Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-15
A CLUB FOR WORKERS.
A New York Club That IL Like London
Toynbee Hall.

n NtW bOIh SiuD ~ s'h' s<'h''ss
Toynbee Hall.
The nearest approach to a Toynbee
Hall jn 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, n 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 magnifcepce Of the
work accomplished in Whitechapel by
university extension.
The laymen were 80 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 Seyenty-sixth street, once
tho country residence Of promi-
nent New York physician, 10 which he
gavo the name OF the East Side club.
His family hsds gone abroad, and when
it was learned that Mr.. Wheeler had
closed his house ut the corner of Seventy
first street and Park avenue, and taken
up hi. residence in tho club for the sum-
mer, his friends in the Lawyers club,
the Church club and society generally
were amazed. From chance acquaint-
anoes be made friends, and the few who
were welsomedDp the freedom of the
turf and the cool shade about the house
welcomed others ON their own response
bilty. In this simple and cordial way
the men were drawn 10 the East Side
club every evening, and on Sundays
they brought their children and their
lunches and newspapers and picnicked
on the grass.
MY Wheeler talked o.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 q wSek, and news OF
them drew new visitors. When one
evening 1.-THE club gentleman" as he
was called, invited two men 10 dine with
birn, hts sincerity Of purpose was estab-
lished, and since then the work has pros
pered.
Associated with Mr.. Wheeler were the
Rev. Mr.. Theodore r. Bacon and Mr.. l..
D. Hughea, 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 o 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.
Al small expense the conservatory
was converted into Q gymnasium. On
the same floor Is the lavatory and bath.
Every day In the week from a. m.
until 10 p IN. the clubhouse II open and
the attendance In the billiard room and
gymnasium Is greater Sunday than at
any other time. When exception was
taken to this unusual plan Of operation
Mr.. Wheeler took the ground that q
gentleman might play game Of bill
liards IN his private club Sunday after
noon IL the notion pleased him without