The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-10

This exchange was established in
January on the second floor of the Y.
M. c. A, and the expenses of the Of
flee are maintained by the city. Miss
Mabel Adams was employed as secre-
tary. It was the result of a year or
hard work by the public welfare COM
mittee of the Commercial club under
A. A. GODDARD, and the influence of
Mrs. Kate e. Pierson, who for ten
years was a member of the public
welfare board of Kansas City, that the
Confidential Exchange was establish
ed. 1t was something new for Topeka
and it was many months before the
charity organizations would agree to
cooperate.
Unqualified Success.
The Confidential Exchange has
proven to- be an unqualified success.
It does not attempt to do charity work,
but serves as what might be termed a
clearing house" for the organizations
and individuals that are interested in
the problem of the unfortunate in
Topeka.
The exchange gives out no inforrna-
ton concerning charity cases: but
poor family. the name of the organ
ization that has Investigated the par
ticular case is supplied.
Not long ago 1t was found that six
teen organizations have been assist
ing one family in a period of three
months, and not one of the organiza
lions had any idea that there were
fifteen others ION the job Naturally
the effect of indiscriminate work Of
that kind is demoralizing, having the
tendency OF producing class of per-
sons absolutely dependent upon char
ity-poverty eventually becomes dis
ease. In the case in question repre-
sentatives were appointed from the re-
plan formed with view to helping
this family to. get ION its feet" The
great idea in modern charity work is
to help one to help himself, and to
maintain self-respect.
Financial Saving.
The Confidential Exchange is max
ing a material financial saving pos
sible, both to the city and the respec-
tive charity organizations. 1t stands
for the encouragement of worthy
missions, and the encouragement of
worthy charity institutions. 1t warns
the general public not to give money
or clothing to every Tom, Dick and
Harry that comes to the door, and
thereby encourage begging.
we feel that the success of future
treatment of cases depends upon all
charity organizations and individuals
working together" said Miss Adams
today. I'm fact, the purpose of the
Confidential Exchange is to create a
spirit of cooperation. In the past each
organization has worked independent
ly of all other organizations.
THE use of the exchange is free.
We want the help Of the public Cases
give information to agents or credit
houses that are trying to collect The
information is intended only for those
who are serious in their wish to do
constructive charity work.
The exchange was opened with a
list of 629 charity cases arranged on
the card index plan. These names
were copied from the records of the
1or
Since that time 2O4 names have been
added, making a total of S33 cases.
Sixty-six were added in March. The
exchange is being more largely used
each month, as its sphere of useful
ness becomes more and more known
to the general public. A large num-
Der of inquiries were answered in
March.
A part OF the duty of the secretary
of the Confidential Exchange is to
speak before the members of Topeka
organizations to familiarize them with
the work that the exchange is at
tempting to do There are several
colored organizations that are doing
charity work among the colored peo-
pie. Miss Adams expects to speak be-
fore these clubs.
The following are the organizations
and individuals which are co-operat-
Baby clinic, city Jail tMrs. L. E.
Thorpe), Collegiate a1umnae, county
Jail (Mrs. s. H Abbott), Day nursery
Dental clinic, General dispensary. Col
den Rule club, Good Fellows, Home
Finding society. juvenile court Miz-
pah class. N. n. S. club, P H club,
poor commissioner, Provident associa-
ton, Public Health Nursing associa-
ton, Salvation Army, Sanitary depart
ment. Topeka Industrial council.
tuberculosis cline, U and clug, Y. NJ.
C. A, 7. w. G. A, and individual
workers.