Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-11-16
CHARITY
Mr.. crczisr Explains the Methods
OF Work
IN The CHARITY ORGANIZATION
The Aim OF the society l. to Anbrd
Relief 20 the Needy without
ossentasioa or Display.

The action Of the board Of trade o.
rectors. or rather their report cf the re-
marks made. 10 liable 20 be taken ss .
reflection upon the work OF tae Charity
Organization society and breed inhsr-
mony aud fraction where now cordial CO
operation exists" remarked A. ID Gro
zier this morning. Il am sure tho gen
tlemen quoted did not make air the
statements attributed 10 them. The
question Of the desirabiity Of not mag
nifying the prevailing distress and do
ing the relief work unostentatiously 10
one OF the prime tenets OF this society.
There IL. however, higher motive for
this than the fear OF inluring the city.
Advertised relief multiplies unworthy
applicants and makes paupers The
worthy are tie poor. the unworthy the
the latter is the work Of the Charity
Organization society. This society wishes
20 act as clearing house only. To in
vestigate and report on all cases for
the benefit Of all churches. societies and
charitable individuals asking our assis-
lance. and without charge. BY this We
hope to systemize all charitable work.
prevent duplication of relief. and estab-
lish an intelligent system TO effect per-
manent good Through our volunteer
Friendly Visitors. Of whom we now have
eighty-fivc. we hope TO eventually re-
build the characte. and rckindle the
pride OF those on the poor list who have
become hardened by careless aims and
abandoned ambition. BY tho sewing
schools under our superintendence.
authorized 10y the board OF education.
we aim to teach the children OF the very
poor a means Of self support, that they
may have destiny other than vice and
pauperism. A prominent citizen who
attended the November meeting OF the
central council. after hearing for two
hours a recital OF the work done and
projected. drew long breath and won
dered IL we were not undertaking too
much. With the cooperation We expect
and are receiving We can easily satisfy
ali who care 10 investigate our reports
Investigation Rewarded
"a wealthy and philanthropic lady
today brought list OF eighteen families
who had been discovered by some
friendly ladies aud were reported CON-
pletely destitute and living on bread
and water liz was proposed To send
them adequate relief at once. but for
precaution the G. q. s. was asked to in
vestigate. We at once discovered that
seven OF the eighteen families were on
the city poor list drawing regular relief.
a few facts may indicate something
OF what We are doing. The society com.
menced active work May l. Since then
Ill new cases have been added TO the
city poor list on our recommendation.
most Of them during the past three
months. A large number Of cases have
been discharged and in many more the
amount OF relief furnished has been re-
duced at our suggestion. A very large
number Of new applicants have been
refused on our advice. and there is now
thorough cooperation between the So
ciety and the poor office.
In spite OF the hard times and the
large number out OF work the follow
ing comparative statement, by the
comptroller. is significant. as il covers
the period OF the existence OF the c. o.
| s.: In the six and one half months a
positive saving in cash OF s2.i63y5l has
been effected.
This Is a correct statement OF the
amounts expended in the poor fund
from May Ia TO November IA, lS92, and
| May to November Is, 1898: