Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-20
MONEY SAVING SYSTEM
SUGGESTION THAT IT BE INTRO
DUcED IN SCHOOLS.

The question whether or not the stamp
saving system should be introduced among
the children Of the public schools in order
to fully carry out the provident savings
idea was discussed at meeting of charita-
bly, inclined persons held at the residence
Of DR.. Geo. NJ. Kober," 1900 T street north
west. last evening. Near the close of the
meeting, which was presided over by DR..
Kober, Mr.. Charles F. Weller, secretary Of
the Associated Charities, presented resolu-
tions asking that the committee on proyi-
dent plans be requested to form an auxili-
airy committee to extend the stamp-work
system In the District and another resolu-
ton asking the board of education to per-
init the teachers of the public schools to
develop the system among the children.
Both resolutions were adopted. 1t was sug-
gested that 1t would be well to request the
board Of education to issue an order re-
quiring the system to be taken UP, but Mrs.
Ellen Spencer Mussey, who was present,
after saying that she was a member of the
board1 stated this plan is hardly practical,
but that the idea might be carried out in
some other way. 1t was then suggested
that speakers might address the teachers
and pupils of the schools upon the subject.
The idea of having books to be filled with
stamps of different denominations repre-
sent1ng the amounts deposited was Sug-
the child to have one card with amount de-
posted punched on the margin and the
teacher to retain. the other similarly punch
ed.
In this way the possibility of the loss of
the stamp book by the child, 1t was stated,
seemed to be eliminated, and no misunder-
standing as to amounts depositc1 will
arise.
The meeting was called to order shortly
after O'clock and after DR.. 4-ober had
stated that the object of the meeting was
to discuss the savings idea, he read letters
from Mr. Corcoran Thorn. Mr.: Thomas c..
Moves, Mr.. f. Quincy Smith, Mr.. e. Fran
els Riggs, Mr.. A NJ. Lothrop, Mr.. A. F.
Fox, Mr.. Charles ]. Bell and Mr.. c. C.
Glover. The writer's all spoke of the good
work which could be accomplished by the
savings idea, and regretted they were I'M
able to attend.
Mr.. Cliffs Suggestions.
DR.. kober then introduced Mr.. James w.
Gift, volunteer savings collector, who said,
in part:
The stamp savings system for the pur-
pose of aiding, primarily the poorer classes
to provide for rainy day, has been in use
for five six years by the Associated
Charities. and with success. The system is
extremely simple in apparatus and in OPP
eratlon. 1t is on account of its simplicity
that 1t has proved a success.
Inc savers usually take an interest in
ming out the pages of their books with
stamps as quickly possible. and will
often borrow money to be able to purchase
another stamp &c fill the page. But they
seem to have some pride as to whether
they buy scent stamps, 1U-cent stamps or
2o-cent stamps. and l often find that a
saver Will not take any but 25-cent stamps
The stamp savings system has proved a
success in it's limited sphere, why not
broaden its field of action? The savers
heretofore have been mostly people who
nave sought aid from the Associated Char
tiles, and others who have used the sys-
tenn have not been solicited to any great
extent.
More Workers Needed.
IF the savings system is to be enlarged
in scope, of necessity more workers will be
necessary. The agents of the Associated
Charities should be relieved, overworked as
they are, in a larger measure at least of
the detail of the stamp savings system
Last year the sum of S12 1856 was col
lected, as follows: Agents. $4,673; yolun-
teers, S6O17; offices, $144S''
MI. W. A. Hyde was introduced at the
close of Mr.. Gifts remarks and spoke at
length upon the Provident Savings system
After saying that Germany the United
States, and Switzerland were the only en-
llghtened countries having no adequate
means for saving the money of the poorer
classes of people, he said:
Germany and Switzerland have an ap-
Proclamation to 1t, however. In England,
T dHce, belBluIIl, Japan, ana even Russia
the poor man and his children have their
opportunity in what is called the Postal
Savings Bank. By going to the post office
their savings may be deposited and in
amounts SO small that children can use the
privilege.
Vigorous efforts have been made in this
country, beginning back as far as 1873, to
have the government undertake this work
Postmaster General Wanamaker was espe.
cially active, but so far there has been no
legislation upon the matter.
English Plan.
'In England in 1897 there was a bank ac-
count for a little better than every six per-
sons; of the money thus deposited 80 per
cent was in accounts less than $3.50 and
only 40 per cent in accounts over 1000
This Is no argument for postal savings
banks, but merely shows what a need there
is for some suitable method of saving the
money of the poorer classes of people and
the children.
There are three systems of school saw
ings banks which are in use in this country
book system and the punched card system.
The stamp book system is probably the
most extensively used.
IF introduced in the public schools" the
speaker said, very little time would be
taken from the. studies ten minutes once
week would probably suffice In some
places the pupils who wish to deposit come
a few minutes before school begins and
those who wish to withdraw remain a few
minutes after school,.
At the close of the address Mr.. Weller
read list of the money collected by stamp
saving as inaugurated by the Associated
Charities, which showed: Total collected by
volunteers, $6,67241; new stamps sold to
agents, S4,673O7; new stamps sold to de-
positors at general office. 81 44s.O3.