The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-28

With funds at the lowest ebb, and
the need for the work greater than
| ever, the financial problem which the
Florence Crittenton Home of North
Dakota, in Fargo, faces just now is
serious. Important and appalling facts
were brought out at the annual meet
ing held at the home last evening, and
the suggestion of some association
members that a concerted effort to in
terest more people in the active work
Of the organization, by membership
campaign and ether means, was favor
ably received, although no definite
action was taken.
More deserted girl wives were cared
for the past year than ever before,
said Miss Lillian G. Topping, super
intendent, in her annual report. In no
previous year has the home been ask
ed to care for so many mothers under
Is years of age as during this one just
closed. Touching stories of girl VIC
tins, more sinned against than sin
ming, emphasized this statement.
Speaking of the disease menace as a
result of deplorable moral conditions
involving the whole state, Miss Top
ping said that in twenty-one years
experience she had never faced the
problem that she does today.
Miss Topping paid a royal tribute
to ex-Chief of Police C.. H., Troyer,
saying that never before had she been
aided by such splendid and prompt
cooperation of the police department
as during the period when Troyer was
at the head of 1t here.
Investigation Incomplete.
The problems of IL girls and seven
ty-six children have been dealt with
at the home the past year, continued
the report but great difficulty is still
encountered owing to the fact that the
North Dakota laws so seriously pre-
vent investigating and bringing to
justice those responsible for the con-
dition of many of the girls seeking ad-
mittance. A total of only seventeen
absolute charity cases were cared for,
being in the home six months or
longer, and the smallest total number
of girls and childrenbeing cared for at
one time was thirty EIGHT and twenty
six, respectively. Employment was
found for twenty three girls, and the
home is at present in touch with
eighty-one who have been there this
past year. The institution is home"
to the girls even after they leave, just
as long as they try to do right. and
the privilege is pitifully precious to
many Of these unfortunate waits.
The Juvenile work department is
very near to Miss Topping's heart, she
reiterated, and is in itself a heavy
problem, as North Dakota has pro-
vided no place for the neglected, de-
linduent or firSt offenders other than
the reform school, and the Crittenton
home is the only institution in the
state doing a work of this kind. The
new juvenile cottage built a year ago
has done much to help in solving the
problems of this class of girls, who
are much harder to control than the
young mothers.
Cost is Growing.
The H. G. of L. has struck the home
hard this past year, said Miss Top
ping. illustrating in part by the state
ment that the menu had been almost
devoid of potatoes, which is an especial
hardship to small town and country
girls used to a diet including them.
The routine reports were given by
Mrs. Fl. l.. Bolley, chairman of the
board of directors, who emphasized
the Importance of continued contribu-
tons to this work even though other
demands are great; Sec. b. g. Tenne-
son; Miss Roberta Van Horn, finan-
$2S4.2S on hand March 81. 1917. after
expenses were all paid. that sum hav-
ing melted away by now; III. w.
Gearey,. on the endowment fund: Miss
Hanson, for the Crittenton Home cir
Gle. whose total amount on hand is
$2S1.7S, that sum being set aside for
the nursery needs. repairs, etc.: Miss
Lou Hanson, who gave splendid re-
port of the school work done at the
home under the public board of educa-
ton control: and Miss Topping for the
Grand Forks Crittenton Home circle.
Of about $50 women. who
sent check for SIS to apply on the
homes expenses.
Members Reelected.
Despite their efforts to have new
board members elected for the pur-
pose OF broadening the circle of work
ers in the association, by resorting to
the ballot voting. all Of the retiring |
board Of directors members were re-
elected. as follows: Mrs w. II. Bar-