Evening star., 1894-01-27
RELIEVING DISTRESS
Scenes at the Headquarters Of the
Belief Committee.
GREAT NEED FOR MORE MONEY
Supplies Distributed Through the
Police Department.
THE MISSION DINING ROOM

THE MISSION DINING ROOM
The appearance of the snow storm last
night made matters look exceedingly bad
SO far as the work OF the relief committees
was concerned. but the sunshine this morn
ing soon cleared away the outward evil
dences Of the storm and the heavy de-
mands anticipated did not materialize. Yes
terday was a heavy day with those en-
gagged in the collection and distribution OF
donations. At the room Of the central re-
lief committee in the Central Union Mis-
sion building the crowd became 80 dense at
times that 1t was necessary to close the
doors until Mr.. WALL the clerk, could get
rid Of some Of them, and then others were
admitted in installmeEts
The question of paying rent was practi-
cally settled yesterday.
The committee found that the funds
would not justify them in furnishing money
for rent and so the sufferers for the most
part will have to content themselves with
food and fuel
Concerning the question Of rent Mr.. Wall
said this morning that the colored people
seldom asked for such help They seem to
understand the necessity Of keeping q roof
over their heads. he said. for most Of them
are able to do what they call grub and
get enough to eat
There was not the sad early morning
scene at the room today that there was
yesterday. The applicants were not so
numerous during the early morning hours
as they were yesterday. although later in
and gave the clerk plenty to do. Several
persons called yesterday and today and
donated small amounts Of money as well
as groceries Of every description and cloth
ing.
Many outsiders or persons who are only
stopping here q day or two were among the
applicants yesterday. They want clothing.
but only In extreme cases were they given
anything. 1t II the intention Of the COM
mittee to give the articles donated to the
resident poor. but In several cases OF visi-
tors human ity required the giving Of q pair
of trousers or q coat
In the rear end of the room Mr. Frank J.
Donnely had charge Of the supplies and the
Central Union Mission meal tickets. He
assorted the donations and turned them
over to the police. who took them to the
various police stations to be given to the
worthy poor whose cases were favorably
reported.
The Mission Dining Room.
In the mission dining room, which has
been improved from time to time an eat
Ing counter has been built. and this is in
charge Of a young lady who acts as cashier
and deals out coffee and sandwiches. The
tables In the room were filled with guests
at breakfast time and there was not a
vacant seat at any Of the tables at the
monday meal. About two hundred persons
are teing fed daily and 1t Is expected that
the number will increase as the weather
gets more severe.
The Work Of the Police.
At the police stations today the officers
were kept busy honoring the tickets given
for supplies. and all the food on hand it
is thought. will be given out by tonight In
hopes Of supplying those in most need over
Sunday. as there will probably be nothing
done tomorrow. Chief Clerk Sylvester con-
tinues to receive his usual number Of re-
quests for assistance. but owing to the con-
dition Of the funds on hand he ands 1t i'm
possible to advance rent money except at
such times when money for this specific
purpose is donated, and then the amounts
given are very small enough, perhaps. to
sons who have sent in cash contributions
have given directions that the money be
not spent for rent.
What Col. Tracey Says.
Col. Tracey, superintendent Of charities
said to a Star reporter this morning that the
contributions were coming in fairly WELL
although he said. the COMMITTEES needed
considerable more money than it is collect
ing At present, he said. the principal de-
mands are for fuel Col Tracey said he
thought there were very few cases of i'm
position thus far. although. Of course. he
knows that such a thing cannot be entirely
prevented. One of the best features Of the
charity work. he thinks, Is the 1o-cent meal
arrangement Of the Central Union Mission.
About 5000 tickets have been put out and
the distribution of them IL giving street
beggars a charity which they cannot well
misuse. The work Of the neighborhood COM
mittees he finds extremely useful. not only
because Of the money they collect but also
because Of the reliable Information they
gather. These committees ind those who
are most In need and their lists are very
valuable when the distributions are being
made.
Suggestion From Judge kimball.
Judge Kimball Of the Police Court. who
has been actively engaged in charitable
work. said to Star reporter this morning:
I'm this time of destitution. when the citi-
zens Of the District are doing all they can
to relieve the suffering of the poor felt 1t
my duty to call attention to the fact that
there are several cords Of wood In the
grounds of the new library building OF no
use to the government. as 1t is the lumber
which inclosed the granite blocks, but
which would make very valuable addition
to the fuel supply Of the committee. and
suggest that the committee request that
this fuel be turned over to them for distri-
BUTTON"
He said he thought there were fully ten
cords Of this wood about the building and
he thought it could be used to advantage by
the committee. AS 1t is the wood is rotting
and will eventually have to be carted away
at an expense to the government.
The wagon load of groceries. clothing and
other supplies delivered al the headquarters
of the relief committee We're delivered by
Mr.. julius w. Tolson, chairman of the
thirty-third canvassing district. which in
clldes Anacostia and the country east OF
the Anacostia river. The canvassers Of that
district have been most successful in secur-