New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-02
CHICAGO.
THE DISTRIBUTION or RELIEF AND AID.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF AND AID.
TIE WORK TO BIZ DONE, AND THE WAY OF
DOING IT-FOOD, CLOTHING, FUEL-THE
SHELTER HOI'sEs-TUEIR INFLUENCE MORAL
AND MATERIAI-CIIGCAGO As A TINDhR-BOH
-PAIIACIEs, FACTS, AND THE FUTURE.
lFROM AN OCC AsIOEAL CORRESPONDENT OF Tilh iRBUNI
CHICAGO. Dee. 18.-It was stated, think, III
one Of my letters that the Relief ana Ana society
into whose hands has fallen all the government there H.
or /, likely to be IN Chicago for some in' 70 come t'l
is of any essential consequence TO the welfare OF 'n' poo
ple-s an old organization which has had for years an
energetic and useful existence. The sort OF carr o. i'
poor which takes Benevolent interest In the coh"''o"
of that portion Of them who are not actually pluPt'7'
and who never will he II some little Assistance j. OK
tended 10 them ut stated intervals when the RS ogS"
d0ni press the hardest, was assumed by TINS 'oo'')
The good Judgment with which they have dispensed u'
charity had commended them TO the confidence OF Tue
public and when the question arc 80, to whoae hahd5
shouId he committed the great trust which needed
sound head. az we'll as stout hearts. the choice
fell inevitably upon this body. As chartered ~
sitution they amenable 10 the laws, ana as haVlh
been proved wise and faithful IN small things was
hoped and believed they would prove faithful ana wise
in things large The Citizens Committee. which first
undertook the management OF affairs, collapsed pres
emily by virtue Of its pOnderous mbeciy and It's III
hcent dcpravity and the Society came into power ny
the divine right Of knowing how to do IT, The Commit
tee have now going through the press Their rSt report
and much OF the information shall here give VIII De
found in it, pages But az tbatprobaby VIII never rean
many OF your readers they will be interested 10 Kho"
how the great and difficult work Of providing for so large
number Of people so suddenly stripped Of all their
earthly possessions, and thrown naked upon TIC "ord
has been carried on.
THE COST OF ROOD.
Ont q confusion to evolve order and system, was the
first point to be gained. The city divided into dis
trcts according to populations depots for receiving ana
distributing supplies were put under the strlcte't COM
mercia regulation reastries opened in which the
names CT all applicants for relief were entered, and
against which all supplies granted were charged; and
visitors appointed to seek ont those In need as well
guard against imposition and the duplication or ana
Beside this check upon consumption, an equally stflct
ono was established upon the stores OF disnOuti0h ms
supplies for the distributing points were given out by
written requiston--upon the general depoiS'
In connection with all tho districts a general
employment bureau was opened, to which all
were sent in want OF work. and willingness to labor
made the test Of the prOpriey OF relief I'll ye VIII
not work neither shall ye eat" made, a. far "a pos
sble the reasonable and mercul rule where the aplty
TO work was evident and it very soon came to be under
stood that none were 10 be supported in ldeness while
the demand for aborers good wages greater than
the supply. II took time to get such a system
into perfect working ORDER but while the utmost care
was used that real want should unsatiSed every
possible precauton taken against waste, and the
people made to comprehend that hugalty and IeSu-
larity were imperative and that they were still under
the ordinary obligation to help themselves. At first
food was given out daily to all entitled 20 H. but reg-
lar ration was soon fixed upon for the ordinary family OF
five and distributed weekly. 1t Is large enough and
varied enough to healthfu subsistence but not so
plentiful ~ 90 induce ideness. In cases where from
age sickness, there inability to labor and 1t 10 cyl
dent that not sufficient to support five per
sons il increased at the discretion Of the superntend
eat. the testimony Of these officers that the amount
Of food l. generally satisfactory and there are rarely
any complaints AS first established, bread or crackers
were given In place Of -four and there was no fresh
meat; for several weeks past it has been "a follows
tea or coffee being given, the recipient prefers 1t
must be borne IN mind that this Is forthe average family
OF five persOns-father and mother, and three chdIen
and is for one week: