SAAMOAW WN. 8S. EK DATS VLA NES eG) a4 N =< WW ONG \ weg — THI EBX "OES: yy 5 ti. k&y V WY »{ OP 3 Ty Us, Ni Vv, : pe SSN y Sy AE eof 4S Gy oy LEAN a Foy NS, xe oe Be lays LE yA y/ A P WER (Sei. = eas = a iS G3 - rae } A ee (cy Ss P =e) [=A —— Cf & YG SG ee SEES) SS XO) Je y= ve oA Yan 3 ; XY -) a YODA WEED) On N ( —3 § A C) Se \N <\ aN SOULS) A \ v5) s “| Thirty-Ninth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1922 Number 2011 THE BUILDERS All are architects of Fate, Working in these walls of Time; Some with massive deeds and great, Some with ornaments of rhyme. Nothing useless is or low; Each thing in its place is best; And what seems but idle show Strengthens and supports the rest. For the structure that we raise, Time is with materials filled; Our to-days and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build. Truly shape and fashion these; Leave no yawning gaps between; Think not, because no man sees Such things shall remain unseen. In the elder days of Art Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part For the gods see everywhere. Let us do our work as well, Both the unseen and the seen; Make the house, where gods may dwell, Beautiful, entire and clean. Else our lives are incomplete, Standing in these walls of Time, Broken stairways, where the feet Stumble as they seek to climb. Build to-day, then, strong and sure, With a firm and ample base; And ascending and secure Shall to-morrow find its place. Thus alone can we atttain To those turrets, where the eye Sees the world as one vast plane, And one boundless reach of sky. Henry W. Longfellow. PA AAAI AA RR IRM IKI IAAIAIAAAAII AAAI AAAS AAAI AA AAA AAASAA AAA AIS AAA AAA AAA AAAS AAAAASAAAAASISAAAAAASSAASAASSSSISSASASSSASSACSCSISISISIACSAC HERE Are Three Reasons Why It Will Pay You to Handle Our Importations! Write us about nH our SOLE AGENCY ji CHASE y & CHICAGO A —, iy E A POunD © Yi By FULL WeiguT Yyy | CUSLESANBORY Ye Fi UNCOLORED Gey 3] . ZZ, 1 || sha stag) ali GA Quarries Cansures ano Lemtut Prat of tre Perosney Porriann Cewtay Co. PeTOSNLY, Mite Petoskey Portland Cement A Light Color Cement Manufactured on wet process from Petoskey limestone and shale in the most modern cement plant in the world. The best of raw materials and extreme fine grinding insure highest quality cement. The process insures absolute uniformity. ASK YOUR DEALER FOR IT. Petoskey Portland Cement Co. General Office, Petoskey, Michigan Citizens Long Distance Service Reaches more people in Western Michi- gan than can, be reached through any other telephone medium. 19,000 telephones in Grand Rapids. Connection ‘with 150,000 telephones in Detroit. USE CITIZENS SERVICE CITIZENS TELEPHONE COMPANY They’re All Reading "Em Our advertising is addressed to all people who ever suffer from constipation, pimples, blackheads, coated tongue or indigestion. That means practically everybody is reading about Fleischmann’s Yeast Don't let them forget to carry it. Advertising is just as good for you as for us. : The Fleischmann Company Get Your Profits Sugar represents an important percentage of your sales. You can make a real profit on sugar if you sell ° Franklin Package Sugars Saving overweight, labor, cost of bags, twine, breakage and waste. The Franklin Sugar Refining Company ‘PHILADELPHIA *‘A Franklin Cane Sugar for every use’’ Granulated, Dainty Lumps, Powdered, Confectioners, Brown, Golden Syrup A rmrnrnnetinn gee I AME. oe —~ pe Thirty-Ninth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1922 Number 2011 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN (Unlike any other paper.) Frank,. Free and Fearless for the Good o That We Can Do. Each Issue Complete in Itself. DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF BUSINESS MEN. Published Weekly By TRADESMAN COMPANY Grand Rapids E. A. STOWE, Editor. Subscription Price. Three dollars per year, if paid strictly in advance. : Four dollars per year, if not paid in advance. Canadian subscriptions, $4.04 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10 cents each. Extra copies of current issues, 10 cents; issues a month or more old, 15 cents; issues a year or more old, 25 cents; issues five years or more old 50 cents. Entered at the Postoffice of Grand Rapids under Act of March 3, 1879. LIKE DRUNKEN SAILORS. How the Peninsular Fire Was Wrecked and Looted. Summarized Statement. Loss ratio for first year of opera- tion was 82 per cent. and expense ratio 172 per cent. or an operating ratio of 254 per cent. During entire operation of company the loss ratio was 106 per cent. and expense ratio 80 per cent. If agents’ balances deducted as non-admitted assets were included, the expense ratio would exceed 100 per cent. Expense of $16,194 incurred in Em- pire Underwriters venture, without a cent of income received. Impairment of capital at time the Michigan Department took charge, $551,988. “Volume seemed to be the aim of the management,” the examiners say, “with little or no regard manifested to the danger of overloading. “The underwriting was of a per- functory nature. Good underwriting practices were disregarded almost entirely.” Insurance Commissioner Hands has received the report of Messrs. Palmer and Andrus, who were detailed to in- vestigate the affairs of the Peninsular Fire Insurance Co. The report dis- closes one of the most unscrupulous campaigns ever conducted in money squandering and reckless underwrit- ing. Reviewing the history of the company the report says that the Peninsular was incorporated March 10, 1917, and was originally known as the Commonwealth Fire, having changed its name to the Peninsular Fire July 7, 1917. In December, 1919, the company was ready to start writing business, was ex- amined by the Insurance Department in January, 1920, and licensed Jan. 21, 1920, with admitted assets amounting to $1,- 341,340.71; capital stock paid in, $829,- 777.66 and a surplus of $411,463.05. A financial statement of the company as of Dec. 31, 1920, showed its surplus to be $100,658.24, although the stockholders during the year had contributed addi- tional surplus amounting to $77,595.90. The company was examined in July, 1921, and its capital found to be impaired $64,658.84. A hearing was held before the Insurance Commissioner and a spec- ial meeting of the board of directors called, after which it was agreed to re- insure enough business so as to show a surplus. Sixty days’ time was given for the purpose of reinsuring, but nothing was accomplished and an extension of thirty days was granted. At this junc- ture J. Floyd Irish resigned as manag- ing underwriter. In November the com- pany was again examined and found to be impaired $351,014.33 as of Oct. 31, 1921. Another hearing was held and the of- ficers and directors were ordered to re- insure or consolidate before Dec. 31, 1921. Nothing was accomplished and Judge Carr ordered the Insurance Commissioner to take charge as custodian and manager. One of the first things that confront d Palmer and Andrus when they took charge of the company was a copy of a telegram sent to agents of the company, Dec. 19, 1921, over the signature of President Colon C. Lillie, reading: ‘‘All past due accounts must be paid at once. Premiums written prior to Oct. 1 will be eancelied if not paid by Dec. 24.’’ “Whoever it was that advised the sending of this telegram’’ reads the re- port, “‘illy considered the situation such action would involve, for this was pre- cisely what the agents were looking for, since adverse reports on the company had been given wide publicity. They immediately got very busy and, as a re- sult, cancelled policies flowed into the office in a wholesale fashion and on a pro rata basis.’’ The telegram created an embarrassing situation, for instead of bringing forth the overdue balances, the agents retained possession of the funds to replace the business of their clients as rapidly as the Peninsular policies could be retired. A large percentage of the company’s business was reinsured Jan. 30, 1922, with the Globe & Rutgers ‘at a very fair price, considering the classes of business offered,’’ the report Says. The deputies were surprised with the underwriting of the company, they say. The underwriter, they understand, was the daughter of the managing under- writer who did the examining of the business from her desk, rarely if ever consulting maps, inspection reports or other data and, in many instances, not even running the business through the Fire Record. She arranged the lines and fixed reinsurance whenever’ she thought such action necessary and in only a few instances out of the thou- sands of daily reports passing through her hands were there any evidence of eriticism, either in respect to the class of risk or the form under which the business ‘was written, and with rare exceptions were the daily reports ini- tialed to indicate the person passing on the business. In New York, Chicago, Baltimore and other prominent cities the agents were given carte blanche to do their own un- derwriting and in some instances to ar- range the reinsurance, naming the amount of the line to be reinsured and the name of the company in which the reinsurance was to be written. In South Carolina a general agency was establish- ed at Columbia and agents in many un- protected towns and _ villages wrote promiscuously, almost anything being ac- cepted. Not content with this, the Pe- ninsular took over the business of the Liberty Fire of St. Louis, which had decided to withdraw from the state after a very bad year. The Peninsular then tied up with the Southern Home, of Columbia, S. C., and Guardian Fire, of Salt Lake, to accept as reinsurance a portion of their business. ‘‘The Penin- sular, therefore,’’ the report says, ‘‘was loaded to the guards with all sorts of inside and unprotected business in this unprofitable state, and which has been a sink hole for a very large share of the losses the company has sustained.” Texas and Kentucky were other states the Pe- ninsular entered and accepted _ risks which a home company would not write. The company also ventured into other objectionable lines, such as farm, auto- mobile, hail and ocean marine insurance, each of which proved most disastrous and contributed in the main to the un- doing of the company and to place it in the position it now occupies. The report raps a contract entered into by the Peninsular with James W. Going as general agent at San Francisco, - and censures the sending of a check in June, 1921, for $5,254.43 to Going to cover contingent commissions which he claim- ed were due as of Dec. 31, 1920, notwith- standing that Going was at that moment indebted to the company, according to the records of the accounting depart- ment, upwards of $70,000. The report recommends that a proper audit from the records of the company be made to determine whether a final settlement made by Going when he closed his account with the company in October, 1921, was correct. ‘If found to be in- correct,’”’ declares the report, “the ques- tion of adjustment should be entered into with Mr. Going and, if a balance is due from him by reason of the audit, he should be made to pay the amount due.” Summing up, the report says that at the time the Peninsular was authorized to transact business, Jan. 21, 1920, it had admitted assets of $1,341,340.71 and a surplus of $411,463.05. During 1920 and 1921, additional surplus amounting to $113,465.98 was paid in, making a total of $524,929.08. On Oct. 31, 1921, one year and nine months after it commenced operating, the entire surplus had been exhausted and, in addition to that, the capital had been impaired approximately $650,000. The impairment of capital, as shown by the financial statement of Feb. 28, 1922, appearing in the report amounted to $551,987.85, including a de- duction of $179,923.46 from the assets representing agents’ accounts that are more than ninety days old. The com- pany may collect about 50 per cent. of these balances, the report says. In 1920, the Peninsular earned in prem- iums $166,482.30, while losses incurred for that year amounted to $136,047.28, a loss ratio of 82 per cent. Expenses in- curred amounted to $286,284.62, an ex- pense ratio of 172 per cent. or an oper- ating expense for its first year of 254 per cent. With this statement in mind, President Lillie comes in for severe criticism for mailing to the stockholders a letter dated Feb. 10, 1921, containing the following information: “The report of the past year’s business was submitted by the managing underwriter which showed the company had an_ unusually profitable business, with net premiums of $547,- 209.45 and net losses of $62,621.49. Net premium earnings, together with the in- terest on invested assets, showed a profit of over 20 per cent. on the capital of the company.” Another letter signed by President Lillie the same day stated that the finan- cial statement of the company covering the business of 1920 showed gross profits of over 20 per cent., ‘“‘which is sufficient to pay a substantial cash dividend to the stockholders.”’ Still another letter sent out over President Lillie’s signature in November, 1921, stated that the Peninsular had $76,- 383.45 in surplus and gross assets amount- ing to $1,999,392.27. ‘The president at the time knew that the company had over $150,000 in past due agents’ balances and which amount alone caused _ this company to show an impairment of cap- ital stock,’’ the report declares. In ad- dition to this the unpaid loss _ liability was $409,081.28, instead of $101,163.46, as given by the company. The statement also gave the unearned premium reserve to be $738,023.91, whereas the examiners determined this item to be $792,901.90. At the time the above statement was made, a campaign was being made to sell Peninsular stock and the _ officers evidently wished to convey the idea to the public that the company was in a healthy condition. During the entire operation of the com- pany from Jan. 21, 1920, to Feb. 28, 1922, the company earned in premiums $1,- 182,421.21. The incurred losses and ad- justment expense for the same _ period totaled $1,255,122.82 or a loss ratio of 106 per cent. The incurred expenses to- taled $946,841.12 or an expense ratio of 80 per cent. This, however, does not include the agents’ balances deducted as an asset not admitted. If this were included, the expense ratio would exceed 100 per cent. “Volume seemed to be the bent of the management,”’ the report declared, ‘‘and little or no regard was manifested on their part to the danger of overloading. This, of course, made heavy inroads on the surplus on account of not having sufficient expirations to keep the reserve down. “The underwriting was of a perfunc- tory nature. Good underwriting prac- tices were disregarded almost entirely and little or no discrimination made as to classes. “At all times,’’ the report says, ‘“‘the department has had in mind the interest of the policyholders and the conservation of the company’s assets, but it has al- ways been confronted with the inclina- tion of the officers of the company to put something over.” * The officers of the company were Colon Cc. Lillie, president; Comfort A. Tyler, vice-president; J. Floyd Irish, secretary- treasurer and managing underwriter; Francis F. McGinnis, general counsel. The financial statement of the com- pany is attached, giving schedules of income and disbursement from Jan. 21, 1920, to Feb. 28, 1922, which shows that net premiums for that period were $1,- 656,752 and the total income $1,872,261, The total disbursements for the same period were $1,843,970, the largest items being net losses. paid, $828,801, and agents’ commissions $490,450. The state- ment of assets and liabilities as of Feb. 28, 1922, shows ledger assets of $1,365,104 and non-ledger assets $222,335. Assets not admitted total $361,349, leaving ad- mitted assets of $1,226,090. The liabil- ities, including unpaid losses of $410,880, reinsurance account, return prémiums, unearned premiums, and unpaid bills total $852,728. The capital stock was $925,350, which thus shows an _ impair- ment of $551,988. Annual Meeting of Detroit Shoe Deal- ers. Detroit, April 4—The Detroit Re- tail Shoe Dealers’ Association at its annual meeting, held at the R. H. Fife Co. shoe store, elected new of- ficers for the ensuing year as follows: President—James J. Ertell, of Er- tell & Butler. Vice-President — Stuart of T. J. Jackson Co. Secretary—W. S. Dowler, of The Baker Co. Treasurer—Thomas Quality Store. Assistant Secretary—F. E. lem, R. H. Fyfe Co. It was one of the best attended and one of the most enthusiastic meet- ings in the history of the organiza- tion. Dealers seem to be realizing more and more the value of getting together and co-operating and the meetings this year have been brimful of good business subjects and discus- sions and the spirit of goodfellowship has pervaded every gathering. Following the election, there was a splendid programme of entertain- ment, one of the added attractions being several solos by Harry Richen- back, manager of the shoe department of Newcomb, Endicott & Co., who was assisted at the piano by Mrs. Richenback. Smokes were furnished by the R. H. Fyfe Co. The board of directors for the com- ing year will comprise: T. J. Jackson, T: B. Jeffries, A. O. Day, J. BE. Wie son, Steven J. Jay, Ed. Stocker, Clyde Taylor and W. F. Whitney. The installation’ of the new officers will take place some time in April, the exact date to be announced later. The association wants this to be the biggest “affair’’ of the season so far as the shoe industry here is concern- ed. A banquet will precede the in- stallation and there will be special entertainment. One of the down- town hotels will be selected for the event. Rackham, Heath, Queen Whit- —_+ 22> Swatted the Trading Stamp. Lansing, April 4—Members of the Merchants Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce swatted the trading stamp plan at their last business session at the Hotel Kerns. A resolution adopted by the bureau opposed the unnecessary expense Of trading stamps at this time. The stamp plan was condemned as adding to the cost of merchandise and not in- creasing its value. In several spirited talks on the sub- ject, local merchants stated they pre- ferred putting this extra expense into reducing the cost of the merchandise. The stamps were declared to be a costly proposition, the expense of which must be paid by the customer. This week the Merchants’ bureau will take part in a Holy Week pro- gram to be conducted by local church- es, with an address by Rev. C. Jeffares McCombe. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 MAY YET STRIKE BACK. Retailer Protests Favoritism of Manu- facturer For Chains. New York, April 3—I have before me a copy of the Tradesman of March 29 and a careful reading of the articles on the chain stores warrants at Jeast in my opinion, the statement which herewith follows: It is certainly a relief to at last learn that the tide of sentiment has changed and that eventually some of the leaders in grocery trade thought have begun to realize that the situa- tion is not one in which the retailer should shoulder all of the blame. Let us admit ter the sake of an argument that some individual grocery stores are untidy—even unsanitary— that some of the same class are not real merchants, that they do not un- derstand even the very simplest forms of business ethics, and, as a final climax, admit that this type is quite “yellow,” etc. The most serious of these is perhaps the unsanitary type of merchant and is used most frequently by those whose wholesale field of observation is that encompassed by swivel chairs, nolltop desks and tall buildings, but rarely at the source. i wonder if these tenants of “glass houses” ever gave any serious con- sideration to the fact that if this un- sanitary condition was as general as is charged the health of the people of not only New York city and State but the Nation would soon show it by an ever-increasing death rate; yet statistics indicate the very opposite fact and that he rate of mortality is continually increasing? The heading to your article on chain store menace is very fitting, and we, too, wondered just when all of this surplus hot oxygen might peter out and eventually someone come along and get down to brass tacks and cases. If my memory serves me right, we have been going along this way for several years calling one another names, making charges and counter charges. At conventions we heard pretty stories of what the respective rights of the jobber and manufacturer and retailer were, and then, after viewing the ocean and boardwalk at Atlantic City or Chicago or New York (and not forgetting Brooklyn), we sort of hemmed and hawed, and then started right back where we left off before coming to the convention, and resolu- tions again became a mere matter of formality and history. How often have we heard it said that the jobber and manufacturer should get together with the retailer and work out a plan which would iron out all of their differences—and there are a number of them, and of suffi- cient import to warrant the best thought of the biggest men in the business. Now and then a spasmodic effort is made, but it dies a-borning, and we go along until some one again raises a howl—when an article such as yours arouses them from their deep slumber, and some one says that something must be done, or we shall soon all go to the dogs. Let me repeat that I admit that the chain store is a perfectly legal and legitimate institution, when conducted along the lines of business ethics and fair competition, and that the great majority of the things done by chain stores are within the province of the individual dealer. But recent develop- ments thave created in the minds of some of the retailers a thought that there is a certain line of competition being indulged in by the chains which indicates quite clearly that there is something being pulled off not within the realms of our understanding of what is generally understood as fair trading. This is not the cry of a whipped child or of one who is incompetent and deserves to be pushed back, and out, but rather the assertion and warn- ing that if this method continues with- out restraint of some kind, it will eventually lead to further reduction in the ranks of the retailers, and eventu- ally the jobbers and manufacturers, as well. We hear so much about “educating the retailer,” from which we assume that we are nearly all in the kinder- garten class, and then we are told that the jobbing salesman is to be the teacher. Well, the retailer is not 100 per cent. efficient, but is the jobber and his salesman? We are not simpletons, and yet we have an open head, and are willing to learn, from those who know. We also hear much about this ‘‘mu- tuality of interest,” and yet those who should have the interests of the ind:- vidual at heart are wooed away by the Lorelei of the car-load lot buyer 2 which there is a string attached tha he must give an extra 5 per pe which even the big jobber is denied. That accounts for some of these very recent examples of chain store prices. Sugar at refinery, $4.80, while the chains offered it at $4.50, and the managers of these chain units request- ing the individual grocers to buy the sugar from them. If this price was “regular” and the loss of 30c per hundred charged up to the policy of attracting trade through a leader, why was it profitable to call on the indi- vidual grocer and sell him sugar so much below the market? Surely the chain is not a stitution for us! Certain Nationally advertised cereals were sold at 8c and 10c per package, in both cases this was under the cost to the individual. One chain had it for a week and then the next chain dealer took it on for another week. Isn’t it just wonderful how the one stopped just at the end of the time when the next took it up? A Nationally advertised biscuit costs us 63c per dozen with the maximum quantity discount, and yet we could buy them at the chains as low as 4c per package.. A certain brand of jelly powder was recently sold to the chains at 44%c per package, while we have to get 10c to get us out whole. Standard brands of flour in eighths charity in- recently sold at the chains for 95c, while we paid $1.10. We could go on enumerating additional examples of similar experiences, but these will suffice in driving home what we are getting at. Is the manufacturer to blame? Use your own gray matter and let your conscience be your guide. Is he, by these methods, getting any more dis- tribution and increased sales? I doubt it, and the real fact is that he is only transferring the base of consumer supply. Does the individual intend standing idly by and letting all of these things be put over without registering a howl? Perhaps these manufacturers,haven’t heard his roar, but that doesn’t say that it isn’t there. Will this type of manufacturer alweys have these large buyers of car lots? Not if the ever in- creasing plans of manufacturing by the chain stores continue. And will this manufacturer then come with his hat in his hand and expect the indi- vidual to. take him back to his breast and kill the fatted calf? I don’t know, but human nature is about the same the world over, and the grocer will then be the judge and jury. If the chain store men have become too darned smart, then isn’t it within the realms of things possible that the manufacturer and jobber and individ- ual type of grocer get together and beat them at their own game? We are eighty-five to their fifteen, as the records go. Locally the chains are as one to every four individual. Place these individuals on the same buying plan as the chains, and let there be a real mutuality of interests rather than a mere theorizing, and we will get somewhere. The-retailer can’t start it, and it must come from those supplying him. Place us in a position where we can become equallv strong in buying and give us these subway concessions, secret rebates, advertising allowances and all of the other new- fangled methods now in vogue where- by the manufacturer, etc., permits this condition to continue and we will take Barney Langeler has worked in this institution continu- ously for fifty years. Barney says— The manufacturing part of our new warehouse at Lansing is now finished and the machinery percolators and bottling devices are in operation. And, by golly! we are making the best extracts that | have ever seen—our ammonia and blueing are perfect— and all to be sold direct from the manufacturer to the retailer at VERY low. prices—quality considered. ORDEN (GROCER COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS—KALAMAZOO—LANSING THE PROMPT SHIPPERS coca raampairens ee a ee ee April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN on a new lease of life, gather renewed hope and vigor and that “dirty” gro- cer of whom we have heard so much but used as a cloak to cover up subtle dealings by others will disappear by the laws of competition. We are fully aware of the fact that Nationally advertised goods are good things to tie up to, but in the name of all that is good, don’t expect us to go on forever standing idly by while this form of ruinous competition goes on. The advanced type of retailer has sought to save some of his losses by meeting chain store competition through the medium of co-operative buying, but it is quite evident that the chain stores have circumvented that by going us one better and resorting to buying through combinations of chains, pooling their purchases and resulting in these secret, etc., refunds referred to. : We are not at liberty to make pub- lic all of our plans, but please be as- sured that the retailer is going to fight back for. his trade existence and there is sufficient ammunition. Some of the facts gathered are very striking and you may soon know just what these are. John H. Meyer, Sec’y N. Y. State Retail Grocers’ Assn. 722 Raisin Programme May Be Changed. Something is brewing in the raisin distributing game on the Pacific Coast, something which will have a kick in it, according to the way independent packers view the situation. No one in authority will outline the contem- plated programme, but it is under- stood that the Sun Maid Raisin Grow- ers, as the California Associated Raisin Company is now known, will let down the bars this season and al- low the independents to ‘handle a larger portion of the California crop than usual. That the Sun Maid peo- ple would voluntarily relinquish their hold on the control of the crop, almost to the point of driving out all competition, is not within the bounds of possibility, judging by past per- formances, but “there is a reason,” as the advertisement says, why it is desir- able to change its attitude toward the independents and at least modify its policies. From several sources it has been learned that despite a denial from President Wylie M. Giffen of the Sun Maid, that arrangements are be- ing quietly made toward this step. The tonnage of raisins produced in California has increased by leaps and bounds, and double the output of Thompsons is expected in 1922 over 1921, say a crop this year of 160,000 tons. It will be a problem to market successfully the 80 per cent. controlled by the Sun Maid, especially as it has been handicapped by the Government in the way of restrictions as to its selling methods and its contracts- with growers. When the Associated re- newed its contracts with growers for their crops it was on a yearly basis, for while five year contracts were signed, the grower had the option of withdrawing at the end of the first year. The Sun Maid’s troubles with the Government were the outcome of complaints by independent packers to the Federal Trade Commission and to the Attorney General, alleging unfair practices. Also, the independents are another source of annoyance to the Associated by competing against the organization for contracts from grow- ers. It is openly said that independents are now offering growers more for their. raisins than the .associated and with contract options to discard affiliation with the organization there is room for a switching of accounts. Even where contracts are observed, with a heavy tonnage, the associated is often apt to get only a portion of the grower’s crop, the balance, in the language of the trade, going over the fence to the independent.” The associated is hardly in a posi- tion to bargain. with the independents, except on the score of a percentage of raisins in exchange for a more friendly feeling expressed by less competition for supplies. Then, too, the larger tonnage requires more co- operation from a selling standpoint. The situation logically suggests a broader policy on the part of the as- sociated and this appears to be the drift of affairs. That there is something in the wind is shown by the announcement by the associated that E. Y. Foley, one of the independent Fresno packers has signed a contract with the Sun Maid people to turn over to them all the raisins and dried grapes which he will con- trol this season. Without some come- back or working agreement that would mean his withdrawal as a distributor, which is hardly likely. Foley has al- ways worked with the associated and he has always had raisins so the in- ference is that he will have his full share this season. Inderrieden, the American Seedless Raisin Company, Chaddock and the other independents all expect to continue in the game. They are all out to increase their ton- nage and think conditions are favor- able for them to do so. What the plans of the Sun Maid and the independents are no one will say, but it is understood that a well de- fined policy has been accepted by both sides, involving on the part of the in- dependents a payment of %c a pound on the stocks they handle to go to- ward the general publicity fund which will be employed to increase consump- tion. Some kind of a working ar- rangement will be made to sign up growers in a way that will not lead to exorbitant prices for raw_ stock, starting out with an initial cost which will impede distribution. In _ other words, harmony so long lacking among raisin operators, will be re- stored or at least planted and given a fair chance to develop. What the jobbing trade is interest- ed in is “whether the carton raisin under private brands will come back?” Nothing on this score has been said, for information on this point is even more vague than on the selling pro- gramme in contemplation. If the in- dependents get a large block of raisins the chances are favorable for the private carton. That is as far as those on the inside care to predict. The whole thing as yet is not in tangible form. Something is brewing but whether it turns out vinegar, as bitter as past experiences, or as a delectable dose of harmony remains to be seen. >> Detroit—The White Star Roofing Co. has been incorporated to deal in buildirg materials and other manufac- tured articles, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, of which amourt $16,500 has been subscribed and paid in, $3,000 in cash and $13,500 in property. To the Stockholders of the Citizens Telephone Gompany ig IS reported that you will within the next few weeks receive par and accrued dividends for your stock in this company. You will, of course, wish to reinvest these funds safely and wisely. You will, it is certain, be besieged with opportunities to speculate with your funds. Some will be exceedingly plausible. Some will offer very tempting yields. May we sound a note of caution? GO SLOW. Go very slow in the reinvestment of your money. There are two simple rules to adopt which, if followed, will practically assure you of a safe, wise placement of your funds. 