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 The Social Center, 
 elfare and Community 
 Work 
 
 of the Tri-Cities 
 
 La Salle-Peru-Oglesby 
 Illinois 
 
 1 Introduction 
 
 2 The Social Center and Recreation 
 Work of the Township High School 
 
 3 Hegeler Park and Washington Park 
 
 4 The Tri-City Hygienic Institute 
 
 5 The Tri-City Associated Charities 
 
 6 The Women’s Clubs, Bureaus, and 
 Civic Leagues 
 
 7 The Industrial Schools 
 
 8 The'Child Welfare Leagues 
 
 9 Miscellaneous 
 
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 Published by the 
 
 La Salle-Peru Township High School 
 La Salle, Illinois 
 1915 
 
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 and Domestic Science building and the Boiler House 
 
V 
 
 Introduction 
 
 So much attention has been drawn to the recently inaugurated Social 
 Center work of the La Salle-Peru Township High School that the Board 
 of Education of this institution has authorized the publication of a pam- 
 phlet describing its activities. But since the three municipalities of 
 La Salle, Peru, and Oglesby, which constitute this township, have in the 
 last two or three years shown a remarkable increase of interest in com- 
 munity and welfare work and have inaugurated movements which may 
 appear unusual for cities of so small a size, it was deemed best to incor- 
 porate in this pamphlet concise but adequate descriptions of all the 
 welfare and community enterprises now operating in this district. 
 
 Educators, social workers, and students of civic problems will be main- 
 ly interested in the methods of attack and development here outlined, in 
 the methods of operation tentatively worked out, and in the mechan- 
 ism of financial support by which the enterprises described are sus- 
 tained. The institutions in question have in some cases been the 
 joint outcome of private philanthropy and democratic initiative, and in 
 other cases the product of purely cooperative voluntary effort on the 
 part of an awakened public. For example, it will be of interest to learn, 
 in the case of the Social Center and public Athletic Grounds of the Town- 
 ship High School, that while the funds for building and equipment were 
 furnished by a private donor, yet the upkeep by the people through taxes 
 of the plants so donated requires the annual expenditure of a sum equal 
 to the interest on a fund as large as, or larger than, the original dona- 
 tion. It will thus be evident that the public also has contributed a per- 
 manent endowment of considerable size to the cause of social service. 
 
 The method of operating and financing the social center work of the 
 Township High School is perhaps peculiar to the State of Illinois, which 
 presents several instances, one or two on a large scale, of the same 
 method. Township high schools were originally organized for purely 
 educational purposes in the narrower sense, but by a flexible interpre- 
 tation of the term “ educational,’ ’ the activities of these institutions have 
 been gradually extended to embrace recreational, civic, and community 
 activities of all sorts, while the greater facilities for taxation possessed 
 by the township organization have enabled the people to endure more 
 equably the strain of the increased but distributed expenditure. 
 
 Unique, too, and deserving of the attention of students will be found 
 the activities and methods of support of the Tri-City Hygienic Institute 
 and the Tri-City Associated Charities, the first of which is an endowment 
 acting through municipal cooperation, and the second an organization 
 supported by the voluntary contributions of many private citizens, with 
 the supplement of an income derived from the admission-receipts to one 
 of the most attractive scenic resorts of the middle west. 
 
A municipal playground, Hegeler Park, with many possibilities of 
 development, likewise a gift and affiliated with the Township High 
 School, is also deserving of attention for the manner of its growth. 
 Numerous other voluntary welfare organizations are catalogued. And 
 through them all plays, with vivifying influence, the generous and fos- 
 tering activity of the Business Men’s, the Manufacturers’, and the Com- 
 mercial Associations of the three towns, with their Women’s Bureaus, 
 Industrial Leagues, etc., all expressions of a new and fruitful renaissance 
 of civic interest in a population not long since dormant and obtuse to the 
 community’s social needs. 
 
 On the score of administration and support, the points we have just 
 made appear to be most deserving of attention. Details of operation 
 will be found in the text. 
 
 The immediate beneficent results of the welfare-activities of the in- 
 stitutions described in this pamphlet will be apparent from the most 
 superficial reading. These spring even to the untutored eye. But it 
 may not be amiss here to indicate some of the deeper and more ulterior 
 effects that may be anticipated from their unseen operation. 
 
 The education of a community proceeds not only through the direct 
 activities of institutions formally devoted to this end, but also by the 
 more subtle process of sociological diffusion. The ideas disseminated 
 by a given institution affect first only the small group of individuals 
 immediately attacked. At the start the effects appear to be feeble and 
 inconspicuous. But the individuals affected, or as we may say, to use a 
 medical simile, infected , act as carriers of these ideas and transmit by a 
 species of intellectual and spiritual contagion the beneficent contamin- 
 ation they have received to all their associates. They act as foci for the 
 spread of the new ideas, whether in education, citizenship, hygiene, rec- 
 reation, or what not, and unconsciously propagate with hundred-fold 
 efficiency the influences we fancied originally moulded the conduct of 
 only a few. There is a contagion of excellence as well as a contamina- 
 tion of evil, and the laws of sociological imitation, which: cause individ- 
 uals to mimic one another in their thought and conduct, care for it that 
 the good we implant with our imperfect educational machinery in a few 
 is transmitted with automatic certainty to increasingly larger groups. 
 The little pebble that we cast on the limitless expanse of the great social 
 water makes a slight impact, but its effect is propagated by known sociolo- 
 gical laws in increasingly wider and wider circles to the farthermost 
 bounds. This is the saving thought of all educational and welfare activ- 
 ity. Without it we should sink into irrevocable pessimism. The new 
 welfare-institutions of this community, powerful and splendid as they 
 are for so small a group of people, would otherwise be impotent, and the 
 scratches that even with them we feebly make on the hardened surface 
 of the great body politic would without its aid never sink to the hidden 
 and sullen depths. In this thought the rankest disaffection may swallow 
 solace, and the gloomiest pessimism glimpse the light. 
 
 It could easily be estimated that four such plants as the present High 
 School Social Center would be requisite to meet fully the recreational 
 and community needs of the whole population of this Township. But 
 at present this is financially and politically undreamable. A similar 
 estimate, slightly modified, would be applicable to most of the other 
 institutions herein described. The extension of the full benefits of these 
 
institutions, therefore, to all the people, even if all the people were dis- 
 posed in will and mind to receive them , must ultimately be left to the 
 slow operation of the laws of sociological imitation and contact. All 
 are called, but not all submit to be chosen. 
 
 Numerous other subtle benefits to community thought and action 
 might be attributed to the operation of these agencies. The very oppos- 
 ition that some of them have aroused in stagnant and reactionary cir- 
 cles, the very quarrels and brawls that some of their activities have 
 evoked, are of immense educational value, and have unconsciously il- 
 lumined even the minds of their opponents. Broad-visioned men and 
 women will see in these superficial ripples only the operation of a power 
 making for greater enlightenment. Petty struggle and battle are the 
 machinery by which democracy acquires repose for its ulterior ends. 
 The machinery, by its very creaking, finds and adjusts itself. 
 
 The retroactive effects, further, of the recreational and community 
 work of the High School Center, through its immediate benefits to chil- 
 dren and adults not belonging to the school-group, are of incalculable 
 value for the framing of a public opinion and sentiment favorable to 
 the source from which these benefits emanate. Not only does the sense- 
 satisfaction imparted by these activities to groups of individuals 
 that might otherwise be disaffected or alienated react salutarily in the 
 direction indicated, but the acquaintance thus unconsciously acquired 
 under pleasant associations with an institution of higher learning auto- 
 matically results in the moulding of a sound public feeling in support 
 and approval of an agency that incidentally dispenses these benefits. 
 And so Democracy again accomplishes, by reversion upon itself, its 
 purposes. 
 
 Many other collateral results might be cited - as evidence of the wide- 
 spread beneficence of the activities here catalogued. But it will suffice to 
 indicate the principal tendencies. The more palpable of those left un- 
 mentioned will occur to the most casual reader. 
 
 The pamphlet itself has been compiled for the information of educa- 
 tors and workers in the municipal and social service fields. The longer 
 articles are signed by the directors of the several institutes. But many 
 unnamed, in years long past and in many places, have made contribu- 
 tions to the work fully equal to the labor of those who appear officially 
 in the titles ; and none more effectively than the members of the present 
 Township Board of Education, who have given years of quiet and un- 
 requited labor to the consummation of a task before which even the hard- 
 iest spirits might have quailed. All successful social and civic work is 
 impersonal. Individuals are its mere passing agents. The real author 
 is the creative heart of the community, inarticulate and seeking no re- 
 ward of honor. 
 
