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United Charities, of which the President of this Socie- 

 ty was made Chairman, the object being to system- 

 atize the work of all the charitable organizations 

 and protect themselves, so far as might be, from 

 imposition. A careful investigation of this sub- 

 ject was set on foot, and the Board made a re- 

 port, showing the need of not only checking indis- 

 criminate almsgiving to individuals, but also of 

 preventing subscriptions to unworthy charities. It 

 also organized an Exchange, at a small expense, 

 through which the names of applicants for relief 

 were communicated from the one to the other, 

 and by which the purposes aimed at were more 

 fully accomplished. In 1 874-1 877 the Chairman, 

 the then President, Mr. Henry E. Pellew, issued a 

 Hand Book embracing a compendium of all the 

 Charitable Societies in the city, both public and 

 private, their aims and objects, their receipts and 

 disbursements, with particulars showing who were 

 proper recipients, and directions as to the procedure 

 necessary to secure relief. For some unaccountable 

 reason the Board did not long continue to receive 

 that support from the public to which its merits en- 

 titled it, and in course of time went out of exist- 

 ence ; but the good work and the fruit of the seed 

 sown is seen in the " Charitable Organization So- 

 ciety " which succeeded it, and which gives promise 

 of a more enduring existence. 



The united Board having obtained the consent 



