The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-01
Snow and Unemployment Situa-
tion Causes Much Suffering.
County and Charitable Institu-
tions> Receive Many Calls.
AID SUPPLIED TO 500 FAMILIES
Appeals for Clothing Are Es-
peciaIIy Numerous Now.
Number Asking Aid is Largest
in Last Three Years.

The recent snow and cold weather
has combined with the unemployment
situation here to cause a. heavy run
on the county poor commissioner, the
Topeka Provident association, the SAL
vation Army and other charitable in
stitutions. IT is estimated that more
than 500 families in Shawnee county,
in addition to large numbers of indi-
viduals and transients. are now receiv-
ing aid from these sources.
Care for 31S Families.
The county is now caring for ais
needy families. supplying them with
food and fuel according to p. w
Griggs, county poor commissioner
The Provident assoc alton is caring
for more than 275 families and the
Salvation Army aboutg twenty five
families each week. it was stated.
The appeals for clothing are espec-
tally numerous. The Salvation Army
has been supplying from 150 to 200
garments weekly to the poor and the
Provident association is also d.strib-
uting large amounts of clothing and
bedding. There are an unusually
large number of calls for children 3
shoes. The snowfall has made it un-
pleasant and endangered the health
of school children who have insuffi-
cient footwear.
Altho it has not been necessary to
grant eaid to more than six new fam
county is now caring for the largest
number in three years, according to
Comm issioner Griggs. Forty-six or
ders for coal have been received and
filled during the last three days, Most
of these were half-ton lots. Since Oc-
tober 1 the poor commissioner has
filled S51 coal orders.
Employment Is Furnished.
The clearing of timber from the
banks of the Shungapunga creek south
of the Free Fair grounds was one of
the ideas hit upon by the county to
furnish employment for the needy.
Thirty-five families are represented
among the men who have worked on
this job during the last two months.
1t has been comparatively steady
work and wage of thirty cents an
hour is paid. The wood thus obtained
is sent to needy families for fuel. or
sold. and the money used for buying
food. However, the timber is practi-
cslly all cut now and the end of that
work is in sight.
Starting with only 109 families on
his list in July. which was probably
the lowest number in history, Griggs
now has 31S families whom he is sup
plying, at least IN part. with food and
fuel The number of new cases of
needy families this year is the largest
in his experience by so per cent,
Griggs said. Among them are six fam
lilies who came here from Oklahoma
and VINO nave been unaDle 10 INA EN-
ployment.
! The sleeping quarters for tran
sients at the Prevalent association
during the last few days have been
crowded to capacity. Thirtyfive to
forty persons have been taken in ev-
cry night, according to Miss Virginia
Campbell. secretary. All fuel orders
are supplied by the county. The
Provident association. however. sup
Plies clothing and fbedding. and con-
siderable food Twenty nine new
families were added TO the Provident
association lists during February.
Shoes and Clothing Needed.
Any one who has any shoes. over
coats or wearing apparel of any kind.
or bedding to spare will perform a
great service by sending it to some of
these charitable Institutions And in
doing so it should be remembered
that clothing which fj utterly worn
out is useless. If warm and whole it
can be used, however frayed or
patched IL NAV be-