Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-21

have now come to apprehend that the city
may be filed with idle men from the neigh
boring cities of New York. Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Boston. and that the number
of men on the streets begging for labor or
for aims may become serious menace. If
the city had no means of sheltering and
feeding tramps and other unemployed men
who drift to this city the problem would be
serious, indeed but this want is amply
filled today by the Central Union Mission,
which has fortunately enlarged its capaci-
ties during the past few months. that 1t
will undoubtedly be able TO furnish food and
lodging to scores, IL not hundreds, of the
men who reach this city In a destitute con-
dition.
1t must not be thought that this institu-
ton is purely charitable affair, for every
man who goes within It's walls in search of
the bare necessities OF life is placed at once
upon an Independent basis. and is given
both the means to earn that which is fur
nished him and opportunity to improve
his condition, both physically and morally.
To be sure. this is sometimes an unwel-
come proposition to a tramp, or to one OF
those peculiar individuals who represent
the intermediary stage between the honest
workmen. looking for chance to labor, and
the genuine "hOboe'' or the professional
tramp of the road and railroad train. The
prospect of a couple Of hours acquaintance
with the saw-buck Is not always alluring
even though 1t leads to a warm bed and a
good meal in the future. But. be it said to
the credit OF humanity in general the great
majority of those who apply to the mission
for aid show eager desire to earn their
board and lodging and to give evidence of
their gratitude
The Debt on the Building.
Tha Central I-O4Op u L.
gained today, is an enormous institution,
with a far greater scope OF work than is
appreciated by the average citizen, who
merely sees its outward evidence in the
signs on the great building on Louisiana
avenue between 9th and 7th streets. for
merry the city post office. which the mission
occupied for the first time year ago in
January This building was a sort of wind
fail to the directors Of the mission, for at a
comparatively low cost they have secured
a property that will permit them to enlarge
and expand the work in every direction for
many years to come. The purchase of the
building. however. and the cost of its re-
pairs have proven a heavy burden upon the
clergymen and lay philanthropists who have
associated themselves with this work and
they are today making an earnest appeal
TO the religious, Charitable and practical
citizens OF Washington for assistance The
building which they now occupy cost $4,000
in addition To which Sl3,OoO has been spent
IN repairs. making a total cost Of 500 900
for a property which has been closely cal
culated u be worth at least $4,000. The
total debt en- the establishment is now
$4,000, Of which about $4,000 Is In notes of
the value of $50 each. which are being can
celed as rapidly as money IS received for
that purpose. The remainder is secured by
q trust on the property.
An Appeal for Funds.
Thousands of copies of a circular letter
are being sent out by the building commit
tee Of the Central Union Mission, calling
attention to the need of financial aid in
nquidating the debt incurred in the recent
enlargement of the facilities Of that insti-
ntion The letter states the case so clear
ly that 1T is given herewith:
Dear Sir: Permit ne to call your atten-
ton to the great work of the Central Union
Mission and it's present great need. There
are two distinct lines of work. one religious
and the other benevolent, both of which
have been m&rvelously successful
AS religious institution it has preached
the gospel during the past nine years at
over Il, 900 services, in more than 30 places
in the city, to an average OF 10000 people
annually, with the result Of securing pub
lie expressions of interest from over $1,000
persons and the profession of conversion
b. over 600. many OF whom have become
active members of the various churches of
the city, and some of whom are now doing
similar work in other cities
Its charitable work is based upon sys-
tenn Of industry, which enables the needy
TO earn what they receive, ana IS PROBABLY
the most practical, economical and sensible
OF anything of the kind in the city. Dur
ing the greater part of last winter the mis-
sion lodged and fed about 100 men and
women daily whose labOrs paid the entire
cost of their keeping. 1t sent food, CLOTH
ing and fuel to about 1000 families. the
most of whom were personally visited.
Nearly all OF this vast work was done by
volunteer workers without remuneration.
The purchase of the old Seaton House,
after its abandonment by the city post
Office marked very important epoch in
the history Of the mission. and also involv-
ed great responsibility. The purchase price
was $55.OUO and its complete reInodelins
cost $4,000. making total cost or $4,000
for a property well worth $4,000. Of this
sum $4,000 are stin unpaid. and an effort
Is now being made to cancel this Indebted
ness There ought TO be no trouble in doing
this because the very character of the in
stitution makes II popular with the best
classes Of our citiZens-poIu lar with the