The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-21

The Bureau of Associated Charities died
the first of the present month. II died
for want of support The beneficiarirs
who had come 10 look 10 IL for support
found themselves thrown suddenly back
OF their own resources for livelihood
resources which had proved all too in
adequate in the past
The collapse of this institution after an
existence OF four years was accompanied
BY no blowing of trnmpets- The directors
did not infiict the public with expiring
appeals for aid. They met quietly. talked
il all over and decided to quit. 1t was no
use. contributions had fallen OF TO moth
Ing. the objects and work OF the bureau
were not receiving the consideration due
them. so the directors concluded to give IL
NJ. II the city would come TO their rescue
with support of q substantial nature, the
directors would resume once more. IL
not. there was no choice left but to STOP
The bureau collapsed. but the door or
the Office on the fifth floor OF the Safe De-
posit building stili swung open. and the
poor and destitute who sought aid there
were stu sent away with some sort OF
consolation in the shape OF food, small
articles of clothing or promises of aid
James n. Giimer had long been agent OF
the bureau. Day after day he had sat in
that Office and received applicants He
had personal interest. So he continued
to sit in his Office as before. The receiver
of the Safe Deposit building granted him
the use OF the Office free of rent The
county commissioners supplied such ar
ficles as they were able for charities. The
railroad Offices were unusually ready in
granting transportation. so the agent con-
tinued to run the bureau with the active
aid OF w. p. Brown. and is doing so now.
Is 1v Ii nY .
has been obliged TO notify the beneficiaries
OF the former bureau that they can no
longer look TO its charity for food. cloth
ing or lodging. 1t has been an unpleasant
duty
II was the Buffalo plan killed the Blu
reau of Associated Charities. The Buff
falo plan. with its simplicity and vigor.
downed the associated charities system.
The plan. as already explained in the
Post-lnteiligencer is to divide the city
into districts and have the churches in
each district look after the poor within
the limits. Each minister is a charity
agent. Cases of restitution are brought
TO his attention. and through him TO the
church people. Possibly. in course of
time. it might be necessary TO create a
central Office. though The utility of such
a creation is not now seriously consid-
cred. To the Buffalo plan. then. has been
grated the blood and bone and sinew of
the old bureau.
That much good was accomplished by
the associated charities is not questioned.
The county auditor In his last report
stated that $l5.o00 had been saved in coun-
ty expenses, compared with previous
years. He believed the saving due in A
great measure to the charitahle/ organize
lions. at the head of which hAplaced the
Bureau of Associated Charities.
This was organized in April. 1892 by
Rev. D. c. Garrett, of ST. Marks church.
and Joseph Shipper. 1t had a board of
directors. numbering among its members
many OF the wealthiest people of the city.
Many leading women were on the list OF
visiting members. These were TO go to
the abodes OF squalor and illness and aid
by their presence as well as by their do
nations. All went well while the bureau
was in its infancy. There were 200 con-
tributors. and 500 was received every
month. 1t was a cooperative idea. The
benevolent societies of the cities were all
TO find a head and center in the bureau.
They didn't seem to look at 1t in that
light. Bureau of Associated Charities
was a msnomer. The other charities re-
fused TO associate. Then the novelty
wore of. and. like children wearied with
hobby horse. the contributors began 10
fall away. Soon their number decreased
10 Is, representing about that many dol
lars. Not over So has come In any month
for the past six months. In 1898 the zenith
had been reached. and the decline was
steady. Last September only $i5 was con-
tributed. In October Is was received.
Then the directors called a meeting and
decided TO quit.
The officers and directors for the past
year have been as follows: President.
Rev -. G. Garrett. vice president, J. r
Conant. secretary, Joseph Shipper, treas
urer. f. r. Van Tuyl; directors. Winfield
r. Smith, Edward r. Burwell John r.
Agen. Mrs. q. H. Hebron. Mrs. w. II.
H. Green. Mrs. c. u. Stimson ana Mrs
w F. wickware. The ex-officio members
were the chairman of the county commits
sioners. the mayor, all the eiergymen IN
charge of the various churches and the
presidents of the benevolent societies OF
the city.
The interest in the bureau. the con-
tributors and the contributions have been
absorbed by the Buffalo plan.