& Oe MNRAS SS ” sS OX 5 a . 12 ee 4 : iF ( +e PUBLISHED WEEKLY STIS. ae oes rey 248 QAM, Yass YES 4G S C)) y oh “Give a Ne y Y a Fy . (Na SK f CR) =>} (ee A Wo ps CN 5/0 BSESSTR SZ LESS eG G2 SS YON ON A KES DIG” SST v3 CHO SIRO QNiee NN! WED) CONES GLGY) ad x a sz pS UY <-> a SU \ s ‘ 2 (j B VASO KDW OLY Y4 Ne ‘JC ) ae y WA AV >= wn = CD 4 b> x, zk : qe 3 ops aX 2 INoE 4 0 ~ OM GN ae RB G = NS A\ rm oN WZ} 2D) ITN’ Forty-first Year QTY 5 eee Re arp The Bridge Builder N old man going along a highway Came at evening cold and gray To a chasm vast and deep and wide, The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The swollen stream had no fear for him. But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. “Qld man,” said a fair pilgrim near, “You are wasting your time with building here, You never again will pass this way; Your journey will.end with the coming day. You have crossed the chasm deep and wide; Why build you this bridge at eventide?” ‘The builder lifted his old gray head; ‘Good friend, on the path I have come,” he said; “There followed after me to-day A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm has been as naught to me. To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be, He, too, must cross in the twilight dim. Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.” rary, Public Reference Lib Library St ae Zt st LYS SS OOS 23 WOOK A) IK LOTITO SIGE II t) 0 C cy Q IQS RETEI INS PERT ORES ORO LR ao RR tO ERENT EP LSLEAT AAT RR ES OTT YI TT AA SPEEA ETRE NT STAT APL CY RTT PS EEA oa SALE SSO AOA XT TA TTI SLAY ESLER ELL Lay LOOT Str rs CY S x) oz] 3° 4, OO) S LSA 4er) ZITA VAR KAR YS ETRE NRHA ECHR ROKER EHO RICH MT IH EEO OU MIS be OH RNa oh? 3 BASIS SS Beery EER IRS SKS Follow “s example OST business men who operate large fleets of automobiles and trucks keep an accurate record of their hauling costs. Why? Because they find that it pays them to know to a fraction of a cent the cost per mile of everything they buy for their machines. A record like this soon shows them which one of the different brands of tires, or oil or gasoline gives them the greatest benefits— the most service. Therefore, it is a significant fact that most of the big fleet owners use RED CROWN GASOLINE Red Crown gives them more miles per gallon because it is made for the one purpose of producing POWER in the modern internal combustion engine. Red Crown is always uniform. Uniformity is one of the “Six Essentials of Good Gasoline.”* With Red Crown in the tank you can set your carburetor for the most economical mixture and obtain the same mileage and performance whether you buy Red Crown from the service station around the corner or from a dealer in Cider Center, Kansas. You can easily prove to your own satisfaction that the example set by other fleet owners is a good one for you to follow. Keep a record for a week of the mileage you get from the gasoline vou now use. Then, switch to Red Crown and note the mileage. We are confident that you will be a Red Crown user from then on. « Six Essentials of Good Gasoline Every car or truck owner should know these essentials of good gasoline, for if one of them is lacking in the gasoline you are now usin,, you are not receiving all that you should for your money. Our booklet, “What is Good Gasoline?” explains these six points so that vou will know what to demand in the future. This interesting booklet will be sent to you upon request. Use your business stationery, please. Standard Oil Company (INDIANA) 910 S. Michigan Ave. == Chicago, Illinois Michigan Branches at Detroit, Grand Rapids and Saginaw ~~ s SAG os WS AS? J) EB) Ae Forty-first Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1924 Number 2108 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN (Unlike any other paper.) Frank, Free and Fearless for the Good That We Can Do. Each Issue Complete in Itself. DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF BUSINESS MEN. Published Weekly By TRADESMAN COMPANY Grand Rapids E. A. STOWE, Editor. Subscription Price. _ Three dollars per year, if paid strictly in advance. Four dollars per year, if not paid in advance. Canadian subscriptions, $4.04 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10 cents each. Extra copies of current issues, 10 cents; issues-a month or more old, 15 cents; issues a year or more old, 25 cents; issues five years or more old 50 cents. Entered Sept. 23, 1888, at the Postoffice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY. Cheats and Swindles Which Merchants Should Avoid. Kalamazoo, Feb. 12—The Rose Tire Company, the United Financing Syn- dicate, the Dealers’ Tire Company, the Low Price Tire Company and _ the Mail Order Tire Company, all of 1526 South Wabash avenue, Chicago, IIL, were the subject of a fraud order is- sued by the Post Office Department on Jan. 5, 1924. This action is the outcome of the National Vigilance Committee’s campaign against tire companies.) whose activities tend to destroy the public’s confidence in the tire industry. The representatives of these companies have been advertising extensively in farm papers offering used tires at fabulously low prices which when delivered, were found in such a state of decay as to be abso- lutely unfit for further use. ‘When complaint was made the purchaser was advised that he could avail himself of the privilege accruing from the com- panies’ guarantee to sell a second tire at half the price if the first tire was unsatisfactory. The above corresponds with our in- variable experience with bargain tires advertised by “gyp” tire concerns. It is well that the Post Office Depart- ment has put the pirates out of the fraudulent business. The publications carrying this class of advertising are farm papers in name only. oh banker in a Michigan town writes the Tradesman as follows: On February first while the cashier and myself were at dinner, a man came into the bank and told the assistant cashier that he was collecting for some organization of railway employes and that this bank owed ten dollars for last year’s dues, but the assistant cashier refused to pay the bill unless authorized so to do by me, so he called me up at my home and this fel- low told me over the phone that we owed his organization ten dollars for last year’s dues or for advertising. I told ‘him he was mistaken and that we had never signed up for such an amount, but if he would leave the signed agreement at the bank we would forward any amount we had signed for and carry out our agree- ment. \When this fellow was through talking with me he told the assistant cashier I had authorized him to pay the ten dollars, which he did. This party seemed to be in a hurry for he said that he wanted to take the bus, which he said was waiting for him. He also said over the phone that he had made this territory several times before and had previously done busi- ness with us. It is true that perhaps twice, some time ago, we did pay two dollars a year for an advertisement in some railway organization publication, but the cashier says that when he called last year I was away, and he turned the solicitor down. Do you have any information that would help us in apprehending this fellow for obtaining money under false pretense. Am taking the liberty of sending the receipt with the above information to you for I know you are interested in catching such fellows and in seeing that they get what they deserve. This is the time-worn swindle of the trades union organizer, walking dele- gate and hanger on. Any publication put out by a trades union organization is based on graft and deceit and in- variably accompanied by swindling tactics. Lansing, Feb. 12—About two weeks ago, I received from the National Dis- abled Soldiers’ League, 1133 Broad- way, Room 410, New York, N. Y., a dozen lead pencils with a request that I send them $2 for same. I have not sent the money, as $2 does not grow on bushes at my house. I returned same to postmaster and he told me the office was flooded with them. I am perfectly willing to help a down- and-outer, but I supposed the United States Government was taking care of that class in first-class shape. Bo Ww. This scheme to sell lead pencils on the plea of helping disabled soldiers, we believe, is a fraud as far as helping the soldiers is concerned. The _ sol- diers have not benefited by many pro- jects supposed to be conducted for their benefit. Some of the prominent men who lent their names to this so- called league on the start withdrew their names when they learned the methods and purposes of those in con- trol. Chicago, Feb. 12—‘‘How long are the activities of Theodore J. Snyder, better known as Ted, principal of the Chicago Distributing Co., 186 N. La Salle St., to continue?” This is the question that is now being discussed by South Water street dealers. Not only is complaint being voiced from the local trade, but shippers in the South are also complaining that’ it is difficult, and well-nigh impossible for them to get returns on their produce. The Pizzolato Vegetable Co., of Hahnville, La., is now holding the bag to the extent of $883.75. This firm received a check from Mr. Snyder on Sept. 20, 1923, which was returned marked ‘Not Sufficient Funds” and, 0} Sulf{1} uveq sey Wiy 94} Ysnoye collect continuously since that time, it has not been able to collect the money. The John A. Eck Co. recently en- tered suit against the Chicago Distrib- utine €o. for collection of a_ bill amounting to something over $1,000. Another shipper still waiting to be paid is the Gypsy Truck Growers’ As- sociation, of Montz ,La., which case is being handled by the local office of the American Farm Bureau Federa- tion. Mr. Snyder ‘has had a rather check- ered career in his 20 years on South Water street. He worked for various firms until March, 1911, when he in- corporated the Snyder & Schultz Co., which failed in 1913, with liabilities of $3,500 and assets of $150. After this experience he worked for a local con- cern, and then resumed business for himself in 1914 En 1915, he is re- ported to have been in hot water ow- ing to the bad check habit, after which he dropped completely out of sight. In 1920, he came back to the street, and the following year filed a petition in bankruptcy, with liabilities of $3,397 and no assets. Shortly afterward he again entered business under his own name, and formed the firm of Theo- dore J. Snyder & Co., which he oper- ated at various locations. His most recent activity is with the Chicago Distributing Co., which he is at pres- ent running, seemingly inclination to pay shippers their just returns. Several times he has been closely watched by the authorities, but has so far been able to elude his creditors through legal technicalities. It is, the opinion of the trade here that such business ethics as. are being practiced by Mr. Snyder injure the local trade in general, and efforts are being made to have Mr. Snyder brought to justice. a Gabby Gleanings From Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, Feb. 12—Louis F. Hake, who has long been employed as coffee salesman by W. F. MsLaughlin & Co. and the Worden Grocer Com- pany, insists that in his new connec- tion with Jeffers & Co. he does not handle life insurance, as erroneously stated by Gabby last week. Every- thing but life insurance is handled by his firm. Art Rockwell (National Biscuit Co.) who was ill last week, is out on the warpath again. His territory was cov- ered during his illness by Claude Wil- llams, city salesman for the National. Thomas Powell, recently cigar man- ager for the Worden Grocer Companv, has engaged to cover the jobbing trade of several states for Berriman Bros., Richard Bean, Manager of the local branch of the National Candy Co., left Sunday for St. Louis to attend the annual meeting of the National Candy Co., to be held to-day. At a meeting of the directors of the Michigan Paper Co., held at Plainwell Monday, George M. Ames (Owen, Ames & Kimball) was elected Presi- dent_to succeed John A Wagner, who ‘has served as President for the past half dozen years. Mr. Ames pur- chased a substantial interest in the corporation about three years ago, at which time he was elected a director. Mr. Ames will devote a considerable time to the mill, with a view to in- creasing the output and introducing further economies in manufacturing. James Milford, for several years manager of the general store of Cobbs without any & Mitchell, at Springvale, has taken the position of Petoskey district representative for the National Biscuit Co. He will remove his family from Springvale to Petoskey and make the latter town headquarters. After the 12:45 Saturday luncheon of the Salesmen’s Fellowship Club at the Pantlind, the Banquet Committee of the United Commercial Travelers got together and did things. The U. C. T.: banquet this year will be held in the splendid new grill room of the Pantlind Hotel. This is something different right off the bat. Fred Pant- lind says the ball room is engaged fer a dance and it is fortunate, because it gives us something new in surround- ings, and the floor is O. K. for dancing after the tables are cleared. You are not going to get a whole lot of ac vance publicity on this banquet. Your curiosity needs a little exercise. Sat- urday evening, March 1, Pantlind grill room at 7 o’clock. All other details will be revealed one by one on this night of mystery. The entire spree will set you back only two bucks for each plate. W. O. Cascadden. a January Failures. Business mortality is always at the peak in January, as this is the time when year-end settlements force weak concerns into liquidation. The past month was no exception in this re- spect bringing an increase, according to Bradstreet’s of 21.5 per cent. over the previous month in the number of failures and an increase of 35.8 per cent. in the amount of liabilities. As compared with January a year ago the increase in the number of failures was only 2.4 per cent. and there was a de- crease of 17 per cent. as compared with January, 1922. Figures for liabilities, however, are less encouraging. The total is the largest since October, 1907, which was a month of severe panic, and is 105 per cent. above the record for Janu- ary, 1923. Evidently the liquidation affected more large con- The high rate of mortality must still be regard- year-end cerns this year than last. ed as reflecting conditions that are now definitely of the past. The process of cleaning up the industrial wreckage incident to the war's after- math is still going on. The larger concerns would naturally be the ones to survive longest during this period of readjustment. —_- 2 __ Death of Veteran St. Joseph Merchant St. Joseph, Feb. 11—Hon. Nelson C. Rice, .75; four times mayor of St Joseph, a former representative from this district in the Michigan State Leg- islature, a pioneer in the grocery busi- ness here, one of the founders of the Masonic organization in St. Joseph and an active worker in the First Con- gregational church, died last night. Mr. Rice was an outstanding fig- ure in the civic and community life of St. Joseph. Active in all civic en- terprises, his long experience as a mer- chant gave him a keen insight into the administration of affairs. He was con- nected with almost every development in this city in the last half century. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 1924 A FLORIDA FAIR. Originated and Developed Within Sixty Days. De Land, Florida, Feb. 8—The Vo- lusia County Fair, which held its first exhibition two weeks ago, gave us an object lesson of vim, vision and suc- cess well worth emulating. A ete ¢ * » s 7 « ‘ r ' a RO ot * ’ > Mat. ae. = ~« fori ec ein i cceren ae ” ’ ' t diene natin ~ y ‘ d , : “ . “ « t > ° February 13, 1924 lowy cloud coming intot he area of our sky. Isn’t that lovely? And through that vista, just after sunset, we can catch a glimpse of Venus, the evening star. I don’t know offhand just the species of trees and shrubs to use in completing our pictures to be seen from the house we are building, but the things that grow well in this cli- mate which can be found in the woods, swamps and along the lake borders are wonderful. We must use the things that belong here. Lots of them are strikingly beautiful. I must learn their names.” He could hardly stop to walk from point to point as he vividly described his vision of the future manor he was developing. He wanted to run and in the prosecution of his plan ‘he forgot all about the passage of time and ex- pressed his astonishment that meal time had come so quickly. After reading the stories about the zero temperature throughout the North country we look about us, glance at the thermometer and are grateful for Florida. Charles W. Garfield. —_>->_____ What Constitutes the Riches of a Child. Written for the Tradesman. No one is ever richer than at birth. This is not stated as an asolute fact, but as a proposition to be proved, dis- proved or modified by further investi- gation. The riches of a child are natural en- dowment, environment and_ oppor- tunity. Endowment includes physical, mental and moral equipment. En- vironment embraces all the conditions and influences of home, school and society; the degree of affluence or poverty; the form of government un- der which one lives. All these with MICHIGAN TRADESMAN the accidents of life furnish oppor- tunity. Accumulations of property are usu- ally termed riches. Wealth in this form is but intelligence, skill and energy transformed into material things. All these depend on the orig- inal endowment of the child. They do not attach themselves to a person or grow for nothing. At birth one’s endowment, environment and possibili- ties for opportunity—his riches—are one hundred per cent. Can he main- tain par value all his life? In time natural powers fail, but if his riches have been wisely used a reserve has been built up to be drawn upon in de- clining years. So he must study, plan, work and save, so that his capital shall suffer the least possible diminu- tion as years go by. More, he must preserve his capital in early years until he can wisely use it. The riches of a child may be noted when we observe that no money nor amount of money can buy the service, the love, the devotion bestowed upon an infant. Care, unfailing attention, sufficiency for all its needs are had without care or anxiety or labor on the part of a child. It is an in- estimable store of riches. Who can be richer in later years? As one grows up, in the process of events, he is separated from most of the environments of childhood. Then he must draw on his resources. He must learn his own powers and make use of them, begin to use and expand the riches of a child, his inheritance. Handicapped by an inheritance of wealth—money—we cannot say surely whether such one is born rich or poor. But we do know that one is born with great riches when his parents are healthy, intelligent, industrious, honest, truth-loving, and realize to the full their responsibility to God and human- ity to rear their children for useful, honored service in the world. A vast multitude of men_ pass through life with similar expeiences. Twenty,thirty or forty years of toil and struggle bring them to a point where they realize the objective as gained. They have a family, a home paid for, an assured income and a re- serve for declining years. They have passed many a crisis in life, but this is one of the greatest. They need not go on with the struggle for money; they need not seek further accumu- lations of wealth; they could devote all the profits of their business to human- itarian endeavors or they could devote their powers to service for the pub- lic good. If they have become en- tangled in the meshes of greed; if winning and gaining have caused them to forget serving, they will go on piling up money which in all probability will be a handicap, a curse to their chil- dren. If in earlier years he had given due regard to other things than business —money getting—had kept alive an interest in the good of his own com- munity and the public good, he would have had some diversion planned for the period when he should be able to let go the grind of necessity. Diver- sion need not be simply amusement but agreeable occupation in service to his fellows. E. E. Whitney. 