LETTERS TO THE EDITOR..
[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.] THE CHARITY ORGANIZATION SOCIETY.
(To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") have read with much sympathy and entire concurrence the letter from the Chairman of the Council of the Charity Organization Society which appeared in your issue of Feb- ruary 4th; and as a former Chairman, and still one of the Vice-chairmen of the Council, I ask to be allowed to add a few words in support of his appeal. It is, I think, generally admitted that assistance to those who, from whatever cause, have fallen into distress is a delicate and difficult operation, requiring knowledge, skill and care, if real improvement is to be effected, and that indiscriminate almsgiving tends to de- moralization. But a large number of persons have not the time or opportunities for such methods. They give to beggars in the streets, to plausible begging letter writers, to specious applications, without any adequate inquiry. They are mostly quite ignorant of the assistance which can be obtained from various funds and institutions for the relief of special needs, and of the methods by which this assistance can be obtained.
The Charity Organization Committee of each district has the means of obtaining all the necessary information and of sug- gesting any appropriate remedies. It is in touch with the local and metropolitan charities and with the municipal authorities employed in the relief of distress, and endeavours to act in cordial co-operation with them. The central office of the Society, at Denison House, Vauxhall Bridge Road, supports and guides all these operations. The Society works on a democratic basis, its general policy being controlled by a Council consist- ing of representatives chosen by the District Committees and specially qualified. The Council holds meetings at frequent intervals at which the attitude of the Society towards all pro- posals of social reform connected with the work of the Society are discussed. There is scarcely any measure bearing on public or private assistance to the poorer classes in which the Society has not been able to give valuable information and advice. and it would be a serious misfortune if it were to find itself ham- pered in its work by a want of sufficient support.—I am, Sir,
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