The Portland daily press., 1900-11-13
Old Officers With Few Exceptions
Reelected.
The Report of the Sec
retary for the Year.
Wood Yard Has Been Crafty
ing Success.

The annual meeting OF the Assooiateu
Charities was held yesterday afternoon In
the City building. The president OF the
association, kev. E. X. Purdy presided
and there were about twenty five present.
Martha X. Moore, the secretary, made
the following annual report:
"In reviewing the work Of the Associ-
ated Charities FOR the past year we IND
some gain has been made In the follow
ing directions. Our membership has been
increased 1. The experiment Of q wood
yard has been tried and q presentation
of our work at the Woman's Council 90.
cured.
"Early in the year the bylaws were re-
vised and among other changes the article
on membership was made to include the
clergy Of the city. From time to time
these were asked to speak on subjects per-
tanning to the work at our open meetings
| thus increasing the interest and strength
ening the influence of the association.
"Out of these able discussions grew the
experimental wood yard at 1OS Federal
street, which proved a success.
"Mrs. b. A. Worton kindly consented
/
but lack of funds made 1t impracticable
to do more than I'LL a few orders for
sheets, pillow slips, and wrappers. For
making these few needy ones received
pay in 80 cents, grocery tickets. We hope
steps have already been taken toward
placing this all important branch OF our
work on q firm financial basis with q
huetnauaIfka aroanizatf0u ITntii the
wood yard and work room are well estab-
lished we are indeed handicapped as re-
CARDS helping applicants to help them
selves, which Is our aim.
1.-The monthly meetings already alluded
to were held with increasing attendance,
and interest TO the last, open to all who
cared to come. The general theme how
best to help the poor, was discussed un-
der such heads as Discrimination In
Charity Industrial Agencies and the
like.
Conferences were held frequently dur
ing the winter consisting OF delegates
from nine charitable societies. AT these
the benefciaries OF each we're compared,
duplication of gifts avoided and much
helpful Information interohanged thus
making 1t possible to render more wise
and efficient aid.
''The office was open from two to four
hours daily from December LIST to May
lst. Applications for help were received
Investigations made of the circumstances,
character and surroundings, mainly
through our visitors. Material needs were
supplied by the kindly cooperation Of
other societies, and individual cases fol-
lowed up so far as possible with special
care. One hundred and seventy live
names mostly representing that number
of families have been recorded during the
year with more or less information gath
cred from every available source for the
use Of any Engaged in charitable work.
"While five months covered most OF the
office work there were calls on heart and
brain every month in the year.
"Very much appreciation should be
given our few volunteer visitors. every
one an extremely busy woman, for..their
very prompt and valuable work in inves.
tigation. We read that Boston has eight
hundred friendly VISITORS strong men
and lovely women going into the homes
OF the poor, entering into their lives with
all the sympathy, cheer and counsel Of
true friend
I'VE are very grateful for the confidence
and help given by the charitable societies,
many OF whose members are also our
own. We might speak OF the good work
dcne by these organizations. zach In its
special line, but we refer you to their an
nual reports. May our associated ohari-
ties become, what the name indicates. a
union of all for the mutual help Of each
in uplifting and bettering the conditions
Of the needy.
"Our thanks are due the clergymen and
others who gave us OF their time and in
spiration, also the press which kindly
circulated knowledge OF our efforts and
aims.
'This year CLOSES, but another opens
with It's opportunities and responsibili-
les, and we press forward with open minds
and hearts to do the work it shall pring
| to u.s."
EIhe following officers were elected:
| President-Rev. e. X. Purdy.
| Vice Presidents-Rev. W. 4. Phelan,
| DR.. Leighton.
Secretary and Treasurer-Mrs. Martha
| r. Moore.
Attorney-George Libby.
Observation-Disclosures and Vice Presi-
dents ex-officio, j. p. Baxter, E. p.
Chase, Zeuas Thompson, j. ]. Gerrish.
q. III. Baker, Rev. Fl. Eouthworth,
Charles s. Fobes. Miss o. NJ. Beckett,
Mrs. ]. p. Harrington, Mrs. M. ]. Lilly,
Mrs. II. L Taylor. Mrs. A. b. Cole,
Mrs. j. K. Worcester, Mrs. Whitman
Sawyer.
W. q. McKeen, the superintendent Of
the wood yard, reported that the expert
ment had been a success. The yard
opened April /. 1900, but not much wood