Better Homes in America | Page 6

It is important to appoint as Chairman of each Sub-committee a
member of the General Committee who is particularly fitted to the
specific work assigned to her Sub-committee. The special abilities of
the members of the General Committee should be taken into careful
consideration and so used in the arrangement of the Sub-committees as

to secure the best and quickest results.
The formation of Sub-committees is necessary not only to divide the
work effectively, but also to arouse the interest and cooperation of the
various local interests directly affected by home building and home
betterment. All the local business groups--furniture dealers, hardware
dealers, wall-paper and paint dealers, electrical dealers, real estate
dealers, etc.--should be interviewed and asked to nominate a
representative from each group to serve on the appropriate Sub-
committee. In this way the appearance of favoring special interests will
be avoided and the fullest co-operation secured.
It may be well to stress here that the Chairman of the General
Committee should not become immersed in the details of the Sub-
committees' work. She establishes a point of contact and a clearing
house for all Sub-committees and directs the Better Homes
Demonstration as a whole, but not in detail. Neither should the
Chairman of a Sub-committee attempt to enter into details of the work
of other Sub-committees not under her direction. The Chairman of each
Sub-committee is responsible to the Chairman of the General
Committee, and to her alone.
Suggestions for the formation and activities of the various Sub-
committees are given in the following:
I--How to Form Sub-Committee on Budget for Demonstration Week
A member of the General Committee is the Chairman.
This Sub-committee should be made up of prominent citizens,
representing both the financial and mercantile interests of the
community. It would be appropriate to secure a Bank Cashier, who is
accustomed to keeping accurate records of receipts and expenses, to act
as Vice-chairman of the Sub-Committee. He may also act as Treasurer
of the General Committee. This committee should have charge not only
of the securing of the modest expense fund necessary for
Demonstration Week, but also of the recording of facts and figures
regarding the operation of the Demonstration Home, and the results

obtained. Such a record will be exceedingly useful to the local General
Committee as well as the National Advisory Council. Accurate figures
on the local Better Homes Demonstrations will be invaluable in
continuing the Better Homes in America Campaign, and arrangements
have been made for prizes to be given to those Committees submitting
the best reports and records of successful demonstrations.
Suggestions for the Sub-Committee
There will be certain general expenses incurred in conducting a Better
Homes Demonstration. These general expenses may range from $25 to
$500 or more, depending upon the size of the committee and the
extensiveness and completeness of the Demonstration.
Some of the items of expense which may be incurred are: insurance of
borrowed property; special advertising in the form of street signs,
window cards and posters; printing; prizes for contests; lecturers, and,
possibly, special forms of entertainment.
In many communities where Demonstrations have been held, the small
contributions necessary have been readily volunteered by the various
organizations, business firms or individuals directly interested in the
financing and furnishing of homes. Contributions may be secured from
bankers, stores, public utilities, real estate dealers, building material
dealers, insurance men, etc. The amounts contributed by the various
interests should be carefully apportioned and only a sufficient sum
collected to pay the actual expenses of the Demonstration.
In Dayton and other cities it was found that volunteer contributions
were readily made by manufacturers of, or dealers in, trade-marked
articles, such as pianos, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, electrical
equipment, etc. As these articles, because of the trade name affixed,
received special advertising in the Demonstration Home, it was
considered proper to accept contributions from the dealers. The
selection of trade-marked articles which may be shown in a
Demonstration Home should be made in a disinterested manner by the
Subcommittee on Equipment.

2--How to Form Sub-Committee on Advertising and Publicity
A member of the General Committee is Chairman.
The success of the Demonstration rests largely upon the thoroughness
with which this Committee does its work. It should, therefore, be
composed of all of the Publishers or Advertising Managers of local
Newspapers, and the Advertising Managers of Department Stores and
other large business houses. The fullest co-operation should be secured
from all the local publishing and advertising interests.
Local newspapers will gladly aid a Better Homes Demonstration, for
such an exhibition presents unusual opportunities for selling advertising
space to local merchants. In some of the cities where Demonstrations
have been held, the newspapers have brought out large special editions
carrying a great amount of local advertising, and filled with interesting
and instructive reading matter regarding home building and