The Washington times., 1902-01-26
APPEAL FOR AID
FOR CITY'S POOR
Charity Associations Issue an
Emergency Call.
FUNDS ARE GREATLY NEEDED.
Members of the Finance Committees
Speak to Every Public-Spir-
tied Citizen.

press of the city in which 1t is the de-
sire of the members of the finance COM
mittees OF both associations to speak
frankly to every public-spirited citizen
| of the National Capital.
The appeal is signed by Mr.. James E.
| Fitch. chairman. and Messrs. George NJ.
| Sternberg, George Truesdell, John Joy
| Edison, and Rudolph Kaufman. finance
| committee. Citizens Relief Association;
Mr.. Archibald Hopkins, chairman, and
Messrs Henry f. Blount, Frederick l..
Moore, Thomas w. Smith, and s. W..
| Woodward. finance committee, Associated
| Charities.
Text of the Appeal.
The nature of the appeal is herewith
| given in full:
at is obviously unjust that 600 or 100
| subscribers, out of over 27S.0O0 people IN
| this city. should be required to bear the
entire burden for relief work and re-
demptiye philanthropy which concern and
benefit this entire community. Ihree OF
| four hundred people in average years,
and six or seven hundred in the year OF
our blizzard, have generously assumed
this whole civic responsibility. tnouen
many were in very moderate circum-
stances. With so few supporters the
work cannot grow. improve and attain
the standard set by other modern cities.
We should do. more than equal the pest
among 200 cities of America and Europe
in which similar organizations have been
established: the National Capital OF the
limited States should lead and set high
standard of excellence for other &unicl-
palites.
Financial Needs Pressing.
"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 a sum of money almost equal
to all we have collected since our fiscal
year began November 1. Both the Asso-
ciated Charities and the Citizens Re-
lief Association depend entirely upon vol
untary contributions.
Hundreds of citizens who would not
think OF avoiding their just share of pub
lie taxes have as yet felt no sense of re-
sponsibility 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.
by improving conditions of life in the
poorest neighborhoods of Washington,
and by steadily building up wholesome,
useful citizens out of weak unfortunate.
friendless people, who would otherwise be
parasites upon the body polite.
Causes of Distress.
"It is not only during a blizzard or in
exceptionally cold winters that destitute
families require help. Sickness is even
more prevalent in warm than in cold sea-
sons. and sickness. as shows by last
years statistics, is the predomnating
cause OF distress
There were 6i6 widows aided last year.
and widowhood is not limited to wintry
weather. Neither are lack Of employ
nent old age, misfortune, and other
causes of dependence. Wise, remedial
charity, indeed, is needed throughout the
year.
Compared with previous years in
Washington or with the sums expended
for similar charities in other cities the
amount of money necessary for the Asso-
ciated Charities and the Citizens Relief !
Association is small. In some winters
Washington has expended $50 coo for mere
material relief. and administered it so
carelessly that more harm than good re-
suited.
General Pauperizntion Saved.
AT present Washington is the only |
large city of this country in which all the |
administrative expenses and personal |
work OF the general private relief So
ciety, corresponding TO the Citizens Re |
lief 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 po |,
lice and usually by the supervisor of the |
poor or other officer. with paid assist |
ants. who disburse food and fuel from |
public funds.
In Washington the expense. not to |
mention the general pauperization always |
attendant upon this almsgiving from |
public funds. is all saved. In these and |
other ways the Associated Charities and |
the Citizens Relief Association represent |
a cash saving to the community of Sl5,- |
900 TO $50, 900 yearly.
To Promote Self-Help.
"The main consideration. however. il
the minds of charitable people is TO be
assured that the right thing is done in
every case of distress-done promptly,
privately, scnsibly. with sympathic con-
sideration and personal kindiiness.
Upon these grounds the Associated |
Charities and the Citizens Relief AssO-
citation appeal with special confidence, be-
cause their entire work has been planned |
with an eye single to relieving distress
and promoting self-help with that
Gelicacy, sympathy, ana inspiring conf
Scnce which one would manifest in help
ing brother or friend. There is no
ed tape There are no formal rules.
Each case is treated upon its own merits,
and the sole purpose is to secure for each
distressed individual or family adequate
treatment the basis of an adequate un-
derstanding of his needs and resources
How to Give.
'Some residents of the National Capital
could give $500 yearly. enough to maintain
one worker in the field. Many could sub
scribe $50 to each of the two associations.
Others may only be able 20 give 80 cents
Anyone may become a member of The
Associated Charities By subscribing So or
nOre 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 Cen
trail Office OF the two associations. S11 G
Street northwest tMr. Charles T. Weller,
general secretary, or to Mr.. John Joy Ed
son, treasurer of the Associated Charities,
Washington Loan and Trust Com
pany, or to Mr. Beriah Wilkins W no is
treasurer os the Citizens Relief Associa-
ton
Prof. Parsons to Preach
Prof. Frank Parsons. of Boston univer-
sity will preach at the Peoples Church
in Typographical Temple this morning at