Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1914 — DESTITUTE IN NEW YORK CITY [ARTICLE]

DESTITUTE IN NEW YORK CITY

There Has Been a Big Increase During Recent Months In Demands for Charity.

There is more poverty and destitution in New York now than in the last 40 years, according to reports received by the Charity Organization society, says the New York World. Never before in its history has the society been called upon to help so many families. A few days ago It had 2,781 families in its care, an Increase of 548 over the same seasonjast year. During February, 1914, it helped 3,313 families, an increase of 642 over February, 1912. “Each month since last October,” said W. Frank Persons, director of the society’s general work, “we have cared for 25 to 30 per cent more families than the year before. The snowstorm has brought us families who ordinarily would not have to ask for help. They have been able to withstand hard times for weeks, but the pressure now has become too great. "We expect to have for the next month an increasing number of such families as apply for aid. Indications are that there will be much suffering from throat and lung diseases, as is always the case when the snow begins to melt. TJjls will affect day laborers, drivers and men in other outdoor oc.cupations.”