Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-12-21
woMENs EXCHANGES.
The Only Way Such Organizations Can
lie sucressfuliy Managed.

The Only Way SUCH Organizations Can
lie successfully Managed.
The grrnt success In cities OF wom-
ems exchanges, by which the work OF
needy women can advnntageously reach
the public. has resulted in the over
crowdlng of the market and the con-
seouent rejection of work that does
not reach the highest standard, rs well
rs 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 superintendent by the patron
esses-a plan that does not always Sc
cure the permanent popularity OF an
exchange. II n competent superin-
tcndent is placed in charge of n country
cxchange-a popular village woman
who has an acquaintance among the
wives and daughters OF the farmers
and mechanics of the communicating
will reach these consigners and we'll
TODD country buyers, while the
patronesses, usually wealthy women,
rnd often only summer residents, Will
only influence buyers of more means.
Ii part or all of u superintendent sal
AIRY he the percentage realized on sales'
il is an incentive 10 obtain both con-
signors and customers.
No fee is charged consignors in coun-
try exchanges, us the sales are limited,
and they cannot afford TO eNpcnd 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 ,!as to he made
to encourage them.
In establishing one of these village
exchanges membership Of patronesses
Ms large us possible is first obtained.
These patronesses pledge certain sum
per annum, usually two dollars, which
insures an income for expenses, such w
rent, heating, printing. etc.
The object Of country exchanges was,
End presumably il, 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. n serious difficulty
being that needy woman cannot al
ways provide the best and most nrtis-
tic work. They can always provide
work of n simpler character. which is
well done. and finds ready sale, il not
crowded out 10y elaborate consignments
from women of means and large OPP
portunities.
There are always two or more needy
consgnors in every country exchange
who can execute artistic work. There
is Just us much demand for simple
work, however, such rs aprons, scrap
Tags. holders. dish mops. etc. us for
tainted china and embroidery, provided
the exchange is not overcrowded with
the Ia Ter articles. II II is the desire
to buy the pretty articles and leave
the useful, it is advisable, therefore,
not 10 leave too much OF II display OF
embroidery and paintings unless done
by needy women. Too often is this rule
broken and work sent by women who
desire little extra pin or matinee
money, and the managers who permit
this infringement are running theirex-
change under false pretenses and for an
unworthy object.
4 mistaken kindness. too. is some
times offered by philanthropic women
who send their beautiful work 10 he
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: II their work is
simple, II il only consists of making
aprons or biscuits. then demand for
these articles must be created. The
demand and supply should tally to make
the exchange success.
The weekly sales of cake. bread and
aprons have been 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 homestcads and village homes.
Born of generations of excellent cooks,
making every entablc delicious, how
ever simple, they are boon to the in
valid OF busy housewife, and the supply
of their consignments does not always
equal the eager dcinands of buyers
.