James A. Britton to Lou Eva Walker Longan, August 23, 1919

August 23rd, 1919.

My dear Miss Longan: --

I am leaving Chicago for a two weeks trip through Wisconsin and Minnesota. Therefore I am turning back to you the money which you gave me when I assumed the direction of the Young People's Clubs,

The boys' clubs have met rather irregularly, the young girls have been hard to hold, as their interest has been effervescent. Great enthusiasm! Many plans! and one or two girls really come to the meeting. The scouts met regularly and needed little or no help from me. Miss Nancrede's boys met a few times. The club Robert Ciro took charge of decided "that the weather was too hot." Bob says they will come back to the House in the fall. He failed to take their names and addresses. However he knows the president [page 2] and can get in touch with the group this fall.

Out of twenty girls enrolled for swimming classes one group utterly failed to organize although two letters were sent and one call made on each girl. The other class under the direction of Miss Apple has been successful. The Girls' Patriotic League has furnished a swimming teacher.

The "Silver Swords" have met twice each month. The Ida Wright Club has met a few times during the summer.

Two hiking parties were quite successful.

The most successful, and the most difficult piece of club work was done by Miss Preston. The Clubs of Greek Women is a most promising one. The Italians, as usual, are more difficult to reach. I believe that [Caroline] Preston is nothing short of a genius when it comes to teaching and entertaining foreign women.

The Dancing Class has been well attended and successful. Mrs. Rich was in charge, with Miss Stevens as teacher. The last class had 70 persons present. The young people in the House seemed to enjoy it quite as much as our neighbors and in no small way helped to make it go.

The Millinery Class, with old and summer residents, has been much appreciated. Miss Bookhoff is a splendid teacher and was willing to teach the neighborhood girls as well. Owing to the hot weather we were unable to get the girls to take up anything in the way of serious work. I am sure that the Millinery Class would "go" in the winter season. Miss Bookhoff is willing to take a class this winter if she is in town.

Mrs. Lewis of the J.P.A. has 12 or more girls for a club, [page 3] owing to the lateness of the date when the names were given me and the prospect of a vacation during September, it seemed best to wait until you assumed control of the clubs before organizing this group. Mrs. Lewis thinks she can find a director for these girls.

Concerts.

Our open air concerts were greatly appreciated by our neighbors.

The first one was given by the Daily News Band in July and was attended by about one thousand persons. This concert was given on the Penoyer property, on Gilpin Place. The company cleaned up the lot, making seats of the lumber so that the women were able to sit down and enjoy the concert. The Juvenile Home made lemonade for the members of the band. The Fire Department washed the streets so that we were able to have street dancing. The Dore School sent a class of boys to give us a wand and flag exhibition. The County put up lights.

The second concert was given on August 15th, after having been postponed for two weeks on account of the "race riots".

There were about 2,000 persons at the concert at one time and it is estimated that another thousand persons enjoyed one or two numbers, as they were coming and going throughout the time the band was playing. This concert was an especially good one, given by the Chicago Band Association. The platform and the lighting was donated by the city. The street was closed by permission of the Mayor and the Police Department sent three officers.

This was a success on account of the splendid [cooperation] we received from the Charities, Juvenile Home, Churches, and Moving [page 4] Picture Houses.

Suggestions:

More "open air" activities. Some open space for "hand ball" croquet and tennis.

Very sincerely,