The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-03-27
WOMAN s
EXCHANGE
Good Work of a Fine
Honolulu Business
Charity.

Editor Advertiser: At the twelfth
annual meeting, held at the Woman
| Exchange, the old officers We're re-
elected for the ensuing year, viz: Mrs.
T w. whitney, president; Mrs. E. w.
Jordan, vice president; Mrs. o. II. Gu
| lick. secretary; Mrs. P. a. Fl. Parme-
lee. treasurer; Mrs. W. c. Weldon,
Mrs. W. G. Rogers, Mrs. Doremus
Scudder and Mrs. osborne, directors
Miss A. Emmeluth kindly renders her
services as auditor.
This year finds US in a better f1nan-
cial condition, than we ever have
been; but, like Oliver Twist, I'VE want
more
During the year just closed, we have
paid out to our depositors, needy Wo-
men, fifteen hundred and eighty-three
dollars and ninety cents, ($15S3.90).
During the twelve years of our exfs-
tence, we have paid them in all the
sum of twenty-nine thousand, six
hundred and thirty-six dollars and
thirty-fve cents ($29, 636.35). Notwith-
standing this heavy disbursement, we
ness without having to solicit any
donations since the third year, when
our needs were bountifully met by the
benevolent people of this community,
thus showing conclusively that the
people, at that time, felt the desirable
ity of having this branch of charitable
and philanthropic work continue.
In the year 1902, however, We Sc
riously considered disseminating the
business, because of our inability to
meet our expenses and pay proper
salary to our manag ger, Mrs. E. M. ..
Marques. But she generously came to
the rescue by saying that she loved
the work and the help that it proVld-
ed to poor women; and since then she
has insisted on remaining in her posi-
ton without any compensation; more
than this, even, many times she has
come personally to our aid to tide
over a crisis.
We have heard it said about our
stock, that this is not the line of ar
ticIes the Women's Exchanges of the
World carry, and why don't you
have dresses made, eatables and other
such commodities there for sale?" We
have tried all this, and could not make
ends meet Most of the curios we have
for sale are made by women who have
received their inspiration and tuition
through the efforts of this institution.
Some years back, instructors were
found, who taught the art of weav-
ing, which was undertaken in some of
the schools; encouraged by our sales
of their articles, this work has grown
and spread, till now weaving is taught
in the majority of our schools.
ols10 Cnd f,
way, a beneficial influence in this COM
munitv in several lines. The underly-
ing principle of this institution is to
assist needy girls and women to earn
an honest living, and to discourage
people in distress from the humilfat-
ing necessity of soliciting aims, often
secured only because there are benev-
client persons ready, willing and able
to give. But, as our curios-mats,
hats, fans, etc.,-mostly made by our
regular depositors, are sold on only
ten per cent. commission, we are OBJ
liged also to have a small line of art1-
Giles for sale of our own, in order to
help pay rent and other incidental ex-
penses.
Being myself in the store, one Sat
urday-pay-day-I saw a distressed
looking native woman, who came TO
see if she had any money coming to
her The week before there was none.
This week there was just one dollar,
out of which of course she must pay
her ten cents for the sale, leaving
ninety cents for her. This she held
in both hands to her face, shedding
tears of relief; and saying that this
would tide them over till the next
week; her husband had been out OF
work, but had just got job and
| would be paid the next week, so they
| could have food; she also had other
work in the store she hoped would be
sold: she had children and was work
| ing night and day to weave the arti-
cles she had on sale. That same pay
day, I witnessed two others who had
some money ready for them, smah
sum to be sure, but they were so af-
fected when they received it that /
| did not wonder the manager hated so
to have the business close. She told
me such manifestations of distress
and gratitude We're of almost weekly
occurrence. and proved the useful
ness of the institution.
| We have moved seven times, and
are indebted to our landlords past and
present for many favors, which we
greatly appreciate and for which we
wish to express our gratitude. Yet, I
have often wondered if there was not
some benevolent person with plenty
of means: who. after investigation,
would feel it a privilege to provide us
with a permanent home for our little
business, so we need not be put to
extra expenditure and hampered
through moving in the future, as we
have been in the past
At any rate we hope for a larger
patronage among the people of the
Islands and of this city, especially in
! the fancy line. We carry a nice as
sortment of homemade articles, laces
lace handkerchiefs, silk bags. infants
wearing apparel, drawn work, China
painting, etc. We have a mendins
department, which we would be glat
to have patronized, and which should
appeal to the homeless bachelor an(
others who have no one to sew Oh
buttons. darn socks, etc. We ais
have many other useful and orna
mental things for sale. Our floral de
/ 4,,,r.,, 81. Tai