New-York tribune., 1907-07-01
LONG FOR FRESH AIR.
Children in Squalor appeal to Trib-
une Fund to did Them.

Wont you please iet me go TO the country? l
went last year and played and had good time
and 1 want 10 go again. ! am eight years old. and
can't my two brothers and sister go, too?'
This was one of the numerous notes received by
The Tribune Fresh Air Fund not long ago. Like
all such the family had TO be investigated
to whether it was worthy before the Fresh Air
Fund could send the children away. A Tribune re-
porter sent do the WORK He went TO
the address the East Side and, entering a dark
hail. made his way up four flights OF dark, dirty
stairs. at last arriving az n door at which re
knocked.
Come in" a voice called.
1t was not pleasant sight that met his eyes
He found himself in d room that evidently was
a kitchen. dining room. pantry, sitting room and
paTlor for large family In a chair by tsole
sat woman, large and strong. hair unkempt'
dress torn down the front and bearing evidences
of having accumulated unlimited quantities of
grease for ages past. shoes out at the toes ana
face swarthy and red.
At the table sat four children eating their
ing meal. On tho table lay loaf OF bread. Each
child had a cup of some black stuff that was
drawn from dingy looking teapot on dingler
locking stove About the room were strewn all
sorts of thiEgs-arcles OF clothing, shoes, cue or
two boxes. TWO or three tin cans and two broken
down chairs. The single window opened on back
yard that was just as dirty as the room. having a
much larger assortment of Tin cans and other rub
bish. From the first 1t possible 10 SEQ
a second, the bedroom. The interior of this room
was dark that not much could be seen. except
a bed. on which piled in dis tderly fashion
mated from the whole place was sickening
The children were the only bright spots in the
room for. strange as it may seem. their faces
dirty as they were. had not yet lost their childish
beauty. The reporter did not ask any questions
before deciding that they were worthy TO go away
so he explained his mission and asked
Wound you like them to go TO the country?
Sure! Take them along" was the reply
So the Children will be sent to one of the homes
for two weeks where they will come under alto
gether different influences. With them will go
hundreds Of other children that come from hones
where the conditions equally bad Every
OF these children who goes will have O chance
to get what TO him now is the most important
thing in the world-a new view of life Unless he
gets it, the question may well be asked. What
chance has heY
The question may also be asked as TO whether the
view Of life that the child gets in his two weeks
outing is really OF lasting benefit. Does it really
accomplish anything? There Is hardly a mission
ary that has not at least one or tales of what
has happened along this line a year ago a man
was speaking fresh air in Montclair. y. J. At
the close of the meeting young, prosperous look
ipg grasped his hand and remarked:
Pm what you might call a living example OF
the benefits Of the fresh air movement. My father
used 10 drink and l sent from a poor home
on the East Side for a two weeks visit to the
country got sort of shock at first but went
back home with an idea of being something differ
ent from the people around me- have pleasant
home out here now l wish you could come and
my wife and babies
Another instance is told by a missionary in
Broome street of an Italian boy who went out from
an untidy, iiterate family soon after the move
ment started thirty years ago. He also that
all people did not live his people did. He now
occupies a good position with insurance COM
pany in this city.
There great many children in New York
that need just such chance this. a trip to the
country may be the making of their lives. The
applications from children and missionaries con
tnue 70 pour in. The number that can be sent
away however. is limited by the funds on hand
and by the number of places to which children
may go. Not until every child that ought 10 20
away Is sent will the Fresh Air Fund be satisfied.