The herald., 1897-11-18
Annual Meeting Of the AS
s0ciated Charities
Mr.. FRANcIscos' ADDRESS
ORGANIZATION HANDICAPPED
BY LACK OF FUNDS
SUGGESTIONS for the Future-Centra1
Council Elected-Secretary
Stuart's Account

The annual meeting of the Associated
Charities was held yesterday at p m
for the purpose of electing a central
council for the coming year and hear
ing the reports of officers. In the abb
sence of President Francisco, Vice-Pres-
ident Pridham occupied the chair. The
following members Of the council were
elected: Mrs. V. Ponet, Mrs. Leonide
Ducommun, Mrs. F. T. Griffith, Mrs. CAL
vim Viewer, Mrs. ]. Johannsen,. Mrs.
William Pridham. Mrs. w. c. Patter-
SON. Mrs. II. Jevne, Mrs. ]. c. Kays,
Mrs. A. w. Francisco, H. w. Frank.
Miss NJ F. Wills, Benjamin Hayman,
H. Newmark.
The report of the retiring president,
A. w. Francisco, was presented and was
in part as follows.
The Associated Charities during the
past year has encountered the effects
of that combination of circumstances
which has characterized the elimination
of a long period of financial depression.
Nevertheless the work has gone on.
What resources have been at our COM
mand have been utilized to the best ad-
vantage. So far as could be little has
been made to do the work of much.
We do not think, however, that our
work is in need of any continuation of
the disciplinary influence of such re-
striction. On the contrary We most
earnestly hope that the immediate fu-
ture will witness decided and practical
enlargement of the interest taken in our
organization.
There are many reasons why this city
should maintain central charity Or
ganization, which should be ideally
equipped for the accomplishment of the
work of such an institution. In the first
place, there is so large an element Of
luxurious wealth supplemented by So
large an element of comfortable pros
perity, that there is no lack of ability to
supply the necessary means, practically
without stint. In the second place, be-
sides that ordinary element of poverty
and destitution which is always the con-
comitant of wealth and luxury in NUM-
cipal growth, the far-reaching reputa-
ton of our genial climate and attractive
environment continually draws to us a
disproportionate host of unfortunate
and ill-advsed individuals, who are
either themselves the victims of disease
OF who bring with them relatives suf-
fering from disablements of various
kinds, but who are pitifully devoid of the
means of providing for themselves and
their families the comforts or even the
necessareS of life.
A typical central charity organiza-
ton, in addition to those details which
we now have in hand, should possess
certain other features which we as yet
have been unable to adopt, or at best
have been able to embody in our work in
only rudmentary or imperfect way.
Among these might be mentioned an
appropriately appointed lodging house
and restaurant under central control
and conducted in accordance with the
principles by which we aim to be gov
erned.
Even more Immediately desirable is
the establishment of working depart
ments of some kind for both sexes. This
would enable us to apply to all doubtful
cases a practical working test of wor-
thiness and would also enable us to sup
ply temporary employment to certain
classes of cases who might thus main
tain their self-respect by repaying at
least in part the obligation they are
compelled to place themselves under in
applying for relief.
But these features require funds, not
only for the establishment so to speak,
of the necessary plant" but for the
payment of q certain number of reason
able salaries to those whose time, en-
ergy and Judgment would be required
to oversee and manage these depart
ments.
1t should not be supposed that the
mere giving out of aims is the only
work that needs to be done in this con-
nection; very far from it! Charity work
should not be, cannot be, conducted
without sentiment" But it's admin
istration should be made a business
proposition on the part of the commune
ty. And it should not be made to de-
pend upon the gratuitous services of a
few devoted and overworked individ-
uals. Efficient executives. having man
agement of different departments, and
those in charge of the central office,
should receive reasonable remuneration
All this means, moreover, a sustained
activity and unremitting interest on the
part of those who realize the necessity
of having this work done as it should
be. Occasional outbursts of spasmodic
cfltHuSldSll Will IOL otCQic tIlc cIltio
sought for.
This spectacle of an enterprise, organ
lied along the lines of the Associated
Charities, struggling along with list
of less than 200 members who, during the
year, have paid in even the minimum fee |
of one dollar, is not creditable to city |
OF over 100000 Inhabitants, which ranks |
as the second city on the Pacific coast |
and takes pride in claiming to be the |
most enterprisng.
1t is not an overeStimate to say that |
there are in Los Angeles today some |
thousands of individuals who have never |
contributed to the Associated Chari- |
ties but who should contribute at least |
the membership fee of one dollar, some |
hundreds who should contribute more |
or less literally in addition thereto and |
some scores who should contribute hand |
some sums annually.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The secretarys report contained the
following:
Our experience in former years justi-
fies us in claiming that no proper way
exists for doing charity work without
a careful investigation and making rec
ord Of the principal features to keep
for reference and history. We have
tested it and know the value of thor
ough investigation.