Evening star., 1902-01-25
cHARlTYs URGENT APPEAL
RELIEF AssOenAlzDNs MAKE EMER-
GENCY REaunsT FOR FUNDS.
Declare That HeeAw Poor VIII Suffer
Unless Imanediate Succer In
Foxthasming.

to the citizens OF the fDiStr1ct Tor FUNDS to
aid the needy poor. %
The appeal is issueaand signed by James
e. Fitch, chairman. aEeorge NJ. Sternberg,
George Truesdella John Joy Edison and Ru-
dolph Kauffmann "a the Citizens Relief
Association, and AreAibald Hopkins chair
man. Henry F. Blount, Frederick L. Moore,
Thomas w. Smith and g. w. Woodward Of
the Associated Charities.
The request for aid. which is in the ma
ture of an emergency appeal, is as follows:
Through the public press the Associated
Charities and the Citizens' Relief Associa-
tion desires TO speak frankly to every pub
lic-spirited citizen of the national capital.
1t Is obviously unjust that 600 or TOO SUBJ
scribers out of over 27S.000 people in this
city should be required to bear the entire
burden for relief work and -fedemptive phil
anthropy, which concern and benefit this
entire community. Three OF four hundred
people In average years, and six or seven
hundred In the year Of our blizzard, have
generously assumed this whole civic re-
sponsibifity, though few Of these donors
were wealthy, and many were: in very mod
crate circumstances. With SO few support
ers the work cannot grow, improve and at
tain the standard set by other modern
best among two hundred cities of America
and Europe, in which similar organizations
nave been established. The national capi
tai OF the United States should lead and set
inequalities.
Confronted With Crisis.
AT present our financial needs are ur-
gent. Our work will have to be cut down,
and calls for help, which should be met,
will have to be refused unless we can soon
secure sum Of money almost equal to all
we have collected since our fiscal year be-
gan November /. Both the Associated
Charities and the Citizens Relief Associa-
tlon depend entirely upon voluntary contrt-
buttons. Hundreds Of citizens who would
not think of avoiding their just share OF
public taxes have as yet felt no sense OF
responsibility for this inclusive charity
work, and public service. Yet these two
associations benefit every member of the
community by relieving distress which
would weaken productive power, by pre-
venting pauperiSm which would destroy
good citizenship, by bringing resourceful
people into touch with neglected families,
oy improving conditions Of life in the
poorest neighborhoods of Washington, and
py steadily building up wholesome, useful
CITIZENS out OF weak, unfortunate, friend
less people who would otherwise be para
sites upon the body polite.
1t is not only during blizzard or in
exceptionally cold winters that destitute
ram11les require help. Sickness is even
more prevalent In warm than in cold sea-
statistics, is the predominating cause OF
distress. There were 646 widows aided last
year, and widowhood is not limited to win
Try weather. Neither are lack of employ
ment, old age, misfortune and other causes
OF dependence. Wise, remedial charity, in
deed, is needed throughout the year.
compared with previous years in Wash
iington or with the sums expended for sim
liar charities in other cities, the amount of
money necessary for the Associated Char
tiles and the Citizens Relief Association ia
small. In some winters Washington has
expended $4,000 for mere material relief
and administered it so carelessly that more
harm than good resulted
Two Societies sWork i'm Unity,
'At present Washington is the only large
city Of this country In which all the admin
istrative expenses and personal work of the
general private reliefssociety, corresponding
to the Citizens Relief Association, is added
to the regular functions of the Associated
Charities. Moreover, these two societies,
working In close unity here, bear all the
burden OF public relief work which in the
majority OF cities is shared, sometimes by
the police and usually by the supervisor Of
the poor or other officer with paid as
sistants, who disburse food and fuel from
not to mention the general pauperiZation
always attendant upon this aims giving
from public funds, is all saved. In these
and other ways the Associated Charities
and the Citizens Relief Association repre-
sent a cash saving to the community of
$4,000 to 10000 yearly.
1.-THE main consideration, however in the
minds of charitable people, is to be as
sured that the right thing is done in every
case Of distress, done promptly, privately,
sensfbly, with sympathetic consideration
and personal kindlness Upon these
grounds the Associated Charities and the
Citizens Relief Association appeal with
special confidence, because their entire
work has been planned with an eve single
to relieving distress and promoting self
help with that delicacy, sympathy and in
spring confidence which one would mani
fest in helping a brother or friend There
is no red tape.' There are no formal rules
Each case of need is treated upon it's own
merits, and the sole purpose Is to secure
for each distressed individual or family
adequate treatment, the basis Of an ade-
quate understanding of his needs and re-
sources"
What and Where to Give,
Some residents Of the national capital
could give 5000 yearly, enough to maintain
one worker in the field. Many could SUBJ
scribe $50 to each Of the two associations
Others may only be able to give 30 cents
Any one may become a member of the AS
ISOLATED Charities by subscribing Sh or
more yearly. Each Is asked simply to give
what he himself considers to be his share
of this important relief work and public
service.
Contributions may be sent to the central
Office of the two associations, 81 @ street
northwest (Mr. Charles 3. Weller general
secretary; Mr.. John Joy Edison. trea surer
of the Associated Charities, address. wash
lngton Loan ana trust Company, or to Mr.
Beriah Wilkins, the Washington Post
treasurer Of the Citizens Relief Associa.
ton.
AnacOstfa and Vicinity.
The playhouse at st. Elizabeth Asv1um