The Washington herald., 1922-07-12
CHILDREN EARNED
TOHOME IN SLUMS,
PROBERS DECLARE
Board Housed Eight to
Ten Charity Wards in
Dilapfdated Dwelling.
CRUELTY CHARGED
Neighbors Claim Tots Were
Left in Care of Girl
Of IA.

One Of the most deplorabIe in
stances OF child farming yet re-
vssled was reported yesterday by
Independent Investigators of board.
ing homes used by the Board OF
Children's Guardians.
The home in question is a six.
room dilapidated frame dwelling in
one of the poorest sections OF
southeast Washington. An Hitter.
ate woman. physically incapacitat-
ed. presides over the home, accord
ing to the Investigators.
Income of $500 a Month.
From information gathered yes.
terday II is believed that the home
Is typical OF a number of money
making institutions, run by agents
OF the Board of Lhildren's Guardians.
Eight to ten children. netting a
monthly income of from 5000 to
$500 per month, il is declared, were
kept at this home.
When first questioned the woman
in charge said that she had never
mad more than four children from
the Board of Guardians at a time
Neighbors said yesterday tina,
when there were ten children at the
nome the woman in charge fTe-
quently would go away for the day
leaving the babies and smaller chill
dren in care Of a 14-year-old girl
At times, II was asserted. the Gus
todians would not return home un-
III or 10 o'clock at night, leav-
ing the children without meals.
In addition to a fragrant neglect
OF wards, IL was declared by resi-
dents in the vicinity that question
able parties. in which the partici-
pants remained all night, were held
at the home.
stories Of cruelty. in which a man
at the home slapped a crying child
clean through the door" were told.
Netghbors related how a little girl
ran crying after her foster father
as he went out the front door, and
ne Is said to have knocked her back
INTO the house because she screamed.
The landlady at this home said
that she had been keeping children
for the Board of Children's Guar
dians for years. Strong in defense
OF their activities. she declared that
they were most attentive to the
children's welfare.
While there was no way OF verify
ing all reports concerning the home.
Its appearance and location indicate
that the Board OF Guardians had
gone to the slum sections of Wash
lnston to find homes for its wards.
Practically all of the homes in the
section have the appearance of
being poverty stricken. Groups of
dragged children. watched over by
faded men and women. play in the
Ftreets.
Await Report of Committee.
A member of the Board of Chill
bren's Guardians recently explained
hat the reason homes in such sec
ions were used is that they are bet
Ter than the homes from which chill
3ren are taken. In following this
3olicy the Guardians. il was ex-
tlained. feel that a service has been
Rendered when a child is taken from
1.-THE dregs of society" and placed
home one grade higher.
Final disposition of the charities
roblem. IT is believed. will not be
pade until after the District
commissioners receive report
rom their investigating committee
Thirty homes have been visited so
ar. Daniel Garges, head of the COM
hfttee, said yesterday. The fnvestf-
ators, IL Is stated. will not attempt
o visit all of the 200 homes used by
he Board of Guardians as board
hg homes"