Evening star., 1940-03-10
City Heads Criticized
In Report for Cutting
Institutions Funds
D'Alesondro Group Also
Hits Congress Members;
Offers Program
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NSOSsSf
Offers Program
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welfare institutions as a prelude to
the public hearings. None of the
members, however, has commented
publicly on their observations.
The report of the Public Health
Subcommittee was particularly crit
ical of the Commissioners for re-
ducing the estimates Of needs of the
institutions as outlined by the Board
Of Public Welfare, and pointed out
that in some instances the items
were further cut by the Budget
Bureau, and that the final appropri-
.ations approved by Congress repre-
sented further reductions.
"The net result over the years has
been" 1t declared, the needs of the
institutions as recommended by their
superintendents have not been met" J"
Commissioners Criticized.
The report also contains criticism
OF the Commissioners as well as
members of Congress for failing to
visit the institutions periodically and
becoming acquainted with existing
conditions.
The report was signed by all reg
ular members of the Public Health
Subcommittee except Representative
Bates, Democrat, of Kentucky, who
was not in the city and could not be
reached at the time of its compile
ton. Chairman Randolph of the
District Committee also signed it as
an ex-ofdcio member. The other
ex-officio member, Representative
Dirksen, Republican, Of Illinois could
not be reached for his signature.
The seven institutions visited by
Representative D'Alesandro were
listed In the report as follows: The
Reformatory at Lorton, the Work.
house at Occoquan, the jail, the
National Training School for Girls,
the Industrial Home School, the Dis
trict Training School at Laurel, Nd,
and the Industrial Home School for
Colored.
"At each institution the SUPER
mtendent and stan were interviewed
and the respective institutions an-
spected to determine the program,
the needs and the conditions pre-
vailing," said the report.
During the investigation the act
Ing chairman CMr. D'Alesandro) re-
ceived many letters of inquiry and
complaints. Matters in those COM
munications affecting the care of
inmates in the various institutions
are being cared for through arrange
ment with the director of public vel
fare.
Various organizations have sup
piled the subcommittee with ample
reports and suggestions and have
throughout the Investigation en-
phasized their desire to be helpful
Shocking Conditions Exist.
THE investigation has revealed
that shocking conditions exist at
many points, and at most institu-
tions conditions were found that
call for correction.
IN connection with each insti-
tuition the subcommittee found that
recommendations to the Board of
Commissioners by the Board Of
Public Welfare have generally been
reduced, both for personal services
and maintenance and capital ot1tr
lay. r. - s 81 81
I'm some instances some budget
estimates were further reduced. by
the Bureau Of the Budget, and IN
many instances the final appropria-
tions, approved by Congress, repre-
sented further reductions.
The net result over the years has
been that the needs of the insti-
tutions as recommended by their
superintendents and the Board of
Public Welfare have not been met.
THE committee found that the
members of Congress and the Board
OF Commissioners over long period
OF years have rarely visited these
institutions and therefore have not
become directly acquainted with the
conditions and needs at the institu-
tions.
Staff Not Adequate.
Generally speaking, the stats at
the institutions are not adequate in
number to render good service, the
maintenance funds are inadequate
and funds for repair and building
extensions have not been sufficient
to keep pace with the growth OF the
National Capital and the needs OF
the inmates. Within the funds that
are available the superintendent OF
the institutions have been render
Ing notable service.
THE investigation discloses that
the Board of Public Welfare has
been aware of the unsatisfactory
conditions and had repeatedly made
recommendations in its annual
budget requests to meet these needs
OF staff, maintenance and buildings
"The committee further has
found that various studies and sur
veys by experts have been made and
the findings calling for improved
service presented to the Board OF
Public Welfare and the Board OF
Commissioners.
1T Is clear, therefore, that the
mounting needs of the welfare in
stitutions of the District of Colum-
bia have been known to public well
fare officials and that recommends
tions to meet them have been made