Evening journal., 1908-02-27
YEARS WORK In
AIDING NEEDY
Annual Report Of Mrs. Clark,
Superintendent of ASsO-
Ciated Charities

Some idea Of the extensive work OF the
Associated Charities among the needy
can be gathered from the report Of the
superintendent. Mrs. Mary A. T. Clark
submitted at the monthly meeting Of the
managers last night
A peculiar phase Of the Charities work
this year is the increase in the number
Of begging letters, which when investl-
gated, are invariably found TO be from
chronic beggars or the type of mendi.
cants who manage in some way to get
their living off others.
Mrs. Clark gave a report of the Asso-
ciated Charities from January Is, 1907, to
February p, 1908, as follows:
Since our last report-January e1--
there have been 2SO families registered;
l6I OF these are new and ll8 have at
some previous time been on our books
3 of the names given were false ad-
dresses, Of whom were reported by ten
or twelve different persons within a few
weeks They were finally located and
recognized as family, long known to
our society as skilled in the art Of begging
children well trained in the many phases
Of this profession-and since we nave
immortality and depravity frequently MD
ing under the cloak Of religion although
for the past fcw orra irev raa ear-7
Portable home and some luzuries 2 who
asked assistance refused 10 give some
slight service that was required and Of
course forfeited the help they asked;
required no relief, because of other sour
ces upon which they had claims; asked
no other help than coal through the self
supporting fund; was sent 70 the eoun-
ty hospital; were referred to the Break
fast Mission, but did not report; were
investigated for other societies. The re-
naming 245 have received material relief
best suited to their needs.
THE number Of grocery orders given
was 2S9 filed proportionately to the
size of the family; fully two-thlrds OF
them have been s1OO or $3.50 in value
at our purchasing price. The generous
contribution from our friends. of vege-
tables meats. canned goods, -four, bread
buns. ETC., have added great value and
comfort to the many baskets that have
been filled.
Last week several dozen delicious
ham sandwiches were sent to us, which
proved a luxurious treat to many faini-,
lies who rarely taste meat We havel
sent 1853 conl orders; % OF these are be-
ing paid into the self-supporting fund !
We have given clothing and shoes tol
%, besides procuring entire outfits from
the Benevolent Society for a number of
families. Our two cooperative societies.
the Benevolent and Provldent- have been
of invaluable aids as a source Of self-help |
The sewing given out weekly by these So
cieties is valuable in supplying some
needs to the family, otherwise impossible
TO obtain. About 175 families are reeeiy-
ing this assistance which has the twofo'd
object-reiief for the immediate emergency
and the opportunity to work for 1t. which
secures for them the same self-respect
and independence that the head OF tho
family has in his daily occupation.
Through the cooperation of a few
individuals, we have found several days
work, odd jobs and wash places for IS
who are glad of a chance at any kind Of
work. Not since 1898 have we known of so
many self-respecting. and usually self
supporting, men reduced to such extrefni-
ties as at present because they have no
work; or. but a few days now and then.
80 far as we have been able 70 learn,
nearly 80 per cent. of the number reg
istered, are out OF work, and would prob
ably not need 10 ask charity IL they had
employment Il is true that there are
many beggars and imposters. whose pro-
fession Il is to live upon the community,
chiefly by personal appeals or letters TO
private individuals IN remote parts OF The
city. and 10 clergymen, neither Of whom
have time and opportunity for investlga- /
ton, and frequently respond TO these
pathetic appeals. lest their refusal should
prolong great suffering Many Of this pro-
fession conduct their methods successfully |
and are always on the alert for emergen-
cies as the present conditions create, and
frequently secure the lions share OF re-
lief. which should be given to those who
suffer before they ask.
1T is not possible for the officers OF the |
Charities to make their visits in the busi- |
nesslike rush that Is generally expected
Of them. Two hundred and twenty FAINT
lies have been visited. on whose recon-
mendations other visits we're made, maxi
ing the total number Of visits to Door
families for the month s02."
The managers decided 10 extend the /
thanks Of the Charities through the news
papers for the generous appeal Of the
public to its call for contributions. Much
more work is yet TO be done. however. /
and no gift will be too small to be of ser
vics.
d. .-I4.. r...N