" While the total amount seems large, it is, in my judg ment, conservative and not extravagant, and perhaps it will not seem to you that $235 is more than one should expect to expend in providing a home, an education, and living expenses for a boy for an average period of ten years, or a maximum period of sixteen years.
" It should also be added that of course this whole sum would not need to be made available at the outset, as this expenditure would extend over a total period of sixteen years. If the entire sum were provided at the outset, a corresponding deduction might be made for interest.
" Estimate B is made by a society which has placed out a large number of children. I am of the opinion that the estimate does not include sufficient provision for such previous inspection of the homes as will insure the selection of good homes. Such as it is, however, the estimate, as you will see, is considerably lower than estimate A, and amounts to $91.15 per capita.
" Estimate C is supplied by two gentlemen who have had extensive experience in the state of Minnesota, where the placing out of dependent children is carried on directly by the state. Their estimate is itemized, and is $166.40 per capita.
" My own opinion is that neither estimate B nor esti mate C should be accepted, for the reason that they do not take sufficient account of the expenses of care for the difficult cases. On the Minnesota plan, children who can not be placed in free homes are, in fact, cared for in a state institution. Of course, it would be entirely possible for those who were carrying out this plan to turn over the difficult cases (such as are boarded under estimate A) to a charitable institution. This, however, is only to shift the burden which should be recognized as a part of the task of placing out 1000 children. It would be impossible
that one should anticipate at the start all the personal idiosyncrasies, physical weaknesses, and even the moral deficiencies which would eventually be disclosed by 1000 boys.
" Coming, therefore, to a direct answer to your ques tion, my estimate would be that to place 1000 boys in free homes, whether in New York State or in the West, would cost about $75,000 initial expense ; and to give them the subsequent supervision which should be supplied to any children thus placed elsewhere than in their own homes, would bring the total expense to about $235,000.
" While there is necessarily some guesswork in the above, as, for example, in the number of children for which it would be necessary to provide board, I think that I am safe in saying that a thoroughly responsible society, which represents the very best methods of plac ing-out work, would assume the responsibility of carry ing through the plan if the amount named in estimate A were placed at their disposal ; while the other society mentioned would doubtless undertake the work on the basis of their estimate." Estimate A I. Agents FOR PLACING-OUT AND SUPERVISION (including travelling expenses of agent and children) :— 10 agents for first three years at $1750 $52,500 6 agents for second three years at $1750 31,500 4 agents for third three years at $1750 21,000 2 agents for final seven years at $1750 24,500 $139,500 II. Clothing : 1000 outfits at $15 . . . . . $15,000 Outfits for children who are boarded out, and for those who must be placed more than once : First 5 years at $1000 . 5,000 Second 5 years at $500 2,500 $22,500