Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25

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to be said that the work of charity and
correction has been SO conducted within
the District of Columbia as to go on regu-
larly without friction or serious complaint
Of injustice as between races. This, fur
nishes a very gratifying indication of the
happy solution of American chronological
problems so far as regards public admins
tration.
Pensioners ana Wayfnrefs.
The Municipal Lodging House and wood
and stone yard has already, during the
third year of Its existence, proved great
public benefit, and has indirectly, but none
the less visibiy, returned to the District
many times its cost, which is limited to an
expenditure Of $4,000 year. It's rules ex-
limiting the stay Of wayfarers to three
days, are rigidly enforced. 1t has kept
down the tramp element, and greatly
diminished the evils Of station house lodg-
winter to secure the transfer of this we'll
ordered establishment, whose present
capacity is seJenty-three inmates, to a
suitable building, designed to be erected by
the government, after the model of the
Wayfarers' Lodge of the Charity Organiza-
ton Society In 18th street, New York.
The Temporary Home for Union Veterans,
which costs the public $500 per year, is a
is shown to the District Of Columbia In the
division of congressional appropriations.
This home is used exclusively by strangers,
veterans coming to Washington awaiting
there, by District appropriation although
the inmates come solely for federal bust
ness. The home Is n.anaged by an asso-
citation Of Union veterans. and. like the
Washington, is under the general direction
Of the SUPPLEMENTARY of charities and
financial control Of the Commissioners Of
the District of Columbia.
There are several plans of Importance
matured for consideration by the next ses-
SIGN Of Congress, of which 1t would be i'm
proper for me to speak in advance of their
completed consideration by congressional
committees. 1t Is not only the aim. but the
expectation. of the District authorities that
the realization of those projects will place
Washington indisputably abreast with the
foremost in systematized and fruitful phil
anthropic endeavor.
Aims Giving and Relief Through
Washington's peculiar situation as the
center of large region, with a consider
etle agricultural population lacking winter
employment, and its own numerous colored
residents of scanty means, to great ex-
tent dependent upon laboring work, create
need for special effort to mitigate distress
during the Indictment season of hard times.
Voluntary charitable associations are
many and various in their methods and
objects of relief. For ordinary seasons
these regular organizations have sufficed.
But the great distress of the winters of
1884 called for unusual exertion that re-
suited in the formation of the central re-
.ef committee, whose efforts were con-
tinued by reappointment by the District
Commissioners during last winter. In the
first year collections of money and sup
plies of all kinds were made to the aggre-
gate value of about $4,000, and, so far as
So 81
mittee, the entire work of collection and
distribution was conducted with an outlay
of only $3.50, or 11s per cent.
During last winter substantially the same
work was carried on, with the yet further
decreased expenditure for general central
committee service. the percentage rate be-
ing reduced to one per cent. Such economy
was facilitated, not only by the full and
free use of the police force, in Washington
an admirable distributing agency. sys-
tematic in method and prompt in account
ing, and also by much valuable service of
unofficial associations but. above all, by
the generosity of business men in giving
free transportation and food supplies. The
market men and bakers, for example, con-
tributed meat, vegetables. bread, &C.. for
about 10000 meals during last winter.
The money used was entirely Of voluntary
contribution. with the exception of $4,000
voted by Congress in February.
Relief through work Is constantly pro-
vided in Washington for the transient ele-
House and unofficially by the Central Union
Mission, while for females employment is
furnished by several associations, including
such meritorious organizations as the Lee
gion of Loyal Women. The central relief
committee with the concurrence of the
District authorities. expended 5000. for
cleaning. the streets jafterr the great snow
storm. The result was fairly satisfactory,
the chief difficulty being to confine this
labor relief to deserving residents, as dis
tinguished from the ucrowds who Aocked
into town for employment and free, meals
from the surrounding country.
A subcommittee ofs-th9 central body Is
still at work, in conjunction with similar
committees of the board of trade and other
unofficial organizations, in making a test
of the Detroit planting plan, as part of
an inquiry into the ACCESSIBILITY of a per-
manent and unified relief organization for
| the District. Washington is ready and en-
terprising in experimenting with new sug-
gestions that find favor elsewhere, while
it is realized that the peculiar local con-
social rather than a manufacturing or
commercial metropolis, together with other
characteristics hereinbefore noted, often
render advisable variations in the applica-
ton Of such projects.
In regard to the tramp question Mr.
Tracey said, in conclusioh:
AT Washington the matter was taken
resolutely in hand by the local authorities,
with frmness, but without apprehension,
and as the result Of the quiet but effective
cooperative action Of the police, the minor
courts, the executive. sanitary and charita-
BILE and correctional authorities the in
vading armies were unostentatiously but
steadily dissipated, melting away in car
loads, which. night after night, conveyed
the disillusionized industrials to their usual
residences, according to a system ordained
by the District Commissioners"