Evening star., 1896-12-24

not near SO large as the year before. At
the meeting of the police lieutenants the
tenants reported very few applicants while
others reported quite a large number.
Lieutenant Swindells reported that the ap-
plicants in Georgetown, with one excep-
ton, had been those who call regularly
every year, and some of them only call
because they expect there is sonnet hing to
give. Many however, are really in need.
and thir cases are acted upon favOrably.
There seems to be considerable suffering
among people in the suburbs, several cases
from the neighborhood of Anacostia having
been reported. There are several families
in this vicinity who live on the same street
who are actually in need so the police re-
ported.
Lieut.. Vernon says that fuel is very much
in demand by a number of families in South
Washington. In other sections the lieuten-
ants reported needy families. Food and
fuel are in greatest demand, although there
are many persons who are actually suffer
!rg for want of clothing, and cast off cloth
irg will be received and distributed by the
police.
Saks' OvercOnt DistributiOD.
Saks & Co. made their usual Christmas
Offering of one hundred overcoats for boys
between four and nine years old. through
the police department, and Chief Clerk
Sylvester of that department distributed the
tickets for them today. The lucky boys
were selected by the police and school
teachers. and this morning they had to
call on Mr.. Sylvester for their tickets Some
Charitable citizen, whose name was sent in
as Mr.. Mex, contributed a big basket of
candy, which was put up in small packages.
and with each ticket one of these packages
was given. To many of these boys the
oNercoat and candy was. in the words of
an officer, whole Christmas.
Early in the morning the youths. accom-
panied by parent, brother or sister, were
IN line In the hallway leading to Chief
or off Thnr
and colored boys in the long procession
and, although many of them were thinly
clad, the sight of the candy and the an
ticipation of getting an overcoat for Christ
mas frightened their hearts and made
them supremely happy. To them Chief
Clerk sylvester was great man. for not
cnly did he present them the tickets and
candy, but he never failed to say some-
thing cheerful to them, and they departed
perhaps the happiest boys in all the city.
+" Other Cases Attended.
When the work of distributing the candy
and tickets to the boys was finished the
older persons, who called for help, were
attended to. Their stories of sadness and
want were listened to by Mr. Sylvester,
who had quick reports made by the pre-
cinct officers in order that none should 90
hungry on Christmas day if he could help
it,. A number of letters. similar to those
published in yesterdays Star. were also re-
ceived by him, and these applications were
also sent out for investigation.
Chief Clerk Sylvester today received the
following additional contributions: G. w.
c., four tons of coal: Anonymous, large
bundle of clothing: Terra Gotta, 81
What Col. Tracy Says.
Col. Tracy. superintendent of charities
was in his office early this morning, and he
| remained during the day to attend to the
| cases of poor people asking for assistance
He was in Mr.. Sylvester's office during the
morning, and there he talked with some
of the parents of boys who were given
tickets for the overcoatS donated by Saks
& Co.
Speaking to a Star reporter, Col. Tracy
said he was having an average of about
twenty applicants a day. Today the num-
ber was larger than usual Under the rules
governing the disbursements of charity
money, the police have to report upon the
applicants, and then the orders have to
be signed by the superintendent of char
tiles. Upon these orders on grocers and
coal merchants food and fuel given.
Extent of Police Relief.
Since the cold weather set in the police
| have given 152 orders for assistance, three
| fourths of them to women and children.
These orders for groceries and fuel cost
$41S, and relieved about 500 people.
Contributions for the Poor.
| The following contributions have been
received by the treasurer of the central
relief committee:
o T