The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-13

we find the financial system to b
admirable and accurate. carefully audite,
at regular intervals. and Offering no oppor
tunity for misappropriation or waste
that the working system is well planne,
and well administered; that due econom!
is observed: that the association has don,
and is doing a great and indispensable,
work in this community. and is entitle,
20 the heartiest support and confdenc,
OF all citizens"
This is the conclusion Of the report o
the commission appointed by the Dis
trict Commissioners TO examine the meth
DDS and books Of the Associated Charities
Furthermore. the board declares "th,
Associated Charities has done and is do
ing a great and indispensable work ir
the community. and that it should
have the support Of every citizen In the
city" thus refuting in every particular
the charges recently made.
Probe Was Invited.
The Associated Charities was the oh.
ject. few weeks ago. OF a concerted at
tack on its work and the methods IN
which it gained its results. to say
nothing Of the results themselves. Soor
after this attack was made public. the
Associated Charities asked the Commis-
sioners TO appoint an examining board
This board. named by the Commission
ers, was composed OF Justice Wendell p
Stafford. II. B. F. mcfarland William
Knowles Cooper, George VI. Sternberg
Rev. William J. Kerby. Emile BerIiner,
and Thomas Nelson Page.
These men called a public hearing in
the board room Of the District Building
last week and all persons interested in
the different phases Of the affair were
invited to air their views. Only two per-
sons. appeared 70 push the charges. and
these did so only perfunctorily
Charges Proved False.
The board proved them to be absolutely
groundless.
In It's report this board commends the
Associated Charities in the highest terms
and calls upon every citizen Of the CITY
and District to cooperate with II in the
work that it Is doing.
The report, in part, follows:
The Associated Charities, having been
publicly criticised for some of its meth
DDS, requested you TO appoint a commits
sion to inquire and report upon THE sub
ject. In response to this request. YOU
appointed US. we have made the in
quiry, and now have the honor to report.
All Critics Invited.
The course We took was this: We first
gave public hearing. to which all critics
were Invited as well as officers of the
Associated Charities itself. Here we
heard all complaints that any one de-
sired TO make. and listened TO the replies
Of the officers OF the association. Next.
We divided our body into several COM
mittees, each OF which was TO look into
some particular part Of the system. Thus
Mr.. Berliner was 20 look into the finances
and bookkeeping; Gen. Sternberg into the
general methods Of administration: Father
kerby into the work Of the division
agencies; while Mr.. Cooper was to renort
upon the relations between the hoard
and the churches and other charitable
bodies, and Mr.. Macfarland IDon the
special activities along various social
lines
Mr.. Thomas Nelson Page was absar+
from the city when our meStinps u,or1
held. but we had the benefit Of his com
sci by letter and memorandum. and arc
authorized to say that he concurs in this
report.
These committees did their work and
came together with their reports IN =
general meeting. Together we have pona
over these reports, have examined tho
reports Of the association. weighed CRIT
icisms. exchanged views considered tbo
whole matter in its various relations
and have reached a unanimous aorAa-
ment upon the main questions invoi,,od
we return with this report a statemen,
OF the results.
Public's Mind Confused.
In the first place. we find that great
confusion exists In the public mind j.,
regard 10 the different bodies that stand
for the charitable work Of the DIstrict
Some critics did not know the d,f.
ference between the Associated chart
ties and the Board Of Charities. SIN
less did they understand the difference
between the Associated Charities and tho
Citizens Relief Association. The Rosr1
OF Charities is not being investigated
II was created by act Of Congress Tts
members are appointed by the Presidar,
Of the United States Il has suner,-iy,o,,
Of the public hospitals and other public
institutions Of charity. 1t has no en-
pervision Of the Associated Charities and
has no connection with IL. Some NJ the
criticisms which we're supposed 10 have
been aimed at the Associated Charities
were really aimed at the Board Of Chart
ties, without knowing the difference.
"On the other hand. the Associato5
Charities is organized under the general
law. 1t IS only a private. voluntary, as
sociation. It is supported entirely bv
gifts from private individuals. II has q
large corps Of officers. all of whom give
their services freely. Whatever il pavs
in salaries, it pays to trained social
workers whom il employs. The third
body the Citizens Relief Association. is !
a committee of thirty members. an
pointed by the District Commissioners. |
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