The herald., 1895-04-12
First Annual Meeting in the
Congregational Church
SOME ABLE PAPERS READ
Mrs. Abbic G. Johnston, William Pridham
and Miss Clara Y. Morse
Talked on the Subjects of the Relief Corps,
the Associated Charities and the
Wv. :. A. Respectively

ment was not in evidence last evening,
and the audience that assembled for
postponed meeting of the Federation of
Societies in the First Congregations
church was dissappointingly small.
The loss was all to the people who didn't
go. ho viewer, for there were some able pa
pcrs read by Mrs fAbbie G. Johnston, Will
liam Pridham and Miss Clara Yale Morse.
Mrs. II. M. Widney, the president of the
federation, presided, and explained tnat
the meeting was continuation OF the
first annual meeting which was held
March 9th At that time business had oc
cupied both morning and afternoon ses-
SONS to the exclusion of the papers. and
that they would therefore be read last
night.
x hymn. was sung and the Lords Pray
or repeated, after which Mrs. Johnston
was introduced and read short paper ON
the Natiopal Woman's 8 Relief Corps, which
is an auxiliary of the Grand Army of the
Republic. The need of the order was first
felt and steps were taken to organize in
1881; in 1888 the National Relief Corps
was organized, and from a mem bership
it had grown to 3104 mbers. One
million and thirteen thousand dollars
have been expended for the relief OF
widows and orphans of 6. A. r. men for
training nurses and other purposes.
The object is to give relief to all needy
ones. but to especially aid and perpetuate
the Grand Army families, and flowers.
jellies, etc., are provided as well as
money. The organization works in SYM.
pathy with benevolent associations. and
much of the work in different localities is
done in departments or corps, OF which
there are four in Los Angeles, the Frank
Bartlett Stanton, Kenesaw and John A.
Logan.
Mrs. Johnston concluded her remarks
with reference to the flags that have been
presented to- the various public schools
by the local corps and the noble effort to
teach public school children to love and
honor the flag. A cordial invitation was
given to all to join the order whose
motto is: Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty"
William Pridham was then introduced
and the following interesting paper was
presented by him:
have been requested to present for
your! consideration statetm ent outlin-
ing the objects of the Associated Chari-
ties and the means employed in attaining
them and at the risk of being charged
with repetition l shall endeavor to pre-
sent something that may be satisfactory
to you.
Something over year ago a number Of
charitably disposed persons who had been
for many years engaged in dispensing
charity and had been forced to the con-
was being bestowed upon those unworthy
to receive it, came together to discuss the
matter, and, as result of such discuss
ion, determined that by systematic but
kindly investigation many of the impo-
sitions practiced upon them could be pre-
vented. Time has demonstrated the wis
dom Of this conclusion in the result
shown by the records of the association.
for the actual workers have not only been
saved considerable useless outlay of time
and money, but the benefits of the de-
serving poor have been greatly enhanced.
In order that there may be no misun-
derstanding in the minds of those who
are not mem DeIs of the Associated Char
tiles, it might be well to say that in the
formation of the organization it was not
intended in anv manner to fOreStall or
monopoliZe the work of other associa-
tions. but rather to ssist them in their
laudable efforts in similar directions by
furnishing at all times such information
regarding applicants for assistance as the
records might show.
In this connection it is admissible to
say that | know of no society in this city
engaged in similar work that keeps so
systematic q record of its doings.
Further, its work is in no sense emo.
tional; but, on the contrary. is reduced as
nearly as possible to the lines of practi-
cability and Justice. reserving the privi-
lege OF discriminating between those who
are and those who are not worthy oil its
consideration.
The following brief synopsis of the re.
port of the secretary of the organization
at its first annual meeting. showing the
result of its years work, may be of inter-
est to you as setting forth the amount of
relief given and the cost of conferring
same: There was received during the
year from all sources, membership fees,
donations, ETC.. $4959.7s. The associa-
tion disbursed for provisions. bedding,
Il rn ~ a s<,ty
meals, ETC.. $4951.25.
During that period the organization in
vestigated and assisted 820 cases of
worthy individuals and families who
were in sore distress. In addition to the
above. homes were secured for homeless
children, medical attention was obtained
for the sick and employment for men
and women, many OF whom are now in
permanent situations and earning their
own living.
To those who are not memb bers. or who
have not had an opportunity of person.
ally inspecting the work of the associa.
tion at its Office in the court house in
this city, it might be interesting to pre-
sent brief outline OF the manner in
which investigations are pursued and the
nature of the reports filed with its secre-
tary and to know that such lnyestiga-
tions and reports are treated as conf
Dental in every way, each case being
known by its, consecutive number as filed
in the office and showing as follows:
Name of applicant; married or single;
age; local address; number and location
OF rooms, basement. front or rear; condi-
ton of rooms; two previous places at
which applicant lived; occupation of
man. woman or children of family; earn
ings pep week individually and colec-
lively; address of employer or employers; |
physical condition of members of family
name of attending physician if any;
mher OF children whether boys or girls
number of children married; name OF
others depending upon family; nativity;
religion; ber of rooms occupied; rent
permonth; amount of rent in arrears;
bills due: articles in pawn if any; refer
ences if any; chief cause of distress; if
unemployed how long out of employ
ment; name of relatives able to assist;
amount and date of relief from other So
cieties and individuals.
The officers of the association making
this report give the name of the district
agent or other person recommending the
case .ani the namefof the person present.
ing H. If the applicant is found to be
worthy and not receiving aims from indi-
vduals or other associations immediate
relief is given and such steps taken as are
within the province OF this association to |
permanently place the applicant in posi-
tion to hepfhimself.
From the foregoing it will readily be |
seen that ii all the many organizations
now engaged in charitable work in this