The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-12
Al JOLSON
IS 60 Old
FELLOW
Burnt Cork Comic Joins Those
Making Xmas Merry for
D. c. Poor.

Good Fellows are being asked
to perform many kindly acts in
tightening the burdens which press
heavily home on many families in
the city this Christmas time. One
Of the most distressing appeals
was received by the Good Fellows
Exchange Of The Washington
Times today. It tells the whole
story Of restitution, with the
climax apparently certain to be
reached within q few days, just
before Christmas, unless some
Good Fellow comes to the rescue.
Here are the facts as supplied to
the Good Fellow editor.
Widow to Lose Home.
A widow, well advanced in years,
- about to be evicted from her
home unless she can make up ar.
rears in rent. The sum required
to insure her keeping q roof over
her head 10 comparatively small.
She wishes to obtain an advance
Iof the amount required giving az
security a mortgage on her house
hold furniture. It IL her last re.
source. She has found that loans
advanced on collateral Of that kind
carry with them q ruinous interest.
While she can in time pay off the
loan she can see no possibility of
doing so and meeting the interest
charges. This ID the situation
brought to the Good Fellow editors
oesk. 1t was presented by friend
VINO knows all the circumstances
ana declares the aged widow Is de-
serving Of assistance.
Possibly some Goodfellow will be
wiling to extend such assistance
| as a Christmas present." said the
informant. They will get their
money back and make it possible
| Tor the woman to save her home.
Won't you just let them know there
Is case of that kind that is really
deserving" The Goodfellow Elk
change presents 1t for consideration.
School Children Organize.
Washington school children are
organizing Godfellow groups in sew
eral sections of the city. They are
planning to provide a regular Santa
Claus Christmas for the children
they undertake to assist. Their
work will be carried on so far as
possible in local sections: that il the
school children will look after chill
dren in their own sections Of the
city. This will mean that many
little stocking will reveal its toy
treasure on Christmas morn which
otherwise would have hung limp and
empty.
The ranks Of the Good Fellows
are swelling. But there are scores
OF opportunities unplaced for some
Good Fellow to claim. Cases Of all
descriptions can be supplied, from
the aged woman, without friends.
almost penniless to the mother
struggling to keep her family Of
eight, nine or ten children together.
Many appeals are being received
asking for fuel and clothing.
Needs Fuel and Food.
One OF the latter came from a
mother or four children today. Her
husband, whom she declares to be
sober hardworking man, who mas
always been able to provide we'll
for his family and has done so
cheerfully. finds herself without
fuel and little to eat in the house.
Her husband has been out Of work
for several weeks. While employed
he earned SO day, but it took
every cent they made to meet
running expenses at the home.
Christmas for them, she declares
will be one of actual suffering un-
less some Good Fellow comes to
their assistance. She IL thinking Of
the disappointment her little ones
Will feel when overlooked by Santa
Claus and yet she hesitates to ask
for toys when LIES necessities are
needed. She closes her appeal with
the wish that she be informed that
some Good Fellow will heed her APP
peal, for the mental strain Is
killing"
Good Fellows are urged to com.
municate with the Good Fellow Elk
change OF The Washington Times
without delay, for there are many
cases where the suspense is "lxill-
ing"
JOlsOn Joins Ranks.
Al Jolson. the blackface comic,
just now starring in "Bombo" at
the Shubert-Belasco, is the first Of
the stage stars to enroll as q Wash
ington Times Good Fellow. AL, as
everybody knows, is a Washington
boy. He was born and raised in
southwest Washington in humble
circumstances, and he knows from
Continued on Page 26l