The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-13
CHARITY THAT is ABUSED.
Imposters Who Go About tho Country
Begging Their Way VIII Not Fare Well
Hereinafter Considered by tho Board
of Charities


Begging Their Way VIII Not Fare Well
Hereinafter Considered by the Board
of Charities.
w. T. Smith, who presided ut last
nights semi-monthly meeting Of the
Board of Associated Charities, brought
up for discussion an apparent abuse to
which many charity organizations are
being subjected. 1t Is the securing Of
transportation on the plea of indigence
by people who are travelling around the
country on mere pleasure trips.
During the past month, according to
the agents report, fourteen people have
been provided with transportation to
various points. and three times as
many have made application and been
refused. In the opinion of fMr. Smith and
other members of the board, many of
these people are nothing more or less
than tourists or clever tramps. Dur.
ing the discussion, Mrs. Duggan stated
that she had thoroughly Investigated a
number Of cases. with the end in view
Of finding out whether or not they were
just such imposters, and in several In
stances she became satisfied that her
suspicious were about correct. One
young married couple who came to
her were evidently enjoying their we'd
ding tour at the expense of the poor
boards in the various towns along the
route Of their Journey. They openly
confessed that they had Travelled from
Charleston, 8. c.. In this manner, and
had the effrontery to ask to be helped
back home.
Idea That They Operate on.
These clever tricksters realize that q
poor board will rather send an appar-
emily INDECENT man or woman to his
or her home than to allow them to
stay around and become a charge on
the district. Taking advantage of this,
many Of them. 1t IL firmly believed, are
touring the country without any ex-
pense to themselves and with the safe
assurance that they will not want as
long as there are poor boards.
Another important feature Of the
meeting was a move towards securing
q permanent district nurse. Often II Is
very difficult to get nurse In an emer-
gency and In cases Of contagious dis.
eases 1t Is almost impossible. BY en-
gaging a woman at a regular salary
this matter can be satisfactorily regu-
lated. Rev. Rogers Israel, who brought
up this subject, reported that the mat
ter had been suggested to him by two
wealthy men, who as much az inti-
mated that they would be willing to
stand the expense of the experiment
for at least year. Other cities, Rev,
Mr.. Israel stated, have found II sue.
cessful. The nurse will be expected to
be at once a housekeeper and an at
tendant to the sick and when not EN-.
plQyed in any particular case can 20
abtut instructing negligent people in
sanitary matters. 80 as to help them
ward on disease. On motion Of Mr..
Gibbons, the president and secretary
were empowered to act in the matter.
Report of tho Agent.
The report Of the agent, Mrs. w. b.
Duggan, showed the following work to
have been done: Number Of cases, 80;
worthy, rs; unworthy, 10; transporta-
tion, 6; sent to hospitals. 2; employment
furnished, z; sent to Hillside Home, 1;
lodging furnished, 8; uncorrigible boys
cared for. 3; nurses furnished, 2; sent
to House Of Correction, 1; to Founding
Home, 2; Home Of the Good Shepherds.