Evening star., 1932-01-13
RELIEF UNIT MARKS
90 YEARS. SERVICE
Associated Charities Holds
Anniversary Meeting
at Y. w. c. A.

The fiftieth anniversary of the Asso-
ciated Charities in this city was
observed at a meeting of the organiza-
ton in the Young Women's Christian
Association Building, Seventeenth and
K streets, last night.
The occasion was marked by greet
ings from welfare leaders OF the Ma
tional Capital, who praised the aid
given humanity in the District during
the 5O-year period and expressed ap-
probation of the cooperation of the
Associated Charities with other welfare
groups here.
A message from President Hoover,
addressed to Coleman Jennings, presl-
dent of the organization. praising the
organization for its service, was read at
the meeting by George A. Hastings
administrative assistant to the presi-
dent.
The letter said:
Celebration of flftieth anniversary
| affords vantage point from which to
appraise usefulness to date and poten-
tialities for the future. The service
| rendered by the Associated CharltleS OF
the District of Columbia merits grateful
recognition by this community l ex-
tend to its managers, stan ana sup
porters my hearty congratulations, botn
on attaining this memorable milestone
and on the achievements which make
the anniversary significant. The TACT
that YOU now render major services 10
over 5000 families year, or more than
16 900 individuals, OF whom nearly hall
are children, gives some measure OF the
volume of work, though 1t does not
indicate the variety of needs and PROB
lens dealt with nor the spirit IN wnlch
the organization administers relief and
promotes Mobilization.
Business and government have long
recognized the Importance OF ellml-
mating waste and duplication OF eHort
Your organization and other family
welfare societies of which 1t Is typical
Throughout the country perform this
important service in the relief held ana
bring intelligent planning and efficient
administration into humanitarian work
This Is important at all times and in
dispensable in periods like the present.
In addition, social workers not only
relieve distress but learn underlying
causes of individual suffering and
family breakdown and thereby help to
diminish preventable poverty, sickness
and delinquency.
II trust that the experience Of the
past and the challenge Of the present
and future may make for even greater
usefulness as you enter your second nall
century"
Greetings also were extended by DR..
Luther H Reichelderfer, chairman of
the Board of District Commissioners.
Want Name Changed.
At the close of the meeting the more
than $50 persons attending voted to ask
the board of managers to take steps to
change the name of the organization ito
a name which more nearly describes its
true purpose and work" Arthur HELEN
pointed out that the Associated Chari-
ties is more Of family welfare or
ganization, rather than an agency ex-
tending mere emergent relief.
Election of officers and board mem
bers was held during short business
period, and resolution was adopted ex-
pressing appreciation of the services
given the Associated Charities by the
late Cuno H Rudolph, who served 1t
for many years as president, until 1880.
Invocation was delivered by Rev. An
son Phelps Stokes, canon OF the Wash
ington Cathedral.
Mr. Jennings, during an address Of
welcome read from resolution adopted
at the time the charities group was Or
ganized so years ago in the home OF
A. S. Solomons. passage of the reso-
luton, describing the purpose of the
organization, reads:
ITO better the condition of the poor
by careful visitation and encouragement
to become disappearing, more respect
full citizens, making work the basis of
relief where practicable and furnishing
applicants whatever relief necessary to
relieve distress" These we're described
last night as the principal objectives of
the organization today.
Coleman Jennings, president, named
a Nominating Committee composed of
Evan H. Tucker, chairman; Col Ernest
P. Bicknell and Mrs. A. j. McKelway
Messages Presented.
A message from Rev John O'Grady
director of Catholic Charities, was read
by Rev. Lawrence ]. Sheehan, assist
ant director.
Praising pioneers in the charity
movement as ministers in the cause OF
personal service" Father O'Grady said:
washington was fortunate in secur-
ing q branch of the charity organiZa
tion society within six years after its
establishment in this country. The
Washington Associated Charities may,
therefore, be regarded as one OF the
pioneer societies in the movement. On
this, the occasion of its 50th anniver-
sary, 1t may take pride in its achieye-
ments." He further praised the zeal Of
the organization in extending the scope
of its activities and rendering aid.
Other messages expressing apprecia-
ton of the work done by the Associated
Charities and it's cooperation with
other welfare groups were delivered by
Arthur ]. Sundlun, president OF the
Jewish Welfare Federation, and Elwood
Street, director of the Community
Chest.
The early days Of the functioning OF
the charities group was described briefly
by Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, long ac-
lively associated with it.
Other speakers were Rev. DR.. John
Van Schaick, jr., former member Of the
board and former president of the
Board of Education; Walter S. Ufford,
general secretary of the Associated
Charities since 1909, and Mrs. John M.
Glenn, president of the Family Welfare
Association of America.
Mr Ufford recalled when he began
with the organization its total budget