ba 9'24F@ . LIS III OBO IES 7 RAL ENG OF50 2 ONO TAINCERABIL “SiN oe) LL SES Ab g SF EIA WIN O 2 GWII/ZZS ZS 5H ) ) DLPIAN EE Sere ey BZ A) La [own ars OWs Se NY oe San 2 aw MG % l NEN ' Y O UE KS oD Cia | , PUBLISHED WEEKLY (GRE b> TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS STII OWLS TEI PES POSE GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1924 Number 2102 Forty-first Year | 10%) " oa AVERY MAN start- ‘ ing out in business Aa SS) Will have to °0 Over a hard road and find out its turnings for himself. But he need not go over his road in the dark, if he can | take with him the light of other men’s experience. JOHN WANAMAKER More Miles fer Gallon- Lower Hauling Costs — © le of the easiest ways for you to reduce the cost of operating your automobiles and trucks, is to use a gasoline which gives more miles per gallon. Fuel is one of the most im- portant items of expense. An addition of only one more mile, from each gallon you now use will reduce your fuel bill from 6% to 25%, a substantial saving during the course of the year. It is possible for you to secure this saving if you will realize that there is a difference in the many brands of gasoline, just as there is a difference in the quality of the other products which you buy. Other car and truck owners have found that RED CROWN GASOLINE gives more power, more miles per gallon than do many other brands of gasoline. The reason for this is obvious. Red Crown is made for only one purpose—to produce poWwer in the modern internal combustion engine. Red Crown is made to definite specifications, determined after a careful study of all factors necessary to make your engine function properly. Consequent- ly there is not a wasted drop of Red Crown. It gives your machine a quick start, an easy pick-up, and all the power your engine will develop. More miles per gallon mean less cost per mile. Decide now to use Red Crown and reduce your hauling costs. “What Is Good Gasoline?” business library. 910 S. Michigan Ave. =e Realizing the importance to the truck owner of a clear knowledge of what constitutes good gasoline, we have prepared a booklet in which the subject is discussed in simple, non-technical language. Now in its fourth edition, the booklet is regarded by many as a valuable addition to their A copy will be sent you with our compliments if you will request it on your letterhead. Address our nearest branch office or write direct to Standard Oil Company (INDIANA) Chicago, Illinois Michigan Branches at Detroit, Grand Rapids and Saginaw IEEE SSSSSCSESSSSESSESCE SESE EERE) y om i ciel a. > \ = ay = Dut ae oe ¢ 2m &.- Lerma « eS 7 os i ” pees: More ae y 7 aa; i A\\ oy we eS St (Fg ADESMAN Forty-first Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1924 Number 2102 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN (Unlike any other paper.) Frank, Free and Fearless for the Good That We Can Do. Each ‘ssue 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 Sept. 23, 1883, at the Postoffice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. BUSINESS VISTA CLEARER. A lull in business activity usually marks this ‘time of year, and the pres- ent is no exception. The close of one year and the opening of another make up a kind of milestone in actuality as well as in accounting, and are taken advantage of in settling up old activi- ties and preparing for new ventures. As the end of one period and the be- ginning of another, the gains or losses of the former are made clear and mis- takes of judgment or policy become apparent. At the same time there is occasion to observe changes in con- ditions affecting trading and the in- dications for the future that are likely to influence it. A year ago there was much more uncertainty in these re- spects than there is now. At that time business embarrassments had shown a steady increase for several months and these came to a peak in January last. What made this rise in business mortality more notable was that it was accompanied by higher commodi- ties prices. Another period of infla- tion in values was predicted by many persons -usually well informed, who also seemed to expect another “buyers’ strike’ in consequence. As it hap- pened, however, the predictions were not fulfilled and the course of the year was marked by a high degree of gen- eral prosperity in nearly every mier- cantile line. In the basic commodities the slump in wheat prices, the ravages of the boll weevil in the cotton fieids and the low price of potatoes in the Northern states were the only notable exceptions to what was otherwise a fairly satisfactory business situation. Just now the vista is clearer than it was at the beginning of the year and the outlook is more promising. No one expects anything like a boom and few would welcome one for that matter. The trend of prices still con- tinues upward, with wages to corres- pond, but without the added produc- tion which the wage scales would call for and which must sooner or later be attained if anything like stability and normality is to be reached. Mer- chandising under the circumstances has become a little more difficult and success will only come to those who have the ability and prudence which the situation calls for and who have taken to heart the lessons of the last two or three years. It is no time for kite flying or speculation, but for cau- tious buying and quick selling, and this is the policy most in evidence now and likely to continue for some time to come. Still, normal needs must be attended to and nothing can be gained if shelves are bare. The buying power of the country re- mains large, despite the drains on it for excessive cost of food and shelter. How to appeal to it successfully is the problem of the merchant. This is not so easy a task as it might seem. Sports and diversions of one kind or another continue to exert a spell over many. Amusements, the automobile, the radio outfits and similar things are absorbing an ever-increasing pro- portion of the average income, and special appeals are needed to divert an adequate quantity to what have been usually assumed to be necessi- ties. DOMINANT LEADERSHIP. There have been instances of a per- son’s ‘hair turning gray in a Single night, but this is nothing to what has happened to Henry ford. Before he came out for Coolidge he was, accord- ing to no less an authority than William J. Bryan, a friend of the masses. According to certain Re- publican newspapers, he was a wrong- headed individual whose influence up- on the popular imagination was the most dangerous political fact of the time. Mr. ford wrote a few lines an- nouncing that he was not a candidate for the Presidency and that he was in favor of the election of President Coolidge, and his character under- went a complete change. Mr. Bryan took another look at him and found that instead of being a friend of the masses he was an enemy of the masses. Republican newspapers also looked and found that instead of be- ing wrong-headed he had a remark- able faculty for seeing the truth. If Mr. ford has any sense of humor he must be greatly amused at these sudden discoveries of his true nature, but there is more than mere amuse- ment in the episode of the ford boom. For a while politicians in both of the old parties were frankly alarmed over the possibility that he might be placed in nomination at one of next year’s National conventions. What was the basis of their fear? Mr. ford had had little political experience. He obvious- ly had no skill in political manipula- tion. ‘What disturbed the politicians was that his name was the center of a popular interest which might sweep aside all obstacles. Organization may be met by organization, but a wave of public feeling cannot be fooled with. Henry ford’s hold on the public, in so far as he had such a hold, was due to the magic touch which the public thought it saw in his business opera- tions. But the condition that gave this more or less mistaken public feeling its political importance was the lack of political leadership at Washington. Not ford’s own achieve- ments simply, but those achievements projected against the background of a floundering Congress made ford a political figure. Every manifestation of leadership which has marked President Coolidge’s conduct of ‘his office has reduced ford’s political po- tentialities. By the same token, that leadership is the most effective way of reducing the chances of Hiram Johnson or any other aspirant for Mr. Coolidge’s place. Lack of leadership in the White House will compel the country to seek it elsewhere. In the very difficulty of his task lies Mr. Coolidge’s opportunity. He has made a good beginning. It is now for him to follow it up by unmistakable evi- dence of his determination to be the leader that a country likes to see in its President. THE WEATHER BUREAU. When people get tired of talking about the weather they talk about the Weather Bureau. The easiest way yet devised of proving that you have a sense of humor is to speak of the lack of team-work between the bureau and the weather. But even a sense of humor which never wearies of this joke will hardly account for an an- nual appropriation of $1,500,000. The country might be willing to spend something for the sake of keeping the jest alive but not that much. This surmise is borne out by Secretary Wallace’s report of the activities of the Weather Bureau for the past year. We do not mean to give the im- pression that Secretary Wallace claims actual control over the weather. He does not go quite that far—at least, in this report. But he does hold that the Weather Bureau by its forecasts enables persons in various occupa- tions to adapt their plans to weather conditions, which is the next thing to being able to order the kind of weather you want. There are the shippers of perishable foods and other products, for instance. By being told of hot and cold waves in advance they can arrange their shipments in such a way as to avoid the wrong temperature and thus escape heavy losses. Timely information makes it possible for a railroad to maintain its traffic uninterruptedly by being ready to remove. snow without delay. Ves- sels on the Great Lakes are able to leave port at the earliest moment after the coming of a storm at which a departure is safe. The newspaper reader who on the strength of a “Fair to-day” notice de- cides not to take his umbrella down town with him and, as a result, is caught in a rain finds it hard to be- lieve that the Weather Bureau is a beneficial agency. He little knows of the saving which a single warning often makes possible. Mistakes in the day-to-day forecast of the weather are inconvenient rather than damag- ing. A hundred such misses do not cause a tenth of 1 per cent. of the loss which is prevented again and again in the course of a year by a single fore- cast of a storm or a flood. Secretary Wallace is clearly within the truth when he speaks of hundreds of dollars in economic benefit to the Nation for one spent on the bureau. Old Prob- abilities is worth his salt. THE FAILURE RECORD. In one respect at least the closing months of this year are not very re- assuring. The number of business embarrassments shows an_ increase, which brings the year’s total very near the record ones of the two pre- ceding years. The liabilities involved, which are also larger for the last twelvemonth than for any others save 1921 and 1922, make a total, accord- ing to Dun’s figures, of $530,532,000. In December, likewise, the number of failures has been larger than in any since January. Such an increase is not unusual at this time of year, when things generally come to a head and a decision is reached whether or not to try and pull through for another period. It is a culmination of the year’s reverses. If matters run ac- cording to form, the number of fail- ures next month should also be large. But after that should come the cus- tomary drop to lower figures. The large number of marks the winnowing out of concerns run with poor judgment or without ade- quate capital to tide them ‘over a period of uncertainty. It also indi- cates that business in general is not insolvencies yet what it should be. It may be also that the credit-granting agencies may be a fac- tor in the result. But whatever the cause or causes may be, the outcome is disconcerting and unsettling for the time being. It shows that there is still much to be done before business con- ditions get to the point where merely the ordinary risks have to be taken greater conservatism of into account. This will only come when, no matter what the levels may be, the ratios of prices of commodities are better equalized, and one class is not unduly benefited at the expense of another. 2 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 2, 1924 No Just Hotel Complaints Presented By U. C. T. Battle Creek, Jan. 2—R. Lee Pfeif- fer, who is the son-in-law of Walter Barnes, of the Hotel Rickman, at Kalamazoo, and formerly interested with the latter in its operation, has just purchased the lease and furniture of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, at Birming- ham, Alabama. Mr. Pfeiffer has had much experience as a landlord, and will undoubtedly make a success of his new venture. In a circular sent out by the hotel committee of the Grand Council of the U. C. T., mention is made of the fact that during 1923, but one written complaint was made of ill treatment of its members by any individual ho- tel in the State, and an investigation which was made at the time proved that this was unfounded. In this report mention is made of the fact that upon invitation of the Michigan State Hotel Association, a committee of the U. C. T. appeared before that body at their annual con- vention at Flint and discussed many matters of interest, among them being the question of the posting of rates in hotel rooms. In Wisconsin, by a legislative act, each hotel is compelled to post in each room the single and double rates for the occupancy of such rooms, in order, it is claimed, to prevent the advancing of rates on the occasion of conventions and other gatherings of unusual size. There does not seem to be any gen- eral opposition to this move on the part of Michigan landlords and, no doubt, some action will be taken on the subject on the occasion of the next hotel convention, with the probable result of the adoption of some plan mutually agreeable, without the inter- vention of the Legislature. Some hotels, like the Statler, have placed in frames in theis rooms such notices as are asked for, while many others at the time of registration sup- ply guests individually with a card giving the rate of the, particular room they are occupying, but the operation of the Wisconsin law, which is copied after similar enactments in other states, has been far from satisfactory, the principal reason being that it is never enforced. Michigan has many laws pertaining to the operation and conduct of hotels which are being violated by unscru- pulous hotel men, and yet we never hear of any prosecutions under such laws. For instance, the law requires that in all public wash rooms only in- dividual textile towels may be used— the roller affair being outlawed. And yet while numerous hotels are using the roller towel, no complaint has ever been recorded. The same applies to sheets, which must be no less than 90 inches in length, and bedding of every descrip- tion must be clean and sanitary, an’ yet a very large number of hotels are daily violators of this enactment, without being hailed up before the bar of justice. I have talked with quite a. number of Michigan landlords on the subject of posting room rates and as yet have not found a single one who has any objection to it, but the fact remains that in every state where such laws are in evidence it has made no differ- ence with the practices of some un- scrupulous operators. There are many ways of dodging it, one being the posting of rates which are “top notch” and then allowing rebates when there are no conventions to take care of. Any law controlling room _ rates, can only prove mandatory so far as maximum charges are concerned. No known legal application can affe- minimum rates, and there is where the shoe pinches. The higher rae will naturally be posted in the room by such as do not contemplate abid- ing by the law, and thereafter the rates will be juggled to suit any emergency. - lord. There is this, however, to commen¢ the efforts of the U. C. T. hotel com- mittee in Michigan, which consists of John D. Martin, chairman, Grand Rapids; E. C. Spaulding, Flint and D. J. Riordan, Lansing. They have ap- proached the hotel men in an amicable spirit, have not appeared unreason- able and there is an evident feeling of willingness on the part of the ‘hot organization to meet them half w- There are other questions besides the posting of hotel rates, which we are all interested in, one of which is the cost of hotel operation in connec- tion with the falling off of ‘hotel pat- ronage. There isn’t a landlord in the State who would not gladly lower his rates if he could. It has been my privilege to look over the balance sheets recently of several of the larger institutions, and in nearly every case an actual loss is shown for the year. Some hotels erected before the ad- vance in the cost of hotel construc- tion came about have sailed much closer to the wind than others, but it is an outstanding fact that in a ma- jority of cases no adequate return has been earned on the main investment. Look at the case of the Hotel Rowe, in Grand Rapids. This hotel, while of modern construction, did not reach peak prices in the building. It possessed all modern equipment, was well conducted and the rates were moderate. And yet Chas. L. Holden, who ‘had been the successful operator of popular hotels in Iowa, was unable to bring to it sufficient patronage to enable him to pay actual running ex- penses, to say nothing of interest charges, and was compelled to relin- quish at a great loss to himself and his holdings in that propertv. No- body complained of the rates or the service, but the business was not to be secured to enable its being run at a profit. Even more unfortunate are the con- ditions surrounding the country land- There are to-day in Michigan, fifty hotels which have been closed this fall because they could not be made to pay, which means that many of them representing large individual in- vestments will not soon, if ever, be again opened. They have been charging higher rates than formerly— were compelled to do so on account of increased cost of operation—but there has not been business enough to make them pay. Thus the Sunday business of the popular country hotel, which in times past was a source of profit, has been almost universally eliminated. Then, agin, the advent of the auto- mobile and the auto bus has cut enor- mous swaths in the business of the country tradesman. His customer purchases have become visibly less and the traveling man has booked less and smaller orders, which made it useless for him to linger in the town like he used to in the old days. Even Detroit, Grand Rapids) and other hotels in the principal cities of the State are running more nearly to the three and four day form, i.e., the period from Friday to Monday show- ing a marked falling off, compared with the good old days before the war. have heard of no instances of “rate kiting’ by operators of legiti- mate hotel property. During con- vention time patrons are asked to “double up’ and no reasonably mind- ed patron will fail to appreciate the equity of such a regulation. The hotel must have the extra trade which the convention provides and at rates which are commensurate. If, in ad- dition to increasing his occupancy, he “kites” his rates,-he is a just subject for criticism and he certainly will hear from it. Frank S. Verbeck. ——_>--—— Items From the Clover land of Michi- gan. Sault Ste. Marie, Jan. 2—Mike Krell and John Waara have purchased the Union Clothing Store, on Ashmun street, from M. J. Adrary. After sell- ing out the old stock, it will be re- placed with a new’ stock. The new firm will establish a high-class cloth- ing store. Both men have had years of experience in the clothing business and stand well with the younger class and know the kind of goods which will get the business. Paquin & McCullough re-opened the Rudd Bakery, on Ashmun street, Dec. 31, which thas been closed for the past year. Both Mr. Paquin and his partner have been cooking for thte Great Lakes Transit Co. during the summer and expect to devote their entire time to the baking business. They are both well acquainted here locally and with the years of experi- ence they both have had at the game, they are starting out with a bright prospect. Miss Wanda Dyer, for the past few years book-keeper for the Corn- well Co., was married Dec. 29 to William J. Butchart, of Duluth. The bride is one of the Soo’s fairest daugh- ters and very popular. She is held in high esteem by her large circle of friends, who extend the best wishes for a bright and happy future. After an extended Eastern trip, the couple will return to Duluth, where they will make their home. The situation around here at pres- ent would seem pretty dark to blind pigs. John McInnis, of the McInnis Grocery Co., met with a serious ac- cident last Friday evening when he was struck by an automobile on East Portage avenue. The car driven by Ed Fournier. Mr. McInnis was walk- ing East on the avenue in the center of the track and Fournier was driving West when the accident occurred, Mr. McInnis, seeing the approaching car, tried to dodge, but got confused and was struck so as to fracture his scull. While it was somewhat serious, the chances for his recovery are favor- able. From what we can learn from our traveling brothers, very few are mak- ing any new resolutions for the new year. Most of them have cut out about all that they can stand now. John Hulbert, of Seattle, Washing- ton is spending the holidays here with relatives. This is Mr. Hulbert’s first visit since he left the Soo ten years ago to make his home in the West. He is accompanied by his wife and daughter. John, as he was known to his ‘many friends, noticed many changes in the old town and noted much improvement during the past ten years. The many friends of Arthur C. Bailey will be pleased to know that he has gone int obusiness for himself at Newark, N. J., where he is dealing in Tartaroff and doing nicely. He sent greetings to his many friends here. Arthur is an old Soo boy who started at the bottom and, after sev- eral knocks, always came u p with a smile. Being full of pep and a work- er, success necessarily crowned his efforts. Christmas put the finishing touches of father’s pocket book. It has thet Christmas feeling. Adolf Wandler, who for the past several years has had charge of the meat department of the Pittsburgh Supply Co., after finishing the season. has opened a new meat market on Swinton street, which will be known as the Superior Meat Market. It will be kept stocked with the best of meats and sausages. Mr. Wandler is an ex- perienced sausage maker, having learned the trade in Germany. If every day was a holiday when would everybody rest up? Fred Shaw, of the firm of Gamble, Robinson & Shaw, wholesale produce merchants, is thankful this year for being lucky on Friday of last week, when he theld the lucky number out of 600 that drew a silk quilt valued at $100. Fred said that Friday was al- ways a lucky day for him. Every New Year three-fourths of the fat people get fatter. We wish you all a Happy New Year. William G. Tapert. EMOTIONAL APPEALS. They Frequently Cause Reaction of Public to Advertising. The most powerful thing in the world is an idea. If that idea is based upon funda- mentals, and you are successful in communicating it to a_ sufficient number of people, it becomes a dominant idea and will carry any man or any business irresistibly on- ward towards success. The idea itself must not only be based upon fundamentals, but the promotion of that idea must be ac- complished by an understanding and an application of fundamental facts. If the idea is intended to. serve only yourself and you count upon its paying dividends only to you as an individual, it will not travel very for. If, however, that idea is designed to serve self by serving others, it will never stop traveling as long as you adhere to that fundamental. When we speak of serving others, we define the word service as mean- ng, satisfying a need, fulfilling a de- sire, or gratifying a want. Now whether we are writing ad- vertising or selling merchandise, the first thing we must discover, after we have established the fundamental idea of service, is whate want we choose to satisfy. The great desire of all human be- ings is for comfort—mental and physical comfort. To illustrate: A good book brings mental comfort, while appetizing food or well fitting clothes, shoes, or hats bring physical comfort. If you want to bring mental com- fort to a man, it is only necessary for you to recall to him the most fascinating story he ever read, the most tuneful song he ever heard, or the greatest piece of music by which he was ever thrilled. If you want to appeal to his physi- cal sense it is only necessary to call to his mind some very appetizing dish which he has eaten, or pos- sibly remind him of the refreshing quality of spring water as it im- pressed him after a long hike over the road. The first idea, then, is to deter- mine whether your merchandise sat- isfies a need, fulfills a desire, or gratifies a want. Then it must be pictured as satis- fying a mental or a physical want. Now mental wants are aroused by the desire for relaxation, or relief from worry. A bank account relieves worry. A good book relaxes the mind. Pic- tures excite the imagination, and music soothes the troubled soul. Physical wants may be gratified by such a commonplace thing as a safety razor, a cake of soap, or a comfortable pair of shoes. Now that we have established the character of the want, we must arouse an appreciation of the mer- chandise we sell by appealing to the five human senses—sight, feeling, hearing, atmosphere or smell and taste. Pictures can be sold on sight alone. Shaving soap can be sold on feeling. January 2, 1924 The Victrola can be sold on an ap- peal to the sense of hearing. Per- fume can be sold on an appeal to the sense of smell. Coca Cola can be sold on an appeal to the sense of taste. But autombiles, and many other commodities, require an appeal to all five senses. Therefore, we emphasize mental and physical wants and offer com- fort by an appeal to the five senses. In the application of the appeal to the senses it is necessary to keep in mind that there are five family fac- tors—four individuals, and one other factor which must be taken into con- sideration. Father thinks in terms of economy. Mother thinks of the childrens op- portunity. Daughter thinks of a happy mar- riage. Son thinks of travel, get-up-and-go. While in every family there is like- ly to be a pet. It may be a Vic- trola, a bank account, a new home, a piano, a radio outfit or an auto- mobile. Since mother and daughter are the most influential factors in every fam- ily, it is well to remember in writing advertising or making a sales apreal to.the family, that there are four vital factors in the great human story. speed, pep, These factors are love, money, ad- venture and_ religion. Now that we have the fundament- als of the appeal, it s necessary for us to determine how we are going to sell tht idea and make the appeal. