The Washington herald., 1910-04-13


The board OF managers OF the Associ-
ated Charities at its regular monthly
meeting held at the general office Of the
society. 923 II street northwest, yesterday
afternoon. adopted the following open
letter 20 the public:
With no desire 10 enter into a public
controversy over what may be an honest
difference Of opinion as to how best TO
serve the needs OF the poor when distress
overtales them in their homes. the board
OF managers Of the Associated Charities
wishes TO make its own position clear.
and seeks 10 do so by the following state
ment:
Society Organizes Charity.
"First-The Associated Charities is pri-
marily a society for organized charity
and cooperate with all recognized re-
sources Of the community. This is &C
complished through a general Office and
eight division Offices, with a STAFF OF ex-
perienced persons working In constant
contact with the poor in their homes.
Money contributed TO the general treas
ury Of the society goes to support this
work
"Second-The Associated Charities be-
lieves in relief and adequate relief. al
though none of this comes from its gen
eral treasury. This relief Is drawn from
two sources:
"(a) From a special fund Of the Asso-
ciated Charities. This money Is contrib
uted by benevolent individuals. relatives
friends. or organizations interested IN spe-
ciic cases Of need.
20 From the Citizens Relief Asso-
cfstiou whose funds are used chiefly for
food. fuel. milk. and eggs for tubercu-
lous patients, clothing. meals. and lodg-
ing
The Associated Charities deals with
frankness and good faith with the public.
Its annual reports furnished contributors.
volunteer workers. and the press states
exactly how its moneys are used. incIud-
ing salaries paid to employees
status often Explained.
Tn the appeals OF the joint finance
committee. representing the Associated
Charities and Citizens Relief Association
opportunity IS always given to the con.
tributing public 10 state by which organi-
cation and how they wish their gifts used
II has been explained again and again
that.
"Flrst-A contribution to the genera
fund Of the Associated Charities mean,
the support OF trained and experienced
visitors. persons Of discrimination anC
sound judgment who will endeavor so Il
give relief when necessary that IL shall
help and not harm. and so to limit it,
use that applicants will he stimulated e
make every possible effort 90 help them
selves.
'Second-A contribution to the Citizens
Relief Association means a gift for ma
terial RELIEF such as food. sick diet. fuel
and clothing The only other expense o.
the Citizens Relief Association is III
cost Of its printed matter and fnancIa
appeals.
Experience, not alone in Washington
but I'm all OF the large cities OF the coun
try, has shown the wisdom OF organized
systematic charity OF the kind here EN-
ployed. In 1894. before either the Asso
Grated Charities or the Central Relic
Committee were reorganized. $4,000 wa
raised I'm cash and supplies. for the poo
OF the city.
Familiar Persons Convinced.
Persons familiar with the methods use
a. that time, and with those now en-
ployed. are convinced that the presen
form Of organized charity is OF more serv
ice to the poor. less wasteful, and accom-
pllshes. with much less money. the end
In view: namely. prevention OF pauper
ism and imposition, the rehabilitation q
needy families. and the recovery Of tn
dependent to self-support at the earlles
possible moment. Thus the highest an
most effective service is rendered to IN
community"
That the public may have the fullest IN
formation and an unbiased judgment. IN
board Of managers adopted the followin
resolution:
Revolutions Adopted.
In view o. the fact that the Oldest Inbabt,n,
Association has seen nj 10 adopt a resoluti,
that the District Commissioners should have n
and
view Of the fact. further that o-rtaiu cfitir;Sr
against the methods and aims Of the Asso~s,,,
Charities have appeared in the press:
Resolved. That the Commissioners Of the Disfri
Of Columbia be requested TO appoint commit
Of citizens 20 inquire into the rsirpoae .-,r
oiciency and economy Of the Associated Cbariti,
and that such a committee be given every f,cili
20 investigate the records books and the VOL
the officers and agents q the society. and that
report q the committees investigations and hndin
be made public.
HENNEN JENNINGS.
Acting President
JOHN JOY EDISON. Treasurer:
r. T JANNEY. Chairman;
WILLIAM r. BALDWIN
ERNEST I. BICKNELL
MABEL Z. BOARDMAN
WILLIAM II. DE LACY
J PHILIP HERMANN
ARCHIBALD HOPKINS
GEORGE NJ. KOBER.
A. LISNER,
HELEN NICOLAY.
MRS. CHARLES W. RICHARDSON
WILLIAM C. RIVES.
FREDERICK L. SIDD0NS.
WILLARD S. SMALL
FLORENCE p. SPOFF0RD.