The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-25
H. C. OF |. FACTOR
Graft Also Is a Producer OF
Poverty in Topeka.
Yates Gives Out Annual Report
of PrOVident Association.

That the H. c. L. is largely respon-
sible for the increase in the number
of families who had to accept rellsL
from the Provident association, WaS
Judge Robert Yates, made at the an
nual meeting of the board OF dlrec-
tors of the association at the Chanlpel
of Commerce this noon.
Four hundred and seventy-elsllt
families received relief last year rs
against 43S in 1915, the report shows.
sickness was the largest sihsls
cause" Judge Yates stated. "One nun
bred and twenty families mad TO ~
helped for that reason Next ca l..
ACKNOWLEDGMENT as a cause TOT poN-
erty in 90 families and insufilclelil H.
come the cause in "a cases .s.
But the report indicates that sil shit
less and graft are also a prime Co.,
cause in poverty here Elshtyi-IS'
cases are credited to those items atone
Of course the H. c. L. is an appalnhs
motor. Many families have been UNI
able to make enough for support anu
many more are getting pare go,
sistence. But in most cases d 10, ~
can make enough 10 obtain clotnii,s'
food and lodging for his famlly IL i l,e
but will. Under present conditions ~
NAV not be able to put money py' p e.
generally he can make enough ~
support at least if he but Will VIII
oI1+ appIving for charity. we eHPIce
ness or accident
Association Progressing.
Compared with last year the report
shows that forty more fanlhes WEI
obliged to depend upon On sn -, as9 7.Joite
ton OF the 478 cases, 2SS were W VIM
families 159 were colored tainllles
and 81 were families of foreign plIth;
The causes of poverty are tapuiateu
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, SO; insufficient IN
come. "a; shiftlessness and graft, o.
old age. As; desertion, 81; lntoXlcaIloh'
5, and Imprisonment, ..
In the miscellaneous rehet lteIns'
24O families are shown to have re
ceived clothing during 1916, as against
21O in 1915. Fifty-one families We're
given furniture as against 81 IN the
previous year. Fifty-five famlIes re
ceived help in paying the rent as
AGAINST 30 the year before. Two num-
bred and twenty-one families were
supplied with provisions ,-.
Hoboes are not flocking to Topeka
like, they have in other years, the re-
port shows. The compulsory WOOD
pile has eliminated this evil Dur
ing 1916 only 3,241 beds" were CIV
en- as against 1854 in 1915. I'VE have
mad literally hundreds of hoboes ask
for lodging give us a hasty fareWel
when we pointed to the WOOD plie'
Judge Yates announced.
Baths to the number of 15f were
given. during the last year.
The Years Disbursements.
The disbursements amounted to
s1O.636SS of which groceries account
ed for S1466.41. other prominent
items in the expenses were S25S.S2 for
coal; S693 for the expenses in main
tanning the day nursery; $616.25 given
to aid families in paying rent the
salaries of secretary, assistant secre-
tary, visitors, stenographer, matron,
ianitor and extra help from time to
time totaled $3,72425. Transports
ton for stranded families came to
S27O.14.
In addition out Of the county and
city funds $500 was given to the Pub
lie Health Nursing association, $500
was given toward the Brady pension,
the Orphans Home received $l25 and
Foster Humane society $62.50.
Owing to an unexpected donation of
$500 last month from the city and
bequest of $500 from the Knowles es-
tate, the association has $9S9.76 on
hand which it has not applied to re-
lief. Total receipts amounted to SILL
626.64. From the county $4,000 was
received. Next in size. individual do
nations amounted to $4,10356. The
city gave in all some 81, 225 The wood
yard returned $459.15. The high cost
of paper is responsible for the asso-
ciatiV4. receiving nearly 5000 for old
paper. Smaller returns from the rent
ing of beds in the dormitory; baths,
laundry, day nursery. etc. brought the
total to above 81, 626.64.
With but one exception the board