The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-06
HOW 1T IS TO BE DONE
Plan of the Salvation Army and
Mrs. Thorpe
To Carry on the Charity Work
in Topeka.
Ems ign Hawk of the Salvation Army
Gives in Detail the Methods
to be Employed.

Since Police Matron Thorpe will have
to devote her time to her duties at the
Jail, the charity work of the city in
an organized form will be conducted by
the Salvation Army. The Associated
charities will not organize, and this
Will leave the bulk of the work for the
Salvation Army to do. These people
have had large experience in dealing
with the poor, and their work is most
practical. Police Matron Thorpe viii
have ruling voice in the work, al
though she will not have time to take
an active part. The lists of poor peo-
pie will be made up by Mrs. Thorpe
and the Army. The most urgent cases
win come under the police matron's
care, but for the other charity work
the salvation Army will attend to it.
Ensign Joseph Hawk, of the Saliva
tion Army, has the following announce
ment of the plan of work:
our work will be conducted along
the line OF charity work in the large cit
les. Aid will be given with view of
alleviating suffering, but also to avoid
the development of pauperism.
The first time a man asks for char
ity it is usually very hard for him to
do so but after circumstances have
compelled him to do SO repeatedly he
loses his self respect to such an extent
that he would rather beg than work
a constant
on the charitably inclined public
stored away in the outhOuses, gar
rets, closets, etc, of the homes in To-
peka there are large quantities of fur
nture, clothing, stoves, cooking uten-
sils and many other things that can be
utilized, and which no doubt people will
gladly give.
The Army people with the aid of
friends viii put everything in the best
possible repair and then a fair vaIua-
tion viii be placed on such articles
Topeka, like all other cities has two
classes of poor: the deserving and the
undeSerV1ng. The deserving will be
glad to work for what they get and the
other class should be made to do So
Here is the way they will be dealt
with: Applicant No. 1 is a woman No
questions are asked her as to which
class she belongs She wants a he'd
stead that formerly was owned by. say
Mrs. -- who lives on Topeka avenue
The Army's handy man has put it in
thorough repair and with it's new coat
of Yarnish and price marked at 81 so it
makes her long to become it's possessor.
she has no money and cannot secure
employment to earn the 81 So But the
difficulty is soon met She is handy
with a needle and coming to a room
provided for the purpose she puts in so
many hours repairing garments until she
has earned her $3.50. The bedstead is
hers. During the time that otherwise
would be wasted she can earn piece by
ulece furniture until her deSOlate
home will look something like the one
she may have been taken out of
mo. 2 is a man who has no money
but lots of time that is slipping away
but bringing him no returns. He wants
suit of clothes that is hanging before
him with card which informs him that
he can become their pOssessor for 49,
He cannot sew. Something must be
provided that he can do. 1t is claimed
that around Topeka there are many
poor families who would be glad to ex-
change loads of wood for clothing or
other things that may be in the store
There are many old buildings in Tope-
ka that are only good for kindliney
These will be given or bought for a
small amount. A yard or large base
ment will be provided and this material
will be taken there and No. will cut
it into stove wood or kindling.
when he has cut say three cords
the clothes are his and ne turns up at
the Army meeting that night looking
clean and comfortable. This wood and
kindling will be sold at the regular !
of it can be procured in the same way
as other goods.
Emergencies will arise and must be
met. The sick can be taken to the /
Army hospital This will be under the !
same management. Those who for any |
reason cannot be sent there will be |
looked after the best the circumstances I
will permit. Suppose a doctor should |
be needed. There are several in Tope- !
ka who will gladly go at the Army's !
call. Emergency work which cannot be |
handled by Mrs. Thorpe and some mon |
ey will be given her from the funds to |
meet these demands.
THE Salvation Army will have entire
charge and according to their regular |
system they viii form any rules that |
may be necessary that are not men
toned here.
THE work will require some money.
Mrs. Thorpe says that from two to
three hundred dollars have been given |
yearly for this work. 1t is believed |
>
the future. And it is thought that this,
with what can be realized from kind
ling, etc, will be sufficient capital to
carry on the work. AS this work will |
least one officer to meet that expense
it is proposed that Is per cent of all
fund to be used in whatever way the
officer in charge and the treasurer and
secretary may determine.
TOut of the other IS per cent all ex-
penses shall be paid. No debt will be
contracted for anything. The amount of
work done will depend on how liberal
the support comes in. There will be
board of citizens appointed who are
not members of the Salvation Army, [
and it will be their duty to inspect all {
books once each quarter and make
their report, which will be published.
ITO start this work some one at once
should donate the use of two or three
rooms within three blocks of Fourth
and Kansas avenue, to be used as store
rooms Also some one to donate a
large basement or shed Where wood
can be cut and stored
Then there should be donations of
money so that the work can be sue
cessfully started at once. About $50
will be needed. Axes, hatchets, saws,
clothing furniture, fuel, food, and in
fact any and everything will be accept
able.
General headquarters will be at the
Army hail. 312 Kansas avenue, which
will be kept open every day from a.
N. to p. m, and donations will be re-
ceived there from this date All checks,
money orders. etc, should be sent to
JOS Hawk, Salvation Army.
"A labor bureau will be opened and
people sent to situations free of charge.
If you want kitchen help, a man to