Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-07
FAMOUS WOMEN ARE In OMAHA
Mrs. Florence Maybrick and Mrs.
Maud Ballington Booth Here.
BOTH work FOR PRISONERS
Each r. Engaged In Chautauaua Work
Mrs. Booth Gives Her Income
90 Help Families OF Men
In Prison.

Two women famous for their work for
the betterment OF prisoners we're omaha's
guests Saturday; both were guests at the
Rome Hotel and here for the same purpose
20 obtain q rest between chautauqua en-
gagements.
Mrs Maud Ballington Booth OF the Vol
unteers OF America, the much beloved Lit
tie Mother" whose energies are devoted to
the cause OF prisoners and the wives and
children OF the prisoners, stopped in Omaha
for the day on her way TO fill lecture en-
easement az Holland, la. Mrs. Florence
Maybrick. whose own painful experience In
the prisons of England gave the inspira-
ton for her work for the betterment OF the
condition Of oil prisoners, was likewise In
Omaha for a days rest
These chautauqua talks OF Mrs. Booths
have prison work both as their inspiration
and their topic; all the receipts from her
lectures so toward the support Of the work.
Any talk with Mrs Booth means a glimpse
into an untiring devotion to the cause OF
the prisoners.
A recently established institution OF which
she speaks with much pride IN the
Rainbow House Of New York city. now
about a year old. Here" she says, I'VE
can help the wives and little children of
the nisn confined behind the bars. We
have a large nursery where we take care
Of the children and we have a large laun-
dry in which We can give the mothers EN-
pioyment. We DO only hand work and have
q splendid clientele. This is one of the
most serious OF our problems. this question
Of how to help the wives OF the men. We
were able 10 furnish many OF the families
temporary relief. but in week or so the
familys need was as great as ever What
the mother really needed 10 relieve her
distress was a regular income, however
small, that she could depend upon every
week, and also a place where the children
too young to care for themselves, could be
cared for. The Rainbow House seeks tC
meet these needs.
Families Are Needy.
In speaking Of the needs or the families
Of the prisoners Mrs. Booth told OF mel
work In the different states In the Interest
Of law which shall provide that the earn
ings Of the men In prison shall go to the
rapport OF their families. Now" she said
N1here are many states which get a gooc
revenue from the prison workers and the
families Of the prisoners must struggle OF
a. best they can the heavy burden OF pro
viding for the family often falling upor
sadly hampered by the care OF many it'll,
children"
Ohio is now the only state which hal
any law which directs that even a part Of
mans earnings be given to his family. II
Virginia law is to come up for discussion
soon and the advocates have asked Mrs
Booth TO come TO their aid.
A recent event OF which Mrs. Bootl
spoke with giistehing eyes 20 great was he
appreciation OF what the outing meant L
the participant, was q river excursion re
Gently given to the wives and families o
come Of New York's prisoners.
Two hundred women and children wer
given = river trip up the Hudson to tn
estate OF my friend. Miss Helen Gould
Ny SON was In charge OF the excursion
just think some OF these women who wen
ON this outing did not know the meaninl
Of the word excursion. FOR most of then
it was their only outing of any kind 70
the entire summer
Helen Geuld'a Excursion.
mo" she said In reply to a question
'the boat didn't go past the prison be
cause Tarry town, where Miss Gould's es
tate Il, is this side of Sing Sing, but tn
men heard OF the trip and appreciated wha
was being done for their families, as the
do appreciate all our work for their wivs
and children
After her lecture engagements, and sh
has seventeen scheduled for the month O
August. Mrs Booth will go TO Leavenwort
to visit the federal prison, the creates
prison In the country.
In this connection Mrs. Booth declare
that there have been wonderful changes
for the better. In prisons OF this countr
during the past fifteen years.
The Volunteer Prison league. and tn
Hope Halls established by the league fc
the assistance OF prisoners when they lsaV
the prison. Is the work to which Mrs. Boot
has for the last fifteen years given he
thought and energies.
Mrs. Maybrick made her brief stay 1
n Omaha n complete rest, and was not ~
= cessible to intsrviewers.