Evening star., 1894-01-10
The Central Committee Reducing It
to a System.
THE PLAN OF DISTR IBU TI0N
Reports Adopted at the Meeting
Yesterday Afternoon.
THE CANVASS OF THE CITY


central relief committee held yesterday
afternoon, at the headquarters in the Post
building. Several reports that looked to
the pushing forward of the good work OF
aiding the present distress among the citys
poor were received from the different COM
mittees having the details of the work in
charge. Those present were Col. John
Tracey, superintendent of charities and
chairman; Miss Harriet b. Loring, Mrs. j.
w. Babson, Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, Secre-
tary James w. Somerville. DR.. L. w.
Ritchie, Mr.. j. Harrison Johnson, Mr..
Brainard H. Warner, Mr.. Theodore w.
Noyes. Mr.. Simon Wolf. Mr.. Beriah Will
kins and Justice c. G. Cole.
Col. Tracey presided over the meeting
and after the transaction of some minor
preliminary business called for the reports
of the subeommittees. Mr.. T. w. Noyes,
the chairman of the subcommittee on rails
ing funds. stated that they had conferred
with the recently appointed committee of
fifty, as directed, that the work of this
canvassing committee was proceeding
satisfactorily, and that a fuller report OF
its acts and plans was expected before
this meeting adjourned.
The most important report perhaps, was
that submitted by the subcommittee on de-
1t was a unanimous report and among other
things contained recommendations for the
| establishment of central office store
room, with permanent storekeeper, under
the supervision of the committee one men,
Der of which is to be present at all times
The report also recommended the securing
of an agency in each police precinct where
supplies should be obtained at a fixed price
and with as much discount as could be OBJ
tained The report was submitted by Mr.
Lawrence Gardner, the chairman of the
committee. In full it was as follows:
Plans for Distribution.
Your committee would respectfully re-
port that they have given the subject OF
distribution careful consideration, keeping
before them two objects to be attained:
first, assistance that will afford relief as
promptly as possible; and second, assist
ance that will be rendered as economically
as possible.
ITO accomplish the first your committee
would recommend the establishment of
central Office, from which point all relief
could be distributed The office to be in
charge of representative of this COM
mittee and that the several members of
the committee arrange among themselves
so that some one could be present at all
times during the day. The depot could also
be used as one of supplies. Your committee
in their research have heard of quite num-
Der of people who are anxious to send cloth
ing and other necessities for the use of this
committee for distribution, but there is no
central point to which Ii can be sent.
Your committee understanding that the
committee on subscriptions proposes a very
admirable plan of securing contribution CT
clothing, that will make it absolutely neces-
sary that some depot be established, We
therefore recommend that store be rent
ed for the next three months, the same to
be situated in the center of the city.
nd ar Nlan ndn tod
ing, selecting five associations that are now
in existence as the mediums of our distribu-
ton, your committee would suggest, afte-
consultation with the officers of the various
societies or associations, that a certain
amount be fixed on and appropriated by this
committee, which amount be placed to their
credit, and on presentation of the orders
and itemized bills, approved by the proper
officers, that our treasurer shall pay the
same charging 1t to the amount appropriate
ed
The committee would therefore offer the
following resolutions: That this committee
recommend to the central committee that
they notify the agencies they propose to
use that they may draw orders for supplies
to a fixed amount on bills approved by the
person in charge of that agency.
THAT each association acting as dstrbut-
ing agents for this central relief committee
shall be called on to report the first busi-
ness day of each month, making state
ment OF the amount of the appropria ton
they have consumed and what in Their judg-
ment will be needed during the month.
There are many small matters in rela-
ton to the details of issuing orders, so as to
prevent duplication of assistance from diff
ferent organizations. You committee would
advise that this be left in the hands of your
committee to arrange as the emergenc cieS
arise. There have been many cases called
to the attention of your committee of men
soliciting street charity, especially at night
who refuse assistance other than money
At the same time their appeals are made in
such a piteous manner that strangers are
often" induced to give them assistance
With the intention of trying to stop street
begging as far as possible, your committee
would recommend that the following plac-
ard be printed and hung up in the hotels
and depots:
Strangers temporarily residing in the
city of Washington are requested not to
give to street charity, as arrangements have
been made by the central relief committee
to take care of and feed all deserving poor
from their Office after each case has been
Investigated. Any contribution you may
feel disposed to make will be used by the
committee for the best advantage
I'VE would also suggest that with this
placard be placed charity box.
arrangements have been entered into,
subjects to the approval of this committee.
with the Central Union Mission, to supply
meals at the rate of 10 cents each. TO ex-
pedite matters, your committee have had
tickets printed, and they are now ready for
distribution. The tickets are to be placed
throughout the city, our arrangement with
the mission being that we shall redeem all
| tickets collected by them for meals at the
price named; namely, 10 cents.
I'm relation to the question of purchas-
ing supplies at wholesale rates your COM
mittee find many difficulties that would
make IL almost impossible to enter into
satisfactory arrangemtns. We would
however, suggest that seven eight busi-
ness establishments be selected at diff
ferent points in the city. For instance
that nine grocery establishments be Sc
lected for the entire District, perhaps the
same number of wood and coal yards. That
they be requested to furnish us with a price
list at which supplies can be purchased,
then arrange with them for q scale of dis
counts based on the amount purchased
during a month. The saving to the COM
mittee would undoubtedly be considerab BILE; /;
but above all, it would secure at least, a
uniform price
Your committee would also recommend
that a register be opened at the central
office. in which could be entered the names
of all deserving men who desire work on
the public roads, that wnen the money
made available for building roads has been
secured, the Commissioners may have at
their hands list of the deserving people.
I'VE further find that in addition to the
black list of impoStors spoken of at the
last meeting, which is in the possession
of the Associated Charities, the police have
also such a list which at the service of
our committees.
During the week your committee have
rfa Of