Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-13
Annual Meeting of District Associa-
ton Held Last Evening.
REPORTS OF 4 YEARS OPERATIONS
Address by Edward 7. Devine of
New York Society.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

H-Sn, president or the Associated Char1tleS,
presided. Reports of officers for the past
yeaS were read. and Edward T. Devine,
general secretary of the Charity Organize
ton Society of New York. made an address
on the work of his society. The attendance
was not large, but many prominent people
of the District were present.
The proceedings were opened with prayer
by Rev. DR.. Little. Mr.. George s. Wilson,
general secretary, made his annual re-
port, which contained much interesting in
formation regarding charitable work in
the District.
During the year ending October 81,
1897" he said, 1.-The total number of appli-
cations of all kinds made to the society
was 1883 This is an increase of 2,157 ap-
plications over the previous year. A total
of $3.50 Investigations have been made by
our agents during the year, and relief has
been procured through cooperating organi-
cations and individuals for 1,7S9 families.
Ninety-eight persons reported to the So
ciety during the year were found to have
given false addresses; 364 persons applied
for work only, and employment, tempo
Tary or permanent, was found for 2i3 per-
sons Our agents, in the work of investi-
cation and visitation, have made a total
OF o,5S9 visits among the poor.
The Medical Charities.
There has also been some growth in CO.
oPSi dtioh oSt"ScA the CHdIilitS
and our association. We have been inves-
tigating applicants for medical treatment
referred to us by the Central Dispensary
and by the health officer of the District
We have had the help of the police depart
ment in investigating applications for re-
lief and frequently the knowledge obtained
from the policemen on their beats and
from the lieutenantS in their several pre-
cincts has been very valuable to our agents
In various districts.
Small Savings.
1--WE have continued the work of collect
ing small savings from the poor and during
the past year we have added very largely
to the number of those having savings ac-
counts. At the close of the year ending
October 81, 1885, only nnety-four persons
had savings accounts, while at the close
of the year ending October 81, 1897, BOB per-
sons have such accounts. The total amount
of deposits by these families during the
former year was $3.50, while during
the year just closed the amount of
deposits has reached $21665. There is
no doubt that. could we maintain the dis
trict organizations with an agent working
in each district throughout the entire year,
the number of these on our savings list
would be very greatly increased, and con-
sequently the number of those who would
need to come seeking assistance in the
winter would be correspondingly decreased
Furthermore, the collection of savings
is important not only for its own sake, but
from the fact that it opens the way of ap-
proach for the agent, or visitor, to the poor
family and affords an opportunity for ex-
erting her influence for the upbuildng of
character by her frequent personal con-
tact with these people.
Zone department of work of the society
which1is still terribly deficient, is the work
Of friendly visitors We need more vol
unteer visitors. We do not ask your money
for this work; We ask your time and inter-
est in the care of some poor family. We
ought to be able to find in Washington a
volunteer visitor for every poor family. If
every person in Washington who has the
time were willing to give few hours
every week 10 the work of visiting and en-
couragtnG single poor family with a view
to the betterment of their social and eco
nomic condition what an enormous up
lifting influence would be exerted among
the poor. The aim of every volunteer Wis
ftor should be not simply to give or recon-
mend relief for the family under her care
but rather to do the things that would
ultimately end in raising the family above
the need of relief. Especially should great
effort be made to see that the young are
being properly educated. 1t is to be hoped
that during the coming year we will have
large addition to the number of volun-
teers in this work.
Finally, as was said before. there are
large number of poor in our midst who
have not yet become heggarS, and it is
the duty of the Associated Charities TO find
sach poor and procure the needed relief
[
In such manner as to prevent the per-
sons from ever becoming beggars
ITO those of you who desire to dispense
your charity personally. and many of you
ought to do So we say if you will only noti-
fy the Associated Charities of your desire
to help one or more families personally, we
can at once furnish you with the names
and addresses of those whose condition We
know, and on whom you could bestow your
charitable gifts with advantage both to
yourself and to the objects of your char
ity.
1.-The Associated Charities does not mean
that there should be less giving Far from
it. The Associated Charities is not primar-
lily meant 20 save money. but to save hui
be more giving. But cur effort is to divert
that giving into the channels where it will
accomplish the greatest good"
Chairman Janney's Report.
Mr.. Bernard T. Janney, chairman of the
board of managers, read an interesting re-
pert. He commended the work of the
board, and especially that of General Sec
retary Wilson.
LAS an evidence of increased public
confidence he said. I'VE would cite the
fact of increased contributions enabling us
to do more and better work. Last year we
deemed 1t wise to retain two of our d.
vision agents during the whole of the
summer months. being compelled for want
OF FUNDS to discharge two-thirds of our
agents at the end of May. The effect of
the retention of two agents was ro-
bust debt The advent of the second year
OF our work under the new regime found
us owing $500. The beginning Of the third.
after having retained twice as many agents
throughout the summer, sees quite num-
Der of hundreds Of dollars in the treasury.
Notwithstanding this improved condi-
ton and the many successes achieved the
work has but just commenced. We would
urge. with all possible force, that Won
see to it that by your generous contribu
lions the hands of your board are so held
up that they shall experience no fiaeging
In their zeal until every worthy needy
person is known and looked after by some
one who loves him as q member of the
brotherhood of man and who win feel re-
sponsible for his welfare as a Religions
duty" "'
Percentage of CONTRIBUTIONS.
Mr.. Janney pointed out that all the mon
ey given to the Associated Charities is
given by less than per cent of the popu-
lation. The agents seldom find, he said. a
poor family who is adequately looked after
by one more fortunate.
"Yet this Indifference" said Mr.. Janney,
lis better than too much giving without
proper care as to whom you give We would