The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-02
"CO-OP" CLUB OF BELL TELEPHONE
 AND ITS SPLENDID WELFARE WORK

Few people in Birmingham know that behind the doors of the big Bell Tele- phone building on Second avenue is be- ing done one of the most successful pieces of welfare work in the south,
 A visit to the Coop club, operated and maintained by the women employees Of this company, will show the real value of concerted action, the spirit of Gu opera tion congenial surroundings, systematic direction and efficiency can bring about
 When the telephone was first introduced men and boys were employed as operators to the exclusion of women but the service was not satisfactory. In short Ii ne the men and boys were removed and sirls took their places. Today, with but ac00 ma 6 operators and 10s,0O0 female operators, tel ephone operating must be classed as a feminine occupation
 One hundred and fifty girls are en- ployed in the main office of this com pany all young, for the average age is from r to 20, happy and well, most of them living with their parents in the suburbs of Birmingham.
 It is the policy of the Coop clul to Visit the homes of the girls and keep in c.ose touch with them when they are not eiE- ployed at the switchboard. The mothers are invited to the lovely clubrooins anu social evenings are provided. Physical culture lessons have been given the elrls under the direction of Miss Lum o1 the Young Woman's Christian assoelatlon'
 A real desire to serve Is measui ed by the spirit in which the service is gwen and the thought that Is given to fhe aet Such a lovely room as is used as the rest | d.. afaitF designed by persons with taste and refine ment, the soft brown of the furnl' dre, the CT cam colored wall and soft tai carpet make a restful harmony. In these qlnet surroundings books magazines, ana iha- sic add a touch of culture. A large, hand some lamp on the reading table IS cheery and bright and the soft well selected l sepia prints on the walls give hohle- ] like appearance to the room.
 l The club has turned it's attention to the 1 important question of food. A competent matron is in charge. Miss Name Jarre,, the matron, smilingly welcomes the Sifls' l A delightful lunch is served ddiy be- 1 tween the hours of Ii and 3, the soao' wholesome meal is sold to the slfis Tor 1 5 cents plate, so cheap as to mahe one | wonder how so good meal could be got ten up for so little However, rne com- pany aids here in providing some means 1 to assist the work 1 Miss Dickson a charming, d'gn'ned woman, who alone would add qeiet re- l fnement to the place, is a southetn sfi, 1 coming from Montgomery county ana knowing as she proudly says, 10 other l state than Alabama.
 i Miss Christiansen Is the superintendent ] of the long distance department, ana also , the president of the Coop club, ana a
 moving spirit in the work with the slrls' | The club was started just four years ago under Miss Christiansen's direction | and has been so successful that Atlanta 1 Memphis and Louisville have clubs pe.- termed after it. while New York ana ohi- cago have become so interested they are | planning clubs of similar nature
 The club officers are Miss Annie Chris tiansen, president; Miss Sammie Dickson | vice president; Miss Lucille Holt secre tary; Miss Carrie Duncan, treasui ef
 Visitors are invited to the rest rooms a all hours, and are always welcome
 The success of this venture aIaeng lh'
 telephone girls, made through their ewr
 initiative and effort, is but anothtl pr T
 of the good that must come out or inu' Id
 aid and cooperation. Not alone must ef
 ficiency eventuate for the service or th
 public and the company, but through th' conservation of health and life to in 1 employed themselves, will co.ne th
 growth of genuine good will anu com
 radeship, learned from their assoclate' , sympathies and needs.