The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-08
WOULD GATHER ALL
SOCIETIES TOGETHER

the republic depends" he said, how
lean any right-minded man be indIf.
ferent to those conditions To say that
there shall be no Fairgrounds, no
wholesome amuscments. may mean
crowded saloons, just as we must admit
that density Of population develops in
decency. ! believe with Jack London
that man cannot be worked as horse
and fed as pig, and at the same time
have clean aspirations The church OF
the future must llnve a place for the
sanitary inspector as well as a place
for missionary.
III 1t is Christian to demand legis.
lation against the saloon 1t is Chrls-
tian to gee that the laws are enforced.
II 1t is Christian to establish hospitals
II IL Christian to form anti-tubercu-
loss leagues II the effort to uplift
humanity has the power OF the church
the church has work that Is not to be
despised. We must permeate all social
work with the spirit OF religion. The
church stands for all the classes; It
labors for the city OF God which Is
coming, and into which all things shall
be made anew"
The Church In Organized Charity.
The Rev. Father William j. Kerby.
professor OF sociology at the CATHOLIC
University In Washington. d. c.. took
OF prominent prelates who have recent
ly made attacks upon organized charity.
Father kerby believes in organized
beneficence as opposed TO unorganized
or promiscuous philanthropy. and he
sees distinct opportunity for the
church to assume a definite part IN
the work OF organized charity. Hc said
In part:
ut Is recognized that seIf-help Is the
best help; that good housekeeping Is
an essential in a home: that at best
this Is not an easy thing; and finally
that very real obstacles stand In the
way OF the poor who might be brought
to love and wish for sweet and attrac-
tive homes Some OF these obstacles
may be overcome by the poor family
under proper direction. The question is
that end by organizing families into
small competing groups. and giving
prizes for the best housekeeping ac-
cording to standards established fol-
the purpose?"
offers General Plan.
Father KERRY advocated this general
idea, but offered no particular plan
He submitted the following general
features for the consideration OF the
conference.
"tim--to stimulate toward cleanll.
ness. neatness and order, care of chill
dren. intelligent outlay OF income. etc
"CompetinR Group-To consist OF
only number OF families. classified by
income, working downward from those
who need the least help, and maxi
ing allowances for circumstances 10
even up relative chances.
"Method-Fam!lies are instructed as
to details of the standard. An unex-
pected visit is made by each OF three
visitors in given period. Observa-
tons are made by a schedule and
prizes are awarded on these reports.
"Alodincations-The plan might be
adopted as neighborhood affair. or
Ii might be taken up By religious or
ganizat!ons devoted TO charity. The
groups of families, or even the moth
ers, Nigh, merely form housekeep-
ers' club. 1t might be made q feature
OF settlement.
.Test-The plan IS worked success
fully In a number OF cities in Belgium.
AS strict competitive process i, Is
formally recognized by the commu-
nifty, and the distribution of prizes is
made grand occasion by men of
eminence and members OF the royal
family.
Differences OF temperament and in
situations might be against the plan in
the United States. but a discussion of
1t should be of advantage.
Two IRE mises-A Conclusion.
Miss Richmond's subject, THE Family
and the Social Worker" was cleverly
handled. The family she said, is
syllogism-two premises and con-
father, the mother and
the child" Miss Richmond dwelt at
length upon the family as a unit, say
ing that when industry, for instance.
lnterferes with the family, the indus
try must suffer She warned social
workers that the only safe course in
dealing with restitution, suffering, vice
and crime is to proceed upon the basis
that the family is and always will be.
the real social unit. insisting that the
forces of nature which make for
stronger and higher family life should
be taken into account In all charitable
and correctional work.
NJ