Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-01

public department and assisted the man to
file regular application there.
The visitor inquired as to openings in
other cities and almost placed his protege
as a teacher In Jewish agricultural
school. Meanwhile the agent canvassed Mr..
G, and Mr.. 7. for work. Induced Mrs. n. 10
keep hands off, the material relief problem
and encouraged or advised the man con-
stantly. through numerous visits to the
house and interviews at the busy office of
the Associated Charities.
Baby Born; Mother Dies.
In the midst of the struggle the arrival of
another infant became imminent. Hospital
care had to be secured for the woman. while
the little ones were placed in an asylum
and an outfit for the new baby was secured
from the Christ Child Society
Unfortunately. typhoid fever followed the
childs birth and the mother passed away in
the hospital. The Saint Vincent de Paul
Society gave generous assistance in the
funeral expenses, they had. indeed in
other particulars also. Even the pallbear-
ers and those who attended the last rites
were friends whom the family had secured
through the Associated Charities.
The baby lived and the five children were
transferred to three institutions appropriate
for their care. A good deal of friendly en-
enlargement was given the bereaved father,
and the friendly visitor continued the search
for proper employment. After the return of
the sick employe, whose place at the city
dump the man had filed. the latter was
necessarily reduced again In grade and pay
Earnest efforts were again put forth. how
ever, which resulted in his being made a
regular, instead of a substitute. street
sweeper To his credit be it said. he had
the genuine pride to accept this work and
do 1t well.
Other Cities Assist.
The Chicago board of charities and the
associated charities of Buffalo were brought
N 10 faSf Nv Sko IN in
their cities two suspicious firms whose rose
colored advertisements had led the man to
think that, though first sending them some
money. he could piece out his earnings by
doing some evening work for them.
Meanwhile. the friendly visitor had been
boring all his friends and acQuantances in
the mans behalf and, finally, he got Mr.. 8.
to go with him to the assistant secretary of
a large department who was interested by
their earnest exposition of the case, search
ed out vacancy at once and assigned the
titled foreigner to service as an Interpreter
at 81 200 yearly.
"Ah," said the poor man when they told
him the news in the street where he was
sweeping up the refuse, "Ah, IL only the lit
tie wife had lived to see the good days come
once more"
What It Cost Materially
For food fuel and shoes, eighteen orders
of the Citizens Relief Association were
given amounting in all to s2l. Besides this
a special appeal was made and $50 secured
through the Golden Book fund, while about
$50 cash was given in small sums by some
of the persons whose interest was enlisted.
work relief was also administered in the
shape of occasional odd jobs secured de-
vised to afford self help for special needs.
Eighteen interviews at the office of the
Associated Charities, fourteen visits to the
familys home and twenty calls upon ref
time and strength of the trained workers
employed in the association
Some cost might also be estimated on the
ground of office rents stationery postage,
telephone rental and other administrative
expenses essential to the service rendered
by the Associated Charities. The material
cost. however, was the smallest part of the
treatment which the case required.
Yet Most Cases Are Less Simple.
Multiply this story of one family by 35.55.
the number of cases treated last year. and
some conception may be formed of the total
service rendered. OF these 1855 families
some required more work and worry others
less. than the Polish nobleman's house
hold. In his case there were no complica-
lions due to drink, shiftlessness ignorance
or bad habits.
If. thea. SO much effort was necessary
TO re-esta bliSh a family who were nerfect
In character and extraordinarily Resource
ful IN the possession Of fine education
practical knowledge of agriculture and the
mastery Of seven languages, one can mag
Inc the months, or even years of patient
treatment usually required for the upbuiId-
In gof the ignorant, inert and undeyeloped
people who are far more clearly typical of
the average families with whom the two
associations have to deal.
1t Is true. often stated that ..noor
have poor ways" Broadly speaking, people
would not usually come to need charity If
they were not below par in some par
ticular. This may take the form Of physical
incapacity and, indeed, the one greatest
cause of distress is Sickness"
Even these cases. however are commit
ated in the majority of instances by char
acter problems in some member Of the fam
lily group. Obviously material relief alone
would encourage and augment, rather than
diminish. the difficulties due to intemper-
&nce. lack of energy, improvidence and I'M
developed standards of conduct
These require wise study and steady per
slstent treatment through personal service
rendered by trained agents and by volun-
teers. Withholding Is necessary as well as
giving; sense is needed almost as much as
sympathy. The resurrection of self-respect
and the promotion of self help often require
treatment as expert. resourceful and persis-
tent as the professional skill expected of
surgeons and physicians.