The New York herald., 1922-02-19

of the citizens Of our city think that while
these things were once done when there was
a Department of Charities in the smaller
parent city, they are now withheld. The
contrary is true, for New York's charity
in this particular direction has grown with
its growth.
To be counted as part of the outdoor
relief is the distribution Of money to the
blind This amounts each year to between
$50 and $40 per head, and 1 may say in
passing that effort is being made to in
crease this donation to 500 for each per-
manently blind pauper If one thinks how
large is the number of these unfortunates
in this city, one will realize the full extent
of New York's charity, for this dole is but
one of many and ranks among the least
of them
Board of Education Helps
In Caring for Children
In our care for the children of the in
digent che department is ably seconded by
the Board of Education and here 1t may
be said that many charitable inclined per-
sons aid the department both by personal
service and by bringing to its notice cases
it might have overlooked.
In the institutional work, a great sys-
&c
pitals of the first class, schools of nursing,
tuberculous hospitals, convalescent homes
homes for unmarried women, lodging
houses meant for emergency cases, and in
this far from complete list may be placed
the Children's Clearing Bureau and our
Social Division
But all this is done so quietly, with so
little advertisement that the extent of the
work of the Department of Public Welfare
can only be determined by inquiry at the
proper source. In no other great city of
the world is there so little appearance Of
charity in the work done for it's depend
ants Even the word charity" has been
eliminated and by an act of the Legisla-
ture the name of this department was
changed in 1920 to the one 1t bears.
So we say, without fear of truthful con-
tradiction that in this department more
than elsewhere the human phase of New
York's great work in humanitarian lines
is evident. With full heart and hand this
great metropolis does all that is humanity
possible for its sick poor, it's aged, it's alb
normal children and it's unfortunates. Let
no one call New York niggardly, nor even
bound up with red tape. It's bounty is
freely distributed first and inquiry Is made
afterward.
Controls or Spends
$4,000, 900 Year
To cope with the complex needs of the
department officials must be OF broad
mind and of great human sympathies.
There are many bureaus and divisions
with approximately $500 employees and a
budget Of practically sS,500,000. In addi-
tion to this budget, the department con-
trolls the expenditure of over S7,151,90
more, appropriated for the care and main
tenance of normal children in child caring
institutions, and emergentN Nases in private
institutions.
Since the care OF the sick Is the most
important duty OF the department, this
work must be accorded first place. The
medical and surgical care OF the patients
in each Of the hospitals is under the direc-
tion Of medical board composed of physi-
clans, surgeons and specialists, who may
be called at any hour, day or night These
visiting doctors are all men with large
practice, who gladly give their time free
to care for the sick poor They examine
all cases, prescribe treatments and do the
most important work themselves. Work
ing under their direction is a STAFF of
young doctors, who have received their
degrees, and who spend one. year and
half in the hospitals to get experience.
That the best nursing care may be given,
the department maintains four Schools of
Nursing, in addition TO the Bellevue School.
The students receive a most thorough
training. The great number OF patients
and the variety OF the diseases treated
assure Cor both nurses and doctors the
greatest experience.
There is a fine, substantial type of
women in these nursing schools. They are
not only capable; they have a human