The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-29

Another benefit which the Bethel has
Indirectly conferred upon the city
should not be lost sight of.
Among its other philanthropic works
was one which had two results. The
public of st. Paul has long been aware
of the effects of this work, though it
has not known who is responsible. In
the true spirit of charity, the Bethel
association has not proclaimed its
connection with this. Nor would it
have been well to have it advertised.
The Bethel has been largely instru-
mental in keeping tramps away from
the city Probably no city has been
so free from the gentlemen of leisure
as st. Paul. And the reason, when the
work of the Bethel is known, is not
hard to find.
Supt. Morgan maintained a sort or
employment bureau for men who
struck the city with little money and
no jobs. Many of them sought the
Bethel for lodging and refreshment on
account of the cheap prices. Being in
touch with this class of men, Rev.
Morgan was able to furnish Iaborers
to contractors and others needing help.
This department had it's origin in
the panic times of 1898. The city was
in that year flooded with homeless men,
and to provide shelter and employment
for them the Bethel opened it's Friend
~ ILL, WHICH II Has Slice maintained.
The association opened a wood yard.
The first winter 500 cords of wood
! were sawed and 500 split.
An arrangement was made between
the superintendent and the city au-
thorities, under which all able bodied
| men who applied for help were sent to
him for entertainment, which he would
1urnsh them on their doing a certain
amount of work. AS the work test ia
the only true test of those who apply
for help, this system proved most sat
tsfactory. Not only were deserving
men in misfortune given an opportuni-
ty to assist themselves, but it was also
found that those who were constitu-
tionally opposed to eXertion soon took
advantage Of opportunities of declining
such generosity on the part of the SUI
perintendent. They always disap-
peared.
1t was noticed that the same tramp
did not show up the second time to be
treated in this manner. 1t was also
| noticed that after the scheme became
| generally known among the fraternity
| OF the road they gave st. Paul a wide
| berth. While this kept away an I'M
| desirable element, it has proved a de-
| cided benefit Of men willing to work.
The BethePs busiest time was al
| ways in the summer, when the men
came to town from the woods. There
was always a good patronage through
| out the year, but between the 1st of
June and the LIST of August the ca
pacity of the boat was taxed.
| Where the lumberjacks and others
| who have been making the Bethel their
home every summer will lodge when
| they come to town within the next two
| months is not known, nor is it posi-
| bic to imagine their dismay when they
| Will find as they reach the levee at the
foot of Sih1aU
| the hospitable craft
The Bethel boat was built for the
! association in 1891. The barge on
i which the superstructure was erected
was constructed in Saltwater and tow
! ed to its moorings at the foot of SibIey
| street. The lower timbers are now
practically rotten from remaining sta
! tionary so long in the water and the
hulk is to be torn to pieces on one of
the islands in the river. The old lum-
| Der Of the upper part of the boat has
! been sold, bringing fair salvage.