New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-19
CHARITY worm ~ HONES.

In these days Of organized charities much is
heard about poor mems clubs" A tremendous
amount of energy and thought is given to pro
vdng centres of improvement and recreation
for working people No doubt these agencies
do an immense amount of good and enable
their benefciaries to go back 10 their own
homes and manage them better and make them
happier than before The real value of these
institutions is less what they can offer in them
selves than what they do to make themselves
unnecessary as outside aids and amusements.
The great problem of charity and reformation
is 10 help I'm the establishment Of homes which
meet the legitimate social and material wants
Of families and reduce the external social ne
ccSSites" to minor place in the regard Of
those for whom they exist
Mr. John W Vrooman. in recent address in
Utica laid much stress on this matter of max
ing home mean more 70 the poor man. Not
merely his home but his more fortunate neigh
bor's home He declared II want TO add my
protest against the proposition that club
either rich mans or poor mans. is a social
necessity Social convenience. possibly: but
social necessity. never The great need Of
this intensely practical present is more preach
ing more writing in the direction of utilizing
'the home as a social necessity club. extend
ing home Influence. elevating home surround
''ings. purifying home life. opening home doors
mot only 10 the more favored bur also 10 the
less fortunate individual This ne followed
up with suggestions for crossing social bounda-
rles and not merely going TO help or teach the
needy bur giving them companonship and
making them guests in prosperous homes II
cannot be said that this scheme departs from
the ideal OF settlement workers. hut II T. a
good thing 10 have emphasis placed on the
home side Of the charity problem by men speak
ing as Colonel Vrooman was 10 an institution
particularly concerned with helping men as
they are met in external relations.
Every friendly visitor has before him as his
principal object the improvement of the homes
Of his charges. The clubs and missions are do
ing their best 70 teach families to make the
best use ~ their incomes IN the line of home
comforts to prepare healthful and attractive
meals TO develop taste for home life and
amusements Something has been done In the
| line ~ opening houses Of charitable people bur
there are great difficulties to he overcome.
| Among the people 10 whom Mr.. NrOoman speaks
| the difficulty is not so great. and il is wise 10
| call their attention 10 the possibility Of such
methods. In The rural community or even the
small city the poor are not differentiated from
other people to the same extent as IN the crowd
| ed metropolis. Here the extremes are great
aside from any intentional erection Of barriers.
The obstacle 10 social intercourse Is 10 he found
among the tenement dwellers even more than
| in the big houses. Congestion makes the poor
n seem poor masses rather than ne individ-
uals and 10 regard themselves such. Con
scquently. while in simpler society they would
look on the wealthy household As one differing
from their own merely in the matter Of size
and comfort. too often here they consider them
selves and the rich as separate peoples. having
nothing In common. They are not NJ ease in
the rich mans house. They do not enjoy his