The times., 1899-01-12

means simply hand mouth relief: their
feelings are appealed TO 10 allay suffering,
and they give to that immediate end only
There is a broader aspect of it. and that is
its sociological value, which II is believed
those who have contributed to the ad-
ministTative branch of the Associated
Charities have come to appreciate by in
telligent study and reflection. To main
tain the work il is necessary that We re-
tain a large corps of workers in the field
throughout the Summer months when so
much preventive and constructive work
can be done among the poor. If We can
keep our agents in the field throughout the
Summer great deal can be accomplished
in the way OF finding employment teach
ing habits of thrift and industry, and col
lectfng savings from those employed, so
that there may he something ahead TO pro-
vide for the Winter. Last year, with only
three agents employed, a great deal was
accomplished, and over 200 families open
ed savings accounts, and many of these
families have been able TO help themselves
through the present Winter without ap-
plying for charity. The only hope Of real
progress in solving the poverty problem
is along these lines"
Central Relief Committee.
The central relief committee was or
ganized during the Winter of 1896, when
there was so much suffering in the city.
In that year the Commissioners invited
a number of citizens to become members
of a committee to disburse such private
contributions as might be made for the
relief of the poor. This committee was
also requested to consider and report TO
the District Commissioners on an effective
plan for permanent relief of the poor in
cluding such measures of relief as may
come from the erection of convenient and
comfortable homes to be rented at reason
able prices 10 persons of small means.
In response TO the invitation 4 meet
ing was held at the Board of Trade rooms
December = 1896. and a temporary organ
ization formed. Commissioner Ross called
the meeting to order and Justice c. c.
Cole who had been chairman OF former
relief committee was unanimously elected
chairman. George s. Wilson. general sec
retary OF the Associated Charities. was
made secretary, and Hon. Beriah wilkins,
/ chairman.
The present organization OF the commit
tee is as follows: J. w. Babson. Henry +.
Blount. A. T Britton, Justice c. c. Cole.
John F Cook John Joy Edison, James E
Fitch Mrs Jane Gray. Rev Teuns S.
Hamlin Bishop John f. Hurst, B. 7. jan
ney, Tallmadge \. Lambert, Herbert W.
Lewis Mrs. Mary L. d. MacFarland, Mrs
Z J. III. y
w Ritchie, Bishop Henry Y. Satterlee.
Rev d. ]. stafford, Gen. George y. Stern
berg w s. Thompson, George Truesdell
B. H. Warner Rev. p. l.. Whitman. NJ. l.
Weller Beriah wilkins. George S Wilson,
Simon Wolf. and S. W Woodward.
The committee as constituted al present,
WAS appointed by the District Commits
sioners in April last. and was instructed
that its duties were to furnish outdoor re-
lief for the poor. with power to collect
and distribute contributions Of charitable
persons. TO take, hold and convey property;
10 administer bequests in favor OF the poor;
to purchase and sell at cost, or give away,
any food. fuel and clothing to the deserv-
ing poor. and 10 perform such other func-
tons as might properly come within the
province of a relief association.
Plan of Wori. Laid Out.
When the committee was organized a
plan of work was laid out and the Asso-
ciated Charities was recommended as the
only agency through which disbursements
should be made. IN reaching such a con-
clusion the committee stated that one of
the great troubles and dangers Of the past
had been the fact that SO many different
societies were employed. duplicating infor-
nation and work which led TO a great
deal OF trouble and sometimes triple dis
tribution to the same parties.
II one agency were employed il was be-
lieved investigation would be more thor
Ough and more reliable, and that frauds
would be prevented in a great degree. The
complaint against the Associated Charities,
though. has been the allegation that it is
inclined TO treat everybody as a fraud
that applies for assistance even before any
investigation has been made.
The tatement is also made that the ma
jority OF applicants for relief were already
known to the agents of the Associated
Charities. and that these cases were
promptly passed upon. while the families
that were not already known were prompt
iy visited and the circumstances examined
/ by the agents of the society. This is an
other point which is cOntended by persons
who have applied for charity.
Mrs. Evans. who was refused aid by the
association. claims that she was not visited
by agents OF The society. and that even at
this late date no agents OF the society have
visited her. Many persons say il requires
too long a time for the agents of the assO-
citation 10 investigate cases and afford re-
lief TO deserving parties.
Amount Appropriated.
The Central Relief Committee receives
annually from Congress an appropriation
of about 81 900, allotted out Of the s13, 900
annually appropriated for the relief OF the
( poor and the interest on the centennial in
! augural relief fund. which amounts to
about Sl.G62 annually. This fund consists
/ of d balance Of S33 200 which was left
| out Of the Harrison inaugural fund. and is
| invested through the American Security
/ and Trust Company. bringing an income
| OF about per cent per annum.
The general fund for the relief Of the
poor, according 10 the appropriation bill
| for the year IS9s-9 Is allotted as follows:
| For twenty-five physicians at $3.50 per an
| mum. $3.50; medicine for the poor s.. $50;
Aged Womens Home, $500; Women's Dis
pensary. $500; cofiins for the INDECENT dead,
! to be furnished on the order of the health
Office, $500; outdoor relief, to be distribute
! ed by the citizens relief committee 81 800
/ II Will he seen by this that the Central Re
lief Committee receives 81, 600 more this
year than is usually allotted for the out
door relief.
Until the Winter OF 1875 the money