The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-02

It is estimated that Minneapolis
spends $2,OO0,000 annually in charity. |
This is thru the regular channels.
How much more is dtsbursed in prt-
vate charity no one can safely calcu-
late. = .'~'.
The question Of importance, how
ever, is not so much the amount Of
money expended in charity, as the way
in which it is done. Unfortunately
one of the most productive causes of
pauperisrn and crime is the OPEN
handed generosity Of the well-to-do.
The artful mendicant makes his ap-
peal, Stimulates with great success the
appearance of honesty and genuine dis
tress, employs shrewd means to gain
the confidence and sympathy Of the
one to whom he appeals, and receives
aims without. further investigation. 1t
is moderate statement to say that in
nine cases out Of ten these personal
appeals are made by unmitigated
frauds.
This statement might work a cruel
hardship upon the worthy and needy
if it were not accompanied by sug-
gestion as to how the giver of charity
may protect himself against imposi-
ton. We have an institution in this
city admirably organized and remark
ably efficient for that very purpose,
viz, the Associated Charities. 1t is
the business Of this organization to act
as a sort Of clearing house for charity
effort. 1t undertakes to determine
the merits Of every case Its records
extend back nearly 20 years. and cover
5000 families and Individual cases in
this city. 1t has the machinery for
further investigation, and no one need
act blindly in affording relief. Any
appeal, for notification Of it's genuine
ness. may be referred at once to the
Associated Charities with the assur-
a11ce that immediate and careful in
vestigation will be made and the facts
developed.
: This is the only scientific and COM
mOn-sense method Of dealing with ap-
plicants for aims. The great pity is
that the various charity organizations
of the city do not cooperate more
closely with the Associated Charities,
and that charity effort is not more CO.
ordinated in this city. We are vast
ing tens and possibly hundreds OF
thousands of dollars annually by rea-
son of the wasteful methods employed
where numerous charitably inclined
persons are contributing to the sup
port in idleness, and sometimes in
crime, Of the same person or the same
family, each contributor acting with,
out the knowledge Of the others
When money is solicited and obtained
to pay the railroad fare Of a saloon.
keeper and his wife from Minneapolis
to the coast on a plea of charity, but IL
reality that they may save intact the
SUM received from the sale of a salooY
here in order to- invest it in the sam,
business at their destination; wher
sixteen Thanksgiving dinners ar,
given to one family at one time; whel
turkeys are bestowed in charity 11pol
butcher, it would seem to be TIM
for more intelligent direction Of char
table effort in this community.
Just such instances as cited have oc
Cured in recent times in Minneapolis
THE people Of this city are generous
Distress meets with ready relief, bu
under our present haphazard, disor
ganized method, with a score or NOR
of charitable institutions at work i
the city, to say nothing Of the Chart
work of the churches, each acting in