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN First, we must understand that all human beings are very much alike, and that confidence is the basis of all satisfactory human relations. An advertising man is merely a salesman who, instead of calling up- on millions of people individually, tries to ray his visit in writing with a correspondence course of sales- manship. ‘he first and most necessary thing that a man must rossess, if he were to make a personal call upon a pros- pect, is spirit. That spirit must be characterized by sincerety. ‘ Secondly, he must possess know- ledge of his merchandise, or the facts upon whch his appeal must be based. These facts about his merchandise should not be presented from _ his point of view, but from the point of view of the man who is going to be served by it. Third, he must have the courage to persist in the presentation of that knowledge in a sincere way, but he must be honest in the presentation or else he will find himself en- countering sales resistance due to reaction against statements that the service rendered does not sub- stantiate. The hardest problem in business is to find men who have the spirit, knowledge, courage and honsety to apply themselves to selling in that way. Most of them are weak in _ spirit, superficial in knowledge, lacking in courage and deficient in honesty. You may have all the money in the world, all -the machinery, and your merchandise may be good with an unlimited market, but you must have men who possess those quali- fications to properly present it to the public. Edward F. Jordan. ~~ ___ Petticoats Coming Back Strong. Although the silk slip that has been popular with women for such a long time was slow to relinquish its lead this season, there has been a marked improvement in the demand for petticoats during the last several weeks. They are expected to keep gaining in sales through the early part of the Spring season at least, due to the return to vogue of the tailored suit and the lingerie waist. The tailored effect in suits is re- flected to some extent in the best selling petticoat styles, and, while pleated ruffles are not out of fashion, there are many styles that show only the application of flat bands of ma- terial stitched on in a pattern. Braids are used, and a number of models show only a scalloped bound edge. Radium and pussy-willow silks are the most popular materials in the tailored petticoats, with the less ex- pensive lines also showing silk jersey. 2 Haberdashery Sales Gain Retailers of men’s furnishings are beginning to get. more substantial busi- ness, following a prolonged period of quiet, ascribed mainly to be the mild- ness of the weather. The present activity is considered likely to last until the end of the year, with sales of hol- iday merchandise leading. Retailers’ 3 haberdashery stocks are said to be comparatively light, and if there is any- where near a good holiday turnover the carryover into the new year is not expected to be excessive. The demand for shirts this season has been a dis- appointment to many stores. Silk ones for gift purposes are moving to some extent now. An item in which business has been good is the knitted of it making up in part, at least, for vest. Some retailers have found sales the lack of shirt buying. i at Man Wanted. The Rome (Kansas) Record con- tains the following advertisement: I want a man to work on my farm. I don’t give dancing lessons. I have no piano. I can’t serve planked steak three times a day. I do give three SGuare meals, a real bed and fair wages. lf any man who knows a cow from. talking machine, can hear an alarm clock, and is willing to get up at 5 oclock, wants the jeb. | will agree not to treat ‘him like one of the family, but a darn sight better. Apply at the Steve Wiggin place, Intervale Road. > There is a higher meaning, some- thing broader, deeper, and nobler, in a vocation than making a living or seeking fame. Making a life is the best thing in it. It should be a man- developer, a character-builder, and a great life school for broadening, deep- ening, and rounding into symmetry, harmony, and beauty all the God- given faculties within us. —_+2~.___ There are perhaps slow sellers you must carry in stock, but see that the stock is kept at a minimum and make it sell as fast as possible. Barney Langeler has worked in this institution continu- ously for fifty years. Barney says— My neighbors tell me that Quaker Milk is the best milk for babies but By Golly it must be the best for everybody for we are selling more Quaker Milk than all of the others. WoRDEN KALAMAZOO—LANSING— BATTLE CREEK THE PROMPT S} IPPERS GRAND RAPIDS ROCER ( OMPANY a MICHIGAN TRADESMAN , as 3 Es Pea ae Cu yy (2? Nets <0 le {eS P TRY? a ~gs a 2S= —~——4 eee ESF Ss MOVEMENT OF MERCHANTS. Detroit—Abram & Meckler have opened a meat market at 8522 Twelfth street. Detroit—Pompeo Roosi has bought the grocery of Frank Cucchetti, 3541 Riopelle street. Detroit—Max Oberman opened a delicatessen at 8526 Twelfth street Dec. 22. : Kalamazoo—The Gibson Mandolin Guitar Co. has changed its name to Gibson, Inc. Niles—The National Standard Co. has increased its capital stock from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. Fowlerville—The Commercial State Bank has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $25,000. Royal Oak—The Hazel Park State Bank has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $25,000. Albion—The Albion Lumber Co., 121 East Cass street, has increased its capital stock from $20,000 to $60,000. Detroit—Sied Coury is the new pro- prietor of Shaham Kazan’s grocery and meat market at 1200 Third street. Detroit—Rose Mogilewski has taken over the dairy store at 2304 Hastings formerly conducted by Judia Lachar. Detroit—Abraham Jaroff’s confec- tionery, 503 Milwaukee, avenue, has been transferred to Jonas Keywell and wife. Detroit—The J. L. Hudson Co., 1201 Farmer street, has increased its capital stock from $8,000,000 to $12,- 000,000. Muskegon— The Peoples Steam Laundry Co., 19 Market street, has in- creased its capital stock from $10,000 to $50,000. Detroit — Alexander Slovich pur- chased the drug business at 7419 West Jefferson avenue from Louis Braun recently. Detroit—The Federal Delicatessen and Lunch, operated by H. S. Mees- trich, opened at 215 West Fort street recently. Port Huron—The James A. David- son Co., house. furnishings, has in- creased its capital stock from $30,000 to $120,000. Detroit—Markofsky’s, street, closed Dec. 29. ofsky is the proprietor. tailed footwear. 5928 Chene Morris Mark- The firm re- Detroit—Sam Tenenbaum bought out the General Linen Supply Co., 471 Abbott street, and will conduct the business himself. Grand Ledge—Lee Evert has sold his restaurant and cigar stand to L. L. Martin, recently of Eaton. Rapids, who has taken possession. Wyandotte—William Rossen’s meat market, 405 North Biddle avenue, is being operated by Joe Moliar, who recently bought the fixtures. Lansing—The Davis Laundry Co., 330-32 North Washington avenue, thas purchased the buildings it has oc- cupied for the past 23 years. Detroit—Frank Wojiechowski and wife have sold the Honey Boys con- fectionery to Stefan & Boleslaw Jaw- orski. The store. is located at 5222 Chene street. Detroit—The temporary branch of the George A. Drake Co., downtown stationers, opened at 2453 Woodward avenue for the holiday season, has been dismantled. Detroit—Lynn S. Learned has bought out the share of his partner in the Heat Treat Co., 511 West Fort street, and is now sole owner of the business. Detroit—The grocery store and meat market at 408 East Canfield avenue is being run by William Fish, he having purchased it from Louis Muller. Detroit—Frank and Harry -Cher- mick have sold the grocery at 8843 Linwood avenue, which they recently. bought, to Tom Burnell and Walter B. Smafield. Detroit—Harold A. Ridley has pur- chased the interest of his partner, Clare A. Hosner, in the Ridley-Hos- ner Motor Sales Co., 408 East Can- field avenue. Detroit—Morris J. Segal has been serving the customers of the confec- tionery at 1104 Westminister avenue since Dec. 24. Mr. Segal bought the business from Harry Rubin. Detroit—The Tokheim Products Co., 4614 Woodward avenue, distrib- utors for gasoline and oil storage equipment, has increased its capital stock from $1,000 to $25,000. Ishpeming—Gustay Anderson, who has conducted the Anderson hotel icr more than two years, has purchas- ed the property and will remodel it and make it modern in every detail. Jackson—The Ladies Apparel Shop, 129 East Main street, has been incor- porated with an authorized capital stock of $15,000, $7,500 of which thas been subscribed and paid in in cash. Lansing—The Butier Co., of New York City, has opened the thirtieth store in its chain of ready-to-wear clothing steres, at 209 South Wash- ington avenve, under the management of C. F. Seymour. Saginaw—Nye & Sons, Inc., 824 Janes street, has been incorporated to deal in autos, trucks, parts and ac- cessories, with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, of which amount $15,000 has been subscribed and $12,- 000 paid in in cash. Jackson—The C. & F. Specialty Co., Inc., 155-57 West Main street, thas been incorporated to deal in women’s ready-to-wear clothing, millinery, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $10,000, $1,000 of which has been sub- scribed and paid in in cash. Saginaw—The ice cream _ business of the Parker Dairy Co. has been merged with that of the M. & B. Ice Cream Co. and an agreement made whereby the cream for the manufac- ture of the M. & B. ice cream will be supplied by the Parker Dairy Co. Highland Park—The grocery store at 59 Sturtevant avenue is now owned by Hayden Turrell. The store has passed through several hands during the past two or three months, the last owner being George Durbin, from whom Mr. Turrell purchased the busi- ness on December 31. Highland Park—Robert M. Morton, 64 Manchester street, has merged his box lunch business into a stock com- pany under the style of Robert M. Morton, Inc., to distribute food, con- duct a chain of restaurants, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, all of which thas been subscribed and property. paid in, $10,000 in cash and $15,000 in Manufacturing Matters. Detroit—The E. R. V. Manufactur- ing Co. has been incorporated to manufacture electric therapeutic in- struments. The capital stock is $10,- 000. Detroit—The Textile Service Co., 772 Penobscot building, has been in- corporated with an authorized capital stock of $1,000, all of which has been subscribed and $250 paid in in cash. Kalamazoo—The McIntyre Motor Co., 125 East Water street, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $15,000, all of which has been subscribed and $1,500 paid in in cash, Detroit—The Motor City Stamping Co., 2552 Hart avenue, has increased its capital stock from $150,000 to $150,000 and 15,000 shares of no par value stock which is on the market at $10 a share. Battle Creek—The United Metal Products Co., 27 Fonda avenue, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $750,000 common and $250,000 preferred, of which amount $1,500 thas been subscribed and paid in in cash. Grand Rapids—The Gast Motor Sales Co. Lake Drive at Wealthy street, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $125,000, - $52,150 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Port Huron—The Arctic Ice Co., 311 River street, has been incorpor- ated to manufacture and sell ice, and deal in refrigerating supplies, fuel, building supplies, oil, etc., with an au- thorized capital stock of $40,000, $32,- 000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in property. Manistee— The West Michigan Flooring Co. has merged its business into a stock company under the same style, with an authorized capital stock of $1,000 preferred and 2,000 shares at $1 per share, of which amount $1,000 has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Hillsdale—The Wales Stoker Co. has been incorporated to manufacture and sell devices to eliminate smoke, with an authorized capital stock of Pambisbadbusnabaarusthaee ee .Season, January 2, 1924 $1,000 preferred and 100,000 shares at $1 per share, of which amount 56,75() shares has been subscribed, $3,116 paid in in cash and $45,000 in property. Edmore—The Michigan Farmelec- tric Corporation has been incorpor- ated to market electrical equipment, accessories, motor appliances, etc. with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, of which amount $10,800 has been subscribed arid paid in, $800 :: cash and $10,000 in property. Iron Mountain—M. J. Fox, gener! manager von Platen-Fox Lumber Co announces that during the present ye: the company will have cut 25,000,0()\) feet of lumber, having operated co: tinuously with a day and night crew Logging operations are also continued during the entire year, having amount- ed to 10,000,000 feet of timber during 1923, with four logging camps in op- eration, three in Wisconsin and one in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bay City—W. D. Young & Co., who have been operating a sawmill here during the last thirty years, completed their lumber operations in the Lower Peninsula, and closed the mill the last of November. This company has timber holdings in the Northern Pen- insula, but it is not feasible to bring the logs to Bay City, and consequent- ly it is considering other arrangements for handling this tract. It will con- tinue operating its hardwood flooring mill in this city. +> Must Take Inventory Once a Year. Grand Rapids, Jan. 2—I wonder if all of the merchants of Michigan know that they must take inventory at least once a year. Uncle Sam requires this, so that you can make an-accurate income tax re- port. Even though you have “got by” in the past, some day the inspector will call upon you and often they ask for the report of a year or two back. The fact that you have not made sufficient money to require you to pay an income tax has nothing to do with this report. _ Every business, whether small cr large, must make a report and you can easily figure from this report whether or not you are subject to the individual income tax. But if the Government did not +e- auire you to take inventory you should do so anyway for your own satisfaction. Each year on Jan. 1 we take inven- tory in our store and each time we get information which is absolutely essential. We find out what goods we are long on and what we are short on. ‘We find out if we have made anv money and whether or not we must cut down expenses and what lines are the best sellers. We find out how much we owe and how much is on our books. We decide how much we charge off for bad accounts. oS If any of the merchants in Michi- gan are not taking inventory at this I would certainly urge you to do so at once. It will be an eye opener and once tried you will surely make it an annual occurrence. Paul Gezon. and General must Sec’y Retail Grocers’ Merchants’ Association. ———~o-2- The imagination is a wonderful substitute for wealth, luxuries, and for material things. No matter how poor we may be or how unfortunate—we may be bedridden even—we can by its aid travel round the world, visit great cities, and create the most beautiful things for ourselves. January 2, 1924 Essential Features of the Grocery Staples. Sugar—Local jobbers hold cane granulated at 9.60c and Michigan beet at 9.10c. Tea—The past week the market has been very quiet owing to the holiday season, which invariably slows tea business down. The demand has been the ordinary routine demand from day to day, without material change in any prices. The undertone is still firm, however. Coffee—In spite of the holiday, the market was rather firm during the week, without, however, material change in prices. All grades of Rio and Santos remain unchanged and moderately active. The statements here made refer to most coffees sold green and in a large way. The job- bing market on roasted Santos and Rio is unchanged and quiet. Milds show some little firmness and perhaps a very slight fractional advance over the week before. Canned Fruit—There is so little buying of consequence that no de- velopments have occurred. Distribu- tors are well enough stocked so as not to need replenishment and they are neglecting the coast. Spot sales are mostly to cover shortages. The Cali- fornia line is quiet, while even pine- apple is easy in tone and is in nom- inal demand. Canned Vegetables—Country points maintain their prices on tomatoes, but are more or less idle as there is little buying either carlot or otherwise. Nothing much is expected until in- ventories have been completed. De- spite the quietness all sizes are held at quoted figures. Future trading has been largely limited to peas. Wiscon- sin canners have already sold a con- siderable percentage of their 1924 pack. Standards have sold well so far this season and there is concen- trated interest in No. 4s and No. 5s in sweets and Alaskas of 1924 crop. Packers do not ‘care to sell the cream of their output, but are more and more insisting upon assortments, with a tendency to cut down on the per- centage of standards. Prices are hardening which tends to slow up the buying demand. Spot peas are vir- tually cleaned up in Wisconsin in first hands and resales are held so firmly that there is no free buying. Buying in corn is mostly for transient needs and while there was a big pack there appears to be no big surplus in possession of packers. Strictly fancy lines are not shaded while gen- uine standards are regarded as steady. Canned Fish—Sardines are, as usual, dull just now, but Maine brands are very firm and high. The consumptive demand for Maine sardines is going to be very small this year unless prices come down. Other brands of sar- dines, including California, Norwe- gian and French, are selling in a quiet way at unchanged prices. White meat tuna is scarce and firm. Shrimp, lob- ster and crab meat are all in rather small supply, with prices rather strong. Salt Fish—The demand for mack- erel continues almost nominal and will continue that way until after the turn of the year. No slump has oc- curred in prices, however. Beans and Peas—There has been | MICHIGAN TRADESMAN little or no business in all varieties of dried white beans during the week. This includes pea beans, marrows, California limas and both varieties of kidneys. Prices are easy throughout the list. Green and Scotch peas un- changed and dull. Syrup and Molasses—Sugar syrups have put in a rather strong week in spite of the holiday. Business has been active and the undertone firm, with an upward tendency. Compound syrups are in fair demand at steady prices. Molasses is quite dull, but everything desirable for the grocery trade is firm. It looks like a scarcity of the finer grades. Cheese—The market is steady at unchanged prices. The make of fresh cheese is reported to be large and the consumption very light. Stocks in storage are reported to be consider- ably in excess of what they were a year ago, but owing to the prevailing low price we do not look for much change in the immediate future. Provisions—Everything in the smok- ed meat line is steady at unchanged prices, with a seasonably light demand. Pure lard and lard substitutes are steadv with a light demand at unchanged prices. Dried beef, canned meats and barreled pork are all unchanged, with quiet trading at prices ranging about the same as for the past week or so. —_+2>_—_ Review of the Produce Market. Apples—Standard winter varieties such as Spy, Baldwin, Jonathan, Rus- setts, etc., fetch $1 per bu. Bagas—Canadian $1.75 per 100 Ib. sack, Bananas—94%4,@9%c per Ib. Butter—The market is steady at prices ranging 1c higher than last week. The average quality arriving is good for the season and the make is about normal. The future price will depend on the fresh make. At pres- ent it looks as if we would have a steady market at unchanged prices for the next week or so. Local job- here hold extra fresh at 52c in 60 Ib. tubs; fancy in 30 lb. tubs, 53c; prints, 54c; June firsts in tubs, 47c. They pay 25c for packing stock. Cabbage—$1 per bu. Carrots—$1.25 per bu. Cauliflower—$3@3.50 per doz. heads. Celery—50c per bunch for home grown; $2 per box of 4 doz. bunches. Chestnuts—28@30c per Ib. for Michigan or Ohio. Cocoanuts—$6.25 per sack of 100. Cranberries — Late Howes from Cape Cod command $10 per bbl. and $5 per % bbl. Cucumbers—Hot house $4 per doz. Egg Plant—$3 per doz. Eggs—The market is firm on the present basis of quotations. ‘The re- ceipts of fresh eggs have been increas- ing in the South and in some parts of the West, but the present cold wave may serve to check shipments. The consumptive demand has been good and receipts have been absorbed on arrival. Storage eggs are reported to be in excessive supply and meeting with slow sale at prices that have been ranging for the past week or so, which are considerably under the cost when stored. We do not look for much change from the present condition in the immediate future. The price de- pends considerably on weather con- ditions. Local jobbers pay 40c for strictly fresh. Cold storage operators feed out their supplies as follows: Bea 30c SECbU0C (a ee 24c Checks 22 20c 2c extra for cartons. Garlic—35c per string for Italian. Grape Fruit—Fancy Florida now sell as follows: 6 $3.25 AG os 3.50 G4) ee eee 345 G4 and) 70 2 SIS Grapes—Spanish $9.50@ $12.50 per keg. Green Beans—$3 per hamper. Green Onions—$1.20 per bunches for Chalotts. Honey—25c for comb; 25c_ for straned. 000000000000000 strained, Lettuce—In good demand on the following basis: California Iceberg, per crate ____$4.00 Deal, oer pound ...._...___._...... 19¢ Lemons—The market is now on the following basis: Malaga, doz. S00 Sunkist 220202 $5.50 ot eco Sar 5.00 a00 Bea Ball 4.50 Onions—Spanish, $2.50 per crate; home grown $3.25 per 100 Ib. sack. ‘Oranges — Fancy Sunkist Navels now quoted on the following basis: ees $5.50 a 5.50 me 0668 5.00 Me 4.50 ee, 4.00 oe 4.00 Floridas fetch $4.25@4.50. Parsley—60c per doz. bunches. Peppers—75c per basket containing 16 to 18. Potatoes—Home grown, 50@55c per bu. Poultry—Wilson & Company now pay as follows for live: - SURES) 250 eee 28c leave fowls (920250502 ee 22¢ Pleavy springs 206 2 22¢ Bight fowls 2222025 oe. 14c Hieht Spriggs . 20020) te 14c Geese 6 18c Ducks 89295 18c Radishes—90c per doz. bunches for hot house. Spinach—$2 per bu. Squash—Hubbard, $4 per 100 Ibs. Sweet Potatoes — Delaware kiln dried fetch $3 per hamper. Tomatoes—Southern grown $1.50 per 5 lb. basket. Turnips—$1.25 per bu. nn ln nee Sure Signs of Treachery. Retail grocers are coming to un- derstand that the extensive advertis- ing campaigns conducted in daily pa- pers and magazines by manufacturers of food products are frequently un- dertaken preliminary to opening up cut-rate relations with the chain stores and pave the way for the doom of the independent grocer, because advertis- ers of this class usually have a quan- tity price on their products and sell the chain stores who can buy in job- bing quantities at the same prices charged the wholesale dealer. This places the independent grocer at such a disadvantage that he cannot possi- bly compete with the chain store and live. Of course, there are exceptions to all rules, but when a so-called Nation- al advertiser begins to splurge in the daily papers, ignore the trade journals and cry down the jobber, it is pretty good evidence that he is shaping his course to play into the hands of the chain store, to the detriment of the independent grocer. Fortunately the latter has his remedy. He can refuse to handle the brands which are sold by the chain stores at a price which does not afford him a living margin. The law protects him in this right, which is as old as the hills and as just as the laws of Justinian. + Another Decline of Wheat. The renewed decline in the price of wheat will hardly have the same po- litical effect in the wheat-growing states that was noted after the sharp break of last summer. The decline during July and August was much sharper than the one that has recent- ly occurred, and it also came when the new crop was still in the hands of the producers, whereas most of the crop is now out of their hands. After the low point of midsummer wheat prices became firmer during the autumn, and though they were not satisfactory from the viewpoint of the growers they nevertheless held persistently above the level in the world market. In recent weeks the statistical position of the commodity has weakened. The Canadian crop, for which there were widely varying estimates before the harvest, has now turned out to be equal to the highest estimate of about 500,000,000 bushels. The domestic market for a time resisted this and other bearish influences, but it finally weakened, and traders for the short side have now begun to predict that American prices will eventually reach the world level. The recent weakness at least should strengthen the cam- paign for reduced acreage and greater crop diversification in the wheat belt. —_——-¢-2sS" A Year’s Price Changes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics re- ports a slight decline in wholesale prices during November. Its weighted index of 404 commodities shows a de- cline of 0.6 per cent. from preceding month, and of 2.5 per cent. from No- vember, 1922. Except in the case of the fuel and lighting group, the changes in wholesale prices during the year have not been very pro- nounced. For most of the groups they ranged from 2 to 3 per cent. and thus corresponded closely to the general average. Prices of fuel and lighting, however, receded 23.4 per cent. dur- ing the year, showing the effect of the settlement of the coal strike. The metals group was the only one to show any conspicuous advance, the gain in this case amounting to 6 per cent., though there has been a frac- tional decline during the past month. Next to metals came cloths and clothing, with an advance of 4.6 per cent. This group is now the one most “out of line,” its index being 201, com- pared with the. general average of 152. On the whole, however, the past year has brought some correction in the maladjustments between different com- modity groups. 6 Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court. Grand Rapids, Dec. 24—On this day was held the adjourned final meeting of creditors in the matter of B. Ray Ruckel, Bankrupt No. 2200. There were no ap- pearances. The trustee’s final report and account was approved and allowed. Additional claims were proved and al- juwed. An order was made for the pay- ment of administration expenses and for the payment of a first and final dividend of 6 per cent. to creditors. There was ne objection to the discharge of the bankrupt. The final meeting was then adjourned without date. The case will be closed and returned to the district court. Dec. 29. On this day were received the schedules, order of reference and adjudication in bankruptcy in the matter of J. Earl Morgan, Bankrupt No. 2413. The matter bas been referred to Benn M. Corwin, as referee in bankruptcy. The bankrupt is a resident of Sears, and is a dealer in livestock and hay. The sched- ules filed list assets of $2,000, the same being the face of a certain policy of in- surance on the life of the bankrupt, which has no surrender value, and lia- bilities listed at the sum of $10,017.14. The court has written for funds and upon the arrival of the same the first mecting will be called and note of the same made here. A list of the creditors cf the bankrupt is as follows. Farwell State Bank, Farwell ___~ 93,160.00 Michigan Potato Growers Ex- Chanpe, Cadillac = 589.00 Carsonville State Bank, Carson- we 1,750.00 Roanoke Flour & Feed Co., Roa- MOE, Va 236.00 Tide Water Brokerage Co., Suf- [OU 431.00 A. J. Marvin, Jonesville _ 857.00 Thomas E. Fair, Freemont, Ind. 550.00 M. GBursten, Farwell sg 46.00 Carl Upthegraff, Farwell _______ 200.14 wm. Mou, Farwell 100.00 Walter Badgley, Farwell _______ 53.00 WwW. © fuller, Farwell 30.00 Anna Armstrong, Administratrix, Merwe 250.00 C. Bingham, Farwell 110.00 John McAninch, Farwell ________ 79.00 F. F. Littlefield, Farwell ____ 399.00 A. i- Snyder, Farwell 46.00 See. Scott, Lake 45.00 Postal Turner Auto Co., Ewart _. 