The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-11-07


 New York, Nov. 7.-According to the report of the Joint Application Bureau, issued yesterday, the improv- ed condition of the laboro market changed materially the character of the applicants for relief during tho year ending September 30, and led to a decrease in the number receiving work. The Bureau had as many ap-' plications for help as during the pre- vious year, but there were fewer ap- plicants filter either physically or mentally to fill the positions. Fewer men were placed at farm work, not because there was less demand for farm 1aborers, but because reliable, able-bodied applicants were fewer. During the year, 1909 new articles of clothing and sos new pairs of shoes or articles were given to those aided with work, or those whose statements had been investigated.
 Resident applicants who were refer red to the constituent societies or to other sources of aid numbered 7,196, and 590 families who did not call. at the Bureau were referred for aid by the Infants Milk Stations of the Board of Health, the Bureau of De- pendent Children, and other sources. Information and advice were given to 9,213 persons not applying for relief. Of the S6,364 applications made, 19,552 were from homeless persons, a decrease of s,098 over the previous year. Permanent work was secured in 265, and temporary worg in sos in stances. The disposition of these ap-
 plicants was as follows: 3,812 were sent to other societies or given advice and information; 356 received trans portation; opportunities to earn tenn
 porary care in the woodward were given in 9,494 instances; 2,631 were referred to the Municipal Lodging House; 406 were sent to the Depart ment of Public Charities; 99 were re- ferred to dispensaries and 291 boys | were sent to the Newsboys' Lodging House. Material relief was given B. 395 times. To accomplish this, the Bureaus visitor made 1,945 visits, and 6,344 letters, and reports were written.
 The Bureaus social secretary at the
 Municipal Lodging House secured
 work for 512- homeless men from Oc- tober to June 1.
 Besides directly aiding homeless
 men and women, receiving and refer ring to the proper agencies, resident applicants for assistance, and acting in a general way as a bureau of ad- vice and information for the poor of the city, the Joint Application Bureau
 during the year, broadened Somewhat it's sphere of activity by investigating conditions and environments that pro-
 duce vagrancy, mendicancy, and dis ease. As consequence, the Bureau
 was able to make public facts which caused responsible authorities either to, eliminate or to improve some ex- isting5 evil conditions.
 An investigation of statements made frequently by applicants, that many saloons along the Bowery and vicinity were allowing customers in the rear rooms between the prohibited hours of 1 and 5 A. M, showing that large numbers of homeless men were re- maining all night in these places. Men were found intoxicated and sleeping on the tops of tables, benches, and on the floors. Ventilation and sanitary conditions were poor. Affdavits show ing violations of the law were sent to the Department of Excise which made a number of Investigations. At pla- ces where the most fragrant violations existed it's agents secured evidence and instituted action to recover the penalty of the bond. At other places special agents visited the premises daily for a month, and where traffic was being carried on during Illegal hours, ordered the places closed and the persons driven from the rear rooms.
 An investigation was also made to determine the percentage of police
 men in the city who are familiar with the Bureau as an agency for relieving distress. An investigator asked 100 policemen in different sections of the city where he could get work or aid in getting back to his home in an other city. Eighty-nine of the po- 11cemen interviewed referred him to the Bureau.
 The years experience with unfor- tunate and inprovident homeless men and women demonstrated to the Bu- reau the imperative and immediate need of State and municipal aid in va rious ways. No progress was made during the year towards establishing the State Industrial Farm Colony for Tramps and Vagrants, and little pro- gross was made with the New York City Farm Colony for Inebriates A much needed State Custodial Asylum for Predetermined DeHnquents was au- thorized by the last Legislature, but vetoed by the Governor. Little real progress, it is said, will be made ill
 dealing with many of the men who apply at the Bureau until these insti- tuttons are ready to receive inmates. There is urgent need, according to the report, for proper hospital faciH- ties for the detention, compulsory if necessary, of homeless wanderers i'll with tuberculosis; shelters for the care of respectable women, mothers with babies, and convalescent homes for the care of poor persons discharg- ed daily from city hospitals.