Evening star., 1939-06-12
Dr.. Smith Will Take
Stand Tomorrow
Al Custer Hearinq
Everett Testifies on
Conditions Under
Previous Regime

Conditions already in existence at
the National Training School for
Girls when Dr. Carrie Weaver
Smith became superintendent made
her job "a very difficult one" it was
testified today as public hearings on
DR.. Smiths dismissal as head of
the institution entered their fourth
week.
The hearing adjourned shortly
before noon until 2 pm. tomorrow
when DR.. Smith herself will take
the stand. DR.. Smith told the Com
missioners that she had two other
witnesses to call. She said she
would place their testimony in the
record before the hearing ended.
Ray H. Everett. executive secre-
tary of the Social Hygiene Society
of Washington, made the statement
in response to question by DR.
Smith. He said problems carried
over from the previous administra-
tion of the institution made DR.
Smiths job of management con-
siderably harder.
However, when asked by the FORM
er superintendent if he believed she
should be blamed for the misman-
agement of some one else, Mr.
Everett replied: We'll, we all know
that no matter who is at fault, the
blame falls upon whoever is in
charge"
In response to question concern
ing treatment of girls with abnor-
NAL tendencies, Mr. Everett said he
advocated "as productive of some
results" many of the theories en-
ployed by DR.. Smith, such as sex
hygiene, kindness, education, in
struction and personal conferences
Advocates Kindness.
AS general rule, he said, force
does little good in the treatment of
abnormal girls, but added that
kindness will not work with all
girls"
Inmates with active venereal in
fection who refused to take treat
ments should be locked up until
they are ready to submit to treat
ment, Mr.. Everett declared. Asked
by Assistant Corporation Counsel
Oliver Gasch whether he believed
girls with venereal infection should
be permitted to leave the institution
to work in private homes. Mr. Ever
EFT replied emphatically in the
negative.
1t has been testified at previous
hearings that infected girls were
given permission to leave the insti-
tuition to work as domestics in pri-
vate homes or to visit their own
homes.
The second witness at today
hearing, DR.. Thomas C. Thompson
director of the Social Hygiene Clinic
of the Health Department, admit
ted under questioning by DR.. Smith
that the clinic gives colored patients
permits to accept domestic work in
homes. However, he said, this is
permitted only where there are nc
children in the employer family.
Cautioned on Questions.
DR.. Smith attempted to ascertain
how many of the domestics placed
by the District Employment Center
are examined for venereal diseases
at the Health Department clinic, bu;
DR.. Thompson was unable to answer
the question. He testified that about
5000 women are treated in public
clinics each year, the daily average
varying from 200 to 1900, Of which
IS to 40 per cent are gonorrhea
cases.
At numerous times during today's
session, Dr. Smith was cautioned by
| the Commissioners to confine hel
question to the issue at hand, name.
ly her management of the Training
School. Mr.. Gasch warned that il
she continued to go off into othe,
| fields in her examination of wit.
nesses, this hearing will never
end"
Other witnesses heard today were
DR.. John E. Noble, bacteriologist ir
charge of the Health Department
laboratories; Mrs. Charles Weston
vice president of Voteless District Of
Columbia League of Women Voters
and the Rev. Charles Warner, pastor
of st. Adams Church.