The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-17
BISHOP ATTACKS
CHARITIES INQUIRY
Head Of Long Island p. f.
Diocese Defends Manage
ment Of Institutions.
HE WELCOMES PUBLICITY

GARDEN CITY, L. l.. May 1e.--Bishop
Frederick Burgess, In his annual address
before the convention Of the Long Island
Protestant Episcopal Diocese. which
opened to-day, defended warmly the
charitable institutions which have been
attacked in tho recent Investigation of
the State Board Of Charities.
This investigation. he said, has been
unfairly conducted. lie welcomed honest
criticism, but he said that tho impress
sion had been allowed TO 60 forth from
the room in which the hearings were
held that children in the care Of the
charitable institutions OF his diocese
were Improperly fed. kept in fifth. and
severely beaten.
Nons Of these charges was so. he said.
For years the homes had been we'll con-
Quoted. While 1t might be true that
changes In methods of institutional man
agement were properly advocated, he
said. all inmates OF the Episcopal homes
in his diocese had been we'll fed, clearly
kept and kindly treated.
The chief harm dom by spreading
broadcast such false Impressions was
that many men. charitably inclined.
would refuse to give money to support
these homes under the belief that they
were improperly conducted. Bishop
Burgess said in part:
within a year tho New York
City Department Of Charities has
brought charges against the state
Board OF Charities claiming that many
child caring institutions which have
hitherto had certificates from the State
board are in an UNIT condition to pro-
vide for the care OF the children sent
to them. The Governor OF tho state
accordingly appointed a commissions to
investigate these charges and to hold
public hearings.
AT these hearings all sorts OF evidence
seemed TO be admitted. and the public,
reading the public press. received an
utterly false impression OF two OF our
charities. for which devoted women and
generous men have labored. Babies In
Squalor.' Bishop Burgess. President OF
Nursery, Criticised by Charities Deputy,
Whipping Children in Home
were some OF the headings which
we had TO see in the sem
sational accounts OF these investiga-
tions. The public would naturally infer
that our children are III fed and i'll cared
for. and that the money voted by the
city and given to our people was mis-
applied.
Homes investigation has no need to
resort to dishonest and unworthy
methods OF getting information. our
homes stand open to all. our books can
he examined at any time and u chill
dren can be seen. We only wish that
PEOPLE would come more frequently to
see them SO that their hearts would be
moved to give TO us larger contribu-
lions for a work which Is unselfish and
unalloyed by gain. ! have said all this
not because | wish To descend to con-
troversy. but because | think IL is right
that when ! now the trkth | should not
let these children suffer by any with
holding our peoples gifts.
lie concluded with a plea for his
hearers to help to raise 100000 which
was Immediately necessary. he said. 10
make expensive changes in the Home Scr
the Aged. The changes have been
ordered by the Fire Department, on the
ground tina the building Is dangerous.
Bishop Burgess said that the home was
built AT n time when people were willing
TO TAX more risks than at present, but
that the laws had progressed, and fire.
proof buildings were necessary.