149.00 Clare Hardware & Implement Co., Clare Se 129.00 Orville Sherlam, Farwell ______ 116.00 Sherman & Brazington, Farwell__ 25.00 Clifford Brazington, Farwell ___ 12.00 Dick Diamond, Farwell ________ 10.00 Farwell Lumber Co., Farwell ____ 38.00 Hd Glass, Farwell Soe 35.00 Evart State Bank, Evart ______ 165.00 John Halstead, Farwell ______ 70.00 Lamphere mes, (are 25.00 Dr. G. BE. Lamb, Porwell 70.00 Harry W. Proctor, Evart ___ 65.00 McLinn & Wiliman, Pellston . Sa0200 Michigan State Tel. Co., Clare __ 185.00 Franklin Paint Co., Cleveland __ 38.00 Consolidated Co., Erie _ 45.00 In the matter of Carl N. Mather, Bank- rupt No. 2302, the court has received a report from the trustee of an offer from Charles N. Remington, of Grand Rapids, in the sum of $1,800 for the property of this estate located at 20 Fair street, Grand Rapids. Notice has been mailed to creditors that such meeting and sale will be held at the office of the referee Jan. 9. All interested should be present at such time and place. The trustee is Frank V. Blakely and application may be made to him for an go Over this property. In the matter of William H. Borrough, Bankrupt No. 2198, the trustee has filed his final report and account and a final meeting will be held at the referee’s of- fice on Jan. 10. The trustee’s final re- port and account will be passed upon and administration expenses paid and a first and final dividend to creditors paid. In the matter of William Singer and Clark & Singer, Bankrupt No. 2286, the final meeting of creditors has been called for Jan. 10. The trustee’s final report and account will be passed upon, admin- istration expenses paid and a final divi- dend to creditors paid. In the matter of Louis Rybarsyk and Harry Wittkoski and R. B. Electric Co., Bankrupt No. 2412, the first meeting has been called for Jan. 11. In the matter of Ralph E. Cross, Bank- rupt No. 2407, the funds for the first meeting have been paid into court and such meeting will be held at the referee’s office on Jan. 11. In the matter of Benjamin Barrows, Bankrupt No. 2411, the funds have been paid for the first meeting and such meet- ing will be held at the referee’s office on Jan. 11. [ Dec. 29. In the matter of George F. Merritt, Bankrupt No. 2285, an order for the payment of administration expenses and for the payment of the preferred labor claims has been made, the balance of the estate will be held until one year from the date of adjudication as is re- quired by the act. Dec. 31. On this day were received the adjudication, schedules and order of ref- erence in the matter of Thorlief F. opportunity to MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Barnes, Bankrupt No. 2414. The matter has been referred to Benn M. Corwin as referee in bankruptcy. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids and is a mer- chant of jewelry and kindred articles. The schedules filed list assets of $7,675, of which $500 is claimed as exempt to the bankrupt, with liabilities of $9,268.60. The first meeting of creditors has been called for Jan. 14. A list of the creditors of the bankrupt is as follows: Collector of Internal Revenue, Grang Ram@gn 2 $ 150.00 Morris Plan Bank, Grand Rapids 170.00 Houseman-Jones Clothing Co., (aramid BApisg. ee 49.75 Foster, Stevens & Co., Grand R. 5.75 Slade, Tenney & Weadley, Chicago 185.67 Cin. Clock & Instrument Co., Cincinnati: ee 1,291.98 Add Index Corp., Grand Rapids __ 140.00 South High Pioneer, Grand Rapids 21.00 Old National Bank, Grand Rapids 1,525.00 Geo. R. Smith, Grand Rapids ____ 90.50 Association of Commerce, Grand i Ranids 2 35.00 Toren Printing Co., Grand Rapids 20.50 Commercial Credit Co., Grand R. 15.00 Henry Groelich & Sons, New York 80.80 Waltham Watch & Clock Co., Walia 72.42 Service Jewelry Co., Chicago ____ 138.47 Benjamin Allen & Co., Chicago __ 466.43 Van Der Voort Bros., Buffalo ___ 1,006.22 J. R. Wood & Sons, New York _- 51.39 Swartchiia & Co. Chicago ______ 208.53 C. & &. Marshall Co., Chicago —__ 44.36 Herpolsheimer Co., Grand Rapids 57.60 Belais. Miz. Co., New York __.. 95.75 Berger & Kronstadt, New York _ 62.00 Sngelsman Bros., New York ____ 1,628.30 Michigan Street Car Adv. Co., o Demo -- 465.00 3usiness Records Co., Grand R. 36.25 Helios, Grand Rapids... 16.00 Cohen, Hahn & Newstadt, Cincin- Mat 52.45 Bogalake & Eckert Co., New York 430.00 Otto Young & Co., Chicago __.__ 16.36 Herald Pub. Co., Grand Rapids __ 41.92 ———_~..> Corporations Wound Up. The following Michigan corpora- tions have recently filed notices of dissolution with the Secretary of State: W. & K. Amusement Co., Detroit. Automatic Welding Co., Menominee Forty Associates, Lansing. Crew Levick Co., Philadelphia-Lan- sing. Togan-Stiles Co., Grand Rapids. Monroe Beach Park Co., Monroe. Wolverine Orchard Co., Saginaw. M. & M. Storage Co., Detroit. The Palmer Co., Jackson. The Beaver Granulith Co., Buffalo- Negaunee. Darrah Milling Co., Big Rapids. Zimmerman Manufacturing Co., Owosso. > ____ Brains Missing. He tried to cross the railroad track Before the rushing train. They put the pieces in a sack, But couldn’t find the brain! Main Street Stripped For Action. Onaway, Jan. 2—Main street will soon present a different appearance. All telephone and electric wires have been removed from the poles and either placed underground or through back alleys. No hitching posts any more and there will be no poles fo the cars to run into after this. There should be bumpers provided, however, or the store fronts will be in danger, owing to the slippery condition of the pavements. Several close calls al- ready. Now that the holiday season is over and the scare removed that we might have a green Christmas, Winter is making up for its tardiness by pro- viding snow and deep snow at that. Dog sleighs and skis are in evidence and quite practical as’ well. The jingle of bells has replaced the honk of ‘thorns and the open-winter night- mare will soon be forgotten. The ice harvest will soon begin and hundreds of loads will be brought in- ito the city cut from Black river and the lake. We are extremely fortunate in this respect from the fact that there is no contamination whatever. Pure running spring water free from sewer- age disposal and no polution feeds the streams. Mayor Haskin is apparently as proud of the new city snowplow as he was of the new fire engine. They may have occasion to work hand in hand just now as the engine would make poor headway through the deep snow. Hail to the snowplow, but the engine scares us. The school teachers have all re- January 2, 1924 turned to their duties after the short holidays and the activities around the school buildings denote thrift, enter- prise and industry and these are what education bring forth. Squire Signa! ———~»++ > Issue New Retail Handbook. What is described as the “most comprehensive handbook on. retail store operation thus far compiled” js for distribution, after a long preparation. It is called the “Merchants’ Manual” and was written and edited, according to announcement made yesterday, by a group of thirty-six practical merchan- dising experts under the direction of Lew Hahn, managing director of the National Retail Dry Goods Associa- tion, and Percival White. The book contains over 600 pages dealing with retail store matters. These include such topics as store location, layout, receiving, packing, delivery, account- ing, merchandise control, buying, ad- vertising, employment Managentent, service features and kindred subjects. Samuel Reyburn, Jesse I. Straus, Paul H. Nystrom and Arthur W. Wright are among the contributors to the volume. —_>~+-__ Keep your store bright enough at night so it will look as if you were expecting trade. A dully lighted store discourages people from coming in. now period of ready THE NEWEST HIT SOAR AM OUCH A 10c BAR OF THE HIGHEST GRADE. Include a box in your next order, sure. NATIONAL CANDY CO., INC. PUTNAM FACTORY GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. RALULULIRLULAR AOR Fly Paper Fly Spray Roach. & Ant Powder TANGLEFOOT Tree Tanglefoot that kills flies, other insect Tanglefoot line. pests—is Tanglefoot product. Fly Ribbon Tanglefoot Fly Spray Place Your Order Now Tanglefoot Fly Spray—a scientific, powerful household insecticide mosquitoes, the latest Backed by a name and Tanglefoot Fly Spray is guaranteed to be of the same incompar- able quality that for more than two generations has distinguished all Tanglefoot products from the rank and file. Here is a fly spray that is quick-acting, effective and absolutely non-poisonous and non-irritating to human beings. and mosquitoes wholesale and may be used with equal success against moths, fleas, bedbugs, and other household insects. Tanglefoot quality costs no more than ordinary liquid insecticides. Ask your jobber for full particulars about this latest and greatest Order your summer Supply now. The O. & W. THUM CO. GRAND RAPIDS, moths, fleas, bedbugs and certain addition to the famous reputation known the world. over, it kills flies MICHIGAN ——— a -~ ES January 2, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ~~ Passing of a Most Useful Pioneer Citizen. Boyne City, Dec. 31—As we sit at our desk this New Years eve, the street lights are veiled in a misty radiance. The long-prayed-for snow is falling steadily. Not the goose feather flakes that promise so much and go as soon as fallen, but the fine diamond crystals that presage some real cold. The kind that stays. Our lumbermen are jumping. No _ long faces to-day, for it looks like real win- ter. It is the real thing, though de- layed for a month later than we usu- ally expect and prepare for it. It started right, too, just a little rain a light freeze to put a protecting sheet over the soft ground and then the blanket of snow that, if normal con- ditions exist, will keep the growing things from the nipping ‘fingers of Jack Frost, ready to jump when the ascending sun finally releases them to the caressing breezes of May. We were afraid that the State would have to board some of our worthy citizens if this relief had not come. W. a James and Thomas, F. O. and W. B. were beginning to lose whatever flesh they had, and carried faces that would dampen a funeral. And the electric light man was rapidly qualifying for the padded cell. No rain, no snow, no water. No water, no juice and the whole town lit up like a Broadway New Year’s eve and howling for more. Even the water of Lake Michigan has receded until great stretches of beach are exposed, that never were seen be- fore. Of course, this will all be changed when we have a new Presi- dent and a new weather man. -Boyne City lost another of its pioneer citizens last week. R. E. Newville, who came to Boyne City in 1881, died at the home of his son, Floyd, at the age of 70 years, having been identified with the city’s busi- ness, social and political interests for forty-two years. For fifteen years ‘he was postmaster and Bill, Mack and Ed. were the ones to consult if any- thing in the way of politics was in the wind, These were the men of the old school who were held in pretty strict account for the kind of officers which were put in charge of county and State affairs. Mr. Newville was ac- tive in the development of this com- munity from a small ‘village to a busy town and was always in evidence in any forward movement. Mr. New- ville leaves behind a fine bunch of real American men in the persons of his five sons, all of whom are Citizens of Michigan, New Year’s day is the day of turn- ing the new leaf. It is the day when all look forward to something better and stronger in life. We don’t know how it is in other towns, but in Boyne City there has been a constant wail going up that we were the hind- quarters of hard times and going to the dogs so fast that it would take a good sharp dog to catch us and keep us from going the whole length tc oblivion—spelt with a big H. Wh not change the chorus for a while and get our noses out of the mud and our eyes off the ground? Our business men are doing well. Our general population is in better condition real- ly than for years past, and in many ways, better off. Suppose we take our eyes off for a time of the things we haven’t and rejoice in what we have and go after the bacon. “Them as has gits” is only another version of “Seek and ye shall find.” Knock and it shall be opened unto you. Get off the hearse and get on the band wagon —and water wagon. Neymark says that if he could come within forty rods of guessing what the women are going to buy for hubby’s or son’s Christmas, life would be one grant sweet song and full of the milk of human kindness. Futile concentration of thought on this dis- tressing problem is the reason he has to wear a pompadour. Maxy. Michigan Butter Making Course. A short course in buttermaking will be given at the Michigan Agricultural College beginning Jan. 7 and will con- tinue for eight weeks. The first six weeks will be spent in preparation for the last two weeks and are es- pecially arranged for the inexperienc- ed buttermaker. This preparation will include lectures and laboratory work on cream grading, pasteurizing, ripening and churning cream; wash- ing, salting and working butter and packing and marketing the product. The last two weeks of this course have been arranged to meet the de- mand of experienced buttermakers, and will give them an opportunity to come in contact with the newer knowledge of the various phases in the butter industry. The creamery at the college is among the best equipped college creameries in the United States and though it is operated on a commercial basis by the Dairy Department, it is always open to the students. The use of artificial starters will be emphasized during this course. Its importance in producing a mild flavor and uniform quality butter cannot be over emphasized. With the ever in- creasing keenness of competition in the butter market for mild and clean flavored butter, more attention must be given the question of starters. A complete catalogue can be obtained by writing to the Michigan Agricul- tural College Dairy Department. ———-» >> -__ Dry Goods Men To Meet. New York, Dec. 31—In recognition of the retailer’s responsibilities to the consumer, the thirteenth annual con- vention of the National Retail Dry Goods Association will have as_ its keynote “The Obligation and Rela- tions of the Retailer to the Public,” according to an announcement made to-day by Lew Hahn, the Associa- tion’s managing director. The con- vention will be held at the Hotel Astor from Feb. 5 to 8 inclusive. The main features of the program will center around the following ele- ments in store operation: “Finding practical methods for lowering dis- tribution costs; how efficient, con- structive service can be given with- out extravagance and the encourage- ment through better methods of a greater public confidence in retail op- erations.” Special meetings of the various ser- vice groups affiliated with the As- sociation will be held on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 7, in conjunction with the main convention. These bodies include the Controllers’ Congress, ad- vertising, traffic and delivery groups and the educational department. of the deepest dye. We have enough of these in the National Congress to work any amount of mischief _ The Republicans, with a majority in both houses, are unable to enact needed legislation because of these more-holy-than-thou patriots who would no more think of doing what is right, if it came under a party name, than they would fly to the moon. Personal rather than party meas- ures seem to hold with these fellows. It may as well be understood, first as last, that no Republican form of gov- ernment can exist without parties, and the party on the minority side of the ledger ought to know that full swing by the party in power will redound to the credit of the outs if the ins do the unfair thing. Red tape and personal bias makes for a lot of trouble in this world, es- pecially in a political sense. Tax re- duction, and a sharp cutting of Na- tional expenses is what we need, and unless this is accomplished there will be a great National overturning next November. Old Timer. —»>+>—___ Prices of Cotton and Its Fabrics. Quotations of cotton ruled high during the past week and the various markets were firm. There is not much guessing now as to the size of the crop, as that has been pretty well determined within moderate limits. Demand is the only uncertain factor. How high raw cotton can go and still enable the sale of any large quantity of cotton goods is the only restraining factor. The British Empire Pro- ducers’ Association, which is trying to promote flax growing, recently re- ported that cotton is bringing over £180 per ton, while flax could be had at £120 per ton. A continuance of this would mean the greater use of flax and a smaller one of cotton in the near future. Exports of cotton have shown the effects of the high price. In November they were 88,000 bales less than in the same month of 1922, while for the eleven months of this year they were nearly 1,100,000 bales less. In the same way exports of cot- ton manufactures showed very large declines. Domestic mills are pretty well shut down over the _ holiday period, and some of them are dis- posed to extend it rather than pile up goods in stock. Unless orders come in soon to some of them this will be the only alternative. After the turn of the year, however, the proper course to pursue will be more manifest. Dealings in cotton fabrics during the past week were seasonably light, with no marked change of price. Showings of fine dress ging- hams for Fall are announced for this week, but no prices will be named. Little is doing in any portion of the knit goods business. Openings of knit outerwear are set for Wednesday. ——-- As to Wool and Woolen Goods. Few notable features are evident in the wool markets. It is a period in between auction and other large sales. In London the sales of colonial wools will not be resumed before Jan. 22. In Australia, however, a series of auc- tions will begin at Sydney on Mon- day, Jan. 7, and such sales will be continued in different cities for some time. It has been arranged to sell 200,000 bales a month in January, February and March. These offerings will be curtailed in case of a slump, though such a contingency is consid- ered unlikely. In this country sales of domestic wool continue rather slow and there is a general disposition on the part of mills to wait for the re- sponses for the next heavyweight season before stocking up on the raw material. Most of the mills are be- lieved to be fairly well provided for a while, especially because the sales of Spring suiting fabrics have been small. The openings for Fall will very likely occur within the next three weeks. While there is much guessing on the probable increase in prices, nothing definite is put forward. To any marked increase there will be much resistance. Makers of women’s garments are conferring with woolen manufacturers with a view to having openings of fabrics postponed. There seem to be two sides to this question. The garment men do not wish to be rushed too soon in ordering supplies. The mills, on the other hand, need to get their orders in time to fill them. How to reconcile these views is the problem. —_++>—_—_ Success Maxims. 1. Honesty is the only policy. 2. When you are wrong, admit it! 3. When you are right, fight to the last ditch! 4. Don’t talk too much—listen! 5. If you never do any more than you are paid for, you'll never get paid for more than you do! 6. Co-operate! 7. Know what you are talking about! 8. Fight fair! 9. Give service; louder than words. 10. Make friends! 11. Don’t underestimate your com- petitors! 12. Personal results, actions speak interviews produce The Mill Mutuals AGENCY Lansing, Michigan Representing Your Home Company, The Michigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. And 22 Associated Mutual Companies. $20,000,000.00 Assets Is Saving 25% Or More Insures All Classes of Property ROBERT HENKEL, Pres. A. D. BAKER, Sec.-Treas. FER LED FLL LON IL EV EIN LEV ILS SEXY VEY a a a L¥S PoE BY PNR A x. a PANETELLA © /New ( Java Wrapper) 2 for25¢; PERF ECTO (SumatraWrapper) 10¢ STRAIGHT SIZE (JavaWrapper 10¢ BLENDED AND MANUFACTURED BY TUNIS JOHNSON CIGAR CO. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. I SEN IEE RELY BDI Ye Sz. <= & IR NEY Le RIE WATKINS LETTER SHOP 304-7 Industrial Bank Bldg. Muttigraphing TELEPHONES a Letters a ressin Citizens 64-26%; GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Filling ey ailing 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN } mW Wh Of} ayy ) Hog yy) © “"l =| a (fr gd y\ (iit RA Wr of NS q © SH ‘ ' { KA i aoa) An a } Hy\ Ki CA ] Ks essay WRI ACK weeds II I) = 4 Oo N ((({( Prt) N ye salt : 3 O Fi ram) Syvit & Yolen f ( \ Nh ee > lo V/ Y ai Urgent Plea For the Man. Because the average merchant has educated himself to say “No” to most requests for new outlay of money, the display man’s is often turned down. A stock remark often heard is, “What is the matter with all those contrap- tions for the window we have in the room upstairs. Seems to me you ought to be able to get something out of ail that, to do you this time.’ Shoe Display If this only happened once or twice, the display man’s job would be sweet and rosy. But the merchant has been saying the same for the past severzl year, perhaps ever since the war or before that. And yet the employer wonders at times what is the matter with his windows. “Why cannot we have the same caliber of windows as Jones across the street, or as Smith in a neighboring town. Seems to me it the window trimmer knew his stuff we'd get what we want.” Before long Mr. Display Man _ be- comes callous to these rebuffs. He says to himself, “What is the use, they are not my windows.” But if the dis- play man is the right kind of a fellow, he will soon be looking around for other fields to conquer, where he can exercise his talents as his ambition continuously urges. For successful merchandising, and in order to keep step with the parade these days, the merchant secures the services of a competent display man. 3ut a competent window trimmer can- not carry on his work as he should unless he ‘has the tools with which to work. Therefore, if the display man does bid occasionally for new equip- ment, it isn’t because he wants to spend the merchant’s money; it is be- cause he wants to do his job right. And he cannot work properly unless me has the equipment, which up-to-date merchandising and display of to-day require. No matter beautiful the shoes or how elegant the store front and plate glass windows, etc., there comes a time when even these become stereotyped in the eyes of th public, when the passer-by will no longer notice the beauty and refinement of such an out- necessary how fit. So it is absolutely necessary to have a change in outward appearance now and then. The front of the store cannot be ripped out every few months. Be- sides that would be ultra expensive. But if a little money is forthcoming now and then for display equipment such as background panelings, win- dow fixtures, floor mats, floral decora- tions, etc., window displays can be continuously interesting and will op- erate as a bid for business in a very potent way. The average window display man is conscientious. He doesn’t want to spend any more money than he pos- sibly can help. He is probably spend- ing his employer’s money in the same careful way that he would spend his own were he in the - employer’s position. But because the display man is an employe, and the merchant his em- ployer it is rather awkward for the window man to_put up a fight for an appropriation or to unduly stress his point, because the merchant naturally believes that the display man is en- deavoring to operate on the lines of least resistance. And also the ac- cummulation of display material even though passe by reason of passing years, seems to be an extravagance of major proportions. Window display is part of the ad- vertising of the store. In looking for a definition of advertising, one wh‘c would completely box the compass, I have come to the conclusion that “any- thing that gains favorable publicity is advertising.” Much of to-day’s adver- tising is doing everything but gaining favorable publicity. Many merchants. when the speak of advertising think of. something printed, such .as- circulars, catalogue, bill board posters, miagazines and newspapers. Lincoln, adressing a large audience at Ottawa, III, in 1858, two years be- fore he was elected to the presidency, said: ‘Public every- thing. With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it, nothing can suc- ceed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statues or pronounces decisions.” sentiment is The windows of the store are bound to mold public sentiment:they are sure to create a favorable or unfavorable impression on the public mind, ac- cording to the efforts of the merchant to display his wares. If merchandise has a dignified setting, if the fixtures and display accoutrement are in ac- cord with the style and quality and the dignified services of the store, then the merchant is molding sentirhent in the right way. The fault with many merchants is that they have quality merchandise, store service all that can be asked for, the interior of the store is neat and clean, but the windows are not at- tractive. There is a jumble of mer- chandise, and no system to the dis- play. Sins in window display are ultra numerous and it would be folly for me to endeavor to ennumerate them all. But a great many of the short- coming of window display generally is due to the merchant himself and not so much to the talent of the dis- play man because efficient window display men are to be had, for the right price, and there are good window men in all sections of the country who are willing to work for the right kind of a man, an employer with vision and gamble in his soul sufficient to at times dig into his purse and bring forth a fair amount of money for the pur- chase of window display equipment. The merchant in thinking of ad- vertising does so in terms of a budget plan for the year or on the basis of percentage of sales. It is no more than right and surely good sense for the merchant to include in this advertis- ing appropriation a certain amount of money for window display purposes. it is better to junk the old equipment after it is shabby and worn and wobbly perhaps, and not use any kind of equipment at all than to disgrace the display with antiques. I. K. Stevenson. — Jeff Titcomb Visits the Old Home in Michigan. Grandville, Jan. 2—“The folks back home are the ones I long to see,” said Jeff Titcomb, as he stepped aboard the train bound East. Jeff had been absent from Michigan nearly a score of years. He had served his time in the big pine woods of his native state, and when the big trees were thinned out and no longer the “whispering pines’? nodded to the Western breeze, he felt it incumbent as a good woodsman to turn to the further West where California and Oregon pine and fir beckoned. He entered into various enterprises in the far West, purchasing much vir- gin pine and fir for himself, as well as following the trail in looking tim- January 2, 19 ber for many of the big lumberm of the Pacific coast. Nowhere w Jeff so completely at home as in the deep woods where magnificent bo] of timber grew skyward a hundred feet clear of limbs, and where m- could revel in nature, breathing t! balsamic air of the forest, thus insu ing his health and elasticity for yea: to “come. The California and Oregon wood appealed to him even as the grea: pine forests of Michigan in his yout! ful days when, as head sawyer a: later manager of a lumber mill did great stunts worthy of record song and story. “I should like,” sa he, “to see the story of Michigan, M Michigan, told out in completene: such a story would thrill the hear of readers from the border line Canada to: the Rio Grande. Th story is yet to be told.” Whoever tells it in its completenes. will reap a rich harvest, but as yc! the man to do the job has not ap peared. “Back home!” Ah, how the thought thrilled him H{le would see all the friends of other years. He had had hunting days well as sawlog experiences, and thes he would live over again with the boys. The train did not move fast enough to suit Jeff Titcomb. The wide plains, the rugged old Rockies and the India: lands had no thrills for the man who had tramped as a lumber cruiser from the far North Dakota line to the dales, forests and sand lots of the far South, even into Mexico. He had witnessed bull fights in the land of the Incas as well as the cattle rushes on the plains of the far North. At one time he and Colonel Rich had traversed the prairies in a hunt for fast depleting droves of buffalo. The swift antelope, the wild deer and even gtizzly bears became the prey of their unerring rifles. ’ Built to bv this publicity. Stand the Hardest Grief H-B Hard Pans wear like iron and stand up under the hardest test a Michigan outdoor man can give them. Every week we are telling thousands of Michigan folks in the farm papers about these