The Washington herald., 1907-12-15

Charity work, which Is trying to make
itself unnecessary by raising its appli-
eants above the future need of aims, is
described in the annual report just issued
by the Associated Charities, the Citizens
Relief Association. and the Committees on
Prevention OF Consumption. Improvement
of Housing Conditions. and Summer Out
ings
The report says: THE agent of the As
sociated Charities tries TO make her serv-
ices unnecessary in the future by seeing
that the children OF needy families are
kept in school, protected from degrada-
ton. and prevented from growing up to
be dependent on charity"
Securing the passage Of the wholesome
law dealing with wife desertion, and com
pelling men TO support their families was
one method by which this charity has en-
deavored to decrease the need Of its serv-
fee. AS a result OF such intelligent efforts.
it is stated that while the number of
cases dealt with by the Associated Chari-
ties has increased from 2,473 in 1893 10
5,9O6 in 1907 the number requiring material
relief has actually been cut down from
l.S4S in 1893 TO 1,2s4 in 1907. only one
fifth of the 1896 cases dealt with in the
period covered by the report were given
food. fuel. clothing. or other material aid
The others were given employment, medi-
cal treatment, correctional and legal
aid friendly counsel. and other forms of
personal service which enabled them TO
get along without material aims.
Only SO Per Cent COIOred.
Altogether. 2OS6l individuals, or one in
every sixteen of the $4,000 people living
in the District of Columbia. were included
in the 5.9O6 families dealt with by the
Associated Charities during the past fif-
teen months. OF the 1.2S4 given material
relief less than 56 per cent were colored.
The total number of applications received
was 17.11S. Of which lO53 were applications
made directly by needy families them
selves, while 5.S46 applications were made
on behalf of needy families by business
firms. private hCuseholders, charitable
agencies. churches. medical dispensaries
policemen, physicians, school teachers
and others who co-operated with the AS
sOcinted Charities in this way. The report
includes a cordial invitation 10 all citizens
saving:
When DeSgarS apply 10 you or YOU
hear of a needy family, write or telephone
the Associated Charities. Among its 20
600 records there is apt to be information
concerning your applicant
One reason why so little material re-
lief is made 20 suffice is found in the
fact that Sl6.46S was collected from pool
families during the past fifteen months
in the form OF small, provident savings
held subject TO the depositOrs' needs
There are 5.599 persons canvassed fol
these savings. using the Stamp Saving;
System managed by the Associated Char
ities. In this work there were $3.50 visits
made by volunteers and paid agents. Ir
addition to this, in the regular case work
Of studying and befriending needy fami
lies. 1924 visits We're made, making {
total of 1875 visits during the season, o
which 25 ,2C5 visits were made by trained
agents. and 53.521 BY volunteers. Quit
an army of unpaid volunteer workers
have been active.
Not PauperizinE Able-bodied-
There were 4S9 deserted wives and 12S
widows included among the 5,9O6 familie
dealt with. In 1871 cases the entire bur