Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-30
TRICKS OF BEGGARS.
One Supposedly INDECENT Woman
Does a Thriving Coal Business.
HAS ORDERS FOR 100 BUSHELS.
An Unworthy Mendicant Who Banked on
an Imaginary Broken Arm.
BUSINESS MEN HAVE THEIR REMEDY

The Association for the Improvement Of
the Poor commenced an Investigation re-
Gently into the case of a woman, who has
been going the rounds begging. She has,
at present, the society's orders for 100
bushels of coal on file at coal dealers
Office. They were not issued by the ofhcers
of the society. This amount is in addition
to a number of orders which have already
been filed and the woman told the coal
dealer she would have hundred bushels
more in a week.
st is such a case as this, remarked
Mrs Tucker of the Oakland branch, "that
should serve as a warning to people who
give indIscriminateIy. Here is woman
who is actually taking coal away from others
who are needy. She must obtain the coal
from persons who have the society's coal
orders in their house, for the society knows
her too well to give her any such quantities
as she has been getting.
''The number of unworthy beggars going
around is surprising. We are receiving
postals every day asking US to look into the
case Of one particular woman. The name
given at the different houses by such beg
gars is usually the same, but in every in
stance a different place of residence is given.
We have about II postals and letters about
this woman, and she has given her address
differently at every house. We have looked
for her all over the city, but failed to lind
her.
"a woman came to us for assistance about
two years ago. She said her husband had
broken his arm and could not work. We
assisted her for some time and finding the
arm apparently did not improve, we stop-
ped. That broken arm has not gotten well
vet. The woman is still using the story to
excite sympathy.
Another woman rushed into this office
and screamed, Don't give me bread, for
I'll sell it for whisky, but come down and
feed nv diving babyp / went down and
found the child dead. We had been giving
this woman clothes and food for some time.
Yet there was not thing in the house.
She had sold everything 10 obtain whisky.
took the children and placed them in a
home. They were actually in starving
condition. and it was with much care 1
pulled them through.
"Beggars go to the houses of wealthy
people and get such elegant garments that
they can dispose of them to secondhand
dealers. Even shoes are sold in this way.
If people want to help the poor they should
remember that giving indiscriminately only
makes matters worse and encourages beg
ginC. If they are desirous to give let them
send their donations to our society's offices,
and, by using the investigation tickets,
thev can be sure that each case will be
looked into, and if worthy obtain help"
Business men generally are complaining !
about the great number of beggars who !
come into their Offices this fall. There !
seems to be more now than ever before. The |
societies of. Eastern cities have placards |
printed, which are hung up in conspicuous
places in Offices stating that This office |
subscribes regularly to society where all |
needy persons will be helped if worthy"