The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-08
PrOvident Association Is Pre-
pared for an Emergency.
VIII Assist Needy i'm Case of
Severe Winter.
TO OPEN THE WOOD YARD
Men Will Swing Axes If Occa-
sion Should Demand.
Calls for Assistance Have Been
Few Thus Far.

The Topeka Provident association
stands ready to meet an emergency
provided the winter proves so severe
that scores of deserving men are
thrown out of work and are unable
to provide for themselves or their
families.
? In that case an effort will be made
to find employment for these individ-
uals in the city or they will be given
axes and will be sent to the wood
yard to labor Food and clothing will
be given out gratis only in cases of
extreme distress. Help others to help
themselves is the slogan of the as
sociation. The woodward will not be
opened until necessity demands it.
The fact that comparatively speak
ing little assistance has been requir-
ed of the Provident Association thus
far this season in procuring employ
ment, speaks well for the prosperity
of the working classes of the city. A
year ago men We're lined up each
morning at the Provident building;
they were looking for jobs. The pub
lie was called upon to contribute large
quantities of food and clothing. Never
before in the history of the weather
bureau in Topeka were the months of
November and December so favorable
to the continuance of building and 9TH
err operations. This largely explains
the present favorable condition of af-
fairs.
Prepared for Emergency.
However, exterior work on dwellings,
and larger structures had stopped as
result of the present cold snap, and
should the coming six weeks be severe
there is bound to be suffering. The
Provident Association will be prepar-
ed for such an emergency.
In the way of clothing what is need
ed particularly at the present time are
shoes--shoes for boys and men. Chill
dren's clothing can always be used to
There is also demand for
some nightgowns for men,
Although in several of the depart
ments of the Provident Association the
work has been light as compared with
last season, there has been great ac-
tivity along other lines.
Work of Association.
The visiting nurse department under
Miss Helen Smith investigated in De-
cember, 40 cases of sickness, making
a total of 1876 calls. Bed linen was
supplied in five instances. Miss Smith
received her training for the work in
and is a tireless worker, be-
ing deeply interested in her task of
giving relief to the poor
Some figures taken from the report
Of the association for December should
prove of interest. The number of fam
lies relieved was SO. This included
i've new cases in the city. The cause |
If distress in nine of the instances was |
ack of employment. However this |
vas a small number as compared to |
he record for December of 1911
Seventy-four calls for Investigation |
# cases were made. Employment was |
,iven A times to men, and AZ times |
o women. Two hundred hours of |
work were given at the association
building to persons who applied for
lid. The number of persons taking
,aths at the building was 81
The total receipts to carry on the
work. of the associa ton according to
he report were $1,O595o. OF this sum
1886 was in the form of donations,
md $3.50 came from the county