The Washington times., 1917-01-06
GOVERNMENT BONDS
FOR WOMAN URGED
Idea Presepted by Housekeep-
ers' Alliance as Means of
Promoting Economy.
BANKER APPROVES PLAN
Securities Would Be Issued in
Small Enough Denominations
to Attract Wives.
BANKER APPROVES PLAN

|
Stocks and bonds have always been
a matter popularity beyond the grasp
of mere women, but il Mrs. Flora lie
Donald Thompson's idea OF issuing
Government bonds in small enough
denominations to attract housewives
be a realized fact, the DOGGY will be-
come a friend. At a meeting of the
Housekeepers' Alliance yesterday
afternoon, the idea was explained
fully.
This Is the latest, and, indeed, one
OF the best plans promulgated by the
Housekeepers' Alliance. who have In
augurated a campaign agaist waste.
idea Not n Bubble.
That the idea of stocks and bonds
in small denominations as a mean of
promoting saving among housewives
is not a mere bubble, was stated by
S. Joseph Henry, manager Of the
Munsey Trust Company, of this city.
In addition to the practical econ
omy of the issuance and purchase of
bonds by housewives, Mrs. Thompson
called attention to the fact that IL
interest in the broader affairs Of the
nation among women.
Per Cent Wasted.
Mr.. Henry declared that the aver
age earnings of American families
are $4,000. 000. 900 annually, and that
per cent of this, or -S750.000, 900,
was wasted by the $4,000, 900 families
OF the country.
In driving home her point in the
proposed plan for saving the wasted
$3.50, 900 900, Mrs. Thompson drew a
most lifelike picture OF what the
financial world really thinks OF wom-
en-, while Mr.. Henry showed, on the
other hand, what a tremendously i'm
portant part women buyers OF the ma
ton could play II they wished.
Weaker Vessel OF Finance.
Mrs. Thompson said:
'The housewife with her money Is
still the weaker" vessel OF finance.
The banks advertise for our business
they want to handle our money be-
cause we are women We are the lit
tie lambs-sometimes the little shorn
lambs of the money world. We al
most appear to be the silly sex OF
finance.
They call US lady depositors, and
to spare our tender nature the shock
of rude contact with the business
world, they build their banks today
with esthetic ante-chambers, into
which we may 20 and, behind Q kind
ly screen of palms with the utmost
discretion OF the gentle sex, there we
sign our checks, make out our deposit
sIip-and, II we like, powder our
noses.
Not Good Business
THAT is very fne chivalry, but not
altogether good business. 1t is, how
ever, our business by means Of great
err and greater efficiency in the house
hold to bring the American business
world to see the object of financing
our housekeeping the same as any
other enterprise on which profit and
loss may be figured is financed"
or the importance of the house
wives as a purchasing agent In the
business world Mr.. Henry said:
Figures are simply astounding
that show Just how you are an eco
nomic factor and how your activities
taken collectively affect the business
world. Tehre are approximately "a
100000 families in the United States.
The average family income Is $500
d year. At this rate the aggregate
income of 25,Oos. 900 families would
be. $4,000, 900. 900, which Is almost
eight times the total national debt.
You in your capacity as business man
ager in the home spend a large per
cent of this sum.
This Is a fact.
OF Vital Importance.
Now let US assume that through
your lack OF knowledge OF economi-
cal methods there has been waste
in the household management averag-
ing 5 per cent OF the average family
income or $50 per annSm. This means
a waste or loss aggregating $75O,00O,-
900 annually. Your savings and your
therefore. are OF vital
Importance to us.
"If our homes were managed as
carefully and economically as our
great commercial enterprises that
$3.50. 900. 900 now wasted would find
its way into the savings bank. or
what amounts to the same thing, be
placed in safe profit producing in
yestments. 1t would build all the
navy we shall need for years to come.
we are all-men and wom- |
en-in partnership with Uncle Sam.
ProportiOnateIy ms Large.
Some years ago when our commercial
industries were as loosely managed as
thousands of our homes are today. the
waste and loss was proportionately |
Just as large. Scientific research, how |
ever. the application OF the science OF
chemistry in channels never before |
thought of. and the adoption Of modern |
methods OF management conspired to
turn into dividends what formerly |
leaked out in waste. The same may be
done in the great American home-hut
only through the effort and influence
OF women-housewives organized. de- |
termined and scientifically equipped"
DEUTSCHLAND EXPECTED