Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-22
Simon Wolf Sends Note of
Warning to the United
Hebrew Charities.
URGES PLANS TO MEET
NEEDS OF IMMIGRANTS
President of the Organization Dis
cusses Problem Of Travelling Men
dicant and Other Topics.

should prepare to meet extraordinary
drains that will be made upon their re-
sources when the tide OF immigration
sets in for this country at the close of
the European war.
This note of warning was conveyed
in a letter by Simon Wolf to the United
Hebrew Charities of the District of Co
lumbia at its annual meeting last
night at the Eighth Street Temple.
Washington as well as other cities. ne
suggested. should begin immediate
preparations for meeting the situation.
Mr. Wolf was prevented by illness
from attending the meeting. but his
letter was received with marked evil
dences of appreciation. and an order
was made to spread it upon the records
of the organization. 1t is believed his
suggestion will hasten organization of
the proposed federation Of Jewish char
tiles.
President Baumgarten's Report.
Need of such a federation was again
strongly urged by President Lee Baum
garten in his annual report. submitted
last night. He predicted that before
another year passes the suggested
amalgamation will have become re-
atty. The coming together of all the
jewish CndrlIlSS III IulS JuFiSu1CIlOu
Mr.. Baumgarten said. would effect more
direct action in cases Of relief. saving
of time and money in making investi.
cations and prevent duplication Of
President Baumgarten's report,
which reviewed deliberately the &C
complishments of the year. contained
several important recommended tons,
among them that the Home for Tran
sients be abolished. that the District
government establish and maintain a
home for delinquent girls. and that So
ciety recognize the right to compel
children who are in prosperous circum-
stances to provide for their parents
when the latter are reduced to penury
and want.
The report dealt at length with the
problem of the travelling mendicant
and it was in this connection that the
recommendation was made for the dis
sients which is maintained by the Jew
ish Foster Home.
Urges the Abolition.
IT earnestly urge the abolition of the
Home for Transients under the con-
ditions now existing" said President
Baumgarten. "for the reason that, as
now conducted. the Sheltering Inn is
merely a resting place for fully Is
per cent of undeserving men who use
the home because they know 1t is here
and know also that, they can obtain
lodging and meals for from one to
three days without either working or
paying for 1t. 1t seems an imposition
on the Washington community that
the Jewish Foster Home should pay
for the care of SO many who are I'M
deserving. Not only do they take adj
vantage Of the free meals and shelter.
but we find that In practically all the
cases they remain the limit of time al
lowed them and then appeal to the
Charities for additional aid.
"If however he Safelv asserted
that any man who is willing to work
ought to be afforded an opportunity to
eat. Herein Is where we fall short. At
present there is no place to which
man can go or be sent to demonstrate
his desires along those lines. What Is
needed is place where the temporary
unfortunate may be sent before given
food and shelter for day or two,
making it a condition that he perform
some useful work in payment thereof.
I advocate that some arrangement be
made If possible with the municipal
lodging house Of the city along these
lines, and I feel confident that work.
ing test as outlined above will be the
means Of saving large item OF ex-
pense now charged against the Jewish
Foster Home. the treasury of which,
and the cause 1t stands for, need every
dollar that our citizens contribute"
Care Of Delinquent Girls.
Referring to the need of a municipal
institution for the care of delinquent
girls. the report states:
within the limits of the District Of
Columbia there Is absolutely no pro-
vision for girls of the delinquent or
demonstrating class, except such as
are provided by sectarian institutions.
These institutions are owned and
operated separate and apart from the
District government, Catholic or
Protestant, -Conformers or Unita-
rian. Gentle or Jew. all being compell-
ed to worship at the same altar.
These girls are subjected to the