The Washington herald., 1911-02-15
BOARD TO GOVERN
CHARITIES OF CITY
Definite Steps Taken Toward
Standardization.
WORKINGS OF PLANS VARY
Managers of Associated Charities
and Board of Trade subcommittee
Want Endorsement Committee to
Determine Purpose of Societies and
Methods Employed in Giving Aid.

Definite steps toward the standardiza-
ton of charities in Washington were
taken yesterday by the board of mana
gers of the Associated Charities and the
subcommittee appointed by the commit
tee on charities and corrections Of the
Board OF Trade. Resolutions passed by
both bodies were practically the same,
although the workings of the plan were
varied in each.
At both meetings 1t was decided to ad-
vocate a charities Endorsement commit
tee which shall pass on all charity or
ganizations. The committee is to consist
of five members. The Associated Chari-
ties wants the members of the commit
tee appointed by the Commissioners,
consisting of two members at large, one
member of the Chamber of Commerce,
one member of the Board of Trade. and
one member of the Associated Charities
The report of the subcommittee of the
Board of Trade asks that the committee
of five be appointed as follows: The
chairman of the Board of District Com
missioners, the president of the Chamber
OF Commerce, the President of the Board
of Trade, the president of the Central
Labor Union, and a fifth member to be
selected by the four members named.
After the meeting yesterday, the board
of managers gave out the following
statement:
Time Not Here Yet.
THE Associated Charities does not ia
vor a federation OF charities, which
means the union of all in the collection
OF a total sum TO be distributed to each
in accordance with a proposed budget
The society has considered this subject in
the past and believes the time for a
financial federation has not yet come.
"The Associated Charities heartily ia
vors a charities Endorsement committee,
which shall do for all charitable organ
izations that appeal TO the public for
funds-just what the Associated Charities
has been for many years, and is now
doing for individuals seeking aid-that is,
to investigate and determine the purpose
of each society and the methods en-
ployed.
Whatever duplication of charity 10
private individuals there has been could
have been avoided If those who have as
sisted in it had availed themselves of the
extensive records and well-organized ma
chinery for investigation of the Associ-
ated Charities. There is no need for any
additional agency in the city for these in
dividual cases.
"As no associations which appeal to
the public for contributions, it has given
such information as it has had when
asked, but has not arrogated to itself
the right to demand the facts and pass
judgment beyond this.
There are some volunteered charity
associations in the District which do not
deserve support because their resources
are unwisely, if not improperly used, or
because they are carried on for purposes
at least partly selfish. is no doubt true.
There should be some accredited agency
to investigate all charitable organiza-
tions in our city and approve those
which are found worthy, in order that
the public may be able to distinguish
between them and withhold support from
those which are unable or unwilling to
secure the Endorsement of this agency"
Central Agency Favored.
Following the above statement, the
board of managers gave out the follow
ing resolutions:
Whereas there is a distinct need in
the District for the creation of a central
agency to pass upon the merits of the
various private charitable organizations
which may, from time to time, solicit
financial aid from the public; therefore,
be il
Resolved. That the Associated Chari-
ties recommend thft the Commissioners
be requested to appoint committee of
five, consisting of two members at large,
together with one member on nomination