The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-23

Plans are being rapidly matured
for n tag day In the city for the pur-
pose of raising funds necessary to
meet the needs OF the Associated
Charities during the coming year The
methods are those in vogue in every
large city in tho country when char
fable funds are to DO raised. Tag day
is a genial, pleasant method of asking
every to contribute without the
annoyance of Office or residence visi-
tation, or the trouble Of solicitation
and outlining the details Of tho work
for which the money is asked. The
tag explains all these things and the
donor gives what he feels he can nf-
ford without material loss of time.
/, The purpose for which tho funds
are to bo raised is IA commcndable
one. Great as arc the opportunities
in this country. there are always
those against whom the hand Of ad-
versity is lifted; there are always
those who have met with misfortune
and who have been forced to accept
aid and help from those more fortu-
nate. 1t is one Of the heritages OF our
people that they have never been mig
gard In their relief Of want or suffer-
ing. While the tax levied for this
purpose Is sufficient to meet practical
~ all the demands for assistance in
the country, 1t does not meet all those
of the city. Hence. the need Of levy
ing a good natured collection on the
public by means Of n tag day.
Grand Forks has come as near solv-
ing the problem Of the economic dis
tribution Of charity as It Is possible
to solve It under our somewhat pc
culiar laws. The Associated Charities
has been made the agency through
which the county funds belonging to
the city are handled. The same or
by tag day and that which comes
from other voluntary sources. This
plan makes duplication impossible
and at the same time avoids the de-
lays of red tape. which often involve
cold and hunger to the ultimate bene-
ficiaries while the process OF red tape
is unwound. The Associated Charities
looks into every case. II there is need
of help it is furnished quickly and
efficiently. II there Is doubt. 1t is cast
on the side Of mercy and humanity,
and II help is extended. While re-
lief is thus expeditiously extended. the
system enables those in charge Of the
funds to eliminate the g%rafters and
those who believe 1t is cheaper to beg
thar to work. The fellow who hegs
two bits on the plea Of an empty
stomach. whose breath is ladened
with the aroma of a bar schooner. and
whose wistful look is ever to the east,
will get no help from the Associated
Charities. On the other hand. the
mother with her helpless children.
whom misfortune has deprived OF the
Of self support. will neither go
hungry nor cold. Every penny CON
trihuted on tag day will go to make
some deserving human being happier.
There are yet many details Of tag
day to he worked u But the most
important thing Is for every one to
determine to give Just as much to the
cause as he possibly can. 1t is not
charity to rot ones self for others.
But 1t is charity to give all thai can
be given without Inconvenience. A
few pleasures cut out. a few luxuries
eliminated, a few indulgences curtail-
ed will offset the liberal cost Of a tag
and add as much pleasure in the
form Of satisfaction as would have
been derived from the others.