Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-08
BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
MRS. DUCOMMUN's REPORT OUT
LINES ITS WORK.
Some Wise, Suggestions as to Methods
of fCharity-Dificulties the Society
Have to Meet-ElectiOn
of Officers.

the Ladies' Benevolent society, on Tues
day presented her annual report.
The document referred to the difficult
ties in the way of we'll directed charity
by individual effort, and advocated the
plan of the associated charities at the
proper time, which was not yet come for
it's organization.
A bureau OF information conducted by
the city and county where applicants
might register their cases pending in
vestigation, was recommended. Extracts
| given herewith from the report show the
tendency of the society and the prob
/ lens it has to meet:
! Church societies seem to be the slow
est in this work of cooperation. Why
is it? We certainly have had as great
| imposition from church members as
from among the outeide classes. People
come here from the east expecting to be
| taken care of or sent back as the case
may be. In some instances our society is
known far beyond the Rockies, and we
have been written to to know if it
would be possible for us to find some
light employment for an invalid in re-
duced or destitute circumstance where
by they could earn living, it being a
polite way of seeking charity. :.
Other great causees OF annoyance are
| the sensational newspaper reports.
Whenever a Gaze Of destitution is found
by the reporters they, in their sympa-
thetic zeal, both for the persons in dis
tress and as newsgatherers, often do an
Injustice to the charitable people OF the
city by publishing broadcast, with such
embellishments as will catch the SYM
pathetic eve of the public, when per-
sons not familiar with charity work will
rush in and load them down with food
and clothing sufficient for large family
for months to come; and in nine cases
out of every 10 they will be nearly as
badly off again in less than 80 days.
1t is this unwise and indis-
criminate giving that increases pauper-
lam to very great extent, and it is
usually the people who do this kind of
almsgivipg who never think to give 81
to a legitimate and wellorganized
society where cases are investigated and
given the assistance needful at the time.
AS it is our province to render only
temporary relief, not suffering any one
to feel that they can dispense with their
own efforts, hence we seek to encourage,
to cheer and to incite to new exertions,
to cause encouragement and despair to
give place to hope, energy and in
dustry.
Some few years ago this society
adopted the plan of depending upon the
voluntary donations of its friends an6
the public together with a membersbiE
fee of So annually to carry on it's work
The officers and committees give theil
time and what money they can afford
and regard it an imposition to be ex
pected to give entertainments to keeI
the treasury filled, hence they hav,
adopted this plan; and alec give re
ception one day in the month of Janu
ary annually that the members may
have an opportunity to pay their due
and also to receive new members, to
gether with donations from its member
and friends. This reception is not
private affair, but ia open to all inter
ested in the society, whether they re
ceive an invitation or not. We only asl
and urge upon them their duty of Civ
ing their mite to aeeist those less fortun
ate than themselves. For it is dut
we owe not only to suffering humanit
but also to ourselves. The poor we hav
with us always, and they are not on
PERSONS poor, but belong to everyon
who ia more fortunate than their les
fortunate sisters. The one great ques
ton before us today is: how best to cer
tralize this work in our city and reduc
rather than extend pauperism. Let I
put our hearts and minds into this Que
tion and try if possible to solve tn
' problem.
Ladies, we feel that we have cause ft
congratulating the members of our 81
, ciety on account of the perfect harmon
and kindly feeling that have always e2
: listed among its workers, and we fe,
8 very happy that no one can accuse us
wrangling or unpleasantness.
: thank you heartily for your kind el
couragement and sympathy, and ali
6 the generous public. without who's
timely support cur efforts would be Ill
;, availing.
The report of the secretary gave IL
d. expenses for the year, $l20S 35; r
= ceipts, $1231.42; leaving balance
;, $23. .07 on hand. The total membersh
was shown to be 800.
Officers were then elected for the e.
suing year as follows: President. Mr.
r @. Ducommun first vice-president, Mr
9 j. o. Wheeler; second vice-presiden
t Mrs. H. G. Bath; treasurer, Mrs. H.
y Hellman; secretary. Mrs. L. M. Da,
G directors, Mines. M. Kremer, W.
!, Pridham, l. N. Van Nuys, w. D. Goul
]. J. E. Butler, Preuss.