WHITE CROSS LEAGUE.
[To vs. EDITOR or Tar "Sraorkvon.."
SIR,—It is probably known to comparatively few of your readers that there are at all times a large number of boys at large in London and other great towns who are from one oause or another left to their own resources. This may be partly or wholly through their own fault, the result of having run away from school or homer consequent on some petty theft or quarrel with their relations or employers, or through the death or desertion of their parents or guardians. In any case they aro for the most part destitute, with. no means of obtaining regular employment, often without food of lodging. Under such circumstances they are at all times in danger, and not infrequently fall a prey to the worst kind of scoundrels who are always ready to exploit their misery and to make them regular pests to society. The danger to which these lads are exposed and vicious practices into which they fall are of such a nature that they often cannot be received into existing homes.
The experience of our Rescue Agent proves beyond doubt the. existence of many such, and also the possibility and hopefulness of saving them from degenerating into rascals of the lowest typo by extending them a helping hand in the hour of need. Many can be and have been found employment, received into permanent homes, or restored to their friends. But the first difficulty to be faced is the apparent impossibility of housing them for the night
quitter proper supervision. No available shelter can at present be sound. Even common lodging-houses, which at best are most undesirable, cannot receive thorn under the age of eighteen.
Our Council after careful study of the question feel that the .Iiocessity is so great and hope of rescue is so good that they must snake a strenuous effort to provide their agent with a house where ,beds can be provided for four or five boys while efforts are made 'to help them. They feel sure that if any one will make inquiries at our office the Secretaries will be able to provide him with information which will convince him of the urgent necessity of such action and, we 'hope, induce him to help us with contribu- tions for the purpose. All inquiries will be gladly answered and any contributions gladly received if made to our staff at 7 Dean's Yard, Westminster.—I am, Sir, &c., CASIMIR A. BOMRNB, Lt.-Col., Secretary.
7 Dean's Yard, Westminster Abbey, S.W.
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