Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-09


mysterious underground channels of
communication.
A woman who, with her eight
children, has long been dependent of
the Associated Aids, was asked this
morning by a Telegraph reporter if
she knew that John Yates was going
to leave. Yes" she replied, II know
it all right. 1 know too much about
it, because they can never get another
man like Mr.. Yates take his place.
He was so interested in us. Knew
everyone of my eight children by
name, so he did, every one of them"
Not Like So Many
"He wasn't like so many of them,
what do you call them,oh yes, welfare
workers. Well he amt like them, he
isn't afraid to sit down and talk to u.s.
Don't treat us like as if we were some
special species of animal, neither, he
treats us jes like we were human be-
ings. When we We're sick or in trouble
he comforted us just like the man
they read about in the Book.
''Sorter hate to Sc him co." drawled
a one-time police character. Il was
alters gettin' into trouble somehow or
other, but just the same | have got
along fine lately: / went to him for
help one time, had a good story all
out of work. l thought 1 could get
the price of a drink, but you can't
put anything over on him.
when he looked me right in the
eyes with those kind blue eyes of his,
l couldn't lie, couldn't even think of
something to say. And then he start
ed to take to me in a gentle sort of
ever. He knew me, knew all about
me. Told me that I had n wife and
four little children that should have
the money l was spending for booze
Said | ought to get work and not loaf
around while my wife worked. Do
you know the longer he talked the
worse l felt about it all. No one ever
talked like that to me before.
Children Are Sorry
do you know, stranger" he con-
tinued, "doggone if he didn't even get
me a job, a good job, too. I slipped
a little a couple of times after that
but he never forgot we are all sinful
critters, always had a good word for
me just the same. Haven't touched
a drop now for well nigh six months
and you bet l don't intend to either"
Even the little children knew that
their friend is going to leave them.
One grimy little face Immediately
mother talking about Mr.. Yates. The
little chap, wise beyond his years, de-
clared there wasn't no Sana Claus, but
that Mr.. Yates brought him things on
Christmas just like other boys.
Had Splendid Cooperation
Immediately after Mr.. Yates came
to Harrisburg in September, 1915, the
Children's Aid and the Associated Aids
were consolidated. Since that time the
work of the Children's Aid has been
enlarged to a considerable extent.
Every individual case reported is
now investigated to the fullest extent
before action is taken. When children
are adopted by a family the child is
watched by the Society. Workers
drop in unannounced and investigate
the treatment the child receives. The
Society continues to keep in touch
with each child and give assistance
whenever possible.
The social service department re-
ceives special care and aid is given to
each tubercular case that is reported.
The Boys Camp was instituted last
summer and has proven to be of in
valuable aid to city boys whose living
conditions deprived them of a fair
chance for physical and moral devel-
opment.
During Mr. Yates supervision the
standard of the work done in Dauphin
county has been raised to a level of
any in the State or many nearby
States. Mr.. Yates attributed much of
this success to the splendid co-ojer-
alton of every class of people.
Graduate of Princeton
Mr.. Yates is a graduate of Prince
ton University, class of 1901. having
specialized on sociology and law. He
is also graduate of the Reformed
Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
Pittsburgh, in the class of 1904. Dur
ing his time as a student there he did
welfare work among boys. Later he
studied social conditions in Boston,
New York, Philadelphia. From 1905
to 1910 he was pastor of the Reform
ed Presbyterian Church, Syracuse,
New York. While there he was volun-
teer probation officer and volunteer
worker for the Society for the Protec-
ton of Children.
Here Since September, 1915
After leaving Syracuse Mr.. Yates
went to Pittsburgh where he was pas
tor of the Central Reformed Presby-
terian Church, until 1915. He has
given a great deal of his time in So
cial work both in an advisory and ac-
tive capacity. He has also conducted
industrial and housing surveys in
various parts of the State and made
study of the juvenile court, of Allie
gheny county, also in other cities. Mr..
Yates has made a study of settlement
work in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chica-
go and New York.
He began work in this city in Sep
tember, 1915, and since that time has
been secretary of Young Peoples
Work for the Reformed Presbyterian
Church and president of the Board
of Home Missions of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church.