The times., 1899-01-12


ing the past fortnight by reason Of the
numerous criticisms heard on all sides con-
cerning the manner in which the associa-
tion works and its methods of rendering
assistance to the INDECENT poor of the
city.
Especially since the publication in The
Times last week OF the facts in the case
OF Mrs Jane Evans, of No. 316 Mechanics
Place southeast. who was refused aid by
the Associated Charities, has the discus
sion of the local charity problem and the
q sracter esf the work done by the Asso-
ciatod Charities and other charitable as
sociations been a matter of controversy.
The subject of local charities has always
been an intricate and pulling one TO law
makers and governing officials of the Dis
trict of Columbia. and efforts have been
made repeatedly by the Board of Trade,
citizens associations, benevolent individ
uals and the District Commissioners 10
correct the system of conducting the chari-
ties.
The latest effort and what is expected
TO serve as remedy for all abuses in the
line Of charities Legislation, is that made
by Senator Mcmillan chairman of the
Committee on the District of Columbia
in the Senate, March l6 last, when he
introduced bill providing for the estab-
District of Columbia. The bin was re-
ferred to the Committee on the District Of
Columbia for consideration. The bill meets
with the approval of the District Commits
sioners, who believe thai it will meet the
requirements Of the local charity problem.
Provisions "f the Bill.
The board Of charities provided for in
the bill is TO consist OF five members to
be appointed by the President each for a
term Of three years. and in such manner
that the terms of not more than two shall
expire in any one year. The members of
this board are to serve without COmpen-
sation, and during his term of office no
member will be permitted to serve as
trustee or administrative officer OF any in
stitution subject TO the visitation OF the
board. The board will elect its own off
GERS and fix their compensation. subject
TO the appropriations of Congress.
- The superintendent of charities Will act
as secretary Of the board and thereafter
he will discharge only such duties as may
be imposed upon him by the board of char
tiles and shall receive cnly such salary as
NAV be fixed by the board. The board will
be required to inspect. visit and maintain
general supervision over all institutions,
societies and associations of charitable,
eleemosynary. correctional or reformatory
character which are supported in whole or
in part by appropriations OF Congress,
made for the care and treatment of resi-
dents of the District Of Columbia.
The officers in charge of all Institutions
subject TO the supervision of the board OF
charities will be required TO furnish to
the proposed board of charities such infor
nation and statistics may be desired
and 10 secure accuracy. uniformity and
completeness. The board viii be empow
cred to prescribe such forms Of report and
registration as may be deemed essential.
The Commissioners of the District of CO.
lumbia will be empowered TO order an in
vestigation by the board at any time of
the management Of any penal, charitable or
reformatory institution in the District. The
board Of charities viii be subject 10 the
power OF Congress, to which body il viii
be required TO make annual reports.
When the bill is passed by Congress
the Commissioners believe that the char
tiles Of the District viii be brought into
fairly good, if not perfect shape In the
meantime there is duplication OF work,
and a terrible tangle owing 10 the lack OF
a central board in charge Of the charita-
bic work Of the District and under the
control Of the Government.
Two NS-ociutions Now
Under present conditions there are two
charitable associations in the District. one
the Associated Charities and the ether
known as the Central Relief Committee.
The Associated Charities is a private
organization, supported By voluntary con
tributions entirely The Central Relief
Committee is a public organization, con
sisting OF thirty prominent citizens ap-
pointed by the Commissioners of the Dis
uict of Columbia. While the Associated
Charities does not receive any money from
the District, or Federal Government. the
Central Relief Committee receives s., ,OG0
or 81 GOO a year.
These organizations differ in their func-
items in two ways. The Associated Chari-
tics is no longer a relief giving agency.
ii is only bureau of information" con-
cerning needy and INDECENT persons OF the
District. Money given to the Associated
Charities is devoted TO the expense OF op-
Grating this bureau. The Central Relief
Bureau is the practical part of the chari-
table work of the District. Unlike the
Associated Charities il does not investi-
gate cases, but extends relief in all di-
rections as ii sees fit as far as il is abe
after having referred each case TO the
bureau of information or bureau oi
investigation, Of the Associated Chari-
ties.
The Associated Charities was incorpor-
ated under general act OF Congress in i'm
uary. 1892 and is therefore an organiza-
fion Just seventeen years old. The as o.
citation worked as a relief giving organiZa-
ton fer fourteen years. II collected and
disbursed funds for the poor and needy,
and endeavored through its agents "a
teach the poor better habits Of living and
20 lift them 10 plane OF self-supp0lt and
Independence.
II was also claimed 10 be the endeavoI
Of the society TO bring about cooperation
among the different organizations Of a
charitable nature in the District. II was
found, however that as the society was
relief giving organization Itself it could
not procure the desired cooperation from
other relief agencies, and in November
1895, n reorganization was effected and ;
new constitution adopted eliminating th'
relief giving features OF the organization
Since that time the organization has beer
conducted as a bureau of information con
cerning the poor and needy Of the city.
The A>sociBtion Officers.
The association has Offices at No. sll
Street northwest, which are open from Il
TO O'Clock daily. The general secretary
Of the society is Georg- :. Wilson. whit
was called 10 Washington from Toledo, o.
where he was engaged in similar work
The officers are Rev. b. L. Whitman. d
D., president; Charles J.. SeilI, Ph. ID.
secretary; John Joy Edison, treasurer
Prof b. 7. Janney, Rev. J. H. Bradford, +
L. Moore, George Truesdeil, Miss X p
Hosmer Dr. 81. d. Peck, Mrs J. w Bah
son. George II. Harries, Archibald Hop
kins Thomas w Smith, $. W. Woodward
Dr. w x. Van Reypen, DIR. Murray Gal
Motter and Mrs. +. w. Dickins.
Since the reorganization of the Asso