Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-30
THE CITY oRPHANAGE.

twenty thousand uOlIaIs 10 IN up an
orphans home for the city at Fords
At the present time Perth Amboy is
maintaining eighteen oil twenty
orphans, most Of them being in state
institutions, the city paying the state
for their care. The other orphans
are being cared for in homes in this
vicinity, the city paying the expense
OF their keep also. The aldermen
argue Thai not only can money be
saved by having a city home under
the direction Of city employees to house
these little ones in. but better treat
meut can be given and they will be
close by where visitors can easily
reach them. 1t is proposed to form an
auxiliary among the ladies OF the city
to sew for the orphans and other
wise provide for them greatly reduc-
ing the cost of their maintenance.
A property at Fords has been
bought by the city 20 be used as an
orphanage, but IL is felt that before 1t
can be used as such it must be re-
modelled and an addition built. To
meet the cost of this work 1t Is pro-
posed to issue bonds after bids have
been received showing what the cost
will be.
All this Is very commendable and
shows enterprise on the part of the
city. especially as Perth Amboy Is the
first municipality to take such a step.
1t is a question, however. whether
this is the time TO &c into n such
project. with a soaring TAI rate and
Increased expenses on every side only
the absolutely necessary things should
be done. Every effort should be made
to keep down expenses. If the re-
modelling OF this property at Fords
into a municipal orphanage will a V
money and reduce expenses it should
be done. If not, no matter how pleas
ant and advantageous 1t might be for
the orphans. the project ought to be
postponed until costs and conditions
are more propetious.
These orphans under the care of the
city are provided for out of the poor
account for which the city budget for
1920 contained an appropriation of
S12, 900. 1t Is estimated by the city
comptroller that the average cost OF
maintaining these orphans at the
present time Is between 5000 and $3.50
a month. The bill received from he
state for maintaining these orphans
last month was $500, but this was one
of the smallest bills to be received in
q long time. he says.
In order to save money to the TX
payers through reduced expenses it
would be necessary to keep the cost of
maintaining this home at Fords. with
eighteen or twenty children, under
$500 per month. We do not believe
It can be done. especially at this time.
Even granting hat the ladies aux
Hilary, which it is proposed TO organize,
will furnish all the clothing for these
eighteen or twenty children-no small
undertaking in itself-there still
would be the matron and two or three
assistants to pay, This would be an
opening wedge for another salary list
with the ever present demand for an
increase in wages to be contendcd
with.
In addition. the building would
have to be kept In repair and insur-
ance and water rates would have to
be paid as we'll as numerous other in
cidental expenses met that every
property owner knows pile up so
rapidly.
The interest on the bonds, provided
$751; is needed to make the pro-
posed alterations, would amount TO
$1,000 in addition to which would be
the interest on the original invest
ment. $4,000. Then a certain amount
would have to be put in the sinking
maturity. When all these things are
considered we do not believe the
eighteen or twenty orphans could be
maintained In a municipal home such
as the aldermen propose. even with
the help of the ladies. for anywhere
near $3.50 a month. which is the top
figure now mentioned in connection
with maintaining the orphans in state
Institutions.
A. for providing a pleasanter place
for the children and giving them bet
ter care, no claim is made, as far as
we are aware. that the state is neglect
ing them in any way. OF course
1t would be nice TO have them close
10 home. but we hardly see that this
is suncient reason for adding this ex-
pense to the city at this time.
We would not for an instant stand
in the way of any permanent improve
ment or enterprise that would reflect
credit upon the city. but unless some
thing radically wrong with the present
method of caring for the orphans can
II. rh.urn ard nnlasa oitv axnancaS