THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY ' UNIVERSITY OF H.UNOIS LIBRARY MAY * 5 ANNALS OF THE CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB FOR THE FIRST FORTY YEARS OF ITS ORGANIZATION 18761916 COMPILED BY HENRIETTE GREENEBAUM FRANK AMALIE HOFER JEROME ~ rr v OF UMNOIS LIBRARY MAY ' CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB CHICAGO 1916 1 1 1 t Copyright, April 1916, by CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB All rights, including the right of translation and reproduction, are reserved Prcoe of (Camuanii, JJrttitrr* Chicago, SIIinoiB FOREWORD The purpose of these chronicles is to acquaint members of the Chicago Woman's Club with its . growth and development, and to recall the events of former years. The contents of this volume are taken from the original records and documents, from letters and articles concerning the work of the Club. The minutes of the first decade are given in detail, in order the spirit of the Club may be fully understood. It ITwas found impossible to report the later years exten- sively, owing to the continual expansion of the Club and the wealth of material concerning its activities. The excerpts from the records beginning February, 1876, and ending February, 1916, have been bound in 15 one volume for future reference. This volume is accessible to members. It contains many reports in full, which are of inestimable value. These should be made available by publication, as they evidence the contributions of members to the civic and cultural growth of the community. In many instances the action of the Club in later years was clearly fore- shadowed in the first records. ' Humani nihil a me alienum puto' ' Tloliiiug sarn>b and Ingaltg mg in tlte (Hittraga Human's OJlub, 9 mill sustain its 0oob mork anb tie reputation. LIST OF PRESIDENTS FROM DATE OF ORGANIZATION Caroline M. Brown ---___ 1876-1879 Julia Holmes Smith ----___ 1879-1881 Helen S. Shedd - _ 1881-1883 Julia Holmes Smith - _ 1883-1884 Henriette G. Frank - 1884-1885 Leila G. Bedell . . 1885-1887 Lucretia M. Hey wood ------ 1887-1888 Celia Parker Woolley - 1888-1890 Lucy L. Flower - . 1890-1891 Julia Plato Harvey - - 1891-1892 Sarah Hackett Stevenson _____ 1892-1894 Ada C. Sweet - _ 1894-1895 Lydia Avery Coonley - _ _ 1895-1896 Elizabeth H. Ball - - 1896-1897 Mary C. Remick - _ 1897-1898 Louise Dickinson Sherman - 1898-1900 Caroline M. Edwards - - 1900-1901 Mary Lewis Matz - _____ 1901-1903 Ellen M. Henrotin . 1903-1904 Lula Boone Carpenter _____ 1904-1906 Gertrude B. Blackwelder - 1906-1908 Marian Burton Upton _____ 1908-1910 Nellie Johnson O' Connor _____ 1910-1912 Elizabeth Bass - --.___ 1912-1914 Helen Wooster Cooley ---___ 1914-1916 CONTENTS Portrait of Caroline M. Brown Foreword Club Pledge and Motto List of Presidents Table of Contents Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter VIII. Chapter IX. Chapter X. Chapter XL Index I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. General Introduction February, 1876, to October, 1887 1887-1892 Club years 1892-1894 " " 1894-1898 " " 1898-1900 " " 1900-1905 " " 1905-1910 " " 1910-1914 " " 1914-1916 " " Financial Contributions - Frontispiece III IV V VII 9 23 64 103 142 183 216 246 286 328 - 368 379 I CHAPTER I GENERAL INTRODUCTION The forty years which have witnessed the birth and develop- ment of our Club, have seen a wonderful growth of women's organizations, devoted to mutual counsel and to the fostering of community ideals. The growth of leisure and the desire to use it well, the extension of modern means of lengthening the days, lessening distance apparently, have helped the cause of united action, the planning of unselfish work. The forty years of our club-life have not been penitential years in the wilderness, though we have been fed with the heavenly manna of inspiration and instruction, and prepared to enter the broader land of civic life with all its privileges and re- sponsibilities. It was said of a lady recently that "her activities in club circles have not been extensive because of more serious interests." Can there be anything more serious than trying to improve the universe ? The spirit of '76 animated our pioneers. It seemed as advanced in 76 to belong to a Club in the eyes of many good house-mothers, as it would in this day to run for State Senator. Our leaders were conscious of their aims, and it was a joy to follow where they led. The spirit of the Club was a desire to enlarge our vision, to enable us to share in the wider interests of the community, to do our share of the world's work; we wished to prevent wrong and harm to those unable to help them- selves, to bind up wounds, to create that which was lovely, to take the place of the unsightly. Many of our leaders were trained women ; some had been teachers, others were following the profession of medicine, some joined us who were lawyers, others had reared sons and daugh- ters, and had devoted themselves to the home and church ex- clusively. Some of us who were neither teacher, physician nor lawyer, but simply home-women, quite content to remain within the sphere of woman, then defined as limited to the fire-side, were timid at the thought of venturing out of the lines of family ties 9 10 ANNALS OF THE and the circle of friends, which we had inherited and acquired in home and school, it seemed a daring step to adventure into club-land. There was no waiting list of hundreds eagerly seeking to be admitted to the charmed circle to share whatever burdens might be theirs to carry. Mrs. Caroline M. Brown says, "the Club just grew, put out its branches, shot into the upper air, and has kept growing ever since. There is everything in the soil and little seeds sometimes make the biggest trees." The women who took the initiative in the World's Fair Congresses were trained in the Woman's Club, the Fortnightly and kindred organizations. The excellent work of last year in the Emergency Bureau and the Red Cross was conceived and carried out in the same spirit of the work of 1893-1894, when the conditions following the Fair made crowds of women de- pendent upon immediate help to tide them over a desperate situa- tion ; the Woman's Club then organized a work room and opened a Model Lodging House to shelter destitute women amid good surroundings. The spirit of hospitality has always been one of the distin- guishing traits of the Club. When members were few in num- ber, not many more than the forty immortals, Mrs. Caroline M. Brown, Mrs. J. D. Harvey and others invited the entire Club to luncheon. The spirit of hospitality is the same, but the numbers prevent our being all asked at the same time, though our mem- bers spread the corners of their tents to the farthest limit In 1883, when the Club was young, we entertained the Association for the Advancement of Women during their meeting in Chicago. Mrs. Julia Ward Howe was the President; the banquet room of the Palmer House was the place for a notable gathering. Our first activities were the formation of study classes in art and literature, and preparing ourselves for these classes as though we were at school. The Club became the mature woman's college. These classes served a two-fold purpose they brought the members together in a more intimate way and stimulated them to continue to give attention to serious topics of study, and gave a feeling of solidarity. Out of these CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 11 attempts at widening our intellectual horizon and our apprecia- tion of art in all its phases, came the desire to share with others. There were no hard and fast lines between the depart- ments, then called "Committees." All were interested in the work of Philanthropy and Reform, in securing a night matron in police stations, in looking after women in the Insane Asylum, in helping the Education Committee maintain its kindergarten, and later in contributing toward the support of Vacation Schools. The establishment of a scholarship in the Art Institute for some graduate of the Public Schools called forth much energy, and the raising of funds for mural decora- tion in the McKinley High School Assembly Room was the work of several years. The founding of the Protective Agency for Women and Girls in 1886 was a great step in advance, and some of those who stood at the cradle of this beneficial enterprise are still working for it, though it is merged in the Legal Aid Society. Merely a roll-call of all the Club activities would more than tax your patience. There has been continuity of effort, not merely a flitting from one object to another. We have tried to cultivate the manly virtues : courage, frankness, perse- verance, and to add thereto as many womanly qualities and graces as nature and training vouchsafed. We have tried to look at life with courage and to keep alive our enthusiasm. Through the growth in numbers and the continuous efforts to be of use in the community, we have become a recognized factor in civic work. There is no phase of life, no relation of life, no activity, that has not been touched upon in our programs. The amount of energy that has gone into developing the Club would suffice to run a city. The Club has tried to live up to its motto. Not only those fortunately placed in life were its care, but the step-children of fortune, those who needed mothering and guidance. From the very day of its inception, it sought to become a factor for civic betterment, for close relations between the home, the school and the community. 12 ANNALS OF THE Could all the words uttered here of instruction, of en- lightenment, of research, of literary value, of insight into the eternal verities, have been collected into permanent form, what a treasure our Qub would own. We might forget the futile, the transitory. Scholars, artists, poets, philosophers, leaders of thought in every field of human endeavor have graced our platform. Music and pictures and arts and crafts have been a part of many programs, and a sympathetic under- standing of nature's gifts has been sought through the study of forestry and gardens. This wealth of wisdom and eloquence that has been given to the Club programs need not discourage us. Everything worth while has been said, we must only try to say it over again in our own way ; and at all events, we may recognize our own limitations, yet cultivate the hospitable mind. The retrospect brings many dissolving views, merging into one another, all touched with the high lights of inspiration and enthusiasm. The Club motto is "Humani nihil a me alienum puto." When Terence wrote the line, he little dreamt this winged word of his would come to stand in future ages as the fittest expression of an association reaching out in every direction of thought and deed. To the Roman this line may have meant much, to us children of the twentieth century it means far more our sympathy with human life and endeavor and, above all, with human suffering, has grown much wider and deeper. Mrs. Doggett had given an impetus toward organization among women, when in 1873, she founded the Fortnightly. The Woman's Club was in no sense a rival nor an imitator of the Fortnightly; it simply sought to give expression to all the directions of women's energy, translating the power that makes home attractive, that rears the children of the family into men and women ready to take up the burden of life, that works in charities and philanthropies, into a united striv- ing towards the greatest good to the greatest number, besides the benefit accruing to the individual from association with others. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 13 We first aimed at training ourselves, then at performance of what we recognized as duties. The old spirit was one of courage and enterprises as well as the new. The path-finders were women of vision. We cannot estimate the influence of the Club, its pro- grams and its work. Many carry with them into their lives in home and society a new point of view, a broader outlook, a new light upon vexed questions. The Open Door meant for many the open door to golden opportunity, to know better books, better music, to feel the cheer and radiance of simple unostentatious hospitality, to know fine types of women. When the cup of tea was first introduced at our meetings it did not mean to us what it meant to Dr. Samuel Johnson, who "with tea amused the evening, with tea solaced the mid- night and with tea welcomed the morning." It meant to us merely a reason for biding a wee, either to discuss the pro- gram or to arrange for future meetings. Many of us mute, inglorious Miltons who had not the courage to speak our minds before several hundred in formidable array, expressed our humble opinions freely over the tea-cups. It requires no courage now to join the Woman's Club. In the early days, an occasional afternoon was devoted to a social meeting, to which we brought our knitting or our embroidery, in the past winter we again took up our knitting, though without the gay insouciance of the early days. We have combined the salon with the meeting, and have greeted strangers from many lands, and showed our interest in their literature by studying their mother-tongues. Will the youngest member of our organization, trained and educated by perfect teachers, in college or university, accustomed to use to best advantage the minutes and hours, that spell the sum of human life, find within our activities scope for her energies, incentive to use her leisure in accord- ance with the goal she has set herself? We believe there is a task for every member; and the better trained she is, the better will she perform it, and add to the sum of human achievement, for which we all strive. 14 ANNALS OF THE Our great gain has been the companionship of kindred spirits, whom we might never have known, but for the Club, an incentive to help, if only a little be within our power, towards the great work of improving all conditions within city and state, for those about us and those who come after us. We are not afraid of attempting ever greater tasks. The new spirit is the old spirit with greater scope to mani- fest itself ; the pioneers blazed the path, those who follow rush along the paths opened by them. We have acquired mo- mentum with our greater numbers. We have known loss, through the passing out from our companionship of some of our leaders, whose knowledge and enthusiasm inspired us, and who illumined our way by their light and leading. Some of us have lost a certain amount of fireside happi- ness within our four walls. This loss is compensated for by the vital interest that comes into our lives through the work of the Club, and through the knowledge that each one can help towards the fulfillment of the ideals, for which this Club has always stood. We do not claim for women higher wisdom, nor higher sense of justice than for men, but we do claim that women of leisure and culture, animated by a noble desire to solve some of the knotty problems leagued to us by the past, are a potent factor for good, and a force that should not be despised. As Mrs. Dilke so ably set forth in her lecture, under the auspices of the Club, women in conservative England are allowed to vote on school questions, and are placed on school and charity boards. These two departments of government concerning the children and the poor and sick are quite in keeping with the place assigned to woman in the social economy and in direct line of development with her position in society in the past. To accomplish good in our crowded cities, we need the strength of organization; the individual unaided would be helpless. There is room in this, our city, for the Woman's Club. If it continues to be animated by the same spirit that has distinguished it in the past, it cannot fail to remain an important, useful link in the chain which binds together all CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 15 those who strive to leave the world better than they found it. The above is taken from an address presented by Henriette G. Frank before the Club, October 13, 1915. Requests have come from many sources for information as to the inception, growth and development of the Chicago Woman's Club, its function in the community and the value of its work. In response to these requests a committee was appointed to prepare an account of the Club's activities. Before the organization of the Woman's Club, Chicago women had been active in church societies for religious and philanthropic work, temperance societies and in literary so- cieties, such as the Friends in Council and the Fortnightly. The Chicago Woman's Club brought together members of many different groups into one united body, aiming to secure the highest standard of individual culture and of service to the community. It would be impossible to overstate the value of discipline required by the habit of working together, the submitting of individual will and judgment to the decisions reached after full and free discussions of momentous questions and issues. From the habit of working together in committees, depart- ments, and the Club as a whole, many have received the apprenticeship which has fitted them to fill positions of public responsibility. It has broadened the views of women and has tended to make them more impersonal and has widened their sympathies. They have learned to assume responsibility outside of home interests, and to consider the study of conditions in city and state as an extension of their concern constituting as they do the larger home. The idea of practical work for the com- munity was fundamental in the minds of the founders. It required several years of concerted action to prepare the members for active co-operation in practical work. Caroline M. Brown has written the following remi- niscences: "I remember saying to Mrs. Clara P. Bourland, who was visiting me the winter of 1876, that I did wish there were a club of women in Chicago, not so much for mental \ 16 ANNALS OF THE culture, excellent as that was, but to take up the live issues of this world we live in. When we women met, we generally fell to discussing some problem of life, we asked advice of one another and learned from each other; why could we not organize that zeal for information and all profit by the wisdom of each? We were no longer in our first youth, our babies were out of our arms and their bringing up was past the nursery stage with its insistent claims, while their future opened wide vistas, where we needed all the wisdom we could get. Questions were coming up every day in regard to the city, the country, the general interests of the community, upon which I wanted more light. 'Why don't you start such a club?' said Mrs. Bourland. 'I am sure you could; here are many who would be glad to take part in such an undertaking.' The birthday of the Club was February 17, 1876, the date of organization. The subject of forming a club was mentioned a week before, when thirteen of us met at lunch, and the plan of forming a woman's club was discussed. We agreed to go home and think about it, then come back, each bringing a congenial soul to whom the scheme had been revealed and who found herself in sympathy with the general purpose proposed. "At the next coming together we organized formally, agreed to have four committees, upon Home, Education, Philanthropy and Reform, thinking that timid souls who feared that woman might get outside her sphere could surely not object to serving in the interests of home. Mothers would all take a lively interest in education ; all good church workers might lend a hand to philanthropy, and the unterrified would gravitate toward reform, which looked more formidable then than now. My building on Erie Street was the first of what could be called first-class apartments ever built in Chicago. I got a German architect to superintend the business, and they were something of a curiosity in those days and attracted many visitors. I remember exhibiting the place from garret to cellar once a week at ten cents a head for the benefit of the Women's Club. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 17 "From the first inception of the Club, 'united effort toward the higher civilization of humanity' was one of the objects of the association and regarded as its ultimate purpose, for which the mutual sympathy and counsel were to prepare the way. Before outside work could be successfully undertaken, there was necessary a welding together of the diverse elements of the Club the growth of a broad tolerance for the widest difference of opinion, and an education up to such an en- thusiasm for humanity as could make our work wise and thorough. In 1876 or '77 petitions were largely circulated and an appeal sent to Mayor Heath to appoint women on the Board of Education. The Club is a daily marvel and a wonder to me. So many women with a great diversity of gifts and of interests, all working loyally together, with such broad freedom of action, yet such close harmony and helpfulness, all for each and each for all. It has done the most wonderful work in the state and city, has been such an incentive to noble striving, such an education in lofty thinking and generous acting." Until November 7, 1877, the Club met at the homes of members, principally at Mrs. Brown's. November 21, 1877, was the first meeting in rented rooms, No. 76 Monroe Street, the rooms of the Chicago Literary Club. The Club was incorporated October 26, 1885. March 19, 1879, members were warned against too ex- clusive devotion to their several Committees, and the need of each person's assistance was urged in the continued growth of the organization in all directions, practical as well as aesthetic and social. In 1893 the president, Dr. Sarah Hackett Steven- son, again saw danger of losing unity in the diversity of the Committees of splitting up into small Clubs ; she thought we should not go too far from the center. She urged the Com- mittees to consider the question, if they did not take from the interest of the Club which would thereby lose power and prestige. The first calendar contained the names of officers and committees, and a list of the subjects of papers without the names of writers. Suggestions for increasing the usefulness 18 ANNALS OF THE of the calendar came from various members from time to time. Bibliographies to the programs of study classes, and later the signatures as well as the addresses of members were added. The little calendar published for the year 1880 shows that the Club numbered sixty-two members; the topic for April 6, 1881, was "Influence of the Home Upon National Character." Among the papers given in the earlier years of the Club we find the following topics: "Our Sister Societies and What They Are Doing" ; "How to Educate Our Boys" ; "The Dif- ference in the Muscular System of Men and Women" ; "How to Lessen the Weight of Our Social Obligations"; "The Evolution of Marriage." Mrs. Hannah Plummer gave a beauti- ful picture of the early club life in Chicago, when, as a member of one of the first clubs she took home to her own dinner table for discussion the topic of the afternoon's session, and with her husband and children enjoyed the program over again. Helen C. Peirce suggested the name "The Chicago Women's Club," which was adopted, and October 23, 1895, changed to "Chicago Woman's Club." The Club motto was suggested by Kate E. Tuley at an early meeting of the new organization. The Club colors of ivory white and gold were suggested by Mary H. Wilmarth and adopted May 25, 1892. A special membership committee was formed in the Club year 1891-92, the Board of Directors having carried the work up to this time. At first "honorary membership" meant that a compli- mentary ticket be sent to one who had given valuable service and who either was not a member or had removed from the city. The pledge was adopted May 27, 1893, as follows : "Holding my membership in the Chicago Women's Club as something sacred and worthy of unfailing loyalty, I will sustain the Club in its good work and guard its reputation as long as I am a member." The Club pin was chosen in 1893 from a design made by Mr. Joseph Twyman. The name "Department" was substi- tuted for "Committee" in 1891. In 1884 the first life member- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 19 ship was issued. At the annual meeting in 1884 the first printed ballots were used, and the calendar first showed days and hours of committee meetings. The first Club historian was appointed May 21, 1883, Mary Louise Burrows, who as Secretary, was asked to prepare a sketch. Again in September, 1888, a committee was appointed to prepare a history of the Club, composed of a member from each of the Committees, each one preparing the account of her own Committee, these to contain reports of work done up to the time of the annual meeting in 1889. Celia Parker Woolley was asked to write the preamble to the history as a whole. One thousand copies were printed. A sketch of the Club, with pictures of the presidents, was prepared by Kate G. Huddleston for distribution at the World's Columbian Exposition. A communication from Mary Lowe Dickinson was read December 13, 1899, asking that some authorized member of the Club furnish the statement as to the origin, achievements and present status of its work to be forwarded to the Paris Exposition as part of the exhibit of Social Economy. The matter was referred to a Committee consisting of the Presi- dent and two Secretaries and the two Vice-Presidents. Novem- ber 14, 1900, the attention of the members was called to the history just published. The History Committee, a subcommittee of the Library Committee, in 1906 secured autographs of nearly all the Club presidents, and placed them with the file of calendars. Many of the first calendars were small paper leaflets which have been put in a scrapbook and bound with a handsome leather binding. There were also collected, as far as possible, files of reports of societies auxiliary to the Woman's Club. An inquiry having come for data of the Club's history to be placed in the Yale Sociological Library, the Board voted March, 1909, that the request be granted and a committee of five be appointed by the chair to forward such material. June 1, 1910, a committee of twelve members was appointed to compile for publication a history of the Club. 20 ANNALS OF THE From the beginning all Committees, or Departments, worked together for the objects approved by the Club. We find the Education Committee contributing to the Home Science Bureau, the Home, Art and Literature and other Com- mittees working together for the Protective Agency, and the Philosophy and Science Committee interested with the others in the emergency work of 1893-1894. This unity of action is clearly shown in the financial statement prepared by Alice Salisbury Tracy, which appears at the close of this volume. It does not give account of all contributions made by the Club or Departments, as previous to 1891 the records do not fully indicate this important phase of the Club's work. The Club has always lived within its income and has never had a deficit. The officers and directors managed the business affairs of the Club in most conscientious manner exercis- ing a wise economy. The policy of never exceeding its resources was established in the beginning and has continued ever since. Grace B. Higbee, in her report as treasurer April 30, 1910, says : "Those of your members who willingly devote their time and thought and energy to ordering well your business affairs, serve you no less valiantly than do the most renowned of our gifted members in whom we all take just pride. Not alone for your business servers, but for the intimate personal welfare and help of every member of this Club, do I advocate the establishment of a Club office. Our needs have grown with the Club until a central office in the Club rooms seems called for." The office was opened June 1, 1910. As the number of meetings increased, the Club year was shortened and meetings of the Departments and Club in May and September were omitted. Occasionally an annual meeting occurs in May, as it is held the Saturday following the fourth Wednesday in April. We quote from an article by Bertha Damaris Knobe on "What the Chicago Woman's Club Has Done for Chicago," written for the Woman's Home Companion, March, 1907: CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 21 "Several years ago a poor father carried his motherless baby, ill with scarlet fever, from one hospital to another. At each one he was turned away with the disheartening statement, 'Everything taken/ and the shocking result was that the little one died on the street in his arms. The incident aroused the Chicago Woman's Club, and Mrs. George W. Plummer, one of its members, instituted an investigation, which proved the utter inadequacy of Chicago hospitals for the care of children inadequate as to number of beds, the quality of milk and general sanitary conditions. The clubwomen called to their aid their good friends, the physicians, and the outcome was the Children's Hospital Society, with Dr. Frank Billings as president. The sequel may be told by the chart in the office of the society, which every morning registers the one hundred and fifty beds for children in the various hospitals of Chicago. The nurses in charge know precisely which beds are vacant, and can give directions to applicants at a moment's notice. In two years it has handled fourteen hundred cases. Moreover, the splendidly equipped Children's Hospital, a separate build- ing operated in connection with Cook County Hospital, was the recent outgrowth of its agitation. "As the Children's Hospital Society found the milk given to poor babies dirty and disease-breeding, the Milk Commis- sion developed as a subcommittee. They established a labora- tory equipped with pasteurizer, strainers and other necessary apparatus, and from six distributing points dispense milk to the poor. At first it was given free, and now the nominal sum asked covers only half the expense, the other half being met by subscriptions. The 'individual culture' advantages of the Club must not be despised. The insidious remark that 'In Chicago women pool their intelligences into clubs in order to understand Browning,' is roundly refuted by courses of study which might easily make a modern university envious. Each department has a course, bearing on its special activity, and one year the united study class showed its scholarly interest in Chicago by a course on 'The Needs of a Great City.' Every eminent specialist in the country, it is safe to say, has spoken before this Club. In other words, the Chicago Woman's Club is not an experimental station in sociology, but a finely equipped training school, wherein one thousand thinking women absorb the knowledge which is power power in the civic life in Chicago." It has been the custom of the Club to extend the courtesy of its rooms to many organizations, season tickets to wives of 22 ANNALS OF THE foreign consuls, wives of officers at Fort Sheridan and of the Department of the Lakes, to residents of social settlements, to the vice-presidents of the State Federation, officers of the General Federation, and guests at the discretion of the Board. The Club has a record of generous hospitality not only to distinguished strangers, but to its own members to whom it has always offered a real club home. March 4, 1891, Lucy L. Flower, in her annual address, says: "We should be large enough, unselfish enough to be satisfied with results by whomsoever obtained, not waste our time and strength for an absolutely correct apportionment of the credit of our acts. In most cases the means by which results are obtained are so interwoven that a true division of the credit to be accorded to each would be impossible." Hundreds of women have gained power and efficiency through service on the various Club committees. The Club has encouraged the study of all that makes life more worthy and beautiful, has strengthened true civic pride and has given incentive for service to the community. It has done much to destroy prejudice against the organized efforts of women, and has educated women themselves to higher standards of public and private duty, enlarging the sense of individual responsi- bility and strengthening the bonds of true spiritual fellowship in the world. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 23 CHAPTER II. FEBRUARY, 1876, TO OCTOBER, 1887. The minutes of February, 1876, record the first steps taken toward the organization of a club. The following extracts are taken from the original minutes. "At a meeting held at the residence of Mrs. Frank B. Brown, 269 Erie Street, February 17, 1876, there were present: Mrs. Tuley, Mrs. Corneau, Mrs. Peirce, Mrs. F. S. Howe, Mrs. Tilton, Mrs. Withrow, Mrs. F. S. Heywood, Mrs. P. P. Key- wood, Mrs. Furness, Mrs. Wilkinson, Mrs. Fry, Mrs. Dow, Mrs. Shedd, Mrs. Burrows, Miss Raworth, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Golay, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Blackman, Miss Greeley and Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown was appointed to the chair, and Mrs. William C. Dow Secretary protem. Mrs. Brown stated the object of the meeting to be the formation of a society or club, for the purpose of charity, philanthropy and culture, and all subjects of a similar nature to be deemed worthy of consideration. It was moved and carried that the ladies present take the necessary steps to become a club. The Chair appointed a Nominating Committee, consisting of Mrs. Blackman, Mrs. Peirce and Mrs. Fry. A discussion on the name of the Club followed, but was left to the decision of the directors. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee presented the following names for officers of the Club : President Mrs. Caroline M. Brown. Vice-Presidents Mrs. Helen Shedd and Miss Kate Raworth. Secretary Mrs. M. Louise Burrows. Treasurer Mrs. Fanny J. Howe. It was moved and carried that the officers named be accepted. The President appointed a committee to draw up constitution and by-laws to be presented at the next meeting. 24 ANNALS OF THE The President appointed the following committee: Mrs. Blackman, Mrs. Withrow, Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Peirce. It was moved and carried that six directors be chosen by ballot. Mrs. Peirce, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Fry, Mrs. Wilkinson, Mrs. Tuley and Mrs. Dow were elected. It was decided to hold the next meeting on Thursday, February 24th, at 269 Erie Street at 10 o'clock." At the adjourned meeting of the Chicago Women's Club, held on the 24th of February, at 269 Erie Street, Mrs. Brown presiding, the report of the Committee on Constitution and By-Laws was read and submitted for approval, each article being separately discussed and voted upon. The name selected was The Chicago Women's Club. The membership fee was five dollars a year. It was moved and carried that all wishing to become members of the Club under said constitution and by-laws should signify their intention by giving their names and residences. The following names were given, after which the meeting was adjourned to the second day of March: Mrs. Charles Adams, Mrs. Thomas Burrows, Mrs. C. M. Blackman, Mrs. William C. Dow, Mrs. D. E. Corneau, Mrs. Jules Golay, Mrs. C. W. Fry, Miss L. M. Greeley, Mrs. W. E. Furness, Mrs. F. S. Heywood, Mrs. J. D. Harvey, Mrs. Frank Howe, Mrs. P. P. Heywood, Miss Kate Raworth, Mrs. L. H. Peirce, Mrs. Lucian Tilton, Mrs. Helen S. Shedd, Mrs. John Wilkinson, Mrs. Murray F. Tuley, Mrs. T. F. Withrow. Mrs. F. B. Brown, At the meeting of March 23, 1876, a report of the Direc- tors' meeting was read, which presented the work which was to occupy the members of the Club. This work was divided into four subjects, or heads, and the following committees were appointed : Committee on Home, Mrs. Adams, chair- man; Committee on Education, Mrs. Blackman, chairman; Committee on Philanthropy, Mrs. Tilton, chairman; Com- mittee on Reform, Mrs. Shedd, chairman. It was voted that CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 25 each committee should furnish the essays and subjects for dis- cussion for one month, that any member of the Club might be asked or could volunteer to serve on any committee other than the one to which she was appointed. At a meeting held on March 16, at 269 Erie Street, Mrs. Emma S. Adams read an essay on "Domestic Science." A discussion followed, in which all took part. The day being very stormy, the attendance was small, and it was therefore moved that Mrs. Adams repeat her essay at the next meeting of the Club. Even at that early date Mrs. Adams suggested that "schools may begin the work that will furnish well- trained servants, but this training can only be finished in our homes; and only by patience, firmness, good management, kind instructions and long suffering can the present state of domestic service be reformed." The following paragraph is copied from the Secretary's record of the same date: "Mrs. Wilkinson then read an article entitled 'The Queen of the Home,' which set forth very clearly that the art of good housekeeping did not die with our grandmothers ; that the assertion so often made that with all the machinery to facilitate labor, not half as much is accomplished is untrue, inasmuch as the demands upon the American woman of today are so much greater than they were a half century ago; that with the varied requirements of the wife and mother, taken in comparison with those to which reference had been made, the wonder is that so much can be accomplished. Those girls who can do Euclid best made the best housekeepers, wives and mothers.." On April 20, 1876, a discussion took place in regard to the retention of the essays in the archives of the Club. It was decided that those who were willing to give them to the Club should do so, but those who were not, shall make known the fact to the Secretary, who shall in that case make a clear and concise report of those essays, to be retained on the pages of the journal. Mrs. Tuley then read an essay upon the "Kindergarten System of Education," showing very clearly and forcibly that 26 ANNALS OF THE this method is the only true one for the proper training, physically, mentally and morally of young children. The paper is now the property of the Club. Mrs. Tuley also read an interesting letter from Mrs. Putnam, a kindergartner and trainer of teachers. Mrs. Blackman read an article entitled, "A Summer Kindergarten in the Open Air." A discussion on the co-education of the sexes followed. The program of June 1, 1876, consisted of a report of the Unity Church Industrial School, by Mrs. Laura S. Wilkin- son ; a report of the school in connection with the House of the Good Shepherd, by Mrs. Fanny J. Howe; a report of the Refuge, by Mrs. Kate E. Tuley; an account of a visit to the Home for the Friendless and the Burr Industrial School, by Mrs. Lucretia J. Tilton. On October 5, 1876, Mrs. Helen C. Peirce read a paper illustrating the theory that life is so severe, that any training which overlooks or underrates the necessity for better think- ing and wiser living does not answer the demands of the times. On October 19, 1876, it was voted that after a topic was an- nounced for discussion, the presiding officer should join in the discussion. December 7, 1876, the President informed the Club that she had had a communication from Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, saying she would like to deliver a lecture under the auspices of our Club. The subject was discussed, the decision being that Mrs. Howe should, at a time convenient to herself, deliver a parlor lecture under the auspices of The Women's Club. This lecture was given January 17, 1877. Greetings were sent December 21, 1876, from the Boston Saturday Union to The Chicago Women's Club with invita- tion to visit the Union when any member visited Boston. Similar greetings and invitations were sent from this Club to the Boston Union. Mrs. Clara W. Fry then read "extracts concerning the experiences of different professors of colleges upon the co-education of the sexes. The subject was then earnestly and zealously discussed in all its bearings." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 27 On January 4, 1877, Mrs. Ellen Mitchell gave a full account of the work in which she was interested, the reforma- tion of fallen women. An appeal was made to the ladies on behalf of the great necessity of establishing an industrial bureau where those in charge might become responsible for reformed women, after suitable homes were found for them. On January 18, 1877, the President read a memorial to the Queen of England asking for the reasons set forth therein that she protest against the legalizing of the social evil. At the President's request Mrs. Fry read the speech of John Bright, given before the House of Commons, on "The Contagious Diseases Act." On February 1, 1877, the Literary Bureau gave an invita- tion to the Club to meet Mrs. Julia Ward Howe and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore at the Sherman House, at 3 o'clock, on February 2. The invitation was accepted with thanks. The President then invited the Club to her home on Saturday, February 4, to listen to the reading of a paper on "Paternity" by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe. This was followed by a paper on "Dress Reform" by Miss Raworth. On February 15, 1877, Mrs. Blackman invited the Club to lunch, on the following Thursday. Mrs. Burrows read a paper showing that mothers are the true reformers; that home and society are generally what women make them ; that woman's great power lies in the moral and religious world, and not at the ballot or forum. The writer alluded to the present system of education, and thought that character and soul- culture were of more importance than purely intellectual attainments. A discussion followed, the ladies concurring with the writer in some of the sentiments expressed, while in others they entirely and unanimously disagreed. The first annual report of the Club, March, 1877, states: "The Chicago Women's Club was organized on the 17th of February, 1876, with twenty-one members, a board of six directors and five officers. There is now a membership of twenty-nine besides two honorary members and five names that have been proposed and accepted by the Board of Direc- 28 ANNALS OF THE tors. Nineteen regular meetings of the Club have been held ; two Club lunches ; one lecture, and three invitations as a Club, to meet distinguished visitors from abroad. There have been nine original papers read. We have had in all thirty-two guests." This is followed by the membership roll-call and the record of the number of times each member was absent from meetings. The Treasurer's report showed a balance of $161.50. On March 1, 1877, it was voted that "the regular meetings of the association shall be on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, at 2 :30 o'clock p. m." ; and "that the directors shall meet regularly on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:30 o'clock p. m., five to constitute a quorum." At the meeting of the Board, held March 14, 1877, a motion was carried that names presented for membership must be voted for by ballot, and that each name must receive a two-thirds vote in order to be elected. It was also voted that the chair- men of the different committees be appointed from the Board of Directors. April 18, 1877, "The subject of supplying by women vacancies about to occur in the Board of Education was dis- cussed. It was finally moved and carried that the President of the Club shall be president of a board of three to appoint outside members, whose duty it will be to select women whose names shall be presented to the Superintendent and Board of Education for action thereon." The chairman of the com- mittee to wait upon the Mayor in regard to the appointment of women to fill the vacancies about to occur upon the school board reported May 2, 1877, that they had had an interview with the Mayor, and that he thought favorably of the proposi- tion. The names of several women to be presented to the Mayor, who were thought eligible for the position, were pro- posed. It was deemed advisable to solicit the influence of the present members of the Board, and also that of other men who were thought to have influence with the Mayor. The President read the petition which was to be sent to the Mayor, after it had been signed by a few men of influence. June 27, 1877, Mrs. Brown made a full and interesting report of the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 29 visit of the committee to the Mayor and the presentation of the petition for women on the Board of Education. On May 2, 1877, it was voted that the "Secretary purchase a book to be called the Register of The Chicago Women's Club, and that she write therein the names and addresses of all members of the Club, and that the register be kept in the Club rooms open for inspection of the members." This book is still among the possessions of the Club. May 16, 1877, it was announced by the President that during the summer the chairman of each committee should prepare a list of subjects for the year commencing in October, said list to be printed. On June 6, 1877, a paper was read on "Possible Improvements in the Public Schools." June 27, 1877, a meeting of the Directors was called for the purpose of receiving from the chairmen of the several com- mittees a fully prepared list of subjects of essays for the coming year. It was decided by vote that the subjects of essays, with date of reading, the names of the Officers and Directors of the Club, and the names of the members forming each committee should be arranged by the Secretary in proper order for printing. A subcommittee was appointed whose office it should be to solicit papers from the members of the different committees, to be known as the Art and Literature Committee. October 3, 1877, the Committee on Organization of the Illinois Social Science Association requested that delegates be sent from the Women's Club to the Congress, which would convene in this city on the 4th and 5th of the current month. It was decided that Mrs. Burrows, as Secretary, should submit a report of the object, aims and work of the Club. This was the first history of the Club. Mrs. Celia Parker Woolley read a paper on "Woman's Relation to Church and State" at the meeting of October 3, 1877, and at the following meeting on October 17, Mrs. Callendar read from a report on Prison Reform, made by Dr. E. C. Wines, before the convention at Newport. Mrs. Ellen 30 ANNALS OF THE Mitchell read selections from an address advocating indefinite sentence for criminals. On November 7, 1877, the President stated to the Club what had been done in regard to rooms> and announced the decision of the Directors to be that the Club would hereafter meet in the rooms of the Literary Club, at 76 Monroe Street. On December 19, 1877, Mrs. Jennie G. Withrow read a paper on "Free Trade," by Mr. Alfred B. Mason. The program of the first years is given in detail in order to show the tendency of the Club from the very beginning to study the great questions of the day. On January 9, 1878, the following was enacted as a rule of the Board : "The name of a candidate shall be presented at a regular meeting and voted upon at a subsequent meeting." The growing formality in method is indicated by this rule. The topic of the meeting of January 16, 1878, was "Rela- tion of Women to Philanthropic Work," presented by Mrs. Ellen Mitchell. On February 6, 1878, Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson read a paper on the "Co-Education of the Sexes in Medicine." February 20, 1878, two papers were read. The first was an introductory paper on Sociology, by Mrs. Burrows, and the other upon Primitive Ideas, by Miss Howells, both papers being intended as a review of parts of Herbert Spencer's work on Sociology. March 6, 1878, the annual report states: "Today brings us to our second annual meeting, and those who have watched and who have been familiar with its workings from its organization must be well satisfied with its progress, and I am quite sure that each one feels that it has been of personal advantage to her. Some of us have today clearer ideas and broader views upon many subjects than we had two years ago. And the spirit of harmony, peace and good-will that exists among the officers and members is indicative of the fact that patience and forbearance have been called into requisition, and have been conquerors. As the Club increases in numbers we, the old members, should be watchful of ourselves, that CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 31 the same spirit of kindliness which now exists may be fostered and extended to the new members, and, above all things else, let us be watchful that we exercise charity, not only in speech but in thought, towards all, remembering that one of the purposes of our Club is to help each other. Thirty-six mem- bers have been admitted to the Club during the year, making a membership of sixty-five. There have been eleven papers written by members of the Club." The Treasurer's report was read and accepted. Mrs. Edwin Blackman made a motion, which was carried, that the President should appoint a com- mittee of two to audit the Treasurer's account. The Treas- urer reported a balance on hand of $335.10. The four Com- mittees adjourned to the different rooms to appoint each its own chairman and one director, the Club having previously voted that the directors should be thus elected. The following item is taken from the third year of the Club's records: "On March 13, 1878, the Directors voted to form a new committee to be called the Committee on Art and Literature." It was originally a subcommittee of the Home Committee and had but three members, serving as a program committee to the entire Club. The new Art and Literature Committee started with eight members Rebecca Rice, Theo- dora Howells, Henriette G. Frank, Hannah Greenebaum, Mrs. Edward E. Kimball, Mrs. George Woodward and Mrs. A. W. Woodward, and Kate Raworth, who was chairman. This com- mittee was the first to form a class for study. At its first meeting a course of study was decided upon and regular meetings arranged for, at which each member presented a paper on the subject for the day. These meetings were for some time held at the homes of the members. Miss Raworth suggested that the Committee be a study class, and im- mediately recruits from other committees were gained. Mrs. Frank was the second chairman of the new Committee. The following paragraphs are taken from her report made to the Club many years later: "The first winter we met every Monday and studied the history of sculpture. The two following winters we studied 32 ANNALS OF THE the history of painting. Then two winters were devoted to the history of German literature; the second year was de- voted mainly to Goethe. The following year the class took up the history of Greek literature; then followed French literature. The class met every fortnight during the two winters given to French literature. In 1887 and 1888 the class studied the history of architecture. Henriette G. Frank led the class in the study of the history of art, of Greek litera- ture and German literature, and was class leader during six years. Nellie Halsted and Laura H. Clark led the class in the history of French literature, and Julia P. Shreve in the history of architecture. For many years the Art and Literature Com- mittee was the only committee that held meetings in addition to the regular meetings of the Club. The Committee presented several musicales, one in the rooms at 15 Washington Street, one in the Club rooms at the Art Institute, now the Chicago Club, and one following Mrs. Pratt's paper on "German Myths in Music." Kate Raworth Holmes wrote of the early programs : "Glancing at the subjects of those early studies, we find them not unworthy of the first decade. The history of art, ancient sculpture, temples and monuments, the Greek period, life of Michael Angelo, history of painting, et cetera. Among the papers written for the Club we find 'Oriental Sculpture,' by Theodora Howells. Rebecca Rice, a valued member of the Club since 1877, gave scholarly and beautiful essays on 'The Philosophy of Art,' 'Greek Tragedies' and 'Goethe.' Mrs. Frank wrote two papers on 'Grecian Sculpture' and the 'Greek Drama'; Mida W. Rowland on 'Greek Heroines'; Mrs. Enoch Root, 'Parallels of Greek and Modern Life'; Caroline M. Brown, 'Primitive Art'; Caroline K. Sherman, 'Influence of Germany on Modern Thought,' 'Dante' and 'Spinoza' ; Ella W. Hayden, 'The Nibelungen Lied'; Mary Louise Burrows, 'In- fluence of French Women in Polities'; Mrs. G. E. Marguerat, 'The French Drama.' " On March 20, 1878, Mrs. A. W. Woodward read a paper on "Painting," and at the following meeting Mrs. Henry CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 33 Strong discussed "How to Bring Up Our Girls." At a Direc- tors' meeting, held April 10, it wa's voted that each of the five Committees should furnish a paper in the following order : Home, Education, Art and Literature, Philanthropy and Re- form. On April 17 it was voted that we take rooms at the Grand Pacific Hotel. At this meeting Kate E. Tuley read a paper on "The Governmental Factor in Education." The Club continued its meetings until the fourth Wednesday in May. November 6, 1878, Dr. Sarah H. Stevenson discussed the "Physiological Basis of Education." The principal busi- ness of a meeting of the Directors, held November 13, 1878, was to consider the changing of the hour of the social meet- ings of the Club. It was decided that the hour be changed from 2:30 o'clock p. m. to 12 o'clock m., and that the chair- men of committees make arrangements for luncheon at that hour to cost fifty cents per plate, to be paid from the treasury, members being privileged to invite guests to the social meet- ings by paying one dollar for each guest. On December 4, 1878, Mrs. Sabin Smith presented the subject of "Heredity." At the following meeting, December 18, Ella W. Hay- den presented a study of "The Morale of Boarding Houses." An interesting discussion followed, participated in by Miss Mary E. Eastman, secretary of the National Congress of Women, who was a guest of the Club. The essayist on Janu- ary 2, 1879, was Laura S. Wilkinson, and her subject, "Sanitary Conditions of the Home." On January 8, 1879, the Club considered plans and prepara- tions for the evening reception to be given by the Club at the Grand Pacific Hotel on the 22nd of January. After some informal talk in relation to the matter, a motion was made by Mrs. Burrows and seconded by Mrs. Callendar, that the tickets of members be furnished at the expense of the treas- ury; tickets of guests, fifty cents, each member being limited to three guests. A member who was present on that occasion speaks of it thirty-six years later as a "wonderful meeting." "Technical and Industrial Schools or Labor as a Factor in Education" was the subject of January 15, 1879, presented 34 ANNALS OF THE by Mrs. Sabin Smith. On February 19 Mrs. Frank R. Bart- lett discussed "Inconsistencies." The third annual meeting took place on March 5, 1879, the Club numbering fifty-one members. On March 12, 1879, a discussion was held as to the duties of members and privi- leges of chairmen in writing or procuring papers to be read before the Club. One insists upon a manuscript, that the paper might at least have the effect of originality ; another approved of collated matter presented verbatim; still another would have papers from outside persons ; and the feasibility of invit- ing authors to present their papers was discussed at length. The Secretary was directed to make a sketch of so important a conversation that the points might be brought up at a future meeting. On April 9, 1879, the subject of papers to be presented to the Club for the ensuing year was considered, the discussion resulting in the following informal resolution: "That properly the subject was one for the various chairmen to consider, and that they be held responsible for papers first for original productions from Club members, or failing that, they should be privileged to seek for essays outside the club." A communication from Mrs. Burrows in regard to fur- nishing a sketch of the Club for the Carnival Herald was submitted, and Mrs. Burrows was authorized to furnish a brief history devoid of statistics and containing mention of only the Presidents of the organization. This was the second history of the Club. On May 2, 1879, lists of books were pre- sented for study in the Committees, and the Secretary authorized to enlarge the calendar to contain these lists. Hospitality to its members, in the form of luncheons, social evenings and afternoon gatherings was the marked policy of the Club from the beginning. On March 28, 1879, it was voted that luncheon be served at 1 o'clock on the first Wednesday of each month for the Club year, to be followed by the regular meeting of that day at 2:30 o'clock. It was resolved that the officers of the Club be in charge of the luncheons, and the Secretary was authorized to add CHICAGOIWOMAN'S CLUB 35 notification of the luncheon to the notification of the first meeting in the fall. The fourth year of the Club is marked by further growth in the formality of organization. It was voted by the Board of Directors on October 8, 1879, that "No person can properly belong to a Club committee without first becoming a member of the Club." This ruling shows that the study classes of the Club attracted many outside the list of membership. On December 10, 1879, after discussion, it was voted to engage Parlor O at the Palmer House, arrangements for luncheon to be on the same scale as at the Grand Pacific Hotel, where former meetings had been held. On March 3, 1880, the fourth annual report was read: "There are sixty-four members, the largest list, save the year 1877, which exceeded the present by one only. Of these there are fifty-five members, one honorary and eight to date their membership from today. During the past year there have been twenty-four members accepted, of this number one declined the privilege and three have made no official response. There has been, during the year, the largest number of guests of any year, sixty-one guests to regular meetings and six guests to luncheon. This is a majority of twenty-one over the next largest number. The average regular attendance is twenty-six. The Treasurer's report shows a balance on hand, March 1, 1880, of $567.85." On November 10, 1880, it was resolved that during the month previous to the annual meeting, the chairman of each committee shall call her committee together for the purpose of nominating a chairman for the following year, said name to be presented by the committee at the annual meeting. It was also resolved that the Committee on Rooms be authorized to advertise for a flat or suite of rooms suitable for club use; the location of such rooms and the disposition or subletting of such part of flat or suite not needed by the Club to be left to the discretion of the Committee. This is the first Perma- nent Rooms Committee. On January 12, 1881, it was voted 36 ANNALS OF THE that the Secretary at each meeting appoint a doorkeeper that the meeting may be safe from intrusions. The annual report, March 2, 1881, shows seventy-four members, an increase of ten over the membership of any other year. In the eight months there had been twenty-three mem- bers accepted. The number of guests during the year is sixty-eight, a larger list than any preceding year. The average regular attendance was thirty-one, a gain sig- nificant of a steady and increasing interest in the methods and workings of the Club. * * * During the last year of the Club there was manifest among the members of the Com- mittee of Philanthropy a strong desire to do something which should make them a Committee of Philanthropy in fact as in name. Club classes, admirable as they are, extend their advantages only to women of such social and financial stand- ing as would render it possible for them to gain admission to the Club. The Committee of Philanthropy, while desiring to include this class in their effort, wished also to reach women less fortunately placed. Their chairman called a meet- ing in May, 1880, at which various plans for outside work were discussed. That receiving the most favorable consideration was the organization of a society for the diffusion of physio- logical and hygienic knowledge among women. This work being largely educational, the Committee on Education was asked to co-operate, which they heartily agreed to do. The call for a general meeting, issued by the chairmen of these committees, finally resulted in a well-grounded organization which gave promise of a long life and great usefulness. "Prob- ably it has already accomplished as much as any similar society, and with less demand financially upon its members or the public. Its hopes to have a library and necessary ap- pliances for fully illustrating lectures, seem to be in a fair way of accomplishment. At present there are about fifty members. The list of lecturers embraces the best medical talent of the city. The committees have every reason to be assured of the success of their effort, and members of the Club at large, by their more general endorsement of it, would CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 37 do well to show their satisfaction that it originated in their own Club." The Woman's Physiological Institute of Chicago was organized under the auspices of The Chicago Women's Club in June, 1880, in co-operation with physicians, among them members of the Club. Its purpose was to disseminate among women greater knowledge of the laws of life and health. The course opened with a lecture on "Our Babies, Hygiene for Mother and Infant." Another lecture was on "The Germ Theory of Disease" and one on "Moral Hygiene, Physio- logically Considered." The last course was given at Hull House in the season of 1892-93. A complete set of the reports of the Institute may be found in the Club files. On May 11, 1881, the chairman reported having been offered Parlor O, Palmer House, for the meetings of the Club. A motion to accept this offer was carried. A motion to lease the same parlor for the meetings of the Art and Literature Class was made and carried. On February 8, 1882, a discussion in regard to the ad- visability of discontinuing the present Club committees resulted in the following motion being offered by Mrs. Sabin Smith: "The present Board of Directors fully indorse the existing committee divisions of the Club." Motion carried. The sixth annual report, presented 1881-82, states : "There have been fourteen regular meetings, the largest attendance being fifty-one, the smallest twenty-two. There are at present eighty-eight members, twenty of whom have been admitted the past year. The papers have covered a wide range of thought and have been of more than ordinary interest and value. The discussions have been confined more to the older members, the new ones seeming fearful of lifting up their voices, notwithstanding the urgent solicitations of the chair- man that it is desirable that the discussions should be more general. There have been three social meetings. A com- mittee, consisting of Mrs. Sabin Smith, Mrs. Shedd and Mrs. Burrows, has been appointed to canvass the matter with a view to a permanent location for the meetings of the Club." 38 ANNALS OF THE For forty years the Club has been faithfully served by similar Committees on Rooms and on Permanent Rooms, who have given service of inestimable value. On April 5, 1882, Mrs. Blackman moved that the socials be continued during the coming year as they had been during the past. This motion caused much discussion, both for and against luncheons, but was finally put to vote and carried. On May 10, 1882, Mrs. Sabin Smith, in speaking of some of the work done by women in the city, advocated the need of a woman at each police station in the city. At the conclusion of her remarks Dr. Bedell offered the following resolution: "That we, the Women's Club, as an organization and severally as individuals tender to the leaders of the movement to place women in the charge of women prisoners in police stations our most cordial approval and co-operation." The members affixed their signatures to this resolution and it was sent to Miss Frances E. Willard. On December 6, 1882, the Philanthropy Committee, Mrs, Woolley, chairman, presented four papers on charitable institu- tions and "Associated Charities." Mrs. Harvey headed the list, having for her subject "Homes for Adults," wherein she described her personal observations and facts gathered at the five different institutions of this city coming under that head. The next paper, written by Mrs. Howe, was entitled "Institutions for Dependent Children," and contained an account of the writer's visits among the institutions devoted to educating and caring for orphans and foundlings, the in- dustrial schools and three kindergartens. Dr. Bedell followed on "Hospitals," and Mrs. W. O. Carpenter on "Associated Charities," closed the list of papers. Mrs. Cleveland, a guest of the Club, presented the cause of jails and prisoners, dwell- ing largely on work done for children temporarily confined in jails, and concluding by urging the need of teaching foreigners the English language. On January 10, 1883, the following motion was made by Mrs. Frank R. Bartlett: "That the Recording Secretary be instructed to give to the Club a report of each Directors' CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 39 meeting at the following regular Club meeting, the report to follow the reading of minutes of the preceding regular meeting." After some discussion this was adopted. On March 14, 1883, the Chair appointed a Reception and Enter- tainment Committee, consisting of Mesdames Burrows, Hen- rotin and George E. Adams. On May 9, 1883, the chairman of the Committee on Rooms reported that the Club might continue to occupy Parlor O at the Palmer House. It was the sense of the meeting that it would serve the best interest of the Club to secure permanent rooms as soon as possible in order to sublet the rooms to other societies and become more than a mere literary society, in short, to become more prac- tical in its work. On May 21, 1883, it was voted that instead of the usual Club luncheon, the social meeting should be a picnic, to be held June 6. The President read a letter from Mrs. Jessie Bross Lloyd, inviting the Club to her lawn at Winnetka. The invitation was accepted, and it was voted that members should have the privilege of inviting guests. At the same meeting M. Louise Burrows was voted club historian and requested to prepare a history of the Chicago Women's Club. On April 4, 1883, the President read a letter from the Association for the Advancement of Women, accepting the invitation of the Chicago Women's Club to hold the next congress in Chicago. In March, 1883, Mrs. Tuley gave a paper on "The Charity Kindergarten," and offered several subjects for the considera- tion of the Club for practical work. She spoke of the undue proportion of the Club's exercises dealing with purely literary interests. On November 7, 1883, the subject of free kinder- gartens was discussed, and it was voted that the Board of Directors be instructed to consider the feasibility of paying a kindergartner for the coming season. On November 14, 1883, the Directors considered paying a kindergartner for the ensuing year. It was not regarded as proper for the Club, as a whole, to undertake this work, but in 40 ANNALS OF THE deference to a strong feeling that practical work should be undertaken, it was moved "that when charity work of any kind is proposed to the Board of Directors of the Women's Club, the subject be referred to the committee under which such work properly comes, who are to report to the Club by their chairman." It was also voted that the work for the advancement of the Froebel Kindergarten Association be re- ferred to the Committee on Education, that the chairman be instructed to call her committee together to take what action was deemed advisable. On September 5, 1883, a special meeting of the Club was ordered for September 12, to take action in regard to the banquet to be given by the Women's Club to the Association for the Ad- vancement of Women. The President and Recording Secretary of each of the organizations named were invited: The Fort- nightly, Decorative Art Society, Illinois Training School for Nurses, Woman's Exchange, Woman's Physiological Society, Women's Christian Association, Women's Christian Tem- perance Union, Channing Club and the Unitarian Woman's Association. The banquet was given to the Association for the Advancement of Women, of which Mrs. Julia Ward Howe was President, at the Palmer House, October 23, 1883. On December 3, 1883, the topic to be discussed was as follows: "Shall the Club Do Practical Work?" The Presi- dent made an address, asking the members to consider the important subject carefully. Mrs. Tuley presented a plan for securing aid for the Froebel Kindergarten Association, which plan was that ten ladies should pledge themselves to pay fifty dollars each for the support of a kindergarten. These resolu- tions were presented: Whereas, a strong desire has long been felt by a large number of the members of the Chicago Women's Club that it should become a working organization; and, Whereas, the desires of the most ardent advocates of practical work may be met without any change whatever in our present organization, nor in the constitution thereof, nor in the committees now constituted; therefore, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 41 Resolved, That we become an active, working Club in the various departments which our several committees represent. Resolved, That the responsibility of such work be assumed by the Club, as a Club. Resolved, That in undertaking such practical work it is not the purpose of the Club to become a charity organization, but rather a discoverer of the best methods of advancing humanitarian principles, and of helping individuals and or- ganizations to become self-sustaining; that it will receive and become the custodian of any contributions from its friends for specific purposes, and through its proper committees become responsible for the judicious use of moneys thus entrusted to its care. Resolved, That one of the first necessities of the Club, in order to become a working organization, is a permanent home in suitable rooms, open at all hours of the day to the members of the different committees for the accomplishment of their proper work; to the Club for its stated literary and social meetings ; and to the classes of the Club. Resolved, That the Club require of each of its committees frequent meetings at which they shall develop plans for prog- ress in their various departments, and devise means for the execution of such plans, and that at every annual meeting the chairman of each committee be required to submit a writ- ten report of all the work of the committee, together with a statement of all interesting details concerning the methods of its accomplishment. At an adjourned special meeting Dec. 12, 1883, the Chi- cago Women's Club met at the Palmer House to continue the discussion of the question, "Shall the Women's Club of Chi- cago undertake any practical work?" There were forty per- sons present. It was voted that the resolutions be adopted as a whole. The Treasurer of the Club was instructed to make a check for $100, payable to the treasurer of the Froebel Association, and to place the check in the care of Mrs. Kate E. Tuley, she to be the custodian of the funds raised by and through the efforts of the Women's Club to aid in the sup- port of the Arnold Street Free Kindergarten. May 21, 1884, Mrs. Tuley reported for the free kindergarten and asked that either the Club or the Education Committee pledge them- 42 ANNANS OF THE selves to raise the money necessary to pay the expenses of the school for the coming year. The Club report for 1882-83 states: The only departure from the literary work of the Club has been in a resolution passed in May, endorsing an effort being made by Miss Frances E. Willard to place women in police stations for the care of the women prisoners, and in giving one afternoon to the presentation of reports relating to philanthropic and charitable work done in the city. The fact that there was no night matron in any police station was considered far more important than the day matron. By private subscription, funds were raised by the Philanthropy Committee, and a night matron found and paid, till the city was ready to assume charge, a term of several years ; the Committee selected the matron, the sheriff making the appointment. The Jail Committee's first visit to the jail was in 1883. They found the women in a department by themselves, but the matron stayed only until 4 p. m., at which time. The Jail Committee had one fundamental idea: When- ten to thirteen years of age were left with hardened profes- sional thieves, all awaiting trial sometimes for months at a time. The Jail Committee had one fundamental idea : When- ever the State took into its custody on any account any woman, she should whether in a hospital, asylum, poorhouse or prison be secluded as far as possible from men, and placed under the care and attendance of a responsible person of her own sex. Julia P. Harvey writes: "The Women's Christian Temperance Union put the first day matron into the police stations, and the Philanthropy Committee of The Chicago Women's Club put the first night matron into the jail on the North Side, and afterward co-operated in putting both day and night matrons in all the police stations. To the Philanthropy Committee of the Club especially belongs the credit of seeing the need of a night matron as well as a day matron in the jail first and the police stations afterwards." At the meeting of February 13, 1884, Mrs. Shedd moved that "The Chicago Women's Club endorse the action of the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 43 Philanthropy Committee in the direction of securing an assist- ant matron in the jail." Mrs. Shedd reported for the Reform Committee that a woman had been appointed as assistant physician at the Cook County Insane Asylum at Dunning, a result of the heroic efforts of members of the Club. April 2, 1884, the Club met for the first time in the Art In- stitute building, now the Chicago Club. The President, Henriette G. Frank, called the meeting to order at 2 :30 p. m. and made a short address congratulating the association upon the possession of a home, welcoming the guests and giving voice to the thanks of the Club to the committees who had so acceptably ful- filled the duties of selecting and furnishing the home, express- ing in closing her remarks the hope that "now that we have ceased to be Bohemians we shall not become Philistines." At the annual meeting March 4, 1885, it was reported: "The committee which had in charge the furnishing of the rooms were singularly successful and provident of the re- sources of the Club, while they gave most generously of their own time and thought as well as freely of the sinews of war." This applies equally to every room committee that has ever served the Club. Jan. 16, 1884, it was voted that blanks, containing a list of the offices to be filled at the annual meeting should be printed, and distributed among the members of the Club, who would fill in the blanks with the names of the candidates and send them to a committee which should act as tellers and re- port at the annual meeting. It was moved that the Chair ap- point the nominating committee. The recording secretary's report at the seventh annual meeting in the year 1883-1884 states: "The opening of the present year found our membership list numbering 86. We close with 105. As guests the women of the Association for the Advancement of Women were not only faultless, but per- fection. 'May we meet again' was the sentiment of both hos- tess and guests when the Congress left Chicago. The social meetings have not been after the usual fashion, the one occur- 44 ANNALS OF THE ring June 6, 1883, being a picnic, giving an opportunity for some good natured criticism on the part of those ladies who do not enjoy fetes champetres. The opening social meeting in October, 1883, was a conversazione, to which each woman brought her best wits, and there was no need of material re- freshment. During the year certain plans for more effective working of the various committees have taken definite form, and organized effort has been made in more than one direc- tion for helpfulness towards others and a thorough under- standing of the powers and responsibilities of both Club and Committees. * * * Through the untiring efforts of the committee on rooms a permanent home has been secured and naturally our power as householders will be more positive than as nomads wandering up and down the alphabet. * * * \y e have given our sympathy and endorsement in several directions, and our good wishes, accompanied by a little money to the enterprise of free kindergartens under the Froebel Association." The following statement is taken from a letter written by Dr. Julia Holmes Smith under the date of Jan, 10, 1911: "One thing I would like to have noticed is that one social ex- pense incurred by the Club was during my last administra- tion: i. e., entertaining 'The Association for the Advance- ment of Women,' the organization which was the first inspi- ration for women's clubs all over the country, to do some act- ual work for the good of humanity. The Women's Club was so horrified at our extravagance, that practical work was decided upon in a fever of penitence, and today we not only do a real world's work, but are not chary of entertainments which cost money as well. I am still glad of that first little effort in the direction of 'exploiting' our Club, for from that time forth, we have steadily grown and become of world wide impor- tance." April 9, 1884, each member was requested by post card to bring cup, saucer and plate to the Club rooms to be used for Club purposes. This request was repeated from time to time for many years after. It was also mentioned that a new CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 45 member felt so interested in the Club that she desired her membership fee should be paid and her name kept upon the calendar during her lifetime. The Chairman of the Art and Literature Committee asked if there was any objection to an afternoon to be devoted to music and recitations, no paper to be offered upon that day. The directors had no objection to the experiment. The Corresponding Secretary was instructed to have 500 postal cards printed for the use of the chairman of committees. April 16, 1884, Mrs. Harvey called the attention of the Club to the effort which the Committee on Philanthropy was making to have a matron appointed to remain in the jail at night when women prisoners are confined there. April 23, 1884, Mrs. Wilkinson moved that the Corre- sponding Secretary be instructed to send postal cards, notify- ing the members of each and every club meeting. Upon this question there was a tie, the President casting the deciding vote in the affirmative. It was thought best to put the time of committee meet- ings on the calendar: Philanthropy and Reform Committees to meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p. m.j Education Committee to meet on the third Wednesday at 2 p. m. ; Art and Literature on the 2d and 4th Mondays. Feb. 18, 1885, the subject was "Public Charities." The essayist said that she had found difficulties in getting reports of county work. The annual report given March 4, 1885, states that the attendance at the meetings had increased from an average of 40 persons to 55. The smallest audiences had been addressed by non-members of the club, the numbers being 26 and 35* The largest meetings numbered 71 and 72. The most general discussion followed papers read by members. Those who at- tended the musicale of Feb. 4 pronounced the innovation an agreeable one. It is impossible to list the names of all those who have made gifts of service to the Club. Many members contributed articles of value and interest besides. In 1885 Mrs. W. M. How- 46 ANNALS OF THE land on behalf of Mrs. Burrows presented a Mueller engrav- ing of the Sistine Madonna as a memorial to Mr. Thomas Burrows. March 18, 1885, the essayist of the day, Mrs. J. B. Adair, had a paper on "The Office of Women in the Reform and Care of Criminals," which was followed by a general discus- sion. This was an echo in choice of subject of one of the earliest interests of the Club. In the course of the discussion Mrs. Bancroft told the Club that Illinois had no reform school for girls. In case of light offenses comparatively good girls were classed with such vicious company that their future be- came inevitably blighted. She said a bill was now before the Legislature demanding a reform school for girls, and she called for the assistance of the Club to help pass the bill. It was moved that the Club should sign the petition, which was read by Mrs. Tuley. May 20, 1885, Mrs. Shedd read a resolu- tion to be signed by the officers of the Club endorsing a bill before the Legislature to establish in Illinois a reformatory institution for women and girls. April 15, 1885, Col. F. W. Parker spoke upon "Two Ideals in Education." April 8, 1885, at the meeting of the Board of Directors, Miss Nellie Halsted said that she regretted limitations. She thought it a defect in the Club that two of the most impor- tant phases of thought were not represented science and philosophy. It was decided that there would not be time be- fore issuing the new calendar to organize another committee. It was suggested that those chairmen who had not arranged their essays for the year might widen their scope for choice and embrace science and philosophy. It is true that these sub- jects were not wholly new to the Club, for papers had already been written on both philosophic and scientific topics ; but an increased interest therein had been shown by a few members, and the belief that special attention in these directions would result in great advantage to the Club led to the formation of the new committee. Jan. 13, 1886, at a meeting of the Board of Directors, Mrs. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 47 F. S. Heywood called the President's attention to the proposi- tion to form a Science and Philosophy committee in the Club. Feb. 10, 1886, the constitution was amended to read as follows: "For the better execution of its objects, the Club shall be composed of committees representing its different lines of work; namely: Education, Reform, Home, Art and Literature, Philanthropy, Science and Philosophy." This was ratified unanimously at the annual meeting of the Club of the same year. Dr. Bedell appointed Miss Halsted, Mrs. Woolley and Mrs. Caroline K. Sherman as a committee to organize the Science and Philosophy Committee. Dec. 15, 1886, Mrs. Sherman read a paper on "The Practical Value of Philosophic Study." The President called the attention of the Club to the fact that the essay to which they had just listened was the first one given by the Committee on Philosophy and Science. February 11, 1885, the President read a letter from W. M. R. French, director of the Art Institute, asking that the Club room be opened on Saturday evening, Feb. 7, on the occasion of the Art Institute Reception. The Room Committee of the Chicago Women's Club issued invitations to all members to a luncheon to be given in the Club rooms March 4, 1885. This invitation was accepted by most of the members, and seventy- eight persons were present at the luncheon. The occasion was pronounced by those present a success. Conversation filled the hours before the annual meeting, which was called for the afternoon of the same day. March 11, 1885, several standing committees were formed. A finance, including the auditing, committee was appointed with Miss Sweet as chairman, and Mrs. Blackman and Mrs. Frank as assistants. Mrs. W. M. Rowland was appointed chairman of the printing committee, with the president and recording secretary as assistants; and Mrs. Shedd, chairman of the committee on social affairs, with power to select two assistants. May 6, 1885, the corresponding secretary read a letter from Mrs. Starrett, inviting the Club to a picnic at Highland 48 ANNALS OF THE Park. The invitation was accepted for the first Saturday in June, and children were allowed to go with their mothers. May 13, a request made by the Kitchen Garden Association for the use of the Club room May 20 for its annual meeting was granted. May 27, the President asked the Club to con- sider the question of establishing a training school for domes- tics, including a system of registration and an intelligence office. She suggested that a committee be formed to take the proposition under consideration. May 20, 1885, Dr. Smith read a letter from Miss Swazey, of New Orleans, giving an account of a successful organiza- tion in that city, suggested by and formed after the plan of the Chicago Women's Club. October 7, 1885, Mrs. Wilkin- son moved that the Women's Club send greetings to the Women's Congress in Des Moines. Oct. 21, 1885, Mrs. Tuley moved that all those who ap- proved of the principle of suffrage should rise. The President asked all those to rise who desired suffrage now. Forty-five arose. The President called upon those opposed to suffrage to rise. Five rose. In November, 1887, it was stated that a member of the Home Committee desired to form inside that committee an Anti- Suffrage Society. The President declared such a society out of keeping with the character of the Club. Dec. 2, 1885, the essayist of the afternoon, Mrs. George W. Woodward, presented a paper on "Problems of the Streets and Alleys." Mrs. Harvey in opening the discussion spoke of crippled beggars in the street as one of the problems. Instead of being driven away they should be provided with proper places of refuge. Our city has no laws regarding children in the street; they are left to the discretion of individual police- men. She protested against employing boys to do men's work, such as standing in line over night for pay, to secure tickets of admission to popular entertainments. The Newsboys' Home was declared not attractive to the class for whose bene- fit it was opened; it offers too much restraint for the street Arab. Mrs. Woodward recommended taking homeless girls CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 49 into a training school for domestics. Industrial and com- pulsory education were proposed by several speakers as the remedy for many of the ills of society, whereby re- ducing the number of criminals for whose accommoda- tion the State expends far greater sums than would be necessary for schools to which children convicted of some petty offense could be sent, instead of bringing them into contact with hardened criminals. The examples of New York and of European cities prove that compulsory education was an aid in raising the standard of morality. October 15, 1885, informal discussion upon the Treas- urer's bond, and the incorporation of the Club resulted in a motion by Mrs. Shedd that the Club funds should be placed in the hands of the Finance Committee, pending action upon incorporation. A committee was appointed, consisting of the President and two others, to draw articles for purpose of in- corporation. December 2, 1885, a letter from Mr. Walter M. Rowland accompanying the certificate of organization was read. Mr. Rowland gave his services, and a vote of thanks was tendered him. *.. December 18, 1885, the President announced the wel- come intelligence that the Chicago Women's Club was an in- corporated body, and a chartered institution. There was a cloud upon this pleasure, however, namely, that we had no officers and no constitution. She thought the previous officers would continue to act under the defunct constitution until the Club could form its chartered staff. She asked the Club's consideration of the question of the desirability of limiting its number of memberships. She also spoke of the energy and devotion of the Reform Committee in attending the ses- sions morning, afternoon and evening of the Board of Charities, to secure reforms in the Insane Asylum; and assured the Club that the members of the Board of Charities were highly ap- preciative of their disinterested labor and uplifting influence. Article IV, of the constitution, was amended to read as follows : "The duties of the chairman shall be to arrange and attend stated meetings of her committee; to prepare and pro- 50 ANNALS OF THE vide for the work of such Club meetings of each year, of which she shall make report to the Board at its April meeting, and she shall be present at the Club meetings to be conducted by her Committee, and be responsible for the proper fulfill- ment of the program for that day. At the annual meeting she shall report the work accomplished by her Committee during the year." This amendment was unanimously approved at the annual meeting March 3, 1886. This resolution was also adopted: "That the Constitution and By-Laws as printed in the Club calendar, and the official Board of the Club as now constituted be ratified and accepted as the Constitution and By-Laws and the officers of The Chicago Women's Club, as an incorporate body." The following items are taken from reports of that date : "We have evinced our public spirit by consenting to va- cate our comfortable rooms, and accept for the same rent in- ferior accommodations in order to facilitate the erection of a new Art Institute, which we hope will be a credit to our city. We have revealed our respect for law by becoming an incor- porated body and chartered institution. We have declared our unity with two important phases of intellectual develop- ment by endeavoring to form a committee in Science and Phil- osophy and proposing an amendment to the Constitution in order to admit it within the calendar year. The Chairman of the Art and Literature Committee repeated the experiment of last year and provided another musical entertainment which revealed local talent ; gave the Club an opportunity to hear the original compositions of one of its members, Mrs. Clowry, and convinced the doubtful of its right to exist." April 28, 1886, it was suggested that the names of mem- bers who have moved from the city have their names recorded in the calendar as non-resident members. April 14, 1886, it was voted that the use of the Club room be given the Decora- tive Art Society for four days, for an exhibition of their work. November 10, 1886, it was voted to grant the use of the Club room to the Western Association of Collegiate Alumnae the last of January. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 51 January 19, 1887, Mrs. Caroline M. Brown gave a report of the Protective Agency, showing a noble and greatly needed work, and asked for funds in order to continue this philan^ thropy. The chairman of the Reform Committee called the attention of the Club to the fact that Mrs. Wallace, who had given $500 not from her income, but from her principal, to start the Society, was present. The Club applauded Mrs. Wallace. At the first annual meeting of the Protective Agency for Women and Children, the following account was given of its organization : In the early fall of 1885 the various women's associations of Chicago determined upon some united effort for the protection of women and children. At the Grand Pacific, January 12, 1886, at the regular monthly meet- ing of the Moral Educational Society, Dr. Bedell, then presi- dent of The Women's Club, Julia P. Harvey, chairman of its Philanthropy Committee, Mrs. E. B. Harbert, president of the Cook County Suffrage Association, Mrs. O. C. Gibbs, chairman of the Woman's Defense Committee of the Moral Educational Society, and many other earnest women were present. At the close of a stirring appeal, Mrs. Harbert suggested that the Women's Club call a meeting of the officers of all the women's associations in the city for the purpose of forming a new organization to be devoted to the peculiar interests and demands under discussion. It was said, that as the Club had a large membership, was cosmopolitan, and less likely to pro- voke antagonism, it was emphatically the one to take the ini- tiative in the proposed work. The matter, brought to the at- tention of the Club by the committee, was duly considered, and resulted in the formation of "The Protective Agency for Women and Children." From the circular, issued soon after the preliminary meet- ing, the following is taken : "The Women's Club, through certain of its committees (Philanthropy, Reform and Home), and in counsel with delegates from other philanthropic or- ganizations of women in the city, has established a Protective Agency for Women and Children." At a meeting held in the 52 ANNALS OF THE Club rooms March 17, 1886, rules for the governing board were adopted. Mrs. C. M. Brown, founder of the Women's Club, was elected Chairman of the Board; Mrs. F. S. Howe, Treasurer ; Mrs. Mary Dye, Clerk. The annual report of Mrs. Sabin, Secretary of the Club, for 1886-87, states: "This year discloses the commencement of the proposed Training School for Domestics, and inaugu- ration of the Protective Agency for Women and Children, an undertaking, in the opinion of some, the greatest we have attempted. The Protective Agency is not alone composed of this Club ; it is an association from several societies. Com- bination is a recognized power, and in order to still further acquaint ourselves with institutions similar to our own, and possibly to augment our forces by united action upon any given question, we have adopted a resolution to communicate with such organizations for reciprocal information, and also to send a delegate to the next Congress of the Association for the Advancement of Women, and to the approaching meeting of the Conference of Charities. The Club has endeavored to exercise its influence in repressing evils in various directions in helping the unfortunate, in protecting the innocent, in edu- cating the children of the poor, and it has even extended its care to the little birds by endeavoring to check their slaughter for decorative purposes. These are some of the channels into which our life has been directed, but in this outpouring of efforts we have not forgotten that the home is the basis of society, that sanitary and comfortable living is necessary for the best development of humanity, and that its culture is promoted by pleasant and even artistic surroundings. Being individuals of humanity, subject to its laws and condi- tions, we have recognized the necessity of a suitable club home as the center from which our influence and our works shall radiate. To this end we have leased rooms in the new Art Institute Building (now the Chicago Club), and we have entered into an agreement with a sister society, the Fort- nightly, for the mutual enjoyment of certain specified rights and privileges in the joint occupancy of other rooms; and we CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 53 have also mutually agreed to the use of all the rooms belong- ing to the two societies on certain occasions, for social pur- poses when desired by either club." The first free training class in the Swedish sloyd system was formed in January, 1887, the object being to reach classes of unemployed children who frequent our streets and alleys, to gather them into the mission schools of the city and pro- vide for them some industrial training. With this end in view, members of the Education Committee entered these schools either as teachers or superintendents and in some cases greatly aided in their support from their own funds. In 1886 the Industrial Art Association was formed through the efforts of the Club. Twenty-five women, mostly teachers, met in the Club rooms once a week, taking industrial lessons for volunteer service in the city. The following report by Helen S. Shedd, Chairman of the Reform Department for 1885-86, indicates clearly the thor- oughness of the work done by the Club in the first ten years of its service: "A little more than a year ago some of the members of our Club seemed touched, as by a new spirit, a new working spirit, let us say. We began to undertake practical work, such work as should call forth and express the moral force of the Club, individually and collectively. The Reform Committee selected as its point of attack, the Cook County Insane Asy- lum at Dunning. The Committee set about trying to secure the much needed reform, the first appointment of a woman physician in any insane asylum, state or county, in the juris- diction of Illinois. Dr. Delia Howe was the physician ap- pointed; so efficient was her work that the present medical superintendent assured us that a larger number of patients have been sent out cured, from her department, than at any corresponding period of time preceding her appointment. Dr. Howe was elected to the Eastern State Asylum at Kankakee and Dr. Harriet B. Alexander was appointed to fill the va- cancy. The Asylum received three visits from our committee, and eight additional visits by different members. We shall 54 ANNALS OF THE continue our work and try to bring about a more efficient and trained service on the part of the attendants; something ap- proximating a trained service introduced into our County Hospital through the Illinois Training School for Nurses is what we seek to institute. We desire also to have incor- porated into our lunacy laws the declaration, 'That where women are inmates of insane asylums, either in county or state institutions, women physicians shall be appointed as assistants.' To this end we have communicated with Dr. Wines, Chairman of the State Board of Charities, who has drafted a lunacy bill, which has already been presented to the legislature, with a view of securing his co-operation in having the clause inserted in the body of the bill. "Four petitions were formulated and presented to the Pub- lic Service Committee, setting forth a variety of measures the committee desired introduced and changes that needed to be ef- fected. Among the requests presented was one for the withdraw- al of the license from the saloons continguous to the grounds of the Infirmary and Insane Asylum. If this could not be com- passed, an abatement of the evil by an erection of a high fence about the poor-house was urged. The asking of a larger attendant service than had previously been employed for the insane patients was another request presented. The commit- tee further requested the introduction of a training system for the attendants ; and that all apparatus for the attendants and for the physical restraint of the insane patients, be placed in the drug room, and not kept in the wards as now, the same to be issued only on the order of a physician. Another petition has been presented asking for the introduction of the simple forms of industrial art training, for such of the insane women as are capable of receiving its benefits. A petition to establish a work house in the Infirmary for able bodied paupers has also been presented and is receiving consideration. "Through a special petition presented to the County Board, by our committee, the name has been changed from 'The Insane Department' of the County Jail, which it has borne CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 55 so long, to 'The Detention Hospital for the Insane.' Either a ward of the County Hospital should be devoted to this serv- ice, or what would be far better, a suitable building- should be erected and fitted up to be used solely as a detention hos- pital for the insane of Cook County." Mrs. Frank Asbury Johnson writes in 1904: "The free Kindergarten which for seven years was held under the auspices of the Woman's Club was founded by Mrs. Tuley. She suggested it to the Club in a paper on 'Practical Kindergartening,' and the Club recognized her ini- tiative by putting her in control of it and paying one hundred dollars from Club funds toward its support." Lucretia M. Hey wood, under date of January 4, 1911, writes as follows: "We all know that even before we de- cided to take up practical work we were sustaining a Kinder- garten which was an object lesson to the city and continued to be so until the Board of Education incorporated that work into the city schools. Compulsory education was early realized to be a great need of our growing city and our Com- mittee agitated that question very earnestly, discussing it in all possible and impossible places and, for a time, writing short articles for the Tribune, which that paper published every few days. Later other departments became interested and several of our Club members carried a bill to Springfield and 'lobbied' for the cause. Though our bill was not passed, compulsory education was soon enforced by law, which amply repaid us for all our efforts. Manual training was also taken up by our Committee. Since all our Department did not enter into this subject with zeal, a sub-committee was formed called 'Industrial Arts,' under which much pioneer work was done. Sloyd was something new this side of the water and when some of us learned that Mrs. Shaw of Boston, had im- ported two sisters from Sweden to teach sloyd", we wrote, en- treating her to send one to Chicago. Miss Topelius came at our request, and Saturday morning schools were started in several sections of the city where sloyd and many of the arts and crafts were taught. Miss Topelius continued to teach 56 ANNALS OF THE under our auspices until the Board of Education employed her in the public schools, where she remained until the time of her death. Arts and crafts found no lodgment in the minds of the Board of Education at that time. Years passed before they could see they were sufficiently practical." In 1887, two kindergartens in public school buildings were supplied by the Club and the Froebel Association, two half days a week. At the close of the Club year of 1888, the Edu- cation Committee reported three interests and activities, the kindergarten, industrial art, and compulsory education. The Committee stated that there were fifty children attending the morning sessions of the kindergarten, and wondered if a con- nection could ever be established between the free kindergar- ten system and the public schools. For the Club year 1887-88, the Social Committee re- ported that guests had been entertained representing eighteen states and territories and four foreign countries. Among the treasures of the Club may be found Kate Edmonson Tuley's scrap book in which she collected newspaper clippings on "subjects relating to women, educa- tion and crime," covering the years 1884 to 1887. On the title page is written the request, "To be presented to the Chicago Women's Club in case of my death." Among the topics which appear in the collection are the following: Betterment of girls and women ; article by Mrs. Tuley to the "People's Pul- pit" on dress reform protesting against women being "cribbed, cabined and confined"; women's rights, charities, women as paupers and insane; women in industrial pursuit; history of the Industrial Art Association; Board of Education for 1887; art and women's clubs; art matters in Chicago, 1888. The scrap book preserves an article from the Chicago Tribune on the Industrial Art Association of which Mrs. S. A. Sears was general director at the time, which is quoted as follows: "The Industrial Art Association goes into the poorest part of Chicago, gathers the unwashed and ragged boys and girls on Saturday mornings and brings them into pleasant, warm, clean schoolrooms, where they are taught CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 57 practical things in easy ways. A typical school is on Cly- bourn Avenue, supported by the Central Church, where boys are taught to sew on buttons and to draw, and where girls sew doll clothes and have lessons in decorative art and fancy needlework. There are about four schools throughout the city, and the association which conducts them is an offshoot of the Chicago Women's Club. Its financial support is gained from voluntary contributions by those who sympathize with its aims, and in part by the Decorative Art Society, which pays for the training of the teachers who give their services free. In addition to the general director, there is a president, Dr. Lelia G. Bedell ; vice-president, Mrs. M. C. Remick ; secre- tary, Mrs. Francis T. Simmons ; treasurer, Miss Helen Miller." In the same scrap book we find clippings showing the beginnings of the woman's club movement: "The woman's club has become an institution. When the boys marched to the war, woman became conscious of the power of organiza- tion. When the necessity for relief in that direction was ac- complished, the Soldiers' Aid Society was developed into an extensive organization, or organizations, for the mutual im- provement of woman. The idea has become widespread, and all over the country we find women banded together pursuing some line of study, gaining a knowledge that makes them, their homes and society better, binding in interchange of thought an impulse to better thinking, and a means to intellect and culture, which has been considered beyond the reach of the family woman. Many housekeepers living isolated lives and hungering for something better than they have, find a mu- tual stimulus in these meetings. In many states social science associations are formed composed of representatives of the various local societies, and thus is formed a means of still wider culture." February 2, 1887, Mary S. Brown moved that the Board recommend the sending of a delegate to the Associa- tion for the Advancement of Women and to the National Conference of Charities. Mrs. George F. Harding was chosen delegate to the former. 