Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-24
HELPING THE NEEDY.
Christmas Dinner for Hundreds Of Desti-
tute FamiiteA


DISTRIBUTIONS OF FOOD AND CLOTHING xADf
TODAY By THE GRAND ARMY RELIEF COMMIT
TEE, THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES AND THE
PoLIcE-MANY soRRowISa HEARTS MADE GLAD.
Like files Of soldiers in some regiment drawn
up for inspection stood rowsand rows of paper
bags this morning in tho Light Infantry
armory. The smile may have been suggested
by the military surroundings. II is o very
good one, though, rs these paper bags
represent host of kind wishes and
Christmas greetings which tho people of WASH
ington send 70 the veterans Of the Grand Army
and their families the widows and orphans
who may BIO in need of assistance.
These substantial representatives Of Christ
mas good cheer did not remain long
in military order, but about o'clock today
the order was given to break ranks and indi-
vidual parts Of tho regiment were soon dis
persed ali over tho city.
TIE HOMES OF VETERANS, THRIR WIDOWS AND
oRPKANs.
They entered the homes OF those where Christ
mas joy was not likely to come and they brought
assurances not only OF sympathy, but Of sub
stantial help. OF course. paper bags in
themselves could not accomplish all this,
the contents. All day yesterday
and ta,ay the bags were ranged in rows with
widc-open mouth, and into their capacious
htomachs were placed the materials Of first
class Christmas dinner. There is hardly any
thing in the edible line that did not find its
way into these bags sooner or later.
THE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
The members of the relief committee of the
Department of the Potomac. of which Mr. AS.
Taber is chair man. and the ladies Of the eelief
corps who assisted the committee had an
the bags.
There were long tables piled high with chick
ems and ducks. There was u great mountain of
sacks of hou, and barrels of potatoes and
apples and all kinds of groceries ar
ranged IN mounds and heaps all over the
armory As fast as The nimble fingers of the
members OF the committee and their assistants
could work samples from all these piles and
mounds and mountains were gradually placed
in the bags.
EACH BAG REPREsESrEp s FAMILY.
Each bag represented a family, and as the
families ranged in numbers from two to twelve
the contents of the bags varied in bulk. The
bags marked for families Of twelve occupied
n pile by themselves. Then came the families
OF ten and sight and seven and so on down to
families OF two. One chicken would serve for
would be necessary TO satisfy the hunger OF {.
larger number So the bags were graded.
by noon today the committee had the salts
faction OF looking over an array OF over GOO
bags and by o'clock tonight Chairman Taber
thinks that all the bags will be delivered at the
houses where they are intended to be sent.
THREE THOUSAND PERSONS SUPPLIED.
Through this agency over 5000 persons, it is
estimated, will be supplied with a Christmas
T. Il,
to the system adopted by the relief committee
this charity is administered with the
smallest possible percentage of imposition.
The families assisted are either those personally
known to the committee or else are vouched
for by some respectable citizen. For several
years this custom has been observed, but
this year greater number will be
work is being done by a Grand Army
committee and the object is primarily to relieve
the necessities Of needy comrades and their
families. vet in the practical administration of
:his charity the scope is broadened so as to in
clude worthy persons who are perhaps only re-
niote!y connected with the veterans OF the late
war. The scope is as broad az the generosity
which this charity las evoked. The large
sum Of 81. 400 has been contributed not only
by members of the Grand Army posts, but by
Senators and members Of the House and by
citizens generally
The school children this year helped to swell
the fund. not only by money contributions,
bat by donations of groceries. clothes, &c.
The gifts of the children of the following
schools were handed over to the Grand Army
committee: Henry, Morse, Gales. Twining,
Madison, Curtis, Peabody, Carberry, Adams,
Force, Benet, Franklin, Grant and Weidner.
The contributions of men like Vice Presiden.
Morton and the modest sum taken from the
Of oh d1tt
schools represent the extent to which this
charity has taken hold Of the public. Last
year 423 families were supplied with Christmas
dinner. This year the number will exceed $50.
After this work has been accomplished there
will remain on hand a balance, which will be
used in the purchase of fuel for persons in
needy circumstances and for relief in other
ways.
THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
The Associated Charities will be the medium
through which the gifts OF the children in
number of the public schools will reach the
homes of those who need them
most. Yesterday the contributions of
children in the following. schools
ciated Charities. Arthur. Abbott, Seaton, Force,
Webster and Mount Pleasant This morning
the secretary, MI. L. S. Emery was found sur
rounded by :he supplies which the children had
sentin. TWAS rather miscellaneous assor tment
Dut everything WAS useful. Inc
ranged all the way from barrel of potatoes to
child's game Mr.. Emery, with assistance,
was eudeavoring to classify the articles, intend
ing to make distribution to the families this
afternoon He expects to be able to supply $50
families with materials for Christmas dinner,
with clothing and also with fuel.
DISTRIBUTION BY THE POLICE.
The second third and ninth precinct police
stations presented lively appearance today.
as they were the stations from which the dona-
tions for the poor were distributed. The
offices of the stations presented the appearance
of grocery and provision stores. and the Gus
toners were as plentiful as they were at many
of the regular establishments.
With the applicants it was generally under
stood that first come would be first served but
such was not the case, for the officers discrinl-
mated In favo- Of those who were most in need
and turned away many impostors.
The articles were distributed in quantities
according to the size of the family, and conse-
quently some of the applicants received more
than others.
The work of distribution kept several officers
busy all the morning, and as long as the sup
plies lasted the applicants appeared with their
baskets and buckets.
From the appearance of things at some stations
it looked as though each one who got portion
of the donations went away and told all his
friends, and i'll that way the number of appli-
cants was increased At the stations where
there was nothing to give q number of persons
called during the day, but they were compelled