The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-04
( in The SOCIAL REALM. !
Wy MRS. GEORGE Q. BALL--
A Young Women's Home
Features Of the Institution

One of the very encouraging signs OF the
present times is the concern felt by char
itably inclined men and women regarding
the wage-earning girls of the country.
AS is well known, homes for them have
been built in the larger cities, where, for
a nominal sum, working women can Sc
cure comfortable rooms and wholesome
food.
Such an Institution was opened few days
ago in New York and the experiment should
prove an inspiration to all persons in south
ern cities who are interested in those ques-
tons in practical sociology, which touch
the everyday issues of life.
In this New York Working Girls Home,
opened last week, there accommoda-
tions for fifty guests and the rates are
such as to come within the easy reach of
women of very limited means. 1t is owned
and managed by a society," the Ladies'
Christian union, which was pioneer in the
effort to provide satisfactory, home-like
boarding place for wage-earnng women.
For several years this organization rented a
building for the purpose the women had
in view.
The new home, which has Just been COM
pleted, is now owned by the Ladies' Chris
tian union, and it is neatly and comfortably
furnished. The appointments are simple
and inexpensive, but the entire house is
fresh and clean, with every up-to-date i'm
provement regarding ventilation and sani-
tation and many special features tending to
the comfort of the guests. Seven dollars is
the extreme limit of expense for any single
occupant and this sum covers board and
lodging. Some of the rooms three or four
young women occupy together. In these
apartments are individual wardrobe-closets
and toilette appliances, corresponding to
the number of inmates For such accommo-
dations the girls pay 81 apiece. and this sum
covers all expenses-heat, light and every
thing. except laundry bills.
There is a spacious, well furnished parlor,
reception, reading and sewing rooms and
on the first floor large sunny dining room.
Business women visiting New York, If pro-
Sided with the proper credentials or ref
erences, can avail themselves of the priv
ileges of this home. for nominal cost, and
1t is expected that students in the various
branches of art. or business, will occupy
some of the rooms. No limit is fixed at
this new home for the stay of any worthy
woman, but 1t is the intention of the So
ciety only to receive young, self-sustaining
women. into the institution.
Mrs. Marshall O. Roberts was the orig
fnal instigator of the Ladies' Christian
Union, as early as 1858, and since that time
this society has in one way or another, been
enga ged in some good work which had for
its object the improvement of the condi-
tons, environing certain classes of wo-
men.
This society has an advisory board of
men. 1t is expected that the income from
the guests will pay the running expenses of
the home, yet the society is prepared to
meet all bills for repairs and contingent
issues.
The matron in charge is in her sixteenth
year of service A committee upon admis-
sioT- has been appointed to whom all ap-
plications must be made in person or by
letter.
This new home is located at no. 40 West
Ninth street, New York.