Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-20
CHURCH TO START A STORE.
Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church,
New York., VIII Mako an
Experiment.

From the New York Herald.
Calvary Protestant Episcopal church, at
Fourth avenue and Twenty-frst street. Is
\ about to undertake a novel experiment, by
the establishment of a large store for the
sale Of dry goods in common use. IKE gins-
hams, checks. fianneis, etc. The purpose
of the proposed parish store is to nave on
hand and sell such goods as are IN con-
| slant demand 1T reasonable rates.
1t has been the custom OF Calvary parish.
In its work among the poor under It's
care. to permit its ~parishioners to pLr-
chase, at cost price, certain articles from
its stock of cloth provided for the regular
work Of the various organizations. Inc
! demand for these articles increased 10 such
an extent that the idea OF keeping a larger
supply on hand was suggested. and nat
urally led TO the scheme OF eStaolish-
Ing a permanent store: Sales wiz be made
on the installmsnt plan. a ana no sb
price will be charged, in order that the
work may be ~self-supporting. but such
prices will be far below those asked Re IN IN
In the opinion of the Rev. DIR. J. Lewis
Parks. rector Of the parish; the neg ,s store
shop was opened In hts former parish,
St. Peters. Philadelphia. several years, ago.
Of 500. DIR. Parks says that. tine original
capital, which was furnished from the rec
tors funds. was returned, and that the
shop yielded every year a small interest
1t Is proposed. II the occasion shall war
rant. that the scope Of the new Institution
shall be enlarged so that the store shall do
shopping for Its customers. In this way
goods not kept in stock in the parish sto:e
will be purchased for those who desire It,
and sold on the installment plan. Already
the relief department OF the parish has
given the sum OF SIS for the purpose Of
buying the necessary stock Of goods; and
for beginning the business. which will be
conducted under the direct supervision OF
Miss Anthony. an experienced worker In
Little doubt is expressed that the char
ity of the installment store. like that of the
woodward. the lodging house. the restau-
rant and the tea divan-all departments
OF Calvary East side work-wil be a imam
cisl as well as a humanitarian success.
These says the printed description Of
the enterprise; are meant to be char
OF revenue. We incline to insist upon the
reality OF this combination. because We
continually meet those who deny the char
lily because of the gain. Such should con-
work would cease to he righteous and char
liable. What would it mean. for instance.
II the lodging house didn't p%ay--that the
parish gave men lodging at less than the
competition on the one hand and demOraliz-
ing to our customers on the other.
Just 70. the shop. TO be truly charitable,
must pay. Fair prices must be asked. fair
interest upon credit. fair percentage to COW
er bad debts-the last item to he regulated
not by theory, but actual experience. Upon
this basis. our little community should still
lind the shop. a boon. For they will be
ed with consideration and patience, and
when tile final payment IL made upon any
purchase the total price Will he below, per-
hars far below. what is usual in the petty
/ trndR-"