St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-02-01
WoMEN'S EXCHANGES.


WOMEN'S EXCHANGES.
Tho Only Way Such Organizations Co
he 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 fastidi0us purchaser. To
receive and advertise this surplus, coun-
try or village exchanges have been e.
tablished and have met with varying
success.
These exchanges are organized and
usually superintended by the patron
esses-a plan that does not always Sc
cure the permanent popularity OF an
exchange. II q competent superin-
tcndent is placed in charge Of q country
cxchangc-a popular village woman
Who has an acquaintance among the
wives and daughters of the farmers
and mechanics of the communicable
will reach these consigners and we'll
to-do 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 superintendent's 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 a membership of patronesses
as large as possible in first obtained.
These patronesses pledge certain sum
per annum, usually two dollars, which
insures an income for expenses. such as
rent, heating. printing. etc.
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 q needy woman cannot al
ways provide the best and most artis-
tic work. They can always provide
work of q simpler character, which is
well done, and finds ready sale, il 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. II it is the desire
to buy the pretty articles and leave
the useful, it is advisable, therefore,
not to leave too much of display Of
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 their ex-
change under false pretenses and for an
object. -. -.
A mistaken kindness, too, is some
times offered by philanthropic women
who send their beautiful wofk''tU Ee
sold for the benefit of the exchange.
This il only q temporary benefit and
hurts the permanent prosperity of the
organization. The exchange shou19
depend upon the work Of the wome9,
It is organized to help; il their. work is
simple, if it only consists Of -sbHaang
aprons or biscuits. then . demand Tor
these articles must be created, The
and supply shonldtally to mako
the exchange q success: 'r sr'-s *!1-1
The weekly sales Of cake, bead and
aprons have been = greater. source OF
income than any sale Of fancy articles,
though they have theirp1ace ahdvalue,
and are in every case the work Of NEEDY
women. This exchange owes. it's. s~e-
Less to encouraging country consign-'
CTS. They need the most careful s1hd
earnest encouragement, these timid~
countrywomsn from quiet
farm homesteads and viliago homes:
Born of generations of excellent cooks,
making every eatable. delicious. iow-
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 buyeEs.-1
n. Y. Times. -:-ts:-.
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