Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-14
VICTOR ROsEwATBR,
Editor Omaha Bee.

CHICAGO Sept l5.-Mr. Victor Rose
water, Editor Omaha Bee: Dear SRA
special committee OF the Chicago Associa-
ton OF Commerce, called a committee on
charities endorsement, has been appointed
to investigate the need for organizing a
charities endorsement bureau in Chicago
This special investigating committee is en-
deavoring to secure information from per
sons in a number of different cities that
have had experience in this particular mat
ter.
We are already in communication with
the general secretary OF the Omaha As
ISOLATED Charities (Miss Ida v Jontz) and
we are seeking her assistance on the more
technical aspects of the problem. The spe-
cial investigating committee also desires
to secure the opinion of business men on
this subject, and any information you can
give on the following points will be highly
esteemed:
l. Does your bureau fully meet the needs
Of your local situatlon7
2 Has 1t succeeded in eliminating the
fraudulent, semi-fraudulent and unworthy
charities from your city; or do they still
maintain a foothold in the community?
From the experience you have had in
this matter, can you suggest any improve
ments or new methods that might be en-
ployed in the work Of a charities endorse.
ment bureau that would increase its useful
ness to the community?
Our special investigating committee is
very anxious to get all the information
that can be secured on every aspect OF the
question and will very greatly appreciate
any assistance you may be able to render
in the matter ,,.
Very respectfully . ..a
ID. H HENRY STEWART,
+" Secretary to the Committee
OMAHA, Oct. TO- 1s1O.-Mr. Henry Stew
art Secretary Investigating COMMITTEES,
Charities Endorsement, Chicago. ILL.,: MY
Dear sir-Pardon delay in answering your
letter OF September 15 due to my absence
from the city on a trip to Mexico While
hardly feel myself specially qualified to
give any well grounded opinions, except
such as are formed by general observa-
ton, I venture the following answers to
your questions:
1. Does the bureau fully meet the needs
OF the local situation?
The bureau seems to be doing good work,
though I would hardly say it meets the
needs fully, the shortcomings being due.
with the bureau by the different charit-
able institutions, and also by the business
houses that support them. 1 mean to say
that the obligation to insist on solicitors
submitting their claims first to the inves-
| tgating committee and to refuse help to
those not endorsed, is not sufficiently
lived up to.
| ? Has IT succeeded in eliminating
! fra IA
NV preceding answer indicates that Il
has not succeeded, but has made progress
in that direction.
| g. As TO improvements or new methods
! My own personal opinion is that the best
results would be obtained by pooling the
entire charity subscription list, as has been
done in Chicago by the Associated Jewish
Charities and in one or two other cities
I believe that would stop a great deal OF
waste, imposition and fraud. II we are ia
Continue to give Unfortunately on spe.
cial solicitation for each institution, then
the investigating bureau ought to issue a
bulletin at frequent intervals TO each mem.
Der OF your association posting him or
what is being done, new applications fol-
endorsement, institutions endorsed or re.
jected, and solicitors who are out without
even applying for endorsement. Tn,
bureau ought 10 check up the financial
management OF every institution and fore,
economies and businesslike management
by withdrawal OF endorsement as the pen
atty for noncompliance. The same influ
enoe could force desired CONSULTATIONS and
prevent costly duplication Of work.
Very truly yours,
VICTOR ROsEWATER,
Editor Omaha Bee