The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-29
sxxrrnx. rsIDAr. Dxc. -.
The usxMrLoYKp.


II f. estimated that one-third OF the In
dustrial population Of Boston, New York,
Brooklyn, Phllsdelphis, Cincinnati, Chi
csso and 81. Louis 10 ont Of work, and that
the situation Is little or no better in the
towns and smaller cities When we add
to these local unemployed the srmy Of
tramps that drift TO the cities from the
country N soon A. cold weather begins IL
IL clear thas the public and private charI-
ties of the country viii have their hands
fail this winter. Chicago IL threatened
with deluge Of trafnps and unemployed
because the word has gone out that that
city proposes TO make . grand effort to
care for all IL. unemployed.
ff there Is work and man il able 70
work he should work In return for his
board and lodging. Lynn, Mass.. proposes
30 raise money by private subscription 10
be spent In providing work on the parks,
streets and elsewhere. A committee of
citizens. TO act In conjunction with the
city authorities, Is to have charge Of the
expenditure OF the money and In deciding
on what work shall be done. So far a.
possible only known residents of Lynn are
TO be given employs ens and the work is
20 be distributed among AZ many ss prac-
ticabie. II there are twice ~ many worthy
men applying as are needed to do the work.
then all are to b employed only half time.
and double the number will be assured
enough to keep them from absolute distress.
This plan would prevent indiscriminats
charity and its attendant evils, save the
respect OF these employed. encourage the
iiberality Of rich citizens by assuring them
that their gifts are well spent and for the
public good. Edward Everett Hale sug-
gests that the needy unemployed should
be found work In the country and in the
South, where living 10 cheap. and that
every one who has work or odd Jobs to do
should II possible have them done now.
instead OF postponing them to the spring.
In Philadelphia each ward is to be or
ganized by . chairman" or president"
who represents the ward in its relations
with tho permanent relief committee.
which Is also represented In all disburse-
ments by an auditor. OF Its own selection,
known a. q Representative" The ''presi-
dent" as he Is called. is expected 10 call
together all local ward agencies for re-
lief and secure their efficient organixa-
iion, drawing on the permanent re-
lief committee for such money as is
needed. all drafts being countersigned
by the Representative" who Is expected
TO be actively acquainted with the situa-
ton In the ward for which he is appointed.
The charitable agencies OF the Catholic
church and the Iraelite charities have
agreed upon plan Of cooperation with
the plan Of the citizens permanent relief
COMMITTEES. The general plan is TO divide
the ward into districts and limit the dis
tribntion Of relief In the district 10 those
living in the district. Street almsglving is
sterniy denounced as tending to create the
wholesale pauperiFing of the community.
Not one In a hundred Of street boggars are
deserving. ana street aimsgiving robs the
deserving poor and fur Their dsmoralises
the professional beggsr.
In Chicago IL is estimated that there are
taooo unemployed persons who swarm It's
streets, herd like sheep in its halls and
solicit charity Of everybody at every cor.
ner. The churches have increased shei,
charitable efforts and thrown open their
audience rooms IS temporary lodgings for
the homeless. The result Is that Mr.. W.
T. Stead. of London, who Is now In Chi.
cage. Gays that ''the condition of the help.
less destitute, so far "a the public shelters
are concerned. IL much worse in Chicago
than have seen IL in iondon." Among
other things Mr.. Stead says:
I'VE hare many shortcomings. I, Is true
but We have - least emerged from ths
state la which we ascd poliee station. a,
municipal lodging houses for the non
criminal unemployed, nor do | know ol
any city ia tho Old Worid which would
allow its municipal palace To be turned
night after night into a camping ground
for hundreds of homeless wanderers.
have seen prisoners In one of the worst
prisons OF ST. Petersburg. hut they wer.
better honsed than your unsmptoy eli in
the Harrison street police station. Ths
Russian criminals we're az least provided
with plank sed on which to rest and
they were not driven toeether ss your ua
employed are. 80 that one could not ture
without disturbing his neighbor."
Me-. Stead Recommended the beginning al
an extensive SYSTEM Of public improve
meats FOE giving the Idle work, bat as 4
would require heavy increase In taxa
ton Is Is deabsfal II his idea will he car
RED cut In New York csiY among IN,
means suggested by the preshytsFy in al,
dition 70 samsdiste relief for worthy per
sons unable 20 set saFg. are she raising o
money 10 par for special work. the estshs
!ishment OF wosklaemen's loan sssoe.s
tsoa, and The procuring Of large faad q
bay peer tenement houses ard erect Eaoda
senesaents Instead, 50 as 10 farnisa era
r,oymsai for those IN need OF work.
-------~------------,------