3 Remember, we never know how many receivers catch something of the influence we radio daily. —__» 2. Every day is judgment day for each one of us. Dividends Earned 5 Times on the 7% Prior Prefer- ence Stock of the Continental Gas & Electric Cc tion 10 shares of this issue gives a call on 5 shares of Com- mon Stock at $50 per share. $17.34 is now being earned on Common upon which dividends are contemplated at a rate to yield 9%. Considering the earning power of the Corporation, the grow- ing territory served, this 7% Prior Preference Stock is at- tractive for its well secured in- come and = profit possibilities. Price—9214 and accrued dividends to yield 7.57% Send for full information Howe, Snow & Bertles, Inc. Investment Securities GRAND RAPIDS New York Chicago Detroit THE WORDEN POLICY To serve all customers as we would have them serve us. To tell the truth in every statement and claim we make. To sell each article for the same price to each customer. To gain knowledge so Worden brands and service will ever lead in up-to-dateness and meritorious value. WE KNOW THESE THINGS Grand Rapids - s Kalamazoo a Continued success and growth depends on how well we serve our customers. Nothing kills confidence quicker than false statements and unfounded claims. Maintaining the same fair prices gives every customer a square deal. Knowledge, based on honest facts, is our biggest asset. WORDEN (GROCER COMPANY - Lansing - The Prompt Shipper VOUCCUUEEECUATU CURR CU HaQe LUA Ce TEAC UE “ Battle Creek Se alahidtaingayennannch oe Soh pe Sar qeete Sere A phe eee oe ee MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Ae oe fe (dee hs i TB — Sa Re SSF iG MOVEMENT OF MERCHANTS. Hastings—Charles A. Wolfe suc- ceeds W. Wood in the grocery busi- ness, Detroit—Rosenbaum Brothers have opened a credit jewelry store at 8721 Cass avenue. Detroit—Anna Akopian has sold her meat market at 4444 Joy road to Geo, E. Sullivan. Detroit—Robert Leech has sold his 13618 Twelfth street to Mayer. Auslander has open- 8576 Joseph grocery at William J. Hamtramck—lI. ed a haberdashery at Campau avenue. Detroit—A. W. ferred his meat market at Forest to Carl W. Vogel. Detroit—A new grocery been opened at 9152 Erwin avenue in charge of Stanley Ciesielski, Detroit—The Radio Dress Co., of New York, opened a_ Detroit branch at 426 Shelby street. Whitehall—The State Whitehall has increased its stock from $20,000 to $40,000. Schultz has trans- 8711 East store has has Bank of capital Detroit—The Roma Grocery, 6323 Charlevoix street, closed Feb. 5. An- drew Naso was the proprietor. Detroit—Abdul Nebi and_ others have bought the fruit stand business of Kamal Ali, 6063 Russel street. Detroit—Felix Piko has bought the confectionery at 5024 Junc- tion avenue from John Nichazynski. Sturgis—Gustav Nickle has sold his bakery to Leo H. Cuyler and R. W. Schaeffer, who have taken possession. Detroit—George A. McDowell has bought the gas accessory business of James Riley, 11213 Kercheval avenue. Detroit—Sam Zagarnik sold his con- fectionery to John Losoki and wife. The store is located at 4508 Campbell. Detroit—Paul Larned, clothier, has moved from 7700 Mack avenue to the Arcade, 4469 Woodward business Thompson avenue. Detroit—The Detroit Trunk & Bag Co. will open a retail and wholesale branch at Jefferson and Bates in the near future. Detroit—The Rinshed-Gagnier Paint Co., 166 East Congress street, has in- creased its capital stock from $100,000 to $200,000. Detroit—Julia Grossberg is the new proprietor of the dry goods business formerly owned by Isaac Spero at 5407 Grand River avenue. Detroit—Ralph & Brabant, Inc., furniture dealer, 2827 John street, has increased its capital stock from $5,000 to $25,000. Detroit—Peter Voss has opened an- other Peter’s Bargain House at Mich- igan and First streets. He already operates one on Cadillac Square. Baraga—Carl Nord has_ purchased the Grenier building and will occupy it with his grocery stock as soon as he has remodeled and improved it. Detroit—M. Koppelman has moved into his new store at 13840 John R. street. He formerly conducted a dry goods store at 4748 Hastings street. Detroit—The assets of the Harper- 3urns Drug Co., 8546 Harper avenue, will be sold at auction Feb. 13. S. B. Plotler is the manager of the store. Detroit—Hassan Agemy js the new owner of the pool and cigar business at 1525 Cass avenue formerly run by Wm. J. Carmell and Albert E. Thomp- son. Detroit—John D. Peterson, sporting dealer at 8657 Twelfth street, has filed a petition in bankruptcy with liabilities of $3,739 and assets of $3,- 058.03. Detroit—The tailor shop at 37 West High street is now known as Barsam- ian & Co., Sahag Barsamian and oth- ers having taken it over from Sagah Soosamian recently. Detroit—Sam Weinberg has retired from the firm of Weinberg & Feld- man, men’s furnishers at 710 Gratiot avenue, leaving Sam Feldman to con- duct the business himself. Tawas City—The Northern Cream- ery & Cold Storage Co. has changed its name to the Northern Creamery Co. and increased its capital stock from $100,000 to $200,000. Mayville—Frank Schafer, dealer in general merchandise for the past four has sold his stock of fixtures to the Detroit Jobbing Co., who will close it out at special sale. Holland—Louis Lawrence has pur- chased the drug stock and store fix- tures of the estate of George Lagé and will continue the business under the style of the Lawrence Drug Co. Monroe—Berdan & Co., wholesale grocer of Toledo, has leased the store building at the corner of West Cass and First streets and opened a branch house with Frank Daiber as manager. Ontonagon—Thieves entered the Eugene Brown and carried away considerable stock consisting of goods years, store of cigars, tobacco, confectionery, flash lights, etc. Battle Creek—Fire destroyed the plant of the Taylor Candy Co., entail- ing a loss of about $75,000, less than half of which was covered by insur- ance. Reading—William Lutz, former owner of the Reading Bakery, has pur- chased it at bankrupt sale and will remodel it before opening it for busi- ness. Fulton—E. B. Miller has sold his stock of confectionery, ice cream and cream station to Albert Rom, a re- tired farmer, who will continue the business. Marshall—L. C. Sherman has pur- chased the interest of J. D. Wright in the shoe stock of Wright & Duffield and the business will be continued un- der the style of Sherman & Duffield. Detroit—The Apollo Grocery Co., Inc., 1035 Beaubien street, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $50,000, of which amount $25,300 has been subscribed and $12,- 100 paid in in property. Battle Creek—The Bishop House Furnishing Co. has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $60,000, of which amount $21,530 has been subscribed and $10,780 paid in in cash, Detroit—Horn’s Commercial Ware- house, Inc.,° 315 Griswold street, has i-corporated with an authorized c: ital stock of $100,000, all of which has been subscribed and $75,000 paid in in property. Detroit—The Peninsular Cigar Co., distributor of several well known has moved to 650 avenue from 213 Henry Mazer is brands of cigars, West Baltimore Woodward avenue. the manager. Detroit—The McNaugheon-McKay Electric Co., wholesale electrical sup- ply dealers, has moved from 331 West Jefferson to 313-15. West Jefferson, the building formerly occupied by Murray W. Sales & Co. Muskegon—The Koelbel Motor Car Co. has been incorporated to deal in autos, trucks, parts and supplies, with an authorized capital stock of $30,000, $10,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash, Jackson—The C. D. Barker Electric Co. has been incorporated to deal in electrical motors, apparatus and sup- plies, with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, of which amount $16,000 has been subscribed, $1,000 paid in in cash and $10,000 in property. Detroit—The City Grocer Co. and City Meat Market, 1408-12 Michigan avenue, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $175,000, of which amount $108,440 has been subscribed, $2,690.82 has been paid in in cash and $98,249.18 in property. Kalamazoo—Earl J. Thomas, who has conducted a cigar and tobacco store at 102 Portage street for the past. five years, has sold his stock and store fixtures to Joseph M. Hayes, who will consolidate it with his own stock at 401 North Burdick street. Reading—Allie Haynes and Paul Anderson, clerks in the J. L. Orr dry goods store, have purchased the stock which was damaged by fire about two weeks ago. Additions to the stock will be made and the business con- tinued under the style of Haynes & Anderson. Detroit—L. D. Lambrakis has merg- ed his wholesale and retail confection- ery business into a stock company under the style of the Chain Candy Co., 1016 Seven Mile road, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, of which amount $17,020 has been sub- scribed and $14,500 paid in in property. Detroit—Traub Bros. & Co., 1281 Woodward avenue, jeweler, silver- smith, optical goods, etc., has merged February 13, 1924 its business into a under the same style with an author- ized capital stock of $500,000, of which amount $375,010 has been subscribed and paid in, $19,009.12 in cash and $356,000.88 in property. stock company Manufacturing Matters. Jackson—The Body Co. has changed its name to the Potter Manufacturing Co. Grand Rapids—The Hekman Furni- ture Co. has increased its capital stock from $100,000 to $200,000. Munising—The Munising Motor Co, has increased its capital stock from $75,000 to $125,000. Detroit—The Leatherlike Co., 7336 Woodward avenue, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $50,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Rubner Cigar Co., 2715 West Grand boulevard, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $5,000, $2,500 of which has been subscribed and $1,500 paid in in cashs Detroit—The End-O-Let Co., 2027 Ferdinand street, has been incorpor- ated to manufacture and sell electrica! appliances, with an authorized capital stock of $5,000, all of which has been subscribed and $2,000 paid in in cash. Detroit—The Weigel-Brown Iron Works, Inc., 2175 Bellevue street, has been incciporated with an authorized capital stock of $45,000, of which amount $27,000 has been subscribed, $12,000 paid in in cash and $3,000 ir property. Products Grand Rapids—The Teesdale Glue Co. 1517 Robinson Road. S. E.. has changed its name to the Teesdale Manufacturing Co. and increased its capital stock from $20,000 and 500 shares no par value to $30,000 and 750 shares no par value. Detroit—The Lamb Visor Co., 1603 Ford building, has been incorporated to manufacture and deal in auto visors, parts, accessories, etc., with an author- ized capital stock of $50,000, of which amount 8,000 has been subscribed a-d paid in in cash. Iron River—H. H. Frailing, owner cf the Iron River Creamery Co. plant, has purchased the Forest County Co- Operative Creamery in Wabeno. Con- sideration, $2,500. New equipment will be installed and the creamery opened for business about ‘March 1. Detroit—The Detroit Sausage Co., 2441-45 Riopelle street, has merged its business into a stock company under the style of the Detroit Sausage Man- ufacturing Co. with an authorized cap- ital stock of $50,000, of which amount $9,920 has been subscribed and paid $712.91 in cash and $9,207.09 in property. Detroit—A. R. Hallock, manufac- turer of time recorders, etc., has merg- ed his business into a stock company under the style of the Hallock Clock Co., Inc., 430 Jefferson avenue, East, with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, all of which has been sub- scribed and paid in, $20,000 in cash and $5,000 in property. 6 To be headstrong sometimes is a sign of weakness, 4 > chia . « i> at le ele 4 ‘ t ih 5 { i , ee A prince ~ ‘ ~ oof — fons ot v ¥ « i ‘ 4 February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 5 Essential Features of the Grocery ly at firm prices. Most other canned Review of the Produce Market. Sweet Potatoes — Delaware kiln Staples. fish are scarce and firm. This includes Apples—Standard winter varieties dried fetch $3.25 per hamper. Sugar—Local jobbers ask 9%c for shrimp, lobster, white tuna and crab such as Spys, Baldwin, Jonathan, Rus- Tomatoes—Southern grown $1.75 beet and 9.70c for cane granulated. Tea—The market has shown but little activity during the week. There has been a steady business, but it has been rather languid and shows not the least trace of speculation. Prices, however, are held firmly, especially Ceylons, Indias and Javas. Coffee—The market for future Rios and Santos grades has been soft and depressed during the week, due to speculative movements. These have not, however, affected the spot market for Rio and Santos green coffee, all grades of which are firm and show a slight fractional advance for the week. The jobbing market on these coffees, roasted, is also firmer and holders are gradually marking up their selling prices. Mild coffees are also some- what firmer for the week. The gen- eral demand for coffee is good. Canned Fruits—The fruit line is in- active. Pineapple is inclined to drag at irregular prices. California varie- ties are taken mostly to fill gaps. There is some talk of future California fruits but neither canner nor buyer is willing to talk of specific prices or wants and s. a. p. business is not ap- pealing to either element. In _ short, fruits are rather quiet. Canned Vegetables—Southern toma- toes are selling in a limited way for factory shipment and then mostly in 2s and 3s with very few gallons chang- ing hands. Jobbers are well stocked up and are not in need of goods for which there is only a normal retail demand. If anything, futures have hardly stood the strain of limited buy- ing at original opening and some con- cessions are made by the smaller pack- ers. Traders believe that they will be able to cover later on at 85c for No. 2s; $1 for No. 3s and $3.75@3.85 for No. 10s. It is a long time before packing and whether canners will be able to maintain a 90c and $1.30 mar- ket remains to be seen. The harden- ing in spot pea prices continues and cheap lines are gradually disappearing from the open market or are available in resales in smaller lots. Stiff prices are demanded and are secured for all lines. Futures are selling in moderate volume with no particular change in asking prices or in general conditions, Spot corn is firm in fancy lines which are scarce and steady in standards. There is not a large supply of the latter on the spot and while it can be had at a price holders insist on full quotations. Moderate interest is shown in the new packs. Canned Fish—Maine sardine canners will probably offer futures pretty soon. It looks like pretty high prices, as cans have advanced and labor probably will also. The catch this year will prob- ably be better than last, judging by the scheme the packers have of sizing up the past years’ averages. Spot Maine sardines are slow and prices are still very high. California sardines are firmer and fairly active. Imported sardines are steady to firm. Salmon is dull. Alaska red and pink are both dull, but holders nevertheless refuse pretty generally to cut prices. Cali- fornia river salmon is moving regular- meat. Dried Fruits—Trading is restricted fo Coast purchases, but a fair amount of spot business is recorded. The very shortage of goods here in most lines is bound to cause some firmness and _ intertrading. Goods bought a short time ago on the Coast are coming in or are near by, and such are being offered to arrive where some factors are not able to quote on spot merchandise. Coast conditions are represented as sound and healthy. Apples and pears appear to be the most restricted packs, with apricots following their lead. Peaches and raisins are drifting into the control of the Association, with a few of the larger independents participating, but the smaller independents are running out of goods and the Coast price basis is being standardized within a nar- rower range. The prune situation seems to demand a switching of the enquiry from large to medium sizes in both California and Oregon fruit. Another feature noted by distributors is the apparent need of retail prices more in line with the wholesale mar- ket to bring about a heavier consump- tion. Popularizing Oregon prunes al- so seems necessary, for even at a much wider differential than usual below California prunes of the same sizes Oregon offerings have not been freely taken. Salt Fish—Indications are that this year’s Lenten demand for fish will be rather unusually good. Possibly this is due in the case of mackerel, to the abundance of good shore fish and the moderate prices. Codfish unchanged and fairly active. as Beans and Peas—The market for all grades of white beans has been weak and draggy, but later in the week mar- rows and kidneys firmed up a little. California limas are steady and un- changed, but the balance of the list is in buyers’ favor. Green and Scotch peas unchanged and dull. Syrup and Molasses—High-grade molasses is wanted and is selling ac- tively. Stocks are gradually reducing and the whole situation, speaking still of good molasses, is firm. Sugar syrup is steady and in fair demand. Compound syrup is also fairly active at steady prices. Cheese—Nothing special to report about cheese for the week. The mar- ket is steady and fairly active. Provisions — The market showed practically no change for the week. The demand is fairly active and values for the most part steady. The bad storm in the West upset business somewhat by reason of poor telegraph service. Hogs showed an advance, which will shortly be reflected in hog products. The market showed no im- portant change in prices. ——_>~+_____ Foresight is a quality that helps to make a good buyer. And foresight is fifty per cent. hindsight—judging the future by what has happened in the past. ——_2->—___ Honesty is best whether it is policy Or not. setts, etc, fetch $1 per bu. Box ap- ples from the Coast command $3. Bagas—Canadian $2 100 Ib. sack. per Bananas—8%@9c per Ib. Butter—The than a week ago. Fine butter is in sufficient supply and quiet. The stocks of medium and under grades are not so large and those grades are there- fore firm. Foreign butter is still an important factor in the market. Local jobbers hold extra fresh at 50c in 60 Ib. tubs; fancy in 30 Ib. tubs, 5lc: prints, 52c. They pay 20c for packing stock. Cabbage—$3.50 per 100 Ibs. Carrots—$1.65 per bu. Cauliflower—$3.50 per doz. heads. Celery—75c@$1 per bunch for Flor- ida, crates of 4 to 6 doz., $3.75. Cocoanuts—$6.25 per sack of .100. Cranberries—Late Howes from Cape Cod command $9 per bbl. and $4.50 per % bbl. Cucumbers—Hot house $5 ver doz. Egg Plant—$3 per doz. market is Ic higher Eggs—The market has held steady around 36c, due to the heavy snows and bad roads. Warmer temperatures will result in lower prices. Michigan storage eggs are all cleaned up. Garlic—35c per string for Italian. Grape Fruit—Fancy Florida now sell as follows: $C $3.50 AG ee a75 Ge 4.00 G4 and 70) 80 ee 4.00 Grapes—Spanish Malaga, $9.50@ $12.50 per keg. Green Beans—$4 per hamper. Green Onions — $1.40 per doz. bunches for Chalotts. Efoney _259c for comb: 25ce tor strained. Lettuce—In good demand on the following basis: California Iceberg, per crate---$3.75 eas per pound 2.0.0 0 17 Lemons—The market is now on the following basis: S00 Sunkist 2) 2 S550 a00 Red Ball = 5.00 SG ed ath 2 4.50 Onions—Spanish, $2.25 per crate; home grown, $3 per 100 lb. sack. Oranges — Fancy Sunkist Navels now quoted on the following basis: See ee ee eee $5.50 Oi 5.50 ee UG 200 ne 5.00 BG 4.50 ee 4.00 Nii sh we os 4.00 Floridas fetch $4.25@4.50. Parsley—65c per doz. bunches. Peppers—75c per basket containing 16 to 18. Poultry—Wilson & Company now pay as follows for live: ibleaww fowls 222 oe) 2 Zle Peeaey sprigs 3 19¢ it fewle 14c Poehe sprigs 9-8 14¢ Geese 5 15¢ MGS 2 ose ee 18c Potatoes—55@60c per bu. Radishes—$1 per doz. bunches for hot house. Spinach—$2 per bu. lb. basket. Turnips—$1.50 per bu. per 5 —____e-- -- ‘ Buy Flour To Protect Normal Re- quirements. Written for the The Grain Exchanges of the United Tradesman. States were closed yesterday, it being Lincoln’s birthday. The general tone the previous day was easier for fu- tures. However, foreign futures were very active yesterday, indicating quite a lively demand for North American wheat. The price for cash wheat has been somewhat irregular, depending entire- ly upon the quality, the choicer varie- ties and choicer grades bringing a good stiff premium over the futures. Primary receipts of wheat on the 12th instant were 1,325,000 bushels and the United States visible 1,213,000 for the week. The demand for flour was quiet to decreased dull in Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas Gity, St. Louts and New York, though prices were held firmly on the choicer grades of flour, this, of course, being strictly in line with the prem- iums being asked for the choicer varie- ties of wheat. Grand Rapids mills report a fair trade with an increasing inquiry from al- outside buyers. There is nothing of unusual interest to report, the general trend of prices being on an even keel with occasion- ally slight advances generally followed by some reaction. The choice flour wheat are both considered good prop- grades of and It is not probable lower prices will prevail and neither are material advances expected. efty. In fact, even markets may be looked for until the Government begins to is- sue reports covering the condition of winter wheat, about the Ist of April, and as wheat thus far has had reason- good. protection in the winter wheat producing states, a good aver- ably age condition may be expected, pro- vided, of course, conditions continue favorable. March is a critical month and a material amount of freezing and thawing weather during that period is bound to result in considerable dam- age to growing wheat. The trade are perfectly safe, ap- parently, in buying flour in sufficient quantity to protect their normal trade requirements, but it does not appear conditions warrant heavy future buy- ing. Lloyd E. Smith. ———>~- “Make it snappy” may be good ad- vice in squad drill, but -as a rule governing telephone conversation it' is about as suitable as it would directing pallbearers in action. ———-—__ The merchant who indulges in speculative buying usually ends by having considerable time to spend in wishing he had bought differently in some way. ——_>-___ A badly ventilated store is a stuffy store, and a stuffy store is a store where the clerks become stuffy, the customers fussy, and the proprietor cranky. be in MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 192 BETTER THAN EVER. Thirtieth Annual Convention of the Michigan Hardware Dealers. The annual convention of the Michi- gan Retail Hardware Association open- ed its initial session at the Pantlind Hotel, Grand Rapids, Tuesday after- noon. After an invocation by Treas- urer Moore, Mayor Tisch made the address of welcome, which was re- sponded to by A .J. Rankin, of Shelby, as follows: It gives me great pleasure to be able to respond to the kind and gra- cious speech of the Mayor of this great’ city. Since 1904 our Association has met in Grand Rapids eight times and since 1920 we have met here every year. On each and every occasion, we have had the same warm welcome. We have not been at all backward about avail- ing ourselves of the generous hospital- ity which the citizens of this city have always shown us. A recent poll of the exhibitors of this organization reveals the fact that over 90 per cent. of them wish to make this a permanent meeting place. We are beginning to think of Grand Rap- ids as our home and we feel that the kindly welcome extended us is more than the welcome of the Mayor to his city; more than the welcome of a host to a guest. We feel it is the welcome back to our own home as