Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1919 — CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT SOON [ARTICLE]

CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT SOON

Supt. Too Old to Continue Operation, Says Plymouth Paper. The following article from last week’s Plymouth Republican regarding the Julia E. Work training school, or home, near that place, will be of Interest to readers of The Democrat because of the many derogatory reports that have been recently published regarding the home and which to considerable extent may have perhaps been inspired by an old enemy the superintendent, who is said to have threatened to “get her” several years ago and whose continued oppositions has been a source of annoyance for many years. The report that the superintendent “has waxed fat while starving the wards entrusted to her care” is evidently far from true, according to the article in the Plymouth paper, which follows: » That a change of management at the Julia E. Work Training school is to be made soon if the institution is to continue is now pretty well known by those who have kept in touch with the recent developiments in the conduct of that place. Mrs. Work has received notice from the State Board of Charities -that her license would not be renewed, and the one she has has run out. This makes it imperative for some change to be made, and it is hoped that a satisfactory solution will be found so that the school may continue in operation. C. A. Bondurant and H. A. Logan,

'on direction of the State and National banks, Plymouth, went to Indianapolis on Tuesday and met the State Board of Charities and conferred with them on the matter. Governor Goodrich being present. These banks, having made lafge loans to Mrs. Work, are much Interested in the success of the tioo. They are sufficiently secured by property, perhaps, to cover their loans, but if the school should be closed Mrs. Work would have nothing. I The state authorities recognize I that there is a need for a school of ■ this character and hope that a management may be worked out 1 that will conduct it along modern 1 lines and with satisfaction to the I state and everyone concerned. There is no other place in the state, and no institution, for the keeping of children of the character sent to the Work Training school. The i state, therefore, desires that it toe continued, if it can be done on the . proper basis. I Children who are incorrigible or have beon found guilty of misdemeanors and crimes must either ! be sent to a place of this kind or allowed to run at will without any correction. The Work home is so far the only place where they may be sent. This is not properly spoken of as an orphan’s home. It is a place for incorrigible and delinquent children. 7 What is needed at the school is a more efficient management, and one which recognizes the need for modern established methods of dealing with criminal and derelict classes. While Mrs. Work has been a leader in charitable work of the state in her earlier years, she is now at the age and condition where she should no longer attempt to manage such a school. Bettter efficiency and methods all along the line should put this institution in a position to give most valuable service to the state in the care of ( children and to make it a good thing for this community. Wm. O’Keefe, who for a number j of years has % been attacking the Work school, has filed an lnjunc> tlon against the county commissioners from paying to Mrs. Work any money for the support of the children from* this county, and against Mrs. Work from taking any more children or receiving any more money for their care. He has not so far, however, asked for a restraining order pending a hearing on the Injunction. If he did this he would have to put up a big bond for damages. The injunction will probably be heard in the ordinary course of court next term. In the meantime it does not affect the operation of the school except as the publicity from it may do so.