The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-20
PLANS FOR RELIEVING THE POOR.
The Pastors Union Moving in the
Matter.
Care and Discrimination VIII be EX-
ercised in Order to Prevent
Imposition.

The regular monthly meeting Of the
Chamber of Commerce was held last
night at the City Trustees room
While those present were waiting for
q quorum, Rev. R. NJ. Stevenson and
Rev. A. B. Banks, for the Pastors
Union, addressed the directors on the
subject of aid for the poor.
MIR. Stevenson said that the Pastors
Union had appointed Revs. Hoyt,
Banks and Anderson as a committee IN
place Of the committee that served last
winter in taking charge of the rockpile
and distribution of aid to destitute per-
sons, and requested the chamber to ap-
point two of its members to act with
them in using funds donated, and also
TO make a contribution to aid in the
work Of relief. The floating element
was being pretty well taken care OF at
present, but there are many men with
families, residents of the city, who are
out of employment and in great need.
The idea was to have two central
points to which application for help
could be made-the Young Mems Chris
tian Association and the Young
Womens Christian Association. The
committee could Investigate all appllca-
He thought 81, 900 would be needed, and
the matter lay within the province of
the chamber. One man had called on
him who had recently come here and
obtained work in the shops, but was
now laid off. He had five children, and
nothing to live on. Such cases could
not be allowed to suffer.
Each congregation was doing what it
could for its own poor, but there are
q
need help.
Rev Banks said there was another
class that needed aid. A little girl to-
day asked him to come across the street
and see her mother He found the
father dead with pneumonia. There
was not SO worth of furniture in the
house. A boy had consumption, and
four persons were sleeping in one bed.
He took them food and nd what he
could There are many other appeals,
and the churches are unable to care for
their own poor and outsiders, too.
ReY. Stevenson said the union had an
outfit of beds. chairs and tables that
We're used last winter, but work was
needed for the men.
Secretary Felter said MOhr q york
were doing q noble work in feeding the
hungry. He saw men standing around,
waiting for a chance to eat, and 1t had
panied him to see women and children
pressing in among the men to set
meal Sixty gallons of good, rich soup
was consumed a day, beside meat and
bread and from 100 TO 200 were fed.
Probably the firm was imposed upon,
but it was cheaper to feed them so than
to feed them when sent TO jail for petty
larceny.
Mr.. Stevenson said that in Denver the
officers of the Associated Charities dis
tributed tickets TO the citizens, and
OF n no n
eat. he VS. gwen a ticket and sent to
the association for his meal. Those who
would not work were soon Weeded out,
as they had always to return to the as
ISOLATION, the citizens declining TO feed
them, and they had to leave town.
He thought perhaps the committee
could make arrangements with the Sal
walton Army to put up the beds at the
barracks or elsewhere. but if it had to
have a place for them the committee
ought to pay the rent.
T. B. Hall thought the city and county
should unite every winter and care for
the poor for several months. The cham
Der has no money with which to do it,
and he did not think it was its prov
ince.
T. L. Enright said that the Salvation
Army would probably take the beds and
care for the floating population. The
matter TO be considered was TO take
care Of the families It being a home
affair, sympathy should be easily
aroused and citizens be induced to con-
tribute
Mr. Stevenson said that last year
the union spent $500. but at that time
It had the Industrial Army and much
floating population. He did not think
so much would be needed now.
Mr. Enright thought from $500 to
5000 ought to suffice for the winter
- I L
better to help existing organizations
than to create new ones, as they are
already familiar with the work. If
It were known that something Of this
kind was contemplated, numbers will
flock in.
Mr. Stevenson said that the churches
asked each one of their members to
make two garments last winter and it
was done and many families supplied.
They would not need so many, there
fore. this winter.
Mr. Hall said that the chamber. as
such, could not do what was asked
nor could it appoint its members on
such a committee. As individuals, how
ever they might help by their influence
to attain the end sought, when a COM
mirtee had formulated plans Of definite
action.
The other members agreed with him
and il was also agreed that in order to
prevent imposition by unworthy per
sons it would be well/for the various
organizations already in existence to
take such joint action as would enable
each TO know who the others We're as
sisting and thus prevent persons from
obtaining aid from two or more of
them at the same time.
AS no quorum appeared. q number of
the directors being out Of the city. an
adjournment was taken till Saturday
at 1890 a. m.
ON THE MOUNTAINS.
The Rain Threatens to Snoil the