New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-04
e II
w
BY RICHARD NJ. WINANS

without any adequate means Of support. As a result
there millions of young women now struggling
against starvation while there the greater the grow
ing, curse OF thousands Of deserted homes.
AS to the last Judge who has heard hundreds OF
divorce cases declares that four-ifths brought
about by the inability Of the unframed wife to live with
in the income Of the husband This he adds applies
particularly to the married shopgir And-here the
pont-the woman who trained in and had done
homework before marriage almost appeared be-
fore him as an applicant in divorce suit.
This seemed to me to be pivotal point OF the queS
ton the strongest argument for intelligent pansaling
endeavor To preserve the home and all that that i'm
plies it is necessary to develop the home making in
snct, talent ability, Of our women. To do that
must begin with the potential home maker in early
childhood Not unlike the old saw, AS the twig is
bent, YOU know.
AND so Mrs. Neff began the wg-bending process in
real earnest, with the Friendly Inn the initial
laboratory Glasses clubs Of twelve each were formed
Of girls six twelve at first and later Of older girls, who
were taught the udimcnts OF housekeeping.
For girls Of ten and upward clubs established in
sewing drcssmaking personal hygiene crocheng, rug
making OF babies etc. before passing to the second
year for more advanced household activities for which
they were provided with utensils suited to their size
the course comprising thrty-two lessons. The third
year classes which are just now forming, will take up
simple cooking and baking.
These girls pay one cent a lesson each. That, Of
course does the expenses. but it makes the
girls feel INDEPENDENT by killing the conscious Of
dreaded charity which, because Of their supesens
tivcnesS, worli keep the most needy ones away.
For the Youngest girls the study is made attractive
by teaching play The various clubs Of the primary
tots are known as The Doll Housekccpers. They
taught. al in great detail the simplest little rules Of
how to keep house and live properly by means Of doll
family arranged in large dollhouse, which they deco
rate and furnish care for and conduct through an in
tcrcsng series OF domestic episodes throughout the
year. under the direction OF teacher. They enjoy 50
much that it ossup to whether they get more Jun
than education out Of it.
However that may be- the success OF the practical re-
suits secured were far and away beyond the dreams Of
the originator. The wonders accomplished the first
twclvemonth began to be whispered about The story
Of the splendid achievement being carried into other
cities.
Then the work was taken up by the Western Reserve
chapter Of Daughters OF the American Revolution, I'M
der the leadership Of Mrs Nef and the president gen
eral recognizing its educational uplifting possibilities
last wear gave it the name OF the Girl Home Makers OF
America and had it incorporated as a new department
in the national society of the d. a. K.
During the last year the Girl Home Makers movement
has been carried into the cities and towns OF eighteen
States. and is lust now extending with such rapid
strides that Mrs Neff even with competent staff Of
assistants, finds it difficult to keep pace with IT,