Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-17

In WOman's Behalf.

In WOman's Behalf
WARNER BROTHERS TO PROVIDE PLACE
FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION
OF WORKING WOMEN.
BRIDGEPORT. Conn.,, March ia
most commendable scheme is to be carried
out by the Messrs. Warner Brothers of
New York, whose extensive corset manu.
factory is located near Seaside Park in
this city. 1t is the building of an elegant
structure of stone and pressed brick, to
be occupied by working women who have
no place to pleasantly spend their lsisure
hours. DR.. l. De Yer Warner has a mag
nifcent residence on Park Place, and he
has recently erected splendid block on
Fairfield Avenue at cost of 100000.
He has contributed greatly to the beauty
of Bridgeport, and given largely towards
the Young Mems Christian Association.
His brother, DIR. Lucien C.. Warner, re-
sides in New York, and the two constitute
the firm of Warner Brothers at 353 Broad
way. At the corset factory here there
are 1000 girls and young women en-
ployed, and tor several years it has been
a matter of contemplation how best to give
these women opportunity tor self improve
ment, The project has now come to final
decision, and in less than a months time
the foundations will be laid for building
to cover the whole of a large corner lot
near the factory. 1t is to be four stories
in height and finished throughout in the
most approved manner. On the basement
floor will be dining hall fifty feet wide
and extending the whole length of the
building. The main floor will embrace
library, reading room, ample music and
reception rooms, and at the rear a lavato-
ry with closets and nine bath rooms. The
next floor above will be divided into one
hall capable of seating 600 persons, anoth.
er of $50 capacity, and five class rooms.
All these may be thrown into one large
hall on special occasions. The top floor
is to be for the matrons and attendants as
their private apartments.
DIR. |. De Yer Warner was interviewed
by reporter yesterday and induced to
make known some interesting facts con-
corning the new enterprise. OF the 1000
young women employed fully one half
live within a half mile of the factory. In
many instances they provide themselves
with cheap and uncomfortable boarding
places, where victuals are not of good
quality and are poorly cooked. In Or
der that these girls may have wholesome
food and at very reasonable prices, res
taurant will be provided in the proposed
institution. Here the employees may order,
as they would at any restaurant, just such
meals as they care to take, and the prices
charged will be at cost or less. 1t is not
expected that the receipts of the restau-
rant will come within 81 1000 year of its
expenses. This department of the insti-
tuition will enable its patrons to board for
30 90 or $3.50 per week. All the other
departments will be free to the firms EN-.
ployes. The reading-room will contain
such literature of the day as the girls may
select, excluding, of course, all improper
reading, while the library will be fur
nished with standard works. including
various text books and works of refer
ence. Pianos will be located in reception
and music rooms, and music teachers fur
nished free. In the class-rooms instruc-
ton will be given in painting. drawing,
bookkeeping, penmanship and any special
branch in which a class can be formed
In the halls may be held entertainments
of musical or literary character, and
lectures will be provided during the win
ter season.
Connected with the institution will be a
savings bank. in which money may be de-
posted in sums of any size. and the rate
of interest will increase in proportion to
the time the deposit is allowed 10 remain
untouched. To every s. or $40 placed in
the bank, the firm will add bonus of
some specified amount, and thus encour-
age the employees to save some little por-
ton of their earnings. This department
will be open to male employees as we'll
| The enterprise will not be conducted af-
| ter the plan of any christian association,
but the doors will be freely opened to all
| female operatives in the factory, be they
jew, Gentle, Protestant, or Catholic.
There are many young Catholic girls in
the shop, and such reading will be placed
before them as the priests may advise.
The matrOn will be woman whose coun-
sci will be worthy of following, and all
the attendants will be women. As at
present outlined by the plans and pro-
spectus. there appears to be no feature
which is not worthy of being followed by
other concerns who employ large num-
Der of hands.
| This is the first institution of the kind
in this or any other country, so far as is
known by the projectors, and it is cred
table undertaking for the Warner Broth
ers to be pioneers in the movement. DR..
Lucien G. Warner has already built a con.
servatorv OF Music in Oberlin, Ohio, at
cost of $50 700, which was dedicated a
year ago-the first building of the kind
devoted entirely to musical affairs .-New
| York Sun.