The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-07
WORSE THAN BARBARIANs.

There are crueltieS enacted every
day in the MammOn worshiping cities
that are greater than any recorded of
savage tribes. No savage tribe ever
starved their own women and chill
dren to death when they were owners
of such stores OF wealth that cry of
"overproduction' was everywhere
heard Yet such things happen ev-
erywhere in all our great cities. A
tale of peculiar sadness Games from
Chicago last week. An honest, hard
working man was thrown out of work,
and after weeks spent in search of
employment without success, he went
insane and was sent to an asylum.
The mother, in weakness and poor
health, tried to get work to support.
her three children. Just when her last
dollar was gone, constable appeared
with a notice of ejectment. Then she
bathed her three children and her
self, put on clean night clothes and
turned on the gas. The next day when
the officers came to throw her out on
the streets they found only dead
bodies.
Yet Chicago has an organized char
ity association! In Lincoln no such
thing could possibly happen Such
case would be Immediately reported to
DR.. Prevey by the police or some
neighbOr. An immediate investiga-
ton would be made and every fact
concerning the case obtained. An
emergency fund would be drawn upon
for immediate relief and then the
family would be permanently proyid-
ed for The editor of The Indepen-
dent has always slept more soundly
ever since this society has been put
on its feet in Lincoln. He knows that
no one viii ever go hungry or shelter
less in this city. There are always
ready two persons, one man having
degree from university obtained
for scholarship in sociology and char
ity and one lady to Immediately re-
spond to any call for help, make
thorough investigation and furnish
immediate relief where deserved and
needed.
There are no professional beggars
to be seen on the streets of Lincoln.
II one appears his case is Immediately
attended to- The hobos and t,amps
give the city wide BERTH They are
not cruelty treated, but if they get
bed and meal in Lincoln they have
to work, if able-bodied, to pay for it,
and that fact has been passed along
the line.
And yet no one is allowed to suffer
for the want of food and shelter. 1t
took the tender-hearted business men
Of Lincoln long time to learn that
the way to prevent suffering in Lin
coin was to refer every applicant for
aid to the charity organization society,
but they have learned. The help given
to the poor is far more widespread and
effective than it ever was before, and
yet it costs the citizens far less. Near
ly One-half of the cases that the So
ciety handles are relieved. effectual-
ly and permanently, without giving
money or food What the sufferer
needs in such cases is cheering words
and friendly advice, sometimes a
small loan or assistance in getting
work. They need the touch of a
friendly hand, and to hear the cadence
of loving words to give them courage.
Such cases as this reported from
Chicago are getting more frequent ev-
cry day. Why do not the charity or
ganization societies in the great cities
make such arrangements that every
case of eviction be first reported to
them before the poor people are
thrown upon the street?
The cause of this suffering. which
will be very great during the next
winter, the : course to pursue to
abolish poverty is not discussed in
this article-that belongs to economics
and the old readers of this paper well
understand it.
SSSSSSSS
COMMERCIAL DUMPING GROUNDS
Tho ctatacmpp pf Canada oaap, IN