shoes, and sending them to your store to buy them. Advertise them in your local newspaper, using the cuts we furnish, and beneft HEROLD-BERTSCH SHOE CO., Grand Rapids 4 x January 2, 1924 Thoughts of meeting these com- panions of the hunt and trap was ex- hilerating. He planned on the good times they would have living over again the old days in Michigan and Wisconsin woods and Dakota prairies. Although verging on the age allotted by the good book to man, Titcomb seemed to grow younger as he neared the scenes of his former life. Born in a Muskegon lumber camp, growing up under the sound of whir- ring saws that ate into the big pine cylinders as a mountain lion would devour a rabbit, Titcomb felt no- where at home as he did right in the heart of the lumber country. From Michigan to the Pacific he had gone in search of more timber. He had found it. Although not rated among the millionaires, he yet felt easy in his mind as to his future, and was all agog for the comfort to be derived from an old time chat with the boys he had left behind him. There had been some _ correspond- ence soon after he went West, but, not being adept with the pen, he allowed this correspondence to lapse, there- fore he had failed to keep tab on what was going on in the old home siate. The Colorel, who had thirty years before accompanied him on his West- ern hunting trip, was long since dead. He had been an old man at the time of their experiences together, but most of the others were near his own age he remembered, or thought he did. Reaching h’s native state he at once called on a young relative who had grown to manhood since Titcomb went away. This young fellow was a well-to-do farmer, equipped with an automobile, ready and anxious to show his Western relative about. And this he did to good advantage. “First take me to Joe McDougal’s, Kolfe,” said he. “Mac and I were nughty good pals in the old days. . I think he married and settled down near, the Muskegon River. li I re- call rightly he married Ann Stough- ton, daughter of old Eph Stoughton, an old Civil War _ soldier.” “T think he did, but Joe died th-ee ‘years ago,” returned young Rolfe. “One of his daughters married a Burke and moved to Oregon two years ago.” “Oh, well, of course I'd forgotten — how time flies. ll Clemmons—” “Jap Clemmons was killed in an au- to accident last year.” “Bad again. Let me.see: There’s Silas Hodges, I expect he and Sally Ann are still on the turf We will call there.” Hodges was at the old home, but he was crippled so with rheumatism and had aged so Titcomb failed to recognize him. The two, however, re- counted old times, and the Californian seemed pleased that he had found at least one of the old’ pals on earth. “Now here’s the cemetery Uncle Jeff,” said the young man as he halted at an iron gate opening into a con- siderable yard. “Suppose we go in ard look over the graves. You may remember some of them.” The two men were soon in the old cemetery. Jeff Titcomb soon came upon stones bearing names that sur- prised him. This one and that one gone and he knew nothing -of ‘their passing until now. It was a strange and uncanny home coming after all. go see Jasper They drove on to the village where: he as a young fellow had been to many social gatherings in the past. Very few of the old fellows of h’s Michigan days were here to greet him. A feeling of loneliness stole over the Western lumberman. He even insisted in going through the cemetery again on the return trip. It was all a disappointment to the man who had counted so much on meeting old friends of his younger manhood, “Over in the cemetery,’ was the MICHIGAN TRADESMAN. answer to many of his queries about those he had known when last he stood in Michigan. It seemed like a dream to the man, who never until this minute realized that he was old. “AN gone,’ he half groaned. “It's mighty lonesome around here Why did I come? I'll go back right away.” He had some timber land in the Up- per Peninsula which he visited, but he did not return again to the old home places down on the Muskegon. It was too lonesome there now and he was all too anxious to get back to the Pacific coast once more. What a strange world it was any- how. Michigan did not look natural with its timber cut away. Even the birds did not sing as they used to do in the old days-and there were fewer of them He noted this and wondered if all the birds had gone to the ceme- tery with his old friends. Well, he would go back to Califor- nia. Never again would he set foot in Michigan. The future was not 4 ok NET WEST Mae 2 quite clear to his vision. Where were all these friends of his boyhocd and middle age? Did they live somewhere beyond this world? Perhaps one of the bright stars was now their home. Well, he felt that his own life was nearing the vanishing point. He would go back and some day he, too would drop out of sight, going as had all these friends to that unknown land beyond the sight of man, and yet said to be not far distant. Jeff Fitcomb, back in California, is still plodding the blazed trails or rid- ing down the long roads from Port- land on the North to Los Angeles and San Diego on the South in his limousine. Old Timer. > How To Live Long. Never dispute the right of way with a railroad train. Don’t drink bootleg whiskey before or after meals. Pay attention when you hear “fore.” 11 Never pull a live wire. Don’t mistake a gas accelerator for the brake. Cut down on cigars when filling up your gas tank. Don’t stop to count ten when some- body says Pont run “stick ‘em up.” alter or in front of 2 SEFEel Car. Avoid reading newspapers’. while walking across downtown streets. Don’t assume that the other driver is going to observe the rules of the road. Keep your eye on the seismograph. Never hunt a gas leak with a lighted match on Friday. a The automobile always beats the train to the 1 dents. crossing, barring acci- Tnly as our candies excel for the price asked do we hope to ob- tain your interest and merit your con- _ tinued patronage A.R.WALKER CANDY CORPORATION MUSKEGON MICHIGAN 12 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 2, 192 _ = “ugy) ” WEE (ECE — — ae = “FINANCIAL Doda Seappegedead CU teyre reopen Better Understanding of Fundamentals of Sound Currency. The committee on public education of the American Bankers Association is conducting a campaign to promote a better understanding of the funda- mentals of a sound banking and cur- rency system. Its latest leaflet ex- plains in language that can be read- ily understood by the man of the street the significance of banking re- serves and why it is necessary that these reserves be placed under some directing agency so that they can be employed without friction and delay just where and when they are needed. Publicity work of this kind, in view of the economic heresies that have gained so much currency since 1920 is greatly needed. For the past thirty years every in- swept the It has started the economic quacks to agitat- ing in behalf of their various nos- trums, and it has finally resulted in the squelching of quackery and the introduction of some constructive re- form. The free silver agitation, after the panic of 1893, for example, was the legal recognition in 1900 of the single gold standard. In like manner the panic of 1907 con- tributed to the establishment of the dustrial crisis that has country has had two results. followed by Federal Reserve system. 1920-21 has resulted in the much economic heresy, but a counter movement is now under way and if something con- structive follows as it did in previous periods much of the loss ensuing from the business disturbance will be off- set by the later gain. The depres- sion. of dissemination of The index of consumer purchasing power for New York State, prepared by the New York University Bureau of Business Research, dropped during November from 124 to 121 (the 1921 average being taken as 100), but still remained higher than at any time during 1922. The cause of the reac- attributed to the smaller physical volume of business in the State during November, which brought While purchasing power was lower, the aver- age published price of a bill of whole- tion is some decrease in employment. sale groceries also declined. In the opinion of the bureau the lower price level will tend to reduce dollar sales, but the physical volume of trade dur- ing the first half of 1924 should con- tinue to hold up well. by the Department of Commerce for the whole country show likewise some recession in various business indicators during November. There were mod- erate declines in coal output, cotton consumption, pig iron production, im- ports and wholesale prices. The figures bear out the general conclu- sion that business last month was characterized by some tapering off from the seasonal spurt that had come earlier in the autumn. The high cost of living was a greater problem eighty years ago than it is to-day, according to figures compiled by Cheney Brothers, from their wage records, which began in 1843. Since that date the prices of commodities which enter into the budget of the average wage-earner have advanced 75 per cent., while the weekly wage has increased 850 per cent. This indi- cates that the average weekly wage to-day will purchase six and one half times as much as it would eighty years ago, and one infers that life in the days of our grandfathers was a drab affair for those who worked for wages. It was a struggle for the bare minimum of subsistence: and many of the things which are now regarded as necessities were not even thought of as luxuries; they were neither known nor dreamed of. The statistics also show that during the Civil War wages tended to lag behind prices, and that the employer profited at the expense of the worker. In the World War, on the other hand, wages moved ahead of prices, and since the war prices have declined, while wages, after a slight recession during 1921- 1922, have resumed their advance. Consequently, the purchasing power cf the wage-earner is higher to-day than it was at the peak of war-time conditiors. William O. Scroggs. ———-=>-~> > A $2,500,000,000 corn crop doesn’t spell ruin for the growers. | Conservative | Investments j j | | | ; | i | | i | i Citizens 4480 ACCEPTABLE DENOMINATIONS | HETHER you have a hundred dollars or five thousand dollars, we have a high grade bond | which you may purchase for investment either in full | or on part payment plan. | Systematic savings are the foundation for success CORRIGAN. HILLIKER & CORRIGAN Investment Bankers and Brokers GROUND FLOOR MICHIGAN TRUST BLDG Belf Main GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 4800 Data compiled Christmas Greeting Sent Out By One Bank. Seated around the table were hard- headed business men, bankers, dealers in money, factors in the upbuilding of this great city, officials and di- rectors of the Fourth and Central Trust Company. The affairs of the bank were gone over; loans were made or refused; the usual quarterly dividend was declared, and then the chairman rapped smartly on the table and asked: “Is there any further busi- ness to come before this meeting?” Perhaps it was the Christmas feel in the air that caused one of the grey heads to say: “Mr. Chairman, I think we should issue some sort of a Christ- mas greeting to our patrons. I would have the world know that business men are not hard boiled and that un- der the skin humanity is much the same, and that the average man loves children, flowers music and his friends. I’ll venture that there are half a dozen men at this table who will celebrate Christmas arrayed in rope yarn and hair whiskers and red coats and play Santa Claus and it will be good for their souls. I’d like to take all our depositors back with me forty or fifty years to simple times and peaceful ways, and show them a snow storm in the country Human love renews its obligations in December, and it is the best paper in the world. “T lived in a little town back yon- der. It was the abode of peace. I had never seen an automobile, street car, bath tub, furnace, telephone, elec- tric light or heard a note of jazz music, and I had never possessed as sire. of our boxes. THE ICHIGAN [RUST COMPANY Organized in 1889 CORNER PEARL AND OTTAWA GRAND RAPIDS much as a dollar in money at on time. And yet we were happy. Ou lives ran along peacefully. We had enough to eat and clothes to cove; us and we asked for little more. “T still have tender thoughts abou: the little room under the eaves where my brother and I slept and spooned up to keep warm. There was frost on the window panes and often the snow sifted in and lay in heaps on th floor when we crawled out of our warm nest and fought to get on our cold boots. “Outside was a white world with snow drifted over the fences and bur- dening the trees. There was an icicle growing on the pump and the morn ing salute from the big red rooster in the barn sounded frosted. There were paths to be shoveled, wood t» be brought in, chickens to be fed and the big boned cow that meant so much in the scheme of living, had to be milked, watered and supplied with food. After that came breakfast, with mother, always smiling, behind the coffee pot, and father asking a bless- ing and thanking the Almighty for our mercies. “At Christmas I don’t suppose that our actual investment ever totalle1 five dollars in money, and there were eight of us. We could not spend what we did not have. And yet I could not tell in words how happy we were. “T wish in this year of our Lord, 1923, I could find the something that filled my breast in those days and made me crawl out into the frost at 4 o’clock on Christmas morning an] SAFE DEPOSIT VAULT SERVICE You can have access to your box in our Safe Deposit Vault a half dozen times a day if you de- Our employes are there expressly to serve you—and the vaults are on the ground floor just inside the main (Pear! St.) entrance to the Michigan Trust Company Building. Begin the NEW YEAR by safe- guarding your valuables in one 4. the 4. 4 the January 2, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 Investment Banking Service For several years our constant endeavor has been to perfect an organization fo render the most compre- hensive investment banking service—entirely aside from the actual sale of securities. Our Private Wire Service Brings us in contact with practically every impor- tant market in the United States. We maintain comprehensive and efficient stock and bond trading departments solely for executing orders, (without carrying any marginal accounts), in each of our four offices: Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Grand Rapids. We Cash All Foreign and Domestic Coupons, paying you immediately therefor without charge A number of cases have come to our attention in the past year whereby clients have lost substantial sums on account of lack of knowledge on the part of various banks of the proper procedure in cashing foreign coupons. We Buy and Sell Foreign Exchange in Currency, Check or Coupon Form In order to give service in connection with the above, there si required a special knowledge of the handling of foreign exchange, and unless properly handled, serious loss may be incurred by the client. Our Statistical Department This Department will analyze and classify your holdings, and in connection therewith will gladly make helpful suggestions for improvement with regard to income, security and diversification. This Department is also in a position to render unbiased expert opinion in any stock or bond in which you are interested. Bond List We carry on our list at all times from $500,000 to $2,000,000 of carefully selected corporation, municipal, and government bonds, to meet the most exacting requirements of your funds. Our Legal Department This Department will discuss with you without charge any problems which you may have con- cerning your investments. Our Inheritance and Income Tax Department This Department will assist you with tax problems and the preparation of your returns. With the constant changing in both the income and inherit- ance tax laws, it is essential that every investor avail himself of the opportunity to take advantage of the offer which we make in this connection. Our experts in this department are in constant touch with all changes in the law, and your inquiries will be handled promptly. e The closing of the year 1923 will mark one of the most successful years in our history, both from the point of view of distribution of bonds and the development of a national organization equipped to meet every Investment Banking Service. Howe, Snow & Bertles, Inc. DETROIT CHICAGO GRAND RAPIDS NEW YORK 14 slip down into the icy parlor for my stocking. I saved the biggest red apple I could find, polished it until it shone, and placed it with Mother’s things. It was a feeble little present but with it went love; the human touch that makes giving divine, and when she kissed me and told me that it was just what she wanted I would not have changed places with a king. “What did we have for Christmas? Human love as sweet as the flowers that bloom in June, and a few ma- terial gifts that seemed marvelous to us. And then there was the Christ- mas dinner with chicken, pumpkin pie, peach pickles and five-layer jelly cake. After the dishes were washed we played games, and father, who was musical, sang us old songs and I can remember the one that went, We hunted and we hollowed And the first thing that we found, Was the moon in its element And that we left behind; Look ye there! And one said it was the moon But the other said ‘nay,’’ He swore it was a yankee cheese With one-half cut away; Look ye there! “He played his own accompaniment on the piano and his fingers skipped about and I loved to watch him. And the last verse shocked me a little: We hunted and we hollowed, And the last thing that we found Was an owl in an olive bush And that we left behind; Look ye there! One said it was an owl, But the other said ‘‘nay,”’ He swore it was the devil And we all three ran away. “At nine o’clock we were all in bed, and the little house stood silent in the moonlight while rabbits played around the steps and another wonder- ful Christmas had become history. “And the world goes on, and water runs down hill, and the clock does not turn backward, and we'll never be young again. But thank God for our memories; for the good times that have been.” There was silence for a moment. Every man at that table was busy with his own thoughts and recollec- tions, and finally a voice said: “I feel that our Christmas greeting has been furnished us. It should be printed and sent out with the warmest of messages to the good people who make our bank a human as well as a successful institution.” 2. Untidiness in appearance will offset a good many very desirable qualities in a clerk, and yet it is the easiest fault to correct. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Devastating Influence of the Deadly Cigarette. Commissioner Wilbur D. Spencer, of Maine, has issued a statement re- garding fires caused by cigarettes, calling attention to the Profile House fire as his text, in which he urges more thorough education along this line. He says: Last week the stub of a cigarete flung thoughtlessly by a bellboy from ar inside window upon an outside combustible roof destroyed property worth $750,000. Only through the in- tervention of Providence was there no loss of life. During that same week losses in the United States from the same hazard may be computed con- servatively at $7,500,000. This sum may seem small when compared with a Ntional debt of tywenty-thre billions, but it might have furnished a thousand dollar bonus for every one of seven thousand five hun- dred veterans of the kaiser’s war. It does not matter what anyone may think to the contrary, there are sub- stantial evidences that the world is already tired of the whole business, but it is obliged to hang on to it as if it were an electric current. Although it is not the distinct privilege of the insurance department of Maine to regulate the use of tobac- co and paper stocks for fuel, nor to initiate legislation to prevent their abuse for such purpose, it cannot af- ferd to show any quarter to this great modern fire hazrd, no matter how much others may minimize its dan- gers. The state law already provides that cigarettes may not be sold to minors, but dealers ignore the law and the public condones its contravention. There is no necessity for visible proof that children. are more careless than their elders in the disposal of dangerous elements, for the composite experience of ages shows them, as a class, to be more indifferent, or less considerate, in all ordinary transac- tions of life. Every one k nows that the favorite resort of the youthful novititate is in or behind some unoccupied building, where he will escape parental detec- tion while he holds his first com- mtunion with a lifelong divinity. As for adults, “familiarity breeds con- tempt,” even as in the handling of ex- plosives. To-day, it is impossible to traverse any public street or follow the line of 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 January 2, 1924 The Welcome Sign Is Always Out OFFICERS Wm. Alden Smith, Chairman of the Board Chas. W. Garfield, Chairman Executive Committee. Gilbert L. Daane, President Arthur M. Godwin, Vice-President Earle D. Albertson, Vice-Pres. & Cashier Earl C. Johnson, Vice-President O. B. Davenport, Asst. Cashier H. J. Proctor, Asst. Cashier H. Fred Oltman, Asst. Cashier Dana B. Shedd, Asst. to President wIRECTORS Noyes L. Avery Chas. J. Kindel Joseph H. Brewer Frank E. Leonard Gilbert L. Daane John B. Martin Charles W. Garfield Geo. A. Rumsey William H. Gilbert William Alden Smith Arthur M. Godwin Tom Thoits Chas. M. Heald A. H. Vandenberg J. Hampton Hoult Geo. G. Whitworth John Hekman Fred A. Wurzburg » ? a? ’ ayer! ‘ at ee ‘ et aae . ast Ones aa aeccneneersnsscnesueapuandesee® 54,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS RESOURCES OVER $18,000,000 a —_—Ee eee | DPAPIDS G AINGSBANK ‘ THE BANK WHERE YOU FEEL AT HOME ‘ ¢ = AMERI CAN STATE SAVINGS BANK NortH LANSING LANSING _ SoutH LANSING CAPITAL, SURPLUS AND PROFITS it $1,000,000.00 Preferred § ists of Safe Investments FOR the guidance of clients this organizatien maintains constantly revised lists of bonds of all types that offer unquestionable security plus attractive yield. Lists Supplied Upon Application Telephones: Bell Main 4678. Citizens 4678. HOPKINS, GHYSELS & CO. Investment Bankers and Brokers Michigan Trust Bldg., Ground Floor, Grand Rapids GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN Fourth National Ban United States Depositary Capital $300,000 Surplus $300,000 3% interest paid on Savings Deposits, payable © semi-annually. I interest paid on Certificates of Deposit 3 Y, % if left one year. OFFICERS Wm. H. Anderson, President; Lavant Z. Caukin, Vice-President; | J. Clinton Bishop, Cashier. Alva T. Edison, Ass’t Cashier; Harry C. Lundberg, Ass’t Cashier. DIRECTORS Wm. H. Anderson Lavant Z. Caukin Christian Bertsch Sidney F. Stevens David H. Brown’ Robert D. Graham Marshall M. Uhl Samuel G. Braudy J. Clinton Bishop Samuel -.D. Young James L. Hamilton BR pe Nie tie 5 Ae mn gpm | January 2, 1924 any steam or electric railroad into any section of the state without find- ing the trail of the careless smoker. Some of both sexes cannot retire at night without the composing influences of the customary book and cigarette. In restaurants it is now merely bon ton for the chef and the waiter to doubly season the soups with the de- natured product of the habitual cigar. Many are inclined to overestimate the sentiment in favor of smoking. Even a majority of those who have nursed the habit through its prelimin- ary stages and become bound would be pleased to be freed from it. Like those who were formerly addicted to the regular use of intoxicants, and voted for prohibition notwithstanding this majority would willingly vote to forego its imperialism without a qualm. Many of them realize that, while they may be discreet themselves, the habit furnishes a pretext for the criminal and indifferent to obtain and conceal proven implements of destruc- tion. The only remedy for the present condition of the hazard is education. If laws are inoperative in the present instance, constraint may the tendency towards lawlessness. The effect of education upon this subject in the public schools might be retroactive in the homes. At any rate since one extreme still follows another it is to be expected that the world is yet to produce some more conserva- tive generations than the present one. Apparently all that the insurance department can do for the present and immediate future is to sound an oc- casional warning to call the attention of a preoccupied public to the cig- arette’s importance as a great de- structive factor in the procession of industry. —__—_—_»->—___- Plans to Prevent Failures. New ideas with regard to extending help to worthy firms that may experi- ence rough financial weather are be- ing worked out in the garment trade. They are being watched with interest, as they embody certain features never applied in the industry before. The aim is to supply needed funds for the temporary relief of certain manufac- turers, who may be in difficulty and who come within the scope of the scheme. In one instance, the funds are derived through the subscribing aggravate . MICHIGAN TRADESMAN SAFETY and SERVICE Safety and Service are prime essentials in any Banking institution, and you have them both in the Peoples Savings Bank of Grand Rapids. for shares by firms that are thorough- ly investigated before they are al- lowed to participate. The operation of this plan, according to its sponsors, may bring out highly constructive conclusions. These may lead to fur- ther developments of the current plans which are now necessarily limited to the comparatively few concerns mu- tually interested. —_22.—__ Her Secret Safe. It was late at night. No one seemed to be about and the poor woman was very seasick. She thought if. she could only get up to the deck a few minutes the fresh air would o ‘her good. So in her nighty, she was crwl- ing up the stairs when she met an equally sick man coming down. She gave a feeble scream of embarrass- ment. “Don’t worry lady,” the man groaned. “I’ll never live to tell it.” —_2+>—___ His new title: Ludendorff the Ludicrous. WLLL LLL LLAMA dhe LLL, IEE LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LL LL LLL ESTABLISHED 1863 Through our Bond De- partment we offer only such bonds as are suitable for the funds of this bank. Buy Safe Bonds from The Old National SAFETY Cc. N. BRISTOL, an assessment. SAVING CLASS MUTUAL INSURANCE AGENCY “The Agency of Personal Service” A. T. MONSON, FREMONT, MICHIGAN THE HARDWARE AND IMPLEMENT MUTUALS DIVIDE THEIR RISKS INTO THREE CLASSES CLASS A—HARDWARE AND IMPLEMENT STORES, DIVIDEND 50% to 55% SLASS B—GARAGES, FURNITURE AND DRUG STORES, DIVIDEND 4% CLASS C—GENERAL STORES AND OTHER MERCANTILE RISKS, 30% These Companies are recognized as the strongest and most reliable Mutuals in the United States, with Twenty Years of successful Underwriting Experience. No Hardware Mutual has ever failed, No Hardware Mutual has ever levied Ask the Hardware Dealer of your town. 4# Interested, write for further particulars. SERVICE H. G. BUNDY. 15 Here is offered unquestioned security, this Bank having served the people of Western Michigan for more than three decades, safeguarding their mony, affording them every banking facility, and assisting many thousands to save money for future requirements. You are cordially invited to open an account with us, with any sum, large or small. The Peoples Savings Bank Burton Heights Branch Madison Square Branch OFFICERS EUCENE. D. CONGER....__..........__. President VicrOonR M TUL... Vice President Ween OMT ION Cashier CALLY Mi SMITE... __..__ Assistant Cashier CLEFORD &. MUIR .__.