Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-21

TTuRoCGH the efforts of Mr..
Charles Alfred Mdssie the "pris-
oners' friend" according to
IL Bishop II. Y. Satterlee $1,000
has been made To do the work
OF S1G.uno That is the measure by a finan-
CIal standard OF the work done by Agent
Massic of the Prisoners Aid Society in
assisting prisoners, for seven years.
t~uer measure of the work done might
well include thousands of dollars in sal
aries from positions regaincd by the prs-
Ouers' return TO work. which has been
made possible hy the prompt release Sc
cured by Mr.. Massie. Moreover there are
positions obtained by Mr. Massie for dis
Slarged prisoners and all this monetary
Seasurc is not TO be compared with the
spiritual measure by which his efforts have
been rewarded. Agent Masse is coming
u be regarded one of the greatest
friends of humanity and of the erring peo-
pie in this city.
About two years ago. for example.
young man entered Washington under most
iuauspIciotS circumstances, his seat on
the railroad train that brought him being
the bumper. Picked up in the freight
yard. lie appeared the next morning as
prisoner in the Police Court. Although
lis clothes were little more than rags, his
face mingled with the dirt of several states
at Agent MASSES request the young man
was turned over hy the court TO the Prs-
oners' Aid Society. The agent took the ex-
prisoner 10 his home furnished him with
some new clothing and heard the story of
his life. 1t developed that the boy had
lived in Athens. Ohio His father and
mother were both dead and an uncle was
using his labor without paying him any
IN mo itN ran ba
rived in Washington with his POCKETS as
empty old Mother Hubbard's cupboard.
Proving ambitious TO do something to pay
fpT his board. the agent secured for him
smah stock of peanuts and started him
II trade in the gallery of a local theater.
l. not long before the young man
started d savings bank account with his
earnings. After depositing about $40 he
was given the opportunity by the agent of
going to Allentown. Pa, TO open a small
stand Naturally he jumped at the chance.
At the last report. it is stated. that young
man is the owner of a large candy factory
ana store in that thriving Pennsylvania
-.iy and has found a wife to help him.
*
The object of the Prisoners Aid Society
- 70 save young men and yoing women
from lives Of crime. 1t does preventive
work by seeking to catch young people on
their first mi>step and turn them back into
tae right course of life again. Its work
j. lH Tie hands OF Agent Massie and mani
ibid are the way n which nc accomplishes
t.al end.
Generally known as 'thr prisoners
5-ieui. Agent Ma>sic goes wherever there
s,.e human beings 20 be aided and he finds
t.s center Of his la5ors ia the Police Court
bat besides visiting the court every session
cay he rarely passes day without visiting
tS- jail or the wurkhOUse. Perhaps new
Investigations Of a certain case in which
lie has become interested al court lead him
u procure the release of the prisoner from
-5GHuemcnt Frequently h carries cloth
Hg and packages for prisoners from
friends. On Sundays h appears at the
-Jors Of both Institutions with bundles of
magazines and rdrers OF all kinds for the
Prisoners. Wherever ne can scatter cheer
ana do a kind deed, no matter how small.
@ those unfortundtes who have been made
helpless by confinement there Will Mr..
Ias-- be found.
Daay, shortly after the prisoners are
a-a.el, at the Police Court house cells,
.s.aT.! about O'Clock Agent Massie
IS ou hand to administer 90 the needs of
r.JSe cor whom The light of the new day
.ts ra0Uc only Through barred windows
l.e flash of joy. ~ hope, THAT crosses the
ttle Of each prisoner as he is greeted with
f.y cheering words Of that worker is a
:ue tribute. Jus, previous TO his coming
The 1tt]uok of ,a. prisoner is most dis
mai Amid tar J,rrs ana uufrlendly re-
marks Of th, .,fr-.tls crowd he is led ~
H.. tfl. OF arrest To tl. patrol box and
..l-rf arilen OF ru the station bouse There
BE-. is 3D.. lined in q, small dark din..v and
s.-smyIIlug cell lis cries for water are
uuaytld or uu.a.ded He has no one
Jttousn whom be can send messages TO