St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-14
AID FOR THE NEEDY
THE ASSOCIATED CHARI-
TIES TOLD
AT YESTERDAYS MEETING
SEVENTH SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS
OF SECRETARY AND EXECU-
TIVE COMMITTEE
FIND MUCH THAT is ENCOURAGING
In the Work Accomplishments and
Consequently the Expenses Have
Increased.

z.
In addition to the seventh semi-annual re-
port of Secretary James F. Jackson and the
executive committee, Rev. w. r. Lord de-
livered an address. Secretary Jackson's re-
port in substance said:
This report might be summed up in the
statements that this agency has lost none OF
it's efficiency it's new work promises we'll, and
its friends increase as it become better known
In few cities is cooperation so extensively
practiced as here. One principal means or
cooperation is by giving and receiving infor-
nation through this Office, where there are
now nearly 5000 registration cards, each be-
ing a sort of family history, which only those
having a charitable object can use. Our relation
with the churches was never more cordial
There is improvement in their practical CO.
operation, and l have confidence that this
tendency will grow because the aim of the
church is to uplift all mankind, and because
cooperation is paramount in carrying out
effective plans for charitable work. There is
less indiscriminate giving here than formerly;
there will be still less when its cruelty is
generally realized. No voice is raised against
personal, kindly aid in time of need, but 1t
is no kindness to give to man whose stu
alton is unknown, nor to do for family
what they can do for themselves. The bus1-
ness of the Associated Charities is to aid the
charitable people to know the needy. If our
efforts ceased with investigation our work
would be reduced one-half. We do more per-
sonal work than we used, and we hope to do
increasingly more each year. No form OF
personal service is richer in permanent re-
suits than friendly visiting. st. Paul expert
ence has exceeded expectations, in the con-
scientious service of the visitors, and in re-
suits. One form of service that could be
made very practical is for members of wealthy
families to take into their homes young men
to be trained buffers, and young women
to be trained as ladies' maids.
The hard times not only directed general
attention to personal service but it deve!-
oped the practice of help to self-help which
is truest charity. st. Paul was one of the
cities whose poor department had the wisdom
and consideration to require every able-bod-
led applicant to earn his wood. The plan
seems to have worked to the satisfaction of
al, and 1 trust the board of control will
soon be able to extend the plan to all able
some years the various relief societies have,
at intervals, demanded work in return for ma
terial furnished. This year the work room OF
the Bethel has so enlarged its scope as, In
some instances, to allow widows to earn part
of their provisions. If this plan could be
extended to all women without male support
it would admirably supplement the board OF
control work for men. 1t were we'll II all these
organizations could extend the principle of re-
quirjng labor for material, as they might II
the value of indiscriminate aims could be di-
rected to those honorable channels. Much
may thus be accomplished but with the best
development of these schemes, emergencies
will arise when direct and immediate re-
lief must be given.
The first six months Of our fourth year we
made 707 investigations, OF which 366 were
demonstrations as against 9SS investigas
corresponding period last year. These investi-
cations frequently involve correspondence.
The value of which is herewith shown:
About two months ago a man of pleasant
address arranged with a Hamline citizen to
board two little girls, aged thirteen and three.
while his wife went to Racine on account of
sisters illness. Neither of them again ap-
peared. We were asked to inquire into the
matter; at our suggestion the Chidren's Home
society assumed care of the children. The
older girl declined to talk but we followed up
what clues their host could give us, and for
warded to our Chicago correspondent state
| ment of facts as to occurrences here, with a
| careful description of the girls, and their al
legged father. The result of communication and
| work at both ends developed the fact that
this man had taken them for the purpose OF
| relieving their poor father of their care, then
he Lad deserted them among strangers. The
| Chicago people were grateful for information
as to the children's whereabouts and safety
and sent ticket for their return home.
The report of the executive committee
| says:
Your executive committee, in making its
semi annual report, finds much that is en-
couraging in the work accomplished and in
the prospects of the future. The parlor con-
ferences continue to be well patronized, tes-
| tifying by the attendance at each the inter-
est they have for charity workers. We expect
| them to become a permanent part Of our
! educational work.
Two circular letters to the clergy have
| been sent out, resulting in increased inter
est being taken in our work by the churches
But we believe it will be for their interest
to avail themselves more freely of our rec
| ords and reports. These will help them in
ways that they do not now appreciate.
This year our receipts have come, to q
greater extent than before, from private
contributions, as distinguished from the do
nations of organizations. and as result
our work is much better known than ever
before. Our expenses have necessarily in,
creased, but not in proportion to wha
is being accomplished, and we are still below
the average expense of similar societies
The noted philanthropist, Dr.. Wines, wher
here, expressed surprise at the result ac-
complished at so small an outlay, and We
may add here that the average subscription
is much smaller than in any other city. Nc
important changes have been made in oul
method since the work was established, thu:
indicating the wisdom Of the founders of thi:
organization.
Two societies have been added during tn,
year. The important work of the year
however, has been the formation of tn,
Friendly Visiting conferences. The first con
ference was started by Mrs. c. G. Higbee
1t soon outgrew its limits; its leadership wal
assumed by Mrs. E. c. Stringer. A secont
conference was started by Mrs. Higbee
Soon we hope Others, will follow. ~
The first conference of Friendly Visitors
has held twenty-six sessions. Total mum
Der of visitors enrolled have been 80; nov
on roll, II; average attendance at week.,
calls returned by the families, IL. Visitor
who have dropped out of the conferenc
were not dissatisfied with the work; ther
were necessary reasons in each case. Al
the visitors become interested in each fam
lily.
The second conference of Friendly Visitor
was organized Feb. 4, 1896, with eight mem
bers. 1t has held ten sessions, and tn
membership is now eighteen. Seventy-eigh
calls have been made. Calling does not il
any degree comprise the work done by con
ferences. Women have been rendered NOR
seif-respecting through the influence of tn
visitors. Visitors have co-operated wit
physicians in restoring health; have mad
1t possible for the sick to go to the hospital
by arranging for the care of children mean
while; have advised suitable nourishmen
and made its application possible; have visit
ed the youth at places of employment an
secured for them every available opportunity
have advised and comforted in times of al
Fiction, and in many ways cemented tn
bonds of friendship and increased our con
fdence in the "sisterhood of woman
Whether the applicant is a beggar on til
street, or at your door, or even If yo
search him out at his home, see that you d
not make his condition worse than it wa
= before by bestowing unearned aims. Tru
charity is like mercy, but indiscriminat
giving too frequently curses him who give
as well as him who takes.
i The statement made by Treasurer E. v
Peet showed all bills paid, and that if the rt
naming societies and individuals yet to
1 seen do as well as those who have contribute,
, the association will be able to close its yea
next September, free from debt.
Rev. w. r. Lord then delivered an admir-