CHAPTER IX THE PENNY LUNCH AND FREE DISPENSARY
The following is a letter written by Mr. George W. Wheeler, which was published in our _Gospel Tidings_, of February, 1911:
“In an experience of twenty-six years in active, earnest, aggressive Rescue Mission work in this city, the writer cannot recall that any line of secular work taken up for the amelioration of the poor has ever called forth such universal expressions of interest, sympathy and co-operation as the 'Penny Lunch and Newsboys' Waiting Room,' opened by the Gospel Mission, at 304 Fourteenth Street, on Saturday, February 4. The city papers published pictures of the interior and exterior, and a portrait of our Superintendent, Mr. Kline, and were most generous in their endorsement of the enterprise, while the _New York Times_ and other papers spread the news far and wide that the cost of living had been solved in Washington by the Gospel Mission '_Penny Lunch_.'
“The opening of this lunch-room was made possible by a noble Christian woman of wealth, who was born, reared and now resides in this city. Her interest was aroused by reading a statement of the work and needs of the Gospel Mission, prepared by our Superintendent, and she came to see about the matter, learned its approximate cost, and sent a check to pay the expenses.
“For two weeks or more Mr. Kline and his assistants were busy papering, painting, etc., and finally the steam table and coffee urns, with many other essentials of a twentieth century up-to-date lunch-room were installed and the doors were opened to a waiting crowd. Mrs. Kline oversees the cooking, and everything is as clean and neat as in one's home.
“The menu consists of the following articles: Coffee, 1 penny; bread or rolls, 1 penny; beans, 1 penny; doughnuts, 1 penny; sour, 1 penny; beef stew, 3 pennies; one-half pie, 3 pennies. A lunch, consisting of soup, meat, vegetables, bread and coffee, 5 cents. This brings a well-cooked, clean, nourishing meal within the reach of all who have any income whatever.
“It was amusing to see the class of men and boys who came to have their appetites satisfied at the lowest cost. Newsboys, messenger boys, laboring men, teamsters, and all kinds of indescribables came, and they appeared greatly surprised to find such an attractive room with all the 'latest improvements' found in a lunch-room. And how they did eat! A big soup plate filled to the brim with bean soup, a big china cup filled with steaming hot coffee, a big brown roll or three slices of Corby's 'Mother's Bread.' These were good, and 'mighty filling at the price.'