New-York tribune., 1878-04-15
VOLUNTEER VISITORS TO THE POOR.

VOLUNTEER VISITORS TO THE POOR
GIVING RELIEF TO THE woRTHY-REsULTs OF THE
SYSTEM OF WARD CoMMITTEEs-wORK OF THE
BOARD OF UNITED CHARITIES
The following summary of the third annual
report made by the chairman Of the Board OF United
Charities on Sunday respecting the work OF the vol
unteer ward committees during the past Winter con-
tains some facts Of interest TO the general public
In the twenty wards visited by the volunteer commit
tees and representing population OF S26433 persons
1922 names were furnished by the committees. OI
these 14OIO were investigated, u,70i approved, l23o
approved and the remainder were either not IOu AT
addresses gwen or declined charity The percentage OF
those not found addresses was ia of the total THIS
class represents those who had moved and applied under
different Names as well the fraudulent, and that
large number of people, chiefly Germans, who maze MS
takes or are misunderstood in giving their addresses
The number not approved represents per cent OF the
total This class consisted Of persons whose earnings
were found to be adequate, or who had money III the
bank and on the other hand of drunkards thieves pros
titutes "bummers" who live habitually by begging
and OF those who were violent and abusive to the VISIT
OTs. The number approved represents 90 pi, ra,rc
the whole. The total number visited ana i9uh1 IeIe %
sents o6I families or 325 individuals In tbe Othef
two wards. only partially undertaken py INC po"'"
Ihe unsanitary condition and excessive oyercrowd.
ing many Of the houses seem to nave sruft mos ] 0
me visitors Much indirect benefit has resulted Hon
the discovery of worthy cases OF great dtstltulO
reference to proper agencies Of relief diSpensaGs
benevolent societies, etc. It's evident t,t sInSle pay
visitor large an area as ward could NOT 40 WOL
of fins kind however experienced and active he might
be- The 5000 tons Of coal distributed without cost Oh
distribution dhe only payment Of the commissioner 1e
ing S9I for printing! and on an Intelligent prlhciP',
nave gone L. double that amount under the 3la
SYSTEM while the mere existence OF the committees n"s
deferred many unworthy cases from applying; -,
"Itis TACT well deserving of record that whetheI the
amount approp lated be large or small no ihconsuer,
bic number Of our benevolent citizens, Ooth men ahu
women without regard to social .andbs Gun Oe lO4 m
willing and eager devote their Time ana LDcf ana I"
ran the nS Of discase and offence in suPpemcnlhg te
work Of The city authorities and in CARRYING TO many
Wretchcd home the comfort OF peIsOhhl s!hPatAJ al"
good offices" ,,., .,,., ,.
mtioDs thanking tire Commissioners OF Charities 0ul
Correction tneir efficient cooperation IN carrying oul
prompt ana vIiianj the due delivery Of coal
to the approved applicants They also passed tue lc-
lowing resolutions;
beeqs In the opinion Of have been engaged
OF personal visitation among The destitute oI
this Winter greatest Importance that the dcsov
ne poor OF city should be stcd down om the mass oil
drunken ana otgVse worthless Iaupgls ana L,,,,C lIS
fun Of relief Appropriated for them by the cry au
This object can only be obtained by an Organized
system OF intelligent dsnter sted and ptiS9hai Ns,'"n
the experience Of tlis and the preceding winter mas "
elusive shown that such system is IOssOt an" CaO' ol
Rsosd meeting pledges soif to do all In iis power
already operation Ol systematic, voluntary ana uerda
Visitation oi ihe oudq loll oi , Ti -, Nv W." T M - I
lief and detecting the unworthy aud win the indeci
OBec, OF further aiding tie deserving b mtclkrm Nup
my ana hy putting them communication with The proper
agencies Of reef suitable Tor special cases. -,
work curing past WINTER hereby pledge tncmst,cs nm
satue II called upon WINTER amt ihelr best endcV
form tDcr committees OF suitable N'o taxing s'p'
q doing during the summer months
The report will bc published IN ful, and VIII con-
tain brief account of tur ursu Of the Board ol Uuiru
Charities, whicn is intimately connectei WIN lne lale
Theodore Roosevelt II seems probable that Oh account
OF the apathy OF the members anu puphc' ana on d'
count o Mr. ROOscyelts untimey death, the board VIII
be dissolved or materially changed, al the close oi 'h'