2 Ibid., p. 183.
could have no interest in improving, and from which they would undoubtedly be removed in the spring, if not sooner, by the actual owners." It was therefore decided to erect small houses, or rather in most instances to supply the materials from which heads of families might erect their own. The total cost of the houses when simply furnished was $125, and nearly 8000 of these houses were built or the material provided by the Shelter Committee. More than 5000 of them had been erected by the middle of November. . It was estimated that the actual rental value of these houses was about $10 a month, and as the cost of the houses exclusive of furniture was $100, the rental for ten months would cover the cost of construction. In no case, however, was rent charged to occupants.' Besides the isolated houses there were in different sec.. tions of the city four barracks, in which were lodged one thousand families mainly of the class who had not hitherto lived in houses of their own, but in rooms in tenement houses. In these barracks each family had two separate rooms, and they were furnished in precisely the same way as the separate houses. As the number of those cared for in one place did not exceed 1250, and these were under the constant and careful supervision of medical and police superintendents, their health and sanitary condition was as good as that which they had experienced in their own homes, if not better. Only one death occurred in the bar racks during the first month.
At the same time the provision of separate houses was a much more satisfactory arrangement, and is in fact one of the best instances of emergency relief which has been de vised under similar circumstances. To replace a house which had been owned or rented with the essential furnish ings was practically to take the place of fire insurance, and the relief provided in this way for 8000 families is the most conspicuous instance on record of the positive efficacy of adequate and well-managed relief in enabling those who have suffered from such a calamity speedily to regain prac tical self-support.
Of equal interest, although perhaps less striking — since 1 Report of Chicago Relief and Aid Society, 1874, p. 189.
each case stands more or less on its own basis, making it more difficult to form a comprehensive survey —was the work of the Special Relief Committee.
In the course of the thirty years since the Chicago fire, it has come to be perceived that practically all relief is special relief, and that there are few instances in which a close and sympathetic scrutiny of the actual circumstances will not suggest some deviation from conventional and routine relief methods. Even now, however, the United Hebrew Charities of New York City, one of the largest relief agencies, expends a considerable sum annually in " special relief " of unusual kinds, and it was a progressive and enlightened spirit that prompted the attempt to dis cover the exceptional cases in which money rather than relief in kind was advisable, and in which it would be advisable to aid in the " purchase of tools, machinery, furniture, fixtures, or professional books, which are neces sary for engaging in any business which has a sufficiently assured prospect of providing a support for the applicant and his family."' Within the eighteen months from the beginning of its work the Special Committee expended $437,458.09, of which $6371.80 was for rent, $10,742 for tools, $138,855.26 for sewing-machines, and $281,389.03 for other special forms of By arrangements made with most of the sewing-machine companies, persons who were deemed en titled to such aid were allowed a discount of 40 per cent from regular retail prices. In the greater proportion of such cases the committee advanced to sewing-machine companies the sum of $20 toward such purchase, leaving the applicant to pay the remainder, which, on a $70 ma chine, amounted to $22, and for the payment of which a liberal credit was granted by the companies. When the circumstances were such as to render it expedient, the entire price of the machine, less the agreed discount, was paid by the committee, and subsequently three of the com panies made a discount of 50 per cent when the commit tee paid for the machine. In all instances the applicant I Report of Chicago Relief and Aid Society, 1874, p. 199. 2 Ibid., p. 201.