Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-08
CURE THE FINAL OBJECTIVE
Relieves Distress, But Makes Fam
lilies Self-Supporting.
Scientific Charity Worker of Pres
ent Day Is Really a Social
Physician.

AS a 1nemDer OF the DOaT0 or managers
| Of the Associated Charities and former
chairman of the finance committee. Dis
trict Commissioner Cuno Fl. Rudolph
said today. referring TO recent criticism of
that organization:
The Associated Charities welcomes fair
criticism. 1t has nothing to conceal in its
methods or purposes. 1t endeavors to
deal frankly with the public through its
annual reports and other publications.
The contention that the society spends too
large a proportion of its income for SAL
aries shows an entire misapprehension of
the real scope Of. its work. The criticism
is based on the difference of conception
between the older view Of charity and the
modern view.
MANY people still think of charity sole
ly as the giving of aims This is the short
View, as compared with the long view.
Modern charity attempts not only to re-
lieve immediate suffering caused by pow
erty. but to prevent and cure distress by
dealing with causes. Modern charity,
therefore, takes the form of personal serv-
ice. No one thinks of criticising the In
structive Visiting Nurse Society for spend
ing its money for salaries and service.
is Social Physician.
NO more should they criticise the AS
thing The charity worker is in reality a
social physician. AS the modern physi-
clan uses his prescriptions and drugs only
as a means to an end, so the social
worker in charity gives aims to relieve
immediate distress while working out
plan that shall make the family independ-
ent of material relief. AS the tendency of
medicine is to rely upon natures rem
edies more and more, SO today the chief
reliance Of the social worker In the recov-
cry of dependent families to self-support
is the recuperative power within the ram
lily and upon social forces and substitutes
for relief in the way of employment and
other opportunities for Sef-help.
1T is true that the Associated Char
tiles spends large proportion of It's
money for salaries, but this money goes
to buy the services of trained. expert
enced WORKERS and friends for the poor,
people who spend their time. all day and
every day. and often Sundays and hol-
idays as well as evenings, in ministerinS
to want and distress and in finding way
out for those in need.
Where the Money Goes.
..rhe society spends money for rent.
This rent is to maintain offices in va
rious sections of the city within reach
of the homes of the poor. 1t spends
money for car fares, but this is used
In visiting needy families and persons
interested in them. 1t maintains tele-
phones for the use of the public and to
the advantage of it's clients. 1t uses Ste
nographers and typewriters like any up
to-date business concern. 1t spends money
on postage and for fuel and light All
these items are charged against its gen
eral treasury.
''In return for this expenditure it main
tains a registration exchange, or central
htxro Of no Mt tnI II a q dyrina and
at the command of the churches, the
philanthropic organizations ana citizens
of Washington. 1t conducts eight appli-
cation bureaus within easy reach of its
clients. Over $12.OOO was collected last
year in small savings, much of it from
those wh, must otherwise have asked for
aims. 1t enlisted the service of 344 un
paid workers, as stamp collectors, friend
ly visitors and helpers in summer out
ings work.
1T selected 1910 benefciaries for day
excursions and the camps of It's summer
outings committee. 1t disbursed without
charge to the Citizens Relief Association
$6.5lO. spent for food, sick diet. fuel and
clothing. 1t also spent, as the agent OF
benevolent individuals. relatives and
friends OF applicants, s4,S64.41. through
its golden book funds Since the 1St of
October OF its current fiscal year it has
similarly disbursed from the Citizens Re-
lief Association and it's own golden book
funds over $4,000. 1t has attempted to
spend this money with plan In MIND
for each family whom IT has helped.
A Few of It's Services.
In addition to this use Of material re-
lief. through the cooperation of other
agencies it has obtained employment,
transportation, custodial and institutional
care for the sick. the aged and infirm.
1t has brought to book deserting hus-
bands and endeavored to rescue children
from unwholesome or immoral surround
ings These are a few Of Its services to
the community.
1.-The society has nothing to fear. but
would welcome the visitation and inspec-
tion Of any duly appointed body OF re-
sponsibie citizens. 1t invites inquiry as
to what II is doing in its many fields OF
activity. AS is well known, the As
sociated Charities is the parent of the
play ground movement In Washington and
the Tuberc ulosis Association. 1t has been
the consistent champion Of improved
housing conditions, compulsory school at
tendance. regulation Of child labor, Ju-
yenile Court and the social settlement
| movement. Its summer charities. Camp
| Good VIII and Camp Pleasant, have been
| in operaliOn for years