Evening star., 1940-06-18
SheItering Arms Mission
Has Telephone Solicitors
Collects Funds and Clothing for Children,
But Hos No Directors and Runs Without Audit

49, w W
The fifth OF a series of articles
on lesser knotDn charity agencies
tn Washington. In publishing
the tdctual findings of one of its
reporters, The Star does not pre-
sumo to say any particular insti-
tuition is good or bad, efficient or
inefficient.
Sheltering Arms Mission is sit
uated at 480 E street S.W.. but the
management and promotion stats
live in three houses in Capitol
Heights, Md. These houses and
summer quarters at Shadyside, Md,
are being purchased on the INSTALL
ment plan.
Operated by the Rand family
headed by Mrs. Enid A. Cutting
Rand. Sheltering Arms three to six
telephone solicitors ask public sup
port for provision of meals to chill
dren at noon and 4:30 daily, main
tenance of summer camp at
Shadyside and distribution of used
clothing and other articles to the
needy.
Telephone Prospects.
Young Cornelius Rand, who is as
suming more and more responsible
ity in management, was in charge
of the mission the first morning
The Star reporter called. Occupy
ing the lower floor of a two-story
brick building, the mission consists
primarily of a 5Ox15-foot assembly
room, combination Office and din
ing room, with a seating capacity
of Is persons, and a kitchen.
Mr.. Rand and another solicitor
were telephoning prospective con-
tributors when the reporter entered
They were explaining to persons
called from a card index that the
mission, because of increased de-
mands. wanted to care for $50 ad-
ditional children at its stunrRer
camp"
Last summer 20 to 80 children
were given periods averaging two
weeks at the camp, Mr.. Rand told
the reporter, adding that If more
were cared for this summer the
camp cottage would have to be en-
larged.
An average of Is children were
served meals daily at the mission in
the summer, MIR. Rand asserted,
and the number rose to 35 and As in
the winter, requiring two shifts for
the evening meal.
Four Children Served.
-Four children were given plates of
hamburger, beans and bread at noon
on this particular daJ, the re-
porter observed.
Dropping back at 4:30 a couple of
days later, the reporter found two
little girls eating, with plates set
for three others. The matron. how
ever, went out in front of the mis-
sion, where a group of youngsters
were playing softball, and nine
came back with her. All of the IL,
who received spaghetti, beans,
bread and sliced apple, appeared
to be frequent guests.
When they had finished eating
the children announced they were
going to resume their ball game.
Wont that make you hungry
again they were asked.
"Sure," replied several.
Then, won't you eat at home
later?"
Three or four of the boys smiled
assent, but under the matron's s
watchful eye none spoke. At length
one girl said, II DON'T" This was
the only spoken commitment.
Market Man Helps.
Mr.. Rand stated that the mission
purchased all of its food, even
bread and milk. This news proved
startling to the proprietor of Wer-
ber's Market at Seventh and I
streets S.W., who said representa-
tives of Sheltering Arms had So
licited food products from him a
number of times; and the grocer
produced receipts for several dona-
tions, including one for 10 pounds
Of sugar
In describing the missions prop
critics at Capitol Heights, Mr.. Rand
mentioned only two houses. one
occupied by the Rands and the
other by telephone solicitors. A
visit to the 500 block of Sixty-f1rst
street, Capitol Heights, showed that
Mr.. Rand had overlooked another
structure, two-story building with
what once was store downstairs
and four rooms, two occupied by
solicitors, upstairs. On a recent
visit to this building Detective
Sergt. R. ]. Felber found two young
women busy with potential con-
tributors' list in the storeroom
filled with carefully stacked do
mated clothing.
DO you sell this stuff?" Sergt.
Felber asked.
Sure, sometimes" replied one.
IF We see something especially good
we may buy 1t ourselves"
Solicitors Employed.
On the reporters rounds he noted
four telephones with prospects files
nearby. The Rands said three non-
family solicitors were employed at
the time, and that they received
commissions Of IS to 80 per cent.
No commissions are given on pledges
obtained by family member sohci-