Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-12-25
COLD WEATHER. AND HUNGER
Applicants for Relief Increasing in Num-
Der.
The Eject of the Drop In the Mercury
-Arrangements Of the Central
Relief Committee.

The firm grasp that the cold wave seems
to have taken on this city has more than
doubled the amount of distress and suffer
ing usual at this time of year among the
poor. The first day of cold weather is
always sure TO make heavy inroads on
tiny stores Of fuel, the second can be re :.
lied upon to complete the work and the
third finds the wretched family without a
stick of wood or a lump of coal and the
larder is empty.
The result is no more than was to be
expected. The demands upon all the char
ity organizations of the city have been
almost unprecedentedly heavy during the
past twenty-four hours and hundreds of
cold and hungry people, many of whom
were never compelled TO ask assistance be-
fore, have besieged the police stations,
the Office of the Associated Charities and
the Central Union Mission, with touching
tales of suffering.
The Central Relief Committee.
The recently appointed central relief COM
mites, of which Judge Cole is the chair
man, has already got well to work and the
plans for its almost hopeless battle against
poverty are all perfected. AS heretofore
stated in The Star, tht committee has de-
ctded not to make a house-te-house can
vass of the city this year unless the ext
gencies of the situation demand it, but to
rely upon a general appeal to he itizens
of Washington for money, clothing, fuel
and food. The appeal which was issued
over the signatures of Judge Cole and Mr..
Wilson of the Associated Charities, the
secretary of the relief ccmnittee has al
ready been printed in full in The Star.
number of generous responses have been
received by the treasurer. They are al
10 w
names are always to be seen at the head
of every subscription for the relief of the
poor or for any worthy cause, but up to the
present the public generally does not seem
to have taken up the matter to the same
degree as in other years, and the COM
mittee finds itself oonfrt nted by serious
condition of affairs and with a treasury
by no means full The subscriptions up to
date have been almost altogether for large
sums but the com nittee. is very much in
hope that the small subscribers will not
keep so completely under cover. All dona-
tions, small or large, will be thankfully re-
ceived, and when it is remembered that a
single nickel will buy loaf Of bread and
loaf of bread means good deal to a
family that has nothing else to eat, 1t does
seem too bad that the appeal should go
unanswered for a day.
In accordance with the plans Of the CEN
trail relief committee all contributions re-
ceived will be dispensed through the agency
of the Associated Charities, thus insuring
avoiding indscriminate and duplicate dis
tribution. The committee can, therefore.
assure the public that their contributions
will be wisely distributed 1t Is earnestly
desired that a prompt and liberal response
be made to this appeal Contributions OF
food, fuel or clothing should be sent to
the distributing headquarters. at the south
east corner of Sth and d streets northwest,
or to the Blunt School building, 3O17 o
street, Georgetown, or persons willing to
contribute such supplies may notify the
chairman Of the canvassing committee,
James E. Fitch, 1406 G street northwest,
and the committee will make collections.
Contributions of money should be sent to
any Of the daily newspapers, or, If pre-
ferred, to Beriah Wilkin,, treasurer, Post
building.
The Santa Claus Club.
No one should think for a moment that
just because Christm has come the books
of The Evening Star Santa Claus Club are
closed for the see son. The pound party,
which was intended more especially as a
channel for the charities of little school
children, was held Wednesday and resulted
in obtaining thousands of packages of first
class provisions and groceries which have
made Christmas seem like a real Christina S
in many destitute home throughout the
District. Contributions of cash are still
asked for from children of all ages, one
month to hundred years of age, and all
such VIII be properly acknowledged through
the columns of The Star and the proceeds
will be used through the supervising prin-
cipals of the public schools in the purchase
OF good, substantial shoes for poor children,
v no might otherwise be compelled to stay
away from school-a most deserving char
1ty. as every one must egree. The contri-
buttons to the fund have been many and
generous, but the fund will remain open
penny.
The following subscriptions to the Santa