New-York tribune., 1901-11-18
SHELTERS A LITTLE ARMY.
UNKNOWN BENEFACTOR GIVES LODG-
ING TO 4 WORTH MONUMENT
CROWD AND SLIPS
AWAY.


Every Sunday from o'clock in the afternoon
until u O'Clock at night, a handful OF unfor-
tunate men congregate under the shadow or
the Worth Monument at Twenty-hfth-st ana
Broadway. They are attracted to tnat poiil'
by a prospect Of obtaining nlghts loosiHs'
and few of them go away disappointed iileS
form In line four abreast and listen TO ser
mon by Frederick Rotzler. the evangelist lhey
sing a number of hymns, and BEFORE long d
number of curious people have gathered ABOUT.
Then M Rotzer turns his attention from his
army Of outcasts to the newcomers and asks
for small contributions. He stands on soap
box and talks In such convincing manner that
the money comes In in steady stream MT
Rotz1er has tickets on hand for three OF 'he
cheap lodging houses the Washington, Colum-
bia and National where beds can be hired for
Is cents a night. With each bed goes bath
and a cup Of coffee in the morning All yes
terday afternoon tickets were handed out WITH
out intermission. but still the size of the crowd
Of ragged men did not diminish About ,
O'Clock. as Mr. Rotzler was entreating his audi
tors to open their hearts. an elderly well
dressed man stepped out of the crowd and said:
How many men have you got in that army
a hurried count was made. and Mr. Rotzler
Informed his inquirer that there were just lo4'
night ?" asked the stranger.
Fifteen dollars will do it." said the evangelist
a happy smile oversprea ding his face. I've got
about half a dollar now
The poor men craned their necks as the
stranger dove down in his pocket and drew out
a roll Of greenbacks. He tore off three five dol
lar bills and with a There you are, my friend
handed them to the evangelist and walked off up
Fffth-ave. Mr.. Rotzler said he had never seen
the before.
That's the kind Of philarthropist who does
some good in the world" he said, waving the
money in the air Come forward men, and get
your tickets
1t was a happy crowd that marched down to
the Washington House, at No. 153 East twenty
third-st tickets in hand for the wind was blow
ing great guns and many OF the men had no
orercoats. and the prospect of long night in
the streets, with no place to lay their heads, was
far from inviting
1t was not long however. before another
crowd of unfortuna.es had gathered about the
evangelist, and he started in anew.
Most of these men," he said. are deserving
of assistance They are the victims of circum-
stances. l have worked among them for years
and L know that many of these poor fellows are
educated men, men who have been in COM
Portable circumstances and respected by their
friends and acquaintances. When l say that
some Of them are college graduates know what
am talking about found one poor fellow not
long ago who far more intelligent and better
educated than any of US. He spoke six languages
fuently. but he was old, had lost all his friends.
and one had any use for him
There are thousands Of saloons in this
city, and they are responsible for the down.
fall of most of these poor fellows. Now, our
incoming administration proposes to permit
the saloons to do business on Sundays. 1 ask
you. my friends, don't the saloons do enough
harm as it is? Think of the thousands OF fam
lilies that have been broken up by them and
made poor. II you business man, consider
for a moment that a crash may come at any
time, and you may be cast upon the streets as
these men You think that is not possible?
When your money is gone your friends will go
with it, You will have stout heart if you are
not discouraged. Men drown their sorrow in
drink, and that is why we have 80 many out
casts in the streets Of our city
That is the kind of argument that brings in
the small cash contributions. AS the nickels.
dimes and quarters are handed over the shiver-
ing men are taken from the line. one at time
and sent off to the lodging houses. Those with
out overcoats are provided for first Occa-
sionally people coming from the churches will
stop on the outskirts of the crowd and listen
for few minutes. Then a few crisp bills
given to the evangelist, and the church people
walk
My work" said Mr. Rotzler. is based on the
Twenty third Psalm. I not connected with
any charitable institution and do my work
alone. l am supported by wealthy people,
and do not a cent that is contributed for
these unfortunate people for myself. In 16J
months / have sheltered 40, 236 of these men.
My idea is to esta bsh a home somewhere
Long Island, where these poor men can be taken
and cared for. They could be made to do some
work and in that way the deserving would
be found. Thousands of them would work If
they could get something to do. l know this, for
/ have obtained employment for many of them.
and they working with a will.
Thanksgiving is close at hand, and the
weather is getting cold. In the summer time
they can camp out and make bed some
bench if they are not moested by the police.
But in the cold winter nights the poor fellows
together Is cents, they must either tramp the
streets all night rest on the grating in front
of the Postoffice where the steam from the build
ing helps to warm them. But if it rains, what
can they do? They must get under some shed
like that in front of Madison Square Garden. or
get soaked to the skin If such home
have in mind could be established. it would do
away with all this suffering. In connection with
it I should have employment bureau. After
the men had been thoroughly drilled in the
home I know a majority of them would be able
and willing do various kinds of work. Rescue
by kindness, j believe, is the only way 10 re-
deem these men,.
NOTICE TO HOLDERS.