The San Francisco call., 1908-07-24
Women Demand Accounting
From Man Who Dominated
Association for 10 Years
Seek Reorganization TO Place
Culture Enterprise on Footing
to Continue Charity
Institution Started TO Introduce
Industry for Supplying LiveIi-
hood for Young Girls

Trouble that has been brewing for
20 years in the affairs OF the Ladies
silk culture society Of California will
come TO climax at meeting of that
organization TO be held on August s.
At this meeting an attempt will be
made 70 reorganize the society and
those in possession of its property
viii be called upon for an accounting.
The association is composed Of q
number Of local society women and
businessmen who launched the enter
prise in this state more than 20 years
ago. The organization is dominated al
the present time by E. II. Kirk OF Oak
land. and it is from him that the pro-
moters plan 10 wrest the property.
MIS-. M A. Murphy, wife Of Judge
Murphy. was for a number OF years
al the head OF the organization, and
she is directing the campaign for re-
organization. Associated with her are
such wei known women as Mrs.
Thomas M0rfTew. Miss Catherine Hit
tell Mrs. ". H Shook OF Berkeley.
Mrs James McEWen. Mrs. A A Ssr-
gent and Mrs. /. n i. Wanzer. Among
the original organizers were D O.
Mills, Senator Perkins and a number
of other Weu known Cslifornisns-
The object Of the society was 10
Introduce silk culture into California
for the double purpose Of bringing a
new Industry 70 the state and providing
means Of livelihood for young women.
The enterprise was charitable in z large
degree and those interested contributed
freely 10 its support. A number Of
worms were imported. and for awhile
she society tnrived. but differences
arose and the work was discontinued.
When the society ceased its activity
Il transferred its property 10 the home
q T.. IL Kirk OF Oakland. Kirk was
supposed 10 care for the worms until
such time as the society was prepared
10 resume active operations
II was not long. however. before
Kirk and the members Of his family
came 10 control the association. Mat
ters continued this way for a number
OF years, but recently the women who
promoted the society planned 10 renew
their activities and called upon Kirk
10 surrender the property. he refused
Since then negotiations between the
women and Kirk have been continued
without success. and unless settlement
can be effected within the next few
weeks, an appeal viii be taken 10 the
courts 10 compel Kirk 10 give up the
property The matter has already
been placed in the hands OF Attorney
Matt I. Sullivan.
II IS claimed that Kirk has not only
refused 10 surrender the property, but
that he has sold land belonging 10 the
association 10 the value OF IS 500 and
has put in q claim for q commission
amounting 10 s650. II is also charged
that Kirk has demanded $50 a month
for caring for the few silk worms in
the possession OF the society.
The women VIII 80 TO court only as
q last resort, but they say that they
are prepared 10 force an accounting
from Kirk he is alleged 10 have called
q secret meeting Of the society, 10 have
had himself elected president and his
vile secretary Then he is said 10
have gained a court order in the name
OF the society allowing him 10 sell the
land. for which he collected $500
Kirk IS accused OF turning the or
ganization into q family affair He is
said 70 have appointed an admission
committee, consisting Of himself and
two others who take in only such
members q s viii support him.