Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-23
THE PRACTICAL WORK
Done by the Central Union Mission i'm
Giving Help.


Giving Help.
The charitable work done by the Central
Union Mission in their building, formerly
the old city post office building. on Louisi-
ana avenue conmends itself to all charit-
able persons, ana some of the contributors
interested in the work have recently visit
ed the place. Now they are sounding
praises OF the work and are asking others
for contributions MIR. r. W. Pratt has
charge OF the Industrial department of the
work. as we'll as the dining room and
Kitchen, while Mr.. w. Z. McMichael Is In
charge OF the branch where donations are
received and distributed. The latter is To-
Gated on the second floor of the building
where he not only receives contributions
but where he also receives those IN distress
and renders what assistance he can from
what Is donated. This branch Of the mis-
sion work IS conducted entirely on the pro-
ceeds OF donations, as the mission does not
receive one cent from the apportionment of
the poor fund. Neither does the mission get
any share Of the proceeds of public charity
meetings. Still the charity conducted by
| the mission is on a larger scale than is gen.
orally supposed. and. in connection with re-
relieving the pangs of hunger; attention is
paid TO the spiritual welfare OF those who
men. women and children do not call on Mr.
McMichael and ask for assistance Moth
ers with babes IN their arms and leading
Older children visit there and tell pitiful
tales OF woe, and sit about in the warm
room. When they are assisted they seldom
hurry away, for the enjoyment of the warm
room is luxury to many of them, and often
they remain and attend the MONDAY re-
ligtous meeting.
They Saw Wood.
Tn ha SnA, r;o3
Mr. Pratt has supervision, the work is Of
an entirely different nature. In connection
with this branch Of the work there is a
wood yard. where strangers out of funds
and In need Of something to eat and a
place to sleep are welcome at all times
The wood yard is in the basement of the
building and six bucks are operated. while
In another room the choppers work This
wood Is sold at the regular market price
all parts Of the city. Orders are gladly re-
ceived. In this work the mission does no
more than pay expenses and at the same
Tina hundreds Of poor men are given work
and food. The lodgings and meals fur
nished are paid for by the work performed
With those who are able cash is received
for either a nights lodging or a meal. In
the basement lodging room a neat cot and
covering costs six cents, while a bed on
one OF the upper floors may be occupied one
night for fifteen cents Meals eare furnished
III - ~ anu Ic CSiitS ne ulnlnS room ana
kitchen are located on the ground floor.
where there is seating capacity for about
forty persons, and the meals furnished are
clean and substantial. No one need leave
the table hungry. for the cook and waiter
Will serve soup, coffee. meats and vegeta-
bles until the annette Is satisfied
An average Of forty persons are fed each
dav. while about the same number are
LODGED although there are accommnda lions
for twice as many. Those who have been
assisted thus far comprise tramps. some
local Door persons and many persons who
are In search OF work making their way
from place TO place. Mr.. Pratt in con-
versation with Star reporter this morn
ing said that majority Of the men who
had been assisted were among the unem-
ployed who were travelling about the coun-
try. Most Of them. he said. seem to he
honest and Industrious and are perfectly
willing to work.
And" he concluded. when they leave
here manv Of them are changed men, for
we never let them go away without saving
something to them concerning their spirit
ual welfare"