THE CHARITY ORGANIZATION SOCIETY IN AMERICA. [To THE EDITOR or
THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I think it might interest your readers if you would reprint this little leaflet issued by the New York Charity Organization Society, which tells its own tale to all who care for Charity Organization principles, and tells it very movingly as well as very amusingly.—I am, Sir, &c., AMERICANDS.
CHARITY ORGANIZATION BULLETIN.
Published weekly. (except July, August and September) by the Charity Organization Society of the City of New York. at 105 East 22nd Street, to inform members of the activities of the Society.
No. 389. April 12th, 1922.
COMMERCIALIZING MISFORTUNE.
"Please help a poor woman! My husband is out of work; ray baby is sick and me can't work," thrusting out, in proof, a pathetic bare stump of a wrist. The speaker, a huskily built woman of the peasant type, with the glow of health in her cheeks, seemed, at a casual glance, artless in face and manner. The appeal was made at the door of a New York apartment. The lady to whom the appeal was made quickly responded with a coin; a lodger did the same, both regretting that they could not give more. The story was repeated on the floor below, resulting in more coins and regrets.
A C.O.S. visitor, happening to observe the little drama, asked the woman her name and address and invited her to a District Office, saying we might be able to suggest work for her husband and at any rate would render assistance needed.
On the way to the office it was learned that the sick baby had died fourteen years before. A check on the address proved that it was false and that no family by that name was known to any charitable agency in the city. Mrs. X. was again asked her name and address with the proposal that the visitor would accompany her to her home. With an engaging smile and n shrug Mrs. X. said,—" Me no understand." The question was repeated in various forms, but Mrs. X. remained good-naturedly nonplussed; she seemed suddenly to have lost all understanding of English.
Mental therapeutics was tried in the form of a suggestion that it might be necessary to call a policeman to help her reach home. Her amnesia disappeared as quickly as it had come. She then gave a different name and an address in an adjacent suburb. While the District Office was in communication with the C.O.S. in the suburb named, Mrs. X. went through a pantomimic heart attack which was speedily cured by the suggestion that an ambulance be called. Convinced that the last address given was a correct one, Mrs. X. was told a call would be made at her home by the Suburban C.O.S.
A few days later a letter from the suburb stated that Mr. and Mrs. X. had a comfortable home and no children. Mr. X. bad, besides a job, a fair-sized bank account. The Suburban C.O.S. will be glad to be notified of any further attempts on the part of Mrs. X. or any other of its residents to impose Riverside District.
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