The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-17
REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS
Secretary Israel Outlines the Objects
z Z. Of the Associated Charities. ,
ASSISTANCE us ASKED FOR
It VIII Require Money TO Carry Out the
Objects That the Association Has in
View Report of Treasurer
W. T. Smith.


W. T. Smith.
At the meeting of the Board of Asso-
ciated Charities held last Tuesday night
the annual reports of officers were read.
Those of Secretary Rev. Rogers Israel
Nnd Treasurer W. T. Smith are
printed below, and will be found worthy
Of careful perusal. Mr.. Israel's report
is as follows:
In presenting the first annual report
of the Associated Charities the direc-
tors have thought it best that their por-
ton should be addressed more particu-
larly to the public. and that the
workers in the society and few others
who thoroughly understand its methods
and work should consider that the work
of the agent could be perused by them
for their information and instruction.
There are in the community, outside of
the members of the board and their I'M
mediate co-workers, those who, being
ignorant of the principles of the Or
ganization, have during the past year
felt 1t incumbent on them to condemn
it, asserting that 1t was but one other
organization added to the many for the
pauperiZing of the needy of the city.
We think, however, that a candid In
vestigation of our methods and the OBJ
jects of the society will show that we
have brought into being not another
charitable organization, but one
through which all the others might find
q head and basis. 1t has been our In
tention and effort during the past yeaI
to bring into harmonious working and
simple methods the distribution OF
charity by both individuals and organ
izations Of our city. To say that we have
done this would be too much, but we
can state that we have made begin
ming along the line of making the de-
pendent independent, and the paupeI
self-supporting. To the better under
standing of the methods of our society
we would state plainly the objects:
Objects of the Society.
First--To secure the concurrent and
harmonious action of the different
charities of Scranton in order o..
Second-To raise the needy above the
need of relief.
Third-To prevent begging and impo-
sition and to diminish pauperism.
Fourth-To encourage thrift, self-de-
pendence and industry through friend
ly intercourse, advice and sympathy.
Fifth.-To aid the poor to help them
selves.
Sixth-To prevent children from
growing up as paupers.
Seventh-To aid in the diffusion OF
knowledge on subjects connected with
the relief Of the poor.
To accomplish these results it is de-
signed: .'.,.
First-To provide that the case OF
every applicant for relief shall be
thoroughly Investigated. ,.
Second-To place the results of such
investigation at the disposal of the sec
retary Of the poor board, charitable
societies and agencies and Of private
persons of benevolence.
Third-To obtain employment If pos
sible, If not, to obtain SO far as neces-
sary suitable assistance for every de-
serving applicant from the public au-
thorities, charitable agencies or benevo-
lent individuals.
Fourth-To make all relief, either by
aims or charitable work, conditional
upon the good conduct and progress.
: Fifth-To send to each poor family
under advice of the proper authorities a
friendly visitor. ...
Sixth-To hold public meetings and
print papers for distribution.
Only Begun Its Work.
: AS we read these objects again we
find that our society, while formulating
its work during the past year, has only
begun the great development which II
hopes to reach in future years. 1t has
been found absolutely necessary, under
the strain placed upon the society last
winter, during the hard times, to have
a fund upon which call could be made
for cases of emergency. The giving of
charity was and is totally contrary to
the object for which the society Is es-
tablished, but the need was met first by
the mayors fund, upon which orders
could be given from time to time by the
agent and then by the emergency fund,
which is still In existence. 1t was the
intention of the society to divide the
city into districts, and to have volun-
teer visitors, who could report to the
authorized agents of the society, but
owing to the lack of preparation and
the uncertain condition of affairs relat-
ing to charity In the city 1t was deemed
wisest for the first year to let the or
ganization develop along the lines best
suited to our city. We find ourselves
now In a position to go forward with
the work outlined above, and we hope
this winter to see every case placed In
the hands of some wise and benevolent
individual. This has been accomplished
to great extent through the priests
and ministers of the city, and we be-
lieve can be perfected under their ad-
vice and guidance so that there need
be no needy person uncared for In our
city. 81,
Seeks TO Find the Cause.
As the scientist and the student seek
for the cause of all Irregularities in ma
ture and In morals, so this organization
seeks to find the causes for poverty and
need, and finding these causes, to Il"
away with them and thus alleviate the
case Tits inception, To this end an
agent has been employed to thoroughly
Investigate every case referred and
every application made to her. This
has necessitated over 300 visits upon ap-
plieation of individuals themselves or
some one interested in each case. These
investigations have been tabulated and
the name, residence. nationality, re-
ligious persuasion, age, civil condition,
present need, cause thereof and the
amount of aid rendered recorded. These
records have been carefully filed away
and have been made use Of In making
UP the report of the agent. 1t Is with
a very deep appreciation of our in
debtedness to Mrs. w. B. Duggan, the
agent, that we would here acknowledge
her wise. discreet and firm administra-
tion Of this department. We believe