The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-11-25
SHELTER A LITTLE ARMY
UNKNOWN BENEFACTOR GIYLS
 LODGING
To Worth Monument Crowd and
 Slips Away.

To Worth Monument Crowd and
 Slips Away.
 Every Sunday, from 3 o'clock in the afternoon until 12 o'clock at night, a handful of unfortunate men congregate under the shadow of the Worth monu- ment at Twenty-first street and Broad- way. They are attracted to that point by prospect of obtaining nights lodging, and few of them go away dis appointed. They form in line. four abreast, and listen to a sermon by Frederick Rotzler, the evangelist. They sing number of hymns and before long number of curious people have gathered about. Then MT Rotzler turns his attention from his army or outcasts to the newcomers and asks for small contributions. He stands on soap box and talks in such con- vincsing manner that the money comes in in a steady stream. Mir, Rotzler has tickets on hand for three of the cheap lodging houses, the Washington, Co., lumbia and National, where beds can
  each bed goes a bath and cup of cof- fee in the morning. All yesterday af- ternoon tickets were handed out with out intermission. but still the size of the crowd of ragged men did not dimin- ish. About 5 o'clock, as Mir. Rotzler was entreating his auditors to open their hearts, an elderly, we'll dressed man stepped out of the crowd and sa d:
 How many men have you got in that army?"
 A hurried count was made, and Mr. Rotzler informed his inquirer that there were just 104.
 How much will it take to lodge them for the night?" asked the stranger.
 Fifteen dollars will do it," said the evangelist, happy smile overspreading his face. I've got about half a dollar now"
 The poor men craned their neck as the stranger dove down in his pocket and drew out roll of greenbacks. He tore off three five dollars bills and, with There you are. my friend" handed them to the evangelist and walked off up Fifth avenue. MT. Rotzler said he had never seen the man before.
 That's the kind of a philanthropist who does some good in the world" he said, waving the money in the air, Come forward, men, and get your tickets"
 It was happy crowd that marched down to the Washington House, at No, 153 East Twenty-third street, tickets in hand, for the wind was blowing great guns and many of the men had no over coats, and the prospect of long night in the streets, with no place to lay their heads, was far from inviting.
 It was not long, however, before an- other crowd of unfortunates had gath cred about. the evangelist, and he start ed in anew.8
 Most of these men, he said are deserving of assistance. They are the victims of circumstances. l have worked among them for years and I know that many of these poor fellows are educated men, men who have been in comfortable circumstances and re- spected by their friends and acquaint- ances When l say that some of them are college graduates I know what am talking about. I found one poor fellow not long ago who was far more intelligent and better educated than any of us. He spoke six languages iuently, but he was old, had lost all his friends and no one had any use for him.
 There are thousands of saloons in this city, and they are responsible Tor the downfall of most of these poor fel- lows Now, our incoming administra- ton proposes to permit the saloons to do business on Sundays. ask you. my friends, don't the saloons do enough harm as 1t is? Think of the thousands of families that have been broken up by them and made poor. If you are business man, consider for moment that a crash may come at any time. and you may be cast upon the streets as these men are. You think that is not possible? When your money is gone your friends will go with 1t. You will have a stout heart If you are not dis outraged Men drown their sorrow in drink, and that Is why we have so many outcasts in the streets of ouh city"
 That is the kind of argument that brings in the small cash contributions. Ae the nickels, dimes and quarters are handed over the shivering men are taken from the line, one at a time, and sent off to the lodging houses. Those without overcoats are provided for first. Occasionally people coming from the churches will stop on the outskirts Of the crowd and listen for few minutes. Then few crisp bills are given to the evangelist. and the church people walk on.
 My work" said MT. Rotzler, is based on the Twenty third Psalm. l am not connected with any charitable institution and do my work alone. am supported by some wealthy people, and do not use a cent that is contribu- fed for these unfortunate people for myself In one hundred and sixty Five months have sheltered 402S6 of these men. My idea Is to establish home somewhere on Long Island, where these poor men can be taken and cared Tor They could be made to do some work. and in that way the deserving ones would be found Thousands of them would work if they could get something to do. I know this, for have obtained employment for many of them, and they are working with will
 Thanksgiving is close at hand, and the weather is getting cold. In the