New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-22
MAJOR KETCHUM'S SCHEME
SINGULAR WAY OF CONDUCTING A
CHARITY.
ADMITS THAT HIS CIRCULARS SOLICITING
AID ARE NOT IN STRICT ACCORD
ANCE WITH THE TRUTH.

AID ARE NOT IN STRUT ACCOtND-
ANCE WITH THE TRUTH.
The wisdom of making inquiries about the trust
vorthiness of persons who solicit aid for charitable
purposes was well exemplifed recently by a Tribune
reader in New-England, who wrote The Tribune
saying that Major John 3. Ketchum of No AZ
broadway this city, had sent him circular letter
asking for a subscription to the Army Saturday
and Sunday Fourth Of July Collection for soldiers"
The writer asked The Tribune to investigate Major
Ketchums work and II 1t all right. He
incosed with his letter n subscription blank which
Major Ketchum had sent with the circular. The
circular was signed by Ketchum Treasurer OF
the Army Saturday and Sunday Committee" and
also corresponding secretary, and stated boldly
that the association was regularly organized and
Incorporated body The subscription blank bore the
Soldiers Christian Aid Association" and this
was also stated to be a regularly organized and
incorporated body.
A Tribune reporter called upon Major Ketchum
at No ~ Broadway yesterday and found him in his
Offices. which consist of three rooms. one of which
contained folding bed and some cooking utensils
Another partly filled with back numbers of
magazines. which had been forwarded to the Major
for distribution among the soldiers. A wooden
gate made OF pickets, guarded the entrance to
these three rooms. and Ketchum was the only
occupant. In large letters the wall Of the hall
leading 10 the offices the sign: u S. Soldiers
Aid and Library Association" Ketchum is a man
OF medium size and evidently about sixty years old
He answered all the questions put to him in sim
pie, guieless way, which left the impression that
he did not quite realize the full significance OF his
admissions. The conversation between him and the
reporter about . follows:
Major Ketchum. The Tribune has been requested
Egneman whom you have Of
your representations Are you perfectly willing
that this should he done?
Perfectly willing. sir. Ask any questions you
What is the Army Saturday and Sunday Fourth
Of July Collection for Soldiers" for which you ask
- ct +ba
sneiiaI resoI,tion natsa33 AZ GcUerai contention
~ i-%jti rSe pa a. d C'haD
lains at st. Louis in 1925. We could use at least
$1,000 at once IN the field but have 50 far received
When you say this collection is taken up by us"
l mean the Army Saturday and Sunday Commit
pointed by the United states Soldiers Christian Aid
You say in your circular that the United States
Soldiers Christian Aid Association is a regularly
It really is not an incorporated body yet. We in
tend to Incorporate it in the fail
Whom do you mean by we?
! the former trustees OF the United States
fore the Spanish war The United States Soldiers
Christian Aid Ass9eciation was started TO- continue
Wn You give me the names Of some Of those
who intend 70 incorporate the United states Sol
ders' Christian Aid ASSOCIATION in the fall?
ireland. Of No. 81 Nassau-st.. and others.
United States Soldiers CHRISTIAN Aid Association
since the dissolution Of the United States Army
About $500 in the last eighteen months
How much Of that was consumed in expenses?
and that Of my clerk At s. = week ~.
Tint makes a total 81 1890. What was done
II was expended largely in providing reading
it to them through the mails
Have YOU any other means OF support Accpt
your salary for handling these funds3
Are you the duly authorized treasurer OF thesa
] win h. when the society Is incorporated
40. an Cfr-
cular. instead Of representing yourself 10 be the
several leeacies were promised 70 the United
HIajea Arm Aid A-soei4tIon and fear that II
cety was not yet incorporated these eGacias
What has s h e, YOU and friend, from
AID Association before now
20 Lack Of funds Tho public does support II,
see that IL, tho circular YOU send out you print
long !lst Of names Of persons who have sub
Those are persons who subscribed to the old So
in the hope that they may substrib" aEei ia ia me-
new association. which is carrying the old work
liable to a charge Of soliciting mqney under false
do not. Ny only object is to do good. and all
the IepreseRtalions made in my circular Will be
Where did you get your title Of Major7
When was on the STAFF OF Governor Fenton.
! was captain OF Company E. 1lsth New-Yorl,
Volunteers. during tho civil War
The reporter next called on John b. Ireland who
said that he had been a trustee OF the United
States Army Aid Association, but when It dis
solved he gave up his connection with the work
and had nothing TO do with Major Ketchums un-
dertakinK. He did not even know that Kctchum
was carrying it on
w. G. Davies was then seen, and he also repudi-
ated Ketchum. and said he had nothing to with
him.
The Charity Organization Society was asked
what It knew Of Ketchum. and its officers strongly
deprecated the Idea OF any one sending aid to the
soldiers through that medium. c. Raymond
Gould. Of the NcW-YOrk InVcStiga ting Bureau said
he had been asked some time ago to investigate
Major ketchum by who had been solicited for
a'd and he. too, would advise charitable persons
to choose some other way to dispense their charity
Major KctChum shows a number Of letters from
chaplains In the Army acknowledging the receipt