The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-28
Only Three Persons Appear
ed to Complain Against
Association.
WELLER DEFENDS
METHODS USED
Well-Known Persons IndoTse the
Work and Manner of Its
Execution.

Members Of the commission appointed
by the District Commissi oners to in
uufre into the methods Of the Associated
Charities are engaged TODAY in a re-
view OF the evidence presented at a
meeting in the board room Of the Dis
trict Building last night The findings
OF the commission viii be submitted 70
the Commissioners within a few days
Declaring that they coUrted the full
est Investigation. the Associated Chair
ties requested that the meeting be open
10 the public. and that invitations be
extended 10 all who had any criticism
OF complaint TO make Three persons
appeared in opposition TO the workings
OF the organization. among them John
2 Mccarthy. whose recent remarks be-
fore the Oldest Inhabitants Association
led 10 the present INVESTIGATION
Cause Of empIaint
Mr. Mccarthy said he had not made a
careful study Of the methods Of the So
ciety, but from a purusal Of its annual
report had reached the conclusion that
TOO much money was spent in salaries
and not enough in relieving distress
among the poor
Lack Of sympathy for those in need
is cause Of complaint, he said, and
there were many who are afraid to ask
for aid from the Associated Charities
Expenditures in other directions, such
as the sending Of delegates to conven-
tons Of charity workers. he also Criti-
cised.
Similar remarks were made by Joseph
Strasburger, who read from the last
annual report Of the society extracts 70
snow that too great a proportion Of its
funds we're spent for salaries. and the
maintenance Of the organization
Weller Defends Society
In answer 20 these arguments a spirit
ed defense Of the society was made by
N L Weller. president OF the citizens
relief committee
The committee. said Nj Weller, us
an entirely independent organization,
and has no official connection with the
Associated Charities
Because Of the methods, however the
society is selected by the committee
q 8 its distributing agent. The society Is
conducted along busineSs-like lines. and
must employ trained workers who de-
vote their whole time TO the work.
The only criticism that can properly
be applied is that the salaries are not
large enough 20 pay them for the great
work they are doing
John JOY Edison treasurer OF the As
ISOLATED Charities. also paid q tribute
10 its agents The society said Mr.
Edison, is supported by contributions
from 100 citizens OF the District OF
Columbia, out Of a population OF over
2l0,900
More Money Needed
What we would Ike TO see" added
MI. Edison, would be a list Of $500
citizens each Of whom would contribute
81 each"
An additional sum Of $3.50 is needed,
he said. 70 carry on the work through
the summer, and this must be raised
by public subscription
Nr. Etson laid the criticisms Of the
society 10 a lack Of knowledge Of con
ditions on the part Of its -ssailants-
Statements in explanation o. the
methods Of the Associated Charities
were submitted by Henueu Jennings
Frederick l. SiddOns, the Rev John
Van SChaIck. Prof B T Janneyr DT-
w c RiveS, Judge Ivory G. himbail,
and Mrs J. Ellen Foster also added
their Endorsement
The commission Of investigation is
composed Of Justice WendaU Philip
Stafford. chairman H b r MaCfar-
land. Thomas Nelson Page. Gen George
N Sternberg. William R Cooper, and
Prof. W J. kerby-