The Washington times., 1914-05-04
By R. HILDEBRAND.

-hNHuhC, anu VI ti1O "SAt -
he is doing in connection with one OF
washington's most extensive private
charities, the Home Of the Good
Samaritan.
For several years superintendent
OF the home, Mr.. Mcclure yesterday
undertook the full management and
direction Of the institution founded
by the late William F. Downey.
The home is not an impressive af-
fair in appearance. 1t occupies no
elaborate building rearing its tur-
rcts skyward and surrounded by
flower bedecked terraces Many
Washington residents may have
passed 1t day by day and not recoS-
nized its existence, in the rooms over
a blacksmith shop. set far Dack from
the sidewalk at 1917 L street north
west. But the down-ani-outer. IL he
wants a meal. or d nights lodging,
and asks Of his kind where he may
frd It. will be referred to the home.
And many men now occupying good
positions ard paying their own way
in the world look back upon the
home and upon the kindly man in
charge as the turning point in their
careers
A lonG room we'll lighted. kept
scrupulously clean. with rows OF
neatly made beds on one side and a
long dining table on the other. with
a kitchen, a shower bath, n dressing
room. opening off the main room
this is the extent Of the plant which
the home operates.
But with this simple equipment It
has done a work that only can be
sensed by reading the letters kept in
its records Of men put on their feet
again, OF vagrants mad tramps given
new inspiration, OF down-and- cutters
helped along the road to rehabilita-
ton. Even figures do not tell the
full story. but they indicate the wide
scope OF the work In 1918 the home
gave 607 men lodging for a night or
more. 1,535 were served with meals.
S72 left the home to go to work. 22S
were assisted by the home in getting
work, IS received medical treatment,
and III were provided with clothing
and shoes.
But story after story OF the men
with whom the home has kept in
of the personal service rendered.
One cold night during the past w'n-
ter a young fellow dropped in. nearly
exhausted by cold and hunger. with
his feet so blistered and sore that
he could not walk further. He said
he had been travelling on freight cars
and stealing blind baggage" rides
from city to city. He still showed
signs of good breeding and inteili-
gence.
What started him off on the track
to trampdom? Well, that I can't tell
you," drawled Mr.. Mcclure. That
is a question I never ask any man.
I bound up his feet. I furnished him
with clothes. | gave him food and
bed. That | do for all OF them. But
l do not ply men with questions. II
they wish to confide in me- they can,
and many of them do
This young fellow stayed at the
home for nearly a week. Then he
announced he had found job. He
went to work at Georgetown Univer-
s.ty. and Is employed there now in
good-paying position. From para
site on society he was transformed.
by the slight chance the home af-
forded him, to brace up and become
a self-respecting citizen. paying his
own way.
DeIellCtS are Reclaimed.
Another knight of the road found
the going too bad for comfort and
drifted into the home about three
years ago. He was provided for
and given enough money to help him
make his way back West. He went
straight to his old home in Los
Angeles. and today is a member of
the police force of that city.
Ono man who wandered into the
home last fall was partially para
iyzed. Mr. McGGuire shave him and
cut his hair. Few jobs Were open
IN him on account OF his affiction.
But finally he LANDED" one with
an embassy as messenger, and he
has held 1t since.
\ teacher of languages. who had
become the victim OF drink, now is
a member of the faculty of st.
Johns College. while a retired u.
S Army officer who wandered into
the home became later secretary
TO the rector Of Catholic University
and now is employed with a type
writer company in an executive po-
sition in Boston.
Names of these men are on our
records. Many of them voluntarily
become contributors TO the home.
No one ever is asked for money.
1t is in this respect that We differ
from municipal and organized
charities. We reach a wider scope
of needy cases because there are no
restrictions on the time we may
care for a man.
Take advantage OF us? We have
had few who tried to do that. But
after a man is here a few days We
easily can tell whether lie Is trying
IN get work or not. And II anyone
tries to tarry longer than he should
VIC have to ask him to step out for