The morning call., 1894-01-08
Described by a Lady Who
Was Present.
A WELL-KNOWN JOURNALIST.
Miss NJ. II. KrOut, Correspondent
to Hawaii.
THE CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB.
The Organization Described by a
Writer for the Chicago Inter-
Ocean-A List of Charities.


"Ah! it's a case of the bitter bit this
time, is it?" said the well-known Journal
ist. Miss Mary Ii. Krout, laughing good
naturally, when asked by CALL re-
porter for an interview last evening.
Miss KrOut has just arrived In this city
en- route for Hon olulu. where she goes as
editorial correspondent for the Chicago
Inter-Ocean. She had anything but the
appearance which the average mind would
be apt to form of a woman war CORES
pondent, however, as she entered the
parlOr of the Occidental Hotel last even
ing. Slight and somewhat fragile lCOk-
ing, with pretty fair hair and fresh COM
pieXion, it was evident from glance at
her white well-cared-for hands and her
elegant gown of heliotrope silk and costly
black lace, that Miss Krout does not
despise the small amenities that add so
much to wOman's womanliness.
II have been so Hospitality and kindly
received in California before that if there
is anything l can say l am perfectly will
ing to say it.
Now, what do you want me to talk
aboutP she continued with the unaffected
good nature of reporter who is as &C.
custOmed to interviewing as to being in
terviewed.
DO L know anything of William II.
Stead's remarks to the members of the
Chicago Woman's Club? Yes, was pres
ent at the lime and heard the whole pro-
ceediOgs. My opinion of him2 Well. Mr..
Stead Is fanatic, perfect crank. The
Chicago Post spoke of him as the apostle
of sensatlOnaliSm,' and that describes him
very well. though his case might be de-
scribed as one of abnormal egOtism."
When asked give an account of how
the editor of the Pail Mall Gazette, and
the Review Of Reviews fame, found cOur-
age to hurl coarse anathemas at body of
representative Chicago women. Miss
Krout replied: "He came to a meeting of
the Chicago Woman's Club with one of the
professors of the university. Mr. Stead
had received no invitation 10 be present,
but as be happened TO be at the meeting
ne was asked 10 speak. Immediately he
rose and rCbnked rs all for indifference to
the sufferlngs of humanity. He hurled the
vilest Term at us. said we were worse
than The most degraded of our sex, worse
than the women of the streets"
How did the ladies bear these re-
marks?" was asked.
"They sat perfectly quiet and still.
Some became very pale, others grew scar
let. one family Kissed. All! we were
sorry for that hiss" continued Miss
krout, regretfuIly; I'VE would have pre-
ferred to take absolutely no notice of what
Mr.. Stead chose to say. He spoke in
utter ignorance of our organization and its
work, and his remarks were unworthy of
our consideration.
The very day of his address, the meet
ing of the WOnan's Club had been called
for the purpose of comforting with the
Central Charitable Organization, in order
that we might not duplicate the work of
providing employment for women. 1t is a
personal work in which both societies are
interested. and the mem berS had not only
been giving their money, but much of
their time toward providing employment
for destitute women"
did AMIR. Stead remain after his
speech ?" asked the reporter.
No: he went away Immediately" re-
piled Miss KrOut. "As soon as he had
gone l made a brief speech for the COM
mittee, repudiating all he had said in word
and spirit. Then the meeting went into
executive session and his name was not
mentioned again."
On being requested to give some account
of the Chicago WOman's Club, Miss krOut
observed enthusiastically:
ut really represents the brains, the Gull
ture and the wealth of Chicago. 1t con-
tains women of all denominations, Catho-
lies, UDitarians, Jews and Gentiles alike,
women Of every shade of political opinion,
and never since its Foundation has there
been jar in the club.
You see," continued the lady war cor
RESPONDENT with a smile of gOOd-natured
tolerance. "Mr. Stead was utterly ignorant
OF anything the club had done. 1t has
given $50, 600 to the Boys Manual Training
School. has contributed literally to Chi
cagO University, main tains free kinder
garens, has undertaken 10 clothe all the
destitute children in Chicago so that they
may make decent appearance at school;
it entertained magnificentIy during the
Worlds Fair.
"And that is not all, / assure you," con-
tinued Miss KrOut, after a moments
pause, "but what | have told you is
en- Ough TO show that the Woman's Club is
not Indifferent to the suffeIiugs of hum an
ity. MIR. Stead might have remembered,
too, that the women could not be held re-
spOnSlble for the present economic condi-
tons. They are not the ones who employ
much labor. or who handle much capital,
though the women Mr.. Stead address ed
have done what they could to relieve the
distress around them"
Then bliss Krout went on to speak of
pleasanter topics than the vagaries OF
Stead of the teIepathic hand. She told
what warm and admiriug reception
Miss Ina Coolbrith has received In
Chicago, and how in spite of 1t all the
California poetess pines to he at home
again.
Last but not least, the journalist spoke
of the Hawaiian question. ut Is my firm
belief that the island should be annexed"
she said. Its civilization is thoroughly
American. Conspiracy and revolution
will go ON till some stronger power takes
it, and if we don't annex England will"