Evening star., 1924-05-16
WELFARE AGENCIES
CONTROL PLAN is HIT
Paternalistic Tendency Objection
of Speakers Before Legisla-
tion Body.
LICENSING rs FAVORED
Catholic Charities Officials Op.
poses Arbitrary Powers.

Although there was no opposi ton
to the suggestion for licensing pri-
vate welfare agencies in the District.
there was objection to the administra-
tive control which might be assumed
arbitrarily by a licensing agency, at
the public hearing of the welfare
legislation commission yesterday
afternoon in the District building
boardroom. Opponents based argu-
ments on the fact that such control
would tend toward paternalism in
government and too great a centrali-
zation of authority, which might be
in conflict with the ideals of a democ-
racy.
Frank r. Weller. vice president of
the Catholic Charities organization,
first opened this line of thought.
Stating that he felt licensing would
be wandering far afieId" of Ameri-
can ideals. he warned that arbitrary
assumption of investigative powers
by the board supervising licensing
be unfair to instituti tions doing much
good. He admitted that there was
much to be corrected in some lines
of private welfare work, but he ad-
rective measure.
Wary of Power Involved.
Mrs. Davis M. Lea, president of the
board of lady managers of the Epis-
copal Home for Children, stated that
she had personally no objection to
licensing of an institution such as
she represented, but would feel wary
of some outsiders with all the good
Intentions laying down principles for
procedure in the home, where those
in charge know what is best needed.
ct do not agree with any law" she
said, (which will give public board
power to regulate and supervise our
institutions"
Rev. DIR. John A. O'Grady, repre-
Senting Catholic charities, told the
commission that he was not taking
sides. but urged broad and careful
licensing. He said licensing: could
mean almost anything, but that he
felt the proposals were not well
shaped enough as yet for him to
speak to the point
After Joseph D. Sullivan, attorney
and member of the commission, had
interjected questions relative to
whether any disclosures had been
made Of treatment of children in pri-
vate institutions to show the need of
licensing, Mrs. Lyman 8. Swormstedt,
presiding, replied in the affirmative.
giving the story of a child who had
been covered with welts by beatings
for a minor infraction of rules.
Demand for Control.
william Hodson, expert consultant
of the commission, told the hearing
that the reason for the proposals to
license private welfare institutions
had been based upon representations
made to him by numerous citizens OF
the District. He cited scathing re-
port by the grand jury on private
boarding homes, which recommended
TO the District Commissioners some
definite action in bringing such insti-
tutions under public control.
Justice Siddons told persons at the
hearing that blanket approval OF any
= bill the commission might draft was
not being sought. He added that he
felt. however, that no institution
which derives financial support from
the public has any right to say that
The public has not proper interest In
the conduct of the institution.
Explaining the status OF the pro-