Evening star., 1909-05-16

f1ict off Santiago. Mrs. Wainwright is the
chairman of the welfare department,
which is examining into the conditions
under which government employees work,
and she is enthusiastic over the scope and
magnitude of the work which unfolds be-
fore her committee. II should like every
woman to know that the first lady Of
the land is most earnestly holding up the
hands of those who are engaged In TINS
work and that it was with keen regret
that she was compelled by the many
duties devolving on her high position to
relinquish active work in the organization.
Mrs. Taft worked with us as long as she
could and will continue by her cordial
interest and her helpful suggestions to
promote the endeavor which has been un-
dertaken. 1t is the duty of every Ameri-
can citizen to feel solicitude about the well
fare of every man and woman who serves
them in any capacity whatsoever. While
Just now our efforts are directed toward
the employees of the government in Wash
ington, We hope to extend our work until
1t reaches every post Office. custom house
and government office in the country"
Mrs. Wainwright further explains that
when the District branch of the Civic
Federation was formed in the spring it
was considered by many just another
woman's club and another effort of the
Sex to take control of things properly
under the supervision of men. But what
the work really means appears to be much
misunderstood, even by people well in
formed about public movements In the
broad sense the welfare department is
working to curb the social unrest, to
make every person realize the obligations
which come because they are all members
OF the human family, and each with a
duty toward the other. 1T is not a Mrs.
Jellaby affair but IT is undertaken after
great consideration and with the hearty
support and cordial sympathy of the
president and Mrs. Taft. of such practical
philanthropists as Nathan Straus, Cyrus
II. Mccormick and others as nationally
well known says Mrs. Wainwright.
X X
1.-The woman's welfare department de-
sires to make particularly plain that the
society has nothing to do with wages
The society does not go into homes or at
tempt anything except to see that those
who perform faithful service for Uncle
Sam are comfortably environed during
the hours of work. In the bureau of en-
craving and printing, which the commit
tee recently inspected. it was found the
employees were most uncomfortably crowd
ed. The building was meant to accom-
modate about two thousand and there
are now over four thousand there.
IF nothing had been accomplished blu.
the mere fact Of calling attention to these
conditions. the welfare department is
proud Of the fact that, thanks to the sym
pathy aroused in Mr.. MacVeagh. Secre-
tary of the Treasury. and with the cor
dial cooperation Of Mr.. Ralph. director
Of the bureau. all possible Improvements
have been made. A new and perfectly
equipped building is about TO be erected
and there win be ample provision for
health and comfort. In every detail. the
welfare department has aimed to be prac-
teal. They ask only common creature
comforts, not luxuries and this unneces-
sary things. There will be a recreation
room where the girls can eat their lunch
con under as good conditions as the ordi-
nary householder would provide for those
who served her well. But what they
want most is a room where sick women
NAV be attended, and il is their hope To
get the Red Cross to establish a branch