The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-06-01
Associated Charities Secre-
tary Says Excellent Indus
trial Conditions Are Not
Much of Relief.
EXPENSE TO EXIST
SCARS; WAGES DON'T
Splendid Work of the Chari-
table Organization Shown
in the Statement Issued
by Mrs. Beck.

Although one OF two of the largest
local factories now have more men
on their payrolls than at any time in
their history and nearly all the other
manufacturing concerns are operating
with large forces, the Associated Char
tiles reports that the workmen and
their families are not reaping the
benefits to be expected under excel
lent industrial conditions because the
cost of living is steadily advancing.
Mrs. Joseph Beck, secretary OF the
board of directors of the Associated
Charities, in her report which was
read at a meeting of the officers of
the Association yesterday. estimated
that in a year the cost of living had
increased fifteen per cent. Prominent
local labor leaders state that the in
crease in wages is not keeping pace
with the increase in living expenses.
Report Of Secretary.
The report of Mrs. Beck is as fol-
lows:
In spite of the gradual return OF in
dustrial prosperity, the families with
during the past year, have not reaped
benefits that generally follow increas-
ed opportunities for employment The
remarkable rise in the cost of living
during the past year or two has kept
such families in practically the same
condition that they were in when la
Dor was not SO easily obtained. 1t ia
estimated that the cost of living dur
ing 1910-11-has increased fifteen per
cent.
While such estimates vary with the
come, nevertheless the charitable or
ganizations realize that the poor are
getting on their feet very slowly. We
began our years work with a consider
able decrease In the balance on hand,
available for our general purposes,
and this, coupled with increased de
mand for help-has more than puzzled
the Board of Directors of Associated
Charities. Much time and thought of
our financial committee has been di-
rected toward devising means for
meeting this demand. As a result OF
this effort, substantial number of
new contributors have been secured
during the year.
Great Amount OF Work.
A definite understanding of the
great labor and thought involved is an
impossibility TO those who view this
great work only in an indifferent way
but to those who make a real and
conscientious endeavor to become ac-
quainted with the unfortunate, will re-
veal a story that must fill their hearts
and lives with sympathy and pity.
To help the helpless, guide the
thoughtless, convert the reckless. and
control the vicious, TO visit the sor-
rowing, to be humanely merciful, even
to the merciless are the ever arduous
duties of this society. Our work of in
vestigation and relief which goes on
from day to day should by this time
be well understood by our contribu-
tors. Often we have evidence that the
character of our work is not rightly
understood. or its results fully realis-
ed. IL we could impress upon the pub
lie mind. the every day stories of suf-
ferfng. and shame. of heorism and mo-
bility too, that we come in contact
with. many a lukewarm friend of AS
sociated Charities, would become an
ardent supporter and worker
We need money, but we also need
those who will give some of their time
and bit Of sympathy and interest.
One of Great Labors-
Helping people to help themselves
is one of the great labors performed
by this society. IL we wish to help
people. we must do things with them
instead of for them. We must not do
for them what they can do for them
selves. Teach them to depend upon
their own efforts. Ii is infinitely bet
ter to teach them sewing Than to make
! the garments for them.
We are glad that our public schools
have taken mp the work along the
lines of domestic economy. The girls
are taught sewing. cooking and house
keeping. and the boys are given in
structions in the use of their hands
as well as their heads.
This course is bound to bear good
! results as the years roll by. and we
are confident that the benefit viii
reach those in more humble walks OF
life, and that the children of today.