The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-12-28
Jeffrey Defends Work of
Charity Department
Continual from Page One

speaking Oh Vllc lceplS-lllliiu|N
problem he said: During the term
we have investigated 80 cases, A.
of whom have been committed
The problem of caring for the
mental defective is one of growing
importance if not of the greatest
importance among those that con-
front our state, for unless the fee
ble-minded are segregated or tax
en- under proper supervision and
care we cannot hope to reduce
mental deficiency, juvenile delin-
quency and adult criminality. The
offspring of the Predetermined are
in most cases, unplaceable. They
fill our almshouses and charitable
institutions, our iails and prisons
and become a most serious burden
to our city and town poor relief
agencies"
In the child care work of this
important department of govern
ment 100 children ere cared fol-
under Mothers Aid law. A brief
summary of the child care work
was given as follows:
On July list, 1920 there were:
Children on care (Support) 70
Children committed during the
term 1T.
First total 1877.
Children given by adoption %
Children discharged by order OF
courts l.
Children committed to Brandon
Children committed to Vergen-
mes 7.
Children placed in free homes 95
Second total 1876.
June 30th, 1922 there were:
Children on care (supporD 81
Number of committed children
given surgical or medical care
during term S8.
Number of non-committed child
rem given surgical or medical care
during term SO.
Number of visits to committed
children during the term 1917.
Homes Investigated in which to
place children 143.
Speaking of the Shelter Home
kinStcad, he said that No 219 of
the acts of 1921 authorized the
Board of Charities and Probation
to provide and equip a shelter
home where dependent and neg
lected children committed to its
care may receive physical and
mental examination and care be-
fore being placed in private fam
lilies and homes.
Generously disposed citizens Of
Montpelier friends of the children
offered to raise the necessary
funds to purchase and donate to
the State the seven acre site upon
which the building is situated.
This offer was accepted and work
was begun. AS the building neared
completion it was found that the
appropriation would be exhausted
before completion and it was nee
essary to omit cementing the base
ment, basement partitions and a
part of the plumbing and with
these omissions tAere were still no
funds available Tor the equipment
of the building Again the gener-
ously disposed friends and organ
izations came to their assistance
and with modest valuation upon
the site $4,000 about $4,000 was
donated so that the basement was
finished and all equipment and
furnishings of every kind, together
with the play apparatus, was
bought, and a 36 by 20 foot play
pavilion was erected and all bills
paid. The Board Is able to report
the completion of about $4,000
worth of property for the state
upon an appropriation of $4,000.
The building was completed and
opened on April 9Th, 1922, for the
reception of such dependent, neg
lected children as snail be com
mitted to its care by the courts.
Mr.. Jeffrey very effectively ans
wered the criticism which has been
heard regarding the even increas-
ing expenses of his department
when he called attention to the
fact that the money paid to his de
partment by probationers and pa
rollers is passed on to the State
Treasurer and then paid out under
the order of the court is charged
to his account as expenditures,
when as a matter of fact, it is only
a trust fund and has no bearing
on the appropriation.
In closing his address he gave