Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-01-30
ORGANIZED CHARITY.
AN EXPENSIVE PLAYTHING AND GEN.
ERAL CONSCIENCE OUlETER.

Fen Dollars for the Oficials and One Dol
lar for the Needy-A Sample Furnished
to Those Who Want to Help the Poor.
Especial Correspondence.1
"Charity covereth multitude of sins"
is more popular saying now that a
meaning Paul never intended has been
read into it than when it was first pro-
nounced. The charity which thinketh
no evil' is not the cloak officiating virtue
of today. Modern charity consists of
systematic almsgiving, and serves very
well to hide such sins as robbing wage
workers and cheating consumers. II
charity would right all the wrongs OF
which the people complain, the mlllen-
mum would come tomorrow, for char
liable institutions, organizations and So
cieties abound everywhere.
Charity is the panacea to which every
successful business man flies when
attacked with qualms of conscience
brought on by too great indulgence in du-
bious transactions; it is the quietus with
which good men stifle their own intui-
tive longings after justice; the last re-
sort of ladies wearied with too much
pleasure seeking. Yet these people are
often startled at the inadequacy of their
pet virtue. Working people will have
none of it; trades unions conduct their
own charities on mutualistic plan and
do not ask for it outside; speakers and
leaders in economics disdain charity
will not consider it in the discussion of
social and industrial subjects; suffering
does not seem to be lessened, and the
murmurings of the discontented are not
stilled by it.
Yet under the present order of affairs
there are always those in urgent need
of immediate aid. They cannot wait
for society to adjust itself to better con-
ditions, and humanity cannot afford to
let such perish.
had occasion recently on behalf of a
worthy person to test the efficacy of the
charities of Chicago, and the experience
convinced me that if one were in desper-
ate straits here in this city of organized
charities he might die before enough
red tape could be unwound to save him.
There are, for instance, five "homes"
for old people within the city limits. An
application made to each of these insti-
tutions elected the information that "the
place was full-there was no possible
room to receive another applicant"
Subsequent inquiry proved that persons
were being admitted where the parties
had influential friends to interest them
selves ON their behalf. Influence" is as
effective in this instance as in almost
everything else.
But the charity" that for complacent
selfishness and eminent "cheek" exceeds
anything outside Chicago ward politi-
clan is the Old Peoples home, formerly
the Old Ladies' home. which was found
ed on the surplus money in the hands of
the Relief and Aid society after the
great fire. The annual report tells its
own story.
About twenty-five or thirty of the
wealthiest men and women of the city
are members of the association.
A collector who spends all his time
soliciting donations is paid 5000 year.
He collected last year in cash over $27,-
600. The matron receives a salary of
81 900 year; the secretary is also well
paid, and there are other officials who
receive handsome perquisites. The So
ciety has money invested in railroad
bonds, government bonds, street rail
way stock and manufacturing stock 10
such an amount that the yearly interest
is several thousand. Besides large sums
are Invested" in the various banks in
which the members are interested.
Occasionally a rich man dies and eases
his pathway out of the world by be-
to the already enormous sum that the
managers have in their possession. The
ladies interested are among the bright
est lights in Chicago society. They meet
twice month to transact the business
of the home. They come, wearied from
their society designations, with quite a
relish for their well planned charities,
go through a certain routine in digni-
fled and satisfactory manner, and return
home gratifed over their own generosity
and usefulness, when in reality not d
mouth is filled or pang of suffering as
suaged for their having thus met.
The real work which this great amount
of wealth supposed to be devoted to char
ity is accomplishing is this: Their great
building contains less than Fifty old peo-
pie, who have each paid $500, furnished
her own room and agreed to keep it in
order. Last year twenty seven applica-
tions were made for admission, and only
three were accepted. Each person ad-
mitted must sign an agreement to obey
a set Of rules strict enough to make
them feel as though they were inmates
Of penal institution. Any one can be
sent adrift as soon as she does not please
the management. To be sure, If any OF
her $500 is left after deducting three dol
lars a week for board-a price that must
yield considerable of a profit consider
ing that much of the food is contributed
from day to day-it is generously hand
ed back to her.
1t is an institution which affords an
excuse to solicit money from all philan
thropic but shortsighted people-a mere
nama tn cover an enOrrnOns su,n re