The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-05-29

| natlOn on earIH mas SO many pIOdu
acres of fertile land awaiting the touch
of the professional farmer and gardener
as does ours.
Then let us have a large farm and
garden, with every reform school for
boys, and see that the instructors In
these lines are skilled in their business,
and we shall do vastly more for the
best interests of our country than we
would do by training these boys as me-
chanics and adding ITO the already over
crowded ranks Of tradesmen. We will
at the same time do the best thing that
1t Is possible to do for a boy.
He will grow into a noble and useful
business manhood, and will bless the
state, the school and the management
that gave him the opportunity to be-
come a professional farmer and garden
er.
er. B. J. MILES,
Supt. Iowa Industrial School,
Eldora. la.
Before the third section the question
of discussion was Charity Organiza-
tion." Mrs. Roland C. Lincoln of Bos-
ton opened THE discussion by reading
paper ON methods of Bettering
NeigIhborhoods, by Improved Dwellings,,
Sanitary Oversight, Etc" Mrs. lin
coin said that the subject of improved
dwellings, is one which HAS awakened
interest I'M many citles of the old
world and not a. few of the new. Ut
has direct bearing upon the strength
of the nation, and of the people, for
it has been conclusively proven that
am effort to house the masses of the
people comfortably and respectfully
tends to diminish the ranks of pauper-
ism and crime Attention was first di-
rected in Glasgow to the success of
the experiment. of aiholislhing the slurns,
though the squalid portions of cities
were not known by that euphonious
name twenty-five years ago. Other
cities have not hesitated to follow the
example of Glasgow and wherever it
has been tried immense benefit has
resulted from the great Improvement
Scheme" In most instances the use
of this scheme in European cities, old
buildings which are adjudged unlhealth-
full are closed or torn down and the
city builds cottages for which small
rent lis charged.
Families live very comfortably in
these little homes, and the houses are
built facing a courtyard used as a
common, thus having plenty of air.
They are about two stories i'm height
A little spot, one house even, which
is pulled up from degradation and
.squalor may do much to regenerate
a neighborhood. The Improvement in
duced by the example of five weal man
aged houses belonging to the Boston
Cooperative Building company was
marked, The cracked buildings oppo-
site were repaired, the streets paved,
and the corner bake shop became
more successful because the society had
invited a decent and respecting
class of people to become their tenants.
Among the many benefits wtldch 1T is
hoped the twentieth century may con-
fer upon tine human race better homes
for all people will undoubtedly be an
important factor tn the progress of the
world, and especially in the regenera-
ton of cities.
Another paper ON the same topic was
then read by Miss Marion l. Moore of
Buffalo, N. Y, which will be published
in full later. DR.. Gould of Boston, who
was present, was called upon for re-
marks upon the question of tenement
house sanitation DR.. Gould Is an au-
thority on this subject, and has just
completed a report on the matter for
the department of labor at Washington.
He gave short, but interesting talk,
describing methods and giving practi-
can advice A paper was then read by
Mr.. H B. Mason of New York ON evils
Growing Out of Extortionate Usury."
Mr.. Mason opened his paper by saying
that since the time when the Medici
bequeathed their coat of arms to the
pa.wnbrokers of Chrisltendom, the three
balls have been the sign of a business
more profitable as al rule than bust
ness in general. In this country where
government regulates the traffic and
does not, as in continental Europe adj
minister it, the trade has borne a GER
tain brand of shame. Yet the occa-
sional borrowing of money is to most
men an absolute necessity. Merchants
and mechanics alike must borrow. If
the merchant had to pay a half or
quarter of the rate of interest charged
the mechanic, he would speedily be
bankrupted. A low rate of interest has
been called one of the factors of civili-
cation, but df we rejoice because the
market rate in London amid Paris has
been reduced to from one to four per
cent. per annum. Here lis an undoubt-
ed field for philanthropic work. After
a three years struggle to raise the
necessary capital, the Provident Loan
society opened its doors in May 1894,
with fund of 100000, made UP of six
teen subscriptions of $4,000 each, two
of $4,000 fifteen of $1,000, and two of
$780, The government of the society is
ill the hands of fifteen trustees elected
by the incorporators. The interest
charge Is l per cent. per month or a
part of a month. There are mo extra
charges as in common pawn shops.
During the first year the society has
received as interest $4,000. No less an
amount than 81 is loaned or more than
$100, although Mr.. Mason said he
thought the maximum amount should
be greater. On an average $16.55 is
loaned to each person.
The paper was most entertaining and
described a good method Of furnishing
loans to needy and deserving poor at the
lowest possible rate of interest. Chat
tel mortgage Is required, however, to
protect the society from loss.
In addition to the above mentioned |
meetings meeting of the committee on
soldiers and sailors homes, and those |
in the subject was held in a |