Evening journal., 1914-12-18
HOME RELIEF.

FENHAT there hundreds of willing wago-carncrs
of work and that cold and hunger knock
ing the doors OF the homes many of them is some
thing that is admitted generally by those who
quainted with the local situation.
Nor do we think it will be denied that in many OF
those impoverished homes thero is acute suffering
especially among the women and children
Suggestion nIado TO us yesterday by old and
respected citizen that IL might be we, for purposes
Of immediate relief to open least two public soup
houses, the and the othes the west side
Of city. that special provirou be made therein
for the feeding of destitute womeN and children We
submit that suggestion for the so lous and immediate
consideration of city officials and those in eharge
Of the various home relief agencies. The suggestion
OF a soup house IS repugnant, for political and other
to many persons, but II Is not nearly so re-
pugnant as seeing men, women and children suffer
from hunger for want Of something Of that kind
No self-respecting man. womai. or child wishes to
become object Of public charity That fact is
nized by everyone Such person will suffer severe
hardship before appealing 10 the community at large
for food, clothes fuel shelter Such attitude
up 70 certain point Is worthr of commendation. II
breathcs tho spirit Of selfpride and sefrespect
that has been assaed by economic disaster over
which II has d-ect or immediate control
There comes a time, howovir, when that spi-i'
should give way 10 something sensible II
should be borne in mind that Il is better live by
clingng temporarily TO public sympathy and gener-
osity than 10 die by cnging TO sef-prido and self
respect, or rather. to exaggerated notion Of the
requirements Of those two most admirable qualities
a who has worked when there
was work TO do WIN has saved opportunity per
mtted; who has been thrown out Of work a result
Of general condition and not OF personal fault who
has made earnest and fruitless Efforts to obtain re
employment who has exhausted al available prigsu
resources who has pracced all possible self-denia
and who confronted by the alternative of porshinG
by cold starvation accepting heTp from thcso
charitaby inclined, makes real sacrifice Of self
pride and self-respect by becoming the beneficiary Of
such help Underlying IL all Is the hrad fundamental
fact that mo or she has done everything that It wss
possible 10 do and that no one unaided could have
done
No ono in Wilmington wishes 10 have anyone freeze
10 death or starve will such tragedies be permit
ted n their imminoncy be known. Those who are
In desperate need should not forget however, u1i
the members of the Associated ChariheH the Home
Relief Committee and kindred organizations are not
mind readers and that they cannot make house-to-
house canvass Of city, opening doors and seeing
what human misery and want lurk behind them.
surely those who willing 20 receive aid should be-
willing TO meet at least halfway and in frank, honest
and grateful spirt those who arc disposed to give,
aid no matter whether that aid be extended through
a soup house other channel.
And while the matter Of relieving the needy in th7
community Is being considered. would remind those
who have not already contributed to The fund that
tho Homo Relief Committee Is exceedingly eager 10
obtain contributions that It. may prosecute, earnestly,
effectively and Immediately the relief work II has in
hand We trust the appeal OF the committee will meet
with tho generous response II deserves.