The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-03

Not long ago an old man fell dead in the
streets Of New York. II was ascertained
that he had died OF starvation. and that
he had been begging all day, but had re-
ceived nothing because people would not
believe his story. His clothing though
worn, was neat and this appearance Of re-
spectability probably had something to do
with the refusals he encountered. Such
incidents do something to promote pauper-
ism. After reading OF one OF them most
people will give a few cents at least TO the
first beggar they meet who seems to be in
real distress
The conviction that some effective sys-
TEN OF dealing with the poor must be
found Sc forcing itself upon modern So
ciety Without some organized method.
which shall be generally known TO the pub
lie. so that it can be utilized by everyone.
pauperism on the one hand and callous-
ness on the other will probably increase. It
is unquestionably true that in every large
city there are beggars who make a good
living by trickery and fraud It is also
true that many deserving poor people SUI
fer from ills which might be alleviated
without hurting the self-respect Of the
recipient or impoverishing the giver The
trouble is at present that though there
are charity bureaus. they are too often
cumbrous and awkward in their methods.
and in addition TO this, most people do not
know where they are or how 10 get at
them.
Perhaps the best agents for the distri-
button Of aims. as things are now. are
the police They are apt 10 know the needs
and character OF the poor people in their
respective districts, and are not likely to
be imposed on or to mistake an honest
person for an imposter. They see the
people In their homes. and get their i'm
pressions from the general talk OF the
neghborhood rather than from casual
visits as acknowledged distributors Of
charity, II there could be a well organ
lied charity bureau, cooperating with the
police force at every point, having sta
tons in all parts Of the city. and so adj
vertised in the newspapers, railway sta
tions and elsewhere that those In need
would know where to go, It might be very
good thing A great many well-to-do peo-
pie could and would give substantial aid
10 the poor II the thing could be made
easy for them. and they could be assured
that the gifts would 90 where actual need
existed. II is all very well TO say that
persons who are really charitable will not
mind taking a little trouble but the
small amount Of time and thought required
to make up a bundle of old clothes, or a
basket Of groceries, and hunt up the ad
dress to which II is TO be taken, often
prevents busy people from making their
contributions. The gifts which come from
a person who is carelessly generous will
do just as much good as those from one
who gives with deliberate intention. il
the articles in themselves happen 10 be
worth giving Why, then, should It not
be made as easy as possible to get rid Of
I superhuous goods which may benefit some
body in need?
In some German cities there are poor
boxes" here and there IN conspicuous
places into which packages OF clothing,
I books papers, OF other articles may be
{ dropped This box is opened at short in
/ tervals and the contents given where they
/ are most needed. Some such arrangement
/ if II became a recognized institution
might be beneficial in this country. But
1 It IS above all desirable that the work
/ should be systemstized, without the sys-
/ TEN being so rigid that 1t will not yield in
case Of emergency
/ There is one decided advantage in the
/ cooperation OF the police department
The respectable poor man or woman in
/ distress will ask a policeman for help
confident OF his knowledge of human ma