The times., 1897-05-05
men WHO ARE NOT WORKING
Yesterdays Investigation Before
the Charities Committee.
Capt. Cutler. of the Municipal Lodg-
ing-House, Tells of It's Workings.
The Inquiries Concluded.

The final hearing before the committee
institutions was concluded yesterday after
noon. Senator Mcmillan presided, and
was assisted by Senator Martin and Con-
gresham Northway. The subject of yes
teIday's inquiry was, Men out Of work. ="
Capt. Cutler, of the Municipal Lodging
House, was the first witness to be ex-
amined.
He described the workings of the in
stitutiOn and said that able-bodied men
were compelled to saw one-eighth OF cord
of wood for their lodging, which con-
sisted OF g bath, lodging, and brea kfast.
The house is able to accommodate seventy
two persons, and during the past year
5,602 persons were given lodging. One
third OF the inmates, Capt. Cutler de-
scTibed, as good men, really unfortunates
who were willing TO get work The other
two-thirds were tramps, going from one
place to another, A number OF the inmates
were dredgers, from the oyster beds, who
lame and footsore. Capt. Cutler thought
Congress Should do something to prevent
the drcdge boat cruelties.
Senator Mcmillan wanted TO know how
tramps and Others knew about the lodging
house, and Capt. Cutler replied:
There seems 90 be general system of
advertising throughout the country
Representative Northway began an in
quiry as to the details of treatment Of in
mates. What do they get to eat?" he in
qured.
well we do not give them a Soup. but
at supper they are given stew consisting
OF beef, barley, onions and potatoes. They
also have q pot of coffee This is served
them twice a day
What do you do with their clothes?"
asked Senator Mcmillan.
well, we put them in disinfecting
room, and no man is allowed to go 10 bed
until he has taken warm bath in water
unused by anybody else
What suggestions have you to make?"
questioned the Senator, and Capt. Cutler
answered that a new building was very
much desired. He thought also that va
grants should he put on the streets to work.
Rev L d. Bailey, chairman ofthe board
of directors of the Central Union Mission,
paid n tribute TO the management of the
Municipal Lodging House. DR. Bailey had
prepared a report as TO the mission man
agement. Its purpose was to have the
Gospel preached to the neglected people.
An industrial branch was conducted-a
woodward for men and laundry for women
The only drawback was the lack OF mar
ket for the wood The institution got no
financial support from Congress and the
industrial branches were self-sustaining
In answering the question a to how far
the municipality should go in furnishing
work TO the unemployed, Mr. Bailey said
il the District would only purchase the
wood sawed by the unfortunates the prob
lem would be solved.
"You have never had any help from
inquired the Representative.
1--WE have not" responded Mr.. Bailey,
who continuing his statements, said that
while he had no desire toh ave the Municipal
Lodging House abandon its work, still he
believed that a concentra alton of the work
would be beneficial, as at present there
was really duplication of work.
j. K. Brown, representing the Temporary
Home for ex-Union Soldiers and Sailors,
described the workings OF the veteran
home and the personnel of the inmates
Of the home. Some came 10 get work,
others TO get pensions, many to get in
erease in pensions, and one poor old man
,ane to get patent on a musical instru-
nent. Inmates are not generally allowed
% stay over ten days at a time.
Representative Nortbway observed that
did these men no good to come to Wash |
ngton. The object OF your institution |
s TO furnish only temporary relief
aid Mr.. Northway, and Mr.. Bro wnassented |
The witness explained that the greatest |
;ood done by the institution was in get |
Ing pension cases made special. This |
oncluded the hearing, bat Major Jerome
ng, arose and addressing Senator Mcmillan
sked that he be accorded an opportunity +!
o make a statement concerning some of
he institutions.
Major Burke said that the present in
uiry was in great measure the result
his own charges, which he now desired
0 supplement by additional information
t was not his purpose to make any verbal
We will be only too glad TO have you
lake a statement said Senator McNil-
an in response to the request Major Burke
vas asked how long time he desired in
'hich to prepare the data, and it was
greed to give him until next Monday.
After the witnesses had departed there
vas a little consultation, at which IL was
ecided to visit at the same time In the
ear future each one of the different in