New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-16
COLLEGE SETTLEMENT MEETING.
MISS WILLIAMS GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE
WORK DONE


WORK DONE.
A meeting In the interests Of the College Settle
ment In Rivington-st.. was held yesterday after
at tho Brearley School. No. II West Forty
fourth-st Miss Walker, chairman Of the New-York
Committee OF the College Settlements Association.
presided and there addresses by the Rev. DIR.
David Greer. rector OF st. Bartholomew Church,
which has done much practical work among the
poor neighborhoods on the East Side; by Jacob Riis
and by Miss Elizabeth Williams. the head worker
OF the Riv1ngton-st. house
DR.. Greer and Mr.. Riis made strong pleas for
extension Of the work and gave their experiences
10 show how generously the upper half Of human
ty responds the necessities OF the lower soon
they have intelligent comprehension OF them.
This work OF bridging over the gulf between the
classes is being done by the College and University
Settlements and neighborhood clubs
Miss Williams gave most interesting account
IN detail OF the work OF the Settlement. She said
that the most urgent need OF the people OF the
neighborhood was beauty of environment They
accustomed to nothing but rows OF tall tene-
ments with fire escapes full OF rubbish. There are
few parks the East Side, and five cents is too
large to be often expended to take them
out OF their neighborhood. Even the beauty
Of shop windows is not to be had. The Settlement
house therefore made attractive as possible
and its refined interior has proved most potent
influence for good.
One OF the most pathetic proofs of the ignorance
of the poor regarding the beautiful in nature was
instanced in speaking Of the work Of the vacation
schools. The children required to record In
their drawings their impression OF the country, and
most Of them drew pictures OF keep off the grass"
signs, boardwaks at the seashore, wooden swings
and carrousels
The clubs particularly successful feature OF
the work. The neghborhood is composed largely of
Jews. who intensely eager for every form OF In
tellectual improvement and the women OF the Set
tlement are at less pains to urge study than
to impress upon them that the mere accumulation
Of facts and theories is only part OF knowledge
It is impossible owing to the existing barrier OF
difference of faith TO do any direct religious Work,
but ethical classes and Sunday school class Tor
children. called Good Seed" are carried on.
The musical classes profitable not only as an
influence among the students, but as means or
reaching the older people. They speak little Eng
lish and difficult to get into the house, but they
Will always come to the musicals TO near their
children perform.
The practical work OF the Settlement includes
kindergartens, cooking and sewing classes, wood
carving and other manual lessons: Two summer
homes are supported-one for children exclusively
and old fashioned house where two or three
entire families sent for short vacations.
The greatest present need OF the Settlement is
money TO extend its work The house Is so
crowded that no workers or classes can be
accommodated Twelve young women are now Nv
ing in the house. and four In neghboring tene-
ment house. The result OF the ten years work is
manifest IN improved conditions in buildings,