The Washington times., 1901-10-14
POVERTY IN WASHINGTON.
C. F. Weller Describes the Darker
Side of Local Life.

Charles L. Weller. the expert and au-
thority on scientific charity, who is in
charge in this city of the work Of the
Associated Charities, gave lecture last
night at the Church of Our Father, Thir-
teenth and l. Streets northwest, on the
subject, Social Conditions in Washington
and other Cities: or. How the Other Half
Lives" The address was delivered under
the auspices of the Federation of Young
Peoples Societies of the Unitarian, Peo-
pies, Friends, and Universalist church
es of this city, and was Illustrated with
large number of fine steropticon views.
presenting 10 his audience the very con-
ditions. which according to the state
ment Of Mr. Weller. need public attention
and cooperation to remedy. The pastor
of the church. the Rev. John Van Schaick
with few remarks. introduced the
speaker. who at once entered upon his
interesting and instructive discussion of
scientific charity.
Mr. Weller. introducing the subject,
stated that the average citizen Of Wash
ington is not aware that there are poor
people in this city actually living in mis-
cry and squalor. And" said the speak
er "the peculiarity about this is that pow
erty and luxury almost rub elbows.
The conviction has grown in many
minds,'' he continued, that very little
charity is needed in the city Of Washing
ton. But wherever there is a lack of So
cial consciousness, wherever people are
not aware OF how the other half lives,
there rs always reed for charity. prudent
ly applied. We do not intend to defame
our city. and say that its social condi-
tions are bad. No, indeed, we are proud
Of our city. 1t is so near the ideal. and
just because it is so near the ideal muHic-
ipalty We shall endeavor to attain it"
Mr.. Weller showed a number of views
of houses located in alleys and said that
the system of alley houses WAS degrading
and should be remedied. The character Of
the alleys. he suggested. could be guessed
by their nomenclature. and he cited names
and showed pictures of Louise Alley, Snow
Alley, Cow Alley, Golden Alley, Slop-
bucket Row, Pork Steak Row Nolan
Court Pierce's Alley, DiXon's Alley and
others. The speaker also reflected Illus
trations on the screen, showing speak
in the alleys, which. he said, by strange
condolences, are next door neighbors to
churches in many cases.
The Eastern Branch and the Anacostia
Flats came in for censure by the speaker
on account OF their malaria breeding con-
ditions. Mr.. Weller stated that he had 10
remove a family that lived near the flats
on account of the malarial conditions of
the neighborhood. Mr.. Weller contended
that Congress should pay attention 70
conditions of this sort, and should not al
low them to exist in the Capital of a
nation of S0,o00.000 of people He argued
that the swamp area should be redeemed.
The speaker referred to james Creek
Canal as the greatest blot on the city
Of Washington He styled il an open
sewer and asserted that its waters are
black and fermenting with animal matter.
He then produced on the screen picture
of the dun p at Fosgy Bottom, and de-
Scribed its ACCOMMODATING evil Influences
on the morals of those UnfortunatCs who
live on the refuse thrown on the dump
Mr.. Weller said that the poor and
morally degraded need friend. They
need some one to take an interest in
them. Some one that win inspire them
with an ideal Of some sort or other.
Mr.. Weller. IN concluding his interesting
discourse, dwelt at length on the situa-
tion Of the poor colOred people, who, he
said, are in the majority, 50 far as re
cetVers Of charity are concerned. The
reason why they don't know how to i'm
prove their condition. said the speaker.
is because they are completely cut off
from influences that upIift mankind -
Mr.. Weller argued that there ought to
be a public bath in every section O1 this
city; that there should be ample play
grounds for the children. and that there
should be day nurseries to assist those
men and women who are Obliged to 20
out and earn their daily bread ana leave
their children at home Let us have
clean living places for the poor and there
will be less criminality," he concluded
Mr.. Wellers address was very favor
ably received. and sustained auplause
70 this city q year ago to take charge OF
the Associated Charities work He Is
from Chicago and Is recognized as an
expert and authority on scientific charity