Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-20
RELIEF OF THE POOR
Work Of Associated Charities
Theme Of Address.
AID GIVEN 5000 FAMILIES
Particulars Of Typical Case Outlined
by Walter G, Clephane- Methods
Illustrated.

Walter G. Clephane, . member OF the
joint finance committee Of the Associated
Charities and the Citizens Relief Assoc
citation, made q brief address to the con-
gregation Of the Church Of the Covenant
yesterday on the work being done by
those organisations.
He referred to q family which last
month had been helped by the Associated
Charities. the father being prevented
from working because Of an injury to
his. hand, tho mother and . fourteen-year-
old girl, both i'll. and two other children,
one q girl Of seventeen and one Of two
years, constituting the balance Of the
family. There was no food in the house
and not sufficient furniture to make then,
comfortable and a notice to quit the
premises had been served upon them by
the landlord.
Notice Of Eviction Withdrawn.
Through the efforts Of the Associated
Charities the notice to vacate was with
drawn and the family was placed In
touch with an. old friend who had not seen
them for years and who furnished money
to help them move into better quarters
and to buy food and coal for temporary
n9SQ. necessary
and medical aid furnished. all being done
inside Of two days. At the end OF a month
work was secured for the seventeen
year-old girl and for the father. fash
ionable boarding school contributed to-
ward the support Of the family, thus
school. where she is diligently pursuing
her studies with the idea Of rendering
more efhcient service upon graduation. A
friendly visitor has been interested and
~ TIA ovpA thA
ton Of the doctor tho mother. who Is In
need Of medical care, has consented to
go to the hospital.
illustrates Method.
Mr.. Clephane said this was an illustra-
ton OF the way In which 5000 families
had been dealt with last year and that
the efforts Of the Associated Charities
were directed In the line Of friendly CO.
operation with the family in helping
them to help themselves. He referred to
the fact that in 1894, when no systematic
system OF registration was In vogue, the
ciusens OF the District Of Columbia had
received $4,000. all of which had been
expended in material relief for the poor:
that 1900 had been similarly expended
during the following year. but that the
largest percentage OF this had gone into
unworthy hands because Of the impossi-
Last year, he said, q little over $4,000
had been expended In material relief
upon LAO different families. For the re-
manning 1,5OO families dealt with some
other service was rendered. not involving
direct relief Such. for example. as find
ing employment, securing institutional.
medical. legal or correctional aid and the
like. He showed that the so-called ad-
ministrative expenses Of the society con-
sisted OF just such constructive work as
was done in the case Of the family above
mentioned. that In order to properly do
practiced. the association having its
skilled officers to direct the organisation.
Divided Into Eight Districts.
Washington is divided into eight dis
tricts, with a paid agent In charge of
the work in each district; that these
agents. together With volunteer workers,
met in conference in each district once
a week to intelligently devise the best
method Of treatment for the case in
hand. One OF the best features Of the
work. he said. has consisted in the col
lection Of savings from the poor. which
during the last three years had averaged
$4,000 year, with the result that the
depositors have been taught they can
back their own money instead Of calling
upon the public for help.
Mr.. Clephane concluded by saying that
the joint finance committee Of these two
organisations found itself at this time
thousand dollars behind her amount
collected at this time last year. and that
1t would be absolutely necessary to raise
over s.. 900 more before the winter season
closed, in order that the work might not
be seriously crippled.