The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-10-10
az ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE.


ties on Tuesday evening.
An extended account of that meet
ing was given in the Wednesday pa
per.
But its significance was greater than
the mere record of it's proceedings.
In no other phase Of social activity
is the recognition of the interdepend-
ent obligations of society greater than
in the conduct Of public benevolences.
AS stated in this meeting the time
was, and not so far distant, when the
parasite preyed upon the social body
and sucked the latter as dry as it
would permit.
Twenty years ago, as stated by Mr..
Timothy Nicholson, this township was
paying out $4,000 to $4,000 a year
for the support of alleged incapacitat-
ed persons.
But state laws now protect the pub
lie from this kind of graft.
For, practically, that is what it is
1t is true enough that the poor we
always have with us. But, also, that
we have the unworthy.
There are plenty Of people who will
not work if they have chance.
Who assume responsibilities lightly.
4. and as lightly disregard them.
1t is the purpose of modern chart
table propaganda to act not only in
the role of relief but also as deter
rent.
And the benefits of organization are
realized.
Hence in every community-or, at
least, in the majority-the charitable
organizations have pooled their in
terests, if it could so be put, with a
highly beneficial resultant
The merited is sifted from the un-
merited and thus actual suffering and
want relieved.
That is, suffering and want caused
by an inability to cope with environ
ment. I.t=.
1t is admitted that there are many
persons unable to play the game of
life. .I
They are found in every class.
They struggle against human odds.
But struggle in vain, and, in the final
count, they must be cared for.
Herein lies the answer to the ques-
tion-"am 1 my brothers keeper?'
The reply made in such an organiza-
ton as the Associated Charities.
1t was fine thing, and also one
that touched the heart to see and
hear men honored in this community
for many years, discuss the purposes
and the achievements of this organi-
cation.
For the last quarter century these
men have been associated in the work
of relieving suffering in this city.
Year in, year out.
Whatever came or went, whoever
dominated, however local activities
shaped themselves, these people were
found at the same post.
Without remuneration and, indeed,
thanks, in the face of unmerited criti-
cism at times, notwithstanding COM
plants from within and without, or
misunderstanding of motive, these
same persons assumed the RESPONSE
bilities of caring for the human dere-
licts in their immediate environ.
Every year has found them handi-
capped for money and supplies.
And every year has found them I'M
firing in their efforts to handle the
situation.
Their labors have been of inestima-
BILE benefit to the local social body.
Many are there whose knowledge
of the Associated Charities is but
vague and who throw aside with in
difference the appeals for contribu-
tions annually made, who are relieved
from the opportunities of both the
worthy and the unworthy through the
activities of this organization.
1t affects every individual of the
community in some way
But it's labors are so unassuming, so
restrained, so unheralded that the ma
jority of the members of this COM
munity have little information con-
corning them.
That the Associated Charities cares,
annually, for hundreds of persons, is
not generally known.
That it helps others to employment
and to self respecting independence,
whenever possible, is also not general
ly known. Its latest form of philan-
thropy-in conjunction with the Coun-
ty Council, which Is made up of rep
resentatives from all the benevolent
societies, of whatever nature, of the
County-is a weekly sewing school
where women are taught to sew.
That is. taught merely the elemen-
tary principles-to darn and patch
and shape garments.
1t has been found that this lack is
one of the most crying among those
unable to support themselves.
The responsibilities lightly entered
into-just referred to-include this
lack of preparation for domestic life
Girls marry without the slightest
knowledge Of those minor industries
which make the sum of the house
hold
This, the Associated Charities is, in
measure, trying to remedy, in the es.
adjustment of this weekly sewing
school where women are taught the
art of caring for the clothes of the
family.
This is. in itself. and alone. sufficient
reason for the existence of the organi-
zation. But this is merely one small
part of its propaganda.
The work of the Associated Chari-
ties, in short, is one which touches