The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-03
FIELD WORKERS
SEEK TO AVOID
WASTE IN CITY'S
CHARITY EFFORT
Cooperation To End That
Better Results Assured
Aim OF Conference
CLEARING HOUSE
rs ESTABLISHED
Certain Type of Cases Pro
vide Big Problem For
Various Agencies

Thirty five of Fargo's workers en-
gagged in the field of charity, in con-
ference at the Commercial club rooms
late Friday afternoon adopted plan
of action whereby it is hoped that
better results will be attained In the
city's charity work.
Tha establishment of a clearing
house, through which will pass cer-
tain type Of charity cases, and with
the Public Welfare occupying such
capacity, was voted, but more deti-
mite plans of operation will be work
ed out at a further conference to be
held next Monday evening, which
only the persons active in the field
will attend.
Demands Are Greater.
The greater demands that are cer-
tain to be made upon the city's char
ity workers because of the high food
costs, high fuel costs, high clothing
costs. without a comparative increase
in wages, brought about the CONFER
ence.
Likewise, the further fact that the
city's funds for charity work are
materially lessened by reason or the
war time demands made upon those
who give. brought the charity work
crs to a realization of the fact that
every penny expended during the
coming season, must be expended IN
such manner as to return the great
est results. There must be no dupll-
cation, and no waste, il the charity
field is to be properly cared for.
Many Agencies at Work.
There are a number of agencies
engaged in charity work in Fargo
that have, up to this time operated
independently of each other to large
extent, although the relations have
been harmonious, and in numerous
instances there has been direct CO.
operation to the end that there be no
duplication in charity effort.
These agencies include the Pubic
Welfare, formerly known as the As
sociated Charities, the Glad Tidings
Mission, the Hebrew Associated
Charities, the Salvation Army, the
North Dakota Children's Home, the
Crittenten home. st. Johns orphanage
and other agencies, including
churches, etc.
It was recognized by the charity
workers that a great many cases
wherein relief is required for famll-
les, or individuals. do not come un-
der the scope contemplated to be
handled through the clearing house.
are made dependent temporarily by
sickness, or other misfortune, and
which cannot, in any sense Of the
word, be regarded az paupers.
As Miss Alice Duffy. policewomaf,
put II before the conference, the de-
Eerting husband" and the 'able bod
led loafer' constitute the real prob
lem that should come within the
operations of the clearing house.
Professionals Provide Problem.
Professional paupers-paupers be-
cause they lind it to their own inter-
est to be so-constitute class or
people most difficult to deal with,
and 1T is the hope of the workers that
the clearing house will afford oppor-
tunity of dealing to better advantage
with that particular type.
AS Miss Duffy explained the work
of the charity organizations in Chi
cago, the clearing house records
there were the means of tracing pro-
fessional paupers through long per-
iod. First they would be found un-
der the care OF the north side chari-
ties, then on the@south side, later in
the stockyards diserict. and still lat
er. the records would disclose a SER
les of periodic conversions which
would carry the family from one
aims giving church to another.
Another interesting feature brougSt
out at the conference was the expef-
ience of certain branch of charity
workers. s. 1t was found that five
families, now IN Fargo, and for
whom constant aid is required, were
formerly residents of ANOTHER city
far removed from Fargo. They
came to Fargo. one by one. Inyes-
tigation has disclosed the fact that
the five families are inter related,
and evidently one was attracted here
by the other Some Of the charity
workers contended that these parti-
cuiar people came to Fargo because
Of the betteer charity work main
tanned here. as compared with the
city whence they came.
The proposed clearing house win
not undertake to make any record
of the type of charity cases wherein
the personal element enters, or, ratn-
err, where the relief required lis only
temporary, and the condition IL
brought about by circumstances
which the workers in the particular
charity are clearly convinced that
the professional element does not