The Washington herald., 1914-03-22

The attitude OF social service leaders
in Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist.
and other bodies toward men out of
work and making .monstrations in
churches viii services are in progress
seems to be that while the churches are
desirous OF assisting men TO employment
they are hindered in that task and not
helped by these demonstrations. The
charge is made by the church leaders
that leaders of unemployed or such of
them as visit the churches, seek no.
toriety and not work, and that they are
taking advantage OF labor conditions to
further their own ambitions.
In a number of cities unemployed men
by the hundreds are visiting churches in
terrupting public worship. and demanding
money for food. In most cases they are
refused. but f-w churches have opened
their doors, provided food, and bade
homeless men sleep on cushions and in
parish rooms. 20 far as can be learned
few of the men so favored have ex-
pressed gratitude, and whole parties
have been insolent, refusing work when
offered.
Almost every social service agency in
such religious bodies as have provided
such agencies to date has called its
members together and held conferences
on what course to pursue. Clergy and
laymen have journeyed to distant cities
son has been conferred with as a Pres
byterian elder; Speaker Clark, of the
House of Representatives, as Disciple
Of Christ layman and others in the po-
litical world have had part in some of
these conferences over long-dlstance
phones. Never were Christian and He
brew leaders buster or apparently more
anxious to meet the situation.
Churches ald Christian associations
long since adopted the plan of education
al preventive work. Christian associa
tions Of the '~untry last year secured
s4,Oe2 positions for men alone, and
churches IO4.5JG. The former figures are
fairly complete; those of the churches
very incomplete. because as yet only a
few social service agencies have gotten
into shape TO make reports.
Much more than getting men jobs,
church and associations are fitting men
for Jobs. 1t is found that a chief rea-
son why men are out of work is a mis-
fit choice or a perso al twist that can
b. unraveled. Hundreds of thousands of
such men are under instruction at this
time; never SO many as now. Churches
are directing attention through their
social service agencies to this preven-
tive work. Leaders in the churches are
relying upon this plan in the present
unusual emergency.
Salvation Army Work.
In various parts of the country the
Salvation Army is preparing to spend, al
most at once, s2,Ooc.O 900 to s3.ooo.ooo on new
buildings land upon land, chiefly the
former, and in large centers OF popula-
ton. This expenditure is greater than
the entire assets of the army at the time
Commander Eva Booth took charge. In
Covington, KY, at a cost of $4,000 and
in Detroit at a cost OF $4,000 womens
training schools in domestic science are
building. In Cleveland is Martha
Washington home for girls that is cost
ing $50 900, and in Pittsburgh an industrial
home, rescue hall. and general army
building. costing $4,000.
In New York and Chicago are to be
erected the Booth Memorial Training
Schools that will cost s5oo,0oo each. Sites
are to be purchased at once, and in New