New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-29
Will Give Receipts OF
Lectures to Find Work
for JObleSS.
GETS DATA AT CITY
LODGING HOUSE
Has Pea Soup with Un-
fortunateS and Stays
| Hour 20 Minutes.


brought on by the hard times, the for
mer President plans TO lecture in tn
leading cities of the United States, the
proceeds Of each lecture to be given TO
the city in which he speaks and used to
find employment for the jobiess.
To gather data for the lectures,
which are to be on the subject of un-
employment, Mr.. Roosevelt last even
ing took officials of the Municipal Lodg-
ing House by surprise by Ling at the
lodging house and asking TO be shown
the manner in which New York cares
for her unemployed.
After being shown through the build
ing, Mr.. Roosevelt declared that it was
the best municipal lodging house he
had ever visited, but said he did not
favor the extension Of the temporary
relief plan as a way out of the unem-
plovment question.
Ate Pea Soup.
One of the incidents of the Colonel's
inspection of the building was that the
former President. in company with 125
derelicts, men and women, stood in the
dining room and ate pea soup. Fur
thermore, he seemed to enjoy it.
Mr.. Roosevelt drove up t the lOdg-
ing house. which is at 423 East 25th ST.,
at s o'clock. He was accompanied By
Miss Frances Kellar, executive secre-
tary Of the National Progressive Sc g
vice, and Philip Roosevelt, his nephew.
He went at once into the office, where
sat William Albert Whiting, the super
intendent. Whiting recognized his Wis
itor Immediately, but the ex-President
proceeded, in his Customary energetic
manner. 10 introduce himself. lie then
said that ne would like to be shown
through tue Nuilding, in order to sc-
quaint himself with New York's meth
ods Of caring for the poor and those
out of work.
The first place visited was the wait
ing room. in which we're more than 200
men awaiting their turn TO register for
the night. Mr. Roosevelt singled out
half a dozen Of these and spoke to
them, inquiring how they liked it at
the lodging house. lie also sounded
each of the half dozen regarding their
chances Of obtaining employment in
the near future.
Would End Lodging Houses.
Throughout his inspection of the
building the former President, although
interested in all that he saw, seemed
to be concerned mainly with the possi-
biity Of wiping out lodging houses en-
tirely by putting the unemployed to
work.
In the dining room 125 men and
women were seated AT supper. When
Colonel Roosevelt and his party en-
tered he was recognized Immediately,
ard every one IN ,he room stood and
remained standing until the eX-Presi-
dent left the room. After greeting the
diners Mr. Roosevelt stepped 10 the
small window that communicates with
the kitchen and held a conversation
with the chef. In "a few minutes bowl
Of pea soup, a cue Of coffee and two
thick slices Of bread were passed
through the opening.
The visitor examined the bread,
which is baked by the convicts on
Blackwell's Island, and then surprised
all I'M the room by requesting a spoon.
Still standing at the small window, he
proceeded 10 cat the soup.
Tough for Next President"
While he was eating, red-haired
man sang out above the buzz OF COM
ment: "Geel But that's tough stuff
for the next President Of the United
States 70 he eating,"
There was a loud roar from the
Giners and Mr.. Roosevelt permitted
himself q smile.
Leaving the Others Of his party the
Colonel then descended with Superin-
tendcnt Whiting 20 the stCrlizing
rooms ia the basement. Here the
clothes Of the men are steriiized. and
tho men. il they require them, supplied
with new underwear and nightShirt.
The Colonel continued TO ask the
men questions concerning their occu-
pati0ns. where they had come from,
when they had last worked and what
their chances were Of getting work.
Once he turned TO the superintendent
and asked: "WhaJ can be done for
this place p"
An inspection OF the mems dormi-
toric, followed, during which tho for
TOD g..
appearanc.. In the wOmen's dormi-
tories he spoke for fifteen minutes
with a young woman who had an in
can't ir her AIMS. In" woman'S hus-
band had deserted her, leaving her
penriless.
Mr. Roosevelt then asked the super
intendent what Gcton would be taken
bv the city IN regard TO the woman.
lie was told that one Of the charitab, Q
institutions had been asked TO find her
employment Of character that would
enable her TO keep the child with her.
when the party had returned to the
Office Mr.. Whiting informed the ex-
President that he considered the great
est need Of the city, state and nation
was work colonies. where men who re-
fused TO work or were unable 10 work
could be sent
Il think that lthc superintendent
plnn) is n far better plan than the ex-
tension OF temporary relief" Mr.
Roosevelt said.
A thorough inspection Of the annex
on Recreation Pier followed. The an
mex. which was built at cost of Sl5.-
600 and contains 500 beds and twenty
large stoves, the ex-PTcsident was most
about
The entire inspection occupied one
hocr aud twenty minutes.