SOCIAL WASTE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 90, 23 April 1913, Page 3

SOCIAL WASTE.

A MUNICIPAL LODGING HOUSE

About seven years ago Mr Raymond Robins organised what is now the Municipal Lodging House, in Chicago, and at the Sydney Y.M.C.A. hall, he told the story of its work, in endeavouring to .cheek the industrial and social waste.of that great city. The extent of the “drift” was shown in the statement that about 100,000 men and boys had passed through the institution during the past two years. Mr Robins said unemployed men, homeless boys, > vagrants, drunkards, and other forms of human “drift,” were sent to the institution by citizens, employers,, and the police. They were cleaned,medically examined, and then drafted off, as thought fit, either to proper employment, the municipal workhouse, or the State farm. A great many crippled men also were amongst the \ “drift.” Their cases were inquired into, the injuries related'back to particular occupations, and then representations were made to the Legislature to have an Act passed, protecting the. men in these occupations.

“We have found,” said Mr Rbins, “that we could limit the spread of certain diseases by getting an intelligent grip of the situation. We have been able to reach out towards many forms of social waste—human waste—and stop it. A wise use of the intelligence and recourse of Christian men of the community would make this possible in Sydney. They could find out ‘ the causes of drift among men and hoys, strike at that, and prevent further drift. Wo cannot solve our social problems by the application of one aspect of the gospel alone. By using the practical power, and the personal appeal of Jesus Christ will accomplish it.” • I .'