The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-09
CHARITY WORK A SCIENCE
Such Is Indicated BY the Associated
Charities Annual Meeting.
REPORTS SHOW WHAT is DONE
Board Met In the Albright Library and
Elected Officers for q New Year.
Thanks Wero rendered TO
Many Kindred Aids.

InoukS Werc leuoercO TO
Many Kindred Aids.
The second annual meeting of the
Board of Associated Charities was held
last night In the trustees room of the
Albright library. Important reports
were made, officers elected for the ensu-
ing year and general business transact
ed. A directors meeting followed.
Attorney w. Gaylord Thomas was
chosen chairman, and Thomas J. Kel-
ley, secretary. Rev. Rogers Israel, sec
retary, read the following report:
"A review of the work of the second
year of the Associated Charities Will
show how, by the generous aid or
benevolent people. we have been ena-
bled to carry out more fully than In the
first year the objects of our organiza-
tion. These objects cannot be too often
stated and are as follows:
"'To reduce vagrancy and pauperlsm
ard ascertain their true causes; to pre-
vent indiscriminate and duplicate CIV
ing; to protect the community against
imposition; to see that deserving cases
of destitution are properly relieved: to
make employment the basis of relief;
to- elevate home-life, health and habits
of the poor, and to prevent childen from
growing up as paupers.
Methods OF Operation.
"'The means used have been cO-opera-
ton among societies and individuals; a
system of registrations; thorough In
vestigation in the case of each appli-
cant; the obtaining from existing char
tiles or individuals the help needed; by
giving temporary relief In cases of
emergency; by careful study Of the
causes of poverty and the best methods
of dealing with destitution and degrad
alton
1--WE naturally find the work to vary
in this second year. AS the association
has become better known. applications
for various purposes have increased.
One thousand five hundred and ninety
six Is the record this year, against $40
the first year More investigations have
been found necessary, but less finan-
cial aid has been given. With the re-
turn of business activity. work has be-
come quite plentiful. and by giving en-
ployment instead of financial aid the
self-respect Of the applicant has been
preserved and self-dependence has been
encouraged. The board of poor direc-
tors has co-operated most heartily with
our agent. and the results have been
most beneficial to both associations and
door relief and the removal of a num-
ber of impostors from the city. Two
years ago begging from house to house.
especially by children, had become so
general as to be n nuisance. Today
child-begging has entirely ceased. and
few adults care to run the risk of ar
rest and exposure from our officers.
This might seem a hard condition OF
affairs We're it not that our city Is now
so well cared for by means which, while
not altogether originated by our asso-
citation. have been concentrated and
regulated by it, that no one need suffer
for the lack of the necessaries of life
and no worthy persons go without aid,
comfort and sweet sympathy.
Evils of fIndiscrininate Charity.
1--WE cannot emphasize too strongly
the evil arising from the giving of char
ity without investigation. and would
impress upon all our citizens the fact
that our association is ready and will
ing to investigate and report the result
of the investigation. and also to aid II
the need Is Immediate
1T does not seem to be generally un-
derstood by many that while the times
have improved and many avenues Of
labor have been reopened. that there
Is yet a large number Of men and wo-
men in our city unable to secure per-
manent employment. 1t Is to keep this
mass of men and women from becoming
dependents upon charity that our great
est efforts are now directed. 1t is very
easy to give money and provisions, hut
they may soon become a curse to the
recipient. 1t is extremely difficult to
brace up failing courage. to strength
en- hope and to inspire confidence and
co no Itctn . hi
should have many volunteer visitors
who would be willing each to take a
family and to give it the personal, low
ing sympathy which is most helpful in
such cases. Every church and parish
should have body Of good women or
ganized for this purpose. while our as
sociation should have volunteers
enough to supply general calls.
'The association has distributed
many pamphlets containing lectures by
Miss Octavia Hill, of Boston. who Is
DISTINGUISHED In charitable work. We
hope during the coming year to secure
for distribution Mrs. Lowells Friendly
Visiting Robert Treat Palne's How to
'Repress Pauperisn,' and Professor
Peabody's Problem of Charity
The Tramp and 'hc Woodward.
1.-THE tramp is still with us, and ad-
herence to the plan Of insisting upon so
much work for everything he obliges
us to give him will finally, without
doubt, relieve our city from this nuis-
ance. and close attention by all citi.
zens to our request to refuse aid at
their doors would soon place us in con-
junction with the street cleaning de-
part. In command of this situation.
We had hoped during the past year to
be able to open "a wood yard or some
place as a basis for testing an appli-
carts sincerity by compelling him to
labor for his board and lodging, but our
finances have not permitted the ven
ture. If some public minded and gen
erous citizen would place at our dis
pos'1l money fer this purpose 1t would
materially aid the efficiency Of the work
of the association.
THE agent, with the assistance of
clerk. has carried on during the year
small employment bureau In her office.
This work could be greatly increased In
efficiency II contractors and employers
of labor generally would first inform
the agent of their needs before seeking
workmen elsewhere. 1t will be found
by reference to the agents report that
was found for about 450
persons. which. considering the diff
culties surrounding the administration
of this department. is very good rec
ord
Our agent has been called upon this
year to take charge of many cases Of
sickness. especially contagious dis
eases. 1t Is Impossible for her to do
this personally and at the same time to
attend to the investigation Of the appli-
cants. She has also found II extremely
difficult to secure women to care for
these sick persons. II would seem that
the time had come for us to have at
least one district nurse. whose time
might be at the disposal of the. board.
Such a nurse when not directly en-
ployed ministering TO the sick would