The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-10
WOMEN'S EXCHANGES.
The Only Way Such Organizations Csn
Be Successfully Managed.

Be Successfully Managed.
The great success in cities Of wom-
ems exchanges, by which the work of
needy women can advantageously 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-
tablished and have met with varying
success.
These exchanges are organized and
usually superintended by the patron
essesta plan that does not always Sc
cure the permanent popularity of an
exchange. If a competent superin-
tcndent is placed in charge of a country
exchange popular village woman
VINO has an acquaintance among the
wives and daughters of the farmers
and mechanics of the communicates
will reach these consigners and we'll
TODD country buyers, while the
patronesses, usually wealthy women,
and often only summer residents, will
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,
III Il
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 De made
to encourage them.
In establishing one of these village
exchanges a membership OF patrOnesses
Us large as possible is first obtained.
These patronesses pledge certain sum
per annum, usually two dollars, which
insures an income for expenses, such as
rent, heating, printing. etc.
The object of country exchanges was,
end 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, a serious difficulty
being that needy woman cannot al |
ways provide the best and most arts |
TIC work. They can always provide |
work of simpler character. which is /
well done, and finds ready sale, il not /
crowded out by elaborate consignments |
from women of means and large op-
portunities.
There are always two or more needy /
consignors in every country exchange |
who can execute artistic work There /
is Just as rauch demand for simple /
work, however. such as aprons, scrap /
Tags, holders, dish mops, etc, as for
painted china and embroidery, provided
the exchange is not overcrowded with
the latter articles II il is the desire
10 buy the pretty articles and leave
the useful, il is advisable, therefore.
not 10 leave too much of a display OF
embroidery and paintings unless done
by needy women. Too often is this rule
broken aud work sent by women who
desire g little extra pan or matinee
money, and the managers who permit
this infringement are running their ex-
change under false pretenses and for All
unworthy object
A mistaken kindness. too. 10 some
times offered by philanthropic women
who send their beautiful work 70 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 10 help; if their work Is
simple. II il only consists Of making
aprons or biscuits. then q demand for
these articles must be created The
demand and supply should tally 10 make
the exchange success
The weekly sales OF cake bread and
AnroHS have been . sreziHr. source q.