The Washington times., 1894-11-04
THESE ARE WITH Us ALWAY
Work of Relieving the Worthy Poor
to Commence at Once.
SMALLPOX AND OLD CLOTHING
Next Meeting Of the Associated Charities
Will Be an Important 0ne-Church socie-
ties at Work-Booming the souphouse
Project-Union Mission People Active.

The forthcoming meeting of the Associated
Charities, which will be held in few days,
will be most important one, and work Will
be mapped out for an active winter campaign
against those arch terrors, cold and hunger.
GAS suggested by The TIMES in its timely
articles, said Secretary Emery, 1--WE intend
to perfect our arrangements and be in work
ing order before the north winds blow cold
and the snow falls fast. There is much work
ahead, and it behooves our humane citizens
to bestir themselves early in behalf OF the
poor and not wait until they are in the throes
of starvation or shivering with cold. Our
storage rooms are ready and our cash books
are open. Let the good work commence"
The prevalence of smallpox in the city has
caused Manager Emery, OF the Associated
Charities, to decline several donations OF
clothing for the poor, which were sent IN by
unknown parties. When the donors are
known, however, the clothing, If all right,
will be taken in trust for the needy. Many
calls are already being made upon the asso-
citation for food and fuel and the manage
ment hopes that donations may be prompt
and liberal.
Quite quantity of cast-off clothing has
been received at the Central Union Mission
during the past week. An appeal has been
issued by the Mission managers. 1t states:
''We do very much need secondhand cloth
ing. Some is being received, but not enough
to meet the demand. We are told that great
deal is given away to tramps who call at the
houses. This is hardly so safe as to send
it to the Mission. because there are pro-
fessional clothes beggars. the same as
there are money beggers-men who beg
clothes just to sell them. The Mission needs
clothing for men and women who are well
known and who deserve it. There is little
danger of the Mission being imposed upon
by its benefciaries. but occasionally its bene-
factors practice imposition; for instance,
when wagon was sent for a package OF
clothing, which proved to be so filthy and full
of vermin that it had to be Immediately Gre
mated. Commend US TO the tramps and va
grants rather than such charity"
Rev. Alexander L. Gibson, pastor OF Waugh
NJ. E. Church, corner OF Third and A streets
northeast, related to TIMES reporter case
of destitution which has been temporarily re-
lieved by his congregation. 1t is that OF an
iceman, with q family consisting of a wife
and seven children. The husband was the
only bread-winner for the family until he was
stricken down by sickness, end as his oldest
child, boy OF fourteen years, was unable to
do any work, they were left without food,
fuel, or resources. When the case was made
known TO the congregation there was ready
and willing response, and the lank old wolf OF
hunger was driven back into his lair.
Police Sergt. Keefe. of the Third precinct,
who is a keen observer of men and matters,
predicted that the suffering among the poor
of the city during the approaching winter
wou d be without parallel in the history of
the District.
"There are lots OF white people, said the
sergeant, who will not come to the station
house to ask for aims. They would rather
starve almost than 10 beg or even let their
true condition be known. We have to look up
this class OF people, and they are nearly al
ways deserving, too, and promptly furnish
them with relief. No one knows such families
have been relieved except the parties them
| selves and the police. The colored poor,
| though, have no conscientious scruples about
calling at the station-house and making
known their wants
| Meetings have Deen called in nearly all the
! M4hodist congregations in Washington for
! the reorganization of the chuTch charity as
/ sociations, and it is predicted that they will
| do much good work during the approaching
! cold season.
Action will also be taken during the CON-
! ing week by the St. Vincent de Paul societies
| of the Catholic Church toward arranging G
| relief programme and otherwise preparing
| for the emergency that is expected to arise
very soon.
1t is understood that the ladies interested
in the establishment of chain of free sour
! houses in this city, headed by Mrs. Emily
| Hayden. will canvass the butchers and com
! mission merchants at once in order to secure
regular contributions to the enterprise. 1t il
| proposed to locate one soup house in each o
! the four sections OF the city, one in George
| town, and another in Anacostia.