New-York tribune., 1908-11-08
TREAT FOR THE BEND
Bad Fruit and aged Crackers Fed
to "The Hungry.

Decayed apples and crackers crumbling with age
met with the disfavor of parents and children or
the lower East Side yesterday afternoon. and were
consigned to the subterranean recesses OF the Mu!-
berry Rend arcaue by the police of the 9th Precinct
station shortly after 2 o'clock, or within fifteen
minutes after Sylvanus Lyon eighty-three years
old, vice-presdent OF the Moderation Society OF
No. g Park Place drove up to the curb in an
ancient spring wagon and supervised the attempted
distribution of food to some of Gods S2'Ioo poor
of the secton-to quote from the letter OF invita-
ton which ne sent broadcast to newspapers and
individuals.
The children who were busy playing in Mulberry
Park did not know there was to be any free dis
tribution of fruit flags and cake. The boys shined
shoes or smoked an occasional cigarette Win
gusto, while the girls played tag and wheeled oaDy
carriages few reporters gathered, rev news
paper photographers and three policemen. It was
remarked that the children appeared TO be well
and aggravatingIy Contented. The newspaper con-
tingent the only hungry portion OF the moving
picture because the police only appeared to be
sufficiently accommodated with succulent susie
nance but acknowledged that such was true.
The reporters had begun seriously considering
the food problem when Mr.. Lyon arrived in a
wagon, accompanied by young woman IN brown
barrel three-quarters filed with apples, more than
one-half of which were entirely rotten and the re-
mainder fastening to that end; a small case OF
broken discouraged crackers and some flags, each
flag III inches long by / inch wide. Too small to
hutter,' said a policeman.
The children formed in q grave line and passed
before the barrel. a policeman kept the more am
bilious boys from obtaining two apples by the sub
terfuge Of first extending the right and moment
later the left hand, and apples fair, and rot
ten given out without prejudice or delay.
The boys took bite. made wry faces, did not
stand upon the delicacy OF emitting what their
Jaws contained and then began 10 pepper the
benches and one another with the overrlpe re-
mainder.
1T is against the regulations of the Board Of
Health to distribute such apples cried a
What dO?' asked policeman, who was
lowering the lonesome barrel.
You stop It, and you must stop It," the
man demanded
The policeman considered the matter. A boy
gave the barrel kick and yelled TO Mr.. Lyon
KNOCK de box before you get pinched"
Mr.. Lyon feebly protested and waved his cane.
The young in brown said she thought it
shameful, as Mr.. Lyon. she said. had been work
ing for the poor for twenty-nine years"
A few of the cakes then tried out as an
alienation to the feelings of the crowd and pos
sble medium for the establishment of cordial re-
lations. They branded by the children as too
stale TO eat and the police put them with the few
remaining apples in the cellar Of the Arcade.
The man who first objected to the fruit said
! something about wishing that the police would
/ make arrest. But Sergeant James J. Mccarthy
Of the 9Th Precinct station, threatened to arrest
the man who had called attention to the decrepi-
tude Of the fruit and pastry unless he at once
departed or entered a formal complaint which he
/ refused to do.
Mr.. Lyon continued to his cane and num-
BILE ''Outrag officer, what is your name?"
The children, though they had nothing extra to
eat yesterday still looked fat and happy.