The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-02-22

the care of Mr.. Thomas B. Ironside,
the superintendent of the Mission,
who is admirably equipped for his
work Mr.. Ironside is by birth and
training Scotchman. He is thoroughly
familiar with the conditions which
prevail among the poor, both in Great
Britain and in this country. He came
to America some years ago, and after
engaging for time in business, &C
cepted an invitation to come to Nor
ristown and take charge of the Market
Street Mission in the latter part of
the year 1889.
"The Gospel services in the Mis-
sion are greatly appreciated by the
people of Morristown, and have
sometimes been there when five or six
different nationalities were repre-
sented among those who brought their
testimony to the saving power of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those inter
ested in the work think that this Mis-
sion has solved to some extent what
is known as the TRAMP Problem. y
The "Weary Walker" who is always
on his way across country in the hope
of finding work at some point fifteen
or twenty miles distant, but who in
the meantime wants money, protested
ly for meals and lodging, is at once
sent to the Market Street Mission.
Here he is at first required to take a
bath and have his clothes fumigated.
Ii he declines to comply with these
conditions, he is politely requested to
"move on" and if found lounging
about the Square he is reported as
vagrant to the city police. But in
most cases he is willing to comply
ic faf,7 kn MI in IN
wholesome and abundant comforts
which the Mission affords For his
meals he is charged nine cents each.
For his nights lodging and daily bath
there is the same charge. He is at
once sent to the wood yard, where at
all ordinary times, if he is willing
to work, he can earn from seventy five
cents to one dollar and half day,
and it will thus be seen that when he
has spent a week in Morristown, he is
able to start out upon his wanderings,
strengthened by good food, rested by
seven nights in a clean and comfort
able bed, made neat and respectable
both in person and clothes, and at the
same time there is a snug balance to
his account which is paid to him in
cash.
"The industrial department. of the
wood yard is carried on with excep-
tional ability ana success by Mr.. Iron
side. A recent monthly report shows
725 earned meals and only four meals
| furnished free: 245 lodgings earned
and only two lodgings furnished free.
| Over and above this the wood-yar d
pays a small profit which is used to
reimburse the Mission for some OF the
| expenses which it incurs III this de-
partment of the work.
cit must be remembered, however,
that the profit is only calculated upon
the cost of the wood and that there
is no rent to pay for the premises, and
that Mr.. Ironside's efficient services
as superintendent of the Mission are
contributed to this department of the
work, so that the plant costs the Mis-
sion nothing and for this reason q
small profit can be realized. 1t must
not be- thought that the Mission is q
money making concern, on the con
! trary it is in need of constant aid fol
| it's distinctly religious and charitable
work and to meet its necessary ex
penses.
"One pleasing feature about it all il
that there are no complaints, so far as
I am able to learn, from the loca
firms engaged in the sale of kindlinl
and hard wood. On the contrary, as
Mr.. Ironside is careful never to sell
at less than the market, price, there
is the most cordial feeling throughout
the community toward this effort tt
help men who help themselves. Il
seems to be generally realized thai
this Mission is doing work which
benefits the city and the entire neigh
borhood, and although its manage
ment rests entirely in the hands of .
committee, the members Of which