New-York tribune., 1901-06-20
IN VISITING THE POOR.
SUGGESTIONS FOR GIVING PRACTICAL
HELP TO THOSE IN NEED-TACT
A NECESSARY FACTOR.

At the session Of the summer school in philan-
thropic work held yesterday morning in the United
Charities Building. the subject discussed was. The
Right View of the First Request for Aid with
papers by Mrs E Y. H. Mansell and Mrs. F. p.
Strickland superintendent of the joint application
bureau Of the Charity Organization Society and the
Association for Improving the Condition Of the
Poor.
Mrs Strickland took as her division Of the topic
ssThe First Interview in the Office She emphasized
she necessity for discrimination. and said that in
MANY cases judicious questioning in the office made
aurther investigation unnecessary. The aim must
Se learn what the applicant can do and OF what
he is capable. and TO suggest plans for enabling MIN
10 help himself.
For this purpose the workers in the office must
watch advertisements in the daily papers and keep
.n touch with all kinds OF employment bureaus as
offering possibility OF helpful suggestion Tact Is
always necessary in these interviews, as some are
inclined 10 resent questioning. anc II Is necessary
70 inspire feeling of friendly confidence.
In speaking OF the necessity for discrimination In
cases asking immediate help Mrs. Strickland re-
hated that during the spanish-American War a
sailor applied the Office for 10 cents. saying that
he had only an hour 10 reach his ship at Staten
ssltnd, his shore leave having nearly expired
Although he was evidently just getting over the
effects Of spree" said Mrs. Strickland. the man
had something honest in his appearance, and
gave him the money. Some months later a trim
young sailor came in. asked if remembered him
and assured me that that dime had saved him
from disgrace. He repaid it. and added another
tor some other poor fellow
Sometimes q meal ticket was the obvious neces-
pity, OF a pair Of Shoes or other clothing, ana
these cases required no investigation.
"A dyspeptic has place in our work We
must be cheerful and optimistic ourselves II We
are 10 infuse hope into others. said Mrs. Strick-
land.
Mrs Mansels topic The First Interview In
The Home" She referred investigation OF dis
tress as resembling the physicians diagnosis OF
disease in which he seeks TO learn much as
possible of causes before forming a judgment
asserted mot 10 label worthy or unworthy, but
10 decide what kind OF help Is needed ana from
what source il should come ,
The speaker pointed out that visitors must De
kaCtful Pkindly, never cictatorlaL
Always seat lbut not an upholstered
pneb' she said 'as that depT1ves the visit OF ITS
uffic!al character some extent, and enables you
70 meet the applicant on a more iflendly OASIS
rset MANY facts a. possible without categorical
questions a 5 IL is less embarrassing. Try 10 ma
the applicants idea of what Is needed ana, II
practical act IL. Verify all statements regard
'ng the number and age Of children. Insist on see
.ng them. Frequently IL is claimed that there are
several children, when there are none, or that
Bone inValids. when they are in perfect healtn
Mrs Mansell emphasized the necessity for in
PestgatOrs 10 be acquainted with All helpful agef-
eies such as kndergartens. dispensaries, wood
budgets OF information in order to help the ap
pcant find the way out Of her difticulty for
III is cruel" she asserted Ito teach people 10
lean on Others Far better help them 10 rely on
themselves often a little sensible advice sug
gestion viii reduce the aid needed TO small proper
lions by opening A way for selt-help.
The subject this morning Will be THE Uses and
Limitations Of Investigation" by Dr. jeffrey K
Bracket OF Baltimore. The class meets at $50
. m. and the paper is read at o'clock