The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-09
FOR NEEDY WOMEN
The Movement Started i'm
Their Behalf.
Res olutions Adopted by the Women
Press Association - Views of
Many Practical Women.

That the prominent women OF our city are
not disposed, now that the gravity or the situa-
ton is understood, TO sit with folded hands and
let their sisters suffer has already become
evident.
The first organization to take official action
in the premises is he Pacific Coast Women's
Press Association. the members of which dis
cussed the matter at length during their bust
ness session yesterday afternoon. and embodied
their ideas In the following resolution:
WHEREAS. We, the Pacific Coast Women's
Press Association, recognize the deplOrable
condition of the unemployed women OF San
Francisco al this time and the need OF speedy
relief, therefore be IL
Resolved, That we will do all in our power as
a society TO promote such measures as may be
decided upon to provide work for the unem-
pIoyed women OF this city.
That no time may be lost in going about the
good work q special committee meeting Will be
held to-day at the headquarters of the associa-
ton, for The purpose or deciding upon some
definite plan OF action.
number OF well-knowa ladies were inter
viewed by CALL reporter yesterday, and each
and all expressed the opinion that the idea ad-
vanced by Mrs. W. o. Gould. vice president OF
the Young Woman's Christian Association, as
10, The ACCESSIBILITY OF starting ''wOman's
fund for women" is III every respect an excel
lent one.
How to apply this fund. which it now seems
Will undoubtedly be raised, in such way as to
give relief 10 The greatest number OF the needy
Is the question which is under consideration.
Mrs. Charlotte Perkins StetsOn, president Of
the WOmen's Press Association, faVors the
organizing Of lauBdTies In which the washing
now done by Chinese could be don In a much
more cleanly fashion and al fully as low prices.
'Such a laundry should be established IN each
ward.' SAID Mrs. StetsOn. land il would give
employment TO many who are now actually SUI
fering.
The first step in this direction could be
taken by asking families and individuals In the
city who would patroniZe such establishments
TO s nd in their names 10 some specially deSig-
mated person. The number OF nam sem IN
would show whether such plan were feasible
or not"
Mrs. George T. Gadeu. secretary OF the man.
aging board OF Women's Congresses, stated
that in her opinion clothes renoyating COM
pany on large scale, with branches through
out The city, would be an excellent idea.
persons who would take charge of the ward
robes of business women whose time Is fully
occupied, of busy housewives or OF society
women who do not keep lady's maids would, l
think. find wide field for work here in san
Francisco" said the lady. Cleaning and mend
ing must be done, and those who would do such
things well and al moderate prices would find
many patrons among women whose time is
worth more TO them when devoted 10 other
things"
Mrs. James A. Neal, we'll known for her
kindness of heart and truly practical benevo-
lence, strongly indOrses Captain McFee's idea
of an employment bureau for women and also
made very sensible suggestion concerning the
many millinery girls who are in need of work.
''If these girls" she said, "wOuld 90 about 10
private houses and make over ladies' hats and
bonnets or make up the material which ladies
have on hand into fashionable headgear many
would gladly employ them, and al good wages"
MIS-. Mary f. McRoberts, the distinguished
educator. also thinks the plan proposed by
Captain McFee an excellent one.
"Many women would employ nelp for two or
three days each month";" said this energetic lit
tie lady, "who could not afford to ep SER
want, and besides the cleaning, securing sweep
ing and washing there is In every family much
sewing and mendiDg TO be done. Undoub edly
HI lAalAf -
will be able TO find much work of this kind in
homes where they VIII be we'll treated and
fairly paid"
Mrs. Emily Pitt Stevens was thoroughly In
sympathy with the idea OF women helping each
other.
The same sympathy and material help which
the men of The city have extended to their fell
low-men during tile pasI few weeks should be
extended by women TO women" declared She
"aDd no woman could engage IN nODler work
than the one which the cOmforta bly, clrcum-
stanced women of san Francisco now see be-
fore them"
Mrs. NJ. A. Gregory, vice president of the
Federation of Women. fully conceded win
Mrs. Stevens and promised to do her utmost In
every way to help the matter along.
MANY of these unemployed women are the
sole d pendence Of Others" said Mrs. Gregory
land when their hands are idle others suffer
besides themselves. They are entitled to our
help and they must have IT,"
"My idea," said Mrs. Clara S. Foltz, sis to
call a maSs-meeiiDg at once, inviting TO IL all
tile women of Francisco who are not in
need. These women should be as ed to come
prepared TO contribute TO the fund.- much or lit
tie, according TO heir circumstances, but some
thing, at all events.
The money collected could be used perhaps
to establish large restaurant near the fair
grounds, where good food al reasonable prices
could be obtained. Such a place would give
employment to a large number of women and
girls, and would doubtless be well patIoniZed
That something must be done, and at once Is
plain to be seen, or there Will actually be,
among those who are TOO proud to beg, sickness
ana possibly deaths from privation, the blame
of which will rest upon us H."
Mrs. l.. X. Bur- e, pi resident of the Teachers
Mutual Aid Society, declared that any move
ment in the direction of giving assistance TO the
unemployed women would have her hearty
sympathy and cooperation. The society OF
which Mrs. Burke is the head Is organized sim
ply for the mutual benefit of its members, but
she expressed the belief that The teachers of the
city would gladly subscribe to a fund raised to
help women less fortunate than themselves
should such contributions be called for.