The Detroit times., 1912-11-13
SAYS 'SCHOOLFOR
BRIDES COULD Be
STARTED HERE
Detroit Has Opportunity to Du-
plicate Chicago Scheme,
Pastor Adams Declares
JUST SOCIAL CENTER
FOR WORKING GIRLS
Plans Similar Institution for
the Boys of the South
Side

ANY big church in Detroit could
start what my church in Chicago has
started; there is just as much need
for such work here as there" says
the Rev. Myron f. Adams, pastor OF
the First Baptist church OF Chicago,
ana former pastor OF the Warren-ave
baptist church OF Detroit.
Mt ADAMS rs spending a Few days
IN Detroit 10 see relatives and old
friends. His so-called school for
brides caused comment throughout
the country.
The First Baptist church OF Chi
cago Is the Oldest church OF the city,
ne says. 1T was there when Fort
Dearborn was stockade Ii is In the
Heart OF the south side. There are a
great many girls in that district who
work during the day and who live
alone and have few advantages in the
way or education. either cultural or
domestic. We decided that great
good could be accomplished by help
lug these girls. SO we established
wh3t the newspapers called the
school for Brides That isn't really
what it Is. It's school for girls who
need just such a place.
IT isn't like any other school
There are various classes-cooking,
Gressmaking, storytelling, for exam
Pile Monday night is devoted to the
work. The girls come at whatever
hour they can and stay as long as
they wish | suppose some OF them
are helped TO a knowledge OF house
Keeping but for most OF them the
church has become social center.
This Is what church should be, /
believe. Ii ought to be closer to the
people than any other institution, be-
cause In II people can come together
without formalty, without strict
rules OF guidance.
We'll, the plan succeeded II sue
cceded 80 well that our classes grew
TO over 300. and now / believe we
shall soon have 500 girls. The next
step will be to do something similar
for he boys OF the south side We
are working on our plans for the a,
end / expect that we shall very soon
Fave them one night week also.
The same opportunity exists in
Detroit, II the churches care to take
IL up. Any church situated in a dis
tIict where working girls board has
o big opportunity TO help them. 1t
doesn't take much TO start such a
movement could be put on loot in
two weeks"
Mr. Adams was asked about the ap.
poirtment OF Eddie" Barnett on the
playground commission, topic which
came up during the mayoral cam
paiRn, when the responsibility for
Eddie's" appointment was shifted
about from shoulder 10 shoulder until
MIR. Adams finally assumed RESPONSE
bility.
Mayor Thompson called me up"
Mr. Adams said, land asked me TO
make statement about Eddie Bar
netts appointment, told him, and
made the public statement, that had
asRcd him TO appoint Eddie on the
playground commission. | made that
request because Eddie was president
Of he board OF estimates, and /
judged that II man was important
enough and powerful enough TO be
chosen head OF the estimators, he was
man whose influence would go for
something.
"on the executive board OF the play
ground committee were Aid. Gilman,
L
molly; Eddie Barnett, and myself.
That board secured from the council
and board OF estimates the appropria-
lions which II requested, and know
that II secured them without a prom
Use being made to or by any member
Of the board. l don't like Eddie
Barnett's business; know he doesn't
like It himself; but that has nothing
to DO with the question. Eddie con-
WINGED me that he was in favor or
Fairgrounds; he told me that he had
been born in a crowded district and
had never had the benefit OF a play
ground when he was boy, and that
lie wanted one for tho children OF his
ward He convinced Inc that in this
desire he was on the square. and he
worked hard for the appropriation. !
asked for Aid Glinnsn's appointment
because he was president Of the coun-
Gil. If / had thought him a CRATER.
/ would not have asked the mayor 10
appoint him. i have no use for
grafters."