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Show Cathoiic Charities First National Conference at Washington. Organization Is Perfected. Broad Scope of Catholic Charities. Purposes of Organization. Or-ganization. The National Conference of Catholic Charities met at the Catholic University in Washington, September 25 to 28. Th success of the nieetin.e exceeded the expectations. of its most enthusiastic advocates. Approximately r0 delegates were in attendance. A very iarge number of organizations of men and women were represented and porman.'nt organization was effected. The introductorv ser-mo!; ser-mo!; of Archbishop Blenk, the addresses by his Em-UKuce Em-UKuce Cardinal Gibbons, Monsignor Shal'ian, Jiidire O'Doherty of Louisville, and the welcome extend d by Commissioner Rudolph, which were the features of the opening day, imparted an air of definite superiority su-periority and earn-.'st intention which inspired eorv delegate pre.:er.t and made secure from the outset the promise of success. The result was that when the technical work of the Conference was begun, be-gun, the hundreds of delegates were full of hope and eager to contribute their efforts toward the work. . The reports made from cities and states showed a more vigorous and progressive condition of Catholic Cath-olic Charities than is ordinarily supposed. At the meetings where the "'Protection of Young (JSirls" was discussed, and the "Relations of the State to Charity," was treated, the halls were taxed to their fullest capacity. The greatest enthusiasm and interest in-terest were manifested. The enthusiasm was unabated and numbers of delegates increaseel when the general session was to discuss the "Dependent Family.'' The discussion was participated in with great earnestness. The afternoon was spent in a delightful excursion to 31 1. Vernon. That evening the "Relations of the Church to Social Reform" was discussed. All papers pa-pers favored increased social activity in preventive work as a highest form of charity. The enthusiastic enthusi-astic applause which greeteel the speakers left no doubt as to the mind of the audience. 1 " " In '"the 'g"efleTaUsisioi on"'"lR4riique"ncy,-"'the subject was thoroughly discussed. Throughout the days of the Conference sectional meetings were held in which the various works 'of charity with whksi the Conference occupied itself , were under discussion. The appearance of the official report furnished opportunity to take measure of what was tlone and of the spirit of the doing. The immediate outcome is the permanent organization of the National Conference; a plan to form committees in large cities to study the "Protection of Young Giis"; steps toward the federation of Women's Charity Organizations as initiated two years ago in Richmond; Rich-mond; tentative organization of clerical delegates from dioceses; a second National Conference -of Catholic Charities two years hence at the Catholic University. The Conference was concluded by a visit to the. White House, where the President received all of the members of the Conference cordially. In his remarks the President paid a splendid tribute to the efficiency of Catholic Charity. " The constitution adopted provides that the Conference shall be known as the National Conference Confer-ence of Catholic Charities. The object shall be: 1. To bring about exchange of views among experienced ex-perienced Catholic men and women who are active in the work of charity. 2. To collect ami publish information concerning concern-ing organization, problems anel results in Catholic Charity. 3. To bring to expression a general policy toward to-ward distinctive moelern questions in relief and prevention pre-vention and towards methods and tenelencies in them. 4. To encourage further development of a literature lit-erature in Avhjch religious and social ideals of charity char-ity shall find dignified expression. All Catholics who have an active interest in private pri-vate or public charitable or correctional work are invited to enroll themselves as members of the Conference. Con-ference. Associations, Institutions, Cities. Dioceses, Dio-ceses, may enroll representatives to represent any features of , Catholic Charity work. No other tests of membership shall be applied "and no member-shin member-shin fee charged, the expenses of the Conference being met by voluntary contributions. A public conference of the Association shall be held biennially at such time and place as may be decided upon by the Conference in accordance with the provisions of this constitution. |