The Washington times., 1914-09-14
By J. R. HILDEBRAND.

mere are NUMBER or social Set
Elements in Washington. But one is
equipped fo- extensive industrial
work. That is the Neighhorhood
House. at 1870 n street south
vtst.
Visitors to small villages, far re-
moved from cities, have marveled at
inc extent to which the residents
depend upon their own resources.
This same fact is the striking i'm
preston left by a tour of Neighbor-
hood House The settlement could
Withstand siege of weeks, and cook
its own food, make its own clothes.
raise provisions, do its own carpen-
try, and provide evening recreation
for those within its walls.
To the woman visitor, one of the
most interesting exhibits at the set
uement is the work in weaving,
hand dyetns, basketry, embroidery,
stenciling. and similar handicraft.
and domestic art effort. This work
is intensely practical. for many of
the women of the neighborhood, es-
peoally the foreign born residents.
here find themselves" and learn to
do again the work taught them as a
matter of course in their own coun-
Try
But perhaps the point of closest
contact with those who live near the
settlement is the four-room model
home. designed TO illustrate 10 those
families of extremely limited income
now home may be run economic
ally.
Furnishing the Home.
II have been quoted as saying
that a family could live on $50 n
day" explained Mrs. ]. p. S Neigh.
a resident worker. who planned the
demonstration home. That is not
true A family may exist. but thcv
cannot live on that sum in Washing
ton. I name that figure because il
ls the lowest standard wage paid
here. 1t is the amount received by
day laborers. many of whom live in
the alleys near US
In these four rooms, correspond
ing TO those occupied by most OF
these families in alley houses. We
have our cooking classes. In fitting
UP the house We began with an =
teCt lesson to the landlord. and we
h lieved the plumbing and the stoves
Used here are Of the sort every house
owner could afford to give his ten
snts. With clean house and good
equipment a family would be en-
Couraged 70 keep the property in
order and in repair.
The furnishing on this house. SUP
phed with everything needful tor
comfort. cost Sl5l. We show girls IN
our housekeeping classes how this
as accomplished. and where she
may save by purchasing second
hand furniture. Our cooking We a!n:
70 make practical We do not at
tempt domestic science We sim
r'y teach them how best TO cook the
materials they use daily in their own
homes
Dr"ssmakinr classes will he hold
curing the coming season. ThiE
project is tho outgrowth Of a cos
study OF conditions. and extended Ok
perlmentS with girls to test the lrar-
t.ca hility of tho idea u was found
that many girls leaving school o.
tered department stores as clerks for
special sales or were drawn i7.o
other occupations which led nowhere.
and which afforded the girl little
training.
Appeal To Girls.
Settlement workers then made 4
canvass of dressmaking establish
rents here TO find whether there
vas demand for helpers. II was
rourd that the demand Ia exceed
90 the suppl. which, ;n2idcntal;l.
Is the reason for The higl cost q.
ha ing wom2n's clothes made in
Washington.
The third stcm was to lind cut
whether the work could be made Ia
appeal In girls Of :la kind tie sell
tleT1ent -ish"d to help. - fifteen
Cfrlz. believe ! 10 he typical Of those
Nho leave school. woro selected and
put TO work for six nohjhs There
was doubt as 70 whether the giIls
would forsake ;hn Slamor 4 the oc-
ruuatiors tf"y followed for ,he mo-
nOtonous and ~nore nxaCtinr work
nj dr+ssmakinG. But thu re..IIt Of
Eed the assumption that they would
NJ so. Tnercfrrs the Association Of
Collegiate .AIumnao which L7d r~ar
Interested in 'he i5es. voIIr.rer.d 10
sUpervise this work to- the comm.
year.
These are SOM y The perer
phases Of the settlements wor.,
The kindergarten was opened when
the settlenen. was launchcI h.. NJ
nnd Mrs. Charles =. Welle". in IaO1
The first branch station If the pub-
lie Library also was opene.! there
End it now is believed to circulate
more books than any other branch
in the CITY.
The Washington Playground Axso-
citation was organized IN 1902. md
The first playground was opened In
tho hack yard of the Neighoorhcod
House. In the same wear the sum
mer outings committee was orran-
izc1 and began its work.