The age-herald., 1902-02-04
MINISTERS DISCUSS HOME
 FOR YOUNG WOMEN
BY PAUL PRY.

Mention was made in these columns sew eral days ago of the necessity for home for the working women of the city, and now it seems that such a home will soon be established. Several of the prominent ministers of the city-the Rev. J. P Me- Perrin. the Rev. L. S. Handley and others have been contemplating for some time | the establishment of such a home and recently the necessity for it became so great that the subject was proposed in the Pastors Union of Birmingham and vicinity which meets each Monday morn- ing for conference in the First Metho- dist church.
 The proposition met with immediate re- sponse, and was most enthusiastically supported. When seen yesterday in re- gard to the matter. the Rev J. P. Me- Perrin of the First Methodist church said:
 "The very great and pressing need for a comfortable yet inexpensive home for the women among who work in offices or stores is apparent to each of us, and the ministers of the city are working on the suggestion with enthusiasm. Only last week an incident came under my own observation which is but one of similar | numerous cases. A young girl only sew enteen or eighteen years old came to Bir- mingham with the intention of supporting herself, and before she found a position was entirely without means of support. She left comfortable home in a small village where she lived with an uncle, and sought work because she wished to be independent
 | "Dr. McFerrin explained how in this in- stance she fell into friendly hands, mem- bers of his church who gave her the necessary funds to return home But even those who have positions and are already established only earn from $1 50 to $4 a week, a sum entirely inadequate to meet the most meager requirements of life. And yet no members of a conn munity are more deserving of encourage ment and friendly assistance than the young men and young women who are | just starting out in life and are bravely endeavoring to be self-sustaining. Un- 1 fortunately, many of these young women are strangers, and so have no homes and loved ones in the city. In consequence the expense of living is greater and the conditions of life harder to bear and re- sist'
 committee was appointed by the Pastors Union consisting of the Rev. J. P. McFerrin, the Rev A. J. Dickinson and the Rev L. s. Handley to 0vceti- gate and report to the union at their regular meeting yesterday morning. Af- ter some discussion, however, the same committee was continued. They will in- vestigate the practicability of such a home; will communicate with other cities and gain all information possible.
 Available locations will also be looked into by the committee, who will ascer- tain definitely just what quarters can be secured and the cost in order to put all information before the union for action l in a few weeks. It is proposed to have a matron for the home-a woman who can make it a comfortable home indeed as well as one in name There will also
 be a board of control composed of women
 from different churches, who will give their attention to the details of manage
 ment
 It is firmly believed that such home could very soon be made SeH-SuSta1n1ng, as it is the intention of the committee to have the occupants of the home pay cording to their ability. Of course in the organization of the home and furnishing there would be some expense, but it is believed the funds could be easily se- cured.
 Dr, McFerrin, in giving his idea of what the home should be, spoke with such enthusiasm of the cozy quarters they hoped to have. the reading rooms with current literature etc., that it called forth the same enthusiasm from his hearers that followed the Apartment | House. scheme for the South Highlands. Not quite so elaborate, possibly. are the plans, but such a home as the Ministers Union proposes. for the young women of the city who need it is something that deserves support and sympathy and en- l couragement. The feasibility of the prop osition will be discussed in all its as- poets and now is the time to say help ing word for the proposed undertaking.