The Washington times., 1910-10-31

Through the operation Of the rules of
the newly organized Retail Merchants
Association OF the Chamber of Com
meTce, IT became known today that
Washington merchants frequently
nave been called upon fer contributions
TO local charitable institutions. and
that only small part OF the money
collected actually found its way 10 the
cohers OF the iustitlt ous for the
OeHeht OF which thu merchants
thought they were contributing.
One OF these cases, in which a GER
siderable sum of money has been
collected from merchants ostrnstarr
for the ben eft Of a local charity. Hr.f
only small part OF which is likely 60
reach the treasury of the institution
Tor which It was contributed. came 10
the notice OF officers o. the asscc5a-
uon few days ago. and an invest
satlon was stErted-
Rules Led to Discovery.
The rules Of the association -ra-
scribe that members shall not make
subscriptions for charitable purposes
on solicitation, but that such prou1-
sluon sAaly first be referred 10 the
executive committee for investigation.
II was through the operation of taes.
rules that the present case came 10
the attention OF the officers Of the
association The merchants on The
committee discovered how easily they
might be mulcted I'm the name OF
charity. and how the names of wartry.
charities might be used 10 serve TIE
Enanclal ends Of INSCRIPTIONS pro
mOters.
In the case under iRyestiEat' on fl
was found that merchants had been
asked TO purchase tickets at 81 each
Ior recital 20 be given for the beue-
Mt OF prominent institution next
month OF course. the merchant was
not expected to attend the recital. but
.;eIs,:. vas assured JEat the money for the
uckeJs ne would purchase was for
noble charity, and, therefore. he
should take five or ten of them to
help the cause along.
Officers Knew Little.
The merchant thought he would
take ten tickets, but pointed TO the
rules Of the association, and said he
would have to refer the request to the
executive committee.
The executive committee found that
a recital was scheduled. but that the
officers Of the institution named as
beneficiary Were not familiar with
the arrangements being made for Ii.
All the president Of the home knew in
regard TO the recital was that she
had been approached with a proposi-
ton by woman who had given many
successful" recitals in other cities
for the benefit of charitable instItu-
lions, and that the Washington home
mad been promised $500 if its presi-
cent would sanction the proposed re-
cital in its name.
Had No Contract.
The president of the institution. a
venerable woman who gives much time
10 charitable work. told an officer of the
merchants association there was no
contract with the promoter but that
the latter had agreed verbally to give
500, if that amount We're left after
expenses were paid. She told in all
sincerity that the home. Of which she
is president, needed funds and that this
looked like an easy way to get il.
The committee estimated that the can
vassers selling the tickets would raise
not less than $1,000 from Washington
business men, 500 or less Of which would
90 TO the local charity and the balance
TO the promoters. The promoters were
found TO be regularly in the business of
raising funds for charitable institu-
tons and were constantly travelling from
one city 10 another giving recitals of
this kind.
IN view of the facts brought ont in
the inquiry the committee issued an
adverse report on the proposition. but in
Is believed the promoters raised a large
amount from merchants and business
men not members Of the retail aSs0cia-
the rules Of the new body went into
effect.