Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1895 — HOME FOR THE DRUMMER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOME FOR THE DRUMMER.

Plan Which Should Succeed Now Blocked by I^ c k of Fundo. T7p on the south of Side Mountain, overlooking the beautiful Chenango and Susquehanna valleys and 300 feet above, the city of Binghamton, N. Y„ is building tfttructure in which all of the people of this country are Interested.

It Is to be the home of indigent commercial travelers. Oct 9.1894, the corner stone was laid with imposing ceremonies. Then work ceased. The sound of the saw, the hammer and the trowel was stilled. Naturally persons ask why this abandonment of a project that foretold so much good. The answer is simple—a lack of money. There are 480,000 commercial travelers in the United States. When the plan to build for them a home where, when old and no longer able to carry a gripsack, they could find rest and comfort was formulated It was expected that their instant End unanimous co-operation would be received. Not so. There were, at the time of the last report, but 0,000 members of the association. The very causes which make a home necessary for these members make It hard to secure one. They are an easygoing, improvident class, spending money freely and looking little to the future. This indisposition to provide for “the rainy day” makes them careless of tiie effort being made in their behalf. The dues of these 0,000 members of the association amount to ?1 each per annum. The 80,000 paid in dues does not go far. The city of Binghamton gave the association 100 acres of land, worth ?50,000, and abont 813,000 in cash. Then numerous donations were made by wholesale firms throughout the country. Tills enabled a start, but a shortage of funds compelled a discontinuance of work. The home, when completed, will be five stories high, 110 feet deep, with a front of 173 feet, and will cost about $150,000. It will cost 875,000 per annum to maintain it

COMMERCIAL TRAVELER'S HOME.