Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-30

We are in receipt of the following
letter, written by a guest at one Of our
large hotels:
Dear Sir: always enjoy your column
when in Washington and feel q deep
interest in the stimulating idealism you
present. 1 appreciated the spirit OF
Fridays column Gnclosed), dealing with
the need for kindness and sympathy,
but object very strenuously to the
emphasis placed upon dropping coins
in beggarS hats as a proper outlet Tor
the spirit of brotherhood
Further analysis of the motives actu-
ating the patrons of beggars would indt-
cate that interest in the genuine well
fare of the unfortunate is seldom pres
ent. If it were, the patron would do
more than cast a coin-he would stop
and in brotherly fashion seek to meet
the real needs of the beggar. Ship
wrecks who live on casual charity are
not being restored to self-respect and
self-support or, If physically incapaci-
tated, helped to adjust themselves to
healthful provisions which society Of
fers by encouraging them in their beg
ging habits.
TOO often the person who satisfies
charitable inclinationS by publicly do
mating to beggars Is selfishly guarding
his hoard from the demands of COM
munity and social organizations. He Is
lodging his responsibilities as a citizen
and salving his conscience by casting a
few nickelS and quarters to the beggarS.
would that youth upon reading your
column would be challenged to work
for the correction of economic condi-
tionS which lead to poverty, to support
the institutions which have the expert
ence and the time to lift fallen human
ity. either with personal service or
money! But I am afraid the impulse
you have stirred is merely to stop in
life'S mad rush and drop dime in some
beggar's cup.
Just how much, do you suppose, the
patrons of Mrs. Hewes (see clipping
needs by contributing to her savings
account? In spite of her riches. do
mated by casual givers. she lived I'M
happily, prosecuted, and finally killed
by small boy. Sincerely, N. B."
\ y X
There is a great deal of practical wis
dom in the above letter. The problem
of the mendicant is one which annually
worries city heads and those who handle
organized charity, so In the spirit OF
the modern age.
In the recent article referred to above
we attempted to approach the problem
strictly from the personal viewpoint.
The right or propriety of beggars to
exist was not considered, but simply
the fact that they do exist.
The personal reaction to them was
the matter in hand, and it was our
point that elderly women give most
often, and that they do so because ex-
perience with life has given them a
patience and kindliness which younger
women lack.
We have never noticed that there is
anything particularly public about the
manner of such giving. Most often 1t
is done furtively.
And about one thing we are positive
no one, not even our good correspond
ent has any right to "analyze the
motives" actuating the good givers who
give out of sympathy.
The fact that a donor may be taken
in" has little, If anything, to do with
it, as we see the matter. AS urban life
everywhere tends to become more So
phisticated, suspicion more and more
takes a hand in affairs.
Now, suspicion has a great part to
play in certain walks of life. The po-
lice, for instance, ought to be suS-
picious. It is their business to be sus-
piciouS. Without instantly suspecting
the motives of others, or affairs, condi-