Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-07
COOKING In KANSAS
HOW TIE WOMEN OF ABILENE REDUCE
THEIR LABOR.
Cooperative Culinary Operations Have Been
Proved Successful by a Test Of Fifteen
Monhs--H1w lt is Done.

ABILENE, KAN, May 6.-For fifteen
months fifty prominent families OF this
town of 900 have engaged IN cO-Opera-
ton, living on a purely practical basis
and with a success that promises long
future for their organization. On Jan
uary 4, 1891, the ladies', among whom
was Mary A. Humphrey, wife OF Judge
Humphrey. Of the Eighth Judicial dis
trict. later president Of the club, began
their cooking club. 10 had the usual
officers. an executive committee, and its
bylaws said 10 was "to reduce the an
novance and expense OF housekeeping
NV co-oparatiOn and consolidation.
The club rented It's parlOrS, dining
room and kitchen I'm 81 private residence,
centrally located aS 90 the homes OF the
members, FOR $50 month. Three din
irr-room girls and two assistants In the
kitchen with the cook cost $50 more.
The average weekly receipts have been
Sufficient 20 pay for everything, so that
no debts are carried over from one week
20 another. The membership is lin
red 90 the number of chairs in the din
inr-roOm. Families have separate ia
b'es and others permanent seats. Board
hills are paid Saturday morning for
week iu advance. The Executive
Committee OF three meets Saturday az
teruoon TO- audit accounts and pay bills.
The head cook is admitted 10 the con-
ference, and the eating Of the coming
week is planned During the week the
Vice President and other officers In rO-
tation act as Grievance Committee Of
one 20 listen 90 an complaints (which
are Dy her OnSidered sacred and en-
deavor 90 correct any abuses justly In
need of such correction. The officers
also take turns 10 looking after the cut
sine. preventing waste OF materials, etc.
The clubs dues are $3.50 and - 90
per week for aeu.ts and SIPS for chill
dreu The former rate applies 70 these
who furnish their own tableware and
linen. Members OF the club may bring
guests by paying 30 cents meal n for
less than two days. Longer periods are
charged weekly rates. DEDUCTIONS are
made Tor two or more days absence,
provided notice is given in advance.
Supplies are purchased OF local dealers
so far as possible, though the officers
are given fu.l liberty iu the matter.
The best possible table is set, all the
money being used and three warm
meals a day being spread 10 is an inn
ueratiye rule that every member must
stand by the club as he OF she would by
their own family, airing no grievances
and finding no fault except 20 the
proper officer. When anyone is not
satisfied with the club there is stand
iUg invitation for that person 20 resign
from the membership. by this means
petty Discussions are avoided and the
club made like one large family.
Such in brief Is the clubs history and
regulations. 10 was started as a BUSH
ness proposition, and has been run on
that basis exclusively. Its members are
not theorists but everyday practical
people, the families of merchants, law
yers, stockholders and ministers.
The ladies', contrary 90 their antici-
patiOus, tud the going out 10 meals "a
delightful exercise, aud claim that the
expense of their tables is made from
oue-tbird 90 oue-haif less than under the
usual method OF housekeeping The
membership OF the CLUB is limited 20 the
capacity of the dining rooms, and there
are enough applicants knocking az the
doors awaiting a possible vacancy TO
keep the ranks iuIi for many months TO
come. Tne President has letters OF in
curry from every section Of the country
asking for the clubs history, and 10 has
aroused other communities 90 attempt
the same Success.