 Thomas J. McCormack 
 
 La Salle, Illinois, October, 1915 
 
Personnel and Population 
 
 Township Board of Education 
 
 George A. Wilson, Sr., President Thomas F. Noon 
 
 G. M. Wyatt Alexander Lindsay 
 
 J. E. Skelly Thomas N. Haskins, Secretary 
 
 Officers 
 
 Thomas J. McCormack 
 Raymond A. Hoyer 
 Catherine Lourie 
 George Young 
 Katherine Williams . 
 Arthur Janz 
 Robert Walker 
 
 Principal 
 Social Center Director 
 Social and Club Work for Women and Girls 
 Assistant for Men’s and Boys’ Work 
 Instructress in Swimming and Matron 
 . Swimming Pool Attendant 
 . Swimming Pool and Locker Attendant 
 
 Population 
 
 La Salle Township 18,500 
 
 Pern Township 9,500 
 
 La Salle Township 18,500 
 
 Peru Township 9,500 
 
 Some 
 
 Nationalities (Estimated) 
 
 28,000 
 
 Polish . . . . 
 
 6000 Italian .... 
 
 700 
 
 Other Slavic races 
 
 4000 Greeks .... 
 
 200 
 
 La Salle Public . 
 
 School Attendance 
 
 1267 La Salle Parochial . 
 
 1258 
 
 Peru Public 
 
 710 Peru Parochial . 
 
 805 
 
 Oglesby Public . 
 
 966 Township High School 
 
 399 
 
The Social Center and Recreation 
 Work of the Township High School 
 
 Characterization of the Work 
 
 In the work carried on by the Social Center Department of the La 
 Salle-Peru Township High School, the attempt is made to provide, for a 
 township of some 28,000 people, healthful and rational recreation of all 
 sorts through the wider use of a large and well-equipped high school 
 plant. A real Community Center for all the people is the ideal set. 
 
 The term Social Center, however, scarcely covers the entire scope of 
 the activities undertaken by the department. The work to date has, for 
 reasons that will be detailed below, partaken rather of the nature of 
 that of a Recreation Center. But community-work of the kind repre- 
 sented by educational conventions, Farmers’ Short Courses, scientific 
 and literary lectures, concerts, dramatic performances, neighborhood 
 clubs, etc., have not been neglected, as the sequel will show. Further- 
 more, the extension-work of the department must be included among 
 the activities of the Social Center plant, which is so situated as not to be 
 easily accessible to the more distant members of the community, and 
 which requires, therefore, different members of the Social Center staff 
 to do part of its work, after the extension-method, at points some dis- 
 tance from the high school. 
 
 Since its inception in March, 1914, the work has been allowed to grow 
 naturally and spontaneously along lines best suited to local conditions 
 and best according with local sentiment, but under the watchful guid- 
 ance and assistance of a trained staff, and of a special committee of the 
 Board of Education and the Principal of the school. Thus the work 
 may appear unique and unusual in many respects and unlike that of 
 other similar experiments. Its characterization, therefore, may be of 
 assistance to others engaged in this field. 
 
 From the start the aim has been first and foremost to interest the chil- 
 dren and the young people of the township, that is, to lay especial em- 
 phasis upon adolescent and juvenile activities, and only secondarily on 
 those of adults. As a matter of fact, however, the older folks have in 
 no wise suffered from a lack of appropriate activities, although consid- 
 erably less supervision and leadership have been afforded them. 
 
 One factor that has made the work easier than it might 'other- 
 wise have been is the generous cooperation of the merchants and lousiness 
 men of the Township. Not once when requested has assistance been re- 
 fused, and while the financial help so offered has materially aided the 
 progress of the work, the moral support implied has been unquestionably 
 greater. The backing given by the clergy of all denominations and by 
 the public school people also has been very helpful. 
 
Personal services of a voluntary nature likewise have been given very 
 unselfishly by local people qualified to direct some activity. Volunteers 
 aided in wrestling, in gymnasium and swimming for both men and 
 women, in game-room work, picnics, baseball, track, and kite-making for 
 the boys and girls, and in various clubs and non-athletic organizations. 
 This volunteer assistance has been greatly instrumental in forwarding 
 the work of the Center and from that standpoint invaluable ; but prob- 
 ably the main advantage accruing from it has been the added public in- 
 terest. Every volunteer leader is forthwith a ‘ ‘ booster, 7 7 and every 
 ‘ ‘ boost 7 7 helps. 
 
 The Proposition 
 
 In October, 1912, a proposition was submitted to the Township Board 
 of Education by the Honorable F. W. Matthiessen of La Salle, in which 
 he offered as a gift certain real estate and $75,000 for a Recreation 
 Building to be run in connection with the Township High School and to 
 serve as a community center. The Township Board was to maintain the 
 work. The donor also stipulated that the township was to vote a bond 
 issue of $25,000 (which amount was to be used for improvements much 
 needed in the High School), and by a public election to declare its 
 willingness to support the Center. 
 
 The Board immediately took action and the election resulted in the 
 almost unanimous acceptance of the proposition. The plans provided for 
 a Recreation Building ; for many improvements in the main building, 
 including a large auditorium, a new biology laboratory, new offices for 
 the principal; for a new heating system in a separate building directly 
 back of the Manual Training Building ; for the rewiring of the entire 
 plant, etc. 
 
 The Recreation Building 
 
 The principal feature of the Recreation Building is the gymnasium, 
 which is 53x106 feet, and contains a playing space for basket-ball 70x35 
 feet. About twelve feet above the floor is the balcony, which is used 
 both for spectators and for a running track. No part of the basket-ball 
 floor is underneath the gallery. The gymnasium equipment is quite 
 complete, having cost some $3,000. 
 
 On the first floor is a room 26x50 feet, which, at some later date, will 
 be used as a library, but which at the present time is utilized for many 
 purposes, such as wrestling, a boys 7 game-room, rest-room and serving 
 room at dances. The history-room is also on this floor. On the second 
 floor are the music and the art rooms. These three rooms are also used 
 for most of the dramatic, musical and social organizations, meeting in 
 the building after school hours. 
 
 Downstairs is the swimming pool, which is 60x25 feet. Along the 
 east side are eight dressing booths and eight showers. South of the 
 pool are seventy steel lockers arranged to form a hollow square, the en- 
 closed space being used as a dressing room. Nearby is the locker-cage, 
 which contains about six hundred fibre locker-boxes arranged in rows 
 and numbered. This is known as the Kansas City system, which pro- 
 vides a locker-box for every person using the gymnasium. In this box 
 is kept the owner’s athletic clothing. With the box a key to a locker is 
 given, and after the person is finished, he returns the box and key to 
 
Scenes in the La Salle-Peru-Oglesby T. H. S. Social Center 
 
the cage where they are kept safely under lock. This system saves con- 
 siderable locker room. 
 
 The room originally intended for the bowling alley is 16x86 feet, and 
 at the present time is used as a drying room for the women’s bathing 
 suits. It is intended to install the alleys in the near future. The elec- 
 tric exhaust fan which ventilates the entire building is located at the 
 end of the bowling alley room. Another room on the ground floor, 
 26x20, is used as a dressing room for the ’varsity athletic teams of the 
 High School. This room contains lockers arranged along the walls. 
 
 Work was started on the building in June, 1913, and the changes in 
 the main building were completed in time for the opening of school in 
 September of the same year, with the exception of the Auditorium, which 
 was not finished till several months later. The Recreation Building was 
 practically completed in February, but delay in the installation of the 
 gymnasium apparatus postponed the opening until March 23, 1914. 
 
 The High School Buildings 
 
 The High School Buildings proper need but little comment. They 
 consist of a main building and Domestic Science and Manual Arts Build- 
 ing, both of which are collaterally used for Social Center activities. The 
 main feature is the auditorium, located on the ground floor of the main 
 building with an independent entrance to the street. It accommodates 
 seven hundred persons and is modeled after the Little Theatre of New 
 York. The unusually large stage contains two complete sets of scenes 
 and a silk-velour draw curtain, the gifts of the classes of 1912 and 1913. 
 
