The evening times., 1899-01-06
DISTRICT VETERANS
LOOKING FOR WORK
A prTrABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS
whaI Commissioncr Ross Has TO Say.
All Sources of Employment
Closed.

The spectacle which has been only too
common in towns and cities all over the
country since the close of the Spanish
American war, OF men who gave up good
having positions. at the first call for VOL
unteers, 10 defend their country against
a foreign foe and who, after the war was
over returned home to find their positions
filled and nc work TO be obtained, is to be
seen right here in Washington.
AS stated in yesterdays Evening Times,
a number of applications have been made
10 Commissioner Ross fer work by dis
charged volunteers Of the District Regi-
ment-4
While only five or six men have made
application for work at the District build
ing. il is thought that they represent but
a very small proportion of those out of
employment. The few who have sought
positions from the District state that ever
since the District regiment was mustered
out, more than a month ago, they have
tramped the city over looking for some
thing TO do. Their only means of subsist-
ence during the time so the majority of
them claim, has been doing odd jobs, which
have been in too many cases, few and lar
between. In this way and with the aid of
money paid them al the muster out they
have managed toseXist.
During the recent cold weather their
suffering has been severe, and as last
resort some of them went TO Commission
er Ross hoping that there might possibly
be vacancy in some OF the District de-
partments But in this hope they have
been disappointed. The places are all fl l.
ed and, as nearly all public improvements
are al standstill for the winter it is not
possible at this time to employ more men.
Commissioner Ross said to a Times re-
porter that those who app led TO N
were sturdy. healthy, intelligent looking
men apparently able 10 do hard work. All
had honorable discharges and number
of them had strong letters of recommen-
dation from Col Harries. These men
have not applied 10 any of the local charl-
ties but are proud and independent and
prefer to starve rather than seek charity.
While the most Of them are single and
have only themselves 10 provide for, there
were one or two instances where the men
were married and have families TO care
for The men who have thus far made
application stated that they had had steady
employment before the war and were COM
manding salaries which were amply sCtfi
Cient for their needs.
There are undoubtedly within the Dis
trict a large number of her soldiers of the
late wRr who are in need of work. Some
OF them are in destitute circumstances. but
have not as yet made known their cOndi-
IitiCn 10 the authorities. or TO the public
charities. There are these who. while not
starving or suffering, are nevertheless in
need Of something To do. Those men are
fortunate enough TO have friends or rela-
tiyes who viii provide for them until they
can secure positions Of some sort.
Commissioner Ross has had prepared a
list Of the names and the ages OF the sol
ders who have been to see him. This list
is open TO inspection at the District build
ing by those who wish to give employment
10 any of the men. Commissioner Ross is
especially anxious that the public be in
formed of the condition of some of the
volunteers and that whenever possible en-
ployment be given them. The outlook al
the present time for supplying means OF
kn honest livelihood 10 the unfortunate
men is somewhat dark At this season OF
the year private enterprises are at a stand
still and even the labor which at other
seasons finds employment is without work
and in all probability will be for the next
two or three weeks.