The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-01-20
lNFlIENA AND SLUMP IN DEMAND
|E6RCDAL INCREASE cHAR|I|| P|RoBtEn


have q broad fled and all donations
to this organization go directly to some
needy family or individual. There
are no expenses deducted, as al rent
Of office in the City building, includ-
ing gas and electric light, and the sec
retary's salary are apid by the city.
The secretary, Miss Margaret McKin-
ney, has also been appointed city po-
lice matron and takes charge Of wom-
en- and girls brought to the city jail.
For this. including her duties as sec
retary of the Asso ciated Charities, she
is paid a regular salary.
One OF the most important phases
OF Associated Charities work, especial
" to Fairmont citizens, lies in the fact
that since the Associated Charities
was first organized in 1912. there have
been few beggars and Objectionable
transients appearing at ones back
door. Before this time hardly q week
passed that one did not have some
poor unfortunate appearing suddenly
to ask for everything from food to
money and Invariably telling a tale
which from the standpoint Of high art,
outrivaled all short story productions,
Many a mother or daughter handed
out donations which were unwisely
given. There was neither time MOI
genius. nmany cases for lnraveling
the true story and often good clothes
were sold to the second hand man and
the money wasted, or good food dump
9 din the alley because 1t had been
handed out instead of coveted cash
Those were the days when a chalk
mark on ones back fence meant any
thing from mo use bothering here!"
to Easy mark" Today We have lit
tie Of that; for organized charity soon
disposed Of Objectionable persons
sending them promptly back to their
own towns and cities or caring for
them IN proper and adequats nan
.ner,
Many are the stories to be told in
connection with the work which has
been done in this city during the last
seven years by The Associated Chart
ties, from tragedies to minor, disasters
Miss Margret Mckinney carries on a
large part Of the work in her office
each day and this office is so located
that 1t is easily found. All one has
to do is to walk up one flight Of stairs
in the City building and turn to the
right three doors. The work which
she does requires infinite tact and pa
tience and a good working knowledge
OF human nature. Every penny which
3she handles Is spent wisely; not too
much TO one or too little to another,
but an amount merely covering actual
needs. Sometimes a woman comes to
Miss Margaret who tells a very pathet-
ic story; with many tears, and shabby
garments almost winning ones sym
Eathpies. No story is taken on the face
of It and Investigations are always
made before help is given. Occasion.
ally, the woman is undeserving, mere.
ly an imposto tor-and she is sent back
where she belongs carvings with her
some excellent advice.'
Very often genuine tale Of woe is
upfolded and an instant response Of
sympathy, with tactful suggestions OF
how best to help, steps out to meet
some sorely abused little woman with
burdens almost unthinkable on her
shoulders. Miss Margaret understands
her work thoroughly and makes very
few mistakes. Last week she was
called upon to solve the problems Of a
number Of needy folks. To one she
gave groceries, to another some warm
clothes in correct size, in spite Of an
evient desire on the part OF the woman
applying for garments which were not
suitable at all. To several she gave
very littleto one or two nothing a.
all. Through q vast amount Of expert.
ence she knew what was needed and
what was not. Most Of her.applicants
she knows PERSONALLY. One or two
came through those she knew.
Miss Margaret keeps wonderful
assortment Of CASTOR articles on her
many shelves and on hooks about her
Office. Some time, she says, she is
going to have cupboard for her
jams and jellies. when some kind soul
finds out to donate At present she
keeps most Of 1t on the top OF an old
safe and on the bottom shelves Of her
clothes cabinet. This winter larger
demand than ever is expected To- be
made by families who have lost father
or mother with influenza or by fathers
out Of employment. A number Of the
mines are closing with prospect OF
more closing, throwing many men out
OF work. Sickness viii call for money
10 pay rent to provide groceries and
to pay doctor bills. \
Through q fear on the part Ofs the
Associated Charities that there viii
be q far from sufficient amount Of
money on han dto meet all these needy
obligations this win,er, the Board Of
Associateds Charities held meeting
last week and decided ask generous
lFairmont for All It coull spare to aid
In this work. One thousand letters
Continued on page eight.)
Fli,7llt,,l Nerchail