Semi-weekly herald., 1908-05-21
loLg FURNISH BIG PROBLEM.
By William b Curtis, Correspondent
OF the Chicago Record Herald.

perplexing problem here IN New
York, as in London and in other great
cities, is what shall be done with those
who want work and cannot find Il,
and how may those who won't work
be distinguished from those who viii?
The vast machinery OF benevoience,
| The many associations for the relief
| of the hungry, the distressed and the
destitute. offer an opportunity for
takers to impose upon public and pri-
vnte charity, and the central organiza-
lions which are intended TO prevent
| that sort OF thing are unable to deal
| successfully with the situation. II is
asserted that 100000 persons In New
York City out of a total of 100000 who
are now out OF employment, are being
wholly or partially supported by char.
ily and, with their families. they mike
total of perhaps half million people
VINO are more or less dependent on
| he public for sustenance. or these
10000 are provided for by the mu-
nicipallty, and about 10000 by private
organizations, These include perma-
nent dependents. incufables and others
who are unable to take care of them
selves. The city government of Great
er New York will spend $1,000 900 in
various forps of benevolence during
the current year ending June 30. while
It Is estimated that religious and pri.
vaie charitable organizations will ex-
pend not less than S3,500.OOO making
total of nearly sl1 100000 devoted
to the support of people who cannot
or win not earn enough to support
themselves.
Everybody admits that this is dan
gerous situation and that 1t is likely
10 permanently pauperize large num-
her of people. But II Is easier to pre-
dict such consequences than to pro-
vide remedy. Certain benevolent
gentlemen. composing the executive
committee Of the Industrial Christian
Alliance, propose to deal with the sit
uation as far as their means will per-
fbiN w
those who cannot obtain employment
anywhere else. They propose to erect
building that viii cost 100000. equip
It with machinery and place It In
charge of competent mechanics as
foremen. who Will be able 10 direct the
labor of al least 10000 worthy men who
are without an opportunity to earn
their living. II is an entirely new
proposition. and its practicability is
seriously questioned by many philan-
thropists of experience, but there Is no
harm in making the experiment. which
will be watched with intense interest
by all who are engaged In similar phi.
lanthropic endeavors.
One of the gentlemen who has been
active In the movement described the
plans Of the association to me as fol-
lows:
"The building will be situated at
Lafayette and Bond streets. II Will
not be mere soup and lodging house.
but a workshop as well. and he who
does not work shall not eat. This is
merely TO take care of the worthy men
who are willing and Industrious. The
home. therefore. will not appeal TO the
professional vagrant.
THE influx of professional loafers
into the city has staggered the charity
organizations. BY thousands they have
been trooping into New York In the
belief that the city IL easy often
they guess right, and by playing on
the sympathies OF eredulous people
these cold days they I've well. 1t is
| difficult to discriminate between a
man genuinely In hard luck and gen
| orally in hard luck. This will be the
purpose OF the proposed home. A bis
workshop will keep the men busy
throughout the day. There will be q
furniture repair shop, as that Ia work
any man can do under the direction Of
u skilled foremans
New York is capable OF caring for
Its unemp' Dyed, but 1t must be done
IN a thoroughly practical way. Char
ity lodging houses are theoretically
good. but they are often imposed upon
Men live there IN warmth and com
fort and seldom try TO look for work
BY making the men work on the prem
ises the new workshop homes VIII sep
arate the earnest men from the drones
Through combination OF trad,
conditions there have never befor'
been so many homeless and sufferinl
men and boys In the city. / should sa,
there are 10000. Perhaps $500 arr
in straits through no individual blame
These are the ones who should be be
! friended In practical way. Thi
} should be self-sIstalning charit.
y through the profits accruing througl
. the furniture repairing No man VIII