The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-09

further notice; the woodward VIII
 he shut down. and the outlook for
 the continuance of other branches
 of the industrial and relief work Is
 dark and uncertain.
 One of the men who keeps in close touch with the Associated Charities work, but who thought it best to keep, all per- sonalities in the background in the pres ent emergency, made the following state- ment of the situation last night:
 This acute situation has but one reason !, and one remedy. To do the work, to re- lieye the distress of the sick, the unem- p.oyed, the homeless and hungry. to buy the groceries, to make and distribute fuel, and to do good in ways too numerous and varied to mention in an itemized state- ment-tal1es a reasonable amount of money. Unless the citizens of Birming- lam wish that this work shall be dis continued generous and immediate money donations are imperative.
 'The Associated Charities of Jackson vile and Atlanta have had to close their doors, at least temporarily, this winter, and it has been a matter of correspond- ing pride to those connected with the local association that the Birmingham
  would be most regretable if town of the size riches and generosity of Birming- nam should sso fail in it's suppost and in- do-sement of this fine work that the as- sociation building will have to be closed
 During the month of February relief to the money value of $2573.25 was dis tributed, to make no mention of the med ical aid given through the free dispen- sary. Cash received from all sources with which to do this work was to the total of M319.S5! How was it possible to make this showing? Because the efficiency, willingness and loyalty of everyone con rected with this work was such that he or she got out and hustled individually to make up this difference. Where else can you find an organization that has so earn estly at heart the success of their work that each one, even remotely connected with it's pay roll, finds the will and the way to get out and raise relief in some form, to the money value of twice their salaries?
 Who Will Supply the Needs?
 "When this organization closes it's doors for lack of local support, who is going to give out during each of the succeeding months the 775 orders of groceries, the 123 donations of fuel, the 7262 meals, the 260S lodgings, the hundreds of suits of clothes ard pairs of shoes that the Associated Charities gave away. for instance, last month? Who is going to help pay the rent of these unemployed families, who Is going to find jobs and when necessary pay transportation to get to them? Who Is going to help bury the few each month to keep them out of the potter's field? Who is going to chip in on the instal- ment house furniture to save it's going hack to the original owner, and who is going to find means to relieve distress of almost every conceivable form and necessity, too numerous and varied to mention?
 "The mems lodging house has been housing and feeding an average of 95 men day, in return for work In the essociation's woodward. These men are rot professional hoboes they are young men with trades who, because of the crowded and hopeless conditions further ncrth. have had the bravery to seek south ern fields in which to sell their services. Where are they going to eat and sleep tomorrow? Shall we round them up in the city jail and work them in the streets ns they do in New Orleans and Mobile, and turn them out potential criminals? The Associated Charities. through the woodward, has found a way to make them nearly self-supportng. If it takes a lit- tie public support to keep them off the streets and out of our jaile, is If not worth Eirmnghams while to chip in towards that object? Jobs being scarce as they are, every city must face the presence