Adelynrood
South Byfield, Mass.
August IV.
My dear [Miss] Addams:
[Miss] Vida Scudder has advised my writing to you in regard to finding a suitable person for inaugurating a very important work in a large [page 2] manufacturing town.
It will be a pioneer work in every sense since all classes need conviction & conversion, but it is a great opportunity for the worker who is able to meet & master existing conditions.
I believe you will recognize this fact [page 3] when I tell you that it is Paterson, New Jersey, of which I speak. You may, at the same time, be surprised to learn that ground in such a well known labor [center] had not yet been broken, but beyond a few ineffectual charitable institutions I know of no effort being made to counteract the indifference & misguidance of a really tremendous & menacing industrial force.
Though I have lived in Paterson for years and had these facts ever before me, I [page 4] have never until now seen the possibility of providing for the necessary plant.
Through the generosity of one of our townswomen a large and thoroughly equipped building has just been completed, in the very [page 5] heart of the factory district; and the donor is quite willing that its original purpose – a children's Day Nursery – should be enlarged & extended indefinitely. I feel that here at last is the opening which we should be prompt [page 6] to use, & so truly important do I regard it that I beg you to give it your earnest attention, and if possible put me in touch with a strong & able woman.
If such as she can be found ↑disengaged↓ at this late day I doubt, but it would be worth while if she could only come for this winter, for the beginning will mean so much.
Very truly yrs,
Comments