The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-29
THE ASSOCIATED CHAETTIEs.
How the system works in Ninety Other
Giles.


Already considerable interest Is being
manifested in the operations of the newly
orqanlzed Associated Charities OF this
city. Under the direction Of competent
committee. consisting Of Messrs Wood
ward. Turnbun and Calisch, headquarters
have been secured and are being made
ready for occupancy on July lst In the
commodlous basement Of I'LL east Main
street
The matter Of cooperative charitable
work has already been under discussion IN
at least ninety cities Of the United states
and nearly all OF them have society
which corresponds very nearly In elorI
and aims 10 our own. One OF the chlei
ends Of these societies seems TO De the
suppression Of outdoor relief rather IMAM
its extension. and I'm many cities the re-
duction OF the amount Of money appTo-
prated for such relief by municipal au-
thoritles is as much matter OF surprise
as Of qualification. The reduction IN one
year from eight cities reported was more
than 100000, one city which abolished the
appropriation for outdoor relief reporting
the payment Of an. 2N the previous year
for this purpose.
The matter OF friendly visiting has re-
ceived much attention. and witnessed a
very rapid development with most graft
Tying results. The tendency Of thorough
organization has been 20 limit rather than
enlarge The duties OF volunteer visitors,
and in the most successful societies the
average number Of familics visited has
been three 90 a visitor. 10 Is claimed tnat
The very best results are seen from thls
intensely personal system Of yisitatons,
as by this method they are enabled 10
enter more carefully and dlscreetly into
Che condolences u the poor, and are thus
enabled to more successfully lift them
Up 90 p. better condition, and this really Is
the true end and aim Of all charitable
work.
BY actual contact with the needy one
learns their needs. and this not IN sin
gle visit, but in confidence won by con-
tlnued interest.
The many forms Of definite develop
ment Of the condition Of the poor, are all
productive OF good, and are somewhat
limited es 10 the practical workings or
the same by reason Of location or other
well-defned conditions
Prominent among them may be men
toned the establishment OF an employ
ment agency, where the unemployed may
be more effectually brought into contact
with the employers; the labor tests for
the men and the work-room and laundry
for women, both Of which expect an
equivalent for the assistance rendered.
and which weed out the unwilling" as
being unworthy" provident savings
banks and various schemes for the safe
keeping Of small savings by the purchase
Of stamps &c; the thorough system Of
investigation and still more systematic
method Of registration. which. while II
detects the unprinciplcd and undeserving
renders relief 10 the really deserving
more certain.
The prevention Of street begging Is one
Of the certain results % a thorough sys-
fem OF alms-giving, and the detection
and punishment Of imposters Will also
follow.
The Associated Charities aims not so
much 10 afford relief as 10 systematic
ana classify the relief already provided
10y state municipal or public institutions
or private charity, and offers its aid I'm
careful investigation, friendly visiting.
efficient registration and classification 10
all persons or organizations who are
charitably inclined or who dispense aims.
To all such its efforts and labors will be
cheerfully and freely given. II hopes in
return TO be worthy OF and to receive
from the already existing societies,
churches. asylums police records, &c,
such information regarding charities adj
ministered as will effectually prevent I'm
posture, duplication and overlapping of
relief in our midst.