 The Athletic Field 
 
 The new athletic field is nearly completed at present writing. It in- 
 cludes two tennis courts, a five-lap cinder track, baseball diamond, foot- 
 ball gridiron, jumping and vaulting pits, and an open air bathing pool, 
 100x50 ft. Sufficient space is also available for a playground, which 
 will probably follow next year, and which is needed to bring the work 
 to its maximum efficiency. This entire field is also the gift of Mr. 
 Matthiessen and is used not only for High School athletics and Social 
 Center events but for field and track sports for the entire township as 
 well. 
 
 The Work Started 
 
 The first work attempted was that of organizing gymnasium classes 
 among the High School students. At the same time the High School 
 track squad began preliminary indoor practice and with the approach of 
 warm weather the swimming pool was opened to the students. Prac- 
 tically the entire school took advantage of these facilities from the start. 
 The first attempt at work outside the school was made in April when a 
 Saturday morning gymnasium class was organized for the boys of the 
 neighborhood, whose demands for admittance had become very insistent. 
 
 The Recreation Building was formally opened on Patrons’ Night, 
 May 21, 1914, by Governor Dunne, at which time the general public was 
 given the first opportunity to inspect the Center. 
 
 During the summer of 1914 the work was reorganized, whereby gym- 
 nasium and swimming privileges were offered to both children and 
 adults. Some outdoor work was also attempted, which culminated in a 
 
Game of the Grade and Parochial Indoor Baseball League La Salle-Peru- Oglesby T. H. S. Social Center 
 
big outing for the boys who attended the Center and was attended by 
 more than three hundred boys. The expense of the picnic was borne by 
 the merchants and business men of the three towns, who displayed great 
 willingness to assist not only financially but also by lending automobiles 
 for transporting the boys to and from the grounds and by personal ser- 
 vice at the picnic. Lunch was prepared by a committee from the La 
 Salle Women’s Bureau, assisted by a committee of ladies from the 
 Women’s Clubs of Peru and Oglesby. A picnic on a larger scale — a 
 community affair for all if possible — is the plan for the future. On 
 account of the warm weather no attempt was made to organize non- 
 athletic activities. 
 
 With the reopening of school in September, 1914, the work was again 
 reorganized on a more extensive footing. With the work of the first five 
 months as a basis, many additional activities were undertaken. The 
 High School activities remained much the same as they had been, but 
 much additional work was started in the gymnasium with the children 
 of the grade and parochial schools during the late afternoons and on 
 Saturdays. Evening classes in swimming and gymnasium were con- 
 tinued for men and women, the latter evincing greater enthusiasm than 
 the men in these branches. The ‘‘safety-first” results to the com- 
 munity in this field alone have been incalculable. Nearly all the girls in 
 the High School now swim, and scores of women adults have learned the 
 rudiments of this invaluable adjunct to self-preservation. 
 
 The Township’s National Game 
 
 A significant feature of the autumn work of 1914 was the Indoor 
 Baseball League. This organization consisted of eight teams represent- 
 ing widely diversified interests, the players being adult men in many 
 instances. The teams were: The Western Clock Co., The Rexall Drug 
 Store, The Knights of Columbus, the Just We Social Club, the Y. M. A. 
 Club, the High School Alumni, the Odd Fellows, and the Oglesby Tigers 
 Baseball Club. Two nights a week were devoted to the league with two 
 games each evening. Good, clean, wholesome sport was provided, not 
 only for those participating but also for the spectators who turned out 
 in goodly numbers for the majority of the games. The season lasted 
 till the end of January and the race proved very exciting up to the end. 
 The attempt was made for the first time with this league not only to 
 have a self-supporting organization, but also to obtain an income there- 
 from for the Center. Accordingly, an admission fee of ten cents was 
 charged, the League securing fifty per cent of the proceeds and the Cen- 
 ter the balance. A statement of this fund is rendered periodically to the 
 Board of Education. 
 
 Interest in indoor baseball grew apace as the league season progressed. 
 Teams of all kinds and varieties were organized and the evenings al- 
 lotted for special games were reserved a month in advance. On many 
 evenings three games were played, two an evening being the rule. The 
 C. B. & Q. Trainmen and Office Force, the I. C. Railroad, Union Mine, 
 La Salle Mine, Peru Brewery, Westclox Departments, Oglesby Odd Fel- 
 lows, Fat Men, Thin Men, numerous all-star aggregations and the La 
 Salle Night School were among the teams that availed themselves of the 
 opportunity of using the building. And although the playing of these 
 irregular teams was not always of the highest calibre, yet considerable 
 
enthusiasm and interest were aroused, and a crowd of spectators was 
 seldom lacking. 
 
 A walk through the gallery at any of the games proved interesting to 
 the casual observer and significant to the social student. Entire fam- 
 ilies were very much in evidence — in fact space had to be provided in 
 the vestibule for baby carriages. All kinds and conditions of mankind 
 were present and certainly a third of the spectators were women, who 
 were on hand to “root” for their favorites. Indoor baseball is indeed 
 the “National” game of the township. 
 
 Basketball 
 
 Following the indoor baseball season, basketball was given a prom- 
 inent place on the schedule. Besides the inter-class league games for 
 both the boys and the girls of the Township High School and the games 
 played by the school ’Varsity team, an Inter-church League was or- 
 ganized. This league was much like the indoor league in organization 
 and structure, playing a schedule that lasted till the middle of April. 
 Basketball was also played by numerous independent teams on the open 
 evenings. 
 
 Wrestling 
 
 During the year wrestling became very popular at the Center, the suc- 
 cess of the work being due in a great measure to the untiring work of 
 the volunteer instructor, who had himself been a National A. A. F. 
 Champion. At first one night a week was devoted to the sport but the 
 class grew to such proportions that a second evening had to be assigned 
 to wrestling. Several exhibition matches were given at the close of the 
 High School basketball games on Friday nights during the winter. 
 
 Activities for the Poles 
 
 The township has among its population probably 6,000 Poles, who 1 
 warmly cherish and preserve all the folk-traditions brought over by 
 them from the old country — a group that can make important contribu- 
 tions to American life, but one that needs some very concrete interpreta- 
 tions of what America really means if the vitally important process of 
 assimilation is to go forward. With this in mind, the Center has at- 
 tempted to enlist the aid of the priests of the local Polish churches with 
 the intent of getting their people to use its facilities. Since both St. 
 Hyacinth’s church, La Salle, and St, Valentine’s, Peru, have well- 
 equipped parish houses, the need of club meeting-rooms was negative. 
 As a matter of fact St. Hyacinth’s church has actually been operating 
 a Social Center through the wider use of its church facilities for several 
 years past. There was, however, one organization that could not find 
 adequate facilities in the church-schools for its activities, and that was 
 the Polish “Falcons” or Turners, a military and gymnastic organiza- 
 tion. Accordingly, the use of the Recreation Building was tendered to 
 them and accepted for one night a week, at which time the Falcons carry 
 on their drill, marching, and apparatus work under the supervision and 
 direction of a trained Polish leader. The group also has the use of the 
 Club Rooms, Auditorium and Swimming-pool. Not only are the members 
 of the Falcons enjoying these privileges but so also are hundreds of 
 other Poles — friends and relations — who crowd the gallery and watch 
 
the proceedings. On two evenings in June a special musket drill was 
 held under the direction of the head drill master of the National Asso- 
 ciation of Falcons, on which occasion the crowd could scarcely be ac- 
 commodated. 
 
 Recently a troop of ‘ ‘ Boy Scouts, ’ ’ having no connection however with 
 the national organization, was organized at St. Valentine’s. This troop 
 consists of seventy boys and is really a preparatory group for the Fal- 
 cons. The “Scouts” are drilled by members of the Falcons and use the 
 Center as headquarters. 
 
 The celebration of the most important of all Polish national holidays 
 — Constitution Day — was held in the Auditorium on Sunday after- 
 noon, May 1, 1915. This affair was observed with all pomp and cere- 
 mony. The entire congregation marched from St. Valentine’s church 
 to the High School led by their own band and accompanied by the Fal- 
 cons and Hussars dressed in full regalia. Some seven hundred people 
 crowded the Auditorium to listen to a very excellent program in both 
 languages, rendered by the children as well as by the priests of the ad- 
 jacent parishes and prominent Poles from Chicago. The past glory of 
 the unfortunate kingdom was related both in verse and song by the 
 adult choirs and the children and in ringing speech by the male speak- 
 ers, while the future hopes of a united Poland brought forth enthusi- 
 astic applause from the audience. What better demonstration of patri- 
 otism could be given the native American than an occasion of this kind I 
 What potential qualities of good citizenship are not lying dormant in 
 these people awaiting the call to American citizenship ! 
 
