The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-08-27

sarilv already caring for some or It's uellnQueh'
citizens
anv community into which they happen 10 come
Is not what they have been, but what they VIII
become il given opportunity me question
as 10 where they were born, and why when ana
where they were imprisoned. fades In the race
OF the pressing need for work and chance 10
prove their worth. This need the Central howaru
association is seeking 10 supply The frut OF its
endeavors is shown not only In the number or
men IL has encouraged, advised and aided In
material way but in the continued ana rapiu
changes taking place in public sentiment toWaru
the offender and in the new freedom given 10
those in bondage everywhere.
One of the finest tributes ever paid the Centrai
Howard association is contained In the foHo"ihs
which came unsolicited from discharged
prisoner whom the association had once De-
friended;
"A little more than year ago l was dis
charged from a prison In New York state where
| had Just finished serving term Tor highway
robbery committed In New York city. There
was born and there had for number or years
pursued a criminal career.
Before obtaining my freedom had resolved
10 reform to get work, and lead an honest hie'
my best efforts to get a job of any sort were
unsuccessful. about month later lett New
York with FIVE dollars in my pocket and an un'
broken resolution TO stick TO living on the
square
Last October arrived in Chicago on Wa
bash box car-ragged and friendess-after a zig
gag chase OF that wo'-thewisp, JOB, cover
ing over two thousand miles In couple OF
DAYS the few dimes | had were gone for food
and lodging so that l presently found myself
homeless, jobless and broke.
"In casting about for means of obtaining the
material with which TO write East in an endeayor
10 get some money | decided TO ask prison
association TO oblige me I'm this regard.
A search OF the city directory yielded the ad-
dress of the Salvation Army Prison bureau. Co
ing there told the officer in charge that was
an ex.convict and would appreciate the favor OF
writing materials. etc. He said that there were
no facilities there for writing That ! would per
hans find better accommodations at the Central
Howard association He very courteously In
vited me TO return TO his Office II | met with
failure there.
ION the twelfth floor OF n large Office building
in the heart OF Chicago found the Central How
ard association
'It was my lucky day-in that small suite Of
offices / was 20 find more than ! consciously
sought or from my previous experience had been
led 10 hope for
"On explaining my errand briefly, a Uttered
table was cleared for me. Pen, ink and paper
provided; no questions asked, and proceeded TO
write for two hours When ] finished and pre-.
pared TO leave / was called into a small private
Office "You a stranger here2 Looking for
a job? Have you a place 20 sleep tonight TO
eat?' The men who asked these questions gave
me money for my supper lodging and breakfast
and told me 10 come there i'm the morning That
he would then send me TO some places where /
might get work
Il left there that late afternoon with a heart
beating high with hope, with new grip on my re-
solve 20 stay straight.
mo word had been spoken OF reform, no men
tion OF religion made, no machine made charity
doled out no maudlin pretense there, but instead
the square dealing of practical help and under.
standing
The next morning ! given several cards
and directions. Each card bore application
for work addressed to an employer specifying
the Job sought and my name. Each bore the
signed recommendation OF r Emory Lyon. super
intendent OF the Central Howard association
The European on business unusually
depressed. and Jobs more than scarce. Every day
/ went there for these cards until finally secured
a job. Every day for two weeks found the
same unfailIng willingness to help me get work
Every night ! was given money for food and
lodging Every day many others we're receiving
the same help and encouragement
Chicago may we'll be proud OF the work OF this
prison association. OF the work Of Doctor Lyon
and his assistants The reform OF a criminal ls
generally considered rather hopeless proposi
ton. both by the public and by the criminal him.
self. and with good reason. That good reason
is that the spirit and efficiency OF the Central
Howard association is rare indeed"