Evening star., 1942-06-10

handled by Q paid staff. He praised
the work and qualifications Of We'll
fare Director Conrad Van Hyning.
Critical of the present system, he
said that responsibility and author
ity ought to 60 either all to the
Commissioners or all to somebody
else.
Commissioner Young told the SUBJ
committee that during his two years
as Commissioner the Board of Pub
Lie Welfare had never worked in
cooperation with the Commits
sioners."
Whenever anything goes wrong"
he said. the criticism is always
aimed at us. You never hear from
the Welfare Board. I don't know
where they are. The only time I
hear from them is when they want
money. I think We can do a better
job and as long as We have the re-
sponsibility we may as well have
the authority"
Ready to Cooperate.
DR.. Crosson said three welfare
committees are meeting constantly
and ready to cooperate with any
body. He said there was frequent
di1iculty in obtaining audiences
with the Commissioners, either be-
cause they were too busy" or
sometimes out Of town.
Asked about conditions at the
Blue Plains Home for the Aged,
which have been criticized during
the last two years, Dr. Crosson said
the institution was once a prize
establishment and that in recent
years efforts have been made by
the board annually to- get money
to do something about conditions
there. but without results.
He predicted nothing would have
been done at Blue Plains had it
not been for the the interest of
certain "high-placed lady" and
said he didn't notice anybody else
weeping over the conditions of the
aged until that time. He was re-
ferring to Mrs. Roosevelt. who a
year ago or so paid a visit to the
Blue Plains institution.
Has the board done everything
within its power to meet condi-
tions?" asked Mr.. Hunter.
More than that" replied DR..
Crosson. "Its been prophetic"
He said the board had recon-
mended and sought an adequate
home for seniles for IL years.
Board Members Testify.
Other members of the board to
testify included Mrs. Frank A. Lin
Zel, Mrs. Milton King, A. j. Driscoll
and John r. Pinckett. Board
Chairman Frederick w. Mercy
nolds was reported Ill and unable
to attend.
Board members agreed that the
present organization is not salts
factory, but in most instances felt
a better solution could be worked
out than the proposed bill calls for.
AvAA' ~ AoNoAA c066SctCo tiidt tIlC
Commissioners have the appointive
power Of the director of public wei
fare.
Mrs Walter S. Ufford of the Dis
trict Legislative Council reviewed
the situation leading up to the crea-
ton of the Board of Public Welfare
In 1926. She said there was con-
sideration then of a plan to make
the Board advisory, but there was
opposition to the proposal by District
citizens who wished to take part as
much as possible in the Government
over which they have no direct con-
troll. She emphasized she was
speaking only for herself and not
for her organization.
DR.. Thomas E. Mattingly of the
District Medical Society reported on
a study Of 1,100 cases made here by
the society which he said indicated
need for a change in the present
"haphazard" arrangements for deal
ing with the underprivileged. He
also emphasized the importance of
giving the voteless citizens a chance
to take part in District government.