POOR RELIEF IN THE UNITED STATES 171 



of S3^stcni. To the insiglit into tlie dangers of this condition 

 many central societies owe their origin, which, according to 

 the Enghsh example, are called charity organization societies. 

 The principle of charity organization societies remains essen- 

 tially the same, and yet we must refer to them again and again, 

 because unfortunately, even in Germany, they are so common- 

 ly neglected. When Johnson in his report for 1899 at the 

 National Conference used the words, "In spite of the danger of 

 being wearisome and of repeating what has been said 30 times 

 before," every one who works in these matters practically will 

 be disposed with him to employ the same introduction and to 

 repeat for the thirtieth or the one hundredth time these things, 

 just because it is so necessary to repeat fundamental prin- 

 ciples. Glenn, in his paper on the necessity of organization, 

 has formulated these principles very well : 



A charity organization society offers itself as a central 

 point of information, where the leaders of various enterprises 

 may secure information about each other, as well as about the 

 poor, and as a clearing house of activities and ideas. 



It also collects materials relating to the poor and gives 

 information to all who have an interest in them, prepares 

 statements concerning the charitable provisions of the city, and 

 offers a central point for obtaining counsel in help. All this is 

 in the spirit of reciprocal confidence and with the view of re- 

 pressing the abuses of charity in order to have all the more 

 powder of assisting those who are needy. 



The general arrangements of these societies are every 

 where similar, the chief aim being to unite the benevolent 

 efforts and of providing particular kinds of help to serve special 

 needs, as for example securing employment, provision of shelter 

 and refuge for women, etc. The division of labor between 

 standing committees is common to all, each being charged with 

 a special task. They all emphasize the necessity of personal 

 help, and constantly renew the appeal for cooperation. The 

 title page of the Buffalo report is adorned with the words : 



''Let no one think that he can discharge his duty to the 

 poor by contributing to the society. You can never perform 

 your full duty to the poor through a society; what we need is 

 personal help, and this society was founded to secure it. Our 