___.._ Assistant Cashier DIRECTORS JOHN MURRAY VICTOR M. TUTHILL CHRISTIAN BERTSCH STUART E. KNAPPEN WM. H. ANDERSON REUBEN BLOOMER EUGENE D. CONGER Spend Prudently SAMUEL G. BRAUDY ERNEST A. STOWE Save Systematically Invest Wisely Citizens 4267 Bell, Main 2435 A. E. KUSTERER & CoO. INVESTMENT BANKERS & BROKERS GOVERNMENT, MUNICIPAL, PUBLIC UTILITY, RAILROAD, 205-217 MICHIGAN TRUST BUILDING CORPORATION BONDS — GRAND RAPIDS BONDS EXCLUSIVELY @. R. NAT. BANK BLDG. Chicago | First National Bank Bidg. Telephones { GRAND RAPIDS Citizens 4212 Main 656 Detroit Congress Building Fenton Davis & Boyle 16 Present Congress Not Conducive To Prosperity. The consensus of opinion among business men is that there is an Ad- ministration at Washington that is friendly to business and has a con- structive programme, while there is a Congress that cares little for business stability so long as it can corral the votes. The best that is hoped from Congress at the present session is that it will “take it out in talking.” A talking Congress we are bound to have for the simple reason that there is a National election in 1924. While this election is a guarantee of much oratory in coming months, some of which will very probably have a dis- concerting sound, yet the approaching political contest is also one safeguard. Congress will probably do nothing after June. Congressmen will be at- tending the National political conven- tions in that month, and during such gatherings the leaders of first one party and then of the other will be absent from their seats. It is cus- tomary at such times for the leaders on both sides to have a gentleman’s agreement to do nothing important. It is even quite possible that an effort may be made to adjourn before the c-rventions assemble. At any rate, after the nominations are made and the campaign gets under way the Cor- gressmen are always anxious to re- turn home and watch their own politi- cal interests. Even if Congress should prove as hostile to prosperity as is often represented—and the chances are that the situation has been over- drawn—its capacity for mischief at this session will be limited. —_+~-+____ Congress and Prosperity. The two things most feared from Congress are the passage of a bonus bill and of legislation hostile to the railways. A bonus bill is sure to pass and its friends claim enough votes in the House to set aside the Executive veto. The House overrode President Harding’s veto and it will not be surprising if it repeats this per- formance. The Senate’s conduct on this question is doubtful. It refused to follow the House a year ago, but MICHIGAN TRADESMAN at this session a number of new Senators favorable to the bonus have replaced others who opposed it. The prospect of a bonus is the one dark cloud on the business horizon as the new year approaches. Even in this case the immediate effect will not be highly deleterious, as the ‘cost during the first year or two will be relatively moderate. For this reason it may be possible for the politicians who ad- vocate a reduction in taxes as well as the payment of the bonus to do both things for the time being. Such a tax reduction, however, will quickly prove a delusion when the costs of the bonus begin to pile up. The issue is clear cut between lower taxes, greater prosperity, and no bonus on the one hand and heavier taxes, throt- tled business, and the bonus on the other. —_——_>-2 Signs of Thrift. The amount of life insurance writ- ten in a given period is a good index of economic well-being, and the Life Insurance Sales Research Bureau of New York calls attention to the fact that total sales of ordinary life insur- ance during eleven months of 1923 are in excess of $5,000,000,000, and show an increase of 19 per cent. over, the corresponding period of 1922. Early in the year life insurance business es- tablished a new record, and in the later months the business again ap- proached these records. The substan- tial gains during the year in savings deposits, time deposits, and in the amount of life insurance hardly bear out the plaint from the pessimists that the masses of the people are living beyond, their income, and that a dav of reckoning is to come. People are spending freely, because wages are high, but at the same time they have not forgotten that there is such a thing as providing for a rainy day. ——_»++_- When you have trusted a man you know to be poor pay, follow up the account promptly and persistenly. You will show ‘him that you are a good business man and you will dis- courage with any attempt to in- crease his indebtedness. this information. 313-14-15 Murray Bldg. The Wolverine Carton Company offers an unusually fine opportunity for investment. We shall be glad to furnish you with complete in- formation regarding this Company, its organization, its management and its earnings. Write us today for F. A. SAWALL COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. January 2, 1924 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. Merchants Life Insurance Company WILLIAM A. WATTS © RANSOM E. OLDS President a Chairman of Board Offices: 4th floor Michigan Trust Bldg.—Grand Rapids, Mich. GREEN & MORRISON—Michigan State Agents The Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association advises its members to place their fire insurance with the GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY and save 30% on their premiums. Other merchants equally welcome. 319-20 Houseman Bldg. Grand Rapids, Mich. CHANDLER & VANDER MEY Citizens Phone 62425 LOCAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES 707 Commercial Bank Bldg. Grand Rapids, Mich. Michigan Shoe Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Lansing, Michigan PAYING 30% DIVIDENDS Write L. H. BAKER, Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 549 LANSING, MICH. January 2, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN SOS LZ > ner ASS. So, = —= =S ign (a —_ -~ - - WOMANS WORLD COR eet Feary mI Se UE ae er a Awful to Fall Down on New Year’s. Written for the Tradesman. This is the time when it is the cus- tom to talk about new resolutions—or the renewal of old ones which we have not kept. It has become more or less of a joke. In the course of a long observation of a pretty large ac- Guaintance, I think I have not met one single person who even claimed to have kept so much as one of his New Year resolutions through the whole of any year. I think I know the reason for it, too. The first of January is no more the beginning of a year than any other day out of the 365. It is not even the beginning of winter—that has hap- pened ten days or so before. Any day, any hour, any moment, is as much the beginning of a year as any other day or hour or moment. “New Year’s Day” is an artificially fixed oc- casion, about which Nature knows nothing. It does not mark the pass- ing of even an imaginary line in the movements of the earth, or any other member of the solar system, through the universe. The only line that counts for any- thing spiritually is the line that marks one’s own recognition of a change of mind. The only resolution that means anything, or is at all likely to last. is one which registers a deter- mination to be different about some- thing. It cannot be forced by the atrival of a date on the calendar. That is what is the trouble with most of tive New Year resolutions. Under the spell of an imaginary beginning one gathers up all the things that he vaguely wishes were different about him: on an impulse he declares to himself that he will hereafter live an ideal life. And with the failure of one of his resolutions, generally be- fore the New Year’s Day sun has set, le bundles them all up and throws them away. How many, many times have we all done that! Who has ever carried his resolutions through more than a week? The worst of it is that generally he has published his resolutions to the whole family; his abandonment of them becomes a family joke, and usually the last state of that person is worse than the first. As it is said in the Bible, it is better not to prom- ise than to promise and not make good. Nevertheless, it is well to have a time for taking stock of one’s self, and New Year's Day is as good a time as any other But the mistake thet we all make is in supposing that we can reform our lives by a mere The vital thing 1s Without a deep change of actions. a change of heart conviction that wnat we have done and been is wrong, we cannot stick to a mere change of programme. So it all goes back, as such things always do, to the question of self- knowledge and self-control. As we come now to this New Year’s Day, it would bs vorth while not to catalogue our actions and make a list of those it would be well to change, but to asi ecurselves what defect of character lies behind those actions and put cur work cn that. I have just been watching a man who in a hasty moment promised his wife that he wou!d stop smoking. His strugzles have been pathetic. He did not really regret his smoking; his premise represenied nu conviction of his own. He has been counting the days and hours s‘nce he had his last smoke and wishing he had not beer “such a fool as to make the old prom- ise.” 1 would not go so far as to say that his abstention has in any marked way imprcved his disposition! The whole valu of a New Years self-examination lies in its service 10 scii-control. Part’cularly with chil- dren. ine of ‘'e v.:sest of the stu- deuts of child-nattre declared that “shedience is the «1.€ of self-contrel.” The urportant thirg is that the au- thority over behavior, of childrea or of grown people, shall have its sent within. You can say to a child, or to a man or woman: “Now, tt-morrow is New Year’s Dav. During the coming year you must do this and so. Promise me that you will—do this as a favor to ' ” mie. It will not last long. Such a prom- ise has no root in conviction; the in- ner authority which governs people’s actions when none is looking has no part in it. It is better not to make, or to require, such promises. But if by some means you can pro- voke such a degree of self-knowledge and conviction as to what is right to do that the child or the grown per- scn makes the promise, not to you but to himself, that is a very different thing. To feel that New Year’s Day is the only beginning of the year is to cheapen all the other days. The con- sequence of such a feeling is the no- tion that the resolution is broken and cannot be renewed until another New Year’s Day! The whole year goes to smash with it. How much better it is to feel an every hour is the time for getting a fresh grip upon one’s life. As one of iay wisest friends puts it: “Every one slips and falls. The aw- ful thing is not the falling but the staying down. Most people seem to think that if they slip on New Year’s Day they can’t get up again for a whoie year!” Prudence Bradish. (Copyrighted, 1923.) en Has a Novel Manicure Set. Among the novelties that are now being offered in this market is a vest- pocket manicure set of European manufacture. The parts of the set are contained in a cylindrical colored wooden case with rounded ends that is about two and a half inches long. In the cover part of the case is a hole into which may be screwed the part of the set that it is desired to use, the case thus becoming the handle. The set contains scissors, two kinds of tiles and an implement for loosening cuticle. The blades of the scissors are about as long as those on the usual style of manucure scissors. In- stead of having handles, however, the end of one blade of the scissors is screwed into the top of the ‘case and the other blade is operated by pres- sure from the thumb after the man- ner of a nail clip. The set wholesales at a price which will permit it to be retailed at a reasonable figure with a good profit. ——_> +> —___ Treatment of Sea-Sickness. There are many reputed cures, each being a panacea. The cardiac tonics, caffeine, camphorated oil, etc., have had their day, and so have the vaso- dilators. From the point of view of drug treatment, there’s only one which deserves mention—belladonna and its alkaloid, atropine. Wolf recommends 17 three or four granules of sulphate of atropine, containing half a milligram- me, each day. This dose is, however, considered to be much too high. Be- fore vomiting occurs the traveler should take simply one granule of one- tenth of a milligramme before meals, or a teaspoonful of atropine sulphate, 0.002 Gm.; distilled water, 100 Gms. Each teaspoonful contains one-tenth of a milligramme of atropine, should be taken before the three meals of the day. This dose may be doubled if vomiting supervenes. and Henry Smith Floral Co., Inc. 52 Monroe Ave. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN PHONES: Citizen 65173 Bell Main 173 Chocolates Package Goods of Paramount Quality and Artistic Design Rolls-Royce quality ord volume Chase & Sanborn CHICAGO MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ~~ _ _ pa — = = ‘ O 5: — = = = act — a RS ESD K(inic Mie fs 7 C= Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. President—J. C. Toeller, Battle Creek. — Vice-President—F. E. Mills, Lan- sing. Second Vice-President—W. O. Jones, Kalamazoo. . Secretary-Treasurer—Fred Cutler, Ionia. Manager—Jason E. Hammond, Lansing. Hordium Grass Latest Thing in Millinery Trimmings. Something new in millinery trim- mings has made its appearance in this market and promises to make a big place for itself before the season is very far advanced. According to the current bulletin of the Retail Millin- ery Association of America,.the new material, which is not unlike. stippa grass, is known as hordium grass. Short and fine, the bulletin says, it comes in all colors and makes the stubby brush “fancies” that are tak- ing well. The that trim the Summer hats,” the bulletin goes on, “are invariably handmade and have either floss or head centers. They are used in clusters or sprays, but the flower that sells above all the others is the gardenia. Its present great pop- ularity is an outgrowth of the black and white vogue, for gardenias on new flowers crepe hats take the place of ermine on the satin ones. “Next in popularity in floral trim- mings come the cocarde clusters, as the flower men call the tight little bouquets they offer. These are ‘rich and colorful and may be. quickly at- tached to a shape without much work- room effort, which is just what the manufacturers want. “Laces — jeweled, metal-stitched, plain and dyed—are now seen in veils, flanges and wired flares, but the ecru ones for leghorns dre’ considered the most chic. The new quills are heavily lacquered. They are often gilded and do not content themselves with long blade formations. On the other hand, they are curled up most exotically, and frequently are fashioned into bow knots and pompons. “Bands of brilliant and. popular watch fob ornaments of marcasite top the made jin trimmings for small- brimmed high crowned hats. The brilliants come either in yardage or’ in barpin formation and are used either in single or double rows.” ——__2+ + ___ Sound Money and Sound Morals. That these is a close connection be- tween sound money and sound morals was the theme of Dr. B. M. Anderson, Jr., economist of the Chase National Bank, in an address this week before the British Empire Chamber of Com- merce. Debasing the money of a coun- trv, he said, poisons the moral virtues of its people. Thrift under such con- ditions becomes foolishness; every- .of the year. hody is forced to become some sort of a speculator. Successful specula- tion by the housewife often becomes necessary to enable a family to live comfortably. To carry out long- term contracts in good faith may impose runous conditions on one of the parties to the great profit of the other, and so honesty is penalized, and there is a premium on repudia- tion. The man who perverts the money system and public finances of a country is thus more dangerous than an open enemey of morality, be- cause he has a better chance of achieving his object. Dr. Anderson paid a tribute to the British Govern- ment. for the great sacrifices it has made of present comfort in the inter- est of sound money and_ business morality. The British Empire is pro- tecting not only its commercial honor and the sanctity of contracts by turn- ing a deaf ear to the inflationists with- in its borders, but it is also safeguard- ing the moral fiber of its people. —_+-- The “White” Sales Will Help. Two things combine to give promise of a large business in silk underwear during the coming month. One of these is that the heavy holiday busi- ness on articles of this kind has de- pleted retail stocks, and the other is the need of filling these stocks for the so-called January white sales. These sales have now so far lost their ' “whiteness” that about 60 per cent. of the underwear sold during their course is of colored silk. According to a statement put out yesterday by the United Underwear League of America, a: tendency toward lighter fabrics will be seen this Spring. With the coming of the new season many nightgowns and chemises of georgette and marquisette will be displayed. The demand for black undergarments continues,. but they are not making much of an appeal to the “mass” trade. ‘The general run of Spring colors will be delicate and more varied than heretofore. ——_+++—___—_ To Reduce Hosiery Prices? Reports coming from the silk hosiery trade indicate that more or less of a readjustment of prices will be seen on these goods after the turn The readjustment will be downward, and rumor has it that the extent of the reductions will be marked in some of the higher priced lines that depend very largely on style for their appeal. Cuts in these goods, it was said, yesterday, may run as high as $6 a dozen. Decreases in the cheaper lines will be as small as 50 cents a dozen, according to the same authority, with the average cut rang- ing from $1 to $1.50 a dozen. Indica- tions were said to point to a good Spring season, this view being based on the “cleanness” of retail stocks at the present time. Careful buying by the better stores will also be the rule, it was said, and. much of. the “price” merchandise that has been turned out in the hope of stimulating business will be crowded off the market. —_—_—_.————__—__ Denim Stocks the “Cleanest.” Not for some time has the cotton goods trade gone into a new year with stocks in the mill centers in a more unbalanced condition than it did in 1924. Several lines of these goods are very well cleaned up so far as the mills are concerned; yet, according to the head of a prominent downtown textile commission house, there are more or less heavy carry-overs of sev- eral other lines. There seems to be little doubt that the ‘“‘cleanest” stocks of all are of denims, which not only are generally sold ahead, but sur- pluses of which are limited even when they exist. Wide sheetings and kin- dred goods are also well cleaned up at the mills from all accounts. The most liberal carry-overs will be of ginghams, according to the executive in question, and in these stocks will be found both dress ginghams and staples. —_—__ Fluffy Ostrich Trims Liked. Full, fluffy trims of ostrich feathers play prominent parts in the trimming of one of the leading lines of women’s Spring hats in this market. They are used to trim models of hemp and silk, and the flues are long and willowy. Heavy Wear. service guaranteed. WHOLESALE DRY GOODS "WHI Ladddddldlddlllldiliidididldididddddddlldé: Zi which have enabled us progress in 1923. 1924. GRAND RAPIDS Road Men are out again with our New Lines for Spring and Summer. Many new novelties in all departments. PAUL STEKETEE & SONS ELCOMING 1924 to which we look forward with pleasant anticipations. we wish to thank you for the many courtesies to us And we wish that 1924 will bring to you in the largest measure, all those things which will contribute in making the New Year a Happy and Most Prosperous January 2, 192: Orders that have been taken to date on this line indicate that trimmings of this type are going to be in vogu: during the early season at least. In one model of sage green hemp, the large crown is banded with ostrich, dyed green, with the exception oi the tips, which are brown to _ har- monize with the facing. The flues of the feathers drop over the right side of the long brim. In the faille silk model in the new lariat shade, emerald flecked flues of lacquer colored ostrich decorate the crown in a kind of fringe effect. A _ willow “Sweep” on this hat drops to the right. —— How Did He Know? Judge: “You are charged with be- ing drunk. Have you anything to say?” Culprit: “I’ve never been drunk in my life, sir, and never intend to be, for it makes me feel so bad in the morning.” ++ <«-___. Clothing is not likely to be cheap- er. 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. LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL) 4 Real Winter is Here We are still able to fill most of your orders for Mail your orders at once. Prompt GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. to make such substantial DRY GOODS CO. AS cag — ee? = 4 January 2, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Grand Rapids I rust Company ACTS AS: EXECUTOR under wills. RECEIVER or ASSIGNEE in ADMINISTRATOR without business embarrassments. a will or with the will an- proiIsSTRAR and TRANS- nexed. FER AGENT for regis- GUARDIAN of a minor or tering, issuing and counter- an incapable person. signing Stock Certificates or TRUSTEE to execute trusts Bonds of Corporations or or hold trust funds. Municipalities. TRUSTEE FOR BOND ISSUES We have the organization, the men, the facilities and the ability to transact any and every kind of trust business. More than that we have the disposition to execute it promptly and efficiently. OFFICERS: ROBERT D. GRAHAM, President ELMER F. BIRDSALL, Vice President LEE M. HUTCHINS, Vice President ARTHUR E. WELLS, Secretary JOSEPH H. BREWER, Vice President JOSEPH B. WARE, Assistant Secretary ALEXANDER W. HOMPE, Vice President HENRY C. WORFEL, Treasurer JAMES R. HOOPER, Vice President and Trust Officer FRANK V. BURROWS, Assistant Trust Officer FRANK G. DEANE, Vice President HERMAN W. VENEKLASEN, Manager Bond Dept. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MELVILLE R. BISSELL, Vice President, Bissell Carpet JAMES R. HOOPER, Vice President and Trust Officer. Sweeper Company. LEE M. HUTCHINS, President, Hazeltine & Perkins JOSEPH H. BREWER, President, American Public Util- Drug Company. ‘ties Company. WILLIAM H. LOUTIT, Capitalist, Grand Haven. THOMAS F. CARROLL, Attorney. JOSEPH MURPHY, Lumber and Timber, Cadillac. HAROLD C. CORNELIUS, Manufacturer. ELLIS W. RANNEY, President, Ranney Refrigerator : ‘ Company, Greenville. FRANK G. DEANE, Vice President. CHARLES R. SLIGH, President, Sligh Furniture GERRIT J. DIEKEMA, Attorney, Holland. Company. - THERON H. GOODSPEED, President, American Box HARRY WIDDICOMB, President, John Widdicomb Board Company. Company. ROBERT D. GRAHAM, President. DAVID WOLF, Lumber and Timber. ALEXANDER W. HOMPE, Vice President, Kent State SAMUEL D. YOUNG, President, Grand Rapids Show Bank. Case Company. Grand Rapids Trust Company OTTAWA AT FOUNTAIN BOTH PHONES 4391 GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 19 26 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Tyet NS y = = ? = = i : = ‘ : A BUTTER, EGGS 48? PROVISIONS: anes A >? Finds Iodine in Seafood. As the result of investigations con- ducted by Dr. Donald K. Teasler of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, it has been found that oysters, clams and lobsters are unusually rich in iodine, containing approximately 200 times as much iodine as beefsteak or milk, according to an announcement issued by the bureau. Shrimp con- tains about 100 times as much iodine as beefsteak, it is reported while crabs have about half of that amount. Marine fishes were also found rich in iodine, containing on the average fifty times as much iodine as milk or beef muscle. Fresh water fishes were found to be very much poorer in iodine, the amount found being about the same as that in meat. The importance of these results is emphasized by the bureau as indicat- ing the value of marine fishes, mol- lusks and crustaceans in the diet of the inhabitants of regions where goitre is endemic. In the goiterous belts sea foods should be eaten at least two or three times each week, it recommends while ocean fish should never be omited from the diet of young girls, who are particularly susceptible to thyroid disorders. “In recent years,” says the bureau’s statement “a lack of iodine in food and drinking water has been recog- nized as one of the most important causes of endemic goitre, cretinism, and other disorders of the thyroid gland. Thyroxin, the active principle of the thyroid, has been shown to be an iodine compound. Various ob- servers have shown that it is neces- sary to have small amounts of iodine in the food or drinking water to en- able the thyroid gland to function properly. “There has been some disagreement among observers as to whether sea foods contained sufficient iodine to be of importance in ‘human nutrition. For many centuries marine algae have been generally recognized as possess- ing valuable therapeutic properties in the treatment of disorders of the thy- roid gland. In recent years it has been shown that this property is caused by the large amounts of iodine which these algae contain. However, fishes, mollusks and crustaceans do not contain such large amounts of iodine, and because of the lack of refined analytical methods suitable for the determination of minute quantities of iodine many conflicting data have been published. Some chemists have published results which indicate that fish and shellfish contain large amounts of iodine, while others have failed to detect even small amounts in the most common seafoods.” The statement declares that by the use of special analytical methods re- cently perfected by a Swiss chemist named yon Fellenberg it has been possible to measure accurately the iodine content of foods even when this element is present in amounts as small as one-millionth of 1 per cent., thus enabling Dr. Tessler to deter- mine the above results. —_2-.—_____ Boston Butcher Pays $250 For One Chicken. Laurence A. Randall, a Boston butcher, last week paid $250 for a hen. This is the highest price ever paid by anyone for a ten-pound chick- en, and puts Mr. Randall in the class with those packers who bid each year for the prize steer at the Chicago Livestock Show and pay more than a dollar a pound for it. One year the prize steer brought $1.50 a pound alive, or about $1,200 for the animal on the hoof, which would mean more than $2 a pound for the dressed meat. But the Boston butcher has _ that record beaten. His chicken would have to sell at more than $25 a pound to bring him out even. That is, it would ordinarily, but not in this case, because this particular chicken, while on exhibit at a poultry show, scratch- ed a $250 diamond from the ring of a lady who was admiring the _ bird’s fine points. The chicken swallowed the diamond, it is believed, and an operation was to be performed to re- cover it. Here is where the Boston butcher stepped in. He bought the hen “as is” and took his chance of obtaining the diamond. He is exhibiting the hen in this show window and drawing big crowds. After the holidays he will kil] her, and if the diamond shows up the will have had some good advertising at small cost. If the diamond is not found, he will have had the advertising, any- way. Whether it will be worth $250 is a question which no one but the butcher will be able to determine. ee Automobiles Cheaper. Notwithstanding the record-breaking demand for automobiles, it is possible now for the buyer to get more value for his money than he could in the pre-war years. The same is true of tires and gasoline, according to a computation by the National Automo- bile Chamber of Commerce. Pointing out that the dollar to-day has only 61 cents of its pre-war purchasing power, the Chamber says that to-day one can obtain with this pre-war dol- lar 111 cents worth of tires, and 101 cents worth of gasoline. On the other hand, he can get only 60 cents worth of shoes, 68.5 cents worth of food, and 51.6 cents worth of clothing. The automobile is not only cheaper than while most before the war other a Once in a while we allow ourselves the luxury of thanking our friends for the evidences of their good will extended to us from time to time. This is one of those occasions, and we use it gladly to express our grateful appreciation for the business given us in the past year. We sin- cerely hope that in the future, our relations may be most cordial, and that mutual advantage may result. ahs JUDSON GROCER COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS BLUE GRASS Superior NA Appeals Quality. as gt to the Always ee OD Cayo ed cred Particular . -_ bed eos iy Ss err . Reliable Housewife January 2, . ® y a * * sn Me a er MICHIGAN REPLENISH YOUR STOCK NOW BE PREPARED FOR THE FALL DEMAND KENT STORAGE COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS_~ LANSING ~ BATTLE CREEK holesale Grocers a General Warehousing? «¢ Distributing Have You Patronized Lewellyn Cash and Carry Branch? 