The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-12-11

Il or one year the people or hammond |
have watched the progress of the Set
Element House. 1t was a matter of |
speculation with the public as to the |
need of such an establishment, in the |
life of the city. Could the city support |
such a home; could such a project sue |
coed against recognized odds? These |
We're some OF the many questions ev
eryone asked of everyone else
Today the Hammond settlement |
stands as monument to the awak- |
ened civic conscience of the community |
and as a common home where all may
meet upon the threshold of fellowship |
and equality. Where a word of en-
enlargement is ever ready where the
cold and hungry receive comfort, and
the tired mother may leave her child
confident that care and concern will
restore her child to her after the days
toll.
One year ago this home was talked
Of the Benevolent Order of Elks made
it reality. Their generosity prompted
them to offer shelter at 62 Rimbach
avenue for the work. A board of di-
rectors secured the funds necessary to
employ matron Merchants and resi-
dents OF Hammond and West Hammond
donated furniture coal and provisions
House was thrown open to the public
with fully equipped nursery under
| the charge of competent matron.
Under the direction of Miss Alta
Adkins, night classes were conducted
and continued throughout the winter.
Tht committee entertainment,
| through its reading room. gave parties
and entertainments and were able to
| attract many young people to partici-
pate in the clean amusement provided.
Aside from the regular day nursery,
| other children of Unfortunate families
| We're taken care of for several weeks
at time. Three cases that drew the
| attention of the public were the chill
dren of the Baranowskis who were
! thrown upon the mercy of the world by
the tragic death of the mother. The
| case of Eddie Grabolic. who was cared
| for during a serious attack of lockjaw.
| The Settlement House sent assistance
| and a visiting nurse who relieved the
mother during the long hours of ankle
ty. The case of the baby from East
Hammond. who stupified by the opiates
| of soothing syrups and poisoned by ex-
posture to flies. was brought to the
Settlement House in a dying condition,
cared for and soothed until its unavoid-
| able death brought relief. The case
of the insane mother, who left three
little girls. ranging in ages from to
Il years old, little boy. 10 months old,
in the hands of a helpless father,
whose daily toll was absolutely neces
sary for the maintenance of his fam
ly- These children were brought to
the Settlement House until the mother
was sent to Logansport Through the
efforts of the Settlement Association a
housekeeper was provided and the chill
dren returned to their home.
Relief fuel, food and clothing have
been distributed to all parts of the city.
The women of the settlement have used
their best efforts in the redistribution
of the supplies which have been so gen
erously contributed upon request by
them of the residents, merchants and
organizations in this city.
Two young women of Depauw uni
versity were engaged by the board of
directors. to make a careful investiga-
ton of the living conditions OF the
Standard Steel district
The report returned to the board
was not made public. as the conditions
prevailing were such concerned the
corporation and demanded their coop
GRAFTON before real effective work
could be done. The assistance of the
Hammond city council and the health
officer must also aid in bringing about
the necessary changes to make condi
lions normal.
The Settlement House Association
| has no desire to go at this work in an
| aggressive manner, or to use a club
| to compel the betterment of conditions.
All of the men who are at the head of
the city government and the Standard
1 rx-i+ h4
daily work They need only to have
! their attention called to unfavorable
conditions to make them better
5 During the year work has been found
! for many people. and the public fully
( realize the necessity of the kind of
| work which the Settlement House has
started during the past year.
, Committees Will be appointed during
the coming year to make careful sur
vey Of entertainment furnished by the
various houses of amusement. An en-
deavor to repress suggestive acts and
foul and vulgar language, which mis-
represent life, destroy the ideals of the
youth of our community.
With the New Year, the association
has decided to double our efficiency. A
Z new method of record has been adopt
, ed quarterly report will be made to
u the public. New committees appointed
: | and the work readjusted to meet ths
= already changed conditions for thi:
kind of work in Hammond.
The Settlement has moved to Yves
| State street directly in and adjacen
| to the locality from which has beer
It so much of the distress, sorrow ane
! wickedness. This Will preclude the re
= turn of the old fragrant condition
d which existed, constituted necessit,
II for this kind of work.
e The splendid night school system. in
le augurated by Mr.. McDaniels has sup
Is piled a tremendous want and elimln
a ated the necessity for night classes Il
Is the Settlement.
VI 1t has been decided by the Settle
a ment Association that in place of thes
.a | III ola clear, amusement WILL b