a Hardware Convention and as individual members of the Association. We are glad and proud to be wel- comed to such a home. Grand Rap- ids is the second largest city in the State. Its growth has been steady and healthy. Other cities have grown more rapidly at intervals, but no city in the State has taken care of its growth in population as well as Grand Rapids. There is always a house waiting for the family that moves. Clean streets and public thoroughfares, well-kept homes and business places have been marked features of your city. Its schools are as good as any in the coun- try and in some educational lines Grand Rapids has been a real pioneer. Your whole city breathes a spirit of good business, common sense and sanity. Your Association of Commerce is a live one and deserves great praise for the manner in which it has always looked after the welfare of the people who have come here to conventions. Your hotels are not surpassed by those of any other city of the United States and we enter them with a feel- ing that we are welcome and that you are glad to see us and that you hope that we will come again. The man- agers of all your hotels are uniformly courteous and helpful, and I take pleasure in commending the efforts of Mr. Fred Pantlind for his efficient manner in looking after our interests, and I am sure that each of the other hotel man2gers of the city would ac- cord us similar courtesies if we were in their care. I hope this will be one of the best of all our many conventions. We have met here to get and to give ideas. An idea is the most powerful thing in all the world. Nothing can stop it in its progress. Its course is resistless. An organization without ideas is sure to die. One having ideas becomes a real vital force in its work. That this organization is alive and has ideas is evidenced by the interest manifested in its work by its members and the public and by the increase in its mem- bership. We are the largest and most efficient organization of its kind in the world, and I wish to urge you to help make this convention even more help- ful than others have been in the past. We have about 1700 members in this organization. Its membership is drawn from all parts of the State. We come from communities widely differ- ent in the demands made upon the dealer, and an exchange of experiences ought to be of great help to all. We are dealing with people. Peo- ple who want our goods. People who have needs. Each community is sur- rounded with conditions different than other communities. It is our business to study the conditions peculiar to our territory and from this study we ought to be able to meet our patrons on a footing mutually beneficial to them and to ourselves. The study of the needs of our people is one of the most fascinating and from the standpoint of good business is without an equal as a producer of future demands. The influence we can have in this State is not fully realized by every one, I am sure. We are passing through a great crisis in the history of this Nation in which the good common sense of all thinking men is needed. I have no reference to any particular party. We ought to be pioneers in bringing home to our people the neces- sity of adhering to sound economic laws. We should show them that last- ing benefits to all may come from each one honestly endeavoring to solve his own, his neighbor’s and the problems of the country in a spirit of downright fairness. I am sure this is our spirit. With this purpose, and spirit, Mr. Mayor, we are come to your city and we thank you sincerely for so warm a welcome. President Ross then read his annual address, which is published verbatim elsewhere in this week’s paper. Papers were read by Alvin E. Dodd, of Washington, and H. N. McGill, of Wellesley Hills, Mass. Both papers will be presented in future issues of the Tradesman. In the evening the delegates were taken to the Empress Theater. This forenoon the following paper on Credits and Collections was read by Charles H. Sutton, of Howell: Credits and collections should de- mand careful study. and important consideration in the .management of any business. They are the vital or- gans of your business, when it fails to function properly it impairs the efficiency of the other organs. When it becomes overloaded and sluggish -it forces poisonous germs of Failure into the system of that business and when once firmly imbedded it usually re- mains to take its toll. Credits and col- lections are subjects which cannot be dwelled upon to often. They require constant discussion to convince many merchants that better credit methods are an asset to their business. ‘Why? The reasons are timidity, indifference and competition. With these three obstacles imbedded in our minds it is hard to abide by our better sense of reasoning and adopt better methods, but we are gradually realizing the necessity of adopting them if we wish to develop. Why shouldn’t credits de- mand consideration and attention? They are departments of your busi- ness just as much as buying selling or advertising, therefore they are mer- chandise problems. These other de- partments are within your grasp at all times, but credit distributes a portion of your capital to the four winds of Heaven to be reclaimed through col- lections and should be watched close- ly so that too much of your capital will not be blowing about. Credit is usually defined as faith in your fellow men, but it is more than that. It is granting your fellow men the use of a portion of your capital without interest and there is just where the danger lies; that is, keeping your accounts receivable within the limit of your finances. I believe I am very liberal when I say the limit should not exceed 25 per cent. of your invest- ment when properly financed and should also be controlled by the “fore extending credit. amount of workng capital, and the only way you can derive intelligent knowledge every day of those condi- tions is by a simple but efficient ac- counting system. Then you can tell at a glance when accounts receivable are growing beyond your resources and you can put more pressure on your collections to reduce them. Credit, properiv hen not a detriment to a haces. and any mer- chant is doing it an injustice who con- demns it. Ii is just the same as any other department of your business. To obtain satisfactory results requires at- tention and good judgment. Sound credit is a benefit to a community. It encourages improvements and expan- sion. It is also an advantage to a merchant. It increases his volume of business and gives him a leverage over the cash store when you stop and con- sider the greater percentage of the business is done on credit. The extension of credit requires cer- tain defined principles. First, examine and investigate your credit risk be- It will save you a whole lot of expense and worry. Second, have definite credit terms. Third, judge your risks according to their character, capital and capacity. The character of a person is of greater importance than wealth in extending credit and it is very necessary to know their caDacity or extent of credit. Last, treat each risk according to his per- sonality and be impartial. With these basic principles to guide you it is nec- essary to have operative principles to carry them through successfully. First, start collecting the minute you make a sale by having a definite time set for payment. Then your request will not be offensive. Second, sell everything with enough value and a resale value, on contract and above all things record the contract or it is of no more value than a book account. Third, send out monthly statements regularly. They are beneficial in many ways and well worth the expense. Fourth, fol- low up your statements when neces- sary with one or more Polite but con- vincing letters requesting payment and last, close the accounts which in your judgment have run long enough with a short term note. You can recover judgment much easier on a note than on an account. It is convincing evi- dence and it also removes the unpleas- ant arguments whcih an account in- vites. I would not expect you to apply all these principles in every case but you should use them every day and your judgment should mccide when to use them. It is not necessary to be harsh and radical in applying these principles. You must use di- plomacy. It is just a matter of educat- ing the public to your method of doing business and it is not so difficult as you think. The real principle back of the whole thing is to make the public want to purchase your merchandise and then your sound credit methods will appeal to them as a business nec- essity. The fact is the public expects it and you are the one to adopt them. Don’t let these words go unheeded. They are for your own good. The time to start is now. As a brother merchant, I beg of you to give credits and collections more attention. Hamp Williams, President of the National Association, then read the following paper on What Makes Suc- cess or Failure for the Average Hard- ware Business: Success comes through effort, fail- ure comes without it. It requires a combination of many kinds of effort to make success in the retail hardware business, and the neglect of any one may cause failure. Permanent success is attained by a continuation of duties and effort. Tem- porary success is here to-day and gone to-morrow, for which there are many causes. Some are avoidable and some are not. Sickness many times is due idied, 1S to intemperance or indiscretion and fires are caused by neglect. Avoidah]> wastes, extravagance, indifference ugly temper, speculation and lazine. all contribute to failure. If my business starts on the deci: I get busy trying to find the cause. read the opinions and experiences other hardware men, which are pu lished in the hardware journals. I ¢. a little closer to my employes and | my trade. In a short time I find th trouble and apply the remedy. Mayly it is to add a new line, rearrange my store, dress up my show windows, use some soap, water and paint, increase my advertising space in the newspa- pers, increase salaries and cut my own if necessary; to stand on the sidewalk and meet the people. At this point you may ask: “When is it you find that your business is on the decline?” When my sales for this January just past are less than they were in January, 1923, or January, 1922. Local conditions must be consider- ed, of course, and they can be ascer- tained by asking our local dry goods merchants, shoe dealers, grocery deal- ers—they are very good barometers. If I find their sales are normal and mine are below, I know there is some- thing wrong with both my business and myself. I may not get along with my competitors—there are some who do not, but there is no reason why | shouldn’t -go hand in hand with mer- chants in all other lines of merchan- dise in my town, and that’s what I do. From them I get a great deal of busi- ness, either directly or indirectly. It is a good trade to court and it pays. I believe we should boost every legiti- mate enterprise in our towns and country, boost the churches and the schools, boost our public officials, the chamber of commerce the social clubs and the newspapers. That is our duty. Besides it pays. Never complain at the road and school taxes if they are properly expended. Boost our Government because it is the best one in the world. In general, success is attained in the retail hardware business by first having enough capital to open a small stock of good hardware bought at the right prices and properly displayed in a good town and in a good location. To succeed we must learn the value of time and use a portion of it every day in reading the kind of literature that carries us in the direction toward the end to which we hope to reach. We must please our customers and friends and know how to reach them. This is universal. A good, honest, firm, warm handshake is a good be- ginning. To our enemies it is the be- ginning of peace. To friends it is a guarantee of continued love and friend- ship... To strangers it is an evidence of character and good will. A friend- ly grip of the hand is a token of friendship and brotherly love and oft- times distinguishes a friend from a foe. Pleasing manners and an affable disposition will bring people our way when nothing else will. Trust your friends as they deserve and are enti- tled to be trusted. The wealth of conscience is of more value than money. It is an asset that the robber cannot take from us. It is an evidence of God in our nature and directs us in the right way of liv- ing and points out the duties we owe to our Creator, our country, our neigh- bor, our family and ourselves. If prop- erly cultivated it will add profit and pleasure to us while living and will bring God to us in all his glory when we come to die. There are many many things that help us succeed in business. Money alone will not do it. Failure may come from some of the following causes: over-capitalization, merchandise stocked of inferior qual- ity, poorly displayed in a poor loca- tion in a poor country, poorly pur- chased and sold at no profit, or an effort made to sell at too great a price; but sometimes we fail because we do e Seed ns Chg apne Prem ciacenees 4 e —- A hg na an Process = . 4 February 13, 1924 not have the good will of our people. Friends may advise and enemies de- spise us, but after all the whole thing is up to us whether we succeed or fail. There are millions who are earning their daily bread by the sweat of their brow, and are extremely happy in so doing. That to them is success. I can think of no mortal so unhappy as those who have plenty of money and nothing to do. If at the end of the year we can look back and count numerous things we have done for others to make their burdens lighter and living better, that’s success; and in addition to that if after taking stock of our hardware and after having paid all our just obli- gations we find that we have a sub- stantial dividend honestly earned, that is an added success. On the other hand if at the end of the year we find a large accumulation of cash profits and cannot recall a single act of kind- ness or charity we have rendered others, to my-mind and my way of thinking we have made a failure; but we can Overcome some of it by shar- ing our profits with the men who help us make them. That is an act of kindness and good business. Lead in everything you undertake. Profit by the experience of others and remember that no man can tell you how to succeed. No two succeed alike, no two. fail alike, no two act alike, and no two are alike, but there are well defined principles in the retail business which we must observe. Be yourself with all the improvements over nature that you can possibly add. Look your very best and act your very best at all times and under all circumstances, and make your word as good as your bond. Nature prepares us for the different stages of life. As we approach man- hood the worldly pleasures appeal to us most. At middle age we are more settled and wealth appeals to us most, but old age brings to all of us the realization of life as it should be lived, for health and for God. Finally, the foundation of success is real happiness. In order to be hap- py we must be true to God, true to our country, true to our friends. “Above all, to thine own self be true! and it must follow as night the day; thou canst not then be false to any man.” After all a happy home and the re- flection of a well spent life is the great- est success that any man can attain. At the evening session Secretary Scott read his annual report as fol- lows: Fire on January 5 destroyed the Association office and all records and files were lost. My first thought was, how without records and files to refer to, can a report of the Association activities and progress for the past year be made. Fortunately, a report was sent to the National office .on January 1 and through the information gained from a copy of this report and from reference to the back issues of the Hardware Retailer, our official publication, I am pleased to submit to you the following: It it very gratifying to again report that the Michigan Association is still in the lead of all other single state associations as to membership. At the time of our last convention, we re- ported 1,620 members. We now have a membership of 1,685, which shows a gain for the year of 65. I believe we all have reason to be proud of this creditable showing, for it constitutes the strongest evidence that the dealers in Michigan are the most progressive in the country and are doing their full share to assist in placing the business in which they are engaged upon the very highest plane. Field Secretary Nelson is doing a splendid work and I believe his ser- vices are appreciated by the major portion of our members. He is always ready and willing to help dealers with any of their store problems and will MICHIGAN TRADESMAN give suggestions on store and stock arrangement, advertising, window dis- play, better business records, etc. Dur- ing the past year he has called at 869 hardware stores. Mr. Nelson is a practical hardware man and has had special training and is in a position to give you help if you will allow him to. When he calls I am in hopes you will feel free to talk these trade problems over with him, as he may give you some suggestions that will be of bene- fit to you and your business. Thirty-two group meetings were held during the past year. These meetings were well attended and the dealers were desirous of having them continued. It was decided by the Executive Board of your Association, to discon- tinue the traffic department for the reason that the recoveries for over- charges in freight bills were so small that we could not get anyone to do the work on a commission basis who would handle it in a satisfactory man- ner. One of our neighboring state associations is having similar trouble. They say: “An audit of 10,340 bills developed a total overcharge of $3. The entire time of one man was de- voted to.this work for several weeks. On a 50 50 basis an auditor would starve to death. This condition exists as a result of the transportation com- panies making a thorough audit of their freight bills and refunding over- charges and collecting undercharges immediately after the local agent makes his report.” More of our members than ever, during the past year, have taken ad- vantage of the Information Service rendered by the State and National Associations. We are in a position to furnish promptly information on the source of supply of unfamiliar brands of merchandise or repairs for same. The National office has compiled a directory of more than 11,000 trade names for aluminum ware, enamel ware, washing machines, sewing ma- chines, clippers, lawn mowers, food choppers and oil stoves. Other arti- cles will be added to this list from time to time, so that eventually we will have the most complete directory obtainable. Interest still continues in our Bar- gain and Information Bulletin and many members have disposed of dead and obsolete stock and others have made considerable money through tak- ing advantage of the special offers which these bulletins contain. Our hardware mutual fire insurance companies continue to grow and there are five companies now returning 50 per cent. I cannot see how a hard- ware man can refrain from _ being a member of the Association and de- prive himself of the big saving in this important item of overhead expense. For the reason that there are so many fake collection agencies operat- ing in the State I am of the belief that a collection department opened in the Association office and operated on a commission basis would be of benefit to many of our members and I recom- mend this for your consideration. The twenty-fourth Annual Congress of the Retail Hardware Association was held in Richmond, Virginia, June 19 to 22. The principal subject for discussion at this meeting was “Dis- tribution Cost.” Many manufacturers and wholesalers were in attendance and the views of all branches of the hardware trade were given. Everyone seemed heartily in sympathy with the purpose of this discussion to analyze distribution costs, honestly and frank- ly, and all discussions were well to the point, expressive of the best thought of the various factors of the trade. Our State was honored at this meet- ing by the election of our President, J. Charles Ross, as a member of the Board of Governors. I take it that you all read the very complete report of the Congress which was given in the July issue of the Hardware Retail- er, so it has not been deemed neces- Sary to prepare a special report for submission at this meeting. In closing, I desire to thank officers, members of committees and members, for their co-operation, help and courtesies extended and from the encouragement which [I have received from them, as Secretary during the psat year. ——_-~.__ These Blouses Are Like Coats. The Chinese vogue has come to the fore very strongly in certain types of women’s blouses that are now being offered to the trade here. Some of them are made on the order of man- darins’ coats, and are long enough to reach to the knees of the wearers. Others drop to within six inches of the hem of the wearer’s skirt. They are made of black satin, and are richly embroidered with metal threads in the » 7 patterns that smack strongly of the Bar East Phe the long, unbroken lines that women seem loath to relinquish, yet break the monotony of the new tubular frocks. “coats” preserve Costume blouses are also shown in jacquette length. Tuck-in and _ tail- ored silk waists continue in great vogue as a result of the popularity of tailored suits. ———»@~ 2. >.