Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-06-08
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1918.



The Importance OF some community move
ments would seem so patent that the attempt
either to deny their value or disregard it IN
the organization of community life would be
nothing short of dangerous. Some Of these fac
tors are admittedly of the kind which work
without any publicity, without great public at
iention, but which, By their very methods of 81
Hence, are able to work in places and touch the
community life at points where more spectacular
methods would be entirely excluded; and while
their workings may not be known 50 well, the
value Of their work is not Iessened one whit by
that fact.
1t is in this class Of community enterprise
that the proposition of a community nurse falls;
and it is the knowledge Of the fact that the
Community Club, reacting to what seems to be
a public apathy towards the work, is consider
ing not engaging another nurse when the term
of Mrs Cotter expires, that prompts us to these
remarks.
Philanthrcpic work Of this sort is simply So
cial insurance. The entire story of what has
been accomplished by Mrs Cotter in her SER
vice here will never be made public. She has
done far more than words ever could tell, or
money could ever repay. Her work has been
confined in large measure to the people who
could not pay for professional service, and she
has done it with willingness and an unoffending
grace which has reached deep into the hearts
of the people who have known her. Whether or
not the public generally knows this is of no
concern; we are acquainted well enough with
the condition of the poor to know that her par
ish is appreciative, and in SO far as the city is
concerned Mrs. Cotter has warded off condi-
tons which not only would have been degrad-
ing but would have cost the city far more to cor
rect after they had once been allowed to estab-
lish themselves
We do not know just how much assurance the
Community Club desires in order to feel that the
city wants this service continued We under
stand that the club has never wanted for funds
that the people have always contributed towards
any campaign which aimed to support this work
The statement that Mrs. Cotter has averaged
about $50 visits month shows not only that
there is a real need for such training, but that
the salary is being earned. These facts, it seems
TO Us, would prove beyond all question of doubt
that the Community Club is meeting a real
heed when it supports this work, and that the
conditions demand continuance Of it.
We have always inclined towards central
lied charitable organization, with single board
in control. AT present the Social Service Union
and the Community Club nurse cover the same
ground in far as visitation of the sick and re-
lief Of the needy IS concerned. Fortunately they
do not conflict. While there is no conflict, and
while there is need for two,-anr more-such
workers, we urge the people to continue their
support Of both institutions. Perhaps some time
there may come reorganization which will COM
bine the agencies; perhaps the city viii take it
over Fundamentally some time and make it an
integral and official part Of the city's business
-as it really is a part Of the city's problem now
IN their naturally limited way the organizations
already existing are doing excellent work; but
as soon as the relief for such a problem receives
official recognition the better it viii be for al
concerned.
-C-