58 ANNALS OF THE The germ of the federation idea in our Club dates back to March 10, 1880, at which time the Directors passed an hour in conversation as to the aims of the Club for the future ; the formation of classes for study in the various committees, and the advisability of opening correspondence with other clubs. Dr. Bedell suggested that some arrangement be marto to secure a list of other clubs and organizations in order to obtain a knowledge of their work, and reap the benefit of that knowledge. The President was asked to put The Chicago Women's Club in communication with similar societies and organizations in the United States. A letter from Dr. L. G. Bedell, dated February 25, 1911, states : "One thing which should go into a history of the Chicago Woman's Club is a distinct claim of having originated the idea of a general federation of women's clubs. These are the facts, which in the Club records of the year 1886-7 will show that as President of the Club, in my address I outlined the scheme of general federation of clubs. This also can be confirmed by reference to the files of the Chicago Tribune or Inter Ocean for an article in which Frances Wil- lard applauds the scheme as outlined by the president of The Chicago Women's Club (which name the Club retained until 1895), and also by reference to an article of my own, in the same year in the Woman's Journal. Other facts, and important ones, known only to myself are that, as it seemed best to have one of the oldest clubs make the call for such a movement, I wrote to Mrs. Louise Thomas, then president of Sorosis, and outlined the scheme and suggested starting the movement. No reply whatever came from Mrs. Thomas, but Sorosis a few months later did issue the call for the organization of a general federation. I believe it is due the Chicago Women's Club that it should make the claim to the origin of the Federation, substantiating such claim by quota- tion from the records of the year indicated, in which Miss Hal- sted, then Secretary, made a full record of the suggestion then outlined. I do not wish individual credit, that is of small CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 59 moment. I am jealous for the credit of the Chicago Women's Club, but should prefer to have it impersonal. Life is too short to scramble for personal recognition." The report of the corresponding secretary, Mary B. Sabin, 1886-87 states : "The work of preparing a statistical record of the organizations for women in the country has been begun by the Chicago Women's Club in accord with a unanimous vote of its Board of Management. The need of such a record has been experienced by your Secretary, when letters have been received by her from other clubs or individuals asking for information in regard to other women's clubs. A letter has been written by our President (Dr. Bedell) to the Wom- an's Journal in pursuance of the action of the Board of Man- agement, stating the willingness of the Chicago Women's Club to undertake the work of completing and publishing a correct tabulated list of all organizations for women in the country, and to each club or organization which shall send statistics to the Corresponding Secretary of the Chicago Women's Club, a copy of such list shall be sent before the clubs disperse for summer vacation. Up to the present date answers with statistics have been received from ten clubs (which are named by Mrs. Sabin in her report). All these letters heartily endorse the action of the Chicago Women's Club and express great satis- faction at the prospect of knowing something of the aim and work of other clubs." Here are extracts from a letter written by Dr. Leila G. Bedell, president of the Chicago Women's Club, to the editors of The Woman's Journal and published in the number for January 29, 1887, a copy of which is in the possession of Mrs. Lydia Avery Coonley Ward: "The great need of women's organizations is that they should be co-ordinated linked together in one common in- terest, though broadly expressed namely, the advancement of civilization. The Association for the Advancement of Women has shown its recognition of this need by sending out invitations to women's clubs to send delegates to the annual congress of women. I shall hope to see that organization go 60 ANNALS OF THE a step farther in this direction, by so changing its constitution as to make its governing board consist of members of different clubs, instead of simply residents of states. A vice-president or director of a given state may be outside of, as well as ignorant of, the best working organizations of her own state. A con- gress of women made up of delegates carefully chosen from large bodies of progressive, working women (and not self- constituted) would be a truly representative and effective body. "Some steps should be taken, either by the A. A. W., or in the direction of a new organization, whereby all the so- cieties of women in this country could be con-sociated in one grand representative body. Herein would be strength and conditions for effective work. But it needs thorough organi- zation, as thorough as that great and noble army of specific workers represented by the W. C. T. U. "I make these suggestions hoping some one with more discretion and better judgment will devise a way whereby all these clubs may be linked together. In the meantime we will gather together the statistics of available material and prepare the way for such a union of forces." In the Woman's Journal for November 23, 1889, two years later, is an article entitled, "The Federation of Clubs." It relates that the circular letter therewith given is issued to the presidents of Women's Clubs throughout the country by members of the correspondence committee chosen at the con- vention of clubs held the previous spring. The following ex- tracts are taken from this circular letter: "Last March, Sorosis, the Woman's Club of New York, called a convention of clubs for the purpose of ultimately forming a permanent organization of women's clubs. About sixty clubs were represented at that convention by delegates or written reports. In accordance with resolutions adopted by the convention, a committee was formed to correspond with other clubs and to draw up a draft of constitution. From that committee a local advisory board was appointed. The enclosed constitution is the result of the work of this board. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 61 The advisory board offer this draft of constitution merely as a basis of organization. Believing it wise in the beginning not to hamper the development of a new association with fixed rules, they have left all minor considerations open for future consideration. Taking the broad ground of organization as a means of mutual improvement, they invite the co-operation of all women's clubs throughout the world. The next conven- tion, of which you will be notified hereafter, will be held in March, 1890. That convention will have power to adopt this constitution with such modifications as commend themselves to its judgment, or to remodel it entirely. For the present we offer it merely as a basis of work and a rallying point from which to make a start." Lydia Avery Coonley Ward writes, April 3, 1912: "By the above copies of letter and circular, it will be seen that the suggestion of the General Federation of Women's Clubs came, not from Sorosis as has been claimed, but from the Chicago Women's Club through its brilliant president, Dr. Bedell, to whose ability many other fine original projects owe their existence. Only about a third of Dr. Bedell's letter is quoted. The preceding paragraphs are given to a carefully studied plan for the immediate bringing of clubs all over the country into com- munication with each other. Mrs. Sabin, then corresponding secretary of The Chicago Women's Club, being authorized to run a bureau of information open to clubs everywhere, the Club itself promising before the summer vacation to send out 'a printed list which will be of incalculable value to the great social and philanthropic interests which women have espoused. As a guide to the statistics desired keep in your minds simply the words, What? Where? When? How? i. e., name of club ; where located ; when organized ; methods of work; membership limited or unlimited; object, etc. All this information we will put in tabulated form for easy reference.' At the annual meeting held March, 1887, Dr. Bedell gave the first written report made by a president of the Chicago 62 ANNALS OF THE Women's Club. The following paragraphs are taken from this report : "Under the head of reports of officers, a privilege which has heretofore been monopolized by the two secretaries and the treasurer, I shall take advantage of an implied right to introduce an innovation, in the form of a president's report. In looking back over the work which the Club has done, I am persuaded that even the flattering reports of chairmen and officers have left out some of the most valuable achievements of this Club. During the discussion of that admirable paper on 'The Value of Philosophic Study' it was stated upon the authority of a great philosopher that the only absolute good in the world is good will. We can readily accept this as true, since good will, and peace on earth, were the burden of that majestic chorus which ushered in the Christian era. Aside from the specialties and reforms which the Club through the committees have undertaken and so faithfully executed, surely it has accomplished even more in the direction of this 'abso- lute good' in the degree of good will to which it has attained. And indeed, this is almost phenomenal when we consider the heterogeneous character of our membership, which brings to- gether every phase of religious, social and political opinion, antipodes in thought upon many topics, and yet harmonizes the whole upon a universal humanitarian basis. And this has been a club work in which the most silent and passive member has done and can do as much as the most active or most elo- quent. It has in fact been the work which has made all other work possible. Our growth in members even has not been commensurate with our growth in grace. And yet with all this increase of good will and amiability there has been a most marvelous increase in individuality and courage of per- sonal opinions, as shown in our discussions by expressions of widely differing sentiments in the strongest, if not always the wisest terms, and yet without offense to any ; and this courage of opinion implies that this growing spirit of good will begets also toleration. It would be a sad spectacle indeed to see 200 women with but a single thought. The Club has a right to CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 63 expect to be placed in a home of comfort and attractiveness, at the same time sacrificing nothing of its practical character, to that which is solely aesthetic. Let us have a new organization composed of all the heads of all the associations of women in the city and they number between 15 and 20 whose object shall be to establish first, fraternal relations, to put us in sympathy with each other, to enable us to know what each is doing and what each desires to do; to applaud and encourage, to build up and not tear down, to lend a hand wherever possible for the advance- ment of each other's work ; to prevent clashing or overlapping or duplicating any work. If such an organization of organi- zations could be formed, its membership composed of the offi- cial boards of each, having meetings quarterly, semi-annually or even annually only, at which reports of work could be made, counsel and aid asked and given, it would broaden both our intelligence and our sympathies and what a potent agent it would be for the centralization of woman's power as a fac- tor in the moral growth of this city ; and through this co-ordi- nating process a plan might be easily devised which would result eventually in a woman's building in which could be domiciled all the various organizations of women." 64 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER III. 1887 TO 1892. At the beginning of the second decade the Club num- bered over two hundred members. December 14, 1887, the Board voted that the subject of limiting the number of mem- bers to three hundred be brought before the Club, the Board being unanimously in favor of such limitation. The approval of the Club was requested at a special meeting held January 4, 1881, which was refused with the expression that the Club was not in favor of any limitation. On February 8, Dr. Stevenson proposed as an amend- ment to the constitution that no member be allowed to pre- sent more than one member annually; that new members must wait two years before proposing a candidate; this amendment was supported by the Board with nine to six votes, but failed of approval by the Club. April 11, 1888, the following proposition was sub- mitted by Mrs. Tuley to the Board for consideration, look- ing toward a more careful selection of new members and thus inducing a slower and sounder growth of the Club: "I. A definite number of admissions for the first year may be decided upon by the directors, the number express- ing the limit of what the directors shall think consonant with a healthy expansion of the Club; say, thirty-six or thirty for the ensuing Club year. II. That each committee be allowed the same proportion of admissions (but that a special arrangement might be made between committees, so that if one needed more members and another fewer they might exchange so that the sum total should be the same). III. That the merits of members for any special committee be first canvassed by the committee, and if a majority are in favor of such member, that the name be submitted to the Board for its final decision. The fitness of new members for any special work could be thus better determined and we CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 65 should have fewer merely nominal members of the com- mittees. The first and second terms of the proposition con- tain the main idea; the third might be left for future deci- sion, but a sufficient trial shall have been given to the new departure." March 28, 1888, a paper on education in India was read by Mrs. Marean, presenting the claim of the Pundita Rama- bai to the interest and support of members of the Club. This was the beginning of the interest in her work, and of the raising of a fund to help her. April 8, 1888, communi- cations were read from the matron of the Home for Self- Supporting Women, thanking the Club for donations. Mrs. Heywood reported the conditions for joining the Youth's Employment and Aid Association were a contribution to its treasury, and the appointment of three delegates who should serve on the advisory board of the association. The con- tributions having already been made, it was voted that the Club connect itself with the association and appoint three representatives. May 9, 1888, it was resolved that the dif- ferent associations originating in the Women's Club have space given them in the Club calendar for the announce- ment of their regular meetings, and that they be requested to appoint such meetings for some other day than Wednes- day. The first Club custodian was appointed in 1888. At the Board meeting of May 9, 1888, Dr. Bedell sub- mitted to the Board a proposition for the formation of a Woman's League, to be composed of the officers of the various organizations of women in the city, by means of which each organization might be reached when there was occasion for it. Believing that the time was ripe for it, she suggested that the Women's Club call a mass meeting and take the initiative in the matter, proposing a central organization, which should not affect the individuality of any, but seek to further the interests of all. It was voted that the fourth Wednesday in May be used for this purpose, the chairman, Dr. Bedell, to have full power to select her own committee 66 ANNALS OF THE and prepare for the day. In accordance with a call issued by the committee appointed for that purpose, representatives of fifty-six women's associations met in the rooms of the Chicago Women's Club, May 23. The President, Mrs. Celia Parker Woolley, stated the object of the meeting and called on Dr. Bedell as chairman of the committee to further explain the aim of the call. Dr. Bedell answered the three questions: Who originated this? What motive brings us here? and What will be the results? "No one started the movement or in other words every one started it. It was spontaneous, coming from the need. After passing through the various stages of analysis, the great word must be synthesis, and it is time that the leaders in philanthropic work join hands in council. The motive in this organization, as in the different bodies composing it, was the uplifting of humanity. We ex- pect from it growth, broadening and the better understand- ing, that each work we are now doing separately is a part in the great harmony of universal progress." The meeting went into executive session, and Dr. Bedell was elected temporary chairman with Mrs. Marean as clerk. The organization re- sulting from this meeting was called the Woman's League. On the 14th of November by vote of the Board, the Club allied itself with this Woman's League, composed of the of- ficers of all the different associations of women in Chicago who wished to join it. The Woman's League was given per- mission to hold its meetings in the Women's Club rooms. January 11, 1888, it was voted that Professor John Fiske be invited to lecture before the Club, and that the surplus of receipts be given to the Protective Agency. The President also announced a special meeting for February 9, to be ad- dressed by Mr. Charles B. Holmes, president of the Youths' Training and Employment Association, and others of the pro- posed training school for boys. February 9, 1888, Mrs. Remick, chairman of the Educa- tion Committee, presented for discussion the subject of the proposed public meeting concerning women on school boards, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 67 for which Central Music Hall was engaged. March 21, 1888, Mrs. W. O. Carpenter, Dr. Stevenson and Mrs. Coonley were appointed to represent the club in the Women's International Congress at Washington. We quote from the report of the Philanthropy Committee dated May, 1888: "It is the duty of someone to see that criminals are not defrauded of their rights, that is, that they occupy clean, well ventilated cells, have wholesome and suf- ficient food, and are kept from the contaminating influences of those more steeped in crime than themselves. The Phi- lanthropy Committee began its work in the County Jail in 1883 as a whole Committee." At the same meeting the Com- mittee on Philosophy and Science reported: "The youngest of six committees hopes that it has already given evidence to the Club that its existence is justified, and that although its reputation is on the side of the theoretical and speculative, rather than of the executive and practical, yet even as such it is not without value to the Club." November 5, 1890, the following article appeared in the Chicago Herald : "When the Club had reached its tenth year and a membership of over two hundred the forming of a new department was proposed, a department of Philosophy and Science, There was at first a loud protest against the department from the majority. Speculative philosophy hinted of visionary theories and the idle play of idle minds. The Club countenanced workers, not dreamers. Elated by its proud attainments, it desired {o push on in its work still more vigorously ; but philosophers, however small in number, are never awed by majorities or masses, nor by the imposing array of practical deeds. Admitting without question the value of those, they knew after all that wisdom was the prin- cipal thing; that zeal was good, but was at its best only after calm deliberation and with a knoweldge of the principles which underlie successful modes of action. The new depart- ment began its work with the study of political science with special reference to our own government, although including 68 ANNALS OF THE a study of other governments as contributing to a knowledge of our own. After four years the increasing size and interest of this department warranted the formation of two classes, one devoted to the study of speculative philosphy in its most abstract forms, the other to the study of geology, especially that of the vicinity of Chicago, a field of unusual interest to the geologist. That the work of this latter class was of a scientific order far beyond the ordinary is evident from a paper by one of its members published in a recent number of Har- per's Magazine and copied widely by other journals the paper is as artistic in form as it is scientific in content. The Chicago Women's Club now numbers more than four hun- dred members. Its prosperity is due to its flexibility no less than to its firmness of purpose; to the harmony that comes from the reconciliation of widely opposing elements, and above all to the conscientious action of its individual mem- bers, and the readiness to sink personal and petty interests for the general welfare of the Club. That it has sometimes made mistakes and will continue to do so is only too evident. "Es irrt der Mensch so lang er strebt", but in the main, its work and influence are on the side of right, and its weal and prosperity mean further good to our city, which stands in need of many similar clubs." November 28, 1888, a meeting was held to discuss means of securing the enforcement of the compulsory education laws. Mrs. Remick read a resolution to be presented in the name of the Club to the Board of Education, asking that necessary measures be taken to secure the enforcement of the Illinois statute of 1883, which provided for compulsory education. At the Board meeting of the following month a communica- tion was received from the Board of Education acknowledg- ing the receipt of the petition touching the enforcement of the Compulsory Education Act, and reporting that it had been referred to a committee. The annual report of March 6, 1889, states: The most vigorous movement which demanded the co- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 69 operation of club members was reported by the Home Com- mittee. It speaks for itself under the name of the Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress. Its adoption by the Home Committee received the approval of the Board May 14, 1888, and since that time it has grown to such proportions that it seems almost more fitting to speak of it as a sister society than as a department of our own work. At the Board meeting, February 13, 1889, a communica- tion was presented from Sorosis of New York calling a con- vention of delegates from women's clubs, and on February 19, 1889, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith was appointed as the dele- gate to represent the Chicago Women's Club at the conven- tion, with Mrs. Harvey as alternate. March 6, 1889, Mrs. Woolley said in her president's report : "From the beginning the Club has been gaining, at first slowly, and of late more rapidly, in active philanthropic work, and in public service, until today it stands second to no other organization in the city, in its labors for the general good and progress of the community. The Women's Club is essen- tially a practical organization, made up of earnest, intelligent women, banded together not in the mere pursuit of intel- lectual culture, but to promote the higher ends of a purer social state and the true enlightenment of mankind, founded on justice and human brotherhood. We may count it also as a sign of gaining public recognition of our work, that the Club was invited to send delegates to the Tariff Reform Conven- tion recently held in this city." The records show that the Club worked faithfully from the beginning of its organization for the placing of women on the School Board. March 6, 1889, the Education Committee made a full report of its efforts in this direction, and in regard to the obtaining of necessary legislation for compulsory edu- cation and enforcement of the law. To this end a petition was also presented by the Club to the Mayor and City Coun- cil. April 3, 1889, an informal report of the Compulsory Edu- cation Bill was read which was followed by commendatory 70 ANNALS OF THE remarks upon the work of the women who represented us at Springfield. April 24, the Chairman again presented the mat- ter of securing the appointment of women on the school board. Mrs. Flower had consented to allow her name to be used as a candidate if the Committee and Club were willing to en- dorse her, after the statement that she was opposed to "fads", though deeply convinced of the value of manual training. April 16, 1890, the attention of the members was called to a petition to be sent to the Mayor on behalf of the appointment of women on the school boards. Many signatures were se- cured for the petition, which read as follows : "To the Hon. De Witt C. Cregier, Mayor of Chicago: As the terms of office of five members of the Board of Education are about to expire, we the undersigned citizens of Chicago, respectfully urge upon your Honor that such positions, or some of them, be filled by prominent and capable women, for the following among other reasons : 1. The interest of the women of Chicago in all that per- tains to education, whether as mothers, teachers or citizens, being as great as that of men, entitles them to a voice in all that concerns the public schools of our city. 2. Women have shown such superior ability, fitness and fidelity whenever entrusted with a share in educational work, as teachers, principals of schools, school superintendents or trustees, as to entitle them to still higher positions of trust. 3. The joint action of women and men on school boards, has in point of fact justified the acceptance of women for such positions wherever tried; notably on the school boards of London, Boston, New York, Cambridge and Philadelphia. 4. There are 1,680 women to 70 men teachers in the public schools of Chicago. The interests of these women should not be confided entirely to men. 5. Much of the work of the standing committees of our Board of Education such as that pertaining to rules and regu- lations, special studies, text-books, courses of instruction, salaries and appointment of teachers, libraries, and the sani- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 71 tary condition of schools, needs and should have the counsel and action of women as well as of men. 6. As the single appointment of a woman on the Chi- cago Board, one year ago, has been justified by experience, we would respectfully ask his Honor, the Mayor, to continue the work begun by his predecessor, and increase the repre- sentation of women." In reviewing the difficulties encountered by the commit- tee, a member writes as follows: "The Board of Education opposed the stirring up of the compulsory education idea. Even lawyers had to be convinced that there was a com- pulsory education law in existence. The Committee appealed to the clergy of the city and compulsory education became a frequent theme in Chicago pulpits. Short articles fur- nished to the press and occasional editorials prepared the public mind to demand a new and thorough law. After con- ferring with several organizations, which were also con- sidering the subject, your committee was invited to co- operate with one appointed by the Board of Education. A large number of citizens from various organizations was appointed at the first meeting to take charge of the new bill, and if necessary to go to Springfield to confer with the Leg- islature. With the passing of the Compulsory Education Bill at Springfield, the work of the Club in that direction was lessened, and the Truant Aid Committee came into ex- istence." October 23, 1889, a committee of six was appointed to collect clothing for destitute women and children, to be dis- tributed by the Board of Education, and the committee was instructed to invite the various societies already interested in this work to co-operate. The Truant Aid was thus or- ganized in October, 1889, in the Chicago Women's Club. Through Mrs. Ellen Mitchell of the School Board, the Truant Aid Committee was given permission to use a basement room in the Scammon School as a general supply and work room. Lists of children requiring aid were furnished by the depart- 72 ANNALS OF THE ment of compulsory education and the truant agents were in con- stant communication with the committee. The Truant Aid Committee was mainly composed of members of the Chicago Women's Club, though from the first it received aid from women outside the Club. November 5, 1890, Mrs. Tuley, chairman of the Truant Aid Committee, gave a report on the work for the season beginning November 23, 1889, and end- ing April 12, 1890, in which time 406 children were clothed, who otherwise would have been unable to attend school, the distributing point for this work being the Scammon School branch. A matinee was given November 20 at Hooley's Theatre (now Powers' Theatre), to raise funds for the work of the committee. November 25, 1891, a request for clothing for destitute children was made and information given to the Club, that all clothing should be sent to the Haven School. February 25, 1891, a meeting was called for the discus- sion of measures necessary to prevent the repeal of the com- pulsory education law; to hear a statement of the condition of the school building at Glenwood; and to give some explana- tion of the new method adopted by the board, for voting for officers and directors for the coming year. Mrs. Tuley spoke upon the compulsory education law, and reported what had been done to prevent its repeal. Mrs. F. W. Parker con- tinued the discussion and read the present law, which was in danger of repeal, also an amendment to the law, which it was hoped would provoke less opposition than the original law. A petition of the Education Committee to the Board of Education April 1, 1891, reads as follows: "Whereas, the undersigned, your petitioners, members of the Education Committee of the Chicago Women's Club, have, in connection with the work undertaken by them, been brought into contact with children of the less favored classes of our city, and especially through work in the following channels, to-wit: The Truant Aid Committee (to help clothe the destitute children, that, they may be able to attend CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 73 our public schools) the Saturday mission schools of Chicago, where the teaching of industries is attempted, the charitable industrial schools of the county (to which children from the streets of our city are sent) ; And Whereas, from the experience and knowledge thus gained, we have become impressed with the following facts: First, that for these at least, if not for all, industrial educa- tion is a necessity to prepare them for the active duties of life, as intelligent laborers and good citizens, and to develop in them the power that comes from cultivation, of the cre- ative faculties, together with the intellectual forces; and, secondly, that the accomplishment of this must come through our public schools, other agencies being inadequate; and thirdly, that to place this class of children, many of whom are entered under the compulsory education act, in the graded schools of the city, as they now exist, is an injustice to the children and an injury to the schools; And Whereas, your petitioners, while disapproving of class schools and believing that industrial education should be a part of our educational system open to all, yet at the same time realizing that universal adoption can only come after experimental proof of value, and realizing as well the importance of immediate or speedy introduction of industrial education to a limited extent, as a basis for acquiring an ex- perimental knowledge of its working, and to meet the press- ing needs of this class of children who cannot await its gen- eral introduction; And Whereas, your petitioners are encouraged in pre- senting this request by the belief that the superintendent's department of public instruction in this city favors the es- tablishment of a limited number of schools with modified English course of manual training; Now, Therefore : We, the undersigned, respectfully pe- tition your honorable body to establish one or more schools, or to add departments to schools already existing, with such English and manual training courses in such neighborhood 74 ANNALS OF THE or neighborhoods as are in the greatest need thereof. In connection with the petition, your petitioners beg leave to suggest that the system of wood-work known as sloyd, including mechanical and free hand drawing, be introduced into such schools, and also that said schools or departments may be open to all pupils of the district in which they may be located, whose parents shall elect to send them." During the Club year 1888 and 1889 a regular meeting on the fourth Wednesday was instituted, for presentation of such general business as may be of interest to the Club. During the year there were more than three hundred guests at the regular literary meetings, among them Harriet Hosmer, to whom the Club tendered a reception on April 11, 1889, to which about six hundred invitations were issued. April 17, 1889, Harriet Hosmer was made an honorary member of the Club. Julia Ward Howe, who was pres- ent on this occasion, was received with hearty applause. May 15, 1889, Ella Flagg Young read a paper on "What shall our Public Schools aim to accomplish?" September 24, 1889, the board voted to express approval of a plan to raise $2,500.00, for the Protective Agency, and the president was instructed to present the matter to the Club. This was done October 16, 1889, and the attention of the Club was called to the Protective Agency for Women and Children as its child, to the good work being done by the organization and to the obvious necessity for funds. November 20, 1889, the committee on program reported that the fourth Wednesday of November would be given to a consideration of the question, whether the Protective Agency should become a separate organization. At this meeting the Protective Agency submitted to the Club a full account of its work, and expressed the conviction through its treasurer, Mrs. Henrotin, that hereafter the work could be better ac- complished as an independent organization. The dissolution of the relation between The Chicago Women's Club and the Protective Agency was decided upon. As an evidence of CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 75 good will the Club made plans for two lectures by Mr. Per- cival Chubb to be given in January for the benefit of the Protective Agency. At a later date Professor Thomas Dav- idson also lectured for the benefit of the Protective Agency under the auspices of the Club. In 1890, the President announced that the Club was ad- vised to avoid any special legislation that should foster and help auxiliary societies in perpetuity. The duty of the Club was to let societies started by the Club stand upon their own feet as soon as possible. Frank B. Sanborn of Concord lectured before the Club at this time upon "The Philosophy of Philanthropy." November 5, 1890, a plea was read asking the members of the Club to assist in raising a fund for the endowment of the Maria Mitchell chair in Vassar College. The speaker paid a glowing tribute to Maria Mitchell as a scientist and a woman. Mrs. Tuley moved that the President be author- ized to appoint a committee to consider the matter and bring it before the Club. This was done, and $1,140.00 was con- tributed by the members of the Club toward the fund. The Philanthropy Committee reported as follows at the annual meeting in 1890: "At the police stations there is much to be done for a committee with a heart in the work. The questions of sewerage and ventilation are always to be kept in mind. Our members have long deplored the dis- comfort and illness occasioned by women being allowed to work out small fines at the stations, and we rejoice that their efforts in this direction have led to the abandonment of that privilege. The practice of conveying women to the House of Correction in the small omnibus with men, was unwarranted, as an omnibus for women exclusively had long ago been provided. The women are once more sent by themselves. It is officially stated that an average of twelve women are released from Joliet prison in a year, left adrift in nearly all cases. The majority of them come directly to Chicago. There is a home or at least an abiding place in the city, for re- 76 ANNALS OF THE leased male convicts, but none for women. Adequate praise cannot be given for the high order of philanthropic work es- tablished and being carried on by two of our members, Miss Addams and Miss Starr. Enough is not known by the Women's Club of what these brave women are striving to accomplish. We strenuously urge all to make it a first duty to become better acquainted with their aims and methods." The Philanthropy Department again reported in 1892: "Appropriations have been made, and an additional matron appointed, making three, who now serve a watch of eight hours each, with uniform salary of fifty dollars per month. Women and children for various reasons find temporary shel- ter within the walls of the police stations. Believing that the many sided interests of these unfortunates might best be studied by women, whose hearts were already warmly in the cause, and who could bring to the work, time and patience, as well as long experience, Maj. R. W. McClaughry, the new Superintendent of Police, called together representative women from several of the leading organizations and formed for himself an advisory board. This action was remarkable from the fact that it is the first, and only time in the history of this country, and so far as I know, of any other country, in which a board of non-franchised women has been called to consult in municipal affairs. The peculiar work of the board is 'to pass upon the qualifications of the matrons, and to exercise a supervisory control over the work.' This action was most appropriate, since it was solely through these women's organizations that police matrons were first ap- pointed. Instruction was given to this board to better the service. Mrs. Jane Logan consented to be appointed as po- lice matron, and was detailed to act as 'Agent of the Advis- ory Board/ giving her entire time days and many nights, to visiting the different stations and reporting upon the conditions and necessities." A complete investigation was made of every station in which women and children were received, including the Lar- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 77 rabee Street Station, where a matron was detailed for day duty, the Stock Yards Station, Hyde Park, Englewood, Des Plaines Street, Maxwell Street, and Harrison Street Annex. At all of these stations a room was secured for a matron, and much was done to provide better accommodations for wit- nesses, as well as for prisoners. October 10, 1888, at a meeting of the Art and Litera- ture Committee, Caroline S. Twyman read a paper out- lining practical work in the form of artistic and literary en- tertainments to be given for the working women of the city. The project was left for future consideration, and ten years later Mrs. Martha Foote Crow started the Sunday after- noon meetings for the clubs of working girls. At a meeting of the committee January 2, 1889, Julia P. Shreve pro- posed the encouragement of the study of architecture among women, with the ultimate object of establishing an architec- tural school in Chicago. Other projects suggesetd were to supplement the work of the Industrial Art Association by establishing a summer school for girls, and by supporting a school for industrial art at Norwood Park. It was further decided that the first Wednesday of each month be set aside for a business meeting, the other Wednesdays for study; it was also decided that money was necessary for the further- ance of practical work, and that a fund be raised by sub- scriptions from members of the committee and by lectures. February 6, 1889, it was voted that a letter be written, signed by the members of the Art and Literature Committee, and at least one hundred other members of the Club, asking that when the school for architecture shall be established, that women be admitted to it. From the report of Julia P. Shreve, chairman of the Art and Literature Committee, to the annual meeting, 1890, the following is quoted: "Early in the year, when there was an idea that there would be an architectural school in this city, your committee instructed the chairman to write to the president of the Architectural Sketch Club a request, 78 ANNALS OF THE that in planning the work all rights and privileges should be accorded to women. No answer was received, but I under- stand that opportunities for such study are opened to all in the architectural room in the Art Institute. Thinking, however, that it might interest all to unite in a definite ob- ject for the advance of art generally, and for the improve- ment of artistic taste, and to do it in a line that would har- monize with the spirit and intent of the Club, as well as extend its influence and power for good, we proposed to raise the money for the endowment of a scholarship at the Art Institute, securing to ourselves the power of permanently benefiting some of our sisters. Many of our members were interested in the object and voluntary subscriptions were given to the amount of five hundred dollars. The amount necessary is fifteen hundred dollars, and we do not despair of raising it, and presenting the power of endowment to the Club at a not far distant date. We have arranged with Pro- fessor Davidson to give two lectures for us at the end of April." October 8, 1890, it was voted that each member of the Art and Literature Committee be asked to give or collect $25.00 for the Art Scholarship Endowment Fund. In Jan- uary, 1891, the committee decided to give two benefit con- certs, one on the north, and one on the south side. The re- ceipts from these musicales amounted to $435.00. From a reading by Mrs. Sarah Le Moyne for the scholarship fund, $351.00 was received. On January 18, 1891, $95.00 was still lacking. Members present at this meeting made up the deficit, and thus completed the $1500.00 scholarship fund. The annual report of the Art and Literature Committee for 1891 states: "In consultation with the president and board of directors of the Art Institute of this city, it was decided that on payment of fifteen hundred dollars the Art Institute would guarantee the rights and privileges of the Art School for one student in perpetuity. Our first effort to raise the money by subscription among ourselves not being sufficient, we deemed it advisable to give some musicales to realize CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 79 our amount. These have been both socially and financially very successful : We have paid in one thousand dollars, and by courtesy of the president of the Art Institute, the deed was drawn up complete and signed, with the assurance from us to make up the balance of the payment very shortly, the deed to be left in the hands of a trustee, until we do. So that I have now the extreme gratification of presenting to you, Madam President, and to the Club as a whole, from the Committee of Art and Literature, the ownership of the Chicago Women's Club Scholarship at the Art Institute, the first of the kind in the city." At the annual meeting, March 4, 1891, a vote of thanks was tendered the Art and Literature Committee for raising a fund of $1500 to be used in founding in the name of the Club, a scholarship, which gives to the young woman having the highest rank in drawing in the high schools of the city, the advantage of a three years' course at the Art Institute free of tuition. This was changed November 27, 1912, at the request of W. M. R. French, to be awarded for one year, instead of for three years in the future. In June, 1892, it was voted that the document of the schol- arship of the Art Institute be placed with the Club valuables in the vault, where it still remains. In the memorial to Mrs. Shreve read October 14, 1890, it is stated: "She has left to the world a legacy: The Women's Club Art Scholarship in the Art Institute of Chicago, which was established mainly through her efforts." At a meeting of the Art and Literature Committee held February 24, 1891, it was suggested that the names of great women should be added to those of great men to be inscribed on the frieze of the new Public Library. It was resolved that a committee including the chairman of the Art and Lit- erature Committee confer with the Philosophy and Science Committee in investigating the matter. Byzantine Architecture was studied by the Department dur- ing the year 1899-90. In the following year the Department 80 ANNALS OF THE studied the modern ideas that are influencing the world, as ex- pressed in the leading articles of the current magazines. During the years 1889-90 the members of the Education Committee furthered the industrial art movement, which had been founded by the joint action of all the Club committees late in the fall of 1886. The expense of conducting this work in connection with the Glenwood School for Boys alone was $461.33. With the co-operation of the Association, sloyd instruction was introduced in Chicago. A sloyd depart- ment was established at the Glenwood School, and in re- sponse to a request from the National Educational Associa- tion in 1890, the time of the sloyd teacher, with models, tools and work bench was contributed to its convention. No- vember 25, 1891, the chairman of the industrial education sec- tion said that there was much cause for congratulation upon the introduction of industrial work into the public schools. October 22, 1890, Mrs. Sarah A. Sears gave a brief review of the Industrial Arts Association from the founding in 1886, under the auspices of the Club, at the annual meeting, as the ques- tion to be considered was the advisability of the continuance of the work the coming season in view of the fact of the rapid progress in the field of industrial education. In June, 1886, a joint committee from the Froebel As- sociation and the Education Committee of the Club, peti- tioned the Board of Education for permission to place a kindergarten in one of the public schools (The Brennan), at the expense of the Froebel Association. The request was granted and two half-day sessions were established in that building, one supported by private generosity, the other by the Froebel Association. In 1887, the Education Depart- ment compiled a cook book of choice recipes furnished by members of the Club; the books were sold at 50c each, the proceeds given to the support of the kindergarten. In 1888, Mrs. Remick, chairman of the Education Com- mittee, reported that the Club kindergarten was in excellent condition. It had been transferred to the Brighton School, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 81 and had fifty children under its care. "We felt called upon to do the best work of which the kindergarten is capable. We were on trial before the teachers, the public and the Board of Education; the record we made would have much weight in determining whether a permanent connection could eventually be brought about between the kindergarten and the public school system. This Club kindergarten was the first work the Club had ever engaged in as a Club, and it was the highest and best work that could be done for the lit- tle children." The agitation for placing two women on the School Board did not result in their appointment, but a tangible outgrowth of the agitation was the appointment of Liz- zie Hartney and Ella Flagg Young as assistant super- intendents, the first women to hold such positions in Chi- cago. Two duties were laid upon the Club, first the awak- ening of a public sentiment, which should compel the pro- viding of school accommodations for all children of school age; secondly, the securing of proper legislation in regard to the enforcement of the Compulsory Education Act. In 1889, at the November meeting of the Board of Di- rectors, Mrs. Sears, chairman of the Committee on Education, moved that the Club assume the support of the club kinder- garten. After thorough discussion, which seemed to indicate a strong feeling in favor of the motion, it was decided to ask the Club to vote on the question, the members of the Board properly feeling that an action so important practically an inno- vation should be decided by the Club. Permission had been ob- tained to establish a kindergarten in the Kinzie School building. At the meeting of January, 1890, Mrs. Sears moved that the Club give $450.00 toward the expenses of the Club kindergarten for the present year, and pledge itself to give something toward its support every succeeding year. The first part of this motion was carried by about two-thirds majority, the sec- ond part being laid on the table. The kindergarten sub- committee with Mrs. Tuley as chairman reported March 4, 82 ANNALS OF THE 1890, that the kindergarten in the Brighton School, corner 35th and Lincoln Streets, in a room granted by the Board of Education was being maintained by subscriptions. The value of the kindergarten was successfully demonstrated, through the efforts of those interested, and was thus help- ing to pave the way toward the future legal incorporation of the kindergarten in the public school system. On the same date Lucretia M. Heywood, chairman of the Education Committee, reports: "The free kinder- garten in one of our public schools was established as early as January, 1884. Upon one member of this Club and of the committee, Katherine E. Tuley, more than upon any or all others, has fallen the burden of planning and devising ways and means of support, looking after teachers, watching the growth in the management of the school, making it a study from first to last, supplementing from her own means very largely when from month to month no visible way of support was apparent. Of this care, this anxiety, this labor, we can never fully know." At the annual meeting in 1892, Mrs. Flower reported that the attorney for the Board of Education declared that the establishing of kindergartens was legal and that the sen- timent was becoming educated in their favor. She also re- ported that the School Children's Aid Society had clothed 320 children and had handled over $1,100.00. In the winter of 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Milton George of- fered to deed their farm at Glenwood to the Illinois Industrial School for Boys, if $40,000.00 were raised for buildings and equipment. In their first offer of this farm, a much larger sum had been required. Those interested in the work felt that this offer should be accepted, and the school provided with a perma- nent home. It seemed very difficult to interest the busi- ness men of Chicago in this charity, probably because so many charities were clamoring for aid. Mr. Dudley, sec- retary of the Board of Directors of the school, urged the pressing needs of the school, and asked different Chi- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 83 cago Women's Qub members, if the Club could not be induced to lend the influence of its name to further the raising of this money. After a few members had carefully considered the subject, it was brought before the Education Committee and immediately afterward the question was dis- cussed in all the committees of the Club. March 20, 1889, Mrs. Sears, Mrs. Remick and others spoke in behalf of the school now called Norwood Park, and an invitation was extended to the Club to send representatives t~> the school to investigate its methods, its results and consider the plans for a new building. Mrs. Marean, chairman of the Education Committee, ob- tained the permission of the board to present to the Club, on Wednesday, April 24, 1889, the question of the advisa- bility of the Club attempting to raise the forty thousand dol- lars needed to secure the magnificent gift of Mr. and Mrs. George. Before the meeting of April 24, the members of the Club and their friends were invited to visit the school at Norwood Park. A large party went out to the school. A full account of the visit of the Club to the school, and the needs and work of the school was published next morning. The object of the visit was to interest the Club members in the work of the school and to bring this charity before the public. At the Club meeting April 24, no time was spent in discussing the question as to whether the Club should under- take so large an enterprise as the raising of the forty thou- sand dollars, but the Club voted at once to raise the money, ar- i all discussion turned upon ways and means of doing it. It was voted to print and circulate the appeal for the Illinois Industrial Training School for Boys, so familiar to all Club members. At this meeting a number of men were present, among them Judge Jamieson, president of the school, and other members of the board. Mrs. Marean presented for endorsement the following appeal intended for publication in the daily papers: 84 ANNALS OF THE According to the last report of the State Board of Pub- lic Charities, Illinois is maintaining 470 children in her poor- houses, simply clothing and feeding them and keeping a roof over their heads. Not one-half of them are in schools, and they are growing up paupers and criminals. This same re- port states that the condition of the children is deplorable, and that the State of Illinois is far behind other states in her care for dependent children. Of the 200 children in our Reform School at least one-half have drifted into crime through neglect. There are from twenty-five to forty boys in the Cook County jail, some of whom are innocent. It costs the state annually more than $100 per capita to care for these children, while at the same time they receive no education, and under present conditions must inevitably be- come paupers or criminals. Such a state of affairs may well alarm thoughtful men and women. About two years ago a home for dependent children was established through pri- vate benevolence at Norwood Park. This is a move in the right direction, but the home is crippled for lack of money and suitable accommodations. This is the only non-secta- rian institution in the State of Illinois, whose governing board has complete control of the children committed to its charge. The plan is to have each boy transferred to a suit- able home as soon as he is qualified to give satisfaction in it, since it is poor policy to keep boys in institutional life longer than is necessary. That would tend to destroy their self-respect, individuality of character, and spirit of self-de- pendence. The boys are instructed in the common school branches and it is desired to have them trained in agri- cultural and mechanical pursuits as far as possible. To ac- complish this properly the institution should be provided with a farm near Chicago, where the necessary buildings and shops could be erected. Cottages should be provided that the boys may be placed in families of twenty-five or thirty, each cottage under separate supervision, but all under the care of the general superintendent. Now is the opportunity of the school. Mr. Milton George, of this city, offers to deed to it 300 acres of land in Glenwood, near Chicago, on the condition that $40,000 are raised to furnish buildings. This chance should be appre- ciated. The business men of Chicago ought to realize that for one-tenth of the actual cost of punishing crime the process of making criminals may be stayed, and join with Mr. George CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 85 in accomplishing this end. The Chicago Women's Club feels that it is only necessary to present these facts to the generous and public-spirited men and women of Chicago in order to secure the $40,000. Not only do common justice and humanity demand that these dependent children be given a chance to grow into useful citizens, but the safety of the community requires it. Let us spend more money for the prevention of crime and less for the punishment of criminals. The Women's Club asks for subscriptions. Will the citizens of Chicago respond to this urgent need, remembering that what is done must be done promptly, and that each day counts in this work? Subscriptions may be sent to Mrs. Marie C. Remick, Chicago Women's Club, Art Institute Building, or to Mr. John T. Chumasero, No. 148 Market Street, Treasurer of the institution. They will be reported from time to time through the press of the city. No pay- ments are to be made until the entire amount is subscribed. (Signed) Celia Parker Woolley, President. N. Halsted, Secretary. It was voted that subscriptions be taken up at once. This was followed by the reading of a report by the com- mittee on collections, which showed that the entire sum at this time amounted to $14,000.75. Judge Jamieson, president of the Norwood Park School Association, thanked the Club on behalf of the Association, for its generous espousal of the cause. He compared the school to a sinking ship to which the Club had come as a lifeboat. At a special meeting called for May 15, 1889, a committee of twenty-five members was appointed to raise further funds for the Norwood Park Scho.ol. Mrs. Heywood explained the work of the school, urging its needs and its value to the community. Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. Sears spoke in favor of cottages. At the meeting of the Club, January 29, 1890, Miss Hal- sted stated that the Club had not only raised the funds for a cottage, but that without its efforts none of the buildings would have been erected, and that since so much had been done by the Club, she wanted the boys to learn that women had their interests at heart, and that only through the efforts 86 ANNALS OF THE of the Chicago Women's Club, Norwood Park School had come into existence. Mrs. Remick said that $31,000.00 of the $40,000.00 had been subscribed through the Chicago Women's Club, and over $7,000.00 raised in the Club itself. On February 12, 1890, the President read a communica- tion from the secretary of the Norwood Park Boys' Indus- trial School, written in reply to a printed communication of his in the Chicago Tribune, calling attention to the unjust statement of the work of the Club in raising money for the school, which had appeared in an official appeal to the public for aid. The President was thanked for her article in the Tribune, which gave a truthful statement of the Club's ac- tion in reference to the Norwood Park School. The article was placed on the records, and reads as follows: Chicago, Feb. 6. Editor of The Tribune Will you give space for a few words relative to the official statement of the managers of the Norwood Park School, which appeared in your issue of February 2? After speaking of Mr. Mil- ton George's gift of a tract of 300 acres, on which the new buildings are to be erected, the writer says: "The money for one of the cottages was raised by the Plymouth Congre- gational Church, one by the Chicago Women's Club, and the other by Mrs. Celia W. Wallace." This is the only mention made of the relation of the Women's Club to the school, and, taken by itself, is misleading and requires a word of explana- tion. It was upon the Club's voluntary assumption of the work that the sum of $40,000 stipulated for by Mr. George for the removal of the school and erection of new buildings, was raised. The Club pledged itself by vote to raise the money, and through the faithful and in some cases arduous labors of its members, assisted, it is true, by some outside organizations, notably by Plymouth Church, fulfilled its pledge. The exact sum raised by the members of the Club, as such, was $25,973. The Club should therefore be credited, not only with a single cottage, but with the speedy and suc- cessful completion of an entire enterprise, which without the timely aid thus rendered, might even now be languishing for means to carry on the work. The Club has no desire to call undue attention to itself in this or any other matter* CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 87 and considers itself sufficiently rewarded for labors of this kind in their successful outcome. (Signed) Celia Parker Woolley, President Chicago Women's Club. On February 27, 1890, Mrs. Remick read to the Board a letter which she had prepared to present to the managing board of the Norwood Park School, asking that the Club be given twenty votes in the annual meeting in consideration of the funds furnished by it to the school. The name of the school was changed from "The Illinois Industrial School for Boys" to the "Norwood Park" and finally to the "Glenwood School." The committee later arranged for an interview with the board of the school, and made to them the following state- ment: "The Chicago Women's Club considers that it is en- titled to certificates for such amounts of money as were collected by the Club members, in the year 1889, to assist in raising the forty thousand dollars necessary to secure Mr. George's gift." The answer was that the board was unani- mously of the opinion that the Club should have control of all the unrepresented stock. The forty thousand dollars was at the time accounted for as follows: 4 cottages, $20,000.00; administration building, $12,000.00; school building, $8,000.00. The Board of Managers of the Glenwood School issued certificates covering the amount of money collected for the school by members of the Club, and willingly agreed that the Club should have control of the unrepresented stock, about $35,000.00. It was voted that the Chicago Women's Club accept the certificates tendered by the Glenwood School Board and that the power to vote the stock be vested in the president of the Club. These certificates are filed with the original report. On September 24, 1890, a communication was read from Mrs. S. A. Sears, inviting members of the Club to attend the opening of the Illinois Industrial School for Boys at Glenwood Farm, Saturday, September 27. In the secre- tary's report March 4, 1891, appears the following descrip- 88 ANNALS OF THE tion : "Since the annual meeting of last year the Board of the Boys' Industrial School at Glenwood has proposed to the Club, that in recognition of the very substantial aid given by its members, the Club should have the honor and credit of the erection of the school building rather than of the cot- tage, as at first planned. This met the approval of the board, and now a slab of Tennessee marble in the entrance hall of the beautiful school building at Glenwood is inscribed with the words, 'Erected by the Chicago Women's Club.' " In April, Mrs. Ormiston Chant, of London, lectured under the auspices of the Club, for the benefit of the Industrial School, and the proceeds were used toward furnishing the school building, and since that time individual members have con- tinued to contribute to the work. A letter was also read from Mrs. Ursula L. Harrison, gratefully acknowledging money from the Chicago Women's Club, to provide chairs for the chapel of the Glenwood School, and giving a cordial welcome to all members of the Club to visit the school at any time. January 18, 1892, Dr. Alex- ander moved that the Club authorize Dr. Stevenson to sign a petition to the Glenwood School authorities to admit boys over fourteen years of age to their school. April 9, 1890, Mrs. Flower read a letter from Charlotte Emerson Brown in regard to the convention of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, held in New York April 23 to 25, wishing to know if the Chicago Women's Club wished to confirm the action of their delegate, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, in joining the Federation the year 1 before. The cor- responding secretary was instructed to notify the secretary of the General Federation that the Club had taken formal action confirming its membership in the Federation. Dele- gates were sent to the meeting of the General Federation of Women's Clubs held in New York, and also a written report of the work of the Club. On April 19, 1890, it was voted to invite the General Federation to hold its biennial meeting in Chicago in 1892. At the meeting of the Club CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 89 May 7, 1890, two letters were read from Charlotte Emerson Brown giving a full report of the convention and thanking the Chicago Women's Club for the courtesy of the invitation to the Federation to hold its next biennial meeting in Chi- cago. At the close of the reading of the letters the Club pledged itself to the entertainment of the delegates attending the Federation. May 20, 1890, a letter from Mrs. Jennie C. Croly, secretary of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, was read by the president, in which she accepted for the Fed- eration the hospitality of the Chicago Women's Club in 1892. May 25, 1891, reporting the Federation of Women's Clubs at Orange, N. J., Mary Spalding Brown said: "Club life was declared to be a most important factor in the broadening of woman's life; 110 clubs were represented from 27 states. The next meeting to be held in Chicago, May, 1892, upon invitation of the Chicago Women's Club, is practically left in its most important matters with the women of our Club." A special meeting of the Directors was held March 30, 1892, to consider business in connection with the Biennial meeting, to occur May 11, 12 and 13. It was believed that from 500 to 1,000 women would be in attendance, and that our own quarters were entirely inadequate. Dr. Stevenson and Mrs. Woolley were duly elected to represent the Club. The recording secretary was instructed to prepare a report of the Chicago Women's Club for the Biennial. April 13, 1892, Mrs. Mary Spalding Brown was authorized to secure Central Music Hall and to arrange for a social meeting to be held on the evening of May 11, in our own rooms, and those of the Fortnightly and the Art Gallery. It was stated at the meeting of May 18, 1892, that the receipts at Central Music Hall for the evening meeting had paid the rent of the hall and left a surplus of $11.00. May 27, 1892, it was recorded that the Chicago Wom- an's Club entertained the Federation of Women's Clubs, in- vitations having been extended to that body at its first meet- ing in 1890. Delegates were here from more than 200 clubs, and from thirty states, representing 20,000 women. 90 ANNALS OF THE March 18, 1890, it was voted that a memorial be senl to President Harrison, remonstrating against the dismissal of all women employees in the Internal Revenue office in Chicago. The following is the full text of this interesting memorial, as read at the meeting of March 26: To His Excellency, the President : We, the undersigned, constituting the Chicago Women's Club, desire most respect- fully to bring to your attention an official action of one of the government officers here, which we consider so great an injustice as to entitle us to seek redress at your hands. Since the close of the Civil War, women have been em- ployed in various offices, and have done their work so well that neither political party has ever thought of denying them the right to such positions as they were qualified to fill. Given such places at first as a debt of gratitude to women who had worked faithfully in hospital wards, or whose fath- ers, husbands or brothers had given their lives for the coun- try, they have been retained because they have deserved to be retained; because the efficiency of the public service has nowhere been greater than where they were employed; and, because being equally with men breadwinners for their fami- lies, as well as tax payers, they were equally entitled to the benefits of their common country. The Hon. Christopher Mamer, recently appointed Col- lector of Internal Revenue for Chicago, immediately upon his accesssion to office, announced his intention of removing all women from that office. He has stated further that he does this as a matter of principle, believing that all places under the government belong to voters as rewards for party work. Following this policy, he has already removed three of the eight women employed in that office, and it is understood the others will soon share the same fate. Some of these women have served through two or more previous admin- istrations, and all are competent clerks, against whom no complaint has ever been made, and against whom Mr. Mamer makes no complaint. On the contrary, they have been espe- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 91 cially commended the past year by the visiting revenue agents. We are well aware that public exigencies may require the removal of any person from office, and we have no desire to interfere in any way with such necessity, nor to interpose in the interests of any individual; neither do we ask any benefit from civil service laws not applicable to the present case. Were any of these women to be replaced by other women, or places vacated by men to be filled by women, we should have nothing to say. We simply protest in the name of the women of the United States against the principle an- nounced by Mr. Mamer; namely, that women, not being of service as politicians, have no claim to consideration in the distribution of the offices of the government. We feel that the announcement of such a line of conduct will be received not only as an insult to women, but as a reflection on the policy of the present administration. Public sentiment has so fully recognized the right of women to enter all these avenues of employment that to deny it now can but be disastrous to persons or parties who do it. The late administration so fully recognized this fact that not only were women previously appointed retained, but many others were appointed. Certainly this administration cannot afford to close its eyes to the progress of the age, and exhibit a less liberal and enlightened policy than its predecessors. We are fully aware that the positions occu- pied by the women in the Internal Revenue Office do not come under the regular rules of the Civil Service, and we acknowledge fully the right of any officer to make appoint- ments in his own department within government regula- tions. But we do question the right of any government em- ployee to refuse employment to any class of citizens simply because they are not voters, or to govern his office on a prin- ciple that must receive the condemnation of all reputable people and bring odium on his party. 92 ANNALS OF THE We of the Women's Club, for these reasons, most re- spectfully urge this matter on the attention of your Excel- lency, hoping and believing that this policy is not your policy, and that you will see fit to exert an influence which will induce Mr. Mamer to follow a more enlightened course. With great respect: (Signed) Mrs. James M. Flower, Pres. Women's Club. Leila G. Bedell, M. D., First Vice President. Mrs. W. O. Carpenter, Second Vice President. Mrs. Wm. T. Brown, Recording Secretary. Mrs. Kate G. Huddleston, Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. Frederick A. Smith, Treasurer. At the meeting of April 19, 1890, Mrs. Woolley, chair- man of the committee sent to Washington by the Chicago Women's Club to present the petition to President Harrison remonstrating against the removal of women from public office, reported the particulars of her interview. The com- mittee, consisting of Mrs. Woolley, Dr. Stevenson, Mrs. O. W. Potter, Mrs. George E. Adams, and Miss Isabel T. Hamp- ton, presented the memorial to the President and appealed to him to use his influence against the dismissal, on account of sex, of women employees in public office, as had been done in the Internal Revenue office. In reply, the President committed himself to no principle, but said that he would give the matter his attention. Since returning to Chicago the committee had learned that the Collector of Internal Revenue had been asked to dismiss no more women from his office at present. It was resolved that in order to con- firm the action of the Club in presenting the petition to the President, letters be requested corroborating the informa- tion received from several sources, to the effect that the Col- lector of Internal Revenue had said that he intended to dis- charge all women from his office, that he might fill their places with voters. It was further resolved that a copy of the memorial be sent to all other women's clubs in the coun- try, thus indicating the position of the Chicago Women's Club. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 93 In the annual report of the recording secretary, March 4, 1891, the matter was reviewed as follows: One of the most important activities of the club within the year, which indeed is of a national character, is the memorial to President Harrison remonstrating- against the dismissal of women from public offices in order that their places might be filled with voters. This action was taken in March a year ago, upon the removal by the Collector of Internal Revenue, of three women from offices, which they had filled long and faithfully. The petition, standing for principle and untinged by per- sonal or political bias, was presented to the President by the committee, with the gratifying result that the collector was instructed to dismiss no more women at present. May 28, 1890, the first hour of the regular Club meeting was devoted to the discussion of introducing sewing into the public schools, short reports being given of the work as already inaugaurated in other cities. Several members ad- vocated the desirability of its being undertaken in Chicago. A permanent committee was created of two members from each Club Committee to take into consideration the advisa- bility of introducing sewing into the public schools. Mrs. Sumner Ellis was appointed chairman. It was resolved that it is the sentiment of this Club "that the method of utilizing Saturdays and the long summer vacation for the work, in- stead of making it a part of the regular course, is the wisest and most practicable." On November 4, 1891, Mrs. Flower announced that sewing was to be introduced into the public schools at the expense of the School Board, and that manual training was to be carried on in three of the grammar schools. May 21, 1890, Mrs. E. F. Galvin spoke of the needed reform of tenement houses, in the city, and asked that those who would be willing to visit tenements once a week and look after the sanitary conditions and see to the enforcement of the laws should send their names to Dr. Julia Ross Low, Mrs. Lucy L. Flower, and Mrs. Galvin, that they might be called upon as the work required. 94 ANNALS OF THE October 8, 1890, Mrs. Lucy L. Flower presented to the board the desirability of taking the County charitable insti- tutions, viz. : the County Hospital, the Insane Asylum and the Infirmary out of the hands of the politicians, and sug- gested that the Women's Club should use its influence to arouse the better sentiment of the community to the end that there should be a board of trustees having these institutions in charge, who should be appointed without regard to poli- tics for a term of years. Dr. Bedell moved that the board of directors of the Chicago Women's Club recommend that the work of the Club for the present year be an attempt to secure legislation, which shall take the public charitable institutions out of politics, and put them under the care of a properly con- stituted board. Mrs. Flower was empowered to inaugurate the work according to her best judgment. At the following business meeting, Mrs. Flower explained the work in Cook County charitable institutions, and advised that they be gov- erned by a board of trustees properly appointed. She asked that the Club endorse the action of the board, as indicated in Dr. Bedell's motion. The Club endorsed the resolution. November 26, 1890, Mrs. Flower reported that the bill had been prepared, carefully considered and revised by prominent attorneys, that the presidents of several organizations of the city had been asked to co-operate with the Women's Club and everything was to be done to press the action of the leg- islature. Mrs. Flower worked continuously in this matter and reported the progress of her work at several meetings during the year. May 25, 1891, she made the following state- ment: "The bill was fathered by the Union League Club, Personal Rights Club, Humane Society, Marquette Club, and others, and mothered by the Chicago Women's Club. It insists upon the appointment of five trustees to serve for five years, without salary, to be appointed by the judges of the Appellate Court." Mrs. Flower made remarks explana- tory of the bill and its urgent necessity, but feared there was little hope for a successful issue for two years. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 95 On March 4, 1891, it was reported that the petition for more women on the School Board, which had been circulated during the year by members of the Club and presented to the Mayor, had resulted in the appointment of one more woman to serve on the board. On May 25, five more vacancies on the School Board were reported, and three names of women were secured for presentation to the Mayor. At the close of the Club year 1890-91, it was voted that the sum of $1,000.00 be placed at the disposition of the board for the furtherance of the public work of the Club. At a January meeting of 1891, in compliance with the expressed wish of the members present, Mrs. Flower gave her ideas as to what constituted the public work of the Club; she con- sidered the true work of the Women's Club to be on broad lines, always standing for principle rather than for individ- uals, and that its money should be given for the carrying out and defense of such principles, rather than for the main- tenance or support of specific charities. The attention of the Club was called to the efforts being made to repeal the Compulsory Education Law in Illinois. As the Club had been influential in securing the passage of the bill, it resolved to take action in the matter. March 25, 1891, Miss Ada Sweet spoke on the Compulsory Education Bill as follows: "In the judgment of this committee, it is proper for the friends of compulsory education to amend the present school law, so as to remove all just and reasonable grounds of opposition to any of its provisions; but such amendments should in no way weaken or retard the thorough carrying out of the spirit and purpose of the law, viz. : The securing to every child in Illinois, whether native or foreign born, instruction in English reading and writing and the other branches commonly taught in the public schools. Your com- mittee approves of a bill for an act concerning the educa- tion of children, introduced by Senator Berry Jan. 14, 1891. Mr. Berry introduced the bill, which, with amendments, sug- gested by this club and others interested in compulsory edu- 96 ANNALS OF THE cation, became the present Compulsory School Attendance Law, and his new bill is for the purpose of amending the law upon the points which have been most criticized and opposed since July 1, 1889, when it went into force. The amendments proposed in Senator Berry's bill are in sub- stance as follows: 1. Approval of private schools by the County Superin- tendent, instead of by the Board of Education or school di- rectors. 2. Omitting study of arithmetic and geography in the English language from the prescribed school qualifications. 3. Directing truant officers to place habitual truants in the public schools where they belong, or in the school desig- nated by parents of such children. Mmes. Tuley, Sears and others followed on the same subject. It was voted "That we as a club endorse Senator Berry's bill and confer discretionary powers upon this com- mittee to act as deemed expedient; this to be construed as pertaining also to sending members to Springfield." March 25, 1891, Mrs. Tuley requested that the kinder- garten be discontinued as the yearly work of the Club, giving reasons why it should be allowed formally to withdraw. The Club granted the request of the Education Committee to organize the kindergarten upon an independent basis. April 1, 1891, Mrs. Sears read a petition to the Board of Education prepared and signed by the Education Com- mittee asking that a system of manual training be introduced into the public schools. Mrs. Sears asked that the board add its endorsement. The petition was approved and signed. February 11, 1891, Mrs. Flower was chosen to represent the Club as its delegate to the International Council of Women to be held in Washington. The program for March 25, 1891, was a "Lowell Memorial" under the direction of the Art and Literature Committee. S. Clarence Darrow, of the Sunset Club, was invited to ad- dress the Club on "Economic Relations of Men and Women." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 97 The members of the Sunset Club were guests and shared in the discussion at the meeting, which took place April 8, 1891. May 25, 1891, a committee was appointed to select and purchase periodicals to be kept in the Club rooms for the use of the members. This was the beginning of the Club's library. The program of October 7 was deferred one week because of the unveiling of the Grant Monument. A request was made October 21, 1891, for all reports of Club work or annual reports that might be in the possession of Club members. The com- mittee on records wished to recover all documents belonging to the Club. On November 4, 1891, Mrs. Flower made an appeal for the reorganization of the Associated Charities, advising that the Women's Club take the initiative in this matter. The sentiment of the Club was expressed to the effect that the time was ripe for the re-organization of the Associated Chari- ties of Chicago. November 11, 1891, Mary E. Burt, a member of the Board of Education, was made a member of the Club without the usual formality. Dr. Julia Ross Low announced a meeting at Central Music Hall, November 29, under the auspices of this Club, on behalf of a contagious disease hospital. Many prominent speakers were present to arouse public sentiment to demand this institution from the County Board. December 2, 1891, the President announced that copies of the Directory of Charitable Institutions of Chicago, com- piled by Emma Engleman, were on sale in the Club rooms. May 11, 1887, the lease for the new room in the Art In- stitute building was presented to the board. A committee was appointed to close the lease for five years, in accord- ance with the proposition formerly submitted. At the same time $1,000.00 was placed in the hands of the rooms com- mittee for furnishing the new quarters. May 20, 1890, the committee on new rooms reported several sites for building 98 ANNALS OF THE and an informal discussion followed as to whether the Club should build, and if it did, should it associate itself with other organizations of similar character. The secretary was instructed to send invitations to presidents of the Fortnightly, Athenaeum, Women's Exchange, Twentieth Century, and Amateur Musical Society for this meeting, and to ask if the societies which they represented wished to join the club in a building for their several needs. March 27, 1890, the sub- ject was fully considered by the Club. The President asked Dr. Bedell to open the discussion of the question: "Shall the Chicago Women's Club undertake the project of a new building?" Dr. Bedell spoke of the necessity of the Club providing new quarters, and offered the following resolu- tions : Whereas, It has become a self-evident fact that the Chicago Women's Club has outgrown its present quarters and that the committee on rooms has failed to find a suitable home for the club when its present lease of these rooms shall have expired. Resolved, That the time has fully come for the Club to consider the project of a new building, and to enter promptly and energetically upon the execution of such plans as it may devise to accomplish that end. Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Club that the wiser policy would be to secure the co-operation of other philanthropic, literary, musical and art associations in pro- viding suitable quarters in a good location where all, these kindred societies, working together on their various lines for the elevation of mankind, may have a new and permanent center of such a character and so carefully designed for their different needs that their very "local habitation" will lend an uplifting influence. The first resolution presented by Dr. Bedell was passed by vote of the Club, but upon the second resolution action was deferred. On May 8, 1893, Mrs. Wilmarth reported for CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 99 the committee on rooms that the fourth floor at 202 Michi- gan avenue could be had for $4,000.00 per year. Mrs. Dilke and Mrs. Chant, delegates from England to the International Council of Women in Washington, were tendered a reception by the Chicago Women's Club, and a public meeting in Central Music Hall April 18, 1888. An informal meeting of the Club was held June 27, 1888, to wel- come the Baroness Gripenberg, of Finland, Mrs. Colby, editor of the Woman's Tribune, Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker and Miss Susan B. Anthony, as guests of the Club. The words of these distinguished women were heard with at- tention and greeted with applause. The Club gave a re- ception to Harriet Hosmer Thursday evening, the llth of April, 1889. In the Club year 1888-89, a new departure was taken, when two afternoons appeared upon our regular cal- endar marked "social." The social meetings were held in ad- dition to special receptions. The Club was increased by 115. The guests numbered 341 from 80 different cities and towns. An evening social meeting was held October 29, 1890. May 20, 1891, a request was read from the social committee, that at every fourth Wednesday meeting tea should be served, and that if permitted, the committee would provide themes for conversation on current topics, social questions and music. The request was granted. December 16, 1891, the Club held an informal reception in honor of Mrs. Caroline M. Brown. November 20, 1889, Mrs. Simmons, in the name of the Committee on Philanthropy, presented to the Club a reading desk. November 19, 1892, a letter was read from Katharine Reed, presenting to the Club a medallion head of Dante, in bas-relief, by Donahue, which had belonged to her mother, Mrs. Bastin. The Secretary read a letter from Mr. J. Lowles thanking the Club for the use of their rooms to display the Dore engravings, and tendering as a gift an artist's proof of an engraving by Edwin Long. Requests for the use of the Club rooms were granted as follows: To Harvard Col- lege for entrance examinations in June, 1887; the board of 100 ANNALS OF THE the Physiological Institute for regular board meetings; the Industrial Art Association for board meetings and for its first annual meeting November 22, 1887; the Lodging House for Women in April, 1888; the Cook County Women's Suf- frage Association for a reception to Susan B. Anthony, June 19, 1888; in 1890, to the Visiting Nurses' Association; the National Collegiate Alumnae, for their annual convention 1891, and for their regular monthly meetings; for a meeting October 13, 1891, addressed by Miss Grace Dodge, Presi- dent of the Central Association of Working Girls' Clubs ; the Society of Physical Culture. At the request of Mrs. Trum- bull, the rooms were granted for a Colonial Tea and for a reading by Mrs. Sherwood for the benefit of the fund to erect a statue to the mother of Washington. The rooms were also given to the Folklore Society for two meetings in 1892. At a special meeting held April 25, 1888, an initiation fee of $10.00 upon acceptance of membership was consid- ered. January 7, 1891, the membership dues were in- creased to $10.00 and the initiation fee to $15.00. April 11, 1888, the president introduced the subject of meetings to be held on the fourth Wednesdays, expressing the thought that these might be presided over by the Different chairmen in turn. It was voted that these fourth Wednesdays be for the use of all committees for reports and for the transaction of such business as relates to the interests of the Club. The fourth Wednesday meeting afforded opportunity not only for the discussion of Club work, but also for the presentation of outside claims and interests. It was moved May 14, 1888, that Mrs. Tuley's recom- mendation, which would require the names of new candi- dates to be submitted to some committee and endorsed before their presentation to the Board, be approved. This motion was lost, although later a committee on membership was created. February 13, 1889, it was voted that no officer or member of the Board serve more than three years consecu- tively. At the annual meeting of the same year, the number CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 101 of directors from each committee was changed to three in- stead of two. March 13, 1889, the Board voted to appoint a program committee to consult with the chairmen of the various Committees, with reference to the papers of their Committees for the ensuing year, and with their aid pro- pose and present a perfected program at the April meeting of the Board. October 16, 1889, it was ordered that when a member proposes a candidate for membership, she shall be requested to name the Committee to which said candidate would like to belong; and failing to do so, the corresponding secretary shall be instructed to write and ask her to fill in the omission. In 1890, a new feature was added in the form of a bulletin board, upon which the names of candidates were posted, together with their proposers and endorsers for one month before election. On February 18, 1891, the Club was informed that the Board had authorized a different method of voting for the officers and directors at the annual meeting, by means of a printed ticket prepared by a nominating committee of seven members. March 18, 1891, an extract from the minutes of the board meeting March 18 was read, viz. : "The senti- ment of the Board is against the reconstruction of the com- mittees into workers and non-workers." After April 15, 1891, the six Committees began to keep separate records. May 6, 1891, the names of the leaders of special work and study classes carried on under the auspices of the Club were ordered printed in the new calendar. De- cember 16, 1891, a nominating committee was created, com- posed of the chairmen of the six Committees, to make a ticket in accordance with the wishes of their several committees, for the general election at the annual meeting. It was voted that chairmen report at the annual meeting the work ac- complished during the entire year. December 30, 1891, at a special meeting of the Club these three measures were adopted: 1st. That monthly reports of committee work be given to the board. 2d. The formation of a Committee 102 ANNALS OF THE on Membership. 3d. To change the name of Committee to that of Department. Mrs. J. M. Flower stated in her president's address, March 4, 1891 : "As a club we should do only that work which individuals cannot do. I would never give from the club treasury to any charity, neither would I expend club strength and union on any work which could be properly or successfuly accomplished by individual effort; such work I should characterize as committee work, to be taken up and carried on by committees in their own way, with the prestige they may derive from being a part of the club, but without encroaching on the time of the club, or asking aid from the club treasury. The greatest work of the club is educational within itself. Clara Barton as the head of the Red Cross Society, is apparently doing nothing a great part of the time, and yet she is so occupied she has no time to attend councils or to talk. How is she occupied? She is keeping that Red Cross Society in order and discipline, see- ing that each person and part is fitted to and understands its place, and able to do its proper work when required; thus keeping the whole system in perfect order that when the emergency arises, a great war, a great pestilence, or any great disaster, her society steps at once into the field, fully equipped and ready to do its required work promptly and efficiently. So with us, we are training, we are educating, we are fitting ourselves to work effectively when we see the work to be done. A president to be efficient should have at least two years on the board to become perfectly familiar with the work there, for there is much more for a president to do than merely to preside at the public meetings. The same thing is true as regards the other officers, and so I recommend that this clause in the constitution be amended so as not to interfere with the second year of any working officer." