Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-24

nth EhNtIAe anu StE0ets
he provides entertainments and out
ings of various kinds for the boys.
big picnic is held every June and
these have been very largely attended
and thoroughly enjoyed. Individual
classes also hold picnics during the
summer months.
The working facilities of the Settle
ment are very good, but the work is
fast outgrowing its boundaries. On
the top floor of the building is the do
nestle science room fitted with work
ing room, glass top tables. cooking
utensils, gas burners. ETC.. for class
of IA. OF this room is a small dining
room where the pupils are taught to
set a table properly and attractively.
and 10 serve a meal correctly. There
! is a well filed fruit closet, china
cupboard and a number OF supply
rooms and lockers for work. On the
second floor are the living apartments
of the Settlement workers, assembly
room with seating capacity Of 800,
clothes rooms and two class rooms.
On the first floor are the gymnasium,
/ luC AOoAh, IIO bdlhSs
toilets and furnace rooms.
Articles of clothing may be bought
| here for a mere song. Good, strong
shoes are sold for Is cents, dresses
and mems clothing for few pennies.
The small charge is made to discour-
age the habit OF begging. Charity is
! dispensed to those in need of Ii, but
no one outside OF the charity workers
knows from where it comes or to whom
it goes. Calls are made among the
poor people, the sick and needy are
cared for or the proper authorities are
directed to them. They come with
their troubles, needs and wants to the
Settlement workers and never go away
uncared for.
There are six paid workers: A
nursery matron kindergarten teacher,
settlement worker, housekeeper, jani-
tor and a physical culture director.
Mrs. Barker has general supervision
of all the workers. She plans the
J work, makes calls, attends to the dis
! tribution of clothing and provisions.
: orders supplies and materials. and
!, takes an active part in all branches
| of the work.
. The influence exerted by the Settle
ment is far reaching, and of incalcula-
. BILE benefit. The children are
} taught to avoid the use of slang, and
. swearing is prohibited, punishment by
loss of membership resulting. They
are taught that they must not abuse
: father and mother for the use of in
J toxicants or tobacco, but that they
themselves must try to abstain from
their use in any form. Politeness and
5 consideration for others are drilled
: into them so thoroughly that the re-
5 suit is noticeable. The improvement
t in the homes and in the language of
1 the members is remarkable. Instances
: are many where conditions several
5 years ago were truly deplorable, where
5 the parents were shiftless, dirty and
untrustworthy, that are now indus
S trious, clean and honest, brought about
: through the influence and pride of the
1 children who are growing up in the
4 Settlement. They have learned the ad-
d vantages of right living and have
s passed on their knowledge to their
parents, or the parents have been
II brought to the Settlement and have
/, seen for themselves its advantages.
g'I This Improvement is very marked in
b many cases, and will continue to in
a crease in the same ratio as the in
), fluence of the Settlement increases.
|. The. work is carried on by popular
g contributions, ranging in amount from
Il cents up. People of means have In
n terested themselves In the work and
h give to its support as they are able.
Z The West End Settlement is the only
J. Institution of its kind in the three
e cities. 1t is a splendid example of
J. what may be accomplished for the up
lift and betterment Of misguided peo-
d pie in a community. However, it is
D not only the misguided people who
o come under the influence of the Set
IT tlement-people of excellent standing
5, in the community are members and
s. take pride in the fact that 1t is their
e privilege to be part and parcel of the
r, plan of uplift-proud of the fact that
p they are loyal and true patriots, ever
S, ready to help those less fortunate than
S themselves