 Tennis 
 
 Tennis is literally an unknown sport in the township. This being the 
 case, there was scarcely any demand for the court located alongside of 
 the High School except by a mere handful of High School students. 
 But with th completion of the two new courts on the Athletic Field a 
 definite effort was made by the Center to arouse interest in the game. 
 This work is yet in its infancy although a very flourishing Tennis Club 
 has been organized, its members paying a nominal fee for use of the 
 courts and nets. The proceeds pay for the upkeep of the courts. 
 
 The Grade and Parochial School Athletic League 
 
 This organization includes all of the activities shared by the children 
 of the grade and parochial schools of the Township.. Its membership 
 consists of nine public grade schools and seven parish schools, and in- 
 cludes activities for both boys and girls of all ages. The greatest ef- 
 forts of the Center are focused on the activities of this league, since it 
 is felt that here certainly a constructive program for the future will bear 
 the greatest fruits. 
 
 Besides gymnasium and swimming classes for both boys and girls the 
 following activities are carried on : two indoor baseball leagues witli 
 championship shields for each offered by the Social Center ; two outdoor 
 baseball leagues with the Peru Business Men’s Shield, the trophy for the 
 Grade league, and the Calvert Council, Knights of Columbus, Shield, 
 the trophy for the Parochial League; a Washington Birthday indoor 
 track meet, with the La Salle Commercial Association loving cup for 
 the winning. school ; and an outdoor track meet in which the schools com- 
 
Trophy Winners and Boys’ Committee 
 
pete for the silver loving cup offered by the Oglesby Commercial Club. 
 These trophies are held one year by the winning school, and are to be- 
 come the permanent property of the schools winning them three times. 
 
 Since not every child is able to compete on his school team, a set of 
 proficiency tests, with gold, silver, and bronze medals as a reward, are 
 given monthly for boys and girls. One direct result of these tests has 
 been the appearance of home-made apparatus for jumping and chinning 
 in many back yards where the children of the neighborhood can get in 
 trim for the next medal contests. Next year it is planned to offer a 
 prize for the school winning the greatest number of medals, whereby it 
 is hoped that the schools themselves will cooperate to a larger degree in 
 getting a greater number to compete. 
 
 As an inducement to greater proficiency in swimming a monogram of 
 white felt containing the letters S. C. is awarded to boys who swim 120 
 yards and a monogram of different design to girls for swimming 60 
 yards. The results from both this scheme and the badge tests have been 
 a keen rivalry and a notable increase in numbers and interest. 
 
 Parents’ Nights 
 
 During the spring a series of Parents’ Nights was held at the Center. 
 On these evenings the children of a particular school invited friends and 
 relatives to see them march, drill, do apparatus work and play games. 
 At the close of these exercises an informal reception was held in the 
 Music Room, where the parents were told of the aims and activities of 
 the Social Center and were invited to lend their cooperation wherever 
 possible. These affairs drew very large attendances toward the latter 
 part of the season, although the attendance of the first two or three 
 was rather disappointing. They were certainly the means of bringing 
 to the Center many adults who had never before attended. In the com- 
 ing winter (1915-1916) it is hoped to foster a still greater interest 
 among the parents by means of series of musical and dramatic evenings 
 with their children the performers. 
 
 The Summer’s Activities 
 
 During the summer of 1915 the following schedule was instituted: 
 Swimming classes for all, early morning gymnasium classes (both in- 
 doors and on the athletic field), folk dancing, kite making and flying, 
 story-telling, dolls’ club, proficiency-tests, game-room activities, evening 
 gymnasium-work for the Polish Falcons and for the women, outings and 
 picnics, baseball, track, and tennis. With the completion of the outdoor 
 tank the swimming classes will be rearranged so as to relieve the con- 
 gestion caused by the unusually large numbers in some of the classes. 
 
 Non-Athletic Activities 
 
 With the wonderful facilities at hand for athletics in all its forms, the 
 emphasis during the first year was naturally placed upon athletic activ- 
 ities, while non-athletic affairs were organized in a more conservative 
 fashion. The organization followed the line of popular interest. 
 
 One factor that has been responsible for the relatively small participa- 
 tion of older groups is the distance of the High School from the resi- 
 dential and business centers and the small population in the immediate 
 
Small Boys' Kite-Making Class 
 
 Weekly Outing of Social Center Girls 
 
neighborhood. Add to this the fact that a steep hill must be climbed or 
 ravines crossed before the school finally is reached and the disadvantage 
 is apparent. This disadvantage naturally operates mostly among the 
 older folks, who use either the convenient Library Halls, the City Halls, 
 the Grade Schools, or a room in one of the parish halls of which the 
 Township has quite a number ; and it is among the older element that 
 the majority of the non-athletic groups of community activities must 
 be recruited. Some account of the more representative events follows. 
 
 The Glee Club 
 
 The Glee Club of the La Salle Commercial Association, an organiza- 
 tion of young men living in the three towns, made its headquarters at 
 the Social Center since its opening. The club consists of fifteen members 
 and is directed by a local singer of note. It really acts as a community 
 club in that its services are available at all public gatherings. On Janu- 
 ary 6, 1915, the Glee Club brought the Oberlin College Glee Club to La 
 Salle for a concert which was held in the Auditorium, after which a re- 
 ception and dance were held in the Recreation Building. The Club 
 uses either the Music Room or the Auditorium for its rehearsals. 
 
 The C. A. L. S. O. M. Club 
 
 This organization, which is wholly independent of the Social Center, 
 had its origin at the time of the State Conference of Charities and Cor- 
 rections, held in the Tri-Cities in October, when Mrs. Mather, secretary 
 of the Illinois Vigilance Association, gave the club its start. The local 
 chapter has a membership of eighty girls between the ages of fourteen 
 and twenty-two. Some of their meetings have been held in the Social 
 Center. One meeting a month is for business, featured by a literary 
 or musical program and by an occasional speaker. The second meeting 
 each month is devoted to some social activity such as a dance, a party, 
 or an entertainment to which the girls invite their boy friends. The 
 club gave a very interesting entertainment on St. Patrick’s night, at the 
 Center, which was attended by one hundred and sixty persons, including 
 many of the girls’ parents. 
 
 Dances 
 
 While dances have not been conducted by the Social Center itself, yet 
 many private organizations have used the gymnasium for that purpose. 
 The Fortnightly Club gave a dance the night of the football game with 
 Ottawa High School in honor of the Ottawa team. The High School 
 Alumni has given three dances, one during Christmas week which was 
 a big success from every standpoint and the other two at Commencement 
 time. The Deutsche Gesellsehaft has given several parties, including a 
 very interesting Washington Birthday party at which a program in Ger- 
 man was the main feature, followed by German games and a dance in 
 the gymnasium. The Camp Fire girls also utilized Christmas week for a 
 dance which was held on New Year’s Night. It took the form of a 
 masquerade, the costumes and decorations transforming the gymnasium 
 into a veritable fairyland. 
 
 The Alumni Association 
 
 The Alumni Association of the High School has utilized the Social 
 Center not only for its dances, but also for its meetings and dramatics. 
 
The Alumni Indoor Baseball team was a member of the League, finish- 
 ing the season in third place. It is hoped that this association will be of 
 considerable assistance in building up the work of the Center by means 
 of volunteer cooperation, which in fact has been bountifully given by 
 several members of the association during the past winter. 
 
 The N. I. T. A. and the Charities Conferences 
 
 During October, two conferences were tendered the use of the High 
 School Recreation Building for their sessions. The Northern Illinois 
 Teachers’ Association held the majority of its sessions in the Auditorium 
 and various rooms of the two buildings on Friday, October 16, 1914, and 
 the Illinois State Conference of Charities and Corrections utilized the 
 same facilities from Saturday, October 24, 1914, until the following 
 Tuesday. In the gymnasium, gallery, and library were placed exhibits 
 from the various state institutions as well as many local exhibits from 
 the township. The sectional meetings of the conference were held in 
 the Music and History Rooms, while a large number of the main sessions 
 were held in the Auditorium. During the Conference, the Center and 
 School made every effort to induce that part of the township which 
 formed its constituency at least to visit the exhibits, if not to attend the 
 public meetings, of the Conference. Probably the greatest success was 
 gained among the High School students, who took advantage to an unex- 
 pected degree. It was remarked by officials of the Conference that the at- 
 tendance at the section-meetings was on this occasion much larger than 
 it has been in some of the largest cities. Thus the educational effects of 
 this Conference reached through the Center an unusually large public. 
 
