The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-12-14

There are thousands such in the cities
now"
The judge made no reply, and pres.
emily led his guest to the house, where
a substantial supper was then ready
for him. Later they went outside to
smoke There was a pleasant view
from the porch, and two Old chairs
made them reasonably comfortable.
You are interested in the unem-
ployed?" said the Judge inquiringly.
Greatly" returned Billiard; II
might almost say that l am making
the subject life study. There is
something radically wrong
Yes" conceded the judge, there is
something wrong"
Il do not pretend to say where the
fault lies continued Billiard, "or
what may be the remedy. I 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
my immediate aim"
"A Trustworthy ambition COM
mented the judge.
Not at ALL" returned Billiard. "A
man should have some occupation, and
I 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. l helped
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, l
gave my attention to this, seeking to
learn the reason and the remedy, and
helping while sought. l could not
change industrial conditions, but
could do something in other ways"
Billiard paused and locked at the
Judge rather doubtfully.
please believe me- he said, when I
say that l am seeking no credit for
myself. and have no wish to pose as
philanthrorist; l am merely trying to
make my purpose clear and prove my
own sincerity"
Sc Iquite understand, and l 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. l have fought
s!um conditions in every way that
seemed practical. and, realizing that
even a gift home is of small advan.
tage to the starving family, l have
contributed to the immediate relief as
sociations. | want wou to understand
that try to be practical, and not
theoretical, reformer. While my aim
has been an ultimate general improve
ment of conditions, l 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.
tons. Our work for the future has
been suspended while we attend to the
needs of the present. Even so. We i'm
pcratively need more money than we
have been able to get"
"And your present mission?" asked
the judge.
81 arranged some time ago to deliv-
er an address at Gibson on the needs
of the slums and our methods of work"
explained Billiard. Il seem to be re-
garded as something cf an authority
on the subject, and I am glad to take
advantage Of this reputation to awak-