1210 South Division Avenue, near Hall Street GRAND RAPIDS CUUDUODDODODODQUQUEUDQQQUSU0QUDQQQUGIUE GUQUGERGLUUUEDORDCOUUGUOUOUDOUS MICHIGAN January 2, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 21 things are dearer to the consumer, but the cars and tires are also much bet- ter than they years It is evident that the automobile industry has succeeded in doing weil what many other industries are like- wise striving to do. It has met the problem of high cost of labor and ma- terials by eliminating waste and inef- ficiency, and by obtaining the full ad- vantages of large-scale production. Being a new industry, it has had a wide field for experimentation and im- provement and has the advantage of lending itself to standardization and to the use of labor-saving machinery. It has availed itself fully of these op- portunities, and the result is its ability to market 4,00,000 cars in a year. were in the pre-war ——_.2<_ —_ Pencil Stripes To Lead? In the lack of definite styling in- dications for the heavyweight men’s lines, the semi-staple pencil stripes are considered by the mills as their safest bet in fancy worsteds for the new season. wear It has been repeated- ly intimated that the pencil stripes were going out, but those who thought so have been proved wrong. One selling agent said yesterday that he had attended the “obsequies” of penc:l regularly, but always had to resurrect them. Once he drop- ped them out of his initial showing and later on, because of the demand, had to scurry to get them back into Checks will also be given Plaids are not looked upon stripes his lines. attention. favorably by the clothing manufac- turers, owing to the difficulty in matching them up, which requires much care and extra cloth, and so re- duces the profit margin for the SUPERIOR STL Sausage WHOLESALE ONLY YOUR TRADE WILL LIKE THEM HERMAN DEMMINK CO. 557 Michigan GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN clothier who works close. The mill stylers have had very little to work on in the way of a marked trend, how- ever, and their efforts have been diffi- cult because of this. ——s-2 eo —_ Spring Prospects For Neckwear. Two possible developments in wo- men’s neckwear are in prospect for Spring, both hinging on the growing vogue for the tailored suit. One ten- dency is to show the rather severely tailored neckwear that matches the new style trend, and the other is to offer fluffy accessories with a view to softening the somewhat trying lines of plain suits. The outstanding fea- tures of the tailored neckwear now being shown here are the use of colored thread, especially red and orange, in embroidery, the use of little buttons as trimmings, and a convertible collar that may either be worn flat or folded over and held in place by a mannish looking tie. In the “dressier” neckwear, handsome lace promises to continue in favor, as pleatings of chiffon tinsel cloth and net. Jabots attached to collars showing the new V neck are attractive novelty for the early season. well as another — see a—————_ Forty Cars Buy One Pound of Sausage. German financiers of a statistical bent have figured out that it would re- quire a freight train of 40 cars to haul enough one thousand-mark notes to pay for a pound of sausage. —__—_-.~———————_ Clerks do not like it and customers do not like it when the proprietor criticises the former in the presence of the latter. ye "Tre Wholesome Coread for Bread” The standard by which all others are judged HIGHEST QUALITY 100% CO-OPERATION SNAPPY SERVICF I. VAN WESTENBRUGGE DISTRIBUTOR Grand Rapids Muskegon HENRY T. FRASER SHIPPER OF Western Market Deiroit, Michigan Most Complete Line of Seasonable and Unseasonable Fruits and Vegetables in Michigan. We are making a special offer on Agricultural Hydrated Lime in less than car lots A. B. KNOWLSON CO. Grand Rapids Michigan Moseley Brothers GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Jobbers of Farm Produce We wish all our friends A Prosperous New Year BG The Vinkemulder Company For a quarter century Western Michigan’s Leading Fruit and Produce Distributors. MILLER MICHIGAN POTATO CO. Frank T. Miller, Sec’y and Treas. Wholesale Potatoes, Onions Correspondence Solicited Wm. Alden Smith Bullding Grand Raplds, Michigan aang WP 7, = PILAR BEM FLOUR “ “The NEWERA MILLING OP ly ARKANSAS CITY. KANS. C* Ble powar aearf lov + a Polar Bear Flour A MONEY MAKER Can Always be sold at a profit. Quality in the Bag Brings Repeat orders. J. W. HARVEY & SON, Central States Managers Marlon, Ind. M. J. DARK & SONS GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Receivers and Shippers of All Seasonable Fruits and Vegetables You Make Satisfied Customers when you sell ‘‘SUNSHINE”’ FLOUR Blended For Family Use The Conaetty Is Standard and the Price Reasonabie Genuine Buckwheat Flour Graham and Corn Meal J. F. Eesley -y Milling Co. The Sunshine Mills PLAINWELL, Watson-Higgins Milling Co. NEW PERFECTION The best ail purpose flour. RED ARROW The best bread flour. Look for the Perfection label on Pancake flour, Graham flour, Gran- uated meal, Buckwheat flour and Poultry feeds. Western Michigan’s Largest Feed MICHIGAN Distributors. 22 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN — — — — — utitt(( ty) rs AND HARDWARE i 2 X wv S S = www _ ~ _ — ~— — _— — = Michigan Retail Hardware Association. President—J. Charles Ross, Kalamazoo. Vice-President—A. J. Rankin, Shelby. Secretary—Arthur J. Scott, Marine City. Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit. Executive Committee—L. J. Cortenhof, Grand Rapids; Scott Kendrick, Ortonville; George W. McCabe, Petoskey; L. D. Puff, Fremont; Charles A. Sturmer, Port Hu- ron; Herman Digman, Owosso. Making Good Resolutions For the New Year. Written for the Tradesman. The jest about New Year’s resolu- tions is a time-honored and familiar one. Yet with the coming of a New Year, it is the most natural thing in the world to try to turn over a new leaf, and to try to take home to one’s self the lessons the old year has taught. The hardware dealer has his annual stock-taking ‘confronting him; but it will pay him, in the early days of 1924 to take stock of more than the goods on his shelves. In fact, a moral and mental stock-taking should precede this material stock-taking; and while there are a lot of lessons of a very practical kind to be learned by an in- telligent perusal of the completed stock lists, there are often lessons just as important to be learned by glanc- ing back in a more general way over the past year’s experiences. It is a safe bet that however poor the year, the hardware dealer can look back upon some experiences in which he takes keen satisfaction; or there will be which he will feel, however good the year, some points in in retrospect, that his methods of do- ing business or his handling of speci- fic problems could be bettered. It is safe to say that most hard- ware dealers can look back on good business resolutions made by them jut a year ago; and it is equally safe to say that they have been unable to live up to the letter of all these resolu- tions. But it is worth remem)ering that in many instances these resolu- tions have been productive in some slight degree of better methods; and this very fact should encourage the hardware dealer to plan for the com- further advances and improvements in his business. ing year still practical if carrie | more I believe in planning things; improvements that, out, will mean better business, sales, improved service, a more effi- cient selling staff, and less waste mo- tion. There is no advantage the mistakes and d'sappointments of the year disclosed, nor in swelling wi‘h pride at its successes. These things, however, have a practical valve for the hardware dealer. The succ sse;, the gratifying and pleasant expeiieice of the year, should inspire him to re- newed faith in human nature and in mour:ing While the failures should be fully as valuable in pointing out mis- takes to be resolutely avoided in fu- ture. himself. Of course you didn’t achieve, in 1923, everything you expected to achieve. You may have done better in some directions; you probably fell short in others. But, taking things by and large, you should be _ better equipped to handle your 1924 busi- ness than you were a year ago to handle your 1923 business. A further year’s experience must have taught you a lot about your business that, however capable, you did not know a year ago. You should be to-day a better and more efficient hardware dealer, or hardware salesman, by rea- son of your very mistakes. You know, better than a year ago, what you can accomplish and what you should avoid. , If you fell short of your objectives of a year ago, that is no reason why you should scoff at the idea of mak- ing a new set of resolutions. The test of a good business man is, not uniform success, but inability to stay beaten, and ability to capitalize his failures and disappointments by mak- ing them stepping stones to success. When you make your business res>- lutions for 1924, make them speciic and practical. To begin with, take time to run over the weak spots in your methods disclosed by the experiences of 1923. Check up those weak spots. Did you fall down on the buying end of the business, or on the selling end? Could your window displays have been im- proved? Or your advertising copy? Could you have bettered your store’s interior arrangements? Did you look after credits as closely as you should have done? And, above all—what about your sales force? These are among the practical points you should weigh judicially, in retrospect. Get the exact “dope” on these pci-ts before mapping out your planus for the coming year. There is one more point to we'gh as well, one more question to conside:, It is the most important of all, and it is a very personal question. “Was I, throughout the year, the vitalizing force in my business that I should and might have been?” That is the merchant’s big tas—to vitalize and inspire his business and make it function successfully. Most hardware dealers do this without knowing it, by sheer force of person- ality. That dominant, vital, individ- ual personality should dominate the entire business—the selling methods, the display and newspaper and c'rcu- aT cscs Soot and dust on window sill Keep the Cold, Soot and Dust Out install “AMERICAN WINDUSTITE” all-metal Weather Strips and save on your coal bills, make your house-cleaning easier, get more comfort from your heating plant and protect your furnishings and draperies from the outside dirt, soot and dust. Storm-proof, Dirt-proof, Leak-proof and Rattle-proof Made and Installed Only by AMERICAN METAL WEATHER STRIP Co. 144 Division Ave., North Citz. Telephone 51-916 Grand Rapids, Mich. January 2, 1924 Motor nite Trucks ‘nd. To Fit Your Business AND STYLE SALES SERVICE ECKBERG AUTO COMPANY 310 IONIA AVE., NW. Foster, Stevens & Co. Wholesale Hardware wt 157-159 Monroe Ave. :: 151 to 161 Louis N. W. Grand Rapids, Mich. 4 Michigan Hardware Company 100-108 Ellsworth Ave., Corner Oakes GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Exclusive Jobbers of Shelf Hardware, Sporting Goods and FISHING TACKLE Happy ih SSSSSeesSSS ____ |Srook Operates at Farmington. Members of the -Michigan Bankers Association have been warned regard- ing the operations of a man using the tame of George Manchester, who visited Farmington and called on real estate agent in view of buying a lot. On the way to the lot the agent ia- troduced the prospective buyer to a manufacturer of cement blocks, Daniel Starkey, and after the lot was shown the agent returned, to his office. Man- chester did not buy a lot but returned to Starkey’s office and said the had bought the lot and wanted to pur- chase some cement blocks for his new building, and offered to pay so much down on the order. The manufac- turer refused the payment saying that it was not necessary until the blocks were delivered. Manchester asked Starkey to-endorse a check which he had and promised to deposit the amount in Starkey’s account at the People’s State Bank, Farmington; in- stead, Manchester cashed the check and departed. This check was paid by the bank as an uncollected item and because of it no service could be ren- dered by the American Bankers As- sociation in helping to run down the swindler. -Manchester is 40 to. 45 vears of age, 5 feet 11 inches; weight 175 pounds, and dark complexion. A Give Him Time. The kind old gentleman met his friend, little Willie, one very hot day. “Hello, Willie?” he exclaimed, “and how is your dear old grandpa standing the heat?” “Ain’t heard yet,’ said William. He’s only been dead a week.” SIDNEY ELEVATORS Will reduce handling expense and speed up work—will make money for you. Easily In- stalled. Plans and_ instruc- tions sent with each elevator. Write stating requirements, giving kind of machine and size of platform wanted, as well as height. We will quote a money saving price. Sidney Elevator Mnfg. Co., Sidney, O. ge Se Calking TOOLS H. T. BALDWIN 1028 Fairmount St., S. E. Citz. 26388 23 Grand Rapids Wire Products Co. 430 Front Avenue Announcing The Grand Rapids Collapsible Display Baskets (FOR GROCERS WHO CARE) Made of strong crimped wire, with a beautiful green enamel finish. Equally good for Fruits, Vegetables, Soaps and Green Stuffs. Keep your floors clean. Attract attention to what you have to sell. Let us quote you on six or a dozen. We also make wire. baskets for counters and windows. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Signs of the Times Are Electric Signs Progressive merchants and man- ufacturers now realize the value of Electric Advertising. We furnish you with sketches, prices and operating cost for the asking. THE POWER CO. Bell M 797 Citizens 4261 Sand Lime Brick Nothing as Durable Nothing as Fireproof Makes Structures Beautiful No Painting No Cost for Repairs Fire Proof Weather Proof Warm in Winter Cool In Summer Brick is Everlasting Grande Grand Rapids Saginaw Brick Co., Saginaw Jackson-Lansing Brick Co., Rives Junction Brick Co., For Loose Leaf Binders and Sheets Bill and Charge Statements Write the PROUDFIT LOOSELEAF CO. Grand Rapids Michigan Bell Phone 696 Citz. Phone 61366 JOHN L. LYNCH SALES CO. SPECIAL SALE EXPERTS Expert Advertising Expert Merchandising 209-210-211 Murray Bldg. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN RICHMOND STAMP WORKS RUBBER Brass Stencils—Steel Stamps—Stencil Cutting Machines 8 SOUTH IONIA AVENUE STAMPS CITIZENS 51518 THE TOLEDO PLATE & WINDOW GLASS COMPANY Mirrors—Art Glass—Dresser Tops—Automobile and Show Case Glass All kinds of Glass for Building Purposes 501-511 IONIA AVE., S. W. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Are You Going to Drive Your Open Car This Winter? NOW IS THE TIME to think about having a glass enclosure built on your car and have all the comforts of a closed car at a relatively small expense. range from $50.00 to $125.00. HAYES-IONIA SERVICE COMPANY Richmond at Muskegon Ave. Citizens Phone 72-395 Prices on all makes of cars Bell Main 2406 HUDSON TIRE COMPANY Distributors 16 North Commerce Avenue Phone 67751 GRAND RAPIDS, MICH INDIA TIRES BARLOW BROS. Ask about our way Grand Rapids, Mich. 24 MICHIGAN January 2, TRADESMAN MMERCTAL TRAVE —_ = - > Business First Starts in Point of Agreement. Finding 1 C-s a + an c Most of my friends are salesmen wholesale Or retatl__-3 nd acd I .. v ds ai yf fais an as re } tTya¢ ¢ . L- at Lad ew the past it seems that if I had ‘ “: eee o make another lot of Iifelong ee A 4 at wresa > honce to € is G jus Write ine nouse LO 4 1 . ‘. t ont repeat the order It has been said AY at 1 t.- y tnat VWVenster should nave defined 1 ” Be sigt .: ” , ditto as the biography er . 1yer aut 1 think of approval brand approval brane took us to three great conventions. We attended the din- ner of the “night before” and the cracked ice tournament of the “morn- ing after.” We visited 100 exhibi- tion booths and gathered unto selves bundles of souvenirs whose temporary popularity wrinkled 1 c a 2 ciean snirts in our suit cases 1 cat t acts they were wished on other unsus- pecting conventionites. Together we learned that most souvenirs are like free cigars. No one—smoker or abstainer—retuses tnem. sometimes they are kept as cherished mementos, but frequently they are passed on like a pair of ever-wear corduroys in a nine kid family. We attended banquets, conve balls, public meetings of the i 4 zg and business sessions. We convention golf and noted wi ly interest the pigmy the “put and take” top onslaught of on that time- honored game in which Mr. Hoyle’s text book is quoted as frequent ref- erence. We played a lot and through it all took business advantage of a thousand delightful opportunities where the way was paved for interviews un- biased. In the terms of the trade we “got close’ and learned to like some of the fellows we _ had er- roneously catalogued in the Flint file. [ had been making those beloved old conventions for many years and it was just like "Smith Day” at the fair. At the end of the trip we said good-bye at the Penn. Station in New York and two days later took lunch at the Hardware Club to reminisce. “Do you know, Roy,” he said, “I have been thinking about the men we met last week and about every one of them seem to. be. selling something.” “Sure, 1 “they have to. They can’t all make a living off me. The nights are too short and I have to hustle myself in daylight.” “No—seriously,” he _ said. en want to talk about those men. United they make an impression of healthy happiness that I find hard to des- said, Le REN ER AAR most agreeable ever met in They are the lot of gentlemen I have week.” cripe. a single ee . . = 7 1 al Se ce Gee whiz’—he was dead in ear- - ¢ t . nest and he clinched his statement with a corking review of a dozen seoraatinnc it} wae th 1. conversations witn men wno nave ~ ic — ¢ vars ee been selling hardware for years. I was tempted to run out and telegraph to the gang. I felt good about it. “The most agreeable lot of gentlemen he And by J of it the Jove more had met. ever more I thought I agreed him fi i to-day I ‘self asking the and eternal why? 3 ; I presume it is y the selling mcre man’s way of tickling the old think tank in order to get sales reasons. Why and what created the impres- sions that caused a really big man to summarize his impressions in so nice a way? I’ve or more selling men he had met were accustomed got the answer. The hundred to talking from the cus- + mop ic omer s viewpoint. the kind of fellows who They were Not AT oe - é indeed. sage a men had been selling on the of u an agreement as the point Daily the, quite agreed” Pp t ALLY LHey jut rs. Not that they were in th the buver tees with ne puyers sta 4 t maa ** +t rect tos yr that he was “not interested” but they . ” t a ~ € at “quite agreed” that was natural that he should feel so not knowing the new, interesting and profitable features which they immediately be- gan to unfold. Those men thought and talked from the customer’s view- point and, being square all the way through, they had come to reflect, in common, a most favorable impres- sion. Imagine a daily life that talks from the customer’s point of view to the buyer who inists that he “can’t afford it.” “I haven’t got the money” has been a stock resistance phrase since the days of steeple tipped butts. Give your brain another violent twist and figure how you would take the customer’s viewpoint and pivot a sale into the right channel with the old boy who is “Too busy to decide now” or with the customer who is even “Too busy to talk now.” These beloved old friends look good with the passing of years as I recall cases of their “taking the cus- tomer’s point of view” with the “T’ll think it over” buyer or his first cousin “Mr. Suppose-You-Call-Again.” Talking from the customer’s point of view with the buyers who suggest “Stop in on your next trip and per- haps—.” Say, that’s the stuff that Livingston Hotel Largest Hotel Rooms in Grand Rapids CENTRALLY LOCATED GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN The Pantlind Hotel The center of Social and Business Activities. Strictly modern and fire- proof. Dining, Cafeteria and Buffet Lunch Rooms in connection. 550 rooms——Rates $2.50 and up with bath. NeW flotel MMlertens GRAND RAPIDS Rooms without bath, $1.50-$2.00; with show., er or tub, $2.50. AKY ( ne gl tea a7 y WA - Ne YASEN ay = OD LOLS ay, Tex, Va Cas Union Nik A itis De A x 4 - Vo8 a Club Breakfast 20c to b t or a ila Carte. (7 e Luncheon 50c. Dinner 75c. ge Ee Wi. OF \a i =m — Ww wn a N VEN ON r “rh atti Sm a: Wire for Reservation. __ ml. oe mn lal. : PATE me ro “Hess 4 oo. £ : § ppeEbS Hoa. boda; a rr: FF p Aaya tt IN THE HEART OF THE CITY Division and Fulton { $1.50 up without bath RATES ) $9'59 up with bath CODY CAFETERIA IN CONNECTION , a ~ 1 hitachi —ankdigpiciniiiinnen * ot = ar © ' January 2, 1924 has been moldng the characters of a lot of these selling men who have done so much for the hardware in- dustry. And always “agreeing” on the pivot ground. The lives of these men are not merely a lesson in sel- ling. As I think them over—recall their names—remember our contracts and try to summarize, I know this habit has developed a fine courtesy. A more than manly—a gentle-manly consideration for the other fellow and his viewpoints. I know it has put rubber tires on tact—that it has taught men to smile—to use their eyes—to be earnest—not too eagerly earnest—not the drama deadly sort but just humanly earnest in a way that carries through. And a large group of men—trained in this school —reflect that fine thing which makes the old world roll smoothly. “Thinking from the customer’s viewpoint!” Salesmen—wholesale or retail—who do it, unconsciously grow in power and in personal charm. To-day many of the sales man- agers, the officers and owners of manufacturing plants and jobbing houses and the prominent retailers are men who have won through on a sales job. I still think of them as salesmen and in their accomplish- ments see clearly the opportunities of the man who sells. His life is not always pleasant. Frequently he faces the brunt of disagreements or events not of his own making but he comes through—he measures up and just as surely as he works to a definite goal he will land there. And the higher they go the more tenaciously they seem to cling to that sure fire system of “thinking from the customer’s point of view.” There’s a heap in it—Roy F. Soule in Hardware Age. 2-4 Gabby Gleanings From Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, Jan. 2—The ups and downs of human life are strikingly illustrated in the career of Corwin S. Udell, who died a few days ago in St. Louis, Mo., and whose ashes were in- terred in the family lot in Oakhills cemetery, Grand Rapids. Born in the Western Reserve of Ohio, he took up his residence in St. Louis while a young man, achieving a notable suc- cess in the expansion and develop- ment of a large jobbing business there. Mr. Udell removed to Grand Rapids about 1880 and took a prominent part in the business and “religious life of the city. He was interested in manu- facturing tubs and pails and later man- aged a lumber business. fifteen years he owned a dominant in- terest in the Bennett Fuel & Ice Co., devoting his energies to the expansion of that institution. Business reverses overtook him later in life, but he faced the situation in a manly man- rer, never uttering a complaint over the strange decree of fate which forc- ed him to labor faithfully almost up to the time of his death. Mr. Udell was a liberal Christian and devoted much time to the dissemination of re- l.gious thought and expression in St. Louis and Grand Rapids. He was a lifelong friend of John L. Snyder, the great Unitarian divine of St. Louis, and was always first and foremost in every good work which appealed to him as worthy of his support. He was an original member of the Uni- tarian church established here many years ago and which was subsequent- ly absorbed by All Souls church. He :eaves a widow and one daughter, Zaida, who is engaged in welfare work at Elgin, Til. The Grand Rapids Calendar Co. is For about’ MICHIGAN TRADESMAN erecting a two-story and basement brick building on South Division avenue, 30x100 feet in dimensions, di- rectly opposite Campau park. The company expects to occupy the new building about Feb. 1. Clarence J. Farley, President of the Grand Rapids Dry Goods Co., is the happy father of a girl baby, born in Blodgett hospital last Saturday. The Grand Rapids Rescue Mission will soon make its twentieth appeal for funds to carry forward the work of 1924 with the same energy and thor- oughness which has characterized the institution since its imception. The Tradesman hopes to be able to chron- icle the fact that the response to the appeal this year is more generous than has ever been the case in the past. Paul Gezon, the Wyoming Park grocer, suddenly finds himself thrust into the lime light by reason of his proclamation that independent gro- cers should put cut-price articles un- der the counter and refuse to be made puppets of by designing manufactur- ers who use large spaces in the daily papers and magazines on the theory that the retail grocers are nothing more than automatons. Mr. Gezon has been invited to address the retail grocers of Hastings Jan. 10 and has accepted the invitation. The Besteman-De Meester- Vanden Beldt Co., produce dealers at 37 Mar- ket avenue, has removed to 40 Ottawa avenue. THe mid-winter furniture market formally opened Wednesday morning, Jan. 2, with arrival sheets totallng about 250 buyers. This, of course, is just a starting number. The ques- tion sometimes asked, ‘What com- prises the furniture market in Grand Rapids” “And where does all the fur- niture samples come from?” It is a fact that Grand Rapids is the largest manufacturing city in the world pro- ducing high grade furniture. And there are twenty-three other states in the Union which also manufacture fur- niture, and it is from these other twenty-three states that the medium priced furniture comes from. These states are scattered throughout the Union. There are about one hundred twenty-five manufacturers that send ‘samples twice a year to the Grand Rapids furniture market. The buyers on their first arrival generally do a little shopping and visiting, because twice a year there is a reunion, so to speak, of over 3500 men—buyers and salesmen who get together twice a year during these market seasons in Grand Rapids. The regular meeting of Grand Rap- ids Council and, in fact, the first meét- ing of the new year, will be held Sat- urday, Jan. 5. It is very important to the membership of No. 131 that they attend this meeting, as many matters of importance always come up at the first meeting of the year, and it is at that time that committees are ap- pointed and arrangements started for the annual meeting March 1. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Martin, of Henry avenue, entertained with a theater party at Powers’ theater New Year’s eve. This little theater party consisted of just their own family. From the theater they went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin. Even though the usual watch party that is held each year at this particular home was declared off, owing to the condi- tion of Mr. Martin’s health, yet be- fore the strike of twelve there was a gathering of eighteen people to watch the old year out and the New Year in. —— Laziness is not like bowlegs and big ears—something you cannot get rid of; it is a habit and it can be cured. Columbia Hotel KALAMAZOO Good Place To Tie To 25 Morton Hotel = OU are cordially invited to visit the Beautiful New Hotel at the old location made famous by Eighty Years of Hostelry Service. 