New-York tribune., 1906-07-16
'BUT IT'S NOT H0ME.s
Problem Of the English Poor and the Work
house Described By Mr. Crooks.

Wlh Crooks. poor law guardian ana Member oe
parliament. has been endeavoring to discover Why
'le tOor oFead the workhouse. and has reached
some conclusions in recent number Of "Tit-Bstss
that may be interesting TO American as we'll Al,
English. philanthropists
FIRST and foremost among the reasons for TITS
dread. Mr. Crooks places an ineradicabIe feeling of
independence inbOTn in the English both poor ana
rich
Why" he asks does an i'll shod. ragged tramp
YEARLY plod on from place 20 place. sleeping on
the eOldest and wettest nights. in the OPEN when
there is shelter to be found in the house knock
at the door. and nights lodging can be had for
the asking Why does ne deny himself these COM
forts? Wen VIII tell YOU
1t is the loss Of liberty Many people no douhs
will ask. What is liberty. when you are homeless
destitute cold and hungry? Well 10 use the words
OF well known politician who was recently asked
the question. Liberty is something a man viii dc
for And. from whatever standpoint the question
Is regarded, there is something TO be admired IN
this independent feeling OF the utterly destitute
Homeless. rOohess, starving-but yet indsDendent.~
Closely akin 10 this feeling probably is the lovs
Of home which Mr.. Crooks has found deeply
ingrained in the poor that amount OF comfort OF
kindness can reconcile them to the house" They
have charges bring against the institution on
either Of these counts. he declares
Times without number" the article says. II
have questioned inmates OF all ages regarding their
treatment in the house and the reply invariably
received is that they are well treated. that the
clothing and bedding are good the kind. tho
master and matrOn most ConsdeTate and. in fact,
have seldom. If ever. had any serious complaint
on the score Of treatment We are quite comfoTta-
BILE, is the unanimous verdict. and truly CRATE
ful for every ones great kindness. And then with
mOurnful sgh-and here lies the secret OF tho
pOor's dread of the hOuse'-they invariably ada,
But 1t is not home"
According to Mr.. Crooks's article. the English
warehouses take extraordinary pains. particularly
in the case Of the aged. 10 make the inmates fsel
'at home"
In several houses. he says little homes are set
aside for aged couples. Here and there can Oe
many a familiar touch Of home such as,
perhaps artificial flower stand or maybe an old
bird cage. which brings back memories Of famous
sOngsters OF years ago and other similar housshOlt
gods. dear to the hearts OF those who have sean
better and happier days.
Moreover. in many warehouses aged couples eal
have their food served to them In their own quar-
tiers, instead OF IN the common room. they arc
allowed dry tea brew at their own little freside.
The aged poor who cannot get about with comfort
are located in what termed "tnfirm blOcss.'
is their own. They do just they like; they
are, indeed allowed 70 do whatever inclination
be their wish. for there is TO say them nay
And should they desire 10 sit quietly and dozs
away the duh hours when they feel disinclned Tor
needlework, comfortable armchairs are at their
disposal. while if they wish 10 read there Is q
hDeral ana up-tO-date supply or papers ana books
provided for use. There is no discipline IN the
ordinary sense OF the word, unless the regulation
bath at stated intervals can reasonably be said %
come under that head
acquire the home atmosphere, as Mr.. Crooks Illus
trates by curious story 1t was the proud boast
Of old woman brought into a certain WOFkhOUse
fS,1t eIisp % TSorE bol1s law NV I,3st he CbeyeS ma N
due course towels and water called into use.
/ At first the old offered strong Ob1eCtiOns-
but superior will power won the day, and at the
round the nurses neck and exclaimed: Thank
| iife-but it's not homer