The Washington times., 1906-02-11


-. local field. the Legal Aid Society of
Washington has already won a perma-
-nent home in the Capital City.
Its function PROMISES 10 be the most
Interesting of the many fields of chari-
ity, the Legal Aid Society is moth
ing more than charitable organization.
= u has. been so since its lncipiency in
-S16 when the idea was, circulated from
Germany TO New York
three weeks ago the Washington Le-
sal Aid Society was Incorporated under
the laws Of the District of Columbia.
Since that time IL has advised free of
charge. in more than thirty cases. It's
offices have been crowded at times with
q people who are really in need Of advice.
but for which they were unable 10 pay.
The purpose OF the organization is TO
meet just such conditions.
The cases brought to the attention OF
the officers OF the legal aid vary. some
come complaining of persecution by
their creditors. others alIege failure to
collect small debts. others imagine they
have grievance against corporations
such as railroads. telegraph. and tele-
phone companies. Some of the cases are
deserving ones. but they all are anus
ing. II is the aim of the society to give
all the advice these cases warrant,
That. its officers say. they are doing.
Actual Results Attained.
q Measured in money the aid given by
the association is small as yet Actual
results have. however been obtained
one of the most apparent cases that
has been brought to the soCiety's at
tention was that of three women who
assert that they have been uniustly
- committed and retained in St. Eliza
beth's Asylum. The letter received by
= President Bennett from these people
follows:
= We would, be much obliged To have
you either come OF. send a lawyer from
---- your committee for poor mans legal
society to assist US in trying TO get
e out of this asylum. as we have been
q unjustiy put in here. and our residences
: are in several states not in the Dis
= rrict"
The letter was dated at St Elizabeth's
Asylum, and signed by three women in
mates. Mr.. Bennett says the case Will
q be looked into. and If the circumstances
- warrant, action viii be taken.
Non-support wages withheld and
victims OF usury are among other cases
coming within the scope Of the society's
- field. To eaeh and every one special at
tention is given. Heretofore this at
tention was given by the board of Off
49, GERS. 1t became So argent that during
The past week Mr.. Bennett appointed
an advisory. board made up of Walter
c. CIephane. Alexander r. Britton, a
B. Browne, John P Ernest, J. ]. Darling
ton. Mrs. Ellen s, AIussey. E II. Thomas.
Nathaniel Wilson, William +. Mating
y, and Charles F. Nesbit This. board
viii do all the advising in cases of a
complicated nature It will hold week
" sessions if the work continues to in
crease as Ii has in the past three weeks.
As TO the future work of the society
Mr.. Bennett said last night TO Times
reporter. The only drawback we ex-
perience now is the working capital.
As yet we have not got money enough
to carry US along in pace with the work
presenting Itself. The society has no
mOney-making features connected with
it. and by It's very nature should not
be seIf-Supporung, It's charges for
membership are nominal and made
solely in the interest of self-respect
of those who apply for help The dues
are IS per year for regular members.
$500 for life members. For those who
do not desire to become member OF
the association and yet want the Soc
iety's aid a small fee is asked This.
however, need not be paid if in the
opinion of the attorney handling the
case the applicant is in need No Of
Zee expenses are as Vet attached To the
society's administration here.
Other Official Members.
Besides the advisory board and Mr..
Bennett, the society's president. the fol-
lowing members Of the local bar are
officially associated with the legal aid
here: Fred y. Benson vice president:
James G. Shipley. recording secretary:
Florence \. Colford. corresponding sec
retary; Harold H, Martin, treasurer:
Edwin c Dutton. attorney: Helen r.
Jamison, assistant attorney. and Ethel
Colford, director of branch Offices
The headquarters of the society have
been located in Columbian building with
one branch at SII q street northwest
the Associated Charities quarters
From all accounts, it has done we'll
thus far. Its local officers promise TO
90 more in the future. The whole or
ganiZatien. taking in Philadelphia. New
York, Chicago, Newark, Boston, Den-i
Yer. and Washington, promises much
for the poor man" at all times. a
movement is on foot now to develop
legal aid work by the system of coop
Grafton between these seven big cities
The legal aid is playing its trump
card the protection of the poor. and to
prevent them, so far as possible from
falling into the clutches OF the "dregs
that drag down TO ruin" 1t will at
tempt to prevent shanghaiing by seek
ing legislation 10 punish those convicted
of that crime. Washington's new or
ganization has already taken active
steps in that direction by urging the
passage OF the Morrell BILL now in a
committee OF the House OF Representa- !
-------T-----------