The Ocala banner., 1919-06-06

crowded and with poor ventilation,
and in the opinion of your committee
this particular condition should be
remedied at once.
We also found that the room known
as the infirmary is an exceptionally
small room located on the western
side of the building, with practically
no light or ventilation, and it is the
opinion of tbs committee that large
quarters should be provided for this
particular feature of the institution.
Your committee after having thor
oughly gone over this building real
lied the increasing demands for such
an institution, have come to the
conclusion that it would be best TO
either abandon this home for delin-
quent girls or Immediately take steps
to enlarge the building so that they
can be properly taken care of in
more healthy atmosphere.
It is the further opinion of your
committee that a commercial course
should be established at this institu'
ton for the proper training of these
girls who may be sent here, so that
they may be properly fitted to meet
the problems of life after having been
dismissed or discharged from the in
stitution.
Under the existing conditions there
is absolutely no provision made
whereby the proper educational adj
vantages can be given looking to the
future welfare of the girl after she
has been discharged or to equip her
with a practical business education
whereby she can be enabled to make
living after leaving the institution.
1t is the opinion of your committee
that this is a vital need in this par
ticular school, as we find at the pres
ent time girl comes to the institu-
ton, stays from six months to three
years, and without having learned
any means of support, she is discharg-
ed from the institution and of neces-
sity is compelled to return to the
same conditions that existed and
which caused her to be sent to this
Institution.
Your committee was glad to note
that literary teachers is employed
at the school, and that the girls are
receiving a primary grade instruction,
which is proving of much benefit to
all.
Your committee find that there is
an indiscriminate policy pursued by
the officers of the state of sending
girls of all ages to this institution.
AS stated above we find girls rang
ing from ten to twenty years, and it
is the opinion that different arrange
ment should be made for the chill
dren being kept separate, and that
the mingling of the two ages should
be prohibited. We also find trivial
offenses that should be corrected at
home, are sending girls ten and
twelve years old to this institution,
and in our judgment there are num-
ber who are there today without
rightfully belonging there, and we be-
lieve that the fault lies with the pro-
baton officers throughout the state,
and in many cases directly with the
parents.
We would recommend that a sys-
tenn be adopted whereby all the ex-
sitting conditions could be eliminated
and the institution be put on a bet
ter standing along the above lines
as enumerated.
A careful examination of the ex-
penditures of the said institution
shows that the management is en-
deavoring to spend the moneys Of
the state in an economical way, and
while your committee has no special
criticism to make along this line, stin
it is their opinion that with the as,
sistance of the state farm which is
maintained at this institution, cash
expenditures should be greatly re-
duced, and the products of the farm
used to greater extent. We believe
that every acre of ground possible
should be cultivated and should be
planted in food stuffs, which could be
utilized at the home, and in this man
ner it is our opinion that the cost TO
the state would be materially reduc-
ed.