New-York tribune., 1901-04-18
THOSE IN NEED OF REST
FUNDS ASKED FOR BY THE WORKING
GIRLS VACATION SOCIETY.

A large number attended the meeting Of the
Working Girls Vacation Society. held yesterday
ct Sherrys. Mrs. Richard Irwin presided, in the
absence Of the president, Mrs. William Herbert,
and addresses were made by DR.. Jennie VI. Rich
ardson. DR.. Allen Starr. the Rev. DR.. r. Heber
Newton, the Rev. willard Parsons and Miss Grace
Dodge.
The purpose of the society is to provide rest and
recreation for working girls who. without it's time
~ aid might become subjects for the sanatorium
hospital. 1t assists only those to whom term
Of rest would mean renewed strength to take up
their work again. The majority of the girls give
the larger portion of their wages toward the sup
port their families. but each girl pays what she
for her vacation.
The society has under its charge eight houses
two Santa Clara, in the Adirondacks, where
girls with a tendency toward lung troubles sent
the other six being at Greycourt, Orange County
and Thompsonvile, Sullivan County. N. Y. and
Pennington. Green's Farms and Westport. Conn
Vacations Of about two weeks each during last
summer given to go girls. and the object OF
the meeting yesterday to enlist interest in the
work for the coming summer. Fully $4,000 is need
ed. as there is only small sum in the treasury.
Dr. Richardson. who is physician in charge at
the society's Office gave number of instances in
which young women suffering from tuberculosis in
en incipient stage had been wholly cured, in some
cases, and in others so benefited from summer to
summer to be able to work during the remain
der Of the year. OF those who profit by the vaca-
tons she said, large proportion have wages not
10 the support the families, and there would
be relief from the grinding monotony Of toll If
the vacation society did not help them. Many will
take help from a society who too proud to ac-
cept it from individual, the doctor stated.
DR.. Starr, who has been interested in the work
from the beginning, seventeen years ago. empha-
sized the preventive value OF the vacation. saying
that overwork and worry are the principal predis-
posing Of disease Anything that gives rest
and recreation for a few weeks to the girls worn
out by work and cares is not only humane. but in
line with the most advanced medical science which
now aims rather at prevention than cure.
I sympathize deeply with hospitals, but more
deeply with such work yours, which would rem
Ger hospitals unnecessary" he declared.
Dr. r. Heber Newton, who was the first president
OF The society, said that his mind ran back to a
une, sixteen seventeen years ago, when young
erl told him Of dream that she had OF sending
poor girls into the country for rest And this
society, he said, 'is that beautiful dream come
Hue" He told Of its origin and growth. and urged
those present to contribute promptly and gener
ously
Miss Dodge declared that she not as an
ihoVidual but the representative Of hundreds
.t her friends among the working girls.
vt t hve months in summer for rest; my friends in
.he shops and factories feel deepest Joy If they
y y you could go into the places where they work
prrhaps making the clothes, the flowers. the feath,
think it duty to help them We feel touched by
ne thought of child's delight in going into the
70 think of the woman's gadness in escaping for
i,ue itue while from the awful strain Of her life or
Miss Dodge affirmed that the spirit OF sef-sacri-
nee .srang among the poor is in constant evidence
themselves shs Said sa adding rhe truly rep
,ssentative women Of New-York are not those
The wonderfu strong m mothers the who make the best
VI tne small incomes-the workers, who share the