Evening star., 1895-04-29
TO CONSIDERS sMLIEF PLANS
Inquiries to Be Mada6bg the Central Relief
OomDiittee.
Action Of the Meeteng Saturday Even
ing-SubcomsisAdtees to Re-
port 0hAethOds.

AT meeting OF the citizens centrai re-
lief committee Saturday afternoon 1t was
decided to investigate the so-called Detroit
plan and other methods of relief through
work, and also to investigate the question
of permanent and complete organlza-
tion CT charitable relief work in the Dis
trict. Judge C. c. Cole, the chairman of
the committee. at whose Office, in the city
hall. the meeting was held, was authorized
to appoint committee of three to cen
duct the aforementioned investigation, and
a committee of the same number to con-
slider the question of a permanent relief
organ - ton. The committee on the Detroit
plan is directed to report. if possible, at
meeting of the central committee next Fri
day afternoon.
There was barely a quorum Of the COM
mittee present at the meeting Saturday,
those in attendance being Judge Cole.
Mrs. J. w. Babson, Miss Harriet Loring.
Mr.. I. w. Noyes. Col. John Tracey, DR..
l.. w. Ritchie, Mr.. John F. Cook and Sec
retary L. S. Emery. In calling the meet
Ing to order, Judge Cole stated that the
District Commissioners, in their letter of
the 10th instant. had requested the COM
mittee to consider the question Of future
rellef work, and whether 1t would under
take an investigation Of the methods of
relief. The meeting, explained Judge Cole,
mad been called for the purpose Of con-
sidering the suggestions of The Commission
ers, and the first question to be decided
was, therefore, whether the committee
would undertake the investigation.
Committees Authorized.
Mr.. Noyes, in order TO test the sense cf
the committee, moved that committee of
three be appointed to investigate the Sc
called Detroit plan and other methods of
relief through work and to report upon the
same at the next meeting of the central
committee. The motion prevailed. where
upon Mr.. Noyes moved that committee
OF three be appointed to investigate and
report upon the question Of a permanent
and complete organization Of charitable re-
lier work in the District. This motion also
prevailed, although Miss Loriug stated that
she was opposed to any permanent relief
organization, believing tnat it would en-
courage idleness and attract an undesira-
Bile element to the District. She believed
that the methods pursued during the past
Two winters would meet every requirement.
DR.. Ritchie trusted that the committee
would proceed with such caution as not
to interfere with the recent action of the
board OF trade, and Col. Tracey stated
tnat he had learned of plan of relief
which contemplated Il more extensive and
novel plan of federation of :he relief
agencies. He did not know tha. it would
be pressed, however.
Judge Cole remarked that the District
commissioners apparently wish to know
whether the central relief committee IA
Vors going on as it has during the past
two years, or whether the committee de-
sires to suggest permanent relief organ
lzat1on, one ready to act whenever the
necessity or emergency arises.
Mr.. Noyes suggested that Judge Cole be
made chairman ex-officio of the two COM
public duties would so occupy his time
as to prevent him from SO acting.
Signs of BETTER Times.
During recent visit to New York, stat
ed Col. Tracey, he had been informed of
a great falling off there in the number of
applicants for relief, and Mr.. Emery stat
ed that the nurnber of applicants here
has SO fallen off that there is now hardly
any demand for relief. He regarded that
Emery said that the Associated Charities
have under consideration a plan of relief
through the placing of poor people upon
Farming lands held in trust by the asso-
ing lands within a comparatively short
distance of Washington can be bought he
stated, for 80 an acre.
This plan was referred'to the investigat-
ing committee. as was offer made
Mrs. Babson by Messrs. Weller &
Repett, real estate dealers. This firm ten
ders thirty-three vacant original lots and
one square of land in East Washington to
the committee. to be used by the poor for
agricultural purposes. No rental Is to be
charged, the firm merely stipulating that
their signers shall not be disturbed, and
that they shall be notified when and by
whom the respective parcels of ground are
to be occupied. Messrs. Weller & Repetti
also stated that, should the plan prove
several more pieces of land
would be rendered to the committee by
them.
The committee adjourned until o'clock
next Friday afternoon, the meeting to be
held in the Office of Judge Cole, at the city
hall.
Committee Appointed.
Judge Cole today announced the following
as the committee to inquire into the De-
trcit plan and other methods of relief
work: Messrs. L. s. Emery, Theo. w.
Noyes and ]. W. Somerville. This commit
tee will report on the Detroit plan at the