Putnam patriot., 1930-04-24

sonal interest in them and we like to do all we can to help these poor. help less and unfortunate children, so great care must be taken to see that these children are not exploited by families who ask for them only to make servants of them. or who want them only Cor the board money which is paid them, and in either case are not too solicitous of their welfare or treatment. It Is ridiculous to assume that the commissioners desire above any other thing to keep the children confined at the home Much to the contrary we are only too glad to place them in private families once we are satisfied that the proper con ditions and motive exist.
 Not Turned Loose
 After a child has reached the age of eighteen, we have no longer any authority over it. But that does not mean that we discharge them sum marily and turn them loose into the world. so to speak. without any place to go to. Quite the contrary. We do not discharge them until we are satis- fled that they have some definite and suitable pace 10 which they may go. As rule, however, very few of the children remain in the home until they reach eighteen. In the rare in- stances where it has occurred. there was some particular reason which made placement inadyisable.
 "The present institution consists of a three-stOry frame main building, barn and outbuildings. It has sixty five acres of land. The main building was erected in 1899, to replace the structure destroyed by fire. The buildings are in good condition. We maintaln a herd of cattle sufficient to supply the home with fresh and whole some milk and butter. We also raise vegetables in considerable quantities, none of which are sold. but used to supply the table with fresh vegetables. Occasionally we have been obliged to buy some vegetables but as a rule We have raised a supply sufficient to meet the needs at the home. We also keep a flock of poultry which supplies the home with fresh eggs although not in sufficient quantities to satisiy the hungry youngsters. The work in con nection with the activities is of course, in charge of the superinten- dent. The older boys help him con siderably and they seem to enjoy it. Me aim to keep the boys busy but We are careful not to oyerwork them,Abe- ing sure to give them reasonable amount of time to play, etc. In the same manner the girls assist with the work about the home. They like 1t, 1t keeps them busy, helps to keep them out of mischief; it is healthful and at the same tune they learn some thing useful.
 Own Water Supply
 Due to it's location, the home has of necessity it's own water supply. Under ordinary conditions there Is an abundance of water and the supply is plentiful for all needs. However, last summer, due to an unusual and severe period of drought, We were somewhat handicapped. This was a condition which was as unforeseen as 1t was un- expected. It cannot be said to have been a prevailing condition because, as 1 stated before. we always had an abundance of water for all purposes Nor can 1t be said to nave been local to the home because similar, if not worse, conditions, during the same period, existed practically every where in the regions affected by the drought. lt will be recalled that whole communities, who. as a rule had an abundance of water, expe- rienced at that time serious water shortage requiring drastic measures. Naturally this caused us grave con- cern. and while similar conditions may not recur. we realized the pos sibiiities and immediately formulated plans. which we intend to put into ex- ecution at once. for an adequate reserve water supply, to protect us against such a contingency in the fu- ture.
 Fire Escapes
 '.The home has always been equip ped with fire escapes which had met with official sanction as complying with requirements. Nevertheless, in line with improvements which we had sometime since planned for the home, new fire escapes, the layout and de- sign of which have been submitted to and approved by the office of the state fire marshal. are being erected at the home at cost of several thou sand dollars.
 "There is night supervisor on