The record-union., 1897-10-31

| After the first week we were able to in
1estigate all cases, and wherever we
| found deserving family, they were
! given a relief card which entitled them
| to the amount of provisions named
above every five days, and arrange
ments were made for delivering the coal
| in half ton lots direct from the coal
yards. We carried onsthis work from
January 25th until February goth, when
| the amount of money deposited to our
| credit in the bank was exhausted.
| During the time we were engaged in
| this work our supplies cost SCI. $50 81.
! Our meat amounted to SAG, ,232 pounds
at an average cost of 4.22 cents per
pound, making a total of S23, ,0S4 rs.
| Our orders for bread amounted to 40,
736 pounds a total Of S13, ,296 80, at an
average price of 2.S2 cents per pound.
Cur orders for meal, beans, and peas
amounted to 50, $50 4S, an average cost
of about l cent per pound. Our coal
| orders amounted to 6004 1-5 tons, at
an average cost of 50 2S115 per ton, cost
| ing S13, T20 - We furnished food and
coal to 63,557 families; an average of
2,T315 families a day, or a total of
301 S02 persons; being an average OF
l.. 700 persons a day. Every cent that
was contributed to this fund was used
in the purchase of supplies. There was
not l cent paid out for clerk hire, rent,
extra time, or other expenses.
In addition to the above purchases
by our department, there were a great
many thousand dollars worth of goods
/ donated in the way Of coal, clothing,
coffee, meat, fish. bread, blankets, shoes
and other goods, all of which was dis
bursed by this department The Ottl-
GERS of the department entered into the
work with a zeal and devotion that
will be long remembered by those who
We're familiar with the work; and in
addition to performing the duty of dis
tributing the food, voluntary sub
scription of 81 600 was subscribed by
the men of the department and added
to the Mayors fund.
One notable fact that will be of in
terest to persons interested in the study
of crime was the great reduction in
the number of crimes committed while
the relief work was going on The
records of the department will bear
me out in the statement that the crimes
of robbery, larceny and "hold-ups" fell
off fully SO per cent. I draw an infer
provided with work, so that no one
would be idle who is willing to work,
that crimes of the above nature would
fall to a very low figure, as there is
no doubt a great amount of stealing
done during the winter by persons who
are forced to it simply to secure means
to sustain life. In the poorer districts
of the city our officers now are held
with a. great deal more respect than
they were ever before. Thousands of
people who heretofore have looked on
a patrolman as an enemy, now salute
the same officer as a friend. We found
a large number Of families who were
actually destitute, who had never in
their lives received charitable contri-
buttons; some of them would have suf-
fered long in silence, and probably
starved to death rather than ask for
assistance, and a few cases we found
of persons who had not a bit of fuel
or provision in the house and no money
to procure any with, who, when told
that their provisions would be brought
in a patrol wagon, exhibited a degree
of modeSty that was surprising and re-
fused to be helped. I submit the above
facts for the benefit of those who make
q study of charity, that they may see
what can be done in a short space of
time, by using a thorough organiza-
ton that is familiar with all parts of
the city and the location of the poor
Condensed for Public Opinion" from
an article in "Open Court by A. F.