The times., 1899-02-15
BRINGING CHEER TO
THE DREARY HOMES
Intelligent Relief Work Done
by the Police.
Bread and Coal in Immense Guam
titles Being Distributed.
Contrast Between These Methods
md the Red Tnpc of
Contrast Between These Methods
and the Red Tnpc Of
Past Experience.

During the twenty-fOur hours ending at
o'clock yesterday signal success attended
the efforts of the police TO relieve the poor
with the means furnished by charltabiy
disposed citizens.
Food supplies and provisions, as well as
fuel and clothing, were distributed from
all the nine precinct station houses, and
the good work continues under the direc-
tion of the lieutenants and in accordance
wit the programme OF Major Sylvester.
Fifteen hundred loaves of bread were
supplied to hungry mortals in all parts of
the city through the agency of the police
Four hundred families were relieved AMI
an aggregate of 1900 people were made
comfortable. All this work done by
the police within the short period OF twen-
ty-four hours and stands in striking con-
trast to the work accomplished by the
Associated Charities. The amount of
money expended in accomplishing this
work was not large considering the results
obtained. Only 1896 was used.
One thousand Ioaves of bread were do
mated by n prominent merchant residing in
the Eighth precinct. This was taken TO
the Street stationhouse and distributed
during the day. Another donation of 200
warm blankets was made by a Seventh
Street merchant. They were sent to the
First precinct police station and partly
distributed. The remainder will be sent
to the other stations today.
Much praise is being heard on all sides
for the good work being done by the police
in extending charity. The work was in
their hands altogether at one time, and it
has been maintained by persons who have
seem them administer charity that they do
it thoroughly and intelligently. The po-
hs.N#a
that come under their notice and to apply
relief to the deserving. Any person in
need of food, clothing, fuel, or medicines
and medical attention, should notify the
nearest police station. Police in every
precinct have been jealous in their relief
work and many of them have contributed
from their own purses.
Major Sylvester stated late last night
that he had received about 81. 900 from
various sources and this is being used to
purchase food and fuel for the needy
The supply Of coal, which was laid in at
the various stations, was generally ex-
hausted late yesterday afternoon and new
orders have been issued directing the
purchase of more fuel for distribution to-
day. The lieutenants have been author
lied to issue orders for food and proyi-
sions on nearby grocery stores, and when
request is made for food in the various
precincts these orders are handed out to
the applicants. These orders are being
paid for out of the funds received by
Major Sylvester and disbursements are
| being made by Property Clerk Arthur
Kernpf OF Police Headquarters.
Policemen in all the precincts are con-
| tributing toward the relief fund. The
men detailed for duty at Police Headquar-
ters have contributed $25 and the police
men and officers of the Sixth Precinct have
| given double that amount. Encouraging
| reports of a similar character are bsing
received from other precincts.
| Although Major Sylvester has several
| hundred dollars Immediately available, il
| is desirable that persons having the
means should continue their contributions
as the number of needy persons in the
| city runs into high figures. Destiiutioa
is widespread. The blocking of street
traffic and the paralysis of business has
| thrown many men out of employment. and
| this in addition to the increased cost o!
| living in severe weather has made it i'm
| possible for numerous families to find
| means of support. Some are without coal
| and the increased cost of this most needful
| commodity is an added burden to the
| poor.
Daily reports of the relief work being
| carried on by the police will be made at
| Police Headquarters, apart from the reg
| ular police reports These will be prepared
| by the various precinct lieutenants and
| turned in every day at o'clock. An exact
account of all money expended and the
| number OF cases relieved will be a feature
| of these communications. The lists will
also show the amount of sickness among
the poor and the number of casualties from
the cold.
The physicians to the poor are working
in conjunction with the police, and all per-
| sons found suffering Will be referred to
them or to some hospital or dispensary.
The work OF relief will continue as long
as funds are available.