New-York tribune., 1902-08-01

registration Of immigrants while not restricting
the usefulness Of missionaries. somewhat impedes
their efforts. The Observation-Disclosures OF
whom, at least, have been known many years for
their good works among strangers TO this coast
deplore the general classification OF missionaries
and runners" made by the new administration and
the ban which places hotel representatives good
and bad and missionaries common level and
without the gates Under the former regime
these three missionaries regarded most favor
ably and worked in harmony with the authorities
to bring comfort and safety to the foreigners
Miss Alma E. Mathews missionary for the Meth
odist Womans Home Missionary Society; Miss
MeIby Of the Swedish Baptist organization. and
Miss Rapp of the German Baptist, have all been
known for many years for their benefactions to
immigrant women who arrive in this port. The
House for Immigrant Girls, which is supported Dy
the Methodist Home Missionary Society. at NO .
State-st.. second in point of time in opening
its doors to girls arriving here without friends
This and Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Cath
olic) the only homes. it is claimed, exclusively
for immigrant girls in this city Other institutions
for arrivals to this port take in men, women
and families Certain of the latter class are run
by individuals without the backing of a society,
but purport be established for missionary Pur-
poses The people heading such enterprises, OF
necessity, get their living out Of them. and
liberal price charged for board. At most of the
homes. it is said. inmates pay from 81 to 81 %
day, and persons without means excluded from
their privileges.
To Miss Mathews who has met incoming steam
ers daily for fourteen years. turned over all
friendless Protestant Finnish and English speak
ing girls and not few of other nationalities. who
for reason another not eligible for other
assistance During June Miss Mathews saw the
immigrants of eightysix steamers arrive, and from
them took to the home eighty-hve girls. Seven
nationalties represented among these guests,
but the large majority from Finland. Where
1t is necessary, clothing is given to the girls. II
they have money they are allowed 10 pay rea-
sonable (not over 90 cents day) for board
IL destitute. they equally welcome Not infre-
Guantly girls who have been thus befriended and
thuae TO whom monly has been lent, after they are
In positions not only pay their debts but send
money help other girls who shall arrive as for
iern they were
NO girls far houaehed service to-day, was
the statement IN large biaea letters, which deco
rated the winiew et the front deer yesterday, 1t
Is up efien than IL Is down. The fact is that
the demand feT ''sreen girls greatly exceeds the
supply, aud :ef every sae that lands there Is ne
end Of svosh.s positions
The FfrUiE1 girls, said Miss Mathews yes
te-day. ''Ia4k- s.ceIlsut housswoskefs u women
y.u ;,,v hav1 patience to train them, cut at nrsI
they are dUla &c degree
Iudicrous st..ries of thu rnIsaGventures 81 S!T2-
nish girls in places rife IN the homo. -
wear or so ago. among the arrivals vas a girl o.
o,,t,sndsh In appearance and stupid OF express" on
that her case seemed hopeless. Matron axe.
rnatron eager for help. called, saw her and pesAeh
her by Occasionally a woman more desperate u''i
the others would take her as a last hope BIT the
girl was sure 10 return in day or two In one
~ those places she was set to scrub floor ana
her mistress took the brush and showed her JUST
how TO use it. In hour the mistress retaFneu
ard found the maid with persration streaming
- hor face stDl scrubhing with all her might
the very spot ct which she had been set 70 "oFA.
She had not progressed an inch from 'he o'isi'"'
place chosen for the object lesson
AT last however the girl was employed py d
nna ~
from for six months. Then the woman and an IN
teuieent looking girl who was not recognized.
called The latter the hopeless case. "ho' IN
the interim had become valued servant
In another household where Finnish girl had
,eeo en,ploved it was noticed that a crowd had
.tra1 on tho sidewalk in front OF the house
ITnoD investigation discovered that the siri
was sliding down the balustrade OF the lroi s'ep'
and having great fun regardless or the oh4oohels'
Another girl had seen bells ana sprn's
1ocls before and found great delight IN uslhs
49, She celebrated her first day OF service oy
letting herself out of the basement entrance anu
then ringing for admittance at the upper oo'i' w
II ernpoved one persons time TO wait on hef-
Two hundred garments were distributed las
,on+b b,, Miss Mathews at Ellis Island. This work
&c unite apart from the work of the home women
with babies and women and girls VINO are gums
nv railroad 10 other points are often Saoly III He
or a change of undergarments or OF decent ap
nareI To meet this want. Miss Mathews Is 1oru-
aea with a generous supply of women's raiment OF
all sorts which is kept on Ellis Island In 'hese
dis+ributions no creed is regarded but Catholics
Hebrews and Protestants fare alike, thelr heeu
beine their only obligation. Little literature Is
given out bv Miss Mathews. That work is attended
20 by representatives of other organizations
Miss Mathews's work includes every office that
couId be demanded by a strangers need. Wives
are aided in their search for husbands. and girls
q, tbar ouest for lovers. Young girls who are
travelling alone are escorted to their tra.> or are
kept safely until friends arrive. To girls VINO re-
main at the home time before going on many
kindnesses are shown. and at the last as goodpys
are said at the railroad stations substantial
Iuncheons and If necessary money are put INTO
their hands Tired and bewildered women with
children are among the frequent sights at Ellls
IS given as changing their money sending tele-
gra ms buying luncheons rechecking baggage, etc,
md II Is worth while to see the dreary races
brighten at such evidences of kindness.
The home which is the centre of the philan-
thropv occupies five story building which Is
filed with light, airy dormitores ample baths, an
attractive sitting for the girls and home
like dining room During the fall and winter en-
tertainments frequent. and holidays are always
celebrated red letter days
To MANY girl who has long ago become "Amer1-
sdays OUT is place of resort Girls who have
once been inmates OF the home are always welcome
TO return for visits or TO stay when out of work.
During 1901 eight hundred girls from twenty diff
Since the work began there have been five thou
sand inmates.
instruction in English and houscwork as it is done
funds are not yet in hand. recent visit to the
place by Miss Helen Gould was followed by
check for $500