and, representing one hundred and fifty
thousand homes. If teachers give only to those children who ask for
help, many will be neglected. In certain sections of the city
principals have combined to establish a relief fund to be given out to
children who need food, clothes, shoes, etc. One principal had to stop
replacing stolen overcoats because, when it was known that he had a
fund, an astonishingly large number of overcoats disappeared. At
Poughkeepsie school children get up parties, amateur vaudeville,
minstrel shows, basket picnics, to obtain food and clothing for
children in distress. They are, of course, unable to help parents or
children not in school. Of this method a district superintendent in New
York said to his teachers and principals: "For thirty-two years I have
been working in the schools of this district. I have given food and
shoes to thousands of children. I know that however great our interest
in a particular child when it comes to us with trouble at home, our
duty as teachers prevents us from following our gift into the home and
learning the cause of the child's trouble. This last winter we have
made an experiment in using a central society, which makes it a
business to find out what the family needs, to supply necessaries,
country board, medicine, etc. We now know that we can put a slip of
paper with the name and address of the child into a general hopper and
it will come out eyeglasses, food, rent, vacation parties, as the need
may be."

Relief at home through existing agencies was brought about by the
distribution of cards like those on opposite page, which offer winter
and summer cooeperation.

[Illustration: FRESH-AIR AGENCIES LIKE SEA BREEZE PREFER TO AID
CHILDREN IN ORDER OF NEED]

[Illustration: (Facsimile of flyer for the New York Association
for Improving the Condition of the Poor.)]

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| =For School Children= |
| |
| Compulsory education implies the ability of all families, even the |
| poorest, to take advantage of school benefits. This means that |
| children should be fed properly, clad comfortably, and healthfully |
| housed. |
| |
| The New York Assoc