No Criticism on Read Hall
Columbia Missouri Statesman
February 17, 1905 
Pg. 2 col. 1

One of our readers wants to know why the Statesman criticizes Read Hall.  Why 
bless your soul, dear reader, we have no fault to find with the Hall.  In fact 
we are proud of it, and believe it is the finest thing of its kind in the State.  
The only complaint we have ever made is that it does not help the class of girls 
that need help.  We do not believe that the legislature voted money for such an 
institution.  The argument used in order to get the appropriation was that the 
young women who attended the University needed a home corresponding to Lathrop 
hall (the boy’s club) where good board could be obtained at nominal prices, -
prices below what is charged in the homes of the town.  The priced at the Hall 
($5 a week) is more than the average University girl can afford to pay, and more 
than she does pay and only the more wealthy girls can stand it; but, in view of 
the style in which the Hall is conducted, the luxurious way in which it is 
furnished, and the first-class fare served, is worth every cent charged.

It is of the misapplication of funds that compliant is made, and not of this 
elegant and well-managed institution nor of the accomplished woman in charge of 
it.  If this is what the legislature wanted, and what the people wanted, then we 
have to criticism even of the curators.

There are deserving young ladies at school here who are forced to find homes 
in the cheapest boarding houses of this town; others who rent rooms and try to 
provide their own meals and do their own laundry and management get along on $2 
to $2.50 a week.

Something should now be done for this class of girls.