Evening star., 1921-03-07

The number of contributors to the
Associated Charities increased today
to 2.442, with the appeal for 10000
members is yet scarcely under way.
Milton E. Allies. chairman of the joint
finance committee of the Associated
Charities and the Citizens Relief AS
sociation. made public statement
as to the needs of the organizations.
The extra $4,000 which these or
ganizations require as compared with
pre-war budgets are: $4,000 for spe
cial relief to designated families,
$4,000 for emergent relief, such as
food, fuel, clothing and the like, or
a total of $1,000 for relief, to which
is added $4,000 to meet the increased
demands of service and to enable the
Associated Charities to retain the
experienced workers by paying them
living salaries.
1t is explained that one may give
for any of the above purposes: that
his gift will be used strictly as des-
ignated by him. The treasurer of the
committee is Howard S. Reeside. 923
II street northwest. to whom contri-
buttons may be sent. or to The Star.
Mr.. Allies Praises Work.
Mr. Allies said:
'It was twenty four years ago, when
| was a young clerk in the Treasury
Department. that / first became ac-
quainted with the work of the Asso-
ciated Charities. Lyman ]. Gage was
then Secretary of the Treasury. He
sent for me and asked me to investigate
the merits of an appeal which he had
employe in the bureau of printing and
engraving. The mans wife had come to
the Secretary and complained that Mr..
Gage had taken the bread out of her
childrens mouths by the dismissal OF
her husband.
II went to the home on Indiana ave-
nue. and found everything scrupulous-
~ clean. The woman said they had
been assisted by the Associated
Charities. This statement took me to
the office of the society. where !
found an exact record of what had
been done for the family, and full
confederation of the family's helpless
condition. The result of my interview
in the home and at the office Of the
Associated Charities was that l was
able to report to Mr.. Gage the exact
facts, with the result that l was
was promptly reinstated by Mr..
Cages order. A few days later Carl
Schurz. a former cabinet officer. called
upon Mr.. Gage regarding a complaint
that Mr.. Schurz had received. that the
civil service act in which he was so
much interested was not being en-
forced.
I'm answer Mr. Gage sent for my re-
port showing that here was man in
the unclassifed service whom he had
restored when he found that he had
been unjustly dismissed. Mr.. Schurz
upon reading my report promptly said
that he was entirely satisfied-that if
the Secretary of the Treasury would
do that for man not protected by
civil service he was sure that the
rights of those who had the protec-
ton were entirely safe in Mr.. Cages
hands.
Timely Help Rendered.
THE point ] wish to make is that
il was the work that the Associated
Charities had done in behalf of this
family that enabled me to make a
prompt and favorable report which
secured for the man immediate rein
statement and rendered the family as
formerly entirely self-supporting.
My knowledge of the work Of the
Associated Charities has continued
from that day to this. and / have
never had occasion to change my
opinion of the character of it's service
to this community and to the many
families whom il is called upon to
assist.
"It was in 1912 that first became
chairman of the joint finance COM
mittee Of the Associated Charities and
Citizens Relief Association. and since
mately into touch with the financial
operations of both organizations. AS a
business man ] can say that their af-
fairs are conducted in way that
would do credit to any bank or cor
poration. Every dollar is accounted
for by regular audit of certified ac-
countants. Their budgets are pre-
pared with the greatest care and with
a view to strict economy and efficiency
and are approved in advance by their
respective boards of managers The
present financial embarrassment
which faces them is due to the SIM
pie fact that they are working with
50-cent dollar. which has made
living twice as expensive to every
family under their care while it has
been equally merciless in their treas
uries. Practically every item entering
into the budgets of these family well
fare organizations is still costing ap-
proximately twice as much as in pre-
war times, while contributions have
not increased in anything Ike the
same proportion.
Needs for Extra Money.
1.-The extra $4,000 which these or
ganiZations require as compared with
their pre-war budgets cover the fol-
lowing items:
/. Deficit in Christmas op-
portunity fund and for
special relief to desig-
mated families. ... $4,000. 90
. Deficit in the emergent
expenditures for food,
clothing and other ma
terial relief. 5000. 90
s. For increase in staff to
meet current demands
and to pay a living wage
to it's workers still less
than that paid in COM
mercial organizations,
government departments
or for like work else
where NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 5000 90
81 beSpeak, then. for these two
family welfare organizations-the AS
sociated Charities and Citizens Relief
Associa tion-the support Of every man
and woman in this community able
to give it. Amy contributor may say
how he wants his money spent. If he
prefers it given for food, his wishes
will be scrupulously followed. If he
believes in intelligent, discriminating,
friendly service as an essential part
of the philanthropy of today. he may