The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-25
ARMY OF POOR SAW
WOOD FOR A MEAL
within Four Weeks 2,4oo Men
Have Applied Tor Job at
Institute.
c HApEL FILLED LAST NIGHT
Situation Among Needy Never
Worse Than Now-Funds
Are Badly Needed.

/. =
Grim winter has followed close In
tho wake OF the beautiful springlike
days the city enjoyed less than week
ago, and everybody who dared yes
terday to brave the ten1pestuous winds
and the biting cold on slippery streets
was glad enough when evening came
and he could return to his CHEEKY lngle.
But there were many-nore than most
lpeople realize-who had no fire to go
to. nor even a chance to work so that
they might buy few sticks Of wood
and bite to ent Throngs are daily
gathering al tho mission houses. which
are still hard put to 1t to accommodate
all those who come asking aims.
No Clothes or Food.
In the Methodist Institute were quar-
tered seventy-five men on Thursday.
and last night the doors OF the chapel
were thrown open to those who could
no longer stay away. On account OF
the scarcity Of employment, the reduc-
ton OF forces In the manufacturing
centres, the snow and the bitter cold
the situation has reached an acute
stage, and what was enough before
VIII now hardly do for half People
are walking about asking for work.
but the doors OF many OF the busiest
houses Of former days are closed to
tnem ana they are reduced to want.
AS was stated yesterday, many WHO
never asked an aims before are now
forced to forget their pride. Children
are going unsl1od, and their pitiful
faces present the worst aspect OF the
general suffering.
Within four weeks Superintendent
Sharpe, OF tho Methodist institute. has
mad 2,400 men to come to him and saw
wood for a meal or two Great stacks
OF cut wood are piled in his yard now
monument to privation and tina
energy of starvation. OF course. there
are come who take advantage OF mans
susceptibility to suffering EraphicaIly
depicted before his eyes. The greater
number now, however. is made up OF
thcse who are really in desperate need.
deprived for weeks OF the opportunity
to work. they arc unable to meet their
rent n.iis: their grocers are unpaid,
credit Is gone. and their clothes are
OF ten not much more than rags.
Situation Tx had.
Many charita ble-mindcd persons re-
sponded yesterday to the appeal semi
forth. but more is wanted-always
more. Mr.. Sharpe was kept busy yes
terday answering calls for relief and
expressing thanks to those who were
offering contributions. Under the new
dtspensation he takes care of emergency
cases. and DR.. Buchanan, of the Asso-
ciated Charities. OF the actual de-
pe1dents. Both have their hands full,
and they declare the situation the
most trying they have ever experienced.
Work among the poor is being has
tened, but the prospect for actual re.
lief In any permanent form is rather
remote, and the situation has practi-
cally resolved itself into n problem Of
procuring labor for those who are
starving. and Of caring for those who
must be aided at any cost. 1t is not
frequent that 2.4o0 men ask to be al
loved to saw wood In order to check
the pangs OF hunger. yet such Is the
sad earnest OF what Is still to come.
unless there he an early. relief Of the
present stress.
Suffering Among Negroes.
Many distressing cases Of suffering
among aged negroes We're discovered
yesterday by agents Of the Colored
City Mission. In some instances old
people were found lying sick. without
fire or food and but little bed clothing.
At the same time tho mission house at
No. 90. East Leigh Street was being
hesieged by a great crowd OF colored
poor, begging for food. The situation
grew SO desperate that the women of
the mission, after eXlhusting their
means, borrowed money from some OF
the financial institutions here on their
personal property, in the hope OF as
sisting the sufferers as far rs pos
sible. This fund was soon exhau stad,
however. and the missionais now again
confronted by serious problem.