The Washington times., 1902-03-30
Latest Feature of Work
of Associated
Charities.
BOARD OF MANAGERS ACTION
Appoint Committee of Influential Citi-
zens-Mr. Charles F. Weller, General
Secretary, Reads Paper Outlining the
Work 10 Be Undertaken.

A new committee. to be known as the
committee on the Improving of housing
conditions. was organized by the board
of managers of the Associated Charities
at a called meeting yesterday afternoon.
The officers OF the committee are: Mr..
S. W. Woodward, chairman: Col. George
Truesdeil. first vice chairman: George NJ.
Kobcr, second vice chairman, and Mr.
Charles f. Weller. secretary.
II was thought that an active group of
influential citizens may not only aid in
drafting appropriate legislation from time
10 time. but could perform the even more
important function OF developing public
opinion, and promote, also. the adequate
Improvement of existing laws.
Work of Committee Outlined.
At the opening of the meeting Mr. We'll
Ter read paper setting forth and outiin-
ing the work of the new committee. as
follows:
Among all the services which philan-
thropy may render. none is of more fun
damental Importance than to gradually
raise the standard of life among the peo-
pie by promoting the improvement of
their homes. This attacks the causes of
poverty, and clarifies the sources of good
citizenship. Improved homes mean de-
creased expenses for warehouses. jails,
police protection. and charitable relief.
The tenement or housing evils of
other large cities are all present here in
type al least. though pot in such intensity
and to such extent as found in Boston.
New York, Chicago, Baltimore and other
congested centres. In some particulars
the National Capital presents types even
worse than do the other cities named.
Nothing less than an alert, informed pub
lie interest in the subject can assure
wholesome conditions in any city. In
Washington, attention is especially
peeled because so little has yet been
given. Boston. New York. Chicago, and
other cities have preceded the National
Capital in organizing such a committee
as the one now proposed for this city.
City to Be Divided Into Districts.
lit is suggested that the city be di-
vided into districts. more or less corre-
spending TO the six divisions of the As
soeiated Charities. that one or more
members of the committee select dis
trict and devote little time every month
10 visiting some of its worst dwellings.
-hh iipui liEiG ueFOleQ 10
personal inspection Of insanitary and un-
fit houses, would give suggestions, mate
rial, and constant inspiration for the
wcrk of the committee. IT would also be
welcomed by the heads of public depart
ments, whose inspectors would be stimu-
lated to more thorough and faithful work
il they knew that the people of in
fiGence in the community were regularly
visiting the districts for which the vari-
Gus inspectors are responsible.
Correspondence with New York, Bos-
ton, Chicago, and other communities
where similar committees have been at
work is recommended. The last few years
especially have been marked by the de-
velopment Of such work as is here pro-
posed in a number of American cities:
the movement promises to become quite
general
Those Present at Meeting.
Among those present at the meeting of