The age-herald., 1901-12-15
SHADOW OF SUFFERING ALWAYS DARKENS THE
 HORIZON OF BUSY CITY

given to Investigating the stories told by applicants for help. the man who sees money all day long, the man who eats rich wholesome food. and the man who sees not what may be happening out side of his small sphere come questions of where these people live. He says there are so many places for work, so many men making much money, so much prosperity everywhere that poverty, suf- fering seems not a part of life.
 Answers to his questions may be found in the following interview with Mrs. J. D. Torrey, president of the United Chari- ties, in Birmingham:
 Mrs. Torrey Tells of Work.
 gro convince one that there are de- serving persons in Birmingham who are suffering I would call attention to my report of last years work, she said. During the twelve months which ended October l. 1901, the total number Of 1OO5 persons were relieved from hunger or cold This number was confined to 37S families, the stories of all of which were investigated. And of this latter number only S2 families were not those of whites.
 Those deserving of charity live in all parts of the city, but the greater num- Der of calls come from the district of the city surrounding the rolling mills. Many others come from other sections of the town where rent is always cheap, where houses are poorly built and where the very air breathes of suffering and pow erty. Some calls come from the factory district All from sections where labor ing classes live and where those whose salaries are small live.
 "Oftentimes hunger and cold is not what causes the most suffering, but lack of clothing, lack of medicine and work contribute to make misfortune almost uncomfortable But of course, we have more calls from those suffering from lack of food than anyone other thing. Why we gave out provisions 50 times last year.
 Quotes From Her Report.
 q really would like to call special att tention to the number of times we helped persons in each of the classified divfs- ions of our work, and the reasons why help was asked. They are for families
 Reasons why aid was required Out of workable and willing........ 66 On account of sickness. ...... .......... 147 On account of small children.... Il Desertion..... ...... ...... ........ .... z Other misfortunes. ...... 3S 
 Relief by work. k.......... ..... 64 Times provisions given out...... 520 Times medicine given out...... ........ 306 Times clothing given out (66S pcs).... IS Times shoes given out (29 new prs.).. 5 Times coal given out G5 ton each).... 106 Times bread tickets given out. JJ6 Times milk tickets given out ($1 each) 19 Times special nourishment ($1 eacD.. 4s Times nurses provided. d........ .......... ? Times medical attention provided...... 37 Times bed clothing provided..... .... ? Our Work Is Done.
 Our work Is done through committees which are required to investigate each application for assistance. The city is divided into nine districts and each dis trct we have a committee of strong, reh- able workers, who never hesitate to give their time te the cause. And so when we have a call we make an investigation, give temporary relief and then perma- nent relief in one way or another. And when you tell of this work, of the charity deserving persons of the city, please say that we need contributions; | that we need clothing. we need food, and | most of all this year, we need coal. But any donation will do good
 | Birmingham has always been good to the deserving. It has d record that is | clean and bright. It has not very many but it has some persons who deserve | help. And they should get it.