Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-24
100 D. c. CITIZENS
ORGANIZE PUBLIC
WELFARE GROUP
Or. H. J. Crosson Elected
Temporary Chairman and
EIWood Street Secretary.
PLANS MADE TO HEAR
PROMINENT SPEAKERS
New Association Is Designed to
Disseminate Information on
Social Problems.
More thar 100 citizens, represent.

More thar 100 citizens, represent
atives of church agencies, civic and
citizens associations, business mems
groups and numerous other organiza-
lions, met last night in the Interior
auditorium and formed
the District of Columbia Public We'll
fare Association.
After favorable vote for formation
of the association under that name,
the group elected as temporary chair
man DR.. Henry J. CroSson, a member
of the District Board of Public We'll
fare and vice president of the Catholic
Charities. He was instructed to name
Nominating and Bylaws Commit
tee to report at the next meeting, set
for June 4, the place to be announced
later.
Elwood Street, director Of public
welfare, who conceived the new organ
ization idea. was elected temporary
secretary.
Mr.. Street declared public welfare
is of increasing Importance. This as
ISOLATION can be of special Importance,
allowing the citizens to express them
selves freely and informing the Board
of Public Welfare of their ideas.
Street Explains Purposes.
1.-THE organization is an informative
one" he said, and has not been
formed to agitate matters and seek to
force legislation through Congress.
The Board of Public Welfare feels the
need of knowing the opinion and get
ting the cooperation of the District
citizens. Such an association can, II
he need arises, advise the board on
ways of handling problems connected
with the operation of its various insti-
buttons and divisions.
Where the people have no vote It
is necessary that they be brought into
closer touch with this and similar
other District agencies" Street said
Members attending the meeting
pointed out several local welfare prob
lens. Any one willing to pay 81 to
cover the cost of sending out postcard
notices was accepted into membership
last night.
Five pressing problems on which the
board desires suggestions were listed
by Frederick w. McReynolds, chair
man Of the Public Welfare Board.
They are:
l. How to fit released prisoners into
the social system.
2. How to find foster homes for
orphaned children.
3. How to care for the aged and in
firm. McReyonlds suggested co-opera-
tive boarding houses might be better
than large public institutions
4. How to care properly for de-
linquent children.
5. How to protect patients dis
charged from public hospitals under
pressure of hospital crowding.
Farms Urged for "Drunks."
Public farms were urged by DR..
Joseph L. Gilbert. chief psychiatrist of
Gallinger Hospital, for treatment and
cure of alcoholic addicts.
"One of the crying needs Of the
District" he said, sis a place where
alcoholic addicts can be treated"
One member declared that as a
practicing physician he observed a
larger increase in the number of
women alcohol addicts.
At future meetings, to be held
monthly, speakers, including authori-
ties on public welfare problems, such
as members of the House and Senate
and Government bureau heads, would
be invited, Mr.. Street announced. Rep
resentativeS of foreign governments
who can explain welfare work in their
countries would also be asked to speak.
Some of the addresses probably will
be broadcast.
Among those who took an active
part in last nights meeting were: Le-
roy A. Halbert, who 20 years ago in
Kansas City was the first director of
public welfare and who is now director
of the Research Bureau of the Public
Assistance Division of the District
board; Miss Eta Taggart, president
of the Washingtonians and vice presi-
dent of the Federation of Citizens As
SociationS; Miss M. Alice Hill, director
of the Public Assistance Division Of
the board; A. H. White Of the Central
Business Mems Association, Ross Gar
rett, co-ordinator of the new Medical
Service Project Division of the board;
George w. Beasley, president of the
Federation of Civic Associations; j. S.
Gorrell of the Burleith Citizens Asso-
citation: DR.. w. L. Darby, executive
secretary of the Washington Fedora
ton of Churches; DR.. Elizabeth Kit
tredge of the Department of Public
Welfare; Rev. DR.. Lawrence j. Shehan,
assistant director of Catholic Char
tiles, and Walter S. Ufford, retired
general secretary of the old Associated
Charities.