Rock Island Argus., 1897-05-11
HELPING THE POOR.
What the Relief Society Has
Done.
THE WORK OF THE PAST YEAR.
Estsbiishment Of . Permanent Industrial
Home Suggested ana Plan BY which

csivsd.
Another season Of work carried on
by the noble ladies who have banded
themselves together for the welfare
Of Rock Islands poor has been closed.
The Ladies' Industrial Relief society
at its annual meeting held at the
homo Of Mrs.. A. NJ. biakesley. heard
reports from the various officers of
the work accomplished during the
year Mrs. ]. T. Weyerhauser, the
treasurer, reported that receipts for
the year were 1882 81. while the dis
bursements were $992.69, leaving
deficit Of sass. The value of the
old clothing donated Is placed at
$3.50.
Mrs. Nellie Hayes Stevens. the
secretary, says in her annual report:
"The Ladies' Industrial Relief society
has closed the seventh year of its
organization. Only few of those
who were connected with the socie "
in its first year are with us today.
As in the past there has been much
to encourage, much also to dis
hearteD; 50 in the year Just closed
has there been both the shadows and
the sunshine. but most OF all we be-
iieve, encouragement. 1t seems very
hard to begin the years work with
out the assistance of some who had
been its most interested workers,
but we soon had cause to rejoice in
the interest manifested. and the
character Of the work of the new
officers and members. One OF the
difficulties encountered in the open
ing of the years work. was the
changing of our headquarters from
the peasant rooms Of No. 4 school
10 the old No. building. When
the rooms had been cleaned, and al
was ready, Oct. II, for the opening
Of the relief rooms, and the indus
trial school, we all felt greatly in
debted to our new president, whose
energy had provided such comforta-
able quarters, under such unfavora-
BILE conditions. The remodeling of
No. for schoo, purposes will neces-
state another change for the coming
year. Perhaps it will not be out of
place 10 suggest that q special effort
be made to interest some benevolent
person, or persons. in providing US
with building Of our own. The
relief society of our sister city across
the river has home OF its own
Why cannot We? Surely Rock Island
has as many generous citizens as
other cities.
Plan FOR Carrying ON tho Work.
"At the same time would sug-
gest that an attempt be made to
raise fund for the permanent Car
rying on of the work. How, do you
askP 1t has occurred to me that q
pledge for a sustaining fund of tn. ee
or five years might be presented to
our citizens for signatures. II q
fund of this character could be raised
its wisdom would be manifest in
taking away the unsettled feeling
inevitably arising from having no
liked income in sight. The work
might be enlarged in many direc-
tions and greater interest in relief
work secured from increase in num-
bers. Monthly meetings have been
regularly called since Septem Der.
with the exception of April, which
IVES omitted, as our president aid
secretary were very actively engaged
in another phase Of relief work ana
no business of importance was to be
brought before the meeting.
Unusual demands we're made
upon the society during the months
of January and February. owing
largely to the lack of work. Many
Of the manufacturing establishments
closed late in the summer and early
fall and the employees, therefore, wer.
| unable to make the usual prepara
tions for winter. Many of those
assisted at this time had never here.
tofore asked for, or needed, help
Very often theif only request wa.
for shoes for the children so tina,
they could attend school. Almost
all the shoes given out were 70,
children. q very few for women anG
none At all for men. 1t has been oul
first aim to help the children and
then the women. The only aid ex
tended to men, except under specia
conditions. is in the way Of ole
clothing sent to the relief rooms
Our records show that duriog tn,
year l75 families were assisted. Tn,
aid given is governed by the amour
of funds on hand. 1t is never
large amount. and this year average
less than $6 to family.
This means that a family durin.
the winter receives on an average
pair Of shoes, q sack Of flour, . to-
Of coal, end very few groceries
Certainly when one considers hoy
little is done for such q family, tn
work Of relief cannot be said to in
jure, bat rather that it helped t
;ide over a specially hard place for
few of the many deserving but IN
fortunate poor Of our city. No at
tempt has been made TO teach inde
D ndence. for the funds OF the &c
ciety would not permit that featur
!. OF relief work to be taken up. d
believe. however, that our aid ha
cheered few Of the many honest
but improvident families Of on
community, and strengthened ther
in their efforts for independence
| ~h.o sh.v ~.~ls~ad that nup nk-S.