The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-22
RELIEVE THE DISTRESS.
NINETY DAYS THE PERIOD SOUGHT
TO BE TIDED OVER
The Mayor Suggests a Committee OF seven.
teen With Power to Active or Six
Thousand Dollars Wanted.

In compliance with call issued b,
! Mayor Ellyson, meeting was held in the
/ large hall OF the Young Mems Christian
/ Association last evening 10 consider some
means for bringing about concerted ac-
ton in assisting the poor IN this city.
There were representatives Of all the
different denominations. and while the
gathering might have been larger in num-
Der, it could hardly have been more rep
rcsentauve
Mayor Ellyson opened the proceedings
by briefly stating the object Of the meet
ing. lie pointed out that the distress
was already great and would continue
to grow In view Of the fact that only
very few manufacturing establishments
were running Oh full time
During the past twenty years he had
frequently occasion TO call on the assist
ance Of the citizens Of Richmond, and
n had never known them % fail. espe-
cially when it was necessary 20 provide
food and raiment for the poor and needy.
On motion Of Mr. William n. Pleas
ants, Judge George J.. Christian was
elected permanent chairman and Fir.
Pleasants secretary.
DR.. vs.. W. Parker next explained the
system which had been established sew
eial years ago under similar circum-
stances. when a commissary department
was established, where provisions We're
issued TO the distressed on tickets sold
10 citizens in various parts of the city
he thought it would be q good plan 90
repeat that method. but in order 10 can-
Yass the city ia the quickest and most
thorough manner. he suggested the app
pointment of a committee of seventeen.
comprising two from each one OF the
larger denominations, one from the
Friends, one from the Lutheran, and one
from the outside world.
This committee should meet perhaps
once a week and lool, auer the proper
distribution Of food etc. The city should
also be asked 10 appropriate $1,000 I'm
January and $1,000 in February and he
expected that with some 5000 or $4,000
all told, the distress could be relieved
during the next ninety days.
Mr.. Straus thought 10 would be advis-
able for this committee to cooperate
with the Associated Charities. He sug-
gested that OF the contributions received.
one-third be distributed at once and the
other two-thirds be handed over TO the
Associated Charities who knew by this
time all the professional beggars I'm this
city, and could make the best use OF
the contributions lie also proposed that
fl mipht be well to have the ministers
i'm the city endorse such needy cases as
they knew 70 be worthy of assistance.
Commit. oi SOW NE %.
Mayor Ellyson moved that a commit
tee of seventeen be appointed. who should
have full power TO act as they deemed
l.
ever, for that committee 10 have the
hearty cooperation of the Associated
Charities. the city Mission, and similar
organizations.
Mr. H. Hutzler. the yice-president of
the Associated Charities stated that his
organization was very willing 20 relieve
the present distress, and whatever might
be added in the future. but not having %
mmissary, he considered Dr. Parkcr's
suggestion an admirable one. The COM /
mittee spoken OF would bee very good 90 /
do the temporary work. and it would ace /
a great deal, especially if 10 |
would not distribute any money.
Dr. W. ". Landrum and DR. T.. ~ |
~alisch spoke I'm "a similar strain. and the /
latter particularly emphasized The neces- /
sity of combining the efforts Of the new /
committee with those of the existing /
charitable organizations lie ,thou-ht /
he Associated Charities and the CITY Mis-
sion would be best suited for that pur-
,ose The former had been in existence
,nly six months, but it, had already ON
ecord at least 90 per cent. of an the
Door Of this city. and in that manner
iad been lessening pauperism.
After some additional remarks i'm the
anne line by Dr. George Cooper and
thers. the motion OF Mayor Elyson
vas adopted and the meeting soon after
djourned.