___ Exact Orientation. Lawyer—Were you wounded in the melee? Plaintiff—Bress de Lawd, no sah! De razor done connect wif ma _ haid about two inches east of de ‘fo’said melee. —_~-~-+__ We hope for mercy. Then, let’s give it. THE NEWEST HIT UHRAMIOUCHE A 10c BAR EVERYBODY LIKES. Include a box in your next order, sure. NATIONAL CANDY CoO., INC. PUTNAM FACTORY GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. PEANUT tict. CANAJOHARIE BPEREECH-NUT Sales of Beech-Nut Peanut Butter always respond to your selling and advertising efforts. Preferred by discriminating people everywhere. Counter and window displays will stimulate the turnover on this nationally advertised prod- Write for our attractive display material. BEECH-NUT PACKING COMPANY “‘Foods and Confections of Finest Flavor’’ BUTTER - NEW YORE 8 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 1994 COTTON AND COTTON GOODS. How sensitive the price of cotton is and how difficult it is to keep up quotations at a high level appeared again last week as it has in previous weeks. Statisticians, especially a num- ber who are not altogether disinter- ested, have for some time been trying to impress the notion of a worldwide scarcity of cotton, and from this to justify almost any old price which holders may choose to affix to it. But there must always come a time when If, for instance, cotton were quoted at $1 per pound or over, its use would be much restricted. Much less of it is being used at 30 cents per pound and over than would be the case were the price one-half of what it is. When it comes to the point that mills cannot sell their product, at a profit, operations must sooner or later come to a standstill. At present even some of the Southern cotton mills, which work at a com- paratively low overhead, have been obliged to shut down in part. Cotton prices have been upheld to some ex- tent by the pooling arrangements that were made, but these cannot always withstand the pressure of a lack of demand, and lately, in some instances, there has been a disposition to let go. Unless consumption increases soon, the end of the cotton year will show considerable of a carry-over. Ar- rangements are already in progress for this year’s crop, the most note- worthy circumstance being the re- ported intention of planting cotton fur- ther North, in Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois, for example, beyond the reach of the weevil. The goods market shows signs of some activity in the direction of finer fabrics, with little selling of the coarser constructions either in the gray or finished state. It is said that considerable goods are piling up at the mills for lack of demand. Buying is still of the piecemeal character, with few commitments ahead. Underwear business continues rather unsatisfac- tory and hosiery is not much called for except for filling in purposes. WOOLS AND WOOLEN GOODS. In a few instances public sales of wool abroad during the past week showed a little sign of weakening in prices, but in most the strong tone of recent months was maintained. One thing seems to be pretty well estab- lished, and that is there is no prob- ability of lower wool prices for months to come unless there should be a sud- den flop in demand. Not much is doing in domestic wools, the prices of which remain firm. Some contracting of wool in advance has been done ,but the sum total is not large. Wool growers have been led to believe that buyers must come to their terms sooner or later. What their idea of a proper place is was stated the other day by Senator Gooding of Idaho, for- mer President of the National Wool Growers’ Association. This is the Lon- don price plus the amount of the tariff, or 31 cents per sceured pound. Who pays the tariff under such cir- cumstances is easy to determine. The customers of a single clothing concern in this city outnumber all the persons in the country who own sheep enough the price becomes prohibitive. to be benefited by the wool tariff. In woolen fabrics a number of the minor factors in the trade have had their openings of Fall fabrics. They show moderate advances over last year’s prices. One line of corporation dress goods has been opened: at last Spring’s prices. A week from _to- morrow the American Woolen Com- pany will show its fancy worsteds. The trade generally expects larger rises on these than were shown on the serges and other cloths recently offer- ed by the same concern. There has been as yet no rush to buy fabrics for next Fall, but the next fortnight ought to show improvement in this respect. ‘ PRICE MAINTENANCE. Like Banquo’s ghost, the price main- tenance matter will not “down.” So far as the existing law goes, it has been pretty well settled that a manu- facturer cannot control the price at which his products shall be sold at retail. His control over an article ceases when he sells it. Though he may select his customers, he cannot control them. This situation having been well established by a great deal of litigation, it is now designed to secure an amendment to the law by means of which at least some kind of price maintenance may be obtained. With this end in view a bill is to be introduced into Congress on behalf of the American Specialty Manufactur- ers’ Association. This is designed to legalize agreements calling for a fixed resale price in the case of any “article of merchandise of standard quality under a distinguishing trade-mark, name or brand.” A proviso makes the law not applicable where the vendor has a monopoly or control of the pro- duction or market, or where he is a party to a combination or agreement with his competitors. While this pro- posed change would only apply to branded merchandise, it so happens that only such merchandise has been the subject of complaint under the existing law. The attempt, therefore, to permit price maintenance regarding such articles will evoke the hostility of all those who have hitherto pro- tested against it. There will be no chance for a new argument on either side, and unless something unfore- seen occurs there will be no chance for the enactment of the amendment suggested. Man in his warfare against his enemy disease, uses whatever weapon comes to hand, directing the forces of nature to assist him in the unending battle. Extinction threatens the na- tives of the Samoa Islands, and a tiny parasite carried by the stegomyia mos- quito, the carrier of yellow fever, is suspected as the principal cause of the high incidence of disease there. Ban- ish the mosquito and the problem is solved, the scientists say, so they are cutting out paths for the trade winds of the Pacific, so the pests may be blown away from the thick jungles. The fight against the stegomyia will be carried on along other lines, the ex- periment being in charge of an ex- pedition from the London School of Tropical Medicine. Even the winds “are harnessed to serve modern hygiene. THE ATTITUDE OF MIND. In the kind and character of the business that is passing there are no abrupt changes or the likelihood of them. The transactions of a week ap- pear just like those of the week before, variances during the period being so comparatively slight as to be un- noticeable. It takes observation over a longer stretch of time to discern even a trend. If the whole of the month just past be taken into ac- count, however, a fairly perceptible tendency is made apparent. This is not so much in the actual buying as in the attitude of mind on the part of buyers. They are not so skeptical as they were as to the probabilities, but are willing to be shown. This is really an advance, because it marks a disposition by them to venture if the way is made fairly clear, instead of obstinately closing their ears to all appeals. It is recognized that a lot of merchandise will be needed to take care of demands which are already indicated. The only obstacle apparent seems to be the matter of price. On this point buyers and sellers are still somewhat apart in many lines, in some more than in others. Conces- sions do not always result in sales because of the suspicion engendered that still further ones may be likely later on. But when the point is reached where goods are really needed, market rates are paid although the orders are limited in quantity to what can be disposed of by a quick turn- over. Buyers wish to be in a position to take advantage of any favorable turn. Later on, the logic of events may spur them up. : CANNED FOODS MARKET. Outside o fthe offering of a greater variety of futures, including some of the leading commodities in vegetables, fish and fruits, there is nothing par- ticularly new in canned foods this week. Asparagus is the feature among vegetables as other lines have been offered more or less freely for several weeks. Buying of vegetables of 1924 pack is inclined -to go slow as jobbers want lower prices than those now quoted. In fish, Columbia River sal- mon is the leader but fruits are not a vital factor except for Northwestern strawberries. A very fair proportion of that pack is reported as sold at opening prices. Spot foods of all kinds have been slow sellers as they are now taken mostly for nearby requirements. ARTIFICIAL SILK PRICES. Buyers of artificial silk fiber ought to feel grateful that in these days of rising prices the cost of the material was substantially reduced last week by the various companies making it. And some of them did so feel. These were the ones who had deferred the purchase of their supplies. But a lot of knitting concerns which had stock on hand bought at higher prices were not pleased, because it put them at a disadvantage with dilatory buyers. They were placated, however, in some instances by having a 50 per cent. re- bate on the difference in prices. The reduction appears to have been forced by the imports of artificial silk and, if the lower prices fixed are maintained, will probably lead to much larger use of the fiber. As it is, the material has been taking the place of the regular silk to an increasing extent and the price reduction had a rather dampen ing effect on the prices of the latter On its own merits the artificial silk has established a place of its own a: an important and useful textile fiber. It no longer needs to masquerade as an imitation of silk. This is one of the reasons why it was sought to give it a distinctive name that would not suggest that of silk. After much deliberation the name glos was put forward by some representatives of trade bodies. It is a purely arbitrary designation, suggestive of nothing in particular, and has not met with gen- eral approbation. One of the organ- izations of knitters has turned it down, and a number of dry goods merchants announce their refusal to use the term. There is apparently some hard sled- ding ahead for it. NOTHING RADICALLY WRONG. While the basic industries are mak- ing a good showing as regards both operations and prospects, general mer- cantile business has not quite so fa- vorable a look. It is conceded that there is nothing radically wrong with the latter, but the buying lacks the spontaneity it should have. While dealers believe that the coming season will be a fairly prosperous one, their purchasing methods do not indicate it. At the convention of the National Retail Dry Goods Association held i1 New York City during the past week, the presiding officer advised his fellow-merchants to buy sparingly and cautiously and not to allow themselves to be stampeded by the claim of high- er prices later on. Thus far that pol- icy has been followed, and it looks as though this would continue for a while yet. No matter what the logic of the situation may be, resulting from higher raw material cost and labor ex- pense, doubt continues to prevail as to the stability of prices. So there continues hesitancy in the tying up of capital in stocks of goods and in the extension of credits. That this is based on something more than mere sentiment is indicated in the lists of business reverses, which showed en- largement at the end of the past year and the beginning of this. In January the failures were the most numerous of any month in nearly two years and the liabilities largest in any similar period since the panic year of 1907. Prudence under such circumstances is not to be wondered at. Sr ! The Japanese feel toward Chinese coming into Japan much the same as Californians feel toward Japenese com- ing into California. A similar econ- omic consideration is present. The Chinese laborer has a lower standard of living than the Japanese; he can exist upon lower wages and thus re- places the Japanese in some fields. His lot is therefore made as hard as pos- sible. The Japanese should under- stand the attitude of Californians. He does understand it; that is just the point. But he hates to think that any one can look down upon him as he looks down upo nthe Chinese. It makes him fighting made. Si - February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN fi Wan ran gaya In Every Home TAGOH| *:\ nn, A Potential Customer We will pay $10.00 fora humorous soap selling story A section in our Grocery Trade Parer advertising will be given over to the best humorous soap selling stories. Look for them. No doubt you have had many funny soap selling experiences in your business career. Jot one down and mail to COLGATE & CoO. Laundry Sales Department 199 Fulton Street, New York City We will pay $10.00 each month for the best story (the one which is printed by us in this section) and will mail a Colgate souvenir package to every person who sends us a story. You will receive a souvenir package whether your story wins the $10.00 or not. Every order means a re- peat. Stock-display-sell the OCTAGON line and companion products. ADVERTISING plus OCTAGON QUALITY helps them move fast A Complete Line OCTAGON PRODUCTS — A COMPLETE FAMILY FOR PROFITS | r } if H ? 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN v7 PI “ af yf y) \ ro RN RY AXA Da VBL Ks - in ~ ws S ae Ls SAA z > cS SE Ny 2 ~ = = — ain — io —_— ‘ = - = = — ae = > : + : = = Ee = =. ‘ é sd ~ ig ny : — = yz REVIEW or THE SHOE MARKET : [2mm = * z = = 7s 2 | C7) mS ~ = ee = ae Ze oS | LIF a ~ 1 4, g° C rol sn aef Get Back To Seasonal Selling in Men’s Shoes. Retail shoe men are of course inter- ested in selling more pairs of shoes. During the past year it has neces- sitated much pressure in order to maintain usual volume in the men’s end of the business, to say nothing of increasing it. The decrease in pairage of men’s shoes is glaringly apparent. What to do about this is in the minds of many. Recognizing the evil is one thing, but correcting it is quite another. It is not for me to offer a remedy for the ills of the retail shoe business of to- day. But it does seem to me that something could be done if there was a united effort behind single idea. This idea, which I have in mind, is not new, but it is a consideration of facts before us and a recognition of condi- tions which we are working with and trving to make the most of it. It was quite logical, of course, that the idea low shoes the year around should find its way into the men’s end of the shoe business. For several years the low shoe idea has prevailed in the women’s end of the game. As there is always a certain influence regard- ing the styles forthcoming from the feminine, the idea of wearing low shoes the year around was promul- gated forthwith. A lot of merchants, including my- self, figured that low shoes for men the year around was a very splendid idea. We believed that by selling low shoes the year around we_ could have a continuous season for offering new styles and we would thereby wreck the old tradition of business— and we did. And now we find that in wrecking these traditions we have destroyed the one best bet that vendors of men’s shoes generally have relied on for business during these many years. In other words we_ have destroyed the seasonal idea in the men’s shoe business. No longer is it considered necessary for a man to buy a pair of high shoes September first or to buy his low preceding many shoes on the Saturday Easter. And yet for many, years up until two years ago, most men felt entirely out of order if they appeared on Easter parade with a pair And when September they felt duty bound to discard their low shoes. of high shoes. first came around, Not only the youngsters, college chaps and high school boys are wear- ing low shoes the year around, but Grandad and Uncle Tom and many men of mature years are doing so. Anw when I say wearing I mean wearing them out, because that is what actually happens. There is no definite time now, when low shoes ought to be discarded and high shoes put on, which means that they are worn throughout the year and most pairs wear nearly a year, and that means that pairage possibilities have necessarily and considerably decreased. In our store we are trying the best we know how to put over high shoes during the colder months of the year but it is rather a tough job to do so. As an obstacle, first of all, the boys on the floor have gotten into the habit of selling low shoes the year around, and it is hard to unsell them on this. There is no unity of mer- chant opinion on this point; we see many stores which do not feature high shoes at all in their window displays. I was quite surprised to note at the beginning of last season, when the traveling men were coming around for business, that one or two traveling men appeared on the scene without a single high shoe in their lines. I say that this is not a good condition for the shoe business generally. If we are going to sell more pairs we will necessarily need different types of shoes for the. various seasons of the vear. If we are going to sell low shoes the year around, we can recon- cile ourselves to the circumstances of having the average man wear low shoes just as long as they will stay on his feet. Not so very long ago when the sea- sonal idea in men’s shoes was still with us, when September first arrived the average man felt duty bound to buy a pair of high shoes and laid aside his low shoes for the time being although these continued to have quite a little service in them aand looked pretty good. He wore his high shoes dur- ing the winter time and then along about the first of March he probably would pick up his old pair of low shoes and look them over and decide that they were not very good looking for his new outfit and immediately would set out for a new pair of shoes. These extra pairs, not thoroughly worn out, were set aside and in due time disposed of, and in that way we secured our extra pair business. To- day there are seldom two extra pairs of men’s shoes in closets or wardrobes which are not in active service. ' The average man is not very par- ticular about the appearance of his feet, in fact men as a rule are rather slipshod about their general appear- ance. Unless continuously reminded regarding general neatness and the necessity of carefulness in dress they are apt to taper off in their earnestness to appear at their best at all times. This is a fact to face and has a very important bearing upon the sales pos- sibilities of men’s shoes generally. It means that shoe men, especially those specializing in men’s shoes, must be ever alert to keep men in line regard- ing the general appearance of their feet, to be ever watchful for new things which may tempt men to buy extra pairs of shoes; and to plan and prepare considerably in advance for selling campaigns which have behind them not merely a conjecture, but solid reason and logic. Styles of women’s shoes may be of the moment and they may have no real reason be- hind them aside from the desire to adorn with frills and fineries. Style appeal to men must be in an en- tirely different way. Men’s fashions are more practical. Ours being a large department store featuring men’s wear, I have before me at all times a picture of what other retailers of men’s merchandise are ac- complishing in the way of increased sales. When I see this and seriously consider the way the hat people and the shirt people and clothing people are campaigning it does, seem to me that shoe men, on the men’s end of the game particularly, are veritable dubs. Naturally it is impossible to put any big merchandising idea over without the co-operation of at least the leading units in any local trade. I very much admire the splendid and solid front which the hat men of Chicago put forth at all times. On certain days you find the hat windows in Chicago are trimmed nearly all alike, at least according to a certain general scheme. Straw hats are brought out simultane- ously at all stores and there are few who jump the traces or try to hunch a day or two over competitors. After the bell has rung for straw hats in fall we learn that grays are the thing as far as felt hats are concerned and windows all over the city we see gray hats displayed. A little bit later on we find the hat men pushing velours. The hat men of this town are continuously offering new reasons for buying an- other hat. It would be a very fine thing in- deed if shoe merchants could line up in the same way that the hat people do and this is said not in a fault-find- ing way but as an an instructive sug- gestion. In our store we are going to con- tinue hammering for high shoes dur- ing winter time and low shoes during the warmer months of the year and are hopeful that other merchants may see fit to do likewise in their stores. The more that get behind the idea just that easier will it be to bring back old times for the shoe business, that is as far as men’s shoes are concerned.