The evening times., 1898-07-16
TO sUccoR solD1.as, FOLK.
Dasghters Of the American Revelu-
tiOn In Noble Work

Oeughters Of the American Revolu-
tiOa In Noble Work.
Probably one Of the most important Of
the meetings held in this city to discuss
plans for extending relief to the needy
and suffering was held in the parlor Of
the home of Mrs. Francis w. Dickins.
wife OF Commander Diclkins. OF the Bu-
reau of Navigation of the Navy Depart
ment No. 1894 Nineteenth Street north
west, yesterday afternoon.
The principal object Of the meeting was
to relieve the necessity Of many of the
wives, daughters. sisters and children of
the brave men who left their families to
fight for their country as members of
the First District of Columbia Regiment
Of Volunteers. The cause is probably one
OF the most worthy Of the charitable
movements undertaken by the patriotic
women of this city.
When the gallant lads from the Dis
trict left for the front, few but the loved
ones they left. many of them without
means of support, realized what their
departure really meant. Nevertheless the
fact has, through the investigation OF
the ladies of the Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution. been brought only too
poignantly home that, while the patriots
of the, District are sweltering in the
trenches before Santiago, their wives and
children and. in many cases, their aged
parents, are face to face with starvation
and the poorhouse within the very
shadow of the Capitol
The Mary Washington Chapter of the
association was the first organization 10
begin the work of succoring the needy
in a thoroughly systematic manner. Inus
far, twenty-five families have been found
in destitute circumstances, affecting the
happiness and the very existence of at
least seventy-five persons. Some OF them
need clothes, others are unable TO pay
their rents, and all of them are without
food The boys of the District regiment
have, until the present time, only re-
ceived pay for one months service, ana
the statement is made that the money
which was believed to have been sent
home by some of the men has not yet
been received. Whether 1t was lost in the
mails or pilfered from the letters, as has
been the case in many instances. Is not,
and probably never will be, known, but
their families have not received II and, as
it was their only hope, they were thrown
upon their own resources and upon
charity for sustenance. Now that the
District regiment is at Santiago and
therefore more difficult to hear from.
the condition of many of these families
is indeed pitiful.
Arrangements were made at the meet
ing held yesterday whereby food will be
bought for the twenty-five families thus
far on the list for a period of a week. 1t
was also decided in several of the most
needy cases where large rent bills be-
come due today to meet the emergency
thus created. The committee is hampered
by lack of funds, and had 1t not been for
a large sum contributed by employees of
the Treasury Department yesterday
morning, many of the families whose
needs are immediate could not have been
helped at all.
The committee having charge of this
worthy work is composed of the follow
ing ladies of the Chapter: Mrs. Dickins,
Miss Virginia Miller. Miss Cornelia Clay,
Mrs. NJ. B. Hatch, Doren Bruner Mrs.
j. E. Bradley, Miss Lawton, Miss Hill and
Miss Reiff. After an effort, they had
managed to collect a small sum during
the past two weeks, but of this. after the
families on the list had been assisted,
only $50 remain in the treasury.
The employees of the Treasury Depart
ment are interested in the work, and a
check was received from them yesterday
afternoon for s205.70 The meeting in the
afternoon was for the purpose of immedi-
ately distributing a portion Of this
amount. All cases which are brought to
the notice of the committee, If found
worthy. are helped, so far as the means
at hand permit, and only the families of
District Volunteers are being assisted.
remarkable thing about almost every
case is the fact that none sought aid
until direst straits were met. In several
instances. the household effects had been
sold for the purpose of obtaining money
for food Each case is thoroughly in
vestigated before any assistance is given.
The members of the committee spend the
day in visiting the cases which are
brought to their notice, and the police ere
also asked 10 furnish Information con-
cerning their condition and needs. The
lieutenants of ali the precincts have vol
unteered their assistance. Every one of
the twenty-five cases now in hand are
worthy ones. OF three new cases brought
to the notice of the committee yesterday,
there were two in which 1t was discoy-
cred that neither had food nor money
to pay rent, which would become due
today. The committee will today furnish
these families with the necessaries of life
for week and also pay the rents due,
which are IS and IS respectively.
The committee extends an appeal to the
public to donate money, food and cloth
ing for the purpose of carrying out the
WUTh. MOHcN anu lOOu mostly need
ed. All money should be sent to the |
treasurer. Miss Cornelia Clay. at No. 1913 |
s Street northwest, and its receipt will
be promptly acknowledged through the
columns of the press and by letter. Do |
nations of clothing may be sent to the |
Times Office or to any member of
committee. who will. IL necessary, send a |
messenger to carry the gift to its desti- |
nation. If any charitably-disposed per- |
son is desirous of attending to the needs |
Of any of the families. the committee |
will gladly furnish a list Of worthy cases. |
Several days ago an instance of this kind |
occurred, where a needy household was
turned over to one of the wealthy fam
lies of the northwest, which will sup
port the destitute persons until perma-
1p1tly relieved. All the money donated
A be devoted to the needy. as the ladies
IF 20 committee will pay the incidental
expenses Of car fare, etc, out Of their
own pockets.
.r h,xa need Chamberlain s Couyn Rem