New-York tribune., 1900-09-23
EAST SIDERS ON SELF-HELP
THEY RESENT DICTATION ON THE PART
OF THEIR UPTOWN FRIENDS
A REACTION AGAINST SOME OF THE METHODS
IN VOGUE IN CERTAIN SOCIOLOGICAL
EXPERIMENT STATIONS"

1t is not too much to say that the general
sentiment in regard to the effect OF institutions
and charities on the people they supposed
to benefit may be roughly analysed in this
way: First. there is the impression that every
thing is going merrily a marriage bell that
the poor" are receiving help in a most proper
spirit then there is the pessimistic idea that
these same poor always ungrateful, any
way, but that they have to be taken care of,
like irresponsible and naughty children. The
first idea is the popular one, and it is fed by the
reports of most societies, although the
thoughtful take these with a grain of salt.
The second idea is founded on ignorance,
that little knowledge" which is so truly "a
dangerous thing; at any rate it is not worthy
of consideration. There is truth however, in
the statement that favors are not always thank
fully received, and recent events go far to prove
1t. There is undoubtedly a reaction against
much of the help received from the wealthy,
at least a strong desire to place the whole
system another footing. Sociologists will
have to decide with whom is the right in the
mean time the facts in the case deserve some
notice.
The present seat of the reaction is the lower
East Side The feeling exists. doubtless in
other quarters, but there the movement has
taken definite shape. Last week the New Fra
Club oponed its rooms at No 2S6 Henry-st., with
we'll over one hundred members and constf-
tuition which places the management of the club
entirely in the hands of intelligent residents
of the East Side. There is no clause forbidding
the cooperation of well intentioned outsiders,
but the executive department is East Side pure
and simple. A similar purpose is behind an
other movement, educational in character,
which it is hoped will be in good shape this
fall. The New Era Club is managed by men of
all shades of belief while the Educational AssO-
tn acta
two societies embrace all the ''isms' of the East
Side from conservatism of the deepest dye to
socialism of the most rampant order; that
it cannot be said that the anti-charity feeling is
confined to any class AS the work of one is
social in character, while the other is educa
tonal the two will not conflict, although they
are entirely separate in management and orig
mated Independently.
THE NEW ERA CLUB.
The New Era Club, which has already career
of a fortnight behind it, aims to meet the social
need of the neighborhood The large club
will include many smaller ones, which will be
quite free to form and carry out their own
plans There will be lectures or classes of
any kind The rooms will be a meeting place
for all members, and the dues amount only to
the modest sum of % cents month. One of
the originators of the work says that it will be
free from all fads and theories. 1T will make
no experiments and will not attempt to force
down the threats of East Siders that which they
do not want, do not about. and do not need.
1t has for its purpose the development of the
Independent, self-dependent spirit This New
Era Club may may not entirely justify its
name, but it is a sign of the times-if it were
less substantial one might call it straw which
shows which way the wind is blowing. And it
is whispered that this is not the only move
ment of the kind, although nothing is yet mad
public of any similar social undertaking.
This club. this proposed association, and these
hints of extended revolt against the
present system of helping the poorer members
Of society have their origin in a very com
mendable spirit of Independence. Whether the
new order, if it came into existence. would
be much of Improvement old conditions
is a matter for speculation. Practically it might
fall short theoretically, there is much t. be said
for it, The East Side is not ungrateful. 1t
acknowledges the good intentions of those who.
without a full understanding of conditions, to
a great extent dictate the plans of work for that
quarter. 1t confesses that money, more than the
DeighborhOod itself can supply, is needed. But
louder than these admissions comes the com
pant that uptown philanthropy is too highly
rolored with condescenson, that methods not
such promote proper spirit of Sc Prospect
among the young people of the neighborhoOd
To quote again: THE movement is a protest
against the invasion and interference of So