Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
Coal for the Poor.

One Of the worst features of the present
coal shortage in this city is the incidental
suffering of the poor, who are compelled at
all times to buy by the bushel and even by
the peck. Ordinarily the rates for these
quantities bear reasonably close proper
ton to those charged for larger quantities,
but it appears now that the bushei rates
have I'm general increased out of proportion
to the increase in the retail ton rates. This
fact is disclosed in the course OF a series
of Interviews with the small buyers of
fuel printed in today's Star.
1t is impossible to consider the case of the
poor in winter. with coal selling at from
fifty TO one hundred and twenty per cent
above normal. without desiring to do some
thing Immediately to relieve the distress
which inevitably follows such a situation.
Shivering little folks, chilled invalids. poor
washerwomen compelled to give up their
trade because of the high fuel prices-these
all appeal to the warmest syn1pathies of the
public. The problem of how best to relieve
the wants of this class of people is a serious
one. demanding immediate and careful at
tention.
1t Is not desirable in the vast majority of
cases that coal should be bought from char
ity funds and given to the poor. These peo-
pie do not ask or expect such treatment
Most OF them do not desire it. They only
wish for "a chance to buy their coal at Or
binary prices, or at the worst. at prices
which range upward with those charged
for ton lots On the occasion of the visit
of the citizens committee to Philadelphia
arrangements were made for the shipment
of a quantity of coal to Washington to be
distributed at practically cost price through
~
This work was started and. to the extent
of the supply thus obtained, proved an eff
caclous means Of relieving distress. But 1t
Is evident from the present reports that
there is need of much more coal distributed
In this manner. and 1t Is to be hoped that
the arrangement can be extended to permit
the Associated Charities. or the citizens
relief committee. or the Commissioners
coal committee to sell an adequate amount
Of coal to the poor by the peck and bushel
at rates which will prevent actual suffer
ing.
Several thousand dollars have already
been given by the generous citizens of the
District for the purchase of coal for the
poor. This fund. If necessary, can doubt
less be enlarged by additional contribu-
lions. The people of Washington who can
afford to give will surely respond promptly
and in sufficient measure to an appeal for
funds, even at this trying season of the
year. when every dollar Is needed for
Christmas buying and for the maintenance
of the household A fund thus secured
should be used first as capital for the pur-
chase of coal for retail distribution in small
quantities practically at cost. If when the
hardest pinch Of winter comes the poor
of the District have no means wherewith
TO buy fuel. even thus cheaply, the fund
will then be available for the dispensing of
pure charity. always to be regarded as the
last resort.
The readiness with which the coal opera
tors in Philadelphia assured the citizens
committee of a Willingness to relieve the
wants of the poor encourages the belief
that there will be no difficulty in adding
sufficiently to the general shipments. In
any event. for this purpose it is better that
some of the well-to-do householders be cut
down TO half-tou lots than that the very
poor be driven into absolute pauperism, or,
through pride, be forced to suffer and per-
haps die for lack OF fuel.