Evening star., 1922-11-14
WOULD REGULATE
CHRISTMAS GIVING
Council of Social Agencies
Acts to Curb Presents
to Unworthy.
HITS PARADING OF POOR
Wrong to Put Needy on Exhibition
While Gifts Are Presented,
Declares Speaker.
HITS PARADING OF POOR

Steps to curb promiscuous Cnrlst-
mas benevolences were taken at the
annual meeting of the Council OF So
cial Agencies held at the Raleigh no.
tel yesterday afternoon. PRESIDENT
Newbold Noyes of the council was
authorized to appoint a special COM
mittee to begin work upon the mat
ter at once.
As pointed out by the president of
th. council. the move to put brake
Oh. undue Christmas charities this
holiday season Is in no sense an ldea
to do away with well-conceived kind
ness at Christmas.
The idea is to end, if possible
through conferences with clubs.
churches and other institutions wnich
give good cheer at Christmas tne
type of celebration" which seems 10
make a show out OF poor cnlldren'
and also to put an end to dupllca-
ton of gifts.
Would Bar Unworthy.
There ought to be some scheme
worked out to obviate duplication or
Christmas baskets. and prevent the
thy individuals" declared Mr.. Noyes
pointing out the dangers and iniqul-
ties of promiscuous benevolence.
"A sane Christmas is more needed
than a safe and sane Fourth OF July
said one speaker. We have no desire
serted Walter S. Ufford. I'VE are not
hNl-joys. But this division of the
c, Immunity into the well-to-do on the
one hand and into the poor on the other
is the greatest abuse of Christmas
spirit of which I know. 1t is wrong to
bring the poor out Of their homes and
put them on exhibition at a hotel or
church, and have little rich children
given gifts to hand to little poor chill
dren."
Would Give Year-ROund Gifts.
Christmas all the year round could
be supplied children in Institutions and
other organizations which care for
them If the people of the city would
get together" upon their Christmas
giving. and give one place play
ground. another apparatus, etc, it was
pointed out.
Speakers pointed out that some of the
asylums of the city are so we'll sup
piled with candy and gifts by we'll
meaning friends that Christmas week
other goodies" for the children.
Work to end such promiscuous
cheer will lose some support during
the first few years. it was said. but in
the enO every one "OulQ see the dOViS-
ability of such program.
Urges Reform in Methods.
Standardization of child welfare
agencies in Washington was urged
upon the council by Mrs. Whitman
Cross. chairman of the children's well
fare committee of the council. in her
annual report. A general reorganiza-
ton of such work is needed. the report
stated. perhaps under the direction of
one government agency. The need of
definite legislation for licensing child
welfare agencies was stressed.
DR.. James E. Freeman, rector Of the
Church of the Epiphany, said that
conditions in some institutions are
deplorable, and that the time Is COM
ing when Standardization is highly
desirable.
Reports Are Read.
So important did the council think
this report that it was referred to
the executive committee for further
study. 1t is likely that work along
this line will be one Of the major en-
Reports were heard from the com
mittee on family welfare. Mrs. Wal
ter 8. Unord, chairman; committee
on health, DR.. Joseph S. Wall, chair
man, and the community committee.
The report of the treasurer. William
Of the council in good condition.
Too Few School Nurses.
Inadequacy of the nursing service
in the schools was pointed out in the
report Of the committee on health.
which was read by Health Officer
Fowler. It was stated that there are
only ten nurses in the public schools
here, whereas Minneapolis. with an
equal population, has f1fty-one school
nurses.
Letters were read from various
member agencies indorsing the prin-
ciple Of mothers allowance. The
sense Of members present was that
their agencies favored the principle.
but did not care to indorse any par
ticular measure at this time.
The following new members OF the
executive committee were appointed:
DR.. Joseph S. Wall. John 1hlder, Mrs.
H. E. Monroe, Mrs. E. A. Costigan,
Mrs. J. P. s. Neigh and Mrs. Charles
doldSrffh