1—Know what you are buying. 2—Know from whom you are buying. However tempting the security presented, do not be stampeded into hasty signing on the dotted line. Take time to secure the judgment of a_ reputable banker or investment banker regarding the stock or bond in question. Any reputable banker or investment banker will be glad to give you an honest, impartial opinion. This investment house is more concerned in seeing that your funds are invested safely than in selling you any particular security. Perkins, Everett & Geistert, in common with other bankers and investment bankers, desires to see the large amount of money paid to Citizens Telephone stock- holders invested wisely in sound, constructive enterprises of the state and nation, where it will assure their owners a steady income. When you realize that the people of Michigan last year were swindled out of $25,000,000 in fraudulent schemes, every one of which looked, oh, so tempting, you will pardon this word of caution. We will be glad to give you our unbiased judgment of any stock or bond you are considering, and this irre- spective of whether you purchase of us. It is to our in- terest to see your funds invested safely. We have an extraordinarily comprehensive statistical service that we will place at your disposal. By means of it we can secure for you promptly, late and complete in- formation regarding any security, the corporation issuing it and the stock or bond house or salesman selling it. 4 MOVEMENT OF MERCHANTS. Muir—H. Rice succeeds E. S. Dan- ner in general trade. Hanover—A. B. Sanderson has sold his general stock to B. Levy. Mt. Pleasant 3rothers, boots, is succeeded by John Johnson. Fennville—S. H. Dickinson — suc- ceeds W. E. Shiffert in general trade. Petoskey—W. L. Parrish succeeds Janecheck & Parrish in general trade. Flint—Sol. B. White, shoes, boots, etc., has filed a petition in bankruptcy. Detroit—The Willys Light Co. has changed its name to the Globe Radio Co. Detroit— Edward Johnson Spilker, has re- moved his shoe stock to Granite City, 11. Hilliards—Cook & ceed Vander Vliet & Sons in general trade. Marion—William Van Houten suc- Ralph Komparens in general Peterson suc- ceeds trade. Detroit—Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, Inc., has changed its name to Graing- er & Co. Flint—The Engel Price Wrecking Store, boots, shoes, etc., has filed a petition in bankruptcy. Detroit—The Mott Shoe Co., 1354 Michigan avenue, is reported to have filed a petition in bankruptcy. Charlotte—O. Perry Shuler, Sr., who has conducted a drug store here for many years, died March 27. Munising—William Berkel succeeds George Lloyd in the merchant tailor- ing business on Superior street. South Haven—Williams & Thorne, Inc., jeweler and optician, has chang- ed its name to Williams & Co. St. Johns—Miles Knight, of East singham, succeeds Clyde Brown in the restaurant and cigar business. Detroit—The Gas Service Station, 1965 Grand River avenue, has changed its name to the Marlow Stove Co. Montague—Ripley Bros., Inc., boots, shoes and drugs, has increased its capital stock from $15,000 to $20,000. St. Louis—The St. Louis Co-Oper- ative Association has increased its capital stock from $2,000 to $10 000. Alpena—The State Bank of Alpena has been incorporated w'th an authorized capital stock of $100,- 900. Alma—C. L. Short has sold his grocery stock to Perry & Son, who Peoples will continue the business at the same location. Detroit—The Detroit Vacuum Cleaner Co., 38 Columbia street, has decreased its capital stock from $35,- 900 to $5,000 St. Johns—Donovan’s Accessory Store, Owosso, has opened a branch store here under the maragement of Joseph Fisher. Lansing—Stephen Kedrock is erect- ing a modern store building which he will occupy April 8 with his stock of meats and groceries. Oakley—The Farmers’ Co-Opera- tive Elevator Co. has been capitalized at $20,000, $15,000 of which will be used for building purposes. DeWitt—John D. Case has sold his grocery stock and store fixtures to Tucker Bros., who will consolidate it with their stock of general merchan- dise, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Martin—Conrod Haverman has purchased the building long used as a meat market and will continue the meat business in his own name. Milford—The S. L. Call clothing store was entered recently and goods valued at $500 were taken. The thieves used an automobile to remove the loot. Charlotte—Clyde B. Hinckley has purchased the grocery stock, cream, egg and poultry buying station of Wilbur C. Martin & Sons, taking im- mediate possession. Nashville—Ward A. Quick has re- purchased the grocery stock and store fixtures which he sold to Mathews Bros., about nine months ago, taking immediate possession. Matherton—J. H. Ludwick has sold his new stone store building and stock of general merchandise to C. W. Parmlee, who will continue the busi- ness under his own name. srighton—D. C. Cooper has pur- chased the Western House property and will convert it into a cement block manufacturing plant which he will conduct on a large plan. Kalamazoo—The entire bankrupt stock of the A. Speyer women’s ready- to-wear clothing has been purchased by A. Vellman, who will consolidate it with his own stock on East Main street. Oakley—The Farmers’ Co-Opera- tive Elevator Co., recently organized, will be under the jurisdiction of the State and is capitalized at $20,000, $15 - 000 of which will be used for building its plant. Detroit — The Electrical Battery Service Co., 5940 Second Boulevard, has been incorporated with an author- ized capital stock of $75,000, $27,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Eaton Rapids—W. B. Bivens, Jr., of Williamston, thas purchased the bakery, ice cream and confectionery stock of A. C. Marple, taking im- mediate possession. Mr. Marple will take a much-needed rest. Sodus—The Sodus Michigan Cold Storage Co. has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $30,000, $17,500 of which has been subscribed and paid in, $1,400 in cash and $16,100 in property. Kalamazoo—Jewels, conducting a chain of women and children’s ready-to-wear clothing in Michigan, has opened a store at 110 East Main street, under the manage- ment of A. J. Blumenau. Bay City—The Bay City Inc., has been incorporated to con- duct a general cold storage business, Inc., Detroit, Freezer, manufacture and sell artificial ice, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $109,009 preferred and 1,200 shares at $5 per share, of which amount $50,000 and 1,200 shares has been subscribed, $10 000 paid in in cash and $6,000 in property. Saginaw—William Gregory, whole- sale and retail dealer in electrical equipment, supplies, appliances, etc., 133 South Washington street, has merged his business into a stock com- pany under the style of the Gregory Lighting Co., with an authorized cap- ital stock of $15,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in, $4,000 in cash and $11,000 in property. Paw Paw—Gladstone Beattie has formed a co-partnership with M. T. and Max McKee, of Detroit and taken over the plant and business of the Paw Paw Grape Juice Co. and will continue the business under the same style. Lansing—John C. Johnson & Son, conducting a drug store at 2004 East Michigan avenue, has dissolved part- nership, John C. Johneéon taking over the interest of B. Wirten Johnson and assuming all the liabilities and assets of the company. Kalamazoo—Bert L. Kitchen and Joe Schensul will open an attractive confectionery and ice cream store at 134 South Burdick street, April 8, under the style of the College Inn. It will be conducted as a branch to the Sweetheart Shop. Saginaw—The Hammond-Wiereke Co., 226 Court street, has been in- corporated to sell power driven vehi- cles, accessories, supplies, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, $15,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Ithaca—Ernest Peters has pur- chased the interest of ‘his partner, Ralph Smith in the vulcanizing and automobile supplies stock of Peters & Smith and admitted to partnership his son and the business will be continued under the style of Peters & Co. Escanaba—John Allo has merged his undertaking, monument and funer- al supplies busjness into a stock com- pany under the style of the Allo Fun- eral Home, with an authorized cap- ital stock of $32,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in prop- erty. Mt. Pleasant—Carl W. Bosworth has sold the Park Hotel to M. W. Palmer, of Chicago, who has taken immediate possession. Mr. Bosworth will remove to Elk Rapids, where he will superintend the erection of sev- eral cottages at Elk Lake for the Elk association. Detroit—Spindler Woodward avenue, has corporated to conduct a retail busi- ness in men and boys’ clothing, shoes, hats and furnishings, with an author- ized capital stock of $16,000, $12,000 & Scholz, 1564 been = in- of which has been subscribed and paid- in in cash. Detroit—The Blayne Inc., has been organized to manufac- ture and sell medicinal, pharmaceuti- cal, toilet and chemical products, with an authorized capital stock of $5,000, $3,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in, $1,000 in cash and $2,000 in property. Lansing—The Richman Bros. Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, conducting a chain of clothing stores in ten cities, has opened a similar store on South Wash- ington avenue, under the management of George S. Youngman, who con- ducted a clothing store at the same location for eight years. Gaylord—Frank Brockwell, cf Sag- inaw, has purchased the Allen Schreur meat market. Schreur will remain in Gaylord and continue the wholesale business and cattle buyi g. Brockwell has been with Hammond, Standish & Co. for the past twelve years as traveling salesman. Detroit—C. & J. Vroom, wholesale and retail commission merchants, Laboratores, April 5, 1922 2530 Market street, have merged their business into a stock company under the style of the Vroom Produce Co., with an authorized capital stock of $10,000, all of which has been sub- scribed and paid in in property. Detroit—At the annual election of officers of the Michigan National Shoe Travelers’ Association, held at the Griswold Hotel, the following officers were elected: President, A. R. Lar- son; vice-president, George E. Van Tyl; secretary-treasurer, H. A. Becher. The new officers have pledged them- selves to make this the most success- ful year in the history of the organiza- tion. : Fowler—In the case of the Fowler Co-operative Elevator Co. vs. Lucene Sturgis, the Elevator company, through its attorney, William Smith, of St. Johns, has asked the court to restrain Sturgis from using, leasing, giving away, or selling the building he has erected in Fowler for the pur- pose of entering into competition with the elevator company as alleged in the recent suit. The court failed to answer this request in the opinion rendered a short time ago. Manufacturing Matters. Detroit—The St. John Arbors Co., 301 Gladwin Bldg., has increased its capital stock from $50,000 to $100,000. Detroit—The Machined Parts Cor- poration, 245 Larned street, West, has increased its capital stock from $2,000 to $10,000. Battle Creek—The Purity Candy Co., 117 West Main street, has in- creased its capital stock from $20000 to $35,000. Detroit—The Duplex Machine & Tool Co., 6316 East Jefferson avenue, has decreased its capital stock from $40,000 to $20,000. Wyandotte—The Wyandotte More Power Truck Co., 10th and Vine streets, has increased its capital stock from $125,000 to $250,000. Mt. Clemens—The Spietz Cigar Co. is now employing 120 people and hopes to enlarge its present facilities soon. The output is 90,000 cigars per week. Monroe—The Weiss Fibre Contain- er Corporation lost its plant by fire April 2, entailing a loss of about $1,- 000,000, which is partially covered by insurance. Grand Ledge—The Parsons Chemi- cal Works thas changed its name to the Tix-ton Antiseptic Corporation be- cause its lines of products is entirely of an antiseptic nature. Grand Rapids—The Federal Furni- ture Co., Buchanan avenue, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $100,000, $78,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Wonder Mineral & Chemical Co., 3127 Park boulevard, has been incorporated with an author- ized capital stock of $2,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Jackson—The Fleming Ice Cream Co. has merged its business into a stock company under the same style, ° with an authorized capital stock of $100,000, of which amount $60,000 has been subscribed and paid in in prop- erty, : ; y & f i aa ORIIT in napa PEER LES ¢ F é Pet CSSD 6 ET, ne PEM ET April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 5 Essential Features of the Grocery are somewhat higher on the better sumer. The buying, however, is creamery at 35c¢ in 63 Ib. tubs for Staples. grades, due to their increasing scarc- routine. Apricots are so scarce and fresh and 33c for cold storage; 36c It is not anticipated that there will be a large or even normal pack of any article in canned foods, as busi- ness conditions as to the sale of fu- tures in canned foods have been un- satisfactory, and canners are going to restrict their something near their advance Business conditions have changed in that re- output to sales. spect in the last two years, and can- ners find that they must be prepared to finance their pack or outfit, and be prepared to carry any surplus over sales until it is needed. Unfortunately there has been a re- ceding market or two years, and even this season the prices of canned foods for future delivery is lower than the spot prices, and have not been firmly held either for corn, peas, or toma- toes, all these staples being now pur- chaseable for future delivery at lower than the first prices named, or open- ing prices. This policy on the part of canners has deprived the market for futures of all speculative induce- ment and has imparted to buyers a feeling of instability in the price of future canned foods. California spinach will be ready for shipment from the coast, 1922 pack, in a few days and will be needed, as the market is bare. Salmon canners have not found that business profitable in the last two years, being unable to sell their outfit at a price which would bring them a profit. It is the opinion of operators that pink salmon will be higher and that buyers at present very low prices will find it profitable. They are not so confident as to the price of red Alaska salmon as they are of pinks, but believe both grades to be good purchases at present prices. Sugar—The raw market is a little stronger, but the refined market is a little weaker, due to the action of two New York refiners in dropping from 5%c to 5%c. Local jobbers are still quoting cane granulated at 6.20c and beet at 6c. Tea—The market has had rather a quiet week. There is some demand every day, which is pretty well dis- tributed throughout the line, but everyone is buying as sparingly as he can. The undertone, however, is still very firm, especially for Ceylons and Javas, the lowest priced teas. Every- thing about the tea market is strong and presages a further advance. Coffee—The market for Rio 7 coffee is perhaps %c higher than it was a week ago, although the week closed with the market somewhat weaker. The market here is depending entirely upon news from Brazil, which was firmer earlier in the week and easier later in the week. Santos grades show a slight fractional advance, but noth- ing material as yet. The whole mar- ket for Brazil coffees has been work- ing slowly upward for some time and the jobbing price of roasted is sure to be affected in the near future if it con- tinues. In fact, some sellers of roast- ed coffee have already advanced their price %c per pound. The general de- mand is light. Milds are also steady to firm, with a light request. Canned Fruits—California products ity on the spot. Coast stocks are also broken in the desirable lines. The market is mot violently active, but there is steady buying. Announce- ment of opening prices on Hawaiian summer packed pineapple are expected at any time. Many canners have with- drawn their memorandum and s. a. p contract offerings from the market as they are already booked up to their capacity. The big call is for sliced No. 2%s of all grades, but grated and crushed are not wanted but are taken and the canner often will not sell ex- cept in assortments, including the less desirable grades. Spot sliced pine- apple is so short that trading is limited and No. 2%s are at an exceedingly high level. No. 2s are taken with less reluctance. Grated and crushed are in indifferent demand. The free sup- ply of fresh apples cuts down the de- mand for gallons, but the statistical position of the market prevents weak- ness. Although quiet, stocks are held with confidence. Northwestern cher- ries of the new pack have sold well, but small fruits have not been so well taken. Canned Vegetables—The chief item of interest in vegetables is the naming of opening prices on Maine fancy Crosby corn at $1.35 factory and $1.60 for Golden Bantam. The jobbers had expected that price and are confirming orders placed previously on an s. a. Pp. basis. Spot corn rules quiet, with sales governed by the consumptive outlet. Tomatoes are steady on the spot. Some slight concessions have been made by canners and by the smaller operators. The canner, how- ever, does not see how he can break even at lower ranges and is not going to try to book business for the sake of creating possible losses. He wants trade, but at a living profit. Peas rule firm on current packs. Cheap lines are working still higher as their shortage increases; futures rule about the same as during the past few weeks. Most buyers have covered a part of their requirements and postpone further ac- tion until the pack is ready. Canned Fish—The consumptive de- mand has been very quiet during the past week. Salmon is quiet on the coast, this including reds, pinks and chums. Packers out there are very strong in their ideas of salmon values, all predicting an advance for the last two months. The demand in the East is quiet, as buyers and sellers are still apart. No change has occurred in sardines, which, however, are firm upon a prospective narrow supply. Pound cans of tuna are reported scarce, although half-pounds appear to be plentiful. Dried Fruits—The market is en- tirely concerned with the 1921 pack, as no futures have been offered in a way to set the pace or really establish a market. It is too early, in the opin- ion of the trade, to think of 1922 packs, and not opportune when gen- eral quietness prevails. Prunes are held higher in the West than on spot, so buying in forward shipment is light. California and Oregon fruit on the spot is steady in tone, most distributors reporting a steady and “healthy movement toward the con- so high that traders are handicapped to such an extent in both particulars that the market is not fruittul in the way of Buyers pick up odd lots here and there and pay full ask- ing prices. Coast offerings are al- most nil. news. Peaches are more or less The jobbing demand is fair, but there are no large blocks of the desired grades to play with. Raisins are more plentiful than other dried fruits. Seedless are in much better demand than seeded, as the latter, in fact, is rather neglected and cheaper grades ave taken for beverage making. Raisins have felt the keen competi- quiet. tion of currants, which can be had much cheaper, and the economy is of more significance than this season all classes of buyers. Currants are taken stead- ily by the jobbing trade and with a shrinkage of cheap offerings on spot the market is improving. Syrup and Molasses—Molasses is moving steadily at unchanged prices. Sugar syrup is in fair demand, with- out change in price. Compound syr- up fairly active considering the ap- proaching warm weather and prices show no change. Cheese—The market is very quiet, with a very light consumptive demand. Fancy old cheese are selling at about the same price as they were a week ago. New-made cheese has _ started to arrive and is selling at about 3c per pound under the present price. We do not look for much change from present conditions. Rice—Consumption is the main out- let, as there is no speculative trading to mention. In contrast to the apathy on the part of buyers is the disinclina- tion of holders to force sales. Domes- tic stocks of all grades on the spot are in light supply and they are held with confidence, especially as the Southern markets are firm and active. Foreign rice has been held with as much firm- ness and it also is in light supply. Provisions — Everything in the smoked meat line is -very quiet at prices ranging about the same as last week. Pure lard is steady at a de- cline of about “%c. Lard substitutes are steady, with a light consumptive demand at unchanged prices. Dried beef, canned meats and barreled pork are very quiet at prices ranging about the same as a week ago. element of usual among ——__+ + 2 Review of the Produce Market. Apples—Wagner, Greenings, Spys, Baldwins and Russets command $9@ 10 per bbl.; cooking apples, $8 per bbl. Box apples from the Coast com- mand, $3.50@4 for Jonathans and Spitzenbergs. Bagas—Canadian, $2 per 100 Ibs. Bananas—7%c per I|b. Beets—$2.25 per hamper for new Texas. Butter—The production of fresh butter is fully up to the season. The quality of butter arriving is very good. The market is steady on the present basis of quotations. The consumptive demand is absorbing the receipts on arrival. There is considerable butter in cold storage, but is being reduced rapidly. Logal jobbers hold .extra for fresh in 40 Ib. tubs. Prints, 35c¢ per Ib. Jobbers pay 1I5c for packing stock. Cabbage—$3.50 per 100 Ibs. for home grown or Texas Carrots—$1.25 per bu. $2.25 Cauliflower—California, $3 per case for old and per hamper for new Texas. of one dozen heads. Celery—Florida, $5 per crate of 4 to 6 doz. stalks. Cucumbers—lIllinois and Indiana hot house command $2.50 per doz. for fancy and $2.75 for extra fancy. Eggs—The market is firm, at about Yc per dozen advance from last week, both storage. with a good demand for con- Eggs arriving now are the best of the year. The production is reported to be con- sumption and cold siderable in excess of last year and Prices for the next few weeks will depend entirely on the Local jobbers pay 22M%c, cases included. Grape Fruit—Present quotations on Florida are as follows: price about the same. speculative demand. 30) A $4.25 AGA 5.00 6470-30 2 8 5.00 O60 5.00 Green Onions—Shalots, 90c per doz. bunches. Lemons—Sunkist are now quoted as follows: 300 size, per Hox — .-__ $6.75 360 size. per Box 22240... 6.75 240 size, per box — =. ___..___ 6.00 240 Size’ per box —~._-__-.-_._ 6.00 Choice are held as follows: 300 size, per box =-- = $6.00 360 size per bow... 6.00 Lettuce—Hot house leaf, 24c per Ib.; Iceberg from California, $6.50 per crate. Onions—California, $11.50@16, ac- cording to size per 100 Ib. sack. Oranges—Fancy Navels are now held as follows: O0 and 100 2025 2) 3 $7.75 150, 176 and 200 2. 725 26 2 745 Qe2 Aa9 OO 7.25 G24 6.75 Choice Navels sell for 50c per box less than fancy; Sunkist sell at 50c hegher; Floridas are held at $7.50 per box. Parsley—60c per doz. bunches. Peppers—Florida, $1.25 per basket. Pieplant—20c per 1b. for Southern hot house. Pineapple—$7 per crate for Cubans. Potatoes—The market is weak, Lo- cally potatoes are selling at 85c per bu. Poultry—The market is unchanged. Local buyers pay as follows for live: Bight fowls -..-22) | 18c Heavy fowls 02200020002 25¢ bight Chickens 18c Heavy Chickens, no stags ------ 25c Radishes—90c per doz. bunches for home grown hot house. Spinach—$2 per bu. for Florida. Sweet Potatoes—Kiln dried Georgia command $2.25 per hamper. Tomatoes—$1.10 per 6 Ib. basket from California. 2+ Hastings—Lewis Shay succeeds J. & E. Sothard in the grocery business. