The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-17

to a few men. The street commissioner
also succeeded in using a number of
men at the stone crusher. The Office of
the agent became also an employment
office, where laboripg men and women
could leave their names and where in
dividuals needing work done could Sc
cure those without work to do it. The
agents report will show how. much
has been accomplished by this means.
Indeed, we have found in this, our first
year, that we have had to make the
society very pliable in its workings.
Everything seemed to depend upon re-
lieving the immediate necessities of the
times, and we believe that upon clos.
investigation, either by members or by
those who are not in sympathy with our
methods of work, ii will be found that
the relief which has been extended by
this society through investigation and
the finding of work, and the distribu-
tion of the emergency fund amounting
In all to over $1,000 went far last win
ter to prevent the suffering which then
threatened so many in the city. We
give below the agents report, which is
simple summary OF the work which
has been done through the office of the
agent and her assistants during the
year.
Street begging Evil.
We must reiterate as emphaticalIy as
possible the evil which is done by indis-
criminate giving on the street or at the
door, Over $50 impostors have been
found upon thorough investigation. who
reside within our city living upon the
aims of benevolent individuals. Some
or these had bank accounts, others were
Keeping saloons, others secured sufii-
cient not only to support themselves
IN ldleness, but to waste a great deal
or which they obtained, and in almost
every one of these cases 1t was found
that no suffering need ensue to the
individual or to the family by cutting
off their means of securing what thew
considered living by begging. A num-
Der of children have been taken in
charge and cared for who were kept at
their homes simply for the purpose of
influencing the kindhearted to support
idle and vicious parents. The society
Is now prepared to distribute 5000 card
books requesting those receiving them
not to give anything to beggars, but to
refer the applicant with one of the cards
to the agent Of this society, who will
Investigate and, IL requested to do so,
Will report the result of the investiga-
tion to the individual whose name NAV
be signed to the card. We again urge
upon all the people of our community
to refuse to give to unknown applicants
under any circumstance whatever. We
are prepared to investigate cases imme-
diately and If necessary to report at
once to the person desiring the inVesti-
cation.
Appeal to the Public.
This society is entirely dependent for
support upon the generosity of the
citizens Of this community. 1t there
fore appeals to all who are interested
In the wise and righteous dispensation
of aims for means to carry on its work.
The coming winter promises to be one
of especial hardship among the poor,
and 1t will require especial care on the
part OF the people to prevent impostors
and those unworthy persons not need
ing assistance from securing aid which
should be given to the worthy and
needy ones. We ask, therefore, that
contributions of money be sent to our
treasurer William Il. Smith, as soon
as possible urging the necessity of car
rying on this work until all those who
are unworthy may be so impressed with
the strictness of our surveillance that
they will give up the business as un-
profitable and devote themselves Ito
some remunerative employment. If the
money Is forthcoming the board would
gladly open woodward where men
could be ,employed in preparing wood
for the market, which WOOD could be
sold and the expenses of the yard paid.
For this purpose, however, there is
need of lot, fenced In, and small
building for offices. If the merchants
and the housekeepers Of the city would
encourage the society we would very
gladly open an intelligence office where,
for a small fee paid by the one desiring
to employ labor, men or women could
be furnished.
We also advise the organization in
our city of a society for children's aid,
who could take charge of the many
cases constantly referred to our child
saving committee, and. by reducing the
number of neglected waits, relieve the
city from many future criminals.
Scranton Is celebrated for its generous
support Of every good work, and we
would close our report with the hearth
est thanks for the liberal contributions
of the past year, respectfully requesting
continuance of both sympathy and
support for the coming winter.
Rogers Israel,
Secretary of board of directors.
The report of w. Il. Smith, treasurer
of the Associated Charities, as read at
the meeting, was as follows:
Report Of Treasurer.