The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-26

tickets each emitting the bearer TO two
meals, or meal ana a bunk.
The milli0naire's philanthropy, by the
way, does not always remain percned on
the heights where monumental libraries
and free baths are built, but flutters even
around BarbarY Coast sidewalks, where
more or less ragged and hungry human
wrecks solicit "a little assistance TO get
cup OF coffee, sir" lie keeps his pocket
supplied with dimes and quarters, and the
request is seldom or never denied.
SIX days week therr IS procession OF
the busted" to his Office and he seldom
pays any attention 10 the advice or his en-
pOyes That some OF them are more thirsty
than hungry.
Some are regular pensioners, who get a
quarter or 80 every day and double allow
ance on Saturday afternoons. They are
fellows that he knew many years ago on
the Comstoek when he was building up his
own fortune. They had money and were
somebodies then. Now they have lost their
grip.
Sometimes he will growl n little at them
in rcbukng way and say, Il knew you
when you had more money than had, out
the piece Of silver generally comes forth.
Mr.. SutrO has always liked the meal
ticket plan, and has always patronlZed
any benevolent scheme OF that sort That
popped up.
When the Ltfeboat was launched amid
ago he qu ky seized on this channel for his
wayslde charity aud chuckled because he
had fOInd the right thing at last. HIS char
ity would not be abused now.
Beginning at once beggars were told TO
come around al P. NJ. aud get a meal ticket.
On the first day Mr.. Suro distributed
tickets to dozen picturesque fellows win
more than usual kindness and seI-gratlh-
cation
Next day there were twenty, on the next
day thrty-tiye and on the next about nifty
crowded into his office and about the door
before 3 o'clock. None were refused.
The news that anybody could get Saliva
ton Army ticket for two meals at the old
Montgomery block spread as though II had
been advertised in big type liz all the daily
pape's 2. In three or four days second thou
sand tickets were bought ard rule was
posted that applicants must wait outside the
office door.
Nobody could get In or out next day and
the rule was amended. They must wait in
the hal. at the head Of tile stairs until the
| time TO form the tine.
On the next two afternoons there were
$50 dirty aud hungry fellows filing all the
standing room on the stairs and Ia the hall,
and the janitor and several tenants made a
vigorous roar about It.
Then the crowd was ordered 10 wait or
the sidewalk.
The crowd grew daily, and on last Thurs
day there were PIG IN the waiting mob.
The man who helped Mir. Sutro pass the
tickets as the procession fled by swore
| under his breath, and the phiIanthr0pist
said, ION, dear mew with increased earn
eSlneSs.
The police began to look seriously at the
stOppage TO traffic aud it seemed as though
there wouid be enough TO block the street
the next week
Captain McFee and the soldier who takes
tickets al the lifebOat dropped around with
their ex erience and quickly spotted two or
| three fellows with two weeks boards and
ventilated trousers dropping back into the
line rs often as they could.
They informed Mr. Sutro that several
buns" were working" him, aud he was
sad
In despair he asked some of the men he
pays salaries to to get up some other plan,
and new one was adopted. Now his outer
Office door bears the following.