The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-05
FIELDFOR WOMENSWORK
HEALTH PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
OF MUCH PUBLIC BENEFIT.
The Various Ways I'm Which Their
LabOrs Are Prosecuted--VilIag@
Improvement Societies.

tivlty in public affairs, none, perhaps, IS
more i'm portant than that which contributes
to the health, order and comeliness, if The
word may be permitted, of a community.
Under various titles such as Municipal Or
der League, or Health Protective Associa-
ton, this organized effort is now being car
ried on with excellent results by women of
many cities.
The New York Health Protective Assoc
citation prosecutes it's work on very vigor-
Gus lines. Its aim during the dozen or
more years of its existence has included
many excellent movements. The members
of the society do not hesitate to give their
personal and persistent attention to any
nuisances, abuses, and evasions of munich
pal ordinances. They have several times Wis
tied Albany and influenced legislation to
carry out the reforms upon which they were
bent. During Col Warnings administration,
the New York society has been able to do
its most successful work. The head of the
STRENGTHENING department co-operates at
all times most cordially with the ladies,
and as his rule in his domain is absolute,
this means much.
The Brooklyn Health Protective Associa-
ton, while as active in it's way, does not so
often deal directly with the abuse which it
would exterminate. Its function is, per-
haps, more civic than sanitary, although it
is unjust not to accord to it also a large
measure of practical effort. To arouse civic
pride in the breasts of the Brooklyn resi-
dents, and to stimulate in the Brooklyn Off
cial an ambition to do his best work, are
the main duties of the association across
the bridge. 1t has been successful in its
endeavors to secure the keeping of the ash
barrels on the day when their contents are
gathered, inside the fences or areaway un-
til the wagon calls for them. While in New
York municipal rule governs this, In
Brooklyn no such regulations exists, but
through the acquiescence of the contractor,
the plan has been as well carried out as
though the city fathers had lald down the
law. The placing of waste receptacleS at
the corners of many streets is another tan
gible evidence of the work of the Brooklyn
society which has not yet been done IN NE"
ONE METHOD.
The Philadelphia Health Protestive Asso-
citation differs in its method of prosecuting
it's work from either association of Greater
New York These latter do not attempt to
raise money, the dues of the members
sufficing for expenses, and no work is at
present undertaken by them which calls
tor a larger outlay. In Philadelphia, how
ever, considerable amounts have been
raised at intervals to prosecute special
measures Not long ago the ladies of the
Philadelphia association assisted in editing
one of the city newspapers on certain
day, sharing the money made with one or
two other beneficiaries. The sum which
fell to them as the result of this effort was
expended in securing the services of ex-
perts to analyze the city water and suggest
means for it's betterment
The Boston Health Protective Associa-
ton is young and not yet so vigorous; In
c somewhat
other workers among Boston women on
practically the same lines. Representatives
from the Women'S clubs are united IN the
committee of Confederate Council OF Clubs
known as the three C's. This committee
considers the public welfare When any
fragrant practice threatens it.
The most enthusiastic and really inter-
esting demonstration of the work is, now
ever found in the smaller cities and towns.
Here it is possible to arouse a stronger feel
ing of devotion to the interests or the place
than residence in great cities engendeTs,
and it is said that in no section of the
country are the village improvement assoc
Citations so numerous al successful, III
proportion to the area covered as in what
is known as suburban New Jersey. Almost
every town there boasts its well-organlzed
society to look after the sanitary condition
and the appearance of the place. The I'M
proyenent society of the Oranges includes
the four places known under that gen
eric term, Orange proper and East West
and South Orange townships. The work of
this society is done by numerous commit
tees, such as the streets and sanitation
committee on railroads and stations, conf
mttee on the preservation of the beauty of
the Oranges, etc. The work of the COM
mittee on railroads and stations includes
the steam, trolley and ferry service 1t in
vestigates complaints and carries them to
the proper authorities. Small blank books
are issued to the commuters travelling back
and forth from New York, and in these
are recorded by the observer any condi-
stated times the books turned in to
the committee. The reports are con-
densed and tabulated and forwarded to the
corporation interested. The Improvement
Society of the Oranges is, perhaps, the
most liberal Of any working under the title.
Under department known as the aims
and humanitarian committee it provides for
regular visiting of the poorhouse and sup
plying the inmates with reading matter,
visits the female prisoners in station
houses, If necessary, and supports a day
nurse. Committees on cruelty to children
and cruelty to animals are also a part of
Summit, Crawford, Perth Amboy, Plainfield
and others of the New Jersey towns boast
active and useful associations.
CHILDREN TAKE PART.
The effort to interest children in the as
sociations has proved valuable. 1t is a
vertiable campaign of education which is
going on, and which is destined to aid
greatly the work of the societies later on
In Brooklyn an important Childrens Aid
Society has been formed, and the leaven
spread by it among the rising generation
is often in evidence. The children work in
districts, some adult taking the presi-
dency of each neighborhood, something
after the plan of the Needlework Guild
Like the guild, there is a minimum of red
tape about these organizations among the
children. While, however the city assoc
Citations for the work of the boys and girls
have met with a considerable measure OF
success, it is in the smaller places that they
have proved most operative. The reasons
for this are obvious. Location. in large
cities, is not permanent, and pride in the
community is apt to be at its lowest ebb.
In smaller cities, towns, and villages, the
reverse is usually true.
In New Brunswick, n. j., last week there
was a pronounced impetus given to the
work of the Town Improvement Society by
a series of talks which the president of the
Brooklyn Health Protective Association,
Mrs James Scrimgeour, gave at the invita-
ton of the president of the New Brunswick
Association, Mrs. j. G.. Williamson who is
the wife of the mayor of the city. Mayor
Williamson has just been reelected. and
stands for good government and progress
sve policy. Two days were spent by the
committee appointed to receive Mrs.
Scrimgeour in conducting her from school
to school and from department to depart
ment of the separate institutions, during