Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-31

scores Of persons took refuge yes
terday and last night in the rooms Of
the Gospel Mission. the Salvation Army.
the Central Union Mission. etc. The
last two kept open house all night,
with big fires roaring in huge heaters,
and both places were. crowded with
women and children, q few men being
|sprinkled through the numbers Of those
compelled to take refuge there from the
cold.
Several Of the churches in the poorer
parts of the city also opened their
doors yesterday and last night to shell
ter persons unable to md warmth and
comfort elsewhere.
Hot Coffee and Clothing Free.
At the Central Union and Gospel
missions. Salvation Army and Volun-
teers Of America steaming hot coffee
as 1t was asked for yesterday and last
night. At these institutions. also. num-
bers of thinly clad men. in danger OF
freezing, were given overcoats and
other garments from the supplies OF
cast-off clothing on hand.
Dealers selling oil stoves and heaters re-
ported today that their stocks have beer
almost entirely sold out in the last few
days. the demand for these devices te
make cold rooms a little more comfortable
being without precedent.
Frozen Meters by Hundreds.
Reports Of frozen meters and consequent
failure of gas were received by the ga.
company today literally by hundreds. Th<
time OF one employee was entirely giver
up to receiving such reports, which came
from all parts of the city. and the com
had out after davIiHht
working to relieve this dangerous condi
ton.
Hundreds Of Washington people thi,
morning were without fuel OF any kind
and were unable to obtain any In spita
of the fact that there is considerable.
supply of coal in tire city, inability to fine
any one to haul it rendered the task o.
distribution almost insuperable. Her,
city are rendering first aid as rapidly ant
in as many cases as possible. A small de
livery truck owned by the Gospel Mission
was kept busy all day conveying small
quantities of coal to suffering families VIII.
applied at the mission for help Not NOR,
than bushel Of coal was delivered to an,
one family. Several other agencies Of lik,
character also went into the business O
supplying coal or wood in small guam
titles.
Hunting Out Suffering Families.
workers Tor the Gospel Mission wer
out early this morning. making tn,
rounds OF the poorer sections to Iocat,
suffering families and to see that a.
far as possible such families receiv
enough coal to keep them comfortable
1t was stated at the mission that II tn
situation becomes more acute it will b.
necessary to shelter cold sufferers II
the mission building itself, which i
well heated and sufficiently large to &C
commodate many such individuals an,
families.
Cots with plenty of warm covering
are being set up at the mission II
preparation for such an emergency
The mission also reported today tina
more than 100 children from owe
thirty homes are badly in need O
shoes and clothing. contributions o
which articles will be gladly received
Supt. Kline of the mission in a state
ment today said that the need il
last several years. A New Year din
ner is to be provided at the mission
tomorrow for homeless and destitut,
persons.
The Associated Charities reported to-
day that hundreds of calls have beer
made upon the organization in the las
few days for fuel. food and clothing
These calls. 1t was stated, are being at
tended to and suffering. relieved a.
rapidly as large corps of workers car
accomplish the task. Other charita bl,
organizations make similar reports.
Schools Calling for Coal.