New-York tribune., 1900-04-13
ORGANIZATION OF CHARITY
MISS RICHMOND. WHO HAS STUDIED
1HE QUESTION. GIVES SOME IN
TERESTTNG VIEWS

Mss Mary Z Richmond for nine years general
secretary OF the Baltimore Charity Organization
Socie'5 mas been elected TO the same Office in the
Philadelphia Society for Charity Organization and
VIII assume her duties in Septerr 5er
Miss Richmond has become widely known as
worker IN this direction. having studied the qres-
non of charity ana its organization from every
point of view. She said recently:
Every human institution is an effort 10 meet some
elI2T- strives 10 meet the need for a broader and
ity uplifting and strengthennc force 1ot
GeETadinE ana eneTvating oDiate for temporary
Relief given too mechanically as by the ordinary
societies. and relief given impusively as bv The
average individual. not only derloralizes the poor
~ weakening their power for seIf-hepfuness. bug
: 800; a-zo cuts Inem on from the sympathy Of their
ls--oW1ler II was common fault Of careless
the poor that they themselves mad fosrerad and
mis- inevitable disillusOn Of the thoughtessly char
The organization Of relief therefore. became quite
as important as the organization Of substitutes for
When we say that we wish to charity and
initiated Iittle idea OF what We mean PopularIy
speaking. things are organized" when they have
oited accounts and an office. Charitable relief Is
honestIy admins,erad avoids duniicating the WORK
o. other relief agencies and IS not wasted on
Relief is not ORGANIZED n the charity, organiza-
Gon sense OF me WORD 4 II IS permitted 20 check
tie development OI the charitable spirit among
creeks cnar1ty il il IS separated from personal
relations with the poor or is used as substitute
tor such relations. II il relieves people Of any
snare q just responsibility toward relatives friends
fellow church members, employees or other less
ooes NOT strive earnestly 10 minimize them, is IL
s5 8 19Is o2n BE- dangerous 'an ois0rE@nizeo Felief pos
IN the present method OF organization a city is
divided into territories and the district Office placed
n eacE Il understood 70 belong 10 the churches Of
al denominations 10 the charities Of the district
and 70 its charitable citizens This Office IS TO be
their common meeting ground in ali matters in
which conference is desirable Through such an
otlce the volunteer and paid force Of the society
serrants-rne police The school teachers, the sani-
ences of many varied sorts which for better worse
mould mould The lives Of the poor far more than our
forms cooperation from scheme into living
dvidaaIs over small tasks breaking down prejudice.
a. i Goes ana iparring better Ideals OF charity IS
TIE BEST possible form Of cooperation.
METHOD OF INVESTIGATION.
The system adopted by organized charities
customary previously There is one thing worse
sesJlgatioT which stops as soon as ii mas discov-
ar6 e. --Ls dilts-IIs oi ;
&C 50 can make a show OF knowledge Honest IN
FsligatiOn means sincere unbiased searching Tor
ne whole truth, including not merely the dry facts
- ll at 5aat setting Of circumstance and opportunity
~ winch the facts exist.
Of recorigp 'ioi reife@ ysT.ons
agencies al central Office and Of forwarding
These agencies In return. all Information received
that was likely be OF service them. The de-
wee was simply an adaptation to charitable needs
ol a system Of exchange now pr2cttsed by almost
Every modern institution Libraries. hospitals.
Iloc departments. labor bureaus colleges and uni
strsltes al some form Of registration. but no
method adopted by charity organization has been
50 absurdIy misunderstood.
EegistrattOn Is attempt 10 control the
t on OF The registering agencies II Is not an at
rpL i-pL % brand the poor a. paupers. Far from ex-
F1s.-e the recipients OF charity 10 publicity, the
9gsleia T guards them from il, and was devised IN
sSsslL tor rhat purpose Save TO those who are
s,eacy interested in some given case. the records
= liilfjsFsClal the records Of the Dnited
-t census, and much more carefully guarded
-. = usual with other charitable records
llste registration has been given fair trial
b.cA Is n only TWO three OF cities, II has
80 valuable aid ir ,siligent cooperation IN !
- Ieatfnent Of needy families. and those VINO
-N tae actual practical workings OF the system