The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-09

| A. yesterday by May Arkwright
Hutton, wife of l.. w. Hutton, own
er of the Hutton building, and one
of the public spirited wealthy
women of the city. Mrs. Hutton
said:
when requested to address you
this afternoon l was in q quandary
as to what subject might prove
most interesting and beneficial. At
this stage of my meditation a
phone call came from. woman,
who said, Mrs. Hutton, we have
organized a club to study ourselves.
We meet each Sunday morning at
1890 and would like to have you
join l replied, That line of study
is all right; let the good work go
on. But l have been trying to be-
come acquainted with myself ever
since l reached the years of &C.
countability, and find it the most
difficult proposition / have ever
tackled and have decided that
should l succeed in graduating in
this important branch of investiga-
ton l shall then consider my edu-
cation almost completed This
phone incident gave me my sub
ject.
First let us ask ourselves few
| questions. How many of us un-
derstand ourselves? Are We capa-
bic of Judging the motives of
others? How many of us ever
take stock of our inner lives and
habits? How many of us are
maintaining the standard Of living
we should, and if not, why not ?
Are We endeavoring to the best of
our ability to fill our niche in life
acceptable to ourselves? We may
be able to fool the whole world ON
this proposition, but ourselves
never.
CAS- employers, do we ever con-
slider life's problems from the en-
ploye's side of the question, and
try to better conditions under
which they must work?
CAS- employees, do we ever see
things from the employers stand
point and endeavor to render COM
petent services in keeping with
the wage we receive? Are we, as
employers and employees, giving
each other square deal in our
business relations?
"Murmurings of discomfort from
both factions reach the ear of OBJ
serving folk, and the verdict rem
dered is that neither side is blame
less for existing conditions.
How can we help to improve
these conditions? Organizations of
employees have solved some of the
problemms, but not all. They do
not require competency on the part
of their members who desire the
protection of the organization, but
demand equal wage for equal
hours. There is strong feeling
against employing incompetent
persons at the same salaries paid
competent ones. Employers may
be compelled in self defense TO or
ganize against this injustice. The
rights of both sides should be pro
tected, and l trust each one here
is doing and will continue to do
everything in their power to bring
about a better understanding be-
tween these factions, which are so
necessary to each other, and
neither of which can exist without
the other.
$50 much is said about work
nowadays. Work is the only
panacea for our ills. Idleness and
E.e desire to get something for
nothing is undermining the happi-
ness and contentment of the ma
ton. Selfishness Is the foundation
of this undermining process.
Girls, / do not know what posi-
tons you fill nj life, but l do know
this: that If industrial conditions
were such that all women could
remain in the shelter Of homes
they would all be better, healthier
| and happier. Women have natur
ally the home instinct, and | would
to God that no woman was COMPEL
ed to go into factories, stores and
| offices to earn a livelihood.
II maintain that girls who act in
the capacity of housekeepers in
homes, even with that obnoxious
appellation servant girl attached,
are better situated than in any
other capacity. However, the word
servant must be eliminated from
the domestic question before self
respecting American girls can be
expected to take very kindly to
this class of employment.
81 had a scheme once to build
an institution for the training of
housekeepers, and endeavored to
enlist the aid of Andrew Carnegie
in the enterprise. He laughingly
replied that my idea was good
one but said he thought 1t would