The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-16
THE UNEMPLOYED
General Effort to Extend Relief
TO Those in Need.
Commercial Club Will Undertake to
systematic Employ ment-Street-
Car C0mpany-0ffer of Flour.

The directors Of the Commercial Club met
last night and heard the report of the COM
mittee appointed to formulate means by
which an organized effort might be made
for the relief of the unemployed in the city.
This committee is composed of Dir. Hugh
Hanna. chairman; MIR. Eli Lilly and Mr..
William Fortune. The report submitted fol-
lows:
T the Board of Directors of the Commer-
cial Club:
In considering, as requested by the board
OF directors of the Commercial Club, plans
~Workingmen in Indianapolis resulting from
lack OF employment, we feel impelied to
emphasize at the outset the Idea Wnicn the
representatives OF the working people nave
distinctly u~rged-that is, that they appeal
for employ ment as a means of earning the
living necessities. This should not be con-
fused with charity. Back of the appeal
there may be distressing need, but asking
employment as a means OF alternating an
OF the best that can be given 10y the money
less man for food. and presume
bly, is its equivalent. TO give en-
not charity; but it is higher and
more ennobling; ii is in the end more
helpful and beneficial. We thus emphasize
the appeal which comes TO us for consider
alton, with the hope that ii may stand forth
more distinctly before the public, and that
Tile ScllcTOuS, WSt-llS1nlllS impulses Oh our
people may not be instructed. 1t Is TO
their credit that it is not the desire of the
needy working people that their self
respecting appeal Tor employment as a
means OF providing themselves with neces-
sites. should be at once met with an emo
tional outpouring Of simple charity, I'M
doubtedly offered with kindly intentions,
Dut MISTAKEN, Illuminating, unfortunate.
The need and demand for cnarity will nee
essariiy be larger tnan ever before in this
community but the question that inlmedi-
ately confronts US IS, how, II possible, suf-
flclent employment for earning necessities
of life may be furnished working people in
need. In this undertaking the assistance
or every citizen OF Indianapolis is neceS-
sary. If'the undertaking fails. as it may.
then other methods OF alternating an inn
pending condition of distress must be
taken I'D.
w believe that this work will be beset
by extreme difficulties ana 1t IS important
that it should be conducted with thorough
system, on businessiike methods, under the
direction OF an organization. which Will
the public, and with whose plans there viii
be no interference, for in this undertaking
conflicting efforts will inevitably result in
confusion, waste and failure. 1t is of the
utmost Importance that there should be
intelligent and well recognized direction.
We believe it inadvisable Tor a committee
of the Commercial Club to undertake the
task under any other conditions.
"Ali plans, ali effort may fail in adequate
ly meeting tie needs which now exist and
may hereafter arise, but we believe that
much may be done to alleviate extreme
conditions. Some of the methods which We
have considered, stated without details, in
clude: l., The registration OF the unem-
pioyed in a comprehensive way; 2, efforts
to secure temporary employment for thenr
through public contracts and such work as
can be provided by citizens; 3, ieniency
toward worthy people who are known to
be unable to meet their obligations in build
ing associations, for rent, etc; 4, protection
of home laboTerS from an influx Of outside
workingmen seeking employment; 8. the es-
Establishment, II it becomes necessary, of q
place where substantial food can be bought
at q nominal price; o, improved arrange
ments for medical attentions to the sick
poor.
1.-The details of these various plans are
not necessarily q part of the report. In
carrying cut these plans the sactive and
liberal support OF the people of the city
would be necessary. It should be under
stood that they aim only to alleviate the
extreme conditions of an unusual time in
what appears to be the most practicable and
rational ways, but without assurances as
10 what can or will be done, as that viii
depend largely upon the public support
given the undertaking.
I'VE respectfully submit this general re-
port as a basis for proceeding with the de-
veloDment Of the details Of plans IL so df-
rected by your board"
On a motion by Mr.. Griffith, seconded by
Mr.. Adams, the report was approved and
was referred back 20 the committee with
power 10 act as they might deem advisable
if the committee receives the general sup
port it believes to be essential.
Before this action was taken, however,
some discussion arose. 1t was deemed adj
ViSable that whatever organized effort was
made or to be made in the city should be
made by and through one body, thereby
concentrating the executive power so that
as in the efforts of the charity organiza-
tons. no work would be duplicated. The
directors III OF no body, polite or
otherwise, who had as yet taken official
steps toward organized relief, and trusted
they would receive the cooperation or the
people and organizations SO Tar as that Co
operation did not interfere with their plans.
A form to be filed out by those VINO reg
Lilly which would put the club in possession
Of all the information concerning the APP
plicant that was necessary I'd determine ms
condition and real need of assistance. This
form will contain the name, address, skill,
previous occupation. length OF time out or
employ,nent. property, circumference on the
same if there be any, etc. The board looked
upon the matter as a business proposition,
and determined to prosecute it in a business
way.
tons for admission TO membership III the
club from Thomas j.. Linn, Henry Schur-
mann, Samuel j.. Look, Louis NeWberger
and Il. a. 2. Haynes.
On II motion by Mr.. A. l.. Mason the COM
mittee on arrangements was asked TO con-
slider the matter of Il monthly dinner to
club members, 20 he given at 6 O'Clock In
the evening, at which public questions
should be discussed.
Mr.. a. l.. Mason inquired as to whether
the clubs restaurant was prospecting from
q financial point OF view or not. and was in
formed that it was not making any money.
He then suggested that two Kinds or service
be employed, one that would accommodate
slower and more elegant service for those
who had more time to spare. He believed
that the tomach nerve of the city would
respond to such an arrangement. the mat