Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-31
SYSTEM IN Buying
NEEDED IN HOMES
Conclusion Reached by Inves-
tigators of Living Cost in
a,-. the District. ~.
REPORTED AT CONFERENCE

Many Washington housewives are in
need of some system of buying where
by they will cease paying enlarged
prices for goods in small quantities
when they might buy in larger guam
titles and get more for their money.
This was brought out today by the
twelve young woman agents who are
collecting statistics on the cost Of liv-
ing in the District, at conference held
with DR.. Royal Meeker, commissioner
Of the bureau Of labor statistics.
This second weekly conference, which
was expected to last but an hour or so.
The object of the conference, which was
a closed one. was to allow the agents
to bring before their chief the thou
sand and one" questions which have
arisen during the two weeks they have
been gathering statistics as to the cost
Of living in the National Capital
Sample Problem Presented.
Just where. in the schedules which they
ask each housewife to fill, shall be placed
such articles as pianos and other musical
instruments, was one of the questions
asked by the agents Of DR.. Meeker today.
1t would seem that a piano is not always
a musical instrument 1t is
furniture" The printed schedules made
no provision for musical instruments, and
hhhhhthe agents were in quandary as to
whether or not to list recently acquired
piano as furniture" or put it in the
miscellaneous expense" account.
1t developed from the reports, gen.
orally stated. of several Of the agents,
that many local housewives buy fuel,
food and various other articles in small
quantities, feeling that this was a
cheap method of acquiring such neces-
stiles.
Especially have the agents found this
condition prevailing, it is understood,
among many Of the poorer families
statistics, and among the very fami-
lies where economy should be prac-
ticed most.
This state Of affairs arises largely,
it Is believed, from the fact that it has
never been pointed out to the house,
keepers in question that it is a poor
sort of economy to buy small quantity
of anything at certain price. when
they can make a great saving by pur-
chasing the same commodity in larger
quantity.
Lack of Money Considered.
OF course, it is realized many Of the
families do not have sufficient money
day by day to buy in the larger guam
titles. This is one state of affairs
which is being revealed by the collec-
ton of the statistics.
But more general condition is found
to be that of housewives who are buy
ing in small quantities day by day
articles, oftentimes absolute necessi-
ties. which they could just as well
purchase in larger quantities and there
by effect a tremendous saving.
DIR. Meeker, 1t is understood, will
make this condition a feature of his
report which he will submit to Con-
gress at the conclusion of the investi-
CATION, which will run, about six or
eight more weeks. The commissioner
of statistics has manifested great in
terest in this phase Of the inyestiga-
ton. and will deal with it in his re-
port. in line with his stated purpose to
make the, coming report not only a
thing of figures and facts. but one filled
with helpful advice. deduced from the
figures and the individual observations
Of the agents.