The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-20
MUST SAW WOOD.
a Plan to Make the Tramps Either
Work or Starye.
Twenty Cents an Hour for Chopping Wood
Two Meals end Bed for Three Hours
Work = A Worthy Charity.

A scheme, Of which the details are almost
| completed. is being evolved by Arthur G.
Smiley, Registrar Of the Associated Chart
ues, which that gentleman believes will
revolutionize charitable work in this city.
The plan comprises the establishment of
| woodward, which will be opened within
ten days in some central locality, probably
| on Webb street. The yard will be operated
after the plan Of similar enterprises con-
| quoted III connection with charitable work
| in Eastern cities.
hereafter when man comes to Mr.. Smi-
| ley with tale of woe about his empty
| stomach and his inability to obtain employ
ment, he Will be tod to report to the over
seer OF the woodward, which, for the pres
! emf, Will be operated every afternoon from
1 o'clock until dark. a quantity of red
| wood and hard wood, in quarter logs, will
! be provided, and all able-budied men will
! be furnished with a saw or an ak. and in
/ structed to reduce the wood to small pieces.
! Old men. or those suffering from any disa-
blllty. will not be required to saw or chop.
| Others.
WORK OR GO HUNGRY.
Every man who is hungry must do some
WORK, said MIR. Smiley, ''even if we are
| oollged to rush over the pile at night, to
| allow MIN to replace 1t next morning. Do
something he must or he can go hungry
Every man will be paid 20 cents an hour
for his labor, but the remuneration Will not
| be III cash. When he has worked three
/ hours he will receive an order on the
| proprietor of a clean, substantial hotel for
two square meals and a comfortable bed.
! Should he succeed in obtaining regular en-
| ployment in the meantime, so much the
| better, but If he is still out of work he can
return to the yard on the following Jay and
work for more food and lodging.
- On the average there are fifteen male ap-
| plicants for assistance every day." said
Registrar Smiley yesterday. "At present
we can do little to help them, but when the
woodward is started | can tell them to TO-
rort for work. About three men will turn
up at the yard. but they will be given a
chance. They VIII not receive money, be-
| cause universal experience shows that men
| OF that class Will usually spend all their
| cash in saloons.
I" If man shows that he is diligent in the
| yard, | can recommend him to some one
who can furnish bin with regular employ
ment, while under our present system [
have no opportunity of testing a mans
falthfulness or his willingness to work.
CHANCE FOR THE TRAMP.
1t will require about $500 to rent yard
ana purchase material. Redwood costs
| 81 50 per cord, which, when cut, will make
| about fifty sacks. The latter can be sold for
% cents each, giving a gross profit Of SIS.
We do not expect the yard to be entirely
self-sustaining, because the wages paid for
the labor will be high. 1t will give the
tramps chance, however, and l believe it
| Will be the means of breaking up the system
| OF begging On the streets. Honest 1nen.
anxious 10 work, but broke and without
employment, can also live and still main
! tam their independence.
The plan will eventually develop into a
wayfarers' inn, which will be operated in
connection with the yard. At present lack
of funds makes modest beginning neces-
sary. The yard will be operated as far as
| possible ON business basis, the wood being
| purchased and sold at current market
| prices.
'All the Eastern cities have an enterprise
| OF this kind operated in connection with the
| associated charities In Brooklyn last year
it paid for 1873 working days and was ope-
rated at a net profit of S1315 81. In most
cases, however, the yard is conducted at a
| loss OF about 80 per cent. Most of the
money necessary has been promised Us, ana
we are only waiting to decide between two
| locations which have been offered"