By the latter part of December the number of persons who were being supplied with food by the Society had increased to more than three thousand. It was felt that an appeal for funds could no longer be safely deferred, and on December 15 a statement was issued that by the end of the month there would probably be four thousand persons dependent upon the public for their food. A printed appeal by the committee, together with a type written letter by the chairman, was sent to every person in the city whose name appeared in the list of commercial agencies, and it was also sent to a large number of citizens whose names were found in the city directory. A force of from ten to fifteen typewriters was engaged for several days and nights in getting out letters signed by the chair man. In response to this appeal voluntary subscriptions amounting to some $6000 were received. There was then appointed a citizens' finance committee to conduct a fur ther canvass, and this committee called to its assistance many private citizens. About $13,000 was obtained in this canvass, many of these subscriptions being payable in instalments continuing until the first of April. Subscrip tions were obtained from employees of firms, including in some instances the firm members, amounting to $4765.85. The payments of these subscriptions were to be deducted from the weekly pay-roll.
A food market was opened on the last day of the year, at which time the Charity Organization Society was supply ing food to nearly a thousand families, representing about four thousand persons. The society's available funds were then exhausted and those who had been supplied with food were thereupon referred to the food market, the sec retary of the society certifying that, " according to the best obtainable information, they were residents of Indian apolis who belonged to the unemployed class, and were entitled to the credit offered to persons in need." Account books were issued to applicants at the market, providing for entries of the charges for supplies, with the date of issue, and containing a certificate of the worthiness of the applicant, as ascertained by inquiry, showing his address and the number in his family. It also contained a copy of an agreement which the applicants were required to sign, pledging themselves to pay on demand such sums as might become due from them, or, whenever called upon to do so by the committee, to perform such work as might be required of them at 122 cents per hour, to be applied to the payment of their indebtedness for supplies. This was to be the rate of pay for common labor only ; if skilled work should be required, it was agreed that a special rate of pay would be allowed. This book was intended to serve the purpose of keeping the debtor advised as to the status of his account, and to impress him with the business spirit of the dealings with him. The food market was
located at a point convenient to the headquarters of the committee. It was organized in two different departments, one devoted to registration and investigation, the other to the issuance of supplies. The managers of its two depart ments were coordinate in authority, and both were under the direction of the relief committee, to whom they made daily reports. A corps of visitors was employed to inves tigate applications, a report from the visitor being required within twenty-four hours. The daily average number of cases reported by each visitor was about eight, and a suffi cient force was employed to keep up with the work. It was the duty of the visitor to ascertain as accurately as possible the facts regarding the citizenship and need of the applicant. This information was obtained from neighbors, from shopkeepers with whom the applicant had traded, and by personal interview and observation at the home of the applicant. The last employer, the landlord, and those to whom references were made, were also interviewed in many cases.
If the written reports which were made on each case contained no information decidedly unfavorable or sugges tive of doubt as to the citizenship or need of the appli cant, credit at the food market was granted, in evidence of which an account-book was issued to the applicant, containing a certificate signed by the manager of the registration and investigation department. When the ap plicant became the possessor of an account-book his name was entered in various books of record with a number cor responding in all of them for convenience of reference. When the applicant passed from the registration bureau to the food market he was given a numbered check if there were many persons waiting, and when this number was reached his check was taken up, his book examined, and the manager asked such questions as appeared to him advisable, when there was any reason to doubt the good faith of the applicant. At a later stage, when the arrange ments for requiring work had been completed, a card was given directing the applicant to report to the street com missioner for work, the performance of which would entitle him to credit. When the applicant had satisfactory credits for the performance of labor, he was given an order by the manager of the food depot for a week's ration for the num ber shown by his book to belong to his family. This order was presented to the chief dispensing clerk in another part of the building, and the ration to which he was entitled was delivered, the order being filed for future reference.