The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
Ethics Of Christ
mas Shopping.

1t is the holiday Shopper-usually
woman-who turns the season from a
time of peace to a time of warfare"
So says Mrs. Ellen Henrotin, presi-
dent of the Illinois Consumers league,
according to the Chicago Times Herald.
AS a panacea it is proposed to interest
Chicago clubwomen, and, through Chi
cago clergymen, all other women, in
what may be termed the "ethics of
Christmas shopping"
To this much needed end a letter was
sent out few days ago under the aus
pices of the Illinois Consumers league.
which aims quite as much toward the
education of the purchaser as well as
the producer. 1t was sent to the 500
clergymen in the city, with the request
that it be read Sunday from the pulpit.
The same letter will be sent to presi-
dents of women's clubs for their con-
sidera ton.
The shopping ethics" letter, among
other excellent things, specifically lays
down four excellent rules. They de-
serve to be pasted in every feminine
hat. They are:
/. Shop early.
2. Go shopping with classified lists.
8. Do only the necessary shopping be-
fore Christmas.
4. Do not ask to have parcels deliv-
cred the same day.
"These four rules" commented Mrs.
Henrotin, ARE a means whereby wo-
men, by aiding the employers of the big
stores to keep trade conditions as nor
NAL as possible, may also apply the
principles Of the league. At Christmas
time these trade conditions are usually
abnormal, so that no amount of execu-
tive ability or forethought on the part
of the employer can obviate the great
inconvenience or even serious wrong at
tending them.
Besides disturbing the normalities of
trade" she continued, christmas shop
ping interferes with mOralities. One of
the immoralities is that the shopper is
apt to spend more than she ought, espe
cially if she is buying at a store where
bills are admitted. The result is post
Christmas months of economy, often &C.
companieu by unhappiness. in an effort
to meet the obligation. If woman
shops early, however-and this certain
ly means before o'clock and in the
morning If possible-and with well
classified list, she will do It with more
consideration and have the end in view
rather than the means. Then not only
should she put off until after the holt
day season any unnecessary shopping,
but she should shop long enough before
Christmas to not have to ask that pur-
chases be delivered the same day. The
shopper should not ask for the ex-
change of a purchase until after Christ
"As long AS women fail to observe
these simple rules" was the conclusion,
they not only entail hardship on en-
ployes, but fail, for themselves as well
as others. in finding the real signif-
canoe of the Christmas season"
Another feature of the shopping eth
ics' letter deals with the child labor
problem. For the unemployment of
these boys and girls both the shopper
and the employer are to blame.
AS a companion piece TO the plea
made to the women shoppers the league
has also sent out, it may be explained
in this connection. 100 letters to as many
retail stores in Chicago, asking them
during the holiday season to subscribe
to these conditions:
Close the store at clock. 2. If
unable to close al that hour, make ar
engagements for supper money and ex-
ira pay for the extra service. 3. Con-
form to the child labor law
In commenting on the overwork of
children in the christmas ethics" let
ter this appeal is made to the women:
1T is the pathetic irony of history
that this holy festival of the Christ
child should become the season when
little children are overtaxed and under
paid. * If the season of the