New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-14
THE FRESH AIR FUND.


A fervid June bears promise OF torrid mid
summer, aud the children of the tenement
world are already gasping for fresh air. Last
year THE TRIBUNE was the almoner OF the
bounty of more than 1900 of its generous
readers, who by contributing $2l,55o III en-
abl.d 6.OO0 children of the metropolis, the
poorest of the poor, to accept the hospitality OF
hundreds of farmers families. So beautiful a
charity, appealing to every heart that Is touched
by the pathOs of neglected childhood, cannot
be allowed to lunguish. The work is resurSed
thus summer urder conditions less favorable IN
one respect than those under which it was most
successfully conducted last year. The Man
ager of the Fund, the Rev. Willard Parsons, III
consequence of over-work during the last sea-
son. was forced to take short holiday IN the
winter, and upon his return to w-lork was
stricken down with an alarming illness. Hap
pily he is recovering his health, hut his conva-
lescence has been protracted and he has not
been able to hold the preliminary meetings in
village church and town-halls, which opened
the way for so much systematic work last year.
He will not have the physical strength, at least
durino the first few weeks of the summer, to
conduct the work personally, although it is
close of the season. A member of The TRIB-
UNE stan has been appointed to take temporary
charge of the work under Mr.. ParsOns's advice
and constant supervision. The WORK VIII,
therefore, go OH as usual. without change OF
plan, and, we trust, with the same neartlness,
intelligence and zeal. The experience acquired
last wear and the systematic organization
effected in city and country can scarcely fail to
facilitate this seasons operations. There will
thus be Offsets to the disadvantage caused by
the Managers illness.
In commenting this charity to the sympathy
and intelligence of public that has responded
most generously and promptly to previous APP
reals, we have only to remind our readers that
not dollar of their money will be used IN
having tile salaries of agents and clerks, that
there will be no advertising bills, no mscela-
neous expenses no waste, but that every penny
will be turned to account in defraying the trav-
cling expenses of the children. Special rates
of TRANSFORMATION will be secured in all direc-
tions. and every dollar will be made to do a
dollars wol tn of good and probably good deal
more The children who are to profit Ivy the
generosity of the public will be selected by
physicians, clergymen, city missionaries, and
the managers and workers in the benevolent
institutions of New-York. Last year the Man
apcr of the Fund had the voluntary aid of two
hundred men and women who had personal
knowledge of the needs and merits OF those
wbo'were transplanted from nosome tenements
and hot pavements to green fields ana cheerful
homes. The public will have the assurance
this year. as they had last season, that SO far as
is possible its money will be used not only in
helping those who deserve aid. but also those
who most urgently require it, There will be no
EXPENSIVE mach inery in operating this charity.
Let no one forget that for So he can give to
some poor child, who needs good food, fresh
air, refreshing rest and wholesome home iniiu-
ence fortnight in the country. What such
vacation is actually worth to the neglected
childhood of the metropolis, only those who are
at work among the poor In their tenement
homes can adequately appreciate. 1t always
means health, sometimes life itself. 1t means
ioy. rest and fragrant memories III place OF
hunger, weariuess, and suffering. 1t means
better health, better manners, better MORALS
new hope in child's life, q new chance for
child's soul.
The children are to be transDlanted not only
to the country. but 10 Christian homes where
they will be Hospitality received by kind
hearted entertainers. The beaviestburden OF
this midsummer charity falls upon the farmers
families who receive into their homes these
waits from the city streets They have noby
responded to appeals in the past, and we are
confident that they will do so again. II is tor
them to SAY whether this simple and effective
mode of doing good is to be crowned with as
large a measure of success this year as last
The children are here-eDough aud many
thousands to spare. The money will como in
by the thousands if there be need. Only lot the
homes be opened to the children, and the work
of benevolence will flourish. We appeal,
| therefore, to farmers families and rural resi-
dents IN New-England and the Middle States
to do what they can to give the children shelter
| food. and tender care. Organize committees In
your villages where you can, or If you prefer to