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 THE COUNCIL PINE. When Indian Chiefs Feasted and Made Merry. When the first white man came to the “Rapids of the O-wash-ta-nong” there was standing on the highest ground on the West banks of the river a great pine tree about where now is the middle of Front avenue and Bowery street. The tree was not remarkable for its height, but for its wide spreading and rounded top. In the following years the grading of the streets and the growth of the city caused the removal of the tree, much to the regret of the earlier residents of the city, many of whom knew of its past and the superstitious rever- ence in which it was held by the Indians. It was about this tree the Indians gathered for Council. To this place came the chiefs from the two villages, one at the head and the other at the foot of the Rapids of the Far-a-way waters as well as those from all the country for hundreds of miles each way. They counseled, feasted and made merry. Here they rehearsed the tra- ditions of their forefathers _ while grouped about the fires. For count- less years, canoes with their loads of men, women, and children from up and down the river with their scant wigwam supplies were landed and gave under the sheltering branches of the pine the simple greeting, “How” —before the place was selected for the wigwam somewhere in the vicin- ity. It was here the Indian met the first white men who came into the country more than a hundred years before the days of Rix Robinson and Louis Campau. Here also these two met under this tree to trade, to visit and to share the food of the Red Brother. At this place the wise men of all the country here-about gathered to counsel and select a delegation to meet the Government officials in Chicago with a view of ceding all their lands to the Great White Father. Tradition says, “They counseled many days under the sheltering wings of the Pine.” Many talks were lis- tened to, many opinions were given, many were against moving or giving away the land, the waters, the forest, the abundant food that the great Creator, Man-a-bo-sho had given to them. Others contended that the ways of the white men were bad. The Indian who followed in the white man’s trail would soon disappear. “The Sun God will find his wigwam cold.” When the party had been selected, they proceeded to their canoes to paddle down the river on their way to Chicago. The storm clouds gather- ed. The thunder and the fire flashing from the sky sent them back to the shelter of the Pine from whose every spray tears were dripping. From the women and_ children came wails and prayers for the Sun God to come back. After many ‘hours, a fresh start was made and after two moons the chiefs returned, clothed like white men, some with high silk hats and fine coats. Runners went out to call all the tribes of the land to learn their fate. There was much ill feeling, many fiery speeches were made, and one of the chiefs was a short time afterward assassinated. In a few years the once contented and happy traveler of the woods and waters had disappeared, leaving but a trace of his life in the wigwam tales told about the fires on wintry nights. The tales handed down from father to son, from mother to daughter were of the creations of Man-a-bo-sho, the great god who made all that is good or evil to the red man. The charm of these tales is in the way they are told by the Indian. When told by a white man they lose their woodsy flavor, robbed of their sincerity and their poetry. Creation of the Council Pine. This story was told by Mack-a-de- pe-nessy, “the Blackbird,” the Ottawa chief at a gathering of Indians and white men about the year 1840 in a large wigwam near the Pine. Within the wigwam the people were circled about a woodfire upon mats of sweet grass and fur pelts; without the wigwam, a gale raged, snow filled the air; mingling with the winds, the howls and barking of Indian dogs lent vividness to the scene. In a mix- ture of English and Indian, with many signs where the right word could not be spoken, and with an earnestness that could not be forgotten. In the group of white men was one, a very early settler of Grand Haven, a man of good education and tenacious memory. Pipes and tobacco lent their charms to the scene. The fire logs sent out showers of sparks and the hole in the wigwam roof carried away the smoke of both wood and tobacco. The Blackbird reclined in one cor- ner far away from the center of the group and in all the evening was not interrupted, as a single word could have broken the spell and would have ended the tale. “T am here in my wigwam. It is the chief’s wigwam. It is large and warm. How—How. I will talk to you as my father talked, for he was chief and lived in the country of the Far-a-way water, many, many moons; many as the fires that burn in the sky when the clouds have gone. All the world was fresh, the snows had gone, the river was free, the Sun God had come back, the waters were sing- ing, the fish were plenty, the birds were merry in the trees; all was hap- piness. A man followed by his squaw who carried upon her shoulder a papoose came from the hill to meet the Sun God at the river bank. He took a fish from the water to the high bank for the squaw to eat. Then a voice from the far side of the river called, “How.” The man called back, “How.” A man with a pack upon his back stepping from stone and driftwood came over and set his pack upon the ground. He was very old, very heavy was his pack. “How, my grandfather, I have but one fish. My squaw must have food. Had I more fish, you should eat.” The traveler said, “The water has plenty fish, come with me to the small water,” and they walked to the brook that was but a few steps away. The traveler broke many _ branches from the small trees along the banks and put them in the water, making a dam, then from each side he built wings to the center, leaving a small entrance. Then he led the way io where the brook entered the river and with pieces of driftwood they beat the waters, driving the fish up stream into the trap. There were many, and soon the two were loaded and thus did Man-a-bo-sho teach the Indian how to fish, for the aged man was the Great Creator. Then he took from his pack two objects, one of flint stone and one of glistening iron (Iron pyrites or fool’s gold) found in plenty in the lime- stone bed of the river. Gathering a handful of thistle down and dry leaves, he struck the two sharply and fire dropped into the thistle down. Soon there was a blaze and wood was piled on for fire. And thus did the Great Creator teach the Indian how to create fire. Then did he tell the squaw to dig a hole in the ground and fill it with fire. Then he told the squaw to bring earth and water and coat the fish well in it, then cover it deep in the hot coals and ashes, and soon the balls of clay were taken from the coals. The earth fell apart and with it came the scales of the fish, leaving the meat clean and hot, well cooked. And thus did the Creator teach the Indian the way to cook his food. And thus came many men and squaws and many papooses and all had plenty of fish and were merry. The wise man contnued to take lumps of clay out of the coals and each con- tained a fish, until all were fed. Then Man-a-bo-sho commanded the squaws to clean away the ashes and fire, and he took from his pack many things. He covered with earth one of them, and said some words of magic, the seed grew fast while the people watched. All could see it. First a sprout of green, then a bush, then a tree. The branches came out to shade the ground. The birds came to build their homes, the squirrels came to feast on buds. The Sun God smiled and traveled across the sky and far down the hills. Charles E. Belknap. ———_—__—- >.> Items From the Cloverland of Mich- igan. Sault Ste. Marie, Aprpil 4—Application has been made to Senator Townsend for one of the German field guns which are to be distributed to various parts of the U. S. Thanks to Mr.’Stowe for the tip. Elmer Fleming, who has been with the Leader for the past fifteen years, has tendered his resignation aS manager of the dry goods department and will soon enter into business for himself. He will be associated with M. Mezerow, of the Boston Store. Mr. Fleming is a deserv- ing and ambitious young man _ whose many friends here are pleased to learn of this move and wish him much success. The men who ought to be out making business boom are sitting around blam- ing everything on the war. A. W. Dawson, the newly-elected pres- ident of the Soo Civic and Commercial Association, is awakening much interest among the busniess men here. He has called a meeting for Tuesday to create enthusiasm for the future development of our city. Our recent success in secur- ing the Cadillac industry will be an in- ducement in securing additional indus- tries which are available at the present time. We hope that in the near future success will have crowned Mr. Dawson’s efforts and that prosperity will be in oda more than it has ever been be- ore. S. D. Newton, of the Booth-Newton Co., is working up a reputation as an orator, in addition to his literary talent, His next lecture will take place at Iron- wood next week, where he is on the speakers’ programme. His topic will be “Big Things in Cloverland.’”’ Henry Thibert, the well-known mer- chant of Oak Ridge Park, was a Soo visitor last week, making purchases for the spring rush. The ferry Algoma, plying between the two Soos, started last week with regular evening runs. It is now possible to re- turn as late as 10 o’clock at night, while the first trip is made at 6:30 a. m. The merchants in the vicinity of the ferry dock report a nice increase in business since the ferry has resumed operations for the season. Chris. Gianakura, one of the proprietors of the American candy kitehen, is a happy man these days, the occasion being the arrival of a son. He is receiving the congratulations of his many friends, who have the choice of any cigar in the case. Figures show there is enough coal on hand to keep the operators raising prices for three months, F. W. Fawcett, purchasing agent of the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., with head- quarters at Cleveland, was a_ business visitor here last week. He is the guest of William Maxwell, superintendent in charge here. They are “clearing the deck’? and getting ready for the season of 1922. They expect the fleet will be in commission in two or three weeks. “Swat the fly now, or the flies will swat you later.’’ “Bob’’ Mitchell, formerly with the Crisp Laundry Co., has resigned his posi- tion and is going into the cigar business with James Cohen, on Ashmun street. A. Doudt, proprietor of the well-known Doudt bakery, has added a new delivery truck to his equipment which will enable him to care for his large increase in business during the season of navigation, which will soon be in full swing. Mr. Doudt has made a great success during his two years in business, due largely to his strict attention to business, modern equipment and a line of goods which bring results. You can’t get ahead in the world if you spend your time getting even. The Soo is the father of a new in- ventor. A. J. Rowan, the well-known lumberman, while experiencing depres- sion in the lumber business, has devoted his spare time to a patent device which has been perfected and will soon be on the market. It is a new lubricator and will be used to circulate the oil in gaso- line engines more evenly than the splash system. According to Mr. Rowan _ the new system will eliminate the varying levels of oil on cars which depend on the splash system. Anyone who understands this method knows that on down or uphill grade the oil in either the upper or lower end of the case is either too high or too low. By arranging the valves this evil is overcome. Mr. Rowan has received several attractive offers for his patent, but as he is not in immediate need of funds is turning them down for the present. Many of his friends hope that he will make a clean up so that he will be able to pass around the surplus. Leo. LeLievre, manager of the Soo Co- Operative and Mercantile Association, returned last week from a trip to Lower Michigan, where he purchased a new bread oven having a capacity of 350 loaves. This is in addition to the electric oven, which will now be used for pastry work. William G. Tapert. ——_> 2 >. BANKRUPTCY SALE. Pursuant to the order of the Court, I will offer for sale at Public Auction at the William M. Traver canning factory at Hartford, Michigan, on Friday, April 14, 1922, at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, the following: Canning factory at Hartford, Michi- gan, completely equipped, with new cold storage plant, kraut factory, cider mill, e‘c. Cement block buildings are ample and substantial and plant has side track and plenty of ground space. This is one of the best canning plants in Michigan, and located in center of the fruit belt. Also canning factory at Breedsville. Mich., and six farms totalling 860 acres. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids. Charles E. Anderson, Trustee, 209 N. Maple street, Hartford, Mich. Estate of William M. Traver, Bank- rupt. — 7 > .____ Eaton Rapids—Fred L. Henry has sold the Self-Serve Grocery & Meat Market to Wilcox & Snyder and the business will be continued under the style of the Serve-Self Grocery. —_2->____ Kalamazoo—Phillip Zinn, 59 years of age, president of Streng & Zinn, de- partment store, died in the hospital, March 27, following a lingering ill- ness. ay epic ? BASES alm Sea OER AT RIE ROMER Se SU ONE RRS ste dismreL April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT > Some marked advances have taken place in public utility securities in the last few months, such as AMERICAN LIGHT COM- ‘ MON, from 10 up to 140; AMERICAN TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMMON from 113% up to 12414; CONSOL- i IDATED GAS from 85 up to 110. These advances are interesting in that they reflect the public appreciation of the EXCEPTIONAL NET PROFITS NOW BEING EARNED BY PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANIES. For the more conservative investor we believe an opportunity exists to make a profit, as well as to secure a very attractive investment return, in the purchase of PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT 7% PREFERRED. This Preferred is available at present at 96 and in our opinion should sell at a 5 or 10 point advance before this year is out. The PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY is under the control and management of the Electric Bond & Share Company, which means, in brief, that IT WILL HAVE THE BEST PUBLIC UTILITY MANAGEMENT AVAILABLE and will have back of it PRAC- TICALLY UNLIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES, the Electric Bond & Share Company being owned by the General Electric Company, one of the strongest financial groups of the country. It may not be generally known that the General Electric people through the Electric Bond & Share Company OPERATE UTIL- ITIES IN 800 CITIES OF THIS COUNTRY, SERVING OVER 5,000,000 people. Should a conservative investor desire to keep this security as a permanent investment, he may consider the continuity of divi- dends as well assured, as we are advised that never in their history have the Elctric Bond & Share Company defaulted in pay- + ment of dividends or interest on any securities on subsidiaries of their Company. ‘ The PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY is a result of the acquisition and grouping by the Electric Bond & Share Company of i four or five companies serving this district. Their motive in this was evident in that the Electric Bond & Share Company states that THIS TERRITORY IS THE GREATEST UNDEVELOPED POWER MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES. ; We take pleasure in recommending the purchase of securities on Electric Bond & Share properties and recommend for your consideration aN NRA IEICE Pi a RRR PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK. Dividends $7.00 per Share per Annum (No Par Value) EXEMPT FROM PRESENT NORMAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX Preferred as to Assets and Dividends over Non-Cumulative Preferred and Common Stock. Redeemable at the option of the Company at $110 per share and accrued dividends. Dividends payable $1.75 quarterly, January i April 1, July 1, and October 1. The following SALIENT POINTS are of interest: 1. Ninety-three percent of the PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY'S income is from electric power and light and seven per- cent from gas. 2. The PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY showed gross earnings of $9,924,000 for 1921 against $8,354,000 for 1920 and showed net earnings of $3,313,000 against $2,541,000. 3. In 1921, only a fair year in public utility operation, the Company showed $1,798,435 surplus after charges, available for dividends of $700,000 on this Preferred Stock issue and it is anticipatd available earnings in 1922 will be four times preferred stock dividends. 4. The Electric Bond & Share Company which controls the PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, is owned by the General Electric Company, the General Electric Company having paid for, at the raté of $100 per share, $11,250,000 ELECTRIC BOND & SHARE COMPANY COMMON STOCK. 5. Directors of the Electric Bond & Share Co. include: A. C. Bedford __------------ Standard Oil Co. Wie. ©. Foter ....__.__._-._- Guaranty Trust Co. ; Lewis E. Pierson ~------- Irving National Bank Frederick Strauss _____--~-~-- A. J. Seligman & Co. i C A Cage General Electric Co. PRICE 96 AND ACCRUED DIVIDENDS y f Write for descriptive circular. “Telephone or Telegraph orders at our expense.”’ Howe, Snow, Corrigan & Bertles INVESTMENT BANKERS 310 Ford Building, Detroit, Mich. Grand Rapids Savings Building, Grand Rapids, Mich. Statistics and information contained in this circular while not guaranteed are obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 REAL WAGES STILL TOO HIGH. The sooner that dealers recognize the fact that the practice of cautious buying is with us to stay for quite a while the better it will be for them, says a business observer. There is not the slightest sign of a return to the “jaz business” of the post- armistice period, and probably there will not be for many years to come, and yet some persons have something like this in mind whenever they use the term “normalcy.” They need a mental as well as an economic war to produce the feverish buying activity of 1919-20, and the country is not like- ly to see anything like that with the return of peace and stabilization. All signs point to further reductions in wages in many of the country’s basic industries. This is being done to bring down production costs so that prices that will attract purchasers will at the same time enable the producer to earn a reasonable profit. With money in- comes declining, a return of inflation is evidently impossible. Some individuals who take a pes- simistic view of the way things are going are asking how buying can be stimulated by a reduction in prices when this is effected only by further curtailment of the purchasing power of the workers. This is apparently a paradox, but it can be cleared up by keeping in mind the distinction be- tween “money wages” and “real wages.” The latter represent the purchasing power of the workers, computed by taking into account the changes in the costs of living as well as the actual money wages paid.. The Tradesman has repeatedly shown that while money wages have been lowered the recession has been slower than that of living costs. Real wages, therefore, are still above the 1914 level. While the cost of living reached the peak in July, 1920, ac- cording to the index number of the National Industrial Conference Board, money wages, as represented by hour- ly earnings in selected industries, did not reach the peak until the following September. In the intervening period living costs had been receding, so that both real wages and money wages were both increasing. After Septem- ber money wages began to decline, but the costs of living moved down- ward so much more rapidly that real wages actually rose. In the middle of 1921 real wages, based on _ hourly earnings, were about a third greater than in July, 1914. Owing, however, to the decline in hours of work, due to the slackening in industry, earnings computed on a weekly basis were less than when computed on an hourly basis. Nevertheless, real weekly earn- ings in the middle of 1921 were about 15 per cent. higher than in July, 1914, and the latest statistics show that the workers’ purchasing power still ex- ceeds that of pre-war days. BACK TO THE HOME. A Chicago woman lawyer who has been in politics for thirty years now wants to start a “back to the home” movement. She prefaces her re- marks with the inevitable “I may be old-fashioned,” but she regrets that she has not been quite as good a mother as she thinks she had it in her to be, and lays the blame for her shortcomings upon her strenuous extra-domestic activities. The story would serve as a warning to young women about to do some- thing besides marry, were it not that one of the failures singled out for special mention is a failure to do something which according to present- day notions is better left undone. “After all,” says the Chicago critic, “the old-fashioned mother had her virtues; she could bake an apple pie— and that is something.” Something— but is it a virtue? A good pie is bet- ter than a bad one, to be sure. But isn’t no pie at all eyen better? And isn’t ignorance here the better part of wisdom? It may be that part of the reason why children don’t get so much pie as they used to get is that the mothers of to-day are too busy with other things; but modern hygienists would maintain that whatever the rea- son, the result is a happy one. The movement for greater simplic- ity within the home and the movement for a more complicated life for women outside the home have in fact gone hand in hand. Each has facilitated the other, but each has had a genuine impetus of its own. Mothers no longer want to be merely house mothers. They wouldn’t probably spend much time on pies and em- broidering table covers even if we still considered pie a desirable form of food and embroidered table covers a desirable form of art. But it is also true that, on the merits of the case, pie and cake and doughnuts have been defeated, in the court of dietetics, by toast and French rolls and humble rice pudding, just as elaborate hand- embroidery has given way, in the court of domestic art, to the restful sweep of stencilling and solid colors. LIVING STANDARDS. The assertion sometimes made that a lowering of American living stand- ards has been rendered inevitable by the worldwide processes of economic readjustment is altogether too pessi- mistic. Wages have been coming down and incomes from business and from investments have shrunk; and there is some evidence that the satis- faction of the so-called cultural wants is proceeding on a lesser scale than in the post-armistice period. On _ the other hand the cost of living has been coming down more precipitously than have wages, if the various indices presenting these facts are even ap- proximately accurate. Wages in representative New York State fac- tories were 93 per cent. above the war peak, according to the latest report of the State Department of Labor, while the cost of living, according to the most recent index number of the national Industrial Conference Board, was 78 per cent. above the war peak. Moreover, the cost of living began to recede several months before wages began to come down, thus giving labor a chance at increased savings. These figures do not take into account the decline in living standards due to un- employment, but there is no statistical evidence that the average worker who has held his job has yet had to make any important reduction in his living standards, even though fewer silk shirts and pianos may be sold now than in the boom period, PIRACY IN HIGH FINANCE. No more sorry spectacle of betrayal of trust, recklessness of action, delib- erate attempt to deceive and criminal- ity of statement to induce further in- vestment was ever presented than the recital the Tradesman publishes this week in the official report of the offi- cers of the State Insurance Depart-. ment who were detailed to get at the inside history of the Peninsular Fire Insurance Co. The crimes committed by the men who were, unfortunately, placed in charge of $1,418,930.61, con- tributed by people who trusted to the integrity of the men in charge and the scrutiny of the. Insurance Department to protect their investments, are too serious to be overlooked or condoned. They did everything they should not have done. They apparently refrained from no act which would place them and their company in unfavorable light before the insuring public and result in loss to their stockholders. They did about everything that was pos- sible to do to demonstrate the utter insecurity and unreliability of the stock company method of handling fire insurance. Unless the parties to this gigantic swindle are made to ‘‘do time” at penal institutions, there will be a strong incentive for other men, similarly inclined, to duplicate the career of the Peninsular fiasco, which is an easy matter so long as the lax methods peculiar to the State Insur- ance Department are permitted to pre- vail. The people of Michigan pay for protection against such scoundrels as manned the pirate ship Peninsular, but they seldom get what they pay for, owing to the laxness of our laws and the indifference and incompetence of our public officials. NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. Some wholesalers have been dis- turbed because of a recent order of the Federal Trade Commission against a manufacturer requiring him to de- sist from his practice of refusing to sell at net prices to co-operative buy- ers. In the opinion of the domestic distribution department of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the con- tention of some of the trade papers that this order, if sustained by the courts, will virtually destroy the wholesale and jobbing business has no basis for support. If the wholesale dealer were not serving a useful pur- pose in the distribution of commodi- ties he would have been elimnated long ago through the rigorous work- ing of economic law. The assumption that he can ‘hold his own against the co-operatives only by forcing the man- ufacturer to boycott them is not ten- able; if his position were so weak as is thereby implied the could not have prospered and expanded as he has been doing for so many generations. The decision of the Federal Trade Commission merely means that if re- tailers organize in such a way that they can perform services that are usually performed by wholesalers no artificial restrictions should be thrown in their way. They thus become wholesalers themselves; if their effi- ciency is greater than that of the other wholesalers, no court decision can stand in the way of the spread of such a movement. On the other hand, if they cannot function as well as the wholesaler their existence will be but for a brief period and their rivals need not worry. SEASON FOR CROP SCARES. This is the time for crop scares, and they are appearing in about nor- mal number. The drought stories in the winter wheat belt were stopped by an abundance of timely rain, but there are still the “green bugs,” whose presence is being darkly hinted from time to time. It is too soon to talk about pests or drought in the corn belt, but there are stories afloat that the farmers there are going to make a radical reduction in acreage next year. In the cotton belt the boll weevil are already out, even though planting has not yet begun. Perhaps they are making a preliminary sur- vey before planning the season’s cam- paign. Here, too, there is further talk of acreage reduction. The experience of the past year shows that the efforts to curtail cotton production fell short of expectations. It will be recalled that the Government had to subject its estimate of acreage to an upward revision later in the season. Fortu- nately for the farmers and for the country, the recent improvement in the prices of their products has caused the crisis for their industry to pass. They are greatly encouraged by the turn in the tide of their affairs, and the stories of radical reductions in their ouput are not to be taken as seriously as they were a year ago, and those stories, as the sequel show- ed, were somewhat overdrawn. LOCAL PRICE VARIATIONS. While the discrepancies between wholesale and retail prices of food can be easily explained, there is an- other kind of discrepancy that is not so well understood. Among the ten cities for which statistics are avail- able there is a wide variation in the rate at which food prices have ad- vanced since the pre-war year. Thus the price level in Denver on March 15 was 26 per cent. above the aver- age for the year 1913, while for Rich- mond it was 51 per cent. above the pre-war average. These cities are widely separated and the pronounced local variations may afford some ex- planation. But there is much varia- tion also in cities that lie near to- gether. Thus retail food prices were 43 per cent. above the pre-war level in Baltimore, 46 per cent. above it in Washington, and 51 per cent. above it in Richmond. In like manner the prices were 36 per cent. above the pre-war level in Newark and 43 per cent. above it in New York, although the two cities are within a few min- utes’ ride of each other. Such local variations in prices are not confined. to foodstuffs. They are even more pronounced and apparently more puzzling in the case of lumber. The best brains back of a trade pa- per are devoted to making that paper valuable to you, but if you do not read it you cannot profit by ‘it. —_—_—_—_——_ The man who is habitually late in getting to business has no kick com- ing if business is late in getting to him. April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN A PAYING PROPOSITION. Most adages have a reason for their vogue. One of these is that concerning an ill-wind that blows nobody good. A crop failure in one or more countries is a great help to the farmers in other lands who may have a surplus. A condition of this kind is what brought such prosperity to the tillers of the soil here for several years. When demand showed signs of easing up because of larger crops in Europe and because the peoples there could not afford to eat as much as they would like, prices began to fall here for breadstuffs and meat and dairy products. But it is not always that charity brings in immediate ma- terial returns. Nor are the latter the inciting motive to benevolence. It is for this reason that it may be worth while calling attention to the fact that, in more ways than one the response to the call for aid from the im- proverished and starving masses in Europe has been a paying proposition in this country. Makers of all kinds of apparel have gained because so much of used but wearable goods was shipped abroad to cover the naked, thereby making it necessary for the senders to replenish their wardrobes. When it comes to the foodstuffs, the result is more patent. The enormous quantities of grain recently sent to the afflicted in Russia and other countries by the aid of contributions and charity funds had the effect of raising the prices of farm products in this coun- try materially. A rise of merely 10 cents a bushel in the price of wheat has meant $100,000 extra for every million bushels retained here. It is not improbable that producers here have gained a dollar for every dol- lar’s worth sent out as a charity. THE INCOME TAX RETURNS. A great deal of comment has been made upon the slump in the receipts from the income tax, which will prob- ably be about 40 per cent. less than the receipts from this source a year ago. It is well to emphasize the fact, however, that this falling-off does not represent a proportional decline in the National income, and it should not be interpreted as a real indication of business conditions. In the first place, when the new rates on income were embodied in the last tax law Treasury experts estimated that they would cause a decline of about a third in the receipts from the income tax. The decline may be somewhat more than this, but it must also be remembered that a large number of corporations have taken advantage of the exten- sion granted them until June to file their returns. When these returns are given in, the decline may not ex- ceed the original estimates of the Treasury. Moreover, as living costs are now about a fourth below the 1920 peak, it is evident that the money in- comes of 1921 could be a fourth less than those of the previous year with- out any diminution of the Nation’s real income. The decline in the re- ceipts is no sign that the Nation is be- coming poorer. It is well to be economical, but cut- ting off your advertising appropria- tion is beginning your economy at the wrong end. A Size to Meet Your Hauling Needs UILT to meet the transportation require- ments of every kind of business. 