The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-01
CITY CHARITIES
UNDER ONE HEAD.
Comprehensive Plan at Last De-
viscd for Solving Perplcx-
ing Problem.
HE BAPTIsTs' BROAD VIEW
Gave Up Work Which Had Been
Marvellously Successful in
Short While.
HE BAPTIsTs, BROAD VIEW

The Associated Charities OF Richmond
has been organized with tho Rev. James
Buchanan as general secretary, for tho
purpose Of bringing under ono head the
distribution OF charity in the city.
The Times Dispatch received yestcr-
day the following authoritative state
ment from the association, setting forth
the purpose and scope of the now man
agement:
1.-THE severe weather of last winter.
wholly unprecedented In its severity.
tested the charitable institutions OF cur
city to their utmost. We were presented
with the sad spectacle of munificent
public seeking to help, and yet In mea-
sure unable to do 30 successfully through
the existing organizations. Not that there
were not enough organiza tons or that
they were ineffciently managed. but
there was no coordination >of effort or
knowledge by the one OF the others
movement.
A meeting was called by the Associ-
ated Charities to consult about the con-
ditions. 1t soon became evident that
all were agreed as to the existing evils,
blem. A committee OF well known and
highly esteemed business men were APP
pointed under the caption OF a Steer
ing Committee" to consider the matter
and advise means to avoid the dffcul-
ties in the future.
After careful. thorough and much dis
cussion 1t was decided to appoint sub
committee to go thoroughly into the
whole matter and investigate the meth
DDS of other cities In dealing with such
conditions.
Rev Thomas semmes. r. A. Lancas-
ter Jr.. Rev. James Buchanan. and Mrs.
Charles E. Boiling were elected as sub
committee.
During the intervening months New
York. Philadelphia. Baltimore and Wash
ington were visited. The leaders were In
terviewed and freely consulted. No pains
or expense was spared in making the In
vestigation most thorough.
On April IA. 1905. the subcommittee
made Its report to the steering commit
tee. which, after a full discussion, ordered
the report printed when 1t could be more
carefully scrutinized. On November 10.
1905. 1t was again submitted to the steer
Ing committee and referred back to the
subcommittee, with instructions to In
corporate certain changes which would
OElHB tile eAlSkL6 ttSkiilAdllobs Iuto
the closest harmony. utilizing every force
and co-ordinating all towards the COM
mon end. Also to report on ways and
means OF giving effect to the plan.
Report Was Adopted.
At meeting of the Board of Associated
Charities the following report was unan-
imously adopted:
The organization shall be known as the
Acca 1,or of "a
objects and principles shall be:
(a) To promote efficient cooperation
between the municipal authorities, the
public and private charities, the churches
and the benevolent individuals of the city:
to prevent injurious giving and overlap
ping Of relief caused by independent ac-
ton.
(bl To obtain from the proper charities
and charitable individuals suitable and
adequate relief in cases OF actual need,
and in all possible cases to make employ
ment the basis Of relief.
(c) To supplement material aid by the
friendly visiting, which shall gradually
build up habits OF industry. saving and
self control among the less fortunate, thus
organizing body Of volunteer visitors.
(d) To promote the welfare of the really
needy by the exposure OF imposture and
fraud, and to enlarge and make more
general the constructive and preventive
work OF true charity.
(e) To work in entire harmony with the
movement towards civic Improvement,
especially where 1t touches relief OF the
poor. and also with existing organizations
for lettering the conditions OF the needy.
D to cooperate with the City Mission:
!. BY decosnizing the present arrangement
of the City Mission In distributing the city.
2 BY using its present corps of visitors
In district visiting. 3. BY allowing all the
members of the City Mission the right
to vote at the annual election for the
officers and board of the associated
churches.
The officers and Board OF Managers
to be elected at the annual meeting in
November or December. shall be as fol-
lows: presidents. first, second and third
vice-presidents; treasurer: a board of
managers. fifteen in number; the neces-
sary standing committees; executive,
finance, &C.: general secretary to be
elected by the board of managers, with
necessary helpers.
The basis of Organization, until the
voting constituency Is formed, shall be
the present board. representing the chart
ties and churches Of the city, which can
add such additional members to its own
body by election as may be thought
judcous.
The organization will collect money only
for It's own maintenance. The principle
upon which 1t will work is that the better
organized. the better paid Its adminIstra-
tive, workers and the more efficient its
work, the less money will be used In re-
lief work. II any surplus remains over
Its own expenses Of maintenance 1t is to
be used In relief work. The main sources
to which the society will look for funds
for relief will be the Associated Citizens
Relief Association and to such committees
as charities shall create to take charge
of special work in connection with its
relief work. and which will have separate
treasurers.
The society will endeavor, by public
meetings. distribution of literature, re-
quests through the daily papers. and by
direct solicitation, to obtain contributions
and annual subscriptions to its funds.
The central office, presided over by
the general secretary, will transact all
routine business and perfect a plan of
registration, records and reports, Issue
literature and aid In increasing the In
como Of the society until 1t meets the
needs of administration and the relief