The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-24
CHICAGO COMES TO INDIANA.
Selects E. r. BickneIl to superintend
It's Charities.

Ernest p. Beknell, since 1898 the secre-
tary of the State Board of Charities, has
resigned that position to accept the office
of general superintendent of Associated
Charities of Chicago. Mr.. Bicknell was Sc
lected for the position from a number Of
excellent men. His name was recommended
by the executive committee to the board of
directors and the board unanimously
adopted the recommendation. The office is
the foremost of its kind not even excepting
a similar one of a New York association,
and pays a salary of $4,000 per annum.
He will enter upon the duties of his new
Office Dec. Is.
The object or purpose of the organization
of Associated Charities of Chicago is to
elevate and advance public interests. 1t ex-
tends its charity to the sick and needy,
takes an active interest in the sanitation
of the tenements and poorer portions of the
city, and in the improvement of streets, Sc
curing of small parks, conducts chldren's
excursions in the hot weather and guards
the interests of children in general way.
The bureau does not exert itself toward any
one end, cut its rules permit it to turn its
attention toward any question of interest.
Numerous influential citizens are active in
the support of the organization and take
great interest in its work.
The plan of operation is somewhat like
that Of the Charity Organization Society
OF this city. Chicago is divided into ten
districts each under the charge Of a district
superintendent and all under the supervision
OF the general superintendent. The col
leges, charity organizations hospitals and
charitable institutions in general give. great
aid to the work of the Associated Charity
Organization. The University of Chicago
takes an active interest in the work of the
organization, which has become an import
ant factor in the life of that city. Franklin
Mac Veagh is president of the bureau and
z. G. Keith, of the Metropolitan National
Bank. is secretary. The board of directors
is composed of thirty-four of the most
prominent citizens of Chicago.
Mr. Bicknell was born in Knox county
near the village of Bicknell in 1862. He was
reared in that neighborhood and in 1887
graduated from the State University at
Bloomington He was member Of the city
staff of the News for six years until 1893.
when he purchased the Gas City Journal,
at Gas City, Ind. After he had run this
paper for a few months, until July, 1893,
he was chosen secretary of the State Board
of Charities to succeed Alexander Johnson,
who resigned that trust to become supern-
tendent of the Home for Feeble Minded
Youths at Fort Wayne. He had been high
ly Instrumental in obtaining laws for prison
reform, better care for dependent children,
and for better ways of expanding money
for the relief of the poor of this State. His
successes in this line have been numerous
and his name has been widely spread In con-
nection with the above named reformers.
His successor has not yet been chosen. The
board to make the appointment is composed
of Governor Mount, John r. Elder, In
dianapols; Demarchus G. Brown, irving
r. Ellison, Fort Wayne: Mary A. Sphinx,
INDIANAPOLIS, and Mrs. Margaret f. Peele,
indianapolis. Secretary Bcknell will re-
main long enough in his present position to
finish up certain lines of work and to ac
quaint his successor with the duties of the
office.