Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-25
HARD UPON THE POOR
The Cold Weather Brings Suffering
in Its Train.
RELIEF WORK GOES STEADILY ON,
But the Committee is Swamped
With Applications.
MANY PITIFUL INCIDENTS.
RELIEF WORK GOES STEADILY ON
MANY PITIFUL INCIDENTS.

With prospective snow storm, to be fol-
lowed by cold wave the poor people Of the
city have very little encouragement for the
near future at any rate, and should the
weather bureau prove the accuracy Of their
forecast. the suffering is sure to increase.
The rain and hail storm last night and the
cold weather this morning brought out the
applicants for aid in large numbers today,
and the room Of the central relief commit
tee displayed evidence Of a portion Of the
suffering that is being endured. The appli-
cants. mostly women and children, appeared
early In the morning, and during the day
Mr.. Wall, the committees clerk. was kept
busy recording the names and referring the
cases. There were many as fifteen or
twenty women in the room at time and
quite number of them were there asking
for shoes. The demand for footgear was
very large, although many persons were
anxious to get a few dollars rent money.
In number of instances mothers begged
for shoes for their children who are attend
ing school. while some of the women them
selves were virtually barefooted and with
out the necessary clothing to protect them
from the wintry winds. Requests were also
made for food and fuel as we'll as for var
ious articles of wearing apparel. The clerk
had at his disposal some few articles Of
clothing and shoes. which were distributed
by members Of the committee. In almost
every case in which assistance was asked
there were children, some families having
as many as nine small children dependent
upon unemployed parents for food and at
tention. The names recorded and referred
outnumbered those Of yesterday almost two
to one
What is Being Done.
Mr.. Wall said to a Star reporter that
some orders for shoes had been given on
Mr.. Hahn. who had donated them. and he
also said that some of the supervising
principals Of the schools have some chill
dren's shoes for distribution.
Chief Clerk Sylvester of the police depart
ment was also kept busy today hearing sad
stories Of suffering, and rendering assist
ance as far as his funds would permit
Several large families in South Washington
were assisted. and in these cases the cir
cumstances were particularly sad. One
colored woman, who has five small children
was elected from her room in a house on
Dingman street last evening during the
storm. and she was given a small contribu-
ton to pay for q room in some other local.
tty.
A Sad Case.
young woman, the mother Of three
children. visited the Police Court and police
headquarters this afternoon and related a
sad story Of cruel treatment at the hands
of men who threw her things into the street
last evening. She said that her husband,
who was worthless, did not live with her
and that she owed one months rent She
did not receive any notice to move, and
when four men appeared at her house on
l street southeast between 9Th and 7th
streets and threw her few household effects
in the street she was completely surprised.
One of the neighbofs took her in and is
caring for her temporarily.
What makes the case particularly sad is
the fact that she had to bury her mother
today. Mr.. Sylvester rendered temporary
relief, and an effort will be made to prose-
cute the agent for the house and the men
who removed her goods.
This, however. is only one Of the many
sad cases reported Mr.. Sylvester today
received from some clothing merchants a
large bundle of large size mems clothes.
Donations will be received at the room Of
the central relief committee and by the
police at any time and distributed where 1t
will do the most good.
THE APPEAL FOR FUNDS.