The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-24
Significance Of Nos. v, IS, 70 Tn the Watts Building.

It seemed very trifling thing, but 1t was of vast significance. the little chalked figures that appeared the past week in the little black space on the large black board just outside the elevator In the Watts building.
 They designated the home of the Young Womens Christian association, and as a member very proudly outlined the figures their significance grew upon one until Nos. 1T, IS, 19 seemed to absorb all the other numbers. In years to come when the Y. w. c. A. has outgrown its present quarters and occupies a spacious building of its own there will be some who will remember that blissfu moment when those httle numbers. cha1ked with great proudness, pointed to the beginning of a work of great significance. The opening of reading and rest rooms , under the auspices of the Young Women's the fruition of a plan projected several years ago. and may be taken as a notable example of what may be accomplished by systematic effort and cooperation.
 The formal opening was made the oc- casion of public reception which was at- tended by four or five hundred people, the parlors being thronged throughout the
 
 ments were served in the cafe and the occasion was brilliantly successful.
 The quarters of the association are on the second floor In the Watts building and Include large reception room, a rest room, the secretarys office and cafe kitchen.
 The rooms have been newly papered and are hung with blue, a cool, restful shade that blends with the tents of the mating hal f,, for tt,o opening reception.
 The windows are attractive with white Swiss curtains and the rooms are pro- tected by bright colored awnings.
 The reading room Is equipped with a long table for the magazines and period icals and with the comfortable chairs and pretty rugs, together with the pictures, presents a most inviting appearance In one corner is a handsome piano, loaned indefinitely by the Forbes com pany,
 The reading room opens into the rest room, attractive with lounges and cots, and furnished with toilet tables. | The secretarys office is a cozy little room opposite the reading room and con veniently near the lunch room-this ad- joining large, airy kitchen.
 Everything is ideally arranged and housekeeping began last Tuesday, when the cafe was opened during the lunch con hour
 Luncheons will be served every day from 12 to 3 o'clock. The menu will in- clude soup, a meat and vegetable a salad, dessert and coffee, tea and milk
 The average cost of luncheon does not exceed 30 cents owing to the discount al- | lowed on membership tickets | The lunch rooms are already proving that Birmingham needed a place of this kind for the young business women and this feature promises to be as successful and popular as In other cities.
 The little cafe Is open to both the busy woman and to those of leisure, and the woman tired out from her morning shop ping has found a quiet, restful place in the inviting lunch rooms at the r. w. c. A. quarters Non-members may secure luncheon at any time, so there is every reason to believe that the cafe will be popular rendezvous during the luncheon hours
 Since the organization of the associa- ton short time ago, it has grown in membership, and now that the associa- tion has such attractive and accessible quarters, its future work will be carried forward with that degree of definiteness that will interest any one at all in touch with it's purpose.
 The scope of the work Is so broad that. presented in even a cursory way, 1t shows the limitless possibilities for practical benefit to the young women who become interested in any of its departments
 Later a gymnasium will be opened under the auspices of the Birmingham associa- tion, and numerous classes formed, these to include stenography. typewriting. dressmaking. cooking, art and study clubs.
 Miss Dlsbro, the secretary of the Att lanta association. was In Birmingham the past week and was present at the opening reception.
 Miss Julia Emery of Atlanta also ar rived in the city the past week and may be found at any time in the secretary's office. She is a most efficient secretary and is well identified with the work of the association
 Miss Disbro. in speaking of the Atlanta association. said that in less than a year the membership had grown to 800, and that the association had outgrown its present quarters.
 The gymnasium has proven one of its most popular features, and hundreds of Atlanta's most representative women are i taking the gymnasium course. 1 feature of the Birmingham associa-