Evening star., 1925-01-13
FUND SOLICITING
ISSUE DISCUSSED
Social Agencies Council
Takes Up Volunteers of
America Case.

Public solicitation for funds for
charity on the streets of Washington
in all its phases was discussed at a
meeting of the Council of Social
nlAgencies at the Raleigh Hotel yester-
day, with particular attention to the
recent refusal of the Commissioners
10 indorse solicitation by the Nolun-
teers of America, which resulted IN
the arrest of two of the organizatlon's s
leaders. Capts. George Myers and
w. w. Davis of the Volunteers ap-
peared before the council. explained
the recent difficulty, and declared that
although they had complied with the
regulations laid down by the indorse-
ment committee of the council, they
had been refused permission TO So
licit funds at Christmas time. Their
case is now in tho courts, and Will be
prosecuted with vigor, that definite
and final ruling may be obtained,
Capt. Davis said.
The problem of the itinerant So
licitor who comes into Washington
and literally begs on the streets un-
der the guise of selling pencils or
other small items is a large one and
merits the serious consideration OF
the Commissioners, Walter S. Uford,
secretary of the Associated Charities,
declared.
discusses 1rODIem IL uiiS'
Mr.. Ufford went at length into
many of the aspects of solicitation
for charity funds, asserting that
many people capitalize their infirmi-
ties by begging, thereby making
more money than if they were en-
ploycd in an industrial pursuit. Mr..
Ufford suggested that policemen in
plain clothes be posted in the DOWN
town section to discern whether
these people really sold their wares
or disguised begging by holding out
wares for sale.
Judge Mary O'Toole of the Munich
pal Court told the council that in
her opinion every worthy charitable
agency which sought permission
should be allowed to solicit funds
on the streets.
John Ihlder, chairman of the coun-
Gil. declared that the solicitor in uni
form is a great protection to the
contributing public, and said that,
Notwithstanding the rectitude of the
workers for charitable agencies, it
was a very difficult matter to check
up on collections and tag days. Mr..
Uford said one or two organizations
which have at various times So
licited for funds in the District of
Columbia should be promptly put out
OF business, naming an organization
known as the American Salvation
Army as one of the bodies whose
integrity is questioned.
Warns Against Tag Days.
He added that it would be grave
misfortune if the old tag-day system
were revived, and suggested that
charities should have permanent
constituency.
Capt. Davis reviewed the history
of the Volunteers of America case.
saying that the organization applied
to the Commissioners for license to
solicit funds on the streets during the
Christmas holidays and were refused
He said he asked the Commissioners
why the Volunteers We're refused per-
mission and they referred him to
Charles j. Columbus, secretary of the
Endorsement committee of the coun-
ell. Mr.. Columbus, Capt. Davis said,
would not give them a reason for the
refusal. and the buck was passed
from one to the other" Notwith-
standing the refusal of the Commits
sioners and the police department to
give them a license to solicit funds
on the streets, the Volunteers decided
to go out, and their leaders were ar
rested and thrown into jail like any
common criminal" Capt. Davis said.
We feel we are only doing the right
thing in fighting this case through -
ne added.
Every penny collected in Washing
ton is spent here, Capt. Davis said.
Mr.. Ufford told the representatives
Of the Volunteers that possibly they
had not met the requirement that a
charity soliciting funds on the streets
must have local board of governors.
other speakers included Mrs. L. J.
brennan of the Day Nursery and Mrs.
r. +. Robertson of the Florence Crit
lenton Home.