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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Former Washington governor Marion E. Hay went on an inspection tour of the Christian Home for Men, one of Spokane’s prime charitable institutions for needy men.

He was impressed by the institution, and by the 150 men residing in the home.

“I had heard the home referred to as the ‘Home for the Down and Out’,” said Hay. “True, the home is for the down, but I am satisfied that 75 percent of those I met are not the kind of men who stay down and out for good. They have much comeback in them. While the clothing of most of the men showed wear, they looked neat and clean, were shaven …. There were several there that I am sure were college men, and men of considerable education, but down temporarily, probably through drink, but who still have a great deal of pride in themselves.”

He said the men are not charged to stay there, but they are asked to do a certain amount of work in exchange.

In addition, the home helps find jobs for the men to get them back on their feet, and 75 of them were spending their days working for farmers in the area. 

“How much better off these men are than if they were here in the city ‘mooching’ on the street by day and holding down a bench in some ‘joint’ during the night,” Hay said.

He said that superintendent Warren Latham was “doing a noble piece of the world’s work.”