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 103 CHAPTER IV. 1892 TO 1894. As early as 1890 the Columbian Exposition became a subject of overwhelming interest, preparations for this great event having begun to occupy the Chicago Women's Club. At the first meeting of 1890-91, Isabella Beecher Hooker gave inter- esting suggestions as to women's work for the World's Fair. On November 12, 1890, it was voted that the lady members of the World's Fair Commission about to visit Chicago, be in- vited to attend the literary meetings of the Club as guests. At a social meeting held in the rooms of the Fortnightly Club, April 29, 1891, Mrs. Harvey, President of the Chicago Women's Club introduced Mrs. Potter Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Managers of the Columbian Exposition, who gave an interesting address in regard to women's work for the Exposi- tion. Mr. C. C. Bonney followed with an outline of the work of the World's Congress Auxiliary, emphasizing its beneficial and broadening influence upon the whole nation. June 17, 1891, Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, representing a committee appointed by Mr. Bonney, discussed municipal order as it pertained to Chicago during the period of the World's Fair. The aim of this committee was to enlist and interest the co-operation of all householders and citizens in securing and preserving cleanliness, order and the physical well-being of our city during the Fair. The committee asked for the sympathy and interest of the Club as well as suggestions for the working plans. At the social meeting of the Club, held May 25, Mrs. Phillips, President of the Illinois Women's State Board, gave a short address; Mrs. George Dunlap and Colonel Francis W. Parker spoke in the interest of the Children's Building. On October 26, 1892, a meeting was held to consider the manner of how the Club should be represented at the Fair. Among the suggestions made by the several departments were the following: Securing room either in the Woman's Building, 104 ANNALS OF THE or the Illinois State Building, which should be headquarters for the Club during the Fair, some member to be always in attend- ance, wearing a badge in order to be easily identified by visitors ; an exhibit in the Woman's Building to be arranged by the Physical Culture and Correct Dress Society; putting before the public the Club plan of organization, and courses of study with lists of books of reference; to be hostess to the clubs of the world; to use the Club rooms to extend hospitality. It was voted: that the representation of the Women's Club during the World's Fair be in the way of hospitality, the Club acting as hostess to members of other clubs visiting the city, and that such other material exhibit be made as shall seem suitable to the Board of Directors or to the committee having charge. The President, Dr. Stevenson, said that the Club did not make much of a material exhibit, except through such offshoots as the Physical Culture and Correct Dress Society, but that there would be many inquiries from foreigners in regard to Ameri- can club work. She referred to her experience in Philadelphia, in 1876. She doubted whether people realized how great is the activity of women in the work of the world. At subsequent meetings the details of representation at the Fair were per- fected. It was arranged that the Club have a guest book, sig- natures to be inscribed at the invitation of the social committee. June 7, 1893, after some discussion, it was voted that the Women's Club hold itself in readiness to entertain guests, such entertainment to be left to the discretion of President and Sec- retaries, sustained by endorsement of the Board of Directors. It was voted that the chairmen of departments be on the Presi- dent's World's Fair Committee, and that the Club rooms be kept open during the entire Fair. On June 17, 1893, it was voted that the President be at the Club rooms on Wednes- days during the summer from 4 to 6 P. M. for the entertainment of Club members and guests from abroad, a simple tea to be served. During the summer and autumn of 1893 a series of after- noon teas was inaugurated, which proved most helpful in CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 105 developing the social qualities of the Club, and providing a halting place for the many strangers who came to us during the World's Fair. These proved to be wonderful mediums for the interchange of thought and plans. A historical sketch of the Club, which had been prepared by Celia Parker Woolley for the General Federation exhibit in 1892, was amplified, and the pictures of the ten Club presi- dents added. The calendar for the current year, and a com- plete list of the 517 members were included. This book was distributed from the booth of the Women's Club at the World's Fair. Many members of the Club were in regular attendance at the booth, the departments taking charge in turn. A meeting of the Club was held November 30, 1892, in charge of the Philosophy and Science Department, the subject being "Sunday closing of the World's Fair." The following resolutions were read: Whereas: The World's Columbian Exposition is intended to illustrate the world's achievements in the arts, industries and civilization, together with many of nature's rarest and most wonderful productions, and is enlightening, and therefore moral in its effect; and no day can be desecrated by the en- joyment of its opportunities and advantages. To close the gates of the exposition on Sundays would be to restrict the opportunity for its enjoyment of those who have few advantages in life at the best, and would add to the cost of admission for them the price of a day's wages: If we would call it a World's Exposition and claim for it universality in scope and effect, we must be cosmopolitan and not provincial in its administration. Therefore: Be it resolved by the Chicago Women's Club, in general meeting, that Congress be asked to repeal the pro- vision of the Souvenir Appropriation Bill, passed at the last session of Congress, which requires that the Exposition be closed on Sundays. The resolutions were carefully considered. Among the arguments brought forward by the members, were the follow- 106 ANNALS OF THE ing: The same arguments were used by opponents to the Sun- day opening of the Fair, that had been used by those who were opposed to the Sunday opening of the Art Institute and the city parks. A member favored the resolution because she be- longed to the working class and Sunday was the only day on which she could attend the Fair. The resolution appealed to common sense and justice, as the closing of the Fair on Sun- day would be an unjust discrimination against classes who cannot afford to take week days for visits to the Fair. Open wide the doors on Sunday and a purer, better civilization will result. A member of the State Board of Indiana said her state was the first whose committee voted to keep the Fair open on Sunday. They were immediately besieged by letters from all parts of the state begging them to vote against open Sunday, but when the vote was taken, the committee was in favor of an open Sunday. One member objected to the Fair being open on Sunday in the same way as throughout the week; there should be certain restrictions. She gave Mrs. Tuley's definition of religion, viz.: Religion is love of, ad- miration for and desire to reach the noblest ideal possible to conceive. Under restrictions the masses could go to the Fair, and get great good. Another spoke in favor of the resolu- tions. Two or three questions should be borne in mind: The good order of the city; that many mothers will have little op- portunity for enjoying the Fair except on Sundays, when they have the help of the fathers with the children. Many would come from a distance who can afford to spend but one week and we have no right to take one-seventh of their time. Mrs. Henrotin said her audiences were all at first in favor of Sun- day closing, but she found now a change of sentiment. We can make a record of Sunday as a day of rest, not a Conti- nental nor a Puritan Sunday. We were to have great preaching services, great choral services. The foreigners who were pres- ent at the dedicatory exercises admitted that the buildings were grand, but the orderly, quiet throngs were what most impressed CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 107 them. A standing vote was taken, and a large majority was in favor of the resolution. December 7, 1892, at a special meeting of the Board of Directors the President referred to numerous letters received by her, endorsing the action of the Club. One director said there was a minority in the club, opposed to the resolution, who based their opposition on the plea that the question was a religious one, and religion, politics and suffrage are barred. The President reminded her that an open meeting had been held, and the minority had not expressed itself. A special meeting of the Board of Directors was held January 4, 1893, to consider the advisability of sending delegates to Washington to support the Sunday opening of the World's Fair, at the pub- lic hearing, to be given January 10. Two delegates were sent and on January 18, 1893, Mrs. Boyeson told of the gratifying reception accorded to them, and of the work accomplished. January 25, 1893, Miss Halsted moved that a committee be formed to consider the protection of innocent girls during the Fair. The President appointed Miss Halsted chairman of this committee, who requested that the chairmen of the Re- form and Philanthropy Departments be made members. Mrs. Harvey of the Protective Agency for Women and Children was also added. March 15, 1893, the committee for the protec- tion of women and girls during the Fair recommended that the Club elect a delegate from each department and work through the Protective Agency, and that such delegates con- stitute a committee in the Protective Agency for this special work and report regularly to the Club. March 28, 1894, Mrs. Isabelle P. Taylor presented a re- port of the special committee from the Club to the Protective Agency on World's Fair work in 1893. She reported that 30,000 copies of warning letters were sent out presenting the dangers to which unprotected girls might be exposed during the term of the Fair. The committee suggested that one or more representatives be sent to the Protective Agency to stand for 108 ANNALS OF THE the protection of young girls, and if it seems advisable, to co- operate with the Society for Social Purity. The Club continued the work through the Protective Agency. April 26, 1893, the coming of the Liberty Bell to our city was announced to the Club. A committee was appointed to co-operate in plans for its reception. As chairman of the committee, the President stated that the committee decided to have an original flag of the thirteen states, with Chicago Wom- en's Club printed on it, which should be kept as a memento. It proved to be the only flag on the Liberty Bell car. The flag was placed in the Club booth in the Woman's Building at the World's Fair. May 18, 1893, the Club gave a reception to the Congress of Representative Women in the banquet room of the Audi- torium. June 28, 1893, the president called the board to con- sider entertainment of the approaching Congresses, which would convene at the Art Palace during July and August. She wished to contradict the impression that the Women's Club was solely committed to practical work to the exclusion of literature and education. A letter was read from Mrs. Henrotin suggesting that the Club extend courtesies to the Literary Congress. It was voted to entertain the Literary Congress at the Club Wednesday, July 12. It was stated that Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Henrotin desired the Women's Club to take charge of the Lit- erary Congress in the matters of general oversight and the pro- vision of ushers. The Art and Literature Department was instructed to do all in its power to promote the interests of the Literary Congress. Mrs. Wilkinson referred to the Con- gress on Household Economics, which convened at the Art Palace, Monday, October 18, for a ten-day session, requesting the attendance of the members. October 4, 1893, Miss Sophie Friedland, of St. Petersburg, Russia, addressed the Club. The Club extended hospitality dur- ing the entire Exposition, to individuals, as well as to organiza- tions, and was represented on committees of exhibits as well as congresses, and on the official staff of the management. 109 During the Club year, 1893-94, the Home Department dis- cussed at eight regular meetings the different features of the Columbian Exposition as follows: The exhibit of education, ethnology, inventions and patents of women, architecture, needle work, floriculture, sanitation, painting. The following sketch of the Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress was written by Mrs. Agnes A. Holmes upon request of the history committee: The "Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress" was organized May 14, 1888, by a group of Chi- cago women, at a lecture by Anna Jenness Miller on reform in dress. It was immediately adopted as part of the Home Com- mittee of the Chicago Women's Club. It soon had a member- ship of over three hundred, numbering among the more active members Mmes. Frances M. Steele, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Mary H. Wilmarth, Emily N. Nolan, Kate H. Watson, M. E. Keen, Laura B. Kett, Carl Dreier, Annie W. Johnson, Emma Parker and Agnes Holmes. Its object was mutual help in learning the highest standards of physical development, and mutual counsel towards realizing those standards in prac- tical life. It aimed to give countenance to all serious efforts to clothe the newly acquired ideal proportions in such a manner as should secure healthful freedom, graceful expres- sion, harmonious color and fitness to condition and person- ality. The rapid changes of fashions are in the interest of com- merce. Women are restless and dissatisfied and always crying out for a change and the delirium goes on until, in the course of twenty years, a woman assumes every shape under heaven except her own. How directly opposed is this spirit to the true spirit of art art, which is founded in truth and practiced in sincerity, whose office is to hold up the ideal. A set of rules was formulated by which to determine the artistic value of gowns on a study of the ideal proportions of ancient sculpture, the Venus di Milo being the inspiration for the efforts of the members of this society. Consequently the members could not conform to the fashions, and so encountered 110 ANNALS OF THE much ridicule and suffered quite a little martyrdom, but most cheerfully, having all the fervor of a new cause. Many of the reforms in dress they stood for, have become the fashions of later days, the short skirt, heavy foot-wear, high and larger waist line, less and less corset and less and less petticoats. The society gave an exhibition in the Woman's Building at the Chi- cago World's Fair. The large room was lined with copies of world famous pictures, representing women ideally clothed over ideal bodies. The gowns exhibited were fitted to the proportions of the Venus de'Medici. The propaganda literature was circulated, lectures on "Artistic Dress," "Fashion's Slaves," "The Unreason- ableness of Modern Dress," "The Corset," "The Influence of Dress in Producing the Physical Decadence of Women" given by members, doctors and guests of the society among whom were Harriet Hosmer and Walter Crane. Thousands of women vis- ited this exhibit and expressed great interest and gratitude at the promise of some release from the bondage of fashions. Harriet Hosmer and Mrs. French Sheldon spoke at a reception May 14, 1893, emphasizing the principles of correct dress. A book was written by two members, Frances M. Steele and Elizabeth L. S. Adams, called "Beauty of Form and Grace of Vesture," a guide to an intelligent understanding of the ideals and motives of the society. The organization disbanded in 1896, as the membership slowly fell off, the difficulties of finding dressmakers who grasped the point of view being great, and many feeling it wiser to con- form to the prevailing fashions as much as possible, with the keeping of health and comfort in view for which the members, though scattered, still stand. The artistic ideal was more or less abandoned by most of the members. To be conspicuous was felt to be too high a price to pay. It was a unique movement, appearing at the same time in Germany to such an extent that patterns of the gowns can still be obtained in many German cities; also in England among the Pre-Raphaelites, the English being more like the Chicago Society, feeling after the ideal rather CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 111 than the utilitarian. Walter Crane and Mrs. Crane, guests of the society, on seeing the efforts at an ideal of artistic dress among the members, said that our movement had surpassed theirs in beauty, dignity of design, as well as in the use of textiles and colors. In many ways the work of this society has not been lost. Here and there among Chicago women, may occasionally, even now, be seen a gown that expresses the vision and ideality of the wearer. This group of "dress reformers," many of them members of the Chicago Women's Club, are glad to have had a small office among the activities of the Home Department. Mrs. Caroline S. Twyman writes January 9, 1911 : "Perhaps one of the most interesting events I can recall is the choosing of the design for our Club pin. It was in the year 1893, and during Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson's presidency, that at a regular meeting of the Club, Dr. Bedell moved that a committee be ap- pointed to secure designs for a club pin, or badge; she said it was most important that action should be taken at once for this purpose, because of the World's Fair, which was then about to open. Mrs. H. M. Wilmarth and I were appointed a committee. We therefore called on all the leading jewelers of the city, and asked them to submit designs; upon receiving them I showed Mr. Twyman the collection and he offered to make a design also, upon the condition that all should be submitted to the Club with no names affixed, so that the choice might be perfectly im- partial. At a meeting held in Recital Hall, Dr. Stevenson asked for a report of the committee's Club pin designs, when Mr. T\yyman's was chosen, and the committee instructed to order the pins made at once. During the year 1893, nearly every mem- ber of the Club wrote to the committee for a pin, which was promptly delivered. I now have the original drawing, and on my return to Chicago, I intend to have it framed and present it to the Club." The chairman of the Reform Department made the following statement to the Club at its annual meeting May, 1893 : "We could hardly ask assistance in department work of cer- tain members, so onerous have been their duties at the Exposi- 112 ANNALS OF THE tion. Among these Mrs. Potter Palmer, president of the Board of Lady Managers of the Columbian Exposition ; Mrs. Charles Hen- rotin, president of the Women's Auxiliary Congress of the Co- lumbian Exposition ; Mrs. L. B. Shattuck, one of the Lady Com- missioners of the World's Fair; Mrs. Frank Gilbert, one of the Illinois Board of Lady Commissioners; Mrs. George Dunlap, projector and manager of the Children's Building of the Colum- bian Exposition, and other members hold important positions on the Congress committees. Among others who have had en- grossing political duties were: Miss Frances Willard, president of the World's W. C. T. U. ; Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, presi- dent of Chicago Woman's Club, and Mrs. James M. Flower, of the Board of Education." Each department in turn might tell the same tale of members, who, in addition to the activities of the Exposition, still continued their Club duties. The regular program was occupied with subjects of great moment; study classes continued their activities, and special committees devoted themselves to the arduous tasks in civic work. The Exposition brought many noted people to the city, to whom the Club extended a welcome. The social meeting on March 30, 1892, was a reception in honor of Dr. Stevenson. Tuesday, April 19, 1892, the Club gave a reception to Hamilton W. Mabie, to which many guests were invited, among them the clergymen and editors of the city, the Literary Club and the Fortnightly. Among other guests of the Club during 1893, were the following women: Harriet Hosmer, Madame Modjeska, Julia Marlowe, Maud Ballington Booth, Susan B. Anthony, Julia Ward Howe, Baroness Gripenberg, Lady Somerset, Mrs. Dilke, Mrs. Ormiston-Chant. April 6, Mrs. Sarah V. Le Moyne gave a reading under the auspices of the Art and Literature Depart- ment, Mme. Chatterton furnishing the music. The proceeds were given toward completing the fund for the Art Institute scholar- ship. Modern art was announced as the study for the year, in preparation for the World's Fair. Ellen Martin Henrotin, vice-president of the Woman's Branch of the Congress Auxiliary, contributes the following sketch of the Congress Auxiliary of the Columbian Exposition: CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 113 "The Congress Auxiliary was authorized by the Board of Di- rectors of the Exposition, but was independent in its government. It was organized to carry on a series of world conferences, which the Board of Directors felt was too great an undertaking for it to attempt. The directors of the Exposition provided for halls in which to hold the congresses by paying $250,000.00 toward the building of the Art Institute on the Lake Front. This build- ing contained two large and thirty-two smaller halls, six com- mittee rooms and offices; the board also appropriated a fund to pay the president's salary, those of the president's and vice-presi- dent's secretaries, and also for printing. Mr. C. C. Borniey was president of the auxiliary, and had the appointing of all com- mittees. Mrs. James M. Flower, Mrs. Charles Henrotin and Mrs. H. M. Wilmarth addressed a letter to Mrs. Potter Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Managers, requesting her to hold a series of congresses in connection with her Board. Mrs. Palmer could not find the authority requisite in the law passed by the Congress of the United States which created the Board of Lady Managers to organize such a department, and recom- mended that application be made to the Board of Directors to appoint a committee of women to act in conjunction with the committee of men of the Congress Auxiliary. This was done and the Woman's Branch of the Auxiliary was named: Mrs. Potter Palmer, as President of the Board of Lady Managers, was President of the Woman's Branch, and Mrs. Charles Hen- rotin was Vice-President. Committees of women for the organ- ization were appointed for every department in which women would be supposed to desire representation. Joint committees of men and women were not appointed, but both often held joint meetings for conference, and as the congresses progressed many agreed to act as one: as in medicine and surgery, moral and so- cial reform, literature, education, etc. The total number of con- gresses held from May 15, 1893, to November 1 of the same year were 210, total number of sessions, 1,245. For almost every congress the Vice President found a chairman from the local committee on which about 500 women served. This was 114 ANNALS OF THE very remarkable to find in one group, women capable of repre- senting such varied interests. Advisory councils of foreign women were elected, over 300 Europeans accepted, and similar counsels were appointed in America, 983 accepted. These figures do not include the large number on committees of the Congress of Representative Women. The number of members of the Chi- cago Woman's Club, members of committees, was about 400, while a surprising number were chairmen of committees, as fol- lows: Medicine and Surgery Congress, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith. Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, Dr. Marie E. Reasner; Temper- ance Congress, Mrs. Matilda B. Carse; Moral and Social Re- form Congress, Mrs. James M. Flower; Educational Congress, Mrs. Henry M. Wilmarth; Higher Education, Mrs. William V. Moody; Science and Philosophy, Mrs. Caroline M. Sherman: Social Settlements, Miss Jane Addams; Household Economics, Mrs. John Wilkinson; Philology and Archaeology, Mrs. Eliza- beth Armstrong Reed; Manual and Art Education, Miss Ellen Gates Starr; International League of Collegiate Alumnae, Mrs. Martha Foote Crow ; Congress on Government, Mrs. Myra Bradwell, Mrs. Bessie Bradwell Helmer; Suffrage, Mrs. Eliza- beth Boynton Harbert; Psychic Science, Mrs. Mary E. Bundy; Stenography, Mrs. George Bass; Labor, Mrs. Charles Henrotin. Denominational Congresses in Congress of Religions: Jew- ish, Mrs. Henry Solomon; Catholic, Mrs. Daniel Gallery; Swe- denborg, Miss Marianne E. Scammon; Unitarian, Mrs. Marian N. Perkins. In so brief a record of the part taken in these meetings the list of speakers is too long to be cited; there was scarcely one in which a member of the Club did not present a paper. The reception committee was on duty from the beginning to the end. The Club entertained every congress in the series, and for several gave most elaborate and beautiful entertainments, notably the one given to the members of the Congress of Repre- sentative Women. Mrs. Flower's organization of her Con- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 115 gress in which the committee of men acted with her, was practically adoptetd by all succeeding . chairmen; her ar- rangements for the comfort of the delegates was complete. Mrs. Flower appointed members of her committee to meet all strangers and direct them to the halls where were held the general Congress or the informal conferences they desired to attend. It was difficult to find one's way where several meet- ings were in session and the courtesy of the committee members was commented on all over the country, and it was usually added: 'They were nearly all Club members.' It is impossible to form a conception of the amount of effort necessary to start the organization, a very heavy share of the burden fell to the Club members. In truth the success of the Auxiliary was largely due to the exertions of the Chicago Women's Club, and the co- operation of all the city clubs, the beautiful receptions given to the delegates, all was owing in a large measure to the spirit of co- operation evinced by the clubs. As to the permanent effect of so much endeavor, several associations, councils and innumer- able clubs were organized; without doubt The National Council of Jewish Women was the most successful. It practically took on an international character, and is now, thanks to the executive ability of the chairman, afterwards President, a power for good, not alone in America, but all over the known world. Mrs. Solomon labored from the inception of the Woman's Branch to make her congress a permanent association. The Catholic Woman's League was also organized at this time, a large and flourishing organization at present. The International Lutheran Woman's League has been very quietly a success. The National Economic Household Association became scattered as its branches adopted various names. During the Congress of Representa- tive Women the National Council of Women was organized. The Vice-President is eager to take this opportunity to express her gratitude to all the chairmen of the men's com- mittees, who constantly offered their services. Mrs. Palmer, the President of the Woman's Branch, in spite of her onerous 116 ANNALS OF THE duties, was always ready to advise and to assist in lifting lions from the path. One thing alone remains to be said, and that is to bear witness to the devotion and zeal of the chairmen of the Woman's Branch, who united in making out and carry- ing forward the programmes. As I recall them one by one, members of the Chicago Woman's Club and sister clubs, their generous co-operation has deeply affected me. The memory of the hours we have passed together will be the most brilliant and soul-satisfying of my eventful life. No one can realize, except passing through a similar experience, the limitations of any one person's work or of a plan, but the loyalty of the women associated in this work made it the splendid success it was. The Con- gresses of 1892 helped in the preparation of women to face the many complex social problems in which they now bear a large part. The attendance of women at such public meetings and their participation in the deliberations, gave them the needed executive ability and courage to face difficult questions, a cour- age which nothing but wisdom can justify and which can be made available only by those of experience and broad sym- pathies." Oct. 11, 1893, Miss Kate Field presented plans for the es- tablishment of labor bureaus which would avert the congestion of unemployed in large cities, such offices to be first under the direction of the city, then of the state, and later on possibly becoming national. She hoped the Chicago Women's Club would take the initiative in this matter. At the close of the paper, the President suggested that perhaps this Club could work through established organizations and institute a Bureau for the Unemployed. On October 25, 1893, Mrs. Mary Mc- Callum of London, actively interested in the Charity Organiza- tion Society of London, read a paper upon the "English Poor Law Its Intention and Results." Dec. 13, 1893, at the meeting of the Board, Mrs. Henrotin eloquently appealed to the Women's Club to take the initiative in caring for the destitute women and children. The President Dr. Stevenson, read a personal letter from Mrs." Potter Palmer CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 117 enclosing a check for $1,000.00, which she desired used for the present need. It was decided that Mrs. Palmer be made honorary president of any relief organization which might be formed in the present emergency. The matter of relief was left in the hands of a committee with the President as chairman, and the first director of departments, with power to add to and elect their own officers. Room 29 of the Athenaeum Building was immediately thrown open, sewing machines placed there and the work of making up material furnished by the School Children's Aid Society into clothing for needy school children, in connection with the School Children's Aid Society, was given to poor women in need of it, at 75 cents per day. The room upon trial proved too small and too dark, and another large, light and airy room was secured at a nominal rental in the New Era Building, corner of Blue Island avenue and Halsted street, which might be retained as long as the necessity for the work existed and the funds held out. Fifty women applied on December 19, and were at once set to work making warm dresses, skirts and aprons. The School Children's Aid Society furnished shoes, stockings, etc. It was considered best to reduce the wages to 50 cents per day, and to serve to the working women daily lunches for the Hull House Cafe at an additional cost of 10 cents each. Dr. Stevenson spoke hopefully of the future good of this attempt at united charity organization, from which permanent good should come. She drew attention to the meeting to be held December 27th, at room 29 Athenaeum Building, where, besides the members of the Women's Club, representatives from other clubs were expected. The object of this meeting was to dis- cuss the best manner of procedure in the work and to increase the interest in co-operation. She further stated that while the Women's Club Emergency Association was to act through existing organizations and at present most directly through the School Children's Aid Society, it was not to antagonize the methods of the Central Relief Association. 118 ANNALS OF THE Delegates from co-operating organizations in the work of relief were invited to attend the Club meeting held Wednesday, December 27, 1893, in behalf of the unemployed and destitute; the subject of discussion was "The Condition of the Unem- ployed of this City Causes and Remedies." The following resolutions were read and unanimously adopted : Whereas, There are many girls and young women out of employment who formerly filled positions as clerks in retail dry goods and department stores, and as many of these girls and women have no means of support, and no training or edu- cation to prepare them for other branches of industry which, but for the present financial and industrial depression, might be open to them, therefore, be it Resolved, That we, representing the women's charitable clubs or societies of Chicago, hereby express our sympathy with our sisters and our desire and determination to help them in their distress and need. Furthermore, be it Resolved, That we, as a body, beg employers to retain in their stores and make room for as many women and girls as they possibly can, thus lessening the number of needy unem- ployed who must be cared for and looked after this winter. And it is further Resolved, That a special committee of seven be ap- pointed at this meeting to work for the best interests of this great class of women and girls and that the public press be asked to publish these resolutions and the names of the com- mittee appointed to take charge of this special work and the office of said committee at present, Room 29, Athenaeum Building. It was reported that seventy women were employed in the work room in the New Era Building. December 27, the chair- man of the Philanthropy Department reported that twelve mem- bers had pledged themselves to visit 104 families of unemployed men who had registered at the lake front or at the city hall. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 119 An urgent appeal was made for more persons to visit police stations, especially those containing women and children. On the same date the corresponding secretary announced an entertainment to be given January 26, 1894, at Hooley's Theatre, for the benefit of the School Children's Aid Society. March 21, 1894, the Board held a special meeting to con- sider making an appropriation of $500.00 from the Club Treas- ury to the Emergency Fund. The Treasurer of the Emergency Association came before the Board and stated that recent sub- scriptions having been received sufficient to meet the necessity, an appropriation from the Club would not be needed. Jan. 10, 1894, Dr. Stevenson reported on behalf of the Re- lief Committee that funds were being received and work pro- gressing satisfactorily; that Miss Sweet had been appointed chairman of a committee to look after the Retail Clerks' As- sociation. She also reported that nearly all women's clubs in Chicago and suburbs were participating in the good work. The gravest question which presented itself was how to relieve per- sons in their homes, burdened with mortgages on their furni- ture and behind in rent, and possibly sick besides. She also reported that there was a prospect of two new work rooms being opened, one on the south and one on the north side. Mrs. Flower stated that she came in behalf of Mr. H. J. Furber, who offered the use of Hooley's Theatre to the Women's Club one afternoon for the benefit of the Emergency Fund. It was pro- posed to invite the women who are doing such faithful work to meet and discuss plans. Mrs. Abbott, Chairman of the Women's Club Emergency Association, reported February 21, 1894, that $600.00 had been donated to the fund and that much visiting of destitute families had been accomplished. Thirty members of the Club were in attendance at the work room at 560 Wabash avenue. An abundance of work was on hand which had been sent in by hospitals and other institutions. Eighty women were at work at the Unity Industrial School at 80 Elm street, at an expense of $250.00 per week. The necessity was urged that frequent 120 ANNALS OF THE reports be sent to the Central Relief Association of the work being done by the Emergency Association. March 4, Mrs. Abbott reported that the work room at the New Era Building would be closed on the 24th of the month, but that the women workers would not be dropped, and a Registration Bureau was being considered. The Reform Department reported that the Association had raised and distributed one thousand dollars for the immediate necessities of the women employed. The Chairman of the in- vestigating committee was Mrs. Charles Henrotin, succeeded by Mrs. Edwin H. Keen, who was herself responsible for the in- vestigation of nearly two thousand names of women employed. These were all reported to the Central Relief Office and were on file in the rooms of the Club. Mrs. H. W. Harwood con- ducted the mending bureau in the Humane Society rooms. Mrs. Nixon, in charge of the Emergency Branch, 180 Elm street, reported 80 women at work; wages were paid from the Emer- gency Fund; other expenses were defrayed by the ladies in charge. The Home Department shows the following report for this period: Early in the winter when the work of the Women's Club Emergency Association was undertaken, the Department assumed its part and members had charge of the New Era rooms the weeks beginning December 28 and February 8. By the gift of one hundred and fifty dollars from one member of the Home Department, it was made possible to open the sewing rooms at 197 Oakwood Boulevard, which were under the direct supervision of the Friendly Aid Society. These rooms we kept filled with sewing women for fifty-seven days, during which thirteen hundred and forty-four articles were completed. Gifts of pieces of cloth were made repeatedly by members and $311 in money were contributed to the cause. While the Women's Club Emergency Association was at work, Mrs. Wilkinson kept a desk in Room 29, and all applicants for domestic situations were sent to her or her representa- tive, 128 cases being cared for. It is noticeable that since the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 121 opening of the Emergency Bureau the number of cases of desti- tution reported has been much less. Mrs. John Wilkinson gave notice of a piano recital by Prof. Boscovitz, at Recital Hall, Wednesday, January 31, at 11 a. m., for the benefit of the Women's Club Emergency Association, proceeds to be used to teach unemployed women to cook. The Philosophy and Science Department paused in the midst of a psychology course to appoint its quota of women to serve in the work at the New Era Building. One of the members of this Department was superintendent at the desk of the House- hold Economic Association, where 992 names were enrolled of women seeking work, 158 of which were provided for. At a meeting under the auspices of the Department, the discussion of the subject brought the seriousness of the city situation be- fore the Club, and resulted in establishing the Emergency Bureau. Feb. 9, 1894, the chairman of the Art and Literature De- partment spoke of the admirable work of the Department mem- bers at the emergency work rooms. All departments bore their share of the work, and their records abound in items which show the activity and interest of the members in every detail of the emergency work. To the Education Department belongs the honor of being the first department called into active service at the beginning of the emergency work; to those women who gave their en- tire time to the work until its close, we owe a debt of gratitude. The School Children's Aid with its great demand for children's clothing made a place immediately for the quantities of work done by the women. The necessity was urged of keeping the work rooms at the New Era Building open and resulted in the contribution by members and others of $555.00. Agnes Newell Metcalf, Treasurer of the Emergency Bu- reau, gives the following items concerning the work: "Nearly twenty thousand dollars was received and dis- tributed, subscriptions varying from 25 cents to $1,000.00, and from all parts of the country. The work was kept up from November 1, 1893, to April 1, 1894. In order to avoid interfer- 122 ANNALS OF THE ing with established manufacturers the work supplied by the Association was such as could not at that time be found in shops. Much hospital sewing was done; aprons, comforters, etc., made. Mrs. Libby furnished all the cotton and woolen yarn the older women could use in knitting. Besides the pro- viding of work much help was given by way of visiting extreme cases brought to the attention of the committee formed for that purpose. Three hundred women were in attendance for some weeks ; when the room closed there were fifty women who said they could find other work." The following account of the practical workings of the Emergency Bureau is contributed by Mrs. M. J. R. Tyler, who was in constant attendance at the work rooms: "Our greatest need from the start was for work, and not money., as is usually the case ; money poured in from all quarters. Through Jane Addams a substantial lunch for 10 cents was served these women in the gymnasium at Hull House. The greatest difficulty confronting us now was the lack of quarters in which to house these women at night. They were paid 50 cents per day, and after their three meals were paid for there was little left for lodging. A committee was appointed with Mrs. M. J. R. Tyler as Chairman, and soon a new apartment building in Polk street, near Halsted street, was opened; plainly and neatly furnished rooms, with compulsory bathing and a clean night dress per night, were provided for ten cents per night. The women enjoyed a degree of comfort hitherto unknown to most of them. As each day wore on we had a wider sense of our opportunities and fuller comprehension of our duties to these women. Soon a number of persons were asking us to find help for them among our beneficiaries; many of these women were foreigners who could not understand one word of our language, this rendered an interpreter an absolute neces- sity. She gave many hours each day to investigating the cases, and to Miss Wilson of Hull House should go much of the credit for our success in succoring those in absolute need. Even when we were able to procure work without competing with CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 123 employed labor, we found that our transient beneficiaries, as a rule, were not good seamstresses and did not stay with us long enough to be taught. We feel sure that the awakening we re- ceived during that memorable winter of want was really a period of preparation for the fine work that has been done along philanthropic and civic lines since by women." At the Club meeting of April 24, 1895, there was a pres- entation of the needs of the Model Lodging House by Dr. Stevenson. The Lodging House was an outgrowth of the emer- gency work of 1893-94, the funds left from that work being placed at its disposal. "In a city of 2,000,000 there must be many women above the poorhouse and the police station oc- cupant, who find themselves temporarily stranded. It is for this class the Model Lodging House, 253 Ewing street, was founded." The same club of women who united for the emergency work of 1893-94 were represented in the organization of the Lodging House. Permission was given to Mrs. George W. Higginson to exhibit in the ante-room of the Club, a piece of tapestry embroidered by her, the proceeds to go to the Model Lodging House. Sixteen years later Mrs. Louise D. Sherman writes of the work of that winter: "Many thousands of dollars were given without solicitation to be paid in wages. It was a wonderful work. The great point is that the Woman's Club, with its splendid organization, could take up such a work immediately and without fuss or friction carry it on to such a glorious ful- fillment. Each department in turn assumed responsibility, every- thing went like clock-work. I consider it a glorious achieve- ment for the Chicago Woman's Club." During 1892, after the reading of the paper on "The New Preaching of the Gospel of Charity," and its discussion, a com- mittee was appointed by the Club to take measures at once, toward the reorganization of the associated charities in Chicago. The committee consisted of the Chairmen of Departments and the President. A Joint Committee was formed consisting of ten members of the Club and ten men. This committee held a num- 124 ANNALS OF THE ber of meetings. The desired co-operation was not effected at that time but gradually the spirit spread. The Club con- tributed $40.00 for the printing and sending out of circular let- ters by the committee. May 18, 1892, a class was announced to be conducted by Miss Halsted of the Philosophy and Science Department for the "Investigation of Property Rights and their Influence on the Social Status of Women." On May 17, a committee was appointed to arrange for a class in the study of parliamentary law, with Mrs. Julia R. Shattuck as the leader. The work of standing committees never flagged. At the annual meeting the Chairman of the Reform Department reported the continuance of visiting at the Insane Hospital at Dunning. The Chairman of the Home Department reported its plan to join with Mrs. Kelley of Hull House in establishing a bureau of Women's Labor, also its intention to work on the Municipal Order Committee and the Columbian Housekeepers' Association. The Art and Literature Department held a memorial meeting during the year for James Russell Lowell. The program for the social meeting in Novem- ber, 1891, was as follows: A fifteen minute paper by Dr. Stevenson answering Mrs. Lynn Linton's paper on "Wild Women" ; music by a quartette ; supper, and dancing at 10 o'clock. This was the only ball ever given by the Club, and husbands and children of the members were invited. This oc- curred during Mrs. Harvey's presidency. In the President's address of 1892, Mrs. Julia P. Harvey states: "I want to recommend the luncheons as a good begin- ning for the business meetings of the Departments. Anything that will insure an interest should be fostered and encouraged. In the coming year I would suggest that the Directors repre- senting each Department constitute a committee of three to plan the work thus somewhat relieving the Chairman. I hope for much good from the new arrangement of monthly reports from Departments to tl^e Board. When the Philanthropy Committee works seven years to get a green baize door in the jail, it is CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 125 good work, because it is persistent and consecutive. I hail with delight the creation of a membership committee." June 1, 1892, the Education Department formed a special committee on compulsory education, to act with the Philanthropy Department The interests of the Club in securing women mem- bers to the School Board never abated and in June, 1893, a num- ber of names was again recommended to the Mayor for ap- pointment. Oct. 5, 1892, the Home Department announced that it would devote its energies to the promotion of domestic science and to the work of the Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress. There was a full discussion as to the advisability of a school or a place for classes in the training for domestic service. November 2, the Columbian Housekeepers' Association, one of the activities under the auspices of the Club, reported that an Emergency Employment Bureau had been es- tablished at 87 Washington street, in behalf of which the co- operation of every one present was urged, feeling confident that the Bureau would prove of great practical value towards solving some of the domestic problems, and lightening the burdens of the perplexed housekeeper. Dec. 14, 1892, the chairman of the Art and Literature De- partment stated that the members of the Department thought it desirable to give a reception to artists of note now in the city, all prominent artists and officers of art societies to be invited. During the Club year of 1891-92, the new work of the Re- form Department was that connected with the school in the jail. Mrs. Perry H. Smith appealed to the women to establish a manual training school for delinquent and neglected boys. She also recommended a juvenile court that these boys might be saved from the contamination of association with older criminals. A manual training school was needed, but friends for the boys were needed more. On February 6, 1893, she expressed the hope that in the near future something might be done for the permanent good of the boys discharged from the jail school, 126 ANNALS OF THE many of whom are reclaimable, in the estimation of those who are working with and for them. She spoke of the difficulties en- countered by the Committee in helping boys who had been in jail, often for petty offenses; various organizations had been appealed to. March 22, 1893, Dr. Alexander read a paper on legislation for the insane. The Club endorsed the two bills on the subject, recommended by Dr. Alexander. Dr. Stevenson said the insane should be taken from the poorhouses, and the trial of insane patients by jury should be abolished. January 18, 1893, Mrs. Putnam read a copy of a bill author- izing school districts to establish and maintain free kinder- gartens. March 8, 1893, Mrs. Flower read a petition to the Legislature, which had been signed by various organizations, asking for a compulsory education law. She asked the Presi- dent of the Club to sign for the Club. On March 15, it was voted that Mrs. Flower have the endorsement of the Club in going to Springfield in the interests of the compulsory educa- tion bill. Feb. 15, 1893, Mrs. Flower referred to a bill to regulate the employment of women and children in manufacturing establish- ments, factories and workshops, and to provide for the appoint- ment of inspectors to enforce it. The bill was read, endorsed by the Club, and delegates sent to Springfield to work in its interests. In May 1893, the Reform Department reported co- operating in securing a central police station, that should be used exclusively for women and children. The Recording Secretary gave the following items in her annual report May 27, 1893 : "The appropriation by the City Council of $80,000 for a Manual Training School for boys and $12,000 for public baths we must believe but for the much importuning of our women, would not have been made. A school for boys in the jail has been supported by one of our Committees and through the in- terest awakened by this work, contributions have been secured CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 127 for establishing a manual training school for boys as they leave jail. A fitting memorial to one of our gifted members, Ellen Bastin, is a yearly prize of $100.00 to the young woman at the University of Chicago who shall give the best thesis on natural science. Various bills have been presented to our Legislature, in four of which the Club took a special interest, viz: the Com- pulsory Education bill, a Kindergarten bill, Township Suffrage bill and Legislation for the Insane. When we think of the many interests represented by this Club, the various works the members are pledged to, and the diversity of talent brought to this work, we must regard it as a great harmonizing power." Mrs. Edith C. Hancock writes in retrospect of this period under the date of January, 1911, as follows: "In the year 1892, the Reform Department assumed the responsibility of what was called the Jail School, paying the salary of the teacher Miss Florence Haythorn (now Mrs. Charles Jewell), a member of the department. The Sheriff allowed her the privilege of teaching the boys in the corridor of the jail from 9:30 until 11:30 A. M. The attendance of boys varied from fifteen to fifty, the ages from ten to sixteen years. At this time boys were kept in jail for months awaiting trial. The interest taken by the Women's Club began soon to have its effect. The boys were separated from the older prison- ers. The cells and corridors were kept in cleaner condition. Miss Haythorn also did the work of a probation officer, going into court with the boys and also visiting their homes. The County Board approved of the work accomplished and after a number of years of approval decided that the County should pay the teacher's salary. Of that first Jail School Committee I recall the names of Mrs. Perry H. Smith, Mrs. A. A. Car- penter and Miss Mary Tenney. Other women became members of this Committee in later years but their work was compara- tively easy, for through the efforts of Lucy L. Flower, a mem- 128 ANNALS OF THE her of the Reform Department, the Juvenile Court was es- established." May 27, 1893, Miss Jane Addams, as Chairman of the com- mittee to consider the advisability of forming a Consumer's League, submitted the following report : "I. It is the sentiment of the committee that owing to the unusual demand upon the women of Chicago, for the next six months, action on a matter requiring so much time and careful consideration be deferred until next fall. II. The committee recommends that this work be initiated through the Departments of Reform, Home and Philanthropy. III. The committee wishes to express the opin- ion that the formation of a Consumer's League for Chicago would be both advisable and feasible." The organization of the League was completed and in March, 1894, Miss Addams re- ported that interesting meetings had been held, assisted by the Inter-Collegiate Alumnae Association. A committee was ap- pointed to report progress on goods made in tenement houses and the old committee was discharged. May 3, 1893, a memorial meeting was held. In introducing the subject of the day, the President said that this should be a day not of mourning, but of rejoicing a day to be looked for- ward to as the most beautiful in the calendar. She referred to a dying friend who said to her, "when I am at rest, do not say 'she was, but she is.' " Mrs. Woolley delivered the memorial address, taking for a text the words of Cicero, "Whatever is so universal as death cannot be bad." Nov. 1, 1893, the Chair spoke of the sorrow that had come to our city in the assassination of Mayor Harrison, and on motion it was voted: "That representatives of the Club on the Board of Education, together with the President of the Club, constitute a committee to present such expression of the sympathy of the Club as in their judgment seems most appro- priate. Mrs. Flower and Mrs. Caroline K. Sherman were ap- pointed to represent the Club at the funeral of Mayor Harrison." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 129 At the annual meeting of 1893, the Philanthropy Depart- ment reported one thousand copies printed of the directories of charitable institutions, published by the department in the fall of 1891, compiled by Dr. Rosa Engleman. These contained names, addresses and special work of the charitable institutions of Chicago, designed to assist those who might be called upon to direct persons in need of hospitals, home or societies. A suggestion was made that a hospital for contagious diseases be opened. In 1893, a public meeting was held and money raised for this purpose. May 27, 1893, Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Brown sent a request that a synopsis of Mrs. Bradwell's paper on Civil Service Reform, read May 17, including the discussion which followed, be furnished for publication in the "Cycle." The Secretary was asked to comply with this request. At the annual meeting, 1893, it was stated that a notable meeting of the year was that at which President Harper of the Chicago University addressed the Club on "The Relation of Women to the University." Club women from many different states took part in the discussion. A committee was appointed with power to add to its numbers from outside the Club to raise money for dormitories for women at the Univer- sity of Chicago. In writing of the work of the women's build- ings committee in 1916, Miss Dingee makes the following state- ment: "The position of women was less assured in 1892 than now, and there was much question as to their status in the new institution. Dr. Harper made many addresses in various places in the city, and was invited by the Education Department to speak before the Woman's Club. Owing to illness he was unable to appear at the date set, but a later time was arranged for him in May, 1892. By this time many women were interested in the movement, and it was planned that some definite action should result from his address to the Club, on the subject, 'What Does the University Offer to Women ?' A committee was created to raise money for buildings for women students at the University of Chicago with 130 ANNALS OF THE myself as chairman. At our first meeting we enlarged the com- mittee by inviting many prominent women to join us, and set to work to raise money. Our work was ended the following fall, and our accomplishment was Nancy Foster Hall, Kelly Hall, Beecher Hall, and $10,000.00 in small sums that went into Green Hall. Nancy Foster Hall was our first success, and Mrs. George E. Adams announced that her mother, Mrs. Foster, would give $50,000.00 for a dormitory for women ; Mrs. Jerome Beecher walked into the University office one day, and said she wished to give $50,000.00 for a similar building, and asked that it be credited to the Chicago Women's Club committee of which she had heard. The other gifts were in comparatively small sums, with the exception of that of Mrs. Sumner Ellis which was $1,000.00. Mrs. Foster soon increased hers to $60,000.00 which was made still larger in later years. Up to the time our com- mittee disbanded, $170,000.00 had been raised. Our committee made suggestions to Dr. Harper and to the architect, Mr. Cobb, and with the warm approval of Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, many of them were incorporated in the plans for the buildings, the prairie sod being still unbroken. These women's halls still remain the most attractive living quarters on the campus, and have made possible a pleasant and dignified home life for women students for which the Chicago Woman's Club is largely responsible." The first Committee on Legislation was appointed January 4, 1893, and consisted of the following members: Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, Caroline A. Clowry, Mary H. Thomas, Dr. Julia R. Low, Ada C. Sweet, Julia P. Harvey, Lucy L. Flower, Charlotte C. Holt, Rhoda M. Coffin, Ellen Potter, Mary E. Lewis. Agnes E. Sterling, Anna E. Smythe, Mary E. Haworth, Mary H. Krout. The Membership Committee made its first report to the Board February 8, 1893, submitting five names. It also asked to have the following questions discussed at a fourth Wednesday meeting: Shall the Club Membership be limited? If limited, to what number and by what method? How shall we make our Club meetings most useful and attractive? In 1893, the Club had a membership of six hundred. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 131 At the annual meeting by-laws were passed as follows: "No member may propose a candidate until she has been a member of this Club three years." And "no member may propose more than one candidate a year and must have per- sonal acquaintance with said candidate." "A business meeting of the Club shall be held on the 4th Wednesday of each month for the transaction of the general business of the Club ; also, for such business as may be recommended by the different departments." This has been the rule of the Club ever since, and has been productive of results affecting favorably our civic life in many directions. The Recording Secretary reported on May 27, 1893, as follows : "Several committees have been formed during the year. Among them, one on Legislation ; one on forming a Consumers' League, which shall look to the protection of our homes against disease; one having for its object the protection of young girls coming to the Fair this committee has asked for and will re- ceive from each of the six Departments $100 the money to be used through the Protective Agency. The necessity of larger representation on the School Board has been kept continually before the Club, and the work is in the hands of a general com- mittee. The School Children's Aid Society should be mentioned, a small part of whose work has been the clothing of 1,500 children during the past winter." February 8, 1893, Ellen Gates Starr told briefly of the work done by Mr. Horsfall in England in introducing pictures into the public schools and gave an account of her own work in the same direction. The Art and Literature Depart- ment was urged to take up the work, and a committee was appointed to investigate and report at the next meeting of the Department. This committee reported a visit to the Polk Street school and was thoroughly impressed with the value of the work being done and recommended that the members help Miss Starr with contributions of pictures and money. March 22, 1893, the Art and Literature Department voted to assist in plac- ing works of art in the public schools and ordered the plan for 132 ANNALS OF THE this work to be printed in the calendar. October 4, 1893, it was again decided to continue the placing of works of art in the public schools as the active work of the department, begin- ning with the Jones School. In January, 1894, each member was asked to give a sum for this purpose and in April the committee reported that $79.00 had been collected, part of which had been spent for pictures of birds and flowers to be hung in the Jones School. It was also reported that the Education Department would co-operate in the work. The first annual meeting of the Chicago Public School Art Society was held October 23, 1894. This was the successful outgrowth of one of the activities of the Art and Literature Department. "Modern Art" was studied during fourteen morning meetings in 1892-1893. "The Ren- aissance" was the study chosen under the leadership of Mrs. Mary K. Bartlett, for 1893-1894. June 17, 1893, the President referred to the recent passage of the new sweating law ; the Board endorsed the recommenda- tion of Miss Florence Kelley of Hull House, as inspector under said law, and the Corresponding Secretary was asked to inform Governor Altgeld of this action. September 27, 1893, a com- munication was read from Miss Ada Sweet recommending Dr. H. W. Gentles of Glasgow, Scotland, Superintendent of the Ambulance Exhibit of the World's Fair, to the Board. Dr. Gentles represented also the Society of First Aid to the Injured. Previous to the meeting Dr. Gentles stated the objects of his society and requested the co-operation of the Women's Club in presenting it to the public. A committee was appointed consisting of Dr. Stevenson and the secretaries to make arrangements for a public meeting. The call for the meeting was sent out in the name of the Board of Managers of the Women's Club, taking place Sunday evening, November 5. As a result of this publi- city, classes were formed, and a Society for First Aid to the Injured was organized. November 22, 1893, the President spoke of the possibility of extending our influence yet farther by means of union with other city and surburban clubs in public meetings where out- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 133 siders could be invited, such meetings to occur from two to three times a year, taking the form of a symposium where all clubs participated. It was voted: That this Club hold a sym- posium of women's clubs of Chicago and suburbs, to which outsiders may be invited. January 17, 1894, the President spoke regarding the proposed federation of women's clubs in Cook County. It was voted to consider the federation of women's clubs of Cook County at the fourth Wednesday meeting, which took place January 24, 1894. On February 21, 1894, a symposium was held upon "What has the World's Fair done for us?" Papers were presented by representatives from each department, ably setting forth the many advantages accruing to us by the fortuitous conditions for education and culture which were then so marvelously revealed. Four years later Mrs. Lucretia J. Tilton presented the Club with a series of World's Fair pictures which are now in the Club dining-rooms. April 23, 1894, was selected as the date for a symposium to be held in Central Music Hall. There were two sessions, after- noon and evening, in which twenty-three different clubs partici- pated. The subject of the discussion was the "Relation of Women to Modern Industrial Conditions." May 9, 1894, Mrs. Woolley presented to the Board the plan of forming a political equality organization under the auspices of the Women's Club. The Board recommended that it be brought before the Club at the annual meeting for action. May 23, 1894, the following resolution regarding a political equality or- ganization was offered: That a committee of fifteen or more be appointed by the Club for the study of the principles of political equality with power to form a separate organization in the interests of the same, such organization when formed to make itself an independent society as soon as practicable accord- ing to the general usage and policy of the Club. The following committee was appointed : Mrs. Woolley, Chairman ; Mesdames Bundy, Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Smith, Fessenden, Butler, Huddles- ton, Holt, E. J. Parker, F. S. Parker, Effinger, W. O. Carpenter, 134 ANNALS OF THE Ball, Plummer, Bartlett, McCulloch, Dr. Low, Remick, F. A. Smith, Wilkinson, Henrotin, Wilmarth and Misses Hedenberg and Martin. On October 24, 1894, Mrs. Woolley, Chairman of the Political Equality League, reported the organization as formed, the League to be governed by a board of sixty-one directors. Officers as jfollows : President, Mrs. Celia P. Woolley ; first Vice- President, Dr. Stevenson; second Vice-President, Mrs. Marie Remick ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. J. ]. Parker ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss C. Hedenberg; Treasurer, Mrs. Bundy. The constitution provided that no one shall hold office in the League, prior to Dec., 1895, who is not a member of the Women's Club, and thereafter no one shall hold office who has not been a mem- ber of the League one year. The use of the club rooms was granted to the new organization, both for regular monthly meet- ings, and for the annual meetings until May, 1912. On June 6, 1894, the Board voted to commence the work of the city federation as soon as practicable, the Women's Club taking the initiative. The use of the rooms was granted for three evenings during the winter for receptions to be given by the Art and Literature Department. A reception had already been given the previous February to women artists and to the young women who held the Art Institute scholarship. Dr. Stanley G. Hall spoke on Scientific Study of Child Life at the Club rooms Saturday, December 30, 1893, and urged the establishment of a branch of this society in Chicago. Charles Zueblin addressed the Club on Industrial Co-operation January 4, 1894, Frank B. Sanborn lectured before the Club Wednesday, January 16, 1895, on "Recent Discoveries in Buried Cities." For the celebration of Founders' Day, February 20, 1895, Mrs. Caro- line M. Brown was invited to attend as guest of honor. From the records of the business meeting of November 22, 1893, the following items are taken: The Education Depart- ment reported that there were now sixteen kindergartens in the public schools of this city, thirteen of which are supported by the Board of Education, and one afternoon kindergarten in the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 135 twenty-second school district maintained by a member of the Department. The committee for distributing reading matter to county institutions reported two boxes delivered and need for more. The Reform Department stated that the number of boys in the jail school during the month of October, 1893, was 59. Mrs. Mann, of the Home Department, reported the election of officers of the National Columbian Household Economic As- sociation: Mrs. Potter Palmer, Honorary President; Mrs. John Wilkinson, Acting President ; Mrs. Charles Henrotin, Vice- President; Mrs. Robert Wiles, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. W. E. Furness, Recording Secretary; Mrs. F. E. Owen, Treasurer. Charlotte C. Holt had asked for an advisory committee with Mrs. Flower as chairman to assist her in the study of laws governing children and in the preparation of laws necessary to secure justice for them, such laws to be presented at the next meeting of the state legislature. April 25, 1894, Mrs. Holt re- ported that she was ready to present such laws at the next meet- ing of the state legislature. She also urged the necessity of a police station to be used exclusively for women, where they might be properly protected. The Reform Department there- upon agreed to take this as its work for the coming year. The inadequate provisions for women in the jail were again re- ported, and the necessity of new bailing laws was urged. The Board of Managers of the Chicago Women's Club, on January 10, 1894, endorsed the resolution of the Reform Department in regard to the appointment of Alice Asbury Abbott as a visitor of county institutions to report to the State Board of Charities for Cook County. March 28, 1894, Mrs. Flower and Mrs. Alexander were appointed a committee to devise means for securing a medical superintendent at the Detention Hospital. April 25, 1894, the following resolution was presented : Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Philosophy and Science Department of the Women's Club that one of the trus- tees of the State University to be elected next November should be a woman and that the club be asked to endorse this opinion 136 ANNALS OF THE and use its influence to bring about the nomination and election of a woman as such trustee. It was voted that the resolution be adopted and that the Board be instructed to take such steps as it deemed best to se- cure the nomination and election in November of a woman as trustee of the State University. May 9, 1894, the Board of Managers suspended the usual order of business to hear Mrs. McCulloch, who came before the Board to ask that a committee be appointed to attend the meeting of the County Convention, to represent the desire of the Women's Club regarding the appointment of a woman as trustee of the State University. A committee of three was ap- pointed with power to add to its members, to attend the meet- ing and present the request of the Club. The committee con- sisted of Mrs. McCulloch as chairman, Dr. Julia R. Low and Mrs. Ella Flagg Young. May 23, 1894, the board was asked to recommend three or four persons for a committee of fifty to be present at the convention and to be prepared to make addresses. From the address of the president, Dr. Sarah Hackett Stev- enson, read May 19, 1894, the following is taken: "Knowing the power which this Club represents by virtue of its virtues, many who have a cause to promote are looking to this Club as a means to promotion. It is of the utmost im- portance that these various causes should be received with much deliberation, in order that the good name of the Club shall not suffer by reason of injudicious action. To this end it seems de- sirable that all so-called outside work shall be presented by the department or departments to which it is most closely allied, and that one day every month, viz., the fourth Wednesday shall be given to business. While such a day was on our calen- dar, the constitution did not distinctly declare that business could not be done on any other club day. Accordingly an amendment was passed relegating all business to the fourth Wednesday, excepting in emergencies, when the established parliamentary privilege of a two-thirds vote can always claim a special order. This business day is a true evolution which CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 137 few clubs have attained. It was born of our necessities, viz. : The great increase of our business, and the great popularity which we have achieved. Another advantage may be noted. By referring all questions to the departments to which they are most closely allied, we are spared the affliction of so many special committees. Special committees are necessary to club work, but they are responsible to the chairman of the depart- ment, who is in turn responsible to the Club. This simplifies the machinery and unifies the work. I have been glad to note all through the years that when one Department needed the serv- ice of another Department, that service was asked for and extended, without complaint or rivalry just as it should be the members generally feeling that they are first members of the Club, and that the Departments are merely divisions of labor, and can never be in any sense a menace to each other or to the Club. Your own experience will bear me out in the statement that the year 1893 was a most trying one, perhaps more so than any previous year. We tested the formula, two moves are equal to a fire, and found it correct, so far as discomfort is concerned. However, our courage did not move away or burn up, and the trials and tribulations experienced in boarding around will make us appreciate all the more our beautiful home when we get it. Owing to the Exposition in 1893, and the panic in 1894, there has been no period during the past two years when we could have found either the time or the money necessary to erect a club building. As the Club cannot form itself into a stock company, it would still be obliged to pay rent to the owners of the building, be they club members or not. It is a question whether the same money required to build and operate an expensive club house could not be better ex- pended in club work leaving to real estate dealers and land- lords the details and perplexities which such an enterprise in- volves. However, there is a sufficient number of business women in our club to build a club house whenever that number decides it worth while to build. Although homeless we have been hospitable. 138 ANNALS OF THE During the World's Fair there was an unnaturalness in the air, comparable to a commencement day and the day after, pro- longed for six months. How we struggled with that vague question: 'How shall the Women's Club be represented at the Fair?' Should we stand our presidents up in a row, or should we represent them by brass nails on a map ? Then there was the genealogical tree idea, with Mrs. Caroline M. Brown for the root, our 600 members for the limbs, the Municipal Order League, the Physical Culture Society, the Protective Agency, etc., for the blossoms. Fortunately for the Fair, this horticultural display was abandoned. It was decided by unani- mous vote that we should play the part of hostess, and this, by means of our cosy, artistic bit of space in the Woman's Build- ing, and our open rooms at the Athenaeum, was fulfilled in a manner worthy of a better chance. Qur Organization Room was presided over by our six Departments respectively, each taking one month's service. Among the names of the 3,000 guests registered there, no autograph is more precious than that of Lucy Stone. Our World's Fair calendar is especially worthy of mention. It will become more and more precious as the Fair and its participants pass from view. Besides our regular Wednesday afternoon tea we received the Congress of Representative Women, the Congress of Edu- cation, the Literary Congress, Congress of Philosophy and Science, Public Health Congress, and one reception we gave in honor of Mrs. Bertha Honore Palmer and Mrs. Ellen M. Hen- rotin. The work of our Club at the Fair would be incomplete without mentioning the practical exhibit of the work of women physicians, pharmacists and nurses. A review of this work emphasizes the necessity that existed for separate exhibits in certain directions. However much we may deprecate it, the fact remains, the Woman's Medical Board and exhibit were necessary to the just representation of woman's work. It was distinctly understood and repeatedly promised by the authorities that at least three women physicians would be placed on the staff of CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 139 the Medical Bureau. As the time wore on and no places were given to women, the chairmen of the Medical Congress, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Dr. Marie Reasner and Dr. Sarah Hackett Steven- son, together with the president of the Illinois Training School for Nurses, Mrs. Lucy L. Flower, asked the Woman's Board of the State of Illinois, for an appropriation of money for a hos- pital and pharmaceutical exhibit. This request was granted, and a suitable building was made ready some six weeks after the opening of the Fair. Nevertheless through the untiring energy of its organizers, the women physicians, pharmacists and nurses of the entire state took service in the hospital, and took charge of more than 3,000 patients. Had the Medical Bureau recog- nized women in medicine there would have been no need of a separate hospital, and we could have carried out our original idea of a 'still exhibit/ representing a hospital ward in the Woman's Building. But for the timely financial aid of the women of the the Illinois Board, and the determined energy of a handful of Women's Club women, three great industries would have failed of a representation. No report of this year's administration would be complete without reference to our emergency work. Never can I forget the noble response of the women of this Club to the call made upon them to help the helpless. Individual mention would be out of place, but to the Executive Committee, who all winter long gave their daily services, and to the committee having in charge the special relief fund, I owe a debt of gratitude I can never repay. The chairman of each Department was likewise untir- ing in her devotion to this work, and I am proud and happy in the thought that there is probably not a single member of this Club who has not directly or indirectly helped to care for the suffering. The figures to be remembered, though important, are yet a small part of the results. Nine workrooms were opened throughout the winter, from which 3,092 families were assisted. The average number to a family being five, the Wom- en's Club Emergency Association gave help to 15,460 persons. The amount of money spent by the association was nearly $20,000. Quite a large share of this was given by clubs of a 140 ANNALS OF THE purely literary character. * * * The points to which I wish to call your attention are, first, the wage system. From begin- ning to end we held to the idea of paying wages for work in- stead of paying 'in kind.' Upon this idea whole volumes on social science might be written. Second, the value of co-opera- tion the federated idea. One society could never have accom- plished the work of these forty societies. We can but venture the question: If the women's clubs throughout this country were to unite in the formation of a co-operative labor bureau, would it not prove a great blessing to employers and employed ? Third, the lack of adequate training. Many of these unfortu- nates were entirely untrained. They could not take household service, for they were ignorant of its simplest methods. Thus is emphasized the great need of domestic science schools, which shall do for domestics what training schools have done for nurses. Fourth, the value of personal work for and with people of different social status. Every woman who helped, received fully as much as she gave. While our workrooms are closed, we are still keeping an outstretched hand to the helpless, and almost every day some woman gets a position or some other assistance from the. Executive Committee. A word concerning the organizations that have had their origin in the club. Dating far back is the Physiological Society, of which I have not heard this past year. Possibly its place is occupied by the Physical Culture Society. We are proud of the progress of this society and the record it made at the World's Fair. We hope it will endeavor to establish a central gymna- sium for women and children, presided over by women physi- cians, and thus bring about the physical culture so much needed. The Protective Agency is now, and has been, one of the most useful organizations which has ever been organized within our club. The attempt has been made and successfully made, to make the equitable quality of law a reality. * * * The last or- ganization in the club is the Society for First Aid to the In- jured. A meeting for this purpose was called by the club in the early autumn, but the organization was not completed until this spring on account of the winter's needs. * * * The CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 141 School Children's Aid Society, from the committee of the Edu- cational Department, came to be this winter a great power. It should not be forgotten that, through the work of the committee appointed by this club in May, 1892, the sum of about $200,000.00 was raised for the Chicago University. Three buildings have been erected for women, and a fourth is now under way. Likewise, we were instrumental in helping change the law for commitment of the insane, through our representa- tive, Dr. Alexander. The late meeting in Philadelphia was full of instruction to those who are willing to be taught. The most emphatic fact taught by that meeting is the need of a definite object. An organization may be thoroughly on its feet, but why have feet with no place to go? The federation idea is full of possibilities, and as an idea it belongs to our own Women's Club. Unless history is mistaken, it was advanced by this Club in the season of 1877-78. * * * We must not forget the fact of having adopted club colors and a club pin. When I see other pins, the esthetic quality of our own is emphasized six circles in one; let them never be broken. 142 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER V. 1894 TO 1900. The annals of the Club from 1894 to 1900 give an account of earnest work for the Juvenile Court, with its probation offi- cers, the School Children's Aid Society, Sunday Open Door, Va- cation Schools, beautification of Bellevue Park, and other ac- tivities. Several of these interests belonged to different depart- ments as special work. Toward some of them, all of the depart- ments contributed funds and service. With all of them the Club as a whole was in hearty sympathy from the inception to the fulfillment, convinced that they were important contributions to the civic life. The Committee on New Rooms was empowered May 3, 1894, to rent space in the building at the corner of Washington street and Wabash avenue, called the French, Potter and Wil- son Building, at a rental of $4,000 per year. The rooms were ready September 1, 1894, the lease to run five years. November 15, 1893, the chairman of the School Children's Aid Society reported the pressing needs of her department, and stated that one hundred small safes had been made, which would be placed in stores in the centre of the city in which contribu- tions could be received. It was proposed to put them in place in tjie fall and remove them in the spring. The women of the Club were requested February 7, 1894, to assist the School Children's Aid Society in putting up packages for distribution. February 21, 1894, it was reported that a benefit had netted to the society $300.43. The Education Department stated that the School Children's Aid had distributed shoes and clothing to 3,507 children from October to March. The Department also stated that the work of the society was outgrowing the Depart- ment, and it desired the cooperation of the other departments of the Club. $4,000 was received from the Thanksgiving collection in the public schools, and the West End Club had responded most generously to the call for assistance, having agreed to care for CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 143 six schools at an outlay of $1,085.00. The Board of Education provided them with a distributing room, including heat and janitor service, and the delivering of all the clothing. The fifth year of the School Children's Aid Society showed 31 distribu- ting days in the 18 weeks of service, ending March 31, 1894. On May 19, 1894, the Education Department reported as follows: "The School Children's Aid, a committee called into life by the Compulsory Education Law, when it was first en- forced, has outgrown its parent department; that the children who ought to go to school should be comfortably clothed, no one will deny ; that the same women who started the work have willingly and tirelessly tried to help the destitute children of this city to get warm and decent clothes. Of all the delicate tasks, nothing compares with the difficulty of trying to help the children and not 'injure them. The Education Department believes that for two reasons it is not wise to continue this work in the Depart- ment alone. First, because it is too great a task for them to do well. Second, because it is not entirely educational work, and while we do continually help any work the Club decides to do we want to keep the Department work along educational lines." The Philanthropy Department requested that the School Chil- dren's Aid Society be taken as the general work of the Club, with two members from each department to form a board of directors, the officers to be selected from this board and the Club to have general supervision of the work. These recom- mendations were adopted at a meeting of the Club held May 23, 1894; Emily C. Dainty was made chairman, and Hannah T. Vollmer, treasurer. In January, 1895, Mrs. Dainty stated that 400 collection globes had been placed at a cost of $772.00, includ- ing the purchase of patents. The committee recommended that the Club continue its relationship to the Society and co-operate with it heartily and earnestly, providing the following measures be carried out. 1st. That the School Children's Aid Society should give out no clothing without a personal investigation in the home. 2nd. That the city be districted for visiting, and 144 ANNALS OF THE the visitors be volunteers living in the districts so far as pro- ticable. 3rd. That principals and teachers should be relieved of investigations in the homes. 4th. That there should be the closest co-operation between the School Children's Aid Society and the Bureau of Charities. In addition to these they urged the employment of one or more paid expert investigators. On account of the difficult and delicate nature of investigation, the School Children's Aid Society should not delegate its visiting to truant officers or to any other agency, but should keep the control and responsibility in its own hands so that it may be assured of the quality and thoroughness of the visiting. This work is indispensable to the welfare of the city and that it may be carried out in the way suggested in this report, the Committee asked that the Club on its part pledge itself to pro- vide a requisite number of members from each Department to serve as visitors in the various districts, and they hoped for an unselfish response to such other demands for personal service as the future plans of the School Children's Aid Society might necessitate. It was voted to accept the report and to adopt its recommendations. The Corresponding Secretary was instructed to send a copy to the chairman of every Department, to be read at the first meeting of the club year, October, 1895. January 2, 1896, Dr. Stevenson presented the following res- olution which was adopted: "Resolved: That the chairman of each Department be requested to bring the question of in- vestigation for the School Children's Aid before her Department and that each Department endeavor to bear some part of the expense of that investigation which is now borne by the Bureau of Charities, that Bureau being very much in need of funds, but prepared to do the investigation more economically than any other agency." In May of the same year, the Club voted to send 24 delegates to the School Children's Aid Society which had recently become an independent organization. In the fol- lowing year the Society was tendered the gratituous use of the Club rooms for a benefit performance. May 22, 1895, the following resolutions were presented: Whereas, Members of the Chicago Women's Club have CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 145 during a term of years made careful and repeated visits to the Cook County Charities, namely: The County Agency, the In- firmary and Asylum at Dunning, the Detention Hospital and the Cook County Hospital; and Whereas, There are in the judgment of this Club, vital defects in the County care of the sick, poor and insane, which result from the present system of political appointment and which can only be removed by introduction of the merit system, therefore, Resolved, That the Chicago Women's Club re- spectfully requests the present Legislature to do for the County what it has done for the city and for the sake of humanity place the management of the charitable institutions of the County on a civil service basis. On November 28, 1894, Mrs. Woolley presented the follow- ing resolution: Resolved, that the Chicago Women's Club con- dition its membership on character and intelligence, without re- striction of race or color. December 26, this resolution was further discussed by the Club, the assembly going into Committee of the Whole to con- sider it. On January 23, 1895, Mrs. Woolley presented the fol- lowing substitute resolution: Resolved, That it is the senti- ment of the Chicago Women's Club that no one can be exclud- ed from membership on race or color lines. The second resolution was accepted as a substitute for the first. The following telegram was received by the Club while still in session from Dr. Sarah H. Stevenson, who was absent from the city. "J ust i ce is eternal, expediency is temporal. Be just and fear not." The President, Miss Ada C. Sweet, said in her annual report May, 1895 : "In looking back over the history of the past eight months, one event stands out conspicuously, and is remarkable. I allude to the passage of the resolution that no woman can be excluded from Club membership by reason of her race or color. It was right and proper under the circumstances, for the Club to clearly enunciate its opinion upon the subject of race and color prejudice, and to refuse to aid its continuance or growth. 146 ANNALS OF THE That its expressed opinion was in line with the clearest thought and highest ideals of our time is a matter of just pride and congratulation." On several occasions there was great difference of opinion on certain issues, but in spite of divergent views, the Club always accepted the ruling of the majority; after a question was fairly discussed by the members and a decision reached, the Club settled down to work again, and no ill feeling was allowed to cloud the harmonious relations of the members. At the annual meeting the Membership Committee reported as follows: "You will notice that under the head of suburban, I have read Princeton and Buffalo, New York. This wide spreading membership will interest you and it recalls to your committee much discussion over the admission of members from a distance which ended in the belief that it was not the province of the Membership Committee to decide how many miles a mem- ber should be allowed to travel in order to attend a meeting of the Chicago Women's Club. The creation of a Membership Committee has proven to be wise, in that 13 responsible wom- en have charge of the work which requires time and conscien- tious effort, such as cannot be given by the Board of Managers without conflicting with other important work." Delegates from the various women's clubs of the state of Il- linois held a two days' meeting October 11, 1894, to organize an Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs, in the rooms of the Chicago Women's Club, Clara M. J. Parson, presiding. In the preceding April the subject of the state federation was discussed at a meeting of the clubs of Cook County, which was also held at the Chicago Women's Club, and which was called by Kate G. Huddleston, then corresponding secretary of the Women's Club. At that meeting the representatives of the Cook County clubs voted in favor of forming a State Federa- tion. On November 28, 1894 the Chicago Women's Club voted to join the State Federation of Women's Clubs, and on Jan- uary 23, 1895, it was voted to appoint a permanent committee of three on General Federation, with Mrs. G. W. Huddleston, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 147 chairman, and Mrs. Robert B. Parson and Mrs. William Thayer Brown, members. November 7, 1894, the chairman of the Philanthropy Depart- ment reported that a Committee had been appointed to inquire into the number of children in poorhouses and the advisability of providing homes for them. November 7, 1894, was Poet's Day; Robert Browning was the subject. There was an address by Celia Parker Woolley; songs, readings and recitations. On February 7 and 10, Pro- fessor John Fiske gave two lectures before the Philosophy and Science Department. A mass meeting of the members of the Chicago Women's Club was held January 22, 1895, to consider the completion of the women's hall at the University of Chi- cago. Mrs. Sumner Ellis presented the following statement: The University of Chicago offers to women exceptional ad- vantages, 503 women having been numbered among its students. The present quarter 309 are enrolled. The three university halls already erected provide for only 130, and the necessity for more accommodations is urgent. The mass meeting was the di- rect outgrowth of a Wednesday afternoon session, held more then three years before, on which occasion Dr. Harper addressed the Club on the topic of a woman's hall at the University of Chicago. A committee was then appointed by the President of the Club, through whose efforts, with outside contributions, the three halls were erected. Nearly one-third of the students be- ing women, the need for another building again seemed im- perative. Dr. Harper addressed the meeting and Alice Free- man Palmer spoke of the urgent need for more accommodations for women. Mrs. Otto Matz urged that the new building be named "Kate Newell Doggett," in memory of one who had been so actively identified with the advancement of women in the earlier days of Chicago. January 9, 1895, a letter was read from Alice W. Put- nam, regarding the proposed introduction of kindergartens as a part of the public school system of the State of Illinois, ask- ing the co-operation of the Club. The following Committee was > \, \ ., * 148 ANNALS QF THE ' appointed on state legislation to further kindergarten iristruc- ' tion in public schools of Illinois: Mrs. Alice W. Putnam, Chairman ; Mrs. J. M. Flower, Reform ; Mrs. W. B. Keen, Education; Mrs. H. D. Lloyd, Philanthropy; M^. C. K. Sher- man, Philosophy and Science; Mrs. J. R. Mann, Home; Mrs. H. L. Frank, Art and Literature. April 10, 1895, Alice W. Putnam stated that the Kindergarten Bill had passed both houses of Legislature and would soon become a law. It would not directly affect Chicago, as her schools are under special jurisdiction of the city, but would open many opportunities for kindergartens in neighboring towns. At a special meeting of the Club January 25, 1895, Maud Ballington Booth spoke of the rescue work of the Salvation Army of Chicago. Jane Addams reported on the Model Lodging House which had recently been established by the Club. A benefit concert was given February 9, for a young woman's fellowship at the University of Chicago. There was a patriotic program on the afternoon of February 5, 1895. The flags were lent by the Union League Club, and portraits of Lincoln and Washington by Charles Gunther. At the conclusion of the program the Club, led by Mrs. Noyes, joined heartily in singing "America." A symposium on the temperance question was held February 6, 1895, the following papers were presented : Prohibition, Miss Frances E. Willard; Gothenburg System, Rachel Hickey Carr, M. D. ; The Keeley Cure,Leslie E. Keeley, M. D. ; The South Carolina Liquor Law, Julia Ross Low, M. D. February 20, 1895, the eighteenth anniversary of the found- ing of the Chicago Women's Club was celebrated as Founders' Day. About 400, including the following charter members, were present: Mesdames Burrows, Corneau, Dow, Furness, Greeley, Howe, Tilton, Withrow and Wilkinson. Mrs. Laura S. Wilk- inson discussed "A Cup of Tea." Mrs. Marietta A. Dow recalled the reminiscences of the past, picturing the first year of the Club when it met in Mrs. Brown's apartments. Some hesitated to join as it was deemed too rad- ical. The Club first met in February, 1876. In March the first CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 149 paper was presented. There was no printed calendar for one and a half years. In the first calendar appeared the names of fifty members. Mrs. Jennie G. Withrow sounded a word of cheer to the Club of 1895. She stated she was most happy to have been identified with it in its beginning. This daughter had been led most carefully to this, her eighteenth birthday. Mrs. Lucy F. Furness spoke on "A Woman's Bank Account." She pre- sented the educational advantage this club was to every woman who did her part. Mrs. Lucretia Jane Tilton responded to the sentiment, "What the Years Teach." In the earlier days the little company was brought together by the inspiring words of Mrs. Caroline M. Brown. With years came increase of mem- bers, increase of opportunity, and increase of duty. She could hardly realize the growth of the Club. True union can never exist until the members can agree to disagree. Complete una- nimity of opinion is not desirable. Mrs. Mary Louise Burrows presented to the Club an engraving of "Morning in the High- lands." During the first three years of the Club, Mrs. Bur- rows was the Recording and Corresponding Secretary. After the separation of these offices, she continued as the Correspond- ing Secretary for two years more, and a member of the Board during the first seven years of the Club. A rising vote, in ex- pression of respect was given for Mrs. Brown, the founder, and the absent charter members. Mrs. Kate Huddleston read a let- ter from Mrs. Brown in which she expressed her disappoint- ment in not being able to be present: "Time, strength and words fail me to tell you of my ever increasing joy and pride in you. Eagerly I read every mention of the Women's Club in the paper, every account of what you are doing, and what Chicago wants you to do. I comfort myself with the good work you are doing for the world, and the noble stand you take in the van of progress. You are my pride and delight." As evidence of the growth in formality in the transaction of business, the following items are recorded during this period : A Nominating Committee was appointed by the Pres- 150 ANNALS OF THE ident, March 14, 1894. October 10, non-resident membership was considered, but was not established until the annual meet- ing of the following year. A query as to the character of re- ports rendered by the Departments at the fourth Wednesday and Board meetings brought the suggestion that the reports on the fourth Wednesday should embody what had been ac- complished during the month, and the reports at the Board meetings should give account of new work to be undertaken. March 13, 1895, the following recommendation was adopted: That visitors be excluded from business meetings of Club and Departments, but that the matter of admission to Depart- ment literary meetings or classes be left to the Departments themselves, each making its own rules and regulations. April 15, 1895, it was voted that the Australian system of marking ballots be used. On April 22, the following measures were passed: The name of each candidate shall be presented to the Committee on Membership, and after consideration shall be posted on the bulletin board in the room of the Club one month before election. It shall be the duty of all members of the Club to examine the bulletin board. Objections to a candidate must be stated to the Committee on Membership at one of its regular meetings. No member may propose more than one candidate during a Club year and shall have personal acquaintance with said candidate. The Membership Committee is to be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the Club, two members being nominated by each Department, and the Second Vice President to be chairman. At the annual meeting May 18, 1895, a significant change was made in the by-laws as follows : Life membership may be acquired by members on the pay- ment of two hundred dollars ($200) instead of annual dues. The President reported on the same date: Having attained our eighteenth birthday, becoming legally eligible to all the privileges of clubship, it was deemed advisable to provide ourselves with somewhat of the paraphernalia of our majority, namely a corporate seal, which will hereafter be found CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 151 on all documents pertaining to this Club, which will require such authentication. On motion, it was voted October 23, 1895, that reports of chairmen of departments and committees be here- aftej submitted to, and accepted by, the several departments and committees before coming to the Club for consideration. In case of disagreement a minority and majority report might be offered. It was further voted that no member shall hold an elective office in the Club for more than three consecutive years, and that no member shall be eligible to official position until she has been a member of the Club three years. A candi- date for admission through the Club shall be proposed by five members, instead of three, as was the previous custom. December 8, 1897, a committee was formed to be an advisory committee to consist of five members from each department in- cluding the President of the Club, such committee to discuss questions of club policy, and to report from time to time to the Board. February 15, 1898, the Advisory Committee recom- mended among other items that the Club calendar follow the form of the Denver Woman's Club calendar, with all Club events arranged in chronological order. The suggestion that the signatures as well as addresses be printed in the calendar was made by Laura H. Clark and accepted by the committee. March 9, 1898, the Program Committee recommended that half the number of afternoon meetings of the year be given to a continuous topic; the other afternoons to be given to mis- cellaneous topics. They further recommended the subject of the continuous topic to be "Modern Prophets." Three Depart- ments desired to have the topics for their days left open for current topics and the Committee agreed to leave this to each Department. A further recomendation was that the Board in- struct Departments to appoint a Program Committee of five from each Department, one of whom shall be designated as chairman ; that these six Committees shall meet and discuss the general subjects for the afternoon programs of the coming year ; that these six Committees shall report back to their Departments 152 ANNALS OF THE and to the Board; after which another meeting of the whole shall be held and the general topic decided, and essayists chosen. May 25, 1898, the following rules were established: The annual dues of twelve dollars shall be apportioned as follows: Ten dollars to the Club treasury for Club expenses only, and two dollars to the Department to which the member belongs. No assessments shall be made in Departments. March 13, 1895, a statement was read from the Art and Lit- erature Department endorsing the plan proposed by the Presi- dent, that a certain sum of money be set aside each year toward the purchase of pictures and other works of art to be placed in the Club rooms. The recommendation of the President that $250.00 be set aside annually for the next five years for this purpose was endorsed by the Board and adopted by the Club at its annual meeting. A committee was appointed for the selection and purchase of works of art. At the business meeting of March 27, 1895, Julia C. Lathrop presented the Dependent Children's Bill then before the Legis- lature, and it was voted that the Chicago Women's Club en- dorse the bill. The following resolutions were also adopted: Whereas, A bill has been introduced in the State Legis- lature prohibiting the employment of married women in the public schools of Chicago: Whereas, We believe that this will take from our Local Board of Education their discretionary powers; and Whereas, We believe the bill to be unconstitutional because is legislates against a class of working women, as a class, with- out reference to merit; therefore, be it Resolved, That we, the members of the Chicago Women's Club, adopt the resolution as amended and that the Correspond- ing Secretary communicate to the chairman of the Legislative Committee and Governor Altgeld the action of the Club. H. B. Frissell, principal of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Va., was given an opportunity to present his work to the Club February 27. Ruth McEnery Stuart gave a reading before the Club March 19. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 153 April 24, 1895, on motion of Mrs. Woolley, it was voted that the Chicago Women's Qub expresses the hope that the de- partments of the Club will continue their present relations to the Protective Agency by the appointment of a director from their number and raising the necessary fee of $100 for each delegate. Many valuable gifts were received by the Club during these years. In 1894, a bronze medallion of Lincoln was presented by Mr. Zearing. Mr. Lorado Taft gave us a cast of the bust of Julia Marlowe. Miss Bessie Potter gave us a cast of one of her works. