The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-27
By CAROLYN B. ELLIOTT


 suggests happy environment, doesn't it? With the healing fragrance of pine trees surrounding it in the broad acres of it's great out-of-doors, and the healing min fistry of sympathy and love under it's roof | tree, found Matsuyama an ideal home flor the Alabama State Training School for Girls. Just girls they are, who live there, most of whom have never had a home before, little girls who go to the beloved mother, Mrs. Amigh, to mend their broken dolls, and older girls who . seek her kindly counsel to mend their Sbroken lives.
 Mt was in 1912 that Mrs. Ophelia Amigh. an institute superintendent of national repute, was secured as superintendent Of the school, and it is largely through her effectual management that it has devel- oped into an institution worthy the con- fidence of the state. She is ably assisted by a corp of competent teachers with institutional experience, each thoroughly trained in her special department
 It is gratifying to know that Alabama was the first southern state that entered into any constructive movement in the in- terest of those who come from unfor- tunate and unwholesome environments into the protective care of this beautiful home life at Matsuyama. Beautiful in the spirit of it's furnishings, in the choice ness of it's architecture, and in the broad
  carefully cultivated little farms, with the green hills towering above the valleys in the distance. I was just thinking what a wonderfully wholesome atmosphere this way, and imagining how inspiring 1t would be to live up in the observatory ana look down upon peaceful and unsuspect- ing world forever, when Mrs. Amigh sug- gested trip through the laundry down. stairs, the kitchen and pantries.
 So followed the superintendent 'upstairs and downstairs in mi ladi's chamber" through the El- len Weakley and Jefferson halls, and out into the gardens. while Mrs. Alice Johnson and Mrs. Charles Brown, the members of the board of control with whom I had come, were going over the broad acres with an architect to select the site for two new buildings.
 N We must have these buildings by fall, Mrs Johnson, the president of the board. had said to me, because it is necessary to classify the girls who come to us. When these two hall sare finished we Il have four buildings each of which will be a unit in itself, equipped for every department of domestic science. In the school room the girls will be together as they are now, under the supervision of splendid teacher"
 FIRST LESSONS
 Into this attractive schoolroom Mrs Amigh guided me, and although many Of the girls were busy with the first les sons of their lives, they were intensely interested. There were various classes through the eighth grade, as every girl is required to give a certain amount or time to study, and groups of girls alter nate with domestic science and school work Perhaps the careful training so perceptible in the behavior of the girls caused the inquiry from one of the prom of ha sISnt there room for one more teacher here?' The schoolroom, which is in Jefferson hall (named. by the way for Jefferson coun- ty). also serves as a hall for entertain ments. and as chapel for religious serv- ices For the spiritual welfare of the girls is part of each day at Matsu- v,,na Their religious training includes daily Bible study. regular Sunday school and Sunday afternoon gatherings when minister's of various denominations freely give their services. In the scnooirooHi is also equipment for recreational even ings. a piano and victrola for drills and entertainments that girls delight in. ana space here for the motion picture ma chine soon to be installed.
 From the schoolroom- visit to the we,l-kept laundry. introduced us 70 other groups of girls singing and chatting over the soap suds and the ironing boards. They were learning to launder their clothes with the same kind of equipment that they would in all probability find in homes or their own.
 sThere is no reconstruction about our work in the home.' Mrs Amign said to me. as we watched a group Of girls who were interested in the gar ments they were fashioning under d. i rection of their teacher in the sewing room "It is purely constructive This is the first real chance these children have ever had.'
 FIRST OPPORTUNITY
 The first opportunity for any kind Of character building. for any kind of training to earn livelihood. Isn't it gratifying that Alabama is offering T first opportunity to her unfortunate