Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-01-04
THE DEsTITuTloN.
widespread Distress. Among the Poor af
New York.

distress among the unemployed OF New
York, now estimated to number l0O,,
900, with 1000 additional dependent
upon their labors for support, to-day
inspired Chauncey M. Depew TO pass
this comment upon tho condition oi
TITO country. --~--~---~----
~ have been through all the panic,
OF the last 80 years, but | have never
seen ono in which the distress was 81
widespread and reached so many pru,
pie who previously had not been nf-
fected rs thi, panic of 1893. II has
thrown over 1000, 900 people out Of cm-
ployment aud calculating five persons,
which Is n small estimate. to q family.
that means l0,0OO,OO people with no
| brend winner among them and no pos
sibllity of winning bread"
Mr.. Depew was addressing this opin-
ion To "A conference Of the trustees Of
thirty-four hospitals which are mcm-
bers OF the Hospital Saturday aud sun
day association, who were In session to
devise means Of relief for the poor.
Mr. Depew declared that there Ia
urgent need of immediate relief from
any source that could grant IT, II is
expected that an appeal signed 10y Mr..
Depcw and other notable men will DO
issued in day or two inviting SUB.
scriptions,
The committee Of fifteen appointed
at the meeting of trades unionists
called ON Mayor Gilroy to confer with
him on the condition of the uncm-
ploycd, and TO enlist his aid in their
I.h np -
spokesman. lie asked that some pro-
vision be made by the city to give work
to the idle The mayor replied that he
would do all in his power to help those
willing TO work.
The city could give out work to
many, but II could not give work 10
cloalSmalSers Neither could the city
give work to all the unemployed lie
suggested the appointment of sub
committee To talk the matter over with
him. and that course was pursued
Later IA sub committee of five saw the
mayor. No conclusion was reached al
the second conference. One committee
man thought the mayor might author.
ize public Improvement in this cXigency
| and provide the money, depending ON
legnlizo his action, lie cited the in.
stance Of the purchase Of Fire Island
by Gov Flower, Tho mayor said the
proposition was against the law and
common sense
just before the committee of trade,
unionists called on the mayor there was
| almost riot among the crowd of poor
| persons who assembled at the head
| quarters OF the University Settlement
society at 90 Delaney street A howl
| ing mob of several hundred men, wom
en- and children of all creeds and ma
| tionalities congregated in front of the
buildings in the early hours OF the
morning before the distribution of tick,
cts for food, clothing and other neccs,
saries of life was begun, Growing i'm
patient over the long wait, they grew
bolder and attempted to force an en-
trance into the store or ground floor
where the supplies were being ar.
| ranged.
During the scuilie u plate-glass door
was broken, and more serious damages
to property and person might have re.
suited but for the timely arrival of tw a
policemen, who soon drove the crowd
back. As soon as quiet was restored
two lines were formed, the women
filing up on one side OF the sidewalk
and the men on the other, both lines
extending way round the corner,
When the doors of the guild were
opened MS many as could conveniently
enter were admitted. Everything
progressed smoothly after that anc
roomful after roomful of people were
admitted and their names and addresses
were taken for investigation by tho so
uigtyb sGeats.