New-York tribune., 1908-02-07
SIX THOUSAND SHOD. !.
RIG TINS HUGE CHARITY.
Socks and Shoes Fitted to Vet Feet
of Bosrery Army.

.,.r. r-er. bind men and lame men, and men
with whiskers grey: ancient men ana Sounss'eIs
h,,r not q ore was gay In fact. they were mostly
-ref-footed cold and hungry. those who Went arter
-. e,oz ~. .=-sz and sock gifts OF Big Tim Sullf-
van AZ N. Sullivan Headquarters. No 2o3 BowerS
Yesterday This the central point or interest ID
the "a Assembly District. and there were te" oi
she rye thousand or more men in line who oio not
have tickets emitting them TO Big TINS charils-
III. lines stretched frcn, the door north and south
in the Bowery for several blocks as early as
o'clock end policemen from the Eldndse street
station kept the lines straight and man hahoieo
those who tried steal places
In the association six thousand pairs OF
shoes and socks had been assembled the day be-
fore most Of them in wooden boxes John Dc
white the treasurer Of the association, was IN
charge Of the work. and he was assisted by various
election district captains husky group
Nr White not feazed by the crowd Of apph-
osnts When asked whether he had the means Of
opening The boxes rapidly enough. he SAID with
ozndor Sure have here who can break
into ANYTHING" And then he explained how the
men in line got their tickets They were given out
after the registration lodging houses was known
and also al the annual Christmas dinner. Each
lodging house got good sized bundle or uckets
which were distributed the voters. and few who
applied for tickets from the captains were turned
down afteruard. II q rule Of the distrfbu-
sion also. that any without ticket should
get shoes # he seemed need them
more ideal DAY for wet feet could not have
Er Sullivan has designated for some occult reason
for the last six years for this kind Of charity. No
nne so far has been able learn why this date
ARRAYS has been chosen. Big Tim won't tell
Big Tim vas at Washington yesterday, and
Little Tim down at Hot Springs Ark, get
ting over the effects of his anti-cigarette ordinance
applied 10 women. 1t was said at the head
quarters that Little Tim wished 10 have certain
persons forget all about his dash into the purlieus
Of moral legislation.
ind he 1arre and ne
the head of the line and 40 o'clock they
started up stairway. Mr.. White aided by
the following election district captains: Larry
Mulgan. Harry oxford. Charles Regan, Donn-
ick Car6one Louis Levitt. Thomas Gerrity, James
Z Carroll, Baker Calvert and Colonel Michael @
Padden. Mr. White got the shoe sizes which
ranged all the way from TO IL; Mike" Summers
called them and the district captains scrambled
among the shoe boxes and socks TO supply the
sfyptican1s II was a merry competition back of
The shoe counter but the wrecks and strays in line
were serious.
The first be supplied George Bastian.
nearly blind. who said he over seventy years
old He didn't look IT. There were former life
savers line. policemen sailors. ongshore
and spectators, each with his hard luck story
for any who would pause TO listen There
few well clad aged men, who gratefully
cepted the gifts. grimly walked away and would
not talk any one. Up stairs and down again
the motley stream wound its way-happy going
down; elum. most humble ana expectant going Up.
and very frequently all muddled when asked re-
sarding the size Of the shoe. Some of the
pale. others hectic with fever: others. again,
carrying all the Bowery liquor they could hold
But there discrimination the part Of
Mr.. White and his aids. Big Tins shoes were
there TO be given out and given they
The secondhand stores in the Bowery and side
doins good business about this time
They buying Cordovan shoes, warranted
waterproof. and worth least g 30 new. The
highest price paid was 81 So Some went for 81. and
asked what Mr.. Sullivan would say if he knew
smiled a cheerful smile They get the shoes and
why. they are happy. get enough for other things
and well what's the of kickins?"
Nc socks were pswned- They good wool
len socks. Of your shoddy kind, and the men
chung TO them Few Of the men were really poorly
shoes that We're once white. Another wore a pair
OF gaocfes without shoes. and he promptly set
Ted upon chair. took off his galoche. and put
his shoes, then put the saloches them.
He put the socks his pocket
II until 10 O'Clock that the last in lin.
fled and the 1ieutenants Of Big Tim sulli-
van tired. but throughout the whole period
of distribution there not rough word
fered- srumble nothing but good cheer
satisfaction in carrying the wishes Of the
Congressman and pleasing the alderman. for It
Whispered that Little Tim vas heart and
SOUL ii sympathy with the charity Of his name
sake and relative. When all the shoes had been
given out the late corners received coffee and
bread without stint.