The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-11

Col, e. n. House Of Texas and New
York. who Is the confidential friend
and advisor of President Wilson. has
been sent 70 Europe In the hope that
the, work OF providing adequate re.
lief for the distressed people OF Bel
Egium may be cosordinated. Beiginm's,
necessities are too vast for voluntary
agencies to meet, and the statement
Is made that Col House will ask Ger.
many and Great Britain to do their
share through the government chan
nels, In addition to what Is being &C.
complishedS by the American commits
sion. Between these two nations lies
the responsibility for Belgium's plight,
and Russia, Austria and France are
not immune.
The renewed discussion Of the Bel.
CLAN problem consequent upon this al.
legged mission OF Col. House will re.
mind whom It may concern that, not:
withdrawing all that has occurred
in SIX months Of war, the Belgian affair
still stands out to shock the world.
1t Is many weeks since protests against
lavish contributions to the suffering
Belgtans became pronounced In the
United States, but the heart Of hu.
manity still responds to the call. and
the hand IS open. It Is a long time
since we on this side of the sea were
told that the Belgians might help
themselves II they would go to the
work that was offered them but con.
ditions have not improved. For the
greater part those OF the Flemish peo-
pie who are not refugees in France,
Holland and England are in the most
dire need. Not all the battles and
spectacular events that have marked
the progress of the war have for a
single day taken the eyes of men and
women in other lands from off the
spectacle presented in that unhappy
country. Every dispute that arises In
conversation or in print over the
causes and details of the great con.
fict gets back sooner IF later to the
crime Of Belgium's devastation and
the peculiar infamy Of which its peo-
pie were the victims. All. efforts at
justification fall In face Of a fact SO
stupendous and awful. The public
simply will not forget and time is not
softening It's indignation and condem.
nation. There is more being publish.
ed about Belgium. the story Of whose
ruin is an old tale now, than Of any
other land, and there is a keener in.
terest In the condition OF her people
than In the fate of armies or the for.
tunes OF the fight. Some things the
wagring powers a deny to the world.
but there are others that appeal to the
deeper; and more enduring thoughts
OF humanity which cannot be denied
and will not down. Gazette Times.
Old Clothes.
One Of the most practical and easiest
methods Of charity Is the judicious
distribution of old clothes. Recogniz.
ing the great value of this asset to the
poor, Bundle Day. plans have been
organized in many cities. to collect and
distribute systematically old and new
clothing. A great many people every
where give away old clothes, but Of.
ten not with Judgment.
In many employments 1t is neces-
sary for a mans success that he be
well dressed. It may be illogical, but
shabby clothes hurt his business. Con-
sequently he has half used suits and
overcoats for distribution at regular
intervals. Being well made, they have
a great deal of substantial wear.
Also his wife feels that her position
requires her to discaia garments be.
fore they are worn out.
The amount OF clothing thus passed
on Is a big total. II used kindly and
benevolently. 1t can keep a great many
deserving people very comfortable.
Some people sell 1t to Solomons.
Isaacs, or other vendor Of cast.offs. who
makes a thrifty profit. The amount
that can be realized from secondhand
dealers Is never large. 1t would seem
that people might much better make
this little offering to worthy charity
by a direct gift.
1t is poor policy to hand out these
garments to the first blowsy tramp
who comes along. On the back streets
OF your own town there are always
people who have misfortune, but who
have fought a good fight with adverse
circumstance. They are entitled to
the preference. Every family having
clothes to give away should seek out
a few of these households, and make
them regular recipients OF this mex.
pensive but substantial bounty.-Mc.
Keesport News.
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