New-York tribune., 1901-06-16
A CLUB FOR SOCIAL WORK.
THE SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION START
ED BY THE PEOPLES INSTITUTE.


among phiIanthropsts of every grade The cry
used to be education" but there is so much
education nowadays that attention is turned
toward heaIthfuI recreation rather than instruc-
ton and toward refinement instead of learning.
The Peoples Institute, a sufficiently grave ana
reverend institution, has given TINS ne" phase
the stamp of it's approval by organizing SOCIAL
club in connection with its more serious Work
of providing lectures for the people. AT pres
ent there is only one such club, although there
rumors in the air of the organization OF
another before long and of the general extension
of the work. Peoples Institute Club A has been
since January installed in fine rooms at No. III
East F'ourteenth-st., where in pleasant and
artistic surroundings men and women of all
ages over eighteen gather nightly The large
reading q social room. the really beautiful par
lor and the cosey library are open to members
from I" o'clock in the morning until III O'Clock
at night. with hours extra grace on Satur-
days and Sundays. These advantages have at
tracted about two hundred and fifty members,
and it is the personality of these people which
gives the club its greatest interest.
There are many social clubs all over the city,
many of them started with the broadcast views
as to qualifications for membership. But most
Of them in a short time settle down into a meet
ing place for those of a certain age and, large
ly of a certain nationality. In the Peoples In
stitute Club all ages, creeds and races have ap-
parentIy been reconciled- Gray haired men and
boys who seem barely able 10 boast the neces-
sary eighteen wears. women of middle and
young girls associate harmoniousiy, and any
one who has had experience of similar orSanI-
cations will recognize that in this state of af-
fairs is a triumph There is formality, no
stiffness Some sit and read the many maga-
zines scattered over the big table; others play
cards or checkers others again sit in the cor
ners and chat: while downstairs the library has
its share of readers. All around the walls of the
rooms hang plaster casts and pictures. and the
whole effect is homelike in the extreme.
The members are not necessarily connected
with the Peoples Institute The club is open
To- all under the ordinary rules OF election. As
a matter of fact. the great majority of them are
bound by ties of gratitude 10 the big brown
building a few blocks away, but it is not in any
way essential that this should be the case. The
club is designed 10 be a meeting place for men
and women of intelligence of every social grade.
Professional men. skilled and unskilled work
insmen meet common ground The nern-
bership list includes some well known names
Charles SpraSue Smith from his connection
with the Peoples Institute manager. Is, of
course a member of the club. and although he
is officially only a member he is affectionately
regarded as the father of the organization.
mittee Of Fifteen, and Professor John II. Com
mons are also members The club is practically
sclf-gOverning. although the Peoples Institute
Eoard exercises a certain supervision and has
appointed "a committee OF club members TO
confer with il in regard To the organizations
welfare StlH there is enough self government
to mark sharply the distinction between this
and other organizations which are controlled
altogether by uptown absentees.
In addition To the ordinary attractions of So
club enjoys lecture on each of three Thurs
day nights every month-not lecture of the
| weighty sort which is given at the Peoples In
stitute. but something comparatively light.
once a month there is a social entertainment.
for which a suggestvely full closet of cups and
plates is provided. The fees of the club. 40
cents month. make IL practically seIf-suppOrt-
ing and are not large enough to keep out the
class OF people To whom such meeting place
would appeal For the purposes of the club.
nish opportunities for the study of problems of
the day and for social intercourse. This at the
outset insures the intelligent membership which
distinguishes il. and gives il certain advantages
/ over similar organizations in the matter of
cal experimenting. The idea is in line with the
belief which is gradually growing stronger
among philosophers that efforts of rich men
and women should be directed toward perfecting
the characters and training of the best among