The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-10

background, especially when the
amateur feminine vagabond came
from some small town where the only
good" people, or the only ones quail
fed to correct one, were plain, prim
''tabbies" in black alpaca, who wanted
to hush the laughter of Youth and tie
a ball and chain upon its feet feet?
SETTLE FAMILY QUARRELs.
1--WE want to make friends with the
girls that we protect" Mrs. Hamil-
ton said. I'VE, the strangers, must
be buffers between the girl and her
family, with whom she has quarreled.
or that she fears after the sudden
departure from the family circle.
many girls who are we'll able,
ordinarily. to take care of themselves,
and to earn a good living at some
trade they have mastered, come here
full of hope and .self-confidence. Alas.
they know nothing of the housing or
hotel problem! They wander about
looking for a room somewhere: they
are unable to get one and night is
coming on swiftly.
ITO such girls. too, we open our
doors. We shelter them and help
them to ind a home here. They are
not under arrest. and no stigma at
taches to their stay here"
Up in the dormitory were forty
eight snowy beds, in a big sunlit room
with filmy curtains hung at the many
windows. Mrs. George w. Loft is
"bed chairman"
with the passing Of the old police
station and condemning of the struc-
ture the vacant building suggested an
opportunity. and Mrs. Mary e. Ham
ilton seized the opening to supple
ment her departments work among
runaway girls and to offer training
to women police.
There were many places to send
hayward girls" explained Mrs. Ham
ilton at the "women's precinct" as
the building is now called, but no
place where the really moral girl.
who may be a foolish runaway from
home. could be sheltered without dan
ger to her character. /
"Out of $4,000 runaway girls last
year so per cent were moral. They
probably tried to escape from too
great restrictions at home or from
homes that needed some sort of read
justment.
GUESTS ARE SHOWN CITY.
I'VE shall treat the runaways as
our guests while they remain in this
house pending investigation or a visit
from parents who will call for them.
Many girls leave home" laughed
the very understanding director, be
cause they want to see New York.
I'm that case" she added, I'VE help
them to see 1t. We alleviate the
pangs Of wanderlust by getting nice
women who are interested in our work
personally to escort them about town.
either afoot or in their autos.
Some girls want to see the subway,
hrtI hn or
left alone to roam about, these no.
mantle minded and foolish girls might
fall into bad company. We help them
to enjoy themselves and still watch
over them"
HOSTESS ROOM PLEASING.
Mrs. Hamilton, very much the hos
tess by virtue of charming manner
and pleasing appearance. took me into
the Hostess Room" 1t was once .hc
back room" where the police sat and
chatted when duties did not call them.
Now it is a large, sunny living room
with a red rug Of deep pile, cream
tinted walls and white woodwork, Civ
Ing a wholesome and cheerful tone.
Built-in book shelves painted daz-
zling white, with some good fiction
placed there and fragile luster china
they have four tea sets in lavender.
green, yellow and blue-a satiny brass
samover, floor lamp with painted
parchment shade. rows of cushions
on the long couch that Is built against
the wall, a new piano-here is an
ideal setting to welcome the little
runaway and make her listen to the
reason Of her elders.
COMMITTEE AIDS WORK.
different women promise to care
for our various appointments and see
that furnishings are replenished
when necessary" said Mrs Hamilton.
sand you know the mayors com
mittee OF women. OF which Mrs Will
liam Randolph Hearst is chairman, Is
really our fairy godmothers. They
are the silent forces back OF most OF
our nice things. and they make IL
possible to have such q pleasant home
for girls.
Recreation In really a necessary
part OF shelter and corrscfiea. Scot