association, being known as the Gemilath Chasodim society In the eight years of its work, this society made 750 loans of $10 to $350 with no interest charged, and payments demanded at $1 a week. In that time the society lost only $41. The cash outstanding on loans in 1908 was $2,359.50 and the cash in the bank was $1,008.70. The officers of this body in 1908 were: B. Dantzig, chairman; S. Rothenberg, recording secretary; S. N. Lesser, financial secretary; and S. Zacharias, treasurer; Alfred Benjamin, J. Billikopf and R. S. Crohn are honorary members. The Hebrew Ladies' Relief association does not belong to the United Jewish charities. The officers in 1908 were: Mrs. H. Leavitt, president; Mrs. S. Blitstein, vice-president; Mrs. S. R. Lipshitz, recording secretary; Mrs. Helzberg, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. C. Dantzig, treasurer. The membership in 1908 was 180.

The Jewish Hospital society was organized in 1903, with 25 charter members. This association steadily increased in membership until it was 200 in 1908. The formation of this society was due to the efforts of Mrs. Emma Lebrecht and Mrs. Simon Metzger who were diligent workers for its cause, and were the first president and vice-president respectively, Mrs. B. Metzger being first secretary and Mrs. Yetta Stein, the first treasurer. The purpose of this society is the erection and maintenance of local Jewish hospitals, and towards this end they have purposed to raise $25,000 before taking active steps. The fund in 1908 amounted to $3,000, the sum collected from dues, bazaars, and balls, there being no private collections ever solicited. The board in 1908 was composed of Mrs. H. Erb, president; Mrs. H. Waldner, vicepresident; Mrs. F. Loeffler recording secretary; Mrs. B. Metgzer, financial secretary; and Mrs. B. Koenigsdorf, treasurer.

Previous to the federation of the Jewish charities, each society was doing its own work independent of the other, and consequently often duplicating and lessening the good accomplished. In 1899 the first agitation arose for a federation, but active steps were not taken until 1900 when the United Jewish Charities of Kansas City was established, receiving its charter in 1901. The absolute necessity for such action was first recognized by W. J. Berkowitz, Rabbi H. H. Mayer, and G. Bernheimer, through whose efforts, and those of the Jewish council, the federation was made possible. The five societies were fused into one organization, with a board of directors made up of four representatives of each of the five societies, whose separate revenues were deposited in this one treasury, and whose former individual dispensations were now made from one common source. The first board consisted of W. J. Berkowitz, president; David Benjamin, first vice-president; G. Bernheimer, second vice-president; Mrs. I. Ryder, third vice-president; Mrs. A. B. Frenkel, secretary; Jacob Flohr, treasurer; and B. A. Feineman, superintendent. The association rented a building at 819 East Fifteenth street, where all activities were cen

tered and whence all relief work emanated. Here were situated the superintendent's office, whence what is known as direct relief was dispensed, the kindergarten, industrial school, high school, free baths, free reading room and assembly rooms for all the various societies. After a residence of five years in this place, the Jewish settlement idea became an actuality, and in November, 1908, the Settlement home, known as the "Educational Institute," was formally opened at 1702 Locust street.

The real settlement idea of a building that was more than a house—a building that could be a home-seemed to be epitomized in the brick structure at 1702 Locust street, with its surrounding yard, equipped with swings, sand pile and "teeter-totters." The building which was rented was situated in the heart of the poor Jewish district. The settlement idea, although long cherished by many public spirited charity workers, principally by W. H. Berkowitz, did not materialize until Alfred Benjamin, the president of the Federated Board, made this his all engrossing interest. To realize this ambition, he not only directed all his efforts, but personally gave $1,000 for its establishment. Through his suggestions and arguments the board procured two experienced and competent paid workers, a general superintendent and a resident supervisor, whose entire time would be devoted to this great work. For this purpose Miss Mona Binswanger, long a worker in philanthropic pursuits here and elsewhere, was appointed resident manager; and Jacob Billikopf of Milwaukee, Wis., who made this work his profession, was elected to take Mr. Feineman's place, as superintendent of the charities.

