Evening star., 1932-01-11
CHEST RECORDS
REFUTE CRITICISM
Charge Martin Family Re-
ceived Only S1.49 Untrue,
Declares Miss Bell.

Branding as absolutely untrue" pub
lshed statements that the Associated
Charities had contributed only s1.As to
the support of destitute family over a
two-month period, Miss Louise Bell, as
sStant director of the charity organiza-
ton. today cited records to prove greater
contributions.
In addition, she said contact with the
family, that of Mrs. Elizabeth Martin,
80, now a\patient at Gallinger Hospital,
mad been dropped only when relatives
mad arrived In the city to care for the
Martin children after their mother had
been taken to the hospital. She also
cited statements of relatives that they
were financially able to assume respon-
sioility for the youngsters.
Miss Bell blamed publicity given the
1amlys alleged condition to a sepa-
rated home and an effort on the part
OF relatives to make trouble" for the
mead OF the Martin household.
Mother Appeals for Aid.
According to Miss Bell, the Martins
first came to the attention of the
charity body last May. shortly after
thelr arrival in Washington. when Mrs.
Martin appealed to the charities for
1000. This was given, and in .Tune
assistance in paying rent was furnished,
together with additional food crocrs.
In September, Miss Bell said, Mrs.
Martin told social workers her husband
had deserted her and announced her
intention of going back to her home in
Virginia. Then the family again Drop
ped from sight until December Is.
On that date, according to Miss Bell,
Mrs. Martin again appeared at the
"a taI
said she had obtained an order from
the Juvenile Court, under which her
husband was to pay her SIS weekly for
the support of herself and her four
children-Wallace, 8; Doris, s; Evelyn,
4, and Glenn, 18 months. Martin at
that time, she stated, was serving a
Today sentence in the District Jail on
charge Of drunkenness.
Food Given That Day.
A supply Of food was furnished on
that date, Miss Bell said, and a similar
action was taken on December 10. On
December "a worker called at the
Martin home and gave the mother 81,
after ascertaining that well filled bas-
ket of food and toys for the children
had been furnished by the Eastern
Presbyterian Church.
CGs
MIR. Martin had been released from Jail
and had given his wife 81 as part pay
ment on the amount ordered by the
court. Martin Is a soap salesman,
workers were told, and Juvenile Court
records, according to Miss Bell, show he
gave his wife money each week for sew
eral weeks following.
A worker from the Instructive Visit
ing Nurse Society, who had been call
ing on the family, had been asked to
report any need for help to the charity
body. Miss Bell said, and no visits were
made by charity workers until January
4. when telegram from the sister OF
Mrs. Martin to charity workers brought
another check-up. This revealed that
Mrs. Martin had been taken to the
hospital on the previous day, and her
relatives were advised to come to Wash
ington from Virginia at once TO look
after the Martin children.
They arrived In Washington promptly
and representatives of the charity or
ganization were assured that relatives
we're able to look after the Martins and
that no aid from charity sources would
be required. The visiting nurse on
January 8 asked that money be left to
purchase milk and oranges for the
youngsters, which was done, according
to Miss Bell.
S11.96 in Food and Cash.
From December 16 to January 10,
according to records, food and money
to the value of Sl1.96, in addition to
the amounts paid by Martin, reached
the family. According to Miss Bell, the
Associated Charities had no reason to
suppose the family was in need, since
assurance had been given by relatives
that they could look after the Martin
children and since prior to their ar
rival all requests that had come from
the Martins had been met
THE real situation" Miss Bell said
today, seems to be that the Associated
Charities has been made the scapegoat
in a family feud.
This, however, doesn't alter the fact
that the Associated Charities has given
help whenever and so far as 1t was
needed and that they discontinued
doing so only when relatives offered to
carry the load"