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell presented a painting by Elkins. During the year 1894-1895, the Qub rooms were used for three meetings each month by the Political Equality League ; for the annual meeting of the Protective Agency, the annual meet- ing of the Public School Art Society, a meeting of the National Household Economic Association, by the Executive Board of the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs, the Physical Culture Society, and the Federation of Working Girls' Clubs. These and other organizations were given the use of the rooms free of charge. Beginning with September, 1895, it became neces- sary to charge a nominal rental for rooms used by organiza- tions for regular meetings. In May, 1895, the President, Ada C. Sweet, made the fol- lowing statement : "The Qub has thoroughly enjoyed and freely used its home during the year, and has added to its general usefulness in the community by giving, as seemed to the Board proper, the use of the Assembly Room to certain purposes, such as the meeting of the Illinois State Federation of Qubs, The Chicago Bureau of Charities, Federation of Working Girls' Clubs. Organizations, like individuals, find opportunites for growth and cultivation in the exercise of hospitality." October 23, 1895, Dr. Stevenson moved to amend the by-laws by substituting "Woman's" for "Women's." The amendment was adopted and the title of the Qub changed from Chicago Women's Club to Chicago Woman's Club. 154 ANNALS OF THE Nov. 20, 1895, Mrs. Shattuck, Chairman of Committee on Parliamentary Law, stated that a class in this subject would meet every Saturday morning at 10:30 o'clock in the Assembly Room, Mrs. Shattuck in charge. The program for De- cember 4, 1895, was as follows: Poet's Day. A paper on Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the Rossetti family, Mrs. Winthrop Girling; a paper on Christina Rossetti, Mrs. Anthony F. Merrill; recitation and songs. The study class on Household Economics of the Home Department met for the first time October 23, 1895. April 27, 1894, the Philosophy and Science Department de- cided to interest itself in the preservation of the results of the recent explorations in Egypt. Mr. Breasted of the University of Chicago explained in detail the character of the work and the value of the explorations at a meeting held May 25. June 3, 1894, it was recommended that the Department contribute to the Egyptian explorations in connection with the University of Chicago. The Department adopted the work of collecting subscriptions for the fund. An Egyptian reception was given at Haskell Museum. The work was described as most appropriate for the Department, being of a nature both philosophical and scientific in its relation to archaeology and history. April 9, 1896, Mrs. Wilmarth presented a request for the use of the rooms for a lecture to be given by Prof. Breasted, of the University of Chicago, on "Recent Explorations in Egypt." The annual report of 1896-97 states: "A fund of $404 was raised and forwarded to Dr. Petrie, who is using it in carry- ing on his excavations, the results of which will be sent to the University; they will be presented by the Department to Haskell Museum, where they will assist, we hope, in some scien- tific investigations of historical significance." The Philosophy and Science Department sustained the Egyptian Research Committee until 1899, when it reported the following acquisitions which had accrued to Haskell Museum of the University of Chicago, through its subscriptions: A magnificant series of over forty diorite and alabaster vessels, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 155 dated 3,000 B. C, with one exception, the best collection of its kind in America; a fine collection of necklaces of amethyst, garnet, cornelian and scarabs of the same material; a large col- lection of pre-historic pottery, forty bronze statuettes, slabs of relief from masonry tombs, 3,000 B. C., sandstone mortuary box, tomb tablets and fragments; rare slab from coffin, 3,000 B. C, bronze axe and bowl, 2,300 B. C. ; a large number of objects of lesser importance. The proposal that the Philosophy and Science Department undertake some practical work, awoke the discussion that it was wiser to assist in successfully carrying out some of the work of the Club already started, and it was decided that the Board be asked for time, on the fourth Wednesday of March, for a vigorous discussion of the relation of the work of the Depart- ments to the work of the Club. Attention was called to the very efficient activities of the Students' Reference Bureau. Having its headquarters at the rooms of the Woman's Club, the Bureau had carried on its work in a field bounded by twenty states. It had prepared pro- grams for clubs, arranged for special days and special meetings, sent bibliographical references and solved endless knotty problems. The work was largely among the southern and western states, with clubs small in numbers and limited in re- sources, where the very lowest sum must be charged or the opportunity to be of help where help is most sadly needed will be closed. The chairman of the Art and Literature Department gave a report of a reception February 13, 1894, to the women artists of the city. November 28, 1894, it was voted to appoint a social committee to take charge of luncheons and social even- ings for the Department at which the literary people and artists of the city might be entertained. January 7, 1895, Mr. Gelert's panel for the Margaret Etter Creche was unveiled at the Art and Literature reception. It was stated that artists were willing to leave, their casts and pictures at the Club if desired, and authority was given to Mrs. Mary K. Bartlett to invite artists to 156 ANNALS OF THE place their work on exhibition in the Club rooms. Three art clubs loaned pictures for this purpose and several were sold. Among the social events of this period was the celebra- tion by the Club of the 80th birthday of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Oct. 30, 1895. In December the Education Department enter- tained the faculties of the Northwestern and Lake Forest Uni- versities, as well as of the University of Chicago, also the mem- bers of the Chicago Board of Education together with the superintendent and assistant superintendent of the Chicago schools. A reception was held February 18, 1896, at which the members of the Civic Federation were the guests of honor. At the recommendation of the retiring President, Mrs. Coonley, it was voted to hold an informal reception one Saturday each month throughout the Club year. At the request of the Polit- ical Equality League, the Social Committee turned the January informal "at home," 1897, into a reception to Susan B. Anthony and invited the Political Equality League to be present on the occasion. The exchequer of the Club did not permit the purchase of china until 1898, until which time each member furnished her own cup, saucer and plate for use at the Club. May 22, 1895, a committee of the Art and Literature De- partment was appointed to form an art class, for the study of "Art in Chicago" with Mrs. Herman J. Hall as leader, and the program was enclosed as a leaflet in the calendar. In December, arrangements were made for placing a piano in the Club rooms. The Social Committee of the Art and Literature Department re- ported that the Club rooms had been secured for February 11, for a reception to sculptors and painters. Permission had also been secured to invite artists to send work to be placed on ex- hibition for a week. It was later reported: "The unaffected cordiality with which our advances were met, the repeated as- surances that our recognition was cheering and stimulating were most encouraging; we have received their thanks for taking the initiative ; they felt they have to thank us for the attentions they have since received from other clubs; that our attitude has brought commissions to their studios." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 157 The Art and Literature Department reported in 1895, that the work of the Society for Placing Works of Art in the Public Schools was adopted as one line of its activity. Through the influence of the committee, the dreary and desolate walls had been tinted and pictures hung in the Jones, Andrew Jackson and Polk street schools. The Browning class of the year 1894-1895, was under the leadership of Mrs. Woolley and during 1895- 1896, under that of Mrs. MacMahon; $50.00 were appropriated from the funds of the Department to pay the tuition of a boy student at the Art Institute. Mrs. Bartlett reported that April 23, 1895, was selected as the date on which to give the reception to writers. The first Art Purchasing Committee reported the purchase of the "Sing- ing Pines," by Sven Svendsen and a picture by William Wendt, also a group, "Maternity," by Bessie Potter. These purchases were made from a fund of five hundred dollars, two hundred and fifty dollars having been set aside in 1894, and two hundred and fifty in 1895, by the Club. April 22, 1896, the Art and Literature Department accepted the invitation of Mrs. S. M. Millar d of Highland Park, to a Colonial luncheon at her summer home June 20. December 23, 1896, a committee of five was appointed by the Department to serve as a reception committee and to consider possible entertainments to be given to celebri- ties visiting Chicago. February 24, 1897, Miss Isabel McDougal recommended that the Department give a reception on April 23, Shakespeare's birthday. Mrs. Moore asked that $50.00 be given for choral work at Neighborhood House. This was a regular contribution from the Department for many years. The Education Department reported October 24, 1894: The object of the School Visitation Sub-Committee of the Educa- tion Department is to promote the highest possible interest in our public schools, and to study, read and inquire with this end in view ; to obtain a practical knowledge of the system and methods employed, as well as of the theories from which these result, to promote acquaintance and understanding between parents and teachers and indirectly between teachers and pupils; 158 ANNALS OF THE to encourage and uphold, by appreciation, all that is best, to arouse in parents an intelligent interest in the schools and so influence public opinion to demand the best. For the year 1895-1896, the Department decided to retain its relation to the Protective Agency, the School Children's Aid, the Public School Art Society and Glenwood School. It was also decided to have a study class on the lines of this work to be held the fourth Wednesday of every month. "Sex in Education," from the standpoint of physician, teacher and mother, was the subject of the Department on April 22, 1896. This meeting was followed by a reception to the public school teachers of the city. Novem- ber 6, 1895, the Education Department appointed a committee to confer with similar committees from the Association of Col- legiate Alumnae and Education Department of the Civic Feder- ation, for the purpose of practical investigation and helpful work in the public schools. The Philanthropy Department had charge of a meeting October 3, 1894, which was followed by an informal tea to which each member of the Club was permitted to invite two guests. January 23, 1895, Mrs. Julia R. Shattuck, representing the com- mittee in charge of collecting funds for the Model Lodging House, spoke of its needs. At a meeting of the Reform Department February 20, 1895, Mrs. Flower spoke of a bill before the legislature to establish in Chicago a school for truant children who are beyond pa- rental control, and failed to attend the public school, or were refractory if in attendance. It was in no sense to be a reformatory, merely a part of the educational system. The records of the Reform Department show the following items: March 21, 1894, Mrs. Flower and Dr. Harriet Alex- ander were appointed a Committee to devise means of securing the appointment of an accomplished alienist as medical superin- tendent of the Detention Hospital. Mrs. Holt reported that the law regarding women and children was ready and spoke of the urgent need of a station for women. Dr. Stevenson brought before the Department the need of a state institution for epilep- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 159 tics. November 2, 1894, Mrs. Holt reported a movement being made in the office of the State's Attorney to expedite the trial of boys. Miss Haythorn reported that she had been encour- aged by the assurance that cases of boys would be tried at once by Judge Tuthill, who would hold court for the purpose on Saturday mornings. In January, 1895, all members were in- vited to visit the Model Lodging House and Work Shop at 186 West Polk Street. Thirty clubs were reported as contributing to the maintenance of this work. The annual report of the Reform Department in May, 1895, stated: The committee on securing women physicians in all institutions where women and children are cared for reported that the Criminal Asylum at Chester, Illinois, was at that time the only institution in the state which had no women on its medical staff. The jail school had been supported since February, 1892, by and under the supervision of the Department and a teacher was now employed from September 1 to June 15, at an expense of $224.40. Dur- ing the year there were 479 boys in the County Jail, and where- as the school was formerly only tolerated, it was now considered of great value, and every possible assistance was given to those in charge. The Department urged the reappointment of the present jailer, Mr. Whitman. "We have been assured that the place was secured to him upon our recommendation and in deference to our wishes." Volunteers from the Reform Depart- ment had been called upon to aid the Bureau of Charities in friendly visiting. December 18, 1895, Dr. Stevenson called for an expression of sympathy for the women and children in their terrible condition in Armenia, and moved that the Reform Department hold itself in readiness to assist the endeavors of the Red Cross Society on behalf of the Armenian women. She also reported that a conference would be held for the discus- sion of the laws of the State regarding women and children. January 8, 1896, the Reform Department announced monthly meetings for the study of laws regarding women and children, in which Illinois was behind other states. At the close of the Club season 1896, the Chairman of the City Federation Com- mittee reported that the most important work done by the Re- 160 ANNALS OF THE form Department during the year was the reorganization of the Bureau of Charities. February 22, 1896, a committee was ap- pointed to wait upon the Mayor and City Council in behalf of the completion and opening of the John Worthy School. Re- ports of the jail school and County Institution Visiting Com- mittees were made regularly at each meeting of the Department and show results in practical work and remedial measures. The jail teacher reported March, 1896, 62 boys in school; sentences shortened; communications sent to parents from boys who were long from home. She told of the excitable condition of her pupils during the past month, owing to an execution having been held in the jail. Conversation for two weeks had been chiefly of its harrowing details and the boys suffered either from nervousness and horror, or were brutalized accord- ing to their age and temperament. A Committee was appointed to call upon the Sheriff and learn particulars as to the execu- tions being held at state penitentiaries where no minors are con- fined. The following letter was sent to Miss Flood : "The only very pleasant recollection of this jail, that some of the Grand Jury have, is connected with their visit to the room where you were taking care of the small boys. We just felt sorry for the poor little fellows and grateful to the Woman's Club and to you. En- closed please find my check for $24.10, being the amount of my fees as grand juror. I will forward to you later another check for the same amount from the foreman of the grand jury. My own belief, after a grand jury service is, that the only hope of the future lies in reforming the children, not the grown people." May 13, 18%, Dr. Stevenson wished that the work of the Reform Department for next year could include an effort to obtain a training school for nurses to take charge of the insane at the Detention Hospital and Dunning. Miss Haythorn, the new teacher at the jail school, found that many people had been awakened to the conditions of unfortunate boys through the school and that the judges had never before been so interested and ready to hear the boys' cases as now. At her suggestion the State's Attorney had new books made out so that the boys' cases were put by themselves and were given the first hearings. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 161 December 16, 1896, the Reform Department proposed to provide entertainment for the poor at Dunning as often as once a week. It was also decided to engage a kindergarten teacher for such insane women at the asylum as are capable of receiving instruc- tion and finding an interest in occupation. The Jail School Committee reported having visited the proper authorities at the Court House to ask that the County should aid the Department in the expense incidental to maintaining two sessions of the school, one in the morning for boys under the age of fourteen, and another in the afternoon for boys between fourteen and sixteen. The reply was that no money could be given except by means of an appropriation and that had better be asked for next December. The Committee was working earnestly to provide a library for the boys. Patch-work was given the patients at Dunning and Dr. Kearney said it had given employment and pleasure to a number of patients. October 23, 1895, it was voted that Miss Lathrop and Mrs. W. I. Thomas send to the County Board a petition in the name of the Philanthropy Department asking that when practicable, dependent children be placed in families under proper condi- tions and under proper supervision. November 4, 1895, Mrs. Conger of the Philanthropy Department reported that her Com- mittee with others had seen Mr. Madden in the summer and sub- mitted a proposition to raise $50,000 and lend it to the City with- out interest, for the Bridewell. This offer was refused by the Finance Committee, but he promised that plans should be drawn in the autumn and money appropriated in January. The Department sent invitations to the justices of the peace to meet with them and talk about bettering the conditions for delin- quent children. December 23, 1896, the enforced idleness of the insane was again discussed by the Reform Department. It was suggested that kindergarten be held in the Insane Asylum. The Depart- ment voted to secure the services of a kindergarten teacher at its own expense, and make the experiment for the balance of the season. The kindergarten was opened at once at the Insane 162 ANNALS OF THE Asylum and all children under five years were removed from the institution. January 2, 1897, members of the Department visited the Detention Hospital and Insane Asylum. Three boxes of reading matter were sent during the month, two to Dunning and one to the Cook County Hospital. The Department reported further at the annual meeting that the committee to secure re- form in laws affecting women and children was working on a bill before the Legislature to regulate the employment of minors, known as the "Child Labor Bill," endorsed by Florence Kelly, State Factory Inspector; Julia Lathrop, a member of the State Board of Charities, and Dr. Sarah Hackett Steven- son, as a member of the State Board of Health. Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Joel D. Harvey were on the Board of the Home for Juvenile Offenders. The Reform Department aided in the agi- tation against the sale of liquor to minors, the manufacture of cigarettes and their sale to children. The large number of chil- dren in the almshouse was a source of much anxiety, and the problem was whether to open a play-ground and start a kinder- garten for their benefit, since they were there and we had no power to remove them, or to leave them without teaching or healthful recreation to the evil influences of the place, trying thus to force legislative action against their presence in the in- stitution. Six years ago the first move was made by the Reform Department to induce the city to provide a place other than the Bridewell for boys arrested for minor offenses. Through the efforts of some members of the School Board, who were en- listed in the cause by Mrs. Flower, an appropriation of $80,000.00 of school funds was made for a manual training school, the building being erected later. October 20, 1897, the Jail School Committee reported that the Reform Department would not be asked this year to pay the expenses of the jail school, as the Philanthropy Department had appointed a committee to visit the jail, and after satisfying themselves that extra work would be needed, visited the Sheriff and asked that the entire salary be paid by the County Board. They requested that the teacher be made an appointee of the Sheriff with a salary of $50 per month. If this did not prove CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 163 satisfactory at the end of the year, the Chicago Woman's Club could return to its former plan. A trial of calisthenics and physical exercises was made under the direction of teachers from the Battle Creek Sanitarium. In pleading for the perma- nence of the jail school, the Sheriff said the school saved the expense of a guard, whose salary was one thousand dollars a year. The petition was granted and the Philanthropy Depart- ment withdrew from further assistance in that specific work. Plans and suggestions of the Committee were being used by the officials in building the new dormitory at the John Worthy School. Dr. Stevenson moved that the sum of money hitherto devoted to jail school should be used for Child Saving. This was carried. January 22, 1896, the following resolution was presented by the Education Department, it having been unanimously adopted : Whereas : The Board of Education of the City of Chicago, proposes to make reduction in the salaries of certain classes of teachers, a course which threatens to discourage the retaining or securing the most efficient talent in the profession of teaching. Resolved: That the Education Department of the Chicago Woman's Club protests against action so inimical to the best interests of the public schools of our city. On the same date the following resolution was adopted by the Club : We, the members of the Woman's Club of Chicago, desire that the public schools of our city shall be maintained at the highest practicable standard. We recognize the fact that in order to do this, the most efficient teachers are needed, and to secure these, salaries must be sufficient and secure. The recent act of the Board of Education, reducing the sal- aries of teachers and principals in the middle of a school year, will, we believe, cripple our public school system by discourag- ing the teachers, by rendering them unable to meet financial obligations incurred upon the basis of the old salary, by under- 164 ANNALS OF THE mining their feeling of security, by weakening their professional spirit. We therefore respectfully and earnestly beg the mem- bers of the Board of Education to reconsider their act. A report of the Protective Agency for Women and Chil- dren stated that the Agency was started in 1886 and the Bureau of Justice in February 1888; that a consolidation of the two organizations was under advisement. Thanks were given the departments of the Chicago Woman's Club who had generously aided the Agency since its inception. The annual report of the Reform Department for 1897 for the year also stated that it had fully discussed the proposed union of the Bureau of Justice and the Protective Agency; that it was the opinion of the Re- form Department that the co-ordination of these two philan- thropic forces would be a benefit to the city. It had also con- sidered the forming of a committee on municipal reform, to include street cleaning, disposition of garbage and the smoke nuisance. January 15, 1896, the Board met to consider a proposition from Mrs. Henrotin regarding a congress of city clubs to con- sider the condition of childhood in Chicago. Mrs. Henrotin stated that the truancy law was ineffectual and that Illinois was backward in the treatment of delinquent children. At the next meeting of the Club, the Board was instructed to communicate with other women's organizations of this city and ask if they would unite with the Woman's Club in a symposium on the sub- ject of the condition of child life in Illinois. January 24, 1896, it was voted that the presidents of the women's clubs in Chi- cago and vicinity be invited to meet the officers of the Chicago Woman's Club to consider the calling of a convention to dis- cuss the condition of child life in Illinois, and movements toward the improvement of these conditions. The President chose as the date of meeting, January 31, 1896. As an outcome of this conference, two further meetings were held under the auspices of the women's clubs of Chicago on "Child Problems," May 9, 2 P. M., at the Chicago Woman's Club and at 8 P. M. at Central Music Hall, for which the Chicago Woman's Club paid the rental. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 165 February 12, 1896, Mrs. J. M. Flower was appointed a dele- gate from the Club to the proposed federation of women's clubs to consider the child problem. February 19, 1896, it was voted that the Chicago Woman's Club appoint a committee of seven to wait upon the Finance Committee of the City Council, and urge that an appropriation be made for the building of a dormitory for boys at the John Worthy School at the Bridewell. This committee was apjpointed and the instructions were carried out. A committee of three was appointed to confer with the Board of Education as to the compulsory education law. January 8, 1896, the chairman of the Art and Literature Department requested that the loan exhibit of works of art be allowed to remain in the rooms for one week, and asked for the use of the rooms Tuesday, February 14, for an evening re- ception to artists. At this reception, a bronze cast of the Brown- ing hands by Harriet Hosmer was presented to the Club as the gift of Mrs. Alexander Adam. The presentation was made by the sculptor herself, who in her address recalled many delight- ful memories of the Brownings, and disclosed to the Club the experiences of a friendship of many years. February 26, 1896, a committee was appointed by the Art and Literature Department to report on the feasibility of in- augurating the study of and the writing of essays in the public schools of Chicago, upon the beautifying and improvement of the city. At a business meeting of the Art and Literature De- partment, February 27, 1896, Mrs. Gertrude C. Moore proposed the formation of a music study class, the subject to be the evolu- tion of music from its beginning to the present day. A commit- tee of seven was appointed, each member to take charge of one programme. At the suggestion of Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Geo. B. Car- penter was made chairman. April 22, 1896, the Home Department stated that the study of municipal government had been chosen for the coming year and that the subject of household economics would be continued. Under the auspices of the Reform Department, Prof. Charles R. Henderson, of the University of Chicago, led a study class 166 ANNALS OF THE on charities and criminology in the autumn of 1896. On May 13, 1896, a committee was formed with Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson as chairman, to secure training schools for nurses in connection with other county institutions besides Cook County Hospital, in which one had been maintained since 1881, by the Illinois Training School for Nurses. May 13, 1896, a committee was formed to protest against the use of police stations as places of detention for the insane awaiting trial. It was also voted that the Club affiliate with the Model Lodging House Association by the appointment of six delegates. The Social Committee of the Club reported at the annual meeting May 18, 1895, that 652 guests had been entertained during the year, 251 of whom had been visitors to our city from other states and foreign countries. Among the guests were Maud Ballington Booth, Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Hosmer. An attempt toward hospitality had been made in the proffered cup of tea with sandwiches after each regular meeting of the year. The Committee entertained at luncheon on Founders' Day, February 21, 1895 ; luncheon was also served on October 11, 1894, for one hundred and twenty-five delegates from the federated clubs, who came to our city in response to Mrs. Henrotin's invitation to consider state federation. On Founders' Day 400 members of the Club were seated at small tables in the audience room, at 15 Washington street, the President and founders at a table on the platform. March 4, 1896, the President introduced Susan B. Anthony, who briefly ad- dressed the Club. She commended the women for the work they were doing, and urged them to still greater endeavor, reminding them that the benefits they enjoyed today had grown out of the efforts of the pioneers. April 1, 1896, the Club conferred hon- orary membership upon Miss Anthony. December 9, of the same year, Clara Barton was made an honorary member and Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler was elected March 10, 1897. At the following annual meeting, the Social Committee again reported that tea was served at each literary programme, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 167 and a reception was given in January in honor of the Club President; 1,056 guests from Europe, Asia, Africa and America had been entertained as was attested by guest tickets from Copenhagen, Glasgow, Constantinople and Bailunda, South Africa. June 4, 1896, it was voted to continue the teas after literary and business meetings, at proposed Saturday receptions and that members be permitted to bring guests to the Saturday social meetings. November 11, 1896, each Department was asked to appoint from four to six members to assist the Social Committee of the Club. February 10, 1897, a letter to the Board was read from Francis W. Parker asking that the Club rooms be given to the Child Study Congress May 1, which was granted. April 20, the rooms were given for a lecture under the auspices of the Art and Literature Department by Helen Dawes Brown, on the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. The annual report of the Recording Secretary May 20, 1896, summarizes the work of the Departments and the Club as follows: The Reform Department states that supervision has been exercised over the county institutions where the insane and the poor find a permanent home, that no abuses be allowed to creep in, for it is easy to grow accustomed to the conditions of distress and sorrow, and the sympathies too often become blunted. From time to time the members have visited the County Jail, where the Reform Department maintains a school for boys, under the efficient and kindly leadership of Miss Flor- ence Haythorn. It has been the desire of the Art and Liter- ature Department to gather examples of painting and sculpture and bring to the Club ideals of form and color, delightfully re- lieving the monotony of unremitting toil, which is so character- istic of our organization. As a result of the demands upon our charity succeeding the World's Fair the activities of the Model Workshop and Lodging House Association are still carried on by many members of our Club. Its aims have been changed somewhat, its uses restricted, but it still looks to the relief of helpless women who need employment. The members of the Philanthropy Department have visited police stations, where in- nocent women and children are sometimes held. They have 168 ANNALS OF THE inquired into the qualifications of police matrons, who have temporary charge of these unfortunates and urged kindly treat- ment and consideration for the guilty as well as the guiltless. They have also suggested that needy children be placed as far as possible in homes rather than in institutions, as the influence of the hearthstone is more conducive to the better unfolding of the child. During the past year another organization has been developed by our members. It has been named the Chicago Political Equality League. Its object is to promote the study of political science and foster and extend the political rights and privileges of women. Delegates have been sent to represent us at the annual meeting of the State Federation and to the biennial meeting of the General Federation of Women's Clubs ; six dele- gates to the Model Workshop and Lodging House Association; one delegate to the Convention of Charities and Correction held at Grand Rapids. With the present year we took upon our- selves a new name, believing that "woman" had a broader signi- ficance than "women," and so we were newly christened "The Chicago Woman's Club." At the adjourned annual meeting June 3, 1896, a letter was presented from the employees of Marshall Field & Co., asking for the interest and co-operation of the Club in the closing of retail dry goods stores on Saturday afternoons during June, July and August. The Chair spoke of a proposed building to be erected for the Club if desired. Several sites and buildings were considered at different times during the Club year. The Chair appointed a Committee of five women to arrange for a mass meeting to consider plans for permanent quarters, Dr. Bedell as Chairman. The Permanent Rooms Committee tried to interest other clubs to the end of obtaining a permanent Club home, the project was abandoned as too difficult of accomplish- ment and May 11, 1898, it was voted that we lease rooms in the Studebaker Building in Michigan Avenue for three years. An educational congress was held May 13-16, 1896. Dr. G. Stanley Hall, President of Clark University, lectured on May 16, in the Woman's Club rooms. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 169 The Club membership in 1896 was 750. During the month of November, 1898, 511 women were re- ceived at the Model Workshop and Lodging House. The sewing room was self-supporting for the first time. Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson reported in 1900: "The Woman's Club has received the credit for the initiation of the Model Lodging House. In a city of two million, there must be many women above the poor- house and police station occupant who find themselves tempo- rarily stranded. It is for this class the Model Lodging House, 253 Ewing Street, was founded." It is now known as the Sarah Hackett Stevenson Memorial ; it was through her that the work was established. In 1913, three buildings were donated, 2410-12- 14 Prairie Avenue. The Students' Reference Bureau in making its third an- nual report was gratified to be able to say that the receipts which had steadily increased from year to year had this year more than doubled in amount. The Bureau was not a money making scheme, nor was it designed to be from the first, but it deserved to be recognized as a not unimportant factor in the altruistic movements to aid women in their efforts to gain a more com- plete and intelligent understanding of the questions of the day. The work was of slow growth but from multitudes of letters received from all parts of the country, it was evident that it was one greatly needed and was hailed with delight by many women living in towns remote from libraries, as well as by the "over-clubbed" women of our modern cities. The class in English prose fiction of the Art and Literature Department had its first meeting October 7, 1896, with an at- tendance of 100. The class studying the evolution of music began its regular sessions October 14. November 11, 1896, the Reform Department reported the sending of a committee to visit Major McClaughry, relative to the appointment of women as teachers at Pontiac Reformatory; also the appointment of a committee looking toward the enforce- ment of the law prohibiting the sale of liquor to minors. On the same date the Education Department reported the appointment of a committee consisting of Mrs. Putnam, Miss 170 ANNALS OF THE Summers and Miss Snively to co-operate with committees from the Board of Education, the Teachers' Club, the Education De- partment of the City Federation and the Committee of Sixty, for the promotion of field work in nature study in the public schools. The Department reported December 9, 18%, the following resolution which was submitted by a committee which had been instructed to make an investigation: Whereas: It has been ascertained on good authority that the rules of the Board of Education require the washing of school room floors and windows only twice a year, your com- mittee feels that the time has come when all who have at heart the sanitary condition and common cleanliness of our school houses should. unite in a request that the Board of Education make better provision in this most important matter, we there- fore request the Board of Directors of the Chicago Woman's Club to aid the Education Department, by appointing a new com- mittee to include a representative from each Department, whose duty it shall be to thoroughly investigate the question and re- port to the Club at the next fourth Wednesday meeting. The Education Department gave two receptions to the public school teachers of Chicago, the first on January 5, when the teachers of the grammar grades were the guests. The second reception was given in honor of the primary and high school teachers of the city. On April 14, a committee was ap- pointed to co-operate in the effort to furnish school children with pure water. In 1897, the Education Department devoted its energy to forming a closer connection between the Public Library and the Public Schools. The Department reported a resolution passed February 10, 1897, recommending to the Mayor that the Police Relief Fund be used to clean the streets and school buildings, the work to be given to men and women who apply for relief, and who are able to do the work. A com- mittee was appointed to present the matter also to the Civic Federation and to the Board of Charities. On January 13, 1897, the Chairman of the Education Department requested time on the fourth Wednesday programme to discuss the following CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 171 matters: A bill for compulsory education to be presented to the legislature, Mrs. Flower to present the text, and persons invited from outside clubs to speak on the subject and the matter of adequate school provision for defective children to be pre- sented by Miss Summers and Dr. Julia Holmes Smith. On February 3, 1897, a special meeting of the Club was ordered for the discussion of the Dependent Children's Bill and Bill on Child Labor. March 31, 1897, the Club devoted an afternoon to the con- sideration of birds and their value. The Audubon Society was invited to attend and the principal speaker was Mrs. Sarah A. Hubbard. At the close of the program the following resolu- tions was adopted: Whereas : The Chicago Woman's Club is convinced that the reckless slaughter of wild birds which is now going on to such an extent as to threaten the extinction of bird life, can be finally stopped by the general refusal of women to wear wild birds and their plumage as ornaments or trimmings, and believes that such action on the part of women can be secured if they become ac- quainted with the facts which underly the traffic in birds and their plumage. Therefore, be it Resolved : That the Chicago Woman's Club will use its earnest efforts to create a settled public opinion adverse to the bird-wearing fashion, and Be it further Resolved: That the Club shall through its. proper officials request the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs and the General Federation of Women's Clubs to arrange for the discussion of the subject of the protection of birds, at their next state and national conventions, and also to encour- age as best they can all clubs to take up the matter at home ; and Be it further Resolved: That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this Club, and that copies of them be sent to the secretaries and the program committees of the Illinois and General Federation of Women's Clubs. In her address of May 20, 1896, Mrs. Lydia Avery Coonley, the President, said : "Would it not be well to allow departments 172 ANNALS OF THE to draw upon the general treasury for a certain annual sum to carry on their work, instead of levying independent taxes ? For, however we may define and explain these definite sums we are pressed to give, they are taxes. It seems to me not quite fair that departments differentiate themselves in this manner. We should unify our interests. When we cease to be one club and become six clubs, we lose the strength of unity. Our work would be incomplete were any of our six departments cut off, yet I think there is danger of losing the realization that we are members of one body and of magnifying the separate members. Our interests should not be divided. Some departments have been forced to ask many dollars from each member, while the work of others is largely self-centered and needs little money. But we all belong to the Woman's Club, and we should all have part in all its work. * * * I believe I favor an annual due in- creased by one or two dollars to meet department work. I think this general addition would be better and fairer than the present system. My fourth suggestion touches department work. I wish our Education Department would secure labelling of trees and shrubs in our parks with botanical and also with common names. It would be a simple method of diffusing education." April 14, 1897, an amendment was passed, substituting $12.00 for $10.00 annual dues, adding "two dollars per capita shall be apportioned to the work of the Departments." It was also voted that the extra work of the Corresponding Secretary be given to the Business Woman's Exchange, which developed later into the School of Domestic Arts and Science. In the annual address of the President, Elizabeth H. Ball, April 28, 1897, may be read: "As to what the Club has done for our women, we all know that it has awakened a new sense of the meaning of life, and of the value of time. It has been a powerful agent in the broadening of women's minds and hearts and in enlarging their aims. It has brought about the solidarity of women as no other force could have done. The Club has been an educator. It has not given the training of the universi- ties the training based on the popular fallacy that all things CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 173 worth knowing are to be found in books but it has given the education that develops and enriches the personality of the in- dividual the broader, better education of practical life. Not the least among the benefits of club life is what has been called the 'contagion of personality' the contact of the inexperienced with the experienced. Here, people are brought together who would never meet in any other way -those whom the ordinary forces of environment would tend to separate rather than unite, and what is the result? The society woman discovers that the business woman does not necessarily lose all social graces, when from force of circumstances she enters the arena to compete with her brother ; and in turn, the business woman finds that the society leader is not, of necessity, a frivolous creature, given over entirely to the foibles of fashionable life. She finds that likenesses are more than differences, and that the classifica- tions she has been prone to make are based on false premises. So the Club has given a clearer sense of the true values, and has been a most potent factor in breaking down social barriers." November 10, 1897, a letter was read from the State Fed- eration accepting the invitation to meet in Chicago for its next convention. Mrs. Huddleston reported having written to 39 clubs in regard to arrangements for the Federation meeting in 1898, _ and that thirteen had responded. All expressed them- selves ready to do anything required. A small executive com- mittee would be formed from these clubs. The plan was ap- proved. February 9, 1898, Mrs. Huddleston, chairman of Con- mittee on Arrangements for the State Federation Convention, stated that $1,500.00 would be needed for the work. This amount had been apportioned among the various clubs and the share of the Chicago Woman's Club would be $200. She further stated that Central Music Hall had been engaged, that members of the Woman's Club were prepared to entertain dele- gates, and asked that the Club rooms be granted as Federation headquarters. December 8, 1897, Dr. Stevenson was given the use of the Club rooms for a proposed lecture by Miss Jane Addams on 174 ANNALS OF THE "Tolstoi," the proceeds to go to the support of the Model Lodg- ing House. A conference on manual training was held December 11, 1897, under the auspices of the Committee on Manual Training. December 8, 1897, the President suggested the advisability of calling a conference of officers of other working clubs to con- sider the enforcement of the Compulsory Education Law. The call was sent to nine organizations. The committee was com- posed of one delegate from each of the active clubs of Cook County. Mrs. Flower had in her possession about $100 which could be used in the work of testing the law. Miss Summers promised to report cases of truancy. May 25, 1898, Miss Sum- mers spoke on behalf of the work of the Compulsory Education Committee, stating that Mrs. Flower as Chairman had worked for this cause for ten years and Mrs. George W. Plummer had aided for the past six months. A test case had come up and it was very important that delegates should be sent to serve on the Committee without restrictions. Mrs. Flower and Mrs. Plummer were named as the delegates. The Chicago Woman's Club tendered an afternoon recep- tion to the Baroness Bertha Von Buelow, April 30, 1897. March 10, 1897, the Art and Literature Department enter- tained at a reception the artists and literary people of the city. October 27, 1897, Miss McDougal reported lists of guests to the reception and notes of acceptance and regrets which had been kept; she suggested that such communications would be interesting to the Department and should be preserved. They are in the files of the Club. February 3, 1898, was chosen as the day for a reception at the Art Institute. The Department appointed a committee to take charge of a children's Christmas entertainment and voted $100.00 toward making the children's festival an annual affair, and to assume all responsibilities connected with it, the proceeds to be used in giving the people of social settlements some of the pleasure and profit to be derived from good music and pictures, and to give the children some of the more spiritual ideas connected with the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 175 celebration of Christmas. On February 23, 1898, Mrs. Cox re- ported for the Entertainment Committee that the net receipts from the "Children's Messiah" were $214.40. Frederick Grant Gleason spoke before the Music Study Class at its December meeting. Mr. Kemys, the sculptor of the American animals in the World's Fair Court of Honor, lectured before the Art Class upon the inspiration and difficul- ties of his art, which he illustrated by modeling a mountain lion. The Art Class at one of the meetings saw etchers at work. A letter was read from the young man whose tuition at the Art Institute was paid by the department during the previous year. "He expressed gratitude for help given, his abil- ity to do without the stipend this year, and his hope of re-paying his debt to us, by helping someone in the future who might need help, as he did last year. Word came also from a young woman in the University of Chicago, whom we helped to the ex- tent of fifty dollars, that she was anxious to repay ; thus showing that both were most appreciative of the aid given them." Signa- tures were secured to a petition to the Board of Education asking to have the walls of school rooms tinted. The Club rooms were used May 27, 28, 29 and 30, 1898, for examination of candidates for Bryn Mawr College. It was planned to hold a conference in March, 1898, with delegates from all active clubs in the city, to take the place of Reciprocity Day, as observed by other clubs ; it was recommended by the program committee that the fifth Wednesday in March be devoted to the discussion of dependent children, and representatives of other women's clubs be invited to be with us, either to present the sub- ject or to listen to its presentation by competent speakers. The Chair stated that it had not been her wish to devote this day to the matter of dependent children alone, but to the formation of a Cook County Federation, the invitation to come from the Board of the Chicago Woman's Club to the boards of other clubs. March 16, 1898, the President was authorized to call a meeting of the officers and boards of other Cook County clubs in the Woman's Club rooms for the purpose of forming a county fed- 176 ANNALS OF THE eration. In 1899, the new league was reported at the annual meeting as follows : The League of Cook County Clubs was organized April 22, 1898, thirty-one delegates present. The object of the league is to expedite the work which is of common interest to all clubs, and to bring influence to bear upon all questions affecting the educational and moral welfare of the city and county. The work is divided among four committees: educational, civics, club extension and press. The moral and financial support of all literary, musical or art clubs is desired for the success of the league, for questions affecting county and city advancement will in a measure depend upon the amount of support given it by the clubs, whose plan of work prevents their becoming active members. The delegates of the League of Cook County Clubs were requested to urge their clubs to endorse the Parental or Truant School Bill ; also to visit the cooking schools and report to the clubs, in order to bring influence to bear to retain sewing and cooking in the public schools; to encourage the forming of play grounds wherever needed, and to secure the entire separa- tion of the John Worthy School and dormitories from the Bridewell and the introduction of reformatory methods in deal- ing with juveniles. A letter was prepared to be sent to the Mayor and Board of Education covering all of the important points along educational lines in the schools and Board of Education, which have been occupying the minds of all at the present time, including the extension of the kindergarten and the unification of kindergarten teaching ; also the recommendation that a kinder- garten training department be added to the Normal School. In February, 1898, the Philanthropy and Reform Depart- ments passed a resolution asking the board to form a standing committee on civics, consisting of six members from each depart- ment. March 30, 1898, Miss Lathrop moved that a resolution be sent to the Chicago Woman's Club from the Reform and Philanthropy Departments, asking the Club to espouse the work of compulsory education, and a parental school to be under- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 177 taken by the entire Club, as part of its work. In April, a joint committee was appointed from the Reform and Philanthropy Departments, Julia C. Lathrop, chairman. The first work which claimed the attention of this committee was probation care for children in police stations. Much was accomplished in pre- ventive work during the year that followed. The new Jail School Committee, with Mary E. Holmes as chairman, entered upon the work with enthusiasm. There was no vacation in the school during the summer, 250 boys being under instruc- tion. It was reported that the words "Cell-House" had been placed upon the boys' dormitories, the erection of which was secured through the efforts of members of the Chicago Woman's Club. It was the wish of the Education Department that the authorities be asked to remove them. Judge Tuthill expressed the opinion that the work of the Chicago Woman's Club in the jail school, its agitation for bet- ter conditions for the neglected boys and the meetings arranged by us to discuss their needs, and especially our records of these boys, led by gradual steps to the establishment of the Juvenile Court. It was the beginning of constructive work for the ne- glected boys. The committee, led by Mmes. Flower, Perry Smith and Hancock, stood by that work, and secured permission from the State's Attorney, Mr. Longenecker, to have one judge hold a morning session once a week, every Friday morning, for the boys only; Judge Tuthill was the one appointed; Miss Haythorn brought her records to the court, she having inves- tigated every phase of each case, members of the committee accompanying her. Julia C. Lathrop, in a letter dated October 30, 1915, says: Mrs. Flower was one of the most active persons in all the work which led to the creation of the Juvenile Court, the St. Charles School, the early management of the Detention Home, the financing of the probation officers. Mrs. Henrotin, Miss Addams and Mrs. H. Solomon, were on all the committees, as I recall. Of course, we always realize that the Juvenile Court was a slow growth, and that the earlier women who got the police matrons and the jail school made the preliminary foray." 178 ANNALS OF THE Mrs. Bradford Hancock writes March 1, 1916: "The Re- form Department of the Chicago Woman's Club took charge of the Cook County Jail School in February, 1892. They as- sumed the salary of the teacher. The first commit- tees from the department to assist the teacher and visit the school was composed of Mrs. Perry H. Smith, chairman; Mrs. A. A. Carpenter, Mrs. Ida Edwards Keen, Miss Mary Tenney, Mrs. Bradford Hancock and Dr. Julia Holmes Smith. The school session was from 9:30 to 11:30 a. m., held in the cor- ridor of the old jail. The attendance ranged from fifteen to fifty boys; average for the year twenty-five; ages from ten to sixteen years. For the first time the boys were separated from the older prisoners. The cells and corridors were cleaned. Miss Haythorn's afternoons were spent in court with the boys or in visiting their homes. She did the work of a probation officer. It was through this committee that the first Thanksgiving dinner was given to the boys, followed by a program of music and recita- tions. Through the investigating of records kept, and the agita- tion of this committee for separation of the boys from the men, started the thought of the Juvenile Court. When Mrs. Perry Smith resigned, Mrs. Hancock was made chairman, and later Mrs. Mary E. Holmes and Mrs. E. A. Schoyer held that office. Many earnest and able women served on that committee." Mrs. Florence Haythorn Jewell writes, March 3, 1916, at the request of the History Committee: "During the Congress of Religions held during the World's Fair, 1893, Dr. Henderson arranged for me to speak at one of the sessions, and it was then announced that our jail school was the only one of its kind in the world. Many of the boys we had enrolled are doing well. One boy, whom we arranged for to go to Wisconsin on a farm, became interested in horses and has married and is located on a farm he is paying for. Another boy is with one of the big mercantile houses in Chicago, holding a responsible position, with the same firm we placed him in when he left the jail. A third boy has been with one of the big railroads, where he began cleaning cattle cars; is earning CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 179 $5 a day in the mechanical department and has perfected a patent which the railroad is adopting. There are other cases, which we were able to look after, when placing the boys ; almost all of them proved successful. "The first day Judge Tuthill was assigned to try boys' cases only in a session of his court, the school records were used, and I was asked to sit by the judge and tell him of each boy's case as he was brought in for trial; the investigation made by me was accepted. Members of the committee were also present. Over and over, Judge Tuthill and others have said our records, our investigations, the work of the committee helped start the Juvenile Court. Rev. John Chattin, visiting the jail for the Episcopal Church, felt the need of a home for the boys on being discharged from the jail; through his help with the teacher we started a home in Austin ; later it was moved to Chicago, and is now known as the 'Laurence Hall.' When we began the jail school, the jailer, guards and State's Attorney, had little faith we could do anything, but they admitted the school did do things in the right direction, as we began to work out plans. Much detail could be written of the jail school, as conducted by the Woman's Club, but the best work accomplished was the demonstration, that a Juvenile Court was necessary." Judge Richard H. Tuthill writes February 9, 1916: "I give you a few words from my memories of the work done by the Woman's Club of Chicago in providing care for children. The work of this noble organization was initial, persistent and effective. Well do I remember how many years ago, when it became my turn to hold the Criminal Court, I first visited the jail and found the cells of the old jail filled with boys, some of them under what was then called the age of criminal respon- sibility, ten years. I requested the State's Attorney to have a calendar of all the boys' cases made out for me, telling him that I wished to dispose of their cases before I began on the adults. * * * Mrs. Lucy L. Flower, Mrs. Perry H. Smith and others, whose names must appear on the records of the Club, at once set to work to do what could be done to improve 180 ANNALS OF THE the situation. The Club, or certain members of the Club it may be, asked if they could not be permitted to employ at their own expense a teacher to go every day to the boys in the jail, talk to them and teach them. Of course, they were given per- mission. The Club thereupon employed and paid for some two or three years a young lady who gave her service in behalf of the little children in the jail every day. No more loving and inspiring work was ever done by woman. From that time the Club's work for the children was unin- terrupted and wonderfully efficient. That was, indeed, the be- ginning. Then came the work of providing a place other than the noisome cells, police stations, the jail and the House of Cor- rection, which were in reality mere schools for the education of children in the ways of crime and every vicious and wicked thing. The women of the Woman's Club of Chicago suggested and largely aided in the establishment of the Parental School, where the truants, who could not be kept in the public and parochial schools, could be safely kept and cared for. Then came the agitation for a school on an unoccupied part of the grounds of the House of Correction, which would give to the boys too old for the Parental School a place where they could be taught, not merely the rudiments of a common school education, but manual training in a well-equipped manual train- ing department. This school was named the John Worthy School in honor of the husband of one of the members of the Woman's Club. True, it was not ideally located, but it was an approach to heaven, compared to what had preceded it. Then began the work of changing the law of Illinois with respect to the care and treatment of all boys and girls under 17 years of age, who were found in a condition of delinquency. In all the consultations and work done in the preparation of this law, which became the Juvenile Court Law of Illinois, the most humane and wisest law ever enacted in any state of the Union, the Woman's Club took a most important and effective part. Individual members and committees of the Club ceased not their efforts when this law came into force July 1, 1899. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 181 The first probation officer appointed by the Judge of the Juve- nile Court was one of the remarkable women of Chicago, Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens, then residing at Hull House. Mrs. Flower brought her to me and said that 'this lady, you will find, can be very helpful as a probation officer, and we will see that she is paid for her services,' as there was no provision in the law for the payment of probation officers not even one. The writer of this was anxious that a brother judge, who was younger in years and in service than he, should be appointed Judge of the Juvenile Court, but he positively refused and de- clined to accept the place, whereupon I was selected to organize and hold this court. There were many defects in the statute, but the court in various ways did enforce the law. Experience taught many things, and the effort to give the children under it proper parental care, its great purpose and aim, at last won the support and approval of all thinking men and women. For over six years I held that court, which was often spoken of by people who thought that caring for children's cases was rather beneath the dignity of a real judge, 'the Kindergarten Court.' It has done great good and its influence has spread throughout the nation and even into foreign countries. It has not changed the nature of the boys of this great metropolis, who have never had proper parental care, but it has done an incalculable good to many thousands of them. To the women of Chicago and especially to those who have been found in the membership of the Woman's Club the sincerest gratitude of all good citizens and unstinted praise is due for their initial and effective labors in behalf of this so great and needed reform." The following review is taken from the President's address for 1897-1898, given by Mrs. Remick at the annual meeting: "It is impossible for club members, not members of the board, to realize the self-sacrificing devotion of our officials. It does seem to me that we are asking too much work of our officers. I believe we should lighten the work of our secreta- ries and chairmen of large committees by the engagement of the services of a stenographer and typewriter, who should be 182 ANNALS OF THE at the service of those who do the work of this Club. The clubs of Cook County have for years been working alone at tasks much too large for single clubs, but not impossible for the combined clubs of Cook County. We are still learning to work together, but the time will come when we shall have learned to use our united strength to real purpose. In co-opera- tion with other clubs of Cook County, this Club invited the clubs of the city to unite with us in securing vacation schools in Chicago this summer, and formed a permanent committee to proceed with this work until we should have convinced the Board of Education of the value of Vacation Schools for the prevention of crime in this city, or rather, until public opinion should have been educated to demand Vacation Schools as a part of our school system. The board has made an experi- ment this year in the appointment of an advisory committee, which it feels has been a success, and it would recommend to the Club the forming of a new standing committee called the Advisory Committee. Uniformity of opinion is neither desir- able nor possible in so large a club. We have learned to differ widely in opinions without personal feeling. I once heard a member pay the highest tribute to this Club; she said: 'The Woman's dub is the best organized association in the country; there may be intense personal feeling over a question, but once let it be settled by vote, and feeling subsides and the minority support the will of the majority.' If the Woman's Club has done this for us, it has given us a liberal education. The most outspoken difference of opinion in debate is good, but criticism by members who have not spoken in public, and criticism of work and workers by those who do not work, is bad for the Club and worse for the members who indulge in it." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 183 CHAPTER VI. 1898 TO 1900. The Board of Directors having voted that the United Study Class of the six Departments of the Chicago Woman's Club be continued for the coming club year, each of the Departments ratified this action by appointing a sub-committee of five to serve as members of a general committee authorized to arrange a program of study. The committee of thirty thus formed se- lected a general topic, "The Needs of a Great City," and ex- pressed the wish that the essayists and speakers make the course a comparative study of successful results in various municipali- ties. After electing a chairman to preside over the study class, the general committee delegated the choice of sub-topics and the arrangement of details to a committee of seven, comprising this chairman and the chairmen of the Department sub-commit- tees. This smaller committee consulted the members of the gen- eral committee, as to the varied interests of the departments, throughout the course. The class met on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from October to April, inclusive, excepting December 28 and February 22. Time was given each day for informal discussion. The program, as outlined, was as follows : THE NEEDS OF A GREAT CITY. October 12 Development of Public Spirit: Teaching of Patriotism, Primary Elections, The Subordination of Partisan- ship to Public Welfare. October 26 Fundamental Problems of Municipal Organ- ization: Centralization or Division of Power, Home Rule or Statutory Commissions, Municipal Control of Natural Monopo- lies. November 9 Enforcement of Laws and Ordinances: Re- form of Justice Courts, Repeal of Antiquated Laws. November 23 Cleanliness: Garbage, Street Cleaning, Abatement of Smoke Nuisance, Public Conveyances. 184 ANNALS OF THE December 14 Public Health: Sewerage, Pure Water, In- spection of Food, Public Baths and Laundries. January 11 Recreation: Parks, Playgrounds and Play- masters, Free Concerts, Swimming Tanks and Gymnasiums, Substitute for the Saloon. January 25 The Intellectual Environment of the Citizen: Schools, Libraries and Reading Rooms, Popular Lectures, News- papers. February 8 The Ethical Environment of the Citizen; Character Building, Popularization of Churches, Social Influence of Public Schools. March 8 The Relation of Art to Public Welfare : Archi- tecture, Statues in Public Places, Art Museums, Music, Arts and Crafts, Posters and Bill Boards. March 22 The Equalization of Economic Opportunities: Banks for Small Savings, Equitable Pawn Shops, Fair Prices to Small Purchasers, Housing of the Poor, Cheap and Rapid Transportation. April 12 Ideals Achieved: A Composite City. April 26 Practical Outcome of this Study to the Chicago Woman's Club. The Philosophy and Science Department had proposed as early as December, 1897, the formation of a School for Patrio- tism, and the Philanthropy Department asked that February 12, 1898, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, be set apart for spe- cial celebration and for the promotion of a public sentiment in favor of making that day a national holiday. This action was taken to further the cause of good citizenship, and the Board was requested to place the arrangements for this celebration in the hands of the Patriotic Committee of the Woman's Club. April 26, 1898, the committee reported as follows : "The Committee on Patriotic Action in the Public Schools appointed by the board, have had many meetings and have con- sulted with the superintendent of schools and with various teachers in order to avoid all duplication of work or to spend money in any way in which it was not absolutely needed. A let- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 185 ter was addressed by your committee to all the patriotic socie- ties of the city asking them to co-operate with us in the work of the committee. In reply the D. A. R. appointed a commit- tee and have been most active in assisting by advice and have also appropriated $50. Your committee has not yet asked for money, and it still remains in the treasury of the Daughters. The chairman of the Committee on Patriotic Action of the Union League also signified the willingness of his committee to assist us in any way. Pursuant to the order of the Board that this committee should take charge of the celebration of Lin- coln's Birthday, February 12, two meetings were arranged, one at Handel Hall, and the other at the Woman's Club Rooms. The meeting in the morning was for children in the public schools. Five or six hundred children were present, and a lec- ture was given by Professor Watts, illustrated by stereopticon views. In the afternoon, at the Woman's Club, the meeting was addressed by Rev. Jenkin Lloyd Jones, and Mr. Frederick Root took charge of the music, which consisted of national songs. The committee proposed to spend the balance of its fund in connection with the work of the vacation schools, or- ganizing excursions to interesting historical points about Chi- cago, such as old Fort Dearborn, the site of the Columbian Exposition, Father Marquette's encampment and other places." One year later, April, 1899, the Patriotic Committee, Mrs. Henrotin, chairman, reported as follows: "Your Committee on Patriotic Action was a survival of a Committee on Teaching Patriotism in the Public Schools.' After the latter committee was organized it was discovered that it would necessarily duplicate the instructions given to the pupils in the abstract. This instruction is all that can be desired. The members all agreed that the history of Illinois was both sug- gestive and inspiring, and that the best way to arouse civic feeling was to make this history known. The committee adopted as a permanent designation the name of Committee of Patriotic Action. The first official act was to invite the co-operation of clubs and societies likely to be interested. A meeting was held, 186 ANNALS OF THE and a definite plan presented and co-operation invited. All the delegates agreed to submit the plan of organization of the Illi- nois History Club to their associations. During the summer I recalled an address which had been delivered by Mr. Edward G. Mason at the dedication of the building of the Chicago His- torical Society, in which he outlined a policy to be pursued simi- lar in scope to that of the New York History Club. I felt that the solution of the whole question was at hand. The Historical Society was the one agency which would organize and support this work. It has a beautiful building, well adapted for lec- tures or study classes, and a wealth of documents, maps, pic- tures, etc., suitable for such a purpose. It seems as if such a store of historical riches should be placed at the disposal of the citizens of Illinois. The state has been successively in the possession of Spain, France and England, and has furnished to the United States for service some of the noblest men of this country." The Club voted $100 for the committee's use. April 28, 1900, the Patriotic Action Committee reported that several meet- ings had been held during the year, and that in co-operation with the Education Department, a course of civic lectures treating of the history of Chicago had been planned. Out of this grew a separate society, which offered a program of lectures on Chicago and secured the co-operation of educators and speakers. The Club parlors were given to this society for six Saturday lectures during 1898. This sketch of the growth of a Club Committee into an independent organization is highly char- acteristic of the activity of the Chicago Woman's Club to co- operate, to inaugurate, and set movements going and even to assign work to other organizations. During the year 1898-1899, the Philosophy and Science De- partment conducted a study class in psychology, under the lead- ership of Prof. James R. Angell, of University of Chicago. Owing to the interest and enthusiasm of this year's work, the department voted to continue the study class another year under the general subject, "Psychological aspect of ethical problems." CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 187 November 2, 1899, Dr. Zella A. Dixson spoke of the life and valuable work of Mrs. Ellen B. Bastin for the Club and Depart- ment, to which she belonged, and said : "Today the Philosophy and Science Department desires formally to present to the Club the bust of Darwin, to be a constant reminder and perpetual memorial of Ellen B. Bastin." March 22, 1899, the Philosophy and Science Department voted to send to the University of Chi- cago to be given to the young woman doing the best work in psy- chology the sum of $120. This student did brilliant work at the university in experimental psychology, and had received the travel- ing scholarship of the Collegiate Alumnae. March 28, 1900, the sum of $50 was appropriated for a student of the university, to aid her in the psychological investigation of criminology in the south. It was voted that whatever funds the Department of Philosophy and Science had to contribute to outside work be devoted to some purpose which should be in line with the subjects for which the Department stands. April 23, 1902, the Philosophy and Science Department reported: "Some of you may remember a lecture given by Dr. Breas- ted in the Club rooms, under the auspices of this Department. He gave a graphic account of his experiences in Egypt, and expressed great enthusiasm in speaking of the relics which he was able to bring to our city. He said the contributions from our Department for the last three years have assisted the Egyp- tian Research Society in bringing to light the first three dynas- ties of Egypt, a period of five hundred years, which has hereto- fore been pre-historic. Of the life and arts of this period we are now to a certain extent informed, and the discoveries have thus opened an entirely new chapter in the life of the peoples of the Nile." March 30, 1898, Miss Lathrop recommended that the mem- bers assist in establishing a Probation Law in our Justice Courts, so that children who are not criminals should not be sent to the Bridewell. The most satisfactory way to do this was to have the justice appoint some member as the offender's guar- dian for a certain length of time, giving him freedom only on 188 ANNALS OF THE condition that he lives up to all the agreements made. Novem- ber 16, 1898, Mrs. Flower moved that the Reform Department contribute $125 for the purpose of paying some one to investigate children's cases at stations. Mrs. Kelley spoke of the necessity of prohibiting children under sixteen years of age from being employed between the hours of 9 p. m. and 6 a. m., and sug- gested the preparation of a bill with the endorsement of the Re- form Department, to be submitted at the next Club meeting, and presented at the next legislature. December 28, 1898, the probation work for children in police stations was reported. The Children's Home and Aid Society, with Mr. Hastings Hart as president, had agreed to co-operate with the joint committee from the Philanthropy and Reform Departments in paying the salary of a probation offi- cer. Mr. Carl Kelsey was appointed to begin work at once at the East Chicago Avenue Station; members of the two depart- ments were to assist Mr. Kelsey in looking after truant boys after he had secured a suspension of sentence and investigated the case. The Club members then visited the home of the child and his teachers, to see that he was kept in school and off the street and otherwise guarded and guided. Justices in the districts, where there were no probation officers, were requested to send notice to these women. Miss Bartelme, the public guar- dian of Cook County, reported having placed a number of chil- dren to board in homes and institutions, and spoke of efficient aid rendered by members of her committee in the Reform De- partment. April 29, 1899, it was reported that Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens, who visited the Maxwell Street Station, and Mrs. Mary Sly, of the Northwestern Settlement, who was interested in the West Chicago Avenue Station, had been acting as probation officers. February 8, 1899, Miss Lathrop and Mrs. Henrotin were appointed delegates to Springfield to look after the bills relat- ing to the Truant and Parental Schools, and the Chicago Bar Association's Bill, in the interest of dependent and delinquent children. February 15, 1899, Judge Hurd spoke on the Bar Asso- ciation's Bill, of which he was the author, and Miss Lathrop CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 189 spoke on dependent children. Mrs. Plummer gave an account of the success of the visit of the delegates appointed by this Qub, with the different committees of the House and Senate at Springfield, and moved that two committees of three each be ap- pointed to secure a corps of workers to further the interests of the parental school and delinquent children bill. The fol- lowing resolution was adopted: "That a standing committee be appointed from this Club, whose duty it shall be to work for the complete separation of the John Worthy School from the Bridewell, this committee to continue until the work is accomplished, and that this com- mittee convey to Mayor Harrison the feelings of the Club in regard to tearing out cells and replacing them with dormito- ries." February 22, 1899, Miss Lathrop and Mrs. F. P. Bag- ley were sent by the Club to Springfield to continue work for the Truant School and Dependent Children's Bill. October 25, 1899, Miss Mary S. Tenney, chairman of pro- bation work for children in police stations, reviewed the work done by the Juvenile Court since its opening, July 1. She rec- ommended that the contributions toward the salary of a pro- bation officer be continued and that an additional police station be supplied with an officer. Mrs. Flower told of the great need of probation officers and volunteer workers to assist the officers in looking after the boys. As many as 35 boys were brought before the judge in one day. Boys of 16 years and over required the instruction and influence of the school quite as much as the younger boys; 26 had been the average attend- ance during September. Visitors from other states were greatly surprised to find a school in the jail and the grand jury were interested in it. Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens was the first probation officer appointed by the court, and served from July 5, 1899, to March 1, 1906, the time of her death. In March, 1900, she gave a resume of the work from July 5, 1899, to March 1, 1900. She had had under her supervision in all, one hundred and seventy-seven cases, of which one hundred and six were on parole. Upon each of these she had made at least one visit personally, and had visited many of them several times. 190 ANNALS OF THE November 15, 1899, the Probation Committee, with Miss Lathrop and Mrs. Ailing at the head, were faithful in attending the Juvenile Court, Judge Tuthill presiding. The new bill hav- ing proved a success, Miss Lathrop reports on April 26, 1900: "Under the operation of the Juvenile Court Law, as the new law relating to neglected children, is popularly called, the work of our joint committee from the Reform and Philanthropy De- partments, was necessarily changed from probation work in the police courts to probation work in the Juvenile Court. At the request of the committee the Reform and Philanthropy Depart- ments have jointly contributed toward the support of a proba- tion officer in the Juvenile Court. The efficacy of the law de- pends upon the efficiency of the probation officers, and at pres- ent these officers must be either policemen or unpaid volunteers or paid volunteers. The work in the long run must depend upon paid volunteers. The Juvenile Court bill has already been copied by five states, and is pronounced by experts the best law ever enacted." Miss Nellie J. Flood, the jail school teacher reports: On July 1, 1899, the Juvenile Court Law went into effect, which law requires all boys of twelve years and under, sent elsewhere than to the County Jail. Heretofore the school age was limited to sixteen years for the cells, and the school room was con- stantly supplied with new recruits under that age; with the passing of the young boys, room was thus made for those over sixteen who wished to enjoy the privilege of the school. There were twenty-seven boys in the school over sixteen years. Dur- ing this year there have been four hundred and four boys pass- ing through the school. Since opening of the Juvenile Court, older boys had come into the school. She had been able to assist several worthy boys to obtain release from imprisonment. Mrs. Flower was made chairman of the joint committees of the Reform and Philanthropy Departments, for probation work for children in police stations. A committee on laws affecting women and children was also appointed and many other com- mittees were doing important work, including the volunteer workers who assisted the officers in looking after the boys. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 191 In March, 1900, the Probation Committee of the Philan- thropy Department reported the appointment of one more pro- bation officer, and that there were prospects that the parental school would be built by the city before fall, but if not, the clubs will be asked to work for it. It was voted to continue the work another year, with Miss Lathrop as chairman. February 14, 1900, the Club voted to assist in bringing Dr. Sibbold, of Edinburgh, Scotland, a specialist upon the treatment of the insane, to lecture upon that subject before the medical students of Chicago. Mrs. Louise Dickinson Sherman, in her president's ad- dress, read before the Club, April 28, 1900, says : "It is comforting to reflect that we apply one-sixth of our income (that is better than the Scriptural one-tenth), exclusive of our initiation fees, to the work of reform, education, philan- thropy, and other activities, as indicated by our departments. Beyond this we have given our rooms to the use of others most generously. Only matters of general interest were considered by the League of Cook County Clubs, such as the Juvenile Court and the necessity and importance of probation officers to fully carry out the design of that court. A meeting was called at Handel Hall, and an invitation extended to all clubs, con- nected with the League, to listen to addresses from Judge Tut- hill, Mrs. Stevens, Miss Lathrop and Mrs. Bagley. The result was an agreement by the League to unite in sustaining one gen- eral probation officer in the Juvenile Court, and in the selection of several volunteer officers to act under the direction of general officers. There are three of these paid officers who give all their time. The second object to which the attention of the clubs was called, was the consolidation of the various taxing bodies in this city. Very few persons are aware of the complexities of our taxing system, owing to various independent taxing bodies within the county. No real reform is possible until these inde- pendent bodies are done away with. The Probation Committee of the Philanthropy Department was in constant attendance at the Juvenile Court, the new provision having been proved a 192 ANNANS OF THE success. The Jail School Committee of the Reform Department reported that since the establishment of the Juvenile Court, older boys were coming into the school, and the results of the work was more evident than in former years. For six years Mrs. A. A. Carpenter had been present in the jail on Thanks- giving day and personally waited on the boys. June 20, 1900, Mrs. Mary R. Plummer, recommended that fitting tribute to Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens would be to name the parental school for her." An account of the establishment of the Juvenile Court ap- pears in William Hard's "The Woman of Tomorrow," which was first published in 1910, and dedicated "To the Mothers of the World." The chapter entitled "Chicago Women as Citizens" was reprinted in pamphlet form by Mrs. Wilmarth and widely distributed. The following significant paragraphs are taken from the pamphlet: "At the very first session of the Chicago Juvenile Court there appeared two women. One of them offered to be a pro- bation officer. The other, with a consciousness of many friends behind her, offered to accumulate a fund on which a staff of probation officers might be maintained. From those officers grew the Juvenile Court Committee. Its work during the next eight years was an integral part of the administration of the Juvenile Court. There's little wisdom (in a city as large as Chicago) in paroling a wayward boy unless there's a probation officer to follow him, to watch him, to en- courage him, to keep him from relapsing into the hands of the Judge. Some 3,500 children pass through the court every year. The judge cannot be father to many of them. The probation officers are the judge's eyes and hands, giving him knowledge and control of his family. Without the probation officers the new system would have been an amiable reform, but not an ef- fective agency for juvenile regeneration. The Juvenile Court Committee developed a staff of proba- tion officers, which finally had twenty-two members. The Juve- nile Court Committee also undertook the maintenance and man- agement of the detention home in which boys were sheltered and instructed while awaiting the final disposition of their cases. The Juvenile Court Committee also gave time and money to many other features of the development of the court, all the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 193 way from paying the salaries of a chief clerk and a chief stenog- rapher to suggesting the advisability and securing the adoption of necessary amendments to the Juvenile Court law. From the year 1898 to the year 1907, the Juvenile Court Committee raised and spent $100,000. But it did its best work in depriving itself of its occupation. It secured the passage of a law which established the probation officer system as part of the Juvenile Court system, to be maintained forever by the county authority. And it succeeded, after long negotiations, in persuading the county and the city governments to co-operate in the erection of a Children's Building, which houses both the court and the detention home. The original purpose of the Juvenile Court Committee was now fulfilled. The Committee perished. But it immediately rose from its ashes as the Juvenile Protective Association. In- stead of supporting probation officers to look after children who are already in the care of the court, it now spends some $25,000 a year on protective officers, who have it for their ulti- mate object to prevent children from getting into the care of the court. Can anything be done to dam the stream of depend- ent and delinquent children which flows through the children's building so steadily? What are the subterranean sources of that stream? Can they be staunched?" November 14, 1900, the Committee to Visit County In- stitutions, reported time spent at Dunning; their efforts in this work would tend toward the removal of children, both normal and defective, from such unnatural environment. Mrs. Kelly reported progress on the bill to prohibit employment of children under sixteen years of age, between the hours of 9:00 p. m. and 6:00 a. m. The Philanthropy Department reported November 28, 1900: "State Home for Juvenile Female Offend- ers does not sound like a 20th century title to adorn any door- way arch in Illinois. It will be necessary to appeal to the legislature to make a very desirable change in the name of this institution. State Home for Girls is the title asked for." A colony for five thousand epileptics in Illinois was also asked for. Three representatives from each Department were appointed to attend the Conference of State Charities for Dependent Chil- dren to be held at Kankakee, November 16 and 17. November 9, the Reform Department reported that they had appointed 194 ANNALS OF THE an advisory committee, at Miss Mary Bartelme's request, to assist her in the arduous duties as public guardian. She often had 150 children in her care, who were not necessarily dependent. November 23, Mrs. Ballington Booth spoke on her work in the prisons and the need of a home for discharged male prisoners that they might be guarded from the immediate temp- tations that surround them on their release from prison. January 11, 1899, it was voted that the names of charter members of the Club be printed in the new calendar upon a separate page, and that the first row of seats at all regular meetings of the Club be reserved for them. On January 30, the Countess Schimmelmann was the guest of honor at a re- ception; 400 members attended. On March 25, 1899, the Chi- cago Woman's Club gave a reception to the ex-presidents of the Club. Those who were present and received with Mrs. Sherman, were : Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Dr. Leila G. Bedell, Mrs. H. L. Frank, Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson and Mrs. Farlin Q. Ball. A letter of greeting was read from Mrs. Caroline M. Brown; there were over six hundred present. The Social Committee reported plans to give a reception Saturday, October 28, in honor of Mrs. Caroline M. Brown, founder of the Chicago Woman's Club. The charter members of the Club were invited to receiye, with Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Sherman. The ex-presidents of the Club and the Board of the Woman's Club assisted in entertaining. Of the twenty-one women who formed this club, thirteen were present. In February, 1899, a committee was appointed to assist in securing an appropriation for a woman's building at the State University. The Education Department reported that there was danger of household science being taken out of the public schools ; clubs and individuals had been asked to inves- tigate the work in the public schools and to write personal testimonials to the Board of Education. This had been done, and the danger seemed to be averted ; 4,000 pupils were reached in those cooking classes by the eight schools affording this boon. This Department requested all clubs of the city to investigate CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 195 the work of the domestic science work in the public schools and write a personal testimonial of its work to the members of the Board of Education in the home of the clubs. It was also re- ported that a fine collection of paintings had been purchased by Josephine Locke to loan to public schools. The Education De- partment announced that Mrs. Perce, chairman of the Vacation School Committee of the department, had secured $1,000.00 for the Vacation Schools. March 7, 1900, the day was in charge of the Education Department, the essayist, Mrs. Evelyn A. Frake; subject: "The Value of Domestic Economy in the Elementary and Higher Schools" ; Prof. Carman's subject, "Manual Training in High Schools"; Miss Hedenberg's, "Sewing." March 21, 1900, the Education Department held a special meeting to consider an outline of school reform, which at the request of several members was submitted by E. Hofer, active in school legislation in the state of Oregon. At a pre- vious meeting the Department ordered copies of the outline printed and sent to members of the Club. William Kent, Joseph Errant, and others spoke upon the questions in the outline, especially upon the advisability of electing the school board in as large a city as Chicago. Dr. Nicholas Murray But- ler was consulted and Professor Locke, of the University of Chicago, and William Armstrong, principal of the Englewood High School, participated in the discussion. The Education Commission Bill presented by the commit- tee appointed by Mayor Harrison was fully discussed by the Education Department. The bill provided that power be given the superintendent of schools of Chicago to re-organize the school system, to choose text books and to appoint teachers, subject only to the veto power of the majority of the Board of Education. The Club endorsed the Rogers Bill. This was a bill designed to regulate the granting of degrees by educational in- stitutions, its object being to prevent the granting of fraudu- lent degrees, and the selling of degrees for money. April 29, 1899, the Library Committee, with Mrs. Marian B. Upton as chairman, made the following report: The Library 196 ANNALS OF THE Committee was formed with instructions to prepare recom- mendations to be presented to the Board of Managers, which was done on March 8, as follows: That a small reference library be supplied by the Club, paid for from the Club treasury; that two members from each de- partment be chosen to form a committee to make out a list of carefully selected books, the list to be posted in the club rooms and each member be invited to contribute a book on this list, or any other book, subject to the approval of the committee; that each deparment buy for its own study classes the necessary books and that they be placed in the library ; that each department set aside each year a certain sum of money for books for the library. Mrs. Martha Foote Crow was requested to deliver a course of six lectures on English Literature during Lent, 1899. The literary study course for 1898-99 was planned as the first part of a three years' course on the English drama; the first year going to the middle of Shakespeare's career (about 1602), the second year from then until the close of the Eliza- bethan Period (say, 1642), the third (after a brief review of the Restoration and the seventeenth century drama), empha- sizing the various dramatic developments of the present era. The design was to illustrate the growth of dramatic art by a series of selected plays of Shakespeare, studied in compari- son with some other work or works of the period, and consid- ered as an exponent of the growth of Shakespeare's mind and art. A third topic took some more general or universal aspect of the dramatic art. Special bibliographies on the various topics were provided. In October, 1898, the Art and Literature Department voted that members be allowed to bring guests to the classes on pay- ment of a small fee. In February a social committee was ap- pointed to assist the social committee of the Club, and also to promote sociability in the department and a committee was ap- pointed for planning department work. At the business meet- ing of the department held in April, 1900, a motion was made by Mrs. Magee that a prize of $10.00 be offered for the best CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 197 design for a book-plate for the Chicago Woman's Club library, the competition being limited to the senior class in design and decoration at the Art Institute. A free concert was reported in Neighborhood House district, and another given for the benefit of the Bass School, which was attended by 900 pupils. The Sunday afternoon lectures under the auspices of the Art and Literature Department developed into the Open Door meetings of the Chicago Woman's Club. This notable feature of our work has been taken up by many organizations in dif- ferent forms of Sunday meetings, the beneficent influence of which cannot be overestimated. Among others may be named the Art Institute concerts, under the auspices of the Philanthropy Department, and the West End Woman's Club Sunday Con- certs. Writers and musicians have been most generous in lend- ing their aid to make these Open Door programs attractive and stimulating. This work began in the Art and Literature De- partment through the initiative of Martha Foote Crow. Octo- ber 26, 1898, the Department appointed a committee to confer with a committee from the Girls' Clubs in regard to a course of lectures to be given in the Club rooms Sunday afternoons by Mrs. Crow. The first lecture in the course for Girls' Clubs was given Sunday, December 11. March 22, 1899, Mrs. Crow reported the intense interest taken by the members of the Girls' Clubs in the twelve Sunday afternoon lectures. She spoke of the good books which the girls desired to know about. The Art and Literature Department voted to defray all expenses of these lectures. October 25, 1899, it was decided to recommend that the course of lectures given the previous year by Mrs. Martha Foote Crow to the Girls' Clubs on Sunday afternoons in the Club rooms be continued as a Club affair, and that a committee of two from each Department be appointed to assist. The Board received with favor the Department's request and a committee from each Department was appointed. The following report was read at the Annual Meeting, April, 1900: The course of lectures given in the Club parlors 198 ANNALS OF THE on Sunday afternoons for the benefit of the members of the young women's clubs and their friends, have been conducted this year, as in previous years by Mrs. Martha Foote Crow. The meet- ings, which were held fourteen Sundays, began December 3, and closed March 25. The attendance ranged from eighteen to eighty-seven, the average being forty, a fair increase on hst year. The talks were on current literature and included a dis- cussion of "Richard Carvel," "Janice Meredith," "The Man With the Hoe," "The Principles of the Drama," "King Lear," "Quo Vadis," novel and drama; "Paolo and Francesca," "Rosamond," "The Intruder," George Meredith's novels, George Meredith's poetry, Shakespeare's answer to the question: "Is Life Worth Living?" The subjects were chosen partly by the young women and partly by Mrs. Crow. Delightful music was gladly given every afternoon by friends of Mrs. Crow or one of the commit- tee, and after the discussion, tea was served. The work your committee feels is one which is well worth the doing, and will in- crease in usefulness from year to year. To Mrs. Crow belongs the credit and to her untiring fidelity and enthusiasm the success. of the undertaking. Frances Le Baron writes later: "One of the finest enter- prises ever started and carried on by our Club, was the starting and for several years the carrying on with but little help from others by Mrs. Martha Foote Crow, of the 'Open Door,' who furnished the entire programme, either by herself or with the assistance of her friends." April 29, 1899, the annual report of the Art and Litera- ture Department was given by the chairman, as fol- lows: The Art Class has met regularly every first and third Friday morning of each club month, holding in all four- teen meetings, which have been well attended, at many of the meetings persons of reputation in their respective lines of artistic work have been present to illustrate the topic under discussion. The Music Class has considered the Evolution of Music during the 18th century, and has been so fortunate as to have had the able assistance of writers, members and non-members, and CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 199 musical illustrations were given by eminent artists. The Literature Class has been conducted by Mrs. Crow and has begun what may be considered a three-year course in the study of Elizabethan drama. We are glad to make a favorable report to the Club of the student who holds the Woman's Club scholar- ship in the Art Institute. At the last business meeting of the Department a committee on work to be undertaken, of which Lucy Fitch Perkins was chairman, made the following recom- mendations, which the Department adopted: That the Depart- ment take for its permanent interest the beautification of the City of Chicago by whatever means seems most available for the purpose, the work to embrace not only the wise expenditure of money, but the development of public interest through agi- tation and the use of influence to achieve desirable ends. The exercise of a general care over the aesthetic aspect of civic life it was instanced that the Japanese Buildings in Jackson Park, that beautiful gift of a nation to our city, are already defaced and injured to an irreparable extent by the lack of care and protection from vandals. The committee also recommends tree planting, and quotes Prof. Geddes, the eminent botanist, that tree culture can be carried on in Chicago. The committee also recommends the care of small triangular parks at the inter- section of streets, and the effort to secure new parks in the poor districts. A third suggestion was that an effort be made to secure a recreation pier for our lake front park similar to the New York recreation pier. Philanthropists tell us that no better work can be done than to bring beauty into our civic life, particularly in the poorer districts; that recreation and beauty are among the most powerful agents in doing away with suffering and crime. Moreover, the committee discovers that the movement is not peculiar to the Art and Literature Depart- ment of the Woman's Club, but that all over the city there are evidences of an awakening to the importance of civic beauty and an effort to secure it. The new work chosen was the beautifying of Bellevue Place Park. A committee was appointed to formulate a plan of work for the beautification of the city. The committee felt 200 ANNALS OF THE that to protect what we have should be an important part of the work, and that a committee should be appointed to call atten- tion to such matters. October 25, 1899, the committee appeared before the Architectural Club to confer with them in regard to plans for beautifying the small parks, the expense for such beautification not to exceed one thousand dollars. Isabel Mc- Dougal, chairman of this committee, reported that the Archi- tectural Club had chosen a spot for a small park; North State and Rush Streets and Bellevue Place, and the plans would soon be ready for inspection. Mrs. Judah reported that five plans had been sent in by the Architectural Club for beautifying the small park at North State and Rush Streets, and Bellevue Place. The committee had chosen as the best, the one designed by Mr. Long. The city authorities were consulted before the final recommendation of the committee was given. In January, 1900, the plans of Mr. Long were recommended. These were approved by the Municipal Art Commission, who passed resolutions recom- mending them to the City Council. At the annual meeting the chairman of the Department reported: Six hundred dollars were voted to forward the plan of building an attractive and artistic shelter at Bellevue Place Park. This is a tangible bit of constructive work toward beautifying our city, the influence of which we trust will spread. The Art Commission appointed by the Mayor approved the plans, which were first submitted to the common council ; the city authorities assured hearty co-op- eration as to the trees, shrubs and landscape features. Our ob- ject was partly that of awakening public opinion as to what should be done to beautify our city, and what could be done. The South Park Board was stirred by our action to look after the Japanese buildings on the Wooded Island. October 3, 1900, a bond for two thousand dollars was given the city, after the City Council passed the plans for the im- provement of the Park in Bellevue Place. In view of the work done by the Club to improve the Park at Bellevue Place, the City Council requested a representative from the Club to serve on the Park Committee. Mrs. Noble B. Judah was appointed CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 201 by the Board to fill this office. Total estimates for improvements amount to $1,244.25. The chairman of the Art and Literature Department re- ported April 28, 1900 : I assume that the Club is familiar with the beginnings of our principal work, the beautifying of the small park at Belle- vue Place, and is probably aware that all undertakings meet with more difficulties and delays than the most unsanguine could anticipate. Throughout the summer we have had our share. First, the question of properly bringing our matter be- fore the City Council, then the delay of the council in acting upon it; then strikes among the building trades, and finally delay of the contractors to carry out their work on time, all of this inevitably complicated by the usual dispersal of our members from May to October. * * * Finally this month the work which under contract should have been completed August 1, is finished. Our charming little brick shelter is in place, with its white columns, its trellises for vines, Italian fashion, and a quaint octagonal brick wall. May I add that the tiling white, green and red, introducing Chicago's shield and water lilies, has been admired by many architects, as well as the four green turtles, reluctantly cast from life who will pour water into the drinking places. It is unfortunately too late in the season to begin landscape work, for our little building was merely designed as a point of interest to set off and be set off by surrounding greenery. Mr. O. C. Symons has been good enough to offer us a plan of laying out this scrap of ground to the best advantage. This he does freely, as his addition to the first step of the Woman's Club in municipal adornment. It calls for the planting of many trees and shrubs. The expense of this enterprise has been in round numbers, $1,250. Of that the Art and Literature Department first appropriated $400; $250 (about) was contributed, $100 coming from Mr. and Mrs. Harold Mc- Cormick, and the rest from members of this club. December 5, 1900, Mrs. Perkins quoted authorities who had declared the im- provement of the park and the building of the shelter were epoch-making events in the history of Chicago, as this was the 202 ANNALS OF THE nucleus for establishing a system of small parks throughout the city. January 9, 1901, Mrs. Henry W. Magee presented a state- ment in regard to the building of the shelter in Bellevue Park, as follows : "To the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Chicago : Gentlemen: The Chicago Woman's Club having learned of a petition for the removal of the shelter and fountain which it has recently erected in the small park, known as Oak Park, at the junction of Rush and State Streets and Bellevue Place, wish to present to your honorable body the following statement : The plan for this improvement was presented in the spring of 1900 to the Fine Arts Commission, established by city ordinance, consisting of the following gentlemen: Charles L. Hutchinson, Lorado Taft, W. L. B. Jenney, J. L. Luddard, (West Park), W. Donnersberger, (South Park), W. Gansbergen, (Lin- coln), Honorable Carter H. Harrison and Ralph Clarkson. It was approved by them. With this official endorsement, the plan was submitted to the Common Council as a gift of the Woman's Club offered to the city of Chicago. Your honorable body accepted the gift and authorized its construction. Circular let- ters, containing the plan and a perspective view of the proposed improvement, were mailed to the property owners of the vicinity with a request for their co-operation and suggestions. Owing to the labor difficulties of last summer, it was impossible to complete the structure in time for the planting of the trees, shrubs and vines which are an integral part of the design. With the same co-operation you have thus far extended to us, this work will be completed in the spring." Mrs. Coonley Ward moved the Chicago Woman's Club sustain the statement of the committee to the Common Council concerning the improvement of Bellevue Place, which motion prevailed. October 23, 1901, Mrs. Noyes reported for the Park Com- mittee that great difficulty had been encountered in getting the park in proper condition to turn over to the City, that it was impossible to keep it in perfect shape for twenty-four hours. