The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-30
The Indianapolis wo,nan's Exchange

The Indianapolis Wonan's Exchange.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
As sort of brother-in-law Of the Woman's
Exchange (my wife being one of the managers),
assume the privilege of making few remarks
and suggestions. At what point originating
know not, but scarcely town of any size but
has its Exchange more OF less active in helping
women who need money to make it by under
taking to dispose of home products. The
Woman's Exchange Of Indianapolis, from what
gather, has not been as successful financially
as so deserving an enterprise should be. To
meet the working expenses the income from
commissions and depositor's fees has been eked
out by contributions from the managers and
from friends and by q precarious revenue from
entertainments, teas, far-tables, ETC. It GER
tainly is desirable. as it is right that the insti
tuition should be selfsupporting; it is not fair
that ladies who give time and labor for so worthy
an object should have to stand the worry Of con-
slant financial straits. have had opportunity
to learn something of quite number Of Elk
changes, but for my purpose will refer to two
specially The Cincinnati Woman's Exchange
is situated on Seventh street, close to Shilltos;
it has fine sales-room, and an elegant restaur-
ant in the basement. understand the rent is,
or, at all events, was. as long as necessary guar
anteed by q number OF gentlemen. The New
Orleans Exchange is on Royal street. but few
steps from Canal street.-the business artery of
the CITY, The receipts from sales and from the
restaurant year before last. If my memory
serves, were over forty thousand dollars. The
sterner sex had in this instance, also, assisted in
the work, though in what way / do not now
recollect. My impression Is there Is q regular
associate membership Of gentlemen. At both
these Exchanges, On several occasions when
there, noticed that one or two of the managing
ladies were present, seeing that deposits were
properly arranged, assisting the saleswomen in
waiting on customers. and looking after matters
generally as heads OF the establishment. Now
then, my good sisters-in-law, forty, or more u
do not mean in yeacs--in number), let us talk
business on the basis of facts presented in these
two cases.
First-Capital or its equivalent prudent
man commencing commission business does
not feel safe in counting on sufficient earnings
to cover his expenses while building up his
patronage. He wants q reserve-captal; SO do
you, and believe you can get It, 1t gentlemen
in Cincinnati guaranteed rent, why shouldn't
gentlemen in Indianapolis There are fewer
here able, and doubtless it s harder to find those
willing to risk any large amount, but suppose
you try an arrangement which would make the
burdenslight to your helpers Allow me to be
personal in this suggestion. Though have kept
no account, am safe in saying that my pur-
chases of tickets for myself and family for enter
tainments in behalf of the Exchange have
amounted to ten dollars, or more, in the last
year. While don't begrudge cent OF what
ever the gum may have been, business instinct
prompts the feeling that my helping was only SO
much towards ''tiding overn--not permanent
good. Hence / say--and think express the
average mans sentiment--I had rather give the
$40 in q lump sum, contribute or guarantee
one dollar or two dollars a month, with the
knowledge that was aiding to put the enter
prise on . solid basis. / can see no reason why
each lady in the management should not be able
to commit one gentleman from her own family
to small monthly guarantee, and at least one,
or as there are forty of you, say one and a half
from somebody else's family, giving one hun
dred guarantors of one or two dollars . month,
as the case may be. Some who are able would
no doubt gladly give more Make it all You can
for your need
Second-A good location. The public ought
| to take such interest in your work as to 60 out
| of the way TO find You. but-this is business
| they won't. you know. OF course, under som Q
| circumstances, they might. Thus if you could
| only be '.boycottad." the decent world that
| hates towards and the sneaking methods of
towards would hunt you mp and overwhelm you,
| but no such good luck; and the benefit would be
only temporary, anyway. Ordinarily, patrons
| won't leave beaten paths; You must get in their
way, under their noses First. arrange for your
capital-your guarantee fund-then get the best
store-foom for your purpose in the beat loca-
/ ton you can find.
Third-The prop to hold you mp Not for a
/ long time. perhaps never, especially with the
! expense involved in proper locality-will the