Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-21
UNITED CHARITIES.
The Seventeenth Annual Meeting
Held Last Night.
President Roper's Report Shows That $751;
eoo,4e Has Been Distributed Among
the Poor-A Worthy Organization.

The annual meeting of the United
Charities was held at the Masonic
Temple last night. The election of
officers for the ensuing year was as fol-
lows: Captain John l.. Roper, presi-
dent; b. Z. Loyal, vice president: see
rotary, II. l.. Page; treasurer, James
G. TAFT.
The board of directors elected is MS
follows: II. l.. Page, Walter III. Tay-
Tor. Charles III. Hay, II. l.. Page, Lu-
Their Sheldon, James G. TAFT, Il. Z. Tuy-
lor, j. w. Grandy, B. Z. Loyal, r. S.
Cohn, William Il. Taylor aud j. H.
Waters.
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
The report of President Roper was
as follows:
10 the Members and Friends of the
United Charities:
We have met together this evening
Tor the purpose of reviewing the work
OIL the past year, and | believe it is tile
seventeenth annual meeting of the as
sociation During that time we have
distributed directly in groceries, provi-
sions, 1uel, rents, shoes and other spe-
ciai help the sum of 500. 650.46, and be-
Sides indirectly, through visitors of the
association, there has been quite n
large amount of special help solicited
ana distributed. Taking it altogether
1t seems like large amount and vet
II has not at all times been sufficient to
poor. There have been times when
only partial help could be given, ana
ior the amount expended great good
mas been accomplished. 1t has been
the aim of the association to give the
greatest amount of relief possible with
the amount entrusted to them for dis
tribution, and i'll every case coming to
their knowledge, especially during the
severe weather of winter to give
prompt relief. and no applicant is
they are found to be in real need
Just here | beg to repeat what have
said in former reports in reference to
cases OF distress that are occasionally
reported through the newspapers. Ii
these cases were reported to the Office
OF the United Charities they would
nave been given equally prompt atten-
ton and help if found necessary after
investigation, and possibly save citi-
Zens from being imposed upon. Nearly
every case where appeals have been
made through the newspapers upon
investigation, it has been found that
the parties appealing were either being
helped by the United Charities or their
case had been investigated and found
mat they were not proper cases of
charity; and in some instances. where
strong appeals have been made the re-
sponscs to them have been so bountifu
as 10 approach waste. and is an incen-
tive to others to adopt the same method
the association Ohere being a necessity
Tor heip) only the amount necessary
would be given, and If the donations
We're as liberal to the association as TO
others.
The system upon which the associa-
ton is worked can be made most erfec-
tual If all will give their CO.. operation.
United Charities means. first the con
solidation of the charities. thus pre-
~ mt
in which all individuals are united in
the giving. If this is carried out the
work can be effectually and economi-
cally done. One dollar given through
the association will accomplish much
more IMAM the same amount given pro
iniscuously First, because in many
cases OF private help the applicant is
really not needy to the extent of seek
ing charity. and If referred to the as
ISOLATION this would he demonstrated:
second, when given through the asso-
citation 1t is in such shape as to accom-
pilsh the greatest good for the smallest
amount OF money. We find that an
plicants whose cases will not bear in
Vest'gation are generally the ones who
seek aid from private individuals. We
| find that comparatively few OF those
| who apply for Individual aid and are
referred to the United Charities pres
| ent themselves not wishing to have
| their cases investigated. If every CON
| tributor to the United Charities will
| take the names of those who apply to
! them for help and refer them to the
| association it will help the work great
| " and If our citizens will give their
| contributions to the association and
| trust it to do their ms-giving in that
| direction they can feel assured that any
| cases referred to it will be promptly at
tended to and relieved if the necessity
exists: and If those in the habit of CON
tributing privately to the poor of our
city will give the association at least