 The Young Men’s Club 
 
 A club composed entirely of young men from the neighborhood boasts 
 of a membership of thirty. This organization is the old neighborhood 
 gang who are now applying their efforts to athletic and club activities. 
 Their efforts include gymnasium work, indoor baseball, basketball, base- 
 ball, swimming, and club meetings. A prominent speaker is secured to 
 address The club one meeting a month. In the winter the club antici- 
 pates giving a minstrel show and several dances. 
 
 Events in the Auditorium 
 
 Besides the conferences, Polish Constitution Day, and the Oberlin 
 Glee Club concert, the Auditorium has been used by various organiza- 
 tions and groups for both the High School and outsiders. Concerts, en- 
 tertainments, and lectures have been held at various times, for which use 
 a nominal fee has usually been charged to cover the cost of light and 
 heat, based on the size of audience, the amount of profit, and the use to 
 which the proceeds were to be put. Several churches held musicals and 
 entertainments; Mr. Goldstein lectured on “Socialism” under the aus- 
 pices of the Knights of Columbus; and the Grade Schools held their 
 commencement in the Auditorium. During the year several attractions 
 of note were brought to the towns and offered to the public at a price 
 just sufficient to cover expenses. They were : Seumas MacManus, who 
 gave two very interesting talks, one for the school in the afternoon on 
 ‘ ‘ A Merry Ramble Through Ireland ’ ’ and another in the evening for the 
 
public on the same subject ; the Ben Greet players presented ‘ ‘ Twelfth 
 Night”; the Fuller Sisters gave an afternoon of English Folk Songs and 
 Dances ; and Secretary Lewis of the Navy League gave two talks on ‘ ‘ In- 
 crease of the Navy,” one for the school and another for the general 
 public. The last named talk was given admission free, as were Professor 
 Riggs’s two talks on the “ Extinct Monsters of North America.” In 
 May Mrs. Anna Schram Imig and Miss Helen R. Calhoun gave a de- 
 lightful song and piano recital. 
 
 The wider use of the Auditorium looms large with possibilities for the 
 future. It is hoped that public meetings of all kinds will be held there ; 
 certainly no place more fitting will be found for the people to discuss 
 their common problems. 
 
 The Center and School as a Reference Bureau 
 
 The Center is becoming more and more a reference bureau for all 
 questions on recreation. Besides answering numerous queries from in- 
 dividuals on matters pertaining to various athletic sports, equipment, 
 hygiene, picnics, etc., assistance has been given adjoining towns who 
 wished information on the organization of leagues and on swimming 
 pool construction and sanitation. Suggestions were given the Oglesby 
 Grade Schools at the time the plans were being drawn up for their new 
 annex, which will be operated as a Social Center when completed. In 
 this way the Center hopes to act as the central agency for the surround- 
 ing district in all matters of recreation, just as hitherto the School has 
 performed these same functions for education in manifold ways. 
 
 Proposed Extension Work of the School 
 
 Among the plans for the school-work of the coming winter should be 
 mentioned the “Farmers’ Short Course” to be held for twelve weeks for 
 farm-boys, and a Short Course for adult farmers. These courses are to 
 include besides the regular courses and lectures on crops, soils, stock, 
 building construction, etc., talks on community work, wider use of the 
 schoolhouses, granges, vegetable, flower, and grain clubs among the chil- 
 dren, rural recreation and rural sociology. Some of this latter work is 
 to be given by the Social Center staff, while the more technical subjects 
 will be handled by members of the High School faculty and by special- 
 ists from nearby districts. 
 
 Assistance will also be rendered the Oglesby Public Schools in their 
 efforts to organize after school and evening work in the new annex. 
 
 The Social Workers’ Club 
 
 This organization is just in its period of formation, so that any de- 
 tailed account of its activities is impossible. The tentative plans, how- 
 ever, include monthly luncheons and meetings at which common local 
 problems will be discussed ; speakers from other cities will be secured to 
 address the groups whenever possible. The membership will probably 
 number about twenty-five, including besides the paid workers of the 
 various social agencies, the school superintendents and principals, the 
 township supervisors and the clergy. 
 
 The Club feels that by cooperative action only can the local problems 
 be treated with anything like efficiency. This cooperation is the ideal 
 the Social Workers’ Club stands for. 
 
But it was only after Mr. F. W. Matthiessen had made an offer to donate 
 funds for the establishment and support of such a cooperative health de- 
 partment that the matter was taken under serious consideration by the 
 city officials. 
 
 Plan and Formation of the Hygienic Institute 
 
 The plan which was thus put forward and accepted by the three 
 municipalities provided for the establishment of a Hygienic Institute in 
 La Salle under the general guidance of a director (who is chosen by Mr. 
 Matthiessen and Dr. Chancellor, his advisor ) , and supported by a dona- 
 tion from Mr. Matthiessen. The director of the Hygienic Institute is at 
 the same time the chief health-officer for the three cities. But in ordejr 
 to give the organization a legal standing, it was necessary for the mayor 
 and city council in each of the three cities to appoint an assistant health- 
 officer who is a resident of the city where he serves. These assistant 
 health-officers are medical practitioners and give only a part of their 
 time to this work. They act in the capacity of medical inspectors, and 
 are virtually in charge of the contagious diseases in their respective dis- 
 tricts, including the schools which they are expected to visit almost daily. 
 
 The plan further provided that each of the three municipalities should 
 engage a sanitary policeman who is to work under the direction of the 
 health officer, but shall be paid by the city. The cities were also to 
 provide for the collection and disposal of garbage, and to adopt a more 
 up-to-date sanitary code, which would embody recommendations made 
 by the director of the Hygienic Institute. 
 
 The Housing and The Staff 
 
 The Hygienic Institute is housed in a remodeled building adjacent to 
 the La Salle-Peru Township High School. In this building are main- 
 tained properly furnished offices with filing cabinets and printed blanks 
 for keeping records, and a completely equipped laboratory for making 
 baeteriologic diagnoses and sanitary chemical analyses of waters and 
 foods. Close cooperation with the high school is maintained, and classes 
 frequently visit the offices and laboratory and have the public health 
 work explained to them. Members of the Institute are frequently in- 
 vited by the high school principal to give health talks before classes or at 
 the general assembly. The director of the Institute and the bacteriolo- 
 gist aim to give part of their time to original investigations and hence a 
 sufficient number of assistants are employed to make this possible. At 
 present the following staff is employed by the Hygienic Institute : 
 
 Director ...... 
 
 Bacteriologist 
 
 Ass’t Health Commissioner, La Salle 
 Ass’t Health Commissioner, Peru 
 Ass’t Health Commissioner, Oglesby 
 Infant Welfare Nurse 
 School Nurse . 
 
 School Nurse . 
 
 Dairy Inspector 
 Clerk and Stenographer . 
 Technician 
 
 Gustav F. Ruediger, M. D. 
 Edward H. Hatton, M. D. 
 
 B. E. Fahrney, M. D. 
 
 . 0. C. Yoder, M. D. 
 
 R. G. Cressman, M. D. 
 Florence L. Cameron, R. N. 
 Minerva Egan, R. N. 
 Mrs. Minnie Pearl Guynes 
 . W. L. Farley, M. D. Y. 
 
 Sarah E. Byrne 
 W. J. Rohde 
 
Mr. Matthiessen’s donation in support of this work was as follows: 
 $12,000 for a suitable building for offices and laboratory, $5,000 for lab- 
 oratory equipment and office fixtures, and $16,350 annually for salaries 
 and maintenance. 
 
 Scope of the Work 
 
 The officers of the Hygienic Institute are charged with the enforce- 
 ment of all local and state laws pertaining to the health of the people 
 in the district. They look after the prevention and suppression of con- 
 tagious diseases, the sanitary regulation of the water and milk supply, 
 the sanitary inspection of grocery stores, meat markets, and dairies, the 
 medical inspection of school children, and the general sanitation of the 
 streets and alleys. 
 
 A year ago about two-thirds of the milk delivered in La Salle, and at 
 least three-fourths of that delivered in Peru, was dipped from cans on 
 open wagons, in the streets. No attention had been paid to dairy inspec- 
 tion and no bacteriological or chemical analyses of milk were made. At 
 present all milk delivered in La Salle is bottled in sterilized bottles and 
 pasteurized, and approximately one-third of the supply in Peru is 
 bottled. In Oglesby practically the entire supply is delivered in bottles. 
 All dairies are systematically inspected and scored and the product from 
 each dairy is subjected to a bacteriologic and chemical analysis at least 
 twice every month. 
 
