The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-15
State Reasons for Wanting to
Spend Money Where They Please

In accordance with the provisions of
the will, the trustees in the last eighteen
years have expended about tSl70,O00) in
direct relief in the towns of BrattIeboro
and Rhinebeck.
As was to be expected, they have found
thas an indefinite amount of money could
have been used for direct aid, but that
there was a certain limit to the amount
that could be used for that purpose with
real permanent benefit The fact that
the hard conditions of women in those
occupations, conditions that excited the
sympathies of the testator. are largely
caused by the ease with which women can
enter those occupations at any time.
made it imperative that this money of
the trust should not be used in such a
way as to attract women into those oc-
equations.
The position taken by the trustees that
unless specifically ordered by the courts
to the contrary they must use their dis
erection as to the limits set to direct
aid in those towns has been sustained by
the courts by decree dated May 6, 1908,
and the trustees have endeayored so to
use their discretion that their direct aid
should avoid creating distorted oecupa-
tional conditions, and should neither in
crease the amount of dependents in Brat
tleboro and Rhinebeck nor remove from
the more prosperous in those towns those
| responsibilities that are a necessary part
| OF their duties as good men and women
and good citizens.
| In the course of the work they have
| found it advisable to continue TO assist
I
nearly supporting or to obtain the
care OF relatives had gone to other towns,
and they have also found it advisable to
refuse help and support to women who
were found to be dependent after coming
to those towns. With the exception of
help to the aged they have found it de-
lsirable TO limit their direct aid to eases
that were in temporary need and have
made the help given as constructive as
possible with the object of assisting the
recipient to get on her feet and become
Iself-supporting as soon as her health
made it advisable. This course, has, il
the vast majority of cases. been in &C
cordance with the wishes of the benef
Charles.
Such work by large fund within {
small area must always present very
grave problems and can never be FIRE,
from the honest criticism of persons VII,
see only half the facts and half the diff
eulties. The study of the experience o
other communities and of other charit
able funds in the past showed that it i
far easier to build up a dependent elias
than to reduce it, and that poverty an,
dependence have often been increased an
made permanent in given communit
by the existence of such funds devoted t
direct aid within 4 prescribed area. TIL
matter has had the most careful study
and work by the trustees and their as
sstants. Their right to make such limi
tations has been sustained by the courts
There has in the past been more IN
come for the trust than in their judl
ment can be usefully employed for til
direct aid OF seamstresses, needle wome
and shop girls in these towns. The guei
ton that has been raised whether
:, making use of this fund for kindred Pun
- poses, the trustees have the right IN the
= discretion to 90 outside of the towns
! Brattleboro and Rhinebeck, or wheth,
- they must be confined to said towns
such uses.
Money Spent on Hospital
.The use authorized by the courts tn
has called for the greatest expenditure
money has been the building and maint
nenee of hospitals in Brattleboro al
Rhinebeek, something over S450,000
the trusts money having gone for til
purpose.
The trustees have felt justified in IL
!usc of so much Of the fund for this Pr