New-York tribune., 1921-01-06

"The appropriations last year for
the penal Charitable and curative in
stitutions were s36,604,579.57, beng
second only to those for education.
The requests in that group this year
total S56,767 67S.62.
The prisons are under tho fiscal
control and management Of the Su-
perintendent Of Prisons and under the
constitution must remain there. In
deed, am inclined to the view that
the prisons should be kept, both as
to the management and fiscal control.
in class by themselves.
The hospitals are under the fiscal
control Of the Hospital Commission,
certain of the so-called charitable in
stitutons are under the fiscal control
Of the Fiscal Supervisor Of Charities
and some institutions appear to be
practically independent Of central fiscal
control.
"The question arises in my mind
whether all state institutions other
than the prisons should not be brought
such control, with certain purchasing
for all. will not result In economy.
This subject has been much discussed
and many efforts have been made to
solye it. 1t has assumed such proper
tons that it must be treated as bust
ness problem. do not recommend
any change which would interfere with
local boards or the present manage
ment, which believe to be excellent.
Nothing should be done to diminish
the comfort of the states unfortunates
or to disturb the morale Of those
Ehose lives are devoted to their care.
su, the problem will not down until
II IS solved right. l wish to give the
subject further study before arriving
At definite conclusions. Meanwhile
commend II to your careful considera-
Ion. We should take no step without
frst being assured Of our grounds
therefor.
Il al,o invite consideration Of tho
question whether the Tuberculosis
Hospital at Raybrook and the Hospital
Tor Crippled Children at West Hsver-
,nraw should not be placed under tho
department of Health, and whether the
rsssnoois for the blind and deaf and the
Iaomas Indian School should not be
Slsced under the jurisdiction Of the
1uucational Department.
.Ihe increase in vocational and apYi-
cultural schools and colleges and the
iIapio growth Of appropriations there
.or also suggest the inquiry whether
.aere should not at least be some CEN
sr ,sai hscal control Of these institutions.
ne appropriations requested this year
lT such institutions and the Geneva
experimental Station total 1856 1880.
oh these subjects I am not yet pro-
pared to make definite recommends
IONS, nut invite your careful con,id-
Grafton Of them.
questions Usefulness of
Dfag Control Department
mere was appropriated for tho De-
psltmsnt Of Narcotic Drug Control Last
:saf w 800, and the requests this yenr
.e'ai VII ,37875. l doubt the wisdom
continuing this department. The
pioo.em 10 difficult one. In my opin-
''p II can effectively be dealt with In
"Iy one OF two ways-either by pre-
ming unlawful sale Of drugs by stop
."x smuggling, which can be done only
~ ING Federal government, or by Gus
yuaai care and treatment of addicts,
snicn 10 practically impossible. Tho
~" does not prohibit the sale Of
s1' BAT only attempts to regulate
* occurs 10 me that the grantins <
permits and the accompanying su-
l''sion might we'll be committed to
~ se local authority. II has been suy-
3 mat the prweYs Of the commi,-
IN oe trsnsfer-ed TO the State De-
@.~hent Of Health. In any view, it
.,s, s nns appear TO me that separate
s'.I ~ department. is necessary to deal
IN -. snis subject.
s"s have Board of Port Wardens,
sn' 70 far AZ have been able u
gSh, performs no useful function.
,ss. r abolition has many times been
I.s.aamsnded. !. / recommend that they
ks, @.,olisned. not only 10 save expense,
=, iof me even stronger reason that
g.. sAAmI.c be get of not continuing
,s, position solely for It's political
g,...hss Office Of Superintendent Of
~ mad appropriations OF 1885,
III, .ast year. and requests $ais,9so
tIass.sar: ! SEQ no necessity for con-
uesXk mat department and recon =
s14 Iast 1t be abolished
ss.1ss Federal government 10 about
Hesi. V take over tho Department OF
q esa 4 vmcsr Of tho Port Of Nsw York,
sssn.r.ll r.ll not bs necessary 70 mako sp.
istlons therefor.
fasss2 AnDroprtat:ons Ysqusstsd this
~ publishing the lava and on