— John Spalo in Shoe Retailer. ——_>+>____ Don’t wait for your store fixtures to wear out before buying new. Buy when you see something that will help you to do more business without corresponding increase in expense. —_+--._____ If you advertise “The customer is always right,” or “Your money back if you want it,” don’t hem and haw about claims for refund. Make good and shut up about it. February 13, 1924 BARLOW BROS. Ask about our way INDIA TIRES HUDSON TIRE COMPANY Distributors 16 North Commerce Avenue Phone 67751 GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Genuine Comfort for Troubled Feet Our Special No. 988 brings joy to sensitive feet. %, Wide, roomy, bunion last. soft leather, Relieves tnou- sands H-B Dependable Footwear Favorites with farmers for 30 years. Dress and Service shoes for men and boys of all leather and all good leather. Made by skilled shoemakers. Good look- ing, long-wearing, easy on the feet and on the pocketbook. The line that makes satisfied cus- tomers for the shoe dealer. HEROLD-BERTSCH SHOE CO. Grand Rapids, Mich. BOND SIX SNAPPY COLORS and WHITE MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE HOUR Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Co. Kalamazoo, Michigan : | g Grand Rapids, Mich. ts went ames, February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 11 THE PANAMA CANAL. Side Lights on Its Operation and Revenues. _ Balboa, Canal Zone, Jan. 22—Com- ing into the harbor at Colon we found inside of the breakwater the most of the vessels of the United States navy, something like seventy of them, in- cluding battle ships, cruisers, torpedo ‘boats, destroyers and a big boat with a flat roof for airships. They had been practicing the day before what to do In case an enemy should attack the Canal. We were taken for a two hour ride through old Colon and Cristobal. Our Government is building a_ splendid type of ‘houses for its employes and fine streets and parks in Cristobal. They are all the more impressive in comparison with the old shacks of Colon, just across the street. We were then taken to the Hotel Washington for dinner, a fine modern hotel on the ocean front conducted by Uncle Sam. The navy in the harbor in a semi-circle for two or three miles, all lighted up and with their lights flashing the Morse code to one another and the moon coming up was a sight long to be remembered. We were at daybreak to go through the Canal. You shave, no doubt, read the figures in regard to it, as I have, but as they are interesting to me they may be to you and if not you can skip them. The distance from ocean to ocean is forty-nine miles. On the At- lantic entrance are the Gatun locks a mile and a half long, with three lifts. When through the three you have been lifted eighty-five feet above the Atlantic. In each of these locks there is a usable length of 1,000 feet, with gates at different lengths, so that it a vessel going through is only 200 feet long, they only use the 200 foot lift, using that much less water. All the locks are twin locks. If one gets out of order they can use the other or use them for boats going in opposite directions simultaneously. They are 110 feet wide and each about seventy feet deep. In coming out from Gatun locks you run through a lake formed by this lock for twenty miles which did not require much excavating—most places not over seven feet of dredging—until you come to Culebra Cut, which for about nine miles required cutting through the Continental Divide, a width of 300 feet. At the bottom was the big job of the Canal, for it is mostly soft rock and they had to dig back at the top to keep the banks from sliding into the Canal. At the Western end of the cut is Pedro Miguel locks, with one lift, and a mile beyond Miraflores locks with two lifts or drops; then ten miles of dredging to the Pacific. On the Colon side at the spillway they have a hydro- electric plant capable of generating 13,000 kilowatt, the present capacity for distribution through the Canal Zone. One fear of the Government was that the Chagres River might not fur- nish water enough to operate the locks, for every time a boat goes through it takes so much water. Three years ago was a dry season and water be- came so low they shut down the hydro plant, which in operation uses more water than the locks, and started up their steam electric plant and then haa plenty of water for the locks. The ships in the locks are handled by a cog road on both sides of the dock. Cables are attached to the ship and pulled by a so-called ‘‘mule,”’ an electric engine, four cables to each ship, two to pull and two to hold back. The Laconia, being a big ship, had four of these mules on each side. The locks can handle forty-eight common ~ sized ships per day of twenty-four hours. : The first ship through the Canal was August 3, 1914. Up to June 30, 1923, the total toll paying vessels were 20,- 000. Outside of the National defense, the cost of the Canal was about $111,- 000,000. The charges against the Canal proper is about $275,000,000. Interests on this at 5 per cent. is $13,- 750,000, and the expenses of operation and maintenance are about $8,000,000 per year. The income from January to September, 1923, was on the basis of $22,000,000 per annum, so _ the Canal is now earning the full 5 per cent. interest on the investment and the revenue is increasing every year. The tolls are $1.20 per net ton for ladened ships and for ships in ballast 72c per net ton. The operating ex- pense per ton is 26c for iron ore ships and for average bulk cargo 65c per ton. Our Government has one of the largest dry docks in the world here, with oil storage tanks for 2,000,000 gallons; coal docks of 7,000 ton capa- city; ice plants, slaughter houses, cold storage plants, hospitals, etc. ‘The present operating force of the Canal and Government owned railroad is 2,500 American or gold employes and 8,000 alien or silver employes. The total population of Panama and Bal- boa is about 60,000. The Canal Zone is vested in a Governor directly under the President of the U. S. The de- partments are subdivided into opera- tion, marine, etc., something like twenty different departments. It is rather confusing to think you are going West through the Canal and find on arriving at Panama you are twenty-seven miles East of the Atlantic end, for where the axis of the Isthmus runs from Southwest to Northwest the Canal is built from Northwest to Southeast. At Balboa the Government has built breakwaters out for three miles making a good harbor. The water in the Pacific is about eight inches higher than the Atlantic. On the Atlantic side the tide is one foot; on the Pacific side, twelve feet: The weather is delightful, both at Cristobal and Balboa, with a cool breeze and thermometer about 75 at noon. There is only one improvement I can suggest to the Government and that is to have a big sign with the names of the towns on, so in going through the Canal on a vessel you would know what they were. Also to have the different Government buildings and forts marked with signs readable from the vessel. It would add greatly to the interest of the trip. Leaving Balboa about 7 p. m. pas- sengers thought they were certainly seeing strange sights when the moon rose on the Pacific Ocean side of the boat. Someone has been checking up the passenger list and reports that of the 600 passengers, 200 are widows. I overheard one of them, talking to an- other lady, say: “If my grandchildren could see me flirting with some of these old widowers they would have a fit, but | am out for a good time The old widowers—and there are a lot of them on board—are not at all averse to being chosen for a moon- light stroll around the deck. We have several ministers with us and they are making acquaintances as fast as possible in view of the busi- ness they may pick up in the mar- riage line as the trip progresses. It was quite noticeable how the men picked up in their dressing at Balboa. The stores there have done a good business in the sale of flanne] and white suits. Foxy Grandpa is cer- tainly taking on new life and is dress- ing the part. About forty of them are taking dancing lessans every morning. If a man is not older than he feels, then some of our passengers will be babies before we reach Jerusalem. C. C, Follmer, Look For Large Business Soon. A materially enlarged business in all lines of popular-priced jewelry is look- ed for during the remainder of the month. Articles meant for wear with the tailored suits for women are re- ceiving cofisiderable attention, among them novelty watch fobs and narrow bands of white and colored stones, similar to those now being used as It is said to be the intention to popularize these bands, somewhat shorter than the type used on hats, for wear on tailored suit jac- kets after the manner that service rib- bons are worn. Novelty bracelets, both of the bangle and flexible va- rieties, are in a strong position. millinery trimmings. grain. Good Demand For Accessories. The vogue of the tailored suit will bring with it, in the opinion of whole- expanded retail demand for various items coming under the head of costume accessories. These include scarfs, kerchiefs, fobs, fancy handbags and_ similar The fob is a distinctive part of the O’Rossen suit model as it has been developed here, and is said to have received favorable comment. Fair or- ders for the accessories been placed already, with indications point- ing to frequent reorders as the Spring retail season really gets under way. —_—_—_+-.____ In the olden days the flail was used by men to separate the chaff from the The flail is being used on men Salers. an merchandise. have to-day. ROBERT HENKEL, Pres. 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 A. D. BAKER, Sec.-Treas. Marquisette Curtains. Window Shades, Grand Rapids Curtains and Draperies Now is the time to buy your Line for Spring. large assortment to select from. Scrims in Plain and Fancy 7c to 35c per yard Draperies 225 beaee Nets 028 2 _ d5¢ to SE.50 per yard ~ 15c to $1.10 per yard Curtain Rods. Cretonnes and Silkalines. These lines add greatly to your sales. PAUL STEKETEE & SONS WHOLESALE DRY GOODS We have a - Michigan Se gee a nae : E | E MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Proceedings of the I Grand Rapids >y Court. nkruptc Wandel Ce } i ference and adjudi- 13.23 Is 70.00 ived the a adjudi- n° the {ter of Bankrupt No. 2431. n referred to Benn City 70.90 Pickett, In the Y 4aQTi 405, the trustee has given Bankrupt No. notice of quipment as well as stock of at auction on Feb. 12. The sale be conducted at the farm of the bankrupt located in Gaines township. Kent county, six miles southwest of Caledonia. In the matter .of Merrit a. Wade, Bankrupt No. 2382, the trustee having collected all of the assets of the estate has filed his final report and account and a final meeting has been called for Feb. 17. The trustee’s final report will b passed upon and administration expenses paid as far as the funds will permit, there being no funds on hand for the payment of any dividends to creditors. In the matter of William A. Long, the trustee has reduced all of the assets ot the estate to cash and a final meeting of creditors will be held at the office of the referee, on Feb. 11. The trustee’s final report and account will be passed upen and administration expenses paid. There will be’ no dividend to creditors. in the matter of John W. Bankrupt No. 5 first meeting have been received and such meeting wiil be held at the referee's office Feb. 18. Feb. 4. On this day was held the first meeting of creditors in the matter of Robert B. Wright. Bankrupt No. 2423. The bankrupt was present in person and by attorney. No creditors were present or represented. No claims were proved and allowed. No trustee was appointed. The bankrupt was sworn and examined without a reporter. The case being no asset was closed without date and the case returned to the clerk of the dis- trict court. On this day also was held the final Heaton, the funds for the meeting of creditors and sale of assets in the matter of Francis V. Broady. Bankrupt No Bo 1. The attorney for the bankrupt present: the trustee was present: clain were proved and al- lowed. The property for sale was sold to Steketee Radio Service Co. for $60. An order was made confirming the sale. The trustees report and account was approved. An order was made for the payment of administration expenses as far as the funds on hand would permit. There were no dividends paid. No ob- jection Was made to the discharge of the bankrupt. The meeting was then adjourned without date. The case~ w_ll be closed and returned to the district court. On this day also was held the sale of assets in the matter of Louis Rybarsyk and Harry Wittkoski and R. B. Electric Co., Bankrupt No. 2412. The trustee was present. Harry Wittkoski was present. Several creditors and bidders were pres- ent The property; was sold on ‘final offer to F. H. Peek, for $380. An order was made contirming ‘the sale. The special meeting and sale was then ad- journed without date. f BE oa ii 34 | PE, WARES Conservative Investments ACCEPTABLE DENOMINATIONS VW 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 Citizens 4480 GROUND FLUOR MICHIGAN TRUST BLDG Bell Main GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 4900 UNDER THE LAWS OF MICHIGAN if you die without hav- ing made a will, leav- ing a wife but no chil- dren, only one-half of your Real Estate will go to your wife. Is this your wish? THE MiAcuIcAn [RUST COR PANY Organized in 1889 CORNER PEARL AND OTTAWA GRAND RAPIDS D ips S. Q ommeawe The Welcome Sign Ts Always Out OFFICERS Wm. Alden Smith, Chairman of the Board Executive Chas. W.. Garfield, Committee. Gilbert L. Daane, President Arthur M. Godwin, Vice-President Chairman Earle D. Albertson, Vice-Pres. & Cashler Earl C. Johnson, Vice-President O. B. Davenport, Asst. Cashier H. J. Proctor, Asst. Cashier H. Fred Oitman, Ass‘. Cashier Dana B. Shedd, Asst. to President DIRECTORS Noyes L. Avery Chas. J. Kinde! Joseph Hl. Brewer Frank E. Leonard Gilbert I. Daane John B. Martin Charlies W. Garfield Geo. A. Rumsey William H. Gilbert Arthur M. Godwin Tom Thoits Chas. M. Heald A. H. Vandenverg J. Hampton Hoult Geo. G. Whitworth John Hekman Fred A. Wurzburg 54,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS RESOURCES OVER $18,000,000 THE BANK WHERE YOU FEEL AT HOME William Alden Smith AMERICAN STATE SAVINGS BANK NORTH LANSING CAPITAL, SURPLUS AND PROFITS i LANSING SouTH LANSING $1,000,000.00 ”“ pet Fe - ¥ ; - a ce MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 Old and New Taxes. News from Washington, however, . : or mists tell us that taxes, like indicates that constitutional amend- THE CITY 3 K \ d to grow mellow with age. ment putting an end to the issue of NA IONAL BAN \ hey mean that when cer- tax-exempt's less chance of adop- . ‘ “a bind of Ge be ee a ee of Lansing, Mich. dad of tax has bee 1 operation tion at this session than it had last | y years the community vill year. Tt will be recalled that at the Our Collection and Bill of Lading Service is satisfactory (QjUSt+1ESElT tO Its Hurden. LS a Fee previous session a joint resolution y : y 7 ie ) < oe p . ee : pe Mae ae Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits over $750,000 Sul x } imposed, though open amending the Constitution in the man- o ma theoretical objections may ner indicated obtained the necessary “OLDEST BANK IN LANSING” S( es prove less objectionable in two-thirds vote the House with a a practice tha w tax devoid small margin to spare. As this is on such objectionable lor written the measure is again before . . 1 e e lis reason a ta ‘ els the House, with the outcome less cer- ( srand Ra ids National Bank nmend Nay find tain than it was a year ago. ustification for its co in the —_——_—_>-—7__— e fact of its ga : Corporations Wound Up. The convenient bank for out of town people. Located at the very [hese considerations are called to The following Michigan corpora- center of the city. Handy to the street cars—the interurbans—the i : : a : : “ [* tices, then some industries are taxed AC. Chesley Co, Detroit. = Preferred Lists of Safe Investments Had nthere are erempi The adminis- Contract Finance Corporation, : : ¥ and others are exempt. {he admin avid OR the guidance of clients this organizatien maintains constantly revised lists tration ot the law proved unexpectedly G NaADICS of bonds of all types that offer unquestionable security plus attractive | % . foe ae 2entherc ne st TK} : ~ ° . : , . ompl ed and the yield has fallen Green Brothers, Inc., Detroit. Lists Supplied Upon Application Bo 5 : Ces —>~?<=>— _ : es ee ne {= below expectations. The experience Honest Man. Telephones: Bell Main 4678. Citizens 4678. vith this new tax seems to Dear OM There isa preacher im Kansas O—--FFOMPK INS. GHYSELS & CO ' i a ys Of fhe econamisis, should have his salary raised for —s iN Fe —___¢<>___— ie : : aie oe making the following announcement Investment Bankers and Brokers rad Vit atin America. i ee : a : : oo i. i : : ; : Ie Teal = : nie from his pulpit: “Brethren, the Jjani- Michigan Trust Bldg., Ground Floor, Grand Rapids bor illus Ktein, EAITECtOr: OF toe = abs oe ? : will hold our regular pray- J PD r ) 1) mae tip E { pureau oO ‘ EJOTIPCSLIC |. mi : oe 1g next Wednesday evening a Commerce in Of £0 1 is usual. ’ per cent. in the of he — 64+ oe i o Latin America dm - es — Three Kinds of Salesmen. e increase of 29 per cent. in the value of The heavyweight. : f 1 “ The featherweizh GUL imports as proor- that we date tes ¢ : \ a eet 1 OI din< ¢ wi? in trade with our ee oe | Noid 2 Our OW? Wyk tage Wit ou e < - a ry : : TZ WLLL LLL LLL 4 Southern neighbors, despite an oc- \* A A Practical Partnership de a ral ae ocala ss ahead - the N VEU PEDDOEU OEE DEE EET EE TEED EEE DET CEES Eee eee eS | contrary by some pessimistic observer. N : ‘ Exports to Latin America in 1923 N { showed a fain of (15 per cent. Over N : oo { the pre-war year, while exports to the HE busy man finds the help he can gain from year, W tos N ? est Oo Whe world “Sow «oe an institution with trust powers, invaluable in od of only 68% per cent. Part : a. ee the conduct of his personal business. . increase in value is due to the N price levels now prevailing, but N the gain has been substantially great- N This institution, for a small charge, will take care A . ee ee ar ee ad Ny er than the rise in prices and points to N of your property, real or personal, collect rents, - { : a larger volume of trade. Imports N yeaa 3 : ‘ from Latin America have also been N interest an Ividends, pay taxes, superintend re- x : Z ee NY bi j i 1 greater volume and asthe products N pairs and handle all income under your direction. y ae region have also been com- N ¢ : : : ! N idine better prices during the past Af s : ; : 7 ne DOU N In short— it acts as a silent partner in the man- year. there has been a gain tm pur- N : hi h sal L : chasing power in this part of the N agement of the affairs from which you wish to be ; ™ : ag e ¢ N Z world which has had a favorable et- N : scheved. Bak fect on our export business. N ESTABLISHED 1853 + Tax Exemption Again. N ‘ One would suppose that the op- N Through our Bond De- | none f the rer surtaxes recom- N ponents of the lower ies : a N partment we offer only : mended by Secretary Mellon would at : RAND APIDOS RUST OMPANY =|. Graded Hy Se ee N such bonds as are su‘table T a Pe least be consistent enough to tavor N bcd 6 his & k é 3 hig recommendation that further is- N for the funds of this bank. . : . f urities : N IDS, MICH sues of tax-exempt securities be prox N GRAND RAP ue or tax-eCXempt se . C N Buy Safe Bonds : : yibited. Those who urge that the sur-) NN : ee ee : oo from Ottawa at Fountain Both Phones 4391 taxes remain high would naturally be N : : : N rhs expected to favor closing the door N ‘ j ; a N T ss whereby wealthy taxpayers are able N he Old Nationa! ‘i to escape from the levies aimed di- N rectly at them. 2 Se s 14 Relation of Fire Waste To Taxation. he taxes to which insurance com- panies are subject call for considera- tion upon behalf of the public. We Americans are by nature, inclination and education the most reckless, the most careless, and the most extrava- gant people on the face of the earth. How often we have heard it stated that we waste more than would sup- port a like number of people anywhere on Continental Europe, and I think that anyone who is now following con- ditions on that unhappy continent, will immediately recognize that this is true. Take the annual fire waste of this country from the viewpoint of a taxa- tion. Our waste of $5 per capita per annum means that every man, woman and child pays $5 per year for fire waste. That means that the man with the average family, his wife and three children—a family of five— pays $25 fire tax. The United States Govern- ment in its report adds to this fire waste the cost of maintaining fire de- partments, much more. This means $50.00 a year to the aver- age family. Now, if some blue Monday in every year a representative of the Govern- ment were to come around and ask us each for our check for $50 to pay our share of the National carelessness, then we would realize what we pay. But we do not realize that we pay it, because that tax is indirect. The big ‘manufacturers and the big merchants know that this fire expense is a tax. They equip their premises with auto- matic sprinklers. They put in pro- tective apparatus. They get the low- est insurance rate they can because it helps them to compete. But the man in the street, the ordinary man, does not know how this fire waste is paid. which is as Take wool, for example. ‘Wool in the warehouse is insured—that is a tax. It is insured in transportation, and there it pays a fire tax. It is in- sured in the textile factory where it is worked up in cloth. It is insured in the clothing store, insured in the tailor shop, in the department store; and all the way along this fire tax is added to the cost, and when you buy a coat you pay it. Every stock of goods that is insured carries this tax and it is passed along to the ultimate consumer. The masses do not know that they pay it. They do not realize that when they buy a hat, or a pair of shoes, or a suit of clothes, or any- thing that goes through the regular channels of industry—production, dis- tribution and exchange—they pay a tax. Not realizing it they are indif- ferent to fire. They think the fire loss does not affect them. Prosperity in America eliminates frugality. The great middle class of people, which constitutes such an im- portant part of our population, is not a class of conservation. The fast and furious age in which we live keeps us on high speed all the time, and this condition of living does not beget habits of carefulness. Our people do not seem to realize that it is much easier to preserve that which we have than it is to create or recreate that which we spend or lose; and particularly is this true of MICHIGAN TRADESMAN the great destruction and loss of our accumulations by fire. It is surprising how many people are still of the opinion that a loss 999 “fully covered by insurance’” is no total claims—the lawyers and court officials (who have to be lawyers), absorb 49 per cent. In no way is the utter imbecility of the bankruptcy law more strikingly illustrated than in this citation. Creat- February 13, 1924 the lawyers who wax fat on the spoils of the bankruptcy court, it is no won- der many creditors never take the trouble to even file a claim when a debtor seeks relief from his indebted- ness in the bankruptcy court. loss at all; that such a condition is an even break. The property owner is Lawyers advise their clients to re- ed by lawyers in Congress to cater to looked upon as a man of wisdom and prudence who thus guards against what would otherwise be a personal calamity; never seeming to realize that insurance money is simply and solely a contribution, made by the respective members of an organization, to re- place that which is nearly always a preventable loss. It, therefore, must follow as the night the day, that the more losses, the more contributions; the more dancing, the more pay for the fiddler. —_+-+____ Bankruptcy Court Fat Picking For Lawyers. Arthur Black sends the Tradesman the result of his administration in the bankruptcy court of the Church Chem- ical Co., which is about as wretched a showing as can well be imagined. The company owed $93,044.33, and the receiver succeeded in realizing on the estate $6,044.33, which si about 614 per cent.. When this measly amount is distributed the cloven hoof of the present bankruptcy system of the United States is revealed in all of GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Fourth National Ban United States Depositary Capital $300,000 Surplus $300,000 3% pera l oe on Savings Deposits, 3 \, x, interest paid on Certificates of Deposit @ “C if left one year. payable OFFICERS Wim- #H: Lavant Z. Caukin, Vice-President; J. Clinton Bishop, Cashier; Alva T. Edison, Ass’t Cashier; Harry C. Lundberg, Ass’t Cashier. Anderson, President; DIRECTORS Wr. H. Anderson Lavant Z. Caukin Christian Bertsch David H. Brown Marshall M. Uhl J. Clinton Bishop James L. Sidney F. Stevens Robert D. Graham Samuel G. Braudy Samuel D. Young Hamilton its hideousness. The exact figures are as follows: Wages, taxes and liens ------ $1,001.80 O UR FIRE INS POLICIES A RE Dividends to creditors _.