The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-12-18
Not a Narcotic.


country show that the army OF unem.
ployed has grown this fall to considerable
proportions as the result OF the condi.
tons entailed by the European war. The
first check to business took place this
summer, while leading industries. or
rather big business, awaited the
action OF Congress, long-drawn-out
session which contributed to a season OF
light business, and then war broke out
and the trouble took serious turn.
Cotton dropped until there was no
market at all for the practically only
product Of the South. There was for a
time very little foreign market for any
American exports; industries closed and
business dropped to very low level.
These conditions prevailed until cold
weather came upon us and found num-
bers Of people out Of work and out Of
food and clothes. As result the num-
Der OF transients and beggars in every
locality has increased to considerable
proportions.
The object in this article is not simply
to point out the existing conditions, but
to call attention to the fact that the work
ofcharity in every locality will have TO be
extended to much larger field and to
greater proportions. The United Chari-
ties in Union City have usually had
enough means to carry on their work,
but with small collection on Thanks
giving and some additions later on we
doubt II there is half or one-fourth
enough for the work to be done this
winter. The weather has already be-
come severe. The winter is likely to
be hard one, judging from the present
spell Of weather, and the demands upon
the officers OF the United Charities are
likely to be heavy. There is no doubt
about it, Somebody must help. The
work must be done voluntarily. 1t will
have to be done somehow. People are
going to have something to eat il they
have to steal it, and it is much better to
give it 70 them than expose the citizens
to siege Of burglary and back-door
hoId-ups.
The charities should get busy and get
busy at once. There are numbers OF
people who actually need help. There
are, OF course, numbers OF imposters,
but who is to be the judge. The work
must be done, and while the suggestion
has been made, which comes from the
White House, that there is too much
useless giving, why not turn this excess
to the channels OF charity. Miss Will
son designated as spugs those who have
a mania for giving Christmas presents
buying numbsrless articles that have
very little actual value and Of very poor
to those who receive them.
This is the senseless practice OF useless
giving Why not change the course Of
this practice to relieve suffering and
distress among those people who are {
in need Of the necessaries of s
life. This will not hurt anybody but |
will be OF great help to people who need I
Il. G
The work OF charity must 60 on, y
however, whether the spug continues or G
aot. Those who can afford it must help 9
hose that are needy. It is the duty Of r
syery civilized nation to take care OF its 4
poor. 1t is the duty Of every man who b
orospers in worldly goods to relieve want Il
md suffering. Why not do this now q
Rhen the purse is open for Christmas. v
Let your better nature dictate in this 9
natter. II is for you to decide. 1t is 3
lot narcotic for the conscience, but
mandate from high heaven.