Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-14
WEDNESDAY,. ........ JANUARY IA, 1908.
THE wooDP1LE.

We know that the woodlands Of vir-
einiA are not What they used to be, yet
most farmers still can find on their land
pstnty OF fuel for each winters use. We
therefore think OF them in happy con
trast with the very poor and the m!ddlng
poor OF the cities.
In the cities the majority Of people are
paying .1nheard of prices for wood and
COAL ard the result is that a degree Of
economy is being practtced which we
much fear will lead to colds and throat
and lung troubles.
It is no doubt e fact that we Ameri-
cans OF the cities keep our dwellings, too
hot The health OF the masses doubtless
would be better it there were reform in
that respect. but too sudden change in
our habit cannot but DE dangerous. Yet
such change has been wrought this sea
son In many families Most housewives
are trying to do with fewer fires than
being exercised to check wastefulness In
the use OF fuel. Yet most OF us still are
great fuel-was,ers. We know not the
nice economics practiccd ia the old coun-
tries--fn France and Germany. especially.
Wen pinch and skfnnp this year, but 80
soon as coal falls to the normal price.
and winter comes again.. we are sure to
burn as much as usual. MeanM lille. how
ever. there is much actual Suffering far
fuel among the poor. svhite ana black
Coal, provisions and rents-ali-ace now
very dear. and the wages of the labarlrg
man DO not go as far a s s;oull be ,vish,.l.
The family expense aecnlin. is a raven
Gus thing nowadays. eNen where there is
the best management.
The lot Of the countryrnan is happier
one than that OF the city wage Garner. II
he have health and energy. he may easily
have big wood pile and Jolly fine fire.
Food. too. he will find, though, OF course,
his bill Of fare Is not q rich one nor
often changed. III
We are satisfied there is good deal
OF suffering here IN Richmond, though
much Of it is among persons who are
too proud to let their needs be known.
They arc willing to suffer and be still.
There are others who can only be reached
and assisted through tactful friends. we
are certain. also. that there is much suf-
fertnE among the negroes. especially
where the breadwinner OF the house
hold is Ill or unemployed.
Charity Is not as readily and broadly
extended to negroes as 1t would be if, as
class. they were more willing to help
themselves. Hundreds OF places In do
1nestic service are open to them. which
they will not take. or taking, will not
trouble themselves to keep. And yet a
large portion OF the coiored population
OF Richmond is fed directly from the
tables of the whites. and ii would seem to
be an important connection for them to
maintain.
Every cline. every community. has its
poor to deal with: everywhere the relief
OF poverty is more or less OF problem,
but this Is an age of much aims giving,
and OF extensive charitable organizations,
As rule. the rics, are liberia, with the!r
help. where the object il deserving The
real difficulty Is to discover and bring the
nerttcr!ous poor into contact with those
who ere prepared To haip them. Working
70 this end, we find number Of organisa-
lions whose Efforts cannot but be COM
neaded. TO them and TO individual effort
we must look far that relief OF The poor.
which is so much needed at this season.
But to return TO the country wood Pile!
When We see one OF ample dimensions.
we think OF Its owner as g man Of thrift.
and should expect to nnd corn In his
CRIB. meat In his smoke house. and pota-
toes in his cellar.