Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-15

WV WYNN hN was ALI tlc Gtf&lG ocHs
ate q matter OF the State Board Of
Charities and Corrections came up.
He made his maiden speech in favor
of the bill. He saw the cause was
hopeless but felt that a start should
be made.
He urged the workers to take their
matters to the Legislature and tell
them about the work. He also urged
that at the next session they ask for
what they really need. He said he
was surprised to hnd that in going
about over the State many did not
know how much work was being
done by this department.
He gave some interesting figures:
At the two State hospitals there are
1900 patients; at the three saI,A-
tariums 296: 470 blind persons; 600
in boys, and girls institutions. The
State cares for directly about $3.50.
In the almshouses there are 400:
outside aid in the various municipal
tiles. more than 5000. He stated that
he proposed to visit every State in
stitution going over the road, but
that he finds this will not be possible
this year. He believes 1t Is the duty
of the Governor to go to the institu-
lions and meet the trustees, because
he Is just as responsible for the
managing of the affairs.
He forcefully declared that 1t was
his desire to Cooperate with the
welfare workers In every way possi-
BILE. He said that the work requires
tact and patience. He didn't suppose
that anybody knows anything more
about rebuffs and criticism than the
chief executive. He ought not to
mind that or at least he ought not to
show 1t.
Bringing to mind one instance. the
Governor recalled some folks who
! wrote him a most indignant letter.
declaring they were denied their
| rights of citizenship as they were not
allowed to visit their relative who
| was in the hospital across the river
on Sunday. Investigation was made
and 1t was found that the hospital
| was not making any stringent rules,
but rather the folks wanted to call
at the hours when callers were not
permitted. That matter was adjust
ed in friendly manner.
The day Of the district almshouse
| is soon at hand, in the opinion of
Governor Baxter. He believes that
in time the poor unfortunates will be
| reconciled and will be willing to go
to district almshouseS where they
may be more comfortably cared for
and where the costs will be greatly
| reduced.
The women OF the State are active
1y interested when matters Of welfare
| are brought up. In the past they
have been indirectly interested, but
| now that they have the vote they are
taking more active interest. Their
feeling Of responsibility has in
! creased. They will stimulate this
! work.
The Governor and Council may
! seem at times hard hearted. OF
course they have many requests for
| increases in salary. In the last
meeting but one there were no less
| than 80 such requests.
Following his talk, Governor Bax-
ter asked questions of various work.
ers present, inquiring into the work.
! ings Of the institutions, which show
, ed that he was very familiar and
very much interested with the well
fare institutions.
The board of purchasing agents
was next taken up and very inter-
ested discussion ensued. Governor
Baxter remained for the remainder Of
the session and took an active part
in the. discussions.
In the % months that the board Of
purchasing agents has been in ac-
ton, $475,O00 worth of goods have
been purchased. Mr.. Tobey Of the
Augusta State hospital gave the fig
ures and while he could not give the
amount which had been saved in
such purchasing he felt sure that the
State had been saved great deal.
The board meetings which are held
the first Wednesday in each month
are always well attended. The pur-
chasers are able to get together,
talk over the goods which they need,
buy the goods in larger lots and
thus save q good deal.
The matter Of paying the bills OF
the institutions was next discussed.
The present plan of paying the bills
! each week, incurs a great deal Of
paper work, was the contention Of a
number Of those present. They also
declared that the discounts would be
allowed on the goods just the same
If the bills were paid on the first
and the 18th of each month. The
matter Of the change was apparently
looked upon with much favor.
Or. Gertrude e. Hall
At the afternoon session Of the
conference. DR.. Gertrude e. Hall,
supervisor Of social service for the
State Board Of Charities and Correc-
tons. gave a very enlightening adj
dress on the subject 1.-THE Scope and
Purpose of the Central Index OF the
States Dependents, Delinquents and
Detectives" explaining in an inter-
esting manner just what the Central
Index Is, where 1t is and why 1t il.
She stated that the Central Index is
comprehensive digest Of all that
the State officials know about the
people with whom they are working.
It Is matter of social bookkeeping,
cognate with that other important
matter, financial bookkeeping.
Inventories Of Equipment
There was then discussion Of the
topic, inventories of Equipment"
Are our present methods of making
and our use of them in our institu-