The New York herald., 1921-08-21
Y. w. c A. Prices.
Reply to a Complaint Of High Rates
for Food and Lodgings.

writer Of the letter criticising the prices
charged by the Young Women's Chris
tian Association for food and lodgins
has very evidently overlooked the fact
that the Young Women's Christian Asso-
citation was not founded primarily to
put a shelter over the heads of young
women nor food inside of them. but
rather to give the healthy, normal COM
radeship that youth Graves.
The Young Womens Christian Asso-
citation is not charitable organization
II does not profess to give something
for nothing. At the same time 1t is not
a money making proposition. During
the war pressure. when prices scared.
without exception the Young Women's
Christian Association prices were kept
at the lowest possible mark. There are
few places in the city where during the
last year three meals could be obtained
for 90 cents day. Now when prices
elsewhere are dropping to a marked
degree there has not been SO great a
decrease in the Young Women's Chris
ton Association prices for the reason
that any reduction would mean that the
various activities which. are now self
supporting would be forced by any
greater decrease to become dependent
upon the mother organization.
AS for the Margaret Louisa, the very
fact that the building is thirty years
old means that thousands of dollars
yearly must be expended for repairs and
replacements. For the last three months
prices in the cafeteria, which serves 500
people daily, have been reduced from
20 to 25 per cent. Yet wages paid out
to the employees are more than double
what they were few years ago.
Rooms may be had at this home for
from 81 to $3.50 night at the Laura
Spellman from 81 to SITS, at the Tat
ham House from 81 to $225 with sep
arate bath. At the Harlem branch OF
the Young Women's Christian Associa-
tion the room registry bureau has over
800 rooms under it's supervision. Single
rooms are from IS to IS week; double
rooms from IS to SIS. Here in the
cafeteria, serving $50 people, the average
meal ticket runs from 40 to As cents a
meal, which includes meat substitute,
meat dish, rolls, butter, coffee, milk or
tea and a dessert. The West Side cafe
terra. which in spite OF its out of the
way location serves 200 people daily.
has reduced its prices materially. and in
the boarding home double rooms may be
rented for S6.75 a week, single rooms
for SO week. both rates including two
meals a day.
During the last year 53,sS6 women
have been accommodated at the thirteen
rooming houses run by the Young wom-
ems Christian Association. And more
than $1,000 have been turned away be-
cause Of the lack OF beds. In addition
to these there are 5,9S3 rooms In pri-
vate homes for which the Young wom-
ems Christian Association acts as spon-
sor. Owing to the fact that these are
rented out by private individuals they
are variously priced, ranging from 81
upward. Unfortunately. most room
seekers expect to find central location
at the same rate that they would pay
for a room less conveniently located. and
Il cannot be done.
With respect to the suggestion that
the Young Women's Christian Associa-
ton might devote some Of the funds con-
tt ibuted to its support to the erection
Of dormitories rather than in the equip
ment OF magnificent Offices, rest rooms,
club rooms, sport rooms and all the
other rooms" the primary reason for
the organizations being must again be
brought to mind. The buildings, large
and small, are valuable not because they
put roofs over the heads of homeless
girls but because they offer unlimited
opportunities for character building and
companionship.
In the Central Branch, building of
ten floors. occupying fully half a block.
there is but one magnificent Office"
with its membership of 1900 girls,
5000 of whom attend the business
classes at the Ballard School and 10000
of whom are enjoying the rndisputed
benefits of the physical training classes.
The employment department of the
Central Branch has In the last year
found positions for more than $500
girls and women. The Harlem Branch
boasts membership of 7.400 girls, with
654 enrolled in the educational classes,
and the West Side Branch. with mem-
bership OF 5000, has 500 girls using Its
club rooms weekly.
These statistics show that at least
there are few thousand girls In this
city who appreciate the fact that the
Young Womens Christian Association
occupies trifie higher plane than that
of the ordinary boarding house, and
that its fostering of the spirit, mind
and body deserves grateful recognition
of the womanhood of the world.
CAROLYN WILLyouN0
New YORK August % Y