The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-12
The Humanitarians.


old time prisonism, the one that
stands as the most glaringly obvious
throughout all the ages is the stead
fast Indifference, and sometimes iron
contempt of the public toward the OK
convict-the man leaving prison hay-
ing paid his legal debt, but who must
answer to society for countless years
afterward for the crime Of being an ex-
convict.
That-and that particularly seems
to have been the most damning fea-
ture of a crime. The crime, itself, did
not matter so much, nor the trial, nor
the guilt: 1t was because man had
served time in prison. To be
an ex-convict was really worse than
being a convict. 1t barred the way to
reformation, friendship and employ
ment. All the avenues to commercial
and social rehabilitation were closed.
A few people may nave felt that it
was probably alright for man to get
out of Jail sometime, but he ought to
60 and shake himself-he must not
monkey with Gods anointed-his was
an unsanetified existence, indeed!
But, happily. time has worked mar
velous changes, and where once the
ex-convict had to face his ignoble past
both coming and going he now re-
ceives warm encouragement in many
quarters-in those quarters where
intelligence and Christianity have
found place-a real, sure-enough glad
hand. and best of all chance to make
good!
The very latest and positively the
most firmly and thoroughly organized
movement yet to be launched for the
rebuilding of temporarily demolished
humanity is The Humanitarians, a
National Association which has for
a main object real, genuine system
for helping the man leaving the prison
to secure employment with reliable
firms a A Mans Wage! The organiza-
ton is fathered by Kansas prison of
fetal, and is incorporated under the
laws of Kansas.
The association has two hundred
and twenty-eight manufacturers, rail-
roads, wholesale and retail business
honses. printing offices, lumber comp
anies and other branches OF business
located in twenty-four states of the
Union, willing to employ men return
ing to the world after having com
pleted their sentences.
The following is a quotation from
The Square Deal. weekly paper
published by the inmates OF the Kan
sas state prison at Lansing, which
furnishes full details as to the organ
ization's personnel and working prin'
ciples:
The members OF the National Coun'
ell will include such men as Governor
Dunno of Illinois, Ex-Governor Foss OF
Massachusetts. Governor Hunt of Ari'
iona, Henry Ford, resident Ripley oil
the Santa Fe Railroad System. Mr.
Chalmers of the Chalmers Motor Com
pany, Mr.. WHY'S of the Overland Mo
tor Company, Mr.. James Couzens, the
Detroit multi.millionaire, and many
other men of affairs, equally strong
and prominent. All these gentlemen
are deeply interested in the men re
turning to the world from prison. They
are not alone their employers, bu
| their friends also. Friends to whom
the man on parole or the discharge,
prisoner may go to when he feels him
| self slipping. He will get advice ant
encouragement And what is also O
great value is the matter of wages
These men will pay you full man
wages. The fact that you come iron
prison makes no difference. II yol
can deliver the goods you will sc
tho wages.
| Prisoners In oil the prisons in tn
United States who become member
are entitled OF the services of the as
sociation's employment department
They are also entitled to every pos
sible help and advice and guidanc,
And those who become members wi
also receive the associations oiIlciG
publication which will contain niue
interesting reading of value to the ma
behind the walls who is anxious I
re turn to the world and become
man. All this will cost the prlsont
one dollar year.
| The article goes on to say that II
association trusts that II viii be alb
to secure enough members from q
: prisoners In the many prisons of q
various states to assure the success
The Humanitarians.
II. IL may be possible 10 obtain furth
A information before this issue &c
d through the press and II Il is of an
& teresting nature to vermonters '
/, will give II space further along In q
g ] magazine. or the August issue
r. However, there is ono thing 81
.. and certain, and that is, they do I