Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22
MISS SHAW'S AIMS
IN WOMAN'S LEAGUE

TT IS largely due to Miss Mary Shaw
that a haven for struggling young
n girls of the stage has been opened
in New York, and 1t is not generally
known what tremendous necessity
has been recognized and what an enor-
nous need supplied by this organiza-
tion, the Professional Woman's league.
Here are helpful hands extended to-
ward the poor, the wounded, the help
less and the ambitious in a profession
overrun with misguided and blasted
hopes of youth. Wealth has poured
into the Golfers of the club not in the
light of charity but as something need
ed to further a gigantic scheme OF
comradery and allegiance where sucn
growth has hitherto been weakened,
crippled and strung into numbness from
birth.
Fine, big plans on their way to con-
summation fill the heads and hearts or
the women most deeply interested in
the cuba theater where aspiring
genius for writing plays may be nour-
ished, where the masterpieces of COM
position and the great unplayable dra-
mas may find utterance; bank where
extensive banking and brokerage
among the members may be carried on
SXSIe1laIlCaliY u lflG duNdlAbe6C VI w
positors and customers and with gener-
osity toward everybody and each other.
Home for the Stranger
A house properly equipped is kept up
as a home for the young stranger IN
the big city who is searching for an en-
gagement She may save her money 10
a farthing in the matter of room rent,
for the club rooms. the libraries. music
room, study classes and amusements
are all at her disposal, and here she
may receive her business callers ana pe
properly attended by the housekeeper
and servants in such modest but pc
coming surroundings as any ladyhke
Young woman might require. There Is
a sewing room In charge of person
of knowledge, who will help and teacn
and suggest should an applicant beg TOT
assistance in making or mend1ng q
wardrobe; and there are books, DOCKS
books.
Girls may practice on the piano, and
MANY do They may have instruction
IN dancing. fencing, the languages, dra-
matte expression, such as actresses pe
lieye necessary; vocal and instrument
al music, and even painting Tor NOM
inal fees. The patronesses ana omcers
of the club exert themselves to secure
for the neophytes employment in diff
ferent companies after they have
proved deserving.
There are no impertinent questions
asked, no rigid rules enforced, but sell
dom any other than conscientious and
well bred young women, or at least
those who mean we'll and try, ever ask
admittance to the club or seek assist
ance at it's hospitablel doors.
OF course these are only features IN
the big, fine line of work mapped out
by Mrs. Palmer, Miss Shaw and doz-
en- such untiring thinkers-one of whom
Is Lillian Russell and another Jessie
Rartlett Davis-to whose influence
much of the widespread popularity OF
the club Is due.
Miss Shaw Student
There are few more serious students
of the drama than Miss Mary shaw
She believes that "the play is the
thing over and above her own success
or that of any other actress. She has
carefully thought out ideas upon all
phases of the drama and In her devo-
ton to high ideals and aims. not only
for herself but for her profession; she
If often regarded as impractical and a
traitor to the material interests of the
craft.
In studying the adaptation of the
drama to the masses and to watch its
effects she Is frequenter of the cneap
theaters and a close observer of the
s.top of the house." and in this study,
which combines a sociological and a lit
erary question, she has had the CO.
operation of Jane Adams and other
settlement workers, who have learned
to place a high valuation on the dra-
ma as a recreation and an education for
the poor.