Evening star., 1899-02-11
SUFFERlNGS OF THE POOR
Statement Made by Secretary Wilson of the
Associated Charities.
Instances OF Extreme Want and Suf-
ferinE - Funds Needed The
Contributions Received.

The present waek has been the severest
one on the poor that Washington has
known in many years. and the charity
agents have had all they could do to meet
extremely urgent cases. Secretary Wilson
of the Associated Charities stated today
that he had a meeting last night with all
the agents working in the various sections
of the city, and they reported that never
before had they witnessed such intense
suffering they had during the past few
days. Those working on the commons OF
East Washington have had an especially
hard time, and have seen many cases of
extreme suffering. Out I'm the extreme
eastern portion of the city, in many places
the streets are hardly passable on account
of the deep snow, and there is so little
travel there that in some places no track
is open.
The agents have been working until late
at night every day this week. he said. and
al the meeting last night they reported that
they mad been able to reach all the most
urgent cases and had done everything
they could to relieve the situation They
nave been under Instructions this week to
reneve all cases of suffering brought to
tbelr notice, even though they had not time
to investigate the cases AT nresept In
many instances only small orders of fuel
nave Deen sent to tide over the extreme
weather, because the funds of the ralief
orders TO every family. Sometimes il has
been impossible to have the fuel delivered
by the coal merchants, they being behind
with their orders and the had condition
of the streets makes it much more dffficujt
Tor them. In one or two instances men
hao 10 be hired to carry little coal to
those not able to come for it,
1t will not be known exactly what the
amount expended by the Relief Associa-
ton this week has been, Mr.. Wilson said
until the bills have been rendered, but the
drafts upon the association have been much
larger than during any week in many
years Even coal and groceries, he remark
ed, 40 not entirely prevent suffering in such
weather as this, many poor families living
IN houses that can hardly be made COM
Portable in such extreme weather Such
houses are not built to resist the cold in the
same manner as houses are in a northern
CITY, where extreme cold weather is TO be
expected.
Set Fire to Her House
One poor woman in Northeast Washing
ton set fire to her house in trying to heat
1t with defective stove, and the charities
were obliged to procure other quarters for
her. Contributions of bedding would be ac-
ceptable in this case and in several others.
Secretary Wilson stated that the society
had several extra helpers at work, and he
felt confident that every urgent case would
be reached tonight. He stated also that
the help afforded through employment by
the street department has been
great boon to the poor during this very
cold spell. Several of the coal merchants
have also provided some employment as
extra help has been needed in putting away
coal. The police department has been very
helpful in furnishing information concern
ing the condition of some families, and in
several instances where the police have re-
ported extreme need the society has at once
telephoned orders for the necessary relief
Contributions Acknowledged.
Mr.. John Joy Edison, treasurer of the AS
ISOLATED Charities, acknowledges receipt of
the following contributions: