Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-17
WORK OF THE CHARITIES
Report Made to the Commissioners by Gen.
tral Relief Committee.
The Organization i0f the Board-Its
Methods and Purposes-Improv-
ed Alley Easements.

The subcommittee of the central relief
committee appointed to- draft a report of
the operations of thecommittee have SUBJ
mitted a report to theisDistrict Commits
sioners. The subcommittee was composed
of Judge c. c. Cole, Mr.. Simon Wolf and
Mr.. George S. Wilson, and the report pre-
pared by them gives a full account of the
work of the central committee since its or
ganization, December Z, 1896.
The committee was organized by the
election of Judge c. c. Cole, president;
Mr.. George S. Wilson, secretary, and Mr..
Beriah Wilkins, treasurer. Mr., James e.
Fitch was made chairman of the finance
con- mittee.
The committee, it is explained, adopted
three methods of appeal to the public for
fuTds-first, a general appeal through the
press, second, a special one by circular
letter; third. an appeal tc the several de-
partments of the government for 5O-cent
contributions.
The total receipts were $s,G1934, a large
and distributed, the Associated Charities
being the one agency for the distribution.
That was done, it is explained, to avoid
duplication In this connection the COM
mlttee on distribution reported upon the
advantage of employing but one agency
for distribution
The Treasurer's Report.
The treasurer's report shows that the
disbursements amounted to $7,275.S9, leav-
ing balance of 81 ,343 As. No Ole deemed
worthy OF assistance, it is stated, was re-
fused An important feature of the COM
mlttee's work was the consideration and
maturing of plans for providing sanitary
dwellings, FOR the poor at q reasonable rem
TAI rms was carried on by a sIbcommit-
tee. or which Surgeon General Sternberg,
United States army, was chairman. The
board OF trade was also helpful in Coop
Grafton as well as the Civic Center. Gen.
Sternberg's subcommittee also has under
consideration plans for the formation of a
permanent relief organization. Pending a
hnal report on that question, the commit
tee recommends a continuance of last
year s methods through the present win
Ter. me committee refrainS from making
further recommendations for future work,
and Its thanks are extended to the board
OF trade for use Of board room, to Miss
BESSIE }. kibbey for use of building for
store room and to the press of the city.
General Sternberg submits two reports
the first dealing mainly with the Wretched
condition OF tenements in the alleys OF the
city, and outlines the plans for company
TO construct sanitary dwellings for the poor
at reasonable rentals.
Most Practical Method.
In the second report it is stated that the
most practical method OF promoting the OBJ
1ect In view was the organization of a SAM
tary Improvement company, a proposition
which received the approval of the central
relief committee, and soon after a company
was formed and a charter obtained. Suffl-
clent stock having been subscribed, build
ing operations were begun last June on
some lots purchased for this purpose on
Bates street. block Of eight two-story
houses has been erected from plans drawn
by General Stcrnberg. The members of the
executive committee and other Stockhold-
ers, who have inspected the houses, are
very much pleased with the result The
report then goes on to give a detailed de-
scrlption of the houses. The four-room
Hats rent for $3.50 and those of three rooms
for - per month. AS an NEGATIVE to ten
ants to keep their apartments in good order
one months rent IS set apart for repairs.
II at the end of one year of occupation no
repairs have been required, one months
rent Will be returned to the tenant.
II an the flats are occupied the ccmpany
Will receive to Z per cent net upon the
capital invested Although the houses were
not turned over to the company until No
vember y, twelve of the sixteen flats are
Continuing the report sets forth the good
to the city resulting from such structures
Inc plans adopted have already been copied
by private individuals. The company will
not only build more houses when the neces-
sary capital is secured, but will build flats
which can be rented for 81 or IS a month
In conclusion General Sternberg says: "In
the new houses of the Sanitary Improye-
ment Company the Importance of the in
dlvidual home is fully kept in view. These
tWo-Story dwellings, in fact, contain two
complete and Independent homes each with
separate front entrance, back yard and
exit to the alley in the rear