New Britain herald., 1916-03-09


 spirit and unaffected by a continuity
 of trihes that would drive the aver age person to Europe in quest of a
 quiet vacation, that would never be able to fill the positions they do. An idea of some of the requests made to the organization in the course Of Ia days work can be gained from the report of Miss Osborn for February presented to the board of directors at the monthly meeting last evening
 Even love matters play prominent role in the routine of the organization and while it is a far cry from love to cofins, horse radish and false teeth these articles also have their place.
 The report of Miss Osborn follows
 The Lady From Philadelphia"
 , All who have read the nonsensical "Peterkin Papers" by Edward Everett Hale, remember the many amusing tribulations of the Peterkin family. Just how they managed to exist until the Lady from Philadelphia took up her abode across the street was mystery. After her arrival, however, whenever a family crisis arose, the Peterkins made haste to consult the Lady from Philadelphia who always flnew exactly what to do to help them out Of their dilemma.
 There are many times when tl2 agent of the Charity Organization 2eels that judging by the questions placed before her for advice, she too should be called the Lady from Phil gadelphia." Many opulent and utter ly efficient societies might look down upon this phase of our work with amused contempt, but we feel that these requests for advice would strengthen the ties between society and beneficiary in any city, and that especially in this city with it's huge percentage of immigrant residents, the more explicitly we can interpret American life the better we are serv- iEg the city. Besides the more usual requests for onr services, we are asked tS interpret translate and identify. More than once we have been asked by our friends to identify the cashing of a money order. or something of that sort. Naturally we refuse, at the same time explaining the necessity of | absolute honesty in such matters.
 We are asked to negotiate for knee 1 braces, coffins and a variety of such ] Articles; to conduct rallies on vioIins.
 
 market price on cows. We are con- suited about setting up men in such business as selling horserad dish, ped ding matches or soap, or buying street vending machines. We fasten on buttons, supply cooking recipes, administer bath or refer a patient to the Tuberculosis nurse for spit um' cups with cheerful promptness We advise as to dental, optical or medical treatment with more or less trepidation and later inspect and pass Judgment on the resulting set of false teeth or pair of eyeglasses. We are consulted as to funeral arrangements | 3nd in the past have been emissaries l oS death bed messa ges.
 Agent Wanted As Bridesmaid.
 Often we are asked to render such | services as securing baby carriage | or stove or finding a new rent. Many ] times we are asked to arbitrate be- tween husband-and wife or parent and child. We are requested to make l Annie tell her parents what the news i, paper says Or make Jimmie stay off l the streets at night. We have been | } consulted in several love affairs and have even been asked to help find a 1 life partner for one perplexed appli- | cant. Indeed, your agent has even l been asked to act as a bridesmaid and to correspond and exchange pho I tographs with homeless men, whom the Charity Organization has befriend- ed. In these last instances it has been necessary to explain that our in terest was wholly professional.
 Beyond this there are the more complicated questions of dealing with homeless men, vagrant women and ? neglected children the questions of unfit home conditions, poor housing, institutional care and all the prob l lens arising from old age, illness l crtme, intemperance, widowhOod, or physical handicap. The questions placed before us are l as varied as humanity itself and we tackle them oftentimes with fear and 1 R trembling. Some times when we end 3 bewildcring days work with a tired 1 \ headache, we are tempted to credit R It to compulsory brain expansion, A And this is what some people con- sldsr an easy kind of Work,-"the l @ tight sort of work for frail woman," There are so many who think that our work consists in sitting quietly 1t desk giving out coal and gro 2ery orders that we are making every effort to explain to them what it 'eally is. Like The Fire Department. Up to the present year there has peen little attempt to inject anything hKe social aspect into the Charity organization. We have been like Inc fire department-onIy called in at A fmes of dire calamity. We have a feeling that in dealing with a family oftcntimes as much may be accom- @ nliShnd fhrn11pk, nin nt