Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-17
ARRANGING THE CANVASS.
Preparing to Make House to House
Call for Contributions.
Committees In Every Part of the City
WOrk-A Conference Last Night.

Some Of the results Of the work under
taken by the citizens committee on cam
vass were made manifest last night at a
conference held at the Ebbitt House by
the members of the executive committee
and the chairmen of subcommittee. The
task imposed upon the executive commit
tee Of districting the city and organizing
subcommittee to canvass each dis. rtcS is
about completed. The purpose Of last
nights conference was to fully acquaint
the chairmen of these district committees
with the plans of work adopted. Nearly
every district Of the city was represented
at the meeting. and a spirit and zeal man.
ifested which gives promise that the can
vass when undertaken will be Thorough
and successful, II enthusiasm and diligence
on the part of the canvassers can make it
SO. Those present were Chairman Trues-
dell, Mrs H. b. F. mcfarland and Mcssrs.
Edison, Baum and Goodwin Of the executive
committee. Jesse H. Wilson, George y.
Boteler Of Georgetown, H.. L. Biscoe, DR..
Malcolm Cameron, Clarence B. Rheem,
Mrs. N. A. Robbins. Mrs. Lewis Ciepnane.
John H. Benton, John H. Magruder. Rev.
L. Stern, DR.. A. ]. Shafhirt. Rev. DIR. n.y.
ron Sunderland. Henry Franc. ]. Whit
Heron, Jay B. Smith, John T. Freeman
dHu w. buNHs representing committees
within the city. of Washington; A. l..
Sturtevant Of Mt. Pleasant, Dr. Charles G.
Stone Of Brightwood. Mrs. Annie E. Miller
Of Takoma Park. Mrs. James H. McGill Of
lie Droit Park, DR.. A. ]. Penrod Of Brook
land and Mr.. Julius Tolson of Anacostia
District Commissioner Ross Col John
Tracey, superintendent Of charities and
chairman Of the central relief committee,
and Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, chairman of
diStri Me
present. and were much pleased with the
interest displayed in the important work
which the committee has before 1t.
Some Addresses.
Mr.. Ross made an impressive speech, in
which he spoke earnestly of the great need
existing in the District, and of the many
who were in destitute circumstances and
too proud to beg and urged the committee
to good work. promising that any assist
ance they needed from the Distric. Com
missioners would be cheerfully accorded
Col. Tracey made an address 20 the same
purpose. expressing the greatest confidence
this neighborhood effort to secure the
means Of relief. He spoke of the many
cases that were daily brought to his norice
officially, illustrating the great restitution
and Rabbi Stern also made addresses en-
couraging the committee In its work.
The General Plan.
Chairman Truesdell then outlined the
general plan, which 1t Is expected the can
wasting committees in various districts will
follow. 1t is proposed to have +he canvass
ing commence on the same day In every
part Of the city. The newspapers would
apprise the public Of the fact, and 1t was
believed that people would be ready every
where to receive tn canvassers and expe-
dite their work. The canvassers will be
provided with books containing written au-
thorization from the chairman Of the COM
mtttee and blank form, which has been
prepared after careful consideration by Mr..
Edison. and which. 1t was believed. would
greatly assist the canvassers in their work
Mr.. Truesdell impressed upon those present
the necessity for making the canvass
quick and thorough He spoke with great
earnestness on this point, and all agreed
with him.
MIR. Edison exhibited a proof sheet Of the
blank. and explained 1t to the gathering.
This paper is intended to be left at houses
where the head Of the house Is not at home
or where the canvasser gets no immediate
response for any reason to the appeal for
help. 1t sets forth briefly the situation
and has space provided for pledges of
either money. food, fuel or clothing. An
envelope Is to be left with this blank. in
which 1t can be mailed by the householder
to Chairman Truesdell. in case the can
vasser Is unable to return for 1t. 1t Is en-
pected that contributions of money will be
collected by members of the committee,
but the supplies pledged will be gathered
by a wagon service to be established for the
purpose. The blank contains concise in
structions, SO that the househol Ter receiv-
Ing one can make no mistake. This blank
was commended by all present as a very
efficient help to canvassers. Several of the
ladies and others present entered into tie
discussion by asking questions, AMI before
the evening closed very good understa nd
ing was reached as to the general plan to
be followed in the work. The .hairmen of
subcommittee were authorized to enlarge
their committees where necessary, and re-
Quested to organize for the WORK as soon
as possible. Three days were given to COM
plete the committees in districts where ii
is thought membership is not large enough,
and when these are completed the POUNDS
of the thirty-three districts and the lists of
OF the committees for each districs will be
published. 1t Is believed hat everything
will be in readiness to begin the canvass
by the first of next week.