Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-05-05
HOUSEWIVES ARE
 JOINING LEAGUE Membership of Organization to Cut Cost of Living Is Growing.
NOT AN EXPERIMENT
Organization Already Has Membership of More Than SOO,OOO in Different Cities of United States-Purp0se of
 League Is Explained.

That the women of Pine Bluff are showing the greatest of enthusiasm and interest in the formation and activities of the recently organized Housewives league was demonstrat- ed at the meeting yesterday. when half a hundred members were present, and when it developed that the present actual membership of the league is ", an increase from 40, which was the Timber enrolled at the organization meeting two weeks ago.
 The meeting was held yesterday aft ernoon in the offices of Secretary E. B. Bloom of the chamber of commerce, the assembly hall of the organization being occupied by the convention of the state association of charities and corrections. The offices were crowd ed with the housewives, but the mem- bers of the organization did not ap- pear to mind the smaller apartment. Actually, it brought them closer to- gether, in every way and made the meeting just so much more enjoyable.
 Purpose of League Explained.
 The women freely participated in the discussion of the several phases of the leagues activities. That the principal object of the league is to cooperate with the merchants was particularly stressed. Mrs. A. w. Troupe, the president. stated plainly the purposes of the organization, in the following language:
 "So many have asked, What is the Housewives League, that I want to explain briefly and as clearly as l can.
 "Three years ago it was organized in New York, with membership of seven women. Today over 8OO,OOO wo- men in different cities of the United States are registered as members.
 Briefly, it was organized to uphold the enforcement of the laws which af- feet the food supplies, the family health, tie cost of living, and to se- cure further legislation when neces- sary toward that end. It is hoped to mako better housewives of women hts showing them the necessity of giving their best attention to their homes, that housework Is not degrading ahd that it takes the best that God gives a woman to make a successful house. wife; that in order to be successful housewife, she must know how to get 100 cents worth for her dollar, and be as business-lik as though she were the purchasing agent for a firm and her salary was derending upon her ability and efficiency.
 Women the Buyers.
 "Ninety per cent of all the money spent in the United States passes through the hands of women, who act as buyers or purchasing agents for the homes. What an enormous advan- tage they have in their hands, Isn't it strange that nearly everything else in this broad land of ours was organized before the housekeepers?
 "The local league should be clear ing house for practical suggestions and ideas from our own women. If we canput our homes on pay as you go' basis; if we refuse to carry home making and housekeeping as a side line; if we make of ourselves better wvies and mothers, our organization will be worth while.
 While we recognize our advantage as organized buyers, it is not the in tention to hurt any one CT to exploit any particular persons business. Nei,aer do we intend 70 form clubs to send to other towns or cities TOT goods. We are not an antagonistlc body. We seek cooperation from the f0O0 at as low prices as can be given con- sistently.
 "In justice to tradesmen members are requested:
 "To SD plan their orders that but one delivery day is required.
 sSro pay cash or settle all credit ac- counts promptly.
 "To patronize tradesmen who com ply with the laws.
 .'To refrain from handling articles of food that are exposed for sale.
 "To give preference to food distrlb- ming stores that close not later than seven p. m.
 "Members are requested also:
 gro insist upon full weights anu measures. . ~
 "To insist upon cleanliness III the handling of food.
 "To protest against the exposure of all food to contamination from dirt, flies. or other infection and to retuse to purchase such food.
 "To read carefully all laDeis on canned and bottled goods and to re, hort any violation of the pure looo and drugs act. .. l.,
 "To make personal investigation 1n- to the sanitary condition of their mar kets. grocery, bakery, dairy, laundry' de,icatessen and confectionery stores.
 "To as far as possible. refuse to nurchase cold storage poultry, nsn' hutter. eggs, fruit, etc.. which nave heen held to the detriment Of condltioh for arrangement of price. . .To secure two new mempers TOT the oreanization.
 Men Give Encouragement. other women also spoke along the same lines. and several mentioned nersonal experiences as proving tne great advantages of the cash basis ol |nurchasing. .s