The evening times., 1899-07-22
FOR INDUSTRIAL WOMEN
A Project on Foot to Found a Ma
tiOnal Home.
1t Is to BE Handsome Institution,
With All Charitable Features
From an Association of Those
Who Are Interested I'm the Plan.

Within the next few days Secretary w.
S. Mexican, of the Business Mems Asso-
citation. will call conference of prominent
people of the District for the purpose of
discussing plans relative to the founding
of a National Home for Industrial Women,
to be established in or near Washington.
The movement is something entirely new,
there being no institution in the country
which corresponds to the one suggested
by Mr.. Mexican. As yet no plans have
been formulated, although Mr.. Mexican has
outlined roughly policy to be pursued in
consummating the end in view. 1t is ex-
pected that at the coming conference the
project will be placed upon a substantial
basis.
Mr.. Mexican is the originator of the pro-
iect and explained it to Times reporter
tablish home to be supported By indus
trial women in which the women who con-
tribute to its support shall be the benefi-
ciaries. 1t is intended to be in no wise a
charity and the Government will not be
called uron to contribute 20 its support.
According to the plan suGgss:cl, the first
step toward putting the project upon its
feet viii be the formation of al associa-
tion of which any industrial woman OF
good character may become a member.
By paying a nominal sum each week
which will go toward the maintenance of
the home each member will be entitled to
the benefits of the institution. Mr.. Nc
Kean thinks that 5 cents week from each
member will be sufficient to maintain the
in ont oia ri
will be those of the members who through
sickness are forced to discontinue work
and who may not have a home where
they can go and receive the best OF medi-
cal treatment; women who have become
incapacitated by age and all who either
through sickness or accident are unable
TO gain a livelihood. The institution will
be both permanent and temporary home.
which is TO depend upon the incapacity of
the woman entitled to its benefits. 1t is
proposed to make it a beautiful place fitted
out with every convenience which modern
ideas suggest. Some appropriate site will
be selected, preferably outside of the city
a short distance. Mr.. alckean has already
been offered large block of land on Fort
Myer Heights by a gentleman of this city
who is interested in the home. The land
is in every way suitable for the purpose in
view and in all probability will be accept
ed when the association shall have been
formed.
In discussing the matter, Mr.. Mexican
said that he has seen score of prominent
industrial people of the city and without
exception they have expressed the hearth
est approval of the plan. Many asserted
that such a home as the one proposed
would FIJI long-felt want. II is Mr.. Nc
Kean's belief that there will not be the
| slightest trouble in getting working women
| to join the association when il is organ
! lied. Many who have no idea of and who
probably never will become benefciaries
will become members. They will join the
association in order that, in case Of some
rnlooked-for change in their financial con-
| dition, they will have some place to &c
should misfortune overtake them. 1t i!
thought that the beneficiaries will be very
| few in comparison with the number o
members in the entire association. Many
men with whom l have talked have pledg.
| ed themselves TO lend their aid to ths
movement. although they will never re-
ceiye and benefit from the institution,
said Mr.. Mexican. There are institution:
in all parts Of the country for working
| men, but this, / believe, is the first at
tempt to found home for working womer
from which the element of charity is en-.
! tirely eliminated. 1t is well at the cut
start to have it strictly understood tha
this will be a self-supporting institution
and that the members who may avail them.
selves of the benefits will have paid fol-
what they receive. With the idea of char.
ity eliminated, many will become members
of the association who otherwise would
not. The plans are as yet in an incomplet,
state and nothing definite can be accom-
plished until We have secured the forma
| tion OF an organization. / have no fear!
4 har he tn ha ha1d wi n.
next few days will do anything but hearth,
| pndorSa tho nlan