New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-12


has improved upon Diogenes. He crawls into
one barrel and pulls the second up TO a more
or less uncertain tenure OF contact. and 50 re-
noses But there were enough men anxious to
avail themselves OF the comfortable quarters
provided in the CHEEKY barge moored at the
city pier.
ARRIVAL OF THE GUESTS.
They started early. In fact just as darkness
foil and ses fast as they entered the door of
the pier. they were given number and were
then placed temporarily IN one OF the old
tramp rooms until the officials had made all
their arrangements. 1t is first come first served
az Hotel White. and the numbers were given
ou, from one up to a hundred and more. The
pier was dark and gloomy and cold. the
tramp rooms were sitting with that incurable
smell which has marked them as the tramp )
own for years. The barge windows were bright
with the glow OF electric lamps within. and
those who first entered the pier building ana
then the barge were given a glimpse of two
widely varying pictures.
As soon as the clerks were ready the first lot OF
guests for the barge was told off with strict
attention TO the numbered cards. They passed
ont into the air crossed a rallied gangplank to
the barge entered a vestibule. opened door TO
tho right and passed I'D a stairway In line to the
Office. whore they were registered. The name.
age place Of birth, occupation city address and
the name Of a reputable citizen for reference
were carefully noted down. Then the guest was
searched 10 see first, that he had no money, and,
second to note whether he had deadly weapons.
one man struck windfall that nearly cost MIN
his bed and board for the night A charitable
reporter slipped him quarter as ne passed 'he
clerks desk. The lynX-eyed officials found II ana
told him 10 get hence 10 a hotel He appealed 20
Commissioner Faure with tears In his eyes 1t
was given me just now by one Of the newspaper
men" he said. with genuinely appealing counte-
rance well. we can't stop the reporters re-
marked Mr. Faure pass In.
The first man 10 have the honor OF adjoining
the register was John Norris. twenty-seven years
old. English. three months In this country. no
home I'm New-York, painter by trade. There
after until 9 o'clock. the men at the desk were
kept busy taking records.
GINGERI.Y APPROACH TO THE BATH.
The ordeal Of searching over, the men passed
down a wide companon-way TO the lower deck,
where they stripped and then stepped gingerly
into the shower bath. OF these there We're seven,
partitioned off into discreet privacy. and an at
tendant was constantly on hand TO change the
flow Of water from hot to cold as might be de-
sired. II was observable that the most or the
bathers took It comfortably hot. In each bath
vas a generous piece Of soap. and the guests
lathered and scrubbed and polished away with
many obs and abs and grunts OF limtiess sat
isfaction az the cleansing element sWashed down
their broad backs. out Of the bath uniformed
attendant waited with a fresh, clean towel ana
as soon as the bather was dry another passed
him a clean fresh nghtgown Of good. strong cot
ton flannel and pair OF carpet Shippers lor ms
feet AS he undressed. however each man had 10
place his clothing in a netting bag. To this MS
shoes and stockings were fastened and tagged
with number corresponding t. The one he must
wear about his neck to Identify his belongings
in the morning. While he slept his clothes were
sent ND 10 the dock and put through n purifying
machine in a temperature OF nearly 300 degrees.
Every man was also rigidly examined for evil
dences of contagious disease before passing up
The beds were on the two upper decks and
last night 100 were ready. and all were occupied.
Tonight there will be 1856 In place. They are
simple iron beds, each supporting a wire mat
tress and ample covering and are wider than the
ordinary cot. 1t was refreshing sight TO see
the looks Of wonder in the eyes OF many Of the
poor fellows as they came up from below and
looked about them at the clean. white touches.
Expressions of genuine gratitude fell from the
lips Of numbers OF them Said one, Il tell you.
Mr. Faure am thankful for this Then an
other chmed in Yes tell you will work
half a day for this rather than three hours any
time" While the excitement OF taking the
names was at its highest the electric lights went
cut with lightning-ke suddenness strong
tide was running in the river which caused the
barge to rock slightly. AS 1t swung out from
the pier the wires connecting WIN the plant on
shore were cut loose for the moment. But
Colonel White rallied his forces. and for the
next few minutes there was a hurrying OF feet
for the big cables 1t a trfng matter such
In fact as may occur in any well-regulated
hotel and proved an interesting diversion.
NO SIGN OF THE ORIGINAL UNwAsHED
superintendent Blake and the reporters pinned
for the appearance OF n genuine member or the
unwashed fraternity. but none came. You will
not see any Of thosr chaps" remarked COlonel
White decidedly But there Is one satisfaction
even in this circumstance as viewed by fresi-
dent Croft, OF the Commission who was deeply
Interested observer and Commissioner Faure
The types will now be definitely classified me
chronic will be known bv his dirt more distinctly