Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-12-05
wOMEN,s EXCHANGES.
The Only Way Such Organizations Can
BE Successfully Managed

wOMEN'S EXCHANGES.
The Only Way Such Organizations Can
BE Successfully Managed.
The great success in cities of wom-
ems exchanges. by which the work of
needy women can adrantageouslyr reach
the public, has resulted in the over
crowding of the market and the con-
sequent rejection OF work that does
not reach the highest standard, as well
as of much that does meet the demands
OF the most fastidious purchaser. To
receive and advertise this surplus, coun-
try or village exchanges have been es-
1ablished and have met with varying
success.
These exchanges are organized and
usually superintendent by the patron
esses-a plan that does not always Sc
cure the permanent popularity OF an
exchange. If competent superin-
tcndent is placed in charge of a country
exchanges popular village woman
who has an acquaintance among the
wives and daughters of the farmers
and mechanics of the communicable
TODD country buyers, while the
patronesses, usually wealthy women,
and often only summer residents, viii
only influence buyers of more means.
II part or all of a superintendent sal
airy be the percentage realized on sales,
it is an incentive to obtain both con-
signors and customers.
No fee is charged consignors in coun-
try exchanges, as the sales are limited,
and they cannot afford to expend money
on entrance fee when the chances for
profit are so comparatively small. The
commission on country sales does not
exceed ten per cent. Country women
are timid about presenting their goods
for sale, and every effort has to be made
to encourage them
In establishing one of these village
exchanges membership of patronesses
as large as possible is first obtained.
These patronesses pledge a certain sum
per annuIu, usually two dollars, which
insures an income for expenses, such as
rent, heating, printing, etc.
The object of country exchanges was,
and presumably is, to assist needy
women. and strict rules are made that
only the work of such women be re-
ceived. Many stumbling blocks, how
ever, have appeared in the way of car
rying out this rule, serious difficulty
being that a needy woman cannot al
ways provide the best and most arts
TIC work. They can always provide
work of a simpler character, which is
well done, and finds ready sale, if not
crowded out by elaborate consignments
from women of means and large OPP
portunities.
There are always two or more needy
consignors in every country exchange
who can execute artistic work. There
is Just as much demand for simple
work, however, such as aprons, scrap
Eags, holders, dish mops, etc, as for
painted china and embroidery, provided
the exchange is not overcrowded with
the latter articles. If it is the desire
to buy the pretty articles and leave
the useful, it is advisable, therefore,
not to leave too much of a display of
embroidery and paintings unless done
by needy women. Too often is this rule
broken and work sent by women who
desire a little extra pin or matinee
money, and the managers who permit
this infringement are running their ex-
change under false pretenses and for an
unworthy object.
A mistaken kindness, too, is some
times offered by philanthropic women
who send their beautiful work to be
sold for the benefit Of the exchange.
This is only a temporary benefit, and
hurts the permanent prosperity of the
organization. The exchange should
depend upon the work of the women
it is organized to help; if their work is
simple, if it only consists of making
aprons or biscuits, then a demand for
these articles must be created. The
demand and supply should tally to make
the exchange a success.
The weekly sales of cake, bread and
aprons have been a greater source of
income than any sale of fancy articles, |
though they have their place and value, |
and are in every case the work of needy |
women. This exchange owes its sue |
cess to encouraging country consign- |
crs. They need the most careful and |
earnest encouragement, these timid, |
hesitating countrywomen from quiet |
farm homesteads and village homo. |
Born Of generations of excellent cooks, |
making every eatable delicious, how
ever simple, they are a boon to the in
valid or busy housewife, and the supply |
of their consignments does not always |
equal the eager demands of buyers
n Y Times