---- 2,101.59 e Hees to officials = = 203.94 Lawyer for bankrupt -------- 300.00 CONCURRENT Lawyer for ceitors —_-____- 100.00 Lawyer for trustee; receiver 1,000.00 Expenses of administration-- 1,307.00 Reduced to percentages these figures are as follows: with any standard stock policies that you are buying. Waces, taxes and Hens ._......__- 16 : Dividends eS ee 35 The Net Cost is 30% Less Lawyer for bankrupt ------------ 3 Hees to ehitiais 5 Lae or ee 2 | Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Lawyer for trustee and receiver_-- 17 Expenses of administration ------ 22 of Fremont, Mich. In other words, while the creditors have to be content with 35 per cent.— which amounts to 6% per cent. of their WM. N. SENF, Secretary-Treas. Michigan Shoe Dealers Mutual FIRE INSURANCE CO. Organized for Service, Not for Profit We are Saving Our Policy Holders 30% of Their Tariff Rates on General Mercantile Business FOR INFORMATION, WRITE TO L. H. BAKER, Sec’y-Treas. LANSING, MICH. wan egee bee ge ae ' psaceercoamtcor = ¢ ’ oe ene ce 4 February 13, 1924 sort’ to the bankruptcy court and charge enormouos fees all the way along, ending up by gobbling the lion’s share of the proceeds. A better name for the bankruptcy court’ would be Lawyers’ Plunder Tribunal. ee on a ae Community Mausoleum Sanitat’on. In this issue is presented a subject which may be seemingly unpleasant to some but which, nevertheless, is of considerable importance and interest. Therefore, it is worthy of attention irrespective of its character. We refer to the matter of condition and sanita- tion in respect of cemeteries in gen- eral, by comparison to the modern community mausoleum system. We wish our readers to distinctly understand that we are in no sense de- crying the modern cemetery methods which, until recent years, was known and considered the better manner of burial. However, an improved system has been provided in many large and small centers all over the country, in- cluding quite a number of Michigan cities. Reference is made to the com- munity .mausoleum plan, which is sweeping the United States, the more civilized portions of the Old World, and is being presented to the citizens of Grand Rapids for the first time under the name of “Graceland Memorial Park and Mausoleum.” It is a “plan” that essentially appeals to the educated, intelligent and refined. In the past, many things have been said relative to the sanitary conditions surrounding cemeteries and cemetery interment. Many authorities have sub- mitted learned discourses upon this subject. In the main the context of their articles was usually correct. They have called our attention to these facts incident to ground burial: The mortal remains of loved ones con- signed to the earth or subject to many undesirable and dreadful conditions. Primarily, the flesh rots. It becomes infested with vermin. Irrespective of the soundness of the casket or vault in which it may be placed, ground animals and creatures eventually reach the flesh enclosed therein, for the en- closures do not last forever. Moreover, any excess of water, or floods, work havoc in and about the grave. This carries poison into ad- jacent localities, thereby threatening the health and welfare of those resid- ing near by. Often, undesirable and dangerous odors emanate from ceme- teries. It is an accepted, scientific fact that the human body is about 85 per cent. water. Therefore, what else can we expect when the remains are buried in the ground? Is it not true, on the face of it, that the ground burial sys- tem is not only becoming undesirable but obsolete? The modern, community mausoleum is a well constructed, heated building. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 15 It is built to last forever, and the temperature therein is maintained at an even rate of about seventy degrees. After the conclusion of the services, in the beautiful mausoleum chapel, the casket, which is resting upon a rubber tired carriage, is carefully and tender- ly rolled down the corridor until it arrives at the proper compartment. It is then placed therein and the crypt is sealed. It is there for all time. The heated walls gradually absorb the moisture, the body dries up and literally “returns to dust,’ as was in- tended, after many years. No vermin nor other undesirable thing can reach it or violate it. By reason of this system, the mortal remains, and also the casket, keep intact for a very long time. There is no odor emanat- ing therefrom. It is impossible. Therefore, those utilizing commun- ity mausoleum space, not only possess a wonderful and beautiful “memorial,” but also preserve the sentimental thoughts of those who have “passed on” and are assured perfect sanitary conditions. ——_~+ + 2. Don’t get a reputation for giving traveling salesmen ‘hard boiled treat- ment. Salesmen can be of a good deal of help to you, but they don’t try to help the man who turns them down cold. —_—> > Be a booster for the store in which you work, not merely a selling ma- chine. We are in the market to purchase an entire issue of public utility, industrial or real estate first mort- gage bonds. A.E. Kusterer & Go. Investment Bankers, Brokers MICHIGAN TRUST BLDG. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Phones Citz. 4267, Bell, Main 2435 SAFETY SAVING SERVICE CLASS MUTUAL INSURANCE AGENCY “The Agency of Personal Service” ¢. N. BRISTOE, A. T. MONSON, H. G. BUNDY. FREMONT, MICHIGAN REPRESENTING Central Manufacturers’ Mutual Ohio Underwriters Mutual Retail Hardware Mutual Hardware Dealers Mutual Minnesota Implement Mutual Ohio Hardware Mutual National Implement Mutual The Finnish Mutual Hardware Mutual Casualty Co. We classify our risks and pay dividends according to the Loss Ratio of each class written: Hardware and Implement Stores, 40% to 50%; Garages, Furniture and Drug Stores 40%; General Stores and other Mercantile Risks 30%. WRITE FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS. Merchants Life Insurance Company WILLIAM A. WATTS President RANSOM E. OLDS 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. The Old Reliable «20 -.ve« in West Michigan | New System Dentists Fenton Davis & Boyle We've taken pain and high price out of Dentistry and substituted comfort and economy. After all, there’s no place like the New System. Just a Step South of Monroe Ave. One Flight Up; Write for Information. 41 Tonia Ave. in G. R. BONDS EXCLUSIVELY Grand Rapids National Bank Building Chicago GRAND RAPIDS First National Bank Bldg. Telephones { cham (ae Detroit Congress Building Use Tradesman Coupons MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 1924 Little White-Faced Boy in an Egyp- tian Shop. Written for the Tradesman. A little boy was working on a big brass platter, carving on it one of intricate Oriental designs that the most skillful workmen months upon it. His nose close to it. After a long he became aware that 1. was him, and for a flash looked up at me; then instantly was back at work. In that momentary raising of his saw that it was the face of an d man: his eves looked blood-shot and very tired; his complexion was waxy-white, there was nothing in his you would call expression; ce no light of recognition or interest, no curiosity as to who I might be; not even hostility. It might have been the [ cc ish. “Wow old is he?’ 1 asked the man who was conducting me. He shot a quick question at the boy, in a lan- guage that I did not understand. The answered dully, without looking “He does not know,” the man said. “TI think he is about twelve years. He has been working here for three ylars. “How many hours does he work here every day?” “From seven to twelve, and from “What does he get for it?” “Two piastres a day.” Two piastres now is somewhat less than ten cents.) “Has he ever been to school?” “Oh, no, sir. He cannot read; he cannot write his name. I suppose he never will.” Then he pointed to some other boys, and said: “That boy is only nine; that other one is ten. They get nothing for their work; they are learning the trade.” This was in Cairo Egypt, and not many weeks ago. Out in the store in the bazaar, where they sold the things that were made in this shop at the back, American and European women were squabbling over the prices, or rejoicing that they were so. cheap. Some of the work was quite wonderful but when I saw it again afterward I had to see it through the vision of a little white face, with weary eyes and the expression of a fish. And my mind went back to a report I saw last year from the United States Children’s Bureau, and a phrase I re- membered in that report, which had to do with “The Working Children of 3oston:” “They have not received an educa- tion of the sort to make them adapt- able to changing industrial conditions or to give them an understanding of BSF the duties of citizenship. They are subjected also to positive damage, from labor unadapted to their needs and capacities, and from unsuitable as- sociations and environments.” And I remembered, too, how com- monly I had heard in America the same excuse that was given me by the owner of this Egyptian shop: “This child must work in order to help support his family. It is a neces- sity. He cannot spare the time to go to school.” But he told me, too, that the chil- dren who worked on this very fine de- signing almost always lost their sight, or at least seriously damaged their eyes, very early in life. So that what- ever this boy might earn now, he was impairing his earning capacity for the future. And, what is quite as import- ant and ominous, he was growing up without the slightest education or chance of any, during a period when something like self-government is coming to this country. Nothing in his life to fit him for citizenship. He was missing, too, the things that would increase his earning power. On that subject the Boston report left no room for doubt. The Children’s Bureau report about the working children of the communi- ties making up Greater Boston made it very clear that school work bears a direct relation to earning power, ex- ercising a favorable influence upon even their first earnings and showing clearly that education accelerates per- ceptibly the rate at which the earning power increases with age. Going about as I have been doing among the children, first of Italy and later of various places in Egypt, I have been much impressed by the eagerness in their faces, by their re- sponsiveness to every approach once their friendly confidence is gained. They look and act very much like the children I have seen in scores of cities on America. I chanced to come upon a kindergarten in one of the narrow back streets of Brindisi, in Italy, and found a circle of little folks behaving in all respects like those I find in the kindergartens at home. So, when I hear people talk about “backward races” and the hopelessness of democracy among folk like the peo-, ple of Egypt, there-come to me now on one hand visions of the alert-faced children whom I have been seeing and on .the other the memory of the white- faced child working on the brass plat- ter in the bazaar of Cairo who earns 10 cents a day and never will know how to write his name. Prudence Bradish. Copyrighted, 1924.) The kind of advertising that pays you double A powerful, new Domino Package Sugar advertising campaign is now ap- pearing in more than 40) newspapers. The cleanliness, convenience and sat- isfaction assured by Domino Package Sugars will be told twenty-five million people—more than two hundred sixty million times during the campaign. - This advertising is directed to pay you doubly—not only by increasing the de- mand for Domino Package Sugars, but a'so by educating your customers to buy sugar in the right way—in packages. The way that saves you handling costs and protects your profits. Co-operate with the advertising and push Domino Package Sugars for more business and better business on sugar. American SugarRefining Company ‘“Sweeten it with Domino’’ Granulated, Tablet, Powdered, Confectioners, Brown; Golden Syrup; Cinnamon and Sugar; Sugar-Honey; Molasses Of Course It’s A Hot Dish Many of your customers are in the habit of re- garding our food as a “Summer cereal.’” You can help us teach them how to serve it hot. As a matter of fact hredded Wheat is an all-the-year-round food, just as nourishing and palatable in Winter as in Summer. To make a hot dish for a cold day, heat the Biscuits in the oven and then pour hot milk over them, adding a little cream and a little salt. Better than porridges be- cause you have to chew it. Shredded Wheat is made in Biscuit form and therefore requires careful handling. Broken biscuits do not please the housewife. Handle Shredded Wheat carefully, and keep in a dry, clean place. This makes satisfied customers for you and saves us a lot of trouble. MADE ONLY BY The Shredded Wheat Company, Niagara Falls, N. Y. February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 17 Late News From Michigan Factories. Detroit—The Republic Machine & the same style with an authorized cap- Solid Color Shirts Lead. Detroit—The Triplex Plating & Tool Co., 1600 Euclid avenue, East, ital stock of $45,000 common and Efforts to push men’s fancy pat- Manufacturing Co. has filed a dissolu- tion of incarporation. Grand Rapids—The Neher-Bates Manufacturing Co. has changed its name to the Nehr-Murner Co. Lansing—The Hager “Lumber. Co: has increased its stock from $40,000. to $150,000. Rapids—Stiles Bros. Co, Buckley street, has increased its cap- ital stock from $100,000 to $325,000. Detroit—The Standard Motor Parts Co., 1715. Hastings street, has increas- ed its capital stock from $300,000 to $400.000. Greenville—The capital Grand Eureka Lumber Co. has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $38,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in: cash, Fitz Manufacturing Co. has John-Erwin changed _ its Muskegon—The name to the Fitz Manufacturing Co. and increased its capital stock from $100,600 to $300,000. Detroit—-The Republic Machine Tool Co., 1600 East Larned street, has been incorporated for $25,000. William H. Lonsky and William M. Reynolds are behind it. Detroit others have organized the Still Re- 1425 Stock of Cecil KR. Mclauehlin and Rivard avenue, $170,000, to frigerator €o., with a capital make refrigerators. Detroit—The Cutting Co., 1040 14th street, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $10,000, $5,000 of which has been sub- scribed and paid in in cash. Gasket Detroit—The Dennison Manufactur- ing Co. and the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce stock of the newly-organized Dunn Sulphite Paper own the Go. 15] West Congress street. Detroit—The Universal Battery Corporation, 715 Majestic building, has been incorporated with an author- $10,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid ized capital stock of id in: cash: Detroit—The Co., 2434 Bellevue street, has been in- Intra Steel Products corporated to manuacture and deal in aio parts, prcduets, etc, with an au- thorized capital stock of $75,000, $1,- 090 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Muskegon—The Fieat © Purner Co., 412 Union National Bank Super building, has been incorporated with a. authorized capital stock of $75,000, ©f which amount $40,000 has been sub- scribed, $5,000 paid in in cash and $21,445 in property. Grand Haven—The facturing Co. has merged its business Bolling Manu- ito a stock company under the same s‘yle with an authorized capital stock cf $35,000 common and $15,000 pre- {-rred, $10,000 of which has been sub- ccribed and paid in in property. Grand Haven—-The Michael-George Co., 1510 Washington street, has been incorporated to manufactu'e and se] fountain pens, and deal in pencils, pens, inks, etc. with an capital stock of $60,000 common and $15,600 preferred, of $56,800 has been su scribed and $5,680 authorized which amount paid in in cash. has merged its business into a stock company under the same style with an authorized capital stock of $25,009, $15,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in, $5,938.38 in cash and $9,- 061.62 in Allegan—The Phonograph Co. has 99 property. Radio & men on its Jewett payroll and will work twelve hours 2 day until March 1, and if orders keep pouring in the company will operate indefinitely on that schedule. O. W. Schauz, manager, states that had not the recent storm delaved the receipt of a carload of lumber he would have run the plant fourteen hours per day. i News of Michigan Merchants. Detroit—William J. sold his grocery stock at 4310 Bellevedere avenue to Sam Pollock on Jan. 29. Detroit—Matilda Turner is the new owner of the grocery of Patrick Sul- livan, 2203 Campbell avenue. Detroit—W. A. Chatellon is taking over the tailoring Sam Goldberg, 38 Charlotte street. Detroit—Geo. E. Sullivan purchased the meat market at 4444 Joy road from Anna Akopian. Maloney business of Detroit — Leo Wanici_ purchased Walter Renick’s grocery, 9442 Van Dyke avenue Jan. 30. Detroit—John Mangan, operator of the cigar stand in the building, died Feb. 4. Detroit—The Star Grocery and Meat Market, 907 East Congress street, has been sold to A. Thanaopoulos and William Maurodis. John Constantin- ides sold it on Jan. 28. Detroit—The Ferry Pharmacy, 5501 Hamilton avenue, has sold to Richard Friedrich The transfer took place Jan. 27. The business was for- merly conducted by Anthony Roshek. Detroit—Oscar Laughlin sold his grocery stock at 1737 West Grand boulevard to Mike Hollow Jan. 30. Detroit—Lewis Asher has taken his brother, Norman, The firm is known as the Asher 8858 Free Press been into business with him. market, groceries and meats, Grand River avenue. Detroit—Willros A. Dalpe, 5752 Grand River avenue, filed a pe- tition in bankruptcy recently. The liabilities are $3,760 and the assets $1,235. Detroit—A. M. Patrick, who recent- ly moved his meat market to 5209 Maybury Grand from the 6 Mile road and Greeley, has sold the business to P. A. Horton and W. D. Clark, who will operate as Horton & Clark: Detroit—Joseph Weil, produce deal- er with the firm of Becker-Weil Co., died at his home Jan. 29. Port Austin—G. Russell Cartwright, who sold the hotel four years ago and engaged in gen- eral trade at Cart- wright-Murray Co., has purchased the hotel again and will conduct it, giv- ing it his personal attention although he will still retain his interest in the furrier, avenue Pointe of Pines Saginaw as the Saginaw store. Lansing—May Bros. 236 Washington street, have merged their South clothing, men’s furnishings, hats, etc., business into a stock company under $5,000 preferred of which amount $30,- 050 has been subscribed and paid in, $5,643.19 jn $24,406.81 in property. Detroit—Duncan & Smith, Inc., 451 West Larned porated to cash and street, has been incor- import and export office furniture, fixtures, supplies, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, of which amount $10,000 has been sub- scribed and paid in, $1,900 in cash and $8,100 in property. —_—__»~+~e___ Men’s Jewelry Styles Change. One of the things that. recent changes in men’s jewelry styles done has been to bring back to vogue the round pearl fastening for use with With the dress shirt of the one button type have both formal and dinner clothes. the stud used is a large pearl in either a white or smoked effect. With two and three button shirts smaller white — The indestructible favorite in both the In settings of pearls are worn. variety is the large and small studs. 