The morning call., 1894-01-08
UNEMPLOYED WOMEN.
Their More Fortunate Sisters Should
Be Asked TO Help Them in
Their Need.

mo, do not think it at all advisable to
even ask for portion of the fund now be-
ing raised to give work to the unemployed
men," said Mrs. w. o. Gould Of the Y Dung
WOmen's Christian Association yesterday,
when asked about some plan to assist the
unemployed women of the community.
But do think" continued Mrs. Gould,
that 1t would be an excellent idea for the
many women's societies of this city to
unite in the endeavor to raise fund to
help their sister women who are now in
such distress.
"Such fund, once started, would grow
rapidly, since we have many charitable
and wealthy women in our community who
would doubtless be only too glad TO nelp
along so deserving an object. The work
lug women, too, who are fortunate enough
to still have employment. would undoubt-
eddy add their mites, and with this fund,
which l am sure it would not be difficult
to raise. great work might be accom-
pllShed among the needy.
How would you apply the money ?"
was asked, and Mrs. Gould answered
prom pity:
by starting some business in which
lHc gus anu mUultD CUulU tdIu lutlT llNtit-
hood. l have thought that large laundry
might be good IDEA, run more chea ply
than the regular laundrieS, and bidding
not for the trade which goes TO them but
for the cheap trade which now goes to the
Chinese. Ii this be found impractcable
the bright women at the head of our
numerous societies will undoubtedly be
able to think up something satisfactory
while the money is coming in, as | am sure
1t would do as soon as the necessity for
giving was realized by those of our women
who do not need help themselves.
That the number of enfOrcedly idle
women is so large at the present time is
due" said Mrs. Gould, ITO the fact that
because Of the hard times many ladies
have dispensed with the help usually en-
ployed, some even doing their own work
TO make the burden OF Rouse hold expenses
lighter. DressmakerS, too, have dis
charged many sewing-giTls during the
past few months, aud stenographers and
type writers by hundreds have lost their
places in offices and stores. The majority
Of these women are dependent on them
selves, aud many OF them have others de-
pendent upon them, so that their wages
always small-have scarcely sufficed for
their ordinary expenses while at work,
and there is nothing laid by for the dark
days OF enforced idleness. Something
must be done 10 help them, and without
delay"
Miss Jessie T. Molloy of the Catholic
Young Ladies' Institute is most anxious
TO assist I'D any plan tnat may be formed TO
assist the many women who, she is as
Sured, SO dpservedly need assistance.
"Our society will do all that it can to
help in any good work that may be
started" she said. 1--WE are overwhelmed
with appeals for assistance daily, and our
utter inability to relieve The wants of
those whom We know to be deserving is
discOuraglng. At a meeting held on Sat
urday evening we informally decided to
solicit sewing, mending, ETC., among our
acquaintance to give to those whom we
know to be particularly in need, but what
further steps we shall take is not yet de-
cided. Most assuredly, however, we will
do all we can TO assist in any plan that
promises to give solution to the problem
which at present puzzles us ALL
Captain Mctee of the Salvation Army
favOrs the adoption of The English system
in the establishment of a bureau where
people can send when they want days
work of any kind done.
Many people do not care or cannot
afford to keep regular servant" he said,
who would be glad to have a woman
come IN once week or so to- wash, scrub,
scOur, wash windows. clean stoves, sew or
mend, or do any of the Thousand and one
things pertaining to house and home
keeping. by having bureau where the
would-be employers and the would be
workers could be brought together much
good could he done. That there is an alb
solute necessity that something should be
done Tor the poor women of the cOmmuu-
lty is not to be denied, and the quicker it
is done the better. The fund raised for the
men should not be touched, as 1t will be
found none too large. but separate fund
should he raised for the women. 1t would
take but little TO start and carry on such
bureau as speak Of and | feel sure tn at
1T would be of great benefit"
1t las been suggested by one who does
not at this time desire to be known that
the women of this city can help those of
their sex by Withdrawing their patronage
from Chinese who sell women's outer and
under wearing apparel and use the money
they spend with the Mongolians in pur-
chasing material and having some of tile
unemployed TO make it up. BY so doing
they Will know exactly what they are get
ting TO wear and will help many deserving
women.