The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-25
POOR RELIEF
CHANGE HERE
IS DEMANDED
Civic Clubs Federation
Urges CommiSSary System
Instead of Trustees Basket.

Complete revision of the county
poor relief administration, as an
economy measure, through adoption
of the commissary system instead
of the present trustees basket sys-
TEN, Is favored in a resolution
adopted by the Federation of Com
munity Civic Clubs Thursday night
Evils Of the present system we're
aired thoroughly by the delegates,
Paul c. Wetter. former municipal
judge, terming 1t a disgrace and
graft"
Several women delegates charged
some grocers fail to give full value
on trustees grocery orders, one
speaker d2c'aring she could pur-
chase all the articles in a basket.
costing the trustee about $3.50, for
about $3.50 by judicious shopping.
The grocery order system was at
tackled also as being inefficient in
that not enough attention could be
paid to needs of individual families,
resulting in families receiving salt
matches, baking powder and similar
articles oftener than needed.
Operation Is Considered
While no definite recommendation
wss made on actual operation of the
ccmmissary system, sentiment was
expressed favoring its operation by
= committee OF public spirited citi-
aens who would donate their serv-
ices.
Under such a system, its propo-
nents declared, individual needs Of
families could be given better care,
more families being given aid at less
cost.
Delegates charged that at pres
ent many families in dire need are
receiving aid from neither the town
ship trustee nor charitable organi-
cations because Of inadequate funds.
Among advantages of the COM
missary system, it was pointed out,
would be the purchase of large
quantities of food at wholesale prices,
and it's usefulness as a clearing
house for citizens donations of
clothing and edibles.
A..acks Community Fund
Under the present relief plan,
families are given basket orders in
return for two days work week on
made work" labor. Size of the
baskets is determined by the num-
Der of dependents in the family.
Some additional relief is given by
charitable organizations affiliated
with the Community Fund.
John G.. Praed, Speedway City,
attacked the indianapolis commun-
ity fund, charging it had failed and
outlived its usefulness and should
be replaced with a committee of
more economical workers and the
high salaries be used to purchase
food for the poor"
Delegates adopted several other
resolutions, including one asking
bus fares be reduced to street car
fares, another protesting the cur
rent price of ice, and a third ia
voring municipal ownership Of pub
lie utilities.
Assails Water Company
1t was announced by E. O..
Snethen, president, that the fec
Grafton plans to contest vigorously
petition of the water company be-
fore the public service commission
for higher water rates on the basis
of increased valuation due to recent
improvements.
The federation feels that prop
erty of the company actually has
decreased greatly in view of present
prices, more than offsetting the cost
of new improvements.
A 100-piece orchestra of children,
sponsored by the federation and di-
rected by Leslie G. Troutman,
played at the meeting. 1t was an
nounced the orchestra would be
augmented to 500 players for the
next meeting, open to the public, to
be held the night of July 20 at
Garfield park. The orchestra is to
give frequent concerts in the parks
this summer. Free instruction is
given players.