Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-12
Welcome Breakfast to Those
in the Bread Line.
HUNDRED HUNGRY WAITING
Grateful for Salvation Army Hos
pitality.
MANY APPLICATIONS FOR SOUP
More Than 400 Poverty-Stricken
Families Being Aided by the
Organizations Poor Fund.

A trembling old man, whose faded face
matched his worn garments headed
Washington's bread line, which was in
ausurated early this morning at Saliva
toon Army headquarters. $50 Pennsyl-
vania avenue
The morning air was damp and misty
and chill penetrated the threadbare
garments of many of the men and boys
In the line. The leader had most in
telligent face. although it was deeply
scanned with lines of care and suffering.
He rubbed his emaclated hands briskly
together to restore their blood circula-
ton as he patiently waited in the hall
for his dole of bread and coffee.
This bread line is a godsend to us
poor fellows" he remarked to a thin
man next in line, who appeared as If
he had bumped the bumps of life hard
and often.
Yes" the thin individual replied. blow
ing mouthful of foggy atmosphere
through his fingers to warm them; YES,
this breakfast of hot coffee and rolls gives
a man encouragement and spirit to go
forth and seek employment. It's hard to
attempt anything on an empty stomach
In the line were several wandering
boys whose ages could not have been
more than sixteen years. and one Of the
Salvation Army lassies spoke words of
comfort to the lads and babe them go
back to their homes. those who have
homes, and lead upright lives.
Hundred Hungry Ones Wait.
AS the odor of steaming coffee filled the
hall the men and boys smiled as they
shifted the air
There were 100 hungry ones in the line.
and as the hour for serving the breakfast
q y-r iva fhnr-
a big roll and a tin cup filled with aro-
matte cofee. Some of the men who have
been hard drinkers requested two cups of
coffee. and their request was granted in
every instance.
This is better than BOOZE" remarked
a red-faced man, "and with Gods help
l am going to cut out the ruby red and
stick to coffee. if l can get it, and Po-
tOmacade."
The distribution Of the breakfast was
conducted under the personal supervision
of Ensign Maggie NJ Patterson. who was
assisted by corps of Salvation Army
lads and lassies.
Many Apply for Soup.
The soup line was formed In the hall
on Pennsylvania avenue at II 80 o'clock
and the procession was a motley and pa
thetic one. In the advance line were
many children of the other half, whose
pinched faces told that it had been
long time since they had enjoyed a square
meal Some of them carried tin pals.
others discarded tomato cans in which to
carry some soup home to their mo thers
and sisters and brothers who were I'M
able to become units In the soup line.
Not few Of the children were scholars
In the public schools, and one of them
acknowledged that she had gone to school
without her breakfast this morning.
- oh I'D n1 I'D H. to
utes till II o'clock so I could come here
and get some hot soup. 1 was SO hungry"
In the line were old black mammies.
white women. young and old: children OF
all nationalities and cOlors but all poor
very poor and hungry-and a sprinklng Of
decrepid men,.
This is great charity work" remarked
prosperous looking woman who had
come to witness the feeding of the un-
employed, land l will urge my friends to
encourage it by contributing to the fund
of the Salvation Army"
Poor Families Aided.
Ensign Patterson said that up to this
time not a penny has been contributed
by the public to the poor fund of the army
which has on it's list more than 400 pow
erty stricken families i'm the District All
the money spent for relief purposes has
been collected at the religious services of
the Salvation Army on the street corners
or in the hall. She said contributions Of
food or cash will be thankfully received
at headquarters. 930 Pennsylvania avenue,
where the bread and soup lines are formed.
Miss Patterson also said If the city author
tiles or ministers of the gospel or others
will report to her any cases of restitution
lassies of the army will be at once sent to
relieve the suffering so far as the limited
funds of the army will permit.