The Washington times., 1895-05-26
Charity Mad6 fh6 UiGtinnS
Of Frauds and Inp0StOrS
Some Experiences of Secretary Emery, of the
Associated-HoW Rev. Mr.. Bailey Was Taken
in by Slick Individual.

The adoption by the District authori-
ties of the Detroit potato-patch plan as
q means of partially providing for the
necessities of the worthy and industrious
Door during the coming winter has been
hailed with very general satisfaction by
the press, the pulpit, and the public, and
the experiment viii be watched with
more than ordinary interest by thousands
of the charitably disposed residents OF the
two winters gave so literally OF their
National Capital, who during the past
means to relieve the wants OF the unfor-
tunate poor, many OF whom were never be-
fore the recipients of aims in any form. In
this connection it is entirely safe to say
that, in proportion TO population, probably
no other city in the entire country can make
a better showing either as regards the
amount contributed or the organization,
system, and intelligence exercised in its
distribution.
During last season the Citizens Relief
Committee had at its sdisposals some $50 900.
which sum was divided among the various
local charity organizations, the Associated
Charities receiving 81 900. The writer
had occasion recently to spend portion OF
several DAYS in the office of the latter or
during the last three or four years, and
from AIr Emery, the secretary, ana who is
also the secretary of the Citizens Relief
Committee. gained mush valuable infor-
nation as to the past operations and
methods OF work pursued by this noble
and well directed charity.
Right here il may be said that the APP
proach of fine weather has not entirely
dispersed the army OF applicants for assist
ance, for Mr.. Emery has daily numerous
callers, all of whom pour into his ear more
OF less narrowing tales of poverty and dis
treSs Most OF these cases are genuine, and
where the applicant is newcomer an in
vestigation is Immediately made and, IL
found deserving, prompt relief afforded.
Occasionally an impostOr puts in an ap-
pearance, but Mr.. Emery's long experience
enables him, after few moments con-
rersation with his visitor, to detect, al
most unerungly, all attempts at fraud, and
the would-be perpetrator is dismissed with
very little ceremony. As a parting saluta-
hon the man 0 T woman, as the case may be,
IS informed that the police VIII be notified
70 be on the lookout for all such persons
and the Jail or workhOuse is suggested as
the proper remedy, a dose OF which viii
be applied unless they desist from their
evil ways.
EMERY INQUISITORIAL.
Although there is so much that is sad
and pitiable, some of the scenes that are
daily enacted at the office of the Associated
Charities border closely on the ludicrous,
and are most amusing TO the Onlooker. A
Few specimen cases may not be inap-
propriate here. They are taken at random,
and, though not all occurring on the same
day. most of them came under the writer's
personal observation. As heretofore noted
secretary Emery's long experience stands
aim in good stead and II does not take him
Ong TO size up his visitor
one case was that OF large, dirty and
generally slouchy looking coIored woman,
and the way Mr Emery piled her with ques
lions was a revelation 10 one who wit =
messed the performance for the first time.
Here are a few OF the questions, shot at
the victim with such rapidity as 10 badly
discoDcert her and make manifest any at
bsmpt at fraud: why don't you go TO
wOrk2'' what can you do?'' ''Can you
DO il welI?" what wages do you want?''
where did you work last?" why did
you leave?"
These questions and Others were repeated
several times, and, while the applicant for
relief hesitatingly answered, her counte
nance was closely scanned by the keen and
experienced eyes of Mr. Emery. At the
close of the examination the woman was
directed TO where she could get employ
lleUI ana QlslLlSStu.
The next visitor was a fairly dressed
young = hite man. He was not a bad d-look-
ing fellow, but appeared TO be one of that
altogether too numerous class of young
sters who would rather lean on somebody
else than make living by their own
eXeTtions. He slowly saUntered up 10 Mr..
Emery's desk, and the latter, turning, thus
accosUed him: ''YoU were here about two
weeks ago. I told you where you could get
job. Why didn't you go and look after it? ~
The young fellow looked almost too
weary and astonished TO answer. but al
last managed TO drawl: II did go, but the
place was filled"
''when did you go?"
yesterday"
Yesterday shouted Mr.. Emery, why
didn't you go right away. That's the
way to get work. You don't suppose a job
will be kept open for you for nearly two
weeks, and then when you have lost the
place you viii be cared for by the chari-
table people OF the District OF Columbia?
You are young, strong man, and ought
10 be well able 10 take care OF yourself,
aud when you are offered chance TO do
SO you throw it away. Why didn't you go
next day. as you promised?''
The youth replied that be could not very
well go next day, as be had something
else 10 attend to.
''Oh, we'll" said Mr.. Emery, "if you
have so much business of their own on