Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-13
UNITED HEBREW CHARITIES
Annual Meeting Of the Association and Re-
Election of Officers.
ADDRESS by President BlOut, Review.
ing the Work of Past Year-Some
SuggestfOns Made.

The annual meeting of the United Hebrew
Charities took place last evening at Con
cordia Hall, corner of 9Th and E streets
northwest. The attendance was large ant
much interest was manifested.
The. retiring officers were all reelected
as follows: President, /. L. Blout; vice
president, Solomon Lewis; treasurer, A. D
Prince; financial secretary, William Hahn
recording secretary, Jacob Strasburger
These gentlemen were constituted the board
of directors and authorized to call to theil
aid as many of the members of the society
as they deemed advisable to carry out the
purposes of the organization.
The principal interest of the meeting was
centered in the annual report of President
Blout.
President BlOut's Address.
Mr.. Blouts paper was in part as follows
The conditions of our poor since our last
report have undergone but little, If any
change. The methods, manner and system
mapped out and followed in the past re-
main unchanged, excepting a few improve
ments in the system of our management
Many who in the past were forced to seek
assistance are today thriving relying on
thelr own exertions and resources, and are
nave been ignored, none neglected.
THE number of applicants during the
past twelve months was 65S, of which AID
were relieved as follows: With fuel, Sc;
with provisions, 116; with wearing apparel,
"a; with transportation, 11S; with licenses,
rent merchandise, furniture, nourishments >.
physical attendance. medicines, funeral ex-
pendltures, ETC.. 122-requiring in all the
disbursement of s2.O93.S9.
The amount of receipts from all sources
of the same period was 81 O65.79, leaving a
balance, adding balance on hand October |,
1S.G Excluding the reserve fund of $3.50,
IN nands OF the treasurer of $127.SS.
Applicants Increase.
There has been an increase in applica-
items for manual labor. The continued un-
settled affairs have caused many laborers
and mechanics to be thrown out of en-
ployment. Washington being neither a
manufacturing nor commercial city, the
difficulty of obtaining employment for the
idle is apparent. Men eager and willing to
earn livelihood by the labor of their own
hands almost daily apply for work of any
kind.
The management, by the most diligent
endeavors, has therefore met with but scant
sue cess in this direction, and to prevent
actual starvation had to resort to furnish
ing the necesSaries of life until arranged
otherwise We are still adhering to our
customary mode-that of finding ways and
means OF self-support for the dependent.
The constant feeding of the hungry poor
has tendency to keep them poor. Some
charity agencies are contented with this,
ara think that by supplying food their duty
is done, when in reality it is but duty just
commenced. 1t Is a fact undeniable that
the more we doctor tie poor with nourish-
ing medicine. the more We pauperiZe them
the continued stimulating increases the
disease, instead of allaying it. We mus.
furnish them with nourishments which not
iCft fhnir
will invigorate their mental, moral and So
cial conditions. To supply the hungry with
the neoessaries of life we conceive as our
first and main duty, but would deem it
morally wrong, detrimental to both the
poor and the charities, should we continue
such practice. They must be shown the
way of becoming self-sustaining, self-re-
liant. self-respecting. The system of help
ing those who cannot help themselves had
in most instances its desired effect and
thus the seed planted in the fertile soil of
philanthropy has yielded rich and nourish-
ing harvest of Self-Support and indepen-
dence.
Council of Jewish Women.
Social, religious, moral and intellectual
achievements are tenets relative and char
acteristic to charitable work. These func-
tions, l regret to state, owing to insufficient
means, we were hindered from accomplish
ing, and reluctantly compelled to neglect.
but this visible want of something loftier
has seemingly been supplied by an organ,
composed of members for ages renowned
in philanthropic and charitable channels.
Daughters in Israel" descendants of
mothers pious, heroic and self-sacrifcng,
who, emerging from behind the clouds OF
Indifference, are awakening; they save
risen TO the need of the hour. Banded to-
gether by those inseparable ties of love and
duty, they are striving for the elevation Of
mankind in general and Judaism in partio-
ular. To the Council of Jewish Women
we heartily extend our hand of fellowship,
and greet you and your good intentions.
We are with you in heart and in spirit. AL
ready have the influences of your endeav-
ors. SO lofty and magnanimous, as the field
of your operations is extensive, been felt
and deservedly acknowledged. Success in
the noble work before you is our wish and
ardent desire. But justice to whom justice
is due.
Wives Deserted.
1.-The deserted wife question has caused
the board no little concern. The number OF
cases marked temporary absence of hus-
band are by no means on the decline, the
husband relying on the sympathy and pro-
lection of the charities The abandoning
of their families to the care of others by
men who ignore honor and obligations has
become an abuse widespread and alarming,
enc too often practiced in defiance OF the
teachings Of God and man.
Our CITY, the capital Of one of the great
est, most liberal nations on earth, the con-
centrated center of power. influence and
culture. is sadly lacking in measures to
prevent these inhuman practices. Congress
should heed the request made by Simon
Wolf, while president of the board Of chill
drens guardians, to institute measures
looking to their prevention and punishment.
THE habit of assisting applicants by in
dividuals, heads of households. etc, not
withstanding our repeated warnings and
requests to the contrary. still exists to some
extent and not seldom do we hear of those
who, having already been aided by the as
ISOLATION, continue their accustomed habit
of house-to-house begging. and are thus en-
couraged in their vocation by some too
tender-hearted, over-charitable persons,
who ignore the fact that often the appli-
cant is an impostOr.
Rules Sug8ested.
I'VE deem it advisable to recommend the
following rules for general observation:
Il. Refuse aid to applicants. no matter OF
what nature or to what extent.
''2. Discredit all stories and statements
such as having been refused or INSULT
GENTLY aided by the association, and the
like, and take our assurance that our best
judgment, tempered by experience, is en-