New-York tribune., 1903-01-16
FOR THOSE WHO EARN
The Woman's Exchange and It's In
tereSting Contributors.

The annual meeting of the New-Tork Exchange
for Womens Work tMadison-ave. and Forty-third-
st), which held yesterday afternoon at the
home of the president, Mrs. William G.. Choate.
West Fffty-ninth-st-, was far from being the dry
affair yearly business meetings usually prove. Those
associated with the work OF this exchange had
much to report that could not fail to be Of keen
individual interest to every woman. The mere fact
that there constgnors in every State in the
Union that during December alone orders for
special work given in ten different States and
that the sales for the year have amounted to near
ly sS0.0ce, is enough to make one realize the i'm
mense scope of the work that centres in the single
house No 334 Madison-ave.
Yesterdays meeting a joint of directors,
managers and associate members only. Patrons
and friends postponed until the general
meeting May 9. which will mark the twenty
fifth anniversary of the exchange.
There full and interesting reports from all
departments, the domestic, childrens clothes, en-
broidery, 1t stated that a woman
of over sixty is helping her youngest to COM
pete his college course by daily consignment
of ginger cookies Another woman, who has
especial genius for '1shballs' clothes her entire
family Of little the proceeds of the daily
orders for these from the exchanges restaurant
Still another grateful consgnor declares that she
herself has been fed and clothed for years with
corned beef hash.' and woman of eighty sup
plies many of the fine handmade infants ward
robes that have been ordered through the medium
OF the exchange. Another worker who for twenty
years has supported herself and her sister the
proceeds of the canton flannel menagere, from long
cared bunnies to huge white elephants, in which
the exchange has rejoiced has just passed away.
The committee suggestions meets weekly to
pass upon work from new consignors. The purpose
of this committee, its indicates, Is to give
advice and encouragement. and sometimes 1t is
difficult to possibilities in the work presented
No turned away because her work is of
a high order but is encouraged to find out what
she can do best.
One particularly difficult case presented itself
ha5r For Y{r,e+ +L,
managers pondered what she could do. and
then the inspiration to of them sug-
gest that she should make the so-called pepper
mint sticks sachets made of red and white striped
ribbon. These sticks proved successful that
the consignor now able to support both herself
and her aged mother on the proceeds from their
sale The ribbon is specially for her,
and her orders at one time amount to much as
S7N
Another interesting case is that Of woman
eighty years of age, who years has
supported herself by the sale of small pies.
One young living in the country. who ap-
piled the exchange for advice to what she
could do to earn some money. questioned as
to her accomplishments: she replied lad
none-her only gift with animals. She was
advised to take pet animals TO board during their
last news was that she had to- enlarge her estab
hshment to accommodate her happy family of four
footed ''remunerative guests.
For who have the health and strength to
OF the exchange is means of communication with
the hour TO dust bric-a-brac, clean lamps. address
invitations the care of plants, also the moving
of households, opening of houses in the fail and a
variety of other employments, may also be secured
through the bureau.
But the great majority of who are
benefited by the exchange those who for one
reason another are unable to leave their homes
for any length or time
It is uncommon thing say the reports. for a
contributor who one year gives thousands tow
ard the support Of the work, to apply for work
a consignor the next, many wings has money
in these days. Again il has chanced that when un-
looked for fortune favors exchange worker. the
friend in need has been generously remembered
by its Quondam beneficiary One woman, who |
knew how TO make nothing in the world but mnce |
pies the delighted recipient of orders los
at Christmas, and mother, who had a happy |
inspiration in designing her small boys first kilt
change A ball gown that at its first |
public appearance that its owner considered il |
practically useless thoroughly and artiSti- |
cally repaired by one of the exchange workers. the
darns and seams being completely hidden by fine |
embroidery. that its delighted possessor declared
il las good new"
three feet square," are working hard for the !
of the building that now houses the |
exchange As the percentage of sales retained Is !
only 10 per cent the remainder going intact TO the
consignors. the treasurer never has an embarrass-
ment of riches report. There is still $4,000 |
mortgage the property, $1,000 OF which must
be raised during the next month.
Mrs. Choate, in making her report Tor the year
dwet especially the assistance her work had
received through the courtesy of the press OF
New-York and elsewhere. Among the managers
= re-