Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-10
DISPENSING OF CHARITY
The Police Force to Be Hereafter Relieved Of
the Duty.
Result of n Conference Held Mt the
Office of Commissioner Wight
Yesterday Afternoon.


not this winter be called upon. That work
they have done faithfully and well from
time immemorial. almost. Commissioner
Wight has reached the conclusion that,
wherever possible, duties not strictly off,
cial should be dropped by the members Of
The force, an opinion held also by Major
Moore, the superintendent of the depart
ment Both for some time have been con-
sidering the question of the work performed
by the patrolmen in connection with the
distribution Of funds and supplies to the
poor, with the hope that with the assist
ance of the Associated Charities. and other
similar organiza tonS the force could be
relieved of such duties.
1t was with this purpose in view that
Commissioner Wight invited a few days
ago to a conference with him a number Of
gentlemen interested and concerned in
charitable work. They met at the office of
Commissioner Wight late yesterday after
noon. Rev Il. L. Whitman, D. D., Col.
Henry F. Blount. Mr.. John Joy Edison, Mr..
S. w. Woodward, Mr.. B. T. Janney and
Secretary George S. Wilson of the Asso-
ciated Charities being present.
The Pledge Made.
AS result Of the conference, which was
quite informal, lasting over an hour,
pledge was made on behalf OF the Associat-
ed Charities by Mr.. S. w. Woodward and
Mr.. John Joy Edison that the work of col
lection and distribution would be done with
cut expense to the District government, it
being the unanimous opinion of those pres
ent that the police force should be relieved
Of such work.
Commissioner Wight explained the Iegiti-
mate duties of the members of the police
force, and stated that because of the limit
ed number of police, and other circum-
stances, the distribution of supplies
n ,F.rtyo tod to I,,t l,,i,
He and Major Moore, while willing to as
sist in every way, were nevertheless desir-
Gus that the officers should be relieved of
such work, II any organization could do it.
Mr. Wight invited an expression of opinion
from those present, and Secretary Wilson
of the Associated Charities said that with
the aid of the central relief committee the
Associated Charities. assisted by the
other organizations. the duty could be
performed without the aid of the police
No doubt the police department is over
worked, and while they have been of inesti-
mable value heretofore and will be in the
future whenever called upon, he felt that
the work performed by them could now be
done by the agencies he had mentioned.
Distributions Last Year.
1t appeared he said, that the force had
last year distributed nearly $1,000 among
the poor, yet. even in cases of pressing
necessity, he felt that the Associated Char
tiles could effect the relief. He outlined the
system of its organization, explaining that
there was less spent in charitable
work last year than Heretofore there was
no complaint of any suffering because of
that. TIE scheme CT the association, which
prevents duplication, said Mr.. Wilson, is
for that result Personal
Knowledge by policemen of the condition of
people in want on their beats was both
wide and valuable, and the association in
its work could still receive the benefit of
such knowledge. The ability of the central
relief committee, with which his association
co-operates, Mr.. Wilson said, was only
limited by the contributions of citizens.
Colonel Blount, in general discussion
of the matter, said that the prevention of
duplication was one of the best results of
the work Of the Associated Charities. In
reply to question from Commissioner
Wight, Mr.. Wilson was inclined to believe
that those who are in need, and yet are
ashamed to make known their wants
" ould prefer speaking to one of the agents
of the Associated Charities rather than to
a policeman. To that Major Moore could
not agree, remarking that such people
would be more likely to ask assistance
through the police. Replying to Mr.. Ed
son, Major Moore declared that the police
DO not desire to continue the work. wish
ing to be forever disassocated with it.
He thought the police should be left to
their regular duties. and if they were many
complaints against their supposed ineffi-
cheney would be removed.
Lessons Their Efficiency.
Mr. Edison was glad to hear what Major
Moore had said, and he supported the
proposition to relieve the force absolutely
of all duties except the protection of prop
erty and the prevention of crime. The
force is good one, he said, model one,
in many respects, yet the duties of Off
GERS in connection with charity and sani-
tary matters lessen their efficiency, and he
felt safe in saying it could be guaranteed
that the work of charity would be well at
tended to by the Associated Charities.
What is needed was to relieve the needy
without manufacturing paupers. He COM
mended the police force for what they had
done, for they had done it well and faith
fully, but he believed the charity question
should be turned over TO people who are
making scientific study of it.
DIR. Whitman said he was gratified to
find that the police force desired to be re-
lieved of the work. There had been
great change during recent years in char
ity work, and while the police department
would remain an efficient agency for dis
covering the needs of applicants, yet he
felt as Major Moore did. Replying to Mr..
Wight, who asked if the association would
undertake to cover the entire District
with the six paid workers now employed
DIR. Whitman said if the police agencies
were discontinued 1t was inevitable that
some organization would have to be made
to do the work. The experience of other
can do all that will be required.
Mr. Woodward remarked that he fully
Endorsed everything said by Mr. Edison and
DR.. Whitman, and he would pledge, on the
part of the executive committee of the
Associated Charities, that sufficient num-
Der of paid workers would be furnished if
volunteers could not be secured.
Heartily i'm Accord.
Superintendent Lewis was heartily in ac-
cord with the sentiments expressed. The
concentration of means of relief. he said,
is imperatively needed, and the more con-
centrated it Is the more effective it will
be- There should be one central point of
relief. and there need be no fear, II the
police are relieved, that the charity work
will not be we'll done by the Associated
Charities.
Mr.. Wight read letter from the pastor
of St Augustines Church, saying that the
ST. Vincent de Paul Society had branches
in every section of the District for charita-
BILE work. No denomination Is refused as
sistance by it, which is given gratuitously.
He therefore asked why the District should
be taxed to do what others do for nothing
Mr.. Wight said there was no criticism on
the police force, and he was glad to see
them given the praise and credit which
they undoubtedly deserved for what they
had accomplished in the past. He said
he would call the attention of the
other Commissioners to what had been