The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-19
DISTRESS AMONG THE HEBREWS.
An urgent Appeal Necrssttated by tho
Present Condition OF the Poor.

The United Hebrew Charities have issued an
earnest appeal for contributions to meet tho
enormous demands now being made upon them
for assistance, 1t Is the first public appeal ever
made by the societies, and Henry Rice. tho
President. said yesterday that its main object
was to reach Hebrews who were in n position to
give, but that contributions from others would
be very gratefully received. The appeal de-
clares.
After nearly four years OF arduous work in
trying to relieve from distress the poor OF the
jewish community. caused by the commercial
depression that began In 1893. tho Uniteo lle-
brew Charities finds itself with resources sum
Client only to continue its work until February
next.
Its officers dread tho possibility of thus be-
ing loft without funds to meet the unprecodcnt-
eddy severe distress that now prevails. and they
take this method OF asking those who have not
contributed since September last to send their
subscriptions without delay.
As more than $50 applications for relief are
daily received at tho sOcicty's Office. many OF
them reported by tho investigators ms needing
substantial relief beyond former experience, We
must eNpend Mt least sl5,OuO per month to make
the barest response to the calls for aid.
The present distress arises mainly from lack
OF employment and illness. Hundreds come for
''s ''' ""' W. w. tf''' ~ ''' ''''N'
Checks should 10 forwarded to Henry Gold
man. Treasurer. l"S second avenue. y. :.
kusenau. the mana ger OF tho United Charities.
said yesterday that the suffering among the
classes to whom the society furnishes aid has
been far worse this winter than he had ever
known II to BE-. In lsuj. wncn the panic came.
the people had either n little money saved up or
else had some trInhets which could be pawncd.
But now all such resources are exhausted, aud
the people have been obliged to cal upon tho
society for assistance. Also. ON the other hand,
the public has grown rather used to appeals for
assistance ana has become Callous. Incomes
have also decreased, ANA demands for assistance
cannot be 80 readily responded TO. Ia ih.l. lie.
sides the regular income, the United Hebrew
Charities received assistance from the fund
raised by j. Picrpont Morgan, Mayor GiliOy's
employees fund. nud their own special ciucr-
gency fund. The demands then for assistance.
according To MIR. Rosenau. were about Us nnincr-
Gus AS they are now, but the suffering was not
30 intense.
Last winter things were n little better. The
present distress among the Hebrews first began
To he noted In July. Ia september the demands
for assistance decreased "A tribe, but by Oct. /
the organization was appalled, 10y the outlook
for the winter. The idlenesS among tho needle
workers has resulted ia throwing another class
OF workers out OF employ mcnt. These are the
charwomen. Every member III II family of the
Hebrew quarter generally works at the bench,
and the Homework In done by women hired for
work the mother in II family now dues her own
housekeeping and the clIarwomcn are left with
out anything to do. Great suffering among
them has necessarily resulted.
helps are workers with the needle, and IA ma
jorIty of the remainder are charwOmen. Tie
income OF the society IL about the same ~ here
tofore. but so much OF IL has already been cN-
the rellet furnished by the society will have to
be discontinued