sake Of political eXpediency, and ne
recommends that what is IN fact,
though not in name. the fundamental
function Of the constitutional State
BOARD Of Charities Independent ST.
rcrvision shall be rendered impossi-
bic Of accomplishment
The private institutions assailed by
Commissioner Kingsbury during the
recent inquiry before the Strong com
mission were backed by the state board
il its answer
The work OF these Institutions 1t
saws. lis shown by the answer TO have
constantly improved. The state could
il afford 20 weaken the work done by
those devoted men and women, by hold
ing them At arms length, as recon-
n,ended by Strong. or by using such
ccercive measures as would close Up
the institutions