The San Francisco call., 1906-09-23
BICKNELL PRAISES
RELIEF WORKERS.
Says There Was Some Mis-
management and Petty
Graft, but Good Results
RECOMMENDS CHANGE

The resignation of Ernest P. Bick-
nell, secretary of the Relief Corpora
ton, to take effect October /, was made
public yesterday. In 1t the retiring
secretary takes occasion to review the
relief work for the FIVE months that
have passed since the fire, and to COM
ment upon what has been done. He
admits that there has been some mis-
management and some petty grating,
but is of the opinion that. on the whole.
the results have been satisfactory. He
recommends finally that as soon as
practicable the work of relief be turned
over to the regular charitable organ
.zations of the city.
CHARITIES SHOULD DO WORK.
In part. Bicknell says;
/ think may say that I have had
ser seomewhat unusual opportunities to OBJ
departments and in its development,
ana l wish to give it as my deliberate
opinion that, as a whole, II has been
according 70 methods and principles
which at bottom are sound and will
endure the test OF time.
In so vast an undertaking, forced
upon a community without preparation
or warning, and without presidents for
guidance, 1t was inevitable that some
mistakes should be made, that some
extravagance should occur, that some
]
positions Of responsibility, that some
peculation and grating" should find
foothold. These Objectionable and pet
ty things, IL is but natural should be
given prominence and publicity at the
time of their occurrence, although the
result has been that the great, stead
which has gone forward without inter-
ruption, has been at times somewhat
overshadowed
After the mistakes and the individual
instances of petty dishonesty have been
forgotten, the enormous work which has
been accomplished will stand forth in
its true proportions.
If may do so without offense, I
should like at this time also to express
the opinion that the time is fast APP
preaching when the work OF relief
should pass from the hands of a spe-
ctal organization into the custody OF
the regularly organized charitable in
stitutions of the community.
II is most important that the life
of San Francisco should return as rap
idly as possible to normal conditions,
relief-eiving by the wel-known and
long-established organizations OF this
city will be an important step in that
direction. To supplement and strength
suggest eventually the creation of a
board of trustees in whose hands
should be placed a sum of money to
be disbursed strictly for relief pur-
poses, the trustees TO be given au-
thority at their discretion to make
grants upon the recommendation Of
reputable Charitable societies engaged
In work among the needy poor, and
also in satisfaction Of such needs as
may arise somewhat outside the field
OF the ordinary charities. ] venture to
suggest also that the charities indorse-
ment committee of San Francisco is ad-
rairably fitted for such trasteeship
as ! have described. both because Of
its high standing and representative
character and its familiarity with the
charitable work and needs of the COM
munity.
PLACE MAY NOT BE FILLED.
The question OF Bickneil's successor
is agitating the employees of the cor
poratioh. Henry Fiske. Bicknells as
sistant. is prominent mentioned for the
place. But the probabilities are that
the vacancy viii not be filed at all,
but that in future the work OF the
secretary Of the corporation will be
transacted by Mr.. Phelan's secretary.
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