The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-07
In AID OF THE POOR
Steps to Establish Firmly the
Pingree Land Plan.
CITY READY TO DO ITS PART.
VIII Furnish Tools and seed vacant
Land Needed-A Chance for Unfor-
Inmates TO Help Themselves.

The success of the so-caiied Pingree plan
which Was tried for the first time In this
city last summer. was source OF erall.-
cation 10 those who took an interest IN H.
not only because IL afforded temporary re-
lief TO quite a number OF distressed ana
deserving persons. but because ~ seemed
10 point out way by which permanent
evstern could he established for the neip OF
those who want 70 help themselves out ~
force of unfayoFabls circumstances are
prevented from doing so.
The Post-IntelIigencer published on sep
feunber II a report Of Rev ID. &. Garrett,
of the Associated Charities, which mad the
project in charge, In which he recommend
ed that this vacant lot plan be adopted az
q permanent institution by the city, ana
that the city make an annual appfopftA-
ton for #. that board OF ten OF t"etVs
men be appointed by the mayor 10 ma iiaEe
the business, care being taken not TO 81
low this measure for the public good to be
contaminated By party politics.
Plan Indorsed by the Mayor.
Mayor Phelps has studied the Pingree
plan, knows OF the success which attend
cd it's first trial here, and believes IN H.
Talking of IL yesterday. he said:
II think IL Is particularly practical
plan In Seattle. because there are so many
unimproved lots here. The city covers
large area and among the many places In
tervening between the residences there are
whole blocks, and where they could be cul-
fivated 1t would be an advantage 70 the
property. / believe that great majority
of the property owners would rather have
their lots cultivated than 10 nave them
Idle. Then the street car lines In this city
running out In every direction as they 40.
are great help 10 the people who wish 10
obtain land for cultivation
IL Aids Deserving People.
ID haf
authorities take hold OF the matter;
hardly know what recommendation TO
make In that regard. The gentlemen VINO
had charge OF the plan this year have
done so we'll and made such a great sue
cess OF II, that / doubt If there could De
any Improvement ira the manner Of con-
Quoting IT, | thought at one time ~ might
be advisable 10 ask the city council 10 re-
auire the commissioner of labor. in charge
of the free employment bureau, TO make
81 part Of his business to look after the
growing of these crops, keeping a list OF
lots that would be available for the pur-
pose, etc but u Is a new enterprise here
and | don't want TO make any extensive
recommendations until IL has been fully
canvassed. / want TO say. however, that |
heartily indorse and earnestly recommend
that plan for relief II VIII reach a great
many people that no other means could
reach so effectually. Those who are able
EDulsu anu Wiiilttk 10 htip AtiNaA1fiNf0 VIII
embrace such an opportunity. and have
no doubt will bring good results from 1t.
City Would Furnish Tools and seed.
ION the part OF the city. IL would seem
20 me a very easy and light burden for II
20 furnish the tools and seed TO those who
want to work and plant and harvest,
when the owners of the property are Will
Ing to contribute the free use of the land
The cost OF the tools and seed Is so small.
compared with the relief furnished. that
] think there would be no question OF the
city government being willing to provide
that much at least While. conditions here
have improved materially the past year.
there being not nearly the number OF peo-
pie here in need of help that there was
last year. yet in city of this size there
always will be those who need, temporari-
Is, Just this kind OF assistance; those who
need TO have n way pointed out TO them by
which they can look out for their immedi-
ate necessities
81 attended some OF the meetings of the
committee which had the matter i'm charge
last spring and felt then that the thorough
manner In which they were organizing
would bring good results. The committee
Is entitled 20 the thanks of the people for
the way IL conducted the affairs of the
Pingree plan. ! think IL would be a good
idea for those who have managed the mat
ter 10 call "a meeting 10 see wherein they
could improve upon the methods used, and
n thought best. 70 carry ont Dr. Garrett 5
suggestion Of making IL a permanent feat
ure Of the city government. or have some
DESIGNATED city official assist in the mat