New-York tribune., 1910-06-04
FOR THE FRESH AIR FUND
Workers Who Know Children
Gather to Discuss Methods.
SUMMER PLANS DISCUSSED
DR.. Devins Addresses Those Who
Will Select Benefciaries of
Vacation Organization.

A meeting Of missionaries, settlement
workers, hospital nurses and visitors for
charitable agencies was held yesterday af
ternoon in the parish house of Christ
Church. No S44 West S6th street, TO discuss
different plans for sending children to the
country in the summer through the Tribune
Fresh Air Fund
The meeting was informal in the extreme
and was frequently thrown open to the CO.
workers in order toe bring out suggestions
and ideas to insure more efficient work IN
the future.
The Rev. DR.. John Bancroft Devins,
manager of the fund, presided He opened
the meeting at o'clock with a prayer OF
Thanksgiving for the past success of the Or
ganization.
DR. Devins then made an urgent plea for
cooperation amo-g the workers, and ne
pointed out the absolute necessity of mutual
help If the grea test efficiency was 70 at
tend the work of sending the deserving
children 10 the country, where they could
get plenty of fresh air and sunshine Eacn
member was supplied with pamphlet Civ
ing information for the guidance of work
ers and particularly urged to follow its di-
rections carefully in choosing and getting
children ready for their outing. DR.. Devins
serve strictly the rules contained in the
pamphlet had resulted in keeping children
at home who otherwise might have en-
ioyed vacation In the country.
The different rules governing the choice
and preparation of the children for the
trims were then discussed fully. 1t was
made clear that there should be no dis
elimination Of nationality. religion or sex
Three conditions are absolutely essential:
Manifest need. freedom from disease and
cleanliness.
In regard to who the needy children
were and how best to find them there
; seemed to be a difference Of opinion Prac-
ticaI experience in the past has shown that
those coming from homes where the par
ents are in moderate circumstances and
do what they can for the children are
more deserving than those Of the very
poor. who do not appreciate what is done
for them. Children taken from the public
schools under advice of the principals, had
shown themselves desirable objects Of the
funds benefcence, 1t was said.
Dr. I Ogden woodruff gave some sound
advice in regard TO taking the proper pre-
| cautions against disease and uncleanh-
ness before admitting the children into the
| homes: Miss Edith Kendall. Of the Friendly
| Aid House. spoke on the same subject ana
| emphasized the necessity of impresslng
upon the children that they were guests.
when invited to the country, and should
conduct themselves as such.
B. E Austin. of the Ashforth Hill house.
spoke words of encouragement to the
workers and told Of the children who had
proved most acceptable at his country place.
DR. Devfns then called on the different
members for helpful suggestions and asked
| the advice Of several in solving the mani
| fold problems which, he said, arose each
wear in connection with the work.
| In closing DR.. Devins remarked on the
large attendance at the meeting. the good
work Of the organization, and emphasized
| again the need of cooperation.