New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-20

then-loolr deeper 70 see what can be done 20
prevent the need OF its reutterance Why does
not the applicant ask for what viii set him on
his feet? Because he fancies that II the emer-
gency of the moment IS met he can do better
next week'-a hope the charity expert silently
discounts; or because he does not know himsen
what the vital want IS; or perhaps he knows
but is proud. or timid, or does not dream tnat
charitable organizations are Tor anything pc
yond dropping bread into empty stomachs.
Here Is where investigation comes in.
For instance, there was a woman VINO asAeU
the Charity ORGANIZATION Society for groceries.
Had they merely sent the groceries. heo not q
visitor gone TO her and spent some time taking
what she most needed was a pair or glasses;
sne was a seamstress, and her eyes gave OUT an. an.
she had no money for an ocuilst. AZ na iu,l no'
occurred TO her TO ask the society lot glasses;
and she was quite surprised at being escorted
forthwith TO a good Oculist and htted our VII"
what enabled her to take up her trade again.
Then there were q mother and a daughter OF
whom a neighbor reported to the Charity Or
ganization Society that they We're slaL Fl tI
Twice the visitor called and found only the
invalid mother. She said her daughter was Out
looking for work; she had been saIesglrI III q
department store and had lost her place. AZ
last the visitor found the girl at home. she
seemed a bright girl and might hdNe III ~
pretty, but all her front teeth We're gone lne
visitor introduced the subject of teeth. MlghC
not the lack of them prevent her getting the
place in a store which she wanted Inc gltl
answered that this was what had lost her her
last place So,
II had to have them out. they got so bad
she said but the foorwalker SAID ne uluIl
New teeth have restored that girl to the RANKS
of the wage earners and. incidentally nave I'M
proved her health.
Then there was a woman-a WldoW-Who hdd
supported her four children for as many years
by washing and ironing. She asked the ASso-
citation for Imnroving the Condition of the Poor
for temporary help-a hit Of coal or some sucn
thing. An investigation was made; the coiu
sent and a doctor in addition. The DOCTOR re-
ported that the woman had varicose veins.
which. from long standing at the washtuo' were
beginning 10 burst
| IF she can take a thorough rest, in he'd he
said shell get well. If she keeps right on
as she is she'll soon he beyond help"
When they told the woman she shook her
head How can I Test?" she answered. How
can ] stay in bed?' In short she had no idea
but TO work.
Then the association and the doctor made
| plan. The woman put TO bed. Every day
! the associations working housekeeper goes
there washes. scrubs. tides the children, cooks
the dinner. makes the mother comfortable. AS
often as necessary the associations trained
! nurse looks I'm. Two elastic stockings have been
| ordered for her when she gets up again In the
| mean time. while she rests. food, rent and fuel
are provided
Not infrequently. charity experts say an IN
YestigatiOn following an ordinary appeal TOT
| relief results in an education for some ambitious
| boy or girl. For example. there wero two young
| sisters. an office girl and the other WORKING
| in a factory. who greatly longed TO become
stenOgrap piers But the $40 week. which
formed the sum of their wages was TOO I'M
portant part o! the family income to he spared.
one day the mother fell sick. The AesoCiation
| for Improving the Condition Of the Poor had
be appealed to. and the friE.:5l+ vito voF ,r'
| confidence Of the girls. TIE caSe vas -rese1fea
| 10 the principal az cec tan hi'I1tF' c".Lc=S
| If they seemed promising he would arrange free
! SCh0larshipS for them.