The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-02
LOOKING after THE POOR
YayOr COnneli Reviews the Work OF
the Associated Charities.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION
Events Which Led Up TO Its Formation.
Resume of the Good Work That
Has Been Accomplished
in Three Years.

Mayer Connell will submit the follow,
ing exhaustive sketch Of the opera
tions of the society during the past Two
years of its existence and of the events
which lel up to its organization:
Mayors Office, City of Scranton, Pa.
April |. 1896.
To the Hoard OF Associated Charities OF
the City of Scranton. Pa.
Gentlemen: l. respectfully submit here
with report of the work which my OF
lice has participated in. in the operations
Of relieving the poor and needy classes
of the city during my term as mayor.
The industrial depression which fol-
lowed upon the panic of 1893 made its
effect felt upon our community III COM
mon with every other center Of popula-
tion in the land, and resulted in consider
able suffering and DIES Stitution among the
poorer classes OF our people. This desl'-
tuition assumed such proportions late In
the fall of that year that II became I'M
pcrative that some steps should be taken
by the municipal government towards en-
tending assistance to this class during the
coming winter. With this object in view
! issued a public call for contributors
of money and food and clothing. with the
result that in very short time cash con-
tributionS to the amount of Sl,ENlc hiu
been received, in addition to many dona-
lions of food and other necessities made
10y our charitable people and tradeSinen.
"a list OF the contributions made at TINS
time Is appended These funds were de-
posted in a bank and We're paid out 10y
~. 10y check .upoa a written order signed
by Mrs W. Il DuSgar, whom ] author
lied to act az a tempo.ar! agent TO M
vestie ate and distribute relief among the
needy.
CUMAitTTEG ASKED TO Act
At about the sam, time | requested
Theodore j. Wolf. John Gibbons and
hari.S Neuls 10 act as committee OF
iestitutioh which was reported TO prevail
in certain sections of the city and make Il
r,,port Us To the best method of aiding
these people. For the purpose Of assist
Ing this committee in lis work, detail
OF police officers was placed a its disposal
and Il complete census Of that section OF
the city south Of Lackawannu avenue,
and one or tWo other smaller areas was
taken, wh hich demonstrated clearly the en-
tent to which this reported desti,ution
really prevailed. This census enabled the
committee To personally investigate a
great number of eases and to report in
diligently upon some systematic method
of rarnt for this class. y few weeks
later discharged the committee, and
thanked them for the very great assist
ancc' they had given in their counsel and
personal work. The active work of in
vcstigatlon and distribution was reieSat2d
to the agent,
In January. 1884, an association of the
charitable organizations of the city WIS
formed which undertook the task of
overseeing the charity work of the city,
and | was relieved of further responsible
i,v IN this matter Mrs. W. b. Duegan
was elected as the permanent agent of
hi, Organization which was dcnOminat,d
the Board of Associated Charities OF
the City of Scranton" and al the request
of the officers of the association | con-
tinueG to take charge of the fund which
had been use;! fol emergency cases, and
/ which ha; since been designated as the
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