Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-20
New Constitution Drawn Up for the
Associated Charities.
It's FEATURES DISCUSSED LAST MIGHT
Purposes and Methods of Work of
the Organization.
THE NEW ECRETAR Y

The Associated CHARITIES OF me 1nSlrict
of Columbia last evening held an adjourned
session of the annual meeting CT November
I, the principal business transacted being
the consideration of 4 proposed now consti-
tuition. Mr.. Moore presided.
The proposed new constitution which was
prepared by a committee appointed fo- that
purpose, was then read Ivy the chairman,
Miss Katharine Hosmer. 1t stated the OBJ
jects and methods of this society as follows
First: To promote efficient corporation
between the municipal authorities, the pub
lie and private charities, the churches and
the benevolent individuals Of the District,
thus preventing the overlapping of relief
caused by Independent action.
Second: To establish such 4 system of
visiting and inquiry as shall insure accm ate
knowledge Of the condition Of each applicant
for relief.
Third: To obtain from the proper chart
ties and charitable individuals suitable and
adequate relief in cases of actual neeC. and
in all possible cases to make employment
the basis of relief.
Fourth: To supplement material aid Ivy
friendly visiting, which shall gradually
build up habits of Industry saving and
self-control among the less fortunate ard
to this end to organize a body of volunteer
visitors.
Fifth To promote the welfare Of the
really needy. by the exposure of deliberate
imposture and fraud.
Other articles provided that the members
of the society shall consist of all persons
who have subscribed to its funds during the
year the sum of s. or more, and all friendly
visitors and members of division confer
ences.
There shall be president, six vice presi-
dents or more, 4 secretary and a treasurer,
to be elected by the members of the society
annually.
The board of managers shall consist of
the District Commissioners, the health Of
ficer, the major and superintendent of po-
lice and not less than fifteen or more than
twenty members. to be elected by the So
ciety at its annual meeting. The board
elected at the meeting of 1895 shall divide
itself trto two classes, to serve, respective
ly. one and two years. The board shall
elect a chairman from their own number
and shall have power to fill vacancies in
the board or among the officers of the So
ciety. Their meetings shall be at stated
periods, to be fixed by the bylaws, or
whenever called by the chairman.
The board of managers shall, from time
to time, est blish division conferences of
not less tina ten members each. prefer
ably residents of the division, and shall
elect chairman for the same. 1t shall
elect a chairman for the same. They shall
make such reports to the central office. or
executive committee as the board of man
ayers may require, and they may, If deemed
expedient, establish division offices.
The Annual Dues.
sidered s. too large an amount for annual
dues, adding that public sympathy is
necessary to the success of the Associated
Charities, and that it could not be secured
If the dues were raised.
Mr.. Davis expressed himself in favor of
high dues for any good organization, but
Mr.. Emery declared that more members
and active workers would be secured by
having the dues remain as at present, 81
per year.
Miss Hosmer explained that in recon-
mending the increase the committee had
In view the desire of the society to secure
as voters persons who take a warm inter
est in the work. Those willing to pay So
would surely fill the requirements. No
definite conclusion was reached on the
question.
A long discussion followed regarding the
proposed new constitution, particularly as
to substituting Ito be nominated by resi-
dents of the division" for preferably resi-
dents of the division" in article I. DR..
Bradford finally suggested that competent
lawyers be consulted to pass on the stabil
ity of the constitution as drawn up Mr..
Voorhis was appointed legal counsellor of
the board, and instructed to request JUS
tees Cox and Hagner both members of
the Associated Charities, to examine the
draft. and give an opinion on it. Action
will be taken on the proposed constitution
three weeks hence. The society then ad-
journed
The Directors.
A meeting of the board of directors pre-
ceded the meeting of the society. At the
directors meeting a letter from the new
general secretary, Mr.. George S. Wilson,
was read, stating that he would report and
assume the duties of the office December l..
Rev. DR.. Parsons made motion, as fol-
lows:
Il move that we place on record our ap-
probation of the services Of Mr.. L. S.
Emery, the secretary of the Associated
Charities for the past thirteen years His
knowledge Of the field and his fidelity to
the work have been such as to command
our united admiration"
The motion was unanimously carried
The other business transacted by the board
was of routine nature.
undermining Methods.
Mr.. Woodward of the board of managers
said to a Star reporter:
"Tbe movement to recrganiZe the Asso-
ciated Charities aims to bring the associa-
ton into line with the most approved
methods which have stood the test of eX
perience In New York, Boston, Cincinnati
and Baltimore for years. The modern idea
of charity Is by no means summed UP in
the words giving aims AID. this differ
ence between the old and the new definitions
of charity leads to much confusion in the
mrds of many. The new idea does not,
as It's critics contend, exclude giving OF
relief. On the contrary, it gives a great
deal, but as the agent and not the source
of material aid. In other words, the Asso-
ciated Charities should organize a body Of
kers, one paid agent for each district
appointed, and as large force as possible
of volunteer visitors.
Each visitor is asked to look after two
femlies perhaps, to ascertain their real
condition, to report upon it and to procure
for them from a church or a relief society
or a charitable person what they really
need; tier the visitor is to keep up the
knowledge of the case try to provide work
for them, to encourage them by friendly
visits, to stir if possible their ambition, to
se3 that the children go to school, that the
mother perhaps learns how to use her re-
sources better, etc. 1t is the object to pre-
vent the visitor and the agent from being
regarded as a source of revenue The bus
iress of the central office is to keep in
touch with every district, to record every
case and it's history, such record to be ac-
cessible only to those who have a right to
n axe use of 1t. In so perfectly organized
an office as that of Baltimore any case sent
to the central or the district offices is re-
ported upon in forty-eight hours, and if 1t be
yaI iS lya1 Jy,+o