Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-11

it's best support from those whose exper fence in dealing with the poor and whose study of the problems of pauperism has convinced them that very large part of we'll intended almsgiving is positive injury to the recipi- ents. It recognizes that there two class es of pocr-the deserving and the undeserv- ing-and that the undeserving by their greater importantly and experience in inn posing up the charitable secure for them selves large part of the relief entitled. It aims, therefore, to as- certain the exact facts about each applicant for relief in order that idle and dishonest paupers may be either reformed or punished, and that the deserving poor may be enabled to regain their independence where this is possible and be permanently provided for where it is not. The central office of the so- ciety is free bureau of information for the entire community. Every poor person who
 needs relief can learn at this office in what
 manner and at what place his wants can be
 best supplied; and every person society that wishes to give relief can ascertain how and where their money or time will confer the greatest benefit In this way the various charitable agencies are brought into harmonious cooperation in stead of working at cross purposes, is all most inevitable in large places where they have no recognized means of exchanging
 ideas and information. The society believes that the worthy poor need advice, sympa- thy and aid in procuring employment, far more than small doles of money and sup | plies, and has therefore organized in many cities corps of friendly visitors, who give | to the poor their time and friendship, which, when offered in the right manner, are the most acceptable kind of charity of all.
 Our Board of Associated Charities is endeavoring to carry out the ideas of charity organization and has entered upon
 a work of the greatest value to this commit nifty. It has one lodging house for women
 and another for men, and is prepared to fur
 nish food, clothing and shelter to all needy persons, on condition that those who are
 able bodied shall render an equivalent in
 labor for what they receive. The food is wholesome and sufficient, and the work is not unreasonable in kind and amount. The city owes it's freedom from vagrants and pro- fessional burglars largely to this board, as
 most people send to 23 Church street those
 who beg from door to door.
 Those who are acquainted with the
 work of the board know that it is not it's aim to give much in the way
 of direct relief. It leaves this to the several
 relief societies whose peculiar province it is.
 The board spends part of its money for the rent and maintenance of it's lodging
 houses, wood yard and office and for salaries of those who take care of the buildings, cook
 the food, superintend the work in the wood
 yard, make the investigations, keep the
 books, etc. We think that the money given for charity which is used to pay moderate salaries to competent and experienced off
 cers who know the class with whom they deal and give all their time to the work is we'll expended. The salaries paid to the per sons now in the employ of the board are, in our judgment, a small compensation for the services rendered. We believe that the board deserves cordial and general SUD- port, because it is means of great benefit to the worthy poor and because it is ready to render valuable assistance to all who are in terested in benevolent work.