The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-16
PEOPLES FORUM


Splendid Results From Humanitarian Work.
Editor Richmond virginian:
Richmond, like all other cities. has its public
charges who must for humanity's sake be taken
care of 1t Is perpiexing problem, when all
Is said and done. and one not easy to solve.
There are some men who. out OF an abundance
OF love for humanity have found way to
tighten the burdens OF the underworld. Among
that few~-only occasionally found-~who COM
nires wealth of humanenesa with tact IL an
ek-preacher for the time being, Rev. Harris
H. Cooley, of Cleveland. O. director of public
safety OF that city. When Mayor Tom Johnson
onered him the public charity work he left the
pulpit lie has made good. His activities In
behalf OF the unfortunate Of the community
have proven good. from an economic, as we'll
as humane standpoint. that Cleveland business
men, who at first rebelled at the expenditures,
have not only become reconciled. but mistakenly
demand that he expend every dollar he desires
70 ana then some more. In word. Cleveland
has found rara avis in this preacher-would
scme other communities l wot of had such a
bird
But let Dorothy Dale" tell the story
give a few excerpts from her article In the
Cleveland Press;
Director Cooley's face is q record of what
that has been. ON the face of no other man
In public or private life has story of endeavor
been so plainly written. The broad forehead
is scanned with wrinkles. The mouth and eyes
are surrounded by burrows.
And yet the smile is steady and ready as
II there had never been any cause for the wrin-
kles, every one of which records the persistent
tight he has had to make Cleveland and finally
the world see the care OF the unfortunate and
criminal as he sees 1t.
1T is the face OF a dreamer of big dreams
who never thought of rest till he made the big
dreams come true.
Eight years ago this man. who has come to
figure so largely in public affairs. in the
pulpit OF the Cedar Avenue Disciple church He
stepped down when Mayor Tom offered him
the public charity work. Business men pro-
tested. They protested more when they found
what he wanted. But he never wavered
He wanted s. place where boys who had
done wrong could grow better instead OF worse
Hudson farm Is the result, Business men never
mention the expense
He believed that men shut up for misdoing
should have place where they could become
Interested In something better than each other 4
troubles Warrensvie farm, covering three
square miles. came out OF that. So did the
Brotherhood Home for Paroed Prisoners, or
summit avenue. Business now have a.
waiting list for men from the brotherhood.
He also held that in the workhouse who
couldn't pay fines were not being punished for
drunkenness. but because they had no money
ana that they should be ont earning a living
for their families. That resulted In the pa
rolling of 1900 men the first year. and the hold
Ing up of hands in horror. Only per cent
of the men had to be rearrested and the hands
went down.
Il couldn't bear 10 give up the. work. In
which i think i can he OF greatest service 10
the city. Why. there 500 old people out at
the farm, and everything Is in fruition. Even my
best friends didn't realize what l trying 10
do. They wonder when they Warrensville ;"
LOUIS l.. PARHAM. .
Richmond, Va. Nav 13.