Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-24
HE is EVEN WORSE
Director kruse Shows a Vim
dictise Spirit.
HIS CLERK TELLS THE TRUTH
And is Politely Called Down-Two In
stances Of the Cruelty and Harsh
ness he Exhibits.

Since the committee on poor began
20 give It's attention 10 the poor depart
ment kruse has adopted = different
course. In the past month there have
been nxty-nine applications for help.
Every one has been assisted without
lie simply told them to
come next day aud bring their baskets.
that Ia the meantime he
would investigate % Abons IL O'Clock
daily he answers the telephone and
makes an engagement with Ex-City
Phyacian Wright for the afternoon.
Their popular rendezvous Is the iso-
lated saloon of Elmer h klag, No.
3si North Ottawa street. At this place
kruss investigates, plays pedro,
drinks beer aud discusses the doctors
dilemma. For the first three days of
the past week there was 70 per cent
more provisions gwen out than for the
three days OF last Janu-
AIRY. Out of slxty-nine persons asking
for help. fifteen or twenty wou ID be a
large number to be found worthy. But
Kruse says: 1.-The papers say l do not
give enough. bet pll give enough
now to satisfy them"
He Told the Truth.
One of the witnesses before the COM
mlttee now investigating DR.. Wright,
Howard ID. Ninchsn, clerk IN the poor
directors Office, testified that, upon
from Kruse, he investIgat-
ed case and was asked to report on
his way home. He found the director
In Peter kruse's saloon, on West Bridge
street. Or. Wright was there also.
They asked Minchin to drink, but he
refused. Then Wright called the young
man over TO y table and invited him To
take a seat. He did so and Kruse
joined them. The following converse
tion took place:
Wright-''Didy you tell the committee
that had those books at my house,"
Minchin-"Ycs sir, did,"
"What did you do that for?"
Because | knew you did and could
swear to it,"
"All right. That's all right, but you
wasn't on your OATH"
ado you think Pm going to lie to
save you"
at wouldn't hurt you. Did you tell
them my wife was sick?'
"No, I did not. l saw her walking
about the room and she appeared well
and happy"
"WeIl, wasn't on my oath, so can
change what l said"
The clerk was about to leave the
office for home one evening when Kruse
asked:
"What was that about the doctor?'
III DO not know what you refer to"
For the first time since Minchin
worked IN the Office Kruse walked part
way home with him. When short
distance had been covered, he asked:
"What did you want tell on the doc
tor for? You wasn't on your oath and
could have told y different story"
Minchin replied that he would tell a
lie for no one.
Instances OF lncivility.
Fifty years ago the Woodruff family
moved to this city. The family was in
good circumstances, and, from its first
advent b hare,' Mr.. Woodruff began lay
ing sidewalks. When death overlook
him several years ago, he had laid
miles upon miles of sidewalks in the
city. But adversely came shortly be-
fore he died and his widow, Sarah, was
left penniless. She fought the battle
alone uutIl her strength failed her.
From comfortable home she was
forced to take quarters with another
family, also poor, at No. 9S Spring
street. The old ady passed the three
score and ten mark tive years ago. She
was at last forced TO apply to the city
for help. Before doing so. she waited
until the last crust in the cupboard had
and then, with sinking
heart, she applied fori help to Poor
Director kruse. When in front of tho
desk. the following conversation took
place:
Sent Out In Tears.
"Piessc, SIR" her voice trembling
with emotion, "is the poor director in?"
The clerk at the desk nodded in the
direction of Kruse.
"Well, what do you want?'' he
snapped.
"f haven't anything to eat; therc is
no fire at home, have no money with
which u buy food or fuel; cant work
much, and people don't want an old
person Tx am around to work for
them. ! have earned my own Ilving
until now, but for several weeks have
been sick. am in destitute circum-
stances, and IL want to ask you it
you could help me-"
What's you namee-loud and cross.
''Sarah Woodruff"
GLOW long have you lived In the
city?' even more savage.
Fifty years, SIR"
"why don't you make your children
support ycuy'
''l haven't anv children at ALL"
"You have too. What do you want to
come here and FAY that for?"
"Ah sir. have no children. Indeed
truly haven't"
"You lie. you have too"
She stared in blank amazement a mo-
ment and then bursting into tears stag
gered out of the Office. When the auto
matte spring had closed the door on the
bent aud wasted form, kruse heart-
/ essly exclaimed: 81 tired TO bluff the
old woman but II wouldn't work"
vsries Ber tho Fuel
Mrs. Sarah Lenna resides at
No. Ia fe Grand street.
she 10 . frsll. sickty woman.
and unable to WORK. For five months
Ser husband has been siek. Once he
rose from he bed and tired 10 work
When he did 50 bis name was taken
from the poor book. There WAS rs.
lapse and he,was much worse than be-
fore. Last Wednesday Mrs.. Lenns sp-
plied for wood. Two weeks before she
bad oDsslaed slf5 worth Of groceries
snst one cord OF wood. The groceries
we're expected o. isst her t~0 weeks aud
the wood three, but on seeount Of hef
husba nd slckatss lt Was necessary 20
20 burn more. There are many H0t -
deserving wne get sosd every ten dsTs