Evening star., 1917-12-18
HOUSE j. s. CLERKS,
PLEA TO DISTRICT
Mrs. Archibald Hopkins Ap-
peaIs to Business Firms
to Aid Fund.
OPERATING TWO HOMES

| With an initial contribution of $4,000
from The Evening Star Company to
finance the opening of community
boarding houses for the hundreds OF
government clerks being brought here
for war work, Mrs. Archibald Hopkins,
chairman Of the housing committee Tor
government employees, today issued an
appeal to business firms, civic organiza-
| tions and public-spirited individuals to
| take similar action.
| In issuing the appeal Mrs. Hopkins
made it clear that funds advanced to
the committee would be considered
as she and her associates feel confident
that after the first few months all of
the houses will be self-supporting and
enable them to return the money ad-
vanced.
| Two community boarding houses al
ready are in operation and the COM
| more dwellings with a capacity of 100
persons within two weeks as a result
OF The Stars advancement.
Appreciate Stars Action.
Mrs. Hopkins said today the commit
tee deeply appreciated the action of
The Star In launching the fund neces-
sary to open the much-needed quar-
ters.
1T is an example of patriotism to
other corporations which I hope will
be followed" she said
In her letter of appeal to other or
ganizatfons. Mrs. Hopkins said, in part:
I have many houses capable Of hold
ing hundreds Of people and a splendid
cor corps OF people to run them. some
would be taken within a few days.
There is only one thing that will de-
Feat the opportunity. The people who
are willing to do this work have little
fund behind them for the first few
| months expense should they be called
| upon to pay cash. as they would be for
rent in almost every case. and some
times for fuel and food.
Our plan is to run the houses. not as
boarding houses, but as clubs; always
with a conscientious, high minded wom-
an In charge of each house, with a COM
| mfttee OF overseers and inspectors.
Clerks Behind Guns.
TT seems to me in view of the un-
bounded prosperity here. owing to the
influx of strangers, 1t is really incum-
bent upon your organization to give some
| tangible help in this matter. The clerks
are behind the guns If we cannot take
run
| Mrs. Mary f. Minott of Boston, who
has had considerable experience in ar
ranging menus, has come to Washing
| ton to assist the committee in buying
foodstuffs for the houses as economically
as possible.
| Mrs. Medill Mccormick notified the
committee today that she will work with
the committee to solve the problem of
making room for the scores who are ar
riving here daily to work for the govern
ment.
Hold Meeting Tomorrow.
The committee will meet at O'Clock
tomorrow afternoon at Mrs. Hopkins
home, 1925 Massachusetts avenue, to
discuss further plans for carrying out
the community boarding house plan.
Mrs. Hopkins made it clear today
that her committee is endeayoring to
provide only for government employees
both civil and military. She said that
through a misunderstanding, persons
coming here on pleasure trips had ap-
pealed to her for rooms
Private families that have available
rooms in their homes are invited to
write to the committee, room sos VIII
ktns building. describing their quarters.
Government employees. strangers in
the city, who are seeking quarters will
find lists OF rooms which Mrs. Houkins'
committee has available at the Y NJ c.
A. main building. 1895 G street; Y. w
C. A., 14th and G streets: at the ord
nance bureau Of the War Department
1888 street, or war risk bureau. Ma
| tionai Museum. Any government de-
partment will be supplied with a list
upon request.