Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-29
ANNUAL MEETING OF
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES

. Inc 0nnudl meeting OF the ASSO-
ciated Charities was held Wednes-
day evening at the City council
rooms with ANNUAL reports of the
secretary and treasurer and an ad.
dress by James F. Bagley, secretary
of the State Board of Charities and
Corrections.
/ The meeting was presided over by
J. Howard WEIGH. chairman Of the
local association In his opening re-
marks, Mr.. WEIGH said that he be-
lieved the public did not realize the
character of the work performed by
1.-THE organization and that they had
not supported it as it should be sup
ported and as it deserved. He said
that there was an immense amount
Of work being done and it needed the
moral supporto + the public as well
as financial support.
| The following officers were elected
for the coming year: President. j.
Howard WEIGH: first vice president,
Mrs. NJ. W. Bessey: second vice
president. Carl c. Jones: clerk. Mrs.
H. T Muzzy; treasurer. Henry +.
Hanson: board Of directors, Harry
Brown. Mrs. NJ. w. Bessey, Mrs H.
T. Muzzy. reelected and Edwin NJ.
! Foster and F. F. Noyes, new direct
crs
! At 'the close Of the meeting ques-
tions were asked Mr.. Bagley in re-
/ gard to the work all over the state
and many. interesting facts were
given. Among these was that the
sum Of $:,2oo.o00 was spent in the
I past year onthe dependent delinquent
| poor, about three dollars to every
man. woman and child.
! Extracts from the report of the gem
| eral secretary. Mrs. Clara Hoxie, give
some idea Of the work done by the Or
| ganization:
| The work Of the Associated Charities
for the past year has been marked BY
the usual activities. Perhaps by less
real poverty and want than heretofore,
but by as many quarreling and disrupt.
ed families. as much sickness. as many
! neglected children and. over and ove.,
the same old story Of responsibility
and weakness. We have worked to
| counteract this. to keep the standard of
| families from falling. to raise this
standard whenever possible and to keen
families together and living In soma
degree OF peace. We have found EN-.
ployment for good number of persons,
and put some into school, we have sup.
, piled glasses and had surgical opera
| tons performed; we have extended the
hand Of kindness and help to young, un-
married mothers, restored their self.
respect and cared for their babies; We
have done many other things that can
and must be done, il done at all, for
persons who lack initiative, ability, or
money.
The pitiful pIights into which the So
ciaf worker is brought are many. We
face tragedy and recognize 1t. We are
given most intimate condolences, con-
hdences that reveal depths in some
hearts and lives that are surprising and
never suspected in everyday contact.
u requires good judgment and expert
enced knowledge Of human nature to
understand these people and their va.
rious situations and temptations. We
must see below the surface. for many
Of them cannot portray their particular
trouble. no matter how good English
they may speak, and no matter what
may be their nationality. And many
persons are but children after all and
know not seif-control. nor sclf-manage-
msnt and sometimes not even self
respect. They geed help. they need o
steady and strong hand and head to
guide ami advise them and make friend,
with them. This 10 the greatest help
Of all, to be~a friend. to guide. to help.
And 1t IL also the most dificult. II Is