The Washington herald., 1910-03-19

Rev. DR.. ]. Milton Wsldron, president
Of the Alley Improvement Association,
yesterday issued an appeal for money and
workers to extend the campaign for the
betterment in Washington byways.
Dr. Waldron is pastor Of the Shiloh
Baptist Church. He declares that while
limited amount of money is necessary
In the work OF the organization, what is
most needed is a capable corps Of SYM
pathetic workers who can devote time to
the work. The Alley Association is re-
ceiving the support of the Gospel Mission.
under the leadership of Mrs. H. e. Mon
roe; various churches, the Women's In
terdenominational Missionary Union. of
which Mrs. John Newton Culbertson is
president; the Boys Club Organization
and Aid Society, of Washington and New
York. and a number OF individual work.
ers. lead by Miss Julia Parks. daughter
Of Prof Parks. of Howard University.
Reports indicate surprising intellectually
among the alley children.
Feasibility OF New Houses.
The association has obtained figures to
show that good sanitary buildings could
be provided for the rentals now charged
in alley shacks and still pay liberal
return on the investment An average
building, with the ground on which it
stands, is now worth about $1,000, and
persons find their domicile. averaging
probably ten or twelve.
The housing commissions report showed
2s6 alleys in the city where dwellings
stood. but the number has been some
what decreased by the closing of some
of them In these byways live 20J0
white and 1900 cOlored persons Origin
ally the proposition was to appeal TO
Congress to close up these alleys for
dwelling purposes and turn the buildings
10 other purposes, but # is now believed
that such action would work unnecessary
hardship upon the poor, who must have
some place where they can live with
moderate rent, Police returns show that
in these alleys, which have been the
harboring places for crime and vice.
there has been a material Improvement
in the conditions of order and a reduc-
ton in the number OF arrests In every
instance following the coming OF the
workers.
Inception Twenty Years Ago.
Work In the alleys in this city was
started nearly twenty years ago by two
English women, who, with the co-opera-
zion of the pastor OF BeTean Baptist
Church, then located in Eighteenth, be-
tween L and NJ streets, rented a house in
Douglas court. and, while living on the
second floor. conducted their mission work
on the first floor in the apartment which
they fitted up for the purpose, Following
a service Of nearly a year. they went TO
Florida and turned the work over to the
Central Union Mission, which greatly ex-
tended the field. and during the Eve
years they were active did excellent work
in twenty-five or thirty alleys. For want
OF funds and workers. they finally aban-
doned the field. and nothing further was
done until about eighteen months ago,
when the present association was incor-
porated. Their work is primarily in the
opening OF Sunday schools, the holding
OF mothers meetings. prayer meetings,
and in summer of open-air meetings No
UNCONVENTIONAL feelings are allowed to
crop out and In every instance interested
persons are urged to select the church
which they prefer and attend that church