The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-06

Chicago, Ill, Dec. S-one of the biggest problems of the country today Is the proper housing and care of that part of the million and a half women and girls engaged in gaipful occupa- tons who have no homes. or who are away from their people. Churches. religious and benevolent organizations and manufactories have opened homes of various. kinds with varying degrees of success. but the larger percentage of the wage-earning and business wo- men has not yet found the comfort and privacy of home life encompassed by the privileges that institutional life offers.
 Here in Chicago the Eleanor Clubs offer the best examples of the strictly business-like way In which the ques- ton may be solved. There are four of these clubs in sections of the city convenient to business women and working girls and as fast as suitable buildings can be secured others will be oponed Three have a membership of 200 each, and the fourth has 300. Each club is housed in a homelike building under the care of manager, e housekeeper. clerk, maids. cook and janitor. Each member of the clnb pays board, at from $2.75 to S4.25 q week. and they range from high school girls to women of middle age. It is understood that the clubs exist for the especial benefit of girls who do not get very large salaries. and when one becomes prosperous in her work and can afford to pay more for her living expenses she cheerfully gives her place. at the suggestion of the board of managers. to some less fortunate girl. This spirit of helpful ness, and willingness to give fellow worker q chance is one of the biggest principles on which the success of the club rests. s.. !.
 Membership in these clubs may be had by any girl who gives two re ferences, and clerks, students. book keepers stenographers, teachers and professional women constitute the membership. In the summer months when many of the working girls and business women are having a vacation, or have suspended work for the summer. the membership Is found to include students in the universities and art chools of the city. There are no rules governing the clubs beyond the unwritten code that would obtain in any private family. It Is conceded that each member will naturally do her best. to make the club a respected institution and a place of comfort for her felIow-lodgers. Those who go cut to evening classes and entertainments find . night clerk at her desk to re- ceive them when they come in, and reasonable hours are the prevailing custom.
 The clubs aim to help the members toward economy in every way, and one of thsemost welcome provisions Is laundry in each club house where for five cents an hour any member may dc any bit of washing orironing that she wishes. Fudge dishes and spoons in each of these laupdries show that even less enerous duties may. be performed here. Classes in the clubs are open to all the members, the payment of twenty-five cents a month for four months. allowing study in any or all classes. The studies include domestic science, business courses and English. So far this winter only the eewing classes have been organized, but the others will follow.
 In each of the club houses single beds are the invariable rule and when the rooms are large two and three are sometimes placed in one room. There are parl0rs for the use of the members and there are pianos, sewing machines and typewriters at their service. In the dtnning-ro the idea of an in- stitutional life is forever banished by the small tables, seating eight each. like a home group. The food is simple, wholesome. abundant and we'll cooked. The service Is good the air of friendllness and comradeship in- spring
 It must be understood that these clubs are in no way charitable or benevolent institutions. They are model homes for girls and women conducted on a strictly business basis, each girl earning her money in store. ofice, school or factory, and paying her board with a part of 1t, just as ~ Ia T4L homes are self-supporting and inde- pendent of any influence beyond the general stockh elders and executive committee of the association. Their success Is claimed by their promoters to be due to three things: The fact that each club is absolutely self-sup- porting; that there is cooperation among all the members; and that the helpful. kindly interest known as the "Eleanor spirit" pervades each institu- tion.
 The Eleanor Association was or ganized ten years ago by Miss Ina Law Robertson. The object was to furnish boarding houses at reasonable rates for girls with low salaries, for the average boarding place available to a girl with an income of four or i've dollars a week Is not one of the best influences and is not calculated to awaken better ideals in her. The name "Eleanor'' means Tight" and by permission of a member of the club, whose name 1t was. 1t became the title of all clubs formed under this same board, and has come to stand for tn 0 sbest uplift work among working women and girls, work that is being done by themselves. for themselves and their neighbors.
 Signs have Been hung in all the Chicago depots stating that strange girls may ind direction and advice at the central office, 40 Randolph Street This ofhce, cenrally located. Is main ,talned for the sole purpose of in- forming strangers as to good business places good boarding places, and good ghborhoods A lawyer. in the em- ploy of the clubs gives advice on mat terg of contracts and business propo- sitions and helps safeguard the mem bers and their friends. Tn the central of1ce building are the ofices of the dn formation bureau and the secretary and 6 committee room. Across the han are reception rooms where club members may come to meet their friends at any hour of the afternoon and evening with a chaperon there to make them welcome. buffet kitten en opening of these offers possibi- lities In the way of chocolate, tea coffee and other light refreshments Glasses may meet here also. One of the classes is for teaching English to immigrant girls.
 The question has been asked over again. why are the Eleanor Clubs aelf sustaining when time and psIn