Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-03-21
ORGANIZED CHARITIES.

NO n nnu0l U0eI1nR OF the AbDOCAAe l
ton OF Organized Charities Hold at
the Church Of the Redeemer Last
Evening-Speeches by DR.. Phillips,
Judge Pickett and Rev. e. 9. Lines,
with Annual Report by Superinten-
dent Preston.
The annual meeting of the Association of
organized Charities WAS held last evening
t the Church of the Redeemer. Although
here was small attendance there were |
ome excellent speeches, together with the |
annual report of Superintendent Preston.
which was full of interest to his auditors.
DR.. Phillips, pastor of the Church of the
made the opening address. He
spoke in abstract as follows: ''There ia no
safer way of dispensing charity than
through the channels of this association.
When you give to the applicant at the
door you give more or less blindly. But
this organization cannot be successfully
deceived. There are, however, two diff
culties standing in the way of the associs-
ton, ~ the debt that rests upon the prop
erty, (2) the great army of trsmps seeking
relief. Especially at this time
of the year do they tax the energies of the
Although it has been stated
that trsmps are on the decrease, figures
show to the contrstry. 1t would also be a
great aid to the society if people would pa
tronize the wood yard more generously"
Ex-Lieutenant Governor Francis Way
land, president of the association, sent his
regrets that he was unable to be present,
owing to indispositlon.
Ind PiO1otf 0f thu oitv o0nrf than
made a short address in which he said:
have some times thought that the best
manner of dispensing charity ought to be
a science We must get hold of the chill
dren, for they are the hope of the coun-
try and will be either its blessing or its
curse. Most of the trouble in all the
wretched homes come through intemper-
ance. To get hold of the children, to save
the children while at the same time fight
ing the evil of intemperance, is the labor
of this organization.
Rev. E. s. Lines of st. Pauls parish then
made brief address, adding his testimony
to that of the preceding speakers in regard
to the efficacy of the work.
Superintendent Preston's report then
followed, which will be found below:
AGENT PREsToN's REPORT.
The report of the efficient agent of the
association was most Accordingly inter-
esting one, replete with illustrations of
the excellent work done by the association
and the timely assistance rendered to many
worthy persons who without this assist
ance would have suffered many hardships
Brief extracts from the report, the extreme
length of which prevents our publishing
it in full, are as follows:
There are now on file in the cabinets of
the association total of 4,462 records of
families or persons of whose history
enough is known in most cases to enable
us to form an intelligent opinion as to the
wisest method of dealing with them as
they come to our notice again and again.
These records are under lock and key. and
only accessible to persons who have le-
gitimate right to examine them for chart
table and correctional purposes. All cases
reported to our Office have been investi-
gated without charge, and the result OF
such Investigation recorded and reported
to the society or person from whom the
inquiry was received.
During the past year the number of cases
receiving attention was: Residents, 982;
non-residents, 2,461, making a total of
3,443. In nearly every resident case the
agent made personal investigation at the
homes of the applicants, and aided in de-
termining how each case should be dis
posed of. Of non-residents, the majority
were dealt with at the Office by the clerk
or matron; most of them required tempo
rary work only. This was furnished
through the employment departments, the
details Of which will appear in the Stats
tical tables. The number of cases con-
sidered shows an increase of 535 over that
of last year. This is almost wholly in the
nonresident class. The cause of this aug
mented number is difficult to determine.
the tramp law is a factor.
As to nationality" the proportion re-
Of foreign birth, and probably 40 per cent.
of the remainder of foreign parentage.
With practically unrestricted immigra-
ton, this ratio is likely to remain, and
America continue to be "the dumping
ground of nations" Representatives OF
twenty-five different countries have Wis.
tied the Office, many of whom were unable
to speak English, so that the services of an
interpreter were often required. The
most difficult case was that Of a Russian
Finn woman, but after considerable search
a compatriot was found at the rubber shop
who ascertained the necessary facts.
AS to the "oauses of Distress" "laek OF
work" leads the list as given by the ap.
plioants with 1,3o1 cases. but it is proba.
BILE that intempersnce and lack of thrift
are really the cause in the great majority
of cases. Intemperance was confessed by
1913, but nearly all non-residents and many
| residents occasionally drank a little. Not
withstanding la grippe, there were but
$50 cases of sickness or disability, IS less
than last year. Of aged people there were
1O9, mismanagement or extravagsnt liv.
| ing was the explanation in n cases, idle
ness or vsgrancy in II, death of husband
or father in 25, desertion by husband in
81, imprisonment of husband in 4, death
of both parents in 5.
The number of cases of desertion OF
neglect by relatives is 121, an increase Of
48 above last years report. This is prob
ably due to an increased use of the Office
rather than to there being any greater
neglect than formerly, except that which
naturally follows an increase of popula
| ton. Of criminals and misde meananti
there were 83. Runaway boys and girl
AZ. Insanity shows 80, an increase of 30
The number where there was no cause ap
parent was 261, 1873 more than in last year,
report.
The decisions as to treatment required
were in about 65 per cent. of the cases
prescribed, work, in 10 per cent. temper
airy relief, in per cent. permanent relief
in 6 per cent. commitment to institutions
| in per cent. commitment to Jail, and ir
II per cent. none.
Two thousand and seventy-three were
furnished with "work," either on The
premises or through situations secured by
our Office. In this connection we woulC
reiterate our position IS to the employ
ment departments. namely, that they are
designed to be tests of character primarily
and secondly, to furnish an opportunity
for people to earn enough to carry them
along until better paying work is found
| In selling our wood at market rates. and
| necessarily competing with other dealers
who use power where we use hand labor
we are at disadvantage, and the account
| must suffer loss. This is equally true OF
| the laundry. With all disadvantages, the
actual deficit for the year is but $l47. 81 in
| both laundry and wood yard. For hun
dred and thirGy-6ve and one-half cords of
| wood go, 932 barrels) were cut and sold; an
| average of 40 family washings have been
| done weekly, and 50, 673 II paid in cash,
| meals or lodgings to employees.
Lodgings for women and children are
furnished at 200 Orange street and meals
for all. The men are lodged outside. A
| need of the immediate future is specially
constructed lodging house for men, with
baths, fumigating apparatus and beds, to
be open day and night for all who will
| render an equivalent Gf able bodied) in
labor. Such building would cost about
$40, 900 and would materially aid in the
management of the transient class. Any
thing, whatever called. in the nature of q
free lodging house will attract t1amps and
criminals. With our present facilities