New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-13
THE CHANNEL ABsoRBs THE STREAM
COSTLY WAY TO DISTRIBUTE CHARITY7
WORKINGS OF THE NETWORK JUVENILE
GUARDIAN SOCIETY

A communication TO The Tribune recently callsd
attention TO the fact that canvasers for the NewYork
Juvenile Guardian Society, OF No. 1876 Bleeckrrst,
were collecting considerable money for so-called
ocean air excursions, for destitute city children and
for other chsra able purposes. The society. is an
old institution Of the city, In IT'S career has besa
frequently denounced as a fraud. and attempts which
were unsuccessful have been made have its charter
repealed. 1t has been often charged that under the
guise Of charity ID. f. Robertson, who manages tho
society" its secrstary aud superini eudent was
mainly sollcitous about getting his living out Of H.
together with that Of some employees who also were
supported out Of the fund.- that It was an extremely
costly charity With tho object OF getting at tho
facts Tribune reporter after much trouble succeeded
in taking from the books a summary OF the receipts
and expenditures for 1855. IL is follows (cents
omttedl
co san osOa agd d dSTwa from s21
goods procured by the society soss
To balance due secretary --..-.-.-...-.-----... %
Total = .-s39s2
Expenditures
BY provisions, clothing, fuel, excursions medicine
@eacs g ssssnds SICK room supplies and unpur
BY printing mailing and advertising .'''.. 81
by ONCE and travelling expenses ..-,..-..... 1877
By employees 100
Esans sncouits ''''''- az
Secretary and superintendent 5s5
Total ................... - "a osi
With the cents included this table would have abou,
balanced. Thus it VIII be seen that TO distribute
1926 in aims, the New-York Juvenile Guardian Society
expended 1891 Mr.. Robertson Is an old man with
fine flowing gray beard and suave manners His
home is in Plainfeld lie was asked why the item
for employees (S1,079)' was so large. He said that
the collectors canvassers received go per cent of
what they collected, which was charged up 10 THAI
Item. There several women and a man employed
canvassing for the society. man named Page,
whose duties seemed to be IN connec ted with
the society, in the Office He denied that he had
anything TO do with the society, but Mr. Robertson
admitted that he got SIS week to look around"
Mr.. Robertson said hts salary as superintendent was
81 200 year. The books had not been posted since
April, but Page showed the reporter these figures as
the receipts for the first three months OF the current
year January, S414; February, SLIT; March, sl4O
Mr. Robertson admitted that by the time he took out
his salary, the collectors got their percentage aud
the other expenses were paid, there was not much
left for charity.
Attached 10 the circulars sent out BY the society AZ
trustees, etc. are the names of J. X. Van Ness
man, Of No 202 Broadway, and W. J. Cole, real es-
tate agent No Ill broadway Mr.. Van Ness Is
treasurer of the society" He Acknowledged 10 .hs
reporter that he knew nothing of the workings OF
the charity or how expensive IL was All he did was
10 turn any checks sent 10 him Mr. Robertson
Mr.. Ames was in similar ignorance OF the affairs OF
the society. He only allowed the OF his nams
10 oblge Mr.. Robertson. Mr. Cole said the books
were audited once year by tho trustees, Mr. Ames
included, and they were satisfied Mr.. Robertson was
doing noble work. Mr. Ames, however, denied
that he had ever looked at the books.