The evening times., 1896-11-11
FOOD AND FUEL
Poor Are Already Besieging the
Char ty Headquarters.
POLICE PLANS EXPLAINED
How the BluecOats Extend Aid to
the Suffering-Mi Mission Directors
Expose the Work of Professional
Tramps in an Appeal to the Pub
Iic-Severe Winter Predicted.

The last two days foretaste OF the ap-
preaching season of iciclcs and flying
| snow is having its effect upon the poor.
| Already INDECENT persons have commenced
| to besiege the police department, superin-
tendent OF charities office, the Central Union
Mission and Associated Charities, in quest
| of assistance.
| Veteran policemen, who are among the
| most experienced readers OF human ma
| ture and human conditions, can sniff much
| suffering and destituton ahead in The chill y
nosth breczes. and they predict that the
winter of 1867 will be universally severe
on the poor of this city.
One element, they say, which VIII add to
| i.s severity, was the dull tim es which pre-
vailed during the past summer and autumn
months There was but little work for
mechanics and laborers, and but few fam
lilies have been able TO lay side a rainy day,
or rather cold day, fnnd. Hence, unless
some unforeseen tidal wave OF prosperity
rolls over this vicinity, grim poverty Will
stalk abroad here as OF yore.
Several lily clad women called at po-
lice headquarters yesterday and related
pitiful tales OF destitution To Chief Clerk
Richard Sylvester. They wanted food and
and fuel, and were but the advance guard
OF the army OF unfortunatcS in their wake.
POLICE SYSTEM EXPLAINED.
The police system Of extending charity
is simple and without cost. When a family
applies for aid, their names and addresses
are sent TO lieutenant OF the precinct liz
which they reside, with instructions To in
vestigate the case and see il the persons
are really and deservedly in need. The
lieutenantin turn instructs the patrolman on
that particular beat to look into the mat
ter and report his findings.
These Investigations come back to Chief
Clerk sylvester, who. IL the famii is really
in need. directs the lieutenant by telephone
to give the parties an order on some nearby
grocer or coal and wood dealer for food or
fuel. as need may be. BY this means, il
50 is contributed by phiIanthropic person
to be given to suffering humanity, every
penny Of the amount is applied TO that
purpose. Nothing is deducted for salaries
or other expenses. The distribution of aid
by the police is absolutely without cost,
Incidental or stated.
number uf INDECENT persons have also
called upon Secretary +. W. Barnaclo Of
the District Charities office. and asked for
relief. Their names Were taken, and as
Surt. Tracey believes in the police system
of Investigation and distribution, he sub
mitted them Ia Chief Clerk Sylvester for
report. II found worthy and needy they
will he assisted through the police depart
ment.
People in distress have also commenced
Ia beSiege the Central Union Mission. The
board of directors OF that institution have
issued To the public a cautiouary state
ment which reads:
WARNING To THE PUBLIC.
THE mission is very anxious to discour-
age and prevent begging in this city. The
arrangements about the mission are such
that there is very little excuse for an able
bodied man to beg. But the course of some
of the good workers and visitors is such
as to defeat the Industrial idea to some ex-
tent.
"A pitiful story poured into sympa-
thetc ear is very likely to be rewarded
with dime for a meal or a lodging, given
10 man who would be better off IL he
had been required to saw wood for it,
The board desires that workers and
visitors refrain from giving money to
strangers. II worker IS impressed that
he ought To help any one let him 20 to the
mission superintendent and leave the money
with him. In this way professional beg
gars VIII always have to confront the same
person, or Giver, when they beg and will
soon lie spotted. Not a penny should be
given any stranger. except by taking the
stranger TO the superintendent, and leav-
ing the money with him.
Our citizens also do wrong in giving
Their old clothing to strangers who beg at
the door. Professional beggars make n
living by dealing in old clothes. a man
Will dress poorly, so rs to work on the
sympathy OF the people. then beg cast
off garments. which he sells either to deal
ers or fellow-tramps.
Every winter n traffic Of this sort is
carried on. Old clothing should be sent
to the Mission. or some other place where
its distribution Will be judiciously super
yised. Our own poor suffer for the want
of clothing which our citizens bestow on
idle trlmDs"