The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-13

Never in the history OF the several
charitable organizations In Washington
have there been so many applications
for help from homeless and unemployed
men with families depending upon them
for support as during the last few
weeks. What the charity workers be-
Heve may result in one Of the most seri-
GUS problems the city has had 20 face
ia many years is the fact that the num-
Der of those who apply for assistance
IS steadily on the increase, and appar-
emily there is going to be no immed-
tate relief for the situation.
Unable to Obtain Work.
Hundreds Of men. many of them ex-
perts In their trades. are unable TO OBJ
tain work Of any description. Hun
dreds of others, believing that they
could obtain employment under the
Federal Government. have managed 10
find their way to Washington. and to-
day the city Is literally In the grasp
OF an army OF the unemployed. Large
numbers Of men have been found beg
ging on the business streets, and the
police have been obliged 20 make num-
eTOus arrests.
The consensus Of opinion Of the heads
the Industrial conditions Throughout the
country are responsible for the present
situation in Washington. The serious
problem, j IS said, is the fact that the
iADusLrial situation shows no signs OF
improving Conditions instead of get
unB better are constantly getting worse.
Corporations. manufacturing concerns
and others are sLu laying or men. and
a canvass OF the employment bureaus
in Washington this morning developed
the fact that work Of every description
Is getting more scarce.
Report Issued.
The Associated Charities have given
out the following report:
Reports Of the board Of mana gers
/ show the work OF the three charities IN.
/ der its supervision TO be unusually
/ heavy Results Of the recent financial
| disturbance are now beginning 20 show
/ their severest Affects among the poor
Their scanJ savings have given out
Lack OF employment has driven many
| who have never before been dependent
/ TO seek help. That sickness IS playing
even more than its usual large part
tn causing distress IS indicated by the
t4ct that the admissions 10 the CHARITY
wards at the hospitals are twice as
/ numerous as last year"
Charles +. Weller secretary to the
/ Associated Charities. said this morning
AS for homeless men out OF work
| there were never 50 many In Washington
/ as at present. The Municipal LOdging
[ House is obliged TO turn away large
numbers for lack OF rooms. They ars
1 applying at the rate of about q score
daily % the Associated Charities. Eacr
I case requires a thorough investigation
/ No aid is given 20 abie-b0died mer
I without eXacting a fun return IN work.
Three Glasses.
Mr.. Weller then explained that Their,
/ ara three classes Of men who ap7i,
for help The most numerous are thos,
! who are known as Iabitual buns
I who make a round OF all the Iarg,
/ cities. eudeav0ring 10 obtain money snJ
/ lodgings because Of the help that IS 0e
/ ing extended To- the legitimate poor
/ who are willing 20 work. but are unaHI
/ 10 obtain employment Applications ar
/ also numerous from men who hsv
Z trades but who are unable 10 get any
/ thing TO do iu any line of work tn
/ ing 10 work and who attempt to &c
/ help on false FTeteuscs.
I Miss Green OF the Associated Char
titles. said she had been telephOnini
I To an the larger employers VINO an
/ usually willing To take on men a.
/ fancrers. but shat she finds they ar
/ LAYING of their regular lelp. There j
I nor work for laJoTeTs at the JniOI
. Station the Baltimore and Ohio round
I house and ar the buildings being pu
ND by the large construction companies
/ she asserts. and the association is un
able 10 find any work for its charges