The Washington times., 1895-04-07
WORK INSTEAD OF llHS
Detroit Plan of Potato Farms
viii Be Tried Here.
SUBURBAN LOTS TO BE USED
hsirman GregOry, Of the Center Council. De-
clares That Wherever the Scheme Has
Been Put in Operation It Has Proved Sue
cessful-Rr. Warner Thinks Kmploy-
ment Should Be Found for Prisoners.

4CIl EuOG4A GSHlQ AoA GA&cOASAS-
1t Is on the cards TO radically change the
charity system OF this city SO far as the
Citizens Central Relief Committee is con-
cenad
The novel sight OF hobo with hoe
in his hand aud ali members rsofthemeEdioant of
classes at work on city Industrial farms are
the principal features of the proposed reyo-
luton in the methods OF official benevolence.
The Central Relief Committee was to
have held final meeting yesterday after
noon. but it was called off, pending further
instructions from Commissioner Tues-
dell. The object of the call upon the Com
missloaes recently by a subcommittee OF
the Central Relief Committee was to advise
the Commissioners OF the completion of the
charity work OF the year. and TO receive
any further Instructions.
The committee and the Commissioners
discussed the past season and its incidents
freely ana fully, and il is now believed
that the change above noted will be con-
summated.
POTATO FARMS FOR THE POOR.
Mr. L. s. Emery, secretary OF the Asso-
ciated Charities. was called on yesterday
by Judge Cole and Mrs. Babson, both OF
whom We're on the special committee. Mr.
Emery learned from one of the committee
that Commissioner Truesdell has been con-
sideriig methods of reform, and that ii is
expected that at the next meeting OF tie
central nelief committee a plan for indus
trial work for the classes Usually aided
nd
dell The matter was discussed at the
joint meeting of the Commissioners and the
special committee.
This plan coutemplates the establish
ment or potato farms in the suburbs, the
dispensers of charities TO furnish each
indivld dual or family with about two acres
OF land. seed and the necessary implements
of toll The first expenses for rents, tools
and seed are TO be deducted, and the bal
ance OF the crop to be the property OF the
cultivators.
The principle that only those who SOW
ought to resp-oT dig potatoes in this in
stance-appears to be the idea to be applied
to local charities.
The local market, it is thought, would
give the preference TO the products OF the
local mendioant clientele"
A similar plan is said to be working
well under the direction Of Gen. Booth in
the suburbs of London. and it is being
lrl0l II Ilie pl GCW 4OEh.
WORK BETTER THAN AIMS.
whether the plan will materialize or
not, there is certainly an almost universal
sentiment in vast mgton that money given
for charity 10 best spent in giving people
employment, for its moral effect. The
Central Union Mission work is to a great
extent on this pnGciple. and the city itself
commends it in its municipal lodging
house.
The views OF two representative and
Thinking men who are interested in the
matter win be read with profit
Mt B. H Warner, President OF tne Board
OF Trade, said:
Il think the proposition can be worked
out successfully and / approve the idea.
am in favor OF receiving work ia return
for charities bestowed upon men who are
able 10 work I think however, there
will be this difficulty TO overcome L
believe that lands TO the extent OF two
or three acres cn which man can be made
self-supporting are not available.
Where lands are exceedingly fertile
man may support himself, and it would
cost a great deal OF money to make lands
in the District highly fertile "A gain,
applicants for charity are nearly all indo-
lent or acquire laZiness by reason of their
unfortunate circumstances. 1t Will need
careful suggestion and supervision TO make
these farms or farm success.
But as you have started in on this ques-
tion / suggest that the principle be applied
to a certain class OF those committed to
Jail.
DEAD BEATS AT THE JAIL.
"The warden will tel you that more than
40 per cent. OF the inmates OF the Jail are
repeaters, who commit crimes to be sent TO
Jail and who are sharp enough TO avoid
the workhouse We need a big wall
around the Jail and every improvement
That win facilitate the employment OF
dead beats.
.sYou might try these inmates also on
the industrial farms, and pat them to work
along the Eastern branch in an expert
mental garden. These workers would be
at least malaria proof"
Dr. r M. Gregory, president OF the Civic
Center. said:
Yes, xKnoE something about these farms.
In fact f1e appropriate committee OF the
Civic Center has the subject already under
discussion and in the line OF their duty Will
communicate with the authorities. 1t was
about time that something in this direction
should be done after the facts given by The
Times, quite recently, showing that last
season. between 50, 600 and 10000 people
were aided by charity in this city
Il think, however, that it would De as
well to extend the usefulness not to the
mendicant class alone. but TO those who
are out of work only in the summer.
PLAN GENERALLY SUCCESSFUL.
'sOur committee has already made many
Inquiries into this matter, and / know
personally that where experimental farms
have been tried they have succeeded, the
failures in some cases being due to the in-
competency or other fault Of the man.
agement.
'The plan followed by the city Of De-
troit, where the idea was first developed
successfully, VIII be followed in the Eug-
gestioms we wil have TO make.
"As To the obtaining of lands, / think
the soil in the vicinity OF ADacostia and
Badensburg is adapted TO the growing OF
potatoes, hut thenee is no necessity OF re-
stricting the industry TO potato growing
If potato lands are not obtainable beans
will grow I'm almost every soil, and they
are one Of the most profitable crops that
can b. grown"
Starch Works Burned.
Columbus, Ind, April e.-The American
Starch works. with buildings covering ten