New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-25
CHARITY "PROMOTERS."
UP ENTERTAINMENTS FOR
WORTHY OBJECTS AS a PROFIT
ABLE OCCUPATION.

Attention has often been called 70 the fact
that charitable people are frequently imposed
upon by beggars who have bank accounts. AMI
that there have been instances where whole
families have lived in ease and luxury o.
money which came to them from people who bee
ieved that they were relieving distress wh.l
they sent it.
There is another, smaller class Of swindlers
who make charity the basis Of their operations
This class consists Of the promoters Of FAX
shows and entertainments. which are given
Cstensibly for some worthy charity, but really
for the benefit Of the promoters. The methods
employed are plausible. and the donors, as well
as the institutions are imposed upon in way
that leaves no redress for the victims. The pro
moter is usually a woman Of good address ana
possessing much organizing and executive
ability She lives at good hotel or in preten-
tious apartments. and manages to become &C
quainted with good people and makes 1t known
that doing good" and helping the poor are
her main objects in life.
When the promoter is ready 10 make a strike
she awaits favorable opportunity, and tells
about a church or hospital or mission So
ciety which needs money. and asks some Of the
women to help her arrange an entertainment for
it's benefit. In the mean time the minister the
board Of directors the trustees Of the institu-
ton have been informed that the entertainment
will take place. and they usually thank the
noble hearted woman in advance. When the
committee has been named-always with the
assurance that no work Will be required from
1.-THE promoter arranges for hall for
performers. etc, and then sends her trusted
agents about - sell tickets.
In this part Of the proceedings members =
the committee usually work diligently. aud
large sums Of money are collected. and the en-
tertainment takes place. When the day Of set
tlenent comes the church or the hospital TO-
ceyes from the promoter what she represents
as the proceeds Of the affair She receives IN
turn the thanks Of the institution The amount
returned is usually a small fraction OF the sum
collected the lions share having been app'p-
priated by the promoter under the plea OF 'eX-
penses"
These promoters operate at all seasons OF the
year In the winter they collect money for un-
employed people. in the summer outings f'r
poor children" give them a hook TO hang their
scheme upon. and schools, hospitals and
churches are in season all the year.
The secretary of the Charity Organization 50
ciety said: There are people in NewYork en-
gagged in this business who have worked az Il
for many years in various places. They are not
respor sible they 4 mask Of responsibility.
and despite our efforts To break up their bust
ness. they flourish because people give gladly
when they believe the cause is good one.
When we have endeavored to show to some ~
the beneiciaries Of these promoters that they
have been imposed upon. they have shown us
checks for large amounts which were received
from the promoters. Is that not proof Of their
hon sly and sincerity? we were asked. They
actually believed that the promoter had acted
honestly by them until We demonstrated that
the amount turned in was only a small part x
what had been collected. ana when finally con-
yinced that they had been sWind!ed. it dawnod
upon them that they had 40 redress. and that
they could have done nothing even if less had
been given to them out of the sum realized
our advice is always to allow no person 70
collect for "A charitable cause. or To arrange any
entertainment unless it is known. beyond doubt,
that the person is in no way connected with
promoter. People who make it a business 10
get up entertainments for charitable purposes.
who have income and still live in luxury.
should be closely investigated before they are
allowed to handle funds which given for =
charitable purpose"