Evening star., 1924-11-16
GUARDIANS BOARD
SOL|C|TS SUPPORT
Explains Funds Shortage
Handicap in Plea to Gov
/ ernment and People.

Calling upon the people Of the Dis
trict of Columbia and the Govern
ment to assist financially the under
taking entailed in the case OF the
children of the District, the Board of
ChildrenS Guardians yesterday made
public a statement that contains re
narkable facts and indicates the many
bandicaps which the organization has to
overcome with "a small. underpaid
staff That the workers of the board
dre doing their utmost to better the
Ewing conditions of the children and
TO care for the work that several or
xanizations assume in other cities. Is
Avidenced by the figures in the state
nent.
: There are 1900 children under the
supervision of the organization. The
officials declare that unless they are
given adequate appropri ations by
Congress, and are assisted by the
District residents, they will be handi-
capped greatly. The local organiza
ton has comparatively small staff
TO handle the duties that are cared
for in other cities by such organiza-
tonS as the Society for the Preven-
ton Of Cruelty to Children. a chill
dren aid society and a child-caring
society. Statements given out by the
throughout the country are included
in the report of the local group. and
1t is made plain that the District or
ganization suffers in comparison of
results obtained because OF the lack
Of funds to maintain n staff COM
Inensurate with the needs of the chill
dren for whom they are TO care.
Activities Arc shown.
Tn the field of child protection the
local board has investigated since its
founding, in 1892. 15,1s5 complaints.
Involving more than 10000 children.
SIS child-caring organization, the
local officials have attended TO 5.237
boys and girls. Temporary care for
3,939 children, pending readjustment
ar correction of delinquent tenden.
cies. is another feature OF the work
done by the local organization. The
staff has supervised ASS mentally de-
fective children, who were provided
for and trained as we'll as the funds
of the organization would permit.
One supervisor and three case
workers devote their entire time to
child protective work. Another super
visor and another case worker busy
them mselves in home-tinding. OF to-
tai of Is case workers and three
supervisors. there are but IL workers
supervise the city's wards. the num-
bcr of whom totaled 2,O4J during the
past year.
The staff of The organization IS
underpaid, and the fact that this staff
was forced to work $3.50 hours over
time during the past year is sufficient
proof that many assistants are need
cd. according to the statement of the
board
Had the organization funds suf1i-
cient to engage the proper number
OF case workers for most of the cases
that come under the heading of in
Nestigation and advice" no serious
social disorder would Have developed,
1t is contended.
Little Care Possible.
The board officials declare that they
arc charged with the duty of investi-
eating every reported case which in
vUlres cruelty, neglect or destitu
rton, and that the funds at hand make
Dussihls in many instances only a
superficial investigation that has an
undesirable effect both on the wards
Of the city and the people in gem
eral.
Miss Merle E Mcmahon. director
OF Children's Bureau of Delaware, is
quoted by the local officials as hav-
desirable results will be obtained
only when each worker has no more
than 55 children to care for. 1t is
asserted that this statement is in
Keeping with logic and good sense
IN Washin gton the workers have han
died l65 cases each. This, it is said,
results in a condition that almost
defeats the workings of the board.
AS a final argument for added ap-
propriation the officials of the local
board declare that millions of dol
lars are spent annually in the prose-
cution of crime and the support and
3Fgreg ga ton of undesirables. Were
the cities to pay d small fraction
Of that amount in making possible
tle proper education and the chang
ing of environment for children, such
\ vast expenditure would be unneces-,
sary and the results would be ap-
preciated by all concerned, the work
ors declared.