The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-12-17
forms us that 1t cannot be prevented

with the present arrangements.
 With a view to a better provision for women. 1t is designed to petition the incoming legislature for either an in- crease of the age of commitment to the industrial school, or for the estab- iishment Of a reformatory on the lines of the woman's reformatory at sher- bourn. Mass.
 In direct connection with this form of evil are the houses in and about the city where young girls are received and no questions asked. if the bill for board is promptly paid. That there are un- fortunate girls who. under certain clr- cumstances should be sheltered and shielded. no one questions, and for them is the thoroughly respectable, humane and Christian Homo for the Friendless. Hence. all excuse for the other houses disappear. The home's care of old la- dies and children is we'll known, but their treatment of their special wards. is from It's very nature unfamiliar. When truly repentant, the unfortunate. and even the deliberately wicked. are surely entitled to all consideration. We have the greatest sympathy for those whose early surroundings have made them easy victims to temptation, and have seen the most encouraging results follow the help extended In time of trouble. A specially noteworthy case has come to our attention of late. where the subject has responded to sympathy and help. and is developing a very wo- manly and noble character. But pre- vention Is the most important, and In that respect the Girls clubs, where wo- men of culture, sacrificing their own pleasure and time, quietly exercise a good influence, teaching music, needle work, directing the choice of reading, etc, are helpful and hopeful.
 The nonresident class are often spe- cially interesting. The proper manage ment of the great army of tramps Is a matter for serious consideration. Dur ing the year closing February 1, 1894, nearly 5000 came to our office, and for the twelve months ending July 31 of the present season the increase over the previous year was 209 per cent. This falls experience does not show so large a number, but 1t should be remembered that now there are two other places in the city receiving them, so that they are distributed instead of coming to a common center, as formerly. The need of suitable lodging house has always in some measure handicapped our deal ings with this class. Their effective management is hardly possible without a place where they can be compelled to submit to a bath, the Immigration of clothing and the rendering of an equiv alent in labor for whatever is received. Our organization has a rough plan of what Is desired, namely,.a a four-story building, the same to cover the whole of our present yard; the first story to be used for the storing and saving of long wood, the second for the splitting of the same into kindlings, the third to be divided into reception room for applicants, a large shower-bath room with fumigating conveniences, a kitch- en and dining room, and the balance of the space arranged for sleeping pur- poses; the top floor to be equipped as as first-class laundry, with drying ground on the roof, thus securing ann pie light, air and freedom from dust. With such an arrangement we should be able to manage the situation for many years, the adjoining, police sta tion giving us an advantage not possi- ble elsewhere.
 A plant of this character would cost from s15, ,0OO to s2O,0OO and could be made self-supporting. We believe the town could we'll afford to appropriate the amount required, but as that action of that sort is likely to involve our organ ization in matters political, and thus jeopardize its usefulness perhaps the better way is to ask for private sub scriptions, and we are ready to receive them at any time and begin the build ing.
 That something in the nature of re- straint is necessary in dealing with this class is shown by our experience with them on Sundays. Their invariable plea is inability to obtain work, and this Is always coupled with the dec- laration that they are willing to do any kind of labor. With this perfectly clear understanding, we supply from twenty to forty lodgings each Sunday evening, and in every case secure a promise to return the next day and work out the amount stated As a matter of fact, less than one per cent return, and the association is a loser. Notwithstanding all the talk about poor men being forced to wander over the country from inability to secure employment, our experiences convinces us that the vast majority of this class are vagabonds and tramps from choice, and the more that is done for them the more they are encouraged in mendi- cancy and vice. v
 In closing this partial statement of our work we give you all a most cor dial invitation to call at No. 200 Orange street, assuring you that 1t will give us the greatest pleasure to allow you an examination of our methods and practice. If you encounter criticism of our methods, in simple justice give us an opportunity to answer it specifical- ly, for we are confident that the work will commend itself to you, if you will but take time to examine 1t.
 Rev. Dr. Wayland of Philadelphia was the last speaker of the evening, and spoke upon the workings-of charity or ganizations throughout the country.