New Britain herald., 1921-12-08
CHARITY AT HOME.

One of the most perpleNing prob lens every man has to solve is to what extent he should bestow charity or contribute to q charitable ca use which will not directly aid his own family. If he has a family, or others dependent upon him. Most men or women could use every cent they earn to make happier and more comfort able those in their own homes. How much, if anything, should be taken from the home to aid others? The word directly" is used advisedly, for every person and every home benefits indirectly from any charitable deed.
 The same perpleXing prob c m comes up in regard to the sufferers in foreign lands. If the conclusion is reached by an individual that he may justly take certain amount of his money and donate it to charity, where should that money go? Tn ere are so many appeals, and the causes are so worthy, that it requires deal of study to determine which move ment needs the money the more, and which should be assisted.
 Were it to be declared that every man or every woman should consid CT no one other than those in his imme- diate family, as long as he was not able to give all that was desired at home, the world would be a sad place. Not only would selfishness de- velop to an unbelievable extent, but children would grow up to be selfish individuals, thinking only of them- selves, few hospitals, no churches, no fine ideals. Wise aid to charity on the part of the head of the home is a contribution to a cause not only by the worker to whom the money is paid for the work he does, but also it is contribution from the wife and children for they are thereby de- prived of something-quite possibly a luxury which they may go without.
 The American people have been aiding the sufferers abroad and will continue to aid them. We are un- able to stand still and see the world tragedies that would have been en- acted had we not come to the rescue. Millions are being saved through the generosity of the people of the United States.
 But all the time, while we were giving there remained in the back of our minds the uncomfortable feeling that perhaps things are not as tn ey should be in our own land, especially right now. Little publicity was given regarding this matter for it has been felt that our help to foreign sufferers came as a reply to the call of h H. manity which could not go unheeded,
 A statement, by the woman who is 'head resident" of the Northwestern
 
 the effect that 300,0O0 children in the United States die annually through lack of nutrition. We know from ex- periences in this city how much money is needed to give the barest needs to the suffering poor,
 Human beings are able to do noth- ing perfectly. Any arbitrary rules man may make are liable to error The best man may do is to do the best he can. Every individual may consider the matter deeply decide how much he can afford to give with out sighting those directly dependent upon him. and to apportion thi amount between domestic charity and charity abroad in proportion to the urgency of the need. But alwa ys there should be added to the share of our own people an amount which will represent something of the feeling man has for those of his own land.