Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-22

L - "SAaSa
The object shall be to pro-
vide means OF communication be-
tween business women; to secure the bene-
ats resulting from organized effort; to open
club rooms and a restaurant for the COM
fort and convenience Of business women:
TO relieve sick and disabled members, and
TO have an employment exchange for COM
petent business women"
So runs a clause In the constitution OF
a certain club for business women. but the
all-important phrase is that which deals
with the opening Of a restaurant.
When a young woman takes a position
downtown" lunching at the restaurants
frequented by her brother and other girls
brothers, possesses a singular fascination.
She feels that at least she is launched
upon a business career. But in due time
she wearies OF the clatter of heavy crock
cry and the noisy calls OF scurrying wait
ers. She resents the fact that she is OK
pected to swallow her meal whole In order
to make way for other hungry mortals, i'm
patiently standing in line. II she meets
a friend with whom she would discuss the
plays she has seen OF late, the books she
is reading, or the new silk waist she is
about to purchase, the head waiter glares
at her for keeping another patron waiting,
and. under the influence of that glare, she
sallies forth and joins a club, and Is seen
no more in the MONDAY haunts of men.
Directly a club is organized. 1t collects
dues and hires a room in the heart of the
commercial district. Here it ~installs some
tables and chairs and a chef, a rubber
plant and white curtains. The last two
are essential. Then il is ready for bust
ness. And business comes. The lunch
room hourlshes like the proverbiai bay
tree.
These clubs for business women APP
proach more closely the mems clubs than
do any other organizations in which women
are Interested. they are broad, liberal
and democratic. Dress does not count. A
new member may make aequaintances or
not as she pleases. She is free to avail
herself OF the physical conveuiences placed
at her disposal without INDUCING in social
Intercourse. or she may meet other mem
bers on the common level of good fellow
ship. The fact that her name passed the
membership committee is all the social
backing that she needs.
She may entertain her friends at lunch
con or dinner. having a special table set
aside for their use. She may spend her
noon hour in the reading room, or curled
up in a cosy corner OF a dressing room.
She may never see the inside OF the club
rooms save during the luncheon hour, or
she may come back after her ONCE Is closed,
dress for the theatre and dine at the club
before joining her friends at the theatre.
In fact. she has most OF the privileges
of club men, at considerable less expense
Woman's passion for bargains and cut
prices does not desert her even in club
dom
The largest club Of this sort dourishes
In Chicago, and is known as the Chicago
Business Woman's club. 1t had its origin
in the National Association Of Women
Stenographers, which was organized at the
suggestion of Mrs. Potter Palmer in 1892.
It's first president was Miss Elizabeth
Merrill, now Mrs. George Bass. at that time
official reporter of the board OF lady man
ayers of the Columbian Exposition. But
as successful women in other branches OF
business life clamored for admission, In
1899 the National Association was reor-
ganized as the National Association of
Business Women, and its sphere OF useful
ness was enlarged accordingly, with active
clubs in New York. Minneapolis, Buffalo
and Detroit.
Barring the religious element, the Chi
cago club is conducted on lines similar to
those followed by the Young Women's
Christian association. It's MEMBERS take
active part in classes for the study OF
Spanish. French, physical culture, correct
English. current topics, stenographic speed,
domestic science, the use OF a chatting dish,
china painting and nature-study.
Miss Matae B. Cleveland, president Of
the national association is an active worker
in the Chicago branch. She is also man
ager Of the local Business Woman's ex-
change. which acts as Intermediary be-
tween employers and those seeking posi-
tions. and members Of the club are entitled
TO its services without money and without
price. This is but one of the many prac-
tical features supplied for the inexperienced
women enrolled under the clubs protect
ing banner.
The club Is run successfully and with