Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-16
E. ". DIXON HEADS CHARITIES
Succeeds General Manderson at the
Annual Meeting.
MISS JoETz MAKES GOOD REPORT
one of Important Innovations BeinE
Developed is Training school
for Social workers, All of
whom Are Allied.

! +. W. Dixon, president of the Orchard
& Wilhelm company. was elected president
| Of the Associated Charities of Omaha at
the annual meeting held Friday afternoon
in the city council chamber. He succeeds
General Charles f. Manderson, who asked
to be allowed to decline recollection. The
other officers and the old board of dlrec-
tors were all reelected, with the exception
| that John G. Wharton takes the place of
Mr.. Dixon on the board, and also, becomes
a member OF the finance committee. Fol-
lowing are the officers and directors Of the
association:
Board Of Directors-K. c. Barton, c. c
Belden, a. d. Brandeis, E. w. Dixon,
Father Father s,dS,,S MSGovsrni J. A. Munroe. Mrs.
! E. w. Dixon, president; j. A. Munroe,
vice president; Mrs. Draper Smith. secre-
taTyi I. F. Sturgess, treasurer.
| Finance Committee-A D. Brandeis
chairman; X. c. Barton, c. c. Belden, John
| G. Wharton Father McGovern.
Miss Ida v. Jontz was reelected as gem
eral secretary, unanimously, and was given
a vote Of thanks for the excellent work
she has done since coming to Omaha.
Good Report from Secretary.
Some interesting facts and figures were
presented in the first annual report Of
Miss Jontz. The report shows that a deficit
Of $677, existing from the previous year, has
been wiped out, that expenses to the
amount of SS21OS5 have been met and
that there is a balance in the treasury
October 1 of $S5.48
Tho income amounted to $S,97352, of which
all was donated except SIS. returned by
people who helped temporarily Rent was
paid for needy families to the amount Of
$44OS6. and transportation was furnished
to the amount Of 5000 for sixty individuals
The vacant lot gardening cost $3.50 and
preventive. work 800.
OF the 1,5O4 families helped during the
year 6o6 were old ones on the list of the
organized and sos were new. The total
number Of cases handled was 1886 and
LABS calls were made. The applicants
calling at the office numbered 1890
what Has Been Done.
| During the ten months of Miss Jontz's
incumbency much work has been accom-
plished. Through her efforts all the chari-
table organizations OF the city, of every
denomination, were federated, with the re-
suit of greatly increased efficiency. The
expense of relief work has been lessened
by this closer organization. A bill was
pushed through the Legislature to compel
the support Of families by those properly
chargeable with such support A legal aid
department has been established to which
many local lawyers give their assistance
without pay, and great benefit has resulted
to many people who knew not where to
turn for competent advice. Vacant lot
gardening was initiated the past summer,
with good results far beyond the expecta-
tions of the promoters, and next year this
feature of the work is expected to develop
into broadly helpful proposition. 1t
teaches self-reliance and has stirred ambi-
ton for self-help in many people who were
discouraged and almost ready to give up
Need for Social workers.
The monthly conferences of all the char
table organizations, represented by dele.
gates, have proved to be well worth while
says Miss Jontz. From them and from
the increased growth and needs of the
l work training school for social workers
is developing in Omaha.
l I'VE are taking these workers from tht
2 local field" said Miss Jontz, "and we are
hopeful that enough will offer themsePve,
T and that we shall have what assistance il
4 needed to give them very fair measur,
e Of training, so they can assist in effectiv,
q fashion. The new Industrial home, at 123
S Park Wilde avenue, will also be of grea
value in our work 1t Is now being fittet
h up, as already noted in The Bee, and 70
+ the present will be in charge of Mr.. anC
o Mrs. z. d. Gepson. That this department
I will develop into a leading feature Of ou
g work we feel very confident.
/ "Our work in this city and in Soutl
g Omaha, and among the colored people, ha
( been growing so rapidly that we need vol
!, unteer workers badly, and we are in hope
Z that those who can give us some of thel
k time for social and preventive work viii
|. come forward to assist"
;. DeIesates' Reports Heard.
e Rabbi Cohn, Mrs. Harriet H. Heller an
/ Miss Jontz gave interesting accounts o
q the papers read and the action taken a
the national conference in Buffalo, in June
!, They held the close attention of thei
conferes throughout their recitals.
Miss Jontz also went into detail abou
= the work being done at the new Industris
home, and asked all present 10 make know
/, the fact that the home needs mattresse
y and furniture, as well as coal. II bellev
!, that IL charitable people will search thei
d attacks and look over their spare furni
!. ture," said Miss Jontz, 1--WE can nave her
in Omaha, very quickly, not only plac
d where needy men and women can fin
- work, but also where friendless wome
d can have decent shelter and care ten
porarily, something which has been badl
II needed"
V Miss Clara Schaefer told Of the progres
ie being made at the Omaha Social Settle
III ment, and expressed great hope for III
n future development OF her work.
l. Assistant Postmaster j. l. Woodard ha
J. sufficiently recovered from his recent II