Evening star., 1958-07-08
Epilepsy Unit
Plans Action,
PrObers Told
so Applications
For Center Being
Processed, 1t Says
BY HARRIET GRIFFITHS
star stan Writer


The Federal Association for
Epilepsy is processing some so
applications and inquiries for
admission to its children's cen
ter, House investigators were
told today.
Alphonse Migliaro, executive
director, told a House Govern
ment Operations Subcommittee
there are only 10 children in
the Leesburg CVa.) center now
but that the admission board
win act on seven cases this
week.
The subcommittee, headed by
Representative Blatnik, Demo-
crat Of Minnesota, is inquiring
into charity solicitations which
give most of the donations to
promoters enjoying postal
privileges and tax exemption.
Mrs. M. T. Broyhill, mother
of Representative Joel T. Broy-
hill. Republican of Virginia, is
president of the association.
She has denied that this pat
tern applies to the group.
1857 Financing Explained
The Blatnik unit earlier had
accused the association of car
ing for only nine children al
though it had collected about
$465. 900 in 1857.
Harold Babbitt, association
vice president. presented figures
today to clear up what he
called apparent confusion"
last week on the associations
1857 financing.
He declared that the total
cost of fund raising for 1857
was less than % per cent of
the total contributions. He
added that contributions are
still coming in as a result of
the 1857 expenditures.
He said that one figure of
$l73,000 labeled on the books
as Campaign expense" actu-
ally was a substantial part of
the expense Of a broad public
information campaign, educa-
ton and fund raising.
Mr.. Babbitt said that the
1857 cost figures included
$149,794 for public information
and education, and $129, $50
for fund raising. The National
children's Rehabilitation Cen
ter cost $71.448 and other serv-
ices and administration cost
$l6.9l8. he said. @Sa
Standards Held Needed
Subcommittee Counsel Je-
rome Plapinger, who conducted
a detailed questioning of as
sociation officers on financing,
said he thought a need for
accounting standards was a
basic problem faced by all
charities. Mr.. Babbitt agreed
that such standards are
needed.
Questioned about the ex-
penditure of $71,000 to take
care of nine children at the
center, Mr.. Babbitt said he be-
lieved this took into account
Improvements made, and that
for only a small additional
amount q children could be
cared for.
The present capacity of the
center on the basis of hospital
board requirements is 20, the
subcommittee was told. 1t was
said that by cutting a door
through one end of the guest
house room accommodation
could be made for IL or IA
more.
The association officers were
asked about the presence of
two children of association di-
Irectors in the center. Mr..
Migliaro said that these par
ents pay $50 and $225 a month
which is more than parents of
other children pay. He said
these children were not dis
placing any other children who
otherwise might be admitted.
Some Payment Required
Mr.. Babbitt said the cost per
child at Leesburg is about $500
to $400 a month, but that no
one is paying that much.
The Investigators were told
that payments go down as low
as SIS a month, but that it has
been found preferable for par
ents to make some payments If
possible. This avoids a tenden-
cy for a parent to forget that
he has a child in the center.