 All grocery stores and meat markets are being inspected and scored 
 and in a number of instances orders were given to keep the places of 
 business in a more sanitary condition. In some instances no provisions 
 had been made for the washing of the hands of employees. Some of the 
 stores have no toilet facilities, which were ordered to be installed. All 
 sidewalk displays of groceries and fruits must be elevated at least eight- 
 een inches above the sidewalk and must be kept covered with mosquito 
 netting to keep off flies. 
 
 As many of the alleys in La Salle and Oglesby were in a very unsan- 
 itary condition much time and attention have been devoted to them. All 
 manner of refuse and kitchen garbage, tin cans, and broken bottles were 
 being thrown into the alleys and very few families were using covered 
 water-tight garbage cans. A campaign was instituted against these con- 
 ditions in the spring of 1914 and a very decided improvement has been 
 obtained. Hundreds of families have provided themselves with covered 
 water-tight garbage cans and the throwing of garbage and kitchen slops 
 into the alleys has almost ceased. 
 
 Insanitary outdoor privies were found in practically every block in 
 the communities. As these privies are a constant source of annoyance 
 and a menace to the health of the neighborhood we instituted a campaign 
 against them in the fall of 1914. We outlined a large district in the 
 residence portion of La Salle from which all outdoor privies must be re- 
 moved before the close of the present year. 
 
 Medical Inspection of School Children 
 
 All schools in La Salle, Peru, and Oglesby are visited almost 
 daily during the school year by either the school nurse or one of the as- 
 sistant health commissioners. These visits are made for the purpose of 
 
examining children who may be unwell in order that contagions diseases 
 may be detected early and excluded from school. Children who are ab- 
 sent from school for two days or more on account of sickness are visited 
 in their homes to determine the nature of the illness. Through these 
 precautions 59 cases of diphtheria were detected among school children 
 during the year, all of which might otherwise have escaped quarantine 
 and have started epidemics. Most of these cases were mild, hut it is 
 worth while to point out that epidemics are usually started by mild and 
 unrecognized cases. The child who is critically ill is nearly always prop- 
 erly quarantined and thus prevented from spreading contagion. 
 
 At the opening of the school year all children were subjected to a rou- 
 tine inspection for the detection of contagious diseases, skin diseases, in- 
 fectious eye diseases, and pediculosis (head-lice). During this inspec- 
 tion we found 69 cases of ringworm of the face, 5 cases of impetigo, 226 
 cases of pediculosis, 3 cases of desquamation after scarlet fever, and a 
 number of cases of eye-defects. These routine inspections are to be re- 
 peated at the beginning of each school term. Wherever possible these 
 children were treated by the school nurse, and at the close of the present 
 school year there were only 10 cases of pediculosis in the public schools 
 in the three cities and no cases of ringworm or impetigo. 
 
 All school children are to be given a partial physical examination 
 once every two years for detection of defects of the eyes, ears, nose, 
 throat, and teeth. During the year just closed 1,359 children were 
 given this physical examination, which revealed 104 cases of defective 
 vision, 49 cases of defective hearing, 162 cases of defective teeth, and 32 
 cases of defective nasal breathing. In the future all of these inspections 
 and physical examination are to be extended to the parochial schools as 
 well as the public schools. 
 
 Infant Welfare Work 
 
 The Infant Welfare work is carried on by another division of the Hy- 
 gienic Institute known as the Emma Matthiessen-Chancellor Memorial 
 Infant Welfare Station. This work is in charge of a trained nurse. The 
 purpose of this department is to teach mothers and prospective mothers 
 how to take care of the baby. Special attention is given to the instruc- 
 tion of mothers in the proper feeding of infants. Wherever possible the 
 mother is induced to nurse the infant, but in special cases a modified 
 milk diet is prescribed. About fifty dollars’ worth of milk is distributed 
 free every month, chiefly for the feeding of infants, but in some instances 
 also for the mother for the purpose of increasing her own supply. Reg- 
 ular visits are made by the nurse in the homes and once every week the 
 mothers bring their children to the Hygienic Institute to be weighed and 
 examined. Special classes of instruction in the care of the baby are 
 given to high school girls. 
 
The Tri-City Associated Charities 
 
 La Salle-Peru-Oglesby 
 
 Main Office — Merchants’ Block, La Salle; Oglesby Office — City Hall, 
 
 Oglesby 
 
 President . 
 
 General Secretary 
 Visitor, Probation Officer 
 
 Visitors 
 
 Office Assistant . 
 
 . A Nenrenther, Pern, Illinois 
 May L. Shepard, La Salle, Illinois 
 Margaret Gaynor, La Salle, Illinois 
 . Lnlu Bereiter, Peru, Illinois 
 Christine Lindsay, Oglesby, Illinois 
 Marie Huber 
 
 Object and Methods 
 
 To provide immediate relief ; to conserve and strengthen self respect ; 
 to utilize all helpful public and private agencies for the purpose of re- 
 habilitating needy families in the three cities. 
 
 The Tri-Cities Associated Charities is the single private agency in the 
 three cities which deals exclusively with needy familes as a unit, irre- 
 spective of race or creed. Its staff of trained workers spend each day in 
 the administration of its activities and in visitation in the homes of un- 
 fortunate people. Two groups of volunteers meet weekly for the study 
 of local and general social conditions and for the thoughtful considera- 
 tion of individual family problems. One of its visitors is the juvenile 
 probation officer for La Salle County Court and in this capacity deals 
 with dependent and delinquent children and families for whom the 
 county provides a mother’s pension. 
 
 During the last ten months the society workers have dealt with 381 
 families. In a third of these material relief in food, fuel, rent, and 
 clothing ; medical care, in the form of physician ’s attendance, home nurs- 
 ing and hospital care, medicine and sick diet have been provided, and 
 furniture moving expenses and transportation have been secured as con- 
 tributing factors in family betterment. Cash pensions have enabled 
 needy boys and girls to continue school work after the age of fourteen, 
 and payment of a housekeeper ’s service has prevented the separation of 
 motherless children. In the remaining families, advice, employment, 
 disciplinary measures, and friendly supervision have been employed, 
 and members put in touch with specialized agencies which would meet 
 their individual needs. 
 
 Example of the Work 
 
 The R — > family live in a tiny house in a hollow in the extreme east 
 end of La Salle. When the Associated Charities first knew them, one 
 year ago, Mr. R — had been out of work for some time by reason of poor 
 health and was drinking. Mrs. R — was untidy and inclined to beg and 
 settle down into dependency. The children had bad records and even 
 the parish priest thought them almost hopeless. One little boy bad a 
 badly deformed leg, the result of an injury in babyhood. A physician 
 at the Health Department diagnosed Mr. R — ’s ailment as miner’s 
 asthma and said that improvement was impossible if he undertook fac- 
 tory or mine work again. Assistance from both the Associated Char- 
 
ities and the County Supervisor was given; the little boy treated by a 
 specialist and very constant visitation and encouragement given the 
 woman. During the winter the eldest boy, who had just reached 16, se- 
 cured factory work for $6.00 per week. In April the visitor found out- 
 door employment for Mr. R — at $2.00 per day and Mrs. R — , who had 
 by this time come to show marked improvem'ent in housekeeping, was 
 helped to find temporary places at house-cleaning, all of which she filled 
 satisfactorily. Permanent work for her was not encouraged as it was 
 felt that all her efforts should be directed to the betterment of her own 
 family conditions. She was allowed, however, to keep one place at of- 
 fice cleaning which paid her $2.00 per week for one-half day’s work. 
 When debts had been paid a conference was held with the man and 
 woman with the result that they bring weekly money to the office to be 
 kept for them against the winter months when Mr. R — will be unable to 
 work. It is hoped that no outside assistance for this family will be 
 further required. The improvement in housekeeping and in hopeful- 
 ness and ambition has been wonderful. 
 
 Sources of Support 
 
 The funds for the work of the Tri-City Associated Charities are raised 
 by private subscription in all three towns. During the past year, the 
 admission receipts of Deer Park, a scenic resort near Oglesby, Illinois, 
 owned by Mr. P. W. Matthiessen, have been placed at the disposal of the 
 Society, which collects and administers the receipts from this source. 
 
 The Women’s Clubs, Bureaus and 
 Civic Leagues 
 
 La Salle Women’s Bureau 
 
 Mrs. J. A. Ede President 
 
 Miss Sophia Jankowski Vice President 
 
 Mrs. C. S. Blakely ........ Treasurer 
 
 Miss Jennie Cline Secretary 
 
 The La Salle Women’s Bureau is the offspring of the La Salle Com- 
 mercial Association, and was organized March 12, 1912. 
 
