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Show CHICAGO'S GIRLS' CLUBS. Distinction of the C. G. M. It. C. and Comforts Com-forts of the Jane Club. The Chicago Girls' Mutual Benefit club rejoices in the unique distinction of having hav-ing a clubhouse all its own. The original orig-inal conception of the club was only a thought that took root in the hearts and minds of some half dozen Chicago girls gathered together to discuss how a girls' club could be organized among the wage earners of the city. After some discus-won discus-won the few formed themselves into a band of King's Daughters, and to gain funds for their scheme gave a concert, with the proceeds of which they rented a cottage and formed classes for the study of practical topics, like sewing, millinery, milli-nery, typewriting, embroidery and the rest. These classes are taught by some two-score two-score volunteers and one paid teacher. The club members pay dues of 5 cents per week, except the teachers, who pay 20 cents per week, to defray partially the expense of a carriage, as the street car lines do not run near the cottage. All this of course has been written over many times in the history of girls' clubs, but the distinctive and interesting thing about this organization is that when the small clubhouse became overcrowded the plucky girls determined to build a clubhouse of their own. By various entertainments en-tertainments and subscriptions they managed to raise enough money to secure se-cure a lot. A friend then came to their aid and made a generous offer to build the clubhouse, charging them 6 per cent on the investment, to be paid as rent, and giving them the privilege of paying the principal any time within five years. The club took possession of the new house in May, 1892, and already nearly one-half the debt is paid. Even in New York, where the working girls' club movement began and is supported by wealthy ppJgis, none of the clubs has 1 as yet a jfs, the dignity of a qJmss hoaBO orfl ,,wlx. The Thirty-5!illl! SCreet club, cKhicli Hiss Dodge 13 president, pres-ident, has an fmtire house rented and sublets portions of it, but most of the societies meet in rented rooms. Sorosis the great pioneer club, with its large membership, has no permanent home of its own and no headquarters for the keeping of its archives. The Jane club.a protegee of Hull House and named in honor of Miss Jane Ad-dams, Ad-dams, is another interesting organization organiza-tion of 50 members, living together in communities in the club fashion established estab-lished by men. It occupies a large flat, well lighted and heated, with hot and cold water and bathrooms on every floor. The parlors are prettily furnished, the libraries well stocked with books, the three dining tables well supplied with appetizing food prepared by the club Bteward, who is hired in the regular way by the committee. There is a general gen-eral meeting of the members every two weeks to attend to the business affairs of the club and to regulate matters generally. gen-erally. This might be called the safety valve of the machine, for if one has a grievance or a suggestion of any kind this is the place at which she can be heard. Each member feels her responsibility responsi-bility as hostess and has the honor and interest of the club at heart. There are no rules and regulations, and each member mem-ber spends her evenings according to her own inclination. As far as it is given to outsiders to know, the Jane club is a success, suc-cess, demonstrating clearly the fact that a number of women can be housed under one plan and be happy. Speaking of this club to Miss Addams, the question was asked whether she approved ap-proved of Mr. Stead's idea of co-operative clubs of this kind, with both men and women members, for Mr. Stead argues that there would be more marrying mar-rying and giving in marriage of the right sort if young men and women had more opportunities for meeting and knowing each other. And Miss Addams said that she saw no reason why men and women might not live together in a club of this kind as well as in the boarding houses; that the matter had not come to them as yet, but when it did she should favor the formation of such clubs, and that there were men and women associated associ-ated in the work at Hull House and sometimes in residence there together. New Ycrk Sun. |