The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-18
cHlcAGo's GIRLS CLUBS.

Distinction Of the G. G. NJ. B. c. and Com
forts of the Jane Club.
The Chicago Girls Mutual Benefit club
rejoices in the unique distinction of hay
ing a clubhouse all its own. The orig
inal conception of the club was only a
thought that took root IN the hearts and
minds Of some half dozen Chicago girls
gathered together to discuss how girls
club could be organized among the wage
earners of the city. After seine discus
sion the few formed themselves into a
band Of Kings Daughters, and to gain
funds for their scheme gave a concert,
with the proceeds of which they rented a
cottage and formed classes for the study
of practical topics, hike sewing, MILL
merry, typewriting, embroidery and the
rest.
These classes are taught by some two
score volunteers and one paid teacher
The club members pay dues of 3 cents
per week, except the teachers, who pay
20 cents per week, to defray partially
the expense of a carriage as the street
car lines do not run near the cottage
All this of course has been written over
many times in the history of girls clubs,
but the distinctive and interesting thing
about this organization is that when the
small clubhouse became overcrowded
the plucky girls determined to build a
clubhouse of their own. BY various en-
tertainments and subscriptions they
managed to raise enough money to Sc
a 1Of A f7.in,,l b. -
aid and made a generous offer to build
the clubhouse, charging them per cent
on the investment, to be paid as rent,
and giving them the privilege of paying
the principal any time within five years
The club took possession of the new
house in May, 1892 and already nearly
one-half the debt is paid Even in New
York, where the working girls club
movement began and is supported by
wealthy patrons, none of the clubs has
as yet attained the dignity of a club
house Of its own. The Thirty eighth
ident, has an entire house rented and
subjects portions of it, but most of the
societies meet in rented rooms. Sorosis,
the great pioneer club, with its large
membership, has no permanent home of
its own and no headquarters for the
keeping Of its archives.
The Jane club, "a protegee of Hull House
and named in honor of Miss Jane Ad
dams, is another interesting oTganiza-
ton Of so members, living together in
communities in. the club fashion estab
lished by men. 1t occupies large fat
well lighted and heated, with hot and
cold water and bathrooms on every floor
The parlors are prettily furnished, the
libraries we'll stocked with books, the
three dining tables well supplied with
appetizing food prepared by the club
steward, who is hired in the regular
way by the committee. There is gen.
eral meeting of the members every two
weeks to attend to the business affairs
of the CLUB and to regulate matters gen.
orally. This might be called the safety
valve of the machine, for if one has
grievance or q suggestion of any kind
this is the place at which she can be
heard. Each member feels her RESPONSE
bility as hostess and has the honor and
interest of the club at heart. There are
no rules and regulations, and each mem
Der spends her evenings according to her
own inclination. AS far as it is given to
outsiders to know, the Jane club is sue
cess, demonstrating clearly the fact that
a number of women can be housed under
one plan and be happy.
Speaking of this club to Miss Adams,
the question was asked whether she ap-
proved of Mr.. Stead's idea of co-opera-
tive clubs of this kind, with both men
and women members, for Mr.. Stead
argues that there would be more mar
rying and giving in marriage of the
right sort if young men and women had
more opportunities for meeting and
knowing each other. And Miss Adams
said that she saw no reason why men and
women might not live together in club
of this kind as we'll as in the boarding
houses; that the matter had not come to
them as yet, but when it did she should
favor the formation of such clubs, and
that there We're men and women associ-
ated in the work at Hull House and
sometimes in residence there together
New York Sun.
Young, but Talented.
Az tba avbihition of acI1lnfI which