Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-04
AN INTERESTING PROBLEM.
The Plan aud Prospects OF A. r.
atewArt'a HOtei for Women.
II. WBITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.

stowAFt'a HOIeI for women.
New York Cor. Baltimore SUM-
The late Alexander Z. Stewards
first patrons in the dry goods bust
ness were women. When from be-
ing a thrifty but obscure teacher of
a night school that coming prince
of tradeSmen opened a poor little
store on Broadway, upon a fraction
Of the site Of his future great
down downtown warehouse. His
chief stock was some Irish laces
brought across the Atlantic by him
self. Novelties in their way for this
country, they were seen and ad-
mlred by a lady who was at that
time an authority in New York So
ciety, and by her dictum we're made
the fashion. Such was the BEG
ming Of the colossal trade and lor-
tune of A. T. Stewart, and he never
forgot it. Atthe hight OF his pros.
perity he said to a friend of the
writer: g owe my success to the
ladies Of this city, aud shall en-
deavor before | die to devote some
of its fruits to a substantial ac-
acknowledgement of my debt to their
SEX" The result of that intention
is the vast hotel for workingwomen,
a magnificent and lofty white mar
ble caravansary of five hundred
sleeping rooms, occupying a whole
block on Fourth avenue, between
Thirty-second and Thirty-third
streets, which opened for guests on
the Sd of April. A superb struc-
ture on choice and high ground,
within bow-shot of the famous
Grand Central railroad depot, elab-
orately complete in all its appoint.
ments, fre-proof throughout, with
numerous steam elevators and a
fine library, bathrooms, etc., on
all Of the six floors, gas and hot
and cold water in every room, all
the water and gas drawn from five
driven wells and made from works
on the premises, spacious laundry
and refectory, a fine central court
yard neatly gardened, with ioun-
tain, electric bells, fire-alarms, etc.,
how could the benefcent design of
the great merchant have been real
lied more completely and munifi.
Gently? The communication isun-
questionable, so far as the noble
edifce and its fittings are concerned;
but in the published scheme for
the practical workings of this
hotel for women who earn their own
livings, another hand than the
founders is visible. Six dollars per
week is the very least for which a
guest can be accommodated with
board and lodging, and to be eli
gible she must be daily worker
for her bread, and bring a certifi-
cate of good character from her en-
ployers, or some equally authentic
source She must share her little
room with another boarder, or pay
81 a week extra. No sewing ma
chine, nor trunk, nor additional
piece of furniture, nor dog, nor
cat, nor even bird, will be allowed
! in her room, nor must she wash any
of her clothing there, She must
pay 10 cents each for baths, 80
cents a dozen for the washing of
her small pieces, and extra for the
Others. All trunks and boxes must
be kept IN a large store-room re-
served for that purpose; gas used
after IL o'clock at night will be
charged extra; visitors to rooms
viii be suffered only Hndef extreme
restrictions. Those taking their
meals only at the house will be
charged $l.1O a day; transient
guests must pay 81 a duy; private
parlors SO to 81 a week extra. If
such terms as these are for a mo-
ment practicable for any consider
able number of American women,
engaged in daily work or employ
ment," prevalent ideas as to the
rates Of remuneration paid for
feminine work must be blessed
ly erroneous indeed Female
school teachers and clerks may,
some of them, have incomes Of
from IS to $40 a week, but those
not having dependents to support,