New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-26
MRS. DODGE EXPLAINS.
Denies Report That ShcfAsked for
Large Sums for Day NurScrieS.

the day nursery exhibit at the ST. Louis tx
position has fallen through because ofthe lack OF
funds for maintaining It. and because It does not
seem right that the money FOR such a purpose
should be furnished out OF the pocket OF any In
dividual or any set OF individuals" said Mrs Ar
thur n. Dodge yesterday 70 Tribune reporter.
"A great many misstatements have appeared IN
various newspapers relative 20 the collapse OF the
model day nursery at the fair. Had f. not been
Tor these there would be absolutely nothing for
me 20 say.
When the original appropriation q 5000 was
requested from the commissioners OF the ST. Louis
Exposition for day nursery building II was ex-
pected that this amount would cover the expense
az the building furnishing Tho trot plan
which I submitted 70 Governor Francis and the
local board was to accommodate two hundred chill
dren II proved that the expense Of this build
ing would be greater than the whole approprs alton
so the plan cut down 10 accommodate one
hundred and fifty children. and 1t was supposed
81 the time that the smaller building would cost
about 600. leaving 5000 for furnishing and other
expenses
last month when bids were received It was
found that the cost this building would be over
81 oO0 and knowing that the Board % Lady Man
ayers had Just received an appropriation from
Congress. I made application % g. through
me chairman q tho Cay nursery committee. Miss
Could FOR $500 20 cover tho cost 81 furnishing
and rooms for the star
Most OF the members os this rtaT vere 20 be
brought from the East. as they necessarily must
be women experienced IN day nursery work and
were 20 DO taken from situations IN nurseries Z
agreed mveef 20 pay their transportation 20 St
Louis and back A large amount Of linen was
needed for IN the exhibit. ard this was prom
Used by the Federation OF Day Nurseries. 20 cost
about 2Ool.
The sum which It had been decided should be
charged Cor tho care OF each child in the day
nursery was 80 cents a day. A conservative eati-
mate % the attendance. based on my experience
81 tho day nursery in connection with the Chicago
Exposition. showed that tho total amount go
cevod for the children would pay for'the food and
salaries
"As the day nursery building had been E!ven 70
The Board OF Lady Managers and was under Ns
management. considered. IN view % the recent
appropriation Il had secured. that tho only add
tional expenses the furnishing Of the exhibit and
1he housing Of the star. could he assumed 10y the
board instead OF by rrf-ute iudiFsluals. Tho only
time when any larger sum was mentioned was
when ] suggested 10 the Board % Lady Managers
that = cents a day De charged Tor each child, ~
was the price al che Chicago Exposition. as the
larger amount would be beyond'the means q many
women bringing children 10 tho exposition. In
this case about $50 additional would lie nee1ed
70 cover the salaries ~ the saG II this had been
appropriated the entire sum needed would have
been about 800 A. no time. directly OF Indirect
~ cid mention any larger amount
DID NOT WANT Personal EXPENSES.
IT was net TN rlsstatements began 10 appear
IN the s.. Louis papers that felt any call or de-
sfe 10 make statement on behalf q the FEEDER
atom OF Day Nurseries," continued Mrs. Dodge.
Some OF these statements have been so FAR out OF
The way that they nre calculated 10 give entire
" wrong impression OF the whole thing All the
81 Louis papers have stated tho authority of
Mrs. Manning. president Of the Board Of Lady
Managers OF Tho Exposition. that = asked for
SS.oo (some said 5000 FOR the expenses OF the
day nursery exhibit in addition TO my own per
sonal expenses. Nothing has ever been said about
SS.0oe Another came out with the statement that
2ir Dodge declared that $50 900 $50 would be
necessary and that in addition Airs. Dodge would
require that her personal expenses while IN 81
Louis be paid AS Mrs Dodge moves IN high
social sphere the paper added. This would mean
several thousand dollars for the fair period
= VIII confess thai that did hurt me. particularly
the last part Of f.
-, ~ Is a matter OF deep regret 10 that the
hibit has been withdrawn continued Mrs. Dodge
as The building planned was model one for the
purpose, and the federation OF which am the head
IA hoped 70 show the public how the best day