The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-28
PLANS FOR CHARITY WORK.
Secretary Devine of New York Tells
How II May BE started.


The Charitable Association Of Savannah
has not yet been reorganized, but its eff
forts to get assistance from the city may
be facilitated by the result of the munich
pal election 1t is known the association
has a number of friends in The new Coun-
eli, among them being Alderman-elect
Isaac G. Haas, who has always taken
keen interest in its affairs. MIR. Haas is
now treasurer Of the association.
Several attempts have been made re-
Gently TO get those Interested in the citys
charity work together for the purpose of
discussing plans to continue the work,
bat there has always been unfavorable
weather. or some other cause. to interfere
with the attendance. Since the city lop-
ped off the appropriation OF Sl,200 for
charity the members have found it nee
essary 10 seek other sources of revenue,
which have not vet presented themselves.
1t seems the right plan for conducting
charity work in Savannah has not yet
been found. The members admit there
will have to be a change by which the
association can be put on partially self
supporting basis. With a view to getting
the ideas of one well informed on charity
work, the Morning News recently stated
the conditions chat exist in Savannah to
Mr. Edward r. Devine general secretary
of the Charity Organization Society of
New York. This is one of the most eX-
tensive in the country, and has such men
controlling II as Robert w. DeForest, pres
ident; Charles 5. Fairchild, vice president;
Charles d. Kellogg, vice president, ana
j Piepont Morgan, treasurer. Among
other things Secretary Devine says:
Personally, ] should advise against both
city appropriations and an attempt to
make the society seif-supporting. 1t can
hardly be necessary TO raise any very
large amount of money, and il is both
easier in the long run and more educa-
tional to raise the money by direct APP
peals for support on a clear statement of
the purposes for which the money is TO be
used.
IF. as is probable. the society is supplied
with one OF two relief funds or societies
on which you could draw, the only need
would be for a charity organization so
ciety, organized probably somewhat on the
plan OF that in New Haven, which is one
of the most successful and useful organi-
cations Of The kind in the country. The
board of managers should include repre-
sentatiVes of other societies, and there
might be necessary. perhaps, monthly con-
ferences for the discussion of questions
of charitable. philanthrop.c and social in
terest
'The object of the charity organization
society should be 10 investigate such cases
of distress as are brought to las attention,
either through its members, or on direct
application to secure relief from the eX-
listing relief funds, churches or private in
dividuals, where relief is needed, to find
work for able-bodied men and women who
cannot gel it for themselves, and to secure
for those who ought to have continuous
oversight and friendly attention, some in
dividual visitor who would undertake TO
supply the personal attention needed.
zone thoroughly competent paid agent,
man OF woman. might be sufficient If you
find a need for wood yard work rooms
for women, penny provdent fund, coal
fund or any similar agency that does not
exist it would be easy for the board to Sc
cure its establishment, but il would be
better 20 postpone the decision about spe-
ciai agencies of this kind untn experience
shows whether or not they are needed. a
wood yard or some similar agency for Civ
ing employment for men, and a laundry
for women, could be made largely or en-
tirely self-supporting, but the work out
lined above for a charity organization So
ciety seems 10 me much more fundamental
I'VE find that trained nurse IS val
liable aid in establishing an influence with
some, families that would be otherwise DIFF
hcult 10 reach"