400 Rooms—400 Baths Menus in English WILLIAM C. KEELEY, Proprietor. HOTEL BROWNING 150 Fireproof Rooms GRAND RAPIDS Corner Sheldon and Oakes; Facing Union Depot; Three Blocks Away Rooms, duplex bath, $2 Private Bath, $2.50, $3 Never higher Western Hotel BIG RAPIDS, MICH. Hot and cold running water in all rooms. Several rooms with bath. All rooms well beated and well ventilated A good place to stop. American plan. able. WILL F. JENKINS, Manager. Rates reason- - .). Hotel ‘Whitcomb = Se bs ssa ‘Baths THE LEADING COMMERCIAL AND RESORT HOTEL OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN Open the Year Around Natural Saline-Sulphur Waters. Best for Rheumatism, Nervousness, Skin Diseases and Run Down Condition. J. T. Townsend, Mgr. ST. JOSEPH MICHIGAN OCCIDENTAL HOTEL FIRE PROOF CENTRALLY LOCATED Rates $1.50 and up EDWARD R. SWETT, Mgr. Muskegon te: Michigan Lansing’s New Fire Proof HOTEL ROOSEVELT Opposite North Side State Capitol on Seymour Avenue 250 Outside Rooms, Rates $1.50 up, with Bath $2.50 up. Cafeteria in Connection. CUSHMAN HOTEL PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN The best Is none too good for a tired Commercial Traveler. Try the CUSHMAN on your next trip and you will feel right at home. HOTEL KERNS Largest Hotel in Lansing 300 Rooms With or Without Bath Popular Priced Cafeteria in Connection Rates $1.50 up E. S. RICHARDSON, Proprietor HOTEL WILLARD Detroit’s Largest Bachelor Hotel 448 Henry Street Attractive Weekly Rates Cafeteria and Dining Room Open 6 A. M. to 1 A. M. SPECIAL DINNERS—75 Cents EARL P. RUDD, Mgr Turkish Baths . Detroit, Mich. WHEN IN Excellent Cuisine Stop and see George, HOTEL MUSKEGON Muskegon, Mich. Rates $1.50 and up. GEO. W. WOODCOCK, Prop. KALAMAZOO Stop at the Civic Clubs Luxurious Rooms ERNEST McLEAN, Mgr. Headquarters for all = Old Reliable x. oro» West Michigan. and economy. After all, New — Dentists We've taken pain and high price out of Dentistry and substituted comfort there’s no place like the New System. 41 dita Ae in ea a Just One Flight Up; a Step South of Monroe Ave. Write for Information. 26 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Mich. State Pharmaceutical Ass’n. President—D. D. Alton, Fremont. Secretary—L. V. Middleton, Grand Rapids. su A. De Kruif, Zeeland. utive Committee—J. A. Skinner, Cedar Springs: J. H. Webster, Detroit; D. G. Look, Lowell; John G. Steketee, Grand Rapids; Ellis E. Faulkner, Mid- dleville; George H. Grommet, Detroit, ex-officio. Michigan Board of Pharmacy. President—James E. Way, Jackson. Vice - President— Jacob C. Dykema, Grand Rapids. Secretary—H. H. Hoffman, Lansing. J. A. Skinner, Cedar Springs. Oscar W. Gorenfio, Detroit. Claude C. Jones, Battle Creek. Director of Drugs and Drug Stores— H. H. Hoffman, Lansing. Upward Movements in Evolution of Pharmaceutical Ethics. One may the above head leads a contribution to either a medical or pharmaceutical journal, but wonder why if the questioner will dispossess his mind of restrictions bred in the soph- istries of falsely or perhaps better, im- perfectly applied ethics, he will fully comprehend that ethics in connection with The well re- members how years and years ago a physician stated that generally ac- cepted ethics from the business side of both pharmacy and medicine was all important to not only the parties concerned but to the people at large. Again, within a more recent period a man engaged in purely scientific di- conspicuous the term business is proper. writer of these lines rections, occupying a place in governmental affairs, express- ed himself to this effect in a letter: “Legitimate business is dignified and can not be classed otherwise than as a foundation stone on which Ameri- can prosperity rests.” And yet one need not search far to find ultra-enthusiastic professional men, saturated with thé opinion that the term “profession” is a superlative that excludes the idea of business. In the opinion of this writer in the ma- jority of cases professional men are not especially good business men, al- though many attain a great degree of financial success because of their pro- fessional ability and achievements. This in spite of a lack of strictly busi- ness foresight and methods. In other cases the defective business ability of the professional man is evidenced in the distress of their families and of themselves. This writer believes that the word “sophist” applies to whom- soever lives in this American country on professional fees and condemns the word “business” to opprobrium. In this connection the writer be- lieves that educational institutions aside from those concerned in relig- ious activities are in one sense busi- ness institutions. And, he even goes so far as to accept that even in the direction of the exception made, busi- controls their very life that one and all live and prosper either by reason of their attributes or that of their supporters or endowers, who are Just a ness acumen opportunities, own Dusiness or were purely business men. touch in this direction to fact: Who contributes the money for the erection of the edifices designed for the housing of the institutions sug- gested hereinr Is it not the man of business who contributes the money who gives them their opportunities? In the majority of cases does not the business man or taxpayer stand di- rectly behind the salaries of the em- ployees including even the professors thereof? Little courtesy, in the opin- ion of this writer, does any professor or teacher exhibit when he attempts to cast a reflection upon the business man whose trade processes or manu- facturing industry nourish his “Alma Mater.” And yet the word “business” may cover a multitude of sins, as who- ever enters that field will fully com- prehend. In the line of medicines, or one may say medicines and medicine making and selling, many complica- tions existing now are greatly to be deplored. the subject, there has been a constant evolution during the past four decades in the direction of better business rules and regulations and higher ethical conceptions in the medicine field. This especially applies to the manufacturer who on a large scale has so mightily increased his opportunities for service to the people. For example, let us briefly consider some phases of the past. thic tnis Personalities, without a question as to right or wrong, ethically or other- were indulged as recently as forty years ago or less, that would be considered the rankest form of dis- courtesy, even almost an outrage on decency, if resorted to to-day by par- ties intent on introducing their prod- ucts or increasing their business sales. Let us cite. wise, This writer recalls the representa- tives of two manufacturers of sugar coated pills who, enthusiastic in behaif of their respective wares, met in the office of the establishment where these lines are written. The chief intent of each was to serve the interest of his employer in the selling of sugar coated pills, then a specialty to each. Viciously did the one assault the other. Seemingly each was a personal enemy of his competitor, each pre- senting arguments to decry the pills of the other maker, their arguments being sumniarized as follows: Taking from his pocket an original package of the other’s pills, made with illustrate, But as this writer sums up a soft coating susceptible to being easily rubbed off, one produced a broad and using the pill as a piece of chalk wrote on the board, claiming that although labeled sugar coated, it was chalk coated and, as he demon- strated, would mark like chalk. Not to be outdone the other produced a package of pills made by the employ- er of his antagonist, also a piece of soft pine board and a little hammer, charging that these pills were as hard as bullets and would dent the board, proving the fact by pounding the pills artfully against the board, showing a dent, the pill not being destroyed. Needless is it to state that such argu- ments as these and such discussions by any representative of any reputable pharmaceutical establishment to-day would, if the employer learned of it, doubtless result in the dismissal of the salesman. The discourteous term originally often applied to the traveling salesman and often used was “bummer.” This evolved into the term “drummer” which next became “traveling solici- tor” and finally, better than all per- haps—“‘business representative.” Pos- sibly these terms progressively indi- cated the evolution of business ethics as well as personal ideals. At present, the writer comprehends that the term “business representative’ bespeaks a cultured man, scientifically competent to speak in behalf of the wares of his employer, using language and meth- ods irreproachable, and who wouid not for the world attempt such meth- ods as were with some parties, at least not forbidden, three decades ago. This leads to the consideration of another pronounced ethical improve- ment, In other days manufacturing pharmacists were not averse to what is now known as “piracy,’ wherein a preparation devised by one’ manufac- turer through his efforts and receiv- ing commendation of physicians gen- erally would be imitated by another manufacturer as nearly as_ possible, even unto the name and appearance of the label. As an example, the orig- inal American pepsin process of Pro- fessor Emil Scheffer, Louisville, Ken- tucky, was bottled in square ounce vials, surrounded by a peculiar and characteristic yellow label, descrip- tive of its contents. This bottle and label was imitated to the limit, ex- cepting the name “Scheffer.” Rank counterfeits were sent out as this preparation. If an article could not be success- fully imitated, it was not uncommon for the other party to impugn its repu- tation. Thus it is to be lamented that not only did a traveling representative feel it his duty to praise the qualities of the preparation in which his em- ployer was concerned, but in mistaken zeal to detract from the reputation of the preparations of other manufactur- ers. Needless is it to say that such methods as these would not now be tolerated by the heads of any reput- abl manufacturing establishment or indulged by their representatives. In connection with the foregoing the writer well recalls an incident wherein a curious process was em- ployed to traduce a line of plant prep- arations evolved by the establishment with which he was connected. This brave and cheerful. January 2, 1524 was to carry a bottle of the liqui’ and to the physician patrons of t! establishment illustrate the fact thi: it must be defective in strength be- cause it would not make a black mark on paper as would a preparation of the same drug made by the establis':- ment of the demonstrator. In the opinion of the representative the sta:- dard of quality rested upon the amount of coloring matter present in the prep- aration, a fallacy long since abandon- ed by every one concerned in the realms of plant pharmacy. Nor was it unusual for an audacious representative, absolutely ignorant of the scientific phase of a subject, to decry, even traduce the _ individual members of a manufacturing firm op- posed to his own. Such attempts ito “slur” the personalities of men who had made life-long pharmaceutical studies in a direction where the tra- ducer had had no experience what- ever, were too often heeded by un- wary patrons. Such as this in busi- ness circles had also passed away. To-day manufacturing pharmacists consider themselves to be friendly rivals concerned in the direction of service to the people. They recognize that processes of manipulation based on experimentation and study lie in the- realm of property and that on property rights, be they material or intangible, rests the equities of fair business. These manufacturers, their confreres of scientific men, and their representatives as well, now meet to- gether in friendly conference. They have learned that a man concerned in a rival establishment, be it head or employee, is entitled to friendly recog- nition, often of the warmest nature. Indeed, in many instances, they may be considered as very close friends even though in a business way they may be rivals in behalf of competing lines of materials distributed as mei- icines. To-day, in the opinion of the writer of this paper, a manufacturer who would presume to be concerned other than by the unwritten code of ethics briefly summarized herein, com- prising advanced live-and-let-live busi- ness methods, would be considered as an outlaw and not entitled to the name of legitimate competitor. To concern oneself with the products of another man’s pharmaceutical preparations, either as a pirate or a traducer, so ~s to by word or print to disparage or to reflect upon either the manufacturer or his preparations would not now be tolerated in the ethics of modern com- petition. John Uri Lloyd, Phar.M. —_——_~o-~-»-—____- What Your Eyes Tell. If your eyes are gray you should have talent and shrewdness, for great thinkers usually have gray eyes. In a woman they indicate a better ‘head than a heart. Real gray eyes are uncommon, and show a level-headed, strong nature, capable of self-control, but roused to passion by any injustice; affectionate, but not unduly sentimental. Gray-eyed folk are, as a rule, intellectual and good workers. If your eyes are dark blue you will prove a devoted friend and be honest, Often the gift of humor goes with dark blue eyes; in fact, a downright pessimist is seldom seen with them. ~~, Os i January 2, 1924 Light blue eyes, on the contrary, show fickleness in love affairs and a jealous nature. Men have light eyes oftener than women, and the blue eye has the sight that lasts the longest and sees the farthest. The old Norse- men had light blue eyes. A hazel-eyed woman can generally be depended upon. She is easy-going and fond of pleasure, but looks after her husband’s comfort rather than her own, and is an agreeable, lovable creature. Brown eyes are the most beautiful of all, but often their sight is imper- fect. Notice the people you meet in the street wearing eyeglasses; in very many cases you will see hide beautiful dark brown eyes. they Their owners are full of passion and heroism, and are capable of mak- ing great sacrifices. Sometimes they have a trace of diabolism in their glances, and this has a potent attrac- tion over men’s hearts; brown eyes are always mysterious, elusive and secretive. Round-eyed persons see much, but think little. Narrow-eyed persons see less, but think and feel more intense- ly. People with large eyes clever and amorous, and_ generally highly strung. are MICHIGAN TRADESMAN WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT Prices quoted are nominal, based on market Look for Novelty Vogue Again. No falling off in the popularity of novelty merchandise, from a retail merchandising standpoint, is seen for the new year by those who are care- fully watching this trend. Rather, it is held, the appeal of this class of goods to retailers will be stronger than ever. Retail buyng, ii is pointed out, is now governed by two factors. Price is one and the appeal of the merchan- dise itself the other. On goods where the former factor the retailer has to buy close and sell close. On novelties he can afford to pay a little more and, in turn, get a bigger mark- up, as a basis of comparison is not usually present. Consequently, it is found profitable to force the novelty appeal as another means to quick turn- over, which bodes no ill for this class of goods. rules, —_—__.- 2k Barley Grits 5 Peas Sceten, 10). 0732 Split; ib. yellow —-._-. 08 Sago Hast . nGia 2 11 Taploca Pearl, 100 lb. sacks -- 11 Minute, 8 oz., 3 doz. 4 0d Dromedary Instant . 3 50 FLAVORING EXTRACTS Doz. Doz. Lemon Vanilla 120 22 % ounce .. 1 65 1 65.1% ounes == 2-20 295 - 2, ounce... 3.60 240 2-2 ounce _. 5 30 4°50 = eunce —. 6 00 1-12 8 ounce _. 10 40 15°00... 16° ounce —. 20 90 29 00 __.32 ounce —. 37 40 Arctic Flavorings Vanilla or Lemon 1 oz. Parnel, doz. 2 Oz. Fiat, doz. —--- 22407. aug, | 472 ees ol 3 oz. Taper, 40 bot. for 6 Smith’s Flavorings Doe > 2 Of. Vania =. $2 00 2 oz, Lemon. ...._.-- 2 40 4 oz. Vanilla —..._--- 3 50 Jiffy Punch 3 doz... Carton: —..--_-- 2 25 Assorted flavors. FLOUR AND FEED ‘Valley City Milling Co. Lily White, % Paper Sek 2 Harvest Queen, 24% Light Loaf Spring Wheat, 248 ------- Roller Champion 24% Snow Flake, 24%8 -- Graham 25 lb. per cwt Golden Granulated Meal, 2 Ibs., per cwt., N Rowena Pancake Com- pound, 5 lb. sack Buckwheat Compound, 5 lb. sack ~------— Watson Higgins Milling Co. New Perfection, %s-- 6 80 Red Arrow, %S ------ 7 20 Worden Grocer Co. American Eagle, Quaker. Pure Gold, Forest King, Winner. email January 2, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ~ FRUIT JARS M Salted Peanuts ve eee ee iy eee mane Bub No More, 18 tg 425 TEA. Mason, % gal., gross 12 20 HERD 36 23° Medium hogs -------- 09% Colonial, 24, 2 Ib. --- 95 a Cleanser, 48, : Japan, Ideal Glass Top t 9 45 Shelled Tjehe Hogs: 2. 09 Med. No. i, B > OZ. -—mn == = SS Medium ......... 30@35 Ideal Glass Top : ga 20 ‘Almonds 48 aie te ae Med. Me. 1 arin i 2 Sani Flush, t doz. 2296 Choice 41@58 Ideal Glass Top, Peanuts, Spanish, al Pomer Snce., 70 ‘ Bi Seve: 3 doz. ------ 1 fey 62@70 gallon _. |. 15 70 wise le> bass ------ 454%. Shoulders .___. 10 Packers Meat 56 ih. Seapme. 106. 2 om . 6% No 1 Nibte —__----_- 62 GELATINE _ : epee a 32 ra J a Packers for ice cream - Sioerar: Pgs oz. 2 o 1 lb. pkg. Siftings 16@17 Jello-O, 3 doz we 84 spaKemips = 10 100 Ib., each 9 Ss : nee = O, i Valnuts ne pu , €ach ----~- B Speedee, 3 doz. —_____ Knox’s Sparkling, dog. 2 25 ulnuts ae 52 Neck bones ..__....__ 05 oe 50 ee 47 Sunbrite, 72 a. Se 7 “ . Gunpowder Knox’s Acidu’d, doz. 225 Bulk, 2 gal. keg 3 85 PROV Ladi Salt, 280 lb. bbl. 450 Wyandotte, 48 ----- 4 75 Choice ------~--------=- 28 Minute, 3 doz. ______ io ea 2 oe ee Ue ISIONS ee ee Ee aa. Fancy -------------- 38@40 | White . = 166 Bulk, 5 gal. keg PEs 75 Gi cab biggaese ge 60, 5 s a oS i Whole Spices Cc udker, 3 doz. 00.2 2 70 Parada tahoe dozen __ 6 00 Short Gut Clear 30 doa! O0 30, 10 Ib. Table eRe ; 30 Broyice. JRIAGICA _--- @11 Pekoe, ede 52 HORSE RADI , Jars, dozen _--_- 3 50 Clear Fami ’ 8 Ib. bags, Table _- Ce es lS Per doz., 6 oz. sie 10 ‘ doz. i 40 r a - shia 00 e = 40 pos ght oo @22 JE : : » Dl. doz. y Sa eats Sassia, 5c pkg., doz. @40 JEEP Y AND PeESeRuES fot Ja bam, aoe 7 eo S P Bellies __ 16 00@13 00 Ginger, African’ ---—- fa ea ee : ---- 6 oz. Jar, i a ti 2 , i imiedos 0, oa Lio 4 cn tee eed i 90 aa ee ie Sr, comaas. Chalee -... eee ture 7 oz. Asst., doz. 120 8 oz. Jar, Stu doz. 3 40 80 lb. tubs __-_-advance %& wa ket Qi Congou, Fancy ---- 42@43 Buckeye, 22 0z., doz. 210 9 oz. Jar, Stuffed, doz. 4 10 a 15 Mixed, 5e pkgs., doz. Cae JELLY GLASSES 12 oz. Jar, Stuffed, dz. 4 90 59 7 pie -~---advance % ion ee Nutmegs, 70-80 ----- @38 : Oolong 8 oz., per doz, _______ PEANUT BUTTER. 20 Ib. pails oo ¢ pening > aa ee a = Scr lc es 10 lb. pails ____advance “ SN 5) epPer PIACK —-————— @15 . — OLEOMARGARINE 5 Ib. pails __--advance " ae Pure Ground in Bulk a 50 Kent Storage Brands. 3 Ib. pails ___.advance 1 : ; Allspice, Jamaica --- @16 TW Good Luck, 1 Ib. ---- 25% Compound Lard _-15@15% Cloves, Zanzibar ---- @50 Cott ° we — Gone leack. 2 Wb 05 Sinnsuen ‘ iTPQURS ; @assia, Canton _____ GE Cation 3 bee a Sood “Muck, solid 2 2 : Pee Ginger, African -__ 26 ee le CU ee — Edge, 1 tay ie oBih Spo -------------- a Se) Mustard a 39 Wool, 6 ply ----------- 2 silt Wage, 2 1p. 2 Sa —t—‘aR#SCS Wee | Otsékaankcfort _—-- me T COMBS Mace, Penene —_.___- ) Deticia. £ ib) 2. a oO Tec eee 16 — Notness oe Sia on we VINEGAR Delicia, 2 ib. 30% Veal aera a Bos Pepper, Black _-__. @17 ea. a ------ = : ee ee ee Per case, 24 2 Ibs. Pepper, White ---- @2 nite WIRE, 80 grain 22 Gen — Brands. 8 — —, Brand a ------------ . Five case lots = : — Pepper, Cayenne eb On White Wine, 40 grain 17 Special Country roll__ 27 24 1 Ib. pails a 5 3 Smoked Meats _ ’ SOAP ee anne te Weenas — Van Westenbrugge Brands 12 - Ib. pails ______b 60 Hams, 14-16, lb. _.21@ 24 Chili ace ane 1 Oakland Apple Cider _. 25 Carload Distributor Sf a pails 6 in crate 6 20 Hams, 16-18, Ib. --21@ 26 Am. Family, 100 box 6 00 Celery Salt "3 a 1s i Blue Ribbon Corn —-_-- 20 95 lb. i oe 19 Ham, dried beet Export, 120 box AM Ses ta 90 Oakland White Pickling 20 50 Ib. San ---------- i” c i lee age pee 88. 29 | Bee ute. 106 tox 4 3¢ Onion Salt 1 35 No charge for packages. oe Se ¥ ams --12@ 3 Wels Naptha, 700 box 5 5 ia UU : PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ha Boiled Grdma White Na. 100s : 00 as SG ‘eee 3 3 WICKING - Iron Barrels p PAM 30 @32 Rub Nv More White Kitchen Bouquet oe No. 0, per gross --.-- 76 Perfection Kerosine _. 11.1 oiled Hams -_ 34 @37 Naptha, 100 box 5 00 Laurel Leav ---_ 3 49 _No. ¥, per gross -.._ | 05 Red Crown Gasoline, oe Hams _. 14 @15 Swift Classic, 100 box 4 75 Mean. 1 on a - No. 2, per gross ---. 1 50 Fank Wagon ...... 14-7 acon —________ 18 @30 20 Mule Borax, 100 bx 755 Savory, 1 oz. a 90 No. 3, per gross ---- 2 30 Gas Machine Gasoline 33.8 Beef Wool, 100 box ------ €0 Thyme. 1 os. _______ go Lcerless Rolls, per dos. 38 Nuc, 6 25% ve - P. Naphtha 20.2 Ronee se ---- 23 00@24 00 aoe 100 box = 5 60 Tumeric, 2% a 6 Rochester, No. 2, doz. 506 Nucoa, 2 and 5 Ib.__ 26 apitol Cylinder —--- 39.2 ump, new -- 23 00@24 00 ap Rose, 100 box ---- 7 85 STA tochester, No. 8, doz. 2 00 Atlantic Red Engine_ 21.2 Mince Meat Palm Olive, 144 box 11 00 RCH Rayo, per doz. ------- 80 : MATCHES. Winter Black ________ 2. ondensed No. 1 car.200 2Va: £00 Hox 490 14 Corn : Diarnond, 144 box.--- 8 00 “ ondensed Bakers brick 31 Fummo. 100 box ---. 4 85 See Sear 40 Ibs. -_-- 11% WOODENWARE Blue Ribbon, 144 box 7 55 Mol Moist in glass ______ g 90 Sweetheart. 100 box - 5 70 ec: bazs 5 04 Baskets Bine Seat 62 2. 60 arine Pig’s Feet Grandpa Tar, 50 sm. 2 00 et 48, 1 Ib. pkgs. 3 75 Bushels. narrow band, wearchlight, 144 box. 8 00 te pble oes 91, Grandpa Tar, 50 Ige. 3 45 sream, 48-1 _--------- 80 wire handles ----~- 1 75 Red Stick, 720 Ic bxs 5 50 i Obs, 35 IDSs. 22 4 00 Hairbank Tar, 100 bx 4 00 Quaker, 40-1 -------- 7 Bushels. narrow band, Red Diamond, 144 bx 6 00 j3, Iron Barrels. bbls) 2 700 ©0©zrilby, 190, P26 Cag _ , Gloss as wood handles —.---- 1 80 Safety Matches. Sean ----------------- 67.9 Fo pbk 222 14 15 Ra a Barber Bar, 9s 50 ae a 7: ec 3 75 Bushels, wide band __ 2 15 Quaker, 5 gro. case 475 Heavy oj eas grea . wa a ripe illiams Mug, per doz. 48 ‘roo 8 5 Ib i - ; a aoe drop handle 85 ‘inc ea Special heavy ------- 64.2 % bbls. yea 1a frecue & Gane. Sree, “Glows, Beis =. iq Market, extra re a e Such, oz. __ 4 85 Extra heavy ___- 67.2 % ‘is eh ae 5 box lots, assorted Tite G@ pw 6 & Sint. wie Quaker, 3 doz. case -- 350 ‘Transmission Oil ___- oe gece ior eee 2@ Ghipso, $0, 128 _._ 640 Tiger, 48-1 —- [Se pe 7. Libby Kegs, Wet, lb. 24 Finol, 4 oz. cans doz. 1.4@ Hogs, per in ngs a4 @hipso, 30. g25 ______ 6 60 liger, 50 Ibs. oo On Splint, aa ee a ee MOLASSES Finol, 8 oz. cans, doz. 1.90 Reef. round ot ts oe oe : Sng 7 ( Parowax, 100 7.2 Beef. middl a 8 . Ivory, 100, 10 oz. ---- 10 85 CORN Steur. . _ quar P. ax. Ca oa ae : es. set_. 25@30 Ivory, 50, 10 5 5 Barrel, 5 gal., each. 2 40 arowax, 40, 1 Ib. -.. 7.4 Sheep, a skein 1 75@2 00 y, 50, 10 oz. ----_ 5 50 force’ 10 - Parowax, 20, 1 Ib. _- 7.6 RICE Ivory Soap Fiks., 100s 8 00 fi cu wie oa Fancy Head an ee eee Fite. 50s 4 10 3 to 6 gal., per gal. -. 16 ‘a tee © Oh Lenox, 100 cakes -_-- 3 65 : Egg Cases. = fa Ee coker 3 75 No. 1, Star Carrier. 5 00 Bw [alae cage” Sto a Naptha 4 50 No. 2, Star Carrier__ 10 00 ts te eee ee Ne © cones 50 = No. 1, Star Egg Trays 4 50 i er ee ie ee ee ee ae Eee Ceres eo MS No. 2, Star Egg Trays 9 00 es Quaker, 18 Regular __ 1 80 Star Nap. Pw., 100-12s 3 85 OF Mop Sticks “ Quaker, 125, Family —- co. eee Nae. Pw., 24-60e 4&8 Penic Trojan spring ——————-- 2 00 y Mothers. 12s, Tll'num 3 2 Jelipse patent spring 2 00 Silver Flake, 18 Reg. 1 i CLEANSERS. aa No. 2, pat. brush hold 2 00 Sacks, 90 Ib. Jute ~-__ 2 85 Penick Golden Syrup Ideal, No. 7 135 Gold Brer Rabbit Sacks, 90 lb, Cotton -- 2 90 6m coms... 399 12 oz. Cot. Mop Heads 2 55 No. 10, 6 cans to case 5 35 SALERATUS 1? 5 ib. cans 3 19 16 oz. Ct. Mop Heads 3 00 No. 5, 12 cans to case 5 60 Arm and Hammer -- 3 75 o4 26 ib. ¢ans | 3 20 Pails No. 2%, a cans to cs. : = é : ee LENZ 94, 134 Ib. cans -.___- 229 10 qt. Galvanized 2.35 No. 1%, 36 cans to ¢s. 5 zranuiated, Ss.) ou 200 ER i 12 qt. Galvanized 2 8 68 Granulated, 100 Ibs. cs 2 25 Crystal White Syrup 4 qt. Galvanized 3 00 Green Brer Rabbit 10 1 ans % ; ron’. ---- 4 No. 10,6 cans to case 3 90 Granulated, 36 2% Ib. i SG 1g cecal mera $40 12 qt. Flaring Gal. Ir. 5 00 No. 5, 12 cans to case 415 g 1 packages ----------- 2 50 24. aA oo . oa * 60 10 qt. Tin Dairy _. 4 00 vO. § Semdac, 12 pt. cans 2 80 COD FISH 1 27 1D. Cans —---—- eo 12 gt. Tin Y , 5 No. 214, 24 cans to cs. 4 40 Semdac, 12 at. cans 4 15 Middles 24, 1% lb. cans 2 55 airy .._ & 00 No. 1%, 36 cans to cs. 375 ~’ pigkLEs Tablets, ig; Pure -- 20 Penick Maple-Like Syrup Mc ae Aunt Dinah Brand. Paniots, Ib. P --- 4 ih a yrup_ Mouse, wood, 4 holes __ 60 ‘ Medium Sour ee ure, , » cans -------- 415 Mouse, wood, 6 hole 7 No. 10, 6 cans to case 285 Barrel, 1,200 count -_ 16 00 doz. --------.------- 40 12, 5 lb. cans ------- - 455 Mouse, tin, 5 ‘alea a 65 No. 5, 12 cans to case 3 10 Half bbis., 609 count 9 00 Wood boxes, Pure ---. 27 24, 2% lb. cans ----..- 750 Rat, wood 4 00 No. 2%, 24 cans to cs. 3 35 10 gallon kegs 6 75 Whole Cod = TI 24, 1% lb. cans 3 05 Rat. Soaig No. 1%, 36 cans to cs. 2 90 Giuaet oe Holland Herring elias ne 1 = nee ee 30 gallon, 3000 ae oo on a . Blue Karo, No. 1%, Tubs ; Fancy Open Kettle --- 68 30 gallon, 3000 oe 43 00 Queen, half bbls. --- 8 25 2 doz. ~------------- 225 Large Galvanized 8 50 Choice -------- =--------- 52 5 gallon, 500 9°40 Queen, bbls, -——-— 16 00 Blue Karo, No. 5,1 dz. 315 Medium Galvanized ca sg Se 39 (2 oee) Milkers, kegs —--~--- 1 10 Blue Karo, No. 10, Small Galvanized a 6 75 Soe oc Ee ee oa fa 2 95 ee te Molasses in Cans. Sosy cae ce Bae So Red Karo, No. 1%, 2 : ras Red Hen 24, 2 lb. --270 Cob, 3 oo tmern er oo ee ee ee 260 Banner, Globe ------ 6 00 Red Hen, 24, 2% Ib. 3 35 : : oe KKKK Noes 20 Red Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 3 65 grass, single ------ 6 75 tad Hen, 12, 6 th. -- 3.20 PLAYING CARDS . i ake ay -- 2000 30 can cases, $4.80 per case Ked Karo, No. 10, % Aor baa ae ama Ss. Red Hen, 6, 10 Ib. ._. 2 90 Broadway, per doz. 240 G+ Lunch ____-_---- “ee CO 3 45 Double Peerless -~---- 9 50 Red Peas Mh. 2 ee Be Phen eo , a _WASHING POWDERS. imt. Maple Flavor. single Peerless ----- 7 60 ciinger Cake, 24. 2% lb. 3 90 icyele ----------—---- 4 25 ee ‘enn ae Bon Ami Pd, 3 dz. bx 375 Orange, No. 1%, Sane sag Otters Queen -—— 6 00 Ginger Cake, 12, 5 lb. 3 70 POTASH 44 bbl, 100° Ibs. eS Goa Naat a ee Oe 8 00 Ginger -Cake,, 6, 10 ih 3 50 Babbitt’s 2 dos. ._____ 2 15 . cee, ag i & 20 Maple - Window Cleaners Oo & L, 24, b: 2. 465 FRESH ME e uranama, , pe... 400 Green L: ye Sin 65 O & L, 24, 2% Ib. ---- 6 00 a oe eee ae a. oe ge 1 1 85 O & L, 12, 5 Ib. _-_ 5 25 Top Steers & Heif. 18@19 * White Ban , Gold Dust, 100s ------ 400 Green Label Karo, — 16 in. —-----------—--- 2 30 J. & Ly 6-10 Ib. ----—- 475 Good Steers & Heif. 16@17 Med. Fancy, 100 Ib. 13 00 oo teers oS ---- #1 40 Wood Bowls Hove. 36,2 lb. Wh. L. § 60 Med. Steers & Heif. 12@13 : : widen Td 4 Maple and Can 13 in. Butter 00 Dove, 24, 2% Ib Wh. L520 Com. Steers & Heif. 10@12 SHOE BLACKENING. Pee, 5 GOR. a oe ee 16 te Bate 9 00 Dove, 36, 2 Ib. Black 4 30 . a ie 1, Basle, oe 2 A rence Laun, 4 dz. 360 Sugar Bird 3% gon OF eto, ger es 18 00 Dove, 24, 2% Ib. Black 3 90 »p owe E. Z. Combination, dz. 135 Luster Box, 54 ------ :_ : : 19 Sailer 5 Top 12. Dri- doe. 2 g 09 19 in. Butter -------- 25 00 ie 6 a i CU ri-Foot, doz. ------ 2 00 Sugar Bird, 8 4 Pe oe Oe i. Pe ee 1 35 a ne Ort” ae oe WRAPPING PAPER DLC TTL me ne mn mn shinoia, fe aces ese Pru " Sa pi NUTS. Cnn 08 oe oo ia * Perse meveemer ttt ania. Fibre, Manila, white. 05% Whole Veal Blackin : Michigan, per gal._-- 2 50 No ft Sie. 07% e, per doz. . 1 35 : D & tchers Manil Almonds, Terregona_- 20 Top ------------------ 12 Black Silk Liquid, dz. 1 40 Welchs, per sal. .... 