The Washington times., 1909-03-20
Misery and Misfortune
Found in Washington
by Investigators.
MORE is NEEDED
TO RELIEVE WANT
Charitable Organizations Lack Suf-
ficient Funds for Great
Task.

Washington too. has it's dark spots.
Away from the abodes of wealth and
hidden from the sight of the prosperous
thousands on lifes high road, the dwell
Ting places of misfortune and misery are
known 10 few but the charity workers.
a glimpse into this other side Of the
National Capital was given to an in
vestigator who accompanied a represen-
tative Of the Associated Charities on
her daily round.
She started out at 3, this visitor from
the Associated Charities. There was
much to do and an early start was nee
essary. 1t was a widow whose obscure
abode she entered first-a charwoman
who had fallen Ill and whose rent was
due Once before she had been helped,
for her injuries, caused by a fall. were
slow in mending.
There was q heart TO heart talk about
finding a cheaper place until her trou-
bles should roll by. The widow was
willing anS the hunt for a cleaner and
cheaper home was begun.
Rent Question Again.
To another tenement she came and
here also the question was one of rent.
The husband, a day laborer, had been
out of work. A temporary position had
at last been obtained, but the landlord
was not Of the sympathetic sort The
woman had all of the money necessary
except s.. Tomorrow was the last day
OF grace.
Would the Associated Charities make
her loan Of this small sum? The fam
lily was known TO be deserving: all it
needed was a chance. The wife was
told to come the next day and obtain
the money, for which she thankfully
gave her note payable in two months.
This was a case OF temporary aid. where
the helping hand would enable the fam
lily 10 continue self-supporting and not
become charges of the organization-a
thing most undesired by them.
Another home of sorrow was sought
Here Il was found that the husband. a
carpenter, had lain abed with q broken
leg for two months. He had not been
thrifty sort. this man. although at
times he made good wages. No. he was
not union man, the wife said, and no
aid could be expected there. There were
FIVE small children, the youngest baby
Of five months. None was old enough
10 work. Some OF them were hungry;
there were no relatives to care.
Her First Appeal.
Somehow we've lost track OF them
all, I don't suppose they would want
10 hear from US now" said the woman,
simply. ct have never had to do this
before; hate to feel that I am sub
ject of charity" she continued. and the
choke in the throat meant that she told
the truth. The little sister OF mercy
stopped at the corner grocery store and
nrr9o ~ 1ov-fa rr.v- 81
family.
when she returned TO the office the
family was put upon the calling list
and will become charges of the organi-
zetion until prosperity returns.
There were other visits similar 20
these each producing its Individual
tale OF sorrow. each reminding one OF
half OF the world knows nothing OF the
other half.
Many Come for Aid.
At noon the worker returned TO the
office and the applicants began 10
come in. A mother with a sick child
asked for free treatment. Her case
was meritorious; she was cared for
Another woman came She was unable
20 make enough 20 support herself
she was given some work TO do about
the office and in exchange received 9
grocery order.
Another destitute one. deserted wears
before by a worthless husband, swal-
lowed pride and asked for a pair OF
shoes for one Of her children. She had
tuberculosis and il was plain 70 see
that she had already worked beyond
her strength
She. too, was put upon the CHARITY
list and that afternoon wagon drove
10 two little rooms in an alley and Ief'
milk and eggs and other fOods-tht
former for the consumptive. the more
hearty for the children.
Tuberculosis Victims.
After a dozen applicants OF HIS kind
men, women and children-had beer
disposed Of. the afternoon rounds were
taken UP. the visits from howell to hove
and alley TO alley. Most pathetic OF al
the cases seen was that Of a Hunga,
rtHn woman and her family Sprawlec
about the floor were four children
none of them more than ten years old
The husband lay in a hospital He /,
dying Of consumption. hls case /,
hopeless The woman herself speak.
English only through an Interpreter
she also vas delicate and afterwarr
doctors came and said lack Of nutri
ton and fresh air had prepared tn,
soil for the planting Of tUberculOsI
germs ~ the bodies of mother an'
work and obtaining Il could not hav
performed it-with four helpless chill
dren in the way.
What did the Associated Charlie
agent do? She arranged for bette
quarters, for fresh milk each day. 70
food and clothing. The Association 10
the Prevention Of tuberculosis mad
possible the funds
Better DAYS Come
During the tour. and Indicating tn
versatility Of such charity work, fare
wells were said TO a family that ha,
formerly been the recipient OF atd bu
upon which fortune had now begun L
smile again. Only those who hav
watched some one who has been il
need say goOd-by % a benefactor cal
appreciate the pathos. as well as tn
happiness, Of such a scene
On and on she went this little vyo
man of good cheer and relief Nor,
than a score of unfortunates she saw
that day and nearly all Of them yer
found % be deserving. Sometimes i
was strange man who was seekin,
the bread line. Not infrequently n wa
nan and wife who had come to tn
Capital seeking work and failed to fin,
a.
Again. II was an imposter who wa
soon detected under the close scrutin,
apd by the searching questions. Fo
there In so much charity remaining 1In
AN-& H. f.