The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-01
PLENTY OF VARIETY
IN a CHARITIES JOB
Miss Mckinney, Secretary
Here Tells What One
Years Work Involved

In q comprehensive report submitted
ty MISS Margaret Mckinney secretary
Of the Associated Charities organiza-
ton at the annual meeting held on
Monday afternoon Miss Mckinney cit
es many interesting incidents concern
ing the work she so ably conducts in
this city; tells of the peplexities and
worries incident to the many and va
ned cases which are brought to her at
tention, some worthy. some unworthy;
tells how these cases are investigated
and the situation created, relieved and
gives thanks TO the press the city ad.
ministration and other benevolent or
CARNATIONS which have aided mater
Tally the organization in its charitable
efforts and given much other interest
Ing detail in the report which follows:
During the past year 1913 families,
more than 500 people representing sew
eral nationalities applied to us because
they were in some KIND of distress. In
this list is included the widowed, the
deserted homeless, feeble minded, in
efficient, sick and aged.
The care Of widows with children is
real philanthropic problem, no mat
ter how much work there may BEL il
there Is no one in the family TO work,
economic conditions furnish no relief
for the widow and the orphan. Our
Mothers Pension law enacted by the
legislature in 1917 has remedied the
situation for US to some extent. But
there are so many cases which do not
come under the law, families that
have not lived in the country for the
required three years, or in the state
Tor five. There are also foreign Wild
oWs, with usually large number OF
children. These must be maintained
until the children are old enough to
work.
From practical viewpoint deserted
women present the same problem as
the widows. We have good law max
ing desertion a misdemeanor and pro-
Nadang for severe punishment and al.
so making 1t the duty of the county
court 70 provide the funds necessary
for extraditing any person charged
with such an offense who has gone
to another state But it is rather diff
ucult TO secure enforcement OF the
law. For instance:
We haven't had the family of boot
logger on our list this year or to put it
Inherently since the first time the pro-
hdbitton law went into effect, we have
not had to keep the family of a man
who was in jail for bringing in liquor.
When this happens under our laws,
there IS no provision made for the care
NJ T,f.N NAV ,.I.s II
approprtates the wage earning capac-
lty OF the husband, takes care Of him,
but abandons the helpless woman and
cniidren TO the mercy of the public.
The problem of old age is always
with US and there is no sadder sight
than two old people who have lived to.
gether forty or fifty years and in their
old age ara left with not even the ne
cessittes of life. Their children, If
they had any, either Indifferent or care
less, or perhaps with large families
OF their own pay no attention to the
old folks. The first thought is why
haven't they saved something in all
these years. That is most pertinent
question and sometimes the answer Is
not at an complimentary to either the
man or woman. But the fact remains
1850 10y e14O OENl lOI cpDlS W hOThg
and cannot be allowed to starve. We
had 10 such cases last year.
The feeble minded are still a source
Of worry TO us-with Lo state institu.
ton to which they may be sent for
training when possible, or for safe
keeping. One woman in this town,
who should have been sent to an in
istttution years ago, has Just given
birth to her fourth tllegitimate child,
the children OF such mother cannot
possibly be an asset to any commune
lty and yet we take no steps to prevent
her bringing more into the world. The
transient class of whom we had So the
past year, is most difficult to work
with. A man or woman appeals for
transportation to point never very
far distant. The question arises-ds It
better 10 keep him here paying his
board, while finding out the facts of
tine case, or spend the small sum nee
essary to get him out of town. It must
pc confessed the latter is the cheap
er. But tt Is not good social work.
One rather interesting case along this
Hne might be cited. Last July a mes.
sage came from the B. & o. station
that woman with three children was
stranded there. She had no money
ana no frfends-a visit was made at
once TO the station and the woman's
story heard. She was a widow from
Kentucky had come to one of the
nearby mining towns to visit her sis.
ter When she arrived there she found
her sister had moved away leaving no
ADDRESS. She had stayed all night at
sone hotel there, but she couldn't
give the name and her pocketbook had
been stolen. So she and the children
had walked track to Fairmont. Now
sne would like transportation to take
1er 70 another sister in Huntington.
tter story was so contradictory In
some respects that 1t seemed wise to
tlnu OUT certainly that she were tell
Ing the truth before sending her IN
Closer questioning brought out tie FACT
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