Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-15
CRY OF THE NEEDY
Finds a Prompt and Generous Re-
Spouse in This City.
FOOD, FUEL AND CLOTHING DONATIONS
Mr.. John R. Mclean Gives SIS, 900
for the Relief of the Poor.
PROGRESS OF THE WORK

PROGRESS OF THE WORK
The emergency consequent upon the ex-
haustion of the funds of the city's char
liable agencies, and the increase Of local
suffering from hunger and cold, has been
met for the Immediate present through the
generosity of Mr.. and Mrs. John r. Nc
Lean. Mr.. Mclean, who is a liberal giver,
both in his home state. Ohio. and in Wash
ington, was much impressed by the show
ing of the local needs made in the appeal
Of the central relief committee, and an
nounced to Mr.. John Leetch, who was con-
sulting with him concerning shipment of
food which Mr.. Mclean was making to
suffering miners in Ohio. that he had de-
cided to contribute for himself and Mrs.
Mclean 5000 for the relief Of the poor of
the District. He called together today to
advise him as to the proper disbursement
of this money Mr.. John Leetch. Rev. Teunis
S. Hamlin. Rev. Jos. T. Kelly. Rev. How
Swindells and Mr.. Theodore w. Noyes.
Mr.. Mclean. in turning over the money
to this committee, indicated his desire that
1880 should be expended in Georgetown
and <S,JOO in Washington, and suggested
that his experience in distributing relief to
the poor in a similar emergency in Cincin-
natl had shown that the part of the money
which had been expended in providing
warm clothing, and especially flannel I'M
derclothing, seemed to have been spent to
the best advantage. He did not know how
far the conditions were the same in Gin
cinnati and Washington. bat he thought
that possibly at least part of the money
might well he expended in the same man
ner here. 1t was decided by the advisory
committee that the Georgetown allotment
of $1,000 should be expended by commit
foo sod Of Dow hr
DIR. Stuart. Mr.. B. T. Janney and Lieut..
Jas. Swindells. acting in conjunction with
Mr. John Leetch, and that while this dis
tribution was being made GEORGETOWN APP
pile ants for relief to existing charitable
agencies might be referred to this commit
tee.
In pursuance of Mr.. McLean's suggestion
concerning the provision of clothing 800
were appropriated to the Central Union
Mission to carry into effect plan OF pre-
pairing and distributing flannel undercioth-
ing. The remaining 5000 are to be turned
over to the central relief committee. with
the suggestion that the money be made
available for immediate use by equal dis
tribution between the Associated Charities.
the police fund and the Central Union Mis-
sion; and with the further suggestion of
Mr.. McLean's wish that to some extent at
least relief be supplied in the shape of
warm clothing. This handsome contribu-
tions is exceedingly timely and with others
which may be inspired by this example,
may tide over the local relief organizations
until the canvass and entertainments plan
ed by the central relief committee bring in
additional funds.
The Proposed Entertainment.
The work of relieving the existing dis
tress among the very poor of Washington
Is going on without let up, and many cases
were relieved today by the Associated
Charities and the Central Union Mission.
The recently reorsanizei centr IL relief conf
mittce has already got down to work. and
while it started without funds, the results
of the appeal issued yesterday are already
beginning to lie felt. NV that the ma,i-
bers of the committee have got fairly to
work, there Is no telling tc what Tie sum
may grow. Star ing out with, s3ch Il sub
sCription as $4,000. the members OF the COM
mittee naturally feel imbueG with hope.
Organized Efforts for helping the condi-
ton Of the poor in this city have proved 10
be so valuable in years gone 10y that they
have the utmost cOnfidan.', in the public,
who give freely and with the knowledge
that their offerings will lie wisely dis
tributed.
In addition to the issuance of the appeal
yesterday. Judge Cole, chairman of the
committee, appointed an entertainment COM
mittee to prepare for a concert. the pro-
ceeds to go to the relief of the poor. The
members of the committee are DR.. Frank
lin T. Howe of The Evening Star, Mr.. Will
lard Holcomb of the Post, Mr.. j. F. Dur
ham OF the News, Mr.. Whitman Osgood OF
the Times and Mr.. Frank b. Metzerott
DR.. Howe. the chairman of the commit
tee. has called a meeting for 4:sO o'clock
this afternoon at Metzerott's music store
to look over the ground and to discuss
plans for the proposed entertainment. Sew
eral suggestions have already been made
One Is to hold continuous performance
next Saturday, beginning at o'clock and
continuing through until IL. The enter
tainment will be provided by local talent
that is to say, If this suggestion Is adopted,
as is thought likely-and by means of a
finn Of cnyf
much larger number of people can be pro-
vided than would otherwise be possible.
This first concert is for the purpose of
raising a sort of emergency fund or imme-
date relief, and will be followed within
the next fortnight by more imposing and
carefully planned entertainment.
A general effort will be made to sell the
tickets, and there Is no reason why several
thousand dollars might not be cleared in
this way.
Respond to the Appeals.
According to reports made by those who
are engaged in the distribution of relief at
the two associations a larger number of
applications for help have been received
today than any day for some time past.
The crying need is for food and fuel, and a
tremendous amount Of each was given out
before noon. On the third floor of the
Central Union Mission a half dozen women
who have volunteered for the work were
engaged in asserting and distributing to
the needy ones the secondhand clothing
which has been donated in large quantities.
1t is an interesting and gratifying fact
that the Individual cases of suffering which
have been reported in The Star during the
last couple of weeks have each and all
brought forth generous responses from
sympathizing people. The daily mail OF
The Star includes many letters from people
who write to ask for the names and adj
dresses of those who have been particularly
referred to, and every case which has been
investigated and found to be deserving has
been attended to. Several of the most
needy families have found friends among
the readers of The Star who have volun-
teered to remove their names from the list
of the charity organizations and care for
them through the winter. or at least until
the heads of the families are able to Sc
cure regular employment 1t is also get
ting to be quite the thing just now to or
ganize little groups of a half dozen well-to-
do and charitable families in different
parts Of the city to interest themselves
each in particular case Of suffering.
promising to look after their wards until
their time of worst need is over.
Suggestions to The Star.