Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-09-21
The CHARITIES or NORWICH
Brought Forth Long Discussion Before the Board OF Trade
Three Speakers Heard the Topic while Others
Asked Questions and Made Sugaestions-Former Sc
lectman Spalding Explained Result OF Keeping
Down Outside Poor Account-Present Selectmen
Will Show Norwich $4,000 Better Off


ing, the private charities. Organized as
the United Workers, have long used
such investigation and records. ana
they are equipped with the modern
appliances for making and preserving
the like. They can put the town In
possession of facts and conditions not
readily obtained elsew here, or by thosA
inexperienced in this kind of work.
The way to better the public, and pri-
vate charities of Norwich 10 to let tfN
United Workers have charge OF the
Investigation and registration of all
persons and families. now receiving or
subsequently asking aid from the town.
and let the seleetmen use their appro-
nFiation for outdoor relief only upon
the recommendation Of the United
Workers. This will remove the car
ing for the poor from. partisan poll
ties and secure for each of the towns
poor a sympathetic hearing and just
trea tment and result in the ideal So
luton of the relation of the public ana
private charity. The support of the
Investigation and recording can be
done out of the United Workers funds
ssisotmsn LiIlihridse Speaks.
First selectman A. w. Lillibridge.
the year previous to his being elected
to the board of selectmen, $4,000 was
spent for eharity-S11, 900 at the alms-
house. 1885 for insane, $24.094.se for
outside poor, S4,S14.Ss for the depend
ent and neglected children.
The dispensing of charity, he de-
clared, is quite a problem. 1t took
some time to get acquainted with the
work and after investigating 1t was
found where, the menay was going.
He referred to the good work of his
| first clerk. J. ]. Cookery, and 1t was
seen that the charity money was Civ
en- to the worthy only. Many We're
eager to take ADVANTAGE of the town
ana not do anything else if they could
help it. AT present he does not think
the town is helping families who DO
every day and there are many widows
and orphans to look out for. His new
clerk. A. S. Spalding, has had expert
ence in the Office and is a helpful as
| sistant.
TO c. E, whitney, Mr.. Lillihridse
explained that all applicants were
questioned about themselves and their
needs and other Investigations are
made to learn the facts from others.
The questions and answer caused much
| laughter.
| Superintendent syninstar Speaks.
| Supt. Frederick Symington of the
/ Backus hospital declared himeelf in
accord with the movement for char
ity board. The hospital has taken care
of the town poor for several years, it
/ being intended that it should be only
| the town poor when the board of di-
reetors made the offer. Many apply
who say they are from the town, but
! there is no way of finding out except
! by Investigation, for which they do not
have the time The board of charity
i would be welcomed for that purpose
Last year at the hospital 219 cases
| were taken care of entirely free and
they occupied the hospital 3,oo0 days
which would have amounted to a round
| SUM if charged for at the average rate
| of $14 a week.
/ In the dispensary 1,3e0 people were
treated, they making from S,00d to 4,00f
Visits, receiving medicine and dress-
/ ings free, with no cost to the city OIL
town There is also a free hespital
clinic for women and children dis
eases and one for the eye, ear, nose
and throat. Some of the departments
are not used as much as they should
[ be.
Other cities are paying thousands fel
| what Norwich is getting for nothing
1t is utterly impossible to put in del
lars and cents what is done fer the
/ sick. He suggested that monument
might be placed ON Chelsea parade fen
| the one of the two donors of the Back
US hospital who is still living. CAP
plause)
To Supt. J. B. stanten's question az
to whether the clinics fer children
cohld be open hours other than scheo
I
to state. as it depends upon the ply
sicians, who give their time free.
The Legal Side.
In reply to President Traey's CUES
tioH as to whether there was any 1ega
objection to the seiectmen turning thi,
| matter over to the United Workers
Attorney Amos A. Brow ming did no
think the ssfeetmen could delegate tn,
discretion as to how the money for tn,
poor will go to anyone, but though
they could let othegs do the subordi
nate work of investigation If they de
sired. 1t would not be possible to fore.
the selsetmen to do it. He doubted i
the seleetmen would want to unless j
was the sentiment of the town meet
ing.
Rev. p. c. Wright thought the tow
could be saved thousands of dollar
and records kept of the people assiste,
if there Was a central body. He con
sidered the idea of the United Worker
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