The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-26
Conference at Mayors Of- flee Results in Action Looking tt Securing Work for the De-
 serving.
COMMITTEE MEETS TO-DAY
Money Aid Considered a Poor Method-Investigation to be Made of Conditions, and Plans for Giving Help
 Considered.

An important conference was held yesterday afternoon in the office of Mayor Martin in city hall in relation to providing and caring for the poor of the city who are being especially affected by the present hard financial situation Of the eleven representa- tive citizens who had been invited to attend all but two were present, the absentees being Louis F. Stoddard, Who sent word that he was compelled to go to New York on important busi- ness, and Herbert C. Warren.
 There was a lengthy discussion of the situation, and some difference of opinion appeared in regard to the eX- tent of the trouble and the crying need for assistance at the present time. It appeared to be the unani- nous opinion that the class of people who needed the aid consisted of men who would be too independent to take aims and whose request would be for work to earn bread for themselves in- stead of money given as charity.
 Some of the men present feared that too much importance was being attached to the present situation, and that too sweeping attempts at relief beyond the regular existing channels of help would advertise the city as a good place to get something for noth- ing, and that it would attract hither many undesirable persons who thought 1t looked easy. Ttere was great deal of difference of opinion on the amount of aid needed and the extent of the suffering. It was the unani- nous opinion, however, that work for those who wanted. work and could not get it was the practical solution of the problem presented by the situa- tion
 The possibility of the city giving some work was discussed, but nothing definite or tangible resulted The matter of the Norton street extension and also of the Grown street work. which the removal of the injunction yesterday will now allow to be pushed, were both discussed Just how much relief the city will be able to furnish, however. could not be determined upon.
 A committee of five of those pres ent was appointed as the result of the meeting to look into conditions. determine what amount of relief is needed. find out who the really de- serving are and report back to Mayor Martin The committee will probably carry on the work for the rest of the time needed. This committee consists of the following five members, E. l.. Warden of the Associated Civic so- cieties. Father Coyle of St Johns R. C. church, Alexander Troup, Rev. pr. Watson l.. Phillips and Attorney liar ry W. Asher. This committee will meet at 10 o'clock this morning in the mayors office to arrange plans for it's campaign on behalf of the poor of the city.
 The matter of raising a fund for distribution was considered as not a good idea and it is not likely that one will be taken up. The members thought that this part of the work if necessary could be left to private charity Such work as that repre-
 
 sented by societies and other private persons is to be encouraged by the city and not interfered with. If a fund is finally decided upon it will be for the purpose of relieving the needs of the class of men who want work but cannot. get 1t or to relieve the inn mediate needs of such men and their families before the money from work which is obtainted for them is avail able.
 Those present yesterday besides the mayor were: Hon. Alexander Troup, Rev Watson L. Phillips, Harry w. Asher. Father Coyle, William Costel- 10, Ernest L. Warden. Prof William B. Bailey, s. o. Preston and Sidney P. Butler.