Evening star., 1940-02-16
D. {. Receiving Home
Is Far From IdeaI,'
u. 5. Expert Finds
Space Is Greatest Need,
Visitor From Children's
Bureau Discovers
Pictures on Page A-5.)

A fresh indictment of condi-
tions at the Districts Receiving
Home for Children came today from
a United States Children's Bureau
expert assigned to make a survey
for the Public Health Subcommittee
Of the House District Committee.
Miss Elsa Castendyck, director of
the bureaus delinquency division,
described conditions at the home as
"far from ideal after making a
detailed inspection this morning.
THE home is frightfully over
crowded and sadly lacking in rec
reational space" she told Grady
H Leonard, superintendent, who es-
corted her through the four story
structure, formerly an apartment
house.
Beds Too Close Together.
Miss Castendyck was particularly
critical Of the setup in the sleeping
quarters. In one room for colored
boys. she noted there were IL beds,
some Of them pushed flush against
the others. In another room there
were IA beds.
This setup is far below the stand
ards we set for such institutions,
she remarked. ''The beds should be
at least ID inches apart"
Mr.. Leonard explained, however,
that it was impossible to do this
because of the limited amount of
space. At times. he told Miss Cas-
tendyck, part of the lone recrea-
tional room must be utilized as
sleeping quarters.
Miss Castendyck declared she
considered the building far from
adequate and commented that
more outside play space should be
provided.
Superintendent Agrees.
She asked Supt. Leonard what he
considered his major problems. He
said lack of space for recreational
activities and lack of facilities for
segregation Of children.
Asked to comment further, Miss
Castendyck said she preferred to
wait until she has prepared her re-
port for Chairman D'Alesandro of
the Public Health Subcommittee
She said she might pay another visit
to the institution, but that that
would depend on the wishes of the
subcommittee. She is scheduled to
appear before the committee when
it begins its investigation of the
Receiving Home next Tuesday.
Miss Castendyck was accompanied
on her tour today by Miss Alice
Scott Mutt, assistant director of the
delinquency division.
Penal Inquiry Planned.
Conditions in District penal in
sittutions also are to be investigated
by the Public Health Subcommittee,
Chairman D'Alesandro announced
earlier today.
The subcommittee virtually has
completed its inquiry into condi-
tions at the Home for the Aged and
Inf1rm at Blue Plains.
Il have heard a lot of reports
about overcrowding at the District
Reformatory and Workhouse," said
Representative D'Alesandro, "and
propose to look into conditions at
these institutions before my sub
committee prepares its report"
May Wait 10 Days.
He indicated it would be another
week or 10 days before the subcom-
mittee starts an investigation at
Lorton and Occoquan, Va.
The subcommittee will hold its
next meeting Tuesday at 10:30 am.
at which time it proposes to call
Miss Fay L. Bentley, judge Of the
juvenile court. Mr.. Leonard and
Robert E. Bondy, director of public
welfare. also are to be witnesses. Mr..
Bondy testified earlier in the week
and recommended replacement of
] the nreSent receiving home