Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-04


WHAT THE POLICE AUTHORITIES SAY ABOUT IT.
rRAMPs SAID TO BE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES PROS
PECTIvE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES
THE LIMITED FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE RE-
LIEF OF THE POOR-sOME REMARKS ABOUT
STREET BEGGARS.
The comparatively mild winter weather thus
far has been greatly in favor of the laboring
classes and the unemployed poor of this Dis
trict. Although there is much restitution and
suffering growing out of the dull business of
last summer and scarcity of employment the
present winter, yet it is true the pinch from
want in it's varied forms has been as nothing in
comparison with the suffering one year ago.
The praiseworthy efforts put forth by the be-
nevolent societies throughout the District has
led STAR reporter to make Inquiries as to the
extent of distress from want felt among the
poor. From information furnished by the police
1t does not appear that there are many extreme
cases. The past, however. may not be criterion
for the future, and cold and want may yet
abound among us. The efforts put forth by
THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES
to mass all charity funds and all information re-
garding cases of distress. with view of more
intelligent distribution so as to reach the meri-
torious cases, has some good features about it
and should receive practical test. By some it
has been spoken OF lightly as an impractical and
visionary scheme. but when it is considered that
much relief has heretofore been bestowed upon
unworthy objects of charity, while the worthy
ones have been overlooked, no one should dis
courage any good plan of reform in this direc-
ton. The efforts made at the public meeting
about one year ago at Willard hall resulted in
raising fund which was disbursed by the
major and superintendent of police. This fund
was as satisfactorily bestowed perhaps. as has
any similar fund ever been in this District.
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES
No such call has been thus far made this year
upon the citizens, and there is no public fund
from which relief can be procured for worthy
cases, except small balance in the hands of the
District Commissioners, known as the market
house charity fund. The 5000 appropriated
last year by Congress for charity embraces the
market-hOuse fund, which annually amounts to
about $1,000. This appropriation has been
nearly all expended in the payment of salaries
for the physicians to the poor, for the purchase
OF drugs and medicines for the Central Free Dis
pensary. and the purchase of food for the sick
poor, when prescriptions have been given by the
physicians.
A monthly contribution of 300 has been
made to benevolent association of Washington
and one of $50 per month to similar assOcia-
ton of Georgetown, leaving very small mar
gin, which has been from time to time allowed
to the superintendent of police for the relief Of
cases OF great emergency. This appropriation
has to cover the fiscal year ending June 80,
1882.
The night lodging house has heretofore come
In for small contribution from this fund.- but
owing to the scarcity of money this disburse-
ment had to be discontinued this year, and thus
far the lodging house has depended solely on
private contribution for support.
WHAT THE CHIEF OF POLICE SAYS
Major Brock stated to a reporter yesterday
that there are great many cases of application
to him for relief, but he is compelled to turn all
away unprovided for, except in extreme cases of
want, where sickness prevails. He has had but
300 since July last from this fluid, which has
been laid out in the purchase of food and fuel
Inc lleutenants of the several precincts have
also been instructed to give orders upon grOcers
and dealers in fuel for very limited amounts in
extreme cases of restitution. In some of the
police precincts there has been considerable des-
ttuton and suffering, especially for the want of
food and fuel, but the officers state that the
pinch has been nothing III comparison with last
year. In South Washington, and some other
sections, where the cOlOred people mostly con-
gresate, the suffering is most apparent.
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
state that their only hope ofreief for the poor is
in the appropriation asked from Congress TO
complete the filing and grading the low grounds
south of the Capitol-abOut s2l 900. This bill
is now pending in Congress, and members are in
clined to look with favor upon it, The Com
missioners believe it will be passed. and if the
money is made available at once, worthy poor
men will be put upon the work immediately in
working parties under the proper superintend-
ence, as has been heretofore done.
DISAPPEARANCE OF TRAMPs.
1t is fact worthy of mention that the class of
worthless tTamps who. for several years have
infested the police station houses and night
lodging house, have nearly all disappeared, and
those who apply for lodging are of better class.
embracing mechanics and laborers looking for
employment. and eX-soldiers and sailors looking
after their claims before the government depart
mentS. The station house lodging rooms have
not been filed as formerly and much better
state of things prevails among the poor than in
recent years.
TIE NIGHT LODGING HOUSE ASSOCIATION
finding that no aid was likely to come from the
poor fund as formerly, opened their lodging
house on the 9Th of January, depending for
funds upon contributions from the generous
public. and so far have managed to keep the pot
boiling. The average number OF applicants have
thus far been twenty-siX. A supper of SCUM and
bread, and breakfast of good coffee and bread.
are furnished. besides bath and lodgings. The
Heiiitu oilcef mas lurnlSned vaccine matter, and
each inmate after bath has to submit to vacci-
nation. Upwards of fifty have thus far been
treated free Of cost.
THE STREET BEGGARS
are plentiful, and appear to be mostly confined
to small boys and girls, both coored and white
The police say that many of them are profession
ais, and are sent out by their parents. who in
MANY cases are drunken or otherwise vicious
persons. as rule, it is perhaps better not to
give them money, but food if hungry. There is
another class who beg from door to door These
are becoming quite numerous. Sore of these
are deserving cases, and should be relieved
when fragments Of food or cast off garments
can be spared. 1t ID always best to ascertain
the true situation at their homes if possible
which can many times be done without much
trouble by visiting Or by inquiry. The police
state that some are too ind0lent to beg and
prefer to take their chances at stealing. knowing
that if caught they will be more comfortable in
jail, where they get plenty to eat and warm
fires without working.
WANTED TO GO TO JAIL.
A few days since a colored man, i'm the sew
enth precinct. stole ham in open day from