New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-13
ALL PORTO RICO GRATEFUL
MRS. BRECHENlIN TELLS OF wOMAN's
AID SOCIETY WORK.
FOUNDED BY MRS. GUY V. HENRY BEFORE
THE HURRICANE THIS ORGANIZATION IS


NOW Buster THAN EVER
Mrs Louis Brechemin the wife OF Major Breche-
min United States Army surgeon. and herself an
sc,ve member Of the Woman's Aid Society Of San
rysn a few days ago arrived IN NewYork from
por,o Rico She said TO a Tribune reporter yester-
dav that the aid society is buster than ever.
ovirr 10 the large demands made by the work of
tie hurricane on all humanitarian effort, and IS
uinn.ng he gratitude Of all the people Of the ISL
and and extending It's activities far beyond
municipal boundaries The society was organized
ty Mrs Guy V Henry before tho hurricane The
wife Of he commanding General its Hrst presi
dent When che returned TO the States she
succeeded ny Mrs. Y. r Hofr.
The great storm, IN which hundreds Of people
we're killed and many thousands left homeless and
utterly destitute put the society It's mettle. and
box after box Of food and clothing has been sent
ir,o tire Interior 20 relieve distress In the mean
tine the work OF furnishing food and medicine as
well as work helpless women in San Juan has
gone or without interruption. Mrs Brechenin says:
our society IS now thoroughly organized and we
proud OF its businesslike methods. glance
at our books shows Just how we stand any day
A simple system Of bookkeeping Is maintained
and the books always open 70 inspection The
entries show the garments made. the money spent
and the number Of people relieved for each week
month.
The oojec; has been to make these women self
hss been introduced similar 20 those used IN IL
brar!es The work given 10 the women IS recorded
bo.h on The cards and IN the ledger. and the date
o. IS return and the amount paid for 1t are also
entered OF the card and IN the hooks
The garments when made are given TO the old.
the sick the helpless and to the young children.
4 visitor IS employed by the society TO look into
al cases Few inpostors present themselves Or
6ers for food and for medicine-but no money-are
gwen 10 applicants and paid for by the society
OF course the original object OF the society was
Immediate aid for the destitute. but since It's or
sannailon we have branche1 out IN several lines
The Porto Rcans grateful and sef-respect~
ing people. They did not wish for charity. but
work. and thought the feeling should be en-
outraged
We began giving cut the sewing which we had
previously done ourselves The new branches es-
,abnshed are loan and exchange. Rents are
paid or a sewing machine Is bought FOR woman
and a double quantity Of work allowed TO her.
ne ae Of ss be woyR shd and the oSeT half
gwen 20 her IN provisions. So she IS al the same
Now you understand why it Is that we need ready
money We want 70 pay these people for her her
sef-respect. II IS a much better plan than the
giving u charity.
hundred and fifty women on the payroll now.
and ss many more begging for work. Mr.. CorWine
The Exchange Is much Ike other womens
charity department and transfer them 70 the TX
change where they do the most beautiful drawn
Ten per cent is taken from the patrons. but moth
iAg rom ne WORKERS al me sHGnange, .,,,o
lace and pretty underwear are made. Some Of these
womea are gentlewomer whose husbands
Spanish officers and who heretofore received
pension from the Spanish Government They are
exceedingly proud. They will no, come TO the
ICONS FOR their work but send FOR It They work
.nlusriousy when they get It. and are as grateful
We found another set Of women who had been
accustomed 10 make uniforms for the Spanish ON
GERS Sc We straightway established a department
where they can make trousers for our officers.
We engage tailor to take the measurements and
Then free class for teaching embroidery 70
YOUNG girls has been established at the Exchange,
snoer The management Of Mrs Harrison II IS
sstsupqortng. and me work done is beautiful.
We would Ike take orders from the United
safes out patrons must remember that tarlH
outy Il imposed on these articles.
= would IKE 70 ask people 70 be little careful
4 Is FIVE cents instead Of two for If the postage IS
t sri W. ave 10 pay double. II two cent stamp
get the letter. and when W. receive 50 much mail
u soon counts ny. On the last lot OF letters re-
ceted had 20 pay 90 cents
one Of the religious societies sent US down box
g.anag u circulating library FOR Americans In
ssn Juan. VINO are far from books and literature
ihem anus '''' '''''' '''''
Every officer was called upon TO subscribe .
America Aorafy. the proceeds 10 90 10 the AID
eoc!ety. Soon the number Of Subscribers eXc eeded
our eXfe
Mrs Luga Vino an American who speaks
SyaL.sn tuently. having married Porto hlcah'
mas been OF the greatest service IN acting as IN
ler2Ie'er and listening 10 the stories told 10y those
WHO come for aid
:, Mrs. Moro. wife Of spaniard, is the treasurer
drs. G44stOTd has charge Of the shipping depart
Aent Mrs Hobart Bird Is recording secretary.
These women work faithfully every day from a
n Until y. at the rooms besides the WORK
oone outside They are all Sunshine members ana
we're among the pioneer workers IN Porto Klco
Mrs Bre benin herself one o. the founders
o. the society and did much earnest work IN
Porto R.can homes III the prison ana in the So
eie,y room from IT'S inception TO the hour When
Enc .eft the island.