Evening star., 1923-06-09
GUARDIANS BOARD STANDS
FIRM ON HOMES FOR WARDS

and that Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Gros-
yenor and DIR. Warfield were opposed.
The action of the board in thus
demanding the agents resignation
was taken reluctantly and after it
had been assured by members sup
posedly in the confidence of the
agent that she did not intend to re-
sign at present and after the subject
had been discussed with her by the
President and one other member with
like result.
Criticism Explained.
Criticism of the board and it's
work has been growing in volume
Ior very much more. than a year.
These criticisms, except as to the
closing of the Industrial Home School,
nave been more against administra-
tive methods than against policies.
indeed, there is not now and has not
been in recent years any divergence
Board of Childrens' Guardians as to
placing children in homes rather
than in institutions, but ii has long
been apparent that some improve
ment in administrative methods and
in the details of the boards work
was necessary. This necessity has
become so apparent since the legisla-
tion of February last and the re-
organization of the board as to be
TO longer ignored, and il has seemed
to majority of the board, that the
Improvement could be brought about
only by change OF it's executive
officer
All intelligent people concede that a
home is better for a child than an in
stitution, but many including ma
1ority, II not all of the present board,
do not subscribe TO the doctrine that
any home Is better than any institu-
tion. They think good institution is
better than a poor home.
~
against the board last summer pro-
ceeded upon the assumption that all
the homes it had selected were bad
and that the situation would be com
pletely remedied by placing l25 of its
$500 wards in the Industrial Home
School. On the other hand, now that
the board intends to make a rational
use OF the school, in accordance with
the will of Congress. the criticism has
shifted, and the extreme advocates of
the private home policy. including
most of the so-cailed trained social
workers." are apparently greatly dis
turbed at the thought that the board,
by placing a few of its wards tenn
porarily and until good private homes
can be found. in a school whose total
capacity is about 1e5. has turned its
back upon the private home policy
and intends. as was stated in a recent
article, to "confine its wards in insti-
tutions." One criticism was AS unfair
as the other. In the unfortunate con-
troyersy concerning the Industrial
Home School. the zeal of the majority
of the board of chldrens guardians,
as then constituted, to remove all
children from that institution imme-
diately, was so great that ii Is prob
able that some mistakes were made
in the selection of homes.
Removed Friction.
II represented to the committees on
appropriations of the House and SEN
ate that the conditions as il existed
prior to February last. with the
school under the control or q sepa-
rate board, was an impossible one.
j do not know whether this state
ment had any influence upon Con-
gress or not At any rate, Congress
undertook to remove the friction by
placing the school under the direct
control of the Board of Children s
Guardians. and clearly expressed its
intention that il should be operated
by making full appropriations for its
support. Congress, the public, the
press and the Commissioners of the
District Of Columbia and trained So
Cial work. ers need have no misgivings
as to dissensions in the board. Six
of it's members are in complete &C
cord as to policies and adruinistra-
tive methods and 1t seems fair to