Evening star., 1933-05-21
UFFORD DESCRIBES
GOLDEN BOOK FUND
Associated Charities Official
Gives History of Relief
Organization.

1Ile BTOWtn O4 b11C N1OAucu DOOk Opc-
tial Relief Fund of the Associated
Charities from q few dollars in 1905
20 last year, when $121 ,569.58 was ex-
pended for relief alone, was described
yesterday by Walter S. Ufford, general
secretary of the organization.
Mr.. Ufford explained how when the
Associated Charities was organized IT
was intended, theoretically, as non
rehef-giving agency. Its declared pur-
pose at that time. he said, was to obtain
relief for its clients when necessary
from churches, benevolent organiza-
tions, clubs and so-called natural re-
sources, such as employers, relatives,
etc. 1t was soon found, however, that
there were many emergent demands
which made 1t necessary for the society
to have at its command a small relief
fund and with the coming of George S.
Wilson, present director Of public well
fare, as general secretary, the Associ-
ated Charities established the Golden
Book Special Relief Fund. While not
called by this name IN the reports to
the Community Chest. relief funds are
still known In the inner circles Of the
Associated Charities as the Golden
Book Special Relief Fund"
An astonishing range of expenditures
IN connection with the disbursement OF
the $121, ,569.58 in 1882 is described by
the certified public accountants recent
report on this fund. The larger part
or So, 2,48157 was spent for rents; $14,-
74635 went for general living expenses;
Sl,48O.5O was used for moving families
from one location to another, often
after the family had been evicted;
$67680 went for Thanksgiving and
Christmas cheer. This money was con-
tributed at the holiday seasons for this
special purpose.
Helped with Insurance.
Helping clients to keep up their IN
surance called for $383.91. There Is
q whole story connected with this item.
Through a central insurance bureau 10
Gated in New York City and main
tanned by certain Of the larger insur-
ance companies the workers OF the
Associated Charities were able to effect
many readjustments on old policies,
thereby easing the burden on the cli-
ents themselves. Gas and electric bills,
frequently long overdue and IN the
case of gas consumption usually an i'm
portant means of cooking, to the
amount of $1,196.66 were underwritten
by this fund In these cases both the
Washington Gas Light Co. and the
Potomac Electric Co. waived penalties
for long term non-payments when
these bills were met, by the Associated
Charities.
The question is sometimes asked. Mr..
Ufford said, docs the Associated Char1-
ties ever pay taxes for its clients, or
installment payments due to building
and loan societies?" The answer Is,
''Yes, when the client has considerable
equity in the property and such pay
ments are less than advances for rent
ais Of similar property would be. A
prominent realtor, a member OF It's
board. acts as special advisor IN such
matters"
The society spent $1,218.04 for trans
portation. Most of this money, how
ever, was refunded by organizations
who In sending clients to relatives, or
to places where they had no legal
residence, asked the Washington soci-
ETY. to secure for them under an agree
ment with the railroad companies So
called charity rates or one-hah the
regular fare in cases where the journey
had to be broken and through tickets
could not be purchased at the point Of
departure In this work the Travellers
Aid co-operates with the Associated
Charities in meeting the clients and
seeing that they are placed aboard the
proper trains for their ultimate desti-
nation.
Strange as it may seem, the Asso-
ciated Charities spent $504.42 for the
care of children out of their own homes.
This care was of temporary nature,
not involving commitment Of the chill
dren to the Board of Public Welfare
through a change of guardianship by
the Juvenile Court. The occasion of
such care was usually the sickness of
the mother or disqualification due to
child birth. In this same connection
housekeepers or helpers were provided
to keep the home from being broken up
at a cost Of $13e.63.
Other Items Expended.
Union fines, licenses, permits, identi-
fication cards were items paid for In
order to enable clients to obtain work
$387.48 was spent for these purposes.
The modest sum of $435.39 was spent
for furniture and equipment, much of
it for Quitting families Of widows or
invalid fathers for allowances for the
support of the children under the hcne