Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-03-02
Social Service League
Holds Annual Meeting
At The Manor Club


scented at the Annual dinner meeting
of the Social Service League Of
Montgomery County which was held
at the Manor Club on February %.
DR.. J. w. Bird presided.
The Boys and Girls Glee Club of
Montgomery Blair Senior High
School under the direction of Mrs.
Verna M. Metcalf, sang three selec-
tons.
Miss Ruth A. Bolton, Executive
Secretary of the League gave a brief
report outlining the years progress
and expressing appreciation for CO.
operation received from other Social
Agencies and Institutions and from
the Home Service Committee which
is composed of representatives from
the different Women's Clubs of the
County. Miss Bolton also stressed
the need of relief funds in family
service program pointing out that
many of the problems presented can
not be solved without some financial
assistance.
The two guest speakers of the eve
ming were Elwood Street, Executive
Director of the Board of Public
Welfare of Washington, ID. c., and
John Middleton, Field Representative
of the Family Welfare Association
of America, New York City, Mr..
Street presented the function of the
Public Agency and Mr.. Middleton
that of the Private Agency.
Mr.. Street pointed out that the
public agency program differs from
the private agency program in sew
eral ways. 1t involves the care of
the defective, the insane, the delin-
quent and the dependent and has to
do with problems of custody and
eligibility. 1t cares for large num-
bers of people and the cost is far
greater than private funds could or
should bear. He pointed out that
the Department of Public Welfare
in the District of Columbia spends
annually about three times the
amount raised by the Community
Chest.
The public agency program is
also dependent on the will of the
electorate. 1t can only perform those
functions for which the community
as a whole has decided to assume
responsibility. This, of necessity,
sets definite limits to its function.
On the other hand Mr.. Middleton
stated that the private agency pro-
gram is much more flexible. The
private agency is an organization
supported by voluntary contributions.
1t is not dependent on the electorate
nor is its function limited by legal
regulations. 1t is thus free to ex-
pertinent and to demonstrate. It
creates its own program and its pur-
pose has always been to meet the
existing needs of the community.
He stressed the fact that the fam
lily agency does not help the indi-
vidual, but helps the individual to
help himself. 1t tries to bring out
the latent creative powers within
each person in order that he may
work out his own problems accord
ing to his own capacity.
Both speakers emphasized the need
of cooperation between the public
and private agency, pointing out
that both are working for the same
end, and human welfare, though their
fields and methods differ.
Mrs. Daniel C. Walser of Chevy
Chase, first vice-president of the
League, acted as chairman of the
arrangements committee. Flowers
were donated by 2. D. Blackstone
of Washington, D. C.
Among those present from out
side the County were DR.. j. H.
Mason Knox of Baltimore, Chief of
the Child Hygiene Division of the
State Department of Health; Miss
Anna ID. Ward, executive secretary
of the Baltimore Council of Social
Agencies and member of the Board
of the Family Welfare Association
of America; Miss Katharine T. Kir-
wen, executive secretary of the Mary
land Children's Aid Society; Mr..
Fred Spaulding of the Washington
Community Chest; Miss A. Patricia
Morss, Chief of the Division of
Child Welfare of the District of
Columbia and Mrs. Michael Pue,
executive secretary of the Frederick
L HA..,a4xv Hks1I.1-S.