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 203 The brick floor had been relaid, brass tips were put in at Mr. Long's expense and remained just one day. A brass stand pipe was removed the first day. A galvanized iron one was screwed in and that was removed, then at Mrs. Noyes' expense one was soldered in and that was removed. It was also stated that it was impossible to obtain further police protection from the City. The following March $50 were voted for repairs to the shelter at Bellevue Place Park and in October 1902 it was reported that all bills for the shelter had been paid, and the Commissioners understood that the Club's responsibility in the matter ceased. February 15, 1898, Mrs. Alexander Adam reported for the Art Purchasing Committee the picture purchased at the exhibit of Chicago artists, to be "St. Jeanne de Chantal" by Pauline Dohn. April 28, 1899, the Art Purchasing Committee bought two pictures by Oliver Dennett Grover; and another committee of the Gub selected "After an Autumn Shower," painted by Mrs. Dressier. The Art and Literature department purchased an oil painting entitled "October," by Leonard Ochtman, and one of Carroll Brown's pictures. November 8, 1899, a reception for social settlement clubs was held, on the fourth Saturday in January. November 8, 1899, the Hampton Quartette was given the use of the Club Rooms on Nov. 18, each member being allowed to bring one guest. December 13, 1899, The Chicago Woman's Club offered the use of the rooms to the delegates of the National Education Associa- tion which met in Chicago in February. The Education Depart- ment requested that the Club tender a reception to the National Education Association during its convention. The artists of the city were invited to the President's reception held November 8, 1899. May, 1900, the Social Committee was instructed to arrange for entertainment of delegates to the Biennial passing through the city of Milwaukee. A communication was read from Miss Gertrude Beeks, May 3, 1899 in behalf of the National Association of Women Stenographers and it was voted that $100.00 be guaranteed to the Association by the Chicago Woman's Club. 204 ANNALS OF THE January 25, 1899 the committee to secure manual train- ing in the public schools reported that eleven centers for the teaching of cooking and sewing were to be opened during the month; that 2,000 girls were receiving instruction in cooking. The classes had most admirable courses of study. Not only did the girls receive most practical lessons in cooking, but they were also instructed in a natural and interesting way in chemistry, botany, zoology, biology and arithmetic, while first and last they were taught accuracy, neatness and despatch. Ten sewing teachers were employed in public schools and 4,000 girls re- ceived instruction in sewing. February 22, 1899 the first circular letter was issued by the Committee on Industrial Problems affecting Women and Chil- dren. The Reform Department presented three bills for endorse- ment as follows : 1st. For an Act granting tax paying women the right to vote on certain questions. 2d. An Act granting women the right to vote and partici- pate in town meetings and elections. 3d. An Act granting women the right to vote for presi- dential electors. April 19, 1899, the President introduced as the speakers Dr. Eaton of Beloit College and Mrs. Ella F. Young, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, of Chicago, Dr. Eaton's subject being "College Education as an Equipment for the Public School Teachers," Mrs. Young's theme, "Specialization by Teachers in Elementary Schools." The annual report of the Recording Secretary dated April 29, 1899 states: The following Committees have been ap- pointed and have submitted reports both to the Club and their Departments : A Committee to secure better sanitary conditions in public schools, probation work for children in police stations, jail school, university settlements, school laws, manual training in public schools including household arts, sewing and cooking, compulsory school education, art association, library, Glenwoad school, vacation school, program, Educational Commission bill, CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 205 Rogers bill, Parental School bill, Bar Association bill, for the complete separation of the John Worthy School from the Bride- well, for visiting County institutions, Protective Agency, Model Lodging House, School Children's Aid Society, Public School Art Society. The Corresponding Secretary states in her report of the same date: "The one who sends the messages of the Club to every part of the world and receives replies, knows how large we look at a distance by the number of founders of clubs who send for our pattern of work, by which to cut out a club taking the measure exact, even to our by-laws that are everlastingly needing repairs ; but they, too, will learn wisdom with age. The Needs of a Great City, taken as a topic for the United Study Class has brought us the representatives of the press, the prominent city officials, judges and others well up in the affairs of city and state." The Philanthropy Department reported April 26, that it was contributing toward paying a teacher for partially feeble minded children, that is, children who could not be sent to an institution for feeble minded, and yet who are not ready for the public school. The following October, Mary McDowell re- ported on the summer school for the feeble minded children. It was voted to unite with the Reform Department to pay a month's salary for an assistant to Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens in the probation work. The Education Department recommended October 1899, that engineers and janitors of school buildings in which kindergartens are held, be required to scrub floors every two weeks and be allowed one dollar per room for such serv- ice. The chairman further stated: "The pleasure of Mrs. Brown's visit awakened in many of us the desire that later mem- bers of the Education Department might be made acquainted with the great work of our first chairman, Mrs. Tuley, who in the infancy of the Department so persistently led it to the en- couragement of the kindergarten." The freedom of the Club was offered to the members of the Department of Superintendents of the National Education 206 ANNALS OF THE Association to be held in Chicago, February 22, 23 and 24, 1900. The committee announced that the Philanthropy Department would hold a book social at the home of Mrs. W. C. Dow, April 6. Each member was requested to bring a book, preferably a book of reference, to be given to the women's clubs of the social settlements. In January, 1900, the subject "Tenement Houses" was dis- cussed by Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, Mrs. F. P. Bagley and Miss Jane Addams. A stereopticon was used by Mrs. Rogers portraying most vividly the conditions of tenement houses in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. At its February meeting a discussion arose in the Educa- tion Department upon the subject of teaching physiology in Pub- lic Schools. A resolution was passed that the Education De- partment of the Chicago Woman's Club is opposed to the present exaggerated and unscientific features of the State law requiring the public school teaching of the effect of alcoholic drinks and other narcotics on the human system. April 11, 1900, the following cablegram was authorized by the Board and sent to Ferdinand Peck, Commissioner Paris Exposition : "The Board of Directors of the Chicago Woman's Club, representing 850 women, urge the appointment of women as members of the juries of award of the Paris Exposition and as delegates to the several congresses." In April, 1895, a lecture was given before the Art and Lit- erature Department by Mr. Harry Clapp, Shakespearean critic. On April 23, 1896, a Shakespeare birthday celebration was held under the auspices of the Department, of which Mrs. George F. Bartlett was then chairman. April 23, 1897, an evening reception was given in celebration of the birthday, and a year later a Shakespearean musicale was given on the 20th of April in Handel Hall. In 1900 when April 23 came, the Depart- ment had reached the climax of a two years' study and kept the birthday most royally in honor of the lady who had so faith- fully led the study class, Mrs. Martha Foote Crow. The pro- gram and full report of this celebration were bound and pre- sented to the Club for the library. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 207 The subject taken for lectures by the Home Department during the winter of 1896 showed the continued interests of the Club in science as it applied to the problems of the home. In November the Education Department reported a committee on Domestic Science, and the Club decided to co-operate with the Department in furthering the objects of the Business Women's Exchange in the domestic science branch. A committee of three was appointed to study the necessities of the work. The Philanthropy Department also wished to establish schools for the training of girls in sewing, housekeeping and other useful arts. In October, 1900, the committee of the Education De- partment consulted with housekeepers and teachers of domestic science as to possible standards for the work. December, 1900, Mrs. Blackman, who was one of the State Board of Control of the State Home for Juvenile Female Of- fenders, gave to the Philanthropy Department an interesting report of that home, located at Geneva. She wished the co- operation and help of the women of this Club where its influence might be felt, for the bill to be presented to the Legislature for raising the age limit at which they can control these wayward girls. They were compelled to discharge them at the age of eighteen years, and they desired above all things to keep and influence them until the age of twenty-one. It would also be necessary to appeal to the Legislature to make a very desirable change in the name of this institution "State Home for Juvenile Female Offenders" did not sound like a 20th century title to adorn any doorway arch in Illinois. "State Home for Girls" was the title asked for. The following chronicle concerning the vacation school work is taken from the Club records: May 6, 1896, the President stated that a proposition was in contemplation to provide for the teaching of children in the congested districts during the summer. Through the generosity of a few, a Vacation School was conducted in the Joseph Medill School, with an attendance of 360 children. In 1897 Vacation Schools were maintained in the Seward and Jones Schools, each costing $1,000.00. The Vacation School Committee in the in- 208 ANNALS OF THE terest of the movement invited the women's clubs of the city to send representatives to a joint committee on vacation schools and playgrounds and asked permission to use the club rooms for the necessary meetings. Further in the interest of the move- ment, it deemed it necessary to hold a mass meeting when the Superintendent would give an illustrated lecture and the mat- ter might be presented to the clubs at large. It therefore asked permission to arrange for a special day on Vacation Schools. It also asked for $25 for stationery, mailing and other expenses these requests were granted. The Vacation School Committee reported by Miss Ameri- can, Chairman, as follows: 51 clubs have responded to the in- vitation to form a Permanent Vacation School and Playground Committee of Women's Clubs; 13 of the 51 are suburban clubs. The Committee meets the second Saturday of each month in our rooms. Its meetings have been very well attended. Each club has two delegates and two alternates, and in many cases all attend. Several clubs will give benefit entertainments during the month. The Club hopes to raise $1,000 and again support one school. Officers of the Permanent Committee of the Va- cation Schools of Woman's Clubs were: President, Sadie American, Chicago Woman's Club; Recording Secretary, Mrs. M. Trumbull, Social Economics Club; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Julia Dillon, Catholic Woman's League; Treasurer, E. G. Keith, President Metropolitan Bank. 53 clubs have each two delegates and two alternates in the committee. Among the first acts of the Committee was the election of a Vacation School Board, composed of the following members : Col. Francis E. Parker, Principal of the Normal School; Prof. F. W. Jackman, of the Chicago Normal School; Prof. Gabriel Bamberger, head of the Jewish Training School; Mr. H. H. Belfield, Principal of the Chicago Manual Training School; Profs. J. M. Coulter and Charles Zeublin, of the University; Dean Charles Thurber, of the Morgan Park Academy; Prof. George Carman, head of the Lewis Institute ; Mrs. Bertha Hof er Hegner, Chicago Commons; Miss Anna Bryan, of the Armour CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 209 Institute Training School; Miss Jane Addams, of Hull House; Mr. John P. Gavit, of the Commons; Miss Mary McCowan, supervisor of the Teaching of the Deaf, and Sadie American. The Chairman, Sadie American, reported in 1899 : In order that the schools might be taken into our public school system it became necessary to submit an amendment to our school revenue law to the legislature. That law restricted the use of school funds to nine months of the year. Judge Hurd kindly drew the amendment and Mrs. Dillon and Mrs. Beebe went to Spring- field on the 7th of February to present the matter before the educational committees of the Senate and House. The Bill was finally passed at 6:30 on the last day of the session. The work of the Woman's Club in this direction is looked upon as one of signal benefit to the cause of education. It is worth emphasiz- ing that whereas in other cities the motive was almost entirely the one of off-setting the evil of the street, in Chicago it was the educational ideal; the best service to the child was upper- most. In 1900 the Committee reports : The Chicago Woman's Club has during the past two years contributed its one thousand dollars toward the school. We had expected the Board of Education to take up the schools this year and the members were even eager to do so, but the financial situation made it necessary for the Board to refuse our request, but with the strongly expressed hope that in another year they would be able to take up the work as a part of the school system. The city has each year contributed one thousand dollars for playgrounds, to which our committee has added one thou- sand more. Our playgrounds have been successful according as our custodians have been equal to the problem of particular neighborhoods. It seems to me that the Vacation School upon which so many of you have spent your time and money has been one justified by its results, and that at the present moment there is a very great need for more careful and elaborate object les- sons in the playgrounds, especially with the prospect of having 210 ANNALS OF THE small parks, a part of which should be given over to out-door gymnasia. The delightful impression of the beautiful poster which Mrs. Perkins designed for our playgrounds was a joy to the children and a joy to many of us. We are sending these posters as an object lesson where there are playgrounds. The Settlement clubs are active and we express appreciation of the heartiness and generosity of the various settlement clubs in contributing to the general fund. Indeed they have set the pace, and the Hull House Woman's Club contributed more to the fund than several of the largest clubs in the city. When so much money is needed in the immediate neighborhoods of these clubs and the Vacation Schools are not put in the neighborhoods through force of circumstances, it is especially generous of them to contribute so largely. Last year $1,000 was secured from the city for playgrounds, and $1,000 in addition was expended from the general fund, and six playgrounds were maintained. This year the sum in the treasury is so much smaller than last year that we have no money whatever for playgrounds. The $1,000 was, however, again appropriated by the city, through our soliciting. Last summer four vacation schools were maintained at an average cost of $1,500 each. This year three schools will be maintained as we have not funds for more, and they will be in the same school buildings as last year, namely: The Foster on the West Side, the Adams on the North Side and the Haven on the South Side. The playgrounds so far as possible will be the same as last year. Seven years later the Vacation School Committee treasurer showed appropriation from the Board of Education of $10,000 to be used for teachers' salaries, and contributions from Clubs and individuals amounting to more than $14,000 were in the treasury, which would be necessary to carry on ten schools. Gertrude B. Blackwelder, Chairman of Permanent Vaca- tion School Committee contributes this sketch of the Commit- tee's work: CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 211 "The first Vacation School in Chicago was established by the Civic Federation in 1896 in the Medill High School. The next year Mary McDowell, with funds contributed by two Chicago women, opened one school in the stock yards district. Then an active campaign was started in the Chicago Woman's Club by Sadie American, and a work which proved to be one of the most successful and important ever undertaken by the Club was fully launched in 1897. We learned that with the close of the regular sessions of the public schools a period of danger began for the children who had the misfortune to live in the heart of a great city. Teachers reported that many a child had forgotten, when school opened in fall, about all he had learned the previous year, that summer was a prolific time for the development of boy crime. In one district it was found that juvenile crime in- creased 60% during the summer. We were told that the pro- posed schools would not continue the routine of the school year, that no text books would be used, that the aim would be to create new interests which would touch human life closely. As the members of the Woman's Club became acquainted with these conditions and plans, they saw before them a work of too great magnitude to carry on single-handed. Therefore, in 1897, an invitation was sent to the more important clubs of the city and suburbs to meet in conference on the need for Va- cation Schools. The result was the organization among the club women of the "Permanent Vacation School and Playground Committee," whose duty was to raise funds for the expenses of the summer work. This was soon supplemented by the formation of the Vacation School Board, composed of the foremost educators of the community, who determined the curriculum, elected the superintendent and chose the schools to be used. Nothing shows more clearly the wisdom of the early leaders in this movement than the choice of specialists of the highest rank for this most important work. 212 ANNALS OF THE The work was begun in earnest in January 1898, with the result that nearly eleven thousand dollars were secured, and five schools opened on July 5, continuing for six weeks. Only two thousand children could be received, although more than six thousand applied for admission. The police were called upon to control the throng of eager parents and children who crowded the yards and streets outside, an occurrence unprece- dented in the history of our public schools, but which was always a feature on the opening days of the summer schools during those early years. The curriculum, to quote from the report of 1898, com- prised manual training, drawing, gymnastics, music, nature study, all centering around a weekly excursion. A kinder- garten was an interesting and important feature of each school, the necessity for which was apparent to all who walked through the neighboring streets, swarming with child life. Later, cooking was introduced wherever an equipment could be secured, and gradually classes in all departments of housekeeping were established, their methods varying according to the kind of furnishings available. In one school a basement was divided into rooms by means of screens, thus arranging a typical apart- ment of the sort familiar to the girls. Here they were taught, not only to cook, but to set a table, an art utterly unknown to many, and to care for bedrooms in a sanitary manner. They learned how to scrub floors by the Squeers method, and en- joyed it thoroughly. In 1905 a flat was rented near the Ham- line School, furniture collected by various means, chiefly from second-hand stores, and a concrete lesson in economical, sani- tary and comfortable housekeeping was given the girls. Allied to this domestic training was the effort to teach simple, prac- tical home nursing, with emphasis on the care of babies. In these districts it is the older children who often care for the infants, and their ignorance is both dense and dangerous. It was soon found that manual training was the powerful magnet that drew the boys from the streets into the Vacation Schools. Enough variety was furnished to appeal to different types of boys, and the joy of making things, especially things that could CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 213 be used at home, was a strong factor in training their youthful activities. This work also developed year by year until for both boys and girls there were classes in wood, metal, leather, pottery, printing, etc. Nature study was always a prominent feature, and was usually taught with material fresh each day from the country, gathered either by teachers who spared neither time nor strength, or by friends in the suburban clubs. The children soon learned to co-operate, and in some schools greeted their teachers each morning with boxes and bottles containing specimens for their nature work, so that at times the lesson was on materials found in the neighborhood with which the pupils were familiar. Many teachers seized the golden opportunity for developing the imagination by telling nature myths and fairy stories illustrating the lesson. It was the policy to have the work correlated as far as possible, and to this end the drawing was often a part of the nature work, the songs were of birds and trees and flowers. There was no formal teaching of music in the Vacation Schools. The joy of singing was developed with great success. Nature songs, songs of patriotism, of industry, slumber songs of different nations, and simple ballads replaced in the reper- tory of the child the vulgar, popular songs of the streets and the homes. The first program for the music and games was arranged by Mari Ruef Hofer. The art work progressed year by year, until the instruc- tion in drawing and color was followed by classes in pottery and in useful arts like designing. There were always industri- ous classes in sewing, the girls finding great satisfaction in learning to make garments for themselves and the members of their families. The splendid work in physical training attracted special at- tention. The wonderful influence of a man like Mr. Cermak in the Dante School, as he took class after class of rough boys from the streets of that district, and brought them into ways of obedience and even courtesy, went far beyond ordinary gymnastic training. It helped to make character. There was 214 ANNALS OF THE much emphasis laid upon games, and the discovery soon was made that most of the children that attended Vacation Schools had had no experience with organized play, that many of them knew not a single game. The ideas of order, of discipline, of regard for the rights of others which developed in the games taught in the summer schools were among the important re- sults to be noted, and were often concrete, though unconscious, lessons in citizenship. The influence of story-telling was felt to be so strong that many of the teachers utilized it as a basis for teaching. In 1906 its importance as a regular exercise -,vas recognized by the Board, and a young woman with a gift for story-telling was engaged to go about from school to school. In the beginning the scheme of Vacation Schools provided for one excursion each week for each school. This plan was carried out with little variation as long as the women's clubs had charge. The trips were sometimes to the country, thus affording an experience entirely new to hundreds of children, to whom a hill was a remarkable sight, trees and tall grass, wonderful phenomena, sometimes to the shore of the lake, affording the delights of wading and sand-digging, or to the Field Museum or a natatorium, or Lincoln Park, where the acquaintance of many strange beasts was made. One enthusi- astic superintendent speaks of the 'ecstatic joy that comes to the child of the congested sections of the city, when he feels the breath of the fresh breeze, sees the shady groves, the blue lake, the gay flower gardens, and the well-cared for plots of grow- ing vegetables, and if perchance he sights colts, goslings or little pigs, then indeed is his excitement keen.' The boat trips on the lake, which sometimes included all the schools in one grand excursion on the Christopher Columbus, were perhaps the greatest events connected with the summer schools. Altogether the exercises given these children were whole- some, suited to their needs, supplying certain deficiencies in their lives, furnishing ideals of living, and cultivating powers of observation hitherto neglected. It is an interesting fact that without exception the lines of work in the Vacation Schools of CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 215 those early years have found a lodgment in the regular schools. They were, as was often said, experiment stations for new and usually unpopular educational methods. In 1909, the Board of Education made the Vacation Schools an integral part of the city system, and the women's clubs re- tired from the management of this important work. The Chi- cago Woman's Club from the beginning had taken the lead in furnishing funds, officers and helpers. The three Chairmen who served during the ten years, Miss American, Mesdames Bry- ant and Blackwelder, were members of this club. With con- tributions from the treasury, from each of the six departments and from generous individuals, our organization averaged one thousand dollars each year for this work." 216 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER VII. 1900-1905 The general topic for the season of 1900-1901 was "The New Century, a Study of Modern Civilization, Its Social and Educational Tendencies." The first program was as follows: "Democracy : a Review and an Outlook," by Judge A. N. Water- man; "The Ethics of Popular Government," by John W. Ela. In October, 1900, the Club joined in sending a petition to the Board of Education, requesting that the kindergartens should not be closed ; it expressed itself as opposed to the drop- ping of the study of domestic science, which was under con- sideration. In November, 1900, a petition was sent to the Pres- ident of the United States to call the attention of Congress in his next message to the many deaths by mob violence and to recommend such legislation as shall secure to every person ac- cused of crime a trial by jury. During December, 1900, the Club presented to Judge Yates, Governor-elect of Illinois, the qualifications of Florence Kelley, at that time secre- tary of the Consumers' League, to fill the position of Chief Factory Inspector of Illinois. Mrs. Kelley's record as an incumbent of that position was well known as she had already reformed numerous abuses in the system and had se- cured much-needed legislation; and if reappointed, would by her knowledge of conditions and energy place Illinois in the front rank of the states noted for good factory laws. A joint com- mittee from the Reform and Philanthropy Departments was named to further the passage of a bill to provide and maintain an epileptic colony. On December 5, the "School as a Social Center" was discussed. In April, 1901, the Open Door Committee reported that the meetings had been crowded and the programs enthusiastically received by those in attendance, and the committee in charge urged their continuance as a means of communicating to the outside world the message of the Woman's Club. One audi- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 217 ence numbered three hundred and fifty and others have numbered between one and two hundred. Miss Clara Dixon was the indefatigable chairman, with a committee appointed from all the Departments. The Open Door offered the hos- pitality of our Club on Sunday afternoon to women who are not members, and passed on to them some of the finest papers and best music we ourselves had enjoyed. A year later the Art and Literature Department reports, "Our president, Mrs. Mary L. Matz, has not missed once be- ing present, and has received our guests with a joint com- mittee from the Woman's Club and the Young Women's Busi- ness Club. Seven of the ten programs given this season were furnished by members of this Department. Music has been a feature of all programs, which have been instructive as well as interesting, and thoroughly appreciated by large audiences each time." At the last meeting, March 30, one of the young women on behalf of those present, voiced their gratitude to the Chicago Woman's Club for the privilege of meeting Sunday afternoons in the Club rooms, and their enjoyment of the entertainments and social hour provided for them by the Club members. The Home Department, on December 26, appointed a com- mittee to ascertain how best to help secure books and periodicals and forward them to the Philippines and wherever needed by our army and navy. This committee attended to the packing and forwarding. The different Departments contributed books to these libraries. January 9, 1901, The Chicago Woman's Club appropriated $40, to be used by the Library Committee in form- ing state traveling libraries. The Home Department reported February 6, 1901, that a box, containing one hundred bound books, twelve dozen magazines and forty paper bound books, had been sent to the Philippines after the Club had been ad- dressed by Senor Lopez and Mrs. Glendower Evans of Boston on the Philippine Islands. February, 1901, action was taken by the Education Depart- ment on a bill prepared for the Legislature by the Citizen's Edu- cation Commission. The bill made provision for the incorpora- 218 ANNALS OF THE tion into the school system of those institutions which the Club had long urged should be integrally connected with the public school, viz. : Kindergartens, vacation schools, night schools, truant and parental schools, manual training and domestic science courses. It aimed to secure civil service requirements for such employees as janitors, and to make the required qualifications of teachers more than a mere scholastic test. Recognizing the many factions and difficulties besetting the Commission, and the gen- eral merit of its intent, the Department voted unanimously to approve the bill as a whole in its essential features, and the chair- man was directed to write to the Commission expressing the ap- proval of the Department. Mrs. Duncanson was appointed by the Commission to work for the bill at Springfield. November 27, 1901, the Education Department turned to the study of "Education in the High Schools." Mrs. Ella F. Young, in her talk on the "Present Status of Preparatory Schools," gave most valuable suggestions about adolescent boys and girls. On January 8, 1902, the Department in charge of the Club program presented the subject: "Public Schools as Social Centers." March 5, 1902, the president spoke of the death of Colonel Parker, and said that the Board would attend the memorial services in a body. The loss of Colonel Parker as an educational power in this city was appropriately and beautifully expressed in the resolutions adopted by the Department, April 23, 1902. Among the principles of this truly great man mentioned in the resolutions was the following: "He realized that his calling owed more and not less service to the deficient than to the competent, and with infinite patience he toiled to let light in upon darkened lives." At a meeting held in December, 1900, the Philanthropy Department listened to a graphic description of their work from two probation officers of the Juvenile Court, Mrs. Falco- ner and Mrs. Franklin. These probation officers enroll their boys in clubs and meet with them once a week, usually at one of the settlements. In this way they gain a great power and influence over them. Mrs. Fannie J. Howe reported that she CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 219 had become interested in a schoolroom for defective children in the Schiller School. The principal was very anxious to fur- nish them with a luncheon every morning, thinking that lack of nourishment was responsible for much defectiveness. Five dollars was given to the Department for this purpose and fifteen dollars was taken from the treasury, and a luncheon of bread and milk was provided for these defectives every morning for ten weeks. The Committee to visit the State Training School for Girls at Geneva was a new one. The Department was much interested in the reports from the five women, who in rotation made monthly visits to Geneva. They reported that the insti- tution was no longer weighted down with the former title, "State Home for Juvenile Female Offenders," but now bears the of- ficial title of State Training School for Girls. The Committee on Juvenile Court visited small semi-public institutions, caring for children institutions under private control, but soliciting public funds. As a result of a request to Governor Yates, the appointment of Mrs. Howe, of the Philanthropy Department, on the Board of Trustees of the State Home for Girls at Geneva was announced April 29, 1902. The following activities were reported October 23, 1901, by the Reform Department : The vote to support an anti-expecto- ration ordinance, and to furnish copies of the ordinance to be placed in cars; letters were sent to twenty railway and street car companies, calling attention to the ordinance; wards of the County Guardian were entertained; two thousand bundles of flowers, books, magazines, newspapers, pictures and patchwork pieces were distributed to insane patients at the County In- firmary; steps were taken to enact and enforce laws making it incumbent upon saloons to prevent admission of children to saloons for any purpose; a committee was appointed to inves- tigate conditions in Chicago with reference to a place for such operations as that performed by Dr. Lorenz of Vienna; an ex- hibit of Consumers' League garments was held in the club- rooms. In December, 1900, the Committee of the Reform Depart- ment to Visit County Institutions reported a visit to Dunning, 220 ANNALS OF THE and that in answer to the question : "In what way can the Wom- an's Club help?" the clerk answered : "The only thing you can do is to care for the children." The Committee decided to devote its efforts as far as possible to remove all children, both normal and defective, from this unnatural environment. It was sug- gested that temporarily a separate ward and dormitory be se- cured where a school might be carried on. A study of legal provisions was planned in order to know what laws there are and how they can be enforced. February, 1901, the Commit- tee reported an interview with one of the County Commission- ers interested in the project of the Committee to have a separate ward given up to the care of those children, who for various reasons cannot be removed from the poor house, and suggested that more chairs and cots be provided for the epileptics. Forty- two normal children were removed from Dunning by April, 1902, and those who because of incurable disease could not be placed in families or institutions were given thoughtful care by the Committee. After untiring work, the Committee reported that the promise of the President and Commissioners of the County Board had been given that a separate building with ample grounds for play and work, separated entirely from the other buildings and grounds, would be completed that summer. In November, 1902, the Committee stated that the plans for the erection of the Children's Building at Dunning had met unex- pected rebuffs. "The Commissioners, temporarily released from the spell of our Committee, decided that in place of the building promised it would build a hospital for contagious diseases and give the children a ward in these desirable quarters. Two hours and a half of continuous reasons why this would not be ac- ceptable shook their determination, and the following resolution was passed unanimously: 'Your committee recommends that a building be built at Dunning for general purposes, the cost of the building to be paid from the building fund.' While this will not bear the name of the Children's Building, it is to be used for them, and for some selected fifty inmates from the aged women's ward. The committee from the Reform Department will be consulted regarding plans, will have the honor of naming CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 221 the building, which is to be under the watchful care of each succeeding Visiting Committee of the Reform Department of the Chicago Woman's Club." The committee secured the privi- lege of removing boys from Dunning to Glenwood. In 1901, the Reform Department pledged itself to support a bill to pro- vide a Home School for paroled boys in connection with the Juvenile Court, and a special committee was appointed to se- cure the use of school rooms for boys' clubs. The great need for a deportation law for Illinois, including one for Cook County, was also reported at this time. The Parental School Commit- tee proposed a friendly supervision over the Parental School for the establishment of which this Club had done such hard work. The school was expected to open in December. The Committee on Industrial Progress gave a series of en- tertainments for the purpose of informing and interesting in- dustrial workers and clerks in the history and processes of the creation of the articles with which they are connected. The first of these entertainments was given November 22, 1901. November, 1901, the Committee on securing public schools as social centers secured permission to hold entertainments in the Assembly Hall of the Franklin School on Goethe Street and to give eight entertainments commencing in the early part of January. The funds necessary were to be raised in the De- partment, and six of the eight evenings had been provided for by members of the Department. All this was done in the hope of inducing citizens to use the schools as neighborhood club houses. Going by the schedule of prices of previous years, the Committee arranged not only the programs of four entertain- ments, for the school in which they should be given, but raised the money required. Then came the decision of the Board of Education that $10.50 per evening was the lowest rate that could be given. The Committee felt that the price set was prohibitory, and the Department decided to defer its efforts until such time as the Board of Education felt rich enough to let the public enjoy its own buildinges at a cheaper rate. 222 ANNALS OF THE In March, 1903, a resolution was passed by the Board of Education, to open schools, as a concession, free of charge twice a year for parents' meetings and social center work. The Philosophy and Science Department gave the follow- ing report February, 1901 : "We have given $50 for a set of tools for the Industrial School for Colored Children in Sanders- ville, Ga., conducted by Prof. T. J. Elder. At first sight this cause may not seem exactly in our line, yet it is good philosophy to help in the education of the poor negroes of the South, and very scientific to aid them in their endeavor to become producers, and thereby to increase their value as citizens." Several resolutions were approved by the Club, February 7, 1901 ; the Juul bill designed to make fathers and mothers equal in guardianship of their children; adequate legislation to secure a colony to care for the epileptics; the township suffrage bill. The Committee on Legislation laid out work for the cur- rent year: The framing of a bill for civil service in public in- stitutions, and creation of sentiment in favor of such a bill; co-operation with the Protective Agency for Women and Chil- dren in a bill for adequate punishment of rape to be presented to the same legislature; also assistance to a bill to be presented for erecting and maintaining an epileptic colony in Illinois, and the enforcement of ordinances forbidding minors to enter saloons for any purpose. The question of the appointment of women on the Board of Trustees of the Industrial Training School for Girls at Ge- neva, 111., was presented to the Club, November, 1901, by Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Harvey. From 1900 to 1905, the use of the rooms was given gra- tuitously to many organizations, among others : Sunday Lec- turing Association, Home Science Bureau, International Kin- dergarten Union for its convention, Department of Superintend- ents of National Educational Association, Model Lodging House Benefit, Flower Mission, National Association of Business Women, Playground Convention Committee, Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs, Collegiate Alumnae, League of Cook County CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 223 Clubs, Protective Agency, Public School Art Society, Equal Suf- frage Association, American Historical Society, Woman's Medi- cal Society, Jackson Park Sanitarium, League of Religious Fel- lowship, the Congress of Mothers, Children's Hospital Society, Consumers' League, Finnish Bazaar, Vassar Alumnae, Swedish Society. The following resolutions on the death of President Mc- Kinley were sent by the Club, October 23, 1901 : During the month of September the nations of the earth were united in mourning the death of President McKinley, for on his worth as a man the world at large as well as the citizens of the United States are in entire accord, that he represented the highest type of American manhood. The family life of the late President, above all his high conception of his duty to the wife who shared his sorrows, his joys, and his triumphs, has endeared his memory to all women. His earthly marriage was a foreshadow of the sacred tie which will unite husband and wife when "Death them join." Perhaps to no man of this day can the words be more truthfully applied : "That he appears as the very type of civilization, of the manners to which breeding, mind and character add each their charm, which can show feel- ing without extravagance, and power without pride, which can convince men by comprehending them and control by a smile." The members of the Chicago Woman's Club desired to express their sense of the loss which the country sustained in the death of President McKinley, and to extend their sympathy to Mrs. McKinley. November 27, 1901, the President read a letter from Mrs. McKinley acknowledging "with grateful appreciation the tender expressions of sympathy extended to her in her sorrow" by the Woman's Club. March 20, 1901, the subject of a paper was: "The Rivers and Mountains of Persian Mythology." The discussion was participated in by Sister Sanghamitta, Countess Canovarro, a representative of the Sanghamitta order of India. 224 ANNALS OF THE The committee in charge of programs for the business meet- ings of the Club reported at the close of its first year's work that ample material had been provided and that the attendance and the interest of members increased. The chairman of the Art and Literature Committee stated: "When a competent officer or a clever paper is wanted, names are suggested for their fit- ness, not because one department or another must have what politicians call 'recognition.' In this respect at least, club poli- tics are broader and more unselfish than national politics. With us there is no east or west, no section, no department. We are not Education or Home women, or Art and Literature women. We are wholly and single-mindedly Woman's Club women." May 17, 1901, Mrs. Coonley Ward addressed the Board on the question of the Club placing itself on record in favor of peace, with a day devoted to the subject of "A Plea for Action to Promote Peace." A committee was appointed to make ar- rangements for a peace conference meeting on the fifth Wednes- day in January. The subject for the United Study Class for 1901-1902, was : "What Shall the Woman's Club Do For Chicago?" Eleven meetings were planned, the first five of which were devoted to a study of industrial conditions in and about Chicago as fol- lows: "The Steel Industry in Chicago," Mrs. Solomon, essay- ist; "Stock Yards," Miss Addams and Mr. A. M. Simons; "Transportation, Lake and Railroad," Mrs. Henrotin ; "Self Support for Women in Large Cities," Mrs. Lynden Evans; "Real Estate and Housing," Mrs. Emmons Elaine. At the close of the year's study, April 16, 1902, the chair- man of the Study Class Program Committee, presented a brief summary of the year's work, and submitted resolutions from each department on the question of "What Can the Chicago Woman's Club Do For Chicago," as follows: Outgrowth of the papers presented by the different depart- ments : CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 225 The Education Department presented the following: Re- solved, that the Chicago Woman's Club shall promote the use of the public schools as social centers. The Home Department recommends to the club the con- sideration of domestic science in our public schools, and urges the need and value of the same. The Art and Literature Department, realizing that no beau- tification of Chicago can be worth while until the pall of smoke is lifted from her shoulders, urgently requests an increased mem- bership in the Municipal Art League, which has undertaken the task of fighting the "smoke nuisance" of our city. Trie Philanthropy Department recommends the establish- ment of neighborhood improvement clubs in all school centers represented in our membership. The Reform Department recommends that the Club under- take for practical work the enforcement of some law already existing on the statute books of the city, such law to be selected at the first business meeting of the Club in September, 1902. February 5, 1902, the Education Department recommended the appointment of a committee by the Club to consider with representatives of other organizations such measures as might be necessary for the retaining of the kindergartens as an in- tegral part of our public schools. The Club pledged its aid in obtaining signatures of voters to the petition and the appeal spread throughout the city. February 12, 1902, the subject for the day was the "Prob- lem of Child Labor," the program in charge of Miss Addams. Mrs. Irene Ashbee MacFadyon spoke of the children in the Southern cotton mills, Dr. Felix Adler of the problem of child labor, and Miss Addams of the social waste of child labor. A committee was appointed to investigate the method of selling papers in Boston, and to ask the Chicago editors to co-operate in bringing about a better method in Chicago. The Club delegates to the General Federation were in- structed to urge the Federation to select some one matter of national interest, such as a uniform child labor law, and en- 226 ANNALS OF THE deavor to unite all clubs and state federations earnestly for the one purpose until the desired end be accomplished. The Art and Literature Department reported for 1901 that seven regular traveling libraries and one library of art books were sent out; the Department paid the expense of sending them out ; fifty books had been pledged for a rural library. Nine new libraries were sent out in 1902, making eleven Woman's Club traveling libraries in active use. These were sent to small towns in the state. The Department offered a prize of twenty- five dollars for a book-plate for the Club Library. In 1904, the prize was awarded to Claude Fayette Bragdon, whose de- sign was accepted. A course of ten lectures in French was given by Professor Ingres on Friday afternoons in the Club parlors. This was a subscription class and was successful. It was the first French study class which since that time has been continued as one of the activities of the Department. A com- mittee was appointed to entertain noted men and women visiting the city, to enable the members of the Department to meet them, the committee to be known as the Hospitality Committee. The Club gave a reception at the Art Institute during the exhibition of American paintings in the spring of 1902. January 22, 1902, it was voted to present the stained glass window, formerly used at the club rooms at 15 Washington street, to the Board of Education, as a memorial window for the McKinley School. In February, 1902, the Art and Literature Department voted to lay aside $800.00 for some scheme of mural decora- tion in the assembly hall of the new William McKinley High School Building. A Mural Art Committee was appointed and enlarged the scope of the work by raising money from persons interested in the school, in order to decorate the entire hall in harmony with the panels already proposed by the Art and Litera- ture Department. October 4, 1905, the Art and Literature Com- mittee reported the completion of the mural decorations for the William McKinley High School, which were on exhibition at the Art Institute from December 5, prior to being placed in the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 227 school during the Christmas vacation. October, 1902, the per- mission was asked and was received from the Board of Educa- tion, to place the mural decorations in the William McKinley High School. These mural decorations of the McKinley High School were not only an example and a delight to our own city, but the fame thereof spread to many cities, and it was hoped they would have an ever-increasing influence in the improvement of our schools. The Department reported in 1902 : The decoration consists of six lunettes, the commission was given to Frederic Clay Bart- lett, who superintended the entire color scheme of the room, with reference to the stained glass window already presented by the Gub. The work had grown from the idea of a simple panel to the complete decoration of a classic monumental hall. The $800 subscribed being inadequate, the Committee raised the sum to $3,500, the graduates of the school being asked to con- tribute to the fund. The hall is a memorial to George Howland, who was for twenty years principal of the Central High School, and a potent influence in the intellectual life of Chicago. The Department authorized a further expenditure of $200, making the contribution of the Art and Literature Department $1,000. In reviewing this work of the Department later, Mrs. Upton writes : "The school architect, Mr. Mundie, consented to include in his plans for the William McKinley High School, destined to replace the old West Side High School, a large assembly room. The mural decorations of this room were undertaken by the Art and Literature Department, assisted by the Alumni of the West Side High School, who contributed a bronze bust of George Howland, a former principal, to whom the room was to be a memorial. The entire outlay was about six thousand dollars. Since the building of this school, there has been no new school house built without its large assembly room for social purposes." The Art and Literature Department showed its interest in the movement to preserve for the pleasure of posterity the homes 228 ANNALS OF THE of noted poets in this country, by subscribing for a membership in the "Whittier Home Preservation Association." It was hoped to raise enough money to save the Whittier home intact, the object being to keep the house open to those who cherish the poet's memory, for his work in the past, as well as for the help he gives the world today. A program specially arranged for the entertainment of chil- dren was a feature of the club program in 1902, in charge of Mrs. Putnam; the children of club members, together with nearly a hundred children from the settlements, enjoyed the occasion thoroughly. The promised action of the Public Library Board and the Board of Education to open Public Library stations in a number of the city schools was endorsed. At the request of President Harper, a committee was appointed to co-operate with the University in its work of giving popular lectures upon subjects of artistic, scientific and literary character. In October, 1902, Qara L. Dixon was again made chairman of the Sunday Open Door Committee and each Department was empowered to appoint two members. The musical program given October 15, 1902, was in charge of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge of the Art and Literature Department, who had set to music ten of the sonnets of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Mrs. Coolidge played the accompaniments and Mrs. Harry Lee Wil- liams sang the sonnets. On November 14, the Art and Litera- ture Department gave an afternoon reception in honor of Minnie Maddern Fiske. At the business meeting for December, 1902, the Club con- sidered a statement concerning probation officers in the Juvenile Court. It set forth the need of forming a general committee of delegates from clubs and other organizations, which shall enlist public interest in the work of probation officers, and shall secure the necessary funds. A club desiring representation on the committee may send a delegate by paying an annual fee of $10.00. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 229 In October, 1902, the attention of the Reform Department was called to a statement in the press to the effect that the pro- visions for sick and crippled children in Chicago were shockingly inadequate. A committee on investigation was appointed, Dr. Rosa Engleman, chairman. This Committee reported in Novem- ber at the business meeting, and in accordance with its recom- mendation the Club was asked to grant permission to the De- partment to call a conference of those interested to be held in the rooms of the Chicago Woman's Club. The conference was called for December 28, 1902. About 300 persons responded to that call, and the need and the remedy were thoroughly dis- cussed. A resolution was passed at this meeting authorizing the formation of a society to be called "The Children's Hospital Society." A committee on organization was appointed. The Collegiate Alumnae gave an exhibit of Home Eco- nomics in the club rooms in February, 1903, and the Arts and Crafts Society, an exhibit in March. This Society turned over to the Woman's Club, $145.86, earnings of the exhibit, sug- gesting that the money be used to perfect the arts and crafts work in one of the public schools. March, 1903, Mrs. Coonley Ward urged the Club to renew efforts to secure subscriptions for the Chicago Orchestra Association. A committee of six was appointed to send verbal and written appeals to each member of the Club. The Reform Department records for 1902 and 1903 report the following activities: September 30, 1902, Mrs. Flower or- ganized the Juvenile Court Committee, the object of the com- mittee being to aid in the work of child saving, by securing salaries for probation officers, and by such other means as might seem advisable. The following officers were chosen: Miss Julia Lathrop, Chairman; Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, Vice- Presi- dent; Mr. Jas. H. Eckels, Treasurer; Mrs. Chas. Henrotin, As- sistant Treasurer; Mrs. F. K. Tracy, Secretary. Realizing that until such time as the probation officers' service could be placed within the protection of the county merit law, the sala- ries of probation officers must be paid for by private funds, 230 ANNALS OF THE the Committee through earnest work and endeavor succeeded in securing the salaries of seven officers, who did effective serv- ice. Feeling that there was no more valuable work for chil- dren than that done by the probation officers, which substi- tutes wise, kindly personal care, for neglect and prison, the Committee was anxious to increase the number of these offi- cers. In the three years previous to the opening of the Juvenile Court, there were seventeen hundred and five boys under six- teen years of age in the county jail, while in the following three years there were but forty-eight. From January 1, 1902, to December, 1903, there were five thousand eight hundred eighty-one cases heard in the Juvenile Court. When it is re- membered that through the efforts of the probation officers, many children were kept from appearing in court, who otherwise would swell this number, it is seen how vast was the work to be done, if these children were to be kept from the criminal list, and aided toward good citizenship. April 22, 1903, the members of the Reform Department comprising the Visiting Committee for County Institutions, offered as a final report of two years' work, the following brief record of results accomplished: We were instrumental in se- curing for the Tuberculosis Hospital a change of diet that is humane; also rocking chairs, hammocks, fruits, flowers and reading matter. Many little changes conducive to the health, comfort and happiness of the inmates of the Insane Aslyum were made. There was a marked increase in quantity and qual- ity of clothing and bedding for the inmates of the Infirmary. We were instrumental in having transferred from the Infirmary to the Insane Aslyum, twenty insane patients. The reuniting of the families of seventeen children, the placing through the courts, in state, county, city and private institutions 38 chil- dren, making a total of fifty-eight cases, were brought about. We visited these children twice at Lincoln, 111., twice at Ge- neva, three times at Evanston, once at Englewood, four times at the Industrial School for Girls and once at Glenwood. We were responsible for placing the President and the Board of County Commissioners on record as deciding to erect at Dun- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 231 ning, a building at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, large enough to accommodate one hundred aged women, and the children at the Infirmary ; said building to be named by the visit- ing committee, and to be under the watchful care of each suc- ceeding visiting committee of the Reform Department of the Chicago Woman's Club. There was rarely a day that some portion of it was not given to Dunning, toward the betterment of its inmates, in its housing, feeding and clothing facilities ; placing of children, better care and attention for nurses, at- tendants and inmates alike, and an honest endeavor to raise the standard that will eventually place it on the list of model insti- tutions. In the year 1903-1904, a committee on visiting baby farms and public nurseries was instituted by the Philanthropy Depart- ment. The committee obtained a list of such institutions from the Health Department, the Juvenile Court and the Children's Home and Aid Society. The committee visited many institu- tions, and April 22, 1903, reported on the condition of mothers and children in various places. During the following year the Committee on Baby Farms co-operated with the city authorities in closing some of the worst of these places. Dr. Reynolds, of the Health Department, had two inspectors appointed from the members of the Philanthropy Department, and made great effort to enforce the ordinance governing such institutions. Two members of the committee were sworn in and with this authority became official inspectors of baby farms. The Department also reported friendly visiting in connection with the penny savings banks. The Neighborhood Center Committee, Mrs. Frank A. John- son, Chairman, reported that a number of new improvement associations had been formed, and April, 1904, she reported that work had been commenced for the north side, including the district from North Avenue to the river; that the 69th Street district on the south side was working for opening the schools as social centers. April 22, 1903, Mrs. O'Connor, Chairman of the Study Class Program Committee, reported as follows : "The original 232 ANNALS OF THE plan as presented and accepted by the Program Committee was to study the different foreign peoples who are with us, and who make up a large portion of our population ; to study them espe- cially in regard to their own lives at home in their own country, how it differed from and fitted or unfitted them for the life here. With this end in view the Committee selected for study countries which are sending the largest number of emigrants to us and which were consequently influencing our civilization the most. Ireland, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Poland and Bohemia, the Northern Countries, Scandinavia, Italy and Greece, China and Japan, and lastly, the immigration of the Jewish people from nearly every country of Europe were studied. The programs illustrated the national characteristics of the country when possible, including folk music, dances and national costumes." A circular was read stating the plans of the committee to raise a fund for widows whose children would be taken from employment and placed in the schools under the new Compul- sory Education Law. In September the subject of the children of widowed mothers was presented to the Club by Miss Ad- dams. It was voted to give a scholarship for one child who was the support of a widowed mother. A special meeting of the Chicago Woman's Club was held May 9, 1903, to hear an address by Mr. Booker T. Washington, upon the work at Tuskegee and at Hampton Institute. A short discussion followed, after which the meeting adjourned to the Club rooms, where an informal reception was held. Beginning with the Club Year, 1903-1904, the names of all permanent committees were printed in the calendar. The Club became an associate member of the Woman's Auxiliary of the American Park and Outdoor Art Association. Two scholarships were purchased in the School of Domestic Arts and Sciences. The Chicago Outdoor Art League was founded by Mrs. Her- man J. Hall in 1901, and was at first auxiliary to the national society. Mrs. John Worthy was a delegate from the Art and Literature Department, and is now president. The League is an auxiliary of the Chicago Woman's Club. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 233 April 1, 1903, a suggestion was made that the Home De- partment undertake to furnish the luncheons for the Club for the coming year. A series of lectures on "Foods" by Miss Bui- lard was begun in October, 1904. In October, 1903, Mrs. George M. Moulton and Mrs. George W. Plummer gave a detailed account of the work of the Milk Commission. The Club asked that the report be published in the daily papers and an article was prepared containing illus- trations of the laboratory and of the milk depots. The Com- mission was the outgrowth of a committee of the Children's Hospital Society, which was the result of a committee of inves- tigation appointed by the Reform Department to look into the existing facilities in Chicago for the care of sick and crippled children and to recommend plans for their betterment. Mrs. Plummer was asked to report as to the laws governing the in- spection of milk in the city and state, the questions being: "Are the present state laws and the city ordinance adequate, and are the present laws being enforced ?" January 27, 1904, Dr. Jacques, a former member of the Board of Health and City Bacteriologist, and Mr. Eaton, analyst of the State Food Commission of Illinois, came before the Committee and told of the laws in the city and state governing the inspection of milk. Mr. Eaton was of the opinion that additional legislation for state inspection is required, and presented to the Committee a new bill, which in his estimation would be fully adequate. Dr. Jacques told of the city ordinance concerning the inspection of milk, and stated that in his opinion it was the best ordinance in the United States. He added, however, that the ordinance is not being enforced, but if it were enforced, the consumers of milk in the City of Chicago would have nothing of which to com- plain. It was stated that the lack of inspection of meat, poultry and game in the city, was because of the reduction in the num- ber of inspectors. There were but six for the entire city at the present time, and four of these were at the Stock Yards. The Milk Commission opened its laboratory June 13, 1904, for the second season of milk distribution, selling more than 234 ANNALS OF THE 107,000 bottles. The auxiliary committees did a missionary work among the mothers, settlements and school principals, and found, after full explanation as to the scope and necessity of their work, that all were willing to co-operate, providing the Hospital Society could devise a plan by which the milk could be distributed. The Commission also conducted a milk station at the City Hall during the summer, assisted by the West End Woman's Club. Funds were secured by the Auxiliary Commit- tee, so that milk might be given free of charge to families, after proper investigation of these by the Bureau of Charities. No- vember 25, 1903, the Philanthropy and Reform Departments outlined a plan to give employment and amusement to the women at Dunning, both in the Poor House and in the Insane Aslyum, convinced that employment and recreation are important fac- tors in the care of the insane. The program October 14, 1903, was devoted to Emerson. The Art and Literature Department presented to the Club a bronze bas-relief of Emerson, the work of Julia Bracken, who was the guest of honor. November 25, 1903, the Art and Litera- ture Department voted $50 to a settlement music study class, this being made necessary because of the refusal of the Board of Education to open the assembly room in the school in that neighborhood for a paid entertainment. If it had been possible for the class to secure a hall and give a concert it could have been self-supporting. The Department contributed toward the support of this music class for a number of years. January, 1904, the Library Committee of the Art and Literature Depart- ment reported sending a library to the British West Indies made up of books collected from members, with a few books added. The Reform Department reported April 27, 1904, that the Juvenile Court Committee had been incorporated, having had a year of work, with most encouraging results. They had been able to increase the number of paid probation officers to fifteen, and had systematized and doubled the efficiency of the service. The name was changed to the Juvenile Protective Association in 1909. This organization is not an auxiliary of the Chicago CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 235 Woman's Club, although many of its directors are members, and it continues the activities begun in the Club committees. The character of the work has changed, having become pre- ventive, instead of reformatory. The Neighborhood Center Committee reported April 27, 1904: "Although the residential yard with accumulated waste of a season is still a feature of Chicago, and the florist has many bids for window boxes filled with combinations of red geraniums, pink begonias and purple asters ; still the fact that there are more window boxes, and that some people are apologizing for the appearance of the yards, shows an awakening visual sense which is hopeful." The Club endorsed the bills for the purchase by Congress of the Big Trees in California, for the placing of the New Hamp- shire forests in a national park, and for the national protection of the Cliff Dwellers, also the work of the Library Extension Committee in its endeavor to obtain a State Library Commis- sion; this endorsement was sent to the secretary of the State Federation. April 30, 1904, greetings were sent from the Chicago Wom- an's Club, by Mrs. Henry Solomon, to the International Council of Women meeting in Berlin. October 28, 1903, the President, Ellen M. Henrotin, was given authority to use the influence of the Chicago Woman's Club to secure a woman on a committee in the industrial de- partment of the Civic Federation. The President reported that a telegram was at once sent to the Department of Commerce and Industry at Washington, and that a letter was sent to Sena- tor Hanna asking that one woman, at least, be placed on the Committee representing the great labor movement. Mrs. Hen- rotin stated that the replies showed that much interest had been aroused, and that a promise for an effort along these lines had been received. The President called the attention of the Board to the fact that the United States is the only country where woman is in an official position in the labor movement. The President also outlined to the Board her plans for a conference 236 ANNALS OF THE which she hoped might be held in Chicago in the spring. The Conference would have "Woman in the Industrial, Social, Pro- fessional and Home Life" for its subject. A Committee was appointed with two members from each Department to confer in regard to the conference of Women in Industry and Commerce, and reported April 30, 1904, as follows : "The Conference having for its subject: 'Women in the Indus- trial, Professional, Social and Home Life,' was unique in that it was the first conference of the kind ever held. It prompted much good work, and was deemed most valuable. The confer- ence was largely attended by strangers, rather than by our Club members, and it was thought to be far-reaching in its results." October 26, 1904, the Reform Department adopted the fol- lowing resolution: "Whereas, The provision for children suffering from infec- tious diseases is entirely inadequate; and, "Whereas, The Common Council of the City of Chicago has in contemplation the passage of an ordinance which will pro- hibit the erection of any hospital for such a purpose within the city limits ; "Therefore, We, the Chicago Woman's Club, respectfully re- quest the Council to refuse to further endanger the lives of lit- tle ones by the passage of the aforesaid ordinance." November 29, 1904, Mrs. Frederick P. Bagley gave a report on a plan of work which was to interest club women in the con- dition of the institutions nearest to them in the state ; that visit- ing these institutions and obtaining an accurate and intelligent idea of their condition and requirements should be the first requi- site for reform and for all work along philanthropic lines. A map had been prepared by Mrs. Bagley, showing the location of institutions in the state and the proximity of women's clubs to each institution. The program for January 13, 1904, consisted of "Songs of Colonial and Ante-bellum Days," by Mrs. Hollingsworth Wat- kins. A special program arranged March 30, as a memorial to Herbert Spencer, was as follows : Celia Parker Woolley CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 237 gave a general estimate of Spencer; Prof. Frank R. Lillie spoke on "Spencer as a Scientist" ; Victor S. Yarros addressed the Club on "Spencer as a Sociologist"; Ella F. Young spoke on "Education and Ethics"; Prof. A. W. Moore, upon "The Philosophy of Spencer." The Art and Literature Department gave a reception to Sydney Lee, the Shakespearean scholar, in March, 1903, to which many guests were invited. Josephine Preston Pea- body, of Wellesley, was also entertained during the same year by the Department. One of the memorable programs of the year was under the auspices of the Art and Literature Depart- ment, when William Butler Yeats gave a lecture, which was fol- lowed by a luncheon in his honor. The Department reported that the recipient of the Art Institute scholarship had received honorable mention at the close of every term. A French study class was begun under the leadership of Mrs. M. H. Knowles in October, 1904, which had a large attendance. December 7, 1905, it was announced that a club had been established in New York City, to be known as "The Chicago Woman's Club of New York," and that the club looked to the Chicago Woman's Club for its inspiration and its ideals. The use of the Club rooms was extended to the Dearborn Seminary Alumnae for the golden jubilee reception, to be celebrated Jan- uary 17, 1905. January 4, 1905, the following resolutions were passed by the Club by a rising vote, upon the death of Theodore Thomas : "That the Chicago Woman's Club extends to the family of Theodore Thomas its tenderest sympathy, with the assurance of its own sense of bereavement in the passing of an orchestral leader of lofty ideals, steadfast spirit and great achievement." January 11, 1905, the program was in charge of Julia C. Lathrop. The subject was "Civil Service: The Immediate Sit- uation in Illinois." January 25, the President introduced Prof. P. P. Claxton, of Tennessee, who spoke on "The New Educa- tional Opportunities for Men and Women in the South." Feb- ruary 1, 1905, the subject of the day was a lecture entitled: 238 ANNALS OF THE "Some Limitations of the Thoughtful Public in America." The speaker was Prof. Josiah Royce, of Harvard University. Pro- fessor Royce left the thought with us, that provincialism should be more strongly developed; that each community should pos- sess its own particular characteristics; that in this greater va- riety, greater strength would exist in the nation. The Club voted January 25, 1905, to send its protest to the Mayor in regard to the conditions prevailing in the dance halls, and asked that the present ordinances regulating their operation, and also regulating the sale of liquor to minors, be enforced. As February 1 was the birthday of Susan B. Anthony, the following telegram was sent to her: "Love and congratula- tions on your eighty-fifth birthday. Your useful and remark- able life is our best inheritance." The Neighborhood Center Committee reported as follows, April 26, 1905 : The work of the committee has two purposes, that of the improvement of a neighborhood with the school as a social center, and the general improvement of our city through the agency of improvement associations. During the past three years many new improvement associations have been organized, until now along the lake front covering an area of a mile from east to west, a chain of improvement associations extends from 63rd Street to Lincoln Park, with only a missing link from 16th Street to Van Buren. At the present time there are seven- teen improvement associations represented in the League of Improvement Associations which was established by this committee. The object of this league is mutual assistance and encouragement one to the other, by an exchange of purpose and methods of working, and by association and a massing of forces, to create a stronger power in the community. In April, 1905, the Education Department brought the fol- lowing resolution before the Club, which was adopted: "That the plans for small parks which the South Park Board is bring- ing to a successful fulfillment be endorsed by the Club." During 1905, the Library Committee developed a plan of se- curing from authors, autograph copies of their books, as a per- manent collection for the Club. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 239 At the annual meeting Mrs. Wilmarth reported on the Con- sumers' League: The League has been instrumental in draw- ing public attention to the benefits of early Christmas shop- ping; has urged summer vacations and weekly half holiday for clerks ; Sunday closing of shops, and enforcement of child labor laws ; also aroused public sentiment against sweat shops and un- sanitary work rooms. April 26, 1905, action was taken by the Club upon the Child Labor Law, as affected by the contents of House Bill, No. 620, otherwise known as the Haas Bill. A telegram was sent to Governor Deneen requesting him to veto the bill. September 27, 1905, the President presented the plan es- tablishing a permanent subscription theatre for presenting the best plays, and asked the Board to give moral support to the plan, by appointing a committee from the Club to co-operate with the committee already formed. A committee of seven was appointed by the President, consisting of Mesdames Hen- rotin, Buckingham, Brainard, de Windt, Archibald McArthur, George Adams, and George B. Carpenter, member ex-officio. The plan was to have a hall in the center of the city, which seated about 800, remodeled, in which only the best plays would be presented. There were to be different priced subscriptions, entitling the holders to four performances a week. The Club endorsed the movement toward the establishment of an inde- pendent theatre, and pledged moral support and influence to this cause. At the annual meeting, April 29, 1900, it was voted that the membership of the Club shall be limited to one thousand members. April 30, 1903, a permanent rooms committee was again appointed with Mrs. Wilmarth as chairman. It was voted that this committee consist of a chairman, and two members from each Department. In response to a petition signed by 125 members of the Club, the Board of Managers set apart Wednes- day afternoon, February 15, 1905, to consider matters of Club policy, as follows: 240 ANNALS OF THE 1. Should the Club dues be raised? 2. Can and should we live within our present income? 3. Where, if at all, should we retrench? The first speaker was Miss Sweet, who presented the sub- ject for discussion to the Club in such terms as to draw the attention of the members to the real objects of this organization as defined in the Club charter, viz. : "Mutual sympathy and counsel; a united effort towards the higher civilization of hu- manity, and general philanthropic and literary work." It was stated that in view of the practical question of apartments for the Club, which must soon be answered, we should take coun- sel together as to affairs in which there is common interest, for back of these questions of business lie matters which affect the spirit and soul of this organization. Mrs. Bolte would have the Club do the best, at the least expense, and would have us stand as an organization that lives within its means. Mrs. Ed- wards was of the opinion that the Club was like a family; it must adapt itself to circumstances. If to raise the dues to $25 was intended for rooms, she was opposed; if for work, it was another thing. Mrs. Henrotin stated that there were three things she would emphasize: 1st. That an organization's ex- cuse for existing is that it is efficient. 2nd. The Club has too many meetings; one general meeting a month and one business meeting a month, with more time for a better understanding of what we are doing and how it shall be done ; elimination is the thing now. We must live up to the highest ideal; and work means money. 3rd. Success means centralization, and concen- tration of energy. The Club must be efficient if it is to exist. A committee for retrenchment was appointed on February 22. The committee recommended: That the Chicago Woman's Club should not increase the amount now expended for the run- ning expenses of the Club ; that in addition to the duties imposed upon the finance committee, it shall make up a budget for the running expenses of the coming year which it shall present to the Club for approval, with its final report. March 22, 1915, a lease for one year for the Club rooms now occupied was made CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 241 at an advanced rental of $1,200, plus the lighting, thus making the rental for one year $8,400. May 3, 1905, the President re- ported that the permanent rooms committee had been active in making investigations regarding permanent rooms. The com- mittee recommended a site near southeast corner of Wabash Avenue and Congress street, 90x90 feet, a plan to issue $100,000 in bonds, $100,000 in stock to erect building. The President sug- gested sending out a tentative plan along above lines to members of organizations interested, to secure support and approval, be- fore making further plans. Mrs. Lucy L. Flower was given the use of the club rooms Thursday afternoon, April 18, for a lecture by Dr. Christo- pher on "Child Study in the Public Schools, Its Objects and Results." Greater emphasis was laid upon the social meetings within the Departments to foster the acquaintance of members. The Reform Department inaugurated a series of Department lunch- eons, 1901-1902, where new phases of work might be discussed and new members introduced. The Home Department had a May day meeting at the home of one of its members. The Art and Literature Department had many social gatherings and during the season of 1901-1902 appointed a committee on hospi- tality to supplement the work of the social committee. This committee had for its purpose the development of definite plans for the entertainment of distinguished persons connected with art and literature. The work of the Club Social Committee dur- ing the months of December and January reported an increase in the number of entertainments. On Saturday afternoon, Janu- ary 26, Mr. Edwin D. Mead of Boston addressed the members of the Club. Wednesday, January 30, the Club entertained the members and guests from the settlements with an illustrated musical lecture by Mr. Frederic Root. The reception given by the Club, February 24, 1902, during the exhibition of Western artists at the Art Institute, was in charge of the Art and Lit- erature Department, and proved an enjoyable occasion, empha- sizing the social relationship between the artists and the club 242 ANNALS OF THE members. Another special occasion was "Arbutus Day," April 19, when Mrs. Martha Foote Crow, Mrs. Coonley Ward, Mrs. G. W. Kretzinger, Mrs. W. Keepers, Mrs. Merrill and Mrs. M. A. Loring read original verses appropriate to this spring sym- posium. Mrs. Keepers donated a large quantity of arbutus sent from Lookout Mountain, Tenn. Mrs. Mott of Michigan City also added greatly to our Spring Day by bringing us spring flowers fresh from the woods. Under the auspices of the hos- pitality committee of the Art and Literature Department a re- ception was given November 10 to Mr. Henry Hubbell of Paris, and Messrs. Clarkson, Browne, Grover and Taft, of Chicago. Each of these artists spoke with enthusiasm of some phase of artistic work or experience. The music study class considered "Music of To-day" during the year 1904-1905. March 23, 1904, a letter was read giving an account of a woman's club and library extension which had been formed in La Mesa, California, by Mrs. W. G. Ferguson, one of this De- partment's former members. January 27, 1904, resolutions were adopted to the effect that the Chicago Woman's Club believes the present inspection of food in the city of Chicago inadequate, and therefore urges the Appropriations Committee of the Council to recommend an ap- propriation sufficient to insure the adequate inspection of all food products. March 23, 1904, this resolution was adopted: "Whereas, a resolution has been presented to the Chicago City Council asking for legislation to legalize prostitution, with Government medical inspection, we hereby protest against such method of dealing with vice, because experience in other cities has proven that this method increased vice instead of lessening it: that medical examination of women prostitutes only must be ineffective, and because the door of hope should always be open to an unfortunate woman who wishes to lead a better life. December 28, 1904, the Club endorsed a bill "granting women the right to vote for Presidential electors and certain other officers," a bill to make it a misdemeanor to take usuri- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 243 ous rates of interest on loans to salaried people ; and one known as the merit law, which was adopted in the following form Feb- ruary 22, 1905 : "Whereas, Both political parties and all candidates for elec- tion were, by the platforms adopted in their conventions, pledged to a Civil Service Law for our State ; "Be It Resolved, That we demand as our right, and the rights of our children, the fulfillment of the pledge; and that we shall consider it a gross violation of honesty and truth and an immoral example to the future citizens of our State if the promise is not kept." Mrs. Caroline M. Edwards as President of the Club, in her annual address, 1901, recommended the following change in the election of officers: "One year the election might be for President, for Record- ing Secretary, for two Directors and one representative on the membership committee from each Department. The next year two Vice Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, chair- man of Departments, and one representative on the member- ship committee from each Department might be elected. Un- expected vacancies to be filled each year would vary the number of elections slightly, but the average would be about the same. It is a positive advantage to the business of the club that its officers and the chairman of departments should serve two years." Mrs. Edwards adds: "The supreme motive of the Club, an interest in humanity, permeates every Department. No conception of club work, even though it is simply for self-improvement, is complete until it evolves some plan by which humanity, outside the club, is made better, wiser, or more comfortable. Interest in humanity is so pre-eminently the motive throughout the Club that I can see no danger in the fact that departments representing the dif- ferent details of the one great idea differ in numbers. Not the least among the lessons of this Club is that which teaches us to express ourselves clearly to an audience. Many a timid woman who has only dared to whisper her thoughts to an intimate has here learned her own value and her power." 244 ANNALS OF THE A condensed report was made and published covering the Presidency of Mrs. Otto Matz (1902-03), and that of Mrs. Charles Henrotin (1903-04), from which the following is taken: "The special work of the Reform Department has been that which led up to the founding of the Children's Hospital Society of Chicago, the result of which has been the work of the Milk Commission. A special committee was appointed by the Depart- ment to investigate the condition of sick children in Chicago, and the Department asked permission of the Club to call a conference of citizens to hear this report and suggest ways and means to relieve the situation. From that conference sprang the organiza- tion of the Children's Hospital Society of Chicago, whose object is: To promote the extension and enlargement of facilities for the care of sick and crippled children, and those persons suffer- ing from infectious diseases, and to encourage and assist scien- tific research, especially as related to childhood. The Society has asked the hospitals to co-operate in securing, first, a stand- ard of efficiency in all the city and county hospitals, to secure which each must meet the following requirements : First, it must have a detention department ; second, an iso- lation department; third, laboratory facilities; fourth, provide pure milk for the children; fifth, a space of not less than one thousand (1,000) cubic feet of air for each bed; sixth, provide didactic and bedside instruction in diseases of children to under- graduate nurses. The Society pledges itself to raise means to enable a con- stant bettering of these and other conditions. While it is true that the Chicago Woman's Club no longer claims proprietary interest in the Society, the Department believes the Club will remember with pride that the Children's Hospital Society was born here, and bespeaks for it the same sympathy and help it gives to other offspring who have left its sheltering arms. Besides the work of the Departments the standing Com- mittees of the Club have carried on many activities; the library committee has sent out five new traveling libraries during the past year, making sixteen the total number sent out by the Chi- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 245 cago Woman's Club since the formation of this Committee. One of the five libraries was a special library of art, and another of American history. This Committee has investigated the provis- ions made for children in the library centers, and reports that much good could be done in the sub-stations to make them more attractive for adults and for children to visit, and in some cases much is needed to make them of greater value. Books have been sent to the John Worthy School, to the Bridewell and to the Salvation Army. The following special Committees : Art Purchasing, Promoting Vacation Schools, Handicraft in the Public Schools, and the new Committee on Legislation have all planned interesting work for the coming year. The Arts and Crafts Exhibit which was held during the past winter in the Club Rooms for three days, was a great success. One of the striking features of the exhibit was the work of the school chil- dren, and the interest it aroused in the teachers who were invited to attend. The Committee having the exhibit in charge returned to the Board a profit of $150.00 after all expenses were paid. The Board gave to the Committee this sum to further the work in public schools. Among the Societies auxiliary to the Chicago Woman's Club is the Protective Agency for Women and Children, the majority of whose Board are members of the Chicago Woman's Club, the Chicago Public School Art Society, the School Children's Aid Society, the Chicago Political Equality League, and the Model Lodging House Association ; all report to the Club at its annual meeting and most of the Departments assist these associations financially and send delegates to their Boards." 246 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER VIII 1905-1910 Susan B. Anthony was tendered a reception on the after- noon of June 23, 1905. The following year, March 7, 1906, these resolutions were passed upon the death of this great woman : "Whereas, There has passed from this finite consciousness a courageous, undaunted, steadfast spirit, for half a century the most prominent factor in the advancement and betterment of womankind; and "Whereas, That noble spirit ascended steadily upon the suc- cessive steps of opprobrium, ridicule and caricature, to suffer- ance, commendation, respect and love of the community ; and "Whereas, That spirit now stands on the pinnacle of mem- ory, as the type of self-sacrifice, devotion and consequent accom- plishment ; therefore, be it "Resolved, That we, the members of the Chicago Woman's Club, record our gratitude, reverence and love to the memory of Susan B. Anthony, accepting her service as our great legacy; be it "Resolved, That a memorial meeting in memory of Miss Anthony be held at the time and place to be hereafter named, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to her bereaved family and to the public press." On January 17, 1906, resolutions of sympathy were passed and sent to the family of William Rainey Harper, first President of the University of Chicago, expressing gratitude that we have had the inestimable privilege to partake of his splendid accom- plishment for literary, ethical and moral culture. Other resolutions of sympathy adopted at Club meetings during 1905-1906 were, a message to Dr. Sarah Hackett Ste- venson on account of her illness, and on the death of Judge Tuley and Theodore Thomas. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 247 The Board entertained Sarah Platt Decker, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, at luncheon, Oct. 15, 1905. Invitations were extended to the officers of the General Federation, and to the President of the Illinois State Federa- tion. December 4, 1905, the Reform Department gave a luncheon in honor of women members of the Chicago Board of Educa- tion Miss Addams, Mrs. Keogh, Dr. de Bey, Mrs. Emmons Blaine. March 22, 1905, the Reform Department endorsed the re- quest of Jane Addams and Mary McDowell that a woman be appointed to investigate the present industrial conditions of women, under the auspices of the Bureau of Commerce and In- dustry, and the secretary of the Department was instructed to write a letter to the President of the United States informing him of this action. November 22, 1905, Mrs. Solomon as the Cub's representa- tive gave the report of the installation exercises at Illinois Uni- versity. She told of the beautiful woman's building just dedi- cated, and the eloquent address in the evening by Dr. Gunsaulus on "Heroism in Scholarship." She spoke of the great meaning which the University of Illinois must have to the young people of the state. She noted the absence of dormitories and the pas- sion of the students to belong to fraternities and sororities. A committee was appointed to investigate the need of dor- mitories for the girls at the State University. In November, 1905, Mr. Henry G. Foreman stated that women were most alive to the recreation needs of the people. He gave a brief history of the Chicago Park movement, com- menced in 1869, which had proved inadequate in thirty years. In 1903, a second movement was inaugurated, and still Chicago was nineteenth in the list of cities as regards the percentage of park acreage. He spoke of the need of the people in congested districts of open-air recreation, and urged that the lands be bought while it was possible to secure them at farm prices also before the forests are destroyed. In closing, Mr. Fore- man asked for the endorsement and co-operation of the Club. 248 ANNALS OF THE It was voted that the Chicago Woman's Club endorse the move- ment to establish an outer belt park system. The Chicago Wom- an's Club protested against the putting of iron fences around the South Parks, and sent the following communication: The erection of high palings around our parks would de- stroy one of their most attractive features, that free and open approach which invites the eye and affords a vision of beauty miles away. To enclose this with an iron fence, no matter how expensive or beautiful in itself, would be to commit a grave artistic blunder. Our parks belong to the people, and should serve their uses in the most convenient way. They should be as free of access as possible to the sick and feeble, the old and infirm, to tired mothers with little children. The management of these public pleasure grounds should be in a broad and demo- cratic spirit. It is both foolish and undesirable to give our parks the appearance of the private grounds of the English aristocracy. The large amount of money which would be re- quired for this purpose can be much better used to extend police protection. The Chicago Woman's Club therefore earnestly urges the South Park Commissioners to reconsider this ques- tion and not to take a step so opposed to the convenience and best interests of the people. The Club endorsed the action of President Roosevelt and the American Civic Association in working for the preservation of Niagara Falls for future generations. April 25, 1906, the President, Mrs. George B. Carpenter, as chairman of the Central Club Relief Committee, reported the plan of the mass meeting held on the previous Sunday in the interest of the San Francisco earthquake sufferers : Money had been contributed as follows : Individual, $50.00 ; Clubs, $269.25 ; Art and Literature Department, $325.00; $500 was appropriated from the Club treasury, to be sent to the Woman's Club of San Francisco, to be used for the sufferers. On April 28, 1906, Mrs. Tracy reported gifts by the Central Club Relief Committee, and Mrs. Solger reported that 42 packing cases containing 12,000 garments had been shipped to date. The total sum of $1,075.25 was received and expended. