Arizona republican., 1914-12-20
Where the People
 May Have Hearing
THE UNDERFED PROBLEM"
 AND CHARITY


 To the Editor of The Republican:
 SIR-The underfed problem is so closely allied with the unemployed problem that it is impossible to se- parate them; in fact. the first prob lem is only the effect of the latter one: and since it is self evident that disease can never be cured by doc toring effects. that method is useless. When the average individual who has studied present day conditions f from only one view point in order to help others out, blindly rushes into | the quicksands of the most diaboli cal system of industrial and econo- mic conditions that could be devised, he stands a pretty good chance not only to be engulfed himself but to drag the others in deeper. If it were not for the many tragedies wrapped up in efforts of it's kind by many kind hearted persons. these efforts would appear ludicrous to those who have studied these conditions from various viewpoints.
 The only difference that l can see between Manager Farishs and Dr. Dameron's methods of alleviating the underfed problem is one of degree. Manager Farish's method would bring relief for one day. while Dr. Dameron's would possibly afford re- lief for about q week; but both me thods would in the end leave the vic tins of our industrial and economic systems struggling in the quagmire of starvation.
 Some one has said, Charity is the Holy Water used by the priests of Mammon in hopes that it will ab- solve them from the retribution due them in the hereafter for their many acts of oppression of the poor and defenseless."
 Be this as it may. I am rather of the opinion that these priests of Mammon will be in the position of pious gentleman who, after having left this sphere of action, arrived at the 'pearly gates and knocked there for admttance. As the story goes, Saint Peter, being very busy with other matters. had placed an angel at the gate as temporary gate keeper When the old gentleman arrived the gate keeper wanted to Know where he was from and what he wanted. Receiving the information he desired. the gate keeper then said. '1 will have to look up your record" After doing so he turned to Saint Peter land said: saint Peter, we have an lapplcant here from earth seeking ad- mission and l find that he is credit ed with having read the Bible through several times and has never questioned a word: that on one oc- lcasion he gave blind woman five cents, on another he gave a lame beggar five cents and on another oc- casion he placed five cents in the contribution box. What shall we dc with him?'
 Saint Peter replied. Give him his fifteen cents back and let him go to HI. where he belongs No. Mir Editor. it is not charity that the people of this world need hut free access to the abundant natural resources placed here by a beneficient creator for the benefit of all his children and not for the pur 
 predatory few If this were the case there would be no unemployed prob lem; and if there were no nonemploy- ed problem there could be no effect from something that did not exist called an underfed problem.
 It seems to me that the poor Mex lican womans letter quoted by MT Ely shows that the unemployed prob lem is the vital one.
 If any one has a better method of treating present conditions than have suggested. let him trot it out into the broad sunlight of criticism and I am with him
 Sincerely Yours.
 J. D. MARTIN,
 Phoenix, Dec. 18th, 1914.
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