Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-31
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE WEST END CLUB.
How the Street Corners Have Reeu
Cleared OF IdleFs.

THE WEST END CLUB.
How the Street Corners Have Been
Cleared Of IdleFs.
a PLACE FOR MEN AND BOYS TO coucREGArr
IN THE EvENING-THE PLANS OF THE CLUB
THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE CLUB ROOMS, &c.
"Don'tsee 'em on that corner now days Looks
sort OF lonesome" said q big policeman as he
stood on corner near the Washington circle
the other day balancing his billy on the ends of
his fingers, while complacent smile played
about the corners of his mouth. "Looks sort OF
lonesome"
"What is it," asked STAR reporter who had
stopped for moments chat with the guardian
Of the peace.
"Why, the gang" he replied, as he pitched
his billy away and then caught it UP with a
short turn that sent 1t spinning at the end of
the string around his wrist "Why, this used to
ne the worst place in the world right OF there
river. Down that way s Foggy Bottom, and
the fellows from down that way used to gather
on the corners and loaf OF nights. There was
men and boys and fellows of ali ages and man
ners, who didn't have nothing to do after dark
put to loaf and concoct mischiefand make work
you See now they amt there. Well, that's Mr..
Barker. He done 1.-THE and some other gentle
men, navy aN men and men connected With the
clubs done it,
You don't know about the West End clube
why, IT'S been running these six weeks or
more, and g done more good than anything I
heard OF. There are the rooms over in that
| avenue and god street. What is it9 You'd
better 60 there; they can tell you about it better
anaa can: An know is that it's done lots OF
good Entrance On street."
Iben he went on his rounds, swinging his
stick, and THE STAR reporter went over to in
vestigate the club.
THE CLUB ROOM.
Following the officers direction, the reporter
found his way up short flight of stairs to q big
room In the second story OF the building, near
the junction Of Pennsylvania avenue, K street
and ODD
The room was brilliantly lighted. There was
pool table in the middle of the room, and a
lot OF small tables, covered with papers and Pc
riodicals, were standing around. Thirty or forty
reading ut the tables. playing checkers or chess
or In some other way amusing themselves ac-
cortling to their won't They were mostly of
own resources early in life and have to make
the best living they can in the best way they
know; men or youths. as the case may be, whose
work is generally over at shutdown, and who
are In the habit OF going on the street tor their
evening entertainment. Some Of them were
new 90 some messengers ag ama o.ners We're
room in the story above were probably sixty or
se seventy boys not yet Old enough to be
from twelve to eighteen.
WHAT THE PURPOSE IS.
The reporter found Rev. Mr. Barker, who eX-
planned the purpose of the club. 1t Is, he says,
to take men and boys Off the streets and give
them place where they may find harmless
and helpful amusement of evenings. The idea
is that the want Of something TO do and some
good place TO spend evenings has led many
young men and boys astray, and the club is to
prevent lOafing on the streets. 1t was organized
November by some gentlemen residing near
Washington circle, most OF them members of
ture to the club. 1t was opened as a free club
on the 18th OF November, with % members.
They had then rented a house on 25th street,
but the membership jumped up to forty at
once, and it became necessary to get more
roomy quarters, so on the thirtieth OF Novem-
Der they moved into their present rooms. The
rooms were fitted up, the upper ones for the
boys and the lower ones for the men, and were
thrown open to the members of the club every
evening from z o'clock until 10. The boys
room was furnished with d bagatelIe table and
all sorts of games, and the mems with pool
table, such games as chess and checkers and
great variety OF reading matter. The club is
not intended TO be supported by the members,
but by subscription by the public; but TO take
from 1t something Of the air OF charity and give
issued and q membership fee of ten cents per
month for men and three cents for boys Is
fee and would go only very little way towards
the support Of the club, not being enough to
pay the gas bill.
THE MEMBERSHIP
udS now 1nCfcdSeu 10 men ana 1SZ boys,
and there is NO more lOafing on corners in the
neighborhood. Once or twice month enter
tainments are given, to which the members Of
the club are admitted free. In a few days they
expect to serve hot coffee and crackers In the
rooms at the nominal price OF one cent per cup.
The interest taken in the club by those it is In
tended to benefit is very great The average at
tendance every night is rs and sometimes as
many as 100 are in the rooms one night. The
amount of good done, the police say, is some
thing incalculable. 1t has taken from the
streets the mischievOus element that keeps
them busy and has converted them into peace
full, orderly and good citizens who spend their
evenings in u pleasant way, where they have
everything for their comfort and amusement
and have no temptation to mischief. With all
the crowd of boys assembled there they have
never had any disturbance or disOrderly action
of any kind.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
having charge of all the arrangements are Rev.
Mr.. Barker, pastor of st. Paul's church. chair
man; Commander A. D. Brown, secretary and
treasurer; q. Fl. Stockbridge and H. C. Whiting
Some one of them Is present every night, and
the club is admirably conducted. Quite q num-
Der of prominent gentlemen are interested in
the undertaking and contribute to its support.
The club is dependent, however, upon the pub
lie for subscriptions and Commander Allen d.
Brown is authorized TO receive any subscrip-
lions offered. Donations Of books, illustrated
papers and magazines are received by the club.
Transfers Of Real Estate.