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 249 A letter was presented from E. G. Routzahn, of the Mu- nicipal Museum, January 10, 1906, desiring assistance in ar- ranging programs for entertainments to be given in the ten field houses, conducted by the South Park Commission. A com- mittee was appointed to assist the Municipal Museum in ar- ranging programs. A committee labored earnestly to establish a theatre devoted to the educational influences of the dramatic art, the promotion and welfare of players, and the maintenance of high standards in the profession. It also proposed a permanent stock com- pany, which was ultimately to occupy its own building. The Theatre Committee stated February 25, 1906, that it was not the intention at any time that this Club should manage a theatre. It was the hope that through its moral and working support such an educational effort in behalf of public and player might be successfully accomplished in this city of enterprise. A propo- sition to present the best plays, with an adequate company and at popular prices, would never interest the professional man- ager. The people must interest themselves if they wanted to see it carried out. November 22, 1905, the Philanthropy Department reported : Our plan is to acquaint ourselves as thoroughly as we can with the conditions and needs of certain classes of homes or insti- tutions. We particularly wish to inform ourselves of the homes for working girls and boys, for old people, and, most difficult of all rescue homes for unfortunate girls. We have asked some of the most experienced settlement workers to talk to us on the vexed question of the deserted family. The Philanthropy Department reported that its work for 1905 was the support given the Public Charities Committee, a sub-committee of the Federation, whose purpose was to inter- est all clubs in the State in civil service reform, and in the wiser administration of charity in the state and county insti- tutions. The Department in this connection published Miss Lathrop's book, "Suggestions to Visitors of Institutions." No- vember, 1906, a committee directed its efforts to the discovery and suppression of agencies fraught with danger to the chil- 250 ANNALS OF THE dren in our schools. Unsanitary conditions, lack of ventila- tion, and the effects of janitors' unions were discussed with teachers and parents. Some of the Committee were deeply impressed with the dangers lurking in secret societies, and did all in their power to bring about the abolishment of these so- cieties in secondary schools. The efforts of the committee were directed to the organizing of parents' societies, and to the se- curing of necessary instruction for the pupils. Taking advantage of the favorable conditions in the De- partment for gathering material and deducing conclusions, which will be valuable to the State Board of Charities, a Committee on the Etiology of Dependence was appointed. Miss Addams, Miss McDowell, Miss Lathrop and Mrs. Graham Taylor of the Department, and Miss Breckenridge of the University con- sented to serve. February 10, 1908, the Department once more took up the investigation of baby farms and day nurseries with the assurance of every help from the Health Department. The Department had one trained investigator to assist in the work, and in 1909, sent an investigator to several places, where it was said children boarders were to be found and only two of the homes were objectionable. The Committee was instructed to continue investigations, and take steps to have those baby farms closed that do not conform to the law. December 26, 1906, the Reform Department established a day camp, where tuberculosis patients could receive care, advice and proper food at the Tuberculosis Hospital at Dunning. The Department appointed in 1909, a Prisoners' Friend Commit- tee, to extend aid to women discharged from the Bridewell. The Committee on Infant Welfare established a milk depot in a district on the southwest side, and engaged a young woman as interpreter and nurse. From July 1 to October 1, 1909, 7,000 bottles of milk were distributed to 125 families. A letter was read from the principal of the Schiller School, acknowledging a contribution for milk. The Reform Department reported in October, 1905, that fine work was being accomplished by the Children's Hospital CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 251 Society, an offshoot of the Chicago Woman's Club, now only three years old, in good financial condition, and taking its place among the recognized charities of our city. The Department presented to the Club the need of dairy farm inspection, asking that it take the initiative in securing the assistance of the League of Cook County Clubs in instituting and supporting this serv- ice. February 28, 1906, the Club endorsed the movement for the investigation of industrial conditions of women in the United States. The Secretary of the Club wrote to the Illinois Sena- tors and Representatives in the National Congress, also to the members of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Rep- resentatives, requesting that an appropriation be made for this purpose. A conference on industrial conditions of women was held in November, 1906, under the auspices of the University of Chicago, Hull House and Chicago Woman's Club. Jan- uary 9, 1907, the Club endorsed the holding of an industrial exhibit, and voted $200 toward the expense of the exhibit at Brooks' Casino, March 11, 1907. From an article written at the time, we quote: Of national import is the original research made by the Chicago Woman's Qub on "Women in Modern Industrialism" under leadership of Mrs. Ellen Henrotin. Last year a comprehensive conference on this subject a subject so important that President Roosevelt urged Congress to make an appropriation for its thorough investigation paved the way for another extraordinary four days' conference in Chicago this spring, to be participated in by foremost students of the woman who toils. On February 21, 1906, the Club voted to ask the Board of Education to continue the studies of manual training and domestic science commenced in the grammar grade, through the High School course. The following committee was appointed: Mrs. Lorenz, Chairman ; Mesdames Llewellyn, Lane, Lynden Evans, Stella Dyer Loring, Alice P. Norton and Wilbur S. Jackman. The Domestic Science Committee reported April 25, that the School Management Committee had signified the intention of placing domestic science in two of the High Schools. 252 ANNALS OF THE The committee was requested by the Board of Education to prepare the courses in detail and the curriculum still in use is the one outlined by this committee. Two bills for which the Chicago Woman's Club worked were passed by the Legislature one raising the age of consent from fourteen to sixteen years, and one providing for the pun- ishment of crimes against children. Other bills endorsed and worked for by the Club were : On the raising of the saloon license to $1,000; on the repeal of the code which allows the sale of liquors in dance halls; on recommending for re-election aldermen who voted for the $1,000 saloon license. As a result of the work of the Committee for Cook County Institutions, the children's ward at Dunning became an accom- plished fact. It was recommended that the Reform Depart- ment furnish a manual training equipment for the Jail School and secure a man as teacher ; $100.00 was appropriated from the reserve fund and individuals volunteered to raise the additional amount. On request of the Committee on Juvenile Court, a teacher was appointed to instruct the boys while in the Detention Home. The Finance Committee of the Council voted to appropriate $20,000.00 for a building site for the new Juvenile Court Build- ing, and the County would erect a building. A daily session of court would then be held. There were two to three hundred volunteers to assist the probation officers. In 1907, the County Board made an additional appropria- tion for the Jail School supplies, which had been furnished by the Reform Department for eleven years. The Reform De- partment asked the Club to appoint a committee of three to co-operate with similar committees from other women's or- ganizations in asking that sex shall not be a qualification for municipal suffrage, but that Chicago women may vote at all municipal elections on equal terms with men ; this resolution was sent to the Charter Convention. The Study Class of the Philosophy and Science Depart- ment met the second and fourth Monday afternoons of each CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 253 month during 1906-1907, to discuss problems presented by Professor William James in his book on "Varieties of Reli- gious Experience." The Department gave a scholarship to a woman student at the University of Chicago, preference being given to one who had shown distinction in philosophy or science. For the year 1907-1908, the Department devoted twelve meetings to studies in anthropology. In 1908-1909, Pro- fessor George Burnam Foster gave eight lectures on the "His- tory of Religion." In 1909-1910, Alice Bradford Wiles led a class in "The Philosophy of Current History," and Caroline K. Sherman, one in "The Old Testament in the Light of Mod- ern Scientific Research." December 26, 1906, the Club adopted the following reso- lution: "In view of the Christmas work in the stores, and the night work required of clerks at this season, Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club appeal to the public: First, to em- ployers to pay clerks for over-work; second, to request con- sumers to do all in their power to alleviate conditions by be- ginning at once to do their Christmas shopping; to shop early in the day and to refuse to shop at night." The Reform Department gave $40 to assist in making an investigation of the conditions of the clerks within the loop during the holiday season. This information was issued as a pamphlet before Christmas to urge the public's aid in a move- ment to secure overpay for overtime work. April 13, 1910, the program of the day was in charge of the Philanthropy Department, in behalf of the movement to enforce the Saturday afternoon closing of the stores during the summer months, and an organizing committee was appointed with power to add to its numbers. The Committee on Handicraft in the Public Schools during 1905 prepared a collection to be transferred from one school to another, to give standards and establish ideals of practical things that were really artistic and that could be made by chil- dren. The vastness of the Chicago schools, however, and the narrowness of the resources of the Committee, led them to 254 ANNALS OF THE try to devise some plan by which one collection could be made to cover more ground, and as a result of their deliberations it was decided to place a collection in the City Normal School. The collection contains good examples of pottery in tiles, vases and bowls, baskets, textiles, embroideries and metal work. It was the plan of the Committee to accompany this collection with occasional talks upon artistic handicraft, which should aim to give the young teachers who are being trained at the Normal School some knowledge of the principles which underlie art, and some intelligent ground for distinguishing between the ar- tistic and the inartistic. In December, 1906, the collection was installed at the City Normal School, carefully listed, placed in a large glass case and the key delivered to the principal, Mrs. Young. The col- lection was added to from time to time, and upon the request of the City Normal School, was continued there; in 1910, the committee reported the addition of tapestry, several designs in silk and Newcomb and Deerfield needlework. These also are enclosed in a glass case, suitably labeled, and well placed. November 28, 1906, the committee doing neighborhood work in the public schools reported that it had consulted with the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. E. G. Cooley, with the princi- pal and teachers of the John Hamline School, and with the head probation officer of the Juvenile Court, Mr. H. W. Thurs- ton, in regard to the needs of certain districts, and the best lo- cation for such a center. It was decided to begin work at once, at the John Hamline School, and to secure as supervisor, Miss Louise Montgomery, a graduate of the University of Minne- sota, who had had successful experience as a normal teacher and as a settlement worker. A special circular was issued, de- scribing the needs of neighborhood work in public schools, and the work done at the Hamline School during 1905-1906, with an appeal for additional help that the work might be enlarged during the year. April 24, 1907, the Committee of the Ham- line School reported that it was still in the experimental stage of such a broad educational plan for protecting the children from the temptations of city life. To bring the school and CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 255 home more closely together in the neighborhood of the Ham- line School, took years of hard, tactful work on the part of Miss Louise Montgomery, supported by a strong, enthusiastic committee. In April, 1908, the committee again reports : The prin- cipal of the school feels the great value of the work done in the homes, the various clubs, classes, and excursions, and very high commendation of this new form of socializing education has been given by noted educators from several other cities. It is practically vacation school principle, method and spirit, ap- plied to the life of the social groups outside of school hours. In January, 1909, Mrs. Putnam gave a short account of the Public School Center Committee work. The children and their parents had been interested, and alumni societies among the children, who had to leave the school, had worked marvelously well for good. While the mothers looked askance at cooking lessons at first, as too prosaic, they were finally won over. April 28, 1909, a set of resolutions presented by the Educa- tion Department was endorsed by the Club and sent to the Edu- cation Committee of the Charter Convention, in which the fol- lowing points were made: That all school buildings be used for school extension pur- poses, free of charge; that the law concerning the amount of money available for school taxes state the minimum instead of the maximum limit, and that the appointment of teachers be based upon educational qualifications and general fitness. At a luncheon of the Department held on Saturday, November 13, 1909, Mrs. W. I. Thomas gave an address on children's theatres and 5-cent shows. The address was such a revelation of actual conditions and crying needs to help the girls par- ticularly of our great city that every person present was deeply stirred. A special committee of five was appointed to co-operate with Mrs. Thomas in her work with the Juvenile Protective Association. That Committee began work at once for young people and for educating public opinion upon constructive lines. The newly re-organized Permanent School Extension Com- mittee reported January, 1909, that it was considering several 256 ANNALS OF THE lines of work in connection with school buildings and small parks, the supplying of milk and crackers once a day for a nominal sum to small school children ; arrangements for study hours after school for the older pupils ; special classes in fancy work ; furnishing money to pay a school helper to take children in charge after school hours. January 19, 1910, Ellen S. Bryant, Chairman of the School Extension Committee, reported as fol- lows: A year ago the Vacation School Committee lost its excuse for being, owing to the fact that the Board of Education made an increased appropriation and assumed active control of these summer schools, which had been maintained by the women's clubs of the county twelve years after the initial movement was started by the Chicago Woman's Club. In March, 1909, this committee reorganized into the Permanent School Extension Committee, having for its object the larger use of our ex- pensive school plant, closed for so many hours to the children for whom it is organized, for a better use of our small park field-houses; in fact, to utilize material at hand for the longer vacation season, the time when children are out of school. The committee voted to conduct its work through the following standing committees : Story Telling, Mrs. I. S. Blackwelder, chairman ; the work of this committee is to organize and con- duct story hours at schools, libraries and recreation centers; Playgrounds, Amalie Hofer, chairman; the work of this com- mittee is to secure social helpers for park houses, and to co- operate with the same in securing music, lectures, excursions and festivals ; Hamline School, Mrs. Joseph Putnam, chairman ; this committee continues the work already established there under the direction of a social helper. Through the request of Amalie Hofer Jerome, permission was given our Committee to place a social worker in West Park No. 3, now Dvorak Park. A woman was secured and maintained as social helper in this playground for three years. At the end of a few months, the experiment proved so satisfactory, that the West Park Commissioners voted to place such a worker in each of its playgrounds. The Permanent School Extension Committee CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 257 held monthly meetings, which were attended by representatives of many women's organizations. On April 27, 1910, the Chair- man reported: There is marked evidence of a general awak- ening of Chicago in the direction of the school as the natural social center. The Board of Education has recently sent a com- mission to study the social uses made of schools in other cities, and our city superintendent has expressed the purpose of mak- ing permanent many of the features so long desired and asked for by our committee as well as others. October 25, 1905, Mrs. O'Connor gave the report of the Neighborhood Center Committee, which was a result of the United Study Class of several years ago. The work of the Committee combined the idea of the use of the school house by the community, and the cleaning of the city. There were about fifty improvement associations in Chicago, and there was co-operation between the City Hall and the improvement asso- ciations. In 1906, the Neighborhood Center Committee reported the forming of new associations. Parlor meetings of Club members were held, some of the largest improvement associa- tions in the city being commenced in this way. There were then 87 improvement associations in Chicago and its suburbs. Where three years ago the committee would beg for a hearing in different places, at this time, there were more demands than could be attended to. In 1907, the Committee stated that sev- eral public meetings were held where the people of the neigh- borhood, the principals of the schools, the superintendents of streets, and ward superintendents came together and discussed methods of improving existing conditions. The Committee tried to convince the Board of Education that such meetings should be held in every public school building. The Board sanctioned the sending out in the name of the Chicago Woman's Club a call for public meetings in the interest of civic improvement. Mrs. John C. Bley, Chairman of the Neighborhood Center Committee, reported on January 22, 1908, as follows : "Be- sides the fourteen representatives of the Chicago Woman's Club who compose the Committee, twenty-nine other organizations were represented: These were grouped in the following sub- 258 ANNALS OF THE committees: Organization, garbage, sanitation, school exten- sion, smoke and gardens. The Neighborhood Center Commit- tee was working through the city council and the women's clubs of Chicago to secure municipal control of city shade trees. A mass meeting was held in Fullerton Hall Sunday afternoon, November 10, 1908, in the interest of a "Better Chicago," in which the Union League Club, Commercial Club, City Club, Hamilton Club, and Municipal Art League co-operated. The Neighborhood Center Committee reported of the mass meeting at Fullerton Hall, January 31, 1909: "So great was the in- terest and enthusiasm aroused, that of the thirty prominent citizens appointed to form the 'Tree Committee,' not one de- clined to serve. The first work of the Tree Committee was to secure an appointment for five of its members with the Mayor. He promised to aid them in securing a city forester. The Com- mittee drafted the bills, which passed the council, and a city forester was assured us. Though other clubs co-operated with ours, the entire expense of the mass meeting was borne by our own Committee." The committee took up the work for the trees of the city, to arouse interest and public sentiment in re- gard to their care. April 14, 1909, the city block selected to be planted with trees was Thirty-third Place, between Halsted and Morgan Streets. Forty-four trees were planted by the Club on Arbor Day at 33rd Place. The Neighborhood Center Committee, feeling that its name did not adequately indicate its work, voted to adopt the name, "Committee on Civics," in 1909. The Civics Committee, January 19, 1910, called attention to the pamphlet issued by the Neighborhood Center Committee of the Chicago Woman's Club last year, compiled by Amalie Hofer Jerome. It contains a historical sketch of the neighbor- hood improvement societies inaugurated by the Neighborhood Center Committee from 1901 to 1909, inclusive; also a roster of improvement clubs in and about Chicago, and much informa- tion concerning their work. Coming from the press early in the fall it met with great appreciation. Many calls were received for copies, the last request coming from Montreal. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 259 April 27, 1910, the Home Department reported the forma- tion of a class in Landscape Gardening. The Program Committee expressed its indebtedness to and appreciation of, the dramatic sub-committee in the arduous work of presenting "Sister Beatrice," which was given by members of the Club. April 15, 1906, by request of the Library Committee, after a visit to South Chicago, the Public Library Board placed a new station east of the river and a new station and a reading room in Bessemer Park. November 28, 1906, the Committee revised and sent out four traveling libraries to small clubs in the state. Forty-one autograph gift books were added to the authors' collection in our library. Books, magazines, periodi- cals, and pictorial papers were sent to Glenwood School for Boys, Henry Booth Settlement, Dunning Infirmary, South Chi- cago and Armitage Avenue Settlements. In 1907, five of the twenty-two traveling libraries in circulation throughout the State were revised one with an entire new set of books. The Com- mittee was fortunate in securing the services of Georgene Faulk- ner to undertake the story telling in Davis Square in 1907, and in 1909-1910 a story hour was carried on for six weeks at the Montefiore School, where a library station had been installed. The children were divided into groups, the attendance for the six weeks being, from the primary, 969 , from upper grades, 907. February 13, 1907, Mrs. Worthy brought before the Board the question of publishing a monthly bulletin to contain an- nouncements and reports, and moved that the Club publish such a bulletin for the remainder of the year, which was approved. A committee of five was appointed. The plan was to print a sheet of information concerning Club affairs. The first one issued appeared in March, 1907, and was followed by those of April and May. In 1908, the Club Record became one of the recognized activities of the Club, and appeared once a month, from the beginning of the Club year. Each member received a copy. The Record was continued until the close of the Club year, 1908-1909. 260 ANNALS OF THE A communication was received from Mrs. Nellie R. Col- lins, of the Cristobal Woman's Club, and also of the Canal Zone Federation of Women's Clubs, requesting that books, pamph- lets and reports be sent to these organizations. Greetings were sent with the Club year book and the Club Record. The need for an epileptic colony was urged by the Reform Department, November 22, 1905, and a mass meeting was held in the Assembly Hall when about 300, including some of our legislators, were present. A committee of five was appointed which recommended to the Legislative Committee of the Club a bill for that purpose. It was requested that the Club co-op- erate in the movement of the State Federation to secure an ap- propriation of $265,000 for the State Epileptic Colony at the next session of the Legislature. It was suggested that the 5-cent theatres require legislation and the matter was referred to the Legislative Committee. February 26, 1908, the Club endorsed the resolution protesting against those clauses in the Census Bill, which provided for the appointment of the additional clerical force through non-com- petitive instead of through competitive examinations, and in April, 1909, the bill for a Children's Bureau, and a proposed law for Illinois, which shall prohibit more than eight hours a day work for women in shops and factories. A committee of three was appointed to co-operate in the effort for a new hospital for children and a new training school for nurses for children. The Club endorsed the ordinance for licensing hotels. The bills, which the Club voted to work especially for, were the bill for the punishment of crimes against children, the amend- ment to the compulsory education bill, and for the state library bill. The amendment was a bill for an act to amend sections one and four of an act to promote attendance of children in schools, and to prevent truancy, approved June 11, 1897, as amended by an act approved May 13, 1903, in force July 1, 1903. A committee of five was appointed to co-operate with other organizations in the effort to influence legislation and the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 261 public press, to see that bills referring to our state institutions for dependent and delinquent children be passed unchanged. On February 27, 1907, the Qub endorsed the civil service provisions of the new charter and through the Legislative Com- mittee urged the appropriation asked for by the State Commis- sion, and for the extension of civil service in Cook County and State institutions and departments. A letter was sent to the Governor, December, 1907, endorsing the names of Dr. Alice Hamilton for the Board of Occupational Diseases, and Miss Anna Nicholes for the Board of Protection of Machinery. This resolution was passed February 27, 1907: That the Chicago Woman's Club, recognizing the peculiar historical sig- nificance to Chicago of the death of Alexander Beaubien, place upon its minutes the following record: "Alexander Beaubien, the first white child born in Chi- cago, died at his home in this city, March 25, 1907, aged 85. He was born in Fort Dearborn, and was the son of John B. Beaubien, a French-Canadian, who came from Detroit to Chi- cago in 1804, the year the first house was built here. His mother, the second wife of John Beaubien, was a descendant of the Potawatami Indians. He was baptized by a French missionary when eight years old, and this was said to be the first baptism in Chicago. His life spanned the history of Chicago, for he was born when Chicago meant the American Fur Company, and when he could see from his home every house in the little set- tlement, and he died when Chicago was a city of two million inhabitants, and was the wonder of the world in growth and varied power." The Club adopted the following resolution March 24, 1909: That the Chicago Woman's Club request the police department of Chicago to give special attention to the enforcement of the ordinance prohibiting the use by minors of sling shots and guns of every sort within the city limits. March 31, 1909, Mr. Frank Wing, of the Chicago Tuber- culosis Institute, appeared before the Club. He said the body of people whom he represented, were, together with the Health 262 ANNALS OF THE Commission, waging a campaign to save at least a part of the immense number of people now suffering from the white plague, believing that it was a preventable disease, and as much to be legislated against as small pox. He said that on Tuesday, April 6, the men of Chicago would vote on the question of taxation to provide for a means of fighting the disease, and he asked that the Chicago Woman's Club give its endorsement to the measure. The Club endorsed the proposed tax for fighting tuberculosis. April 3, 1907, this resolution was passed : "Inasmuch as one of our members has been honored by the citizens of her town and elected to the office of justice of the peace ; Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club send to Mrs. Catherine Waugh McCulloch a note of hearty congratulations." April 10, 1907, it was voted that the Chicago Woman's Club aid the Municipal Art League to decorate the walls of the Juvenile Court waiting and detention rooms, and that an ap- propriation of $200 be donated for that purpose. The Com- mittee on Mural Decorations concluded that the court room walls were unsuitable for decoration, because of lack of light in the room. They chose instead the walls of the play room at the Crippled Children's Home. February 23, 1910, this resolution was passed: Whereas, There is now pending a revised building ordinance before the City Council, which embodies a section allowing bill boards to be placed upon the roofs of buildings within the fire limits, as well as upon buildings in outlying parts, which would, if passed, allow an unsightly disfigurement of our city, as well as a source of danger in case of fire or insecure fastenings, and Whereas, Reliable legal opinion advises that the City Coun- cil may prohibit the passage of that part of the ordinance al- lowing bill boards to be placed upon roofs ; Therefore, Be it resolved that the Chicago Woman's Club, as an organization, protest against this proposed unnecessary disfigurement and ask the City Council to vote against that part of the ordinance allowing bill boards to be placed upon the roofs of buildings in Chicago. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 263 October 27, 1909, a committee was appointed to arrange for a memorial to Dr. Stevenson to be placed in the Club rooms. November 3, 1909, the special order of business was the consideration of the ten-hour law for women in Illinois. A delegate to the conference at New Haven concerning infant mortality was decided upon, her expenses to be paid. Dele- gates were appointed to the Conference of the Illinois Outdoor Improvement Association at Bloomington, and to the National Civic Congress in New York. In December, 1909, it was voted to buy enough tuberculosis Christmas stamps to place on all business notices sent out by the Club during December. On December 15, Mrs. Coonley Ward moved that the Club urge upon members of the City Council to have names of streets in large letters displayed on signs fastened to at least two build- ings at every intersection of streets. The Legislative Committee reported April 27, 1910: Last year the committee was busy with efforts to help in things nation wide, such as the matter of the tariff, the Hetch-Hetchy Valley, pure food laws and forest reserves. This year the com- mittee sent but one request to Washington ; that was in the nature of a resolution to the senators and representatives from Illinois, endorsing Gifford Pinchot in his effort to conserve the natural resources of the United States for all the people for all the time. A request for a municipal lodging house for women was endorsed and the very recent activity of the city in accept- ing the hospitality of the Model Lodging House is proof of the value of the work done last winter to relieve the situation in the city. That the Chicago Woman's Club stood for the Ten- Hour Law, which has just been confirmed by the Supreme Court of the State, is a matter for congratulation. In April, 1906, a committee was appointed from the Phil- anthropy Department to investigate and report on the matter of securing some one to teach reading to the adult blind of Chicago. At the November meeting the committee was made permanent, and proceeded to raise money for the teacher's salary. The teaching began December 1, 1906, with 19 pupils. 264 ANNALS OF THE Over one hundred letters were sent out by the committee ask- ing for funds to carry on the work. The committee took the name of "Home Teaching of the Adult Blind." An effort was made to alleviate the utterly cheerless and helpless condition of the adult blind of our city, of whom it was estimated there were 2,000. In no other large city of the country had these unfortunates remained so long without charitable or public as- sistance. Our city authorities declared themselves without the means for undertaking this work. The Public Library was well supplied with books for the blind, which had heretofore been little used. At the request of the Committee, the Public Library distributed these books for the use of the blind, as it did other books, but was unable to provide instruction, or the supervision of instruction. During 1906-1907 the committee en- gaged a teacher, collected addresses of those who needed in- struction and raised a large fund to support the work. The un- dertaking prospered and industrial teachers were added to those teaching reading. The teacher started the home industrial work with six pupils; in June, 1906, there were 17 pupils receiving instruc- tion in reading and industrial work. A second teacher was en- gaged in June, 1907. There were 19 pupils in November willow work, basket making and hammock making were added to the trades taught. The Public Library was requested in December, 1908, to provide additional books in raised type; two looms were put up at Hull House during the summer of 1908, for the use of the blind and a type-writer with raised letters was purchased and also placed at Hull House ; embossed shorthand was taught a little later in the year. In January, 1910, the committee tried to have a bill passed, asking for state control and providing for state maintenance of home teaching of adult blind. The bill was read before the Senate, January 25, 1911, and in the House at a later date. The bill became a law. The committee visited factories to urge em- ployers to engage adult blind when expedient. They bought two looms to place in homes and held exhibits of the work of the blind at the Chicago Woman's Club rooms; they arranged CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 265 for readings at the Public Library; they pushed bills before the Legislature relating to the blind. Mrs. Alice E. Bates reported in February, 1908, that the work for the blind had extended until it had so commanded the attention of the community as to make possible a plan for an institute for the blind; November 11, she called attention to the blind weaver then working in the club parlor, and to the articles on exhibition and for sale. February 10, 1909, Mrs. Nellis came before the Board to ask permission for her com- mittee to install a young, blind girl, whom they had instructed in stenography and typewriting, in the Club rooms during the months of April and May, in the hope that any member of the Club desiring such work would give her employment. The re- quest was granted. During the year 1906-1907, a committee was formed in the Philanthropy Department to work for the reduction of social vice and disease. The work was brought to the Depart- ment by the chairman, Mrs. Alice E. Bates, at the time a mem- ber of both the State committees on "Etiology of Dependence" and on "Care of Blind." In March, 1907, Mrs. Bates reported that the new committee on Social Purity was made up of five members from the Philanthropy and five from the Reform De- partments and affiliated itself with the Society of Social Hygiene. The name was subsequently changed to that of Committee on Social Hygiene. Lectures on Social Hygiene were given during the summer of 1907, on Saturday afternoons at the Public Library, also at the University of Chicago and at the Academy of Science. The doctors belonging to the Club gave their serv- ices. The following report was made at the annual meeting, 1908: "The problems confronting the joint Committee in its co- operation with the Society on Social Hygiene were complex and difficult. The work had its inception in the efforts of the De- partments to secure the licensing of the hotels of the city, and they availed themselves of every subsequent opportunity to fur- ther their arduous undertaking. One of the Open Door meetings 266 ANNALS OF THE was very successfully devoted to the subject. The Committee was carefully chosen, and was composed of some of the strong- est and wisest, some of the most womanly women, of the Departments. They undertook a work from which they would gladly have been excused, but realizing the conditions, they dared not withhold such help as it was in their power to render. A corps of physicians, for the most part members of our Club, held frequent conferences with the Committee, and furnished speakers to schools, clubs and other organizations. Addresses for the benefit of working girls were given at the Public Library on Saturday afternoons, and for the residents of the neighborhood at the club houses in the small parks." In October, 1908, the Reform Department sent a request to the General Federation and also to the State Federation asking that space on their programs be given to a conference treating of the subject of Social Hygiene. On October 30, 1907, the program for the day was "Pur- poses of Social Hygiene"; the speakers Professor Charles R. Henderson, Mr. W. W. Hallam, Dr. Carrie Alexander, Dr. Bertha von Hoosen and Dr. Rosa Engleman. The responsibili- ties of parents, of teachers and physicians were discussed by the speakers, and Mr. Hallam reported that over two hundred men's organizations had responded with interest to the printed material sent out by the society of this city. A general report of the work accomplished by the joint committee of the Philan- thropy and Reform Departments of the Chicago Woman's Club, showed a most encouraging outlook. The Committee perfected arrangements by which lectures on social hygiene were given to employees of the large stores within the loop. April 28, 1909, Mrs. Charles Henrotin, Chairman, reported: "This committee is affiliated with the Chicago Society of Social Hygiene. Its work has been of an educational character, ar- ranging lectures, preparing leaflets, and with the aid of the women physicians of this Club it has been placed on a firm basis. Requests for information and lectures have been re- ceived from all over the country and it is hoped that some correlation of this subject with other studies will be made in CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 267 the school curriculum. The Board of the Chicago Woman's Club at the request of the Reform and Philanthropy Depart- ments gave the use of the parlors: for two courses of lectures on Thursdays at 4 p. m. for teachers. From thirty present at the first lecture the audience increased to over 200. A course was given in the office of the Visiting Nurses Association and to mothers and children in the Memorial Hospital. Much credit is due to Doctors Van Hoosen, Hedger, Yarros, Alexander, Young, Brown, Blount and Engleman for their unselfish efforts in this work. The members of the Committee were cautious in preparing and distributing printed matter. The educational aspect of the subject was their chief concern, feeling as they did that some correlation of this subject with other studies should be made in school curricula, and that children should have the sex life, as exemplified in nature study, made part of botany and biology." The Social Hygiene Committee was made a Club committee in 1910. February 9, 1910, the Club re- quested the Mayor of Chicago, to place a fair proportion of women upon the committee of fifteen which was to be ap- pointed by him to devise ways and means for the diminution and control of vice in the city. October 9, 1907, Professor Rollin D. Salisbury spoke on "The Physical Evolution of Chicago." He was followed by Mrs. Wilmarth, who sketched "A Better Chicago," stating: "It is indeed a pleasure to go through our city with a guide who shall point out only the good. Parks and playgrounds, institutions of learning, art, music and the drama, public li- braries, hospitals for the sick, homes for the dependent and defective, and social settlements for the good of all, are all found on our way from the sunrise over Lake Michigan to the sunset across the prairies." November 24, 1907, a request was read asking that a committee be formed to promote education toward peace. A standing committee was appointed to work with the National Peace Society. On April 28, 1909, Mrs. Mead, a delegate to the Peace Conference, offered the following resolutions: 268 ANNALS OF THE Whereas, A campaign of education upon peace and arbi- tration is to be carried on throughout the country between now and 1915, when the third Hague Conference will meet; and Whereas, This subject is to have a place on the program at the next Biennial of the Federation of Women's Clubs; Resolved, That a standing committee of this Club be ap- pointed to arrange, first, for at least one meeting each year at which practical measures of promoting international peace shall be presented, and second, to arrange for study of this subject to be carried on during the year by any group who may be interested in the subject. Outlines of study will be provided by the committee on Education Towards Peace. December 18, 1907, the afternoon was given to a program of Christmas carols, rendered by Mari Ruef Hofer of Columbia University. The songs were presented in groups showing the Pagan traditions, the group of the angels, shepherds and kings, the Mother and Child songs, festival carols, Christmas scenes and the legends of Jesus. December 30, 1908, Lawrence Hous- man's nativity play "Bethlehem" was rendered under the direc- tion of Miss Hofer, ably assisted by members of the Club. January 8, 1908, the program for the day was "A Story Symposium"; there were four original stories presented as fol- lows: "The Chief's Thrall- Woman," written by Ottilie A. Liljencrantz, and read by Mrs. Arthur R. Elliott; "Mother Coronata" was written and also read by Helen Wooster Cooley ; "A Beggar's Christmas," written by Edith Franklin Wyatt and read by Mrs. La Verne W. Noyes; "A Maid of the Fourth Estate," written and presented by Eva Brodlique Summers. April 21, 1909, a musicale was given to the women's clubs of the settlements. January 22, 1908, Mrs. Woolley addressed the Club on the need of park and playground privileges in the colored district^ from 22nd to 29th Streets and from Wabash Avenue to La Salle Street. The following resolution offered by Mrs. Woolley was adopted: CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 269 Resolved: That the Chicago Woman's Club heartily en- dorses the proposition made by the Frederick Douglas Center and sustained by the Small Parks Commission to place one of these parks, with field house and other equipment needful for healthful out-door recreation, within the limits of the Second and Third Wards. We believe that both the social and moral well-being of the community will be greatly increased by this means, and earnestly urge the members of the South Park Com- mission and others having influence in such matters to carry out this plan as speedily as possible. An open meeting of the Chicago Woman's Club was held Feb. 5, 1908, in charge of Julia Lathrop and the subject: "The Care and Training of Dependent Girls in our Institutions." It was voted that the President appoint a committee of not more than four members of this Club and invite to that membership not more than three outside of this city to formulate a policy for the care of dependent girls in Illinois. February 12, 1908, the Board endorsed the work of Mrs. P. S. Peterson in her effort to purchase trees for school grounds. Mrs. Peterson composed a "Nature Creed," the proceeds from the sale of which were devoted to the purchase of trees. The Treasurer received in 1909, from Mrs. George B. Carpenter the sum of $289.75, net receipts of the concert, "Songs of Other Days," to be placed in the fund for remodel- ing the Club rooms. March 25, 1908, the Chicago Woman's Club endorsed the proposed amendment of the school laws of Illinois, which would make it possible for cities and villages, and school districts of over 10,000 population to secure vacation schools and play- grounds. October 7, 1908, the program of the day was in charge of Mrs. Charles Henrotin; the subject, "The Democratic and Re- publican Platforms." C. B. Price of Troy, Alabama, ad- dressed the Club on the Democratic platform, and Harry F. Atwood, Assistant State's Attorney, spoke on the Republican platform. 270 ANNALS OF THE The resolution was passed November 1, 1908, that the Chi- cago Woman's Club favors the plan of the Michigan Avenue Improvement Association for a surface connecting boulevard link between the North and South Sides of the city, on account of its simplicity, its practical, useful and artistic features, its great saving of expense and the fact that it can be promptly constructed without legal delay or hindrance. The program for January 17, 1909, was "Municipal Suffrage for Chicago Women" ; an invitation was sent to the Men's Suffrage Club and other organizations of like character. In January, 1909, Mrs. John Sherwood and Mrs. John O'Connor asked for aid in subduing the smoke nuisance of Chicago. After advising with the city smoke inspector, they were sure that with efficient and thoughtful work, great good could be accomplished. It was in no way a matter of money; but vigilance, and constant reporting of every known viola- tion of the city smoke ordinance. A committee was appointed to take up the work. Nov. 3, 1909, Mrs. Sergei announced a series of meetings in the various field houses of the city arranged by the Anti- Smoke Committee. The Com- mittee reported April 30, 1910: The members of this committee have kept the matter before the City Hall by attending meet- ings of the Council, and by interviewing individual members. By watching chimneys ceaselessly and reporting offenders, they have proven to law-breakers that compliance with the law will be a necessity. Every woman in Chicago is interested in a clean city. Through the efforts of this committee, women in all parts of the city are watching the chimneys of factories, schools, laun- dries and apartment houses, and reporting violations of the ordi- nance to the chief smoke inspector. All agree that there has been a great improvement in smoke conditions, especially in the loop district, within the last year. The Illinois Industrial School for Girls, at Evanston, was brought to the attention of the Philanthropy Department in 1904 by Mrs. Ellen E. L. Woodward, who was on the Board of the School. She states : "The law under which the school was CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 271 incorporated was drafted in my house by Judge and Mrs. Brad- well and Governor Beveridge, and the school at Glenwood was working under the same law. The law was framed for helpless and dependent children, not for delinquents." The Park Ridge property was bought with money given to Mrs. Woodward by Mrs. Mancel Talcott. Every girl was to be fitted to earn her living when she left, and agriculture and floriculture were part of the plan. Mrs. Woodward was prevented by ill health from taking part in the management of the school, and felt keenly the shortcomings of the training given its wards When the school was not fulfilling the work intended by the founders, Mrs. Woodward brought to the attention of the Philanthropy De- partment the need of a change in management. A committee was appointed, with which a committee from the Reform De- partment joined in the work of re-organization. December 3, 1904, a joint session of the Reform and Philanthropy Departments was held to consider the condition of the Industrial School for Girls at Evanston. Mrs. Wood- ward gave a brief history of the organization, its work, and the number of girls in the school ; she stated that she was desirous of the co-operation of both the Departments and would gladly welcome a committee to investigate and re-organize the work In February, 1905, it was reported that at the Illinois Indus- trial School the only industrial feature was housework. As the property in Sheridan Road was valuable, the forty acres at Park Ridge should be used instead, and the Committee recom- mended that the joint Departments of Reform and Philanthropy co-operate to bring this about. February 27, 1907, Mrs. Solomon reported progress of the work of the Board of the Illinois Industrial School for Girls ; their financial troubles were caused by clearing up the load of debt left by the former management and putting the school on the firm basis of regular industrial training. The school could not be carried on economically in the present building, but would be better managed at the farm in Park Ridge. April 22, 1907, the Reform Department voted $100 to the committee for the Industrial School at Evanston, and also voted to consider the 272 ANNALS OF THE entire question of dependent girls, who are the most neglected of all children in the State. This committee worked with and for the board of the school, and hoped the Club would at once consider the erection of cottages at Park Ridge, where the school hoped to establish its work. A committee of five to raise funds to erect a cottage at Park Ridge was appointed. The Board voted May 11, that $500 be given to the Illinois Indus- trial School for Girls. In December, 1907, it was voted that the furtherance of the Illinois Industrial School for Girls be the special work of the Reform Department. Mrs. Plummer stated there would be a change of management in the Indus- trial School for Girls in Evanston, and a corporation formed ; she asked that ten members from the Reform Department apply for membership at five dollars each. It was voted that ten 'members be appointed and fifty dollars be appropriated for the dues. The following officers of the Illinois Industrial School for Girls, Evanston, were appointed, after the re-organization of the school : President, Mrs. Henry Solomon ; Vice-President, Mrs. Fred W. Upham ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. John E. Lind ; Treasurer, Miss Grace E. Temple and Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. L. M. Greeley. Mrs. Emily Dean Washburn reported May, 1907, for the Illinois Industrial School for Girls that a $25,000 or $30,000 equity in the property, with a legacy of $150,000 were not ob- tainable at present, and it was of urgent necessity that the deficit be met and thus make possible a home and proper care for the 125 girls now there, since this home is the only place for Protestant girls going through the Juvenile Court. The Chi- cago Woman's Club appointed a committee to wait upon the Board of Commissioners of Cook County and requested that the Board live up to the full letter of the law in regard to the support of girls sent to the Illinois Industrial School for Girls by Cook County, which law provides that a complete outfit of clothing shall be furnished each girl upon her entrance to the school, and that ten dollars per month shall be paid for her support. This committee of the Club further requested that the county make a sufficient appropriation for this purpose so CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 273 that each girl sent to the school might be thus provided for promptly. February 26, 1908, Mrs. Henry Solomon gave a brief re- port of the plan of the Board of Managers of the Illinois In- dustrial School for Girls at Evanston : The school was to be closed, and the experiment undertaken of placing the girls in families where they will be visited by members of the organization and thus be under systematic care, while the effort is being made to procure funds for the new Industrial School to be built at Park Ridge. Since the Chicago Woman's Club had been instrumental in the work of re-organizing the school and had led the way to the present situation, Mrs. Solomon asked that the Club loan the school $2,500, the amount which the school then owed. In April, 1908, Mrs. Solomon spoke on "Needed Legislation for Dependent Girls," stating that the Illinois Industrial School for Girls was conducted under a new curriculum, the chief factor in which was domestic training. She claimed that the allowance of $10 per child from the county was too small to give her this training, and asked the members of the Reform and Philanthropy Departments to take charge of legislation necessary to raise that amount to $15 per girl. At the Board meeting, March 11, 1908, Mrs. Henrotin urged that the request for a loan of $2,500 be granted on purely ethical grounds ; that this was an opportunity for the Club to do a really good thing and that so far as financial risk was concerned, it was to be noted that the Board of Managers of the School had brought order out of chaos and the children themselves were in good training, and from what had been done we could count on what would be done ; this $2,500 was a temporary relief, which would be taken care of by the school upon the sale of the school pro- perty. Amalie Hofer pointed out that to have the Woman's Club step in at this point and meet the present financial obliga- tions of the institution would guard against political manage- ment, and the women who carried the burden thus far would be able to demand a higher standard and greater protection in State control for dependent girls. Mrs. Bryant moved that the Board recommend to the Club that the Chicago Woman's Club loan 274 ANNALS OF THE without security $2,500 to the Illinois Industrial School for Girls, which was carried and was endorsed by the Qub March 25. The loan was repaid a year later. It was stated: "Only the Chicago Woman's Club could have, or would have saved this school." October 28, 1908, a committee was appointed consist- ing of two members from each Department, to further the in- terests of the dependent girls in this State. April 28, 1909, Mrs. Henry Solomon reported that the Com- mittee on Dependent Children of Illinois was preparing a com- plete list of dependent children, that they might be carefully guarded and protected. The old property of the Illinois In- dustrial School for Girls had been disposed of and new cottages were planned at Park Ridge. She hoped the Woman's Qub cottage would become a fact, and that a committee would be appointed to raise funds. April 28, 1909, it was voted that the Board appoint a committee of seven to raise funds by private subscription for a Woman's Qub Cottage at Park Ridge, to cost about $10,000. November 24, 1909, Mrs. Heywood submitted a report of the Philanthropy Department and made the motion that the Chairmen of Departments be authorized to open sub- scription lists to the end that a Chicago Woman's Club cottage be built for the Illinois Training School for Girls and that each member be asked to raise ten dollars for this purpose, payable before the annual meeting of the Qub. The motion was carried. Mrs. Potter Palmer offered her house to the Reform De- partment for a musicale and art exhibit on February 11, 1910. The receipts amounting to $1,445 were given to the Chicago Woman's Club Cottage Fund for the Illinois Industrial School February, 1910, the Club voted $50 to the Subscriptions Com- mittee for general expenses. A check for $1,000 was received from Mr. Arthur Dixon with the request that the Qub Cottage at the Illinois Industrial School contain a room in memory of Clara L. Dixon. Mr. Dixon was assured that his request would be gladly granted. Mrs. Henry L. Frank, Treasurer of the Sub- scriptions Committee, reported $10,166.71 raised for the cot- tage, $2,000 additional being put into the cottage by the In- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 275 dustrial School Board to make it fireproof. It was hoped the cottage would be furnished by the members, as memorial rooms or otherwise. Mrs. Edward L. Upton, Chairman, reported April 30, 1910 : "The first meeting was held December 15, 1909, at which time the following officers were elected: Mrs. Edward L. Upton, Chairman; Mrs. Porter P. Heywood, Vice-Chairman ; Mrs. Henry L. Frank, Treasurer; Mrs. M. J. R. Tyler, Correspond- ing Secretary; Mrs. Richard S. Folsom, Recording Secretary. The work was carried on with the assistance of the chairmen of Departments, assisted by a vice-chairman and a committee from each Department, the entire committee being known as the Sub- scriptions Committee of the Illinois Industrial School for Girls. The school being the ward of the Reform Department, at the business meeting April 20, Mrs. Plummer, following her report, made the following motion which was passed "That the Re- form Department recommend to the Chicago Woman's Club that it authorize the beginning of the Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge, 111., at once; and that we pledge our full support in making up the deficit if any." This action was rati- fied by the Club at the business meeting April 27, 1910. The fund was kept separate from Club funds and at interest until required. The Committee recommended that the Club proceed with the building at once, and that the Committee be continued and have representation on the Building Committee. The Com- mittee recommended that the Club request each Department to appoint one member from the Department to constitute a perma- nent committee to co-operate with the Board of Managers of the Illinois Industrial School for Girls in directing the welfare of the Chicago Woman's Club Cottage. The Committee also recommended to the Club: That the balance in the Treasury, $168.55, together with all that is left of the money advanced by the Club to promote the Chicago Woman's Club Cottage be given toward furnishing a room to be known as the Clara L. Dixon room, and that the Building and Furnishing Com- mittee be continued until their work is completed." 276 ANNALS OF THE April 26, 1911, Mrs. Upton reported for the Cottage Com- mittee: "Today it is a pleasure to report that our cottage at Park Ridge is built, furnished, and the planting about the building provided for. * * * Both architecturally and in the furnishings the Committee has avoided an institutional look as far as possible. It has been guided by the members of the Board of the Industrial School, who have direct supervision of the buildings and furnishings. * * * The Reform De- partment has furnished the dining room in memory of our former President, Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, and one of the dormitories in memory of Alice Ives Stirling. Two found- ers of the Club have been remembered, Lucy F. Furness by the Home Department, which has furnished the house-mother's room, and Katherine E. Tuley by the Education Department, which has furnished the living room. The Philosophy and Sci- ence Department has furnished the house-mother's bedroom in memory of Nellie Halsted, and the Philanthropy Department, one of the four dormitories in memory of Mary D. Sturges. Mrs. Dwight Perkins gave a picture by Jules Guerin, also some of her own beautiful prints. When Mr. Arthur Dixon gave his generous subscription of $1,000.00 toward the building, it in- cluded the furnishing of a room in memory of his daughter Clara, a member of the Art and Literature Department. Another valued member of this Department, Belle Pratt Magee, has one of the dormitories furnished in her memory by the Art and Literature Department and friends. We have eight me- morial rooms in honor of valued members. Instead of $10,000.00, our aim in the beginning, our outlay so far has been $12,395.00." April 28, 1909, the Committee on Cook County Institutions of the Reform Department reported a new and important work organized this year the caring for and entertaining of con- valescent children in the wards and play-room of the county hospital, by trained kindergarten teachers ; funds for which work were contributed by the Reform Department and Mrs. Perkins Bass. From ten to fifty children had been instructed and made happier; the nurses, physicians and officials of the CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 277 hospital heartily approve and endorse this work. Through the efforts of Mrs. Jewell, the crippled children were taken from the hospital to the schools and it proved so effective that there was a prospect of the city providing transportation for them in the future. The committee deemed it wise to co-operate with the Juvenile Court Committee by using their trained visitor, who has the entree at Dunning, to make investigation of the children. An important point was gained in securing the ap- pointment of a committee from the Reform Department to work with the Board of County Commissioners, on the plans of new county buildings, and they were assured that a building would be provided and maintained for epileptics. Another new work to be done the coming year was the investigation of the cases in the maternity ward of Cook County Hospital. The following year twelve children were sent to Gads Hill camp for a summer outing, and convalescent children were sent by omnibus to the crippled children's school. During the sum- mer, weekly teas were given in the maternity ward, with ap- propriate talks and readings; a teacher was kept at $20 a month, for the convalescent children of the ward; toys and books were given for the use of the teacher. The Prison Reform Committee, Mrs. Frederick Lorenz, chairman, reported in April, 1909, that the Jail School had been in session eleven months of the year, with an average attend- ance of thirty boys or men daily. The special work had been to cut down the sentences, and this had had the co-operation of the judges. Another step forward in the work reported was securing an appropriation from the County Board for a fumigating room or plant. The committee secured the appointment of a resident physician from 5 to 8 p. m. daily; medical examina- tions of all incoming prisoners, segregation and isolation of cases of tuberculosis and skin diseases; baths for prisoners and speedy trials for the boys. Proper caring for defective eyes, together with the problems of the woman's department, both as to physical and moral needs were being carefully looked after. A Committee of Judges, advisory to the County Board, declared that the newly created position of examining physician at the 278 ANNALS OF THE jail, is to be non-political and the physician is to be appointed by the Chicago Woman's Club. The Committee asked the County Board for an appropriation of $1,000 for the fumiga- tion plant, so that all clothing and bedding could be sterilized. The articles made at the John Worthy School were allowed to be disposed of. An encouraging feature in the work was that instead of asking for an appropriation, the Chairman was in- vited before the finance committee of the County Board to state what sum was needed. One hundred dollars was the Department gift for this work. A piano was presented to the School through Mrs. Lorenz. For many years the Prison Reform Committee battled against the unscrupulous lawyers who preyed on prisoners in our penal institutions. A woman physician was secured for the Harrison Street police station. The adult parole or probation law was first spoken of at a meeting, December 6, 1906. In 1909 we endorsed a bill on adult probation, which is now a law. In the years 1909-1911 the Prison Reform Committee made an investigation of the 45 police stations of the city, and found that 39 should be condemned on account of dampness, dark- ness, dirt, vermin and bad sanitation; five were partially ha- bitable, and one normal. The last did not receive women. At the County Jail the Committee were pioneers in the examination of the boys' eyes by an expert oculist, supplying atropin and glasses when needed. The Committee also sup- plied clothing, stamps, shoestrings, money for hair cutting and shaving, investigated cases, visited homes, frequently found temporary quarters for those released, found work for some; looking after the women as well as the boys. On Thanksgiving Day, an entertainment was given in the boys' school at the jail. January 5, 1910, the Education Department reported pro- grams on different phases of education, of great value to par- ents and teachers, on work for the improvement of the physical conditions in schools, and also of methods of teaching. Feb- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 279 ruary 23, permission was given the Philanthropy and Reform Departments to start a movement for Saturday closing in the loop district through the heated term. January 12, 1910, twen- ty-five boys from Glenwood School were guests of the Club at the lecture given by Mr. Montague Ferry. April 27, The Child Labor Committee called attention to the fact that Chicago has no provision for regulating the ages and hours of children engaged in street trades, and in this respect is far behind Bos- ton, Buffalo and New York. December 7, Mrs. Frank A. Johnson gave a eulogy on the work of Mrs. Katherine E. Tuley in the Chicago Woman's Club, and suggested the fitness of a memorial to Mrs. Tuley in the furnishing of a room at the Park Ridge Industrial School by the Education Department, of which Mrs. Tuley had long been a valued and beloved member. The Art and Literature Department reported for 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908: In November, 1905, on motion of Mrs. Louise C. Stanton, it was voted that the Department appropriate a certain sum of money to be expended for artistic appointments, and $100 was set aside for this purpose. During the next two years, it was the policy of the Department to use the money that was not actually needed for current expenses and for the usual philan- thropies, in buying artistic furnishings for the Club rooms. In literature the winter's study for 1905-1906 was the "Evolution of Literature in Europe." The Music Study Class was well attended and the programs enthusiastically received. To the Hospitality Committee of the Art and Literature Department was due the reception given to Mrs. Craigie during her visit to the United States. After her re- turn to England, she was asked to give her views on America before the National Liberal Club, which had never previously invited a woman to speak. She spoke strongly of the club women she had met, and the influence of women's clubs upon the state of society in America, so that we not only had the ex- treme pleasure of meeting this brilliant woman, but we also were a factor in her impressions of America. 280 ANNALS OF THE For 1906-1907 the Literary Study Class took up the study of Modern Drama and Dramatists. The members not only studied about the subject, but the works of the authors as well. Maude L. Radford led the class, and continued to lead the class in 1907-1908, in Studies in Recent Fiction. The French conversation class had large and interested audiences. There was also a talk on art as exemplified in the exhibition of Ameri- can painters at the Art Institute, by Charles Francis Browne, to which all Club members were invited. On February 27, 1907, Ellen Terry was the guest of the Department. In 1907, a class, which aroused much enthusiasm, was for the study of Florentine Art. Art study classes had formed part of the work of this Department from the beginning; in fact, the first study class devoted itself to this subject in 1878. Later special art study classes had been conducted by Mrs. Anna P. Atkins and Mrs. Herman J. Hall, and this class con- tinued the tradition. The Art and Literature Department held a special meeting April 25, 1908, for the exhibition of pictures by Helen Hyde, with an explanatory talk by Mrs. Jacques. The collection contained oil paintings, water colors, etchings and colored etchings, wood cuts and Japanese* prints. The exhibition was a notable occasion and was largely attended, not only by Art and Literature members, but by other Club mem- bers and the public as well, as the collection remained in the Club parlors several days. Four musicales were given during the year 1907-1908, on the Club program, and three mornings were given to music study, the subjects being: Song Cycles, Modern Ballads and Descriptive Music. A class in forestry was formed in 1907, on motion of Mrs. John Worthy, and awakened great attention not only in this Club, but in many others. Under the leadership of Mrs. P. S. Peterson a class was formed for practical study, using Miss Keeler's book, "Our Native Trees." This study was continued during the spring out of doors. In a letter written by Mr. Gifford Pinchot, Chief Forester of the United States, to Mrs. Peterson, he says: "I wish I could convey to the Chicago Woman's Club how much I appreciate their desire to hear about forestry and how highly CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 281 I value their co-operation. It is my feeling that the forest movement throughout the country is receiving one of its most valuable helps through the agency of the women's clubs." The resolution presented by Mrs. Peterson and endorsed by the club in regard to the preservation and maintenance of the forest reserves in the Appalachian and White Mountains was passed in November, 1909, and coming early in the Club year, gave impetus to the whole question of protecting the forests in all parts of the United States. Shakespeare's birthday had been for years one of the brightest days in the Department's calendar, and 1907 was no exception to the rule. The program was given by our own mem- bers, and Viola Allen was the guest of honor. The rooms were bright with spring flowers and joy was the keynote of the festival. A carved chair made from one of the pews of Shakespeare's church at Stratford-on-Avon was presented by Mrs. Samuel Dauchy. In April, 1908, Mrs. Homer Chandler reported that a wreath would be placed at the foot of the Shakespeare statue in Lincoln Park on the poet's birthday, and moved that this floral offering be made annually. This motion was carried. April 23, 1909, on Shakespeare's birthday, inter- est in the celebration at Lincoln Park was markedly greater than the year before, when the custom was established. In the afternoon hundreds of public school children were attracted to the statue by the flowers. The children of the public schools in the neighborhood were invited to take part in the celebration. The Shakespeare statue at Belden Avenue in Lincoln Park was decorated in the morning. The ceremonies were in charge of members of the Department. November 25, 1908, the report of the Department showed thirty-nine programs provided for the year. March 10, 1909, the Department reported that a German class was assured with a plan of two meetings a month, one under the charge of a University professor, one a preparatory class under the leadership of a member of the Department. In 1908-1909 the Literary Study Class was under the leadership of Mrs. Arthur R. Elliott, the subject ; "Middle Days in England." Mrs. 282 ANNALS OF THE Katherine K. Robbins was in charge of the Art Class, which studied the history of Italian and Spanish painting, with Pro- fessor George B. Zug as lecturer. The French Study Class was conducted by Miss Lea R. De Lagneau; the subject was French fiction in the last half of the Nineteenth Century. An exhibit of Arts and Crafts was held December 1, 1909. The English Study Class was begun in 1909, on motion of Katherine P. Girling, under the leadership of Dr. Edwin Herbert Lewis. December 22, 1909, permission was granted the Art and Literature Department to give a course of lectures on German opera during March in the Club parlors. Dr. Charles W. Sei- denadel was the lecturer. The Department reported April 27, 1910: We have seven study classes, and in the work of the Club, we have been represented in 22 committees and in 5 auxiliary societies. We have held 86 meetings, besides 7 devoted to business, without counting the many committee meetings. In the Literary Study Class, 13 programs were given on "18th Century, Early and Late," under Miss Abeel's leadership. The Art and Literature Department reported April 27, 1910, the formation of a class in Italian, with Mrs. Fenton Turck as leader. On the same date, the Chairman reported: "Shakespeare Day was a tribute, an old accustomed feast, to which we invited many a guest. We bade the club rejoice with us in celebrating the day reverently, and bringing our best endeavor to observe it fittingly. Mrs. Peattie's inspired poem wove the scenes, the songs, the dances into a Shakespearean fantasy; the members made the birthday party in our club rooms a scene of beauty and good cheer. Miss Hinman and the children who danced, furnished the note of joy. Mrs. Krum and her friends, who have the gift of song, interpreted the lyrics in delightful fashion; to quote from the last song on the program: 'Under the Greenwood Tree/ we had 'naught to fear, but winter and rough weather,' and even that did not lessen our joy." A Drama Committee was created January 26, 1910, in the Art and Literature Department. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 283 Each Department of the Club had study classes of great interest, to which all Club members were invited. November 23, 1910, the Drama League of America, which was started in Evanston, desired the endorsement of the Chicago Woman's Club, and it was voted that the Club endorse this movement. The Sunday Open Door gave twelve programs commencing January 9, 1910, continuing each Sunday. At the close of the last program, one of the audience rose and requested the privi- lege of voicing the appreciation of the guests of the Open Door, thanking the Chicago Woman's Club for its excellent entertainments and generous hospitality. She requested that this be expressed by a rising vote, which was acceded to with much enthusiasm. Of the many tributes of appreciation but one will be recorded. A group of young women came to the Chairman, and their spokesman said, "If the ladies of your splendid Club but half realized what they are doing for us, they would neither question nor regret their work." Mrs. Frackelton has been Chairman of this Committee since 1909. Receptions were given by the Club during 1906-10 to the Chi- cago Section of the Council of Jewish Women, to the delegates of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association ; a joint re- ception of the Chicago Woman's Club and Collegiate Alumnae Association was given Saturday afternoon, April 20, in honor of undergraduates of the city, about 300 young girls attending; to the Eleanor Cubs; the courtesy of the Club was extended to women attending the annual convention of National School Superintendents' Association; and to the women in attendance upon the meetings of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Science. October 2, 1907, a reception was given in honor of the President, Mrs. Blackwelder, all officers of the Club receiving with her. The reception was preceded by a musicale. November 20, 1909, a reception was given Mrs. Snowden immediately following her lecture. Miss Ethel Mor- ris was the guest of the Club at the meeting of November 17, when there was a reception in her honor, and one was given to Mrs. Ella Flagg Young on November 10, 1909. During 284 ANNALS OF THE the summer of 1909, a luncheon was given to the delegates from the International Council of Women. March 2, 1910, the artists of the city were tendered a reception. The members and guests were received by Mrs. Upton, Mrs. Elliott, Miss Johnson and Mrs. Pauline Palmer. The President, Mrs. George B. Carpenter, in her report, April, 1906, stated: "This organization wants the vital, execu- tive, enthusiastic woman; the woman with the spirit of youth, which is a quality of character without respect to years, and which maintains freshness and joy in work, and consequent re- sults in visions fulfilled. One of the growing convictions of Club organization its efficacy and power in the community has during the past year been accentuated by repeated appeals from civic and state authorities for endorsement of various measures, as notably the 'Outer Belt Park,' 'High License/ the 'Appropriation for investigation of industrial conditions sur- rounding women and children,' and others. Your President has many letters from senators and civic appointees commending the action taken in these and other important movements. Time was when silence was womanly, now it is neuter!" Gertrude E. Blackwelder stated in her annual report as President, April, 1907: "Never since the memorable year fol- lowing the World's Fair have we inaugurated and carried for- ward so much practical work. The inception of new and help- ful activities has aroused fresh interest and enthusiasm. Pos- sibly we shall be doing only surface good, as was suggested at the last Biennial by the chairman of the industrial committee, but the causes of industrial wrongs and discontent are too deep for us to reach at once, even if we knew how to deal with them ; and certainly the maternal interest in the working girl, depre- cated by the same speaker, is better than no interest at all. It may be the duty of modern philanthropists to abolish charity, but the wheels turn slowly, and meanwhile the young girls of our down-town district need help and guidance. In a more general way this action was suggested three years ago by the confer- ence on women in industry, held in these rooms an occasion the significance of which we are just beginning to realize. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 285 At the Annual Meeting in 1909, Mrs. Upton stated : "One cause for rejoicing this year is that after ten years of faithful service, during which time more than $10,000 was contributed by this Club, the vacation schools have been provided for by the Chicago Board of Education, and an appropriation of $30,000 made for their maintenance. A new organization with a broader field of work, called the Chicago Permanent School Extension Committee, will be glad to receive contributions from the former friends of the vacation schools. Because we are essentially a great civic Club, there are constantly new lines of work opened up to us, and our influence and co-opera- tion sought; a close analysis of our Reform and Philanthropy Departments shows the work to be preventive, rather than cor- rective. The Industrial School for Girls, which is virtually our ward, should be given our free and untiring support, that it may be put on as firm a foundation as our Juvenile Court." 286 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER IX. 19101914. At the annual meeting of 1910 the Club membership was limited to 1,200; owing to the growth of the Club, the rental and general expenses steadily increased, making necessary the gradual raising of the annual membership dues from $5 in 1876 to $20 in 1912, and the initiation fee from $5 to $35. Life member- ship fee was increased to $300.00 in 1907. The Club member- ship is full, and there is a long waiting list. On October 12, 1910, Ella Flagg Young spoke on "The Actual and the Possible in Our Public School System." The subject was discussed by Miss Jane Addams, Professor Charles H. Judd, Professor James H. Tufts and others. October 19, 1910, Charles Hutchinson read an address on "Art Expression in Chicago: The Actual and the Possible." Henry Hubbell, Ralph Clarkson, Joseph Pennell, W. M. R. French, N. H. Carpenter, James Patterson and Bertha E. Jaques discussed the subject. Later an informal reception was held in honor of the guests. October 26, 1910, the President reported the death of Julia Ward Howe, an honorary member of the Club. A committee of three was appointed to prepare a memorial and resolutions of sympathy. November 9, 1910, a number of those interested in the gar- ment worker's strike asked the Chicago Woman's Club to dis- cuss the matter. A special meeting was ordered for this purpose. Two weeks later Mrs. Solomon and Professor Mead addressed the Board. Professor Mead spoke of the situation from the view point of the strikers and Mrs. Solomon from that of the manufacturers. The President was requested to write to the man- ufacturers asking that a representative be sent to the conference, to be held December 1, 1910. December 14, 1910, the members of the Chicago Woman's Club commended the use of the Red Cross Christmas seals on CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 287 all packages and mail, and recommended their purchase in large quantities by members of the Club, and promised support to fur- ther the sale and use of the seals. December 21, 1910, was the first "Grand Opera Day" of the Club. The management of the Grand Opera Association has been most generous in bringing fine programs to us, emphasizing the relation of grand opera to the development of our city in its appreciation of all the arts. A Grand Opera Day was first sug- gested by Mrs. Howard Kretschmar, who arranged the program, of which she was in charge. The general subject was: Grand Opera in Chicago. The speakers were Mrs. Harold McCor- mick, Mme. Johanna Gadski, Andreas Dippel, Charles Dawes, J. C. Shaffer and Glenn Dillard Gunn. Mme. Marguerite Sylva sang. The program was followed by a reception in honor of the artists and officers of the Grand Opera organization. The second Grand Opera Day was given December 7, 1911. An- dreas Dippel, John C. Shaffer, Maggie Teyte and Karleton Hack- ett gave addresses. Carolina White and Mario Sammarco sang, and Leopold Kramer gave a violin solo. Marcel Charlier was the accompanist. The following year, December 3, 1912, Helen Stanley, Ruby Heyl, Edmond Warnery and Icilio Calleja sang. We have traveled far in our appreciation of music since the day when the Chairman of the Art and Literature Department asked whether she would be permitted to substitute an afternoon of music for the regular literary program. Individually, many members always cultivated the art of music, and collectively, the Club has gradually developed into a sympathetic audience and learned the value of music as an indispensable element in the cultural life of our city. On May 4, 1910, a communication was read from the Depart- ment of Agriculture asking the Chicago Woman's Club to investi- gate the milk question and draft resolutions thereon. The Home Department reported the formation of a class in decorating home grounds. The Board of Managers approved the Anti-Child La- bor committee and the Weekly Half Holiday committee. The or- der of business was suspended that the Board might meet Miss Clara Barton. 288 ANNALS OF THE In October, 1910, the Infant Welfare Committee reported that the work had been carried on successfully, in spite of the ex- treme heat of that summer, ice boxes being furnished by the com- mittee, as part of the work. This resolution was adopted, December 14, 1910: Whereas: The great railways entering the City of Chicago at our present Union Station contemplate building a new union station upon the most approved and costly plan, Be It Resolved: That the Chicago Woman's Club request the co-operation of the Associa- tion of Commerce, the City Club, the Woman's City Club, and the clubs of the West Side of Chicago, in creating a demand for the electrification of the terminals entering this new station. At a special meeting of the Board, March 22, 1911, it was re- solved that the Chicago Woman's Club pledge its active moral support and authorize the President to appoint members from the Club to be elected to fill vacancies upon the board of trustees of the Mary Thompson Hospital, provided such members from the Chicago Woman's Club be a majority of the board of trus- tees of the Mary Thompson Hospital. The committee in charge of the benefit for the Mary Thompson Hospital was given the use of the club rooms. April 22, 1913, Nellie J. O'Connor, in her report as President, said : Early in the spring of 1911 a group of doctors appealed to us, urging some help for the hospital in which they were so vitally interested. There were rumors at the time that the hospital might be closed as a woman's hospital, owing to an annual deficit in the running expenses. These women doctors were willing, provided the trustees would allow them to do so, to shoulder the entire running expenses for a year, with the help of the trust fund, to cover to some extent the cost of the charity patients. The trus- tees had expressed their willingness to put the hospital in the hands of the women physicians, if the Woman's Club would give them their moral support. This our club decided to do, provided two-thirds of the trustees should be members of our club. A letter from Governor Deneen in reply to one asking that a woman be appointed superintendent of the Geneva Home for CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 289 Girls was received September 27, 1911. He stated that he had referred the matter to the committee in charge; a woman was appointed soon afterwards. September 27, 1911, a committee was empowered to appear before the Mayor to urge the necessity of retaining the office of city forester, and a letter was sent to the Council asking that more money be voted for the office. December 13, 1911, Mrs. Wilmarth stated that the chapter called "Mothers of the World," in 'The Women of Tomorrow," would be a strong argument in favor of equal suffrage and asked that, as she had the permission of Mr. Hard and his publishers, a reprint be made for general distribution. A service was held on December 20, 1911, in memory of our former President, Mary Lewis Matz. The program for January 10, 1912, was a Federation Day, in charge of Mrs. Philip N. Moore, President of the General Fed- eration of Women's Clubs. January 17, 1912, the Hull House Players presented two short plays: "Riders to The Sea," by J. M. Synge, and the "Workhouse Ward," by Lady Gregory. Feb- ruary 14, Miss Ethel M. Arnold of England addressed the Club on "Citizenship of Women." The Club held three formal receptions during 1911-1912: to the President, Mrs. O'Connor, to Alfred Tennyson Dickens and to Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler. On Fabruary 10 and 24, the Club listened to readings by Lady Gregory from her unpublished plays. The attendance on February 24 was the second largest meeting of the year, 750 members and guests being present. The Club entertained the children of its members on December 27, 1911, with a delightful festival of music, folk dancing and stories. November 22, 1911, the Peace Committee presented the fol- lowing resolution: Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club hereby expresses its earnest hope that the international arbitration treaties which have been signed between Great Britain and the United States, and France and the United States, may be ratified without delay fcy the United States Senate on its re-assembling in December: 290 ANNALS OF THE Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club hereby re- spectfully petitions the Senate of the United States to ratify said treaties, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the chair- man of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. February 13, 1912, Mari R. Hofer came before the Board in the interest of Baroness Bertha von Suttner of Vienna. The Board recommended that the program committee of next year consider arranging an address by the Baroness von Suttner and it was voted to recommend that the Illinois State Federation and the General Federation endorse a movement to bring the Baroness before the women's clubs of this country. On Saturday, April 6, the Peace Committee with representatives of the Chicago Peace Society and other representative organizations formed themselves into a joint committee to prepare for the visit of Baroness von Suttner. The Chicago Woman's Club was first in trying to bring about her visit to our country. A committee of five was appointed April 9, 1912, to be called the Playgrounds Committee of the Chicago Woman's Club, with Mrs. John C. Bley as Chairman. The Chicago Woman's Club of New York asked for the privi- lege of buying a gavel which had been used in the Chicago Wom- an's Club. The Chicago Woman's Club of New York was pre- sented with a gavel by our Club. The Program Committee reported that its plan for 1910-1911 was to bring before the Gub as nearly as possible the people rep- resenting Chicago institutions, to have them tell what they are doing and hope to do, to the end that we as a Club may better understand and appreciate that which lies at our door. The subject of the year 1911-1912 was: "The Gain of the Twenti- eth Century." The Pure Food Committee of the Home Department reported April 24, 1912, that it had worked last year to secure the pas- sage of a sanitary food bill which had since become a law. This year the same committee had worked out a plan for the organiza- tion of local food and market clubs, by means of which the women of the neighborhood can have supervision of all places CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 291 where food is prepared and sold. The practical plan proposed to accomplish this was, to form local food and market clubs through which the housekeepers can co-operate with state and city officials in enforcing the laws relating to pure food, to sanita- tion, to weights and to sidewalk obstructions. The first of these clubs to be organized was the 51st Street Food and Market Qub. Several others had since been organized along the same lines. In June, 1912, a special meeting was called by Mrs. J. C. Bley of members of the Chicago Woman's Club, eight other organizations, and the 51st Street Food and Market Club, to in- terest housewives in improving market conditions. September 16, a reception was given to Mrs. Julian Heath, New York City, President National Housewives' League. Miss Snow said the first duty of the housewife is wise use of money at her command. De- cember 14, 1912, an egg sale was planned, and February 10, 1913, an apple sale. In 1913 the Home Department reported that its gift of $25.00 to the Food and Markets Committee of the Depart- ment enabled the Committee to start Clean Food organizations and promote the work which is helping to make for better sani- tary conditions in food distribution in many parts of our city. As a result of the study, they hoped to assist in legislation that would result in a textile law, such as was proposed in the Murdock bill, which would require honest labelling of all textiles, so that the consumer might know what he was purchasing. Already steps had been taken to that end, since our Club indorsed the Mur- dock bill. The Education Department reported April 27, 1912, that the Department as a whole took the keenest interest in the special in- quiry concerning the occupations open to girls between the ages of 14 and 16, with a view to determining which are safest, healthi- est and most promising in the way of training for future positions of skill and responsibility. The establishment of the Lucy L. Flower Technical High School for Girls came as a timely adjunct to their efforts and they had the great satisfaction of knowing that many girls each month were being advised and helped, either to finish an incomplete school course with special emphasis on vo- cation, or led into positions where they are reasonably safe moral- 292 ANNALS OF THE ly, and where a decent wage is paid. It was the most important thing attempted by the Department since the establishment of Va- cation Schools. The investigation of vocational training for girls was being carried on by the Department and had grown into a bureau of employment for girls which had extended its service this year to aid boys. April 22, 1913, the Department reported: In co-opera- tion with the local teachers' organizations, we were able to ar- range and carry out a program of hospitality for the National Educational Association which added much to the enjoyment and success of the convention, as far as the women were concerned. The Department was hostess at a luncheon on July 8 to which were invited the principal officers and guests of honor. From letters received later, as well as from assurances at the time, this attention to our visitors was evidently much appreciated. A trip to Vacation Schools and Open Air Schools was arranged by Mrs. Doty, and about 200 teachers availed themselves of the op- portunity to see the summer work in our crowded districts. More than one enthusiastic visitor insisted that she gained more new and valuable ideas on teaching on these trips than in all the meetings of the convention. Not the least of the conveniences af- forded by the Club were the facilities for refreshing the inner man or woman, resulting in the attendance at luncheons of 800, at afternoon teas of 790 and at suppers of 405. No one who has ever attended a great convention in mid-summer will fail to realize the blessings of rest and recreation afforded by our hospitality. The program of the Education Department for the season of 1913- 14 was planned with a two-fold purpose, first, for the study of work done in the educational world; and second, for co-opera- tion in the introduction and support of progressive movements in education. The Committee on Home Teaching of Adult Blind of the Philanthropy Department reported that the bill asking the State to take up this work was presented to the 47th General Assembly at Springfield and was passed without a dissenting vote, the state assuming the work in October, 1911, with one teacher as super- intendent and three assistants. The Committee had charge of a CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 293 sales department of the articles produced at Rothschild's. The firm furnished a clerk and space free of charge; no commission was charged for handling goods. The work spread from 23 con- tributors in the summer to 218. The Department sent the follow- ing statement to all Chicago newspapers : "Senate Bill 222, which asks for an appropriation of $50,000.00 for the purpose of build- ing a colony for blind married people is a great mistake in the eyes of educated blind persons as well as all educators for the blind. It is sad enough to be thus afflicted, without huddling the blind together in a colony. This will pauperize them and have a tendency to populate Illinois with blind people from other states ; knowing they will be taken care of here, they will flock to us for support. This is the very thing our committee has been working against for the past eight years." In spite of this appeal to the public through the press, this most undesirable bill passed the House and the Senate with an appropriation of $25,000.00 and went to the Governor for his signature. It was there that the Chairman of our Committee was instrumental in defeating it, much to the surprise and gratification of her colleagues. April 14, 1910, Mrs. Sherwood stated that Mr. N. H. Carpen- ter of the Art Institute had told her, if competent women would mother the enterprise, Fullerton Hall would be placed at their dis- posal for Sunday afternoon concerts, free of charge. Six Thomas Orchestra musicians would furnish the music and the music-lov- ing men and women could be asked the price of ten cents admis- sion. The Philanthropy Department voted to undertake this work. April 26, 1911, the Chairman of the Philanthropy Department reported the concerts were a delight to all who worked for them, and a joy to the audiences. There were so many expressions of appreciation each Sunday that the Committee felt well repaid for the thought and time given to the work. The management of the Art Institute, the audience, the committee, the ushers, all worked in harmony and with splendid results, viz. : the entertain- ment and instruction of over 20,000 people, without the necessity of calling on the Department or individuals for financial assist- ance. Not only were the concerts self supporting, but there was 294 ANNALS OF THE a small surplus for a rainy day next year, for by a unanimous vote the Department decided to continue these concerts, beginning in October and continuing until April. Farther than this, happy in this successful experiment, the members formed themselves into a committee of the whole to work for summer concerts on the lake front. In this, too, they succeeded in arousing interest, and although too large a project for the Department alone, much was done to bring it before the public and eventually make this hope a reality. Already two Sunday centers were established, one on the South and one on the West side of the city, inspired by the Ful- lerton Hall concerts. In October, 1911, the Department members were asked to distribute leaflets and make an effort to interest those for whom the concerts were intended. January 17, 1912, attendance at Sunday concerts were reported good. April, 1912, it was re- ported that 25,000 people had attended the concerts during the season. All expenses had been met and a balance re- mained in the treasury of nearly $200. Twenty-eight or twen- ty-nine concerts were scheduled for the season of 1912-1913 ; they were well attended, at some of them large crowds had been turned away, and again in 1914 it was reported : "Sunday evening con- certs were started last November with opera programs. These proved very instructive as well as enjoyable. The operas were ex- plained, and the principal parts sung by one of our singers with orchestral accompaniment. It is needless to say they have proved as great a success as the afternoon concerts and will be carried on through April. Our surplus fund is turned over to the Art Institute and is held as a sinking fund for next season." October 8, 1910, Mrs. Sherwood outlined the plan for a cot- tage in Colorado, the idea being to issue blocks of stock at $10.00, these to be taken by various working girls' clubs. The plan was endorsed by the Department. Mrs. Sherwood reported in Octo- ber, 1911, that Blue Bird Cottage had benefited 50 girls during the summer. In April, 1912, the Philanthropy Department reported that $100 of the surplus from the Art Institute concerts was given CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 295 to the Colorado cottage in the name of the two young women who had served the Committee so faithfully each Sunday. In May it was reported that $2,040.00 had been raised for this Home. In May, 1912, Mrs. Harbert of Evanston offered the Phil- anthropy Department the use of a tract of land with a summer home in Michigan, for the use of working girls as an outing place. The offer was accepted and during the summer afforded vacations to a number of Chicago working women. The Blue Bird Cot- tage in Colorado had proved self-supporting. April 22, 1913, the Chairman reported: Last spring there was offered to the Philanthropy Department for the summer, a beautiful cottage, crowning one of the high sand dunes on the Michigan shore. Two hundred acres of wooded land surround this cottage, and its views and air are unsurpassed in this part of the country. The house was offered for the benefit of Chicago work- ing women to give opportunity to some of them for a pleasant vacation at a moderate cost. The Philanthropy Department ac- cepted the responsibility of managing the enterprise, and the house was open from June 15 until Labor Day. Seventy-five girls and women enjoyed a holiday at Avalon Cottage. We recognize the great need for more holiday houses, and it is our desire and our hope to establish another one near Chicago, this coming sum- mer. We have on hand about $175 worth of house furnishings, besides $125 in cash, as a start toward a fresh venture. In 1914 it was reported that through the vacation committee, 130 girls were cared for at the Blue Bird Cottage in Colorado dur- ing the season, 41 being cared for at one time in the cottage. Tents were purchased and the overflow cared for in these. The cot- tage is nearly paid for and after this coming season will be free from debt. Seven lots have been purchased and an addition will be built in the near future. Methods used in the East for pro- viding working girls with vacations have been studied and a va- cation fund has been started here. The principal work of the Department was to help young girls, and to this end conferences had been held with others inter- ested in this work, the opinion of all seemed to be against tak- 296 ANNALS OF THE ing up the proposed plan of a dance hall, but instead to examine those dance halls already established and to make a "white list" of all good ones, so that, if the girls must dance, as it seems they must, at least they will know the best places to go to. During 1911 the Reform Department sent representatives to many organizations with which it was affiliated, and April 24, 1912, reported the beginning of two new movements, the minimum wage committee and a girls' ward at the Mary Thompson Hos- pital. A joint meeting of the Reform, Philanthropy, Education