Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-26
FOR HOMELESS MAN
LODGING HOUSES AND MISSION
WORK DISCUSSED.
Meeting of Conference Glass Last
Evening at Office of the
Associated Charities.


Lodging houses, MISSIONS; and the prob
lens of the homeless man." were discussed
yesterday evening at meeting of the con-
ference class of voIunteer workers in the
general Office of the Associated Charities
at 81 G street. The meeting was well at
tended and the various local institutions
which deal with tramps and with single
men who apply for charity were well rep
resented.
Mr. A Harvey Tyson, superint endent Of
the Municipal Lodging House, at 312 18th
street. related the history of that organiHa-
ton and described the work which It is
doing at present He said that there is
no excuse for the giving of food and money
to unknown applicants at private resi-
dences when they state they are in need
of food and lodging. such men may be
sent by any citizen to the Municipal Lodg-
ing House, where they will be given a
good bed, wholesome meals at night and
morning, a bath and a small portion of
wood to saw in payment for their accom-
mOda ton
Capt Frank L. Roper of the Salvation
Army described the work of the Industrial
department whoch the army opened few
months ago at 121 Pennsylvania avenue.
Old magazines, newspapers. discarded fun
niture and secondhand clothing are col
lected by the wagons of the Salvation Army,
are assorted and prepared for sale by the
meals and lodging. Magazines and news
papers baled and sold to wholesale
houses, furniture and cast-off clothing are
repaired and sold at low prices to per-
sons of small means. In this manner the
work is made self-supporting while af-
fording employment to number of old
men and cripples, to ex-prisoners, young
boys from the country and other single men
who are seeking employment In Washing
ton.
Good Samaritan Home.
The history and work of the Good Sa-
marian Home at 1924 L street northwest
were explained by it's founder and manager
Mr.. William F. Downey, who was led into
this work through his experiences as an
active member of the ST. Vincent de Paul
Society. Mr.. Downey had for years been
visitor to the Jail and workhouse of
the District where he found men were so
much in need of befriending when their Jail
sentences were completed that he estab-
lished a small lodging house with the idea
that 1t should receive men of all classes
and descriptions without question and with
out red tape. There are no paid officers in
the institution, but the men themselves
are organized to conduct the work of the
nome. Mr. Downey stated that in connec-
tlon with his labors as member of the
st. Vincent de Paul Society," and also in
connection with the Good Samaritan Home,
he had administered the total abstinence
pledge to over 5000 men within the last
fifteen years.
Central Union Mission.
The Central Union Mission was represent
ed in the conference by Mr.. John w. Steele,
who has recently been elected superinten-
dent of the mission. He spoke with a good
deal of humor concerning his new expert
ences in the mission work, and told how his
institution fills an important place in the
citys treatment of the homeless man prob
lem. He was followed by Mr.. A S. Solo,
mons. who established the municipal lodg-
ing house many years ago, under the name,
at that time, of the ''Washington night
lodging house, Afterward he established
a similar institution in New York city, and
he has been devoting a great deal of his
time ever since to-work for friendless
in Washington. He called attention to the
fact that as many different religious sects
and different points of view had been rep
resented as there had been speakers pres
ent, and said this work for humanity was
one which commands the attention and CO.
operation of Jews and Gentle, Protestant
and Catholic, orthodox and unorthodox. He
said he thought the meeting had expressed
in a very practical manner the great broth
erhood of men.
Mr.. Charles F. Weller, secretary of the
Associated Charities, announced that the
class would visit the Central Union Mission,
municipal lodging house and first precinct
police station Wednesday, May 4, under tie
guidance of Mr.. A. H. Tyson. The class
will start from 81 G street at pm, and
Mr.. Weller stated that all persons interest
ed are invited to accompany the party.