The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-15
Life Among the PoUerty
 Stricken MiLionaireS
How It Is Possible to Make Both Ends Meet on Only
 $5OOOO Year

ostrich plumes and aigrets, with the exception of couple of a couple of toques, are the only head gear I have"
 The mother of the family was even more obdurate.
 If you have come here to taunt us with some of the priyitations we are accustomed to endure, you might bet ter be engaged elsewhere"
 T have not come to taunt you. but to help you,n l said gently. T am not going to offer you money, but sym pathy and friendship"
 You'd better talk to my husband" she said, and don't interrupt us. He's been looking for sympathy ever since we were married. You will find him in the library working over his in- come tax"
 On my way to see what help I could render this unfortunate gentlemen, I ran across the butler, who told me the worst. He stated that he hadn't been paid for three months.
 T havn't the cart to leave 'em," he said. They're bearin this 'igh cost of living so brave like, it do seem a pity to be 'indered by sdisloyal 'elp."
 The husband who evidently thought l had come to collect a bill, made a dive for the house elevator as I en- tered the room, and would undoubtedly have escaped had not grabbed him In the nick of time. He was evidently much shaken. He told me afterwards that he had sat in his downtown brok- CTS office for four days in succession without anyone offering him even a club sandwich.
 "As man to man" I said forcing him into a chair and facing him. ''L.et us meet this thing together, Remember, you are not the only New Yorker who has to keep his growing family alive on fifty thousand a year. There are others. We must think of them. You are all in the same boat If your prob lem can be solved. it will also apply to them'
 I'll bet you're a Kansas or Mis- souri farmer,' he said, land have come here to gloat over my poverty. Or may be you're one of those statisticians"
 T am only a simple-minded Journalist 2 l replied, and therefore not able to supply you with any amount of real money; but your secret is safe with me Let us first get at the exact facts, and discover, if possible, what led you to this unfortunate state-
 Tt was due to my ability and my ann bltion. those twin deities of destruction.' ? he replied. Hlf I hadn't trained myself to earn $50,000 a year, all would have NNNAA ed, when we were only getting 5000"
 You could live on 5000 year?' ven- tured
 Dear me-" he replied. Any family can live on s5000 a year or less But not s5o0o0. As you begin to go up in the scale and your earning capacity increases, you reach the poverty line, which, for 2 family of six, I should say is between $1500o and s20,o00. Beyond that is mis- cry, want actual priyations. Look at me- We haven't had new car now in eight months, and my butler Che almost bi oke down) ''hasn't--"
 Don't" I interrupted, soothingly, T understand. The poor wretch confided in me as I came in. You mustn't let him get on your nerves. Come now, old fel- low, brace up and tell me all It will do you good to unburden yourself"
 This was almost too much. Apparently no one had spoken a kind word to him in so long that it almost unnamed him. However, his voice grew stronger, and he went on:
 T haven't always been New Yorker ? he began. T was happy once When I was getting only 5000 year we were all comfortable because I didn't have to spend anything extra for what I was getting"
 T don't follow you," I said
 Its perfectly simple. I have to pay for getting $50,00o a year. They expect it. For one thing. we have to know d lot of people. That's what costs money. If I didn't know a lot of people couldn't make s50o00 a year, and because I know them I can't live on it. It's be- low the poverty line. Look at this house. If it isn't redecorated soon--it has been people who know me will begin to think that I am short of money and this will queer me with the people who pay me $5c, 600 a year"
 .'But don't they know you are short. You are all in the same boat, aren't your
 He lowered his voice.
 "Shl" he said. "Of course we know it. But we never admit it. All they do is much of a fuss they know it would im- pair my efficiency and might stop them from getting anything at all. You see how it works. It's great system"
 The poor man groaned. I joined him.
 T don't suppose s5Q,ooo a year gets any where with you?' I said, thinking that, by telling him I knew how bad off he was it would make him feel better
 HHow can it?" he chattered. ''The sum mer furs alone for three women will eat up one-quarter of my income The gov ernment takes about third oft Whats si 900 week among six when first third and then quarter is sliced off? To say nothing of help. We gave dinner dance last week that cost 5000, and the mssus said she was ashamed to look our guest in the face, it was so simple.
 At this moment his wife and two daugh- ters entered the room, their faces wreathed in smiles.
 "Oh. papa" they chorused, what do VOL think we won $Si'
 He turned to me and wrung my hand silently.
 You see,v he said, Providence does watch over the poor after all. This Will tide us over till tomorrow morning and perhaps pay the butler something on ac- count''
 And then. secretly pressing a into his hand although I knew it was wrong, l eft him and his flock to his fate [Cnnvrighf TWentY-first Century Fress