2 90 ers chers Manilla --—~ 06 Brazil, Large -------- 22 Good! 2 a =: 10 Black Silk Paste, doz. 1 25 i lat ve res apres ean OS Fancy mixed --------- 20 Medium 22 08 Enamaline Paste. doz. 1 35 TABLE SAUCES. Krate Stripe Go Filberts, Sicily ------ 15 Lamb. Enamaline Liquid, dz. 1 35 Lea & Perrin, large-- 6 00 - VEAST CAKE Peanuts, Virginia, raw 09% Good ----------------- 24 EZ Liquid, per doz. 140 Miracle C., 12 oz. 1 dz 2 25 Lea & Perrin, small__ 3 36 Magic, 3 doz. -------- 2 40 Peanuts Vir. roasted 11 Medium 4.2 22 Radium, per doz. --_. 1 85 " ? Reaper 189 Sunlight, 3 doz. ----- 2 70 Peanuts, Jumbo, raw 13 Poor ----_______ 16 _ Rising “Sun. | per ee i ch Clean, 4 de 8 0 lace to 4@ costes, 14 we oe Peanuts, Jumbo, rstd 15 Mutton. 654 St : : Wonasco, Yor. 2... -..4 25 Yeast foam, 3 doz. -. 2 76 ; Stove Enamel, dz. 285 Queen Ann, 60 02 240 « aa Pecans, 3 star -------- 22 Good —---------------- 12 Vulcanol. No. 5, doz. 95 Rinso, 100 ‘om on 6.46 Sho You, 9 oz., doz.270 Yeast Foam, 1% doz. 1 35 Pecans, Jumbo ------ 24 Medium 2200.0 10 Vuleanal No 10 doz 1% Bub No More. foo. 10 A-l, large —_____ 5 20 Walnuts, California .. 28 oor -. 06 Stovoil, per doz. ---. 3-00 ee 3 85 A-1, small ---------- 3 15 YEAST—COMPRESSED Teo Capers, 2 oz.-------_ 2 30 Fleischmann, per doz. 30 30 DON’T WRITE A CHECK Until You Have the Money in the Bank. It appears that we have forgotten what the word liabilty means and in order to satisfy the demands made upon us by our creditors, we issue checks with no money behind them, never thinking of the seriousness of the pitfalls we are stepping into. As we all know, it’s been the prac- tice of some business men throughout their career to give out checks with- out a penny in the bank as backing. Other business men have extended this practice to a greater degree by continuing to issue checks when they have overdrafts at the bank. This custom has become so preva- lent with many that I think it’s about time for us to check up along that line. If you please, don’t misunder- stand me. of three dependable institutions that are recognized by the State Banking Department as three of the best banks in the state. I have been told that repeatedly by the banking examiner. But am not speaking as a banker; I am speaking as an ordinary business man, striving every day to enlarge my family of friends, and I feel it’s my duty to help my brother business men to wipe out this menace. The last eighteen months more checks have been returned than ever marked “N. S. F.” I have no hesi- tation in making the remark that this menace appears to be growing with a certain class of business men because of an investigation I made a short time ago among various banks, not only in the Twin Cities, but in all parts of the country; in fact, from coast to coast, including the South. This has been during the last three months in which I have attended over twenty reail merchants’ conventions. Business conditions in the future will not be cured through studying the effect of the situation; we must get down in the sub-cellar and find the cause. To make myself clear, let me cite a few instances of the many cases I have come in contact with regarding this check abuse. A merchant whom I know has been in business for thirty years. He is one of the best salesmen in the land—-a hard worker—a man _ of splendid character—but there are two bad habits he is afflicted with. I really think he has thousands and thousands of dollars on his books that he’ll never collect, consequently he lets out credit in a_helter-skelter way, and he’s so kind and considerate that he is under the impression that he’ll hurt the feelings of his debtors by asking them to pay him what they rightfully owe. As a result of this he is of course hard up all the time. He receives dunning letters from ‘his creditors, and upon receiving a letter the first thing he does is write out a check. When a collector drops into his store he sits down and writes him out a check even though he has no money in the bank. During the last few months, as a result of the mismanage- ment of his affairs, he has had a large number of checks returned marked “N. S. F.” thereby des- I happen to be president banks—financial now I MICHIGAN TRADESMAN. troying the reputation it took him thirty years to build. Before his checks are finally made good, they take an excursion to three or four different places. Realize the exitra work this makes for this bank, his creditors, the clearing house, and himself! You owe it to yourself and your business to collect your bills when they are due. Keep in mind that your customers will respect you all the more if you have the backbone to collect your bills when they are due. Explain that by doing so you are able to offer better merchandise, better prices. I know of a merchant who has been in business for twenty-five years. On account of his slack methods of collecting his bills when due he has fallen into the thabit of issuing checks without money in the bank, and by so doing has destrowed his business reputation. In fact, he was asked to withdraw his account from the bank where he had done business for years as they could not tolerate any longer his habit of constantly having over- drafts. Up to afew years ago he was held in the highest esteem and his account was solicited by the best banks, but since then he has been slipping downward at a rapid pace. He has in the neighborhood of 150 credits to whom he is indebted in sums of from $50 to $3,000. Hiow easy it is to avoid trouble of this kind by simply confining your- self to as few sources of supply as possible. Don’t scatter your orders around; stick to a few good reliable companies, say five or seven at the most, and you wont have any trouble to keep your business going. Say, if you sold $700 worth of goods in one week and you owed six or seven companies, why not give each of them a hundred dollars or so? By doing that you could ease the situation along until you had more money, and I’ll wager you wouldn’t hear any complaint from those sources of sup- ply. They are only too glad to co- operate with retail merchants if they know you will continue giving them your business and that you will clean up your bills within a reasonable length of time. I recall one instance in particular in the year 1914. when a large manu- facturer from whom we had pur- chased quite a few thousand dollars’ worth of goods, stepped into my office with the request that we pay the bill though it was not quite due. “Your invoice is not quite due yet, but I need the money, and if you'll settle that bill to-day Ill give you an extra discount.” “But I haven’t got the money today,’ I told him. “Never mind; just post date the check—that’ll be all right.” “Not on your life! I’m not ‘in the habit of doing that, and I’m not going to start now. ‘When your invoice is due we'll pay, but I’ll not post date my check even though it would give me an extra discount.” That’s the menace that’s been spreading rapidly too—post-dating checks—and it should be carefully guarded against, as it’s an evil that works havoc with business. It de- stroys your credit rating and the first January 2, Selected The limas and baby limas packed under the Seaside brand are care- fully selected beans, thoroughly cleaned, graded and inspected. They are sold in cartons and in bulk. - SEASIDE CALIFORNIA LIMAS ond BABY LIMAS omy \ 1 CALIFORNIA SEAS BABY, LIMAS Owns Pack AUFORNA LIMA one SROWERS associh’ California Lima Bean Growers Association, Oxnard, California 1924 FRANKLIN DAINTY FRANKLIN DAINTY LUMPS MADE FROM SUGAR-CANE The right size lumps for use in tea coffee cocoa and other hot drinks—No waste Franklin Sugar Refining Company Philadelphia Sugar lumps of best quality and small size—fit for every occasion. The Franklin Sugar Refining Company PHILADELPHIA, PA, ‘ e ‘A Franklin Cane Sugar for every use’’ January 2, 1924 thing you know you'll have to do a cash business or go without goods. Be frank with your creditors—lay your cards face up on the table—ex- plain the true situation—remember we must always be fair to win—and it's no disgrace to talk over your financial situation with your creditor and banker. As we know, the ‘basis of credit is character: and when you sign a check without sufficient funds in the bank, you violate the commandments of good business, as follows: 1. It’s a criminal act in some states to sign ia check when you know you haven’t got sufficient funds in the bank to take care of it. 2. It destroys your credit. 3. Its a violation of the banking laws for a bank to pay your oOver- drafts. 4. Practicing this habit brings the bank’s attention to your account and invariably they instruct the tellers and bookkeepers to watch your ac- count and not cash a single check made out by you until your account is thoroughly gone over. 5. It places you on the delinquent list with the first-class rating houses. 6. It creates worry,, and when you're worrying you're guessing, and when you're guessing you’re gamb- ling, and when you’re gambling you're a lability to your family and your friends. 7. It destroys your organization because your sales people lose con- fidence in you and generally find out when your checks are returned mark- ed “N.S FA : 8 You’re throwing obstacles in the wheels of industry by forcing your bank. and your creditors to collect from you twice. 9. You'll be trade-marked by the credit bureaus as jan unsound risk. 10. You're rolling down the smooth road that glides along swiftly to the bankruptcy court. Just put yourself in your creditor’s place and_ visualize the situation. You receive a lot of checks to-day and naturally place them in the bank. You pay your obligations according to your balance in the bank, basing your balance upon deposits and with- drawals. You owe some bills and you make out checks and mail them out. In two or three days the checks that you deposited that day—the checks that you thought were good _—have made their little excursion and your banker calls you up—‘‘Say, that Brown & Smith check that you deposited here the other day for $412 has been returned marked ‘N. Ss. F.,” You recall that you depend- ed on that check to pay your pills, and what’s the first thing youll say, “Gol darn that Brown & Smith Co.” As _ result of that $412 check, your checks will be returned to your cred- itors marked the same, and your creditor’s checks will be returned to him, and so on, right down the line. Think of the endless work and worry that $412 check has caused to a large number of people! and open with our creditors and in- stead of giving them a check that we _know is worthless, we would explain, “Now I owe you $300; I’m not making you any promises MICHIGAN TRADESMAN that I can pay it by the tenth of the month because I may not be able to do it, but I am going to do my level best to meet ‘this obligation, and I am going to strive to put my business on a cash _ basis.” The ten commandments contain a world of valuable ideas. There are many others of course, such as good stock keeping, rapid turnover, etc., and one of the cardinal points to remember is— collection of your bills; keep away from lawsuits. Congress passed 1300 laws in 1922 at a cost of $900 per law. In 1919, 40,000 bills were passed in 35 states. What chance has an attorney to be familiar with all the laws? ‘When you sue your creditors there are a thousand different styles of alibis that he can bring up. Learn to be dip- lomatic and avoid law suits. You will generally find lawyers advise settlement. If you have an old ac- count that’s been running quite a while and the interest has accumulat- ed on it, eliminate the interest if that ‘will bring prompt payment. And even if you have to make a slight concession, that is preferable to a lawsuit. A lawyer has small chance to keep up to date on all the laws that are continually being passed and you will notice that if you ask a lawyer his opinion about a certain matter he will tell you, “I’l looks it up;” and lots of times he has to do mighty hard digging to find the latest laws pertaining to that spect- fic matter. A merchant told me some time ago. “This country is going to smash; three billion dollars are stolen in the United States each year, and only 10 per cent. convictions from all that theft.’ But I claim that 99 per cent of the people are honest. Bond companies claim 97 per cent. of the people are honest, but I think every man is honest if only he is shown the sunlight at the proper time, and one of the best religions I know how to preach is, “Give the other fellow a helping thand,’ and let the gospel of every business man now and ever afterwards be, “Never sign a check unless you have the money in the bank.” T. KK. Kelly. —_2.2.2>—_—_ There is a moral as well as healing influence in things which amuse and make us enjoy life. No one was ever spoiled by good humor, but tens of thousands have been made better by it. Fun is a food as necessary to the wholeness of man as bread. ooo Hides, Pelts and Furs. Hides Green, No. 1 ----------------------- 05 Green, No. 2 ------------------------ 04 Cured, No. 1 ~----------------------- 06 Cured, No. 2 -----------—---------- 05 Calfskin, Green, No 1 --------------- 11 Calfskin, Green, No. 2 ------~----- 09% Calfskin, Cured, No. 1 ------------- 12 Calfskin, Cured, No. 2 ------------ 10% Horse. No. 1 --------------~----~---- 3 56 Horse, No. 2 ----------------—------ 2 50 Peits Old Woal ___<.__-_-.—-_----~-- 1 00@2 00 Pampe 2 oe 75@1 25 Shearlings -—-------------—----- 50@1 00 Tallow. rime (202 06 No. 1 __._-.--...-------------—-------—~ 05 Wo 2 25.2 2 04 Wool. Unwashed, medium --------------- @35 Unwashed, rejects --------~------ @25 Unwashed, fine ------------------- @35 31 BUSINESS WANTS DEPARTMENT Advertisements inserted under this head for five cents a word the first Insertion and four cents a word for each subsequent continuous No charge less than 50 cents. If set in capital letters, double price. display advertisements in this department, $3 per inch. is required, as amounts are too small to open accounts. For Sale—Good grocery, ideal location, at reasonable price. Call or write to Bert Graham, 840 Leith St., Flint, Mich. 411 SALE—Muscle Shoals paying Will invoice $30,000. Owner not a druggist. Will sell less than in- voice: terms. Address P. O. Box 22, Russellville, Alabama. 417 FOR drug store. Wanted—Stoeck of general merchandise elothing or shoes. J. E. Lee, Lancaster, Wisconsin. 423 FOR RENT — LARGE BUSINESS BLOCK, THREE floors and basement, heart of business district, old established mercantile stand, Alliance, Ohio. Popu- lation 25,000. Address Sydney L. Geiger, Attorney, Alliance, Ohio. 424 Wanted—To hear from owner of good business’ for sale. State cash price, full particulars. D. F. Bush, Minneapolis, Minn. 425 We have openings for several salesmen who can carry worthwhile sidelinés, sell- ing to automobile accessory and hard- ware jobbers. We manufacture three items of use, and needed by every ga- rage. Liberal commission paid on all business from territory assigned. Please state lines now carried, territory covered, and about how often. The Denver Tow Line & Manufacturing Co., Denver, Colo- rado. 426 Commercial traveler with 15 years ex- perience wants position. Prefer long trips.. Address No. 427, care Michigan 427 Tradesman. One of the best markets in Good business. Al For Sale Bay City, Michigan. building, with large modern home. In- vestigate this. Reasonable. Address No. 428, ec-o Michigan Tradesman. 428 FOR SALE—Or exchange for stock of general merchandise—a fine 200 acre farm in Cheboygan county, Michigan. Parti- culars, J. W. Taylor, Cheboygan, Mich. 429 WANTED — Position, by EXPERI- ENCED manager and operator of mill, warehouse, grain and bean elevator. Best of references. Address No. 430, c-o Mich- igan Tradesman. 430 For Sale—Three retail stores. Address No. 431, c-o Tradesman, _ a 431 CASH For Your Merchandise! Will buy your entire stock or part of stock of shoes, dry goods, clothing, fur- nishings, bazaar novelties, furniture, etc. LOUIS LEVINSOHN, Saginaw, Mich. : Pay spot cash for clothing and furnish- ing goods stocks. lL. Silberman, 1250 Burlingame Ave., Detroit, Mich. 566 feed and_ grocery For Sale—Flour, business. Also business doing a fine buildings and real estate. Located on finest corner in the city. 87 feet on main street, 180 feet on side street. Store building 22x100. Hay barn, two small warehouses, large store shed, small store building on corner occupied as a millin- ery store. Good reason for selling. Ad- dress No. 208, c-o Michigan Tradesman. 208 insertion. Smail Payment with order NOW BOOKING DATES for January and February SALES. My SALES leave a good taste in your mouth. E. B. DAVIS North Branch, Mich. il INVESTIGATORS Private investigations car- ried on by skillful operators. This is the only local con- cern with membership in the International Secret Service Association. Day, Citz. 68224 or Bell M800 Nights, Citz. 21255 or 63081 National Detective Bureau Headquarters | 333-4-5 Houseman Bldg. PROFITS ARE LOST if you fail to keep an accurate record of your sales. Try mo | the one writing sys- eo | tem by using sales i books. If you don’t write us for prices | we both lose. Let us bid on your next order? We make all styles and sizes, prices on request. BATTLE CREEK SALES BOOK CO R-4 Moon Journal B! Battle Creek, Mich 0, E. FAUSKE GENEBAL MERCHANDISE ANTS BARDWARE Karrae, §. 1 #2. CIVIL, CRIMINAL, PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS HALLORAN’S NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY (INCORPORATED) 506-507 Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Citizens 51-328. Bell M. 46. Nights: 605 on dial and ask for 286-2 rings. SCHOOL SUPPLIES Pencils Tablets Paints Ruled Papers, etc. WRITE US FOR SAMPLES The Dudley Paper Co. LANSING, MICH. et ST GEE OTOL IE ECS EEA IOCSE OLE 32 SAP ASE RIA OP OA AA CRON ma MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 2, 1924 IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY. Cheats and Swindles Which Merchants Should Avoid. It affords the Tradesman much pleasure to add another name to its Roll of Honor this week—that of Daniel F. Pagelsen, the Grand Haven attorney. The victim in this case was Henry Koop, the Borculo general dealer, to whom the Tradesman re- cently wrote as follows: I regret that you should have got- ten hooked on the crooked deal ex- ploited by the National Remedy Co. Your signature to the order is null because it was given under false representations. You may, there- fore, kindly hold the goods subject to the order of the shipper and pay no attention to any overtures that and void, may be sent you for adjustment or settlement. First, you will receive a call from a man who claims to represent the Han- nah Collection Agency. Turn him down emphatically and tell him you will pay him nothing, and that he can have his goods any time he will reimburse you for the freight and cartage on same. Then the claim will sent to some attorney in either Hol- land or Zeeland. All you need to do is to show him your letters from the company and copies of recent issues of the Michigan Tradesman, and he will undoubtedly return the claim, be- cause no honorable attorney will dirty his hands with such stuff. If you need any further advise or assistance in the matter, do not be at all backward in letting me. know. Instead of sending the Holland or Zeeland, the Maumee schemer sent it to Grand Haven in- stead. Mr. Koop acted on the Trades- man’s suggestion and turned over to Mr. Pagelsen all the papers in the case. After careful consideration, Mr. Pagelsen wrote: “I am inclined to believe from what I have learned that Mr. Stowe is right. Claim is herewith returned.” probably be claim to Still another legal firm deserves a place on the Roll of Honor It is Knappen, Uhl & Bryant, of Grand Rapids. This firm recently received a claim against a Lowell merchant. It had already been in the hands of Dilley, Souter & Dilley, who returned it because they did not wish to soil their files with such trash. As soon as Knappen, Uhl & Bryant saw the kind of a catch contract held by the Maumee exploiter, they returned the claim. A mercantile friend in another city has sent out a notice to all surround- ing towns to be on the watch for a man and woman who are trying to pass worthless checks to merchants for goods received, or may be taking the goods with the expectation of paying later. The woman gave her name as Mrs. Albert Spaulding and she gave the names of several families as references when she purchased the goods at various stores. The man re- mained outside the stores as the wom- an bought the goods. They were traveling in a dilapidated ford car and had two children with them. The woman is about 30, small, ight com- plected, dressed attractively in dar‘ plush coat and grey fur trimmings, small close fitting hat. She wears glasses. The man is large, dark com- plected, was unshaven when _ seen, wears a sheep-lined coat and dark hat. Many retailers can recall unpleasant experiences in cashing checks for strangers, or in accepting in payment for goods checks that have later turned out to be worthless. Following each such experience, the dealer has vowed “never again.’ But the recol- lection fades, sooner or later a plaus- ible chap ‘happens along, and another victim is added to his string. A dealer who had several expensive experi- ences with checks that turned out to be worth less than even German marks, ‘hit upon a method which has put a complete stop to invitations to cash worthless checks. Instead of throwing away the worthless checks that had been cashed by himself or his employes, this dealer had three of these “scraps of paper” neatly framed and hung in a conspicuous place at the cashier’s window, with the legend printed over them in large letters: “Do you know any of these?” Since placing this sign at the cashier’s win- dow no more requests have been re- ceived from unknown persons to cash checks, or to accept checks in payment for merchandise. Persons of dis- honest tendencies, seeing the framed checks and caption, evidently con- clude that, having been previously stung, the dealer naturally would be on his guard and that it would be useless to attempt to “put anything over.” >.> Paul Gezon’s Plain Receives Editorial Commendation. A retail merchant up in Michigan has a scheme for handling certain high-handed ‘‘nationally advertised” items which give the chain stores in- side prices, and then expect the inde- pendent merchants to sell their goods without profit. A good many independent mer- chants feel that they cannot afford to quit handling these items, because the costly National advertising produces a big consumer demand. Yet they hate to be forced to han- dle goods for nothing. The Michigan merchant’s suggestion is this: Keep the unprofitable goods in your store but keep them under the counter. Have them out wheneve they are called for, but do not push them. Never mention them, or ad- vertise them. Never display them on your shelves. On ‘the contrary, push the brands which pay a profit, and which are handled fairly. This is quite a simple suggestion, and possibly the plan is already in operation in stores outside of Mich- igan. But it sounds as though it might be effective, and it does not in- volve any misrepresentations or dis- paraging remarks. It simply means no co-operation. Manufacturers who try, by means of “consumer advertising” to force re- tailers to handle their products at a miserly margin of profit, certainly do not deserve any ‘co-operation from the grocer. And the only reason they continue to try to jam their products across the grocer’s counter is because he has not been able to fight back in an effective way. The Michigan scheme seems to af- ford a good opportunity for self de- fense—Topeka Merchants Journal. —_—-—o-+ Annual Meeting of Veteran Travelers. Detroit, Dec. 28—The fourteenth annual meeting of the Veteran Travel- ing Men’s Association was held at the Hotel Tuller yesterday. : “here was a good attendance in spite of the bad weather. Traveling men came in from various points in the State. Among them was Manley Jones, of Grand Rapids, who never misses a meeting. We were also glad to see Mr. Sonnenberg, of Saginaw, and other familiar faces not often seen except at this meeting. A man who has traveled five’ years can now join on payment of $2, which entitles him to a ticket for the an- nual meeting and banquet. The afternoon was spent in renew- ing old acquaintances. A good menu, with speeches by Rev. Dr. Stidger and the members, occupied the evening, rounded out with some unique musi- cal selections by Mr. Sherer, which were appreciated very much. The Association is an off-shoot of the Michigan Travelers Association organized Jan. 27, 1874. The old membership included Hazen S. Pingree, Thos. McGraw, F. C. Stoepel, Thos. McLeod, John ‘A. Mur- ray, James L. Lee, David Cady, T. L. Backus, M. J. Howarn, later prom- inent in the business world of De- troit. H. CC. Ohamberlain, former mayor of Detroit, was the first presi- dent. The oldest living member is C. E. Adams, 84 years old, who travel- ed until one year ago. Many mem- bers of the Association whose names are now found on letterheads of large wholesale and retail firms were active as “drummers” as recently as 1910, Four of the members, Geo. Samp- son, Geo. L. Edson, John Pontius and S. O. Brooks, have ‘died since the 1922 reunion. Of the resident members of the As- sociation from 1874 to 1898 only three are living to-day; J. A. Murray, 1895, J. F. Cooper, ae. and S: H. Hart, 1897. E. F. Bush, Sec’y. oso. A Year of Big Strides. During 1923 the railways have made substantial improvement in their equipment, servce and earning posi- tion. The volume of traffic has ex- ceeded all previous records and yet there has been no shortage of cars because of large additions to rolling stock during the year. The building industry has likewise made enormous strides during the year, although the advance in rents shows that the hous- ing shortage still lacks much of being relieved, and this fact points to a continuation of construction activity on the present scale for some time to come. Total production of automo- tive vehicles for the year will be ap- proximately 4,000,000 cars and trucks, and the market apparently still lacks much of reaching the saturation point. The widespread practice of buying cars on the instalment plan has led to misgivings on the part of some business observers, but the steady growth in time and savings deposits during the year shows that the Na- tion has not forgotten the lessons of thrift. Foreign trade has made sub- stantial gains over the previous year in both imports and exports, but what is more important is the disappear- ance of the abnormally large export surpluses of the war and post-armis- tice years and the indication that our trade is attaining a more balanced status and one more consistent with our new role as a creditor nation. Death of Long-Time Kalamazoo Gro- cer. Kalamazoo, Jan. 2—Death removed Henry J Schaberg, 57, life resident of Kalamazoo and uncle of City Attor- ney Marvin Schaberg, Sunday at his home on Alamo avenue, near the city limits, after a lingering illness. Mr. Schaberg, one of Kalamazoo’s oldest grocers, was active in commercial and fraternal organizations of the city. Henry J. Schaberg. Mr. Schaberg was born in Kalamazoo, and attended Kalamazoo College. For many years he conducted a grocery at Burdick and Vine streets. He was secretary of the Retail Grocers’ As- sociation for a lengthy period and held office in the State grocers’ organ- ization. - From 1909 to 1910 he was city treasurer. Mr. Schaberg was af- filiated with the local Elks lodge. Sur- viving besides his nephew are his wife, one son, Henry J., and a sister, Mrs. Jacob Dunham, all of Kalamazoo. ——__» 2 Resolve that, whatever you do, you will bring the whole man to it; that you will fling the whole weight of your being into it; that you will do it in the spirit of a conqueror, and so get the lesson and power out of which come only to the conqueror. REFRIGERATORS for ALL PURPOSES Send for Catalogue No. 95 for Residences No. 53 for Hotels, Clubs, Hospitals, Etc. BO .* .t Grocery Stores Nv ©: for Meat Markets No. 73 for Florist Shops McCRAY REFRIGERATOR CO. 2444 Lake St., Kendallville, Ind. WM. D. BATT FURS Hides, Wool and Tallow 28-30 Louis St. Grand Rapids, Michigan