Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-07-21
c0nPErkrI0N -LN KaGES.

in which furnished rooms can be had for $2 a month by young women working for $4 or $5 Q week shows that even in the west, where work ing girls and working women have heretofore been relatively few in number compared with men, the problem of the employment of women has taken on a phaze with which the older communities of the east have become familiar. This Denver institution, like most of those of similar kind in the east ern states, is chiefly supported by gifts and by fees of honorary and life members, and, regarded as a semi. charitable institution, is an eminently practical and llraisworthy attempt on the part of public spirit ed women to lend hand to those who otherwise would not be able to endure the stress of competetion under present conditions. How similar institutions are succeeding in the east Matron Rappelye of the Co Operative Home for Girls, New York City, has recently told in q report. As to the work of the home over which she presides Matron Rappelye says:
 . 1"Most of our girls receive from $4 to $6. Of course we do not take them if they make more than S7, but few, even in the large dry goods stores. make more than that And many work in factories and shops for $3 or $4. Bookkeepers and ae- countants ordinarily make $5 or s6, and the. business schools are turn ing out continually classes of type writers who are glad to work for S6 week. Out of this they must pay board, laundry, car fare, or walk miles to and from their work, be- sides being expected to dress well and neatly every day. One girl here now makes only S3. .25, and we occasionally had girls over 16 years old who work from Monday morning until Saturday night for s2 30, II is for such cases that the home pro yides,. and needless to say, it is al
 
 ways full.
 The New York home, like the "Self-Supporting Womens Home of this city, provides comfortable and pleasant home for girls at rate of from $2.50 to 8 week for board and lodging, while girls tenn porariarily out of work are allowed to render an equivalent for their board in bed-making, sweeping, washing, etc. In Chacago, We believe, the charge has been only S2.50 a week Tor room and board which, 1t is said, is to be still further reduced to g week. Even at this extremely low figure the home is now self-supportiug, inclad ing, of course, the charges for memberships. Such a showing is extremely creditable to the gener- ous and philanthropic women who have organized homes in nearly all large cities, both in this country and in many countries in Europe, 1 especially in England That these homes have done and are still doing much good is q fact so evident as not to need confirmation. So long as the aid thus extended is confined | to girls without other homes and 1 without other means of support than meager salaries of from 8 to $7 week, nothing except words Of praise can be said of such sensi- ble and practical way of helping working girls.
 But as regards the effect of such homes on industrial and commercial competition in general in large cities, there are certain considera tions which, at least, should al way be kept in view by those who manage such homes. Four years ago statistics showed that S4 per cent of the working women in Chi cago made their earnings cover their expenses, while 15 per cent saved on an average s69 year, the re maining l per cent failing to pay their way. If these statistics are trustworthy, at that time S5 per cent of the women and girls were in reality fighting 8 losing battle, so far as regards establishing balance On the right side of the account is concerned. Marriage or some fortunate occnrance might inter
 vene ir their favor; otherwise on the whole there was no outlook for per manent independence ahead for three fourths of the girls and women then employed in occupations and 1 pursuits which. until recent years