14 karat gold large white or smoked pearls may be had at retail here at $7.50 to $10.50, white pearls in similar settings retail at $7.50 to $9.50. ner clothes only there is a growing while sets of three For wear with din- vogue for colored stone jewelry. Some sets of these, consisting of studs, cuff links and waistcoat buttons, retail at $100 or more, prices ranging upwards of $50. —_—_»~+-___ A man can be successful while others retail at and happy if he has something to do, something to love and something to hope for. terned shirts continue, and some suc- Eess 1S reported by manuiacturers ; ‘ oa i here. It seems to be the opinion ot retailers, however, that the soiid color ; f shirt will again dominate, as has been the case now for several seasons past. The ‘broadcloth shirt is still favored, although stocks in both wholesale and retail channels are credited with be- ing rather. large. Silk stripe madras shirts have figured to a considerable extent in retailers’ sales. Silk shirts are being offered at what are con- sidered attractive prices, with the de- mand described as not very active. Collar-attached models are expected to be big numbers in later buying. —_—_-+__ A Doll With Many Heads. Among the doll novelties shown at the Toy Fair at New York last week was one that may be changed into This is accomp- nine different types. lished through one “character” head substituted for means of a screw on-and-off arrange- The doll is voice and the body is cotton being another by ment. equipped with a “mama ” stuffed. The heads come in sets of three to nine, with corresponding cos- The according to the manufacturers, takes tumes. interchangeable feature, full advantage of “the creative nistinct child.” from $5.50 up. of the normal The sets are priced to retail at —_—_——_e+-___ Cheap help in a store does to a busi- ness what cheap mechanics in a gar- age will do to your automobile. Effi- cient salespeople save money and do more business. Mention Michigan Tradesman Buckeye Mutual Health Association COLUMBUS, OHIO Health and Accident Insurance at Actual Cost for Business and Professional Men and Women A Mutual Co-operative Association, oper- ated along the same economical lines as followed by the various Associations which have furnished accident traveling men at a low cost for many years. Complete Protection at Lowest Cost For full information, address MANLY J. HEMMENS SECRETARY Post Office Box 104 COLUMEU 5S, insurance to the OHIO 18 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 1924 ? = DRY GOODS, | ; . FANCY GOODS» NOTIONS: Me. nd = = & = oe = \ : -s = \ my a. (itn C(t lbs TS RAST 5S") <¢ a We iet ( —— ———_/ Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. President—J. C. Toeller, Battle Creek. First Vice-President—F. KE. Mills, Lan- sing. Second Vice-President—W. O. Kalamazoo. Secretary-Treasurer—Fred Cutler, Ionia. Manager—Jason E. Hammond, Lansing. Jones, Demand For Clothing. Are men really spending less money for clothing, as some dealers main- tain, or is the present situation in the clothing business a result of overpro- duction, as is sometimes suggested? Demand for clothing during the past season has been unsatisfactory, and the unseasonably mild winter has un- doubtedly been a factor. Last spring business in men’s clothing was also disappointing, and again the blame was placed on the weather. At that time it was stated that the slack buy- ing of spring clothing would result in increased business in heavyweight lines the following fall. This predic- tion has not been fulfilled, but the special sales during the past month have met with a good response. What is true of men’s clothing is also true in the case of shirts. Large quantities are being offered by retail- ers at prices below present cost of re- placement. Stocks are reported to be moderately heavy, and forward buy- ing is conservative. In spite of the higher cost of raw material prices are holding fairly even with those of a year ago. Data compiled by the Federal Re- serve Bank of New York show that wholesale business in men’s clothing, measured in dollar values, was 23 per cent. greater in the New York Re- serve District in 1923 than in 1922. On the other hand, sales during Decem- ber were 10 per cent. less than for the corresponding month a year ago. This would seem to substantiate the con- clusion that influences have been an important factor and also to overthrow the assumption that really less clothing is being sold than for- merly. With purchasing power increasing as it has been for more than a year, we should expect the consumption of luxuries to increase faster than that of necessities. As men’s clothing is more of a staple article than women’s, sales of the latter should increase the faster as general purchasing power of con- sumers increases. Trade data seem to bear out this conclusion. —_—_+ + <-___— Artificial Silk Prices. Substantial reductions in the price of artificial silk yarns proved a big sur- prise to pfoducers who are using this material. Manufacturers who have large stocks of yarn obtained at higher prices have been not a little disturbed, fearing that they may have to reprice seasonal their finished goods on the basis of replacement. This feeling is reported to be especially no- ticeable in the knit goods trade, and a movement is said to be on foot to obtain some sort of guarantee here- after against price reductions. One thing which had made the use of ar- tificial silk attractive heretofore was the steadiness in the price of the yarn. Manufacturers of artificial silk give increasing foreign competition as the chief reason for lowering their prices. With the recent decline in the foreign exchanges, the importation of artificial silk has been encouraged, and the for- eign material was underselling the do- mestic at previous quotations. + Still Hold Off on Underwear. If the recent declines in cotton have done nothing else, they have apparent- ly added to the determination of job- bing buyers of knitted underwear to hold off for lower prices on Fall lines. The manufacturers do not see their way clear to accommodate them in this respect, however, with the result that practically nothing is being done in the medium and higher priced lines. So far this week, in fact, business for the new season has been almost en- tirely lacking in all grades of this mer- chandise. More enquiry is reported on Spring underwear, but not a great deal of it has crystallized into busi- ness. While far from certain of getting lower prices on lightweight goods by holding off, buyers were said to be showing a general unwillingness to “come across” with orders. +--+ Sales For Art Needlework. At least 60 per cent. of the stamped pieces purchased recently by women in retail stores were not finished be- cause the designs were difficult, com- plicated and tedious to embroider and instruction charts were lacking. This is stated in a bulletin issued by a lead- ing wholesaler of these goods who, through his publication is endeavor- ing to point out the possibilities of the retail art-needlework department. The remedy, it is pointed out lies in pro- viding easy made stitches, such as the “lazy daisy,” cross stitch. French knot and “lazy circle.’ Perhaps more im- portant is the furnishing of instruc- tion charts with each piece, so that women without hte required creative instinct or color sense may be guided correctly. present costs of a as The Low Prices cf ferges. The goods trade is more inc‘ined than ever to the belief that the largest factor in the industry was able to such low prices on serges be- cause they were in stock rather than to be made up. It is pointed out that hame concent ANB OPO DS IN Pe rn serges have been in such small de- mand for months that a considerable surplus could very easily result. In one opinion advanced yesterday, it was suggested that the company will book as much in orders for the serges as it has on hand, provided buyers re- spond to that extent, and later ad- vance these goods. The pricing of the goods so low, in any event, Was compared to “giving away what is not wanted” and getting a price on the wanted fabrics. Oe Buying of Men’s Neckwear. prices on Some increase in the buying of men’s neckwear by retailers has been reported recently by manufacturers, but generally the stores are covering rather slowly. A reason given for this is that retailers feel they have plenty of time yet to fill their require- ments, because Easter comes late. Silk and wool ties are still leaders as far as volume goes. In cut silks the mogadors are receiving attention and are looked upon to sell well. Retail- ers are already beginning to feature the bow tie, particularly the butterfly wing style. A big season for bow ties is anticipated. Spring neckwear week will be held from April 12 to 19. > +. Small Hats Still the Rule. Small hats continue to have every- thing their own way in the local millinery trade, even the blocked leg- horn types being smaller than is usu- ally the case. Because of the richness of the trimmings used this season, there is a more general use of blocked shapes than has been seen for some time. Mushroom models are also de- signed along small lines, and the newer ones in many instances may be dis- tinguished by their edges. No matter how much they swerve out in rim line and dip they have a slight curl or roll to the edge. This may either be in the nature of an applied flange or blocked out of the shape itself. +--+ The more you worry about your work, the more need there will be for your worrying and the more you will worry. FIRST SHOWING FOR 1924 January 28th to February 23rd Criterion Trimmed Hats Wolverene Tailored Hats And an unusual and Complete Assort- ment of Shapes, Trimmings and Novelties. Also Popular Priced Trimmed Hats Your inspection of ovr line will be greatly appreciated. Yours truly, Corl- Knott Company GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. QUALITY MERCHANDISE. permanent sound business. is forgotten. to have better stocks, lems to us. you want. Have You Seen Our New Lines? UR GAIN in sales in January mention this, not to brag, but to prove to you that merchants in this territory are coming to us for their needs in Dry Goods. This is because they realize that we have an ideally balanced stock of good merchandise in all departments. We buy and sell It is the only kind on which to build a If you get your merchandise from us, you will find that your trade will remember the quality long after the price With such a wonderful increase in sales our expenses are proportion- ately lower enabling us to make as low or lower prices as any. Our efforts to give prompt reliable shipping service have been the source of many compliments, all of which makes us even more anxious lower prices, and prompt shipments. Announcement Our aim is COURTEOUS, FRIENDLY SERVICE. Bring your prob- No charge for helping in any way possible. To make your visit more pleasant and profitable, we take pleasure in announcing the appointment of Mr. Fred Bernreuther, who has been with this House for 24 years, to the position of welcoming the trade, and seeing that your every want is properly taken care of. Mr. Bernreuther’s desk is at the front door. Yours for Courteous, Friendly Service GRAND RAPIDS DRY GOODS CoO. EARNED CONFIDENCE SPELLS SUCCESS was 60% over last January. We ONLY Ask him for whatever “ ’ # Fa PPB gss900 90930 ay é . . , aa ¥ * “ . . t 4 : ; ; y 4 : 4 Me i * y . * ~ om e \-* j “Sad February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 19 meet erits z ’ ter “he ht 4 vs , . By ROCA OC EOE yg PO OL BEE ¥ eS ri ‘ > ~ . Ss * 2 AIT eel Ans os 7 Foe ae OS lca -s Say f * 4 ; SBC CSPL CBRE : CD nig OD nino) pins ETE 00 EE AO EF 08 TE 08 EK. 08 EK 00% Fo PLES A OLB © HL 6 Bho OBELS BBE e LEE -. } . @ PPS Peo, = ~ A Trademark that Brings a Sure Profit Every Business Day of the Year Six days a week—three hundred days a year, merchants are engaged in the business of buy- ing and selling—for profit. It is not the quan- tity of goods they buy, but the kind of mer- chandise they select, that determines their success. Customers associate trade marked merchandise with the store selling it. They buy Meritas trade marked table oil cloth regularly. They are pretty fickle about unbranded goods. Women do not have to be sold on trade marked See your wholesaler—We’ll move the goods. THE STANDARD TEXTILE PropuctTs Co. 320 BROADWAY, NEW YORK Meritas Table Oil Cloth. They know the splendid qualities of wear and service, the sturdy, wear-resisting cotton fabric back and the surface that does not crack or peel. They like the original and attractive patterns, a year ahead of other brands. Merchants carrying Meritas Table Oil Cloth know the value of its rapid turnover and sure profit. The time of their salespeople is used effectively. A Meritas sale requires only long enough for selecting and wrapping the goods. SPP DA. SSX x MICHIGAN TRADESMAN i— — a4, ( — = — = EARLY DAIRYING DAYS. Conditions Among Michigan Dairymen Forty Years Ago. [It gave the editor of the Tradesman great pleasure to be invited to be the guest of honor at the fortieth annual Allied Dairy Kalamazoo this week, meeting of the Michigan Association at on the ground that he was the father of the organization, having issued the call for the meeting which resulted in the formation of the association in 1885. form of a heavy cold precluded the The fol- lowing talk had be@n prepared for the Untoward circumstances jin the acceptance of the invitation. occasion: Being a father is frequently a dan- gerous relation to sustain. Parentage involves responsibilities of a high or- der. There must be some justification for bringing a new organization into existence. In the years of its youth it must be nurtured with great care, to the end that it may become so well grounded that it can part company with its founder and continue on a career of usefulness. The Michigan Dairymen’s Associa- tion did not owe its existence to the itching palm of an originator or to a desire to create a high salaried posi- tion which would enable the Secretary to glide along through life on beds of ease. On the contrary, for many years it was a case of mastering the art of handling a deficiency instead of a surplus; of studying how to make every dollar do the work of several dollars. This was usually accomplish- ed by inducing every one connected with the organization to work for nothing and board himself; in other words, prepare papers, reports and ad- dresses on his own time, pay his own expenses to meetings and conventions, dig down deep for a few dollars to mect the pressing necessities of the organization and be content, by way of recompense, with the applause of his own soul. Those of you who have been through the mill fully realize the trials and tribulations of getting a new organiza- tion going in a new field and starting it on a long career of energy and use- fulness. I never had any misgivings over our work in those early days and the subsequent history of the associa- tion has given me great pleasure and satisfaction, because I fully realize that much of the progress made by the dairy industry during the past forty years may be attributed to the inspiring leadership of the Michigan Dairyman’s Association and its legiti- mate successor. From 1875 to 1885 a considera‘ le number of cheese factories were es- tablished in the so-called Holland colony. The logical outlet for the product of these facter’es was Grand Rapids and there the factorymen got in the habit of meeting eve-y Mor- day to establish uniform prces for the current week, to compare notes on available stocks and to conduct community buving of salt, rennet ex- tract, color, etc. Because of the sym- pathetic interest the Michigan Trades- man had always taken in the dairy in- dustry, these meetings were held at the Tradesman office and in time the iradesman came to be regarded as the headquarters for the cheese indus- try of Western Michigan. About this time Lavis & Rankin and other pi-atical creamery supply houses undertook the exploitat:on of so-called scheme creameries on an ex- tensive scale in various parts of the country. Michigan appeared to be a fruitful field for this class of sharks and although I repeatedly warned the merchants against encouraging the operations of these crooks, I had no way of reaching the farmer who was too easily influenced by the specious irducements of these plausible promo- ters, who promised to double the price of the farmers’ milk and pay him handsome profits on his investment in the creamery besides. In order to circumvent these rogues and assist in putting the dairy business of Michigan on a substantial basis by getting the factory dairymen in close touch with each other through the interchange of ideas and information regarding the dairy business, thus enabling all to benefit by the discoveries of each other, I started a monthly magazine entitled the Michigan Dairyman and issued a call for dairymen in all branches of the business to meet at Grand Rapids Feb. 25 and 26, 1885. Thirty representatives of the butter and cheese industry responded to the call and others sent word that they would gladly join in the movement at the earliest opportunity. As a matter of fact, eight joined the first meeting and twenty-nine at the second meet- ing. One death occurred in the mean- time, so that at the close of the sec- ond meeting we had a total member- ship of sixty-six. This number had increased to 122 by the close of the third meeting. It was not necessary in those days to exact very large bonds from the Secretary and Treasurer. At the con- clusion of the second convention, the financial report was as follows: Receipts from dues ~-_-$87.00 Expenses 83.45 Balance on: band — = $355 At the end of the second vear the receipts amounted to $8880 and the expenditures amounted to $105.35, leaving a deficit of $16.55. I acted as Secretary at eight annual meetings; Mr. S. J. Wilson, eighteen; Mr. Powers, two; Mr. Bechtel, one; Mr. Browneli, one. This covers the first thirty years of the life of the Association, The first eight meetings of the or- ganizations were held as follows: Grand Rapids 22200 1885 Kalamazoe «2 1886 Pint 1887 Adtian 05 5 1888 Jackson: = 1889 Allegan 2 1890 Pansies 2 1891 et Pon 1892 The twentieth annual meeting was held in Grand Rapids, when I had the great pleasure of entertaining the members and their guests at a banquet at one of the hotels. The organizat on started out with high ambitions and steadfast aims and soon took rank with the leading or- ganizations of the kind in the country. The scheme creamery chaps found their operations largely curtailed as the result of the educational activity February IT’S TRUE SWIFT CIGARS Nothing Fancy But the Tobacco Distributed by LEWELLYN @& CO. WHOLESALE GROCERS GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN M. J. DARK & SONS GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Receivers and Shippers of All Seasonable Fruits and Vegetables 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 “T Want a sack of Flour” Few woman go into store and say: I want a cake of soap, a can of soup, some pork and beans, a bottle of catsup, a pack- age of cereal food, without having definitily in mind the brand they want. Yet thousands of women daily go into stores and say “I want a sack of flour”, and accept any brand that is offered. Why not tell the consumer to ask for FANCHON and RED STAR Flour. JUDSON GROCER COMPANY DISTRIBUTORS GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 4 @ ~* ~ - « Separate sessions ese making, cream- making and dairy farming, from states brought into the rities other were conventions and to address our 125 Of Gairyimen at more remore Our presiding officers were ] arte rant ar 7 with great caré and no mis- takes were made along that line. The for the organiza- her during the first rv of its existence samuel J. Wilson, of he brunt of the bat- { eigh ive years, drawing scarcely enough in he meantime to keep him in . His lone and faithful serv.ce fo th \ssociation can be accounted for solely. on the ground that he was so devoted to his work and so anxious to see the associat-on fulfill its mis- t he was willing to make any hee to assist in the prosperity of } tECH CONnSecu- f 2 te organization, Dr. Victor C. Vaughan attended the lecting in Grand. Rapids. and Idom missed a meeting for the next zen yeal Hie was then diligently milk 1sOnil ch ly iden- { | lesignated as tyrotoxican. re a fold prize (i think he German government el this discovery. i stus N. Bates, of Moline and . Horton, of Fruitridge, were those who rendered the organ- ‘ ition veoman service in the early davs \ the most steadfast support- ( association in the ’80s were i 4 Lockwood and wife, who con- lucted a farm dairy at Petersbure, narketing their product in Toledo. both past the 60 year limit but they had of youth and gave us their personal experi- akers which were in- uggestive to a high de- Iie EO. AES cx Clinton D. Smith, Professor of Agri- culture at the M. A. C., never missed a meeting in the early days of the or- ganization. His advice was always | acti 1 : »} oct H, Of Harrison, we of having our pro- vy the State. This reat help when members were fe and funds at a low ebb. 14 in from further personal men- Cat it would be manifestly ir to all the pioneers who dd well their =p and performed unselfish Service ettering the conditions of the dair “inet. improving and stan- ( | oth farm d_ factor br nging th which (I trust) now «¢ dairy in- You requested me to discuss the hi Then id Now. You will 1 that IT have confined my remark her to the early days, because familiar with that period present. f have watched the reer of your organization with lous and zealous interest because of i part [ took in undertaking e association so well ground- t would withstand the shocks time aud the changes for the better ich have continually taken place in dustry. lt has. peen 2 source of great pleasure and satisfac ie Oo not tne remarkanpte et in which those vho came : : : : : s ‘er me have carried on the work 01 ssociation to a high degree ol ice and usefulness The man who wants to get on in the world will do well to move on and leave the boss who thinks the old ways are good enough for his store. —__---->-————- The man who always puts his best \ foot forward isn’t likely to step on anyone .else’s toes. MitcHIGAN TRADESMAN May Cut Immigration One-half. The new immigration bill reported by the House Immigration Committee does more than maintain the present immigration. It will cut down the number admisstble by restrictions on approximately one-half. This is done by basing the quota on the census of 1890 instead of 1910 as at present and by fixing the quota at 2 per cent. in- stead of 3 as under the present law. Use of the census of 1890 will not only reduce the number of admissibles, but will also radically affect the character of the immigration to the United States. : Prior to 1890 the bulk of the im- from This commonly referred to as the migration to this country was Northern and Western Europe. is now ‘old immigration” to distinguish it ee ’ from the “new immigration” begin- ning about 1890 and consisting large- ly of Eastern Europe. arrivals from Southern and If the new measure should become a law the total number of immigrants per year will be re- duced from 357,000 to about 170,000. Two-thirds of the immigrants will come from the British Islands, Ger- many, Scandinavia and France. Great Irish Free State would furnish 37 per cent. of the im- Britain and the migrants under the new arrangement, Germany 29 per cent., Poland about 5 per cent., and Italy only 2.4 per cent. The change in the composition of the immigrants would be as drastic as total Whenever opinion one may entertain the reduction in the number. of this new policy the bill carries one improvement over the present method of control, in that it practically pro- vides for selection at the port of em- barkation, thus doing away with the deportation problem. Educating the Consumer. Education of the consumer has long been recognized as one of the effective remedies for trade abuses, though this method has its limitations. It is a slow process, and many consumers simply cannot or will not be educated. Moreover, there are many instances in which the education required for the consumer’s protection Is sO high- ly technical that only a few experts can attain to it, and he must look to the State for expert protection. Yet there are many fields in which a wider education of the consumer in such a way as to enable him to obtain a ereater value for his money is fully practicable. As an illustration of this ted. the plan of the Univer- may be cited, | sity of Minnesota to formulate definite buying standards to guide the public in selecting clothing to the best ad- vantage with regard to economy, fit and style. This is one of the pro- grams adopted by State universities to “carry the University to the peo- ple.” The movement has the co-opera- tion of textile experts and merchants who realize that business prospers best when the buyers purchase most wisely. —___>-.