The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-23
HELPING THE NEEDY
Charity Work BrOadened by Add
ing a General Committee.
1t viii Collect Subscriptions and Assist
the Relief Work of the COM
mercial Club.

A citizens relief committee was organ
lied yesterday morning at the Commercial
Club rooms, as an auxiliary finance COM
mittee to assist in the efforts Of the Com
mercial Club to relieve the distress which
has now become widespread among the UNI
employed labor in indianapolis. 4 wrong
impression at first gained ground as TO
the purposes of this new organization. 1t
was claimed that the new committee would
act entirely Independent of the committee
Of the Commercial Club recently organized
for relief measures, with Hugh Hanna
chairman. President Holiday, of the new
organization, stated last night that the two
committees would act conformity and in
harmony. That the committee of which he
at the head was organized for the ex-
press purpose Of assisting In the work Of
the old committee, and that relief work
would be prosecuted as has been mapped
out by the Commercial Club committee
first in the field. The new organization
gave out the following for publication last
evening:
ITO the Public:
1.-THE industrial depression which has d.
minished business of all kinds and COM
PEELED the closing of manufactures has de-
prived a great number of our fellow-citi-
zens of the means of living. There is more
restitution to-day, probably, than has ever
been known in this city it is increasing
with alarming rapidity, and necessarily
with hundreds that cannot be until the
coming of spring. In addition, therefore,
to the poverty that is always here. we have
very many worthy people who are in alb
solute want, and who must look to their
fellow-citiZenS for assistance or Starve.
That this help will be cheerfully given by
us there is no doubt. The call of the suffer-
ing has never been unheeded in this COM
munity, and whenever the voice or distress
has been raised it has met with quick and
generous response But it IS not unlikely
that the seriousness of the distress is not
fully realized. Probably only those who
have been brought into active connection
with the various benevolent societies ap-
preciate it's extent and the immediate ne
ceSsity for greater relief than can be al
forded by these organizations. The Char
ity Organization Society has registered on
it's list and is providing daily food for near
ly four thousand people, task which has
strained its resources to their limit. Other
societies are doing their work nobly and in
dividuals are contributing freely among
the many who themselves may feel IL ne
cessary to call for aid before long.
But the need of a united and centralized
effort to relieve these poor people and to
themselves is apparent to any who will
study the situation. Certain plans have
been prepared by the relief committee INIT OF
ket where a limited amount OF necessarles
may be sold credit to actual citizens,
and for which they may pay when they are
it is better that they should have the OPP
portunity of doing so and thus preserve
the recipients of charity though ever so
kindly intended. Means OF employment are
also to be devised by that committee
ITO carry out this and other plans large
amount of money will be necessary-far in
excess of what is usually given. To pro-
vide for four thousand people week Will
cost over $1,000, and as the number is in
creasing so fast no calculation can be made
that will be certain. But on that basis
distressed ones until warm weather means
$50 600 $4,000. And that must all come
from those of us who are able to give. This
Will not mean the ordinary giving Whlcn
often is not felt, but IL will mean self-sac-
rifce. the quality which makes man godlike.
sponsibility Who is there that has not
been affected by them? Every has
suffered or been disappointed in some way.
This Is no time either to consider whether
money can be spared from the surplus In
come. This distress is with US; it confronts
us at every turn; men, women and children
sit down to Widespread tables in comfort
able homes and remember also that the
seeds of disease are being Sown In fertile
poor mans door. We are the keepers of
our brother men. And every instinct or
points out our duty. 1t is not a question
Of what we can spare comfortably then,
but an emergency in which every one
from his principal instead of from his in
come. and even if he have sustained losses.
No money will ever be spent better or
bring richer blessing.
1--WE do not doubt that this community
will do it's duty. 1t has never failed in this
immediate action. TO establish this food
market and to take other measures re-
quires a guarantee of support which should
'gfhe undersigned heartily approve of and
have resolved to support the measures
adopted by the Commercial Club relief
ftaafr foil.
citizens for help, without regard to ques-
tons that have no concern with the object
in hand. They Will receive and pay out the
money given and supplement the work of
buttons from every person able 10 give,
and pledge themselves that the money shall
GaniZation Society which has stood in the
breach thus far aud used the funds that
should maintain it for a whole season shall
be reimbursed and sustained, and that If
any residue OF money remain or what may
be repaid by those relieved at the end OF
the work shall be given TO the benevolent
societies doing this same work regularly.
I'VE want to reach every one in this city
and give them an opportunity OF contribut-
ing, but it will save much labor and give
help quicker II persons will send their con-
tribution and pledges in response to the APP
peal already made by Mr. Hanna, chairman
Of the Commercial Club relief committee
to Treasurer Louis HOllweg, No. 81 South
Meridian street All subscriptions here
after made will also be turned over To him
Pledges can be made in installments paya-
bic weekly or monthly, pleases. Ac-
Acknowledgement will be made Of all sub
scriptions, and at the completion Of the
work fun report will he made
Come, then, and help US 1t is Vour
work as we'll as ours. Respectfully yours
John H; HOLIDAY, Chairman.
LOUIS HOLLWEG, Treasurer
&c. c. FOSTER, Secretary"
The communication is also signed by the
following members Of the committee:
A. A. Barnes, Henry Schnull.