Better Homes in America | Page 8

but not including the furnishings and equipment.
Other essentials of an ideal home for demonstration purposes are fully
outlined in an article prepared by direction of Secretary of Commerce
Hoover and included in this Plan Book on pages 7 and 8. The builder or
owner of the Home selected should be willing to loan it to the General
Committee for the Demonstration Week, without charge. He should
also be willing to landscape the grounds, decorate the walls and carry
all insurance and damage risks. This has been gladly done by builders
in Syracuse, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Kansas City and elsewhere. There
is no better selling method for homes than that of putting on display a
completely furnished and equipped home.
If the entire plan of campaign is explained to the builder or owner of a
suitable home, and the advantages of indirect selling methods are
pointed out to him, his co-operation will be readily secured.
The name of the builder or owner is not to be displayed on the
Demonstration Home in any manner, shape or form, nor is his name to
be carried in any of the advertising during the campaign.
This will do away with all appearance of favoritism in the choice of the
house to be used. It is proper, however, to insert a reading notice in the
newspapers announcing the selection of the Demonstration Home and
giving the name of the owner or builder. No further reference should be
made to him in any of the advertising matter during Demonstration
Week, though the attendants in the home may properly give his name
to any person inquiring for it.
4--How to Form Sub-Committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home
A member of the General Committee is Chairman.

The selection and installation of all practicable labor-saving devices
and appliances in the Demonstration Home is left to this
Sub-committee. It should be composed of representatives of dealers in
home equipment, architects, builders, and, if possible, a Home
Demonstration agent of the Agricultural Department. (See
announcement of special co-operation of Department of Agriculture by
Secretary Wallace on page 9).
Suggestions for Sub-Committee
On pages 47-49 will be found a statement of the best modern practise
in the equipment of a home permitting the most efficient and
economical housekeeping.
It is probable that many communities will be unable to equip the
Demonstration Home completely, in accordance with the standards laid
down. So far as practicable these suggestions should be followed, but
local conditions and the stock of equipment carried by local dealers
may require some modifications in detail.
5--How to Form Sub-Committee on Furnishing and Decorating
A member of the General Committee is Chairman. In the selection of
this Sub-committee the greatest care must be taken to secure the
cooperation of all the business firms and individuals concerned in the
furnishing and decorating of homes. Each group--furniture dealers,
hardware dealers, paint and wallpaper dealers, department stores (if
any), decorators (if any), art and book stores--should be interviewed on
this important subject and asked to appoint representatives to serve on
this Subcommittee.
Suggestions for Sub-Committee
In order to maintain the non-commercial aspect of Demonstration
Week, no exhibitor's name should be displayed on any article shown in
the Demonstration Home. No price tags should be permitted on any
article. In this way all appearance of commercialism is avoided. This
feature will appeal to the fair and broad-minded merchant and will

secure the enthusiastic support of all the merchants in the community,
no matter how small their business may be.
The attendants at the Home, in response to inquiries as to where certain
articles may be secured, should be instructed to reply that they may be
had from the inquirer's own dealer or from any dealer in the city.
In Dayton this non-commercial plan was wonderfully successful.
In communities where suitable furnishings and decorations are not
obtainable from the local stores they may be borrowed from public
spirited citizens, who have such articles as are adapted to the scheme of
decoration and furnishing. For the guidance of the Sub-committee,
which may not include expert decorators or furnishers as members,
practical suggestions on good furnishing and decorating have been set
forth on pages 30-42 of this Plan Book. These suggestions will
undoubtedly prove helpful in assembling the furnishings and
decorations for a Demonstration Home. If more detailed information is
required, write to the Bureau of Information, The Delineator, 223
Spring Street, New York City, Secretary, Mrs. William Brown
Meloney.
In all cases the basement of the Demonstration Home should be very
carefully arranged, equipped and prepared for exhibition.
The furnishing of the Demonstration Home should include
well-selected, standard home literature and reference books, properly
arranged in book-cases or on shelves. A printed list of this selected
library may be supplied for distribution to the visitors.
6--How to Form Sub-Committee