Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-21
Organized Charity Work.

II was a surprise to many Washington
mans. when the announcement was made
that Mr.. Charles F. Weller had resigned
the position of secretary of the Associated
Charities in order to accept a similar
position in Pittsburg, to learn that organ
ICED charity work in the latter city has
only just been started With its great
wealth of individuals. its numerous indus
trial establishments and its extensive
slums Pittsburg should long ago have
been aided in the solution of its social
problems by systematic charity enter
prise Yet practically up to the
present time there has been there
none save scattered individual efforts to
amelorate the condition of the poor.
There has been abundant giving of aims.
but in he manner to encourage instead of
curing the dependence of the poor upon
such means of assistance.
The inspiring aim OF the modern organ
lied charity association is to prevent pow
erty rather than merely to lessen it. This
of course is an ideal object and is never
fully attained But in the conditions such
as those existing in Washington much
can be and is done to approximate the
correction of evils which afflict the poor
and to give them personal strength to
combat with their environment. Self-help
is the watchword of all intelligently
managed charities today. Almsgiving is
regarded as the last resort to meet other
wise incurable evils. a man out of work
Is helped to find employment. The charity
organization serves as an exchange, q
medium of communication, a guide to the
energies of individuals.
In social settlement work. an offshoot
from central organized charity endeavor,
great good is accomplished when consid-
Grafton is had for the sensibiities of the
poor and the inspiration remains CEN
tered in the thought of self-help. 1t Is
all educational in the best sense. this
propaganda of correction and cure. Wom-
en- are taught better ways of housekeep-
ing, better methods of child caring, better
habits OF dress Men are gradually and
subtly led to realize the folly of intemper-
ance and the wisdom and benefits of de-
cent living. Children are brought out
from the darkness into the light OF whole
some surroundings and given an idea of
higher thoughts that in more favored
social circle are part of the daily ment al
pabulum.
The proper direction of such a work
calls for nigh grade of intelligence and
executive ability. and for assiduous devo-
ton. 1t is reported that in Pittsburg
those who have come to realize the ne
cessity of co-ordinating the charity forces
and directing them in perfective channels
have been moving slowly to avoid the
making of mistakes at the outset and
have searched the country for the best
ideas and the best workers. II is COM
pliment to the charitable citizens Of
Washington that Pittsburg chose the local
general secretary for their important
work. The District will closely watch
the proceedings in the western Pennsyl-
vania metropolis. at the same time striv-
ing TO maintain its own Standards ac-
CURED by dint Of persevering effort
Washingtons charitable system should be
a model for all the country. and it Is now
in a fair way to attain to this high posi-
ton,