The record-union., 1896-12-20
FOOD and SHELTER DEPOT.
That Of the Salvation Army Vas Opened
Yesterday.
How Those Who Wish to Work, But
Cannot Secure Employment,
Can Live.

The Salvation Army Food and Shelter
Depot and Workshop in Sacramento is
an established fact, and at II o'clock
yesterday morning was dedicated to
charity, Staff Captain S. Wood conduct
ing the ceremonies.
They We're simple in the extreme, con-
sisting of prayer by the Captain, fol-
lowed by a few brief remarks showing
the aim of the institution to be to ele-
vate and not to depress those who are
fit subjects for charity. The aim, above
all others, was to make the applicant
feel independent, and that he had
bartered a fair share of labor for his
food and bed
The dining-room is fitted out to ac-
commodate at least seventy persons,
and is scrupulously neat and clean, and
while there is no attempt at adorn-
ment, an air of cheerfulness neverthe-
less pervades the hall. Two men were
partaking of a ticket meal when Rec
ord-Union" reporter visited the depot
yesterday morning, and the dinner was
savory enough to tempt hungry
mans appetite, even though he We're an
epicure There was a large bowl of
steaming beef stew, a plate of beans,
baked to a turn, a generous supply of
black coffee, and all the bread that
could be slowed away beneath the
Waistband of the applicant.
The kitchen is a model of neatness,
and the rows of kettles and shining
pans makes one think of the good cheer
to be had. There is at present chief
cook and an assistant, but the number
of assistants will be regulated by the
demands upon the depot.
In the basement Of the building, which
is situated on the corner of the alley
on Second street between ] and X, is
The workshop, which, as yet, is properly
only a woodward. Here a man was at
work, saving his one-fortieth of a
cord of wood, which, when completed,
entitled him to a 5-cent ticket for
either a dinner or lodging. He was a
brawny man, this, and seemed entirely
willing to work his passage, and he has
asked the Captain in charge of the en-
ployment department to help him in his
effort to secure work.
Then, there are other things to be
done which will entitle the applicant to
a ticket There are floors to scrub,
windows to wash rooms to be busted
out and scores of other things all in
tended to make the applicant under
stand that he Is paying for what he
gets.
There are two sleeping rooms, or
dormitories on the second floor, and a
sufficient number of hunks are in posi-
oh
sons. There is the 5-cent bunk, con-
sisting of canvas strips swung between
iron frames, and having full compile
ment of blankets and comforters, and
there is the 10-cent, or two tickets
bunk. which besides the fixtures of the
cheaper variety, is furnished with a
soft, warm, mattress.
Then, the waShroom is cosy and COM
Portable, and it may be said here that
no applicant for lodging will be admit
ted until he has first taken plunge in
the tub, which is supplied with both
not and cold water.
"One thing said the Ensign in
charge, 'is yet wanting, and that is
half-hundred night robes. These are
absolutely necessary to preserve clean
illness. 1t would be a travesty upon the
word to compel a lodger to take a bath
and then allow him to don his old gar
ments before retiring. The people of
Sacramento have generously provided
funds for the establishment of this de-
pot and If a few ladies would get to-
gether and provide US with the neces
sary garments there would be little
lacking.
TT is the intention of the officers to
provide fumigating plant in which the
clothing of applicants may be freed
from verndn, and tubs, soap and hot
water are already upon the ground with
which to laundry them.
I'VE wish it clearly understood that
work applicants will be called on to
perform will in no sense of the word be
competitive. 1t Is not our intention to
compete With local labor in any of its
branches, fully recognizing the truth
Of the proverb that charity should be-
gin a home All labor performed will
be directly connected with the institu-
tion.
we wish to call attention to the fact
that meals and lodging will not be sold.
meal If man has money he should
patronize restaurants and lodging
houses II is the same in that line as
in labor: we do not enter into competi-
ton with any local business.
1T lis needless to say that self does
not enter into our calculations. The
people. by their liberal donations, have
furnished the depot for us, and in turn
we shall protect them from what is now
known as the tramp element by pro-
viding food and lodging for all who are
willing to give labor in return. Those
unwilling to do SO are not deserving of
charity"
Beyond question the Salvation Army
Food and Shelter Depot and Workshop
is the best institution of a like nature
ever established in the city; and with
the earnest men and women behind it,
backed by the charitably inclined citi-
zens of Sacramento it will prove an un-
qualified success.
Annual Account Filed.
tx vi. II ss..- @f a ~