1% ton for Speedy Light Duty 2% ton for All Around Duty 3% ton for Fast Heavy Duty 5 ton for Heaviest Kind of Duty Body adaptations for different lines of hauling. Bodies built to individual specifications when desired. Chassis of every size engineered for strength and long life. Motor and other parts highest grade, stand- ardized, and of long proved efficiency. In the service of leading manufacturers, mer- chants, contractors, lumber dealers, moving and transfer concerns. Giving complete satis- faction. Ask us for specifications, prices and all particulars. United Motors Company FACTORY AND SERVICE 675 NORTH STREET Bell Main 770 Grand Rapids, Mich. Citizens 4472 Quality— rather than quantity production 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 i \ ) tall i) } ee es {{{ Ct { SD = is : See —= 3 Vig NR P%) ‘i, - i “fe PS) TI S re 7 i. 5 5 es a = SI 4 ~ = — i “Mf = = coe ~ = > ~ ~ (tL UpAsates A A “yy ft é, Ny — Iu, SR a ene New Styles In Women’s Shoes. Written for the Tradesman. Now that the war clouds have roll- ed away and the sun of industrial prosperity has again appeared in the heavens, shoe designers and manufac- turers are turning their attention to the creation of pretty new styles in women’s footwear. Look, for instance, at the attractive styles in new spring footwear, among which strap novelties are conspicuous. There are nifty new Grecian pumps in patent and satin, and patent, tan, taupe and blue grey oxfords, and delectable sport oxfords with low flat heels for out door wear; and ever so many perfectly charming things for milady’s more formal wear. Ver- ily, it has been many moons since the discriminating dresser has had such a wide and pleasing assortment of styles from which to make her selec- tions. The appearance of shades other than the ubiquitous blacks and tans may well enough cause one to ask, Are colors coming back? Some au- thorities in women’s footwear styles confidently predict that they are; other folks who should be in a posi- tion to prognosticate with a reason- able degree of accuracy, are not so sanguine. Nevertheless, here is a new and attractive shade—two of them, in fact; and it may be that this is but the beginning. Well, if colors come back, here is one scribe who will offer no word of protest. Colors certainly did pep up the old shoe game. The color rage was carried a bit too far, of course The thing was so good, it is not sur- prising that it was over-done. And some of the shades were not at all serviceable; and some of these color creations were bizarre and freakish to a degree. But among the lot were some very attractive creations. Most any shade and tone of dress material ‘ould be duplicated in milady’s shoes, and lo there was an era of smart dressing which has not been effaced from memory by the horrors of an intervening war. If colors do come back, it is safe to predict that we shall profit by the mistakes of the past. We are not at all likely to have such a wide range of colors. As one looks over the attractive models now being shown in the win- dows and interior trims of the city shoe dealers, one is forcibly im- pressed with the variety and kinds of heels now in vogue. Most any kind of an old heel, it would seem, is a stylish heel now. Everything is being shown from the broad, low, mannish heel to the extreme Louis XIV mod- el—sensible walking heels, cuban heels, baby Louis heels, and the ex- treme toppy sort which misses cry for. The woman who feels rather insecure on full Louis heels assuredly has no occasion for vain regrets now; she can find a stylish shoe with any sort of a heel to her liking. Perhaps the demand for comfort has given rise to this latitudinarianism in the matter of heels. And, take it all in all, the spring, 1922, shoe for women and misses are, it must be conceded, built with a ‘view to comfort. Is this just an accident, or is it due to the fact that women are demanding a more comfortable type of shoe for street and office wear? In the development of shoe styles there are no accidents. Back of every new development there is a reason. Sometimes we may not be able to find, but the reason is there all right. And the writer is convinced in his own mind that women are now demanding more options in the matter of heels—and a greater style range of heels. I mean by that, women have come to understand that the develop- ment of style is a complex process in which they have a voice. To say, arbitrarily, that a shoe must carry a heel of an inch and a half to two inches in height, otherwise it is not a stylish shoe, is no longer tolerable. “Why not?” women are asking. “Give us a shoe with all and sundry of the so-called stylish features—except that high heel; and we will buy it. But not that toppy heel, for we are on our feet many long hours during the day; and such heels are a weariness to the flesh.” Being wise in their genera- tion, shoe manufacturers are making them with low heel, medium heels, all sorts of heels. And now it has come to pass that a shoe is stylish whether the heel thereof be low or high. It is just a matter of taste. And this good old basic feature of comfort is provided for not alone at the heel of the shoe, but elsewhere as well. In fact the shoes this spring are pretty much all comfortable shoes. Some of the vamps indicate a tendency to shorten up a trifle, but there’s still plenty of toe room. And the leather is soft and pliant, and the lasts seem to have excellent fitting qualities. In the sport oxfords the comfort feature is considered just as big an asset as the artistic appeal; and so os 90 jar —- this time-tested shoe Thousands of dealers carry this shoe as a staple. The H-B Black Gun Metal shoe has been a won- derful business builder for merchants. It is such a thoroughly sensible, practical shoe that once a man has worn it he does not like to wear any other. The majority of our dealers are never without a good assortment of this shoe, for they can expect year after year a fixed, steady call for it. HEROLD-BERTSCH SHOE CO. GRAND RAPIDS Herold-Bertsch Black Gun Metal Line Home Case Jullet—In Stock Black KlId, Flex- P ible, McKay, Rie sae Stock No. 700. —= Price $2.25. BRANDAU SHOE CO., Detroit, Mich. ae You will want your Oxfords for Easter. We have a nice stock of Men’s “‘More Mileage’ OXFORDS in good styles and widths from B to E. Check over your stock. Call on us with your rush orders. Shoemakers for three Generations $ GRAND RAPIDS. MICHIGAN TANNERS AND SHOE MANUFACTURERS a EE ee Pe - -4 Saeed neo E ' f ere cus April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN il with substantially all other types of hot weather footwear which will be on display later on. Gone—for the time being at least— the days when a woman must suffer excruciating agonies in her feet in order to be modishly shod. Dame Fashion is a capricious jade, of course; and it doesn’t do to be too cocksure about the mist clad future, but one cannot help wondering if the comfort-feature isn’t a thing that the designers and last makers of the fu- ture will have to give more heed to than formerly. Cid McKay. —_»+ > —____ Gabby Gleanings From Grand Rapids. Just because their grandmothers smoked a corn-cob pipe and dipped snuff is no reason why the newly rich ladies of to-day should smoke cig- arettes. Most of these ladies smoke for the same reason they wear low- necked dresses or paint—they desire publicity. Wrong, all wrong. Some one said Solomon was the wisest man because he had so many wives to advise him. One wife in» good running order can give advice enough to keep one busy trying not to hear it. A gentleman is one who believes in work and kindness. A lady is one who uses her tongue for the expres- sion of pure thoughts only and who gives to the world the benefit of her good example. The brewer, bartender and profes- sional panderer who used to shout for personal liberty are now engaged in illicit liquor selling. This is what was to be expected. You would not look for poetry, high-thinking and clean-living from this element, would you? You can’t beat the ladies. There was a card party at our house and a game of cards called Michigan was played. Three ladies played; one won three cents, one won four cents and the other won one cent. We can’t figure it out. Try it on your tym- panum. Remember there was but three in the game and each won. We sometimes write stuff that is raw. Our object is to have it read. Lord knows we do not want you to follow us. But on the square we are a pretty decent sort of a fellow. We pay more attention to our soul than we do to our belly. We have studied the game of life from a box car and also from a twin six and we know the greatest joy in life is to do good to the other fellow and we are able and willing to do it. We went to a cheap vaudeville show the other night and the audience was much amused at the Saturday night bath joke. We were at a loss to know whether they were laughing at its utility or its futility. Personality gets the world’s atten- tion before character, but character is the best asset. We, of course, have a bum personality and a fine. char- ac‘er or we would not pen this. What is wrong with the present day religion? We _ old-fashioned people used to pray. Our children knock on wood and let it go at that. We some- times wonder if religion produces too many nonproducers. We wonder if religion is altogether constructive. We wonder if there is not too much mioney invested in religious institu- tions that give no revenue to the State. It is always best to agree with a man as much as you can. Consider the amount of talk you don’t have to listen to. We received a letter from a boy in the country wanting to know the prospects of an ambitious young man in our city. We wrote him an am- bitious young man can get along any- where in this glorious land of ours. The next time you have a sore throat, thank the stars you are not a giraffe. Don’t make too much of the faults and failings of those around you. Even be good to yourself and don’t harry your soul over your own blunders and mistakes. ae Raisin whisky is sure raisin hell. Our foreign population is making it in villainously dirty cellars and our personal liberty fellows are buying and drinking it. All the old booze fighters are dying off. We have hopes the growing youngsters will at least obey our laws. We believe less than five per cent. of our population are law-breakers and think they are to be pitied. —_22+>—___ Get Acquainted With Men. Acquaintance is an asset or a lia- bility. We must know people in or- der to be truly interesetd in them. Personal prejudice often prevents individual progress. Forming before- hand an unfriendly opinion of another is an unwise, unfair and a narrow procedure. Personal prejudice is like the fly- eating spider that lives where there seems nothing worth while to live on. Nature and human nature, gold mining and good men are much alike. The deeper you dig into their veins, the more values you are sure to find. Get acquainted with men. _——_—_o-2-e Do not extend unlimited credit to people of limited incomes. SWORN STATEMENT FURNISHED THE POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT. Statement of the ownership, manage- ment, circulation, etc., of the Michigan Tradesman, published weekly at Grand Rapids, Michigan, required by the Act of Aug. 24, 1912. State of Michigan, ss County of Kent, 5 Before me, a notary public in and for the State and county aforesaid, person- ally appeared Ernest A. Stowe, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the business manager of the Michigan Tradesman and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and {if a daily paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in sec- tion 443, Postal Laws and Regulations, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business manager are: Editor—E. A. Stowe, Grand Rapids. Managing Editor—E. A. Stowe, Grand Rapids. Business Manager—E. A. Stowe, Grand apids. Publisher—Tradesman Company, Grand Rapids. 2. That the owners are: (Give names and addresses of individual owners, or, if a corporation, give its name and the names and addresses of the stockholders owning or holding 1 per cent. or more of the total amount of stock.) E. A. Stowe, Grand Rapids. S. F. Stevens, Grand Rapids. F. E. Stowe, Grand Rapids. 3. That the known bondholders, mort- gagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cene. or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities, are: NONE. 4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of owners, stock- holders, and security holders, if any, con- tain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company, but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary rela- tion, the name of the person or corpora- tion. for whom such trustee is acting, is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant’s full knowledge and belief as to the cir- cumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the com- pany as trustees, hold stock and securi- ties in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant hag no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any inter- est direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. KE. A. Stowe, Business Manager. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of April, 1922. (SEAL) Florence E. Stowe. Notary Public in and for Kent Co., Mich. (My commission expires Jan. 26, 1923.) XCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES for investment are offered at this time in the stock of Steamship Companies. In spite of the bad years of 1920 and 1921, most Steampship Companies operating on the Great Lakes have been able to show remark- able earnings. Experienced steamship men all predict a much greater business for the year of 1922 and for years to come. Write for information regarding steamship lines in which stocks can now be purchased. F. A. Sawall Company 313-14-15 Murray Building GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN BOSTON We have available a choice supply of high-grade Government, Municipal and Corporation Bonds bearing interest from 5% to /% Write for our monthly offering list. ESTABLISHED 1880 Paine, Webber & Company 12TH FLOOR, G R. SAVINGS BANK BUILDING GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN NEW YORK CHICAGO Fourth National Bank WM..H. ANDERSON, President J. CLINTON BISHOP, Cashier HARRY C. LUNDBERG, Ass't Cashier Grand Rapids, Mich. United States Depositary Savings Deposits Commercial Deposits 3 Per Cent Interest Pald on Savings Deposits Compounded Semi-Annually 3% Per Cent Interest Pald on Certificates of Deposit Left One Year Capital Stock and Surplus $600,000 LAVANT Z. CAUKIN, Vice President ALVA T. EDISON, Ass’t Cashier 1Z MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ys ~~ > “FINANCIAL ~ Sy l ral | a rh iT ty eT | i i copes eee — a Tits eeu ' comm : M 9, een preebead ' (Chi espe tg ma t : Why Should I Make My Will? From a close study and talks with thousands of individuals in the past twenty years I am led to believe that a large percentage of people who own property, whether real or personal, are prejudiced against making a will be- cause they feel that as a result they will die shortly after the execution of the instrument. This, of course, is en- tirely wrong, but this prejudice must be removed in order to encourage people to make their wills while they live, so as to carefully and intelligent- ly dispose of their property so that “when the summons comes to them, which must come to us all,” and we pass to the other world, that we will leave our affairs settled in a sane and proper manner at a time when we are in full possession of our faculties and know what we wish to do. It makes no difference whether the estate to be willed is small or large, it is of just the same interest to the testator or to the beneficiary or beneficiaries to have the wishes of the testator properly stated in a legal will. Too many death bed wills are drawn, many of them under condi- tions which raise a doubt as to the testator being at that time in full pos- session of his faculties and able to make as he then declares a will “being of sound and mind and memory.” Many married couples feel that in case of the death of either owning real estate or personal property, all the property they own goes to the sur- viving husband or wife whether chil- disposing dren survive them or not, that it is unnecessary to make a will. This is wrong, and the public must be advised of the importance of mak- ing a will, which advice is given at present through pearing in the daily papers by the large trust companies urging people to make their wills and in addition urging them to make the trust com- pany, executor or trustee under said will, but such advertisements are read only by a small minority of the public who need to make their wills, and it seems to me that some plan should be developed by which, through proper folders and through proper advertising in the public press the im- portance of making a will should be driven home to the attention of all. advertisements ap- This last suggestion is collateral to the subject of my paper which is “Why Should I make My Will?” If the owner of real estate or personal property is a man or woman who is married for a second time and has children by a former husband or wife, the rights of the children or the first wife in the property of the second husband or vice versa, do not become. operative as so many people think as when they are related to each other as husband and wife by one marriage leaving surviving children of that marriage. It is in all such cases im- portant that a will be made to clearly define the status and legal rights of such children and such surviving hus- band or wife. One of the most aggravated cases that has come under my observation was the following, the facts of which are briefly, as follows: In the Spring of 1920 a married couple came to me in connection with selling some real estate they owned. I found that they had no children, that the man had put in his wife’s name all of his property except a small sum in a savings bank and she had invested this money in three different houses, one of which they were selling at that time. I found upon enquiry that the amount standing in the name of the wife exceeded what would come to the husband as survivor in case of her dying first. He was some ten years older than she and his health appeared to be much poorer than hers, After the transfer of the real estate was completed, as is my usual custom, I discussed with them their personal affairs asking them some questions and drew out the facts as above stated. He said, “Let’s put all our property in our joint names, or if you do not care to do so, let us each make our will, leaving our property each to the other,” but she was unwilling to do either. Within a year she died suddenly, leaving him a physically poor and broken down elderly man, and we settled with her heirs by paying to her brother surviving her, living at a long distance from Boston, several thou- sand dollars to secure from him to her surviving husband a release of any interests that he legally had in her estate and the execution by him of such a release. The money that was paid to this brother was earned by the husband, and following a custom, I might say as old as the River Tiber, most husbands place their property in their wives’ names. All of this trouble could have been avoided by a mutual agreement legal- ly drawn between the husband and wife to protect each other. I believe and recommend that if a husband is in business for himself or is employed in an occupation that is hazardous, similar to that of a police- man, constable or a public official who may in the execution of his duty run counter to someone’s comfort and happiness, and result in his being sued for so-called misconduct in his official April 5, 1922 You Know Best— What you want done with your Estate. Few men live to carry out their plans. In other years the main purpose of Wills was to disburse estates; and sentiment or friendship often influenced the choice of Executors. But the modern idea of the Will is not only to distribute an estate, but to conserve it to the heirs. Choose a corporate Executor and Trustee, as the best means of doing this. Discuss it with your Executor. Go over the matter with the Trust Company in order to feel sure that your plan is workable. Consultation with our Trust Officers does not obligate you in any way. ° Call at our office and obtain the new book: ‘What you should know about Wills and the Conservation of Estates.’’ “Oldest Trust Company in Michigan” MICHIGAN TRUST COMPANY Grand Rapids, Michigan Fenton Davis & Bovle BONDS EXCLUSIVELY MICHIGAN TRUST BUILDING Chicago GRAND RAPIDS Main 656 First National Bank Bldg. Telephones | enone 4212 Detroit Congress Buiiding WE OFFER FOR SALE United States and Foreign Government Bonds Present market conditions make possible excep- tionally high yields in all Government Bonds. Write us for recommendations. HOWE, SNOW, CORRIGAN & BERTLES 401-6 Grand Rapids Savings Bank Bldg., Grand Rapids, Mich. JOIN THE GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK FAMILY! 44,000 Satisfied Customers CADILLAC STATE BANK CADILLAC, MICH. TT Capital ......-- $ 100,000.00 Surplus ....---- 100,000.00 Deposits (over). - 2,000,000.00 know that we specialize in accomodation and service. We pay 4% on savings BRANCH OFFICES The directors who control the affairs of this bank represent much of the ¢strong and suc- cessful business of Northern Michigan. Madison Square and Hall Street West Leonard and Alpine Avenue Monroe Avenue, near Michigan East Fulton Street and Diamond Avenue Wealthy Street and Lake Drive Grandville Avenue and B Street RESERVE FOR STATE BANKS Grandville Avenue and Cordelia Street Bridge, Lexington and Stocking April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 capacity that the real estate and per- sonal estate should be placed in the name of the wife, and that she should then make her will giving everything to him or possibly if they have chil- dren, a small portion to each child, although personally I am opposed to giving any money to any children, this on the assumption that the hus-’ band and wife are mutually happy, mutually love each other and are just as much interested in each other as the day they were married, As a summing up of the subject, it seems important to suggest some of the things for which a person owning property and desiring to dispose of the same, other than by the Laws of Descent, should stop and consider: 1. What shall I do with my orna- ments, jewels or other personal ar- ticles which I may desire to give as a remembrance to some individual. 2. What shall I give my wife in cash, and how shall it be devised— whether as a trust fund, or as an out- right gift. If a trust fund, shall the income be paid to my wife and at her death, then to my children until they reach a certain age. 3. What is the best way for a man to provide for his wife to insure her against loss of the principal left at his death. Is it wise, in the case of a husband or a wife, owning property, to make an outright gift to the sur- viving husband or wife, of a large sum of money, which, through undue influence of members of his or her family, she, or ‘he, surviving, may be induced to invest or loan without ade- quate or proper security. 4. How shall I provide for my daughter or my son, in case he or she is a spendthrift, and does not appre- ciate the value of money. 5. If there is an infirm or aged parent or friend whom I desire to aid, how shall a trust fund be created, the income of which is to be paid, with possibly a portion of the principal, for the benefit of this aged or infirm parent or friend. 6. If my gifts are subject to the payment of inheritance taxes, shall the estate pay them, or shall the tax be deducted from the legacy. William N. Swain. or -<- Proceedings of the St. Joseph Bank- ruptcy Court. St. Joseph, March 27—In the matter of William Traver, bankrupt, of Hartford. the first meeting of creditors was held at the town hall of the latter place and Charles E. Anderson, of the same place, was elected trustee, his bond being fixed at $5,000. George R. Dater, the receiver, made a report, showing the assets of the bankrupt estate to be $247. The bankrupt was sworn and examined with- out a reporter and his examination con- tinued until the next adjourned meeting. An advisory committee of five was elect- ed by the creditors, with Edward Finaly as chairman, to assist the trustee. It was determined that assets of the bank- rupt be sold at public auction at Hart- ford on April 13 or 14, including the large canning plant at the latter place. March 28. In the matter of Walter F. Clements and Edgar Pauley and Clements & Pauley, a co-parnership, bankrupt, of Benton Harbor, the first meeting of creditors was held at the court house at St. Joseph and William Cunningham, of Benton Harbor, was elected trustee, his bond being fixed at $500. Loomis K. Preston. of St. Joseph, William Green and William Chapman, of Benton Har- bor, were appointed appraisers. The bankrupt, Walter F. Clements, was sworn and examined by the referee with- out a reporter. It was determined, upon the inventory and report of appraisers being filed, that the trustee be author- ized and directed to sell the assets at public or private sale. The meeting was adjourned for thirty days. March 29. Wilber J. Crose, a resident of the city of Kalamazoo, but doing business at Milwaukee, Wis., filed a voluntary petition and was adjudicated a bankrupt. The matter was referred to Referee Banyon. The schedules of the bankrupt show no assets and debts of $2,470.70, all owing to Milwaukee cred- itors, and scheduled as follows: ---- ---- Amherst Jersey Creamery Co. ~-$1,450.80 Milwaukee Com. Bank —_-_.----- 196.60 Wisconsin Butterine Co. ~------- 180.46 Neorpe G. Eivker 0 171.60 Central) Market Co. U2 151.34 Milwaukee Cheese Co. —.------.. 140.13 Trapp Bros. Dairy ---- [eee 83.26 D Welk & Sons 25.73 hea: Boston Store J... 25.00 Kosster-Liersche Butterine Co. — 19.05 George Mansfield —-..___.__ 17.60 West Hing Cheese Co, —---. 9.13 March 30. In the matter of Fred Hendricks, bankrupt, of Kalamazoo, an order was made by the referee calling the first meeting of creditors at the lat- ter place on April 10 for the purpose of proving claims, the election of a trus- tee, the examination of the bankrupt and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meet- ing. In the matter of Walter F. Clements and Edgar E. Pauley and Clements & Pauley, a co-partnership, bankrupt, the trustee filed bond and the same was ap- proved by the referee. The inventory and report of appraisers was filed, show- ing total assets of $1,677.23. In the matter of Alfred Speyer, bank- rupt, of Kalamazoo, the trustee filed re- port. showing sale of the assets of the bankrupt estate for the sum total of $3,950. Unless cause to the contrary is shown, the same will be confirmed with- in five days. March 31. In the matter of the Palace Lamp Co., a corporation, of Benton Har- bor, the adjourned first meeting of cred- itors was held at the referee’s office and claims allowed, and the trustee directed to file his first report and account. The sale of the assets of the bankrupt estate were postponed to April 14, at which time it is expected the factory buildings and equipment will be disposed of. April 1. In the matter of William M. Traver, bankrupt, of Hartford, the trus- tee qualified and an order was made ap- proving his bond. The appraisers filed their amended report, showing property of the appraised value of $80,394.94, whereupon an order was entered by the referee directing the trustee to sell the entire assets after ten days notice to ereditors. The sale of the property will take place at the canning plant of the bankrupt at Hartford on Friday, April 14, at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. oo Hancock—The J. & T. Tip Cleaner Corporation has been incorporated to manufacture and_ sell cleaners for burners of carbide lamps and to deal in mining lamps, supplies, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, $36,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in property. ESTABLISHED 1853 iq Through our Bond De- partment we offer only such bonds as are suitable for the funds of this bank. Buy Safe Bonds 5 from The Old National donnie fe pio INSURANCE IN FORCE $85,000,000.00 WILLIAM A. WATTS President RANSOM E. OLDS Chairman of Board © / Mercuanrrs Live INsuRANCE GOMPANY Offices: 4th floor Michigan Trust Bldg.