The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-17
The direct relief given by the society may be
condensed as follows

At the Offices
Number of families relieved. PIG
individuals in families. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS $50
At Friendly Inn
Strangers and those unable to work men, 276i
women, l6li children, ol.---..-..--.---- 33S
Total humber Of individuals aided. ...,......2,50 I
Kind of relief
Grocery orders. 80
wood orders .--.---..------.---.----.- I9 3
Coal orders. observation-disclosures !69
Days work at Wood yard. ia
Lodgings at Friendly Inn. ,..--......--.....5.95 500
Meals at Friendly Inn. .---..-----.--9,9 2S
Rent shoes, clothing No detail
We do not attempt to measure the relief given
by the item Of ''relief" in expenditures. This
shows the amount of money paid for groceries,
shoes, fuel, etc 1t cannot represent the work
of the industrial committee in giving sewing to
women, nor the homes found for children. nor
the visits made by the friendly visitors All
this belongs to work which is far more impor-
tant than sending coal 1t is giving of ones self
That the poor have friend to whom they can
come is much in the crowded world where the
cry is mo one cares" Some one has cared and
does care for all. Incidents of work might be
multiplied; take these:
But you need not feel ashamed to ask for
help" Not feel ashamed Not feel ashamed!
It's all shame. There's nothin' but shame Until
it." This is the bitter and genuine distress of an
old and feeble woman who finds it very hard to
accept little aid that is gladly given
If you could let me have little jag of coal,
I think I could get along" This is the request
of an old woman who had loaned sum of
money sufficient to have kept her comfortably
the rest Of her life. and had been defrauded Of
it, Don't you feel as if Mr. W-had treated
you very badly| We'll. I don't how he
could bear to leave me in all this mizzament"
One of the chronic cases. We'll, Birdie, what
is your father doing nowl" "Hes awaitin. for
his pension What is your mother doing|
shes been sick She's goin' to work soon's she
gets WE'LL And what is your brother doingp
"Oh, he's just a-shinin' yet" This conversation,
with little variation. is carried on whenever
Birdie comes for clothing, which she invariably
does before starting into school. For years, the
man has waited for pension, the mother is al
ways Just about to go to work, and the boy Is
still a-shinin'."
FRIENDLY INN AMI WOODWARD
The value of the plant at the Friendly Inn at
last report was 3d. 500 49, Since then, there has
been added in permanent improvements, $496 o.
These consist of a new Office and Kitchen and a
scale. The inn has been painted and renovated
During the year the inn has furnished 995S
meals and 5,956 lodgings, and has received for
them 81, COL rs. Its expenses have been 81 552 81
leaving profit of $l39.44 1t has furnished
these meals and lodgings to GA individuals
counting by days 1t has been a home for
friendless PERSONS 276 men, 161 women and l0l
children, sick or unable to pay, have been cared
for. 1t has thus furnished temporary home to
child. The police, the Dispensary, the township
trustee and the public send to US those who have
n place to 20.
The wood yard has given 4, IA days work, or
parts of days-sometimes only enough to pay for
a meal. 1t has paid in wages 81, 5SS. %. 1t has
sold wood to the amount of s. 277 80, and on the
3lst OF July showed profit of SILL 1t has
on hand about 700 cords of wood. The value of
the yard can at once be seen. 1t has relieved
the citizens of the annoyance of tramps to the
extent of the thousands of meals and lodgings
furnished by it. 1t has given work, shelter and
food to those willing to work. Nor need there
be any hesitancy in sending men and boys
there There is work and room. But for the
yard these same persons would have infested
the city Further the public can feel that this
inn is always open to the stranger as a tempo
rary home
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REPORT.
The agency reports for the year, 248 employ
ers', and 234 employees registrations; fee re
cepts 1875; amount expended for postage,
81 30.
The work of the agency. growing out of the
benevolent work, is part of that work Inter
ested hearts and minds are engaged in it. The
same care is given to inqulrng into the character
and efficiency of the employe, and the respect
ability and standing of the employer as is
given to the investigation of the applicant for
relief The interests of the employer and the
employe are alike considered.
Many opportunities for helpfulneSs offer. In
formation is sought Women and girls having
their way to make, come to ask how best to
do it Or, strangers in the city, they ask to be
referred te respectable houses and families for
rooms and~ooard. Advice is asked and is given
by those whose knowledge and experience make
it of value. Encouragement and sympathy are
given. This work goes on, not aside from, but
along with the regular work of finding good ser
wants, and GOA b-ales for them.
The agency has the hearty 60 operation of its
ma rnn nd thaU Of Xvh pafa bad
respond promptly and frankly. 1t often happens
that the reference slip is brought back by the
employer who says, II have filled out the slip
but there are some things l should like to tell
you besides" and in addition to the carefully an
swered questions Of the slip is given special in
formation in regard to the capabilities and traits
of the girl. 1T will be that the information
obtained through these slips, and in other ways.
is of value to the employer The names of $40
employees registered, whose references have
been examined. The reference slips are kept on
file, and can be examined by the employer at
any time.