The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-27
'CR|T|CHE C|TY'S
PLAN OF RELIEF
Report Shows That 1t Cost De-
partnent 1924 to Distribute
Meal Valued at $1,492.
WILLIAMS WANTED CHANGE
--
Failed. However, to Get Through
Motion to Transfer Fund to
Associated Charities.
WILLIAMS WANTED CHANGE

Charges that the Department of Pub
lie Charities does not understand the
| principle OF economy, so far, at least
as concerns the distribution or meal
were made last night at meeting OF q
subcommittee on Relief Of the Poor by
| Mr.. Graham 3. Hobson and DR.. Ennloh
G.. Williams, the report of Superlnten-
dent Davis being used as basis Tor
the complaint. 1t was shown that y
ccst tho city $s24 to distribute meal
valued at s1.49c. figures so greatly
out Of proportion when compared VIII
the percentage OF expense In regular
charitable organizations that there
| was a strong demand for chanGe IN
the municipal methods of relief.
Would Give 1t to Associntlon.
Simply, as he said. to put the mem
bers bn record. and to show that out
| side societies have better under
standing of such work. DR.. Williams
prepared a resolution, providing that
in view of the record the meal house
on Broad Street be discontinued and
the amount appropriated for that pur-
pose be turned over to the Associated
| Charities. The resolution will never
see the light OF day in Council.
DR.. Williams did not hesitate to say
! that the financial statement was
L serious TeIleCllOu upoll Viz DeSA''Sse
! methods OF the city. He first suggest
ed that because OF the cost the meal
establishment be abolished and tha
/ those seeking aid be required to apply
+ at the City Home. When there was ar
apparent disposition to stifle the mo
| ton. Dr. Williams offered the follow
ing:
"Rcsolvetl, That In view of the fact
as shown by the annual report or tht
Supc rintcndent, that 1t cost the CIT!
i SSc4 to distribute meal valued mt S1,4oI
tint the plan now in effect be discon-
tinucd, md the equivalent sum given IL
the Associated Chnritics.'
Though it might appear to outsiders
| that this suggestion was innocent
| enough. it was vigorously opposed, evil
IDENTIFY on the ground that 1t cast grave
reflections upon the city's business ana
managing ability in charitable work
Put Members ol Record.
II shall insist upon this motion,
said DR.. Williams, land you can vote
II down If you see fit, but l hereby
declare myself and insist upon the mo.
ton being part of the record. II
costs the Associated Charities far less
10 carry on its relief work. 1t is bet
ter able to have control. with Tar
better system of ascertaining what are
worthy cases"
: Superintendent Davis took exception
10 this statement DR.. Williams say
ing, however, that it was merely
difference of opinion.
4 In answer to Mr.. Davis's question
he said that he was not now director
: of the Associated Charities.
Il The proposition was bit too radl'
cal for members, Mr.. Gunst and MT
Mitchell opposing it. Mr.. Gunst Of
fered a substitute providing that soms
4 other means of distribution be devised
Finally, however. Mr.. Mitchell took
up the original Williams motion and
/ got that through, thus defeating tbs
. Associated Charities proposition, blu,
abolishing the palatial meal house or
Broad Street. The plan will be sent
to the full committee for approval OF
rejection, and then through the cum.
) bersome channels to Council.