Evening star., 1947-04-29
Young Is Requested
70 Supply Present
And Future Plans
By John W. Thompson, Jr.


Representative Koran, Eepubli-
can, OF Washington, today asked the
District Commissioners for an Of
hcisl report on the immediate and
long range plans for the Receiving
Home for Children. .
In letter to Commissioner John
Russell Young, he said he had only
the information contained in press
accounts Of these plans and sug-
sested report to "the proper con-
gressional committees"
Mr.. Horan's letter was a reply to
. letter from Commissioner Young
earlier this month following an
investigation of conditions at the
Receiving Home by his staff.
Investigation Recalled.
The Investigators walked in on q
small riot at the home. Their re-
port, forwarded by Mr.. Horan to
the city heads, touched of plans to
transfer the children to other ac-
conlmodations.
About 40 non-delinquent children
will be transferred in about a week
to the Rapid Treatment Center at
Gallinger Hospital, the Welfare
Board decided Friday. The board
hopes to transfer them again this
summer to buildings at Jolly Acres,
near Laurel. Md, until a new home
ts built. 49,.
The Jolly Acres structure formerly
was the site of the National Junior
Republic The Commissioners have
q $4,000 appropriation to repair
buildings there.
The IS children classed as "delin-
quents" will remain at the home,
but not In the building criticized as
. fire trap, board officials said.
Didn't Order Closing.
Mr.. Horan. chairman of the House
Appropriations District Subcom-
mittee soon to begin hearings on the
1s4s District budget, told the Com
n1issioners today he wanted to cor
rect any impression that the present
Receiving Home on Little Falls road
was being closed on his direct order.
He. said that in his opinion the
action being taken is "in the right
direction If done in terms of a
temporary adjustment" and added:
But ] desire to make it clear that
I have in no way encroached upon
the authority or responsibility of
the Board Of Commissioners and the
Board Of Public Welfare to move in
the matter at their discretion,
Transfer Questioned.
The Appropriations subcommittee
chairman observed, however, that
immediate plans for transfer of the
Receiving Home population as re-
ported In the press apparently were
planned to be permanent until
new home can be constructed.
This I believe is an artistic mis-
use OF the meaning of temporary,
he declared, especially in the light
Of the fact that any construction
program could not possibly be COM
pleted in less than a year"
He said his suggestion In an earlier
letter to Commissioner Guy Mason
had dealt in terms of temporary"
adjustment of the problem.
In their letter to Mr.. Koran sew
eral days ago, the Commissioners
included report by the fire marshal
on a recent inspection of the Re
eeiving Home.
Mr.. Koran described the fire
marshals report as a confirmation
Of the findings of his Investigators.
Fire Hazards Observed.
He said that while the investi-
gators did not attempt to make
anything resembling an official fire
prevention inspection they did
observe a number of fire hazards.
These included such things as:
Fire escapes which could not be
used because of padlocked screens
blocking quick exit.
Lack of central alarm system
operative from points within the
buildings where attendants were
placed and charged with night
supervision and inspection of
inmates.
The need for unlocking several
doors before gaining access to the
alarm box.
Equipment of sleeping and reten-
ton rooms with individual locks
except for one tier used for bows.