New Britain herald., 1917-02-15
MISS OSBORN LAUDS
 W0MEN'S FARM PLAN
Agent of Charity Organization
 Strongly Endorses Project

S'ieet last evening. In the report of the agent. Miss Elsie c. Osborn, an endorsement of the Connecticut Prison associations bill asking for $50. .O0O for a Women's Refermatory is found and she considers that it is a remarkably sensible, safe and sane piece of work and that it's passage would mean much to the state.
 During the month there were 33s requests made to the organization. for help and twenty seven new cases added. .t.. .
 Miss Osborns report follows:
 There Is an old story about six men seelng an elephant. One grasped the elcphants trunk; another patted his mapping ears, another felt his tusks, another grasped his hide, still another LOOK hold of his legs, and the last one pulled his tail. Eacn one described the elephant just from the part he himself krew about. and to each one ms own particular portion comprised the whole elephant.
 The same thing holds true in peoples conception of charity. The one society OF agency, doing the one particular kind of work they are most interested in. fills the whole horizon
 
 might IS we'll not be in existence, so no one has as good an opportunity to witness the helpful work of each and every society as @ worker in the Charity Organization who comes in contact continually with representa- tives of each and every welfare agency in town. It is liberal educa- ton to meet in a friendly way day after day the pastors. the officials, the lawyers, doctors, welfare nurses and representatives of many organiza- tons, with whom we have some mat ter of mutual interest to discuss in behalf of this or that family, and certainly none know better than we the devoted service of each and every one.
 Through our social workers con- ference comprising all the welfare workers of the city. we all become better acquainted with each others work and the little pilgramages with groups of people, to this or that city office or welfare agency, still con- tinue. Half a dozen addresses have been given by the agent of late, with view to standing as a public ser want before New Britain's people and giving them a chance to get bet ter acquainted with our efforts and our handicaps. A Saturday morning study class has been meeting for~sev- eral months at the office. and in ad- dition to this various groups and classes have come frequently to the office by appointment for information regarding the city's welfare work. All of this tends to better understanding, closer harmony and better working relations. and the people of a city have every right to know how their charities gre being conducted.
 On New Years day the young wom-. on of the H. H. club gave a very suc- cessful tea dance for the benefit of the Charity Organization, turning over the generous sum of $150 to the society to be used for little children of this city, who are not cared for by board of public charities or the milk station Of course we shall be very careful to make this distinction, and will report at intervals to the club The gift is to be known as the H. H. Babies fund. and we should not at all mind f other clubs followed this pleasant example.
 Endorse Reformatory Bill.
 We are anxious to endorse the Con- necticut Prison association. bill asking for S50,OOO for a Woman's Reforma- tory for Connecticut. The bill is con- sidered a remarkably sensible, safe and sane piece of work and it's passage will mean much to the state. At pres ent wayward girls under sixteen can be committed by the courts to the Middletown School for Girls. Of all those over sixteen and under twenty one years, now and then girl is com mitted by the state to one of two pri- vate religious institutions,-theH House of Good Shepherd in Hartford and the Florence Crittenton Home in New Haven For these the state pays $50 B week board. For all women above twenty-one years there is absolutely no place of correction save the county jail, where they are simply laid on the shelf for short periods without any ef- fort at reformation, and where they learn more evil from association with other delinquent women more hard ,ned than they. It requires persuasion and ingenuity to secure for women over twenty-one who pass through our courts, a place in some institution pr other which is quite probably not adapted to their needs and when they are not desired. When our state is said 10 be spending nearly $20,0 900 a year 1t present for it's delinquent women under this unsatisfactory plan, does it not seem possible to make more a1e- luate arrangements?
 State courts should commit to state nstituoins. We should do as well for our girls as for our boys at Cheshire Reformatory. Girls who have gone to small private institu .ions should not be mixed in WitE girls committed by the courts. Girls l over twenty one should not be denied all hope of reformation except that which the occasional ingenuity of their friends provides.
 The bill under consideration pro- tides for a modest apprOpriation not a