 Object and Membership 
 
 “This Bureau shall be affiliated with the La Salle Commercial Asso- 
 ciation, and shall assist said Association in beautifying the city and pro- 
 moting the civic and general welfare of the community. 
 
 “Any person in good standing residing in the city of La Salle or 
 vicinity interested in and desiring to encourage the developing of this 
 community shall be eligible for active membership in the Bureau.” 
 
 Control and Activities 
 
 It is controlled by a board of directors elected annually at a general 
 meeting. The officers consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, 
 and treasurer, who hold office one year. 
 
In its efforts to add to the beauty of the city it inaugurated a flower 
 contest and shrub sales, one of which is held in the spring and the other 
 in the fall of each year. During the past three years four thousand 
 shrubs were sold, and the demand for them is constantly increasing. 
 
 Twice a year a clean-up campaign is made against every unsanitary 
 condition and for the removal of every objectionable feature that tends 
 to mar the beauty of the city. The present beautiful miniature park at 
 the foot of Gooding street is a memento of the efforts of the Women’s 
 Bureau in this direction. 
 
 The green boxes seen on our streets with the stenciled appeal, “help 
 keep your city clean,” were placed there by the Women’s Bureau. 
 
 Initiatory steps have been taken towards planting shrubs near the en- 
 trance to the Rock Island Depot and placing vines to adorn the abut- 
 ment of the Zimmerman Opera House bordering on Marquette street. 
 
 In promoting the civic and general welfare of the city, it has peti- 
 tioned the council for the enforcement of the law prohibiting the sale of 
 cigarettes to minors ; the enacting of the curfew ordinance ; it has remon- 
 strated against the removal of all dilapidated buildings from one part 
 of the city to another ; and has recommended a building line for the city. 
 
 It has opened a rest room for women in the basement of the Carnegie 
 Library, with a paid matron in attendance. It has brought prominent 
 speakers to speak here on subjects pertinent to civic and general welfare 
 of the community, and encouraged home talent to speak on the same 
 lines. The Women’s Bureau subscribes annually $25.00 to the Tri-City 
 Charities. It has always shown itself an appreciable ally to all those 
 desiring to further the interests and welfare of the children, such as the 
 Municipal Christmas Tree and the Social Center picnics. 
 
 The Women’s Bureau has recently affiliated with the Child’s Welfare 
 League, the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs and the American 
 Civic Association. 
 
 The Women’s Bureau has taken a very lively interest in every effort to 
 debar cheap carnivals from entering the city, and in encouraging and 
 promoting the Redpath Chautauqua and similar entertainments. 
 
 It takes the credit for having been a strong supporter of Dr. Ruediger 
 in his demand for bottled milk, and in working in behalf of the Tuber- 
 culosis Association in selling Red Cross seals. 
 
 It has succeeded in securing for this city the presence of the 12th dis- 
 trict meeting of the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs, October 14 
 and 15, 1915. 
 
 The Children’s Civic League 
 
 The La Salle Women’s Bureau organized a Children’s Civic League 
 of Good Citizenship in the La Salle schools. The League has elicited 
 commendation from other districts. Every school forms a branch of the 
 main body with its own president, vice-president, and secretary. The 
 procedure in each branch is strictly parliamentary, inculcating the in- 
 itiatory steps to the forum and public platform. The Bureau appoints 
 five speakers who address the children once a month for ten minutes on 
 such subjects as “Good Citizenship based on Good Character,” “La 
 Salle in Early Days,” “Our Town and City Government,” “The Influ- 
 ence our League may have on Good Citizenship.” 
 
 On the occasion of Governor Dunne’s visit members of the League 
 
met the Governor at the depot and escorted him to the city, and pre- 
 sented him with a copy of their constitution and by-laws. The badge 
 of the League is a button bearing the motto ‘ ‘ I will help La Salle. ’ ’ The 
 following is the Constitution : 
 
 Constitution 
 
 Article I. This Association shall be called the Children’s League of 
 Good Citizenship of La Salle. 
 
 Article II. The object of this Association shall be to interest the 
 children of the city of La Salle in all matters relating to good citizen- 
 ship. 
 
 By-Laws 
 
 Section I. Name. Each school branch of the League shall be known 
 by the name of its school, as Washington League, Jackson League, Lin- 
 coln League, Jefferson League, Grant League. 
 
 Section II. Each branch has its own officers, elected at first monthly 
 meeting of each school year. 
 
 Section III. Officers. The officers shall consist of president, vice- 
 president, and secretary. 
 
 Section TV. Members. All pupils of grades above second to be mem- 
 bers of the League. 
 
 Section V. Time of meeting. Each branch will hold meetings on 
 the second Friday, 3 :30 to 4 :00 p. m., of each school month, from Octo- 
 ber to May, in largest assembly room of respective school. 
 
 Section VI. Rules for Members : 
 
 1. To throw down no paper. 
 
 2. To throw down no fruit. 
 
 3. To throw down no rubbish. 
 
 4. To injure no property. 
 
 5. To observe city ordinances. 
 
 Section VII. The officers and members shall wear emblematic but- 
 tons to be provided by the Civic Committee of the Women’s Bureau. 
 
 The Women’s Bureau of Oglesby 
 
 Officers 
 
 President Mrs. H. A. Bent 
 
 Vice President Mrs. F. H. Lambert 
 
 Secretary Mrs. J. H. Standart 
 
 Treasurer Mrs. R. G. Cressman 
 
 Improving School Grounds 
 
 The welfare results of the Women’s Bureau of Oglesby have been 
 numerous and their activity has stimulated civic undertakings in many 
 ways. Under their leadership, the grounds of the city schools have been 
 beautified. Private subscriptions have purchased the shrubs for the pur- 
 pose. Through their efforts Mr. Dawson, manager of the Nickel Theatre 
 in Oglesby, gave forty per cent of one night’s receipts of his theatre, a 
 performance which netted twenty dollars. The children of the schools, 
 when the grounds were beautified, expected some play-ground apparatus, 
 and not having enough money, the Women’s Club applied to the Com- 
 mercial Association of Oglesby, two members of which, Mr. Turner and 
 
Mr. Fraser, volunteered to furnish free of charge the apparatus needed. 
 The material furnished consisted of piping, etc., for outdoor gymnasium 
 work, material which is not yet placed. 
 
 Domestic Science Work 
 
 Under the auspices of this Club, the Domestic Science work for girls 
 was introduced into the city. The School Board gave fifty dollars, a 
 citizen of the Township gave fifty dollars, and the mayor of the city gave 
 a room in his office to be used for the work. A student of the High School 
 taught one morning a week with the help of one of the women from the 
 Club. The School Board paid the teacher and furnished the supplies. 
 The result is that Domestic Science is to be established in the new school 
 building. The School Board paid the entire bill for the Domestic Science 
 apparatus, and the private donation above mentioned has been left to 
 apply on the work of the present year. 
 
 The Sewing School of Oglesby had been carried on by the Women’s 
 Club on Saturday afternoons for two years, 1912-1913, 1913-1914. It 
 was then merged into the regular Domestic Science work above men- 
 tioned, and doubtless also led to the introduction of Manual Training 
 work in the Oglesby schools. Assistance has been given also in the 
 school library work and other civic undertakings. Through the influ- 
 ence of the Club, music has just been introduced into the schools. The 
 Women’s Club of Oglesby is fortunate in having had the enterprises it 
 inaugurated taken over by the authorities and incorporated into the 
 regular work of the schools and the municipal institutions. This is the 
 true function of volunteer organizations. 
 
 Oglesby Social Center Annex 
 
 The new school building of Oglesby, thanks to the progressive spirit 
 and attitude of the Board of Education and the leading citizens of this 
 rapidly growing town, will contain a Social Center Annex of some preten- 
 sions. The class rooms will be used for recreation rooms, meeting rooms, 
 and club rooms and a large room in the basement has been so constructed 
 as to serve the double purpose of a gymnasium and auditorium. While 
 the Social Center Annex is not connected with the Women’s Club, it may 
 be appropriately mentioned in this connection as one of the new expres- 
 sions of Oglesby’s civic activity. 
 
 The Industrial Schools 
 
 Peru Industrial School 
 
 President . 
 
