The Washington herald., 1922-06-15
INDUSTRIAL HOME
MAY Be RETAINED
BY CHARITY HOME
Jealousy Between School
And Guardians Will Be
Smoothed Out.

That the Wisconsin Avenue In
dustrial Home School will not be
abandoned. but will be retained as
a receiving home for wards OF the
Board Of Children's Guardians was
the belief expressed yesterday by
those in close touch with District
officials and members of the guard
ians board.
This prediction Is based not only
upon the knowledge that at least
two of the Commissioners are op-
posed to closing the home. but also
upon the attitude of the guard ans
themselves. A canvass Of board
members reveals that there is a
feeling among the guardians that
the Wisconsin avenue institution
can be used as a receiving home.
While members were reluctant to
commit themselves, II was ind :
Gated that this use OF the home
would be acceptable provided the
laws and rules governing relations
between the home and the guard
ians could be clarified.
Cite Need for Home.
lS thaN III
nual report the guardians cite the
need for a receiving home. Because
of years of alleged friction be-
tween the home and the board. IL
was learned, the use of that insti-
tuition as a receiving home has
been abandoned This. II is stated
led to the announcement that the
home would be abandoned July !.
Charges of slavery" among chill
dren. IT is said. have resulted from
the policy of farming out children
in small institutions. This practice.
1t is explained. is employed by the
guardians because they do not re-
gard the Wisconsin avenue institu-
tion as a receiving home.
However. 1t Is believed that
clear definition of authority would
eliminate whatever friction that
may exist. II this is done. MEM
bers of the Board of Guardians in
dicate that there would be no OBJ
lection to the Industrial school be-
ing used as a receiving home.
"Patchwork of Legislation.
That the laws governing the
Board of Charities and subsidiary
organizations. including the Board
of Guardians. constitute a patch
work of legislation" and are re-
sponsible for prevailing conditions
is the opinion of Investigators. The
Board Of Charities. II Is shown, is
appointed by the President. AL
though this body exercises a meas
ure of control over the Board of
Guardians. the latter is appointed
by police judges. Up to this time,
it is stated. the relation that these
bodies bear to the Commissioners
has not been determined. Such
leaves the Board of Guar
dians' controlling authority in doubt.
investigators say.
Added to this confusion, 1t is
pointed out, the Industrial Home
School is controlled by the Board of
Trustees appointed by the Commits
sioners. while wards placed in the
school are under authority of the
Guardians. Complications resulting
lieved. account for alleged improper
care of wards placed in care of Dis
trict agents.
No Announcement Made.
No announcement was made as to
the action taken at a meeting of the
Board Of Guardians yesterday.
Members refused to comment on
any phase of the controversy. A
meeting of the Board OF Guardians
will be held this afternoon at the
District Building. Mrs. Whitman
Cross. chairman of an investigating
committee, which has been investi-
eating conditions in paid homes
to which wards of the Guardians
are sent, will make a report It Is
expected that recommendations to
the Commissioners as to disposition
OF the Industrial Home School will
be based on this report.
Use of the Institution as a receiv-
ing home. it Is believed. would allow
children to receive care under spe-
cialized attendants until perma-
nent home could be found for them.
1t is also pointed out that use Of
this home would avoid the crowded
conditions found in homes in which
ten to twenty-five children are
Harmed out" awaiting permanent
placement.