The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-08

yesterday the time was chiefly Gnu
ployed in discussing the very grave
condition which confronts that institu-
ton.
Unless something radical is done
very soon 1t now looks as if the doors
of the Home must not only be closed
against all applicants, no matter how
great their distress, but also there is a
possibility that the present inmates,
numbering about fifty, may have to be
turned out of the kind shelter they
have enjoyed.
The fact is that the heavy incum-
brances under which the Home is
struggling are becoming too great a
burden to carry.
The public Is no less generous than
ever to this noble charity which has al
ways received such loyal support, but
the truth is the managers declare, that
the debt incurred on the new building
is constantly consuming the funds usu-
ally applied to running expenses.
The interest on the mortgages on the
old and new structures is nearly $1,000
annually and this heavy drain is what
seriously menaces the institution.
INTENDED TO SELL.
1t was expected when the new Home
was begun that the old property on
Adams avenue could be sold at once
and the step was taken under the most
expert advice.
AS results have shown the value Of
real estate has deprecated, or at least
the plot of 200 feet front with a large
commodious house thereon has been
on the market ever since with no i'm
mediate prospects of a buyer.
The new building has cost far more
than was first estimated and as was
before mentioned the mortgages on
both properties are a most serious
| problem to the friends of the institu-
| ton.
| The present crisis which caused the
alarm at yesterdays meeting was pro-
duced by the statement of the finance
| committee that the annual excursion
upon which the Home has depended for
nearly half of the current expenses may
| have to be abandoned.
| 1t may not be generally known, but
| heretofore the Home excursions have
| been run free of charge by the rail-
road companies of this region. For fif-
teen years and more this charity has
| received a return of from 5000 to 81, 100
| from this source, and to find it sud-
| denly cut off has caused dismay that
can be felt but not described.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and
western road has been a magnificent
benefactor during all these years. Will
liam f. Hallstead was deeply interest
| ed in the Home and when no other
could be secured he was certain to give
the use of the road and transportation.
ONE SOURCE OF REVENUE.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and
| Western excursions to BinghamtOn and
! the Water Gap have been the most re-
munerative of any in the history of the
institution, and the receipts have kept
the friendless little children and the
poor old women within it's walls for
many a half year.
! This season the railroads refuse to
! grant the great favor hitherto enjoyed
| and so much appreciated
! 1t is now midsummer and too late to
run an excursion when only a few
cents above given sum per fare can
| be netted.
| There is not one dollar in the treas
ury but there are debts for medicine,
| milk, wages of help and other absolute
| necessities and where the money is to
come from is what is turning gray the
! hair of every manager on the board.
1t seems a pity that the beautiful
charity so long close to the popular
heart of ScrantOnians in general should
| thus be crushed by combination OF
circumstances for which the manage
ment can in no way be blamed
| Chief among the troubles is the vast
| increase of expenses in the new build
| ing.
| Coal is consumed to a far greater de-
gree and while in the past fuel has been
contributed by the operators of this
region the consolidation of many COM
panies and the abandoning of coal in
terests by local men have necessitated
the purchase of this commodity in a
way not before known in the Home.
Just what will be done is hard to de-
eide by the managers.
MANAGERS WORRIED.
There are any number of things
which could relieve the present stress
If the friends of the institution could
see their way clear to enter upon the
task with a will.
Among these possibilities would be to
form syndicate and buy the old prop
erty, which is sure to be a valuable
cent railway to give a road for an eX-