The Wrangell sentinel., 1935-03-15

have a comparatively small percen-
 tage of destitute, due to the fact
 that most of the people here are on salaries in one of the three institu-
 tions adjacent to it. And at that,
 we have, perhaps, a dozen families who never have a steady job-many not having had since the mill closed about four years ago. They live on
 welfare rations, and without any
 malice, sPd like to see you and all
 my other friends take your turn at living on those rations, and what ever odd jobs they can find to do.
 With most people in good circum- stances cutting expenses because of money lost in the banks. you can
 perhaps have an inkling of how much is to be gotten in the way of odd jobs.
 Some of them (these jobless families) are still too proud to ac- eept what they term charity, Vel fare Relief, and eke out an exist enee by working everybody in the family from grade school age up, at anything they can find to do.
 Some of these people I've known intimately for two and three years. and we have constantly done what we could to make it possible for them to keep their children fed and clothed and in school.
 ffNNa ctiJI boua
 look after besides some of our own relatives, who must come first. One of these latter is an unusual rus tier and manages to get food by ex- change, barter, etc, and has never been idle, though. for one whole year, they never had a DOLLAR that we did not send them. For four years have sent them clothing monthly except for short periods when he had work. One year he was was fortunate, and had five months steady work. earning as salary, the amount we pay for gro ceries monthly. Nevertheless. they proceeded to pay up taxes, back light and milk bills, etc, and when he was out of work again and need ed shoes they were told by the Vel fare board, "Why did you pay your debts? Why didn't you save your money?
 We stand for this and still call ourselves red-blooded Americans!
 "The only reason I'm writing this fC only people in our position. Nearly all of our friends are responsible in some degree, for the direct relief of relatives and neighbors. In a con- yersation with a cousin yesterday, she said, Have you ever considered that the fact that people on salaries ARE helping the needy makes it un- likely that anything will be done to alleviate their condition?
 well, God forgive us if We can not bear to see people hungry and
 ick and their children marked per manently by undernourishment.
 "I ran onto an old story about the lost Atlantis. The statement was made that Atlantis had a high state of civilization and great wealth, but the people became so self-centered as to be absolutely cold and heartless to any who were poor and needy; and, being entirely satisfied with her condition, Allan tis was sunk in the sea! I believe we are almost ready for the same fate.
 "Now, for the more personal side: when the burden was heaviest for us, there were so many deduc- tions from our salary that we rank led under the injustice of it; now, that most of the salary cuts have been restored, prices have scared to such an extent that it means no more to do with Even so, Pm not about ourselves. We have been fortunate, and have a comfor- table roof over our reads, plenty of food and necessary clothing"