The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-10

1
work ..... "a
=, A. c. relief and reia-
tives .....-... 81
! A. c. Relief only. 10 126)
immortality
! Drinking husbands. so
insufficient n 9 o ia c
| through Incidence. 81
! Improyidence . AZ $3.50
| Out of Work .....,............ sos
| Dependents furnished transpor-
taiion ..........,.....A 100
Total ....... 1855
The disbursements for the year. as
outlined in previous exhibits, are
larger for the number Of families
helped than In the previous year. This
Is accounted for by the fact that dur
ing December 191D, January, Feb
ruary and March. of 1915, our dis
bursements were s10,029.5S. whereas
during the balance of the year the ex-
penditures were about normal. The
large expenditure during these months
comedies with the industrial depres-
sion During 1915 we were unable to
discriminate as TO the real cause OF
distress. No matter whether a man
wanted job or not he could truth
fully say that he could not find one.
In the present year. 1916. tho con-
man wanted work he could find It and
the reason for not being employed
must be sought in some other way.
The analysis of the figures presented
during the past year shows us what
the real problems are underlying
much of our dependency. AS an edu-
cational factor this is valuable because
It enables us to brush aside all sent!-
mental considerations and ook
artty wal, Co. aer-,r "a
the year show the causes. We find
standing out prominently--wido
desertion, tuberculosis anad old age.
This accounts for about rs per cent of
the cases aided during the year. The
other 25 per cent In accounted for
by drink. opiates. improyidence and
Incidence. The completely of the prob
lens involved creates dissension
among our constituents Different
opinions exist as to the wisdom Of CIV
ing financial aid in many of the cases.
We lay down no hard and fast rule.
as many innocent victims are In
volved and women and children have
a claim even IL those upon whom they
are dependent prove recreant to the
trust.
Problem of the Work.
We find 1913 women with dependent
children, widows. deserted wives,
wives of insane husbands, wives of
husbands in Jail and unmarried moth
ers. In this problem lies the founda-
ton of all constructive charitable
work No matter what the parents
have been. the future welfare of the
child depends upon proper educa-
tional and parental care. with suffi-
Gent food and healthy environment.
Our president has placed before you
the claims OF the widow. The other
women who are widows In fact, IL not
In law, need close care and supervision
as the husband looms over the case as
a continual menace to the welfare and
Suitability of the family. Too often the
wife condones the derelict aand takes
his part against the domestic court
and social forces.
Sickness, especially tuberculosis
(13D has attacked many families and
made the breadwinner5 unproductive.
When this dread disease Is in the home
the financial burden Is most acute. The
treatment means-cessat ton OF work
increased expenditure for diet and the
care OF the family. In one case alone
we had a budget OF $40 per month
which had to be raised in addition to
the care of the husband ut Catawba
The adequate treatment OF cases
consisting Of women with dependent
children and tuberculosis patients. in
wolves an expenditure which our reg
ular funds cannot maintain. Cases
or temporary sickness are more easily
managed and the families carried over
the period of financial stress until the
breadwinner is again able to take his
place.
Aged men and women. partially
able to support themselves and others
wholly dependent tI2S) form Il group
In, xstrn tY,
upon our fund. The city and churches
plan for institutional care, but In
many cases they rebel against insti- !
tuuonal care and public sentiment de- !
mands that We meet their needs. We
hope to get into closer relationship !
with churches. organizations and indi- !
viduals who will aid in such cases and /
arrange for their support through one |
agency.
The most complex situation we
have to contend with In relief work is |
'he question of the home where the /
husband has earning capacity to keep !
the family. but through drink and in |
dotence on the part OF the man or i'm /
on the part Of the women, /
IRE unable to meet the needs of the (
hildren and maintain an adequate |
-tandard OF living. Sentiment is |
.argely divided on what is the proper 4
Nurse TO pursue. Many claim, be- Il
sause of the women and children, re-
ief ought to be given freely. Others
claim that relief given freely, under
such circumstances - encourage the
evil and aggravates the conditions.
Under existing conditions these causes
are becoming more discernible and II
ne necessity for educational coercive
methods OF relief and constructive i
work are evident. This Is the most diff
fcult problem we have to confront and
'equires Judgment and tact to unite
,ur forces and correct the evils.
Prohibition Has Helped.
during the last month prohibition
las been in operation and has modi-
led the existing conditions. The time
S opportune for a thorough policy
Vhich recognizes the evil growing out
II drinking. as primary cause, and Il
'rappies with it's consequences This
$ the climax towards which the As
"ciated Charities has been working
nj conditions enable us to put this
meme TO Ia practical test
We need more thorough case work.
Which implies a knowledge of all the
Conditions involved. more money for
adequate relief in the case of depSh- II
lent women and children and the firm
n policy of moral and legal coercion
n all cases where fhe husband and