New Britain herald., 1928-01-04
COMMUNICATED
4 FEW REMARKS ON CHARITY

\ FEW REMARKS ON CHARITY To the Editor of the Herald: In the article written . few days ! ago in regard to charity, much ia made of Christmas and Thanksgiv- ing remembrances. But gifts of din- ! ners and toys do not put coal in the bin or provide for the cold win- ter. It seems to me better way
 would be to make Christmas last all
 the year round for these needy peo-
 pie who cannot get work and who
 cannot provide at all times. tho
 necessities of life.
 One man was told he shouldn't
 have so many children If he could
 not support them. but the advice
 comes little late. Besides, that
 problem has not been solved either
 by the rich or the poor. The chill
 dren are here and our charitable in-
 stitutions must cope with the prob lem of keeping them from starva- ton.
 The following is letter written to Santa Claus:
 Dear friend:
 T thought I would write and ask a small favor. I want to no if you can help us out with a few grosies and little coal as my baby is sick and Emma has bad cold, and we haven anything to burn. My husband has been unable to find any work for three days"
 But merely keeping them alive is not the only problem. Our criminal cases often come from those who have to fight poverty; so that they education or even moral training. and they drift into ways of sin. Ac- cording to an old adage, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" This applies as we'll to the problems of the poor as to other things.
 The wise ones of the city and the people of means should get togeth- CT and consider these questions, for it means a great deal in a city like New Britain.
 One topic might be-"How to Im- prove. a Bad Neighborhood." Poor people are unable to pay very much rent and their homes are often in an undesirable neighborhood making it bad for their children.
 Another topic should be-"Better Homes for the Poor" Where there is poverty. large families are often obliged to live in too small quarters. The kitchen. especially in cold weather, becomes the dining room, living-room, and possibly the sleep- ing room which is not sanitary, and does not make for peace or comfort. Sometimes, the grown up boy or girl runs away from such a home. >~ Another topic is-"A Sanitarium for the Poor. or help for women with sick husbands with families which must be provided for" One woman of the latter class had to work very hard. for her husband was sick or unable to work. and there weyc four children-two boys and two girls, all too young to leave school. The husband did not grow any better. It seemed to be partly a mental case. and finally he commit ted suicide. Some said it was just as well for he was not much help to her. But it is 8 great pity for he was still young man.
 What we need Is a sanitarium for the poor. There is no place for a man or woman, whatever the case may be, who is not sick enough for the hospital or poor enough to go to the town home. Some place such as I have mentioned might help them to get well. A man would have care and proper fool to meet his condi- tioh which he cannot have in the home because his wife has 10 I' out to do days work, to keep them from st starvation. So life might be saved for years of usefulness, and the chil- dren could finish their education and be better fitted to earn their living.
 This sanitarium might be located on a farm where those who are able could engage in a little outdoor work, which in some cases might prove very beneficial. But 1t must be located near the city. for these people dislike to leave home and often fight against it.
 There should be place in the building for lectures to which the poorer classes could come to learn of proper food. clothing and other matters pertaining to health.
 know of man who suffers from He has bad teeth. yet Is too poor to go to a dentist and have them out. and new set made. So he goes dragging along. yet he has q family of five still under school age. who look to him for support. It is an economical as well as act to render help to these unfortunate people. Helping the Poor to Help Themselves IS a good motto for our welfare associa-