The evening world., 1894-05-21
CHAR|TYPAWN-sH0P OPENED
Fakirs and Poverty-Stricken Peo-
pie Rush to Pledge Goods,
The Provident Loan Society's Prac-
tical Method of Relief.

The Provident Loan Society opened
its pawnshop in the United Charities
Building. Fourth avenue and Twenty
second street, at s o'clock this morning,
and Supt. Leopold Hecht and his two
assistants had all they could do In serv-
ing the throng of customers who were
in waiting when business began.
There were all manner of people in the
throngs, from the hungry man asking
for n dollar on his t~hreadbare best
suit" to well-drcssed men and women
seeking to raise the vino" on expen-
sive jewelry. There were fakirs, too,
OF the worst type with mock jewelry,
fashy opera-glasses and "hlled' watch
es. Blu Supt. Hecht has not spent six
years as Il pawnbroker at 1926 Ninth ave-
nue. for nothing, and the fakirs found no
victim In him.
The first loan was SO on n black coat
and vest brought by II haggard young
man with desperation expressed In ev-
cry line OF his face.
The next customer brought n gold
watch and chain, on which Mr.. Hecht
offered to loan $50. The customer took
1t away Indignantly. but was back in
an hour, and offered the piece again,
saying he would take 500. But Mr..
Hccht was suspicious. He weighed
and carefully examined the watch and
chain, and then said SIS. Again the
man was indignant.
Il can get that anywhere" he said.
1T doesn't pay to come over from
South Brooklyn for that
A dapper man offered what appeared
TO- b. ~brand-new jewelry. He wanted
$3.50 on It.
I'VE are not permitted to make any
handing back the Jewels, and adding
after the man had disappeared:
That was probably jeweiry bought In
Maiden lane on the memorandum plan
to be paid for when sold. and presently
me owner would, come here and claim
an auction for $40. We must be very
careful; think I have had at least
fifty fakirs here already"
This estimate was doubled by a repre-
sentative Of a ~well-known Bowcry pawn
customers from outside.
This new pawnshop Is authorized by
the Legislature, 1t has a capital Of $780,
600 and its hackers are Cornelius Van
dderhiit, ex-Nlayor Hewitt. ". E; Dodge,
Charles p s Fa MSffia' r. Mf r. ! coa s'sntoG J.
Is;elin, =. ", lanes. ]. ssu' Kannied haFj jr,.
sehwa low Z, : I. & sn,, SSShi6 1,w GHT'a G,,d H:
- NV '"hI 'Nl'll-
dorfer, ]. X. Tod. Alfred Bishop Mason
and other wealthy and charitable men.
1t loans nearly the full value on per-
sonal property and charges only / per
cent. a month as interest on loans. The
President Is r. w. De Forest: James
Spoyer Is Treasurer. while Otto T. Ban
nard Is Secretary. There are no salaried
officials.
The entrance Is at 2s7 Fourth avenue.
There Is n small business Office at the
right OF the entrance. There are vaults
for the safe keeping of jewelry in the
basement and storerooms upstairs for
more bulky pledges.
The Provident Loan Society's pawn,
shop Is n return to the original idea Of
the De Medici family and their Mont,
de Pieta,' In Italy two hundred year,
or more ago. That was n charity 70,
the aid of the distressed. never intendec
as a money-making scheme. The arm!
of the De MediCis, who were physicians
l thee pills-indicated the Monte de Pieta
From 1t came the modern pawnshop anC
its three golden balls.