ELBERFELD POOR RELIEF SYSTEM. This system was first identified with the town of Elberfeld in Rhenish Prussia, but has since been introduced into many of the large German towns and called after the place of its origin. The essence of the system is that it seeks to prevent pauperism and not merely to relieve the poverty of the moment. It is not purely charitable; it is also disciplinary and educational. In fact, amongst the duties that are imposed upon the Elberfeld administrators are "investiga tion into the conditions of the poorer classes of the population and the causes of their poverty; and the adoption of effectual preventive and remedial measures, or the recommendation of these to the municipal administrative authority." The Elberfeld system dates back more than i 20 years, although it was only placed upon its present footing in 1853. The relief of the poor in Elberfeld up to the end of the i8th century rested in the hands of the Churches, which administered voluntary con tributions and donations. This charity was so freely distributed that mendicants became a danger to public morality and order. The labouring class found it comparatively easy to live by doles rather than work. Even high wages were not a sufficient induce ment to prevent able-bodied men from living a life of idleness. In 1800 sufficient experience had been gained to enable an orderly system of poor relief to be set up. This consisted in a committee or board of six citizens and the principles adopted for the guid ance of this board were : (1) Only really destitute people should be relieved.
(2) Such destitute people should be visited frequently.
(3) Relief should not exceed the necessaries of life.
(4) Every recipient of relief should be obliged to do work suited to his capacity in return for the help given.
The Elberfeld system was modified from time to time owing to the great increase in the size of the town and the necessity of centralizing relief in public hands. The main principles how ever have not changed. The system followed is due in the main to three men—Daniel von der Heydt, David Peters and Gustav Schlieper. In 1852 the burden of poor relief had become almost intolerable following on severe industrial and commercial depres sion. The plan was devised of dividing work and responsibility so far as possible. Herr von der Heydt organized the poor relief of the town in such a way that for every four recipients of assistance there was an almoner whose duty it was not only to keep the central authority acquainted with the circumstances of the poor under his charge, but also to help by personal influence and advice those in distress. It is this in the main which is the dis tinguishing feature of the Elberfeld System and experience has shown that the method has succeeded where the British poor law has failed. Berlin, Cologne, Crefeld, Dresden, Stuttgart and many other towns have adopted the same system, with such modifica tions as local circumstances have rendered necessary. The Elber feld System recognizes two kinds of poverty, the one due to incapacity and the other to unemployment. The first kind of paupers have an unconditional claim to relief providing that those who are responsible, such as relatives, cannot supply their needs. The second may and must if possible be given work suited to their powers. The "Instruction" is interesting. "The needy but capable person, if he, or another on his behalf, applies for aid, and if he can prove that he has honestly but in vain endeavoured to obtain work and support himself, may be temporarily supported until he can earn a sufficient income, in so far as others are not liable and able to maintain him, or voluntary charity does not supply his needs ; but he is bound to do such work, suited to his capacity, as may be allotted to him." Citizen Almoners Compelled to Serve.—The relief itself is of two kinds, out-door relief (Of}ene) and closed relief (Ges chlossene) which means maintenance in public institutions for the poor. Outdoor relief is given in money, food, clothing, furniture, medical assistance or tools. The general work of ad ministration is in the hands of a body of nine men appointed by the municipal council and consisting of the mayor for the time being, four members of the council and four private citizens chosen by the Council, each for a period of three years. The town is divided into 39 districts (Bezirke) and these districts are again subdivided into 14 circuits (Kreise) each district has a super intendent (Bezirksvorsteher) and there is an almoner (Armen p flege) for each circuit, making 546 almoners in all.
Service in this department of public work is obligatory on every duly qualified citizen who may be nominated to it and in the event of illness the almoner is required to provide an efficient substitute. The money needed for relief is paid to the district superintendents at the periodic sittings of the Poor Administra tion and they allot it as required. On the other hand, food, clothing and such articles as are needed are procured from the Poor House. No orders are given on the local tradesmen. Eacr almoner has charge of a certain number of houses and is re sponsible for the care of the poor in those houses. Since the number in his care is strictly limited, he is able to make the per sonal acquaintance of each applicant for relief and to investigate the conditions under which they live. As a rule an almoner must not have more than four cases to look after at any one time and he must visit them in their own homes at least once a fort night.
The Elberfeld system differs from the poor law administration in England in one important respect ; indoor relief is not adopted as a test of destitution. It is true that this is no longer in every case the actual practice in England, but the theory remains the same. In any case under the Elberfeld system relief is only given where the applicant's earnings fail to provide the absolute neces saries of life, and in order to determine when this point has been reached a "standard of income" has been laid down which of course varies from time to time and has been changed since the World War. Tested by its results, it must be conceded that the Elberfeld system has been a success, and although the War caused its break-down, in normal times it reduces mendicancy to a min imum, diminishes pauperism, and encourages provident habits and a desire for honourable employment. (P. A.)