—Grand Rapids, Michigan GREEN & MORRISON—Michigan State Agents A CENTURY BACK—A CENTURY AHEAD TRUST companies are recognized as the ideal managers of estates. a They are permanent, stable, safe. They will be functioning in 2022 as they are today, and as they have been since 1822—because of the funda- mental soundness and advantages of the trust company idea. The man who appoints a trust company as the executor and trustee of his will is assured that his appointee will be prepared to act when called upon, and to continue to serve, whatever may be the term of trusteeship. We are distributing a booklet entitled ‘‘Safe- guarding Your Family’s Future,’ which out- lines in detail the kind of fiduciary service we are prepared to render. May we send you a copy? [;RAND Rapins TRUST [‘OMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. OTTAWA AT FOUNTAIN BOTH PHONES 4391 TT ONE TEE EEL Grand Rapids National Bank The convenient bank for out of town people. Located at the very center of the city. Handy to the street cars—the interurbans—the hotels—the shopping district. On account of our location—our large transit facilities—our safe deposit vaults and our complete service covering the entire field of bank- ing, our institution must be the ultimate choice of out of town bankers and individuals. Combined Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits over $1,450,000 GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL BANK GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 14 Stock Companies oe All They Can t. Lansing, April 3— Leonard T. Hands, State insurance commission- er, has submitted a report to the State Anti-Discrimination Insurance Commission setting forth that after an exhaustive eaquiry he still is firmly convinced that fire insurance com- panies are charging exorbitant rates to Michigan policy holders and that the fault rests with the Michigan In- spection Bureau. : The bureau has its headquarters in Detroit. George W. Cleveland is head of the bureau. His removal has been sought by Mr. Hands and Gov. Groes- beck for several months, on the ground that he has failed to comply with the request of the State Insur- ance Department for a proper applica- tion of the Dean Schedules, the basis of all rating in Michigan. The commission, composed of Mr. Hands, Merlin Wiley, attorney-gen- eral; Hugh A. McPherson, State bank- ing commissioner, and Gov. Groes- beck, was to consider the report to- day. The so-called Michigan Advisory Board, made up of Illinois, New York, Ohio and Indiana insurance officials and which has no Michigan member, has representatives here from its Chi- cago headquarters to defend the pres- ent rates. Mr. Hands began his attack on the rating bureau last fall. At a hearing it was agreed to suspend drastic ac- tion until there could be reratings in Detroit and Lansing to ascertain whether the bureau’s ratings are too high. Two state raters did the re- rating for the insurance commissioner. In his report the commissioner says that in Detroit 26 mercantile classifi- cations were investigated which the bureau rated at an average of $1.13. The state raters reported that the average should be 87 2-5 cents. On 14 Detroit manufacturing plants the bureau’s rating was $1.07 and the State’s 86 cents. In Lansing 87 mer- cantile risks were rated by the bu- reau at 96.9 cents and by the State at 90.4, while 10 Lansing factories, rated by the bureau at $1.11, were rerated by the State at 73 cents. In his report Mr. Hands says: “The causes which led to an in- vestigation of the Michigan Insrection Bureau are a constantly increasing average rate in Michigan and a dis- inclination of the bureau to co-oper- ate with the State Insurance Depart- ment to correct unjust and excessive ratings. “The average rate paid by Michigan insured in 1917 was 86 cents per $100. This rate increased to 92 cents in 1920 and to $1.02 in 192). Basic rates in Michigan have not changed since 1915 and this large increase has_ been made by the Michigan Inspection Bu- reau through various and devious methods. “We claim that this average rate can not increase legitimately except by the filing of higher basic tables and that the marvelous industrial progress made in Michigan in the last ten years should naturally reduce the average. We have better construc- tion replacing old, high rated risks. We have hundreds of fire-proof build- ings and thousands of automatic sprinkler-equipped risks, all carrying immense values at low rates, where formerly were found frame buildings and much less efficient fire depart- ments. “The bureau has succeeded in ob- taining much higher premium in- comes from the dwelling class, not by increasing basic rates, but by chang- ing exposure measurements from foundation walls to the nearest point of porch or bay window, by carrying exposure through until worn out, in- stead of dropping charge at second dwelling, as advised by the Dean schedule, and by rating private barns and garages as mercantile risks on the pretext that the use of cars or wagons for other than strictly pleas- ure purposes necessitates such treat- ment. “The bureau does not co-operate with the rating division of the Insur- MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ance Department, but maintains a position that the bureau is always right; that is, until a hearing before the insurance commissioner is ordered or held.” The commissioner cites specific in- stances to prove its allegations. Here are three: “The risk of I. Selik, on Four- teenth street, Detroit, was rated by the bureau at $4.12: after a hearing before the commissioner they rerated the same property at $2.08. “The Harbor Beach Community House was rated in 1920 on a public- building basis of $1.20. The commis- sioner ordered a re-rating which re- duced the rate to 69 cents. However, in order to extract the limit in premium, the bureau rater changed the basis to ordinary mercantile, pre- sumably on the pretext that a room in the fireproof section is used for school purposes. “At the village of Gooding, in order to hold up a rate, the bureau classes a one-story general store as two stories because there is a little stock in the attic.” “Many more instances could be cited,” says the commissioner, show- ing the purpose of the inspection bu- reau is not to fix just and adequate rates, but to exact larger amounts from insured through the imposition of unjust charges, excessive exposure loads, improper classifications and il- legal interpretations. “The figures made by the company raters show that the Michigan Inspec- tion Bureau has not yet reached the limit of high rates that can be ob- tained under the schedule. And they also show rates have been and can be increased without change in the word- ing of the schedule, and what the State must face in the way of rates still higher than at present if the in- spection bureau is permitted to con- tinue in the future as in the past. “We believe that it has been clearly shown that the interests of the people of Michigan can not be properly safe- guarded while the fire insurance rates are made by a bureau completely un- der the control of the companies. The remedy “we propose would be an agreement between the State and the companies whereby the inspection bu- reau would be reorganized under a management acceptable to both and that the bureau be under joint control and supervision of the State and com- panies.” —_22s—____ Talk is so cheap that you can now buy a phonograph for $5. We are making a special offer on Agricultural Hydrated Lime in less than car lots. SIDNEY ELEVATORS - installed. Plans and instructions sent with wanted, as well as. Sidney, Ohlo Nothing as Fireproof No Cost for Repairs Warm in Winter A. B. KNOWLSON CO. Grand Rapids Michigan Will reduce handling expense and speed up work—will make money for you. Easily ah | eee et ee vith ving kin i ? jatform A, vel t. We will quote a m ney saving price. Sidney Elevator Mnfg. Co., Sand Lime Brick Nothing as Durable Makes Structures Beautiful No Painting Fire Proof Weather Proof Cool in Summer Brick is Everlasting Grande Brick Co., Grand Rapids Saginaw Brick Co., Saginaw Jackson-Lansing Brick Co., Rives Junction April 5, 1922 Grand Rapids Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Company Economical Management Careful Underwriting, Selected Risks Policy holders whose policies have been issued since Jan. 23, 1921, will be accorded 30 per cent. return premium at the end of the year, instead of 25 per cent., as heretofore. Operating Expenses During 1921 ---- as 19.4% Loss Ratio - a 19.3% Surplus over re-insuring reserve per $1,000 insurance carried net —-- $8.94 Increase of net cash balance during 1921 - $10,621.64 Dividend to policy-holders 30% Affillated with the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association, HOME OFFICE 320 HOUSEMAN BLDG. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. MICHIGAN SHOE DEALERS Mutual Fire Insurance Company LANSING, MICHIGAN Maintains Its 309% Dividend Record By careful selection of risks By sound and conservative management By thorough mutuality Courteous and prompt attention to all enquiries. ALBERT MURRAY, Pres. L. H. BAKER, Sec’y-Treas. TORNADO BETTER INSURANCE AT LESS COST During the year 1920 the companies operating through The Mill Mutuals Agency paid more than $4,000,000 in dividends to their policy holders and $6,300.000 in losses. FIRE How do they do it? By INSPECTION and SELECTION Cash Assets Over $20,000,000.00 We Combine STRENGTH and ECONOMY THE MILL MUTUALS AGENCY 120 W. Ottawa St. Lansing, Michigan ” } en OCCA A REEDS i ASAP FN A nn a April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 15 Most Satisfactory Time To Fight a Fire. Ninety per cent. of the suspicious fires reported to my department are directly traceable to over-insurance. Eighty per cent. of these over-insured risks are covered by policies issued without inspection of the premises covered. The other ten per cent. are the risks where the insured deliberate- ly lies to both agencies telling them that the policy issued by their com- pany is .the only one extant. I am spreading the above facts by giving talks on the subject of fire pre- vention at annual meetings of mutual fire companies, at Rotary Club meet- ings and in private talks with local in- surance agents. It is the general opinion that a stock insurance company needs no con- sideration. They have plenty of money which they amassed by charg- ing you and me excessive rates in premiums and if we can over-insure, burn up and collect, everybody is hap- py but the insurance company, and anyone who can beat them, is entitled to the money and has pulled off some- thing smart. Let’s see who really pays our arsonistic friend. Immediately, as the losses in any certain territory are above normal or above the allotted estimate for that state, the insurance rates in that state are raised and you and I—Mr. Businessman, Household- er or Farmer—must eventually pay for these crooked fires. An insurance company is a highly organized finan- cial institution and the safe percentage to be charged for the payment of losses and for operating expenses is carefully figured out and the normal percentage of losses due to careless- ness, as nearly all fires are, is com- puted. A certain amount is also set aside to take care of abnormal condi- tions and some of this latter sum is undoubtedly intended to take care of the fires resulting from over-insurance but not to take care of a condition now existing in this State, where ninety per cent. of the suspicious fires are due to this over-insurance. I want those local insurance agents who have carelessly written these risks without inspection to know that they, primarily are the ones who are really responsible for these cases of incendiarism by creating a condition making it possible for an unscrupulous person to over-insure and liquidate through the insurance company. Where there is no over-insurance there is no incentive to burn a prop- erty. So, logically, if we do away with over-insurance, the percentage of incendiary fires will be greatly lessen- ed if not entirely done away with. I was talking with an insurance man in a typical town of 1,000 population and he informed me that every policy written by their company was person- ally inspected, that they had never had a suspicious fire in their twenty years’ experience. They write for eight companies and are able to pay all claims promptly, they permit co- insurance only on the larger risks and then insist on a written application setting forth the names of companies, number of policies and amounts car- ried by each. Remember that the most satisfac- tory time to fight a fire is before it is kindled. Richard Middaugh. ——_e~+ Law Which Is Great Hardship To Some People. Mears, April 14—A representative of the Judson Grocer Co. has just showed me a copy of the law of 1909, restricting the sale of tincture of arnica, Jamaica ginger, tincture of iodine, epsom salts, Rochelle salts, witch ‘hazel, aromatic spirits of am- monia, spirits of nitre, etc., by any merchant located within five miles of a drug store. This seems to be one of the most foolish stunts I ever heard pulled off and must have been put across by the druggists. There is no drug store in this village and, of course, being within four miles of Hart, will restrict me. In nine cases out of ten a farmer will call for a pound or two of Epsom salts for a sick cow. One-half the sickness of horses require spirits of nitre. Ro- chelle salts is a common remedy for humans. Iodine is recommended so often by doctors for various ills, and so where is there shown any common sense in a law requiring people to go eight or ten miles to a drug Store for these useful and simple remedies. I can cite a recent occurrence where I am confident one of my farmer friends would have lost a good horse and another a cow if they had had to make the extra four miles in the night to a drug store for the Epsom salts or spirits of nitre. Why was this fool- ish law not drafted in such a way as to cover all the remainder of the remedies a general merchant sells? Jamaica ginger is also mentioned. As to that, I don’t care to handle it, and can see where it should be restricted, but the simple harmless remedies which are in daily use and needful should be where the people could get them conveniently. Of course, be- cause it is the law I have taken them off my shelf. Chronic Kicker. —_~++>—__—_ To Make Speeding Impossible. It is the obvious and acknowledged duty of a Government to protect the lives of its citizens. I wish therefore to propose to the Federal Government the passage of a law which would un- doubtedly save the lives of many ‘“‘A MOTOR CAR is only as good as the house THAT SELLS IT.” We consider our Service organization second to none in Michigan. Consider this when you buy your NEXT CAR. Pierce-Arrow Franklin Oldsmobile | F. W. Kramer Motor Co. Grand Rapids, - Michigan thousands of innocent persons every year—lives which are now sacrificed to the merest folly. Moreover, I be- lieve it to be the only method by which these lives could be saved. In 1920, as estimated by the Prudential Insurance Company of America, by the National Safety Council, and by the insurance press, 12,000 persons were killed outright by automobile ac- cidents in the United States, and a million and a half injured. The num- ber who were crippled for life was not estimated, but would probably be appalling. Statistics prove that since 1914 the number of killed has in- creased at an average rate of 1,300 a year. The majority of these deaths were undoubtedly caused by persons who were driving with reckless and excessive speed. Penalties for speed- ing have been tried and have failed. I propose, therefore, that speeding shall be made impossible. This can easily be done, and I be- lieve from five to ten thousand lives a year can be saved by passing a law that no automobile capable of travel- ing faster than fifteen miles an hour shall be manufactured or sold for use upon public roads. Fifteen miles an hour is much faster than the best and swiftest pair of carriage horses can trot: and is quite fast enough for all purposes of pleasure. Consider the interests at stake: Tens of thousands of human lives on the one hand; mere pleasure in foolish, selfish, and reckless speed upon the other. Ex- ceptions would, of course, be made for fire brigades, and, possibly, for ambulances. Bertrand Shadwell. OUR FIRE INS. CONCURRENT with any standard stock policies that you are buying. The Net Cost is 30% Less Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Fremont, Mich. WM. N. SENF, Secretary-Treas. POLICIES ARE 1229 Madison Ave. Novelties—A dvertising —Specialties The Calendar Publishing Co. G. J. HAAN, President-Manager CITIZENS PHONE 31040 Grand Rapids, Michigan ASSETS. Cash In Bank & Office --$ 149,270.55 Bonds and Mortgages ---- 1,755,673.00 Real Estate —._._._______ 40,000.00 Accrued Interest -------- 20,446.33 Uncollected Premiums -- 263,961.06 $2,229 ,359.94 Total Amount at Risk $145,972,213.00 of SECURITY afforded by Address all communications to The Central Manutacturers’ Mutual Fire Insurance Co. ORGANIZED IN 1876. 46TH ANNUAL STATEMENT. This Company writes insurance risks, Dwellings, Churches, Schools and Automobiles. By Eco- nomical Management and Careful Inspection of Risks they are able to return to their Policy Holders ANNUAL DIVIDENDS of 30% The POLICY HOLDERS of this Company have the same sense OLD LINE COMPANIES, its LARGE RESOURCES give them the satisfaction of knowing there is no better PROTECTION. CLASS MUTUAL AGENCY. Fremont, Mich. LIABILITIES. Reserve for Losses ------ $ 187,875.06 Reserve for Taxes, etc. —- 20,000.00 Reserve for Commissions 52,792.21 Unearned Prem. Reserve. 964,845.38 NET CASH SURPLUS -~ 1,002,838.29 $2,229,359.94 Savings to Policy Holders since Organization —__~-$8,146,833.52 on good approved Mercantile 16 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 Why Not Give Civilization a Breath- ing Spell? Glen Lake, April 4—I am pleased to know that Senator Townsend has made a tentative declaration on the question of the usurpation of certain State rights by the National Govern- ment. In other words, he has declared his position on the transportation act of 1920 which, according to the very liberal interpretation of the United States Supreme Court, took away from the individual states the sover- eign right to control interstate traffic and the rates thereon. He says he believes the court went somewhat further than the intent of Congress that any reduction in the state rate by a state commission was in violation of rates made by the in- terstate commerce commission, and that there is a possibility of rates be- ing fixed so high as to reduce revenue because they discourage and prevent shipments. I am glad to know the Senator, though a couple of years late in his utterances, has _ finally discovered what has been a matter of painful knowledge to every business man and shipper during that same period, that industry has been completely throt- tled for the very reason given. Now that Senator Townsend _ has suddenly become wise to the situa- tion, would it not be a good oppor- tunity to display his sincerity by do- ing something to relieve the tense- ness of the situation and not resort to the very doubtful subterfuge of promising to do something, if the good people think it wise to retain him in the position he now occupies. Perhaps it might not be necessary to resort to the slow and tedious leg- islative delays of Congress. A joint resolution by both houses of Congress, suggesting that the constitutional rights of the American people be re- stored to them, or in other words, an appeal to the United States Supreme Court to allow the Constitution of the United States to again become operative, might at least be as effec- tive as to legislate and then have the high court declare such legislation unconstitutional. Such action would conserve the valuable time of the people’s (?) repre- sentative in Washington and will look well on paper. I used to think very well of Charley Townsend when he occupied a seat in the lower house and I was an ardent supporter of his when he made his first race for the Senate. He had a card setting forth his platform which contained ten cardinal progressive principles and these also looked well on paper. But they never got any further. Charley took very kindly to the medieval Senatorial methods and soft pedalled the progressive program. The old Abe Lincoln adage about “not changing horses in crossing the stream,” together with the war com- plications, made it comparatively easy for a re-election six years ago, but this year the dear people are going to look up records, and I hope for Charley’s sake, that his will stand the acid test, for it is surely going to be applied. In the meantime, let us hope that he will accentuate his recent public declaration by doing something to prove his sincerity, especially at this time, when the greatest stumbling block to prosperity’s return is the un- satisfactory transportation problem. It is said that President Harding contemplates a visit to South America during his official term. I hope if he has decided to do so that he will re- consider the program, for the very potent reason that a recent incumbent of the high office he holds successfully demonstrated that the best place for an active President is beneath his own home and fig tree. If he, however, decides to take the trip it‘is to be hoped he will have the common courtesy to ask his Vice- Presidential consort to occupy the chair during his absence, that he will be very prudent in his disbursements and not fail to remember that the war was waged for the one purpose of making the world safe for democracy. I am glad to say that I feel sure President Harding is amply gratified to glorify the honor of his country without resorting to knee breeches and salaams. In a report recently issued by the Canadian government the total net debt of that country was $2,329,262,- 902. This, after having passed through the trying period of the war when the physical demands upon its re- sources were very much greater than those made upon any other contest- ant country. At the end of our own civil war, when for four long years, two mil- lions of combatants contested for su- premacy, the total bonded indebted- ness was approximately four billions of dollars. At the end of .fifty-five years of high tariffs and excessive revenues there are still left a balance unpaid of nearly one billion, or to be exact $800,000,000. 3ut during that same period of fifty-five years the in- terest account of the Government was two and three-quarters times the amount of the principal indeb‘edness left as a war legacy. Ought this not to be an object les- son for those dear patriots who are so enthusiastic to vote a bonus tax of approximately $4,000,000,000—a mort- gage of $40 on every man, woman and child in the Nation—upon the very tempting terms of the installment furniture house of “a dollar down and a dollar a year.” Some one must pay the fiddler. Even if this is to be done by pos- terity it seems a little tough to think that generations yet unborn must come into such an inheritance of debt. No recent statement of the grand total of the public debt of the United States has been made, but it is so prodigious that human intellect can- not encompass or realize its enormous- ness, yet on the very slightest pretext those guardians of public interests, Congress and its satelites proceed to increase the burden for vote catching purposes and the debt making goes It would prove an economical meas- ure if Uncle Sam would undertake to provide for campaign expenses for his servants and not allow such incompre- hensible sums to be voted away for patriotic and other purposes solely to make votes. It is said with some show of author- ity that if an election had not been imminent, and Congressmen held offi- ces by virtue of life tenure onlv, the bonus act would have gotten no fur- ther than the committee room. Congress having depleted the United States Treasury to the extent of per- petuating its annual joke of sending out free garden seeds to people who cannot use them or, having facilities for so doing, would not use them for fear of weed propagation, now looks over the field in order to find some place where they may practice econ- omy by saving at the spigot, discovers that the only institution which pays a dividend to the people in the way of service and cheap transportation— the postoffice department—is not do- ing as well as formerly and thinks parcel post rates should be advanced. Naturally the huge waste in all other departments does not worry them and never did, but the postal service, the public’s one and only method of inter-communication, must bring in more money and the chances are we will all come to realize what an advantage it has proven in the past toward disseminating civilization, by having it curtailed or made more of a luxury. Why not try the abolition of the franking privilege for awhile and give civilization a breathing spell? Frank S. Verbeck. ——_—_~> Permanent prosperity is not an ac- cident. Accidents are of short dura- tion, Victor Flour “The Flour You Can Safely Recommend” It gives satisfaction wherever it goes. The Crete Mills W. S. CANFIELD Michigan Representative 205 Godfrey Bldg. Cor. lonia and Monroe GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN You Make Satisfied Customers when you sell ‘“SUNSHINE”’ FLOUR Blended For Family Use The Quality Is Standard and the Price Reasonable Genuine Buckwheat Flour Graham and Corn Meal J. F. Eesley Milling Co. The Sunshine Mills PLAINWELL, MICHIGAN REFRIGERATORS for ALL PURPOSES Send for Catalogue No. 95 for Residences No. 53 for Hotels, Clubs, Hospitals, Etc. No. 72 for Grocery Stores No. 64 for Meat Markets No. 75 for Florist Shops y -McCRAY REFRIGERATOR CO. 2244 Lake St., Kendallville, Ind. Watson-HigginsMls.Co. Merchant Millers Owned by Merchants Products sold by Merchants Brand Recommended "by Merchants NewPerfection Fiour Packed In SAXOLIN Paper-lined Cotton, Sanitary Sacks When You Need Any of the Following Items And Want the BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE Write The Dudley Paper Co. LANSING, MICH. Wrapping Paper—Twine Congoleum—Shingles—Roofing Wood Dishes—Milk Bottles Peon | oq | TENTS eee l oo Store and Window AWNINGS made to order of white or khakl duck, plain and fancy stripes. Auto Tents, Cots, Chairs, Etc. Send for booklet. CHAS. A. COYE, Inc. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Order from your e jobber today. RYZON-raised cakes keep fresh longer. The special process of manufacture is the reaccr. RYZON, a slow, steady raiser, has greater raising power. Frovides home baking in- surance—no_ bad luck. You may mix katter today. Set in cool place, bake tomorrow. ss April 5, 1922 SUNK OVER $95,000. Report of Receiver in the Travis Case. Frank L. Blakely, receiver of the defunct F. D. Travis Co., has pre- pared the following report of the con- ditions of the estate. Assets. Cash on hand and in banks ___-} 2,957.26 Notes receivanie 21. 31,101.67 Accounts receivable -—~---------- 12,802.35 Liberty bonds and savings stamps 2,551.44 Bonds (Allegan Gas Co.) ~----- 500.00 Stocks (Continental Motors) ---- 450.00 Deposits to secure agency con- tracts 225.00 800.00 Aecrued interest, notes receiv- Ape oo 585.00 Land and buildings ..__..-.---- 39,775.00 Furniture, fixtures and equip- Ment 2 9,230.00 Inventory i205 93,332.39 $194,085.11 Liabilities. Stecgk Solg. 3. $147,245.00 INGLOS Pavadle. 220 97,111.46 Accounts payable ~_--__--_-_-__ 43,264.75 Accrued interest on notes pay- Mie oe 997.90 Sub-dealers’ deposits ~ --------- 200.00 Accrued taxes 844.24 $289,663.35 Met deficit $95,578.24 Mr. Blakely has furnished the cred- itors with the following supplemen- tary information: On December 24, 1921, the writer was appointed receiver of the above company by Hon. John S. McDon- ald, Judge of the Kent County Circuit Court, and thereupon filed his bond for the sum of fifty thousand dollars and entered upon the performance of his duties as such receiver. This company, which is a corpora- tion organized under the laws of Michigan, with principal office at Plainwell, is capitalized for the sum of $150,000 of which the sum of $147,- 245 is paid in and outstanding. It has branch stores at Allegan, Way- land, Richland and Prairieville, and has stockholders to the number of about 800 among the farmers living in the vicinity of the different stores operated by this company, upon whose patronage the success of the company is largely dependent. This company did a gross business of $282,138.38 in 1919, $505,584.52 in 1920, ard $317,727.76 in 1921. At the time of the appointment of a receiver the company had a weekly pay roll amounting to about $550. Believing that the volume of business then being done and general conditions did not warrant or justify such an ex- pense, one of my first official acts was an adjustment of the organization and the salary list, reducing the weekly pay roll to $350. I at once proceeded to cause an ac- curate and complete inventory of the business to be taken and an appraise- ment made on the basis of present market values, so that the real con- dition of the company could be safely determined. This has taken a long time and required a vast amount of work. That is now finished and will be filed with the court in the receiv- ership proceedings. A summary of this inventory for your information is herewith enclosed, together with a statement somewhat in detail show- ing what enters into the item inven- tory, amounting to $93,332.39. In the opinion of the writer there are two causes that have entered very materially and vitally into the finan- cial troubles and embarrassment of this company. First, the general agricultural conditions, which dimin- ished to a degree that could not be anticipated the demand for the mer- chandise which this company had to sell, and, second, the inventory loss incident to the material drop in price of the extremely large stock of ex- pensive machinery, implements and tools that this company had in stock. With the curtailment of expense hereinbefore stated, I have been able, out of current funds, to pay the taxes due Jan. 5, amounting to $1,887.62 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 17 and the current operating expenses. With improved conditions and a mer- chandise adjustment based on present day values, the outlook for this com- pany to dispose of its merchandise, keep the business alive as a going concern, appears reasonably good. It is going to take time, strict economy, and hard work. However, L have every confidence in the organization I have under me and _ believe that ultimately the creditors can be paid in full and the business saved for the stockholders. Any other proceedure at this time, would be ruinous for both creditors and stockholders. — Mr. Blakely talks very optimistic- ally when he speaks of saving the estate for the stockholders. Consid- ering the showing made, he will do exceedingly well if he succeeds in liquidating the merchandise indebted- ness, leaving the stockholders noth- ing to show for the $147,245 they paid for alleged stock in the concern. —_--_—_.