Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-09
CASES OF SUFFERING
How the Poor and Destitute Are Being
Relieved.
Sad Stories That Are Told at Police
Headquarters-Many saved
From Eviction.

Cold and threatening weather always
increases the number of persons asking for
assistance and yesterday was not an ex-
ception to the rule. Early in the morning
requests for assistance came in and during
the day many cases were Investigated by
officers In citizens clothes, under the direc-
ton of Chief Clerk Sylvester. While a
large majority of the persons who asked
for aid were found in need and worthy
there were some who proved to the con-
trary and they, Of course, were temporarily
refused. although it is possible that later
on some of them will be relieved IL the &C.
casion should demand 1t.
Want Money to Pay Rent.
The cry now is for money with which
to pay rent The number Of evictions is
large and there are hundreds Of respectable
and deserving families who have a writ Of
restitution hanging over them and who
are in constant dread Of being set out in
the cold. perhaps in a binding snow storm
or in the rain and sleet
The funds In the hands Of the police are
nearly exhausted and although the de-
mands are 80 numerous and distressing
there are no contributions coming in, and
80 for the present the police are almost
powerless SO far as advancing rent money
Is concerned. Some little money. however.
happy for the time being
III can only tide over month"; said
one man. Il can make out all right. Next
month l viii be in better condition and
may soon be In position to render some
little assistance to Others"
He was assisted.
In every case where a demand for rent
IL made" said Mr. Sylvester this morning
"a thorough investigation is made. Where
worthy persons are found they are assist
ed" No assistance he said is being given to
pay rent for houses from which persons
are about to be elected, but other quarters
are found where the rent Is cheaper and
then the money is advanced.
Some Sad Cases.
A sad case in East Washington was dis
covered by Principal Freeman Of the Wal
ZACH school and he appealed to Mr.. Sylves-
ter. Relief was given immediately MIR.
Freeman paying half out OF his own pocket.
In one case investigated the applicant had
been discharged from the Post ONCE De-
partment and he has q wife and four chill
dren. An ejectment writ had been served
on him, but he was powerless in the matter.
for he was unable to get employment, al
though he Is willing and anxious to work.
Assistance was rendered. s.
A colored woman who has four children
was served with a notice to vacate her
premises and she would have been put out
had not a physician stated that her con-
dition was such that the excitement and
worry might cause serious consequences
and under the circumstances the constable
declined to serve the writ. Then a colored
man who was injured by horse at the
Baltimore and Potomac depot a few days
ago made an appeal for help His appeal
was Endorsed by number Of merchants
who knew him. The injury received SO Sc
riously affected him that he cannot work.
Another applicant is man who only a
few months ago stood high in business cir
cles as carpenter and builder. A notice
of ejectment had been served on him. but
with assistance he thought In a month or
two he would be on a solid footing again.
Mr.. Sylvester renered all the assistance he
could.
On 18th street there lives an aged wo-
man, who although too old and feeble to
work. Is willing to do sewing. Then there
was a widow who called for assistance.
She Is not strong and has an aged mother
and father to support. Failure to procure
employment caused suffering in her family
and drove her to ask for assistance.
Aid was temporarily refused a man who
has a wife and six children. but a further
investigation of the case will be made Ac-
cording to the report on the case he squand-
cred his money In bar rooms. and now the
members Of his family are in danger OF
being elected He has credit at grocery
store. but IS unable to make satisfactory
arrangements with his landlord.
A case referred to the relief COMMITTEES
OF the police was that of a colored man
who had rented and sublet house. and
then failed to pay his rent. although his
subtenants had paid him. He had bought
a piano and furniture on the installment
plan and they were taken because he had
failed to make his payments.
A COnstable's Appeal.
While a Star reporter was engaged in
conversation with Mr.. Sylvester an elderly
man holding a writ Of restitution in his
hand entered and said he had come to ap-
peal for aid for a poor colored woman
named Sarah Turner, who lives in Quaker
alley, between 10Th and 18th. r and s
streets.
Il found the woman and her four chill
dren In destitute circumstances" he said.
land / thought 1 would see II l could not
get assistance for her..
1--WE don't pay rent In ejectment cases"
said Mr.. Sylvester to the elderly man, who
proved to be Constable Swinburne.
But said the constable, 1.-The woman
and her children are suffering for the
necessaries of life. They have neither food
nor fuel and but little clothing.
Il will see that they get food and fuel
said Mr.. Sylvester, who sent a message
over the telephone to the eighth precinct
station, instructing the officers to render
immediate relief.
had seen a great amount of suffering dur
ing the past few weeks and when he had
found persons in such condition he had
always tried to find assistance for them.
In some cases, ne SSilO, ne IOunu SUCH SAQ
conditions that he really could not serve
the writ and put out the sufferers.
Col. Tracy Busy.
Col. Tracy, superintendent Of charities,
was found in his office this morning by a
Star reporter, and in the same room sat
two clerks busily engaged making up the
reports and appeals for aid.
There has not been SO much Of rush
today as there was yesterday" said Col.
Tracy. THE cold weather yesterday morn
ing had the effect of increasing the num-
Der of applicants, but today there Is de-
cided decrease
'One good Indication" he added. lis the
fact that so many persons who call are
asking for work. They are all willing, but
there is not the work for them"
During the past four days Col Tracy has
received about $50 applications for relief
and about fifty worthy cases have been re-
ported of the number thus far Investigated.
The number, he says, Is constantly increas-
ing and when the snow storms appear he
expects the increase will be very large. He
hopes. however, that the appropriation for
grading and improving the streets VIII be