Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-12-21
HUNGER ATTACKED.
IN POLICE DRIVE.
Christmas Party Turns to
Serious Side With
Many Appeals.

The tumult and the shouting for
Christmas toys for needy children
died down today. but the cry for food
and clothing grew louder.
OF toys there will be plenty, thanks
to the response to The 6tar-Warner
Bros.-N. b. G. Christmas toy CAM
paign, climaxed Saturday. But Q toy
Is Of only passing benefit to . hungry
child, to children with shoes 30 thin
and clothes 30 ragged that they cam
not 60 to school.
The emphasis Of the Christmas ap-
peal shifts. therefore. from toys and
dolls to food and clothing. The first
slogan Of this campaign, Remember
the Forgotten Child" now Is replaced
by the resolve, no hungry person in
Washington on Christmas"
Those who would stock shelves that
are empty and clothe backs that are
bare should communicate Immediately
with police or make out check to the
Metropolitan Police Christmas Party
and mail 1t to Capt. Joseph G. Morgan.
chairman, fifth precinct.
City Of Prosperity.
Many there are VINO ask where are
the poor for which this appeal speaks
There can be no refutation Of the tru-
ism, the poor are always with U.s."
in Washington as well As elsewhere.
The fact that the Capital Is . rela.
lively prosperous city. with . major
ity of the population enjoying fairly
comfortable incomes, does nothing to
erase the tragic fact that about 5000
families receive direct relief, while
some $4,000 families-some $4,000 or
10000 men, women and children
are supported solely by w. p. A. earn.
ings of around SIS TO-. SIS q week. In
addition, there are hundreds who
have no support whatsoever except
the occasional charity of others.
The police know where these poor
are. They are In every neishborhood.
In some neighborhoods they are in
every block. This reporter knows
where they are. He has been into
their homes. seen four and i've Sleep
ing in one bed. on floors, even. Daily
the weather grows colder and daily
the fuel supply in some Of these
homes dwindles-if there was any fuel
supply. A grandmother in George
town told this reporter the other day
that the only fuel in the house was
= little wood given her by . tree
trimmer.
D.
Until this campaign got under way
there were many children, many
adults. to whom Christmas was an
empty dream. Contributions from
hundreds Of sources reduced this num-
Der. but the Job Is not yet done, &C.
cording to officials Of the police drive.
Capt. Morgan was to confer today
with representatives Of wholesalers
and chain stores. He has prepared q
list Of needs for food In large lots and
will order from the lowest bidder. The
captain said the total cost Of the DO
lice campaign will be less than 500,
an almost negligible overhead when it
Is considered that cash donations Of
more than $1,000 have been received
for the police fund.
Today. It was hoped. will bring q
halt to the flood Of requests for
Christmas baskets. The police ex-
pect to devote time during the in
terval until Christmas eve tnvesti.
eating applications already turned in.
Packing Of food baskets will take
place this afternoon In the Dis
:rict National Guard Armory. The
baskets will Be placed on an "as-
sembly line" volunteer workers I'LL
ing them as they go from hand to
hand. Baskets will be given to po-
licemen to be taken to their respec-
tive precincts. where they will be
collected Christmas eve and Christ
mas day by holders OF tickets given
to needy families after Investigation
Police ofacers will take baskets to
shut-ins and others for whom it is
physically impossible to call at the
station house.
Capt. Morgan said distribution OF
clothing will not be undertaken until
after Christmas, except in emergen-
cies, such Is one reported recently
where a Swear old girl could not 70
to school because she had but one
ragged dress All who are in serious
need Of clothes should communicate
with the Fifth Precinct after Friday.
he said.
Many prospective donors, the party
chairman said. want to be taken to
the home Of . particular family in
need 20 that they may see where
their gifts 60. Capt. Morgan said
1t obviously was impossible to assign
policemen to take such persons on
personal tours" The contributor,
he added. may rest assured that every
case Is investigated carefully and that
his gift will 60 where 1t will do the
most good.