The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-25
BOARD Of TRADE
TAKES NEW STEP
AS To CHARITIES

league and the Society for Organizing
Charity. that IL take action calculated TO
enable the public TO discriminate rearily
between worthy and unworthy appeals for
charity.
The committee consisted of Prof. j. Q.
Dealey Walter j.. Clark and Edward A.
Stockwell for the Federation OF Churches:
RevS A. b. Cristy for the Temperance
cietl for organizing Charity
The matter was presented to the execu-
tive committee by President +. III. Jack
son of the board OF trade, who advocated
the action requested; and on motion OF
j. Louis Pierce, seconded by John O..
Massie, the following resolution was
adopted.
Whereas the number of appeals to the
general public for charitable contributions
from individuals and societies is constant
ly increasing, and II becomes more diff
cult each day 10 decide upon the absolute
or relative merits OF the various appeals
be II resolved by the Board OF Trade OF
the city OF Providence:
First. that II shall appoint from its own
members a committee which shall be
known as the charities endorsement COM
mite OF the board OF trade.
Second that the Board OF Trade urges
upon all its members and the public at
large 10 contribute 10 those organizations
institutions and societies only which are
approved by said charities endorsement
committee The term charitable or benev-
olent institutions refers to those insti-
tutions which render gratuitous philan-
thropic service. making It necessary for
them to solicit a part Of all OF their sup
port from the public.
This charities endorsement committee
shall consist OF FIVE members who shall
be appointed by the president OF the
Board of Trade In the appointment OF
the first committee one member shall be
aDDOintnl "a % Ave-
for four years, one for three >ears one
for two yeae. and one for one year. and
each year thereafter one member shall
be appointed TO serve for FIVE years.
The charities endorsement committee
is empowered TO investigate and classify
charitable and benevolent institutions and
TO issue cards OF endorsement to such as
comply with the standard OF efficiency de-
cided upon by the committee The COM
mittee IL also empowered to consult with
Officers or representatives OF charitable
or benevolent institutions with a view 10
modifying and improving the policy of
methods employed 10 bring about the con-
solldation or societies wherever desirable.
and by proper means guard the public
against Unworthy organizations
The charities endorsement committee
snail be assisted by an associate commit
tee OF investigation and information This
associate committee shall consist of the
general manager OF the Providence So
ciety for Organizing Charity. the secre-
tary or the Federation OF Church, and the
superintendent OF the Temperance Ieague
1T shall be the duty OF this asso-
ciate-committee TO obtain for the chari-
ties endorsement committee all infor-
nation necessary to enable II to pass
upon the absolute merits OF all re-
! quirements for endorsements
! "All Information obtained by the as
| Hartate- IN ha
| file at the office OF the Providence
] Society for Organizing Charity, and
! shall be available at all times to the
members OF the board OF trade and
| others who are interested to learn the
| condition OF the various charities or
| individuals soliciting money in this
| city.
THE charities endorsement commit
| tee shall recognize only such organiza-
tions as are serving the general pub
! lie In non -sectarian an dnon- partisan
/ political way.
'It shall withhold it's endorsement
| from any personal or individual enter
prise. The general oversight OF any
! charitable work. especially that OF the
/ finances, must be I'm the hands OF a
properly constituted board OF directors.
The practical work of the organiza-
tion must be in the hands of wise and
! experienced administrators and the
standards In its own field.
| Accurate books must be kept so
| that at time the financial standing OF
| the organization or institution can be
| ascertained. and these books and all
accounts must be audited by competent
| auditors
The organization shall fll a need
nat already well filled by an existing
! organization, and not capable OF being
| thus filled. The need shall be relatively
| great enough to warrant the equipment
and expenses OF a separate organiza- %
tion.
The organization shall be prepared to
! do the kind OF work naturally falling 10
| the class of institution II Is supposed 10
represent The organization shall agree
! to cooperate with other societies for the
elimination of duplication, and for the
promotion Of economy and efficiency of
adminitratin in the charity problems OF
the city as a whole.
The organization shall cooperate with
| the Providence Society for Organizing
Charity in its confidential clearing house
| bureau. Its administration committee
shall meet az least quarterly.
| The members Of its administration
committee shall individually contribute
! 10 the societys fund. The accounts OF
| the organization shall be regularly au-
! dited. and a copy Of the annual report
| filed with the charities endorsement com
| mittee.
Methods for soliciting and collecting
funds must be approved by the charities
/ endorsement committee. and the ac-
/ counts OF the organization shall be always
| open 10 accedited representatives OF the
| committee.
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