Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-01-22
Relief OF the Poor.

UNION MEETING OF BENEVOLENT ORgASIZA-
TONS.
In response TO a circular of invitation sent
by a committee Of the Labor Exchange, in ac-
cordanee with their resolution of last week. a
meeting of representatives of the various
charitable and benevolent organizations of
this District was held last night at the rooms
OF the exchange to consider the general sub
lect OF chafltfeS, as now dispensed. with a
view OF uniting upon some more practical and
general plan, to meet the unusually pressing
wants OF, OF the deserving poor at this time.
Mr. Solomons, Mrs. Whitney, Mr.. NJ G.. EN-
cry, Miss Mathews, L. s. Emery, Mrs. Church.
MI Arnold; d. Mrs ESI kearSn Dr. G. c. Cox, Mr.
Lyman. Lewis j. Davis, T. l.. Tullock. r, ID.
Mussey, VIM Ballantyne. Rev. Mr.. Cramer
and others: Mr. M &. Emery presided and
CorcOran, Mrs. VIM. Stickney and Others. ex
pressing sympathy with the movement. and
regrets ga, at their M, inability to be present.
facts which had come to the personal knowl-
edge of the managers of the Labor Exchange
showing the plain
NECESSITY FOR MORE UNITED EFFORT
on the part OF those able to extend help to the
needy. The poor are out of employment and
starving. on the books of the exchange are
willing work. They do not ask aims. From
the limited means of the exchange they are
doing al they can, but it is nothing compared
to what is wanting; What can be done:-labor
munities greater efforts have been made and
noble results have followed. He spoke of the
efforts now being made in New York, Philade-
phia, Baltimore, and elsewhere, in the same
direction. A general system of canvassing for
means while hunting up cases of the deSery-
ing poor, is what is needed, and the division of
raj canvass seems to be the most practical plan,
THE PENNY SOUP-HOUSE PROJECT
is good one. and tickets can now be bought
for distribution, but they must give them jlidi-
IN do mi,
the undertaking. He made reference to the
large increase of pawn shops in this city and
how they are all fiourishng in consequence of
the forced circumstances of the poor. He
said that all experience in work of philan,
thrOplc character shows cOncluSlyely that its
success depends even more on the amount of
time devoted to 1t by earnest men and women
than upon the amounts of money availa bic for
the purpose. The field of charitable relief is
certainly large enough to require all the re-
sources which can be spent within it, without
interference OF duplicating efforts apart from
the fact that any facility offered to duplicate
engenders fearful temptation to deception
and to foster class of chronic paupers than
which no greater evil can affect a commu-
nifty.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mr. VIM. H. Seaman spoke of the wants of
the poor in the northern portion of the citvand
advocated system by which the city should
be canvassed. Rev. Mr.. Kramer thought the
plan in vogue in Baltimore, which he en-
the canyassing project. Mr.. Hugo, proprietor
Ofthe Morton house, on street, made a state
\ ment as to his ten cent eating house. Mr. l..
5: Emery advocated a system of canvassng
Mrs. Church thought all the organizations
should unite i'll putting down the great cause
OF poyerty-the liquor traffic and drinking.
She could not cOnScientiOuSly join in any move
ment which tempOriZed with rum drinking
which she understood was the case with the
Labor Exchange. They all knew what she
meant. Mr.. Arnold said they should lay aside
every side issue. and look straight to the one
great object of relief. Mr.. Charles Lyman adj
VOcattd careful canvass.
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
Mr.. S0l0mOnS moved that a committee lie
appointed to take the Whole subject of aims
giving INFO consideration. and report at flu
ture meeting, say one week hence. DR.. Cox
seconded the motion. He opposed the scheme
OF making the Labor Exchange take this load
OF almsgiying,, it being contrary to its funda-
mental principles The motion WIS adopted.
The chair appointed on the committee Messrs
A. $. Solom0ns, w. H. Seaman, Chas. Lyman.
Mrs. Hitz, VIM. Ballantyne. Mrs. Kcaron. s.
&. Arnold, Mrs. Church and DR.. Cox as the
committee.
Mr.. SOlOmonS announced that pennv-a-
meal clearinghouse was to be opened by the
Labor Exchange on D street, opposite the mar
ket house. Adjourned.