River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-10-15
The Reading and Rest Rooms.

The Reading and Rest Rooms
It seems but fair to the citizens d
River Falls who so generously sup
ported these rooms the past year
that some sort of statement relating
to the financial condition and work
of the place be given out.
The sum of $268 was subscribed
by the people and all but $16.5O OF
il paid. The l. O. G. t. gave the
use of their books and paid $48. OC
toward the rent of the rooms. Dur
ing the year about $500 was made
from the dinner and supper given
in the rooms by the people. Two
loads of wood were donated, besides
an alright stove, various toilet ar
ticles, three small rockers and a
cradle. Considerable literature
magazines aid books-was also Civ
en-.
The rent was $3.50. The expenses
of the year for wood, light, getting
the rooms ready for occupancy and
paying some one to keep the rooms
open while the manager was out So
Letting, foot up to nearly $4,000.
The first seven months of the year
the manager received $3.50 a week,
amounting to $l09.oO.
The total outlay for the year is
$3.50. 80; the total income 1914. so.
Everything for the past year has
been settled for and accounts made
TO balance.
So far as has come to the person
al knowledge of the manager the
farmers wives and daughters are
very appreciative of the efforts that
are being made by the citizens of
River Falls for their comfort and
convenience. We know there are
many who have not yet taken ad-
vantage of their privilege in these
rooms, but there are also many who
have and it is the honest opinion
of the manager that enough benefit
has already come to those who do
come here TO much more than pay
for all the outlay in money and work.
furthermore it speaks we'll for a city
if it's people are willing to support
such an institution. We regret not
having made list of the visitors
for the year that we might make an
exact report. We believe that the
daily number of callers from the
country to have been not less than
seven, perhaps eight.
1t is also the aim of the manager
to provide a pleasant, wholesome
place where young people, boys
especially, may spend an hour or
two in the evening. We do not So
licit patronage from those who
would be better off at home. After
Nov. 1st there will be in the Rest
Room a turning pole, swinging bar,
and enough Indian clubs for a snaall
class. 1t is the wish of those most
interested to make additions to the
library, games and physical appara-
tus, and if the people are willing to
help, this will be done.
1t has been suggested by promi-
nent citizen, whose children spent
many evenings in the rooms last
winter, that an effort to teach the
boys some useful, interesting hand
work these coming winter evenings
would be feasible. There are al
least fifty boys in our community
who need such training. Will it
pay to help them? How might it
be done? ~
For next year beginning Nov 1st
$685. has been subscribed towards
the rent. AS money is so scarce
this fall we have decided not to ask
the people for more than enough
to pay the rent-$150.00. The mana
ger believes it possible to earn
enough to meet expenses, aside from
the rent, by supplying few fami-
lies with home baking, homemade
candy and a few CONNECTIONS not
now made here in town. Of course
this work must necessarily be done
in small way or it would interfere
with the purpose of the rooms, so
no dealer need fear a damaging
competition. The farmers are do
mating wood to keep the rooms
warm, five loads have been prom
ised already, and several families
who did not have wood to give
have promised eggs, butter, etc., to
use in the cooking.
find it will be impossible to
personally solicit from every family
for the balance of the rent, there
fore invite all who are interested
in the maintenance of the Reading
and Rest Rooms to send in their
contributions soon, be they ever so
small, and / pledge myself that
whatever you may spare will be
used to the best possible advantage.
Your humble servant for the Mas
ter, ALICE L. HeMENwAY.