Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
The Central Union Missic n and Those
It Serves.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ACCOMMODATIONS
Additions to the Comfort of Both
Men and Women.
NEED OF MORE NDS

building on Louisiana avenue that Is now
the home of that valuable Institution. One
of the latest devices appropriate to the
season Is an ice fountain, that has just
been put in for the use of the public on
the north front. The expense of provid-
ing this fountain was borne by DR.. and
Mrs. Mackay-Smith. DR.. Mackay-Smith's
idea was that free Ice fountain, besides
being a great convenience to the public
would to some extent act as a substitu-
ton to the saloon, and prevent the intoX-
ication of some persons in the hot weather.
He also believed that it might be an at
traction for many men to go to the mis-
sion and derive benefits from the moral
and religious influences that prevail there.
The fountain is located beneath the side
walk in front of the mission and furnishes
water to three spigots, two of which are
outside the mission building, where the
public can freely use them, and the other
Is in the reading room just off the street,
to which the public have free access DUR
ing the day. The spigots rest on a win
dow sill over a neat sink of galvanized
iron. above which is the following inscrip-
ton: 'Ho! every one that thirstethr' In
derneath the inscription are the words,
ice water"
Progress In Every Department.
The accommodations at the mission are
now much more complete than ever be-
FORE and there is progress in every de-
partment. About fifty men are sleeping
in the mission dormitory, the most of
them having been culled out of last WIN
ter's crowd, and having obtained some en-
ployment in the city. A few are out of
employment and these are put to work in
the wood yard. Nearly all OF them eat at
the mission dining room, where they are
furnished an abundant meal of wholesome
food for ten cents. They are kept under
good influences at the mission, and some of
them are more than self-supporting. There
has never been any attempt to force these
men TO attend the religious services that
are an important feature of the work done
at the Louisiana avenue building, but all
persons about the mission are urged to
do and most of them attend without So
licitation. At $50 in the morning all the
employees of the mission gather in the Office.
where family worship is conducted lasting
not more than ten minutes. There is noon
day meeting in the chapel from II to
forty people.
improvements Made.
During the spring and summer the mis-
sion has improved its dormttory by increas-
ing it's facilities. and especially by provid-
ing more complete sanitary arrangements.
Four bathtubs have been put in the mems
sleeping rooms, and now every man who
spends a night at the mission is required
to battle before retiring. Each man is also
furnished with night shirt to secure the
return of which he is required to leave his
ordinary garments on deposit. This serves
double purpose. 1t not only insures the
mission against the loss of its property,
but it enables the superintendent to prevent
the spread of disease, as he gives each
bundle of clothes a thorough fumigation
during the night. When the men retire,
these clothes are hung on a rack, and are
drawn by pulley and tackle to the fumigat-
ing room on the sixth floor of the building,
" ra
of strong disiufecting agent throughout
the night. All the cots and bedding are
also subjected to frequent treatment in
the same way. This is a most important
as in the past there has been some difficult
ty in keeping the quarters free from dirt
and the germs of disease.
Separation of the Transients.
Another Improvement has been made
whereby men of the better class. who are
whereby men of the better class, who are en-
are permitted to remain for long period,
may be separated from the transient guests
who develop no ambition for better life, and
who are compelled to move on after a short
while. There are, of course. many of the
latter claSS-trampS or hoboS-aS they are
generally called, who seek temporary
aid at the mission and who are never re-
fused an opportunity to pay for meal or
nights lodging by work. This change will
enable the mission to give chance to men
to improve their habits and will also en-
courage those who are doing well. The
mission now has cots and beds for about
$50 men. and it has floor space for about
twice that number in the rooms set apart
for this purpose.
Work for Women.
1t is fact that is not we'll known that
the mission now has a well-organized work
for women, with dcrmitory, sewing room
laundry, &C., all in charge of competent
natronS. About ten destitute women have
been kept here on an average during the
past few months. although there is sufIi-
cient room for providing accommodations
for many more than this. All the in
mates are required to work in the laundry,
but the employment is not lucrative, and
hence this branch of the industrial de-
partment of the mission Is an expense
without furnishing an income to the in
stitution, as both beard and lodging have
to be furnished. But it is thought that the
work is necessary, as women are constant
ly being thrown upon the care of the mis-
sion who must be provided for. The wo-
men who are received are of all classes,
but usually they are those who are tenn
porarily out of employment and need a
place to stay while seeking work. Some
of them are elderly women. who find 1t
difficult to secure employment suited to
their ability. Others of the inmates are
young women, who have been rescued from
lives of shame. using this institution a
bridge over which to pass to better lives.
Financially Distressed.
Just at present the mission Is financially
distressed. The great tax upon it's re-
sources in helping the poor last winter
has somewhat crippled it by turning it's
ordinary income TO charitable uses. There
is large debt incurred by the purchase of
the Louisiana Avenue building, and a pay
ment falling due July l, the treasurer lack
ed the funds to meet it. Two thousand
dollars are now due on the building. There
is deficit of nearly 500 in the current
expenses, and the industrial department
is about $500 in arrears, including care of
the women and the cost of the meals serv-
ed charitably in the dining room.
Under the press of this emergency the
building committee Is being reorganzed
by the board of directors with view to its
institutirg a more vigorous campaign for
the payment Of the debt, and a part of
this work a special meeting will be held in
the auditorium of the mission Sunday night,
July H. to arouse enthusiasm in this effort.
Several prominent business men have prom
ised to speak, and it is hoped that the
financial project will receive a great slim
ulus
The building committee has now secured
about $50 pledges of 80 ceats a month to
meet the debt the building, but this
number is not sufficient. If lego such