Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-10
CONFERENCE IN RICHMOND
DISCUSSION OF SYSTEMATIC
METHOD FOR EXTENDING AID.
Meeting of Individuals Interested in
Charities and observation-disclosures
of the Speakers.

Interest in the meeting of the charities
and corrections conference I'm Richmond
last Friday afternoon centered in the
discussion of systematic methods for
extending aid i'm communities which hap
pen to be plunged into distress by the
failure of the chief industries to afford
necessary employment Needy Families
and Their Homes was the subject The
speakers included Miss Byington of
Homestead. Pa; Mr.. Hanson of Youhgs-
town. Ohio; Mr.. Bicknell of Chicago, ILL.,;
Porter Lee of Buffalo. n. Y. Mr. Will
liams of Orange. n. j.; John Martin and
Mr. Divine of New York
The predominant thought of the meet
ing was the immense Importance of the
charitable societies of the country taking
up the supplying of the needs of those
out of employment in a scientific. re-
sponsible way. instead of allowing ir
responsible bread lines and soup kitchens
Conditions in Homestead.
Miss Byington told of conditions in
Homestead. Pa, during the winter when
the factories were closed She said that
the preceding winter there was only one
family in need in Homestead. but that
during last winter while thousands were
out of work there were many families
led to relief by different missions and
organizations but with no system
plan. In one case every woman who APP
peared was given a basket of groceries.
and If she said she had d large family
of children she was given two baskets
of groceries. There was effort made
to know whether the woman had suitable
lodgings for her children or whether she
was doing as many families were doing.
crowding the family into one room to
older
out of school to save clothing and in
every way lowering the standard of life.
Miss Byington made a strong appeal
for organized work at such times Mr..
Henson of Youngstown gave the ex-
perience of organized work under SIM
liar conditions He told how the newly
organized society in Youngstown had
grappled with the problem of closed fac
tories.
Mr.. Bickner of the Chicago bureau of
charities said he felt that with all their
efforts they had failed to find a solution
which would meet such difficult problem
as last winter had presented. He sug-
gested that the different charity organiZa
tions of the country bring their combined
knowledge of the situation together and
plan the best method of meeting a winter
Of depression.
Have Done Immense Work.
Mr. Porter Lee of Buffalo, N. Y. where
$3.50
ployment, said that although he agreed
with Mr.. Bicknell of Chicago that the
problem was not solved. still the charity
organization societies had done an inn
mense work for the public in putting
before them the facts in the case. and
by their very failures had learned how
to do better in the future.
Mr.. Williams of Orange. n. j.. told
how the Orange Associated Charities. IN
cooperation with the editors of small
newspapers in the country, had sent many
families to the country to live on farms.
He said they had created a sentiment for
country life. that many young men
had asked how they could get away from
the city.
Mr.. John Martin of New York sug-
gested a system of insurance for unem-
ployment. Edward Divine said that as 1t
is always the most inefficient who lose
employment. trade schools should be es-
tablished during times of unemployment
to fit people for better earning power.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Divine stated. their fam
lilies should be properly fed and clothed
SO that the family itself should not lose
In efficiency.