A Dressmaker Offered to Sew Seattle’s Library Out of Trouble

A patriotic patroness of the public library has made a novel proposition to the commissioners as a means of helping them and the library out of serious financial difficulties. Since the edict has gone forth that no more books are to be taken from the building, there has been consternation among the reading public, but no one has offered assistance except the woman referred to, who is almost constantly at the library. She has written a letter as follows:

“If any ladies of the commission or their friends will bring a good dress to me I will make it and give the amount to the library. No one need fear to bring the handsomest materials, for dressmaking was my business for fifteen years in one of the leading cities of California. I will make an elegant dress for from $5 to $8. I have no place of business, but will be pleased to receive anybody sent to me by the commission.”

The letter was turned over to Mrs. Hainen, who has answered it, thanking the writer for her interest in the library and stating that she thought the idea worthy of consideration. Accordingly, if any one desires to assist the library in the manner indicated above, it can be done by calling on Mrs. Hainen, who has the name and address of the woman who will work to keep the library open. The library commission has waited in vain for aid from the city, and the action taken was enforced by the fact that the appropriation has fallen almost to nothing. In February there was only a small sum for expenses, while at the time of the organization a much larger appropriation was contemplated. A meeting of the commission will be held at 4 o’clock this afternoon at the library rooms to discuss the situation.