Evening star., 1897-05-03
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
Investigation by the Joint Congressional
Committee.
Resumption of Its Sessions This After.
noon-WOrk ccOmplfshed and
the Need of the Homes.

The congressional joint committee on
charities resumed its session this after
noon and took up again the investigation
OF charitable institutions of the District
The subject of today's hearing was char
liable work for young women. Those 10
be hesrd We're officers of the woman's
Christian Association. officers of Young
Woman's Christian Home, officers of the
Association of Works of Mercy, officers of
the Hope and Help Mission and officers of
the House of the Good Shepherd.
The topics were temporary homes for
young women seeking employment; the
need of several Institutions: the work of
the House Of the Good Shepherd and SIM
liar institutions; how far should this work
be maintained by the public, and if there
is duplication in this work.
1t was 2:10 o'clock when the committee
was called to order, and Mrs. Gift of the
Woman's Christian Association was intro
duced to the committee.
She submitted the last annual report of
the association made to the superintendent
of charities. and told briefly OF the work
of the association. She said the chief
service to the community rendered by the
association was to furnish home for
needy and unfortunate women A feature
OF the home is to give shelter to unfor-
tunate women until they are able to re-
gain footing in life. They are assisted to
positions where they can earn an honor
able living.
No inquiry is made as to the religious be-
lief of any one who applies for help. The
association also takes care of women who
are left stranded In Washington for one
reason and another, and efforts made To
get them work or send them to their
homes.
Mrs. Freeman of the association then
gave the committee a statement of the
finances of the home, and told of the meth
Cd of supporting it.
Mrs. Freeman said that probably 80 out
of 3S5 inmates of the home last year were
ers came from the different states She
SAID Massachusetts, furnished 81 and the
remainder were from other sections.
In answer to a question, Mrs. Freeman
sald that II the home did not receive any
help from public appropria tons the work
would have to be cut In half.
The Young Womans Christian Home was
represented by Mrs. w. B. Gurley, presi-
Gurley submitted the annual report of the
nome The home can accommodate about
thirty-hve or forty. The work of the home
Is to try to find employment for the young
women between fifteen and thirty-five years
OF age and to keep them for a short time,
and If they are not earning enough to SUD-
port themselves outside they are kept at the
nome for a small price. The home does not
take in any sick people.
Ihe Association of Works of Mercy was
represented by Sister Dorothea and Sister
Mary. The institution is located on X
street near 24tn street, Sister Dorothea ex-
plalned, and belongs to the Episcopal
Church.
me home can accommodate twenty-six
but usually has about twenty-five The
average age of the inmates is from sixteen
TO twenty years. and the applicants come
OF their free will. The girls are taught fine
hand sewing. which is a speciality of the
nome and are also trained in housework.
fhe object of the home Is to take fallen
N rnfn
to put them in positions to take up a good
HE hereafter. The admission of the in
mates Is non-sect tartan, but the teachings
are sectarian after they enter