Arizona republican., 1920-04-10
Defending
 The Poor
BY FREDERIC J. HAskIN

NEW YORK-Suppose that one day, while you were partaking of an inno- cent stew in the midst of your assem- bled family detectiye suddenly ap- peared on the scene and arrested you on the charge of having shot and prob ably fatally wounded a man. Suppose that this revelation came as a com pIete surprise to you, but that upon be- ing dragged to the hospital where the injured man lay, you were identified by him as the guilty party. Suppose then, that your only alibi was the word of your family, with whom you were quietly playing checkers at the time the man was shot, and that this alib1 was not considered sufficient by the guardians of justice. What would you do? .,
 This is what happened to a young workman here, not long ago, and he found that he could do practically nothing. If he had possessed large bank account there would have been several favorable courses open to him, but his possessions consisted only of wife and three young children.
 The wife did what she could, how ever. Accompanied by her children, she went to the nearest branch of the New York Legal Aid society, and told her story to one of its attorneys. The attorney made her tell it several times, and, at last convinced that she spoke the truth ana that neT nuSDdHO was innocent he decided to take the case. It proved to be a difficult one The in jured man had told his story, and he in tended to stick to it, but after des- perate fight, the society's attorney was able to pick sufficient flaws in it to convince the jury that the workman was not guilty.
 Fortunately for those who are unable to afford the advice and assistance of expert attorneys, very efficient Legal Aid society exists here, which handles thousands of such cases every year. Begun as a. German society for helping organization, with five branches in 1876, 1t has since grown into large organization. which five branches in various sections of the city and a sixth one in Brooklyn, which recently had to- be closed for lack of funds For the society, of course, is philanthrop1c affair. It does the best it can as long activities must cease immediately as soon as these are exhausted.
 Unlike most charitable organizations, the offices of the New York Legal Aid society are dingy, poverty stricken suites in the most expensive buildings the locations possess The headquar- ters on lower Broadway consist of about three small rooms, crowded with moth eaten furniture, legal documents. attorneys. investigators and clerks, all getting in each others way, while the reception room provided for the clients Is a space five feet by four containing two ancient and battle scared benches, which are usually crowded with forlorn looking applicants for justice.
 The other day, the first applicant summoned for consultation by the at torney in charge was widow in some l what tarinshed mourning, who burst into loud sobbing as she attempted to | repeat her story. The attorney already knew a part of it. She had been in the | office a few mornings before to com | plain that her husbands family would not let her attend his funeral. He had died at his mothers house, and the nother-in- Jaw had not been on good terms with the wife for some time, re- fused to let her come to the house. | Now. however, she was in receipt of a bill for the funeral expenses, which the mother -in-law was quite willing for her to pay.
 ssThe undertaken he want his money, l and he make a row. she told the att torney What shall do?"
 Nothing" said the attorney briefly. l ''If he sues, just come to us. Next case, | please
 The fearful widow was ushered out, | and the next applicant, small boy of twelve, wearing entirely too worried an expression for boy of his age, faced | the attorney with courageous attempt | at smile.
 'Howd'd it come out?" he asked, | striving to keep his voice steady.
 .'All right, Tony, all right said the i attorney reassuringly. You can stay | right on with your grandmother
 Tony the attorney later explained. is | a young mariner whose great-grand- l father kept boathouse on the Harlem river; and for the past four or five