and Home Departments was held Jan. 3, 1912, at 10 :30 a. m. The day was in charge of the Reform Department, and the topic, "So- ciety's Responsibility to Women in Industry", was in charge of Gertrude Barnum. Miss Barnum called upon Mrs. Medill McCormick, who gave a report on the Minimum Wage Commis- sion for Women and Girls in Massachusetts. After Mrs. McCor- mick's report, a motion was carried to appoint a committee which should comprise the President of the Club, the chairmen of the six departments, and the chairman of the Legislative Committee to start a movement toward fixing a minimum wage for women in Illinois. As a result of the work of this committee a conference was called on January 29, 1912, at 8 p. m., in Music Hall, and January 30, at 10 a. m., in Assembly Room, Fine Arts Building. This resolution was presented: Resolved, That this conference on a minimum wage scale for women and girls endorse the Massachusetts plan for a mini- mum wage commission, to investigate the conditions of industrial work for women and girls, and to report as to the need and feasi- bility of fixing a minimum wage for women and minors by means of wage boards. Resolved, That this conference recommend to the Chicago Woman's Club and other organizations in the city and state, action upon this subject. The conference was an event of great moment in the Club year. It brought as speakers : Father John A. Ryan, of Minnesota ; Mr. Elliott S. Norton, of Chicago ; Mrs. Glendower Evans, of Boston ; Prof. John R. Commons, of the University of Wisconsin; Prof. Ernst Freund, of the University of Chicago; CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 297 Miss Jane Addams, Mrs. Raymond Robins, Prof. Graham Tay- lor and Dr. Rowena Morse. The outcome of the meeting, besides the resolution, was to investigate the conditions of industrial work for women and girls and report as to the need and feasibility of fixing a minimum wage for women and minors in Illinois by means of wage boards. The Ordinance Committee of the Reform Department, Rose G. Landauer, chairman, put into book form the "Ordi- nances You Ought to Know", which it caused to appear in the daily papers during the year 1911-1912. The pamph- let bears the name of the Chicago Woman's Club. Seven- teen thousand copies of it were printed. The demand for the pamphlet was most gratifying. Ella Flagg Young, Super- intendent of Schools of Chicago, asked to have 14,000 copies for distribution in the schools, and the committee received requests from principals, teachers in the grammar and high schools, the University Elementary and the Francis Parker Schools, and the Public Library ; also from the Northwestern Settlement, Juvenile Protective Association, Maxwell Street Settlement, Henry Booth House, University Settlement, seven small parks, Hebrew Insti- tute and League of Cook County Clubs. Mrs. Young requested an additional 15,000 to meet the demands of the school. Through the generosity of a public-spirited citizen, a second edition of 15,000 copies was printed. The Committee reported it had con- tinued to spread knowledge of the ordinances among the people and by the generous support of the daily papers, especially those printed in the foreign languages, had been able to reach many to whom our laws and ordinances were formerly unknown. There is a constant demand for the little pamphlet, also many requests for information regarding the manner of organization and procedure of the committee. The committee's most important work was the support given Major Funkhouser in his efforts to check the wave of commercialized reform that followed in the wake of disclos- ures of commercialized vice. Members assisted in censoring some of the most difficult films inspected by the Board of Censors. The Committee suggested to the Club the advisability of agitating at 298 ANNALS OF THE the Biennial for action working toward a national bureau of cen- sorship for moving picture films. For four years the Philosophy and Science Department studied world politics with especial reference to, and emphasis upon, the public affairs of the nation. At the close of the Club year in April, 1911, the Art and Lit- erature Department reported nine distinct activities besides those of standing committees. No work done in the Art and Literature Department has meant more, apart from the pleasure and profit accruing to those participating, than the Forestry Class. If twen- ty years ago every woman's club had taken up the study of for- estry, the nation would, doubtless, have cause to be eternally grateful. The language classes ceased to be classes, and became salons in every essential feature. Men and women of French, German and Italian birth and of rare scholarly attainments took part in the programs. The success of the language classes has added to the prestige of this Club, all of which adds to its civic weight, its influence at home and abroad. The class that was formed for the study of Italian literature held its first meeting on November 1, 1910, and met the first Tuesday of each succeed- ing month. It was continued until February, 1912. Katherine P. Girling writes : The English Study Class was formed in 1909, having for its purpose, not the review of English literature so much, as an appreciation of our language through the practice of writing it. It was planned that each class member should present a theme for criticism at each meeting. The lec- ture of the day grew naturally out of the needs of the class as these became apparent. We have been so fortunate as to have had four years of study with Dr. E. H. Lewis ; Mrs. Elia W. Peat- tie and Professor E. W. Burrill each enriched the course by a year of leadership. The subjects of the years' work have varied in phrasing, but the work has remained practically the same. Prin- ciples of success in writing ; types of twentieth century verse and prose ; forms and standards of English discourse ; the technique of the short story ; English reading and writing ; these were the chosen topics. In the six years of its life, the English Study Class CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 299 has trebled in size and more than trebled in enthusiasm. A credi- table amount of work has seen the light of print, both in maga- zines and in books. Not the least valuable part of the experience has been the class atmosphere, the cordial interplay of interest and appreciation. The Committee of the Art Study Class planned in 1910-1911 to bring the work of the class into touch with what came nearest home to us here in Chicago. The idea was to treat the American school of painting by considering the movements in different Eu- ropean countries and in Japan, movements which had strongly af- fected us, and then to trace the effect of these schools on some of the greatest American painters of today. November 20, 1912, the Vocational School Committee of the Art and Literature Department reported that the superintendent had spoken of the wonderful development along artistic lines of subnormal children. It was the hope of the Committee to get the children now on the streets into schools and a hope of raising the age limit when children may leave school. January 15, 1913, a letter from Mr. French was read, speaking highly of the present beneficiary of the Art Institute Scholarship and suggesting that the scholarship be given only one year instead of three to one per- son, as the Institute looked out for any student doing good work. November 19, 1913, the Committee on Schools as Social Centers reported that the work in the Skinner School appealed to them especially. The Committee desired this year to work for the en- tertainment of the older people and the parents of the school chil- dren. December 9, 1913, a luncheon in honor of the new mem- bers of the Department was arranged by the Social Committee. The Committee on Drama was an experiment, but it passed that state, and became an established activity. The Drama Com- mittee entered upon its first year in response to a wish that it rep- resent the growing interest in drama. This active interest in the drama is not new to us. Those who began these studies many years ago helped to establish the tradition of the appreciation of all that is best in dramatic literature. The Committee on Drama gave a reception to actors in the city and to dramatic writers, 300 ANNALS OF THE January 27, 1911. April 17, 1912, the entire membership of the Qub was invited to join with the Art and Literature Department in the celebration of Shakespeare's birthday. April 23, 1913, the Shakespeare day program was given in Studebaker Theatre at 10:15, followed by luncheon in the Qub; on this day there were 175 out of town and 789 city guests. February 18, 1914, a new art loan collection was reported for use in the public schools, by the Public School Art Society, to be known as the Loan Collection of the Art and Literature De- partment of the Chicago Woman's Club. Six pictures had been placed in the hands of the Chairman as a nucleus for this collec- tion, which would be placed first in the Jones school. Pictures were also given to the Park Ridge school by the Department. April 15, 1914, reports showed unusual programmes in every one of the study classes. In this Department the main work of which is done in its many classes, it is difficult to give an adequate report of the year's accomplishment because the chief results must ever be intangible, not to be put into words. To say that 96 pro- grams have been given touching nearly every vital topic of the day which comes under the head of art and literature, is to give little idea of the significance of what has been done. November 23, 1910, the Civics Committee and the Education Department united in bringing the exhibit of public school work in civics to the Club rooms. The interest of the Civics Com- mittee centered on the civic value of encouraging school chil- dren to study the needs of their home districts. One instance of vital value was evidenced by the result of efforts of pupils of the Myra Bradwell School to eradicate poison ivy. The Civics Committee practically resolved itself into a com- mittee-of-the-whole on garbage, conditions being investigated. The work was largely educational, and for publicity, and was directed toward assembling facts which later might be used in an effort to procure a city reduction plant. A member of the Civics Committee reported on measures before the City Council, which might be of interest to all. April 26, 1911, the sub-com- mittee on billboards labored earnestly to assist in the passage of an ordinance relating to billboards, by the City Council. The Com- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 301 mittee on Sanitation Instruction began a work in which every member of the Club took deep interest the instruction of house- wives in that congested district, the ninth ward, The work was carried on during three summer months, under the direction of Miss Rose Zwihilsky. The Committee published a report of housing conditions in the twentieth ward, showing the result of a year's work. A year later the chairman of the Civics Committee stated : "One committee can do little or nothing, but the time is ripe for united action to bring about a sense of civic responsibility for city housing as for other public concerns. Every woman's club of Chicago should adopt a ward or a neighborhood, study its hous- ing, its public housekeeping; encourage the ward superintendent and strive to rouse in that ward a civic consciousness leading in time to civic self-respect." April 24, 1912, the Committee on Social Hygiene reported as follows : "A conference was held after Christmas to discuss the teaching of sex hygiene. Prof. Henderson led the discussion. One thousand invitations were sent out. There are several branches of work which this committee may undertake: 1st, the securing of needed legislation to care for and protect the child born out of wedlock ; 2nd, to provide care for pregnant mothers before and after childbirth ; 3d, to hold a conference of race pres- ervation, in which screens could be used to demonstrate methods of race regeneration, by showing statistics in race development and suggesting remedies for race deterioration. The teaching of sex hygiene is now a problem for the teaching profession to solve. A flood of literature on the subject is sweeping over the country, most of which is wretched, sentimental or untrue; nothing is more needed than a censorship of such books, and a list of those which could be recommended by experts or teachers. During the year 1910-1911, two legislative efforts were made in regard to child labor legislation in Illinois, one to keep the law intact against an exception in favor of children on the stage, and the other to extend safe-guarding to street-vending children. No- vember 22, 1911, Jane Addams reported on the work of the Child Labor Committee. She stated that 329 theatres had been cleared of children through the present child labor law ; last winter a com- 302 ANNALS OF THE mittee of famous playwrights and theatrical people had gone to Springfield to try to break down the legislation ; that a large com- mittee had gone down, and had been successful in maintaining the law. She reported that a law had been passed in several states, keeping girls and boys under ten from trading on the streets at night; that the law has not been passed in Illinois, where the age is sixteen with girls and ten with boys. She said the com- mittee was working on this law. April 24, 1912, the Child Labor Committee reported: The draft of an ordinance was drawn up which prohibited boys under 12 and girls under 16 from peddling on the streets or in public places. Boys between 12 and 16 must receive a license, and wear a badge, to be issued by the Commis- sioner of Health this license must not be issued until after the Commissioner of Health has assured himself that the boy's age is correctly stated, that his school record is up to normal, and that he is able physically to sell upon the streets. The draft as it stands at present prohibits girls under 18 from peddling on the streets, and boys under 14 may not peddle upon the streets, or in public places, before five o'clock in the morning, or after eight in the evening; boys between 14 and 16 cannot sell unless they shall be provided with and have on their persons age and school certificates issued in accordance with the requirements of the Child Labor Law. The Public Baths Committee reported: There are many public baths frequented by large numbers of women and chil- dren in the small parks of Chicago, and under the jurisdiction and supervision of the different park boards, where no doubt a large committee could find much work to do. Since the manage- ment of the parks comes in such close touch with the lives of young people, it seems strange that there has never been a woman placed on one of these boards. This committee, feeling that the moral life of the young is greatly influenced by the life at the park, would suggest that this Club use its influence to have a woman made a member of each park board. The Committee on Public Schools as Social Centers stated that thirteen centers had been carried on successfully by the Board of Education during the year 1911-1912. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 303 The Library Committee reported for the year 1911-1912 : Af- ter careful consideration and after having received an earnest ap- peal from the neighborhood at Davis Square, the Committee de- cided to continue the library extension work, begun by the Wom- an's Club in the winter of 1907. This work had for its object the affiliation of the public school child with the Public Library through the medium of the story hour. The Committee had been able to gather an average of 175 school children in the assembly room of the field house at Davis Square. Here on each Thursday after school during four or five of the winter months, these chil- dren have listened to a well planned program of historic, classic and modern stories, often illustrated with the stereopticon, con- necting them directly with the books to which they have access in the branch of the Public Library at Davis Square. The Committee the following year worked in co-operation with Mr. Legler of the Public Library, and continued the story hour at Davis Square, under Miss Faulkner, who gave fifteen talks, seven with stereopticon views. Patriotic days, Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, brought out an attendance of 375 children each time. Altogether 2,400 children attended. Plans were made for a similar story hour in one of the small parks in a different section of the city. In 1914 the Committee offered a short course of lectures on story telling at the Public Library for its training class. January 24, 1912, the Permanent School Extension Commit- tee announced that it had taken up the work of serving penny lunches to school children. During the year of 1911-1912 the Chicago School Extension Committee saw two of its largest undertakings made permanent factors of Chicago child wel- fare work. During October, 1911, at the beginning of the year, the open air schools and low temperature school rooms were taken over by the Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund, based upon the experiments and conclusions of the School Extension Committee. March, 1911, the social work and worker of West Park No. 3, were assumed by the West Park Commission. When this experiment was begun three years ago, no use was being made of the beautiful recreation buildings during the 304 ANNALS OF THE forenoons and early afternoons, nor were the youngest or the old- est citizens being offered recreational programs or leaders. The School Extension Committee, believing that the recreational inter- ests of our people were also a part of its education, undertook to support a social worker, Mary R. Goldsmith, at West Park, No. 3, 20th Street, near Blue Island Avenue, her duties being to study the neighborhood and promote the recreations not looked after by other organizations. It was found that the indoor schedules occupied eight months of the year, and that the same old social problems, which exist wherever human beings congregate, showed themselves here in the field house, and that young and old needed guidance in their programs of recreation. The Committee supported the social worker, at an expense of $800 or $900 per year and developed the new official position of woman play leader, to be provided in all west side playgrounds, subject to civil service examination. Our social worker took charge of kindergarten playrooms for the young, social hours for the hard working women, family parties and general festivals, both in and out-door playgrounds, gardens and story leagues. The gardens have attracted attention in many parts of America. There is no doubt that the standard of men and women attendants, instructors and superintendents of our playgrounds has been raised because of the experiment of the School Extension Committee, demanding that women of social vision and culture be added to the regular staff of police officers, physical directors and special gymnasium instructors. The next step is to ask for a woman member on each park commission, who may add the element of social insight to these already overburdened bodies, overburdened with the great but not greater responsibilities of park planting, boulevard- ing, building and rebuilding. April 24, 1912, Miss Snow, delegate to the Convention on Vo- cational Training, reported sufficient funds to pay the salary for the entire year of Miss Davis as director of the work of employ- ment, supervision and vocational guidance of 14 to 16 year old children. The Principals' Club endorsed the work of the com- mittee and promised to co-operate. The greatest need was for an assistant to Miss Davis. 25,000 children between 14 and 16 were CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 305 reported as neither at work nor in school ; about 1 per cent was reached. The subsequent year the Committee reported that it had been in close co-operation during the year with the Joint Voca- tional Committee, which is now composed of 174 individual members, and representatives of twenty clubs. This Committee presented the work to each of the departments in the Chicago Woman's Club, as well as to the club as a whole. The depart- ments had contributed to the work, and amounts varying from $2 to $150 had been contributed by individual members of the club. Five other workers, whose salaries were contributed by other agen- cies, were working in closest co-operation in this problem under the direction of Miss Davis and the School of Civics and Phi- lanthropy. The Board of Education appointed one of its assistant superintendents, W. M. Roberts, to co-operate with this committee in this employment, supervision and vocational guidance work. The School Board was giving housing to the work of the committee, having provided a room for Miss Davis and her assistants, with typewriter, printing and postage furnished by the Board. The Committee was paying the sal- ary of a stenographer and office girl. The following is a re- port of the work from October 1, 1911, to October 1, 1912: Children interviewed, 878 ; placed in positions, 379 ; found work for themselves, 83; placed in school, 171; waiting for places or reported as children for which nothing could be done, 245. The Hull House Trade School was opened January 12, 1912. About 20 girls are in training there, graduating from the class at the end of three months. 36 girls have graduated thus far. All of the graduates have been placed in dress-making shops at an initial wage of from $4 to $6 a week. They are girls who would have gone into unskilled trades at from $2.50 to $3.00 per week. The University of Chicago, through its High School, opened an industrial class. The boys work in the manual training shops at the High School and in a practical way with the plumbers, electricians, and others, who are employed about the buildings and grounds. They are also given academic work, re- citing sometimes with the students and sometimes in separate classes which the teachers instruct during their own leisure time, 306 ANNALS OF THE and for which they give their services. One hundred and seven- ty-one children were sent back to school last year, 58 of whom were placed in the Hull House Trade School and 22 in the in- dustrial class at the University, 7 in the Lucy Flower Technical High School and others in various grade schools in the city. A similar number is being put to school this year, instead of being allowed to go into unskilled employment, which would be of a casual and intermittent character, and which would mean unem- ployment and drudgery for their whole lives. It is this part of our work that gives us most gratification. In many cases it is im- possible for children to take this further training because of the immediate need of the amount, however small, which the young worker is able to add to the family income. Through contribu- tions from members and friends, the committee has been able to give scholarships during a part of the year to a few children who seemed particularly promising or were in special need of voca- tional training. These scholarships varied from sixty cents a week, which paid carfare to and from school, to three dollars a week which was the amount the child would have earned if he had gone to work. During this year about $500 has been con- tributed to such scholarships, besides this, a number of children who needed only clothes to be able to go back to school, have been fitted out and returned to school. Plans are now under way to effect a closer union with other organizations interested in chil- dren of this age. It is hoped to perfect a system which shall give to the public schools the best form of co-operation possible. The Committee regards the taking over of the direction of this work by the public schools as the fruition of long and earnest hope and effort ; but it knows, too, that this will greatly enlarge its oppor- tunities and it is anxious to render the most effective service pos- sible. The Committee on Public Schools as Social Centers stated: Our schools must be more than social centers, they must be civic centers, offering a platform for the discussion of questions af- fecting the moral and civic life of the community. We have no right to neglect the adult, nor to widen the gap between parent and child. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 307 The meetings of the Open Door of the Chicago Woman's Club were resumed November 6, 1910, and continued each Sunday until March 26, 1911, the last of the season. In all there were twenty-one meetings, 91 persons, exclusive of the va- rious chairmen, taking part in the entertainment of the guests; of these 70 were violinists, vocalists and pianists, in addition to the wonderful Chinese orchestra with marvelous instru- ments. The other entertainers were speakers, lecturers and read- ers. This really inspiring array of talent was secured entirely without cost to the Club. The succeeding year the attendance was excellent and the appreciation of the hospitality of the Club most gratifying. During 1912-13 twelve meetings were held on con- secutive Sunday afternoons, commencing January 5 and ending March 23, Easter Sunday. The services of the artists who placed their time and talents at our command, were given with enthu- siasm and generosity. The following season the Open Door held thirteen meetings on consecutive Sunday afternoons, commenc- ing January 4 and ending March 29. March 1, 1911, the Club urged upon the Legislature the increase of the appropriation for factory inspection to $50,000 and that the inspectors be placed on the civil service list. Octo- ber 25, the Legislative Committee asked the Club to support some measure to improve the registration of births in Illinois ; to en- dorse the Esch bill, to impose a prohibitive tax on the manufacture of white phosphorus matches, and to prohibit the exportation and importation of the same, and to communicate this endorsement to the Ways and Means Committee of Congress ; to endorse Dr. Woodruff's plan for the prevention of blindness ; to ask the City Council to pass a law requiring all bakers to wrap bread in par- affine paper. All of these measures were endorsed. March 27, 1912, a proposed bill for the establishment of an immigration office in Chicago was appproved. April 24, 1912, the Legisla- tive Committee recommended that an ordinance be passed by the City Council compelling the City Railways Company to provide half-fare rates for school children. The Club endorsed the Cali- fornia State Federation's request for an appropriation of $100,000 to fight the white slave traffic. 308 ANNALS OF THE November 27, 1912, these resolutions were adopted : Where- as, An investigation made during the past year by the Civics Com- mittee of this Club into housing conditions in Chicago revealed 1,666 violations of sanitary ordinances within an area of sixteen blocks inhabited exclusively by working people, and Whereas, A second inspection of the same territory revealed 376 corrections of these violations while in 945 instances condi- tions were found unchanged or worse, and Whereas, This deplorable result, despite the utmost efforts of the Sanitary Bureau to effect improvements reveals the fact that the force of inspectors of the Sanitary Bureau is totally inade- quate to enforce existing ordinances, be it Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club urge that the mod- erate appropriations asked by the Health Department be approved by the Mayor, Controller, and Finance Committee, and granted by the City Council. It was also voted that we endorse and enlist in the sane Christmas crusade designed to encourage a revival of the con- sistent Christmas spirit of good cheer and uplifting fellowship ; to foster and promote a sane and reasonable Christmas ; to encourage and inspire the writing of letters, the sending of appropriate greetings, and the giving of useful and needed gifts to children and the worthy poor; and to discourage a further in- crease in the practice of burdensome and meaningless gifts. The Club also endorsed a resolution against segregated vice in Chi- cago; the resolution of the Citizens' Association of Chicago re- garding a proposed constitutional convention for Illinois ; a bill to grant women the right to vote for presidential electors and certain other officers. Nellie Johnson O'Connor, in her report as President, April 27, 1912, states : "Reviewing the year's work of our Club Com- mittees, the Civics Committee, composed of a handful of our members, has done work which should have appealed strongly to the members of our Club at large. This Committee has long felt that civic improvement should be brought about in the poorest of the city's districts. After three months' trial the work was CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 309 found to be so beneficial for better housing, better care of chil- dren, that $800 was raised to maintain the work for a longer time. During the year many homes have been visited, conditions im- proved, the attention of public authorities called to cases of suf- fering, and a long step made in the direction of better things. The new Committee on Public Baths looks to better arrangements for the protection of the morals of children and urges the appoint- ment of a woman on every park board. The Club rejoices in the Children's Bureau created at Washington, and in the appointment of one of our own members, Julia C. Lathrop, as its head. The Club has completed the year's assistance pledged to the Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children. Ten of the trustees were selected from the members of our Club, according to agreement, with your president as president. Another work, which originating in the Department of Edu- cation, has enlisted the assistance of other departments until it is virtually a club committee, is that of vocational training. Other organizations have co-operated in the movement until the work has been established on a permanent basis. Through the efforts of this committee money was raised and a bureau established in the new Lucy Flower Technical High School. Another new committee has been appointed to further suf- frage and has done some active work. I believe that the time has come when the women's clubs doing practical work and realizing their inability, after the inauguration of certain reforms, to see them properly administered, must work as a unit for wom- en's right to vote. The Art and Literature Department has maintained and con- ducted in a scholarly way nine classes, including Literature, Art, Music, Forestry, French, German, Italian, English and the Drama. Four of the Departments, looking toward the conservation of time and energy, united their classes into one, with one meeting a month conducted by the different departments respectively. Four new publications have been issued by the Club or its Departments. A rice bulletin by the Home Department; "City 310 ANNALS OF THE Ordinances You Ought to Know" by the Reform Department; "Women as Citizens," a pamphlet consisting of the last chapter of Mr. Hard's book "Women of Tomorrow," published with his con- sent as a propaganda for suffrage ; and the memorial of our late loved President, Mrs. Otto H. Matz. As our Club is the oldest doing practical work, and has in- itiated so many movements, I believe that it should stand for this influence in the community. Centrally located in the down town district, counting among its members many who have stood for the larger things of life, known not only in our city, but to the world at large, I believe that its purpose, more than ever, should be the initiative through which interests may be distributed to dif- ferent parts of the city and, by the co-operation of all, vital ques- tions worked out for the welfare of the community as a whole." The Club entertained the ladies accompanying the visiting delegates to the Twelfth International Navigation Congress, June 14, 1912, and during June the ladies accompanying delegates to the Republican National Convention were offered the hospitality of the Club. A reception was given by the Membership Commit- tee on October 1, in honor of new members. The President, Mrs. Bass, reported that the Association of Commerce had asked the Chicago Woman's Club to co-operate with the city civic organizations and entertain the wives of the visiting mem- bers of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, who were to visit Chicago following the convention in Boston; and that she had offered in the name of the Club to give a lunch- eon to the wives of the members on Monday, October 7, which was accepted. There were to be forty-three guests and the com- mittee of women appointed by the Chicago Association of Com- merce were also invited as guests of the club, and besides the officers and board of managers, ten to twenty linguists of the Club would be invited. The President stated that she would welcome the guests of the Club, and that Mrs. Henrotin had been invited, and had signified her willingness to address the guests in French and Mrs. Henry L. Frank would address them in German. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 311 October 16, 1912, the subject for the day's program was "Politics in the Humanitarian Institutions of Cook County". A letter was read from the secretary of the Mayor, acknowledging receipt of the resolutions concerning vice segregation, mailed Oc- tober 23. Ocober 30, 1912, the President introduced Baroness Bertha von Suttner, of Vienna, Austria, who spoke on "International Arbitration." A large number of guests was present to hear Baroness von Suttner, 27 from out of town and over 100 from the city. The following resolutions were read and adopted : Whereas, The Chicago Woman's Club has endorsed the peace movement, and, whereas, our distinguished guest of the day advocates a systematic study of war against warfare, in order to understand its problems and more intelligently work in its in- terests, and, whereas, the General Federation of Women's Clubs in San Francisco recommended that such study classes be formed in the clubs, be it Resolved, that the Education Depart- ment of the Chicago Woman's Club be asked to consider the feasibility of forming such a study class, having three or four programs during the year devoted to the subject of the peace movement. The Club gave a reception in honor of Mrs. Percy V. Penny- backer, President of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, on Monday, November 11, 1912; the reception was preceded by a luncheon tendered by the Board of Managers. December 11, 1912, Gifford Pinchot spoke on "Conser- vation." He spoke of the great need of guarding the present forest preserves, and the necessity in the near future of guard- ing the water power of the country. The Chicago Woman's Club was at home to its members and their families on Wednesday afternoon, January 1, 1913. Mrs. Emily Montague Bishop gave readings of dramatic scenes from the United States Senate, taken from the Congressional Record. The Board of Managers gave themselves the pleasure of en- tertaining Mrs. C. N. Underwood at luncheon on Saturday, January 18, 1912, in honor of her birthday and to celebrate the 312 ANNALS OF THE twenty-first anniversary of her unfailing care and devotion to the Club and its members. On January 22, 1913, Mrs. John C. Bley, Chairman of the Playgrounds Committee, stated that the committee had conceived a plan to make its work more useful to a greater number of people, and wished to form a committee to organize an association to give music to the people of Chicago by giving free concerts in the field houses of the eighteen or more small parks in the city, almost no use being made of them on Sunday after- noons. Mrs. Bley moved that the President of the Chicago Woman's Club appoint a committee of three, to take steps to form such an organization. This motion prevailed and the President appointed a committee to take initial steps to form an association, which should furnish good music free of charge in the field houses of the small parks on Sunday afternoons. Mrs. George B. Carpenter was made charmain of the committee. January 29, 1913, it was resolved that the Chicago Woman's Club urge upon the City Council Finance Committee the appro- priation of an adequate amount of money to secure a scientific, city-wide, sanitary, permanent and economical solution of the garbage problem. The Club endorsed a bill to amend the Juul law, providing that in districts of over 1,000 population and un- der 100,000, by special vote of the electors, up to two per cent school tax may be levied for educational purposes. This bill would give a welcome relief to many districts that under the present law can scarcely pay their teachers a living wage, and cannot employ enough teachers. Miss Zonia Baber presented a resolution for preserving natural earth formations in Chicago and environs for educational purposes. It was resolved that the Club petition the South Park Commissioners to secure the western one-fifth of Stony Island for a park. The Club endorsed the resolution of the Forestry Class, re- questing the members of the General Assembly of Illinois, to pass the bill for the purchase of the White Pine Forest Tract of Ogle County for a State Forest Reserve and State Park. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 313 In February, 1913, it was resolved that the Chicago Wom- an's Club ask the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education not to discriminate against women on account of sex in the appointment of principals of high schools. It was also resolved, that where it is considered advisable to number old streets to give definite ideas of distance from the heart of the city, that the number be hyphenated to the old name, and the historical note be thus preserved. In March, 1913, the Club endorsed a bill to establish mini- mum wage boards, which bill had been endorsed by the Mini- mum Wage Committee; also the Murdock bill for labelling of fabrics, the prison labor resolution, and the act to provide one day of rest in seven for employees. The Education Depart- ment asked that the Chicago Woman's Club request the Mayor to appoint a woman physician on the Board of Education. The Chairman of the History Committee reported in April, 1913: In some instances action of the Club in later years was clear- ly foreshadowed in the early days, in others the proceedings were most informal, owing to the small number of members enrolled at thatl time. A reform school for girls was demanded in 1886, and a pe- tition sent to the Legislature urging the passage of a bill on the subject before that body. A minimum wage for women was dis- cussed in 1900. The number of women gaining power and efficiency through service on various committees cannot be estimated. The Social Committee reported: We entertained 175 out-of- town and 789 city guests. This either proves that our programs are attractive or that they cannot resist the charm of our mem- bers. Perhaps it is both. The Membership Committee reported having sent samples of membership blanks and filing cards to a new club in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the Twentieth Century Club of Detroit, and to an Oak Park woman's club, which were desirous of adopting a correct system of membership records. 314 ANNALS OF THE On April 2, 1913, Mrs. Carpenter reported the work of the Committee on Music in Public Playgrounds, and moved that the Music Study Class of the Art and Literature Department be made a committee of the Chicago Woman's Club to further the work and urged a full attendance at the meeting to be held in Orchestra Hall Friday, April 18, at 4:30 p. m. The Committee reported November 26, 1913 : "A move- ment in Chicago for the establishment of what may be called a 'Civic Music Association' was brought some weeks ago to the notice of the Chicago Woman's Club, and, upon request, a com- mittee was appointed by the Club to investigate, and if advisa- ble, to endeavor to interest our citizens in the formation of such an organization. The scheme, which is broadly civic in its in- tention and possibilities, includes in its inception the establishment of a series of concerts to be given gratis on Sunday afternoons during the autumn and winter months in each of the eighteen field houses connected with the parks and playgrounds of the city. Programs are already assured through promises volun- teered by over fifty of our best musicians, and with the field houses, seating from three to six hundred, open to a public eager for the best music, it remains only to introduce and organize the movement. Co-operating with the Association are: The Chi- cago Woman's Club, The Amateur Musical Club, The Junior League, Lake View Musical Society, Sinai Congregation, Com- missioners of South Parks, Commissioners of West Parks, Com- missioners of Lincoln Park, Playground Association, Sunbeam League, Hyde Park Orchestral and Choral Association, Carter H. Harrison, Mayor ; Frederick A. Stock, conductor of the Chi- cago Symphony Orchestra ; Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, superintend- ent of Schools." On April, 1914, the Committee stated: "Very few meet- ings of the Committee have been necessary for the initial year of the Association; the work was limited mainly to increasing and continuing the efforts to secure regular memberships for the As- sociation at two dollars, and attendance upon certain concerts given at the field houses on Sunday afternoons. In reviewing CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 315 the work of this and any other year of the Civic Music Associa- tion, we shall find our satisfaction and pride in the fact that this great work, as well as many another, was conceived, guarded and developed by the Chicago Woman's Club. The work in this in- stance promises to broaden and grow, dependent almost entirely upon the response financially in subscriptions and memberships. Every other factor is demonstrated to be available by the suc- cess of the Association's first year. The Association gave forty- seven concerts in the months November-March. These concerts consisted of orchestral, choral and chamber music programs, al- ternated with more intimate recital programs of voice, violin and piano. The average cost per concert was $19.98, the average at- tendance, conservatively estimated, 500 people. More than 1100 musicians contributed their services. The total cost of the 47 con- certs was $839.30, including the rent for good pianos. The total expense of the Association to date, including rent, salaries, print- ing, was $2,943.98. The work of the Association which will have the most lasting and greatest general significance to the city is that in connection with what may now be claimed as the establishment of the so-called 'popular concerts' of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra." The Civics Committee reported April, 1913: During the past winter and up to the present time 276 houses have been in- vestigated, including 1,045 apartments. Two hundred and four- teen, or about 21 per cent of these apartments were in basements or cellars, with about 10 persons in the average basement or cel- lar. The summary of complaints of violations of city laws found in these 276 houses is as follows : To the Sanitary Bureau, 294 ; to the Bureau of Streets and Alleys, 57 ; to the Building Depart- ment, 144; to owners, 30. Early in the present calendar year the Civics Committee was invited by the City Club to co-oper- ate with that club in the preparation of a housing exhibit to be opened to the public for two or three months during the spring. The Committee was asked to show as nearly as could be from its own experience with city departments, the adminis- trative cause of bad housing. The plan of this part of the Com- mittee's exhibit was to visualize the violations of the most im- 316 ANNALS OF THE portant housing ordinances and to indicate the prevalence of the same. Then by tracing a typical and authentic housing com- plaint from its filing to its final disposition, the defects and de- lays involved under the present law in enforcing a simple health ordinance in Chicago were illustrated. The exhibit submitted by the Woman's Club has been a pronounced success. April 26, 1913, the Corresponding Secretary reported that the City Council was appealed to on five different subjects dur- ing the year : The extermination of the vice district, concerning which letters and resolutions were sent to 104 women's clubs of Chicago, to the Emerson committee, to the Mayor, to members of the council; on housing conditions, fire drills, adequate pro- vision for the disposal of garbage, the retention of historic street names. Resolutions were sent to the Illinois State Legislature regarding better birth registration; Illinois representation at the Panama- Pacific Exposition ; a consitutional convention as ad- vocated by the Citizens' Association ; minimum wage bill ; bill granting suffrage as far as possible without constitutional amend- ment. The Minimum Wage Committee reported April 22, 1913: When a little more than a year ago the Chicago Woman's Club called a conference, the first in Illinois, on the minimum wage, the subject was new to the general public. Now we hear of it from all sides. Your committee does not claim to be responsi- ble for the interest the question has aroused; various unfore- seen activities have contributed largely to it; but the fact re- mains that once again the Chicago Woman's Club has been the pioneer; and has had a part in organizing and directing the in- terest in this new field. We sent a request to some twenty-five clubs asking them to send us the names of two or more delegates to consider the advisability of legislation. Eighteen responded. Besides such old friends as the Consumers League, the Immi- grants Protective League, the Juvenile Protective Association, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the City Club, the Fed- eration of Labor, and the Association of Labor Legislation ap- pointed delegates. At the conference of delegates, which took place in September, it was decided to introduce a bill creating CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 317 a Minimum Wage Commission. Before the bill could be drawn and submitted to various organizations, we learned that the Pro- gressive Party had prepared a bill along the lines of the Massa- chusetts law, and were going to introduce it. This bill, with certain changes, was accepted by the Woman's Trade Union League, and was then endorsed by our committee. It is this bill which was endorsed by the club. While we are glad of the at- tention which has been called to the need of a minimum wage law, through the white slave inquiry, we deplore the emphasis which has been laid on that one phase of it. We feel that the women's clubs need to direct the attention of the public to the girl who does not go wrong. It is these girls whom we wish to see represented at the committee hearings in Springfield, and we plan to use the rest of our funds in paying their railroad fares. The Institutions Committee of the Reform Department re- ported April 22, 1913, that its plans included work in the County Hospital, County Jail and police stations. In the County Hos- pital an effort was made to secure the appointment of a house- keeper and one would be appointed as soon as the civil service examination could be held. In co-operation with the Illinois Training School for Nurses, there was under way the organiza- tion of a permanent conference for all societies and individuals doing volunteer social work in the hospital. At the County Jail, in co-operation with the Juvenile Protective Association the Committee supports a social worker whose duty it is to inter- view every "juvenile adult" brought into the jail and to secure his or her story. The story is then thoroughly investigated, the boy's or girl's previous history is ascertained, and the effort made to secure such disposition of the case as shall make for the permanent good of the boy or girl. The members of this committee assist in readjusting the boys or girls to a normal en- vironment. The subsequent year the Committee continued the plan of work adopted, including work in the County Hospital and jail. At the Hospital, the appointment of a housekeeper under civil service became an accomplished fact and the Com- mittee co-operated with the Illinois Training School for Nurses 318 ANNALS OF THE in developing the social service department which had a staff of 7 workers, who rendered needed assistance and advice to those patients requiring such service, either in the hospital or in their homes, special attention being given children and un- married mothers. At the jail ninety books had been added to the boys' library and the Committee continued to share with the Juvenile Protective Association the support of a social serv- ice worker whose duty is to investigate the charges against first offenders awaiting trial. This work was what proved the need of a special court for the hearing of these cases and bore fruit in the creation of the Boy's Court, a branch of the Municipal Court which opened in March, 1914. The Mary Thompson Hospital Committee reported many valuable improvements at the hospital. Special work of the Committee was towards the establishment of a ward for the treatment of venereal diseases, first steps toward which were made by raising funds for the support of one bed. The De- partment contributed $115 and the Club $100 toward the re- quired $300. In 1914 the Committee reported it had been rais- ing funds for the establishment and maintenance of a ward for the care of girls afflicted with venereal diseases. Because of the necessarily expensive treatment and isolation demanded in such cases, the original sum desired was inadequate to meet the full expense of even a single bed and as a small ward of three or four beds could be maintained at practically the same cost as a single bed, the Committee decided to try raising the much larger sum of $1200.00, the estimated cost of maintenance for one year. The Reform Department recommended to the Club the creation of a Club committee on equal suffrage. While lend- ing its sympathy, influence and support to further the good causes that are brought to its attention, the Department aimed to concentrate its working forces upon work of true initiative and reform, and having permanent value. With the continued activity of its old committees and the expected development of the new work recently undertaken for dependent and delin- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 319 quent girls and for the creation of women police, the Depart- ment looked forward to the next year, as one of increased and increasing usefulness. The Department gave some account of the work it plans to undertake for the feeble-minded women in the State Home at Geneva. The Board endorsed these plans. There was an effort to make admittance to the State School for the Feeble-minded at Lincoln, now called the State Farm and Colony, a matter of legal commitment, thereby preventing the pa- tients from being removed at the pleasure of their family or friends without regard to the welfare of either the patient or society. April 8, 1913, the following resolution was presented and unanimously adopted by the club: Recognizing the great value and need of the work undertaken by the National Children's Bureau, and that Miss Lathrop is logical and wise in her de- mand for this appropriation, it is the sense of this meeting that our Secretary be instructed to write to Hon. James R. Mann and Hon. Oscar Underwood, urging them to bring this matter to the attention of the House Appropriations Committee. April 22, 1914, the Half Holiday Committee stated that for the year 1913-14, it was determined that the Half Holiday Com- mittee should merge with the Consumers' League of Illinois, as a non-partisan and disinterested organization, devoted to the legislative abridgment of industrial hours and to stimulating the public support and extension of our labor laws and of their en- forcement. During the winter of 1912-13, from November until April, various attempts were made by the Chicago Woman's Club and Consumers League representatives on the Half Holi- day Committee, to secure voluntary agreements for Sunday clos- ing. It was chiefly because of the representation of the sub- ject of the seven day week given by the Half Holiday Commit- tee, that a public meeting on the One Day Rest in Seven Bill was held under the auspices of the Consumers League on Feb- ruary 26. In February, 1914, the Committee on Public Schools as So- cial Centers reported that the Committee had served in the Ever- 320 ANNALS OF THE ett School the past year and paid for two teachers who gave two hours a week each. This school is the real recreation cen- ter of the neighborhood. Three social evenings were given. The work in the Jones School takes an altogether different aspect. They equipped a room and gave an instructor for indoor ball play and also had charge of a room for games. The Playground Committee reported in 1914: Commit- tees of the Chicago Woman's Club, the Woman's City Club and the Chicago Political Equality League, have undertaken a sur- vey of all Chicago parks and playgrounds for the purpose of find- ing out the number of public schools in the vicinity of each playground, the extent to which the playgrounds are used, the nationalities of people in the vicinity, the organizations co-oper- ating with the park management, the organizations which do not co-operate, the kinds and extent of social work well done, and the reasons why the parks are not used to the maximum capacity. The survey has not been completed, but this much is evident : the West parks have made the beginning to employ so- cial workers and their policy is to develop the social work in the parks. The Lincoln park system does something along this line but not so much as the West parks, while the South Park Board seems to get along without social workers altogether. Our conclusions are these: we should work for the consolida- tion of the thirteen park systems, each of which has the power to levy taxes, the appointment of women on the park boards, the organization of civic leagues in connection with every play- ground, and the appointment of a social worker in each play- ground to co-operate with the committees of the Chicago Wom- an's Club, the Woman's City Club, and the Political Equality League, in the social work which they are undertaking in the parks. The Permanent School Extension Committee reported progress April 22, 1914. Under the old name of Vacation School Committee it brought to a permanent place in Chicago school plans, the summer vacation schools; to this same set of plans the Committee brought its share in the school as a social CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 321 center; it carried on the first open-air school rooms, until their management was taken over by the Elizabeth McCormick Me- morial Fund; the plan of having a social worker in the small parks of the West Side was initiated by this organization. For fifteen years the Committee carried on its work with but two rules and those unwritten that no work should be begun until there was sufficient money on hand or pledged, and that the Committee should not raise money by entertainments. It was necessary to incorporate. This had been done and the Commit- tee now had a permanent membership and a delegate membership from more than sixty clubs of the city and suburbs. During the last year the Committee conducted three penny lunch rooms at the Adams, Foster and Washburn schools ; a lunch room equip- ment had been standardized and supervised for the Haines Prac- tice School, at which school the Normal College is maintaining a penny lunch room for an experiment. It had also been able to make the food self-supporting, giving the penny's worth of food for the penny. During last summer the School Extension Committee contributed $500 from its funds and raised $1,800 more to carry on Vacation Open Air Schools in co-operation with the Board of Education, the Municipal Sanitarium and the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute. Six schools were conducted under the management of Mrs. L. D. Doty and a most efficient corps of co-workers. Two hundred and fifty children were en- rolled; these were given three hearty meals per day at the schools and their carfare paid from the homes to and from school. For 1913-1914 the Corresponding Secretary reports resolu- tions sent as follows : To the Mayor and Committee of Railway Terminals, asking that concessions to roads be made on condition that they agree to the straightening of the Chicago River from Van Buren street south; to the men's clubs of Chicago asking their co-operation with regard to honest administration of funds raised by taxation; to the Governor of Illinois and Judges of the Circuit Court asking the appointment of women on park boards ; endorsement of the protest of the Civil Service Reform Associa- tion on pending legislation to upset federal civil service; to the 322 ANNALS OF THE West Park Civil Service Commission to open examinations to applicants regardless of residence ; endorsement by the Board of the plan of the United Charities to remove mendicancy. The Club, during 1910-1914, took action upon matters of vital interest, some of which are cited: A new parental school law; a bill providing for an appropriation for one hundred school nurses, and that they be paid a salary of $75 each per month; the child labor law without the amendment relating to the employment of children on the stage; a law regulating the production and distribution of food under sanitary conditions; a bill regulating the hours of employment of women in any mechanical establishment or factory or laundry, hotel or restau- rant, or telephone or telegraph establishment or office, or by an express or transportation company, or as a park attendant, lim- iting the hours of employment to ten hours a day or fifty-four hours a week; a bill relating to the abandonment of wives and children whereby the wife may, under direction of the court, receive the earnings of the husband while in prison, in whole or in part ; the two-mill tax measure, which called for an appro- priation for the State Educational Fund of $4,500,000.00; an appropriation for the State University that shall provide for the needed addition to the Woman's Building, also the residence halls for women students; a bill providing for the purchase of the historic Starved Rock region for a state park ; a bill provid- ing for a medical certificate of freedom from dangerous and hereditary diseases before license to marry can be obtained in Illinois. The Club voted to send a letter to the Legislature urg- ing that police matrons be included in the bill providing for po- lice pensions. The Club also voted to send a letter to the Board of Pardons, protesting against the release of Lucy Hagenow, a condemned murderess by abortion. In 1910, a fire destroying one of the cottages at Geneva equipped with an electrical device to open all doors at the same time, led the Reform Department to ask the Chicago Woman's Club to most earnestly urge the authorities to place at once sim- ilar devices upon all bedroom doors not already so equipped. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 323 The report of the President, Elizabeth Bass, April 26, 1913, states : "I wish to emphasize to you the advisability of our hold- ing up the hands of the committee in their endeavor to have a Minimum Wage Commission, rather than to stand for the im- practical proposition of trying to establish a definite minimum wage. The Chairman has pointed out to you how futile that would be with our limited information on the subject; and we should emphasize, especially at this time in Chicago, our con- viction that white slavery is not the direct and inevitable result of the low wage. I wish to ask your especial attention to and interest in the work of our new Committee on Civic Music. The plan, which includes the establishment of a series of free concerts to be given on Sunday afternoons during the autumn and winter months in each of the eighteen field houses connected with the parks and playgrounds of the city, the programs to be given by artists, is being worked out by a strong committee, including in its membership our Music Study Class, and is an- other civic movement in which our Club is taking the initiative. The housing exhibit at the City Club, installed by our Civics Committee, and toward the expense of which the Club con- tributed substantial financial aid, deserves special mention. The Sunday Open Door Committee, with Mrs. Frackelton in charge, animated by the highest ideal of service to the lonely, has just closed what has been, perhaps, its most successful year. Just as surely as the whole woman's club movement has swung itself into line and step with twentieth century progress, so has the Chicago Woman's Club taken a leading place in this procession. It has adopted for its own the modern watch- words: 'Co-operation, Conservation and Efficiency,' and it is becoming a very potent influence in every thing that makes for good in this community. Not only are we called upon to aid every humanitarian and social movement, but our aid as an effort for good government is invoked. As a direct result, per- haps, of the successful issue of the club women's work toward that end, your President has been made chairman of an advis- ory committee to the Board of Cook County Commissioners, with the attention of her committee especially directed toward 324 ANNALS OF THE helping make the County Hospital a model of honest and effi- cient administration and a great world opportunity for medical research. The more our force is realized and the oftener our plat- form is sought, both for the promulgation of movements and for the endorsement of proposed legislation, the more carefully should we safeguard our action. Do not let ours be a part of the mass of perfunctory club endorsements with which legis- lators' desks are swamped and which are pushed carelessly to one side. Rather let it be that when the name of the Chicago Woman's Club catches the legislator's eye it will give him pause, with the realization that it means the power of the impetus of 1200 women united to one purpose. And right here let me call especial attention to the danger of a careless endorsement that grows out of the interruption of programs for so-called emerg- ency action. Not often, surely, can such an endorsement, wrested from a justly impatient audience, be valuable." A reception to the President, Mrs. Bass, was given in the club parlors, October 1, 1913. Officers of many of the clubs of the General Federation and of the State Federation were present. October 8, Prof. Lewis B. Allyn, of the Massachu- setts State Normal School, addressed the Club on "Making Im- pure Food Profitable." Representatives were present from the City Health Department, the Illinois State Food Bureau, and Food and Market Committee of the City Club, and other schools and clubs of the city, working in the general line of clean food. April 25, 1914, the Membership Committee reported that the card index of the members of the Club had been completed and brought down to date. It gives the names and addresses of candidates, names of proposers and endorsers, and dates of procedure of readings, election, notification of election, qualify- ing; also facts pertaining to transfers and resignations, thus en- abling those desiring such information to find out at once the official standing of any member of the Club. This includes active, life, non-resident and honorary members. The Club numbered 1,200 members, October, 1913. The total number of CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 325 names appearing on the records of the Club from 1876 to Jan- uary, 1914, is 2362. Of these 416 resigned and 266 died. The following paragraphs are taken from the report of the President, Elizabeth Bass, given April 25, 1914: "An international hospitality was inaugurated by a luncheon given to the wives of delegates attending the International Navi- gation Congress in June, 1912, and this was followed by a de- lightful luncheon in October, given by the Board of Managers of the Club to the wives and daughters of the visiting dele- gates of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, our guests being of a dozen different nationalities, including al- most every country in Europe and two interesting women from India. The securing of Chicago as the meeting place of the Twelfth Biennial Convention of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in June, 1914, will make a large call upon the hospitable resources of the Woman's Club. Although all the clubs of Illi- nois invited the Biennial, our size, our location under the same roof with the Auditorium and other halls and conference rooms, together with the fact that the Chairman of the Local Biennial Board is your President, and the further fact that many of the other officers and chairmen of Biennial committees, and members of committees, are also of the Club membership, make us responsible for a very large part of the Biennial arrange- ments. For this reason the Board of Managers have been most generous in offering our rooms and luncheon privileges to all of the Biennial committees, and during the week of the Con- vention every inch of our space will be occupied by our guests. Daily luncheons will also be served to our own Board of Di- rectors, and all members of the Local Board committees and delegates and alternates up to the number of two hundred per day. Since my report a year ago two Club Committees have been added to our list ; one is the Committee on Equal Suffrage, with representation from every Department, and the other is the Committee on Civic Music, which means music for the people 326 ANNALS OF THE at prices which they can pay. You have heard the first report of this latter Committee and it is, indeed, inspiring. To give music to this great foreign population of ours, hungry for that vocal expression which was theirs in such full measure in the the old country, is a movement which has met with instant and generous support from musicians and patrons of music, and we are proud to add the inception of this work to the long list already placed to the credit of this Club. In June, 1913, the Legislature of Illinois granted the right of suffrage, in so far as it felt it had authority to do so, to the women of the State. The inevitable effect of this has been to broaden all lines of club activity and to make our citizenship a practical force, backed by the power of these wonderful club organizations of ours. The irresistible force of this organized influence was felt in December, when a mass meeting of club women and other citizens packed the Auditorium Theatre and called on the Mayor of Chicago to return to the public schools an official who had been forced out by questionable means. The success of this effort and the information we acquired in regard to certain sinister influences at work in all departments of our local government, led to the formation of what is called the Committee on Public Affairs. While this committee has many members of the Chicago Woman's Club on its roll and has so far held its meetings in the club rooms and has felt itself backed by the influence of the Club, it has many members of different women's organizations throughout the county. A recent editorial in one of our largest city papers stated that Chicago has more women of national, not not to say interna- tional, reputation than any great city in the world, and it goes on to say: 'These women and their organizations are admitted to the highest unofficial councils of the city. They are recog- nized more and more as among the chief assets of the city, a constant force for good in its affairs.' It is not too much to claim, either in our active or honorary membership, every woman who is thus referred to, and in all their activities, covering as CHICAGO WOMAN'S CUJB 327 they do the entire field of human relations, I believe we will con- tinue to hold up their hands in enthusiastic support, even though the way lead through yet unthought of paths. In the end we shall read into life newer and finer interpretations of social and domestic standards, of our reciprocal duties as men and women and citizens, and then will come protected childhood, free devel- oped womanhood, civic righteousness, and, inevitably, social re- generation." 328 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER X. 1914-1916. The invitation to the General Federation of Women's Clubs to hold the Twelfth Biennial Convention of the General Fed- eration of Women's Clubs in Chicago, was given in San Fran- cisco in addresses made by the President of the Illinois State Federation and the President of the Chicago Woman's Club. When the invitation was accepted and the State Federation formed the Local Biennial Board, Mrs. Bass was elected Chairman, Mrs. Frederick K. Tracy first vice-chairman, and the following Chi- cago Woman's Club members were elected to its executive mem- bership: Mesdames John C. Swinson, Andrew P. Coon, Willis K. Wood, Henry Solomon, Grace Dixon, George Watkins, Thomas White, Arnold Heap, William S. Heath, Albert Mar- tin, John D. Sherman, Julius Rosenwald, Donald Morrill and George B. Carpenter. Many other Woman's Club members were made chairmen of the various committees for preparation, and the Woman's Club made the first large contribution to the finances, giving $1,000 from its treasury to the Biennial funds. The Board of the Club voted to help the work of preparation in every possible way, and to that end it threw open all its rooms and its luncheon privileges to the Biennial committees and ex- tended those privileges to the close of the Convention, including in them the officers and directors of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The Woman's Club gave a large and brilliant reception to the delegates and alternates to the Biennial, and invited the vis- iting club women from all parts of the world. Two million women were represented by their delegates at this biennial meet- ing of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Upon the request of many members of the Club, that the sentiment for peace should be expressed at the first gathering of the year, a peace program was given October 7, 1914. Dr. Thomas E. Greene, of St. Louis, Vice President of the Amer- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 329 ican Peace Society, spoke on "Who Pays?" Mr. Louis P. Loch- ner, Secretary of the Chicago Peace Society, made practical sug- gestions regarding the way women's energies might be expended. An appeal for the work of the Red Cross Society was read and because it is the traditional right and privilege of women to save life and relieve suffering and because the need is increasingly urgent, the Chicago Woman's Club appealed to the women of Chicago to aid the Red Cross Society as generously and as quickly as possible. The meeting was adjourned to the Club par- lors where a reception was held for the new President of the Club, Mrs. Harlan Ward Cooley. October 28, a resolution was adopted that the Red Cross Committee of the Chicago Woman's Club ask the Illinois Fed- eration of Women's Clubs, meeting at Springfield, for its en- dorsement and co-operation for inaugurating this work through- out the State, and its assistance in obtaining subscriptions of money for materials and in meeting the present problem of un- employment throughout the State. The Philanthropy Depart- ment recommended to the Club the inauguration of an emer- gency employment bureau for women and girls of Chicago, to find employment for them, and to work for the greater efficiency of the applicants ; the matter was left in the hands of a committee appointed by the President. One hundred dollars was voted to be given to the Joint Committee for Vocational Supervision to carry on its work. November 11, 1914, a letter was read from Mme. Van Schelle and also one from Julia Lathrop, asking that Dr. Caroline Hedger be sent to Brussels to assist in the relief work there. It was voted that the Chicago Woman's Club, with such assis- tance as it can secure, assume the expense necessary for send- ing Dr. Hedger to Belgium. November 18, Katherine A. Jones, chairman of the committee appointed to secure $2,000.00 to send Dr. Caroline Hedger to do relief work in Belgium, reported that $1,505.00 had already been contributed for that purpose. De- cember 16, the treasurer's semi-annual report showed that the Belgian Typhoid Relief Expedition had received $2,000.00. On 330 ANNALS OF THE May 1, 1915, $400.00 was added. Several letters were read from Dr. Hedger, telling of her difficulties in reaching Belgium. April 15, 1915, the President spoke of the work of the Belgian Re- lief, and of the request that ten members of the Chicago Woman's Club be named to work on a city committee, which request had been complied with. The Belgian Relief Committee reported as follows in April, 1915: "Your committee instructed to raise $2,000.00 to send Dr. Caroline Hedger to Belgium to do relief work in the typhoid epidemic localities, sent out seventy-nine letters asking assist- ance. Of these letters fifty-seven were sent by special delivery with the hope that the special delivery stamp would call atten- tion to the plea as an emergency measure. The expense of these personal letters was carried by a friend of the move- ment. By these letters and through Miss Mary McDowell, by whom the request came to the Club, $2,400 was raised. Dr. Hedger left Chicago on November 25 for three months, or at most five months' work. Her letters and reports show the noble service she is giving in carrying out the spirit of the cause for which she was sent. Nov. 24, 1914, the Chicago Woman's Club concurred in the request made of President Wilson by the envoys of the women of fifteen European countries: Resolved, That we urge President Wilson without waiting for an invitation to mediate, to send an envoy to Europe to in- vite the neutral nations of Europe to send their envoys, to unite with the delegates of the United States, in demanding of the countries now at war that they declare a cessation of hostilities, until the demand of these envoys shall be heard confident that this brief armistice will lead to permanent peace. A beautiful and artistic guest book was made by Mrs. Frackelton. Jewels were contributed for the covers, and ex- presidents of the Club presented the clasps. The plans for Jones School Center were reported October 21, 1914. These included a Christmas marionette performance given by Maurice Browne of the Chicago Little Theatre, and CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 331 two entertainments by children of the Francis Parker School. Colored German prints of Egyptian scenes were given to the Jones School by Elizabeth Parker. November 10, 1914, $100 was paid to the Civic Music Committee from the contingent fund. The Reform Department reported entering upon work for defective children in the auxiliary schools. The Art and Literature De- partment reported plans for children's entertainments for Sat- urday mornings in the schools where such efforts were needed. The Philanthropy Department reported work for the sub-nor- mal; that a teacher had been secured for men in the Bridewell, so that they might be ready to support themselves when dis- missed. November 11, the Chicago Woman's Club gave its approval to the unit system of vocational training, and to a resolution that the roll of the Municipal Art Commission should contain the name of at least one woman member. November 18, 1914, a special meeting was called to respond to a request from the Lieutenant Governor of the State asking that thirty members of the Club be appointed to attend the Woman's Legislative Con- gress convention. The President was empowered to appoint the delegates. On July 1, 1914, the death of Mrs. Emma B. Corneau, of Lockport, Illinois, occurred, thus depriving the Club of one of its charter members. Mrs. Corneau was a valued member of the Art and Literature Department. In 1876 she, with others equally interested, obtained the charter of the Chicago Woman's Club, and lived to see it grow from small beginnings into a large and influential Club. December 8, 1914, the Chairman of the House Committee reported the gift of two etchings, a legacy from the late Kate Raworth Holmes, a founder of the Club. Charles Butler Holmes wrote to the Club saying that in case the effects of the Club should ever be sold, it would be well to know that a Boston art dealer had offered $300.00 each for the etchings given by Kate Raworth Holmes. February 9, 1915, a letter from Mrs. John L. Shortall was read, offering the Art and Literature Department the gift of a 332 ANNALS OF THE statue of Puck, by Harriet Hosmer. The Department gave this in turn to the Club on Shakespeare's birthday. The Board ac- cepted the gift on behalf of the Club with recognition of the generosity of the Art and Literature Department and of Mrs. Shortall. The Art and Literature Department appointed a commit- tee for marking the Department belongings, with Anna Blanche Johnson as chairman. This committee made its final report No- vember 16, 1914. Miss Johnson reported in October, 1913 : "In the appointment of a committee to mark the various belong- ings of the Art and Literature Department, there was formed in truth a committee to review the records not only of the Department, but also to delve into the archives of the Club. From 1903 the minutes tabulating the work of this committee are complete and markers are now attached to the Department purchases and gifts. The marking must of necessity be concise and at the same time explanatory. Our silver has all been engraved 'Art and Literature Department' and the year of the purchase, to- gether with the monogram which the Department has designed for the Chicago Woman's Club. It has no doubt been a surprise to many to know how much the Art and Literature Department has added to the beautiful objects in our club rooms. The gifts to the Department consist of the following: 1904, bronze bust of Shakespeare, Mrs. J. C. Shaffer ; 1908, en- graving of Shakespeare, Mrs. Levy Mayer; 1909, small brass jardiniere, Mrs. C. G. Comstock; 1909, center piece of linen and lace, Mrs. H. C. Willard ; 1910, embroidered Japanese robe, Mrs. C. T. Boal; 1912, large American flag, Miss Anna Blanche Johnson ; 1912, carved chair made from one of the pews of Shakespeare's church at Stratford-on-Avon, Mrs. Samuel Dauchy. On March 9, 1906, a check of $1,000.00 was forwarded to Frederic Clay Bartlett, in payment for the Mural Decorations which this Department commissioned him to execute for the George Rowland Memorial Room at the McKinley High School. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 333 These were duly installed and our members attended a recep- tion given in the schoolroom by the Department at that time. For a short time only did the recipients of this gift remember either the name of the giver or the meanings of the paintings. A letter of inquiry, coming to one member of your committee, resulted in the appointment of this present committee of the Department. On receipt of the response from Mr. Bartlett, en- closing the formulated text for the description of the paintings, your representatives sought the Superintendent, Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, and described to her our desire to place a framed descrip- tion of the paintings on the walls of the Assembly Room as an aid to the interpretation of the pictures. Our visit resulted in an expression of favor to our plan "Mark it by all means, it ought to be done, and don't put up one copy, put two." Two illuminated texts have been made, sealed and framed in narrow bands of copper with small projections at top and bottom to admit of their being screwed to the wall. They will be placed at the side of the two doors and opposite the pictures themselves. In this position they are in the best light and not only catch the eye of the visitor, but allow of ready glancing from the text to the paintings described. Photographs originally taken by order of Mr. Bartlett before the paintings left his studio, were purchased by the Department at our suggestion. He has autographed the text here framed with the photographs, thus making the whole of double value to the Art and Literature Department. We are filing with this report a few statistics secured from Caroline S. Wygant, the treasurer and co-worker with Belle Pratt Magee, who was chairman of the committee for the Mural Decorations, together with one of her letters as reference in the future. The George Rowland Alumni gave the bronze bust of Mr. Rowland executed by Hermon A. MacNeil for $2,500.00. On November 18, 1914, Miss Johnson stated : After numer- ous letters and a search of Roman history, we have succeeded in acquiring the true history of the two panels of the settle. It is not made of oak, but of fine French walnut, carved during the fourteenth contury. It was purchased in Florence, Italy, 334 ANNALS OF THE brought to Chicago, and bought by the Art and Literature Department, March 4, 1910. The "Key to the Carvings," which we have made and fastened upon the settle, gives the full and authentic explanation of the scenes on the panels." A letter was sent to the Finance Committee of the City Council, upholding the establishment of a house of shelter for women in connection with the Bridewell. A letter was written to Mayor Harrison, asking him to use his influence with the Finance Committee of the City Council to induce them to build a woman's building in connection with the House of Correction, where women might be taught trades and employments, which would make them able to take care for themselves after their release. January 6, 1915, Rowena M. Abbott, President of the Board of Directors of Coulter House, asked the Club to act with their Board, in the event of the establishment of a house of shelter, in asking the Mayor to appoint Kate J. Adams in charge of the House. January 20, 1915, the regular order of the literary meet- ings of the Chicago Woman's Club gave way to a musical after- noon in charge of Mrs. George B. Carpenter. A program of Old Time Music was given by members of the Club, assisted by the Chicago College Club Glee Club. March 31, Padraic Colum spoke to the Club on "The Note of Resignation in Russian and Anglo-Irish Literature." April 21 was Editors' Day, the subject being "The New Spirit in Our Mag- azines." January 27, 1915, the Club endorsed the bill known as the Goodnow bill, regarding the abandonment of wife and children, and a resolution requesting the Chicago Woman's Club to urge upon the Board of Education the immediate opening of social centers in the schools of the more congested districts. Mrs. W. I. Thomas spoke to the Gub on the Woman's Peace Party. February 10, 1915, the Playgrounds Committee, in con- junction with similar committees of other organizations, of- fered the following resolution: CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 335 Whereas, There is a vacancy on the South Park Board, owing to the death of one of its members, Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club offers the name of Mrs. Frank Jerome to fill the vacancy. The resolution was adopted. The program of the day was made up of the following re- ports of the work of the Emergency Employment Center : Red Cross Committee, Mrs. Floyd Frazier; Emergency Employment Committee, Miss Katherine A. Jones; Emergency Employment Treasurer, Miss Grace E. Temple; Work Room, Mrs. Benjamin Carpenter; Employment Center, Mrs. Richard M. Gray. Mrs. Harrison P. Young, Chairman of the Committee, in closing her report, presented from the Emergency Employment Center a resolution as follows, and moved its adoption : Resolved, That we ask the Club to put itself on record as strongly favoring the establishment of a Municipal Em- ployment Bureau with a separate department for the em- ployment of women, under the management of a woman, and that this department have an advisory board composed of delegates from the women's clubs of the City of Chicago. February 17, 1915, a committee was appointed, with the President as chairman, to wait upon Peter Reinberg, Presi- dent of the Board of County Commissioners, and urge him to retain Miss Bartelme in her present position, and to raise her salary to $5,000. February 24, 1915, the Club endorsed the movement in- stituted by the Federal Child Labor Bill, also the bill for re- turning the Andrew Jackson banner to the State of Louisiana by the State of Illinois, and the following resolutions : Whereas: The social work in the county institutions, as conducted by the Bureau of Public Welfare, is in harmony with the most advanced charity methods of the present day, and Whereas: The social service work as so conducted has resulted in the removal of scores of dependents from county support and their return to normal life, and 336 ANNALS OF THE Whereas: This return of county wards to independence has resulted in an annual saving to Cook County of some $20,000.00, and Whereas : This work is not now or has not been at any time conducted by any county department other than the Bu- reau of Public Welfare; be it Resolved : That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Bureau of Public Welfare of Cook County should be con- tinued and provision made for the extension of its work in accordance with the requests submitted to the Finance Com- mittee by the Director of the Bureau of Public Welfare. A national meeting occurred early in January at Wash- ington, and the Woman's Peace Party came into being, with Jane Addams, President. It was resolved: That the Chicago Woman's Club is opposed to all wars of aggression, and at all times and under all circumstances is in favor of peace based upon righteousness and justice. March 24, 1915, the Peace Committee gave the following recommendation: That the Chicago Woman's Club join the Woman's Peace Party as a local group member by the payment of five dollars. A vote of thanks was sent to Miss Hattie Summerfield for the charming children's party given to the one hundred and seventy-five children in the Club parlors. March 31, 1915, the Club endorsed a measure to appoint a Minimum Wage Commission; also the recommendation of Mrs. Frank Jerome, Mrs. M. L. Purvin and Mrs. Robert Kohlhamer as members of the Special Parks Commission, ten members to which will be appointed by the incoming Mayor. April 14, 1915, the Philosophy and Science Department presented a resolution favoring that a woman be appointed to the Public Library Board. It was decided that a letter be sent to Mayor Harrison regarding this appointment. The Club endorsed the bill to abolish capital punishment and the bill for State Teachers' Pensions. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 337 The following resolution was endorsed April 21 : Whereas, The community is threatened with a strike which will add untold misery to that which already exists from lack of work, and Whereas, The Chicago Woman's Club, through its Emergency Employment Committee, has come into intimate touch with the suffering resulting from unemployment, there- fore, Resolved, That the Chicago Woman's Club deplores any act which would increase the condition of unemployment, and urges the contending parties to arbitrate their differences. April 21, 1915, the Legislative Committee recommended the State measure for registration of births and deaths, and the Club endorsed the bill. The Club also endorsed the meas- ure to rehabilitate the State Employment Law. It was voted that the Chicago Home for Girls should be placed on the Club list of delegates ; also that a delegate be sent to the Associa- tion of Collegiate Alumnae, at its request, to serve on the board of volunteer public service. The Legislative Committee reported April 28, 1915, State measures endorsed by the Club, besides those already men- tioned, as follows: House Bill No. 104 Child Labor Bill, raising the age from 14 to 16, and 16 to 18 years, allowing no girl under 18 years of age to work after seven o'clock at night, nor boys under 21 years of age to act as messengers after seven o'clock at night. House Bill No. 175 Library Bill, increasing income of city libraries. House Bill No. 135 Teachers' Pension Bill, giving to teachers outside of Chicago, pensions after twenty-five years of service in public schools. They may have taught ten years in some other state, so that if they have taught fifteen here and ten in some other state they are entitled to it. House Bill No. 95 Injunction and Abatement Law. Its purpose is to declare places used for immoral practices as 338 ANNALS OF THE public nuisances, and to provide for the more effectual sup- pression of them. House Bill No. 164 Amendments to Law on Criminal Jurisprudence, making it possible to imprison rather than to fine women engaged in the practice of prostitution. House Bill No. 404 The Minimum Wage Commission Bill. Senate Bill No. 192 known as the Removal Bill for the purpose of removing from office any person neglecting to perform the duties for which such person was elected. Senate Bill No. 24 known as the Henderson Bill for the purpose of handling the problem of the unemployed. Senate Bill No. 254 An Act for the relief of the adult blind, pensioning men over 21 years of age and women over 18 years of age. House Bill No. 207 Known as the Nine Hour Law for Women. Senate Bill No. 21 For an Act in relation to non-partisan nomination and election of Judges of the Supreme Court, and County, Circuit, Probate and Municipal Judges. The members of the committee have also written letters, and attended meetings of joint committees for the purpose of gathering information regarding measures which were before us. The president and recording secretary of the Club have written letters, when the case was urgent, to impress more strongly upon chairmen of committees at Springfield the attitude of our Club regarding constructive legislation. Mrs. Watkins, of the Legislative Committee, presented the following: Owing to a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the State, the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety may no longer enforce Sections 47, 53 and 63 of the city ordi- nances, and since the recommendation to amend the State Law should emanate from the Corporation Counsel's office, I move that this Club, through its President and Recording CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 339 Secretary, ask the Mayor and Corporation Counsel to take such steps as may be necessary to again empower the Bureau of Fire Protection and Public Safety to enforce the rules under which it has operated during the past few years by re- turning the power set forth in said Sections 47, 53 and 63. The motion was carried. The Chairman of the Home Department, Marion M. Lewis, reported April 28, 1915 : A woman's club on its work- ing side does live by the sins of the community, sins of omis- sion and commission. The Home Department suffers a little from lack of sins in its sphere of action. * * * * What I mean to say is that the club woman's home is not seriously in need of those corrective agencies, addresses on food values, demonstration lectures, discussions of every-day bills of fare for every-day people, but as a resultant of many, many pro- grams in the now long past of club life, a point of view and a definite conviction have been gained that more and better opportunities must be provided for equipping the young home-maker for her responsibilities. The subject of home- making is not taken seriously enough. The programs of the Home Department the past year have emphasized this seriousness of home-making as a profession, the need of ap- plying scientific methods, which means careful training, and a widespread recognition of the dignity of the office. This does not of course sound startlingly new or strange. It is not so much a new kind of conviction as a new strength, a greater degree. The Club is not so much a place for study, for hard intellectual digging, that kind of application which makes for close thinking along any line. It furnishes rather the platform where we may witness the achievements of those who have labored or are laboring in intellectual, scientific, artistic, or any field of human endeavor. It is therefore a source of inspiration and of constant stimulus to do better and more worth while things ourselves, but even more to open those avenues along which others may go to achieve bet- ter and more worth while things. 340 ANNALS OF THE The Chairman of the Education Department, Helen G. Kuh, reported: Dr. George Mead, of the University of Chi- cago, discussed the need of reducing the size and changing the constitution of boards of education in the State of Illi- nois. The activities of the Public Schools Committee were threefold: 1st, the study of literature on vocational educa- tion and training; 2nd, visiting public schools; 3d, attend- ance at meetings of the Board of Education. This committee also co-operated with the committee on Public Schools as Social Centers working at the Jones School. Miss Henriette Weber, who took a prominent part in the Sunday evening opera concerts at the Art Institute, writes : It happened quite by chance that the plan grew into something unique that by this time is known in many different cities of sev- eral different states. Our foremost singers are now asking for the privilege of being associated with these concerts. This is be- cause we have invariably large and enthusiastic audiences, audi- ences that show discrimination and good taste. The concerts have attracted many strangers in the city, and because of their enthusiasm in sending programs to the "home town," I now find that the opera concerts are well known else- where, and invariably the question arises: "How does the Chi- cago Woman's Club do it?" Elizabeth P. Young reported for the Philanthropy De- partment : The Sunday concerts in Fullerton Hall have been successful, the attendance fully as good as in any former year ; the work will be continued by the Department another year. High class music is furnished to throngs who would other- wise be denied what to many is almost as necessary as food. The Blue Bird Cottage at Boulder, Colorado, is in a most flourishing condition, and needed but little financial assistance from the Department. A committee, which has an enthusi- astic membership, is the one helping Judge Bartelme in her purpose to instruct and entertain the young girls who have been paroled by the Juvenile Court. These girls must report to a probation officer, and it has formerly been the custom CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 341 for them to go to the City Hall once a week for that purpose. Miss Bartelme and her friends have devised a plan by which many of these girls report to probation officers at a home which has been established for this purpose near Garfield Park. A flat was rented and a matron put in charge. Here girls may be sent when committed by the court. Their cloth- ing is washed, mended, and supplemented if necessary, and the matron may give some practical lessons on personal clean- liness and household duties before the girls are placed in do- mestic service. Every girl is required to return to this home once a week, where she is met by the probation officer, who is responsible to the Court for her safety. At present the committee from the Philanthropy Department is here carry- ing on a class in shirt waist making and other sewing, a teacher being employed for the professional part of the work, members of the committee to supervise the work, and some- times to tell stories, and give personal instruction in such house- hold niceties as may be of advantage to the girls. This work will be continued. At a luncheon of the Philanthropy Department in May, 1914, Miss Jane Addams made a plea for assistance in the care of subnormal young people. She gave a brief account of cases in Judge Olson's court, stating that a record had been made there, proving that 70 per cent of the commitments for crime were made where the offender was not responsible and should be a charge of the state, not a criminal. She said the study of the subject of subnormals and their care was comparatively new, and public interest must be aroused and co-operation of people in authority secured, in order to hasten the day when subnormals would be treated with understand- ing. Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen supplemented this appeal and urged the Department to investigate the matter and, if pos- sible, give assistance. Volunteers were called for and a com- mittee appointed. The work was begun at once. The mem- bers of the committee visited the school at Geneva and the Bridewell, and during the hot summer months many visits were made to the courts and time spent in interviewing pub- 342 ANNALS OF THE lie officials. Finally an appeal to the Finance Committee brought an appropriation sufficiently large to employ a spe- cially trained teacher, who, with the enthusiastic co-operation of Mr. Whitman, is separating the boys in classes, giving to each the kind of work he is fitted to do, and bringing a happy, willing service instead of work produced by force, and punish- ment for non-fulfillment. Work along this line must be con- tinued and the report of the committee urges the establish- ment of a home for such delinquent boys and girls as would be a menace to the community when released, after serving the sentence imposed by the court. Ellen S. Bryant reported for the Reform Department: The Department gave financial and personal service to the Emergency Employment Bureau, the Red Cross work, the Legal Aid, Immigrants Protective League, Park Ridge School for Girls, Frederick Douglas Center and other club activ- ities. A new organization is bidding for the interest of this De- partment, to be known as the Child Welfare Society. This society feels it has an urgent mission in looking after children between the ages of two and six, the former being the time when the In- fant Welfare Society considers its work ended, and the latter the time when the child is under school supervision. The Depart- ment offered a suggestion to the Club as a whole, that a request be made of the new Mayor that police women be appointed to look after social problems in the parks. The report of the Art and Literature Department was presented by Isabel C. Buckingham, as follows: The general topic, "The Spirit of the Times," gave each of the classes an opportunity to specialize and present its particular point of view at the Wednesday meetings. Three breakfasts have been given by the Social Committee. The first was in honor of new members. The subject discussed was "The Necessity of Developing the Imagination of the Child." It bore upon the especial work of the Department for the win- ter, and led to the formation of a new committee, "The Children's Educational Theatre Committee." The next fol- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 343 lowed a lecture by William A. Tomlins on "A New Force in Education," led to a course of lectures by him under the aus- pices of the Department. The third was in recognition of the poets and poetry, and followed a lecture on modern Irish poetry by Padraic Colum, of Dublin. Miss Monroe, editor of Poetry, and other Chicago poets were present and contributed to the program. It will be seen that each of these social meetings led to some practical accomplishment and fulfilled a double pur- pose. The fifteenth annual commemoration of the birthday of William Shakespeare was celebrated with a dramatic entertain- ment by the Chicago Theatre Society in the Fine Arts Theatre. Mr. Cyril Maude was the guest of honor. The occasion was made particularly memorable by the presentation to the Club of the beautiful Puck, the work of a former distinguished honorary member of the Club, Harriet Hosmer. The Chil- dren's Educational Theatre Committee has been able to plan some entertainments for the public school children at com- paratively small cost. The week before Christmas 135 chil- dren from the Jones School were taken to the Francis Parker School to see a nativity play presented. A program of short plays under the direction of Miss Irene Skinner was given in Central Music Hall for the same group of children. On Shake- speare's birthday some of them met us at the Shakespeare statue, decorating it with the flowers we sent there, and singing some of their school songs. The children of the Franklin School, faithful for fifteen years to the memory of Shake- speare, came also, and their singing of "Hark! Hark! the Lark" pleased the group which surrounded the statue, and surprised one, who said that visits to many countries had shown him nothing more interesting than the gathering that day of youth and age in honor of the great poet. The Philosophy and Science Department reported by its Chairman, Isa M. Wiggin : The decision of one year ago to use the small amount of money at our disposal for a definite object materialized in a scholarship for a woman student in the University of Chicago, who was making a specialty in philosophy or science. 