During the early 1900s, services for the poor and needy living within the cities were provided by

The promise of prosperity in the cities attracted multitudes of poor rural dwellers. These new city dwellers however only landed job opportunities in numerous factories that dotted the cities. Working conditions in these cities left much to be desired with inadequate water services, disease, and unpaved streets. Nevertheless, other poor people in the cities lacked jobs and many actually starved to death. As such, the poor fend for themselves. No one provided any services for them. However, this soon changed with the advancement of the progressive agenda.