New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-05
SOROSIS MAKES HER BOW.
AFTER A PLEASANT SUMMER THE MEM
BERS ASSEMBLE FOR FALL WORK.

.BY WHAT MEANS CAN THE CONDITION OF THE
POOR BE PRACTICALLY IMPROVED WAS
THE QUESTION DISCUSSED.
sorosis began another season yesterday with the
usual Waldorf breakfast and the meeting follow
ing IT, Considering that many members are still
out Of the city there large attendance, ana
there were also many guests. from both far and
near Among them were Mrs. Mall, OF the Omaha
woman's Club: Mrs. F. P. Riddle Of the Wednes-
day Club OF ST. Louis; Mrs. Buscombe. OF s.
Iou,s. Mrs r C. Kerens OF ST Louis. Mrs. Hiram
Walker OF Binghamton; Mrs. william Barker. of
England: Mrs. Mary Knox Robinson. president OF
the Board Of Trustees OF the New-fork Medical
College and Hospital for Women; Mrs Mcbride
Mrs. Frances Crandall and Miss Crandall OF De-
troit: Miss Putnam Lottsburgh OF Virginia; Mrs
, Kate Epson Clark and Miss Palmer. Of Pottsville
a niece OF Mrs. NJ. Louise Thomas.
The meeting was held as formerly in the large
ballroom and the president. Mrs. Mary Dame Hall.
presided. Mrs Hall made a short address OF wei
come and read telegram from the honorary presi-
dent Mrs. Jennie June Croiy Mrs. Croly's message
was: My heart Is with you
Preceding the discussion a short musical
and literary programme Miss Gertrude Griswod
sang die Loreer"; Harriet Webb read a scene
from LAS You Like It." and Mary B. spaulding
sang who Is Sylvia" and Sweet Violets."
The question for discussion was: by What Means
Can the Condition Of the Poor in Large Cities Be
Practically ImprovedT' 1t was presented by Mrs
Washington Roeblng. chairman OF the Committee
on Philanthropy. and then taken up in hye-mnute
speeches by DR.. Katharine G. Townsend. Mrs
Alma Calder Johnston Miss Mary Nevan Cannon.
Jeanette y. Leeper and Mrs. Theodore Sutro
Mrs. Roebling said that the situation seemed 10
her utterly hopeless but she did not concur In the
belief OF many that things are getting worse.
Il have talked with many practical philanthro-
pists" she said. who have assured me that the
nd Las4A han
was few years ago. and personally do not be-
leve that the rich growing richer and the poor
poorer. The rich growing richer. II Is true out
the poor also growing richer. Moreover II must
be something than money that they need. tor
$50 700 was expended In this city during the last
fiscal year In private charity and 100000 in pub
lie charity without materially mendng matters
The chief obstacle the advancement OF the work
ing classes seems be the lack OF proper dwell
ings II was once thought that rapid transit wouid
solve this problem. but ii has not done so The
workingman will live his work any cost
The tenement has TO stay. and we cal best
Improve the condition OF the poor by Joining with
those who are trying make their dwellings de-
cent"
DR. Townsend gave some Tenement Reflections
and Suggestions" She has much OF the tene-
ments and her sympathies have been enlisted
chiefly in behalf Of the women-ihe mothers and
the eldest daughters. Better dwellings are the first
great need. she thinks. but even when they are
supplied the women will need learn much before
their lives will be bearable
II would like" said DR.. Townsend. Ito build a
beautiful hall where the could come for rest
and recreation and where they coulG learn the best
methods OF housekeeping in a tenement and other
useful things and want. above all things, to send
missionaries into the Sums TO teach the mothers
70 nurse their babies. The natural method OF feed
ing babies is the easiest and it would not only save
many lives. but save the mothers endless WORK. ana
Mrs Johnston said:
1T is not low wages. or drink or Ignorance OK
cr,na that lies the root or the misery or the
Door 1t is architecture. and the next speaker VIII
tel you how that evil can be removed
THE PROBLEM SOLVED.
The next speaker was Miss Cannon. who BREEZY
soscribed The plans for model tenement. which she
ana her mariner, Miss Alice j. Hands nave made.
- h,rd,pes will secure TO each tenant light, air
a,s senaration and will also yield per cent on
the money invested. The plans she says nave oeeh
examined and approved by the pest au'hor'ues' ."
Sidney Waterloo declared them to De the pest su ne
h.a over seen. and Jacob Riis seid OF them iheY
80. .o,.ad The nroblen" Prof. Gould. President
.. ,ha CIV ard Suburban Homes Company mas
aIso snoken OF them in terms Of the highest com
mendstion Miss Cannon concluded WIN 'i p,iding
ment that the plans were da sI ueeks ground would
actually be broken for the Dui'Di''sS' -
The TWO other papers were On The h IN Mrs.
Immigration the WORKING nSoi The Criminal
Poor by Mrs Sutro Mrs Leeper adyocaeo said ahI
restriction of immigration ana ME-. 81 'uouId
that educatIon and congenial Occupation 49,
save any one from wrongdoing. She Jon I T. T,r
the George Junior Republic. but crltlcscu =, 10
admitting girls only Gu Sunerance. ana !e'''"s NV
boys rule everything. . -. .,r,tci,aied
The extemuorl ne 1us discussion was paI'lcI,
liz by Mrs Ralph Trautman. Dr. harfIet1tcc ~, ii
ing. Mrs Esther Hermann and Mrs. Anna l'''''""''
Dehl -.
Mrs Trsutmsn agreed with most OF we o ON,
speakers in thinking that good nom W. ~ nc
was mos; needed She also said that s9iIe OF 'i ~
model tenemen;s she had seen were oiSs'A'e ~
the Nation , -,
Mrs. Diehl thought that Mrs. Sutro mad been zen
Unfair "a the Junior Republic. In Ter opinion '"e
siris had as good a chance there as ING Doy "a.
Alter tho meeting Miss Cannon ara MISS HsIus
wee nesieeed with Inquiries about their tehe"le',
out Miss Hands said there had been - H No.
taIK already with little result tnat Snt iiu'.
CUR
We have had . many disappoini ments, she
sald, mat we scarcely believe the teneInenIs
are ieay going to be built bur. since the pans ar
are"
Jne building VIII Sc erected by the Now OK
Mo1ti dwellings Company. OF which william ~
n y sslDig.on = president and nuinpef OF
prominent women are Stockholders .
Inc hext meeting or the Soross will be heId on
cctooer H. The FIRST part of II will be devoted 10
business. and then the members VIII listen 10
musical lecture THE DEVELOPMENT OF the LIS
tenins Faculty by Miss Sarah Z. Newmaa