@-~-<—__—_—_ Disagrees With Old Timer on Motor Bus Fares. Howard City, April 4—It is seldom that I disagree with any sentiment expressed in the contributions of Old Timer in the Tradesman, but I must confess I cannot see just. the logic that he used in a recent article on the railroad situation, when he stated that there s small wonder that the people patronize the motor bus when the charges are half those charged bv the railways. : I would like to have Old Timer ex- plain what motor bus lines in this section of the State are running at half rates. On any bus routes that I have pat- ronized the gas-operated vehicles are charging the same as the trains or more, when they travel anywhere near the same_ distance. The fare from Howard City to Grand Rapids by train is $1.23, where it used to be 68c; by motor bus the charge is $1.25. Besides this the motor bus is wearing out the State built highways at a rapid rate. : I think there is more or less hys- teria over this loudly acclaimed “cheaper mode of transportation.” When one figures the hazard of accident, the heavy cost of roads the people are paying, etc., the necessity of retaining some sort of freight ser- vice, it appears to me that we are really economizing at the wrong end. The railways are looking out for theirs, all right, but during war time every one was taught to profiteer and until labor gets back to somewhere near a normal basis and money is in reserve for needed improvements and to meet maintenance, business is bound to be at the mercy of these conditions and many motor bus lines are now being operated below cost and will end in bankruptcy or worse. J. B. Haskins. —___—_ Winter Hard On Bee Colonies. The cold weather and long confine- ment during the winter, with little suitable flight weather, is expected to result in a considerable loss in bees throughout the Northern tier of states from dysentery and starvation. Spring feeding will be necessary with many colonies as open weather in the fall caused considerable decrease in stores. In California-the big freeze in Janu- ary considerably depleted many col- onies. It was thought at first that the freeze had so seriously damaged the orange groves that little orange blos- som honey could be expected this year, but now conditions indicate a fair nectar flow of orange. The sage crop in California has been especially helped by continued favorable rains, and present prospects are for one of the largest yields the State has pro- duced. r 7 Written On Your Order Sheet The success of Royal Baking Powder is inscribed on the order sheets of grocers the world over. New baking powders come and go but Royal goes steadily on repeating and repeating, in- creasing the grocer’s turnover and giving satisfaction to his customers. OWAE Bakin6o Powder Absolutely Pare The best known—the best liked—sells itself Contains No Alum— Leaves No Bitter Taste — Recommend to your customers the right sugar to use at the right time. It shows good taste and is the way for them to get the best results. Domi? — pomnittO Tablet Sugar for tea, coffee, cocoa and chocolate. yma Confectioners Sugar for icings and fondants. Granulated Sugar for baking, cooking and candy making. Qomil 0 Powdered Sugar for sprin- kling pies and cookies—for fruits, cereals and iced Brown Sugar for baked beans, as a delicious flavor for gingerbread, candied sweet cooking and preparing potatoes, tarts and cakes. desserts. American Sugar Refining Company ‘‘Sweeten it with Domino” Granulated, Tablet, Powdered, Confectioners, Brown, Golden Syrup 18 WHAT’S THE MATTER? Based on Fable of the India-Rubber Parents. Once upon a time I knew a dear young girl and her name was Not- mary. She had two beautiful parents, and she used to say that if she had any more she would be crazy. They were obedient and honored their son and their daughter, and their days grew very long. Notmary’s mother and father went with her regularly to the Chocolate Sundae School and the Movie Academy. She was never tardy or guilty of inattention. To her, life was ice cream and Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford surround- ed by chocolate and carmels. When the family was walking in the street, people would often turn and look at them and say, “What lovely parents Notmary has!” When they went with her to a neighbor’s house, they sat quietly and did not interrupt the con- versation of their youngers. Indeed, people used to say that they would make their mark in the world—and they did, but it was all they made. She brought them up in the fear of Altman and Tiffany and often gave them a few pennies to spend just as they pleased; and now and then, if they were very, very good, she would let them go to one of her weddings. 3y and by they became so soft and limber that people called them the India-Rubber Parents. And a day came when Notmary had outgrown them and saw that they were of no more account than a penny whistle, so she got a divorce from her father and mother and cast them into the dooryard. Later she was divorced from each of her many friends, and by and by the property, which had been left by the dear old gentleman who was her third husband, secured a separation on the ground that she had been associating with certain dis- reputable oil shares. Then her health left her in a heartless fashion and it was said that she had even grown weary of her life and would welcome a decree. The moral is obvious. A_ child must honor its father and mother or it will honor no one and speedily ac- quire the divorce habit. There was a time, my friends, when the average American home was the wonder of the world because of its product. It was a humble home, and yet statesmen, poets, prophets, inven- tors, scholars, scientists, came out of it. They had been made, too, at a small expense out of cheap material—good health, industry. humble environment. No patronage of wealth and influence, no decorations and coronets, had been employed. They had had no spur save an indefinite promise of public useful- ness after years of struggle. The equal of that little plant the world had never seen. Its raw material was like the five loaves of the desert which fed a multitude. What was the secret of the old-time American home? I would say, first, organization. It had laws and a lawgiver. But the greater part of its secret lay in the instruction it gave to the young. It taught obedi- ence, modesty, thrift, industry, the love of honor and of God. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN I do not need to remind you that the old plant is out of order. It has been running down. Its product is inferior in quality and quantity. Youth no longer submits to the wisdom of age. For a year or more certain schools and colleges have been reek- ing with scandal. The dance has been tending toward the orgy in which the recklessness of the boy and girl has been outdone by that of the chaperon. In most of the homes I know chil- dren do about as they please. There is no voice of authority. The young lady’s beauty is openly discussed by her mother in her presence. “Well, mother,’ said the young daughter of a neighbor of mine, “if you do not want us to play bridge on Sunday, we'll go over to Thompson’s. They'll stand for it.” “So” said the mother, “I let them play just to keep them at home, and they played until two in the morning.” What has become of the authority of the parent and the obedience of the child? A new. situation has arisen, and its menace lies chiefly in the fact that many of us are disposed to make light of it. “Don’t worry,” they say; “it is a passing phase. joer us continue to eat, drink and be merry.” We ought not deceive ourselves. Folly is not so easily disposed of. It does not vanish at the waving of your hand. It can hide itself like rats and breed faster. In my youth a fool was a curiosity. There were three or four people in our village who were under suspicion. They were being watched. But there was only one man of proved capacity. He had been seen going down the street one day holding his hands be- fore him, some three feet apart, and saying: “Folks, git out of my way. This is the exact measure of a door, and I got to keep it until I git to the car- penter’s shop.” We thought him an asset, but he grew in disgrace and folly until he started a fire in his dooryard on a windy day that nearly consumed the village. What a _ testimonial were those smoldering heaps of ashes! It became apparent that one fool in a town is too many. Also it signal- ized the qualifications of a fool. He does not worry about consequences. Now as I look back upon the village, familiar with the story of forty years, I recognize that he the most harmless fool in its history. There were others who set the town afire. They started the hidden, creeping, in- extinguishable fires that travel through generations of human life. They were the eminent, respected, intermittent, deliberate fools. What heaps of ashes lie along their pathway! was It is so much better to be a fool all the time—an out-and-out, reliable idiot—than one who is now and then knocking off, so to speak. We don’t know where to place him. The cer- tified fool is not so hard to get along with. The harm he can do, at most is only physical. But when one of a trained, respectable intellect turns to folly he becomes the most danger- ous individual that society has to deal with. He has influence. It is folly which smooths and adorns the way to disaster. Not that I think it possible or even desirable that it should be put out of the world, but only that it should be looked after, for it is ever striving for greater freedom. Crime is comparatively a matter of slight importance. I re- member once when a young fellow was convicted of a revolting crime a wise man said: “Bill is no longer im- portant save as a lesson to you boys. He has shot his bolt. He has done about all the harm he can do. What is really worth knowing about Bill is the kind of folly which made him a criminal.” When a man turns rogue, we have got him placed. He is no longer a force in the community. His influ- ence is gone. He may do more harm, but that will not be important. So I beg to remind you that the great danger of society is not crime, but folly. It is that which produces crime. We are apt to laugh at folly as a temporary, trifling matter. It is nothing of the kind. It swiftly de- velops into a disease of which crime is only a symptom. We hear much complaint of burglars and highway- men. They seem to be trying to es- tablish a new industry. That is bad, but the thing to correct is the growing disrespect for law which has so in- creased their number. I suppose it is true that one honest, respected per- son can do more harm than half a dozen highwaymen. Folly has become general, and even respectable. We are all thaving a good time with no thought of what is to come of it. That is what is the matter. I was walking one delightful sum- mer day wiath a wise friend. We had sat down on a fine natural terrace overlooking a valley which for years had been growing wild. Near where we sat, and visible through the tree columns, were the bent, broken, lean- ing walls of a ruined farmhouse. My friend filled his pipe and began talk- ing. “My grandfather used to live here,” he said. “He had ten children. They grew up and scattered. One became a governor, one a congressman of great influence, one the mayor of a big city; one died on the battlefield of Gettysburg—a renowned hero. The girls were a wonderful lot. There were four of them. Miranda had three distinguished sons. Isabel raised a boy who was a famous poet. Mary Ann had a daughter who became the wife of a President. The foundations for all that were laid under the torn and tumbling roof you see yonder. It was a home. These days we have many houses but few homes. That home had a master. : “Now, you know, a home is a kind of ship. It cannot stand still. It is ever moving in one direction or an- other; and on every side are perils. So it must have a master, and it must steer for some port. The ship must make headway. It must not drift. There are perils in the sea—reefs and icebergs and hurricanes. The main fact is that it must have a master who knows where he wants to go and about how to steer to get there. The port of wealth was not on my grand- father’s chart. It never entered his April 5, 1922 reckoning. It was a little out of his course. I do not need to tell you what port he was steering for. I am sure that he arrived. If he was sick or away for a season, his wife knew how to steer the ship. “What a home it was! Ten chil- dren, and not one servant! How often now, we see ten servants and not one child! The ship was well organized. Every boy and girl had some share of the work to do. When the day ended, they around the evening lamp for play or study, or to listen while some one read aloud. Immortal guests entered that humble home those winter nights—Dickens, Thac- keray, Hawthorne, Holmes, Tenny- son, Longfellow. I remember a night when I lay on the lounge and heard the story of Enoch Arden. It made an imperishable impression upon my mind—that picture of the lonely man standing in the darkness and peering in at his own windows while the ‘cups and the burnished board sparkled and shone.’ “The story was founded on the steadfast faithfulness of men and women and their capacity for self- immolation. I wonder if Enoch’s wife would be waiting around these days, year after year, to learn of the fate of her husband. “Since then what a change has come over the spirit of the young! I went to the old school down there in the valley one winter. There was an in- visible bar between the boys and girls. The boys regarded the girls with a kind of awe. We were just a little afraid of them. If a boy had misbehaved, the teacher would make him go and sit with one of the girls, and after that he was careful. “IT fell in love with one of those girls—she was so pretty! I got to the schoolhouse early one morning and looked at her books. It thrilled me to handle them. I wrote with my pencil on the fly-leaf of her grammar this tender message: : gathered silver on “The rose is red, the violet blue, Both are beautiful, so are you. “What a couragous act! I was scared about it. At noon when the girls gathered and began whispering I got ashamed and went out and hid in the bushes. Think of that! The boys aren’t quite as timid these days. “Tf any of us ran away from school or cut up badly, there was-that in- evitable hour of reckoning with the master of the ship. He was stern but kindly. It was a memorable hour back in a lonely part of the grove or the orchard. The purpose of the school was explained to us. We were made to see and acknowledge our error, but that was not enough. My grandfather would then ask, ‘How am I going to make you remember that you are not to do it again?’ There was a moment of calm discussion. “A man down in the village once asked my grandfather what he raised up there on the hill. “‘Mostly boys and girls and just about enough wheat and corn and sheep and cattle to feed and clothe ’em,’ he answered. “The boys and girls were the main thing; and what a crop this old farm sent out into the world! April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 19 “Raisin Week” April 23rd to 29th, Inclusive 99 “Special Raisin Day | Thursday, April 27th Grocers! During Raisin Week, from April 23rd to 29th, inclusive, millions of people expect to use special raisin foods. This is the ‘“‘week of weeks’’ for raisins to be displayed throughout your store. Especially on Thursday, April 27th, which is ‘‘Special Raisin Day”’ all over the United States. Use Windows Free Material Use your windows for Sun-Maid Raisins, the only brand that’s nationally advertised. We furnish free material for your window and counter displays. Get it now and get full benefit from Raisin Week and Raisin Day. One of the 13,000 Raisin Growers Mail This Now : Wk Mein Gromeis | i : Dept. G-1204, Fresno, California. | For Free Display Material | Please send me the Free Display Material | for “Raisin Week” Window Trim. e : e e we 2 Sun-Maid Raisin Growers | oe Membership 13,000 Dept. G-1204, Fresno, California. | 77 | Gy le “Things are different now. Here in New England the farms are mostly dead. The work of the men is no longer at home. It takes them away to the mill, the shop, the store, and the office. I am almost persuaded that boys and girls are not now the main thing. It would seem to be business. It may almost be said that the Ameri- can home is, and has been for some years, without a master. Its govern- ment is largely in the hands of wo- men. There is yet another factor in the change; it is the revolt of women against the government of men in home and state. Are not our men al- most wholly absorbed by the problem of getting rich? Are they not mostly money dopes—given over to a con- suming thirst like that for cocaine or opium? I wonder if men, spent day by day in the pursuit of wealth, have not been glad to give up the job of the ship’s master. Women took the helm unprepared for such responsi- bility, and naturally so. It was a new task, for the duties of which they had had little training. Moreover, na- ture had not given them the strong hand of authority. If the strong hand is needed anywhere, it is with those semi-barbaric people we call children, who are learning the differ- ence between right and wrong. It should be gentle, never tyrannical, but it must be strong, for strength is the thing they respect above all others. Is it not true that mainly women had not learned to reckon with remote consequences, and _ possibly because they had little chance to learn? “Again, nobody will stay at home these days. We have become a rest- less, wandering tribe. We have money to carry us, and we go. We strive to outdo our neighbors in a search for strange lands and curious peoples and odd adventures. We take the whole family and we go. We lead a public life. Discipline is largely and necessarily cut out of it. We like to think that we are broadening our vision. Possibly we are, but our great need is intense not broad vision. We could learn more truth in a ten-acre lot than we get by rush- ing around the globe. We see only the surface of its life, and return with a lot of knowledge that isn’t so—with many confused and unreliable impres- sions. Great men and women are not made that way. They establish their center and settle down upon it and find each year a wider circumference. Beating about the world accomplishes little. Always the great men and wo- men have stayed at home. How much travel do you suppose Shake- speare had? The trip from Stratford up to London and a little way, a very little way, out in the near provinces. Never in all his life, probably, did he travel so far as one goes in a round trip from New York to Boston. The same is true of Milton. Who saw so far and so deeply as those two? The men of aproved greatness lived before wide travel was possible. The most extended journey of our own Lincoln was from Springfield to New York. We are notoriously a nation of fun chasers racing around the world. It is one of the things that is killing our home life. We should tearn that MICHIGAN he who has a home and sticks to it gets farthest in the race of life. “We like to believe that we are in- dependent, and in a sense we are, but as we have prospered the graces and manners of the Old World have had an increasing power over Us. We have borrowed our fashions from France and our manners from Eng- land. Now under Edward VII the manners and morals of England un- derwent a serious change. He had, I think, overvalued commercial success —a good thing in its way, but not a big one. It bulks large, but it is really a thing of small importance. Edward was much impressed by it. Iron- makers, railway presidents, bankers, brewers, oil magnates, mine develop- ers, became baronets and lords. It. was their reward for making England pre-eminent in the world’s commerce. The King ate and drank with them and patted their backs. He was a most popular King, but he had extend- ed the circumference of the circle of fashion until it embraced some of the most common clay in the Empire. The old aristocracy of England, which say what else you may of it, had maintained a high standard of man- ners and set its face against all vul- garity, was now appalled. They frowned upon the new comers and snubbed them. They shoved the hot stinger of their contempt into ‘the long-eared mule who was trying to be a charger.’ The mule resented it. He started a revolt against the ancient standards and conventions. It ex- pressed itself in shallow wit and bold irreverence and sometimes through shocking indecency. “But the change of manners and of spirit which we have suffered cannot be wholly charged to our imitation of cheap aristocracy, or to the indiffer- ence of our men, or the incapacity of our women. We must reckon also with the ingenuity of Henry ford. Think of the non-skid rubber foot- prints in the sands of time! Almost every day for years the American home has been packed into a flivver and vigorously shaken up and dumped into the nearest village and electrified with sundry exhibitions of ingenious crime and amusing violence and high- voltage love-making, and packed up again and returned to the hated quiet of the countryside. Now the door yard has a hundred square miles in it. All the allurements of the town and the village are as handy as the cro- quet ground and the swimming hole. No more reading under the evening lamp! Often after the day’s end the house is silent, dark, and deserted. It is a dead home. When the lights are aglow of an evening, you may hear the barbaric yawp of canned inebriacy and sex passion sounding on the phono- graph while the young dance. No more ‘Pull for the Shore, Sailor,’ no more Watts and Bliss and Moody and Sankey! Perhaps this new con- dition is a part of the ruin of war. Some two millions of our boys lived a long time without law save that of the soldier. Many of them brought to their homes a reckless dare-devil spirit and gave it to their sisters and brothers. In the most unexpected places we find the lawless cruelty of No Man’s Land. We find every- TRADESMAN where a growing disrespect for law and decency. I think it is due largely to the fact that women have not been equal to the task they have lightly taken upon themselves in assuming the reins of government at home, and yet men are more at fault than women. “In my youth we had a minister down there in the village who was a man of great learning. Even the chil- dren of the street respected him. Every day he was going from house to house. He knew all the young people by name. Most of them he had baptised. He kept watch of them. He knew what they had been doing in and out of school. He was the shep- herd of the flock. If one of them had committed a folly, somehow he had found it out. He would graciously in- vite the foolish one to his study; when the culprit arrived, no hard words would be spoken. “‘My child,’ he would say, ‘I am your shepherd. I love you. I can not let you go astray. It is my duty to watch over you. I want you to know that you can bring your doubts and troubles to me and I will do what I can to help you. That is my busi- ness. It may be a matter of which you would not wish to speak to your mother or father. Do not fail to bring it to me, because I am the shepherd of the flock and I will be a light to your feet,, my child.’ “Where is the shepherd of the flock? Perhaps it is my fault, but somehow these days I do not see him —at least, his flock would seem to have gone astray. Has he, too, been tempted by the rewards of business?” Shall we allow commerce to monopolize the heart and intellect of humanity? Let us not be misled. “Your palaces and mills and sky scrapers are, after all, very little things. The real wealth of the world is stored in the spirit of man. Is it not time to demand an ac- counting which shall tell us how many great men we have and how many fools, and, above all, what is the mental and moral condition of our average individual?—Irving Bacheller in Outlook. ——___2.2.>___ No Joy Possible Without Sacrifice. And there was great joy in that city. —Acts, VIII., 8. The city to which reference is here made was Samaria, once the capital of Israel, but now given over to idolatry, with a mixed and selfish population that thought only of a sensuous and materialistic pleasure. But so joyous was this same people at this time that special note is made of it. And the joy was occasioned not as one would be led to think from its character by a chariot race, a heathen festival, a triumphal procession to celebrate a victory of soldiers on the battlefield or a royal marriage. Philip, a disciple of Jesus, was the cause of it: he preached Christ unto them; he healed the sick, and because of his preach- ing and healing there was great joy in that city. The greatest joy we have is in giv- ing joy to others. is a joyless heart. Samaria had joy because some one gave it joy, and the happiest man in that town was Philip The selfish heart — April 5, 1922 himself. He had helped others and this made them joyous and they, in turn, gave the joy to others until the whole city thrilled with the new life which this humble man had passed on to it. If we in turn are touched with the compassion that moved Philip we can render such service as will make of this city a joyous place. This means sacrifice, and no joy is had without it. Philip was telling of a life given for others, the sublime story of the Cross. His own life in going to Samaria was a sacrifice, for he left a life of ease and comfort that he might tell to others the wonderful panacea for trouble, care, selfishness and sordidness. He held not his life dear unto himself; he was willing to give it in that wicked city if thereby the people could rejoice in the power that would give it lasting joy and true pleasure. A self-centred life is a joyless life. It may have its amusements, its pleas- ures, its nights of gayety, but that is not real joy. True joy springs from the transformed heart, from the beau- tified life, from a life lived as was Philip’s life—for the people of Sa- maria and for the people of Michigan. It is this loss of self, this nonpleasing of ourselves, that is the surest way to success in life. He lives longest in the hearts and lives of others who has forgotten himself and tried to bear the burdens of others, not for seifish popularity, but because he lov- ed the weak and sought to make life’s joys grow in barren places, and life’s flowers perfume its stagnant pools. Those whose names fill in the niches of history’s great ones that have brought the greatest joy to the world are the men and women who have not thought of themselves, but have died that others might live. It is not so much what we say but what we do that wins men to better things; not what we preach but how we act that saves souls and puts the red lifeblood into an anaemic world. After all, the world is quickest touch- ed not by the great building but by the great heart; not by the cold word on printed page but by the warm word as it comes from living lips; not so much by the house of mercy as by the merciful hand laid on the fevered brow: not so much by the house that shelters the wanderer as the beautiful face which enshrines motherhood at whose knees lonely children gather. Never were there greater oppor- tunities of giving joy than here and now. This world is Samaria over again; this city is Samaria. Hunger- ing for bread, shall we give it a stone? Thirsting for the water of life, shall we give it to drink from a stream polluted by sin? Our people are waiting for the warm, loving words and healing of Philip, and wherever he goes the sick will become well, the lame will walk and homes will be made happy. Harlan G. Mendenhall. ——so2s eS Unusual Advertisements. Wanted—A boy to be partly out- side and partly behind the counter. Lost-—-Near High Gate, an umbrella belonging to a gentleman with a bent rib and a bone handle. ’ April 5, 1922 Be certain you secure enuine Cannon owels. Look for this trade-mark label (in blue) on the wrapper of every package. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ‘“‘For the Cottage in the Valley or the Mansion on the Hill” OU will never miss a sale with Cannon Towels. The line is so varied, that it meets the needs of every class of customer. It ranges from kitchen towelings to every size of huck and turkish towel. And you can sell Cannon Towels at prices that every one of your customers can afford to pay. These towels are the very finest values that you can buy. You get closer weaves, heavier weights and finer quality for the prices, than in any other cotton towels made, Cannon Towels are all made of high-grade cotton yarns. Their exceptionally good appearance is due to the special Cannon process of bleaching and finishing. You will like their careful put-up. Cannon Towels are made by the Cannon Manufacturing Company—the world’s largest producer of towels. They are distributed only through jobbers. It will pay you to write your jobber today for samples, prices and complete information. CANNON MILLS, Inc. 55 Worth Street New York City ANNON TOWELS es _necesncetecnenetiity oD: ats atit(( wy Ny] Dow Pe a SANNA e a \ i te crit COC eCHl(( pd. 3 Be ure Tull i BNE Ls Avar opt tf = Lad Weg Go aig atl aa TOVES 4» jimatee as eae ey, ‘i CON) —_— “x Michigan Retail Hardware Association. President—Charies A. Sturmer, Port Huron Vice-President—J. Charles Ross, Kala- mazoo. Secretary—Arthur J. Scott, Marine City. Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit. Directors—R. G. Ferguson, Sault ‘Ste. Marie; George W. Leedle, Marshall; Cassius L. Glasgow, Nashville; Lee E. Hardy, Detroit; George L. Gripton, Brit- ton. Going Right After the diactue Paint Trade. Written for the Tradesman. The old days when paint was con- sidered an unimportant side line in the hardware store have long since passed away. Progressive hardware dealers have found that the paint de- partment, properly handled and de- veloped, is an exceedingly profitable part of their business. The sale of prepared paints is usual- ly the backbone of the sales of such a department, and the profit of this staple is very much better than on other staple lines. Moreover, as a paint stock can be quickly turned over, as a rule, the profit at the end of the season usually amounts to a pretty handsome sum. Then, too, the hand- ling of a full line of good paint brings many customers to the store. It helps the dealer get in touch with people who are renovating and improving old property or putting up new build- ings, thus developing opportunities to sell other hardware lines. To get the best out of the paint de- partment, a little special time and at- tention must be given it. This is the season of the year when a little special effort will bring very profitable re- ward in the way of increased business. ‘The first thing to do, of course, is to look over your stock and see that it is complete. In putting in a paint de- partment, it is best to start with some well-known concern whose goods are of the very best quality and widely advertised. A large investment is not necessary to enable you to put in a fair size stock of house paint and a few of the special shelf goods lines, such as are more generally called for; and from time to time you can add to this stock, keeping it all under one label and all of the one best quality. This is much the best policy in your paint department; for if you handle several different brands, you are not able to carry a stock of any one brand sufficient to take care of your customers properly; and when you sell a can of one brand, tt only advertises that brand and does not help to sell all the other lines on your shelves un- der different labels. On the other hand when you handle only one line and a complete stock of that line, every package sold advertises that line to your customer and makes it easier to sell him everything he needs in paints and varnishes. In making your spring plans, first be sure your stock is complete, then see that it is arranged in a prominent part of the store so that the customer coming in will know that you handle a full line of such goods. Be sure that your manufacturer supplies you with sufficient color cards, display cards and hangers. Put them out on the counter and on your show cases or in other prominent places. This kind of advertising does good missionary work with the customer who comes to buy some other feature of your stock. When the spring opens up nicely and the fine weather comes, be sure to trim an attractive paint window. Don’t let it stay in longer than a week; then put in another display a couple of weeks later. If you have a double window, it would be well to have at least one window trimmed with paint every second week during the painting season. If you are a newspaper advertiser, obtain from your manufacturer some electrotypes advertising the brand that you handle, and see that at least part of your usual advertisement talks paint. Make up a careful list of property owners who are likely paint buyers, send to the manufacturer of the goods that you handle, and get him to send out some circular matter talking the use of paints and varnishes. Do a little missionary work your- self. Mention paint to your customers when you are selling them other lines, and find out whether they are inter- ested in house painting this season. Send one of your clerks out or go out yourself, through various parts of your town; make note of any houses that need painting; send the names and addresses of the owners to your manufacturer, and get him to supply advertising material for them, calling attention to the advantages and economy of keeping buildings painted and directing the prospects to your store. In getting after the paint business, don’t jump at the conclusion that there is nothing to it except exterior paint- ing. Remember that the interiors offer splendid opportunities for profit- able business. Talk up the use of in- terior wall paints whenever you can; this is a line which, for sanitary rea- sons, will steadily grow in favor the more it is pushed. There are all kinds of floor finishes for different styles of floors, and varnishes for the refinish- ing of floors and woodwork, varnish stains for refinishing furniture, and enamels for cupboards, woodwork, etc. It is important to see that your salespeople are well posted in regard Michigan Hardware Company 100-108 Ellsworth Ave., Corner Oakes GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Exclusive Jobbers of Shelf Hardware, Sporting Goods and FISHING TACKLE Foster, Stevens & Co. Wholesale Hardware oat 157-159 Monroe Ave. :: 151 to 161 Louis N. W. Grand Rapids, Mich. W. M. Ackerman Electric Co. Electrical Contractors All Kinds of Electrical Work. Complete Line of Fixtures. Will show evenings by appointment. 549 Pine Avenue, N. W., Grand Rapids, Michigan Citzens 4294 Bell Main 288 Our travelers are out with the new things in robes, blankets, sheep lined coats and mackinaws. In the past our line of this merchandise has always been a strong and active one and for 1922 you will find many fine additions. Kindly wait until our salesman calls on you and then look over the line. You will be glad you waited for this. Brown & Sehler Co. Grand. Rapids s Michigan April 5, 1922 April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 23 to paint. In this connection an ex- perienced dealer writes me: “The first thing is to see that you have the goods—in other words, that you handle a strictly high-grade pre- pared paint. The next most important thing is to have a couple of first class clerks—young fellows who can sell goods.. Have them become acquainted with the customers who come in and find out what they are doing, whether building a house, repairing a house, or just having a regular spring cleaning. Then they would know just what to offer. “The clerks should be coached to ask customers what neighbors and friends were building, repairing or overhauling houses. Thus a_ good many valuable prospects will be se- cured. “Also get the clerks in the habit of observing the houses as they pass on the street, and keeping a sharp look- out for houses that need painting. “Outside this constant look-out for prospects, the clerks should know paint, through and through—should know the selling points of the brand your store features, as well as how to apply paint, and what color combina- tions to advise for particular styles of houses in this or that sort of location. Once you get a clerk really interested in the subject, he will learn rapidly, and soon reach a stage where he will be constantly on the qui vive for pointers about paint. _ Thus, one clerk has a habit as he goes along the street of sizing up the houses, study- ing the color combinations, determin- ing where a color combination is bad, ‘and why, and how it could be im- proved. This sort of knowledge, stored up from time to time and tact- fully used as occasion offers, will help clinch many paint sales, and will make a salesman much more valuable, not merely to the store, but to himself.” Personal canvassing, if you have time for it, can be made an important factor in the spring paint campaign. It must be remembered that selling paint is very different from selling nails, even though both commodities are rated as staples. If a man needs nails, he comes in and buys them. If he needs paint, a long process of edu- cation is usually required to convince him. So that, beginning early in the_sea- son, long before anyone actually starts to paint, the dealer must be prepared to follow up his paint prospects with a marked degree of persistence. Ad- vertising, circularizing, window dis- play, personal letters from the manu- facturer and from the dealer, personal canvassing—all these means of inter- esting the customer should be used from time to time. You may interest him the first time you talk paint and yet not make the sale; you may have to renew the subject time and again; you may have to come back to the charge next season or the season after —but a steady process of paint educa- tion is pretty sure to land the busi- ness at last. The dealer should, too, make good use of the advertising helps supplied by the manufacturer. It is not enough to pile a few color cards on your counter and hand them out to curious youngsters. Use your display helps throughout the store, and in connec- tion with your window trims; and as for your color cards, advertising book- lets and other material, try to get these helps into the hands of mature people, property owners, and, above all, actual paint prospects. This am- munition, though it may cost the deal- er nothing, is valuable in securing sales; and the more intelligently you use it, the more effective it is. Victor Lauriston. TP rn me Gigantic Salt Mine Seventh Wonder of United States. The ancient world had seven won- ders. We to-day, if we look about us, can find an equal number within the limits of the United States. Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, the Yellowstone National Park, the Yosemite Valley, the Cliff Dwellings of the Southwest, the Petrified Forest of Arizona—those with do for six. The seventh has never been seen, and never will be seen, by anybody, because it is far underground. Never- theless, it is a first-class marvel. It is the greatest bed of salt in the world averaging at least 250 feet in thick- ness and extending over—or perhaps one should say under—an area of 100,- 000 square miles. The northern end of this salt bed, in Central Kansas, has been known for many years, but not until recently was the fact ascertained that it ex- tends thence in a southwesterly di- rection through Northwest Oklahoma, Northwest Texas and Eastern New Mexico. This discovery has been made by numerous borings—not for salt, but for oil, gas and water. This vast bed of salt extends at least 650 miles from north to south and 150 to 250 from east to west. In many parts it is more than 300 feet thick and in some places its thickness ex- ceeds 700 feet. Assuming an average thickness of only 200 feet, the bed must contain at least 30,000 billion tons of salt! It was formed by the evaporation during long ages of a shallow sea, which in very ancient times covered all that part of the United States. The deposit has great economic value, the salt being easy to mine (as it is mined even now in Kansas) by the simple expedient of boring two holes and forcing water down one of them. The water comes out of the other hole laden with: salt, and is evaporated in pans. It is thought that valuable deposits of potash salts may perhaps be found locally in this great basin of saline accumulation. ——_—__.~-~>——____ If the work you are doing is useful it will return you a good living. WHEN U THINK OF A Business Education THINK OF Auditing, Bookkeeping, Shorthand, Typewriting, Secy. Training, Salesmanship, Telegraphy and Englls subjects. Catalogue free. : Accounting, § Starts ( Jan. 30. Day New Term ; Evening This Is Worth a Million to You To know you can be cured of Rheuma- tism, Neuralgia, Neuritis, Bright’s Dis- ease and Diabetes, high blood pressure and prostatic troubles and all rectal and colon affections at the Teller Hospital by a new method called the Teller Method—after the author and originator. Come and see and be con- vinced. ‘eller Hospital 296 South Gratiot Ave. MOUNT CLEMENS, MICH. The Name on the Sack is a Guarantee of its Contents When specifying cement insist that it be the kind with the * NEWAYGO PORTLAND CEMENT a on every sack. You can then be assured that this important part of your construction work is being supplied with material that has proven its worth, one ’” +t will readily adapt itself to your job, no matter what problems or complications may arise. Newaygo Portland Cement is not limited in use to the con- struction of buildings. It may be used above or under ground, in or out of water. Its many uses have brought about a universal demand for the cement with a guarantee of uniform quality. Newaygo Portland Cement Co. Sales Offices Commercial Savings Bank Bldg., Grand Rapids, Mich. General Offices and Plant Newaygo, Mich. April 5, 1922 ° ff RETAIL SEUNG PRICE CHART LS Ss Cs o Se sr a — — — —_ — a eo 7 La, — =~ JOMANS WORLD City Block Which Surrounds a Quiet Park. Written for the Tradesman. Not far from where I live a group of families has transformed a dingy city block into something that com- bines the advantages of the city with something of the charm of suburban conditions. It is not the only thing of the kind in the big city, but it hap- pens to be the one that I know best. The place lies in the midst of four rather unprepossessing streets—an ordinary city block of flat-faced houses, which were attractive, as city houses go, many years ago, but de- teriorated with the years, became mere teenments, with back-yards that came to be more areas of hard dirt, mud in the wet seasons, and gathering-places for rubbish among which the children played as best they might. You know the sort of place it was. A far-seeing architect came along and saw the opportunity. He in- terested a group of his friends; they formed a corporation, put in each a modest sum, and bought the whole block. Then the architect went to work on the buildings. Without mov- ing them or changing their appear- ance, except with freshening paint, he turned them round, so to speak, and made them face in instead of out. That is to say, he made such changes and rearrangements inside as to have the kitchens face the streets; the dining rooms on the ground floors, the living rooms and best bedrooms upstairs face the yards. 3y common consent the fences be- tween the back yards were all swept away and the large central space was “landscaped” into a little park with continuous lawn, flower beds, paths, and trees. A part of the space was reserved and arranged for playground for the children, with sand box and other facilities for play. In the shady south side of the yard plants and shrubs were placed which do not need the sun; even the grass with which the lawn was seeded was of the sort that will grow in the shade. The whole place has the aspect of a little park. The children play there, safe from dangerous traffic. In this particular place a trained kindergart- ner comes in every morning to take charge of the little children, and one But are those things so very precious? In this group there is a real social spirit, and it is growing; there is no compulsion about joining in the social affairs of the block, but these people seem to like it, and, with due allow- ance for human traits and limitations, they get along very happily together. Sometimes in the pleasant days of spring I go into that pleasant yard and sit with my friend under the trees and talk and read. The last time I was there, down at the far end, one of the women was having tea with a group of her friends. We were not invited to participate, and she was under no obligation to invite us. Her privacy was not encroached upon. As you pass the place on any of the four streets, you do not notice any- thing except that the block is distin- guished by fresh paint and cleanly doorways from others in the neigh- borhood. The only: difference of ar- rangement within the houses is that the family faces are toward the bright and sunny garden in the center of the block. Each family lives its own life as it pleases. Just as they would anywhere else. As you look out of the back win- dows of these city houses you do not look upon a wilderness of mud and ashes and grimy fences and wood- sheds; but upon this little park, where flowers grow and children play in safety. And, when you go out there and sit under the trees that spread their limbs as if with a sigh of relief and joy at finding such a place within city walls, you scarcely hear the roar of the city traffic. This is a thing that can be done in any city and on almost any scale. And the community life within the block can be whatever the people who constitute the group chooses to make it. Prudence Bradish. (Copyrighted, 1922.) —_ r++ > You can tell the fellows with money interest in a business by the way they work for and wait on you. Signs of the Times Are ots i Jp) | rer ey meet 25% we meen mere Tu tate bbw hm the coe ne, 2 pone. Te pe yo wart ie thee ot fon | Sat lang pre oo ay fro 7 3A a Atal se yo word theme. Auer to Coe poms mach eomry 10 days wil euaks enone proteus im prumen And you will brow | SUNSWEET Prunes é-A A) Ndergiv oy wttctocamateres. Cnr mere gay mil prunes ot ce on 27% Ou meat le le ang pre on 9 panne. News, 0 pone. Ow de et oe ome Mores ed pen (aitorran Pre ek Meer tow. Sam Jom, Cabdowmas 1806 gromers theoughot tet mer from ov bong ve round mays Fe row prams somatg we oe dor j i sae yom armuag se mamas pons + ermed anacpe. eccuraeehy The you | 4) : | % aT eT ‘ aro TORT AT Tava [ATS TR] TE [Nea TP 20 “ ae tit it rT : sy ie, 16 16 iE i 1 ‘0; 16) Woy Tait iy @ F Cr sci%ta) 27! zal 2e{ sol 30! sat tal aa) 30] 38] toni moe 3) [Se Stha: 44} 4dt” 47) 7 7 Git I tay atv | [Spiidibe! abl 91] 97/1 22 rT iatireli i essct % i i if i 3581) 60/3 aa eye | 6, ” 4 pebshy 2 1978.271095 [2 43/2 50/2 58) e 66) “oat 7 TMT STAT Ga [as eae |S | Ga [HH OWT bo Tio 1% as ie {Yor wy tof tor if tif tip 3} vet aa a sh r t pol 3i} 32{_ 33] a4] “3s] 36] sa] 38] 39 i L 1 Sell Sibe| ~ 28! 2st 30! 3s] “sal 39] oy aif ca cell Sthc!” 461 471. St 50, 2] Set s6[ 57] 69; 0] 62} 43[ 65) 07) @8) 30) ||| Selb ioe! 91] $4)” 97; Rietwhel? wit HIE pa FI 10 } Teo i o4's o7|i vole va/F 1911 2074 23/3 26/1 29/9 3a/t sei 1¢ 60) E bie 6 3 03)9 0113 39 So] 36715 7913 413 salsa] 57] $9] 61; tisitay zealsogisit 4 zs at your 7 pasty ati wit $ 2 Tar TiRaTinTTE 45) 47} 78) 77] 99) 5611 Sali 87 Inger-tips Free—a carefully computed chart that tells you instantly how to price any merchandise on any margin from 20% to 30%. Every grocer who has seen this Sunsweet Retail Selling Price Chart has been quick to sense its value. It saves time. It saves brain-fag. And, more im- portant, it insures a correct margin, accurately figured, every time. Understand—the figures on this chart do not apply to prunes and apricots alone. They apply to anything in your stock—anything that costs from 7c to 18c. Paul Findlay—-the best known authority on food merchandising in America—prepared this chart. That in itself will make you want it. Size. 18x28— just right for tacking up in some handy place so you can have the right selling price at your fingertips always. The supply of these Retail Selling Price ie ni RB alacie __® Charts is limited—better send for yours today. Calitornia Prune and Apricot Growers Inc., 499 Market St., San Jose, Cal. 11,000 grower-members. of the families has given up a room which on rainy days is used as a playroom. Yes, I know the perils of an enter- Electric Signs Progressive merchants and man- ufacturers now realize the value of Electric Advertising. prise like this; but it so happens that i deals st haw: fi We furnish you with sketches, the leading spirits have a fine com- prices and operating cost for the munity sense, and all of them have asking. been willing to sacrifice a certain amount of what you may call “city Californias ature-Flavored THE POWER CO. N liberty’—the liberty to know none of va ee prunes your neighbors and be indifferent to their doings and interest and welfare. Ae Sea RON atonement ranean a * April 6, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 25 THE BIGNESS OF TEXAS. El Paso Now a City of Nearly 100,000 People. El Paso, April 1—Love is something that writers have been trying to ex- plain ever since language has existed. Originally, according to the earliest records, love was concealed in an apple, but when Adam and Eve bit in- to the fruit it was let loose upon a big world, and has been roaming about ever since. It is, perhaps, the biggest topic and biggest problem that ever was. Next to love, the biggest thing in this country, with the probable ex- ception of taxation, is the State of Texas. . Love, Texas and taxation surely do take up a lot of space. A few weeks ago I had a little something to say about the Lone Star State, and now the spirit moves me to Say a little more. You get on the cars at Los Angeles and travel in a Southeasterly direc- tion for 815 miles before you come to any town or city of very much im- portance. There are many Stations and settlements scattered along that tremendous distance, each having its own idea of its necessity for existence, but so far as the great outside world is concerned, it easily dismisses them from serious consideration. And at the end of the 815 miles you find your- self in El Paso. For a moment let us stay on the cars and travel Eastward. We go on and ion in the direction of the rising sun and we travel through the same interminable wastes of sand, cactus, sage brush, mescal, yucca, prickly pear and greasewood. Along the road- way are countless bleaching skeletons of cattle that lay down and died be- cause the heavens sent so little mois- ture. There are brief respites now and then, with humble depots where people wait for trains to come and go, but your eyes dio not see much in the way of civilization and progress un- vil you arrive in Ft. Worth, 613 miles East of El Paso. Now, then, in the long journey from Los Angeles to Ft. Worth—nearly 1,500 miles—there is just one point whert a real city fourishes, and that point is El Paso, approximately half way between. Deserts stretch from this city West, East, North, South. And you marvel how it is that this modern metropolis, with all the con- veniences of the century at hand, can have an excuse for being. Enquriy shows the reason, and the reason is that much maligned place called Mexico. Get a map and note that El Paso lies at the extreme Western point of Texas, right where New Mexico, Old Mexico and Texas are joined. Out theré in the heart of this mighty desert where the mesquite, the cholla cactus and the saguro flourish, hustling men have builded a live city of nearly a hundred thousand souls. The muddy, insignificant, unromantic Rio Grande separates the place from the country where revolutions are almost always in process, and where peace breaks out occasionally between the assasina- tions of presidents. Anyhow, that is the general idea of the thing. But ideas are frequently faulty, and a country is often misunderstood be- cause the reports about it have their rise in the insidious propaganda of prejudiced parties. Mexico is a country rich in every- thing but stability. Great monied in- terests, controlled by opposing syn- dicates coming from foreign countries, set up these pseudo-revolutions in or- der to put their favorites into the offices, and thus get a strangle hold on the country’s riches—its coffee, its fruit, its rubber, its minerals and its oils. Some one of these foreign in- terests is always in control, and busi- ness in Mexico always goes on, the shift of control being simply a matter of putting one crowd out and another in. We come now to the reason why there should be an El Paso, and why it should be a city pulsing with the life of modernity. There is a reason why it should have its fine office build- ings, its pretentious hotels, its great department stores, its beautiful thea- ters and its numerous churches. Be it known that El Paso (the Pass) is the gateway from the great United States of America to the Republic of Mexico. Through El Paso passes a very large part of the American .mer- chandise that flows into Mexico to feed, clothe and contribute to the well- being and industry of the country. In El Paso are great wholesale concerns, great agencies, great dis- tributing enterprises. Many things needed across the border are here manufactured, and eternally and al- ways is there a flood of American goods going to our neighbor republic through this flourishing city where there is so much sand and so little rain. Very much of the trade along the 1,500 miles from Los Angeles to Ft. Worth gravitates naturally to El Paso. It is a country of great distances, and people thing nothing of going a few hundred miles to buy a pair of shoes, a suit of clothes, a bolt of muslin, or to attend the movies. Commerce is said to be taking things from where they are plentiful to where they are scarce. Perhaps civilization and progress are founded upon a similar process. People are scarce in between Los Angeles and Ft. Worth, and if the overplus in the East was shifted toward the Rio Grande, the result would push morality and prosperity quite a distance along. Any- how, I make the suggestion for the benefit of those who aspire to great accomplishments, and in whom the impetuosity of youth struggles for an outlet. One thing is certain: A trip from the East to the Far West by way of Texas would be an education, a revelation and an inspiration to those in great Eastern centers where people get in their own way, and, like troubles, tread upon the heels of each other. Many tourists stop in El Paso, one lure being the short bridge across the Rio Grande that leads to drinks other than hydrant water and “pop.” Mexi- co is still a free country and a very short distance from El Paso you can revive the old thrill that used to be permitted in this country by putting one foot on a rail and looking up at the chandlier through the bottom of a glass. Texas to the East, North and South of Ft. Worth is a domain studded with cities, towns and fertile farms, all seemingly endless. It has its Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Gal- veston, Austin, Beaumont, Waco, Wichita Falls and all the rest of that string of communities that have done and are doing so much to build upon the glories of this tax-ridden, jazz- crazy and bootlegging country. With its population of nearly five million people, Texas is going forward with a rapidity that sets a fine example to all the other states, and has so much room in which to grow that the extent of its ultimate destiny is past predic- tion. Just why I should be so much im- pressed with the Lone Star State is hard for me to understand, because my heart is lost to Oregon and California. 3ut the bigness of the people appeal to me so strongly that I am inspired to salute it as one of the hopes of the American Republic. Bert Moses. 572-584 Division Ave. So HEADQUARTERS Advertising Novelties of All Kinds Will be pleased to submit samples and quote prices. Fair Associations, let us hear from you. Grand Rapids Calendar Company Grand Rapids, Michigan Michigan State SPEE Direct Fast Decisive Long Distance beats travel, the mails or any other form of communication. Your voice is your agent and you handle the busi- ness yourself—for your voice is you. For either business or social purposes the telephone is the fastest, the most direct, the most decisive means of communication. And the cost is small. Call the Long Distance operator, and she will connect you. 70,000 points. Telephone Co. Long distance reaches ere a NN EON Gingham Shortage Is 69,000,000 Yards. The strike in the Eastern mills has not yet begun to show its effect in the local jobbing houses, but it is only a question of how long this will last. “Just as soon as the weather warms up,” said the head of one of the dry goods jobbers in the city, who has been studying conditions, “and the women realize that they must have cooler clothes for themselves and the children, we will begin to feel the de- mand for increased yardage. Just now things are ‘pat,’ as it were. This demand we cannot expect much be- fore May, unless April warms up early, and such weather as we had recently does not give much encour- agement for that. “When the first eight weeks of the strike ended last Saturday, figures is- sued show that over 69,000000 yards of gingham would have been woven in the natural course of things. Now that amount of yardage is gone for- ever. It is nowhere. It cannot be called into existence for the warm weather business. One mill operating 13,000 looms averages four pieces a week from each loom. Figure up just the loss from that one company, and then add to it the others. “When the warm weather comes we may expect a more or less shortage. Just now it is impossible to say how much, because until the women come in to buy the merchants simply try to keep everything on hand and to sup- ply the demand. “But that isn’t anything after all. The big point is that that enormous amount of gingham yardage is gone forever and we cannot replace it this year.” While the same thought was offered by another jobbing house buyer, this man said that the worst of the situa- tion was that the mills affected were those which made the low-end ging- hams, retailing from 15c to 45c and which was the kind generally used for house aprons and children’s play dresses, and on which, after all, the mass business was done. “The imported ginghams are said to be very good in quality,” said he, “but these are not for the masses. That is, the price for retailing begins about 55c and goes up. These are the better end of the business, but the mass stuff is not written there. “The situation as it now stands, with such a vast shortage of yardage, is serious for the woman who has to watch the expenditure of every cent and make it go just as far as possible. The masses will be hardest hit, and after all that is where we do our busi- ness.” So far none of the department man- agers have indicated that there would be an increase in price. That is not bothering them nearly as much as the absence of the 69,000,000 yards which are no where in the scheme of selling, and such a tremendous amount taken out of the spring business is bound to be reflected. A Northern Michigan merchant who was in the market this week com- plained to the jobbers from whom he had purchased liberal orders that they had all disappointed him in the deliv- ery. “How so?” asked one jobber who had gone out of his way to secure certain of the finer constructions which this man had included in his initial order. “Every house I gave an order to,” said the merchant, “delivered the full - 100 per cent. of goods that I pur- chased.” Yesterday the jobber in relating this story said: “He may yet be very thankful that his deliveries were so well done. There will be a good many merchants who will wish they had some of his ginghams, and that very soon. “Not having been able to fill full orders for some seasons, the man was justified in covering his needs, and an- ticipated only about 50 per cent. de- livery, but this year early orders re- ceived the full amount. What is go- ing to be the delivery for late summer business I cannot tell. The strike situation is going to determine that pretty well. At least there is one thing that that merchant can pat him- self on the back for, and that is none of his merchandise was included in the vast shortage of yardage that will soon confront us.” —_22>___—_ Readjusting Clothing Prices. In spite of the higher prices of wool it is reported on good authority that ready-made clothing for men will be cheaper next fall than it was during the past season. Workers in clothing centers like Chicago, Cleveland, Rochester and Baltimore have agreed to wage cuts of from 12% to 15 per cent. and have accepted certain regu- lations which are expected to assure an increase in their output. No wage cuts have been made in the New York district, but the workers are reported to be ready to accept changes in their working arrangements that will re- sult in a fuller production and permit the lowering of prices. Thus the work of readjustment is going on. The clothing trade believes that a return of the $25 suit is needed to induce a greater volume of consumer buying, and labor at last sees that its own policies which keep distributors from handling their products except at a loss. 2-pocket Model - 26 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 { (pes — : fieonanee eee t y eB 2 . > ¥ , & fee = DRY GOODS, <= £8 > . FANCYGOODS +» NOT ONS: | IR => enn Fm = 5 It sets the pace - $5.00 Greens, Browns, Oxfords and Heathers on the floor Daniel T. Pation & Company Grand Rapids.Michigan - 59-63 Market Ave. N.W. The Men's Furnishing Goods House of Michigan A Few Special Suggestions No. 31, Misses’ Merc. ‘Big Injun 4-4 Bleached Cotton Pickaniny, No. 5 Club & Spade ) Stifels 2.65 Wt No. 13 Rope Stripe spiel . No. 19 Wabash Stripe § Overalls & Jackets ------------ @$12.00 Doz Lawrence Shirts & Drawers ---------------- @ 6.872 Doz. No. 1, 68x 72 Percale Dress Shirt 20 @ 9.00 Doz No. 2, 80 Square Percale Dress Snr @ 12.00 Doz No. 8, 64x60 Percale Dress Shirt ---------~------------- @ 7.122 Doz. President or Shirley Suspenders -------------------------- @ 3.75 Doz No. 605, Good Khaki Pants -- @ 13.50 Doz No. 251, Black Duck Work Shirt -------------------- ------ @ 7.972 Doz No. 621, ““‘W. T.’