Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-21
Efficiency Chief Recommends
Removal of Youngsters
From Women's Bureau.
VIGOROUS FIGHT LOOMS
BEFORE COMMISSIONERS
Union Station Plaza Building Held
Suitable for Housing
Juveniles.

A recommendation that the control
of children under II years of age ar.
rested by the police or held pending
investigation be transferred from the
Women's Bureau of the Police De-
partment to the Board of Public We'll
fare was made to the District Com
missioners today by Herbert d.
Brown, chief of the United States Bu-
reau of Efficiency.
That the bureaus recommendation
will stir up smoldering fires at the
District Building was apparent
Foreseeing in Mr.. Browns recon-
mendations another attempt to ulti-
mately wrest the control of the House
of Detention from the Women's Bu-
reau of the Police Department, Lieut..
Nina c. Van Wrinkle is expected to
make vigorous fight against adop-
ton of the plan. The Commissioners
have directed her to confer with them
tomorrow morning at IL o'clock. Mr..
Brown and his assistants also will
attend this conference, which will be
held in the Office of Commissioner
Proctor l.. Dougherty.
Former recommendations Recalled
While Mrs. Van Wrinkle declined to
comment on Mr.. Browns recommen,
dations, persons in close touch with
her work pointed out that at least five
attempts have been made to change
the jurisdiction over the House of De.
tention since its establishment 27
years ago. The Women's Bureau has
prided itself on its operation of the
House of Detention. Mr.. Browns
plans, 1t was said, would not accom-
pllsh anything except a removal and
an additional expense and set up a
dual control over the children.
Mr.. Brown recommended further
that the balance Of the appropriation
now used to maintain the House of
Detention be transferred to the Board
of Public Welfare and used to main
tain suitable receiving home for these
children and that this home be located
temporarily in the RS Building of the
Government Hotels. on the Union Sta
tion Plaza, which the Housing Corpo-
ration has offered to rent for $4,000
q year.
As an alternative to these recommen.
datlons Mr.. Brown suggested that the
Police Department instead of the
Building for the housing of the chill
dren. but the management of the home
be placed under the director of public
welfare. In either case, he pointed
out, the children would be separated
from adults held at the House of De-
tention.
Mr.. Browns Letter.
Mr.. Brown made his recommended
tions in a letter which followed several
conferences with the Commissioners,
at which the problem of rehousing the
Women's Bureau of the Police Depart
ment and the House of Detention,
which are to be forced out of the
Pennsylvania avenue Mall triangle by
the building program, was considered.
The communication follows:
LAS requested am outlining briefly
our suggestions with reference to the
maintenance of suitable place for
the reception and detention of children
under II years of age arrested
by the police or held as witnesses
pending final investigation or examina-
ton or otherwise in the District of
Columbia.
1T is recommended ~ that the
balance of the appropriation of $31, ,74D
now used to maintain the House of
Detention be transferred to the Board
of Public Welfare and used to MAIN
tain suitable receiving home for
the care of children apprehended by
the police, or temporarily held pend
ing investigation or examination or
otherwise by the Juvenile Court or
the Board of Public Welfare, and only
for children under II years of age:
and (2) that in view of the immediate
need of finding new quarters for such
now confined in the House Of
Detention and the approaching need
for finding other quarters for such
now housed at the Industrial
Home School, it is recommended that
the Board of Public Welfare accept
the offer of the Housing Corporation
to permit the use of the RS Building
of the Government Hotels on payment
at the rate of $4,000 per annum for
heat, water and other service, and
the building into such a re-
ceiving home.
Alternative Suggestions.
"As an alternative to these recon-
tions. your consideration is in
vited to the following suggestions:
ID That the Police Department ac-
cept the offer of the Housing Corpora
ton to permit the use of the RS Build.
ing of the Government Hotels on pay.
ment at the rate of $4,000 per annum
for heat. water and other service for
a receiving home for children under
IL years Of age apprehended by the
police or temporarily held pending in
vestigation or. examination or other
wise by the Juvenile Court or the
Board of Public Welfare; and (2) that
he Board of Public Welfare be in
vited to organize a proper staff to
manage said home under direction of
he director of public welfare. the
expenses of both maintaining such a
nome and its proper staff to be paid
or out of the balance of the appro-
'riation of $31, ,74O now used to main
ain the House of Detention.
In either case it is recommended
hat the Woman's Bureau police sta
ion be separated from the place de-
signed for the reception and deten-
ion of children under II years Of
Ige and that the expense of maintain
ng such a Woman's Bureau police
tation be betrayed from the appropri.
Ition for the Police Department.
THE reasons for these recommenda-
ions, which we have carefully out
med to you, will be ubmitted at
ater date. The purpose Of this
communication Is to request your i'm.
Mediate consideration of these pro-
'osals in order that the necessary ar.
may be made to under
AXE such changes at the earliest pos
ible date"
Soon after Mr.. Browns letter was
eceived at the District Building the
referred 1t to the
uditor's office to ascertain II the
louise of Detention appropriation
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