The herald., 1894-09-02
W0MAN'S WORLD.
ORIGINALITY OF TIVE AMERICAN NEE
DLEWoRK GUILD.


DLEWoRk GUILD.
Adelaide II. Anderson - For Beautiful
Arms WIN She?-Pretty Betty Bliss
Tho Daughters and the Dames-Kitchen
Refuse-She's True Heroine.
"Only two new garments a year, no
matter how small or inexpensive as
long as they are new,' is the appeal
made by the district presidents of the
American Needlework guild in drum
ming up recruits for the organization.
This needlework guild is distinctly
new charity apd is conducted ON prin-
cipie different from any heretofore at
tempted IN this city. The object of the
guild is to furnish new, plain and suit
able garments to the deserving poor,
whether they be in the hospitals or in
their own wretched homes. The idea Of
giving new garments is to raise the self
respect of unfortunate people who 80
frequently undergo humiliation in be-
ing Obliged to accept castoff clothing.
The headquarters of the National
guild are in Philadelphia, where it was
organized nine years ago on q similar
plan to that organized by Lady Wolver
ton and put into execution in England.
For time the work in this country was
confined to Philadelphia A branch was
eventually started in New York, and
few weeks ago Miss Willard came here
from Philadelphia and organized the
third city branch Of the National guild.
The meeting was held at the residence
of Mrs. Horace Davis Miss Willard,
who had been In correspondence with a
number of the prominent ladies Of this
city, had her plan we'll outlined and ex-
planned it in such a comprehensive way
that the ladies present immediately be-
came enthusiastic and organized local
branch of the National guild before the
meeting adjourned. Since that it has
continued to grow with surprising rapid
ity. Here it is the middle Of summer,
when, strictly speaking, all society is
out Of town and most charities are tenn
porarily suspended. But this guild has
excited deep rooted rather than
spasnodic interest, which has grown
until ii has become a popular fad.
Groups Of ladies discussing the guild
and outlining plans for it's extension
may be found any morning on the We
randas Of the fashionable resort hotels.
1t is recognized topic of conversation.
The organization being nonsectarian
creates more general and widespread
interest than would otherwise exist.
The work Is planned on simple yet
practical basis. Any one may become a
member by giving two garments year.
A member obtaining contributions from
10 or more persons amounting to %
garments may become a director. The
city branches are divided into sections,
which are under the supervision of a
president and several directors Each
president is responsible for 10 gar
ments year. She pledges herself for
that number and must abide by her OBJ
legation.
It was feared this regulation would
be somewhat Of drawback to the suo-
cess Of the guild work in this city, for,
while all tho ladies were willing to con-
tribute two garments few felt inclined
to assume the responsibility Of 10 gar
ments. After the first three sections
were started and the ladies saw how
easy ii was to interest their personal
friends in the work their hesitanoy van
ished, and one by one they consented to
become presidents until there are now
81 acting in that capacity for the same
number Of sections.
Mrs A. M Easton was elected hon.
orary president Of the city branch, Miss
G. Gwin the president, Miss M. M.
Greer the secretary and Mrs. W. R.
Smedberg the treasurer.
One popularity about this charity is
its freedom from meetings. There are
no weekly or monthly meetings to be
attended and no after meeting little
gossips to be enjoyed. The charity has
no social side, which makes its popular
ity all the more surprising. Once year
there is meeting at the time Of distri-
bution, but that is oil. When it comes
time for the yearly distribution, every
section sends in its collection. One of
the down town halls will be hired for
the occasion, and all the garments that
have bean. donsted by the guild MEM
bers during the year will be on exhibit
ton. The public will be invited to at
tend and inspect tho display. Mrs. Eas-
ton and Miss Gwin, assisted by several
ladies, will then sort over the articles,
do them up in packages, label them and
direct an expressman where to take
them. Any section is privileged to sug-
gest to the committee where it prefers
having its contributions sent. There is
considerable labor attached to the distri-
button, but the ladies think nothing of
their time and work, SO interested are
they in alleviating the distress Of the
poor.--San Francisco Examiner.
Adelaide NJ. Anderson.
The good service rendered by women
as factory inspectors is attested by the
appointment of Miss Adelaide M. An
derson to an inspectorial Office. Miss
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