New Britain herald., 1916-06-15

the annual convention of the National Conference of Charities and Correc- tions was held during the week of May 10-17, was read by Miss Elsie c. Osborn agent of the New Britain Charity Organization, at the monthly meeting of the directors last evening. The report is as follows:
 To the Directors of the New Britain
 Charity Organization:
 Notwithstanding the counter attrac- ton of Ringling's circus with it's grand street parade;" of large Knights Templar gathering with it's hundreds of men in impressive uni- forms; and of a cheerful convention of undertakers, for whose inspection enterprising dealers had sent gay fleet of motor hearses on exhibition; the National Conference of Charities and Correction, with it's $500 dele gates from all parts of the United States and Canada was quite strong enough to remain the center of at traction in Indianapolis for an entire week in May.
 Around the main conference have gathered ten satellite conferences such as the National Probation Association, the National Childrens' Aid society, National Conference of Jewish Char titles, National Conference on Depend ent and Delinquent Children, and so on, so that delegates were quite be- wildered by the huge number of at fractions from which to choose. The gatherings varied in size from mass meetings of thousands all the way down to 8 group of five visiting house. keepers who met in solemn conclave.
 New Polish Organization.
 As 8 result of one gathering, an- other new organization came into be- ing-a National Conference of Polish Social Workers, which held several meetings with excellent speakers. It's aims are to stimulate interest among the Poles on social problems and to emphasize the need of Polish social workers In Polish communities. Your agent was cordially welcomed at these gatherings and asked to tell about the Polish colony of New Britain. Dr. Fronczak of Buffalo gave a splendid history of the Poles in America. He stated that according to- a census completed within three months, there are nearly 100000 Poles in the United States, a body of people equal to the entire population of New Eng land.
 Changes in name and in policy were discussed at the conference. Forty three years ago when the conference was organized social welfare was thought of in terms Of charity with outstretched hands, and of correction bearing the sword of punishment Now the leading spirits of the confer ence say that the attitude has changed; that the victims of poverty disease and crime are recognized as being the results of the neglect by every body of everybody's business. Titles such as national conference of social welfare or social betterment are therefore urged. Whereas the old idea of the conference was to improve the methods of treatment of poverty and wrong doing, the present method Is to work for the prevention of these evils and it is suggested that in the future the goal shall be a positive one of prom otion of national welfare.
 1t was pleasant to have credentials again this year making your agent a representative of the State of Con- necticut as well as of this society. Perhaps this was the reason why she was so fortunate in meeting many of the cleverest members of the confer ence as we'll as the rank and file. Among the many well known speakers were Julia Lathrop of the Children's Bureau, Arthur Hunter of the New York Life Insurance Company, Flor sence Kelly of the Consumers league, Judge Adams of Cleveland, Lawson Purdy of the National Municipal league, which has been much inter ested in New Britain affairs. E. N. Chopper of the National Child Labor Commission, Dr. Graham Taylor of Chicago, Dr. Catherine Davis of the New York Board of Parole, and Frederick Alny of Buffalo, a cordial friend of ours who is president of the next years conference in Pittsburgh.
 Bicknell Talks War.
 Naturally the European war came in for a great deal of discussion, Fore most among those speaking on the war were Ernest BickneH, director of the. Red Cross, and Percy Alden, a member of parliament for ten years In England
 ''While we earnestly hope the United States will not become involved in war, the American Red Cross is preparing for emergencies by organiz- ing hospital units all over the coun- try" said MT. Bicknell. Each unit consists of fifty-one doctors and nurses and is capable of caring for 500 patients. Equipment for each costs $25,000. New York city has three and others are established in Brook lyn, Cleveland, etc"
 "At present the American Red Cross Is doing nothing in Mexico,'' he con- tinued. We were doing good work but Carranza requested of our state department that we be withdrawn