Arizona republican., 1908-03-19


 The home was dedicated May F. 1896, almost twelve years ago. during which time about s400.000 has been ex- pended to maintain the place and make necessary repairs and minor improve ments.
 All of the money for buildings and maintenance has been raised from un- ion printers by contributions and as sessments, except $5O00 each contrib uted by George w. Childs and A J. Drexel and $l045 from the estate of Julia A. Ladd of Shirley, Mass.
 There are now at the home 106 resi- dents, and since it's establishment nearly 1900 applications for admission have been acted upon. The average cost to the organization, per resident is about s3s monthly for a service that is first class in every respect.
 The expenses are met bX a monthly assessment of 10 cents on each mem Der of the International Typographical Union, and the home is absolutely free to the residents. It has been well said of the home that Its bounty is un purchasable; it's charity without price"
 The only fault to be found in the matter is-no provision is made for the helpmeet of member of the union who goes to the home. Any member of the organization (male or female) may go to the home if incapacitated from labor on account of old age or sickness.
 But many a man who is eligible to admission to theshome deslines to em- brace the opportunity to spend his de- clining years in ease because it will take him from the side of his wife, with whom he has fought the battle of life for many years.
 Ralph L. Criswell of the Los An geles branch of the typographical un- ion now proposes to build a home for the aged of both sexes in southern Cal ifornia. In speaking of this matter he says:
 T wOuld like to see established place where the rough places Of life can be smoothed for those old couples and l have in mind a plan that would let them end their days Tn peace. viz:
 Secure forty acres of land (which can be laid out in 240 lots, each 40xl4O feeO and erect a number of cottages thereon to be used by such people. The International Typographical Un- ion could be induced to maintain the place if it only could be started.
 ''The cost would be about as follows to make a beginning: Forty acres of land, with water (say), $20,000; twenty cottages, S10,000; superintendents cot tage. office building, water mains. grading. trees, shrubs, plants, etc, $lO,OOO; total, $40,O00.
 "Of course, the price of the land might be more or less and other cot tages would be added by the organiza- ton as needed.
 Tn this way a place could be pro vided for the old man and his wife, and also offer a place of refuge for the widow and her minor children.
 An educational campaign extending several years would probably bring the union to the point where it would es tablish such a home But think 1t might be possible to interest some per son or persons who would be willing to furnish the money to make the start I have suggested Con the assurance that the place would be properly main tained by the International Typograph- ical Union), and thus get the place started in less time than would be re- quired for the campaign of education.
 Southern California is an ideal To- cation for such an institution as is here outlined. The climate is mild and even; summer prevails about forty-eight weeks of the year, and the other four weeks are early in the spring. The cost for buildings would be a great deal less than in more severe climate, and the residents could enjoy outdoor life nearly every day in the year"
 The idea appeals to me strongly. The sorrows of the old are full of tragedy and pathos. The homeless old people of any land are a discredit and shame to the government. In New Zea- land the old age pension provides a fund for the homeless and helpless aged men and women of the land. This, too. was the result of the labor unions efforts to better the condition of humanity.
 It is to be hoped that some philan- thropist will come to the aid of MT. Ralph Criswell. Typographical Union, Los Angeles. California, and help him to establish his homes for the aged.
 God speed the movement.