Evening star., 1933-01-24
Volunteers Fit Needy Shoes
NHANKS or no thanks-it's all the
same to the volunteers who are
tediously fitting free shoes upon
L the feet of the unemployed at
1C7 SeVenteenth street working

same to the volunteers who are
tediously fitting free shoes upon
L the feet of the unemployed at
727 Seventeenth street, working
long hours seven days a week.
The job is the thing. II the line is
kept moving. If none of the many
charges Of the Old Woman Who Lived
in a Shoe Is disappointed, the men are
satisfied.
Time enough, when the stock Is ex-
handed out her last pair Of kicks"
for the helpers to straighten their backs
and wonder if their day was richer in
grief than human gratitude.
There are five helpers regularly on the
job, recruited from the unemployed,
working for their keep. Sundays and
holidays, seven days a week. They at
tend personally to the wants of each
applicant, going about the patient buSl-
ness of fitting secondhand shoes.
Supply Soon Exhausted.
Sometimes the line of applicants is
boisterous and unruly; almost daily it
grows in numbers. The rush hour, how
ever, is over sooner than it should be,
owing to the fact that the daily sup
ply of mems shoes Is soon exhausted.
Before noon today the mems shoes
in the racks had dwindled to the last
pair-two white buckskin creepers.
mo more shoes larger than a SIKH
the helpers shouted, mo more shoes
larger than a sikh"
But that spoken assurance was not
enough. Footsore, tattered men, stand
ing too long in line to be lightly turned
aside, must see for themselves. They
crowded forward, eagerly scanning the
empty racks.
There was bitter disappointment
among them. disappointment and a
growl Of criticism, as if the workers
were to blame for the barren racks in
sizes 7, 8, 8, 10 and IL.
They kick, sure" grinned a helper,
who had not learned from book what
1t means to be barefoot as well as job
less II only wish we had the shoes
for them. Big shoes. mans shoes, with
thick soles. A fellows feet swell
pounding the pavement: they're on
their feet all the time, or the ones worth
their salt are. . I" 4" Look at that guy!"
A giant colored man, hunched for
ward in disappointment, shuffled out on
feet which showed bare through rags
of leather. We've handed out more
than 5000 new and rebuilt shoes since
We opened December TO-" the helper
said. "and still they come!"
Women came, white and colored, with
babies in arms A cripple deposited his
crutches against the wall and was
helped into seat. while the assistants
found two shoes for him. a large shoe
for the good foot and a much smaller
one for the other.
A girl who might have been private
secretary in happier day came to
inquire for a small size and narrow
last. 1t was impossible to fit her, and
she left with nod of gratitude for the
men who had done their best.
Who said they never thank you"
cried a helper, returning to the job
with fresh enthusiasm. She gets
nothing and appreciates it,
Rebuilt Free Of Charge.
The shoes which are handed out have
been collected from public contribution
and rebuilt free of charge by the Hahn
Shoe Store CAROLS Laundry is send
ing its trucks for donations, and many
Office and Government workers are COL
lecting the names of persons willing to
give old shoes to the cause.
We've big call for women's and
children's shoes, too," said George
Emerson, secretary in charge OF the
Seventeenth street headquarters, wives
and unemployed girls and school chill
dren who are ashamed to go out with
the other children because OF their
shoes. But we are better supplied with
these shoes-it's the mems shoes. large
sizes, high and low, we need most"
The Old Woman Who Lived in a
Shoe was founded last Winter by F..
Regis Noel, local attorney, and a COM
mittee of prominent Washingtonians.
The activities of the organization have
been carried forward since independent
of cash contributions.
Mr. Emerson's helpers at the shop,
almost without exception, came in to
ask for free shoes, became interested
in the work and remained voluntarily
to assist other applicants in finding
proper shoes.
Our helpers are the biggest boosters
we have" Emerson said, nodding to
one Of them, called Blackie by his fell
lows, as he hustled about the shop,
courteous and intent as If he were wait
ing on cash customers.
Blackie's case, it seemed, was typical.
He considered his Job start toward in
dependence, and worked long hours
willingly for no other compensation
than free meals at the restaurant of a
committee member and lodging at the
Y. M. c. A.
Got Letter From Chicago.
Only yesterday a letter came from
his wife in Chicago. where Blackie
had left her with their 18-monthS-old
daughter while he came East to look
for a job
LAS you know we were put out of
our apartment" the letter said. "and
for two weeks we stayed with Maude,
six of US In one room. For two weeks
straight we never went to bed, but sat
up in chairs all night with the ther-
mometer down to zero outside. Baby
just fine, but, Blackie, hurry and send
for us, or send some money. You know
how things are here"
Things look better now I've got
this job" Blackie said. For a while,
as we say out in Chicago, with Lake
Michigan always ready. I was going
to walk East till my hat fioatsr"
That's the kind of thing he's up
against" said Emerson. Can you
wonder why Blackie and the rest Of
the men know how to sympathize with
the unemployed. It's a thankless job,
but they don't want thanks as long
az the line moves !"