The New York herald., 1873-12-13
THE BUREAU OF CHARITIES.

A Clearing House for Cha aritable Iusii-
tutions-An Admirable Plan to Foil
ImpOsiors.
The Committee Of Nine, appointed at a meeting
held recently In Cooper Union for the purpose OF
establishing clearing house for charitable insti-
tutions. met yesterday afternoon at the Juvenile
Asylum, in Thirteenth street, between Fifth and
Sixth avenues Among those present were Mr.,
Joseph Snverman, the banker; Professor Joy, or
Columbia College; Mr. Theodore Roosevelt and
other gentlemen prominent in the business CON-
munity and in society. long. informal session
was held, Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt presiding. The
result may be briefly stated
1t was decided to call the new organization the
"Bureau of Charities" A letter from Mr.. j. O.
Keyser, OF Pensacola, Fla, was read, announcing
that $50 or 200 workmen could be advantageously
placed there. The committee expressed their
satisfaction at the prospect OF finding work there
for this number OF lab0rers and the hope tnat wide
publicity would be given to the contents Of this
letter. The letter from Mr. Keyser was transmitted
by Mr. Jackson Schultz.
The subcommittee, consisting OF the Rev. DR..
McGlynn and MIR. Roosevelt, reported that they had
had an interview with the Commissioners OF Chart
ties, who had expressed their perfect Willingness
to assist them in their work. The Commissioners,
appreciating the Importance and magnitude OF the
task, said they would probably be able TO give the
Bureau OF Charities the necessary rooms In their
building, which, OF course, would facilitate matters
considerably for the bureau, and also furnish cer
cal aid il necessary. The subcommittee spoke in
terms OF the highest praise OF the Commissioners
OF Charities, who had thus consented to aid the
bureau in several vital points,
The Rev. DR.. Hall submitted lengthy report on
the .appro xlmate analysis Of the claimants for
haustlve review OF the divers classes OF people
who are among the many recipients of charity
and calls attention 10 one very extraordinary fact
which shows the necessity for just such an instit-
tion as the Bureau OF Charities. Twenty thousand
persons live unworthily on wel-meant but misdi
rected benefact0nS. SuppOSng that they receive
only so cents a day-although they would probably
require 81 o day to ve-there are $40, 600 day
bestowed upon impostors; and II this waste could
be cut OF So, $50, 900 might lie saved year and ap
Piled where 1t Is necessary. and where 1t really
could do good. The report stated that there were
many persons who obtained aid from perhaps six
charitable institutions az the same time, and
q central bureau was therefore needed which
would keep record OF all applicants for charity
The committee listened with great interest to the
report.
The Secretary, Professor Joy. was dirccJed to
prepare a suitable circular TO he addressed to all
charitable and philanthroplca institutions in the
the amount they are spending, the number OF In.
mates and all other facts interesting to the public
This information viii be used by the bureau Tor
the publication OF a DIRECTORY OF Charitics,r in
tended to serve as guide to all persons desiring
to bestow money upon any charitable institution
or wishing TO apply for aid. This directory will, in
many respects be OF great benefit to the COM
munity.
The committee then adjourned till Tuesday next.
The bureau, which Is composed or gentlemen OF
high social standing, VIII not dispense relief and Is
merely intended 10 give Information In regard to ap
pllcants OF charity and to prevent the duplication OF
reilcf Persons begging at the door might per-
haps, have already support from some charity, and
thus Information the bureau will readily give
thereby preventing innumerablc frauds and impo
also endeayor TO strictly enforce the laws against
vagrancy 1t Is to be earnestly hoped that this
admirable plan will meet With the success IL de-
serves and that the bureau will succeed In tui ming
charity Into It's proper channels.