The Washington times., 1902-06-19
FREE CAR RIDES
FOR CIfY'S POOR
Committee Makes Appeal
for Necessary Funds.
HEARTY RESPONSES MADE
"Car Ticket Fund" to Be Established
for Benefit Of These Who Cannot
Spare the Amount Necessary to Sc
cure Breath of Fresh Country Air.

| ington Loan and Trust Company
! Charles ]. Bell. of the American Sc
+ curity and Trust Company. and John b
/ yesterday made an appeal to the public
1 to aid in giving free car rides to those
members of the community whose lin.
| tied earthly possessions prevent them
from enjoying the luxury of ride into
the country on the oppressively warn
summer evenings, and whose little world
| is limited by the walls in which they
| live. Their purpose Is to establish g
fund to be known as the Gar Ticket
Fund" to be used In sending deserving
mothers and children into the country
| for a refreshing car ride after the days
work is done. The appeal Is self-ex-
planatory. and is as follows:
ITO the People OF Washington: The
which has been organized for the pur-
pose of securing funds to be expended
during the summer In providing trolley
rides for children and mothers who
could not otherwise obtain any outing
during the heated term when suffering
is often intense.
The street car tickets Will be dis.:ib-
uted by the Associated Charities, whose
agents and visitors VIII be in closa
touch. throughout the summer. With the
families who stand in greatest need of
such relief. The visitors will not give
out all the tickets at cnce, but distrib-
ute them as most needed. supervising
their use and suggesting possible ex-
lcursions. Evening car rides will be rec
commended.
Cause Good One.
1.-The cause IS one which must at once
commend itself to everyone whose heart
is responsive to the needs of little chill
dren. In our alleys and poorer streets
families are found where five Or six peo-
pie sleep in single room. Sickness is
especially prevalent in the hot summer
time. Our parks are not located in the
neediest neighborhoods and many people
cannot command the car fares with
which to reach them.
Outing excursions will mean new
ideals and larger outlook, as well as
fresh air, pleasure and temporary free
dom from overhead and nervous strain.
Sickly, ailing children and overworked
mothers will particularly be benefited
Contributions or communications
may be addressed to Charles F. Weller.
general secretary, Associated Charities.
s11 G Street northwest"
1t is explained that the work Is to be
by no means a charitable affair, but
that wherever deserving women and
children are found they will be invited
to take the ride as the guests of the
contributors to the fund. On the hot
evenings when everywhere people are
suffering for a breath of fresh air it
is deeply deplored that heretofore, SIM
ply for the want of car fare, many per-
sons have been denied the relief that
is TO be found in a ride out into the
country on the swiftly moving trolley
cars. Providing such fares, 1t is be-
lieved. will show a return in happiness
and health far in excess of its intrinsic
value and the return on the investment.
it is believed, will be SO great that those
to whose attention the proposition has
been called wonder that no one has
undertaken the work before.
How Idea Originated.
The idea originated with two young
gentlemen who are closely identified
with the business and religious interests
Of the community. but whose modesty
forbids the publication Of their names.
Strange to say. II occurred TO both of
these young men almost simultaneously.
They were themselves out for a car ride
on one of the intensely not evenings
last week when one OF them turned to
the other and remarked what boon 1t
would be to those who were unable to
spare the price of a car ride II they
could be invited to take the ride at the
expense OF some OF their more fortunate
friends. The expression came as a sur
prise to the other young man. who stated
that he had Just been pondering the
same problem in his mind.
From this inception the idea spread
rapidly. securing as 4 supporter every
person to whom the matter was mem
toned until 1t assumed the Importance
of movement and rallied 70 its sup
port some OF the most pre ectical men in
the city. Tuesday afternoon several OF
the gentlemen interested met and elect
cd Mr.. Edison chairman. Mr.. Bell
trea surer and Mr. Sleman secretary.
These members Of the committee were
designated an executive committee and
were authorized 10 issue the appeal
which was given to the public yester-
day afternoon.
Subscriptions Made at Once.
Even before the appeal had reached |
the general public, contributions began |
to come in and before evening 1t had !
reached eighty dollars. This amount if |
invested In street car tickets will pro-
vide go chr rides at the regular rates |
which prevail on the car lines of the |
city. OF course 1t Will require two |
tickets to each person whom it is de- |
sired to favor with an invitation from |
the committee and its agents. but this |
is probably overalanced by the fact |
that mothers will be able to carry with |
them as many OF the younger children. |
under five years of age. as they are |
able to care for. Each dollar repre-
sents twenty-four rides and with this In |
view contributors can get some idea OF
the immense amount az good that so |
little money can accomplish.
The matter has not yet been taken up |
with the railroad officials and there Is
a reluctance on the part Of those in
charge to ask concessions. There is lit
tie doubt that either substantial CUB
scriptions to the fund Will be made by
the street railway companies or that i
rate will be granted to the COM
mittee.
Through Associated Charities.
1t is hoped that the movement may ba
beneficial in many ways. and that it vii!