The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-02-13
WELL DRESSED BORROWER IS
 CITY PROBLLE L. B. Myers Takes Charge of New Central Bureau
 of Charities GIVES IMPRESSIONS
 OF CITY CONDITIONS Conf1deptial Exchange to Prevent Unworthy Chari-
 ties Is Big Feature

Formal opening of the new offices of the Charity Organization in the Connecticut National Bank building took place this morning, members of the executive board being present Al though Mrs NJ. H. Ford. second vice president. had expected to be present enforced absence rom the city detain- ed her President George c. Edwards. first vice president, w. R.. Webster and Lett B. Myers, the general sec retary, responded to questions by the press as to the general scope and meaning of the new association or Charitable societies.
 It was announced that the orSanlza- ton was formed to aid rather than supplant the present charitable soc1e- ties about the city and that the main benefit to be derived at the present time would be the confidential bureau which MT. Myers, with an assistant and stenographer, would maintain for the benefit of all interested in thar ity-
 As much misunderstanding had been engendered as to the nature of this confidential bureau it was stated that it would consist of a central record of all charity cases inves tigated by the organization officers or reported as being cared for by members of the organization, the public charities de- pertinent, civic organizations, religious societies or individuals not connected with any society or association. It was deemed that this would be not only 3 benefit in naiIiimizing the ex- pense and labor to--hfch societies at would prevent the duplication of aid would prebenf the duplication Of aid to those who practf1ed dispositions 1son the cba@ita b1y A lined, and would tend to make for constructfve rather than destructive charity. It would tend to save unnecessary em- barrassment to the better class of cit izen temporarily in financial difficult. ties The necessity of hJmiliating confessions by applicants to a score of charity Investigators will be efim- mated.
 It is expected tha the visiting nurses may soon take up quarters up on the same floor as they find their present quarters in the Charities build ing inadequate and lacking elevator service, too high for those who have to call for treatment. It is believed that other charity societies will main tain offices in the building to be in close touch with the central bureau.
 The organization, separate and dis tinct from all other local societies but acting in an advisory and aiding ca- pacity, is to be supported at the pres ent time upon voluntary contribution, a campaign for funds being now ar ranged by members of the executive committee. Whether the benefit of the organization will later be extend. ed to merchants and manufacturers in caring for the mendicant and inn portunate borrower of the better class has not been decided. It has been found in other cities that a member ship to similar organizations has lift ed unnecessary burden from the store keeper who is constantly importuned by the unworthy. A membership scheme may be advocated.
 Secretary Myers said this morning that his carsory examination of local conditions impressed him with the fact that Bridgeport is infested with a we'll dressed class of borrowing -beggars, who prey upon the friendship of their well-on fellow citizens in a manner only known to professional mendicants. The aim of the society will be to fur nish confidential reports upon such to those who inquire and cooperate with the organization.
 to aid those found in actual destitu- tion and requiring immediate assist anee, but the '.charity-h ,,rit'' in Bridgeport is to be broken up and the unnecessary expenditure of~the vari- ous societies mininized Fake ch11rc1, investigated and reported where found to be fraudulent.
 In an official bulletin given to the press it was announced:
 The Charity Organization Society ia not connected with the Department of Public Charities in any way. It is a voluntary organization supported by contributions only. It's purpose is to help organize charitable work in the city on a right basis, to develop CO., operation, and to place skilled and trained social workers at the disposal of those who are interested in farni- lies who are in need of help. The society will serve as a clearing house for charitable work in the city, be the work public or private.
 The society has secured L. B. Mey- CTS, who for four years has been head of the Associated Charities of Char 1otte, N. C., as it's executive secretary MT. Myers previouslsOwas with the As sociated Charities of Columbus, Ohio, and comes to Bridgeport with the highest recommendation of success. full work in these cities.
 At a meeting of the directors of the Charity Organization Society the ques- tion of combining forces with the Good Housing Association was dis cussed. An arrangement is to be made whereby MT. Myers may act as secretary of both organizations, and ] both organizations will have an office in common.
 The officers of the Charity Organ ization are: George c. Edwards, pres ident; W. R. Webster, first vice-presi- dent; Mrs. M. HI Ford, second vice president: w. B. Allen, treasurer, and Paul Miller, secretary.
 The organization is now engaged in a financial ca.mpai@N>