New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-26
FRESH AIR WORK IN JAPAN
Full Pledged Enterprise Modelled on
That of The Tribune.

full grown. successful fresh air fund in Japan
was the subject Of enthusiastic account given
to the manager Of the Tribune Fresh Air Fund the
other day by Kosuke Tomeoka. 4 prominent leader
in charitable work in Japan What is more the
founders OF the japanese movement got their first
Ideas from the TrIoune Fresh Air Fund. and Used
1t as a model in founding their own
Among the many progressive Western ideas that
have been so readily adopted by the japanese
people in recent years. one Of the most significant
is that OF public charities. The work among chill
dren is a comparatively new form Of enterprise
there. and one which owes much for its beginning
to Mr. TomeOka-
About five years ago the Editor Of the "Jizi-
Shinpo" C'Timely JournarD. CT Toxic a leading
newspaper Of the empire. had his attention called
TO the work being done by The Tribune for poor
city children. and made study Of the methods
employed As result the "Jiz- Shinpo' began
similar work, which has been hailed as a most
eessful branch Of child charities in Japan.
Nor is there any less need Of this movement in
Toxic than there is in New-York City. That city
is about the size Of Chicago and densely populated
While the high buildings lacking. the East
Side here is little than that section of crowd
ed, squalid huts in Toxic.
The houses In this quarter are built Of the light
est material and only story high I'm order that
as little damage possible may be done by earth
quakes, as they are more common in Japan than
thunderstorms here. In the crowded city quar-
tiers the roof is the only substantial portion of the
house This is supported on posts. about six feet
apart and the spaces between the posts are filed
with mud and waffle two sides the re-
naming sides being left open.
Out OF these miserable surroundings about a
thousand children taken every year and have
G two weeks outing at the seashOre CT in the
mountains. They entertained NJ the beautiful
country villas OF the rich people Of Toxic These
people do great deal to entertain their little
guests. Fetes given in their honor. and they
are treated to rides about the country roads, shad-
ed with japanese eveTgreens and lined with the
gorgeous colorings for which The wild flowers or
the island empire are famous Teachers from the
missions visit them and amuse them with stories
In the twilight. and incidentally get them under
their influence. This work is not distinctly Chris
tan charity. however Buddhist priests unite win
Christian missionaries in the work OF gathering
and caring for the children. and the fund Is sup
ported by the subscriptions Of wealthy persons OF
both religions Editors Of the .. 1zi-Shinpo escort
the parties of children to end from the country.
This work is greatly appreciated by the japanese
public, and Is yearly growing in importance. SAID
Mr.. Tomeoka. The majority of the children are
orphans who have been left to themselves. or they
the children whose homes are little less than
schools OF evil from which they can hardly ran
to pass gradually into an environment OF crime.
Sometimes these children. separated from thelr
homes by disaster, wander about with m
sufficient clothing. and are forced to beg by, the
wavside- If we wish to make good ciuZers o. these
children must place them under the influence
of a pure and healthy home life ~
This doctrine Is accepted all the more readlly IN
japan where the prevailing theory among scnolars
is that crime is mainly matter Of heredIty-