The Washington herald., 1909-07-13
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIEW

The trials OF tradesmen In fashionaole
districts have been well aired, but threats
do little good unless carried out Bills
should be paid. OF course, but the real
seat OF the trouble lies in the compia-
cencv Of those who want fashionable pa
tronage and are willing TO take the con-
sequences. To wait twelve months for
payment is hardly TO be called good busi-
ness, because the source OF supplies
must be FED, housed. and clothed, and he
does not find unlimited credit easy 10
get. Unouestionably his competitor with
a cash system or short credit is better on
even though his patrons are middle-class
and working people.
It Is strange how dressmakers with
degree Of cleverness yearn for a fashion
able shop and the patronage Of the rich
II is not for the money they can make.
for my knowledge OF fashionable modistes
Is that they are worried lot, with bills
20 meet and nothing with which 10 satis-
fy creditors, because getting money from
the rich is like drawing teeth. There are
times when they are restricted on both
food and clothing, and a goodly proper
ton Of them are driven out OF business
each year because law fees and collectors
fees eat Up the profits A high-ciass
house-to-house dressmaker receives $3.50
a day. with car fares. has stipulated
hours for work. one or two meals, just as
she chooses; her wages at the close OF her
days work, and steady engagements
Generally she does not have as much
vacation as she wants, and there are no
expenses 10 be met She can exercise her
taste to a considerable extent. for those
who hire such workers are able and will
ing to supply good materials, and she
does not usually have 10 do the fussy
parts-the fnishing-because seamstresses
exist for that purpose. There are many
OF these workers, but not nearly enough.
because the ranks are annually being de-
pieted through the incomprehensible de-
sire TO broaden. This is one instance
wnere the broadening process is not
wholesome.
There is a host OF what is known as
small traders, men who do & hOuse-to-
house business for cash. They have the
expense OF a cart and horse and their
stock in trade, but there is no loss by bad
bills and little or nothing by spelling. and
/ have never seen one who was not con-
tent with his lot. which was a genuinely
comfortable one. There are women who
do business on the same basis and they,
too, are successful. A reliable firm deal
ing in feminine wearing apparel tried the
credit plan for two years and then. with
out warning. shifted 10 the cash system.
The head OF the concern told me that
they lost so heavily in bad bills that 1t
was a choice between a change and going
out OF business
To-day the three members OF the firm
are making money rapidly They have
made UP their losses long ago and secured
q patronage which does not expect credit.
One OK the largest and richest depart
ment store in New England has a cash
patronage with two kinds OF trading
stamps as inducements 10 trade and they
have found themselves obliged 10 enlarge
their quarters from time to time. / re-
Gently made my first visit TO a thriving
little factory city where a man has accu-
mulated a fortune In a few years BY sup
plying food for families OF the working
men. He has a public market, en- enor-
nous affair. at present. with departments
for different kinds OF goods. His is a
strictly cash trade even though the ex-
cellence Of HIS wares tempt the upper
class oftentimes. He has no worries. so
he can devote his entire attention 10 his
business interests. I know OF a woman
who accumulated a neat fortune in lodg-
ing-houses. beginning on a small scale
and broadening as she was able. It was
pay or get out in her houses. for there
was always a long waiting list. so excel
lent was her management.
BETTY BRADEEN.