New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-20
SLOW STARVATION.
The Condition Of Thousands in This
City, Says Dir. SuL2berger.

Twelve hundred mothers and their three thou
sand children are starving TO death in New York
on the munincence Of the Jewish community
This statement was made by Cyrus l. Suzber-
ger yesterday afternoon at a meeting held at
the home OF Mrs. Benjamin Stern. No. West
bSd street. for the purpose Of forming wom-
ans auxiliary 10 the membership committee Of
the United Hebrew Charities
1T was easy enough 70 move your hearts"
proceeded Mr.. Sulzberger, when the stories Of
atrocities began TO come from Russia but what
was that compared 10 our daily massacres, our
continued slaughter OF the innocents? They do
things more kindly in Russia. There they kill
child in three days. Here we take years to XIII
81 by slow starvation. and this is the richest
Jewish community that ever was gathered to-
gether IN the world
There are 100000 Jews in New York. and
only 1000 who contribute 10 the Hebrew Chart
ties There are 600 pensioners on our lists and
we distribute among them $4,000 a year. $50
apiece DO you wonder that The mothers be
come consumptive and the fathers become con-
sumptive and the children die? And there are
10000 others for whom you haven't given US
one cent.
Some people say that organized charity keeps
alive the weak who might better be allowed TO
succumb. That may be so. But If you are not
willing 10 let them succumb give them enough
20 live on in decency. Don't cole out a pit
lance on which they can barely exist and don't
give 10 US who dispense your charity and who
have 10 witness this suffering the added mis-
cry Of not being able TO relieve II. II would not
take much money TO do this. I do not ask you to
give up any Of your pleasures. Only give US
the money you spend on things you don't want
and We would have enough.
We get into the habit Of speaking Of the
persons who come 10 us for help as cases We
forget that they are human beings, with all the
loves and passions Of other human beings with
the same aspirations and ambitions and hopes
that you have. and the same right TO have them
Eratided-
zone Of our recent cases was a baker who
had Just lost his wife and who had a couple
Of small children. The baby four years old, was
fond 81 him that Il couldn't bear 10 have him
out Of its sight. You say he should have put
The children IN an institution. OF course he
should. But hasn't poor man the same right
any other man 10 feel his baby's arms around
his neck after his wife has been laid in her
grave"
Mr. Sulzberger was followed by Mrs Alex
ander Kohut and then Mrs. William Einstein
moved that an auxiliary committee be organized
10 secure members and raise funds for the
Hebrew Charities. Mrs. jefferson Seligman con-
scented 10 act as chairman and Mrs. Charles H. (
Israels was appointed secretary. Among those
enrolled as members were Mrs J. T. Cohen, Miss /
z. Durlach, Mrs s. Rawitzer Nine. Dolivera- /
Mrs. Leon Kanaiky. Mrs P. Fucker. Mrs. F /
LOwerfels Mrs. B. F. Rees. Mrs. 8. E Jacobs, |
Miss O. F1~Th and Mrs. u. We'll. The first meet
ing viii be held on Monday morning at the home
Of Mrs. Seligman and The first work 10 be taken !
raising a fund Of 5000 for the purpose Of /
sending men and women. particularly those Of /
advanced years, TO the country in summer. One I
hundred dollars toward this fund was sub
Mrs. Allan Macnaughtan told some Of her East
Side stories.