Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-20
FREE BEDS TAXED
by HOMELESS MEN
IN FIRST COLD SNAP
Missions Get ForetaSte of
Demand Winter May Put
Upon Facilities.
CITY LODGINGS REPORT
ON MORE HOPEFUL VEIN
Less Than Number Applying Last
Autumn There-Freezing Tenn
perature Tonight.

With continued cold weather in pros
pect for the Capital for the next two
or three days, and the mercury
scheduled to drop to the freezing point
or even below tonight, according to the
Weather Bureau, Washington missions
mintstering to cold, hungry, jobless men
got their first real taste last night Of
what sort Of problem they may have to
face throughout the Winter.
The two largest of these missions, the
Central Union Mission and the Gospel
Mission both reported that last night
they were filled to capacity, and pre-
dicted II the cold weather keeps UP they
will have to find more room to take
care of those who cannot pay to get in
out of the cold
At the Central Union Mission, 613 O
street, John s. Bennett, manager, re-
ported more men applied for lodging
than on any other night in the is years
ne has been with the mission, about 400
applying for and receiving lodging
tickets. No applicants were turned
down, however, he reports.
VIII Provide More Beds.
Today he announced plans for speed
ing up the work that is being done 70
have the new building of the mission
at 313 Sixth street prepared for the
expected overflow from his present.
quarters, a building which he says Is
being fitted for 100 more beds and which
can be made to accommodate 200 beds
II necessary.
The bread line this morning, he de-
clared, was the longest Of the FAN.
Harvey Prentice, superintendent Of
the Gospel Mission, 214 John Marshall
place, reported his place was filled to
overlooking and that food was given
So men following the prayer service last
night. There is a great need at the
mission, he declared today, for warm
clothing for the jobless men that are
coming to the mission for help. Few of
them, he said, have overcoats, many are
without underclothing and not o few
even need shoes. Plans are being made
for the addition of so double decked
beds at the mission, he said.
More Hopeful View.
A little different story of the situation
is given by H. A. Koch, superintendent
of the Municipal Lodging House, on
Twelfth street between c and d streets.
Times" he said, don't seem to be as
hard this year as they we're at this time
last year, If the number of men apply
ing TO- the lodging house is any indica-
ton Of the times. While have had the
lodging house practically full for the
past 10 days, I'm not receiving as many
men this year as was at this time last
year. There were a. men In the house
last night, about all we could handle
comfortably. OF course, we could take
care OF more, and we are turning none
away. I really don't believe there are
as many jobless and hungry men this
year as there were last"
All heads of the lodging houses agree
that somewhat different class of men
is applying this year for food and lodp-
ing. The habitual loafer, the tramp, who
mas learned from many years expert
ence how to get along on nothing at
all Is not so evident this year.
Applicants Want Work.
The mission heads believe these men
have gone with the birds, into the
southland, where they can ''sleep OUT
nights, and won't be bothered by usual
ly industrious men out of work. who
are now found to be crowding the flop
houses" formerly the Winter homes of
the trampS.
Both Bennett and Prentice reported
today that the men seen In the lodging
houses this year are men who seem
anxious to find work, any sort of en-
ployment that will provide money with
which to feed and clothe themselves.
They are earnest men. who are con-
scientiously trying to help themselves
but are simply unable to do it with
conditions as they are now" Prentice
declared.