Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-02
COOPERATIVE DINING.
Details of the Decatur NeiEhborhood Boarding House Scheme.
 From tho Chicago Tribuue1

Details of the Decatur Neighborhood
 Boarding House Scheme.
 [From the Chicago Tribune.]
 At Decatur, Ill.,, public interest is centered on "The Roby." There are such things on at "The Roby" as have not been witnessed since the first spirit rappings were heard at Rochester. This pretty little city has eleo- trio street railways, six newspapers, a dozen fine churches, a metropolitan air, clean streets, good water-and the servant girl question. But all these 'ain't nothin'," as a small boy remarked in my presence when these advantages were being enumerated. We've got something Chicago ain't got. It's Bellamy boarding house."
 "I am in the swim," remarked quiet gentleman. "Come down and see us. We are living off the fat of the land for two dollars and seventy-fve cents week per head. And we have no bother, no worry about servants. We are located at The Roby.'"
 This is the history of the experiment:
 Miss Fanny Fuller and her mother boarded at the Roby with Mrs. Guyton. It was the swell boarding house of Decatur. The Misses Witherspoon, two handsome young ladies, also boarded there. Mrs. Guyton never had trouble with her servant girls.
 Whyi
 Because the work was systematized. One UAu bu0 COOkluk huO ANuuOIy WUIhS huOtAcE the second work. One had the table to wait on and the dining room to care for. When their work was done the girls went where they pleased. Their liberty after work hours did not depend on the caprice of mistress or the exigencies of a private house..
 This set Miss Fanny Fuller to thinking. One day she read "Looking Backward" and read and marvelled and criticised she read and adapted. One morning she came into Mrs. Guytons room with an idea. She read the chapter from Bellamy's book on the pub- lie dining room.
 "Why can't we do it1' she asked. "We oan," said Mrs. Guyton, decidedly. Miss Fuller put on her smart jacket and tance with her idea. Everybody was charmed. The gentlemen forgot impatience and listened.
 A few weeks later meeting was held in Mrs. Guyton's parlors. After a number of whereases it was resolved to establish:
 1. cooperative association for the benefit of all g. No debts shall be contracted. S. A president. secretary and treasurer shall be 4 A superintendent shall be appointed to act as the purchasing agent of tho club, vouchers to be
 5. Members shall pay two dollars and seventy-fivs cents week board to the treasurer; children under G. The superintendent is to have entire charge of the dining room, kitchen and servants, under the | direction of a board of managers It was agreed by all present to sign the constitution. these being the charter mem- bers. Applicants for membership should have their names posted in the dining room three days before admission, and no one was to be received If a serious objection were raised by any one member. Mrs. B. K. Dur fee was elected president and Miss Fannie | Fuller secretary and treasurer.
 Mrs. Guyton's basement was rented, in. cluding large dining room, kitchen and pantries, a manager installed, tive cooks and three waiter girls hired, and the Co-opera-