The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-11-28
By
Elliott Flower.

/ ! !. ]. ]. !. ! ! ! sss.s*
the subject a life study. There is
something radically wrong
YES" conceded the judge, there is
something wrong"
II do not pretend to say where the
fault lies," continued Billiard, cor
what may be the remedy. know that
no one man ever will be able to apply
the remedy, even if he discovers it;
but one man may do much to anchor
ate conditions here and there. That is
nay immediate AIM"
"a rraiseworthy ambition" COM
mented the judge.
mot at ALL" returned Billiard. "a
man should have some occupation, and
was born to none-merely to an in
heritance. l became interested in this
subject, quite accidentally, through
seeing something of the suffering that
case merely opened up a wider view
follows industrial depression. / helped
a little in individual vases, but each
of poverty and want. There were
men crying for work and no work to
be had 1T did not seem right. Having
nothing else to occupy the mind,
gave my attention to this, seeking to
learn the reason an6the remedy, and
helping while l sought. / could not
change industrial conditions, but I
could do something in other ways"
Billiard paused and looked at the
judge rather doubtfully.
please believe me- he said, when I
say that I am seeking no credit for
myself, and have no wish to pose as
philanthropist; I am merely trying to
make my purpose clear and prove my
own sincerity
Iquite understand, and am inter-
ested," returned the judge. please go
on"
II have built some so-called model
dwellings,, and with others have in
vested in model tenements-not with
the idea of making money, but solely
with the idea of putting a clean,
wholesome life within reach of even
the most poorly paid. / have fought
slum conditions in every way that
seemed practical, and, realizing that
even gift home is Of small advan-
tage to the starving family, / have
contributed to the immediate relief as
sociations. l want wou to understand
that try to be a practical and not
theoretical, reformer. While my aim
has been an ultimate general improve
ment of conditions, I have not neg
lected present needs. And in these
present needs lies the great problem
the need of work There is always
the need of work in the city; there are
always men who cannot get it, and re-
Gently this matter has become unusual
ly serious. The bread line is long, the
soup kitchens are over taxed, and we
have had to establish new relief sta
lions. Our work for the future has
been suspended while we attend to the
needs of the present. Even so, we i'm
peratively need more money than we
have been able to get"
"And your present mission?" asked
the judge.
II arranged some time ago to deliv-
or an address at Gibson on the needs
of the slums and our methods of work"
explained Billiard. II seem to be re-
garded as something of an authority
on the subject, and I am glad to take
advantage of this reputation to awak-
en- interest in it. It is not the Prob
lem of one city alone, but Of them all,
and it needs the thought and help of
all the people. We should have help
from the farming districts"
mo doubt it seems So" said the
| judge, noncommittally.
| "The whole country should be In
terested in wiping out the slum life
of the cities. 1t is as important as
the restriction of immigration, or any
of the other measures for protection
from undesirable citizenship. And,
aside from that, there is the dire dis
tress of the present moment There is
work, hard work, for you. but lock at
| the other side Of the picture think Of
| the despair of no work at ali and
mouths to feed!''
You think I should give for the .e-
lief OF the unemployed of the city,
asked the judge, in surprise.
Il do" answered Billiard
There are many rich in the city, :
/ suggested the judge.
There are. admitted Billiard, "and