New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-13
A SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWoRK.
TEACHING YOUNG GIRLS HOW TO SEW.
YEARS WORK OF THE HOUSE AND SCHOOL OF

A YEARS WORK OF THE HOUSE AND SCHOOL OF
Observation-Disclosures PRIZES.
The thirty eighth anniversary Of the House and
School Of Industry celebrated yesterday and the
managers Of the institution endeavored 10 make It
pleasant for the girls who belong to the sewing
school, by the distribution of prizes to them for good
conduct and proficiency in their work. The one
hundred and twenty-five pupils many of them hardly
In their teens were gathered In the school-room OF
the society's building at No. 100 West sxteenth-st
and happY-lcokng assemblage they made. Many
OF tho directors of tho institution present and
Mrs Whelaw Reid, the president, distributed tho
gifts
The Rev. Dr. John W. Brown, Of st. Thonas's
Protestant Episcopal Church, opened the proceedings
with prayer, and made an address which pleased his
hearers greatly and held their attention closely
throughout Then came the distribution Of prizes, to
which all the girls had been eagerly looking These
were awarded for silence In the classes, punctuaiy
In attendance and for neatness and dextety with the
needle AS each girls name was called she stepped
up to the platform and received book portfolio, doll
or toy. To all of them, whether prze-wnners or
not, oranges and packages of cakes and candy wers
also given This ended the simple exercises.
On table in front of the platform, many specimens
Of the work of the scholars were exhibited. Among
them were the "blocks,' small strips of cloth
sewed together on which the beginners learn, and
by tho side Of them embroidery and crewe work
which indicated the hand Of an expert. The society
maintains store its premises where needework
Of all kinds is kept for SALE Last year 12,764 gar
ments sold and their making furnished employ
ment to 100 needleworkers who received wages
higher than those paid in some Of the large shops
Of the city, One Of the chief aims Of the institution
ls to give work to in1rm and destitute women en-
gagged In necdlework, who cannot find more suitable
employment The funds devoted to this purpose,
however, do not como out Of the pockets of those
who buy at the sore for the society does not charge
high prices for its handmade work and frequently
sells article for the bare cost of the labor spent
upon It, less. The society IS enabled to do
this by falling back upon its endowment fund and tho
voluntary contributions Of friends
This is one OF the few stores In New-York that
constantly does business at loss. The business
DONE the more prosperous II becomes for its prosper
ity Is not measured by financial gain. Last year
the society manufactured 1880 garments, of which
12,764 sold, furnishing employment to 100
infrm and destitute women. In addition TO the store
for the sale Of ready.made garments. there is
order department where any kind of neede-work,
from the coarsest to the finest, can be executed
according TO the fancy of the purchaser Last year
$4,000 was paid out in this department. and to thu
workers who manufacture apparel to supply the store
10000 was paid, besides the sum of $4,000 for
materials.
The only change in the officers of the society since
last year the election of Mrs. j. Newton Ewel to
be treasurer in place of Miss L. p Hatead, who, 10
the great regret of her associates resigned that position
after fourteen years OF faithful service In the eocetys
behalf The list Of officers includes in addition 20
those already mentioned Mrs. Granville b. Smith,
vice president; Miss NJ. L. Warren, recording secre-
tary Miss Kennedy secretary Of Visiting Committee;
Mrs Oliver r. King financial secretary Miss Sargent
ssssttnt secretary, and Miss A. nsddcn Miss X. NJ.
Jones. Mrs. 4. Jones, Mrs. William KinRsland, Miss
Meert. Mrs. c. A. MorfoId and Mrs II. c. Phillips,
directors. The annual report soon to DO published,
Will show that the society has made substantial gains
upon the work accomplished in 1887. and rs mana
gers ana friends confident that 1889 Will its
field Of usefulness still further enlarged.