Evening star., 1946-01-18
DC. Heads Ask RuIinq|
On Right TO Authorize
Receiving Home Plan

awaiting ruling by Corporation
Counsel Vernon West on whether
they have authority to approve a
revised plan for new Receiving
Home for Children over the objec-
ton of the Board of Public Welfare
Meeting behind closed doors, the
city heads late yesterday considered
plans for the s285 900 project which
have been revised by the municipal
architect to cut down the capacity
and provide more segregation of de-
linquents from nondelinquents than
original plans approved by the
welfare board. The latter plans were
ready to be advertised for bids last
November.
Commissioner Guy Mason said
after the session that a decision
would not be made before Tuesday
pending Mr.. Vests investigation.
For 86 Inmates.
The revised plan calls for three
story building for SO inmates, with
reserve of four rooms to be used
for communicable disease cases or,
in an emergency, for overflow in
mates. Delinquents would be housed
on the first two floors and nonede-
linquents on the third floor. Segre-
gated play and eating facilities are
also contemplated
Earlier this week the welfare
board rejected the plan on the
ground that it would increase oper-
ating costs and was less flexible than
the plan the board approved. This
would have provided for 96 inmates,
mostly in dormitories.
Possibility also remained that a
further change might be made to
eliminate the proposed third floor
and build separate building for
nondelinquents. Assistant Engineer
Commissioner Joseph D. Arthur,
jr., said elimination of the third floor
might save S50,000 in construction
costs, which could be applied to a
building for nondelinquents.
Commissioner Power Limited.
The legal angle which Mr.. West is
to explore, stems from the fact that
in the case of personnel appoint
ments, the Commissioners may re-
ject any recommendation initiated
by the board but may not make
substitute recommendation. The sit
uation was brought pointedly to the
fore several years ago when the
board recommended Ray L. Huff for
the vacant position of welfare direc-
tor. The Commissioners, however,
wanted Paul Edwards, then chief of
District WPA. The board refused to
nominate Mr.. Edwards and the
Commissioners refused to appoint
Mr.. Huff, with the result that a
compromise candidate, Conrad Van
Hyning, was given the job. The
question is whether the same situa-
tion prevails in the case of construc-
tion.
Meanwhile, Col. Arthur yesterday
told conference of social workers
there has been no actual delay in
construction of the home because of
failure to advertise bids in Novem-
ber. Winter weather would keep
much progress from being made, he
said, adding that asking for bids in
the spring may result in a lower
estimate of cost if building condi-
tions become more settled in the
next few weeks.
Wash Hands of Delay.
The board has washed its hands
OF any responsibility for delay in
the home unless the bids are asked
at once on the original plan.
Progress on the original plan was
halted by Commissioner Mason
and Engineer Commissioner Gordon
r. Young when the group of social
workers, headed by Mrs. Eugene
Meyer, wife of the publisher of the
Washington Post, entered their OBJ
jections.
Mrs. Meyer said today the new
plans are almost complete and will
be in final form before March /.
She added they would provide for
SO children, "only four less than the
plans of the Welfare Board" and
pointed out that Judge Fay Bentley
Of Juvenile Court has stated a ca
lpacity of so would be adequate.
She blamed overcrowding on the
Welfare Board and charged that the
board, at the request of the Police
Department, is Illegally OBTAINING
children for more than "a hours be-
fore turning them over to the Ju-
venile Court.
"The law says clearly that the
cases of these children should be
investigated Immediately" Mrs.
Meyer said. "The Commissioners
now have requested the Welfare
Board to see that this law is en-
| forced"
Contesting the boards argument
that the new plan you'd require more
personnel, Mrs. Meyer pointed out
that the board also has claimed that
its plan would provide just as much
segregation. Therefore, the prob
lens OF administration are Identical
and would require the same person.
pei, she replied.