The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1916-10-13

At the last meeting of the BeneF
olent Association it was decided tC
make an appeal to the people Of Ma
rietta in behalf of the Association
Collectors reported that they hat
been unable to collect the amounts
promised and in some cases they
were made to feel very unpleasant
for having called, therefore these
ladies, who have been such splendid
collectors, and so willing to do this
part of the work, refused to go a.
gain.
The Benevolent Association was
organized to take care of the poor
of Marietta, and to relieve the city
of the door to door beggars. We
have repeatedly asked that anyone
coming for help be sent to the asso-
citation, and the money which would
be given them when they called,
be given to the association-that
the cases would be thoroughly in
vestigated and help given where
needed 1t has always been the
case where there was no organized
association to take care of this work
that certain families would be CIV
en- far more than they needed while
others were suffering.
The merchants of Marietta and
every house on the different streets
received a call from the collectors
and at that time amounts were
pledged, some to be collected every
month, others quarterly and an
nually, one company giving as much
as twenty-five dollars yearly. These
amounts, if they could be collected,
would keep the association run
ming smoothly, but it is next to
impossible to make people see that
the association cannot work with
out money. The collectors have
been treated in such a way as to
make them feel that their visits and
requests were looked upon in the
light of an imposition and they
don't care to go again. If the
money can't be collected, and if the
people persist in turning down the
appeals of the association, there
will be nothing to do but give up
the work
Naturally these facts do not APP
ply to our friends who have stood
by us. There are few who do seem
to appreciate the work we are doing
but they are in the minority and of
course cannot take the whole bur-
den on their. shoulders. 1t is only
through their kindness and good
will that the work has gone for
ward so long.
The members of the association
are giving their time and effort to
this cause and if anyone thinks that
collecting is a pleasant task or that
investigating these cases is delight
full work let them try it for short
time. The association has been mis-
understood repeatedly about the
work it is doing. People who know
nothing about what is being done
neglected, or that we have positive
ly refused to help those who came
to us for aid These very people
have never been to a meeting and
don't care to come. They know
nothing of the 1ead-beats the inves,
tigating committee has to dea
with. If they would only attend &
nothing about what is being done
If they would only read the re
ports published in the papers, OF
make some inquiries as to what il
being done, it would be a very cas-!
matter to find out why some people
are turned down by the association
We have used every means in oul
power to get people to come to the
meetings, which we know will b,
a sure way of getting them interest
ed in the work
We are asking the people of Ma
rietta to help this association. The
amounts given may not be very larg,
but if everyone would give small
amount the large amounts would
take care of themselves. Not tina
we are asking for only small a
mounts. We have a great man!
calls, and the winter will soon b.
here and appeals are already com
ing in which cannot be met, because
we are unable to get any assistance
The following is typical of tn,