New-York tribune., 1906-12-11
DEFENDERS OF LITTLE ONES.
School Principal Tells of Charitable society's
Good Works.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Will you permit to express through the
columns of your paper my appreciation OF the good
work done by of the great charitable societies
of this city? The organization to whose excellence
I desire to bear witness is the New York Associa-
ton for Improving the Condition Of the Poor.
known among its many friends more briefly as
the A. I. c. p
I have not the honor OF personal acquaintance
with any of its officers. nor. far am aware,
with any of its members. but testify TO the
admirable efficiency and kindness with which the
difficult tasks Of the association are performed
The teachers Of the public schools situated in GER
tain quarters Of the city learn to understand with
sorrow and sympathy the hardships and struggles
of those who endeavor TO support and to educate
properly families upon small and uncertain in
comes. Children who are denied the comforts and
derness in OF the older generation. but the par
that these children shall at least obtain tne neces.
saries Of life deserve the honor in which we hold
such bonSat7oId however on ap1eaI for outside
aid can often be no longer avoided. Such an ap-
Sad circumstances, for those most deserving of
assistance always the most reluctant to ask for
class TO confess their needs Often the confession
suffering is not to be endured.
The association responds at once to a request to
believed to be needed. and its agents act with the
utmost tact and consideration. and Immediately
Investigation while sufferers wait for the societys
visitors empowered TO use their judgment III
giving relief at once. These representatives are
men and women of great experience in this work
and are very unlikely to be imposed upon ana,
after all, sickness, freesS stoves in freezing
weather and empty cupbOards speak a convincing
language to those who behold them personally. as
these agents do Every effort is made TO secure
employment for the members of the household
capable of performing it; food, medicine and warm
clothing supplied have known nurses en-
gagged for the sick; and, wisest policy of all the
bounds of possibility. The agents with delicate
consideration. and the neighbors of such a family
need never know that the assistance rendered Is
that horror Of the self-respecting poor, charity.
I knew of one case where actual material aid was
not necessary, but merely little human interest
and kindly sympathy This was given in the per
sonal visits and friendly encouragement OF the busy
woman who found time among her duties as dis
trct visitor 10 call upon the siXteeny year-old girl
who trying fill her dead mothers place with
her little brothers and sisters while her father
toiled for the daily bread of the family.
The SOcietys representatives can and do deal
strenuouSly with I'll doers in household il such
discipline seems necessary, and they are not TO be
endears them especially TO those whose work lies
with children they ever the good friends and
wise defenders OF the little ones.
A report upon every case is made at once to the
dividual or family and frequently the associa-
tons agent finds time to call upon such person
in order to discuss with kindly interest the best
way OF continuing the assistance which may be
cacy and excellence of the work of this Organiza-
tion is due primarily TO the discretion with which
these agents selected and then 10 the wisdom Of
the policy which permits its representatives the
exercise of their own judgment and certain free
dom of action in relieving immediate needs: Yours
very respectfully, Aida ,. WILLIAMS:
Principal of Public School 80.
Manhattan. Dec. 7, 1906.