344 ANNALS OF THE The Library Committee stated by Mary E. Ahern, Chair- man, that at the meeting January 6, 1915, attention was called to a recent statement by Prof. Dodd, of the University of Chicago, as to the amount of valuable historical material in the vicinity of Chicago, in the possession of private indi- viduals and difficult of access to historical workers. Prof. Dodd's statement of the value of the material seemed so weighty that it was decided to appoint a committee to con- sider the advisability of listing the material and its location. Mrs. Cooley appointed on this committee Miss Jane Addams, Mrs. H. M. Wilmarth, Mrs. William Vaughn Moody, Mrs. John C. Ames, Mrs. Charles Hitchcock, and also consented to serve on the committee herself. Prof. Dodd will be an honorary member. At a meeting of this committee it was voted to co-operate in this enterprise with a similar commit- tee of the Chicago Public Library Club. This committee consists of the following members" Mrs. C. J. Barr, assist- ant librarian John Crerar Library; W. N. C. Carleton, Libra- rian Newberry Library; Henry E. Legler, Chicago Public Library, and J. M. C. Hanson, Assistant Director of Libra- ries, University of Chicago. A previous chairman of the com- mittee presented a gift to the committee of $100. The Club financed again the course in story telling given to the training class at the Public Library by Miss Georgene Faulkner. The Library Committee endorsed a memorial in relation to the proper equipping of libraries in the high schools of Chicago, such equip- ment not only to include books, but particularly a trained libra- rian. The cataloguing of the books in the library has been brought up to date. We now have 220 presentation copies in our gift-library. The Sunday Open Door Committee reported : In none of the preceding years have been heard so many expressions of appreciation and gratitude to the Woman's Club for its generous hospitality as this year, which has been so trying to men's souls. The History Committee reported April 28, 1915, by the Chairman: The History Committee has held few meetings CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 345 during the past season. The Chairman and Secretary have read the Club records up to the beginning of the past fiscal year, including some department records. Although the work has prevented the working members of the committee from attending many delightful meetings, they feel amply repaid through their study of the unfolding of the plan of the Club's work. The history material is now complete, as far as pos- sible for us to make it so, and is ready for use, not includ- ing the records of 1914-15. We can sympathize deeply with real historians, knowing how difficult it is to discrimi- nate between the essential and the less vital, where there is such a wealth of material. Fashions change, even in club interests, but, like the fashions, certain features reappear in cycles. Among these features that constantly recur are the matters of rooms and ventilation. We have found valuable material in the reports of the presidents and in the annual reports of other officers, chair- men and committees. In its hospitality to other organiza- tions and to the stranger within our gates, the Club has con- tinued its admirable record. Within the past year it has again given evidence of the value of its organization, in being ready to take practical steps to help alleviate needless suffering. 'While the History Committee was trying to perform its imposed task, and was reading among other things the records of the emergency work of 1893-94, the 1914-15 Red Cross Committee was work- ing in the adjoining room, and the needs of an employment bureau were again discussed. While we were reading reports of the Biennial of 1892, held here under the auspices of our Club, the local Biennial committee of 1914 was holding its meetings. Who would have thought, when Susan B. Anthony was tendered a reception by this Club June 27, 1888, the first for- mal recognition extended to her by a woman's club, that the upholders of woman's suffrage would ever form an over- whelming majority in our organization, and suffrage would 346 ANNALS OF THE become fashionable? In the early years no one ever spoke of religion or suffrage or politics, for fear of stirring up strife and forgetting the amenities. We have changed all that. A misconception seems to have arisen as to the nature of the Club's programs. It has been stated that the work of the Club during the first years was purely literary. A glance at the topics chosen by members for papers and discussions proves that from the start the emphasis was placed upon civic questions and problems of the day. Purely literary subjects were in the minority. On January 4, 1877, an appeal was made to members in regard to the great necessity of estab- lishing an Industrial Bureau, where those in charge might become responsible for reformed women until suitable homes were found for them. Julia Ward Howe read a paper on "Paternity" at the President's house in 1876. In April, 1877, a committee was appointed to select names of women to be presented to fill vacancies about to occur in the Board of Education. "Prison Reform," "Free Trade," and "Temperance" were subjects dis- cussed, as well as "Relation of Women to Philanthropic Work." January 21, 1885 : "In spite of the intensely cold weather, every chair belonging to the Club was occupied, except one rocker, and there were present nineteen guests." "Charity Organization" was the subject. In the years 1879, 1880, 1881, Parlor O, Palmer House, was rented at $2.50 a meeting; the Club held only fourteen meetings in a year. The study classes of the Art and Literature Department, then called Commit- tee, were held in Dr. Stevenson's apartments at the Palmer House. The Club numbered 105 members in January, 1884. The Committee has been asked to furnish material to the family of Julia Ward Howe for a memorial ; to a student of the University of Chicago for a theme; to a writer of spe- cial articles during the Federation meeting, and others. The "Public" says it is the best organized body of women in the world. It has certainly provided a way for many differing CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 347 talents to work out their salvation and help the world along, each in its own way, all with the influence and momentum of the Club to back up these efforts. We recommend that the typewritten excerpts which we have gathered be bound, as an aid to future committees and secretaries in looking up data in regard to matters of record regarding our own organ- ization, and that of others that had their inception in the Club. The Civic Music Association has been steadily continu- ing and expanding the work for which it is organized. Seven popular concerts were given by the Chicago Symphony Orches- tra, which acknowledges in its announcement the initiative and continued help of the Civic Music Association and the Music Extension Committee of the City Club. The Orchestra Associa- tion also states that it is now convinced that these concerts should be continued, and promises an increase to ten concerts for the next season. The Association has during the present season given 49 concerts, as against 47 last year; 40 of these were artists' recitals, and nine local concerts in which the Association aided the work of the musical organizations of the localities. Nine series and three special concerts have been given in which 767 artists have assisted, and in the local concerts over six hun- dred children and adults have taken part. About 35,000 peo- ple have attended these concerts. The Civic Music Association held its first spring festival in the Carter Harrison High School, on Sunday afternoon, May 23, 1915. The Club endorsed the bill before the legislature which raises the compulsory school age to sixteen. For two years or more a Half-Holiday Committee worked valiantly to per- suade the shops, both large and small, to close for a half- holiday during July and August. That work was taken over by the Consumers League, but no new effort was made the past summer other than that of making a new survey of the shops within the loop district. When the Social Center work was given up in 1914 by the Board of Education, the Committee on Public Schools 348 ANNALS OF THE as Social Centers asked permission to open two rooms in the Jones School. There, for a period of about eight weeks, the children met four nights weekly. In addition to games for boys, songs were taught, and both boys and girls drilled in plays. Out of the work grew an Alumni Club which still continues its work, meeting in one of the field houses each week, to study and rehearse plays. The young people, who are mostly employed in shops, meet in this way under a teacher, with excellent results. For the younger children there were talks with stereopticon, concerts and entertain- ments of various kinds. Twenty of our members pledged themselves to meet at one o'clock each second Tuesday for four months at the Jones School. A room, called the Room Beautiful, has been fitted up with curtains, pictures, tables, chairs, books and rugs, an oasis in the desert of Plymouth Court. To it the children go on invitation, for, being guests, they must bring their best behavior. Some of our Club mem- bers invited groups to their summer homes for one visit dur- ing the season. A stage has been built in the Assembly Room. The children presented the "Queen of Hearts" most credit- ably. They made their own costumes, helped with stage deco- rations and management, and worked diligently on the cush- ions for the Room Beautiful. With the co-operation of the Public School Art Society, the first Public School exhibit of municipal paintings was placed in the Room Beautiful, and various talks about the pictures have been given and greatly enjoyed. An exhibit of public school craft work has been promised when the civic pictures are removed, and it is hoped to make the room a center of inspiration. The Committee on School Extension supplied noon lunches for a penny each in three public schools the Adams, the Washburn and the Foster. The School Board voted in 1915 to open ten new lunch rooms, giving the management of them to the School Extension Committee. Two new rooms for sub-normals or auxiliary rooms at the Dore School and the J. N. Thorpe School were opened, giving free mid-morn- ing lunches to this class of children. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 349 The work of the Joint Committee for Vocational Super- vision is one of the most fundamental movements that the Chicago Woman's Club has furthered. Its prime aim is to assist young boys and girls under sixteen years of age, who leave school with the intention of entering gainful occupa- tions. The bureau does not, however, turn away applicants over sixteen years of age. In every case the emphasis is placed on effort to return these children to the schools in the belief that further training will mean later, entrance into better and more profitable work. When it is found impossible to accomplish this end the boy or girl is placed at work under the best available conditions from the standpoint of moral surroundings, sanitary conditions and opportunity for future growth. After the child has been thus placed his record is followed, and if a better position is found for him he is noti- fied of the new opening. Reports are still received from the children first placed by the bureau. The desire of the super- visors is to make the bureau a place where the young worker may feel free to come for advice and encouragement. The Chi- cago Woman's Club has been generous in its support of vocational supervision, in the belief that a preventive agency means more in returns to the community than does a remedial activity. The report of the Emergency Employment Center was given by Elizabeth C. Young: "On October 20, 1914, Mrs. John B. Sherwood brought to the chairman of the Philan- thropy Department the earnest request that the Department do something to assist the unemployed women and girls in Chicago to find employment. She stated the need to be un- usual and the appeals of the girls with whom she associated to be most persistent and distressing. For seven days a care- ful canvass of the situation was made, and at the end of that time the necessity for immediate action seemed so imperative, and the immensity of the undertaking so great, that in the opinion of the chairman of the Philanthropy Department the interest and influence of the whole Club was necessary. A spe- cial meeting of the Department was called to consider the advis- ability of recommending the work to the Club at its next meeting. 350 ANNALS OF THE There was a large attendance at this special meeting, and a very free discussion of the subject, after which the following reso- lution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the Philanthropy Department recom- mends to the Chicago Woman's Club the establishment of an emergency employment center, looking toward greater efficiency in the applicant, and that the President of the Club appoint a committee to have the matter in charge. The Woman's Club was unanimously in favor of the reso- lution, and an appropriation of $300.00 was made to the com- mittee. Mrs. Cooley appointed the Emergency Employment Center Committee, and the work was no longer individual or departmental, but was the work of the Chicago Woman's Club. One of the first things this new Committee did was to call a conference of women from the established organiza- tions in the city devoted to the employment, welfare work or relief of women. This conference strengthened the commit- tee in its determination to begin in a small way and increase the scope of the work as ability and financial means war- ranted. The endorsement of the State Federation of Women's Clubs was secured, and a letter sent to 250 federated clubs asking co-operation with the Employment Committee in rais- ing funds for the work and securing positions for the unem- ployed, j . n > |j. j Meanwhile, in the Board Room of the Club, a Red Cross Sewing Room had been established and was accomplishing a fair amount of work, but as the call from the Red Cross was urgent, and the Chicago Woman's Club is large and influen- tial, it was felt that both for service and example to other organizations a larger number of garments should be furnished than could be completed by the personal efforts of the members. The committee having the Red Cross work in hand therefore de- cided to allow a part of the contributions received for Red Cross purposes to go toward the payment of needy women whom the Employment Committee should designate as able to sew on Red CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 351 Cross work, if a suitable place could be found where such work could be done. Mr. Charles A. Stevens generously donated to the Club the use of such a room. The Emergency Employment Committee therefore began its work with the following assets: Three hundred dollars from the Club, the use of a room large enough for a sewing room and an employment office, a promise of co-operation from the Red Cross Committee in paying wages, and strong faith in the generous support of its friends, if proof were given of a careful and wise administration of its affairs. Plans at once went forward, the absolutely necessary furnishings for the room were begged or borrowed, sewing machines engaged, the service of a trained social worker as director was secured, and November 23 decided upon as the day work was to begin. Up to this time no publicity had been given to the work, but at this point one of the morning papers surprised every- body but itself by printing a large picture of the President of the Club, and giving the date and opening of a Free Em- ployment Bureau for Women, under the auspices of the Club. The result was, instead of a dozen applicants, as expected, a throng of over 300 women, begging for work, greeted the committee at the opening of the Employment Center. For- tunately, this publicity not only brought a crowd of appli- cants, but also a shower of donations of money and gifts of clothing, and every possible effort was made to secure em- ployment for such as could accept positions requiring them to leave their homes. So many applicants proved to be the sole support of families that the sewing room was soon filled to its utmost capacity with these unfortunate women whose fathers, husbands and sons were out of employment. The throng begging for work increased as the weather became more severe, and the rooms that had seemed so spa- cious were scarcely large enough to hold the crowd. It was therefore a great relief to the committee when the Eleanor Association offered to them the use of the beautiful sunny 352 ANNALS OF THE rooms which they were vacating in the Powers Building. These rooms were comfortably furnished by the generous gifts of several merchants, and here the general work of the committee and the work of the employment office has been carried on. This work has been augmented by the faithful services of volunteer workers from the Chicago 'Woman's Club. Each department has assumed the responsibility of furnishing interviewers, directors at the door, and investi- gators one day each week, and these services have been of great value to the committee. When the Employment Office was removed to the Powers building, the sewing room remained in the Stevens Building until the room was required for tenants. Again the generos- ity of friends supplied the needs of the committee. Mr. Fred Upham donated a room at 529 Wabash Avenue, and the sew- ing room moved to that location. Here 200 women were employed about 30 through the entire five months the oth- ers from three days to three or four weeks. These women made it possible to give the following record of garments, the sewing of which was paid for, being made for the Visiting Nurses, Infant Welfare, Juvenile Home, Children's Aid and the Red Cross, the total output being over 25,000 articles, besides hun- dreds of orders for hemming and other kinds of sewing. It is quite impossible to give an accurate account of contributions re- ceived during the five months, as the Club women and many vis- itors became interested in our needy friends and innumerable cases of relief, even rehabilitation of whole families, were effected and no record allowed. During these strenuous days the thought of working for greater efficiency in the applicant was never lost sight of for a day. Hundreds of women went from the employment office and sewing room with much greater ability to earn a living than before receiving the lessons, experience and counsel of the Emergency Center. It has been the purpose of the Com- mittee that no person be allowed to leave our rooms until she carried a greater hope for the future, and strength and cour- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 353 age to meet the struggle of life. Where material aid has rendered an applicant self-supporting, such aid has been given, and a partial list of such assistance might be inter- esting : Lunch fund, carfare, clothing and shoes (new and old), coal tickets, rent paid, railroad fare paid, home for young girls and jobs for older ones, glasses fitted, insurance paid, electric hearing device, money loaned, scholarships obtained, voices tested for singers, orthopedic shoes, articles taken out of pawn, teeth filled, pulled, etc., operations (major and minor), drink cure, feet treated, school books provided, fami- lies sent to country, family moved to better quarters, assisted in legal affairs, board and room provided frequently, in- numerable women sent to doctors or to clinics for care, furni- ture, bedding and china given, work secured for husbands and sons, children sent to hospitals, milk and prepared food given babies. The total receipts in cash were $9,883.24. The total disbursements to April 28, 1915, were $9,532.88. It would be impossible for a group of earnest, sympa- thetic women to live five months in daily contact with prob- lems such as have been presented to the Emergency Employ- ment Center without feeling deeply the need of many reforms in the manner of dealing with the unfortunate unemployed women. The committee suggested three imperative demands for consideration : 1. The woman of middle age is perhaps the most hope- less and helpless of all. She is often a self-respecting person who has never asked alms and feels competent and physically able to earn enough to meet her simple needs but there seems no place for her in the industrial world. Why should not a workroom be maintained where such women may be employed? Surely it would cost little more than to send them provisions and pay their rent, as is done sometimes; but what a difference results for the recipient! 2. The inefficient, untrained woman, always a problem, has been a greater one than ever this year, and it is the con- viction of the committee that the Club should give greater 354 ANNALS OF THE support to the vocational supervision in the public schools, and that this supervision should be supplemented by further training in the rudiments of home making. Could there be better work for the members of this Club than preparing girls and women to capably fill the positions that go toward the making of comfortable, happy homes? Should we not dig- nify, systematize and standardize household labor? 3. A properly conducted free employment agency is the third great need. The Emergency Committee has already inaugurated a movement to aid the bill now pending in the Legislature, and the work must be carried on to secure in the newly constructed bureaus a department for women, in charge of a woman, and assisted by an advisory board of women, delegated from the various organizations in the city. The Chicago Woman's Club has loyally and sympathet- ically supported the Emergency Committee. The Committee recommend that the President of the Chicago Woman's Club appoint a committee to carry out plans for assisting in the prob- lem of employment for women." April 28, 1915, the question of carrying on the Red Cross Sewing Room having been referred to the Board, a new Red Cross Committee was appointed to continue the work, if money could be raised. Mrs. Benjamin Carpenter and Miss Temple were elected to carry on the work. The report of the Committee on Permanent Rooms was presented by Anna R. Gross: "Two plans for rented quarters were considered with great care and much detail. The Presi- dent, Mrs. Cooley, suggested that perhaps the time had come when the people of Chicago are recognizing the importance and usefulness of the work of the Chicago Woman's Club, as it has been carried on for many years, when we may, with considerable confidence, look to the community for substan- tial aid in achieving what we can never hope to achieve alone, namely, to own a site in the downtown district, and a build- ing suitable to our needs, and those of other similar organiza- tions, to be planned, built and owned by our Club. The sug- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 355 gestion was received at first with incredulity, followed by approval, and finally adopted with enthusiasm. Sub-commit- tees have worked out certain necessary details, the main is- sues of the plan have been printed, and a copy mailed to each member of the Club, and now the committee presents its plan as follows: 1. That the Club erect a building for a club home. 2. That with this end in view the Club establish two hundred and fifty perpetual memberships, at $1,000.00 each, these to be offered to club members in the order of date of membership, beginning with the earliest members of the Club. 3. That a Building Committee be formed in the follow- ing manner : A list of fifty members shall be selected by the Board of Managers and mailed to each member of the Club, requesting her to select from such list fifteen names, no more, no less, the fifteen having the highest number of votes to constitute the Building Committee of the Club, and that this Committee be authorized to select a site, consult architects, recommend plans, and supervise the construction. 4. That a subscription paper be opened in the Club, and each member be given the privilege of contributing to the fund for a club home. (The Committee wishes to emphasize the importance of generous and hearty support in the Club itself before we present our hopes and needs to the world outside.) 5. The Committee further recommends that if this plan is adopted by the Club, we retain our present quarters as a club home, doing our work with as small expense as possible. This, we believe, will not be difficult with the realization in sight of the hopes and dreams of a score of years. The Com- mittee feels that when we shall have a home of our own, with ample space for the Club, Department and Committee meet- ings, we shall experience a sense of freedom, of permanence, which we can never hope for in rented quarters that our usefulness will be multiplied many times that around this 356 ANNALS OF THE civic center will be crystallized the active club life of the women of Chicago. At the annual meeting May 1, 1915, a new by-law was adopted: Perpetual memberships may be acquired by the payment of $1,000.00. These memberships shall be limited to 250 in number, and shall be offered to the members of the Club in the order of their admission to the Club. Details of the transfer of these memberships shall be in the hands of the Board of Managers. April 28, 1915, Mrs. Watkins moved the endorsement of the bill for the education of the blind, and that the Club stand for pensions for the blind and allow the Legislative Committee to work for the bill. This was endorsed, as well as the nine- hour bill. The Corresponding Secretary reported: Of the writing of many letters there is no end some of which must be typewritten, others just as surely not: To the President of the United States, to the Governor of our own State, a great number to the Lieutenant Governor. Letters and telegrams to senators and representatives, both in Washington and Springfield; letters to the Mayor of Chicago, letters to civic committees and societies, to protective leagues and associations, comprehending every social, civic and dramatic cause, showing that the awakening trumpets which are arousing woman from her long torpor have surely reached the place where this Club dwells. And then, those other letters expressing a word of pro- found sympathy for members of the Club who are passing through the deep places in life forty-seven of these have been written this past year. The following paragraphs are taken from the report of the President, Helen Wooster Cooley, May 1, 1915: "Because of years of training and important participation in the public functions of society, our Club has developed an adaptability to the growing needs and changing ideals of the community and is ready to meet any emergency. The thirty- two reports of chairmen of departments and of standing and CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 357 special committees, to which it was our privilege to listen last Wednesday, brought under review the varied and manifold work of the Club. In them we found the full contemporary expression of the life of the Club, its interests, its ideals, and an evidence of earnestness of purpose and untiring service on the part of members. Perhaps our most constructive work this year has been that done at the Emergency Employment Center and in the Red Cross 'Work Room. The city's call for assistance in the solution of its problem of unemployment and destitution was urgent and imperious; the Club's response was immediate, intelligent and hearty. One of the inspirational features of the year was the reading on February 17, the thirty-ninth birthday of the Club, of the minutes of the first meeting. We were convinced, as we listened, that the present vitality of the Club was due to its vigorous beginning. A great club must presuppose a long period of conscious unity of effort, and ideals passionately cherished. Through graphic excerpts from our Club record, read by Mrs. Frank, we realized that our attitude today is due in a real historic sense to the attitude of our pioneers. A club that can look back over four decades of organized life is like a palimpsest, a parchment that has been scrawled over and over again by successive owners, showing the hand- writing of many generations, many words obliterated, many more illegible. The service of our Club History Committee in following back the threads into this labyrinth of facts is only less difficult than it is valuable. No estimate of the year's work would be in any way satisfying without some reference to the new opportunities which have come to us with broader citizenship. The last thirty-nine years, coincident with the life of the Club, have witnessed a slow awakening of public sentiment. They have witnessed woman's gradual participation in public affairs. When the names of two women, who had for many years lavished their best for the common good, were presented at 358 ANNALS OF THE the fall elections for positions on the County Board, we planned a non-partisan mass-meeting at the Illinois Theatre to advance their cause, not because they were women, but because we believed that they were the best candidates for the position. Our growth had been so gradual that this seemed the natural, inevitable step to take. I record it as an interest- ing evidence of our position as a connecting link between the old order and the new. It has been said often and in many ways on this plat- form this winter that in this hour of world crisis the women of the world are the custodians of civilization. My cherished dream is a larger club home a home of our own where we may adequately take care of our hard-working committees, and give space to other women's organizations meeting in the heart of the city a woman's civic building. May not this undertaking for a new home of our own become a leverage by which we may lift the Club to new heights of achievement ?" The Club year of 1915-1916 opened with a reception to the President, Helen Wooster Cooley. The meeting of Octo- ber 13 was devoted to a retrospective view of the nearly completed forty years of the Club's existence. Besides papers and addresses on "The Old Spirit and the New: Our Losses and Our Gains," there were messages from friends at a dis- tance. An Industrial Program was taken for a joint study class by the Reform, Philanthropy, Education and Home Depart- ments. The Art and Literature Department chose the "Search for the Spirit of Optimism" as the subject for the literary study class. The forestry, art, drama, German, French, English and music study classes reported excellent programs. The drama class studied, "The Play, Its Structure and Achievement"; the French class offered three lectures by Mme. Brugnot on France in 1915. The Home Department had as its general subject: "Development in the Science of Home- making," to which 14 programs were devoted. The Education CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 359 Department had six programs on different phases of its work, besides taking part in the joint industrial programs. The Reform Department had seven programs, in addition to the joint indust- rial programs. The Philosophy and Science Department studied the International Problem and the Human Problem. June 3, 1915, the Board of Managers selected fifty mem- bers, from which list fifteen were elected for a Committee on Building; Miss Grace E. Temple was made chairman by the committee. October 27, 1915, the Legislative Committee reported nine bills that had passed in the State Senate and House which the Club had endorsed, among them the Kate Adams law, the bill to return a banner to Louisiana woman, the injunction and abate- ment law, the vital statistics bill, the relief of adult blind; the teachers' pension bill. The ordinance to license hotels, giving the Mayor of Chicago power to revoke license because of violations, was passed by the City Council in 1907, as well as an ordinance making the owners of buildings of disreputable places liable to prosecution. The impetus given and public sentiment created by the Chicago Woman's Club were conceded to have insured the passage of this bill, which has now been made a State law known as the Injunction and Abatement Law. Mrs. Caroline M. Underwood was made an honorary mem- ber at the meeting of October 27, 1915. November 10, 1915, Dr. Caroline Hedger gave a graphic account of her work for the relief of the suffering Belgians. She spoke with gratitude of the $5,000.00 worth of typhoid vaccine given her for her work by Dr. Mary Lincoln, which enabled her, with the help of the authorities, and especially of Dr. Persoons at Willebroeck, near Antwerp, practically to stamp out typhoid in that part of the country. She read let- ters of thanks from Burgomaster De Vos of Antwerp, from the Belgian government and from the Rockefeller Founda- tion, and presented to the Chicago Woman's Club a medal, given to her in appreciation of the Americans from the grate- ful Belgians. In addition to the typhoid relief work Dr. Hedger 360 ANNALS OF THE worked arduously in the distribution of materials for wearing ap- parel and thousands of garments. Through her initiative the ac- cumulated mass of clothing was released and distributed. Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Gilman spoke on the American- ization of the immigrant, and a standing committee was ordered to be formed to take up the work. November 28, 1915, Anne Rhodes gave an address on "Americanization of the Immi- grant." The Philanthropy Department contributed $100.00 for the purchase of materials for an industrial psychopathic laboratory, and in November of 1915, in the rooms of the Club, the results of some of this special training in reed and raffia work were ex- hibited, clearly showing that the effort of the Philanthropy De- partment in establishing the first industrial psychopathic labora- tory in a penal institution in this country must bring results. November 25, 1915, Mrs. Pethick Lawrence, of London, spoke to the Club on "Women and War." Mme. Rosika Schwim- mer spoke on "Women and Peace." The Rev. Mr. Dickey, founder of the American Church in Berlin, addressed the Club in defense of Germany and the Emperor. Mrs. Jay, chairman of the Resolutions Committee, presented resolutions on the death of Mrs. Charles Butler Holmes. In honor of Mrs. Holmes, one of the founders of the Club, the members stood to receive the resolutions. Whereas, The members of the Chicago Woman's Club have learned with sorrow of the death of one of their oldest and most honored associates, Mrs. Charles Butler Holmes, who entered into rest on Thursday, November 19. Mrs. Holmes was one of the founders of this Club, its first vice-president, and the first chair- man of the Art and Literature Department. While her interest centered largely in her own Department's work, she found time and pleasure in the great civic and reform measures carried on by the Club. Her wise counsel and good judgment did much through the years for the up-building of this great structure the Chicago Woman's Club. She was a woman of rare personal- ity and charm, of education and culture, who brought sweetness CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 361 and hope and strength to her many friends, both within and with- out the Club borders. She became a teacher in the public schools of this city at the age of sixteen, later devoting her talent to painting. How beautiful the going out of a life that has been full of beautiful days, crowded with beautiful deeds, and not until the sun was low in the sky did the Great Reaper gather her into the better fold. Therefore be it Resolved, That in the death of Mrs. Charles Butler Holmes the Club has sustained a loss of one of its valued members, and that her associate members hereby express their sympathy to her surviving relatives, also that this action be spread upon the records of the Club and a copy be sent to her family. Grand Opera Day was celebrated Dec. 2, 1915, at Orchestra Hall, where a beautiful program was given, followed by a re- ception in the Club rooms. Mrs. Edward L. Upton was in charge of the day. Mrs. Cooley gave an address, and the musi- cal program was given by Mmes. Carmen Melis, Julia Claussen, Conchita, Supervia, and Messrs. Graham Marr, Alfred Mague- nat, Karl von Cochems and William Middelschulte. December 15, the program was given by the English Study Class of the Art and Literature Department; Dr. E. H. Lewis read short stories and poems written by members of the class. December 8, Dr. Myra Reynolds read a paper on "Educa- tion of Women in the 18th Century", being the convocation ad- dress given last spring at the dedication of the Ida Noyes Me- morial Hall, and repeated by special request of the President at this Club meeting. January 5, 1916, Helen M. Hyde gave a lecture on "Cherry Blossom Day in Old Japan". January 12, Walter Lippman spoke on "Woman's Sphere in Politics". He recommended non-partisanship and interest in local affairs. January 26, 1916, a resolution was adopted asking the mem- bers to endorse the campaign of the Red Cross Society to in- crease its membership and urging the members of the Club to join the American Red Cross. The President was empowered to appoint a committee to execute the details, and enlist the 362 ANNALS OF THE interest and co-operation of other women's clubs in Chicago and vicinity. The Club endorsed the federal child labor bill, and the bill to establish a national park service. We quote from the review of work accomplished, given in the calendar of 1886-1887, at the close of the first decade of the Club's life: "On the fifth of December, 1883, a general discussion took place on the question, 'Shall the Club engage in any practical work ?' The original intention of its founder, as expressed in the by-laws, provided for practical work. Every member accepted with pride and enthusiasm the sentiment: We are a working Club. It would be impossible to give more than a brief synopsis of the lines of work which the Club has accomplished or under- taken, leaving it to the memory of those actively engaged to sup- ply the record of days and weeks of patient and persevering effort ; the obstacles encountered and removed ; the official boards and public functionaries interviewed ; the miles traveled in tours of investigation ; the rapidly succeeding alternations of hope and discouragement; the perplexing questions of what to do first, how to do it, and where to begin. The first work of the Club was the organization of the Women's Physiological In- stitute, in 1880, which provided yearly, free to all women, an admirable course of 12 lectures upon physiology and hygiene. Then came the work for kindergartens and the secur- ing of the appointment of night matrons, besides day matrons, for the women's department of the county jail; visiting the jails and police stations, and investigating cases of alleged neglect or abuse of women or children; suggesting to the proper officials reforms in management of such places; visit- ing and making a detailed report to the Club of the various charities of the city. The report on hospitals found its way into public print, and was made the basis of a sermon by Rev. Dr. Barrows, and used by him as a lever to move his denom- ination in the matter of establishing the Presbyterian Hospital. Three successive appointments of a woman physician to the female wards of the Cook County Insane Asylum were secured ; CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 363 the investigation of the alleged abuses in the management of that charity ; work in the direction of securing state reformatory and penal schools for delinquent children, and state industrial schools for dependent children ; work for reforms in our statutes, touching certain unjust debt laws and the age of consent ; work for compulsory education, for manual training in the public schools, for both girls and boys; for the introduction of the kindergarten system into the public schools ; the bringing forward by the Home Committee of a plan for a training school for do- mestics ; a system in the spread and support of free kindergartens for poor children ; the establishing of a protective agency for women and children, which covered a large field in active philan- thropy, far-reaching in both its objects and results." As a result of the compulsory education bill, and the work of our committees for the schools, the Truant Aid Committee was organized in October, 1889; the name was changed to School Children's Aid Committee in March, 1890; it became an inde- pendent society in May, 1894. The first mention of a Thanks- giving collection appearing in the Club records is in 1893. In the calendar of 1888-1889, there is also a review of the work of each committee, and at the close a sketch of the Women's League, which was a federation of clubs organized in the club rooms at the call of the Chicago Women's Club, May 23, 1888, representatives from 57 women's organizations meeting in council. It was a "federation for mutual sympathy and counsel among all organizations of women which have for their aim the improvement of human conditions; the promotion of more fra- ternal relations and better acquaintance with the aims and methods of each; better facilities for intercommunication upon subjects of common interests and also for the study of the wisest and most economical methods of advancing the various philan- thropies which the several societies represent." The Club has invariably followed its endorsement of legisla- tive measures by action. Especially when bills for women and children were before the legislature, the Club invariably sent representatives to Springfield to work for the bills. 364 ANNALS OF THE February 28, 1906, the Chairman of the Reform Department asked every member of the Club to consider herself a hostess for a mass meeting March 14, to consider the urgent need of a state epileptic colony. All the State Senators and Representa- tives were invited and the head of the Craig Colony of New York came from the East and gave an illustrated lecture. The cause of the epileptics was brought to the Club in 1894 by Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson. The first mass meeting in the West on Infant Mortality was held in the Club parlors, April 25, 1910. This meeting was called by Mrs. Frederick A. Lorenz, Vice-President of the Club, who was sent by Mayor Busse to the first Congress on Infant Mor- tality held in New Haven, in November, 1909. The Club is a charter member of the National Infant Mortality Congress. The cottages at Oak Forest for impoverished married couples, especially the aged, were asked for by our Club. Time has proved this provision most humane, as the companionship of years remains unbroken, lessening the bitterness of accepting charity. Today again there looms up the project of a building to house the Woman's Club and kindred organizations. Many have been the "committees on permanent rooms" appointed. The discussions of plans presented in open meetings served to educate the mem- bers in practical matters, and the work of the committees evi- denced the altruism of those who gave much time and effort and wisdom garnered through experience. This applies to countless committees doing work for the Club in all its activities. The fact that our membership is drawn from the suburbs and from all parts of the city makes a central location imperative. January 29, 1916, the Art and Literature Department gave a luncheon at which the results of its work in the community were discussed by William L. Chenery, Joseph Husband, Rev. Rupert Jones, Prof. William Nitze, Jens Jensen, Horace Bridges and Ralph Clarkson. Saturday, February 5, John Masefield lec- tured in Fullerton Hall under the auspices of the Art and Lit- erature Department, his subject being "English Poets." Feb- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 365 ruary 2, the President stated that a communication had been re- ceived from Florence Kelly, asking the Club to send a letter of endorsement of the appointment of Louis D. Brandeis for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States to our representatives in Washington; the motion to urge the confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Brandeis was carried. The Chicago Woman's Club on February 16, 1916, cele- brated its fortieth anniversary. The program, arranged by Mrs. George B. Carpenter, was as follows: Introduction, Mrs. Har- lan Ward Cooley; Presentation of Club Chronicles, Mrs. Henry L. Frank; valentines by members were: 1876 February 17, The First Meeting, Mrs. Frank's Valentine; 1876-1916 Silhouettes, Their Valentine ; 1884 First Kindergarten, Mrs. Jerome's Valen- tine ; 1893-1899 The Juvenile Court, Mrs. Harry Hart's Valen- tine; 1892-1916 Art Institute Scholarship, Miss Grace Dixon's Valentine; 1893-1916 Public School Art, "The Room Beau- tiful", Jones School; Social Center Pictures, the gift of Public School Art Society, Mrs. John H. Buckingham's Valentine; 1893-1916 Emergency Centers, Mrs. H. P. Young's Valentine; 1913-1916 Civic Music, The Children's Valentine; 1888-1916 Permanent Rooms The Dream, Our Valentine. In presenting the volume of typewritten excerpts on which the Club history is founded, Mrs. Frank said : "The Chicago Woman's Club has kept the records of its ac- tivities during the forty years of its existence. They have not been forty years of aimless wandering in the desert. They have been years of steady striving for the best in life, of notable achievement for the good of the community, combating evil ten- dencies, that threatened the welfare of the young and the weak, while helping in all that tended to make our civic life an expres- sion of high ideals. These records of our Club touch life in all its phases ; they show; the quest for knowledge, the will to serve, the good ac- complished. Your history committee has been delving in the past, and brings to you this volume of chronicles of our forty years, 366 ANNALS OF THE gleaned from records and reports. They form the basis of the history which your committee is preparing. This chronicle is not a book with seven seals, anyone of us may open it, and read therein, and gather inspiration for further endeavor. To one who has lived through the events recorded in brief, rich memories are stirred and scenes appear upon the screen of the mind, bringing back to us the faces of the pioneers, who led us into the promised land of wider civic life. Miss Eliza Hosmer has collected photographs of the found- ers, representing them in the prime of life. Their photographs will soon adorn the walls of our Club rooms. Many of them no longer meet with us, though their spirit continues to inspire their successors, who appreciate to the full the value of their example, the opening of the portals of opportunity to many, the incentive to study, the chance to work with others, granted by the Club they called into life. The history will not be as ponderous a tome as these chroni- cles. We have sought to select events and phases that mirror the development of our club-life. There was naught to ex- tenuate, and we have naught set down in malice. A procession of men and women appear in these annals, whose words are of lasting value, whose example must spur us on to ever greater efforts for the good of the community of which we form a part. Madam President, the History Committee begs you to ac- cept for the Club this token of their industry, as well as of their good will. We value the honor bestowed upon us in being chosen to render a service to this, our Club, which looks back upon forty years of glorious life." The History Committee appointed in 1910 consisted of Hen- riette G. Frank, Amalie Hofer Jerome, Alice E. Bates, Lula B. Carpenter, Harriott A. Fox, Fannie J. Howe, Mary E. Lewis, Helen C. Peirce, Jessie C. Shears, Caroline K. Sherman, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Flora E. Talbot, Lydia A. Coonley-Ward, Mary H. Wilmarth, Keturah G. Beers, Nellie J. O'Connor, Celia P. Woolley, Louise D. Sherman, Alice S. Tracy. To fill vacan- CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 367 cies on the committee, these names were added: Marian B. Upton, Mary K. Bartlett and Helen W. Cooley. After the symposium of October 13, 1916, on "The Old Spirit and the New ; Our Losses and Our Gains", the President, Mrs. Cooley, read the following pledge: Realizing that because of the splendid history of our Club there comes to us an unusual opportunity for usefulness and a proportionate burden of responsibility, and believing that our lives have derived much richness and value from the opportunity here offered to come in contact with the great social forces of to-day, we feel that in this common experience we are the joint heritors of a noble estate. In an endeavor to be worthy of this high heritage, we do at the beginning of this fortieth year of the Club's life, dedicate ourselves anew to the duties and obliga- tions that attach to this relationship, and pledge to our Club, and to all who give their services in its behalf, our continued love, loyalty and support. 368 ANNALS OF THE CHAPTER XL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS. The Chicago Woman's Club has given financial aid, as well as personal service, to the furtherance of civic, cultural and phil- anthropic interests. The following statement of gifts from the Club as a whole, and from the Departments severally, is taken from data in our records. The list has been compiled by Alice Salisbury Tracy. These figures bear witness to the substantial benefits bestowed upon schools, universities and other institu- tions of our commonwealth through the Club and its Depart- ments and Committees. From 1876 to 1890 the members were assessed to carry on the work undertaken by the Club. From 1890 to the present time, 1916, the necessary funds for Depart- ment work were secured to the various Departments by a system whereby a portion of the annual dues was assigned to each De- partment according to its membership. This plan was supplemented in some of the Departments by generous gifts from members who found themselves unable tc give personal attention and effort to the work in hand, thereby enabling these Departments to expend amounts larger than would be possible from the sums received from the Club. Amounts collected through the initiative of the Club and its Departments, to further work undertaken, are included. In preparing the following lists, the compiler has not added the ordinary expenses of the Club and Departments, such as rent, house expenses, furnishings, salaries, etc. The items in these lists were taken from the minutes of the meetings of the Club and Departments, and from the Treasurers' reports, begin- ning in 1876 and continuing to April, 1916. If the totals do not fully cover all the financial activities of the Club in the field we have sought to embrace, it is due, in some measure at least, to the fact that some members have preferred that contributions made by them should not be passed through the records. Be this as it may, the showing which the records permit to be made is one of which the members of the Club and Departments may very well be proud. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 369 CLUB CONTRIBUTIONS, FROM FEBRUARY 1876 TO JANUARY 1, 1916 American Association for the Study and Prevention of In- fant Mortality $ 175.00 Anti-Cigarette League 7.00 Art Committee Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs 10.00 Art Fund 1,139.00 Art Purchasing Committee 2,488.00 Arts and Crafts Committee, including Work of Handicraft Committee 274.79 Belgian Red Cross Field Hospital 90.00 Belgian Typhoid Relief Expedition 2,392.00 Better Housing Committee 100.00 Central Howard Association 70.00 Central Woman's Relief Fund for San Francisco 1,577.25 San Francisco Woman's Club 500.00 Chicago Art Association 4.00 Chicago Civic Improvement 1,250.00 Chicago Public School Art Society 420.00 Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee 1,287.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls 12,395.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage Furnishings 1,023.70 Chicago Woman's Club Dormitory, University of Chicago 200,000.00 Chicago Woman's Club Emergency Employment Center.. 9,883.24 Chicago Woman's Club Kindergarten Work 780.60 Chicago Woman's Club Red Cross Emergency Center.... 832.65 Chicago Woman's Club Red Cross Work Room, 1915 4,055.23 Chicago Woman's Club Work Room (1893) 25,000.00 Children's Day Expenses and Christmas Festival 55.50 Children's Hospital Society 40.00 Child Study League 10.00 Civic Music Association 405.74 Civics Committee 1,291.00 Civil Service Reform Committee, and I. F. W. C. Civil Service Reform Committee 264.00 City Garden Association 105.00 City Ordinances Committee of Reform Department 424.25 Defense of Unit System of Vocational Training 25.00 Egyptian Research Cabinet 45.00 Emergency Committee Federation of Peace Forces 139.50 Endowment Fund General Federation of Women's Clubs. 610.65 Enforcement of Ten Hours for Women Committee 90.00 Entertainment (1883 to 1890) 1,453.61 Equal Suffrage 457.00 Excursions (1883) 8.48 Finnish Benefits 685.25 Frederick Douglas Center 135.00 Friendly Aid Society 860.25 Glenwood School for Boys $40,000.00 to General Fund, $10,000.00 for Chicago Woman's Club Cottage, $200.00 for Library (the Club received $35,000.00 in stock) . . . 50,200.00 370 ANNALS OF THE Half Holiday Committee 498.06 Hubbard Bird Day 10.00 Hull House, Coffee House and Work. 184.37 Illinois Children's Home and Aid Society 50.00 Illinois Consumers' League 25.00 Illinois Improvement Association 5.00 Illinois Industrial School for Boys 101.50 Illinois Industrial School for Girls at Evanston, and in- cluding Park Ridge School for Girls 848.70 Industrial Congress and Conferences 399.90 Industrial Art Association 1,413.00 Infant Welfare Society and League 225.00 International Institute League of Spain 10.00 Jail School 745.00 Joint Committee on Vocational Training 1,167.65 Juvenile Court Committee, including Probation Officers' Salaries 404.00 Juvenile Protective League 375.00 Kitchen Garden Association 410.00 Lectures, and Woman's Suffrage Law 1,150.84 Legislative Committees 426.42 Legislative Congress 25.00 Library Committee, including Story-Telling, Traveling Li- brary and Books 1,119.15 Lincoln Jubilee 100.00 Local Biennial Board of General Federation of Women's Clubs 1,000.00 Maria Mitchell Endowment Fund 1,140.00 Mary Washington Fund 59.85 Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children, and care of Wards in Hospital 275.00 Memorial Public Fountain 5.00 Minimum Wage Conference 164.00 Municipal Art League, including Exhibition Committee Work 715.00 Municipal Suffrage 126.25 National Child Labor Committee 202.50 National Conference of Charities and Corrections 200.00 Neighborhood House Center Committee 275.00 Northwestern Library Association 13.60 Physicians' Institute 9.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society 554.00 Public Affairs Committee 100.00 Public School Social Centers 312.60 Receptions (1878 to 1892) 291.00 Reform Department Investigating Committee on Jail Adult Cases 200.00 Relief and Aid Society 80.10 Sane Fourth Association 50.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House, and Model Lodging House Association Work 690.00 Scholarships 50.00 Scholarships and Scholarship Fund for Pupils in Public Schools 463.00 CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 371 School Children's Aid Society 1,821.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 190.00 Social Hygiene Committee 266.88 Sunday Lecture Course 668.33 Sunday Open Door Committee 3,364.07 Tuberculosis Camps 1,800.00 United Study Class 187.00 Vassar Alumnae Association 65.00 Woman's League (1889) 5.00 World's Fair Emergency Committee 4,144.26 $352,240.72 Portion of above amount appearing in tables under De- partment headings (Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls) 9,940.62 $342,300.10 HOME DEPARTMENT. Chicago Commons $ 5.00 Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee 988.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls 376.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Tuskegee 35.00 Chicago Woman's Club Kindergarten 87.50 Clean Food Committee 5.00 Flower Mission 160.00 Frederick Douglas Center 30.00 Industrial Association 35.00 Joint Committee for Vocational Training 62.00 Kitchen Garden Association 82.00 Lectures 130.00 Library Committee, Traveling Libraries, and 160 Books sent to the Philippines 175.00 Maternity Hospital 50.00 Neighborhood House Center 97.00 Old Ladies' Fund 50.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 10.00 Probation Officer 10.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society 1,875.00 Public Drinking Fountain 15.00 Purcell Library 25.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House, and Model Lodging House Association v 205.00 Scholarships for Wards 50.00 School Children's Aid 330.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 205.00 Summer School 100.00 Training School for Maids 312.00 World's Fair Emergency Sewing Room 411.00 Dues for Representatives in Organizations Mentioned in List Above 86.00 $6,011.50 372 ANNALS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Bible Study Class $ 30.00 Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee 2,541.57 Chicago Woman's Club Civics Committee 20.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls 542.00 Child Study 10.00 Defective Children's Teacher 20.00 Entertainment National Education Association 200.00 Frederick Douglas Center 25.00 Hinman School (Kentucky, W. C. T. U.) 15.00 Illinois Congress of Mothers, and Delegates' Dues 76.00 Jail School 400.00 Juvenile Court Committee, Parental School 35.00 Legislative Committee 130.00 Library Committee, Books and Traveling Libraries 146.00 Mural Decorations in Albert G. Lane School 300.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 50.00 Pictures in Public Schools 12.45 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society 765.05 Public School Art Society 930.00 Public School Social Centers 50.00 Public School Scholarship Fund 771.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 80.00 Tuskegee Cottage and Kindergarten 35.00 Woman's Outdoor Art League 40.00 $7,224.07 PHILANTHROPY DEPARTMENT. Alice E. Bates Circle and Social Purity $ 56.50 Batavia Home for Girls 14.00 Blue Bird Cottage $ 332.25 Blue Bird Nest 500.00 Avalon Cottage 1,067.72 Holiday Home 275.00 2,174.97 Book Socials 33.58 Bridewell Girls' Home 491.82 Bureau of Charities 6.00 Central Eleanor Association (including seven pictures $25.00) 84.00 Central Howard Association 55.00 Chicago Refuge for Girls 25.00 Chicago Rescue and Maternity Home 35.00 Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee 1,154.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls $1,977.00 Furnishings 174.00 2,151.00 CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 373 Chicago Woman's Club Emergency Center 25.00 Chicago Woman's Outdoor Art League 87.00 Chicago Woman's Club, Tuskegee Cottage 52.51 Children's Concert 5.00 Civics Committee 275.00 Civil Service Committee 45.00 Defective Children, including Salary of Teacher 70.00 Epileptic Colony 4.42 Equal Suffrage 60.00 Esther Falkenstein Settlement 240.00 Evergreen Home 10.00 Flower Mission 135.00 Foster School Shoe Cobbling 30.00 Frederick Douglas Center 216.00 Glenwood School for Boys 7,074.00 Hinman School (Kentucky. W. C. T. U.) 110.00 Home Teaching of Adult Blind From Department $3,521.91 From Club 1,015.00 Christian Record 75.00 Sales of Department of Blind, at Rothschild's, in charge of Philanthropic Department.... 2,497.28 7,109.19 Housing Committee 50.00 Immigrants Protective League 440.00 Institutional Church Kindergarten 5.00 Joint Committee on Vocational Training 222.00 Juvenile Court Committee, including Probation Officers' Salaries 1,120.00 Juvenile Protective League 950.00 Lectures 81.70 Legislative Committee 12.50 Library Committee 167.00 Mary Thompson Hospital 25.00 Miss Julia Lathrop's Book 97.40 Parental School 1.50 Park Ridge School for Girls 175.00 Penny Savings Bank 9.00 Phyllis Wheatley Home 100.00 Prisoners' Friend 90.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society 3,483.00 Public School Social Centers (also lunches served for three months in Schiller School) 110.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House, and Model Lodging House Association 55.00 School Children's Aid 145.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 155.00 Social Hygiene 437.57 Social Settlement Committee 5.00 Special Charity Fund 208.79 Sunday Open Door 53.00 Sunday Orchestra Concerts 2,234.80 Travelers' Aid Home 50.00 374 ANNALS OF THE Tuberculosis Camp 25.00 University Settlement and Playgrounds 161.90 Vacation Savings Fund . . 25.00 Psychopathic Work 50.00 Dues for Representatives in Organizations Mentioned in List Above 66.00 $32,640.15 REFORM DEPARTMENT. Anti-Cruelty Society $ 12.00 Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee 976.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls 2,689.26 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage Furnishings 911.00 Chicago Woman's Outdoor Art League Bungalow 5.25 Chicago Woman's Club Red Cross Emergency Center 20.00 Child Conservation Committee 10.00 Children's Hospital Society, including Milk Commission.... 60.00 City Ordinances Committee 782.53 Civic Committee of Chicago Woman's Club 397.15 Civic Music 10.00 Civil Service Committee 272.53 County Institutions Committee, including Salary of Teacher, and Reading Matter 2,005.00 Drama League of America 2.00 Ellen Wilson Memorial Room 10.00 Equal Suffrage Committee 115.00 Flower Mission 80.00 Frederick Douglas Center 40.00 Free Kindergarten 15.00 Gad's Hill Settlement Playground 25.00 Housing Committee 50.00 Illinois Children's Home and Aid Society 25.00 Illinois Consumers' League T . 5.00 Immigrants Protective League 295.00 Industrial Progress : 90.00 Infant Welfare 135.00 Investigation of Illinois Industrial School at Evanston. . . .. 50.00 Investigation of Midwifery of Chicago 50.00 Investigation of Shopping Conditions 30.00 Jail School, including Prison Reform Work, and Teachers' Salary 904.63 Joint Committee on Vocational Training 62.00 Juvenile Court Committee, including Probation Officers' Salaries, Parental School, and Juvenile Court Girls' Apartments 1,614.62 Juvenile Protective League 170.00 Lectures 178.00 Legislative Committee 56.87 Library Committee (one Traveling Library and 25 Books) . 180.00 Kitchen Garden Association (1899) 200.00 Mary Thompson Hospital, and Bed for Wards of Club 283.50 CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 375 Mass Meeting 50.00 Minimum Wage for Women 100.00 Municipal Suffrage 60.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 865.56 Penny Lunches 15.00 Penny Savings Bank 40.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society 2,088.00 Public Affairs Committee 25.00 Public Comfort Stations 10.00 Public School Social Centers 120.50 Public Service Committee 25.00 Reform Work 260.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House, and Model Lodging House Association 85.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 90.00 Social Hygiene 124.38 Social Worker in Jail 20.00 Speakers for Clubs in Outlying Districts 50.00 State School for Girls at Geneva 64.75 Summer School, and Teacher for Defective Children 90.00 Sunday Open Door 60.00 Teacher at Oak Forest 25.00 $17,086.53 ART AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT. Art Fund $ 1,477.71 Art Institute Scholarship Fund and Scholarships 1,728.35 Artistic Appointments 1,553.56 Art Work in Public Schools 305.20 California Sufferers ; 100.00 Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee 2,951.00 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls 3,902.11 Educational Work 102.40 Egyptian Research 75.00 Flower Mission 142.80 Frederick Douglas Center , 1 10.00 Home Teaching of Adult Blind 25.00 Hospitality Committee 1,082.60 Joint Committee on Vocational Training 100.00 Juvenile Court Committee 10.00 Lectures 355.30 Library Committee, Books and Traveling Libraries 773.68 Municipal Art League and Exhibition Committee 150.00 Mural Decorations and Frieze in Juvenile Detention Home 1,000.00 Mural Decorations in McKinley High School, $1,500 sky- light from Chicago Woman's Club and gifts of High School Alumni 12,189.00 Neighborhood House Music Study Class 691.60 Pergola in Small Park, Bellevue Place 1,320.00 376 ANNALS OF THE Permanent Art Furnishings 1,572.23 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society (1890 to 1902) 440.00 Public School Social Centers 80.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House, and Model Lodging House Association 80.00 School Children's Aid Society 200.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 50.00 Shakespeare Day (1902 to 1915) 4,294.94 Study Classes Art $1,581.65 Drama 733.69 Forestry 402.25 French 819.30 German 380.15 Gaelic 100.00 Italian 85.82 Literary 622.50 Music 1,034.26 5,759.62 Summer Schools 251.50 Sunday Open Door 234.00 Dues for Representatives in Organizations Mentioned in List Above 210.00 $43,317.60 PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. Chicago School Extension Committee, including Vacation School Committee $ 391.00 Chicago Woman's Club Civics Committee 10.00 Chicago Woman's Cottage at Park Ridge School for Girls 454.25 Chicago Woman's Club Cottage at Tuskegee 567.50 Egyptian Research Society 1,578.50 Esther Falkenstein Settlement 240.00 Flower Mission 10.00 Frederick Douglas Center 40.00 Guaranty Fund 57.64 Joint Committee for Vocational Training 24.00 Library Committee 100.00 Neighborhood House Settlement Work 42.02 Protective Agency for Women and Children, and Legal Aid Society 196.00 Psychological Investigation, to Students in University of Chicago 100.00 Refuge for Girls 125.00 Scholarship in University of Chicago 305.00 School Children's Aid Society 160.00 Students' Reference Bureau 95.31 Study Classes l,292!oO Sunday Open Door 118.25 $5,906.57 CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB 377 CONTRIBUTIONS, JANUARY 1, 1916, TO APRIL 1, 1916. CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB. Chicago Woman's Club Birthday Jubilee $ 100.00 Chicago Woman's Club Red Cross Committee 573.00 Equal Suffrage Committee 25.00 Ellen Wilson Memorial Homes, Washington, D. C 25.00 Illinois Equal Suffrage Association 100.00 Adult Blind Committee, Home Teaching 100.00 Housing Committee, Medill School Housekeeping Class... 75.00 Infant Welfare Society 200.00 Illinois Children's Home and Aid Society 100.00 Municipal Art League 50.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 25.00 Public School Art Society 50.00 School Children's Aid Society 200.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House 100.00 Sunday Open Door Committee 50.00 $ 1,773.00 HOME DEPARTMENT. Civic Music Association $ 10.00 Ellen Wilson Memorial Homes 10.00 Frederick Douglas Center 10.00 Chicago Housewives League membership 1.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children and Legal Aid Society 50.00 Library Committee 5.00 Propaganda Work, McKinley High School 25.00 School of Domestic Arts and Science 10.00 Scholarship Committee of Vocational Training 10.00 Membership 2.00 $ 133.00 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Ellen Wilson Memorial Homes $ 10.00 Frederick Douglas Center 10.00 Jones School Center 15.00 Joint Committee Vocational Training 60.00 Library Committee 10.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 25.00 Public Schools as Social Centers 25.00 Public School Art Society Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House 15.00 ART AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT. Frederick Douglas Center $ 25.00 Library Committee 25.00 Lincoln Highway Film 50.00 Chicago Woman's Outdoor Art League membership.... 2.00 $ 102.00 378 ANNALS OF THE CHICAGO WOMAN'S CLUB PHILANTHROPY DEPARTMENT. Blue Bird Cottage $ 20.00 Bridewell Girls Home 50.00 Ellen Wilson Memorial Homes 10.00 Evergreen Home 50.00 Flower Mission 10.00 Frederick Douglas Center. . . .^ 50.00 Hinman School (Kentucky W. C. T. U.) 10.00 Adult Blind Committee. Home Teaching (Materials for work) 10.00 Infant Welfare Society and League 60.00 Juvenile Protective Association 50.00 Joint Committee for Vocational Training 50.00 Library Committee 10.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 25.00 Phyllis Wheatley Home 15.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children and Legal Aid Society 50.00 Sarah H. Stevenson Memorial Lodging House 15.00 School Children's Aid Society 25.00 Traveler's Aid Home . 50.00 560.00 REFORM DEPARTMENT. Child Conservation Committee $ 10.00 Civic Music Association 10.00 Ellen Wilson Memorial Homes 10.00 Adult Blind Committee, Home Teaching 10.00 Illinois Equal Suffrage Association 25.00 Juvenile Protective Association 10.00 Joint Committee Vocational Training , 25.00 Library Committee 10.00 Park Ridge School for Girls 25.00 Social Service Committee 10.00 Protective Agency for Women and Children and Legal Aid Society 5.00 Morals Court Committee membership 2.00 152.00 RECAPITULATION. Chicago Woman's Club $344,073.00 Home Department 6,144.50 Education Department 7,419.07 Philanthropy Department 33,200.15 Reform Department 17,238.53 Art and Literature Department 43,419.60 Philosophy and Science Department 5,906.47 $457,401.42 INDEX A. Academy of Science, 265. Adams School, 321, 348. Adult blind, see "Blind." Adult parole, 278. Advisory committee, to public guardian, 194, to Club, 151. Agriculture, department of, 287. Amateur Musical Club, 98, 314. American Civic Association, 248. Americanization of immigrant, commit- tee, 360. Anniversary, eighteenth, 148-149; fortieth, program, 365-366. Annual dues, 151; apportionment to de- partments, 152. Annual reports of secretary, 27, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, 45, 52, 68, 69, 93, 126, 131. Anthony, Susan B., 166, 238, 345; death of. 246. Anti-child-labor committee, 287, 301. Anti-cigarette league, 363. Anti-cruelty society, 373. Anti-smoke committee, 270. Appropriations for public work, 95. Arbitration treaties, 289-290. Arbor day, 258. Arbutus day, 242. Architectural Club, 77-78, 200. Armenian women, 159. Armitage Avenue Settlement, 259, 267. Art and Literature, committee, 31; de- partment, study classes, 32. 79-80, 132, 156, 157, 165, 169, 175, 196, 198, 199, 226, 237, 242, 279, 280, 281, 282, 298, 299, 309, 358; contributions, 375, 376, 378. Arts and Crafts, society, 229; exhibit, 245, 282; committee, 369. Art Association, committee on, 204. Art fund, 369, 375. Art in Public Schools, 157, 245. Art Institute, new, 50. Art Institute, Scholarship, 78, 79, 175, 189, 237, 375; reception, 241; concerts, 197, 293-294, 323, 325-326, 340, 347, 373. Art purchasing committee, 152, 157, 203, 245, 369. Art work in public schools, 375. Artistic furnishings, 279, 375, 376, mark- ing of. 332-334. Associated Charities, 38, 97, 123. Association for the Advancement of Women. 10, 39, 40, 43, 44, 52, 57, 60. Association of Collegiate Alumnae, 50, 337. Association of Commerce, 288, 310. Athenaeum, 98. Auditing committee, 47. Audubon Society, program conducted by, 171, 370. Auxiliary associations, 65, 75. Avalon cottage, 295, 372. B. Baby farms, 231, 250. Ballot, printed, 19. Barton, Clara, 166, 287. Beautification of Chicago, 142, 165, 199, 200. Belgian relief expedition, 329-330, 359- 360, 369. Bellevue Place Park, 142, 199. 200-203, 375; letter to Mayor and Council, 202. Bible study class, 372. Biennial, 325-328, 345; local board, 325- 328. 370. Biennial, delegates to 168, 203, 268, 284, 298. Big trees of California, 235. Bill to punish rape, 222. Birth registration, 307, 316, 337. Blind, teaching of adult, 263-265, 338, 356. 373, 375, 377, 378; state control, 264, 292-293; books for, 264, 265; bill to provide colony for, 293; committee on, 263-265, 292-293. Blindness, prevention of, 307. Blue Bird cottage, 294-295, 340, 372, 378; Avalon, 372; Blue Bird Nest, 372. Board of Directors, see Managers, Board of. Board of Education; women on school board, 28-29, 35, 66, 67, 69-74, 80-81, 95, 125, 131; petitions to, 216, 251, 257, 305, 313, 321, 334, 340, 346, 347, 348; woman members entertained, 247; cleanliness of school rooms, 170; li- brary, 170, 228; pure water, 170; sal- aries of teachers, 163-164; walls to be tinted, 175, 176, 182. Board of Pardons, letter to, 322. Book plate, 196-197, 226. Book socials, 206, 372. Booth, Henry, house, 259. Boston Union, 26. Boys' court, 318. Bread wrapped, 307. Bridewell, 161, 162, 189, 205, 245, 331- 334, 372. 380 INDEX Brighton School, 80, 82. Building, projects, 97-08; 354, 355; reso- lutions on, 98, 168; committee, 355, 359. Bureau of Charities, 159, 160, 234, 372. Bureau of Commerce and Industry, 247. Bureau of Justice, 164. 205, 245, 370. Burr Industrial School, 26. Business meetings: Fourth Wednesday, 74, 100, 150, 170, 224. Business Women's Exchange, 207. By-laws, amendments, 49-50, 64-65, 145, 152, 153; three year limit of serv- ice, 100-102; 131, 243; first committee on, 24. C. Calendar, 17, 18, 50, 65, 101, 105, 138, 151, 194, 232, 362. California State federation, 307. Canal Zone federation, 260. Censors, board of, 297-298. Census bill, 260. Channing Club, 40. Charities and corrections; public, 45; com- mittee, 249; national, 370. Charity, organization, 346; Board of, 49; bureau of charities, 159, 1(>0, 234; spe- cial fund, 373. Charter convention, 252. 255; new, 261. Charter members, 23, 24, 194. Chicago Art Association, 369. Chicago Civic Improvement, 369. Chicago Historical Society, 186. Chicago Home for girls, 337. Chicago Peace Society, 329. Chicago Political Equality League, 133- 134, 168, 245, 320. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 314, 315, 347. Chicago Tuberculosis Institute, 321. Chicago Woman's Club of New York, 237, 290. Child conservation committee, 374, 378. Child labor, 171, 225, 239, 279, 287, 301- 302, 322; bills, 335, 337, 362; national committee, 370. Child problems, symposium, 164-165. Child study, In public schools, 241, 372; league, 369. Child welfare, 303; society, 342. Children, conference on, 175; defective, 171; school room for defective, 219; de- pendent and delinquent, 188; bill for dependent, 161. Children, from poor-houses, removal of, 147, 162, 220. Children, laws affecting women and, com- mittee on, 190. Children's Aid Society, 352; Home and Aid Society, 21, 231, 370. Children's bureau, federal, 260, 309, 319. Children's, Christmas entertainment, 174, 175, 289; Messiah, 175; programs, 336, 369. Children's, educational theatre commit- tee, 342, 343; theatres, 255. Children's Hospital, 21, 236; society, 21, 229, 233, 244, 250-251, 369, 374. Christmas carols, program, 268, 308. Christmas, sane, 308; shopping, 239, 253. City Club, 316, 347. City Council, 69, 242, 252, 258, 262, 263, 270, 300, 307, 308, 312, 316, 334, 359. City garden association, 369. City normal school, 254, 321. Civic congress, national, 263. Civic federation, 235. Civic Music Association, 314, 315, 323, 325, 326, 331, 347, 369, 374, 377, 378; Sunday concerts in field-houses, 312. Civics and Philanthropy, School of, 305. Civics committee, 258, 300-301, 308-309, 315-316, 323, 369, 372, 373, 374, 376; exhibit of, 316. Civil service, 129, 222, 237, 243, 249, 261, 317; reform association, 321; commit- tee, 369, 373, 374. Clean food organizations, 291; commit- tee, 371. Cliff dwellers, 235. Club, building. 354-355, 358. 364; colors, 18, 141; cottage, building and furnish- ing committee, 274-276; history, 19, 34, 39, 105; history committee, 313, 344- 347, 357, 365, 366, 367; New Orleans, 48; office, 20; pin, 10, 18, 111, 141; pledge, V., 367; Record, 259, 260; for- tieth anniversary, 377; contributions, 369, 371, 377; summary of contribu- tions, 378. Collegiate alumnae, 50, 229. Colorado cottage, 294-295, 340, 372, 378. Columbian Exposition, 19, 103; club ex- hibits, 104, 109, 110, 111, 138, 139; members' duties at, 111, 112; Colum- bian Housekeepers' Association, 124, 125, 135; congresses, 10, 108, 178; con- gress auxiliary, 112-116; flag, 108; guests, 138; hospitality, 104, 108; Lib- erty Boll, 108; Municipal Order League, 103, 108, 138; protection of girls, 107, 131; Sunday closing, 105-107; symposium on World's Fair, 133; Woman's Med- ical Board exhibit, 138, 139; World's Fair, 284. INDEX 381 Columbian Housekeepers' Association, 124, 125, 135. Commerce and Industry, department of, 235. Commons, Chicago, 371. Compulsory education, 55, 56, 68, 69, 347, 363; work for bill, 70, 71, 72, 81, 95- 96; special committee, 125, 126; legis- lation, 127, 171, 174, 176. 204; new law, 232, 260. Concerts, 197; Art Institute, 197, 293, 294, 323, 325-326, 340, 347; in field- bouses, see Civic Music Association. Conference, charities and corrections, na- tional, 370; dependent children, 175. Conference, women In industry, 236, 251; industrial, 370; minimum wage, 370. Congress of mothers, 372. Congress of Representative Women, 108. Conservation of natural resources, 263; Stony Island, 312; White Pine forest, 312; Starved Rock, 312, 322; Niagara Falls, 248. Consolidation of taxing bodies, 191. Constitutional convention, proposed, 308. Consumers League, 128. 131, 319, 347, 370; exhibit, 219, 239, 316, 374. Contagious Diseases* Act, 27; Hospital, 97, 129, 230, 296. Contents, table of, VII. Contributions, financial, 368-378. Cook County Infirmary, children's build- ing, 220-221; articles sent to. 219. Cook County League, proposed, 132-133, 175. Corresponding Secretary, report, 205, 316, 356. County Board, (see Cook County Com- missioners). Cook County charitable institutions, com- mittee on, 252, 276, 317, 374; resolu- tions, 94; visiting committee. 160, 193, 205, 230, 252; visitor, 135; teacher. 374. Cook County commissioners, 54, 230, 252, 272, 277, 278, 335; advisory committee, 323; women candidates, 338. Cook County institutions, committee, 252, 276, 317, 374. Cook County federation, 175. Cook County Hospital, 21. 277, 324; kin- dergarten, 276, 374; play-room, 276. Coulter House, 334. County charitable institutions, resolu- tions, 94; visitor, 135; visiting commit- tee, 160, 193, 205, 2.30, 252. Criminal Jurisprudence, 338. Crippled children, 229. 262, 277. D. Dairy farm inspection, 251. Dance halls, 238, 296. Day nurseries, 250. Decorative Art Society, 40, 50, 57. Defective children, 171, 373; school- room for, 219; teacher for, 372, 373. Delegates, 29, 57, 67, 69, 88-89, 99, 107, 168, 193, 203, 218, 268, 284, 298. Delinquent, boys and girls, 342; chil- dren, schools for, 363. Department, 18; change of name from committee to, 102. Dependent children, 38, 161; bill, 171; conference, 175; girls In institutions, 269; need of legislation for, 273; de- pendent and delinquent girls, 318-319. Deportation law. 221. Detention Home, 193. Detention Hospital, 65. Domestic, Arts and Science, 25; School of, 172. 194-195, 2O4, 207, 216. 218, 371, 372, 373, 375, 376. 377; scholar- ship, 232, 251; home science bureau, 220; home economics, 229; committee on domestic science, 204, 207; domes- tics, training school for, 48. 49, 363, 371; training for dependent girls, 273. Dore School, 348. Drama, 267, 280, 282, 299; committee on, 282. Drama league of America, 282, 374. Dues, department, to organizations, 371, 373. 376, 377. Dunning, 53, 161, 277; appointment of women physicians, 43, 53; committee on, 124, 231, 234; infirmary, 259. E. Education, compulsory, committee on, 204. Education Department, study classes, 158, 218, 358-359; contributions, 372, 377, 378. Educational commission bill, 195, 204, 217-218; committee on, 205. Educational congress, 168; work, 375. Egg sale, 291. Egyptian explorations, 154-155; research, 187". 369, 375, 376. Eleanor Association, 351, 372. Election of members, 30, 150, 151. Electrification of terminals. 288. Emergency and relief work, 1893-94, 10, 20, 116-117, 118-123, 125, 139, 369, 371, 372, 373; employment burenu, 124, 329; employment center committee, 335, 337, 342, 345, 349-354, 357, 369. Emerson bas-relief, 234. 382 INDEX Employment, bureau for women and girls, 124, 329; of -women, 322; free bureau, 351; municipal bureau, 335; of -women and children, 120, 126. English language, teaching to foreign- ers, 38. English study class, 282, 298-299, 361. Epileptics, need of care, 158-159; bill for, 216, 222, 277; colony for, 193, 216, 260, 364, 373. Equal Suffrage Committee, 318. 325, 369, 373, 374, 377. Esther Falkenstein settlement, 373, 376. Etiology of dependence, 250, 265. Everett School, 320. Evergreen Home. 373, 378. Evolution of Chicago, 267. Excursions, 369. Exhibit, 50, 156, 165, 219, 239, 245, 282. 300, 316; housing. 323; at Colum- bian Exposition, 104, 109, 110, 111, 138. F. Factory inspection, 132, 216, 307. Federation, of city clubs, 133-134; Wom- en's League, 65-66. 363; women's clubs, 58-61, 69, 140, 168, 171, 268; Cook County Clubs, 24; organization, 175, 176; Illinois Clubs, 146-147, 166, 168, 173; federation day, 289; of labor, 316; league, 132-133, 175, 176, 191, 251; of peace forces, 369. Feeble-minded, children, summer school for, 205; women, 319; state school, 319. Festivals in field-houses, 256. Finance and auditing committee, 47, 240. Finnish benefit. 369. Fire prevention, 338, 339. First aid to the injured, 132, 140. Flower mission, 371, 373, 374, 375, 376, 378. Food and Market Club, 51st Street, 291; committee, 324. Food commission, 233; inspection, 242; pure. 290-291. Forester, city, 258, 289. Forestry, class, 280-281, 298, 312. Foreword, III. Formality in method, 30, 31, 35, 38, 43, 45. Fortnightly, The, 10, 12, 15, 52, 98. Foster School. 321, 348, 373. Founders' day, 148, 149, 166. Fourth of July, sane, 370. Franklin School, 343. Frederick Douglas Center, 269, 342, 369, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378. Friendly Aid Society, 120, 269, 342, 369. Friends in Council, 15. Froebel Association, 80, 81, 82. G. Garbage, 258; problem, 312. Gardens, 258. Garment workers' strike, 286. General Federation of Women's Clubs, 22, 57, 58-61, 69, 88-89, 140. 168, 171, 246, 266,^68, 289, 290, 311, 324, 325, 328, 370; endowment fund, 369. Geneva Home for Girls, 193, 207, 219, 288-289, 319, 322. Gifts to Club, 46, 99, 153. 165, 234, 281, 331, 333. Glee Club, Chicago College, 334. Glenwood School for Boys, 72, 80, 82- 88, 158, 369, 370, 373; committee on, 204, 230, 259, 271, 279. Goodnow bill, 334. Grand opera day, 287, 361. Grant monument unveiling, 97. Guaranty fund, 376. Guests, 35, 56, 74, 138, 289, 300, 313. Guest book. 330. H. Hague Conference, 268. Haines practice school, 321. Half-holiday committee, 287, 319, 347, 370. Half-fare rates for school children, 207. Hamline School, committee, 254-255, 256. Hampton Institute, 232. Handicraft in public schools, 245, 253- 254, 369. Harrison High School, 347. Health department, 231, 233, 250, 308; commission, 262. Henderson bill, 338. Hetch-Hetchy Valley reserve, 263. High license, 284. Hinman School, Kentucky, 372, 373, 378. Historical, research committee, 344. History, club, 19, 34, 39, 105; committee, 313, 344-347, 357. 365, 366, 367. Home, Department study classes, 109, 165, 207, 358; contributions, 371, 378. Home, economics, 229; home making, 339. Home for self-supporting women, 65. Home, for girls and boys, 249; for un- fortunate girls, 249; Batavia, 372; Hol- iday, 372. Home, Geneva, 288-289, 375; Chicago, for girls, 337; Bridewell, 372. 378; Phyl- lis Wheatley, 373, 378; school for paroled boys, 221; newsboys, 48. INDEX 383 Home science bureau, 20. Home teaching of adult blind. 263-265, 292-293; see "Blind." Hospital, Cook County, 276. 277, 317; for children, 260; for Infectious dis- eases; mass meeting for, 97, 129, 230, 296; Mary Thompson, 288, 296, 309, 318, 370, 373, 374; Maternity, 371; Mem- orial, 267; Presbyterian, 362; chil- dren's. 374. Hospitality, 22, 104, 108, 153, 205-206; see "Social Meetings." Hospitality committee, 375. Hotels, licensing, 260. House of correction, 334; of shelter, 334. Housing, committee, 369, 373, 374, 377; conditions, 308; investigation of, 206, 308, 315, 316; exhibit, 323; reform, 93. House of Good Shepherd, 26. Howard Association, Central, 369, 372. Howe, Julia Ward, 10. 26, 27, 286, 346. Hull House, 37, 251, 264, 370; players, 289; trade school, 305, 306. Hygiene, social, 265-267, 301, 371. Illinois, boards of education, 340; legis- lature, 326, 354. Illinois Children's Home and Aid Society, 370, 374, 377. Illinois Equal Suffrage Association, 377, 378. Illinois Improvement Association. 370. Illinois Industrial School for Boys, 370. Illinois Industrial School for Girls. 270- 276, 370. See "Park Ridge School." Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs, or- ganization of, 22, 146-147; 247, 249, 266, 290, 324, 328, 329, 350, 369. Illinois Manufacturers' Association, 216. Illinois Reformatory for women and girls, 46. Industrial Association, 371. Illinois State University, 135-136, 194, 247. Illinois Training School for Nurses, 40, 166, 317. Immigrants Protective League, 34, 316, 342, 373, 374. Immigration Office In Chicago, 307. Improvement Association, 238, 257, 258; Michigan Avenue, 270. Incorporation, 17, 49. Industrial Art Association, 53, 55, 56, 80, 370; committee on, 204. Industrial bureau, 346. Industrial conditions of women and chil- dren, 133, 204. 235, 236, 247, 251, 284, 296-297; committee on problems affect- ing women and children, 204; confer- ences, 370. Industrial education, 73, 74, 80. Industrial program, 358. Industrial progress, 221, 374. Industrial school for colored children, 222. Industrial School for Girls, Illinois, 270- 276, 285; see Park Ridge School. Industrial training for blind, 264. Infant, mortality, 263, 369; congress, 364. Infant, welfare, committee on, 250, 288; society, 342, 352, 370, 374, 377, 378. Injunction and abatement law, 337, 359. Insane asylum, 11, 49, 54, 230; appoint- ment of women physicians, 53, 362; work for trained service in asylums, 54; legis- lation for insane, 126, 127, 141; kinder- garten for insane, 161, 162; lecture on, 191, 230; employment for, 234. Institution visiting, 236, 249, 317. International Chambers of Commerce, 310, 325. International Council of Women, 235, 284. International Navigation Congress, 310, 325. Introduction, general, 9. International Institute League of Spain, 370. Investigation, Illinois Industrial School, Evanston, 374; midwifery, 374; shop- ping conditions, 374. J. Jail School, 125, 127, 135, 159, 160, 161, 370, 372, 374; teacher paid by sheriff, 162-163, 177, 178, 179. 189; committee, 192, 204. 252, 277, 278. Jail, work for women and children, 38, 67, 167, 278, 317, 362; social worker, 375. Japanese buildings, Jackson Park, 199, 200. John Worthy School, 160, 163, 165, 176, 180. 189. 205, 245. 278. Jubilee, Club, fortieth anniversary, 377. Jones School, 300, 320, 330, 331, 343, 348. 377. .In ul Bill, guardianship of children, 222; increased school tax, 312. Juvenile Court, 125, 142-159, 177, 178- 179. 180-181. 188-190, 191. 192, 340- 341; committee. 192, 193, 372. 373. 374, 375, 219, 229, 234, 252, 370; Deten- tion Home, 193; probation officers, 218, INDEX 25. 2S. 3, 4ft, 41. 55, B. 36. 371. 374: frwfctl 8*. SI. SS. keftBaatfaB . 9f Cteak CMBtr Ctaaa. 132-133, 175. 176. ML 251. Lectares. 233. 237. 240, 343. 364. 33*. 37L 373, 374. 375. Legml AM Stefatr. H. 33*. Sank H. Stwcat- 123. 147. ISH. 199L !. I. MR. MB, 174, 2K, 24&. 2S. 23*. 33*. 371. 37X 375. 33K. 377. SM. 29. 37. 39. 40. 7, SL 64, 8*. ML M4. M7. 183. 273. 288. 29*. 311. 322. 325, *. 15L *. 174. MB. 264. 371. JriL 11. 38. 42, 45. 322. 17. 28. 2. flB. 71. K, 128. JST. 3aec3U.3M.321.32fi.334.33e. 13*. aes 151: 49. C4-C5. 13*. MR, MC. Ml. MO. 125. 333, 324; fc*i>ti of AKS. 172: M*. 172, 240: efeetfM te. 3O, 159, MB. 288: fife mem- tta. 127, 187; Fraaei* W. Parker, 218; Prcsidevt Me- 223; Herbert Spe*rcr. 236; 237, 246: Saa B. R. Harper. 246; Taler. 246; Alexaa- : Dr. fflt naaa. 263, r, 276, 279; Xeffie Halted. 276; D. Slaigga, 276; Clara L. Dliaa. 296; Befle Pratt Macve. 276; JaHa Ward Haw*. 286; Mary I*wfe Mate. 289: Ezxan B. Coraeaa. 331; Mr*. C. 374. 377, INDEX Memorial* to QoeeB Victoria. 27. Merit law for state. 243. Merit system ia Cook Goaty charitable InrtltnOoM. 144-145. Milk. T- "-. 21. 233-234. 244. 374; depot. 250; tarectfeatk*. 287. esee, 298-297. 370; board. 297. 313: for BimiB. 3U. 316. 375; i ammlaslim 316- 317. 323. 336. 338. Mitchell. Maria, fnd, 75. 370. Mii'T Lodging Pom*. 123. 147. 150. 150. 166. 167. 168. 160. 174. 206. 245. 263, 370; Sarah EL gfereaaoB Memorial. 370. 371, 373, 375. 376, 377. 378. Moral Education Society. 51. Morals Court committee. 378. Motto. CM*. IT. 12. 18. MaaleJpal. Art Commtmtom. 200. 331; Court. 318; employment bweaa. 325; Art League, 262. 37O. 375, 377; mm- aemn. 249; order league. 143. 108. 138: sanitariam. 321; smTrage. 252. 270. 399, 375. Moral art. 226, 227. 282; committee OB, 226, 202; decoration*, 332, 333. 372, 375. Murdoek bill. 291. SIX MosicaJes, 32, 45. 50. 268. 274, 280. Motif, ! parka. 256. 267; ia oar etty. 287; j>UlBili 312. 314. Matte n>dy dam. 314. 323; ia borbood Howe. 375. Myra BradveO ScbooJ. 300, 18; N. cbaaged Name. CMb. Clm>. 153. 313. ' Bvream. 260. 309. 319: Kdc*tto- Amorfattoa. 80. 203, 206, 222. 292. 372; Howewtrea* Peace Society. 267. Nativity Play. 268. Nature creed. 269. Nature 231. 235. 238, 257-258. Xeighborkood Dum. 157. 370. 371. 375. 376. Newsboys' Niagara Falls, 101149. o. Oak Forest, cottages. 364; teacher. 375. Mil, 319. Old Ow day rest ta Ope* Air Ope* DMT, 13. 77. 142, 197. 323, 344. 371. 373. 375. 376. 377; feetsves. 197. 371; Cm* committee OB, 197-198. 216-217. 228. 265. 283. 307. Opera Day. Graad. 287. 361. Orchestra BmarUtimy Chicago. 229. 347. 374: m city r." 297. OrgaataatiaB, Cm*. 15. 16. 23, 24, 47. 52. Outdoor Art League. CUeaga* Woman's, 232. 372. 373. 374. Ovter Park System. 248. 284. Pamama Pacific KrpmwtioB. 316. Pareatal school, traaat ami. 17. 188-189. 218. 221-222. 372. 373; 21*. 260. 20; committee. 221; law. Parents" societies ta schools. 259. Parker 8 caul. Fraarf*. 331. 343. Park Ridge School Car Girls. 285, 300. 342, 369. 379. 371. 372. 374. 375, 376, 377. 378. Parks, 247. 248. 256, 286. 2*7. 288-269, 303-304. 312; and 154. 148. 184. 185; story of. 184. Peace, emrfereaee. 224. 283 eietjr. 299; Womaa's Party. 334; eam- 8-2. 336: National 142. MB. 239. 241. 354-355. 384. 386 INDEX Permanent Vacation School Committee, 10, 33, 37, 38, 168, 239, 241, 256. Petitions, on compulsory education, 69; women on school board, 70; to Board of Education, 72, 216; to President of United States, 90-93; on mob violence, 216. Philanthropy Department, contributions, 372, 378. Philosophy and Science committee, 46, 47, 60, 67; study classes, 68, 124, 186, 252-253, 298, 359; contributions, 376, 378. Phyllis Wheatley Home, 373, 378. Physical Culture and Correct Dress So- ciety, 69, 104; exhibit at Columbian Exposition, 109-111, 125, 140. Physicians' Institute, 370. Physiology, teaching of in schools, 206. Pin, Club, 10, 18, 111, 141. Playgrounds, 162, 247, 256. 267, 268-269, 290, 302, 303-304, 312, 373, 374; com- mittee, 290, 312, 320, 334. Pledge, Club, IV, 18, 367. Poets' day, Browning, 147; Rossetti, 154. Police stations and jail, matron, 11, 38- 42; night matrons, 42, 45; matrons' pen- sions, 322; committee, 42; stations, 75-76; investigation, 77, 126; for women, 135; detention of insane in, 166, 188. Political Equality League, Chicago, 133- 134, 168, 245. 320. Politics in Cook County charitable insti- tutions, 311. Poor-houses, children in, 147. Popular symphony concerts, 315, 347. Practical work, 40, 41, 42, 362. President's annual address, 1887, 61-63; 1889, 69; 1891, 102; 1892, 124; 1894, 136-138; 1895, 145-146; 1895, 150-151; 1896, 171-172; 1897, 172-173; 1898, 181; 1901, 243; 1902-03, 1903-04, 244-245; 1906, 285; 1907, 284; 1909. 285; 1912, 308-309; 1913, 323-324; 1914, 325-327; list of, V. President of United States. 90-93, 216, 247, 330, 356. Printing Committee, 47. Prison reform, committee, 29, 277, 278, 346. Prisoners' friend committee, 250, 373. Probation, for children, 177. 187-188, 189, 205; committee, 190, 191, 204; law, 187- 188; officers, 188, 189, 190, 218, 229- 230, 252, 371, 373. Programs and papers, 12, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 39, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 65- 66, 75, 77, 96-97, 127, 129. 147, 148, 154, 205, 316, 218, 223, 228, 232, 236, 237, 241, 268, 269, 270, 286, 287, 289, 300, 311, 334, 346, 361. Program committee, 101, 151, 204, 232, 259, 290. Prostitution, resolutions against, 242. Protective Agency for Women and Chil- dren, 11. 20, 363, 371. 372, 373, 375, 376, 377, 378; organization, 51-52, 66; independent organization, 74; benefit for, 74-75; at Columbian Exposition, 107- 108, 131, 153, 158; consolidation with Bureau of Justice, 164, 205, 245, 370. Protection of girls, 107, 131. Protection of machinery, 261. Psychological investigation, scholarship, 376. Psychopathic laboratory, 360; work, 373. Public Affairs Committee, 326. 370, 375. Public comfort stations, 375. Public drinking fountain, 371. Publications, Directory of Charitable In- stitutions, 97, 129; Suggestions to Vis- itors of Institutions, 249, 373; Christ- mas shopping pamphlet, 253; Neigh- borhood Improvement Societies, 258; Chicago Women as citizens, 289; Ordi- nances you ought to know, 297; Rice Bulletin, 310; Memorial to Mary Lewis Matz, 310. Public Baths Committee, 302, 309. Public guardian, advisory committee to, 194. Public Library, 79, 228, 336, 344; sub- stations, 245. Public School Art Committee, 131, 300; pictures in, 372. Public School Art Society, Chicago, 132, 157, 158, 205, 245, 300, 348, 369, 372, 377. Public schools as social centers, 216, 221- 222, 299, 302, 306, 319-320, 334, 340, 347-348, 370, 372, 373, 375, 376, 377. Public School Center Committee, 254-255, 302, 306. Public Schools Committee, 340. Public schools, sanitary conditions of 204, 205, 250. Public Service Committee, 375. Public Welfare Bureau, County, 335-336. Pure Food Committee, 290-291; law, 322; state bureau of, 324. INDEX 387 R. Railway terminals, 321. Reciprocal information to clubs, commit- tee on, 52. Recording Secretary, reports, 27, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, 45, 52, 68, 69, 93, 126, 131, 204, 205, 338, 339. Records of committees, 101. Recreation, pier, 199; public recreation, 247, 269, 303-304. Red Cross, 159; Christmas seals, 287; committee, 335, 377, 345; work, 342; sewing room, 350, 351, 357, 369; so- ciety, 329, 361-362; Belgian field hos- pital, 369; emergency center, 369. Reformatory for Girls, 46, 313. Reform Department, study classes, 165, 359; contributions, 374, 378. Reform work, 375. Refuge for girls, 26, 372, 376. Relief and Aid Society, 370. Removal bill. 338. Rescue and Maternity Home, Chicago, 372. Retrenchment Committee, 240. Rogers bill, 195, 205. Rooms, free use of, 21, 44, 48, 50, 99, 100, 134, 153. Saloons, laws to prevent admission of minors to, 219, 222; raising license of, 252. Salvation army, 245. S'ane Fourth Association, 370. Sane Christmas crusade, 308. San Francisco earth-quake relief, 248, 369, 375; San Francisco Woman's Club, 369. Sanitary Bureau, 308. Sanitation, 258; committee to secure, in schools, 204. Sanitation instruction, 301. Sarah Hackett Stevenson Memorial Lodg- ing House, 370, 371, 373, 375. 377, 378. Saturday afternoon closing, 168, 253, 279. Scammon School, 72. Scholarships, Art Institute, 11, 78-79, 175, 189, 299; Domestic Science, 202; Uni- versity of Chicago, 175. 376, 187, 253, 343, 370; in Public Schools, 370, 371, 372. School as social center, 216. 319-320, 340, 347-348, 370. 372, 373, 375, 376, 377; night. 218. School Children's Aid Society, 82, 131, 142-143, 144, 205, 363, 371, 373, 376, 377. 378. School Extension Committee, 348, 371, 372, 374. 375. School Extension Committee, Permanent, 255-257, 258, 303, 304, 320-321, 369, 371, 372. 374. School, Hinman, Kentucky, 372, 373, 378. School laws committee, 204. School management committee, 251. School nurses, 322. School, State, for Girls at Geneva; see Home, Geneva. School visitation committee, 157, 250. School, reform, 195; laws, 269. Secret societies in secondary schools, 250. Segregated vice, against, 308. Settlements, committee on, 2O4. Sewing In public schools, 93, 195, 204. Sex Hygiene, 301. Shakespeare, birthday, 157, 200, 281, 282. 300, 332, 343, 376; lecture on, 206. Sister Beatrice, 259. Sloyd, 53, 55. 74, 80. Smoke, 258, 270; inspector, 270; commit- tee on, 270. Social affairs, committee on, 47. Social centers, schools as, 216, 221-222, 299, 302, 320, 334, 347, 370. 372, 373, 375, 376, 377. Social committee, 39, 167, 194, 196, 313. Social meetings and receptions, 13, 33, 34, 38, 39. 43, 47, 99, 103, 104, 105, 108, 124, 134, 138, 153, 155, 156, 157, 158, 166, 167, 170, 174, 194, 203, 226, 228, 237, 241, 242, 279, 280, 283, 286, 289, 292, 299-300, 310, 311. 328. 341, 342, 369, 370, 372; ball, 124. 125. Social hygiene, committee, 265-267, 301, 373, 375. Social purity, 27; 265-267, 371, 372. Social settlements, Hull House, 37, 251, 264, 289, 305, 306. 370; Henry Booth House, 259; Armitage Avenue, 259, 267; Esther Falkenstein, 373; Gad's Hill, 374; Neighborhood House, 157, 370, 371, 375, 376; South End House, 259; University, 373; committee on, 204, 373; book social, 206. 372. Social service committee, 378. Social work in play-grounds, 256, 303- 304, 320, 321. South Park Board, 320, 336; women on, 335; Commissioners, 238, 247, 248, 249, 269, 312, 314. Speakers for clubs in outlying districts, 375. 388 INDEX Special Park Commission, 200. Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, 156. State Board of Charities, 250; federa- tion of charities. 249. State Education Fund, 322. State employment law, 337. State Home for Girls, 193, 207, 219, 222, 230, 288-289, 319, 322. State library bill, 260. State park, 312, 322. S'tate school for feeble-minded, 319. State University, Illinois, 135-136, 194, 247. 322. Story-telling, 256, 259, 303, 344. Street trades, 301-302. Strike, garment workers, 286; resolution on, 337. Students' reference bureau, 155, 169, 376. Study class, joint, 358; united, 183, 205, 224-225, 231, 257, 309, 346. 371. Sub-normal young people, committee on, 341-342. Suffrage, 48, 127, 242, 308, 309, 310, 316, 345-346, 357; bill, 204; township bill, 222; Cook County Association, 51; men's club, 252, 270; municipal, 252, 270, 370, 374; state, 326, 377, 378; committee on equal, 318, 325, 369, 373, 374, 377. Summer schools, 376. Sunday concerts, Art Institute, 293-294, 323, 325-326, 340, 347. 373; In small parks, 312, 314. Sunday closing, 105-107, 319. Sunday lectures, 371. Superintendent of schools, 313, 314. Suttner, Baroness Bertha von, 290, 311. Symphony Orchestra, Chicago, 229, 347. T. Tariff, 263. Teachers' pensions, state, 336, 337. Technical high school for girls, Lucy L. Flower, 291-292. Tenement houses, reform of, 93; condi- tions, 206. Ten-hour law for women, 263, 322, 369. Theatre, children's, 255, 260, 301-303; committee, 249; independent, 239; per- manent subscription, 239, 249. Thorpe school, 348. Training School for Nurses, 160, 166, 260. Travelers' Aid Home, 373, 378. Tree planting, 199, 258; committee, 258. Truant Aid Committee, 71-72, benefit per- formance for, 72, 73, 363. Truant and parental schools, 158, 176, 180, 188, 218, 221-222, 205. 260, 261. Tuberculosis hospital, 230, 250; institute, 261, 262; Christmas stamps, 263; isola- tion, 277; camps, 371, 373. Tuskegee Institute, 232, 372, 373, 376. Twentieth Century Club, 98. U. Unemployed, bureau for the. 116. Unemployment, causes and remedies, 118, 349-354. Unity Church Industrial School, 26. United Charities, 322. United study class. 183, 205, 224-225, 231, 257, 309, 369. University of Chicago, 346, 371; wom- en's buildings, 129-130, 141, 147; lec- tures, 228, 251, 265; industrial class, 305. University Settlement, 373. Usurious interest, bill against, 242. Unitarian Woman's Club, 40. V. Vacation savings fund, 373. Vacation school, 142, 182, 195, 204, 207- 215, 218, 245, 269, 289, 292, 371, 372, 374, 375, 376; committee, 204, 245, 256, 320. Visiting institutions, 236, 373. Visiting Nurse Association, 267. 352. Vocational guidance, 291-292, 299, 304-306, 309; school committee, 291-292, 299, 304-306, 309; training for girls, 291- 292, 304-306, 309, 333; joint committee, 329, 370, 371, 373, 374, 375. 376, 377, 378; supervision, 349; training unit sys- tem, 369. W. Washburn School, 321, 348. Washington, Mary, fund, 370. Weekly half-holiday committee, 287, 319. West Park, No. 3, 304. West Park Commissioners, 256, 303, 314. West Parks, 320-321; civil service, 322. Whittier Home Association, 228. Wife abandonment bill, 322. Willard, Frances E., 38, 42, 58, 148. Woman's building. State University, 194. Woman, justice of peace, 262. Woman's City Club, 320. Woman's club cottage, Park Ridge, 274- 276, 369, 371, 372. Woman's civic building, 358. Woman's legislative congress, 331. Woman's Peace Party, 336. Woman's Christian Association, 40. INDEX 389 Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 40, 42. Woman's Exchange, 46, 98. Women and children, laws governing, 48, 135, 158, 162, 190, 219, 220, 252, 260, 261, 263, 322, 338. Women in industry, 235, 236. 251, 296, 370. Women on park boards, 302, 304, 320-321, 335. Women of Tomorrow, reprint of chapter, 192. Women police, 342. Women physicians for women in institu- tions, 159. Women teachers at Pontiac, 169. Women's clubs, origin, 57; federation of, 58-61. 69, 88-89. Women's League, 65-66, 363, 371. Women's Physiological Institute, 36, 37, 40, 140, 362. Y. Youths' Training and Employment Asso- ciation, 65, 66. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA