The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-05-20
TRAVELLERS AID
TO Be FORMED
IN PENSACOLA
MEETING WILL BE HELD THIS
EVENING AT EIGHT O'CLOCK AT
SAN CARLOS HOTEL-TWENTY
SOCIETIES HAVE BEEN ASKED
TO LEND SUPPORT TO MOVE
MENT.

Twenty societies in Pensa cola have
been asked to join their efforts and
support in the travellers aid work in
Pensacola. The representatives of
these several societies will meet at
the San Carlos hotel at eight o'clock
this evening to discuss plans for or
ganization.
At the recent meeting held at the
San Carlos hotel Mr.. Q. l. Steele was
temporary chairman. At this meeting
tentative plans were made for the for
nation of a Travellers Aid in this city.
When seen by a representative of
The Journal in regard 10 the move
ment Mr.. Steele said:
I'VE are living in a rapidly growing
country. Problems arise born Of con-
dItions that are entirely new. Prob
lens that our fathers and mothers did
not have to solve, because the con-
ditionS which produce those problems
had not yet arisen. We are agreed
that the stability of a nation is based
upon the stability of the homes that
compose that nation. In fact, we must
come to look upon a city, a state,
nation, as one family. Whatever af-
fectS one member of the family affects
ali. If one suffers, all must in a de-
gree share that suffering. This is as
true of a city, or state, as it is of a
family
ut is only a few years since the
weaving, cutting, fitting and sewing Of
clothes, the cooking, the washing, and
the ironing, were al done at home.
Then there was work fer every men,
Der of the family. Today practically
all of that work is done by machinery
in large towns or cities. The daugh-
tiers of the family who used TO do the
work at home have been compelled to
follow that work With the changed
conditions, many unthought of dangers
have arisen in the path of the young
girl. 1t is to protect them from those
dangers that we should be ready to
step in and extend a helping hand. If
we do not offer this protection in a
spirit of love, we must offer it in self
defense. If a member of the family
goes astray, it is a blot on the good
name of that family. Just so, one
gone astray in our town is a blot on
the good name of the town, besides a
useful life is turned to one of despair.
These changed conditions have given
rise to the problem of the care and
protection of young women and girls.
This problem, in the minds of think
ing men and women, is one of the
largest socially, economically, and re-
ngiously, that now confronts the pub
lie.
To Solve Problem.
Travellers Aid Societies were or
gained to help solve that problem.
Work similar to travellers aid work
began in New York city in 1883, when
the Fruit and Flower Mission of the
city hospital undertook the work of
directing the travellers at the docks.
The work was continued under their
supervision for 10 years. Then in 1905
a few women of broad vision met and
formed the Travellers Aid Committee
of the city of New York. The result
of the work showed the urgency for its
continuance and extension, therefore
the Travellers Aid Society was incor-
porated under the laws Of the state of
New York in 1907. The society was
ably managed by board of Is direc-
tors with Miss Grace Dodge as presi-
dent. AS the work broadened from
year to year, and the necessity for
larger cooperation became more in
sfstent, the need for organization on a
broader basis became more evident
Plans were therefore adopted for re-
organizing and enlisting the interests
of prominent men and women of diff
ferent religious denomina tions, and
broader vision in philanthropic work
In February, 1911, the board of direc-
tors, which was non sectarian. repre-
sent1ag Catholic, Protestants and Jews,
was enlarged to twenty five. A gen.
era' secretary was chosen to take en-
tire charge of the work.
Eat about that time. men and women
of larger vision (and ] regret to say
mostly women) all over the country
from ocean to ocean were beginning to
see the increasing demands for such
protective societies. with the result
that there are now few cities 70 10000
inhabitants, at least in the South, that