The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-10

ST n Compliance with the constitu-
stion and bylaws OF the Associated
Charities of Richmond. the members
4 arr gathered here this afternoon in
annual meeting, to hear the reports OF
their officers on the past years work
and to elect directors TO take the
place of those whose terms expire 10y
limitation.
sBy comparison with the other
years of recent past. our experience
for this last year has been somewhat
peculiar. The winter of l9l4-15 vii
b sremembered as one OF extremely
harsh and bitter weather for a con-
sidera BILE portion OF the season Dur
ing that period the calls upon this or
ganization were numerous and ur-
gent; we were enabled 10 meet the
situation with some degree OF success
through the generous response on the
part OF our citizens to appeals for
funds During the year. l9l5. there
developed great activity IN the indus
trial enterprises all over this country.
this fact combined with the compare
lively mild weather during the win
ter OF 1855, reduced the number OF
demands made upon the Associated
Charities. Despite the general indus
trial activity. there still remained on
our rolls very many cases which were
not and could not be. relieved by the
, work provided for the many; some OF
YOU are familiar with the kind OF
cases to which / aliude. others Will.
am sure. receive information from
the. general secretary's report.
..I>et Il be remenI bered that the need
for relief by the cases coming to us,
was Just ss urgent as before the gem
eral prosperity came to the relief OF
many others. Because OF the fact
there was plenty OF work for all, APP
pArently. the response to our calls for
funds was nothing like SO general and
generous as during the previous win
ter. Indeed, the Citizens Relief As
ISOLATION. which 50 graciously under
takes to raise the money necessary for
tho operation Of the Associated Char
ities was compelled TO go TO the bank
and borrow $4,000 to furnish relief
In cases OF absolute necessity during
the summer and early fall this year.
this amount Is yet unpaid.
The winter of 1861 90 NV with
N and with every spell of cold wealth
or urgent demands are made upon US
for groceries. clothing and fuel. We
will only he able to meet and supply
these demands as generous public
will furnish the funds necessary. We
have no endowment fund nor any al
iowance from public funds except
that in some cases meal tickets and
wood tickets are issued by the city
on the recommendation OF our off,
cars.
Helped Coloresd People.
.sIn the winter Of 1s14-15 the great
distress among the poor colored PEG,
pie OF the city was SO pressing. this
organization undertook to provide
emergency relief. and did so for sew,
erai hundred families. We rejoice tx
kAow that goodly company Of our
white and colored citizens have re
ques;ed us to turn over to them the
work OF caring for the poor amonE
our coiored population From our owr
experience in trying to care for the
poor among our white population, we
are confident these good citizens vii
reap that pleasing reward which
comes as the result OF good deeds per
formed.
sIn my own thought as to the scope
of the work OF the Associated Char
ities IS generally practiced in the past
] am frank to say ] do not think +
has begun to do all IL might have done
nor all II should have done. To fur.
nish food TO the hungry. and raimen'
and fuel 10 bring warmth to theil
bodies is of course a necessity. but II
relief Is stopped with that service, II
Is In its very nature only temporary