The first activity to open in the new settlement home was the day nursery, founded by Miss Binswanger, and furthered and furnished by the Misses Fanny and Ada Benjamin. This was at once placed under the paid supervision of Miss Belle Brown. The day nursery in 1908 had an average attendance of 16, for each of whom the parent pays 5 cents a day. This furnishes the child with two meals, and clothing when necessary; instructs those with thorough kindergarten training, and provides shelter and entertainment. It is open every day except Saturday and Sunday.

The free kindergarten holds its sessions five mornings of the week, from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock, under the leadership of Miss Flora Wolfson. Miss Wolfson is assisted in the work by the following regular, but volunteer helpers: Mrs. S. Harzfeld, Miss Ada Benjamin, Miss Cornelia Harzfeld, Miss Essie Weil, and Miss Ethel Feineman. The committee in charge were: Miss Fanny Benjamin, chairman; Mrs. Sig. Harzfeld and Miss Zerlina Reefer.

The Ida M. Block Industrial school, reorganized and revivified, meets during the winter months from 4:15 to 5:30 o'clock every Thursday afternoon, and on Monday and Thursday mornings in the summer. The average attendance in 1908 was 65, under the efficient supervision of Miss Binswanger,

superintendent; Mrs. L. S. Lieberman, chairman; Mrs. George Bergman, vice-chairman, and Mrs. M. C. Reefer, Mrs. Paul Kessel, Mrs. R. Cahn, Miss Sophia Rosenberger, and Miss Ada Benjamin, visiting committee. The volunteer teachers were: Mrs. M. Goldberg, and Misses Ruth Kander, Maud Flersheim, Ethel Feineman, Hattie Obermyer, Jennie Gottlieb, Frances Ettlinger, Laura Negbauer, Edith Spitz, Beaulah Robison, Reba Askanas, Essie Weil, Cora Berlinger, and Rosalie Shoyer.

The Penny Provident fund is in conjunction with the Industrial school. This fund has Miss Ella Hammerslough as chairman, and Miss Therese Ryder assistant chairman. The night school is conducted four evenings a week. J. Billikopf, superintendent and instructor. The other instructors were Miss Mona Binswanger, Miss Clare Stern, Miss Flora Wolfson, and Miss Jean Levine. The bath house at 1822 Locust street, opened February 10, 1907, is a one story brick building, containing a reading room, waiting rooms, five porcelain bath-tubs and a pool, with an adjoining frame structure in the rear for the resident care-taker. The bath house was leased for a period of two years, I. Landa guaranteeing the rent, and Albert Rothenberg, Julius Davidson and S. Harzfeld agreeing to make up any deficit above the rent. The reading room is provided with all the Jewish and Yiddish dailies and periodicals, in addition to a library of more than 500 Yiddish and English books at the main building which includes a complete set of the Jewish Encyclopedia. The bath house is open daily, except Saturday. The adults pay 5 and the children 3 cents for a bath. The receipts for the first ten months from February to November, 1907, amounted to $380.25 and the cost of maintenance was $600. The total number of baths taken during this period aggregate 8,000. The dancing schools for children and adults and the Sunday night lectures and concerts satisfy the less fortunate who have a craving for social indulgence. The dancing school for children is held every Saturday afternoon. The dancing classes for adults meet every Saturday night. Sunday night concerts and lectures were begun in February, 1907. The aim was to supply an educational and cultured want in the community, and to instill in the adults a greater love and admiration for the ideals of our government. The Young Men's Progressive club takes care of the library, which contains 500 books. On Sundays between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock, and on Wednesdays between 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock, the books are distributed. The members pay 25 cents a month, and the money goes towards the purchase of additional works.

To deflect the stream of Jewish immigration from New York city, where the congestion is so great, Jacob Schiff and other leading Jews were financing a movement in 1908 to discourage the colonization of co-religionists in the already overcrowded centers of population. Active steps were under way,

both in this country and abroad, whereby many Jews leaving Europe for America have been induced to come to Galveston rather than to New York, and from there to settle in the country lying west of the Mississippi river. The most important center co-operating with Galveston in this movement is Kansas City, where the Jewish charities systematically care for the men and women sent to it from the Texas port. Since the inception of the movement, positions were found for immigrants at wages ranging from $8 to $16 a week. This particular activity is carried on under the auspices of the following committee: Julius Davidson, chairman; Myer Shane, vice-chairman; A. L. Rothenberg, treasurer; Leon E. Block, recording secretary; Jacob Billikopf, corresponding secretary; R. S. Crohn, Leon Block, Oscar Sachs, Sig. Harzfeld, Alfred Benjamin, Henry Flarsheim and B. Dantzig.