 Vice President . 
 Secretary 
 
 Assistant Secretary 
 Treasurer . 
 Assistant Treasurer 
 
 Mrs. R. F. Struever 
 Mr. James R. Hart 
 . Mrs. 0. C. Yoder 
 Mrs. George Neureuther 
 Mrs. Emma Zimmermann 
 Mrs. Louise Loeckle 
 
 In 1905 a number of Peru ladies established a sewing school in that 
 city for the training of the younger girls in practical hand work, and 
 
named it the Peru Industrial Association. The members met at the 
 home of Mrs. C. B. Lihrne and each pledged herself to contribute $1.00 
 a year to the support of the organization. An interesting feature of the 
 financing of the Association was the requirement that each pupil entering 
 the school should pay a penny a week for the lesson that was given on 
 Saturday ; later it was found expedient to raise the charges of pupils to 
 two cents a week for the beginners ’ class, three cents a week for the sec- 
 ond year class, and five cents for those who received instruction in pat- 
 tern drafting. The idea at the basis of this charge is that children prize 
 lightly that which costs nothing. The pattern drafting is conducted un- 
 der the direction of a trained teacher. 
 
 The growth of the work was rapid and the attendance increased to the 
 satisfaction of all concerned. The elementary course grew into more in- 
 tricate courses, and the curriculum ultimately took on an ordinary and 
 systematic shape. At the end of the course diplomas are awarded and 
 credit for the work is given at the La Salle-Peru Township High School. 
 The average attendance each Saturday is 130 girls. In 1908 there were 
 19 graduates, and since then the Association has awarded 129 diplomas 
 for meritorious work. 
 
 Owing to the success of the work of the girls, a manual training de- 
 partment was established in the Central School on Saturdays for boys. 
 Later this work was taken up by the Board of Education, and it is hoped 
 that it will be subsequently incorporated in the regular week-day curri- 
 culum of the schools. 
 
 In all the work of this Association the women of the city, the Board of 
 Education, and all citizens, both young and old, have cooperated, thus 
 furnishing a notable example of community unity that is worthy of 
 emulation. 
 
 The Women’s Industrial Association of La Salle 
 
 President 
 Vice President 
 Secretary 
 Treasurer 
 Principal 
 
 Mrs. Mary Carus 
 Mrs. J. E. Malone 
 . Mrs. Frances L. Wilson 
 . Miss Eliza Stuart 
 Miss Elizabeth Kirkpatrick 
 
 In 1900 the Women’s Industrial Association of LaSalle was organ- 
 ized with about thirty members. For many years classes in sewing for 
 girls under a capable instructress were held on Saturdays in the rooms 
 of the old Library and later in the Jefferson School, which was placed 
 at the disposal of the Association by the local Board of Education. The 
 school was supported by private contributions from its members who 
 subscribed one dollar a year for the purpose, and the instruction and 
 materials furnished, to the children free. There are now 250 pupils in 
 sewing, taught by five teachers engaged by the Board of Education and 
 by two engaged by the Association. At the start there were only 45 
 pupils. No fee is charged for tuition or materials unless the latter are 
 for the making of clothes, dresses, etc. On the granting of certificates of 
 proficiency to the girls public meetings with exercises and sewing ex- 
 hibits were held in Music Hall, the Township High School Domestic 
 Science department, and later in the new Jefferson School building. On 
 these occasions, speeches are made by people from both home and 
 
abroad and much done by these enthusiastic meetings to stimulate an in- 
 terest in the work, an interest which has spread to many other places. 
 In 1915 cooking classes on Saturday also have been introduced at an ex- 
 pense of $100. 
 
 So successful was the work with the girls and so pleased were the 
 parents of the community with the results, that in 1912 a proposition 
 was made to the local Board of Education that the ladies of the Indus- 
 trial Association would purchase benches and tools for boys at a cost of 
 $500, providing the Board of Education would supply the rooms and 
 pay the salary of a teacher for one-half day Saturday. The experiment 
 was carried to a successful conclusion and now for some time past those 
 boys of the town who are desirous of taking advantage of this instruc- 
 tion meet every Saturday morning in well-equipped Manual Training 
 shops in the new Jefferson School building. The Manual Training 
 teacher is a member of the Township High School faculty, as is likewise 
 the teacher who has charge of the Manual Training work in Oglesby and 
 Peru. As the movement grows, it is believed that in time a special 
 teacher of Manual Training for the grade schools of the Tri-Cities will 
 be engaged who can conduct his work on week days and have a definite 
 place in the regular daily program of study. 
 
 The object of the Women’s Industrial Association is to enable par- 
 ticularly those who will not have the benefits of a high school education 
 to gain better and higher ideals and instruction in the managing and 
 caring of their future homes. 
 
 In view of the fact that the attendance is limited to Saturday and is 
 entirely voluntary the response on the part of the children has been re- 
 markable. The average daily attendance runs over 225 throughout the 
 year. The Association is anxious to increase its membership so that it 
 may be better able to extend its work. 
 
 The Child Welfare Leagues 
 
 La Salle County Child Welfare League 
 
 A. T. Lardin ......... President 
 
 L. J. Horan Secretary 
 
 The La Salle County Child Welfare League was organized something 
 over a year ago. The purpose is to promote the welfare and aid in the 
 disposition of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children and those 
 in danger of becoming such. Mrs. George P. Blow and Mrs. John F. 
 Noonan of La Salle and Mrs. A. H. Hatton of Peru are members of the 
 Executive Board. Judge A. T. Lardin of Ottawa is president, and L. J. 
 Horan of Ottawa, secretary. 
 
 The Tri-City Associated Charities and the following La Salle organi- 
 zations are affiliated with the League : La Salle Lodge No. 584 B. P. 0. 
 Elks; Women’s Bureau; Marquette Camp No. 775 R. N. A.; La Salle 
 Commercial Association; The Women’s Relief Corps No. 286; St. Paul’s 
 Guild of St. Paul’s Mission. 
 
 The new County Detention Home and Training School is one of the 
 results of the League ’s activity. The education of parents, the improve- 
 
ment of morals in the home and the finding of homes for the homeless 
 are among the ambitions of the League. 
 
 The Peru Child Welfare League 
 
 The Pern Child-Welfare Leagne which cooperates and affiliates with 
 the La Salle Connty Leagne, was organized to promote the welfare and 
 happiness of helpless, neglected or delinquent children, and the physical 
 and moral health of the unguarded youth of our city. 
 
 The organization desires especially to throw such guards around the 
 children of Peru, that it will not be found necessary to send them to 
 Homes for Correction or Homes for Delinquents. ‘ ‘ Proper care for de- 
 pendent, neglected and delinquent children will tend to reduce pauper- 
 ism, insanity and crime ; improve health and morals and better the man- 
 hood, womanhood and citizenship of the city. It is easier to guide the 
 child than reform the man or woman. ’ ’ 
 
 The Peru Child- Welfare League works through an executive commit- 
 tee which meets once a month. Mrs. John D. Cahill is president, and 
 Mrs. James R. Hart, secretary. 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Welfare Work in the Industries 
 
 A movement in the Tri- Cities which has already been in many ways 
 a flattering success and which promises through extension to have un- 
 limited influence and educational effects in the future, has been the es- 
 tablishment of a welfare department in the Western Clock Works of 
 Peru, Illinois, a flourishing institution which employs some 1300 people. 
 This department is in charge of a trained social worker, nurse, and as- 
 sistants, and while in the beginning its activities were motivated by 
 “safety-first” considerations, “first aid to the injured” and the physical 
 care of its employees, its influence under able management has been ex- 
 tended to the social and ethical features of both the individual and the 
 collective life of the factory, and the beginnings thus established of a 
 movement which in future years is possibly destined to have more far- 
 reaching educational results in this country than the activity of any 
 other single agency. If the weight and influence of the great factories 
 which control the sources of the means of existence, could be thrown 
 into the ethical and social scale, their effects would probably he greater 
 for civic education than the combined formal activities of the schools. 
 
 La Salle Anti-Tuberculosis Society 
 
 La Salle, Illinois 
 
 W. T. Bedford, president; Miss Effie Doan, secretary 
 
 Objects: To promote the knowledge of health measures tending to 
 eradicate tuberculosis and to assist in the enforcement of laws relating 
 to public health. Employs a community nurse, Mrs. Minnie Pearl 
 Guynes. Affiliated with the Illinois State Association for the Preven- 
 tion of Tuberculosis. 
 
 
THE TORCH PRESS 
 CEDAR RAPIDS 
 IOWA 
 
2 072455121 
 
 AT THE£I GN 
 or THE 
 
 Asocial center