Fraudulent Charitable Associations
One of the curses of city life is pauperism. Much of it is fraudulent, the would-be objects of charity being imposters in various lines. Then the call for charity and charitable associations, and the success of these in raising money, opens the way for another imposition—the fraudulent charitable association. These charity "grafters" became so nearly epidemic in San Francisco that the merchants—the principal patrons of organized charities—were obliged to protect themselves against fraudulent appeals for aid. So they have appointed a Charities' Endorsement Committee, whose card will be required of any society asking aid. And this endorsement card will only be granted after thorough investigation. When the crowning grace of charity becomes a cloak for systematic fraud, the world's cup of iniquity must be about full.