The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-05
SYSTEM IN CHARITY.
Strong Sentiment in Favor of
Associated Work.
A MEETING TO FORM A PLAN.
Movement in which All sects ana
Creeds Are Expected to Join
Some Opinions.

port among those interested in the care of the
sack and the unfortunate. Tonight in a confer
sncs at the Chamber of Commercs mem.
bers OF the Ladies' Relief So
ciety and the Ministerial Association
will discuss with the board of public work.
the best means of forming what may be called
the associated charities. Such organizations
exist in other cities, aud are found extremely
useful in keeping impostors from imposing
upon one society after another, and in SUNNY
Ing adefnite source to which those in need on
help can 90. It well known that the present
arrangements FOR Charitable endeayor ara
most unsatisfactory. The county COM
missioners, the board of public work.
the Ladie'' Relief Society and various church
societies are each doing something, but the lack
Of concerted action often renders effort com par
siively unavailiEg.
scheme for organizing these charities has
been more than once talked Of but the present
movement was set on foot by sermon preached
December 90 by Rev. D. C.. Garrett He then
said the best method he knew of Is that which
prevails IN nearly every city In the land under
the general name of Associated Charities"
This means sort OF clearing house for all aid
given the destitute-a central once with a
paid officer who keeps complete record of all
who are assisted and by whom relieved IL
means stopping of all street begging or house
toulouse mendieancy. No one associated In this
system viii give of-hand to beggars Every
case OF want VIII be remauded to the main
Office. there investigated, and If worthy. re-
lieved through the proper source No religious
differences hinder this work. Roman Catholic
Jew. Protestant fnhdel, ali unite on the basis of
acommoR humanity. The sole object is to act
community in giving relief rs efficiently
and economically al possible. He believed this
system is needed in Seattle, and he wished this
sermon might strike the keynote towards some
general movement in this direction. He
thought that at present the work of charity is
too uneyenly divided; the burden falls on too
few shoulders.
In speaking further OF this subject Mr.. Garrett
said 10 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES reporter that the
county should take care of all cases of chronic
poverty, ana the various charitable organiza-
tons should take care Of the cases where dis
tress results from accident, or where
mere temporary relief Is needed The
officer of the associated charities can
Investigate each case as 1t comes up and refer
nfor relief either to the county com missioners,
the city authorities, the Ladies' Relief Society
or some one OF the church organizations
week or two ago Mr.. Garrett presented the
matter to the Ministerial Association, and ut the
meeting of that body yesterday morning the
special committee recommended action, and
Rev. d. c. Garrett, Rev. S. A. Bright aud Rev.
Elliott w. Brown were appointed to go to the
meeting at the Chamber OF Commerce tonight
Fred Gasch, chairman of the board of county
commissioners, which Last year spent Sc, 272 in
charity. said in regard to the plan:
know very little concerning the plans of the
promoters; but ! fear the association of al re-
Nglous denominations In one grand non Sec
tartan endeavor will be fraught with difficulties
The Jews, for example, and the Catholics usu-
ally prefer to act by themselves. Tho best
movement for the poor of this city would be the
establishment of industries to give EMPLOYMENT
to those out OF work.
~ do not know how 1t Is proposed to raise
funds to carry on this charity work. As It is
now the county com missioners would not feel
authorized to appropriate money to support the
enterprise in whole or part The charity that is
done now Is optional and left to the discretion
OF the commissioners The expense 10 borne by
the general fund, as there 10 no appropriation.
Mayor George W. Hall said:
am most emphatically in favor OF the idea OF
having the charities united. The details of organ
iaation are to be determined after due dslibera-
lion; but can give assurance that what infiu-
ence have In the city government will be used
toward turtherlrg and aiding any non -sectarian
scheme Tor the administration OF relief.
George H. Heilbion, of the board OF public
works, declared:
Most of the cases OF charity brought to the
city authorities are referred to us. Thus far we
have adopted with fair success the plan of Civ
ing work to those men who are in need. ! be-
lieve that were some such officer as the plan of
the associated charities proposes given the
work NO oo Of INVESTIGATION so. that PEG
extended only to the deserving, the charities
would receive somewhat more liberal sup
port Al any rate the board of public works
will do its part for any concerted movement to
systemtize charitable effort
Delegate II. W. Willis said:
Dozens OF cases for relief como to me, and ex-
tend help. where can in a rather hap
hazard fashion, for have almost
cant should be glad to give my share to some
one who would expend IL iudieiously.
John II. McGraw: Any organization that
- Ii AAI al ant Il
the work now done by everybody or nobody. as
chance may dictate, will have my support.
Griffith Davies: We have gone to long with
our charitable work at loose ends. Systematize
snd centralxe it, of course, as you would sys-
iemaiize any business expenditure OF money,
time and effort
sanization of charities so that relief may be
given where IL is needed, and withheld where
undeseryed. Much of what we bestow 10
wasted now, and much larger funds would be at
the disposal of those who would bestow wisely.
There has bsen altogether too much relief
money boarded up heretofore.
Father T. " Prefortaine: ! should certainly
Join in any unsectarian movement in which
creed, race and color should be OF no account,
but real need the sole question when charity Is
70 be considered
Rev. Levi Gilbert: l am decidedly in favor
OF combining our various charitable societies
INTO one bureau, with u paid secretary ana with
some means OF providing employment con.
nected with it. As 10 is now the pastors. as wei
As many OF the people, are daily solicited Tor re-
lief, for assistance in obtaining employment,
aud We are unable, except IN certain cases,
70 respond have sent men out OF employment
10 my friensi, who have assisted and frequently
found places, : a. of course there lie limit 10
what one can . in that direction. Both pastors
and business men are generally too occupied 10
investigate the merits Of each particular april
cant, and doubtless many fraudulent cases are
relieved. Nearly all who come represent them
selves in dire need. and there is necessity tor
some saaried person who can Immediately in-
vestigste, aud to whom cases can be referred
by means of many church societies
and other benevolent societies charitable
work il scattered and unsystemstized, with
laps and chaSrns In cities which have come
under my observation whore the associated
Charities has taken the place OF the various
uisassociateG or separate movements, athorough
reform. amounting to a revolution IN the man
egement OF charity and help was effected. Prom
TIE number OF applicants that come TO me ana
their representations, judge there must be con
siderable need here in the city, and very large
number OF people willing 10 work. but out OF
emplUym ent, whose families are suffering. Ihey
nave not the means 10 leave the clIy,
and some means To help them Tue
ever their emergency must be FOUND
sach employment as can at least earn them tood
ana lodging can always be open TO them through
tueh bureau Of associated charities thlnk
II safe 10 say that nine cases out oi every ten
Nho have obtained money from me, on repre-
seniatlon OF necessity have been frauds. A cen,
uai oilce and paid secretary could protect al
ouSeus from such dspredstons. relieve imme-
uiate necessity, prevent spasmodlc ana emo
sonal giving and put charity upon seisnlne