The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-04-16
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
The Last Meeting of the Season and Report
for March and April.

The last meeting of the Associated
Charities for the season was held yes
terday afternoon, when the report OF the
work for March and April was presented
and accepted:
Mr.. President and Friends:-As we
come to the last page in the volume of
Associated Charities work for the present
season, it is natural to take a back ward
glance at what has been done, and dis
cover where in the future improvement
may he made. AS stated in previous re-
ports this has been in some respects the
hardest year for our poor women that
this organization has ever experienced
because of lack Of work; those who
have never applied for help before;
strong able-bodied men and women conld
set absolutely nothing to do. and rather
than seq their children suffer have asked
aid. This lack of other employ ment has
also bean shown in the character Of the
work-foom applicants being above the
average for previous years.
Our visitors have investigated between
S0'and go cases and as nearly every case
represents a family of four or five, we
have been brought in touch with u large
number of our poorest pepole, whose
needs have been met by the different
societies to whom we have referred them.
In the work of Investigation our visi-
tors have been prompt efficient, and in
the main accurate. The Importance nf
this branch of work grows upon us year.
ly. One of the charitable societies IN
Philadelphia says it is known that there
are persons in that city who have made
$1,000 year by begging letters. One case
of one from man asking money to bury
his wife, on investigation the wife was
found at home hard at work at the wash
tub; and sometimes even with our best
endeavors we are deceived. There are
times when we can enter into the feel
inRs OF the police matron of Denver,
COL, who made this original entry in
her diary:
Help whomsoever, whenever You Can;
For man forever needs help from man.
Never a day should die in the west,
I'LL you have comforted some sad breast
Later she wrote:
watch whomsoever, whenever you must.
Knowing full well there are few you
can trust.
Never day has died in the west
But some one has euchred me doing my
ia best"
But it is not visiting family once
alone for Investigation that Is needed.
We have failed as the repoi ts from many
other cities show that they have also, in
enlisting those who go as a sympathetic
personal friend have made a single fami-
~ their sphere of work, discovering II
possible the defsots in family life and
endeavoring with tact, patience and
tenderness to remedy these defects. May
the Importance of this work SO appeal to
us that We may in future make ad-
yances along this line, remem herring that
:" God can never make mana best
Without best men to lelp him."
The more extended cooperation of
other benevolent societies has this sea-
son been noticeable, also private indi-
vidunls have more frequently applied
to us for Information. One of the most
encouraging features showing this CO.
operation has been the organization Of a
clearing conference composed of one or
more Representatives ofseach of our char
liable organizations meeting fOrtnightly
to confer upon cases brought to their
notice. Much help hns in the past been
duplicated and re-duplicated owing to
Ignorance as Ito what their sisters
societies were doing. but by the organi-
'zation of this conference this evil will
be remedied, but it is only intended to
expose chronic applicants and those are
tie oily ones discussed at the meetings.
Tho help given in the work room by
those who have preferred their services
In cutting and preparing the work has
SurpRs sad anv former seasor. This labor
OF love in helping poor women to help
them selves can not be lost. Nearly every
week sixty orders hive been given out,and
the garments made since the mid winter
sale will be offered the first week il
May (place of sale given in the rapers)
this work including children's spring
and summer wear, bedding undercloth-
ing, etc., is well made. and worthy the
patronage of our people. One of the
managers suggests that every lady in
clude among her purchases dozen dish
towels, often the most nesdy can do
no ct er work and they have large
stuck on hand.
Respectfully submitted,
o. NJ. BECKETT. Secretary.