Morning journal and courier., 1893-12-01
LODGING FOR THE POOR.

The Room In the City Hall Will Prob
ably be Ready in About a Week Un-
less Injunction Proceedings Are
Brought-Agent Preston Rfdicules
the Claim OF Contagious Diseases
Being Dtsseminated-The0 Organized
CharftIes-What Is Proposed to be
Done.
To locate or not to locate the proposed
lodging house for belated travellers in the
basement of the city hall was the question
which was yesterday pretty generally dis
Guessed about the city hall by the city and
town officials and by the public In general.
The city officials are still as firmly opposed
to the plan as ever, for. they claim, purely
hygienic reasons, but 1t is the general be-
lief that unless restrained by an mi unetion
the plan will be put in operation at an early
date.
It was stated yesterday that should the
opponents to the plan succeed in prevent
ing the carrying out of the present plan
an arrangement might be made whereby
the town will be enabled to build a tenn
porary frame building in the rear of the
Organized Charities building and belsted
itinerants could be lodged in this building
and be compelled to saw wood in payment
for their lodging. This plan is favored by
all to whom 1t has been suggested, as it re-
moves all possible danger of the city hall
being guarantined and would not endanger
the health and lives of the officials and
visitors to the city hall This is the prin-
cipal objection put forth to the proposed
plan of locating the lodging room in the
basement of the city hall.
In speaking of the objections made to
the plan yesterday Agent Preston of the
Organised Charities said: "The claim of
presidential odors and death breeding dis
ease made by the opponents of the scheme
is ridiculous. There is absolutely nothing
to prevent the proper ventilation Of the
room, and 1t also could be arranged so as
to absolutely prevent the spread of any
contagious disease. These arrangements
would certainly be made by the town au-
thorities in equipping the place. Then,
again, there will probably be no great
any one time. All these men would soon
wood for their lodging, and ss the same
most of the men would soon apply
to US where they would have better
accommodations than to the police, who
would put them in this room in the city
hall, where they would have only board
to sleep upon. The room in the city hall
will only be used for people who arrive
after the Organised Charities Is closed up.
These men will be compelled to split wood
for their lodgings, and any man not will
ing to work will not be allowed to receive
any benefit from the scheme. In view of
sill these facts and especially of the fact
that better accommodations could be Sc
cured at the Organized Charities, most of
the travellers would apply there for lodg-
ing, instead of at police headquarters, and
in consequence there will be but few
travellers in the town lodging room at any
one time The idea that any disease
might be disseminated by these men Ia of
course possible, but highly improbable.
SIT Is more than probable, however, that
before many years have passed there will
be suitable lodging house built for the
accommodation of men out of employment
but willing to work, and who are travelling
from one town to another in search of en-
ployment. The building will, however. in
my opinion not be built by municipal aid,
but will be the result of private enterprise.
The Organized Charities are now consider
ing some such plan whereby our present
facilities will be increased and our
present building may be enlarged to meet
the requirements of the present time. We
are considering the erection of four-story
building on our present lot, the first floor
of which could bs used for the storage of
long wood and for saving, the second floor
for splitting and storing the split wood, the
third floor could be utilized as a sitting
room, bath room, fumigsting room, and
next to these two rooms could be equipped
for lodging purposes. There could also be
a dining room on this floor, while the
fourth floor could be utilised for laundry
purposes, and the present women's de-
psrtment could also be transferred to this
building. This plan will eventually be
carried out, but exacely when 1t is, of
course, impossible to say"
Meanwhile the uufortunates continue to
apply to the police for aid, and the officers
are compelled to turn them into the streets
In consequence of the passage of an order
by the police commissioners some time
since forbidding the keeping of dodgers in
the lookup. During the past week over
fifty such applicants have been refused
lodging at police headquarters.
The town authorities will, on the other |
hand, at once commence the work of
equipping the room in the basement of the |
city hall for the reception of dodgers and |
will have IL ready for occupancy In about |
a week, unless restrained by an Injunction,
as the town owns the room in the hall |
rhich Il In intanaad IN uas