Perth Amboy evening news., 1915-03-26
URGES CHARITY
COMMISSION To
ASSIST NEEDY
Since the Citizens Committee
Stopped Work Poor Situa-
ton Becomes Serious-Rey-
noIds Urges Charity Dept.

Since the end of relief work by the
Citizens Relief Committee the prob
lem of coping with the poor situation
in this city has become a most seri-
ousc one. This became evident today
when many men, women and chill
dren came in turn to ask Mayor Ferd
Garretson for relief. The executive
wrung his hands in pity as the poor
came. His heart fairly cried for
them and despite all he was unable
to afford any relief. He expressed
regret that the Citizens Relief Com
mittee had not been able to continue.
One man, the head of a family, came
to the mayor almost starved to death.
He was weak from lack of food. His
first act was to beg for employment.
When told that there was none, he
begged for something to afford inn
mediate relief, which was given.
When told of these and other scenes,
George F. Reynolds, president of the
Citizens Relief Committee, said 1t
was necessary for his committee to
quit owing to lack of funds. 1t had
continued two weeks longer than had
been expected, when organizations
came forward with sums and would
have been willing to work right on
had the necessary funds been avail.
able, but he concluded that when
orders were given for help there had
to be money to pay. He maintained
that the city had reached a stage
where 1t was large enough for de-
partment of charities and corrections
and he declared that a charities and
corrections commission was neces-
sary.
Seekers for Relief.
From seekers of relief in the may
or's office in the Board of Trade
rooms, which have been the head
quarters of the citizens relief COM
mittee, and from elsewhere, came
criticism today of the manner in
which employment was given out on
the Front street paving job. 1t was |
repeatedly claimed that most of those |
on the job were not as deserving nor |
as badly in need of relief as a hun |
dred or more of others in the city |
who were heads of starving families. |
1t was claimed that men were given |
work there who had small or no fam
lilies, and others, whose wives were |
working in factories, were favored |
Everywhere the subject was dis |
cussed it was claimed that those in
charge of the work should be more
careful and should investigate cases
to ascertain which were the neediest
and worthiest
1t was stated by those familiar
with the system employed by the
citizens relief committee, that this
body should have been consulted
when it was endeavored to aid the
most deserving by paving Front
street. Now that the paving work
has been extended to the southerly
side of Smith street, conditions have
not improved any, according to all
reports. One of the oldest residents
)f the city stated today that he had |,
observed drunkards at work on Front
street; not men who had families.
1ut men who had ruined several fam
lies, perhaps, and who slept in the
police station at night, so that they
'ould nave more money for liquor.
One man, an American, who said
le had been born and raised in this
.ity. had served four years in the
lrmy and was the father of three
hfldren, was unable to obtain work.
lie caused scene in the headuuar-
ers OF the relief committee this
nornfng, when that body, through
ack of funds was unable to aid him.
lie carried a note from Mayor Gar
etson, believed TO have been address,
d to Miss Alma Widerstrom. assist
mt overseer of the poor.
In about ten minutes this morning
iayor Garretson was besieged with
rgent appeals for relief. He said
hat such appeals had become numer-
us since the citizens relief com
littee had ceased to act. The execu-,
We bore a worried appearance when
cen and his first words were about
1e unfortunate people Men, WILL
lg and able to work, appealed for
Employment. One child : came to
i'm with a note from its teacher.
.ating that the child needed shoes
order to go to school In every
ase the mayor was powerless to
ct, except to refer the applicants
, the poor authorities and in one
r two cases TO give away his own
loney for immediate relief 10 aid
hose who said they were starving.