The Washington herald., 1911-02-08

10 CO11ect Doto 0eof1nB on Issue.
Something definite in the matter Of CEN
traliZing the charity work of Wash.
ington and eliminating the unworthy OF
misdirected solicitors of contributions for
the poor has at last been started.
The movement got under way yesterday
at the meeting Of the Board Of Trade
when subcommittee. consisting Of Viii.
liam Knowles Cooper. Rev. Zed H. Copp
and Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, Of the
committee on charities and corrections
was appointed to investigate the question
from every angle. They will collect data
from Baltimore, New York, Chicago. and
elsewhere. and inquire into the laws Civ.
ing control over the solicitation Of aims
Their first meeting win be held to-mor-
row morning in Mrs Mussey's Office.
The duty Of the subcommittee was ad-
mitted yesterday by Walter S. Uford
secretary Of the Associated Charities
Mrs. William ]. Boardman and others to
be not only practical but necessary. The
Gospel Mission. in which MIR. Copp is
an active worker, Immediately held a
meeting and formulated letter giving
est support.
Works Wen in Other Cities.
Rev. John van Schaick, 1417 Massachu-
setts avenue, when seen last night. stat
ed that in several cities the question OF
public charity has been turned over to
organizations not before directly con-
nected with the subject, such as the
board of trade, chamber Of commerce. OF
some other body dealing with civic af-
fairs in a general way. He said that
the appointing of committee from such
q body, which should supervise all char
tiles, and examine into the merits Of the
donors as we'll as the doneeS, had been
found to work in a highly satisfactory
manner, both as a protection to the pub
lie and an amelioration Of the condition
Of the worthy poor.
Enlarging upon this theme, Mr.. Van
Schatck said:
the organizations brom which contribu-
tons are accepted are assessed in their
proper proportions for a fund with which
to hire an expert who can devote him
stlf to studying the methods of the char
ity organizations. OF course, with the
usual assistance lent by the police. spe-
cial agents of the individual societies
&C, determined efforts are made to sup
press or punish fraudulent applicants for
aid, but the main object OF the board Of
trade committee, or whatever II may be,
would be to Investigate the societies.
1T is fact that at present in large
cities there are charitable organisations
meriting the fullest support on the part
OF the public, but there are others which
are not at all worthy and frequently do
more harm than good. There is stin a
third-class in which an intention orig
inally good has become obscured through
bad management, and. while they may
not be vicious, are not giving the needy
a proper return for the money donated
for that purpose.
To Improve the Work.
''The committee would separate the
sheep from the goats among the societies.
and point out ways in which those which
were simply misdirecting their energies
might either blend with an already ap-
proved body. or change their management
so as to bring themselves up to the
status. II possible, and should be author
lied to issue certificates OF approval to
those societies upon whom it passes
Further, It might have the
sole right to issue cards Of registration
and approval to the individual solicitors
Thus the public could learn at once upon
almost a moments time spent whether
the man or woman asking for money
for a charitable society was personally
and whether the proceeds were
to be disbursed by a society officially rec
o1rizeI hOneSf and canahle
This would tend to do away with the
overlapping Of energies. which is now
1t would stop a lot Of this
street collecting Of funds
or aims which has made the public
at the expense Of legitimate Or
and the worthy POOR
Mr.. Copp last night said that Mr.. Van
Schaick's views were just about those
Of the subcommittee and of all those
With whom he had talked, and that the
would be along those lines.
The newly created committee of the
Board of Trade, formed to deal with
charities and corrections. and Of which
Walter c. Clephane is chairman. met to
organize yesterday. William NICK. Clay
ton was elected secretary of the COM
r,ittee.
Improvements and additions have been
suggested in the Girls Reform School
and in the Industrial Home School. These
subjects were referred to subcommittees
TO examine into and report upon. The
committee on the Girls Reform School
IS composed Of Judge I. G. Kimball. B.
r. Janney. and W. NICK. Clayton. The
Industrial Home matter was referred to
George Curtis Shinn. A. s. Caywood,
md w. Morgan Shuster. The meeting
was one, of the best attended commit