Dear Frau Böhm
On receiving your letter of October 4th Miss Addams at once took up the matter with the Austrian Committee in Chicago They believe that you on the basis of hoping that they might be able to be of use to you in your trouble.
They think it likely that if you could get to America the United States you might be able to succeed here, with the professional ability that you speak of. Unfortunately they do not see their way to giving any help toward you ↑and your way]↓ getting here and I am afraid that the cost of the journey translated from dollars into Austrian money [page 2] would be prohibitive.
The Committee have the idea that Dr. [blank] Lorenz who collected mo to whom considerable money for helping ↑assisting↓ Austrians was given while he was in the United States might perhaps help you. You doubtless could easily find his address in Vienna.
If you should think of coming please ↑make↓ be very sure of your p before you start that there is nothing to prevent your being admitted at Ellis Island when you arrive. I think there is some provision in regard to persons who come through assistance are financially assisted to make the journey. An American consul, could give you the latest information as to the latest legislation. [page 3]
When you come
You should have some addr
If you should come Miss Addams might be able to give you the names of some people who might the Young Women's Christian Association in New York might be able to give you some good advice as to how to obtain employment ↑I think the address is 600 Lexington Ave↓ -- They could not take any responsibility for your support of course. I know
It would probably be easiest to get work (1) outside New York
(2) in a dressmaker's establishment or going out to do dressmaking in private families by the day.
To start a dress making establishment would take very considerable capital and be [page 4] an entirely uncertain undertaking.
In America more & more all except the excessively fashionable [try to] use mainly ready-made clothes and this is made in great factories with very rapid fast electrically driven sewing machines and highly specialized and sub-divided labor.
Miss Addams is sorry she cannot be more encouraging.
Yours truly
{to be signed E. G. Balch}
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