The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-09
A FRIEND, NOT AIMS.
Beneficent Move of the AssO-
ciated Charities.
REPORT OF THE FIRST YEAR.
Complete Statement OF the Relief Rem
dered by the Organization Made
ut Annual Meeting.

sociated Charities during the first year of
its existence, was fully set forth in the re-
ports of Secretary Joseph Shipper. Treas
urer Jacob Furth and Superintendent E.
I. Dooley at the annual meeting of the
bureau held at the Chamber of Commerce
last evening. Five directors were also
chosen for two years and one for one year.
to I'LL the vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton of A. s. Bright. When President D.
G. Garrett called the meeting to order, not
many members were present, bu, deep
interest was manifested in the work I'M
dertaken by the bureau on the part of
those who attended
After the reading of the minutes of the
last meeting was dispensed with. Secretary
Shipper read his report, which was as fol-
lows:
Your board of directors, through the under
signed as its secretary. begs leave to present
the following annual report: At the beginning
OF the year 1892 the agitation among the clergy
men of this city of the need of an efficient or
ganization for charitable purposes to cooperate
with and supplement the existing societies re-
suited In series OF public meetings held at the
Chamber o. Commerce, and therefrom, after
due consultation aud elaboration, emanated
this bureau. Its aims from tho outset were
clearly defined to be a center Of intercommun-
cation between the various churches and chart
table agencies in the city; to investigate thor
oughly and without charge the cases of all ap-
plicsnts for relief. and to provide visitors who
shall personally attend cases needing counsel
and advice; to obtain from the proper charities
and from charitable individuals suitable and
adequate relief for deserving cases: to procure
WORK Tor poor persons who are capable
OF being wholly or partially self-supporting:
= repress beggary by the above means, and by
the prosecution Of imposters; to promote the
general welfare of the poor by social and sani-
tary reforms and by the incubation of habits OF
providence and self dependence: and it is inn
portant that these aims BE- we'll known, not only
by ourselves, but by the public at large
From the outset this bureau disclaimed any
sectariau or party affiliations, ard disclaimed
purpose or desire to supplant Or rival any exist
ing charitable organization. 1t desired to be
the assistant and helper of other socetles-to
NIL functions somewhat analogous to a clearing
house among banks. A constitution was
adopted January IL. 1892. and board of direc-
tors. ten in number. was elected by ballot Janu-
airy So 1892, as follows: Jacob Furth, ID. &.
Garrett, Joseph Shippen, A. s Bright, w. V.
Rinehart. for a term of two years; Thomas W.
Prosch, Jerome Catlin, Mrs. G. H. Heibrou,
Mrs. F. W. Hankey. T. r. Fleming. for term OF
one year.
Under the constitution the chairman of the
board OF commissioners of King county and the
mayor of the city of Seattle ex oficio mem
bers OF the board of trustees. During the year
Mr. Bright and MI. Prosch resigned, and their
respective places were not filled until this an
nual meeting by the election Of Rev. Wallace
Nutting and Mr. E. F. Whittier. Thus it is that the
terms OF office which expire and may now be
filed at this meeting are those of Mr.. Nutting,
Mr.. Whittier, Mr.. Ca:iin, Mr.. Fleming and Mrs.
Hebron and Mrs. Hankey
Forthwith upon its election your board organ
lied by the election OF Mr.. Bright as president.
aurcpadp1
Garrett; Mr.. Prosch as vice president, who. on
his resignation. was succeeded by Mr.. Catlin;
Mr.. Shipper secretary and Mr.. Furth as
treasurer. The meetings of the board at the
outset were held weekly, until the scope and
nature of the work might be determined on and
defined and one method established. Suitable
rooms in the Seattle National bank building
were rented at SIG per month and necessary
Office furniture procured, together with a tele
phone, No. $50 Later In the year the need of
freqent meetings of the board disappeared and
an auditing committee, consisting OF the presi-
dent, the secretary and the superintendent, with
power to approve bills and draw warrants on
the treasurer, having been appointed, the board
has met regularly since last summer on the FIRST
Tuesday OF each month and held such special
meetings as occasion required.
On entering upon the discharge OF the i'm
portant duties by you intrusted to Us in this
community, we sought to avail ourselves of the
cities of the same or larger size. Their reports
and statements of facts and principles were OBJ
tanned ana circulated with a view to establish
ing our methods upon the wsest and most
philosophical basis. A rich, varied aud inter-
esting literature has in recent years grown up
ON this subject, we'll worthy the study of ell
interested in the administration OF public and
private charities. Especially would we call
attention to the series of valuable annual re-
ports of the National charitable organization.
In addition to reading, we invoked the presence
of the intelligent, experienced officers of the
Portland Associated Charities. and received
visits from Mr.. W. G. Steele and Mr.. Strong for
friendly counsel and advice. public meeting
was called and held in the interests OF the
bureau at Ranke's hall Sunday afternoon. Feb
ruary Q, which was addressed by the president,
Mr.. Bright; Mr.. Strong, of Portland, aud Messrs.
Garrett and Shipper. Another public meeting
was called and held in the same interests at the
Congregational church Thanksgiving eve, No
vember %, whereat Hon. Watson G. Squire pre-.
sided, and appropriate addresses were made as
to our work, methods and needs by Messrs. Gar
rett, Dooley, Ronald. Gasch, Rinehart and Nut
ting. The exercises were Interspersed with sp-
propriate music, and the collection taken up
resulted in the receipt OF $50 IN cash and CARDS
pledging contributions 10 the amount of $ls7
per month in support OF the bureau.
At the outset we recognized the supreme i'm
por.ance OF starting right to put in efFectual
operation the principles and methods that
would be most helpful aad stable, The indis-
criminate doing Of aims confronted us-one OF
the very evils TO both giver and recipien,
which we were organized to curb and cheek In
this city. The motto was adopted, 'Not aims,
but friend"
Mr. I. r. Fleming, OF our board, volunteered
his services as superintendent without com.
pensstion, giving i've hours per day, with
view to having the work established econom-
ical.y, and they were accepted. His interest
prompted him TO make q special study Of the
literature and experience of other societies of
like nature. and tor several months he gave val
uahle gratultous services. But as the work
grew, and individual cases for investigation
aud relief multiplied !. assistant, su perintend-
ent tecarne necessary, aud one was secured who
FOX several months. at salary OF SIS
per month, gave his entire time 10 the
work Many meetings of the board
were held. many con situations with public and
private officials were had, manv cases OF dis
tress were investigated and means devised for
solving difficulties aud relieving distress in
many forms. By superinteDdents unframed and
inexperienced in the work it could, however.
not BIZ expected that the most satisfactory re-
suits would be attained, but they aud your d.
rec.ors and the community at large had 10 grow
into knowledge and apprehension OF the work
before Us practically we'll as theoretically.
Yet we may we'll feel assured that good
and valuable ends were attained both
generally and IN many specific ia
stances. during first half year.
But by proof we felt the need Of an experienced