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Increase In Poor Expenses

Increase In Poor Expenses image
Parent Issue
Day
16
Month
January
Year
1903
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Increase In Poor Expenses

Is Caused by the High Price of Fuel

Costs One Fourth More 

Some Experiences of the City Superintendent of the Poor

While 20,000 people are said to be freezing with the cold from want of fuel in Chicago, about as many in New York City and an aggregate of several million throughout the country, Ann Arbor contributes her share to the number who are forced to endure the chill of winter by the excessive prices of coal. However, it is a fact that there is less suffering in this city than in many others of its size in the state. It is so because the poorer people of Ann Arbor as well as many of the wealthier families, use wood in place of coal, and wood, though its price has risen has been procurable and has not kept up the death pace set by coal. 

Fred Sipley, chief of the fire department and superintendent of the poor, gives some figures to show the increase in the cost of caring for the helpless here. It has cost the city some 25 per cent more so far this winter than last, and this attributed entirely to the rise in the price of fuel. In December 1901 it cost $174.83 for the care of the poor, while during the same month of 1902 it cost $205.59. For November 1901, it cost the city $104 while the succeeding November's expense in this line amounted to $122.

Superintendent Sipley has to deal with a great many peculiar case, some of which are not without their humorous aspects. One woman who had sent for him said: "I had rather go with meat than butter. Can you get me some butter?"

"Butter is 28 cents a pound," said the superintendent.

"I don't care about that, I must have butter. I can do without everything but butter."

When the lady was told that the city could not afford to supply butter at the present price she became very indignant. "I guess I'll have the butter if I have to buy it myself," she retorted.

There are some who say that they won't burn soft coal when it is offered to them. "We'll have hard coal or none," is their polite request and demand at the same time. 

It is a case of pride and poverty," said Mr. Sipley, "but then that is to be expected. In many cases I meet those who are very grateful and some will accept nothing even when in a needy condition, without first being allowed to promise that they may pay back the cost of the articles when they are able."