Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-01
AN UNTYINC OF PURSE STRINGS
CAN SAVE THE cITY'S GOOD NAME
Support the Welfare Enterprise and
Bring the Historic Generosity Of
Philadelphia Up to Date
CUTTERS, either individually or in the

CUTTERS, either individually or in the
W mass, are unlovcly and unlovcd.
Philadephians in the aggregate arc un-
doubtcdly loath to go on record as unwilling
to finish great enterprises begun in n spirit
OF humanitarian cndeavor. Fortunately,
the last chapter of the story Of the Welfare
Fund undertaking has yct to be written.
There is still time to conquer inertia, to
rout Indifference and to rise to responsible
ties. appreciation of which is necessary fer
the preservation of pride in this community,
If for nothing else.
Many other factors arc. OF course, in
vOlved in the situation as it row stands. 1t
Is imperative that the long array Of worthy
charities now united in financial admin
istration capable of eliminating waste and
materially reducing former burdens Of op-
Grafton should be supported at least rs we'll
as during tho period Of so-cnllcd Com
petition"
The promoters Of the Welfare program are
soliciting no more aid than the sum OF
assistance under the old regime. The
81 900, 900 desired expresses the former
total support in practical terms.
The extension Of tho campaign beyond
without other comment. an Indictment Of
this community for indnfercnc: in II field
in which It has long been conspicuouSIy
active.
The reputation Of Philadelphia j. not
wholly unblcmishcd. In sense We have
grown hardened to itcmizcd arraignmcnts Of
our methods of self government. Like the
Chinese, VIC laugh -, save face" under
insult We have learned to smile good
naturedly at allusons TO our alleged solnno-
lcncc in wholly material affairs In many
respects the town is uubcautful. Its trans
portatiOn facilities are admittedly not quite
all they should be.
But the city has never been called un-
generous, and there is every reason to believe
that such an ascription would BE- dstastcful
TO its inhabitants.
The Welfare undertaking has by no mems
irretrievaby saggcd, but it is no secret that
its promoters. numerous as they arc, as well
as self sacrificing and spurrcd to the highest
pitch f altruistic activity, are beset with
unexpected difficulties.
The Welfare plan is 50 obviously Incri-
torious, so free from cant, so deeply imbucd
with unselfshness, so clearly characterized
by common sense efficiency, so plainly the
best means of co ordinating charities and
social enterprises and reducing to n mini
mum the shadows cast by tho So-called
"Ovcrhead," that it is scarcely surprising
that the blight of slackersm was not fore
seen Philadelphia is not behaving Charac-
teristically in this matter.
Mrs. Jellyby, of uncnviablc immortality,
concentrated her space amnihlluting vision
upon the banks of the Niger, bcwaillng the
woes Of the coffee berry gnthcrers in Borro-
boola Cha and aiding them and t,c dis
trcssed fan makers and flower girls # West
Africa with all the energies and cash she
could spare. Her family was Il wreck, her
residence ruin.
Is 1t because there is something dramatic
or spectacular In famine ships for foreign
lands and in the consignment of food and
money abroad that assistance for far
removed strangers is readily obtaincd%
The spirit Of help evoked is commcndable,
of course. All giving is. But the act Of
putting ones own house in ordcr-so ut
tcrly di>datncd by Mrs. Jclyby-imposCs
the prior moral claim. The first obligation
Of Philadelphans is to care for their own.
This the Welfare machinery will do il prop
cry supported.
The community is on trial. II must meet
the test or else accept a Stigma by which
it has never before been shamcd.