Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-09-06
THE POOR OF THE DISTRICT.
How Can They BE Relieyed-The Sub
Iecf Discussed Last Ntxht.

A meeting of the committee on the perma-
nent organization OF the Labor Exchange
was held last night at the residence of MI A.
8. Solomon, No. 1905 X street, for the pur-
pose Of exchanging views and comparing
plans for future action. There were present
Judge Bryan, Consul General Hitz, r.. d..
| Mussey, l.. 8. Emery, Mr.. Klingle. Simon
Wolf, and VIM r. Smith; also, Prof: Brain
1 mer, of the Washington City Mission; Mrs.
| Church, of the Women's Temperance Union;
Mrs. DIR. Reed, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Whitney, OF
| the East Washington Woman's Aid Society,
\ and Mrs. Chaplin, and others.
| Mr. Solomons, as chairman ofthe commit
tee, presided. He remarked that the under
1 taking was large one. and one deserving
| their united effoIts, for which purpose they
/ had met, and he called upon those present to
freely express their views, keeping con-
| sfantIy before them the one great object
charity, and excluding all side issues.
/ Mr. Hitz had collected much data which
was pertinent to the subject OF consideration
| which he would offer, and ont of the mass of
views and experiences he bad no doubt some
thing permanent and satisfactory could be
Mr.. Wolf was chCsen secretary.
Tie chair called upon Mr.. Hitz, who read
from various printed reports and from manu-
scripts OF his own upon the subject of labor
exchange, showing that OF all organized
| charities, those which provided
REMUNERATIvE EMPLOYMENT
| for The beneficiary is the most practical and
successful. His own ideas were to have a
| more comprehensive and cooperative sys-
| tenn than any other TINS far established in
this Dir trict. This is one of the most charita-
BILE commur tiles in the country. The pri.
| vate charities ard those from associations
would probably amount annually to as
1 much ss those from appropriate by Con-
| gress. Very much is contr buted by individ-
uals and societies of which little is known to
| the public, but there is too much indis-
eliminate charity here. 1t should be dis
carded for many reasons. Mr.. Hitz then
read from plan, which he had prepared, the
feature OF which is To provide employment
for The needy, which might be called "a
Society for the Employment and Instruction
OF the Poor" This plan contemplated a
president, secretary, treasurer, auditor,
councillors and board of directors, the latter
10 he composed of both sexes; They should
have committee on an Industrial home
This establishment should include reception
room, wash rooms, for both males and
females, cook rooms, bath rooms and lcdg-
ard sexes. This would require a large
house. Applicants for charity by this
plan can be provided for their necessi-
ties and put to work. and thus pay for
what they receive. If they work for wages
il should be paid them. Let them take few
pounds OF iiouT 70 their homes, If they have
families. Visitors should be sent out who
can be depended upon. Let them visit the
fhanti6s among the lowest as well as among
the medium classes. The filthy applicant
for help should be made to wash before he
can he supplied. The poor inmates of novels
can be sent TO the Industrial Home for en-
ployment and compensation. The children
can car he learned occupations and trades. as
return for the relief afforded them. There
should be a committee on supplies aud
stores. There should be a store established
where the necessaries of life could be pur-
chased at cost price by the poor. Then there
should be labor exchange, where both
males and females can be set at work. Let
the managers correspond with persons all
over the country where labor is in demand,
and then send the poor applicant who is
willing to work. Then committee on be-
ties in this District are those rendered
through beneficial and benevolent organizl.
tiOns-especially the MasOns and Odd Fell
lows. We can aid them and they can aid us.
Let us prepare to accommodate their needy
applicants upon this
COMPENSATED SYSTEM OF CHARITY,
and they can i'm turn aid us. Let a system
be so organized that no one need beg-but be
furnished with employment commensurate
with the relief given. By this means the
manhood and woms 1hood is preserved, and
no one feels degraded by receiv ing aims. All
street beggars could be sent 70 the Indus
trial home, and our streets be rid of this
great nuisance. He alluded to the Indus
trial home in Philadelphia and its admir-
able workings as an example of what might
be insugurated here. a dispensary where
the poor sick can find medicine at cost, and
medical advice and attendance, can be con,
nected with the home. A committee could
be formed on instructions, to see that the
poor children are comfortably clothed, SO
they may be sent TO school. A committee
on outdoor work, committee on finance, and
one on reports. AT this home applicants for
meals should always be required TODD some
thing to earn them. A board of charities, to
take charge OF all public funds appropri ate
IN the District is what is much needed. The
object most to be desired now is to get rid OF
the tdleTs. We have workhouse surrounded
with marshes, which ought to become in
time beautiful garden instead of a reeking
qusgmire. This can be done by a syst en- OF
compulsory labor by the inmat~s of that in
stiiution. which shall make term there tn
dreaded UrCnpdnfr Hlpr oy,I
where they must give some return for their
subsistence. For one he felt unwilling to
contribute by way of taxation for the sup
port OF e last growing class in our midst
who so through The world on the pTincip pie
that the world owes them living.
He gave list of the Congressional appro-
IriatioIS for the various benevolent societies
or this District, and assumed the fact that
the charitable associations, including Ma.
sonic lodges, had done as much as Congress.
Probably there is 10 community where there
is more done for the poor than In this city.
But what they want now is money, and a
system Of organized labor.
WORK WILL BE FURNISHED.
Mrs. DIR. Feed desired Mr.. HitZ to inform
them more in detail what work would be
given applicants by the Industrial Home.
Mr.. HitZ replied that the COMMITTEE would
find work for all. They would see that il was
furnished, and those who would not work
willingly would be sent TO the workhOuse
where they would be compelled TO labor, or
starve-
Mrs. DIR. Reed cited several instances where
persons OF respectability were actually suf-
fering for subsistence, and were willing to
work if they could get any sort of rem dne-
rative compens alton.
Mrs. Whitney said she knew q drauyhts.
man who would be willing TO labor for thirty
or forty cents per day. She did not quite
understand how all kinds OF services could he
utilized for the benefit of the home. She
supposed all would be set to work making
all sorts OF things, which would be for sale
| for The benefit of the common fund. Perhaps
grand auction was In contemplation for
/ sale of The products of the labor exchange.
Mr.. X ID. Massey remarked that they could
| furnish labor to send 10 the rural districts
where IL was needed. He cited an instance
where twenty laboring men had been called
| for at WarrentoD, Va.
Mr.. l.. 5. Emery, from the county, said he
expected 10 hear weil-matured plan sub
nitted, so that all could fall into 1t and go
ahead. The sum he had heard named was
| Sl0,C00 to carry the enterprise On. This
seemed q small sum TO do what is contern-
plated. What they want now is money, and
| 10 secure this co operation is needed. lie
| thought the most practical plan was to ma Ike
! arrangements with the District government
4 for the employment of laborers on the streets.
Let all applicants for charity be
| SET TO WORK ON THE STREETS;
when their days work is done let The over
seers give them ticket certifying TO what