Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14
DISCUSS CHARITY PRODLH EMS
CONFERENCE OF WORKERS HELD
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
Individual Cases Pointed Out and
Methods Secretary
Weller's Report.

special meeting of the Associated Char
tiles conference for the west end division,
which extends from Rock Creek to 18th
street and from the Potomac to the District
line, was held yesterday afternoon at the
residence of Mrs. William Belden Noble.
1761 N street. Typical problems of needy
families and neglected neighbors were dis
cussed. Mrs. Noble invited some Of the re-
sourceful residents of this division to en-
able them to become familiar with the
problems of poverty in their own section
of the city.
Prof. c. w. A. Veditz of the department
of sociology of the George Washington Uni
versity presided. He is the chairman of the
west end division conference, which meets
regularly the second and fourth Saturdays
of each month at the division office, 1722
G street. Miss Helen Nicolay, secretary of
the conference. read the report Of its last
meeting at which nine families had been
considered. Some of these required fur
Their consideration yesterday.
Mrs. Ella III. West. division agent, pre-
sented four new cases, representing diff
| cult problems, which the conference MEM
bers helped to solve. After this Mrs. West
spoke of the necessity for having volun-
teer collector of small savings, and told
stories of six or eight families which such
regular weekly visitor could help to up
build.
Report Of the Secretary.
Secretary Charles F. Weller reported that
1,O38 applications had been received at the
West End division Office last year, repre-
senting $40 families, or 1856 individuals
whose problem this one agent and her con-
ference helped to solve. Material relief in
the form of fuel, food, clothing. ETC., was
administered 40 times to 271 different
households, the aid being obtained from the
Citizens Relief Association, private indt-
viduals, business firms, church workers,
from supplies given by public school chill
dren. and other sources. Employment was
obtained for Al people, institutional care
for 81 correctional treatment for Ii.
In 81 cases special help was obtained for
children, enabling them to attend school or
rescuing them from improper homes. Free
treatment at medical dispensaries was rec
commended for 1J3 applicants, and special
help for the sick was enlisted for 81 fami-
lies. Altogether IS volunteer unpaid work
ers assisted the agent during the year.
Special holiday benevOlences were provided
for 10 families, and summer outings for 96
persons. including 50 who were enter
tanned for a fortnight at Camp Good
VIII" Exactly $915.34 savings were col
lected from the poor people to be held for
their times of special need. The agent made
2,3'2 visits, volunteers made 2.3l9 visits, a
total of 1872 for the relief and upbuilding
of distressed households in this one OF the
society's eight divisions.
Urgent Need of Volunteers.
Prof Veditz emphasized throughout all
the discussion the evident fact that volun-
teer workers are greatly needed. Some are
wanted to serve friendly visitors. each
working persstently for the upbulding of
one needy family. Others are needed to
spend an hour two once a week in can
vassng for small savings among a number
of needy families, who can be instructed
and inspired by the collectors visits. All
workers are asked to attend the division
conferences and assist in the discussion
and solution of the problems Of needy fam
lilies, whose names and addresses are not
mentioned at the conference, only the cir
cumstances and problems being presented
by the agent.
All the people present took active part
In the discussion, and Secretary Weller
closed the meeting with an appeal for the
aid of those present in helping their friends
to understand the work of the Associa ted
Charities and the Importance of maintain
ing the eight division agents at their mod
est salaries of $50 month each.