New Britain herald., 1915-02-11

Organization shall work for the pre- vention as we'll as the allevlat1on or poverty-the only logical way. Along these lines our society has branched out tremendously of late.
 For instance the Charity Organiza- ton finds that some of it's beneficiar- ies have much depleted purses be- cause of their reliance on quack med icines It is then our duty to com municate With the State Medical so- ciety, State Board of Health, Amer ican Medical association and any other sources of information that we may know of regarding that sub- ject.
 We learn that many of our ac- quaintances patronize the movies It behooves us then to know what sort of shows are conducted by the var ious show-houses.
 Learn About Loan Sharks.
 Again, we hear of instances where exorbitant interest is demanded on loans, amounting to 100 per cent or over. If we really mean to live up to our ideal of the prevention of the bill introduced this session by our senator regarding the regulation of loan office proceedings? Those offices doing a legitimate business will be upheld and others contemplating New Britain as a fourishing field will decide to locate elsewhere.
 In the past. We have heard of many a victim fleeced by gypsy fortune tellers who have been attracted to New Britain as a good berth because of its large immigrant population. Ridiculous stories have come to us about burned greenbacks and S5 bills wrapped about an egg recommended as love charms. Oftentimes large sums of money have been magnetized out of the victims pocket before he complained to the authorities and by that time the person complained against has skipped town.
 During the winter we have become greatly interested in this subject of fortune telling, and have written widely for information. We have received most courteous letters from civic leagues municipal libraries, chief magistrates, etc, who are interested to know that the New Britain Char ity Organization is awake on a sub- ject that is just beginning to re- ceive much needed attention A dras- tic bill on this subject also is be- ing introduced by our senator Chi cago has been foremost in acting in this matter and after splendid pub- licity campaign in 1911--most sweep ing city ordinances were adopted.
 Farm for Inebrfates.
 No one who has visited our local police court or who is acquainted with even a few of the many families dependent on charity because of the husbands habitual intenyerance, can fail to advocate the passage of the bill creating a state farm for chronic inebriates. This bill after passing both houses once before was vetoed by the governor on the around of economy for the state. Under the present system John Smith, the hab- itual drunkard, comes out of jail ready to celebrate emancipation, and be- cause of his weakened fib1e he cele- brates along the lines that habit dic- tatcs. When he "comes tc' he finds himself in court with the judge sen- tencing him to thirty days perhaps it's the best the judge can do in the matter at present. Back goes John Smith to Seyms street Hartford and in walks Mrs. John Smith upon the Charity Organization society Or Public Charities for support of her family during that period.
 All this would be changed if chronic inebriates could be sent instead on in determinate sentences to a big farm where they would have wholesome outdoor labor every day which would tend to build up their physical and back to society strengthened and not weakened This we consider would be true economy for the state, and if a, few dollars weekly fron. the mems earnings could be handed over to their wives the economy would be two-fold. Do YOU wonder that the Charity Or