The times., 1901-05-14

Another step in the popular favor for
special training for special lines of work
will be taken when the sentiment in favor
of distinct instruction for charitable
workers takes more definite form on the
part of members Of the National Con-
ference Of Charities and Corrections. At
the general session Of the conference IN
Foundry Church. last night a paper on
this subject was read by jeffrey r.
Brackett President of the Department Of
Charities and Corrections of Baltimore
Already there has been school of phil
anthropy founded in New York City, and
its summer session will open next month
The meeting was well attended and the
subjects discussed received the broad
minded and popular treatment apparent
in all considerations of the organization.
John Graham Brooks, of Harvard Uni
versity. also delivered an address.
Bird s Coler Comptroller of New York
CITY. delivered an interesting address at
the general session yesterday morning.
The other sessions OF the conference yes
terday were also extremely entertaining
The social feature was prominent yes
terday. In the afternoon about 300 dele
gates and visitors made an excursion to
historic Arlington and Alexandria by
reception in honor of Cardinal Martineili
at the Catholic University. This after
noon a pleasant diversion has been ar
ranged in the form of steamer trip to
River View. where a shad-bake will DE
eniuyed The steamer Samuel J. PentZ
will leave the city at 2:30 o'clock, and the
return will be made about o'clock
The meeting last night was presided
over by Miss ZiIpha d. Smith, General
Secretary Of the Associated Charities OF
Boston She drew n brief outline of the
matters to be considered in the addresses
which were to follow, and introduced JEFF
frey R. Bracket His subject was Pres
ent Opportunities for Training in Charl-
table Work" He said that devotion to
charitable work should be regarded as a
high calling. and that it was essential
instruction, rather than training, which
was needed. Those who take up chari-
table work as a calling, said Mr. Bracket
need TO abstain as far as possible from all
the clements of the work and if possible
be trained by persons experienced IN TINS
work. The sooner we get the men and
women at the head Of the great institu-
tions interested in this matter, the soon
er Will we be able to have an established
training for charitable workers to which
we can turn.
There is a class in philanthTopical work
conducted every summer" he said, by
the New York Charity Organization So
cietv. whose fourth summer session viii
open next month. In six weeks Of the
past three summers twenty or thirty men
and women have received instruction
there The methods are practical, the
speakers are leaders in their respective
classes The requirements for admission
are either q degree from some college or
loo
work An effort is being made to raise
money so that fellowships may be found
I'd which will enable certain students 70
devote their time to study the year round
The school now gives bird eye view
of the wide field of opportunities, with the
points of special Importance indicated Dy
those who know. one condition OF mem
bership is that the applicant Is personally
working for the uplifting OF some family
in distress. This educational work can
be made more effectual through this con-
ference We viii watch with interest the
outcome of the fsilowships established for
work in charity by number of the great
universities
The subject discussed by John Graham
Brooks Of Harvard was Some Problems
of the Family" He said that he had
drawn his conclusions from about thirty
cases with which he had experience. In
the course Of his address Dr. Brooks gave
a hard blow to the practice Of parents in
iusuring the lives Of children Of tender
age. He said that IL WIS not because
insurance money. but because the insur-
auce gent in his insidiOuS way by telling
Of the benefits that would be gained by
the mother should the insured child die
played upon q sacred sentiment, the feel
ing between parent and the offspring. Dr.
Brooks said also that careful investiga-
tICu should be made into the cases Of
destitute families many Of whom were
destitute merely because they had not
properly husbanded their natural re-
n tbs general Sis.4tresio-, which follow
ed DR.. James NJ Pullman. OF Lynn, Mass,
w5= the first to speak. lie said number
II complimentary things about the con
ference. among which was the statement
that he believed all the principles which
have been expounded 70 be the outcome
OF facts.
the School for Feeble-Sinded at Fort
Wayne, Ind, and Frank Tucker. General
Agent Of the New York Society for the
Improvement of the Poor, also spoke
retary Of the Charity Organization Society
OF Baltimore, expressed herself as decid-
ediy opposed 10 the practice Of insuring
the lives OF young children. ia order 10
20 this, she said. families often went
without proper food and clothing.
The fact that Bird 5. Coler the Comp
trollcr Of New York City, was on the
programme for an address attracted
large number TO the general meeting at
Columbian University yesterday morning
Frank a. Fetter. Of Cornell University
tween public and private charity, pre-
sided. and also submitted a report which
dealt with the policy OF public subsidy
Tor private charitable institutions Mr.
Coler's address had to do with the atti-
tlide Of the government OF Greater New
York toward these institutions. The tone
OF Prof FetteFs report was decidedly
opposed to the policy Of substituting nri-
Nate charity. He enumerated the States
ia which the policy had been tried and
pointed out both the benefits and the
defects which resulted from the practice
The rcpcTt contained formidable ar
ray Of objections, one Of which was that
public appropriation TO private charita bic
enterprises often inclined the benefacturs
OF tie enterprise TO withdraw their SUP
port with the idea that the Government
would thereafter provide the necessary
aid. Another objection was that the
funds were diverted from other public in
StitutiOus more deserving. Tie strongest
argument against the subsidy policy was
that IT conffcted directly with American
spirit in that II obliged the public 20 con-
tribute 10 a sectaFian Institution in which
they did not sometimes believe.
The Subsidy Problem in New York
City. by Nr. Coler. was general review
Of the effects Of the policy in that city
where 4 number Of charitable institutions
are aided by public appropriations He
pointed out that prior to 1884 the plan was
CRAFTY abused on account OF a lack Of
system. New laws governing these an
gr0pTiatious had been passed and now
the city government is responsible for All
funds put 10 such use
The city has ceased to approprIate mon
ey fsE the support OF homes for the aged
because II was felt that the work be-
1onged more 10 private beneyGence The
city Of New York has also Withdrawn
financial aid from works OF outdoor re-
lief" because this charity. publicly con
Quoted. tended too much 10 foster pau
pcrtsm and dependence. Diapensaries
have also been cut out the budget
AfF IL oil. al.