Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-21
A CLUB FOR WORKERS
A NEW YORK CLUB THAT is LIKE
LONDON'S TOYN6EE HALL.


The nearest approach to Toynbee
Hall in America is the East Side club.
The movement originated in the Church
club, an organization consisting of about
400 representative Episcopalians.
Instead of an Oxford tutor, New
York lawyer, Everett P. Wheeler, con-
ceived the idea of hospitable home.
with liberal minded men in residence.
where the workingmen of the east side
might meet. Mr.. Wheeler had Just re-
turned from London when he read his
paper to the Church club, showing the
magnitude and magnifcence of the
work accomplished i'll Whitechapel by
university extension.
The laymen were so very favorably
impressed by the strength of the appeal
and the earnestness of their associate
that as individuals they agreed to give
any project he might formulate their
support. That was in March, 1891.
In June Mr.. Wheeler had rented
an old frame dwelling house at the
foot of East Seventy-sixth street, once
the country residence of promi-
nent New York physician, to which he
gave the name of the East Side club
His family had gone abroad, and when
it was learned that Mr.. Wheeler had
closed his house at the corner of Seventy
first street and Park avenue, and taken
up his residence in the club for the sum-
mer, his friends in the Lawyers club.
the Church club and society generally
were amazed. From chance acquaint-
ances he made friends, and the few who
were welcomed to the freedom of the
turf and the cool shade about the house
welcomed others on their own response
bility. In this simple and cordial way
the men were drawn to the East Side
club every evening, and ON Sundays
they brought their children and their
lunches and newspapers and picnicked
on the grass.
Mr.. Wheeler talked to the people. He
had every newcomer introduced to him,
and he sat on the grass with them; he
smoked and read with them, and he not
only got their ideas on political, social
and industrial questions, but frankly
gave his own. Some of these friendly
discussions lasted week, and news of
them drew new visitors. When one
evening "the club gentleman" as he
was called, invited two men to dine with
him, his sincerity of purpose was estab-
lished, and since then the work has pros
pered.
Associated with Mr.. Wheeler were the
Rev. Mr.. Theodore F. Bacon and Mr.. l..
d. Hughes, graduate and student of di-
vinity. Notwithstanding the religious
tendency of these gentlemen and the
support of the Church club, the work
was conducted on purely nonsectarian
lines Not Scripture quotation was
seen on the walls, and neither hymnal
nor book of common prayer was visible.
The old fashioned dining room was
converted into billiard hall, and here
the men smoke and chat, play billiards,
chess and checkers whenever they like.
At a small expense the conservatory
was converted into q gymnasium. On
the same floor is the lavatory and bath.
Every day in the week from 8 a. m.
until 10 p IN. the clubhouse is open and
the attendance in the billiard room and
gymnasium is greater Sunday than at
any other time. When exception was
Saken to this unusual plan of operation
Mr. Wheeler took the ground that a
gentleman might play a game of bill
lizards in his private club Sunday after
noon if the notion pleased him without
exciting any comment among the MEM
bers. Granting this privilege to a mer-
chant, banker or professional man, why
should it be denied his truckman and
clerks? 1t also occurred TO him that a
game of cards in private club was not
only less baneful, but less expensive
than in a saloon or beer garden.
s Another innovation is monthly dance
To which all the members are invited to
bring their wives, sisters and friends.
Good music is provided, simply printed
dancing cards are distributed and in the
middle of the programme hot chocolate
v,d cake or coffee and sandwiches are
sc wed. The young clergyman is al
ways present, and no group, however
smsll, is unattended in the club, and in
consequence noisy harangues, profanity
and GNScord are unknown.
Now there are FIVE club residents
w. S. Brush, also a lawyer; Mr.. Paul
REYNOLDS, editor of religious paper;
Mr.. Willis B. Holcom, Mrs. Virginia
Goolsin, theAindergartner, and her little
son.
The ianitor and his wife take care of
the house and John Codet, aged sixteen,
is custodian of the Fairgrounds. Dur
ing the day Mrs. Gookin teaches all the
children who come to the kindergarten.
Last October an epidemic broke out and
the school had to be closed. Several
deaths resulted from measles and fever.
The work was resumed recently with a
membership of fifty. At the start these
toddlers had to be washed and scrubbed;
now they present themselves clean and
tidy.
ANY self respecting man may become
a member of the club by paying fifty
cents a month. This fee entities the
member to all the privileges and advan-
tages of q social and friendly organiza-
4ion. 1t gives his children the freedom
of the Fairgrounds seven days in the
week and provides kindergarten train
,Og for them. 1t welcomes his wife to
the mothers meetings and the general
entertainments, and it gives him the use
Of q pvntnasium. library and reading