The National tribune., 1885-05-07
HELP FOR COMRADES.
OAR. Employment Agency which Is Proving Of
Great Benefit to Old Soldiers.

A OAR. Employment Agency which is Proving Of
Great Benefit to Old Soldiers.
To THE EDITOR: In view of the organiza-
| tion of Bureaus of Employment and Emer-
gency Funds" under the auspices of the Posts
OF the GAR. in the larger cities OF the North
and West, it may not be ont of place to give
comrades entertaining this humane and patri-
otto purpose the benefit of the experience of
those who are heartily in love with what is
known as the Brooklyn PLAN" We were the
first to organize such Bureau, and, as its name
implies. we combine the Employment" fea-
ture with that greater help, an Emergency
Fund" out of which we can give assistance in
emergeRt cases, upon application.
Regarding the Employment Bureau, it was
early found that the only safeguard we had was
to require of the comrade desiring work a GER
tfcate from the Commander of his Post, that
he was worthy and in good standing. OF course
such rule debars an hOnOrably discharged
soldier, sailor or marine from being enrolled,
who is not member of the GAR. This is
not our fault, however, but his misfortune, and
has resulted in materially increasing the mus
tiers in several Brooklyn Posts during the past
year. Having obtained from the Commander
of his Post the necessary certificate, he visits
the rooms of the Bureau and obtains an en-
ployment card, which commends him to any
who may need his services: and in case of his
agency, the reason for his discharge must be
stated, in order that if for an improper reason,
no second employer would engage him. Up
wards of $50 comrades, 8 wives and widows of
comrades. 40 boys tsOns of comrades), and 20
girls daughters of cOmrades) have secured en-
ployment through our Bureau since April /,
1854.
Regarding the Emergency Fund, more bene-
fetal results have followed its disposition, and
the pleasure enjoyed by those more imme-
diately engaged in procuring this fund, as well
as those dispensing it, have the qualification of
believing that the prayers of the widow and
the fatheress have gone up to the Fountain of
Grace in their behalf, which is our chief consO-
latiOn and comfort.
" How is your Emergency Fund Obtained?"
will be the question offered.
Well, the following, which was the original
notice issued, will answer the question:
READER: The Bureau of Employment and
Emergency Fund" of the Grand Army of the Re-
public Of Kings County, requests that you will
fer all cases oil soldiers and sailors, and 1.-THE fami
lies of those deceased living within our limits"
who need pecuniary aid, to Room Ii, City Hall,
Brooklyn, where they will be properly cared for.
The committee Asks you to refuse to give money
to all such cases, SO that the unworthy, who are
always the most importupate, will not receive the
assistance that belongs to the worthy.
For the relief that this will give you the commit
tee asks that you will send contribution in cash,
by check or otherwise, to the Treasurer (named
below, to be used for the purposes OF the commit
tee.
A competent con,rade will be in charge from
a. m to q p. M, as the almoner of the fund.
Food, lodgings and transportation will be fur
nished by tickets All cases will be proved worthy
before relief is granted
A record of the unworthy will be kept.
tbao sber a ien no S 9o
lied to solicit for this fund, and all checks should
be drawn to the order of Henry A. Phillips, Treas
urer, Emergency Fund"
Soon after this notice was published dona-
citizens had become tired of the opportunities
of a class of tramps who found their calling
more lucrative by personating the "oId SOL
dier"; and dcmoralized persons in battered
robes and offensive breath were found playing
the soldier dodge, of whom it might be truly
said that the only balls they ever stopped
were cod fish balls, and the only shells they
were familiar with were gg-shells." BY send
ing all such applicants to Room IA, City Hall,
our good citizens were assured that if found
worthy they would find "emergent" help, but ii
unworthy the station house stared them in the
face as Migrants And good ladies thereby
relieved from the necessity of contributing to
the needs of those who pantively ask, Can
You give me few pennies to buy bowl of
Coffee for am an old soldier" by sending them
to the Grand Army rooms, confident that no
mistake will be made through our Investigation.
The Tabernacle Fair (Dr. Talmadge) Melted
81 200; the net profit of weeks sales of one of
our most popular dry goods houses Melted 81, dig;
mite box" contributions realized upward of
$400, besides donations and the share of other
enterprises yielding nearly $1,000 more. One
of our most efficient militia organizations re-
Gently gave an entertainment solely for the
benefit Of the Emergency Fund, and early next
month the proprietOrs of the largest and most
popular rolier-skating Kinks are to give our
fund the net proceeds of one day and evenings
receipts. In all this work we have been actuated
by the sage remark of Cato that
Its not in mortals to command success
But Wen do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve It."
Our gallant comrades in New York city have
recently instituted Bureau of Employment,
with the cordial approval of the city officials,
and with beneficial results. Buffalo has like
wise organized Memorial Committee, with a
Bureau of Employment and Emergency Fund,
and steps are being taken by the Commanders
of the Posts in Chicago to organize similar
bodies. In Philadelphia, of grateful memory,
efforts are being made to institute such Bu-
reau, and we hope and pray that within a
few months the cities of Boston, Washington,
San Francisco and st. Louis may go and do
likewise. To comrades in all of the leading
cities, we can say that an Organization of this
character adds o dignity to our comradeship
aud the two cardinal virtues of our beloved
Order will possess greater Importance to you
when you practice before the world the God
given qualities of Fraternity and Charity
THOMAS BELL, Secretary of Bureau of Employ
ment and Emergency Fund, GAR, Brooklyn,
n Y.