The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1915-01-16


Of relief. and the result - an "a.
ministration and little ministra-
ton. ..t
DR.. Devine, head Of the Charity
Organization. stated that widow
ed mothers Of this city - DOM.
pared with the widowed mothers
Of any other great city in the
world, are well cared for" Yet I
have examined hundreds Of cases
showing that the actual relief
given was only an inflnitesirnal
part Of the common necessities
Of family life.
Mr.. Frank Persons, Director Of
the Charity Organization Society,"
claims that they need more money
for Service" or uplift rather than
"relief." which means actual
necessities.
They refuse to admit their In
adequacy. and yet these hum
dreds Of cases Of dire distress
are taken direct from their
records.
1t costs US something like q
per capita in New York City an
nually to take care Of our depend.
ents. Think Of i'll And this
money comes from the peoples
public treasury.
Normal children are kept In
hospitals whore their mothers are
taking treatment because they
had no means Of support Many
Of them contract disease while In
these hospitals.
Only yesterday. three prominent
charity workers each said to me, TN
for the Mothers' Pension Bill. but
please don't quote me"
their convictions because their Jobs
depended on the charitable head who
opposed It. These people had ali con-
viction and no courage.
NO PART OF JOB FOR ORGAN.
lied CHARITY.
And now since the bill 10 up before
the Legislature, the undercurrent ef-
fort seems to be to Compromise" 80
may have q part Of the Job Of deal
that some charitable organization
Ing with the widows and children.
But thsre will bs no com.
promise. Members Of the New
York State Commission for Re.
lief OF widowed Mothers 90 we'll
~ prominent advocates Of this
bill will zee 70 Il that the Child
welfare Board shall be Q distinct
sdministratlve body made up Of
municipal officials now dsalins
with children, besides other
reputable citizens, who shall serve
without pay.
While l was In Europe I discussed
relief measures with the members of
the Royal Commission of England
This eminent body made one OF the
most exhaustive reports of tho boo,
relief systems Of Europe and
America that has ever been pre-.
scented.
This 10 what they say Of organised
charity in the United States. somt
OF the fallacies Of which the Mothers
Pension Bill will correct: "A critical
summary Of the system or systems o.
poor relief in the United States Is al.
most an impossibility.
The lack OF organization shows IT,
self noticeably in the personnel of re-
lief administration. In q few States
relief is administered by overseers OF
other officers specially appointed fol
the purpose, but In q majority of the
commonwealths relief Ia admins tered
by omcers as one, and q minor one
OF their many duties BY
councilman. selectmen. township trus
tees. county commissioners. Justice.
OF the peace and county judges wht
are not elected for tho purpose Tn,
officers are either elected or appoint.
ed for short terms, one or three year.
as rule. and their practical ac
quatntance with the work Of poo
relief Is necessarily limited. Thea
main responsibility is financial, ex
cept In so far as their acts may rem
der them liable to judicial actor
owing to an infringement or non
observance Of the settlement laws, O
the laws and rules as to the grant O
out relief.
WHERE AMERICAN RELIEF