The different Jewish clubs flourishing in 1908 were the Boys' club, under Jack Reefer, with an enrollment of 15; the Girls' club, formed by Miss Binswanger and assisted by Miss Brown, meets bi-monthly on Sunday afternoons; the Young Men's Progressive club is a strong, ambitious organization of young men between 16 and 25 years of age, and has an excellent course of study and lectures; the Physical Culture Social club for girls, formed and led by Miss Ethel Feineman, meets every Tuesday afternoon from 4:15 o'clock to 5:30 o'clock in the winter and every Tuesday morning in the summer. This club has an enrollment of 26. All these clubs meet and all lectures, entertainments and board meetings are held at the Educational Institute annex, a one story brick structure directly opposite the main building. The officers of the United Jewish charities in 1908 were: Alfred Benjamin, president; Sig. Harzfeld, first vice-president; Mrs. I. Ryder, second vice-president; Mrs. H. H. Mayer, third vice-president; Alfred Rothenberg, treasurer; and L. H. Ehrlich, secretary. The constituent societies that were a part of the Federal Board in 1908 were: the Jewish Women's Charity association, the Bertha E. Haas Shoe Fund society, the Council of Jewish Women, the Sophia Newgass Sewing circle, the Men's General Relief society, and the Immigration Employment bureau.

A meeting was held February 5, 1908, to discuss the advisability of erecting a new Charity building, and to devise ways and means to raise the necessary funds. The following committee was appointed with full authority to collect additional funds and to erect the building: Alfred Rothenberg, chairman; R. S. Crohn, secretary; Alfred Benjamin, Henry Flarsheim, Sol. Block, Julius Davidson, Sig. Harzfeld, and Jacob Billikopf. About $35,000 had been subscribed in September, 1908, the contributions ranging from $5 to $1,500. The site of the building was on Admiral boulevard and Harrison

street.

Most of the poor Jews of Kansas City live in two distinct sections of the city in the so-called "North End," and in the neighborhood of McClure flats and Warden court. It was for these people that the Fresh Air fund evolved from a theory to a fact. The Fresh Air camp owes its idea to Miss Fanny Benjamin and its actuality to A. Rosenberg. Through the generous and unconditional loan of his 20-acre farm near Liberty, Mo., a regular out-door camp was made possible.

CHAPTER XX.

THE LEGAL AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.

Kansas City's first court of Common Pleas was established November 20, 1855. All of Kaw township was under its jurisdiction; it had the same criginal concurrent and appellate jurisdiction of civil cases within the township as the circuit and probate courts had on those within the county. It was decided that the judge should receive a salary of $500 a year, one-half of which should be paid out of the state treasury and the other half paid from a special township tax. The judge was entitled to fees not to exceed $500, at the rate of $1.00 on each final judgment made in his court. All fees in excess of the $500 were added to the school fund of the township. A marshal to execute the processes of the law was also provided for by law. In a small building in the public square, W. A. Strong, its first judge, presided over the first sitting of the Kansas City Court of Common Pleas. James K. Sheley became judge of the court in 1859. Few sessions of the court were held during the Civil war, 1861-65, and for part of that period, by act of the Legislature, the court was suspended. From 1863 to 1867, Jacob S. Boreman was judge. Later Judge Boreman was appointed a Territorial judge of Utah.

In 1871 the court of Common Pleas of Kansas City and the Probate and Common Pleas court of Jackson county were abolished. A criminal court was established in Kansas City about 1871, which had jurisdiction over all the criminal cases in the county. The probate business of the county was cared for by a Probate court, and a Circuit court also was established. The criminal judge was exofficio judge of the Probate court and received as judge of the two courts, a salary of $2,500 a year. The first judge under this arrangement was R. C. Ewing. Judge Ewing was succeeded by Henry P. White who died in 1892. John W. Wofford followed Judge White and continued in office until his death, February 25, 1907. Judge Wofford's suc