Proceedings of the National Conference of Charities and Correction, at the Annual Session Held in (Volume 17) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1890. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... III. Charity (c)rgarmatton. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CHARITY ORGANIZATION. BY NATHANIEL S. ROSENAU, CHAIRMAN. After an existence of more than twenty years in England and of twelve years in this country, the assertion may safely be made that charity organization needs no argument to prove its usefulness; and it may be regarded as a living factor in our social life which will remain with us for many years to come. This report, therefore, will deal with the present condition of the movement in this country, and may contain a few suggestions as to its betterment. Status Of Charity Organization Societies In America. So far as can be learned, there are at present seventy-eight societies in the United States, operated under what are now recognized as charity organization methods either wholly or in part. It is very difficult to draw the line between those which may be termed strictly charity organization societies and those which are so only partially. During the year, the societies of Altoona, Penn., Dedham, Mass., and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., passed out of existence, and that of Harrisburg, Penn., suspended its operations temporarily. As an offset to this loss, new societies were organized in Lockport, N.Y., Albany, N.Y., Auburn, Me., and Mansfield, Ohio. Individuals Interested. The cities in which the seventy-eight societies exist have a population of 11,050,000. It is somewhat unfortunate that all these societies did not respond to the request for statistics of their work. We have, however, partial reports from thirty-seven societies existing in cities with an aggregate population of 8,502,000. These societies employ 174 paid officers, and have enrolled 2,917 friendly visitors and 1,767 officers and other workers, a total of 4,858 persons to cope with the enormous .