? Corsets -- @ 9.50 Doz No. 635, Ladies’ Merc. 220 Needle, Mock Seam Hose ------ @ 3.85 Doz No. 800, Men’s Merc. 220 Needle, Mock Seam Hose ------ @ 2.62!/2 Doz Master Mechanic Men’s Heavy Wt. Cotton Rib. Hose ---@ 1.65 Doz Lisle 344 Needle Hose @$3.85 on 7, R. 10, F. 5 Bravo, 4-4 Bleached Cotton Auto 4-4 Bleached Cotton GRAND RAPIDS DRY GOODS CO. Wholesale Only patterns. Both with and without collars. Write for samples. “s POAC ON ONO 2 SAP LALUA EDT TUE USUAAEOAOUOUEUAUVOAUOOGUDAOEEETGOUTEOEDOOE ETE OCUEUEEOTEO ETE E ES EEE EEC FOR THE EASTER TRADE Dress Shirts We have them in a large variety of fancy striped and plain colored Price ranging from $8.50 to $36.00 per dozen. PPO EOP OTTO . = Quality Merchandise — Right Prices — Prompt Service | WHOLESALE DRY GOODS SUTTUTEDUUUTEDDUECUOOUUOUCUQUUEOEEUOOGREEOUOUOTEDOUUOOTEQOUUECUEDONE PAUL STEKETEE & SONS GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. TOUUUUUUTOUOEOUTEEEUIEE We are manufacturers of Trimmed & Untrimmed HATS for Ladies, Misses and Children, especially adapted to the general store trade. Trial order solicited. CORL-KNOTT COMPANY, Corner Commerce Ave. and Island St. Grand Rapids, Mich. GRAND RAPIDS KNITTING MILLS Manufacturers of High Grade Men’s Union Suits at Popular Prices Write or Wire Grand Rapids Knitting Mills Grand Rapids, Mich. i April 5, 1922 The Power of Thought. If a thought can in an instant of time dilate or contract a blood ves- sel; if it can increase or decrease the secretion of a gland; if it can hasten or retard the action of the heart; if it can turn the hair gray in a single night; if it can force tears from the eyes; if it can in an instant produce great bodily weakness; if it can pro- duce insomnia; if, as has often oc- curred, it can bring instantaneous death—then is it not natural for us to conclude, without further argument, that it may bring about a more or less continuous derangement of the physi- cal organism that we call disease? I have seen the most wonderful ef- fects follow a fit of anger. After an outburst of passion the function of every gland in the body is impaired. Time and time again, I have observed acute illness in an infant when it was permitted to nurse immediately after the mother had engaged in a quarrel, and on more than one occasion I have seen death follow within a few hours. The standing army of the human body is the corpuscles of the blood. Upon them we depend to heal the wounds, build new tissue and attack the poisonous bacilli that may attempt to enter our systems. Thought produces disease because of its action on the corpuscles of the blood. These corpuscles are wonder- fully influenced by the mind. An out- raged conscience; hate, envy, anger and fear crush the vitality out of them and leave the citadel of life exposed. But faith, hope, happiness and love create them and send them swarming through the body until every fiber and tissue throbs with life. This is demonstrated by the microscope. Charles Gilbert Davis. —— ooo Let There Be Effective Light. An effective window display makes sales. An effectively lighted window display makes sales at night. A well- lighted window will draw a crowd which will increase the number of the next day’s sales. The principles of good lighting are: 1. Conceal the lights. Even electric lights are no longer a novelty and people will not look at merchandise displayed under a light that makes them blink. 2. Keep the bulbs, lamps and reflectors clean. A film of dust on an electric bulb, though hardly noticeable, will cut the light of the bulb down 20 per cent. 3. Arrange the window light- ing so that the illumination is on the merchandise. Reflectors are great helps. 4. Use effective backgrounds and arrange the merchandise to pro~ duce the results you want. A white background causes colored objects to stand out by contrast, a gray back- ground makes a good neutral tint. A glass-backed window that allows a view of the interior of the store dis- tracts the attention of the passer-by from the merchandise. It is not enough to have an attractively lighted window, it must be different from the windows of the stores in the vicinity. As soon as someone else on the block adopts your window devices it is time to get something new. — +o The man who wastes time wastes money because he throws away oOp- portunities for making money. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN PRICES CURRENT ON STAPLE DRY GOODS. List prices corrected before going to press, but not guaranteed against changes. Bleached Musliins. 15 AUG 2 Fruit of the Loom -- Outings and Cantons. Cashmere Twill Wool Gocds. 36 in. Hamilton, All 17% 27 in. Unble. Canton 14 r ~ a 14% 100 Flannelette __-_. a. ee Sabot OS 1931 Outing Lights - 13% — Serge 1 87% 44 in. Indian Hd. S.F. 26 1921 Light Outings 13% No, 4040 50 in. Storm Bie Injen —___.____ 12%, Scotchdown Shaker - 15 Serge . : 10 Tonsdale 2 16 Appledown Shaker -. 15 ean ie ae Hope 22.) Ho Appledown Shaker -- 16 40 in. Julliards Pla. 1 32% 36 in. Indian Head — 20 24 in. White Shaker 11% 50 in. Julliards Pla. 2 00 33 in. Indian Head -. 18% 26 in. White Shaker 12% 6120, 50 in. French 54 in. Ind. Head L. F. 32% _ os ea _ Serge. 1 50 Unbleached Musiins. = ee K ee in. Storm 81% ha a ae RE ee ek “- 2% Draperies and Cretonnes. 2215, 60 in. Storm aa 12% Hamilton Twill --.- 16 ae. 1 22% 40 in. Wxposition -. 13% Dresden. By. connie 18 56 in. All Wool 40 in. 96A ~------- — 12% wa trae oo i aa Costing 22 2 00 Pillow Tubing. Westmoreland Creto. 16 D RN Tricotine -. 1 65 42 in. Seneca -.----- 32% pts) ee eee 16% 45 in. Seneca ------- 34% atfor retonne— 43 ik. Pepperell... 32% 3644 D. B. Scrim —-- 13% pore ayia 45 in. Pepperell ---- 33% 8177 Curtain Net --- 35 eertana, White --.--- 42 36 in. Edwards -.--. 26% 8432 Curtain Net -_--. 621% Peerless, Colors ------ 48 42 in. — Head — Hen oe oa cee pone = 42 in apot _-... Tr mn Drapery ---- 42 in. Cabot -------- 934 36 in. Art Cretonne 25 4, ; Diane Clint. 42 in. Pequot i 35 36 in. Elco Tapestry_ 30 in. Seconds ------ 75 45 in. Pequot ------ 37% 20 in, 2 Tae 40 in. Quinebaug --- 380 Linings and Cambrics. = 22 tn, __----.------- _ 1 86 Denim, Drills and Ticks, 2c? 2 sete — Ty 36 fe. ———___--- 1 @ : No. 40 Blk. Satine .~ 16% 220 Blue Denim ---- 18% No.1 White Satine - 14% aie _. 1 60 240 Blue Denim — 117 No. 50 Percaline --. 16% 30 in. ~-------..--~--- 1 7% 260 Blue Denim ---- 16 DD Black Satine -. 25 Steifels Drill ------- 17% + Satin Finished Satine 42% N & Oz. Convene oe 17% Raidant Bloomer Sat. 4 otions. ‘oes rmour, * 36 in. Printed Satine : 8 OZ. ~~~-----~---== 27% Windsor Cambric --- 09 1225-F Boston Garters 2 25 Cordis, ACA Tick... 26 Parkwood Wash Sat. 57% Rubber Fly Swatters 90 horndyke y. Sat. : ober eedles —.... 2 60 cee ak oO. Suak Neetas 10 Cambrics and Longcloths. 5-4 Mossaics --------- 3.10 . : Per Box. Berkley, 60 Cambric 19 5-4 Blue Figure ----- 3.25 Steel Pins, S. C. 300 42% Berkiey. oe ag :. White =e 4.25 Steel Pins, M. C. 300 46 erkley ains’ -4 Hancy —-___._.__ 4.10 Bras . Ss. & Grr Gory, 60 Camb. 18% 6-4 Sanitas __— eo ee ee oe Old Glory, 60 Nain. 18% All oll cloth sold net cash, — ee amon ill, ain. no discount. Diamond Hill, Camb. 16% Coats Thread -------- 59 77 Longcloth ------ 13% Flags. Doz. Clarks Mile-End Td. 59 81 Longcloth ~------ a 16x24 in. Spearheads 1 32% J. J. Clarks Thread_ 56 84 Longcloth ------ % 18x30 in. Spearheads 1 90 Gainsborough Hairnets Gi pe at iey, 24x36 in. Spearheads 2 9 phasic inainia 1 00 Se-s-* Each ’ 7003 Longcloth ~.---- 19344 3 : ' Gainsborough Hairnets 7004 Longcloth ~----- uy Dit Nise pees 60 Meek ———— oo oon 5x8 ft. Reliance Prt. 1 90 : Ginghams. ve 6x9 ft. Reliance Prt. 2 90 R. M. C. Crochet Cot. 175 A. BF. C. —--——---—--= 8x12 ft. Reliance Prt. 4 26 8-4 Clarks Crochet Cc. 290 Toile du Nord ------ 18% 4x6 ft. Defiance Swd. 200 Silkine Crochet Cotton 90 Red Rose ---------- 17% 5x8 ft. Defiance Swd. 2 75 : Dan River ---------- 17% 6x9 ft. Defiance Swd. 3 60 Sansilk Crochet Cot. 565 Everett Classics ---- 15 8x12 ft. Defiance Swd. 5 20 Dexters’ Knitting ‘Amoskeag Staples -- 12% 10x16 ft. Defiance Swd 8 00 Cotton, White ----- 1 60 Haynes Staples ---- 12% 6x9 ft. Sterling Wool 7 50 Dexter's Knitting toes a 32 in. 3% 8x12 ft. Sterling wot 50 Cotton, Blk., col’d.. 1 75 Treffan 32 in. ------ 27% : ross Allies’ Yarn, bundle. 6 50 B. M. C. ener mie ee Fleishers Knitted er j oe e career _ oc 40 Sheets and Pillow Cases. Worsted, skeins __. 2 30 Gilbrae, 32 in. --- 45 63x90 Pequot Blea... 15 85 Fleischers Spanish 32 in. iaaue — “ oan Beauot Lae Be a Worsted, balls ---- 2 60 anville ambray - equo ea. : : Red Seal Zephyr --. 18 72x99 Pequot Blea._. 19 00 ai este vg oe, ” 81x90 Pequot Blea.__ 18 85 ee ' Prints and Percales. Less 6% Fleishers Saxony, ba. 3 70 Columbia, Lights -- 13% 81x90 Standard ---. 13 50 Fleishers Knitted oe — oe 8 pion biter se oo Worsted, balls __-- 2 60 Am. n reys — equo ain . - 4m. Prints, Greys —- 14 45x36 Pequot Plain 456 “"Yicather. balls mas Manchester 80x80 Lt. 18 42x36 Pequot S. S. -~ 5 32 : 7 Box Manchester 80x80 Dk. 19% 45x36 Pequot S. S. --5 56 Ironweave Handkfs 00 Scout, 64x60, Lights 12% Less 5% : oe Scout, 64x60, Darks- a ene oe Z 2 76 Rit Dye Soap -------- 80 Shirtings --~- x: nox 2... 0 Wolverine D hn € Reds - es ee Oe 42x36 Standard --.... 3 15 Net oe ee 80 Childs’ Walsts. Hosiery—Men’s. aoe a ve waa-- == -- === -— aoe Men’s 176 Needle Cotton Cut Toe 1 00 ‘‘Bear’”’ i Be 2 ee 7 : “Re J” Muslin Waist §2 25, $3 50 4 50 7 200 needle full combed yarn ‘us Ladies’ Knit Summer Vests. 1x1 Rib Gauze Vest, Bodice Top, V nk., Band top ect. reg. SZS. 36-38 2 00 extra sizes 40-42 -44 Mercerized 1x1 and 2x1 rib vests, Asst. Styles, reg. sizes 36x3: extra sizes 40-42-44 ~------------- 5 00 Ladies’ Knit Summer Union Suits. Men’s 220 needle full merc. hose ~~ 2 85 Men's 240 needle fiber silk hose ~.- 4 50 5 Men’s pure silk hose ~------------- 6 00 Nelson’s Rockford socks, bdls. ~--- 1 20 § i. 4 50 Nelson’s Rockford socks, bdls. ~.-- 1 30 Nelson’s Rockford socks, bdls, ---- 1 50 12 Cut Double Carded, Asst. Style, reg. size 36-38 extra sizes 40-42-44 —------------ — 5 25 14 Cut Combed Yarn, Asst. Style, Regular Sizes 36-38 -------------- 6 00 Extra Sizes, Ae 6 50 14 Cut Mercerized Lisle, Asst. Styles, “Regular Sizes -------------------- 7 50 Extra Sizes —--.------------------- 8 00 Hosiery—Misses and Ladies. Misses 300 needle combed hose, bxd. 1 doz. $2.25 on 7 rise 10 fall 05 Boys’ 3 Ibs. on 9, extra clean yarn on 8 (RI10F5) -------------------- 2 25 Ladies’ 220 needle combed yarn hose, seamed back ---~-------——- 2 50 Ladies’ 220 needle merc, hose with 440 needle rib. top fashion seam in back ~-------------------------- 5 25. Ladies’ fleeced hose, hem top ------ 2 25 Ladies’ fleeced hose, rib. top ------ 3 00 Ladies’ fieeced hose, rib. top ------ 3 26 Infants Hoslery. Cashmere, Silk Heel and Toe, 60 per cent. Wool -------------- 412% Infants’ Cotton Hose 1x1 Rib ------ 1 00 Infants’ Mercerized 1x1 Rib ------ 2 50 Infants’ Fibre and Wool Hose -----. 6 50 Boys’, Misses and Ladies’ Hoslery. Misses 1x1 Cotton Ribbed Hose $1.85 on 7 R. & F. 5c Boys’ 2x1 Cotton Ribbed Hose $2.25 on 8 R. 10c, F. 5c Bathing Suits for Spring Delivery. Men’s all pure worsted, plain --— 22 50 Men’s all pure worsted with chest stripes 27 00 to 33 00 Ladies’ all pure worsted, plain --. 25 00 Ladies’ all pure worsted striped and color combinations -------- -- 27 00 up 2? Athletic Underwear For Spring. B.V.D.’s, No.01, Men’s union suits 12 62% Seal Pax, No. 10, union suits — 10 50 Men's 72x80 Nainsooks, may be Bad at 7 25 to 9 00 — Soisettes, highly mercerized : a o- sib hl SEES Men’s No. 150 ‘Hallmark’ 72x80 Nainsook ~~ ..---.--------<<-<-<- $ 9 75 Men’s 64x60 Nainsooks ---------- 6 50 Men’s 84 Square Nainsooks ---- 9 00 Men’s Fancy Nainsooks -------- 00 Wide and Medium Stripes. B. V. D. Shirts and Drawers, Shirts 6 87% Drawere ~-..--——..---.8- ee 7 26 B. V. D. Athletic Style No. U-101 12 62% U-D Youth's B. V. D. ~----------- 8 60 Boys’ ‘‘Hanes’’ No. 756, 72x80, Nainsook Union Suits ~-..------ 7 25 Boys’ ‘Hanes’ No. 856, 72x80, Union Suits ~~.-..------...--.--=- 6 25 Boys’ 64x60 Union Suits -------- 5 00 Boys’ 72x80 Union Suits -------~~ 5 6 2 LSSI—Girls “Sealpax’”’ pin ch’k N’sk. 8 50 LBBI—Boys’ ‘‘Sealp.’’ pin ch’k N’sk. 8 50 Men’s and Boys’ Cotton Underwear for Spring. Men’s Egypt Balbriggan Shirts and Drawers ~.---.-———._---—--- $ 4 50 Men’s Egypt Balbriggan Union Suits 0 Men’s Egypt Ribbed Union Suits 8 00 Lawrence Balbriggan Shirts and POAC ES i on eerie 7 60 Men’s Cotton Ribbed Union Suits, Egyption --------.----~-- 8 50 Men’s Combed Yarn Cotton Union Suits, Egyption -~---------~------ 12 00 Boys’ Balbriggan Union Suits, Egypt 4 50 Men’s Dress Furnishings. Slidewell collars, linen or soft _... 1 60 Neckwear 2 10, 3 75, 4 50, 6 00, 7 50 9 00 Flannel night shirts -~...---------- 10 50 Dress pants —................ 22 50 to 48 00 Muttiers 2... 12 00 to 19 50 Dress Shirts —....._..._..._ 8 00 to 48 00 Laundered stiff cuff shirts, 80 sq. percale .------.------------------- 16 60 President and Shirley suspenders -. 4 50 Men’s ‘“‘Linine’’ Collars, per box 34% Men’s ‘Challenge’ cleanable, doz. 2 75 Men’s Wash Ties ------ $1 35, $2 00 2 75 Men’s Muslin Night Shirt, doz. --- 9 00 Men’s Muslin Pajamas, per doz... 16 50 Men’s Work Furnishings. No. 220 overalls or jackets ------ 13 50 No. 240 overalls or jackets ------- 12 00 No. 260 overalls or jackets ------ 10 50 Stiefel rope stripe, Wabash stripe Club or Spade overall or jacket, 2 seam, triple stitched .------.-- 13 50 Coverall khaki ~~ ----....-..--_--- 5 50 Cottonade pants ~--------- 15 50 to 21 00 Black sateen work shirts —---.---- 9 00 Nugget blue chambray work shirts 8 00 Golden Rule work shirts -....-.--. 7 60 Piece dyed work shirts ~--..--.-- 50 a 6 Best Quality work shirts ~~ 9 00 to 16 50 Work suspenders _~-~------- 225 to 7 Shirley Police or X Back work Sus. 4 : Boys’ Furnishings. Knickerbockers -~.--------- 6 00 to 15 00 Mackinaws —--~-----..—-- _. 4 %5 to 8 50 Overalls, Brownies, etc. ~. 6 50 to 9 00 Youths’ Wabash stripe overall —— 10 26 Coverall 12 00 to 16 50 68x72 dress shirts ~-.----~---------- 8 50 “Honor Bright’? Stifels Wabash Stripe Romper, Red Trim ------ 7 50 “Honor Bright’ Khaki Romper, Rea Trha 2. 8 00 “Honor Bright’ Plain Blue Romper, Roa tim 7 50 Play and- Wash Suits --.-$11 00 to 24 00 Boys’ Suspenders, Fish Back, Riat Binds __........... 1 42% Youths’ Suspenders, 28 in. Cross- backs, Lea. Ends ---------------- 2 25 Caps and Umbrellas. Black sateen shop cap, doz. ~-~-- 1 00 Dress caps, men’s, doz. -. 7 50 to 19 50 Dress caps, boys’, doz. ---- 7 25 to 10 25 Men’s & Ladies’ Umbrellas 10 50 to 48 00 Men’s ‘‘Scotch Tweed”’ Caps, Silk Lined, Plated Backs, One Piece Tops, Extra Quality ------------ 18 00 Men’s, Boys’ and Ladies’ Straw Hats, “Peanuts” ---------------- 2 00 Ladies’ Furnishings. Middy Blouses, red, green, or navy wool flannel, each --.----------- 4 00 Serge middy blouses, each -------- 3 50 Voile waists, doz. -------- 9 00 to 15 00 Georgette waists, each ---~-------- 4 00 Crepe De Chine waists, each ------ 3 25 Tricollette waists, each ----------- 3 25 Bungalow percale aprons, dz. 7 50 to $ 50 Bungalow Gingham aprons, doz. 13 50 Gingham house dresses, dz. 24 00 to 48 00 Best sateen petticoats, doz. 9 00 to 13 50 Pettibockers, doz. ----------------- 9 00 Bandeaux, doz. ~----------- 2 25 to 12 00 Brassiers, doz. ------------ 3 25 to 13 59 Silk and cot. Env. Chem, dz. 6 00 to 19 50 “Pricilla’? Sunbonnets, doz. ------ 4 00 Muslin Petticoats ~------- $12 00 to 19 50 Wash or Tub Over Shirts $15 00 to 36 00 Children’s Dresses. Children’s Gingham Dresses $9 00 to 22 50 TRADESMAN April 5, 1922 . Michigan Poultry, Butter and Egg Asso- ciation. lresident—J. W. Lyons, Jackson. Vice-President—VDatrick Iiurley, De- troit. Secretary and Treasurer—Dr. A. 3ent- ley, Saginaw. Executive Committee—F. A. Johnson, Detroit; H. L. Williams, Howell. Cc, dd. Chandler, Detroit. Rules Governing Transportation of Dressed Poultry. Concerning the transportation of dressed poultry, it may be said that it requires expedited service and special equipment by way of refriger- ator Cars. The question of equipping railroads with refrigerator cars is a very serious one, and has been uppermost in the minds of the Interstate Commerce Commission. One of the principal drawbacks which confronts the car- rier is that even though it were to equip itself with a requisite number of cars to care for the normal business originating on its rails, and if every other carrier did likewise, then all would find themselves with great amounts of money tied up in this class of equipment which would be idle most of the year, because “freight” which requires this class of equip- ment is seasonal and for the most part moves in one direction. To con- duct the transportation business suc- cessfully requires loaded movements in both directions and to get a loaded movement for the return of the re- frigerator car to the originating line would require that it be loaded with dead freight and it is claimed that the loading of dead freight in a refriger- ator car soon destroys the car for refrigerating purposes, and _ besides its original cost precludes its use for dead freight. Again, if the carrier, on whose rails the freight originates, should equip itself with cars and if the connecting carrier over whose rails the freight would finally move, failed to equip itself, then we would find the first carrier providing the equip- ment for the second carrier. In this case the first carrier might have a revenue haul of only fifty miles while the second carrier might have a haul of a thousand miles. In such cases the first carrier would soon find all of its equipment on the rails of its connections and ultimately it would find itself worse off than the second carrier which owned no cars of its own. These are a few of the reasons why carriers hesitate to equip with refrigerator cars: and to overcome the difficulties that the condition creates for the public, the plan has been sug- gested of having all refrigerator cars placed in a pool, to be drawn from, by each carrier, as occasion requires. Such a pool ‘would be drawn from to move the apple crop of the Northwest at one season of the year; the fruits and vegetables from the South, South- west and Southeast at another season, and from the dairy producing sections at another season. Those in favor of this plan say that the needs of the en- tire country could be cared for more economically and more efficiently than by any other means. Certain objections have been made to the plan but I believe it is being followed to a greater or less extent—at any rate, dis- tribution during the last year is more efficient than for years past. I cite this at this time merely to show that a so commonplace vehicle as a re- frigerator car, which you men meet in your everyday business, is, after all, a highly specialized vehicle designed for a special purpose. The rate charged for moving freight in such vehicles must of necesesity command a premium over freight moving in an ordinary vehicle just the same as your fancy milk-fed poultry is entitled to command a premium over “general run.” Concerning the rate on dressed poultry: For what appear to be good and sufficient reasons, rate structures usually rest upon the foundation that raw products should move at a lower rate than the finished product. An example is the case of live stock. Contrary to this general rule, is the case of dressed poultry, for here we find that dressed poultry moves at the same class rate as live poultry or a class lower. For example, in Western Territory both live and dressed move at the third-class rate, while in South- ern territory, dressed poultry moves at fourth-class and live moves at third. On carloads in addition to the line- haul rate, a charge is made for ice; in less than carloads, the charge for refrigeration is included in the line- haul rate. At least this is the contention of the National Poultry, Butter and Egg As- sociation and the Interstate Com- merce Commission, in a certain case, has indicated to the carriers that the burden of proving that the contention of the National Poultry, Butter and Egg Association is not correct, rests upon them and it is my understanding that the carriers are now investigat- ing to uncover this proof. Harrison F. Jones. ——_~»+22—__ The merchant who thinks he can- not afford to give dissatisfied cusom- ers their money back does not know what it costs him not to do it. i MAKES THE IDEAL BREAD | ak LOUR Better _ Butter GRASS STANDS FOR QUALITY IN DAIRY PRODUCTS Better Milk EVAPORATED MENT ENT SroRAGE COMPA. BuTors - GRAND RAP! The Repeat Sales makes It profitable for the “Grocers” to handle these lines.’ KENTSTORAGEC OMPAN Y GRAND RAPIDS ~ BATTLE CREEK “Wholesale Distributors ica Dn AI HIRES CRT You'll be surprised when you see our stock of Store and Office furniture. Five floors crowded full. Sold for cash or on easy payments. Come in and see us when in the city. GRAND RAPIDS STORE FIXTURE CO. 7 lonia Ave. N. W. Grand Rapids, Michigan Order a bunch of GOLDEN KING BANANAS of ABE SCHEFMAN & CO. Wholesale Fruits and Vegetables 22-24-26 Ottawa Ave. Grand Rapids, Mich. WHEN YOU THINK OF FRUIT—THINK OF ABE. M. J. DARK & SONS GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Receivers and Shippers of All Seasonable Fruits and Vegetables We are in the market to buy and sell POTATOES, ONIONS, BEANS, FIELD SEEDS Any to offer, communicate with us. Moseley Brothers, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH Both Telephones Pleasant Street, Hilton Ave. & Rallroads. Ask about our way BARLOW BROS. Grand Raplds, Mich. MILLER MICHIGAN POTATO CO. Wholesale Potatoes, Onions 5 Correspondence Solicited Frank T. Miller, Sec’y and Treas. Wm. Alden Smith Building Grand Rapids, Michigan aise 9B: ss ii April 5, 1922 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Late News From Saginaw Council. Saginaw, April 4—Some meeting, some class of candidates and No. 43 has again made good. We told the Grand Council we would have an in- crease in membership in 1922 and we have proven that a real organization, acting unitedly, can put over the trick. At our regular meeting and election, March 18, we initiated in full ritural- istic form twenty-eight new members into the mysteries of You-See-Tee ism. It was a splendid meeting, well attended and with plenty of pep and enthusiasm. The results of the elec- tion were as follows: Senior Counselor—Archie E. Dor- man. Junior Counselor—Albert Munger. Past Counselor—Oren M. Leidlein. Secretary-Treasurer—Geo. A. Pitts. Conductor—Clayton N. Smith. Page—William E. Choate. Sentinel—Joseph Frost. Members of the Executive Com- mittee—Charles Adams and Thomas Pattinson. The following ten were elected as first delegates to the Grand Council at Muskegon: Dorman, Leidlein, Lynch, Fox, Bremer, Rutherford, Mac Ar- thur, Gilbert, Brown and Foley. After the newly-elected officers were fittingly installed by Past Grand Counselor, H. D. Ranney, the newly- elected Past Counselors—Lynch, and Fox and Leidlein—were each preésent- ed with a Past Counselor’s jewel. The Council extends its heartiest congratulations to Archie Dorman and predict a splendid year for No. 43 un- der his administration. The Grand Junior Counselor, of Indiana, Mr. Burhans, was our guest of the evening and gave a very nice address. As your retiring Senior Counselor, I wish to personally thank my fellow officers, the committee members who served with me and every counselor for giving to the organization s* un- tiringly of your efforts. To the in- coming Senior Counselor and other officers, I wish to assure you of my sincere congratulations and my de- sire to be of service to you at any time. The Ladies Auxiliary held their regular business meeting and election of ofcers March 16. The following officers were elected: President—Mrs. Otto Kessel. Vice-President—Mrs. Lyman. Secretary—Mrs. Clarence Wolgast. Treasurer—Mrs. A. D. LeFevre. Member of the Executive Commt- tee—Mrs. Kirk Williams and Mrs. Harry Doersam. We know from the personnel of the officers of the Ladies Auxiliary that a splendid year is assured for this body and Saginaw Council, No. 43, ex- tends to Mrs. Kessel and her col- leagues our best wishes and the as- surance of our co-operation during her term of office. About forty-five members of Sag- inaw Council have organized a You- See-Tee club, which will meet every Saturday noon at the Bancroft Hotel, according to present plans. The first meeting was held Saturday, March 25, and the following officers were elected: President—H. L. Rutherford. Vice-President—Al Bohrer. Secretary—George A. Pitts. Board of Directors—three year term, Sidney Downer; two year term, Stan- ley Egglestone; one year term, Ar- thur Lee. Under the leadership of these offi- cers the success of the You-See-Tee is practically assured. John D. Martin, of Grand Rapids, was our guest at the last meeting and was voted an honorary membership. Every resident member of Saginaw Council should belong to this club. Its association will help to broaden your understanding of the commer- cial, civic, State and National affairs and will aid in making your You-See- ~ Tee Council bigger and better in every respect. Every member get a mem- ber and also remember April is es- pecially set aside to get new members for the Burial Fund Association. Let’s make this 100 per cent. O. M. Leidlein. Dry Vegetables. You get a notion of what “dehy- dration” means when you sce a bushel basket of sweet potatoes that have been submitted to the process, and alongside of it, a can containing five gallons of water which has been ex- tracted from those potatoes. Pretty soon the everyday housewife will be able to do this sort of thing for herself. A company has been or- ganized in New York to manufacture a domestic dehydrator that will sell for $25. It will have a capacity for twelve quarts of berries, or shelled peas, or equivalent quantities of other fruits or vegetables. Provided with such an apparatus the housewife can buy vegetables and fruits in the seasons when they are cheap, reduce them by drying to a small fraction of their original bulk and weight, and store them in small space in her pantry, or in a dry cellar. If protected from attack by insects they will last indefinitely. Tomatoes, celery, spinach and cab- bage are 92 per cent. (or over) water. Squash is 94 per cent., onions 91 per cent. and apples 85 per cent. water. —_+2>—_—_- Coconuts as Food. In the near neighborhood of New Guinea is a beautiful island called Kabaka, which was owned by an Austrian named Engelhardt, exiled for some political offense, who died not long ago. Englehardt was known as the “apostle of the coconut.” Having acquired the island by purchase, many years ago, he planted every possible acre of it with coconut palms, the fruit of which he believed to be the only proper food for man. He sub- sisted exclusively on coconuts, and his only drink, except water, was coconut milk. But, although a crank on this subject, he did not force his ideas upon others. He gave admir- able dinners, at which the food was varied and the wines excellent. Englehardt was a man of profound learning, and his coconut plantation yielded him a large income. People invited to stay at his house were luxuriously lodged; but he himself always slept on a bed of clean sand which was spread freshly every day. ——-_-$-—o———— Tradesman vs. Attorney General. Mount Clemens, April 4—As a long- time reader of the Tradesman, permit me to congratulate you upon your well-earned victory in the great field of justice to your readers in your present controversy with the Attorney General of Michigan. We know full well with what earnestness you have pursued your duties for many years. Men of courage to do things are the greatest boon to prosperity in a free country like ours and we find in you a most worthy exponent. You are doing your duty fearlessly, faithfully and well, in passing judg- ment with all your efforts and will always enjoy the consolation that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, the admira- tion, respect and esteem of all honor- able men and the approbation of Him to whom we all must render our last balance sheet. C. B. Mansfield. —_—_—_~22.>—__ The fellow you think has a soft snap is very likely envying you. There are no soft snaps. The Vinkemulder Co. Grand Rapids offers for Easter demand— Fancy ‘Tomatoes and complete stock Iceburg Head Lettuce Hot House Cucumbers Celery, Spinach, Radishes fruit. Quality — Reasonable Prices — Service PIOWATY METHODS INSURES TO YOUR St M. PIOWATY & SONS, of Michigan PLEASURE AND PROFIT FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DEPT. O&L than other packers. Old Manse Syrup It always pays to Distributed by Packed by OELERICH & BERRY CO. Ginger Cake and Red Hen Brands = chs,