__—— It’s vr relations who think well of you when you settle down and your ereditors when you settle up. Fool a customer once and he may come back to get even, but he will not come back to be fooled again, campaign o2 233 Carnation Bldg. Occ-2.™M0WGe, Wis. millions of women read the convincing story of purity and richness The Quality constantly em- phasized in the big national advertising ation Milk "From Contented Cows” You can dilute the double-rich contents of this can until the quart bottle over- flows with pure milk Carnation Milk Products Co. 21 You Make - Satisfied Customers when you sell ‘“SUNSHINE”’ FLOUR Blended For Family Use is Standard and the Price Reasonable Genuine Buckwheat Flour Graham and Corn Meal J. F. Eesley Milling Co. The Sunshine Mills PLAINWELL, MICHIGAN Watson-Higgins Milling Co. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. NEW PERFECTION The best all purpose flour. RED ARROW The best bread flour. Look for the Perfection label on 52 Monroe Ave. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN PHONES: Citizens 6517: Henry Smith Floral Co., Inc. Bell Main 173 Pancake flour, Graham flour, Gran- ulated meal, Buckwheat flour and Poultry feeds. Western Michigan’s Largest Feed *s10jNqIISIG, Chocolates Package Goods of Paramount Quality and Artistic Design as “™e Wholesome “orcad for Eread The standard by which all others are judged HIGHEST QUALITY 100% CO-OPERATION SNAPPY SERVICE I. VAN WESTENBRUGGE DISTRIBUTOR Grand | ap:ds Muskegon ANANAS In season all the year round We devote careful, expert attention to THE VINKEMULDER COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN YELLOW KID DELICIOUS WHOLESOME NUTRITIOUS properly packing our bananas 22 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 1924 GAINING IN STRENGTH. Annual Address of President Ross To Hardware Dealers. The time has now arrived for your President to give an account of his stewardship and to prove whether he has wisely invested the talent given him for this purpose or whether he has buried it. It is with a great sense of humility, mingled with some small amount of satisfaction, that your President pre- pared this report. Humble because of the knowledge of his own limita- tions, as compared to the vastness and extent of the work and activities of our splendid association, and satisfac- tion in being able to report to you some progress and growth during the past twelve months, with the fact that the Michigan Retail Hardware Association still retains her position as leader among the associations of the Nation. Notwithstanding the fact that in many counties every eligible hardware dealer has been a member of our As- sociation for years and the State as a whole has been thoroughly canvassed repeatedly, yet through the combined efforts of our efficient Field Secretary, the insurance solicitors, traveling men and officers of the Association, we have been able to add to our member- ship during the past year fifty-eight new members, giving us a total mem- bership to date of 1684, as compared with 1626 of one year ago. On Jan. 4 our Association offices in Marine City were completely destroy- ed by fire. Of all the records, charts, reports and statistics compiled since the origin of our Association only those which were in the safe when it dropped from the second floor to the basement were saved. These were thoroughly water soaked, the safe hav- ing been submerged in water for some time before being recovered. Most of the records were compiled by our present efficient Secretary, Mr. Scott, during the twenty-three years of his nicumbency and were of in- estimable value to us. They repre- sented the result of many arduous hours of toil and I can assure you that our faithful Secretary suffered as much through this loss as though it had been a personal one. Our furniture and fixtures were, of course, insured but when you attempt to replace equip- ment purchased years ago at present day prices, you will realize the value ci keeping well “covered” and be grateful for such coverage as you may secure to help replace your loss. Notwithstanding our fire loss and increased overhead on account of more service and greater activities, I am hopeful that our Treasurer’s report will show some balance on the right side of the ledger. If we were to reckon our accomp- lishments on the basis of increased membership and cash balances alone, we would be grossly lacking in fore- sight. This, as well as other organ- izations should count their activities value and attainments on the service they ender their members; for in As- sociation work as in business, service is the one big and predominating thought to keep before us. During the past year we have held thirty-five group meetings in various parts of the State, including both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. These group meetings were well attended, some members driving more than a hundred miles over bad roads and through rain to attend and covering the same 100 miles back again after the meeting. This spirit shown by so many of our members has given en- couragement to your Field Secretary and officers and has spurred them on to greater activity. This is the spirit of co-operation which has made our State Association the largest single state association in the Union and which I hope will help us to retain this position. Your President was privileged to attend several group meetings and visit many members during the past year and he was impressed with the interest in Association work manifested in all quarters. During 1923 our Secretaries visited 712 members and 157 non-members. Other officers visited 78 members and four non-members. Forty-two officers or committeemen attended group meet- ings. Our Secretary sisued twenty- five secretarial messages and four ex- change or bargain sheets. Seventy of our members ordered combination records, thirty-five customers ledgers, ninety-five inventory supplies and twenty-seven miscellaneous supplies. Through the assistance of our Field Secretary thirty complete accounting systems were «installed; thirty-six members were offered suggestions as to store and stock arrangement, eight- een were furnished standard plans and two special plans; eleven mem- bers were given direct help on adver- tising and two ordered National Re- tail Hardware Association advertising service. Fifteen obtained free legal advice and ten adjustments of dis- putes and differences were affected; 227 letters were written by our Sec- retary in reply to specific enquiries for information. The compilation of business analy- sis made by the National Association and sent out in book form has been a great stimulant to many dealers. It is one of the best pieces of Association work accomplished in a long time and should be read and retained by every member. Simplification of merchandise is an- other important activity of the Na- tional Association at the present time which is or should be of the greatest concern to every dealer. I can best illustrate the possibilities in this field by citing just one instance. The United States Department of Com- merce, together with officers of our National Association and about 90 per cent. of the manufacturers of woven wire fencing, at a meeting held last July, agreed upon a reduction in styles from 552 to sixty-nine of sized pack- ages from 2072 to 138. This is only one of numerous lines to be considered. Paint is the line most prominently be- fore us just now and we hope to de- vote some time to the subject of paint simplification during this convention. Since our last convention there has been organized the Retailers National Council, with which our National As- sociation has become affiliated. The Secretary of the Retailers National Soot and dust on window sill ' your house-cleaning soot and dust. Storm-proof, Sate ttl tniaacisteindetoh Keep the Cold, Soot and Dust Out ' Install “AMERICAN WINDUSTITE” all-metal ' Weather Strips and save on your coal bills, make easier, get more comfort from your heating plant and _ protect your furnishings and draperies from the outside dirt, 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. IONIA AVE., S. W. THE TOLEDO PLATE & WINDOW GLASS COMPANY Mirrors—Art Glass—Dresser Tops—Automobile and Show Case Glass All kinds of Glass for Building Purposes GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN RICHMOND STAMP WORKS RUBBER STAMPS Brass Stencils—Steel Stamps—Stencil Cutting Machines 8 SOUTH IONIA AVENUE CITIZENS 51518 157-159 Monroe Ave. :: Foster, Stevens & Co. Wholesale Hardware uf 151 to 161 Louis N. W. Grand Rapids, Mich. Michigan Hardware Company 100-108 Ellsworth Ave., Corner Oakes GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Exclusive Jobbers of Shelf Hardware, Sporting Goods and FISHING TACKLE A SIZE 7 i United Motor Trucks xe, To Fit Your Business SALES SERVICE ECKBERG AUTO COMPANY 310 IONIA AVE. NW, «t& February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 23 Council has been selected from our As- sociation, Mr. Herbert P. Sheets hav- ing been elected to the office. The Board of Governors of the “Na- tional’ recognize the need of this new organization which unites in strength and force all National retail organiza- tions. About Jan. 1 of this year the head offices of the National Association were moved from Argos to Indianapo- lis, Indiana, and are now comfortably housed at 130 East Washington street. While here and there local condi- tions have not dealt any too kindly with some of our members during 1923 as a whole the past year has been the best since 1920. From reports coming to our Secre- tary’s office an increasing number of our members are appreciating to a greater extent than ever before the ad- vantage of group meetings and the benefits to be derived from our Field Secretary’s talks and the charts he pro- jects on the screen, namely better ac- counting methods, improved store and stock arrangement, lowering of over- head and increased stock turn; all of vital interest to the present day mer- chandiser. note this increasing interest in the fundamentals of merchandising by so many of our members, for they recog- nize that for the exclusive hardware dealer to hold his own against the in- roads made by mail order houses, chain stores, home furnishing depart- ments in so many department stores in addition to the furniture and drug stores using aluminum ware, cutlery and other items as bait for their own lines; the hardware dealer of to-day must change his methods of merchan- dising if he hopes to retain his posi- tion in the field. The past is gone, it is history, but what about the future? This is the question uppermost in the minds of many and the question more frequent- ly asked than any other is, “What are the prospects for business in 1924?” This causes us to go below the sur- face for our answer, hence the follow- ing statistics. We all know that much depends upon the farmer. With this in mind figures were obtained from P. J. Stokes, a gentleman secured by our National officers from Babson’s Statis- tcial Research Institute, and who is in charge of the Research Service De- partment of the National Retail Hard- ware Association. The figures I am about to give were compiled from re- ports of the United States Department of Agriculture and are authentic. I offer them because they show improv- ing conditions: The hypothetical value of all crops produced in the United States during 1923 was $9,470,976,000. This repre- sente dan increase of 12 per cent. over the 1922 valuation of $8,445,979,000. Following is a comparison of the 1921, 1922 and 1923 value of the more important farm crops: Corn, the value of the 1923 crop was 71 per cent. greater than that of 1921 and 16 per cent. greater than 1922. Wheat. Wheat is the only major crop which showed a reduction in value during 1923 as compared with 1921 and 1922, Last year’s yalue was Your officers are glad to 4 per cent. less than in 1921 and 17 per cent. less than in 1922. It is in- teresting to note that in 1922 the value of all wheat produced in the United States was only 6 per cent. of the total value of all farm products. It would seem that the great amount of cur- rent discussion relative to the unfor- tunate position of wheat growers has but little actual importance in its re- lationship to the position of farmers as a whole. In view of the even smaller valuation of the wheat yield in 1923 it is quite probable that the per- centage of wheat to the total valuation last year will be only 5 per cent. Reports show further that the wheat acreage increased from 47,000,000 acres average for the five years before the war to 64,000,000 acres average for the past five. years, with a production increase from 690,000,000 bushels an- nually for the period before the war to an average of 880,000,000 bushels annually for the latter period; a gain of 36 per cent. in acreage and 28 per cent. in production. In addition to increased wheat acre- age in the United States, Canada, Ar- gentina, and Australia have also steadily increased acreage all out of proportion to population increase. The only solution of the wheat farmers’ problem seems to be less acreage of wheat and more diversified crops. Our members in wheat sections should lend their assistance to this end. Oats. The value of 1923 oats crop was 65 per cent. greater than that of 1921 and 13 per cent. greater than that of 1922. Hay. Hay is a much more import- ant crop than the average person real- izes. This is due to the fact that such a large proportion is used on the farms. It is interesting to note that the 1923 hay crop has been valued at 26 per cent. more than that of 1921 and 4 per cent. greater than that of 1922. Potatoes. The 1923 potato brought the farmers 15 per cent. less than that of 1921 but represented an increase of 29 per cent. over 1922. Cotton. Cotton has shown the greatest increase in value of any crop as compared with 1921—143 per cent. The 1923 yield has brought farmers 35 per cent. more than 1922. crop Tobacco. The 1923 tobacco crop is valued at 41 per cent. greater than that of 1921 and 3 per cent. greater than that of 1922. Michigan ‘has shown even more sub- stantial improvement in the value of its crops than has the United States as a whole. In 1921 all crops in this State were valued at $183,685,000. In 1922 the valuation increased to $214,- 899,000. 1923 yielded a further in- crease to $242,472,000. In other words 1923 crops were worth 32 per cent. more than. those of 1921 and 13 per cent. more than those of 1922. What is even more interesting is the fact that during 1921 Michigan ranked 22nd in the valuation of crops as com- pared with other states. In 1922 it ranked 18, while in 1923 it ranked 17. This means that Michigan farmers have shown greater relative improve- ment in the last two years than has the United States as a whole. This should be reflected in improved con- ditions for the members of our As- sociation. Corn, wheat, oats, hay, potatoes and beans represented about 74 per cent. of the total value of Michigan’s crops in 1923. The following figures may prove of interest to you: Corn. In 1923 corn represented 19 per cent. of the value of all crops pro- duced in the State. What is more, corn in 1923 was valued at 42 per cent. more than the 1921 crop and 11 per cent. more than that of 1922. Wheat. Wheat growers in Michi- gan did not experience such an un- favorable showing as those in the ma- jority of the other states. For ex- ample, the 1923 wheat crop in Michi- @an was valtied at 3 per cent. more than that of 1921. This compared with a decline of 4 per cent. in the country as a whole. The 1923 Michi- gan wheat crop was valued at 3 per cent. less than that of 1922 while the decline in the United States as a whole was 17 per cent. Incidentally wheat represents only 7 per cent. of the total value of Michigan’s crops. Oats. The 1923 oat crop brought farmers 108 per cent. more than the yield of 1921. There was very little change as compared with 1922. Hay. The increase in value of the 1923 hay crop as compared with 1921 was 52 per cent. It was 26 per cent. greater than in 1922. Potatoes. Michigan farmers re- ceived 31 per cent. less for their 1923 potato crop than for the one produced in 1921. However, the 1923 valuation was 39 per cent. greater than that of 1922. Beans. There has been a tremend- ous increase in the Michigan bean crop. In 1923 farmers received over three times as much for this product as in 1921 and 22 per cent. more than in 1922. The foregoing figures show the im- proved condition of the should be encouraging to us as mer- chandisers as it is an indication of greater business possibilities. It is of special significance to use as citizens and merchants to note the tremendous strides made in the manufacturing in- terests of the State during the past decade and to know from the fore- going figures and other compilations that Michigan still holds her own in agriculture. Building in 1923 set a new record. farmer and (Continued on page thirty-one) 7 lonia Ave., N. W. Russ Soda Fountain Special We have two 6 foot, two 8 foot and one 10 foot Russ Fountains on which we can quote a very low price. Also used Fountains, Chairs, Table and Supplies. CASH OR TERMS Grand Rapids Store Fixture Co. Plumbers’ Calking TOOLS H. T. BALDWIN 1028 Fairmount St., S. E. Citz. 26388 l INVESTIGATORS Private Investigations carr- 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. 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 Brick Co. Grand Rapids Saginaw Brick Co., Saginaw Jackson-Lansing Brick Ce. Rives Junction. 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. Grand Rapids, Michigan 24 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 192 i NSS VAN QANAAIN OMMERCIAL TRAVELER AM News and Gossip Concerning Mich- igan Hotels. Big Rapids, Feb. 13—The other day I asked Adam Ehrman, of Kalamazoo, the father of two. successful hotel operators—F rank, of Kalamazoo, and John, of Detroit—just how long ago it was that he opened the Columbia. He told me that if I could locate one I. H. Coffin, a traveling man for Lee & Cady, he could probably give me the exact date, for he was the first man to place his name on the Co- lumbia register. Did I have any trouble in locating Coffin: 1 should say uot or a quarter of a century he has been sell- ing groceries for Lee & Cady, and there has never been a moment during that time when his house could not place their finger on him and find him at his work? It goes without saying that he has been a real factor in the growth of this important concern. Mr. Coffin in addition to being a good salesman. has a retentive memory and he gave me the date I asked for as February 7, 1899. In Kalamazoo three of the leading hotels are specializing in table dhote meals. Here is one from the Burd’ck bill of fare, for which a charge tor $1.25 is made. Cream of Tomato Soup Consomme Princess : Celery Hearts Sweet Pickles Fried Filet of Sole. Tartare Sauce Grilled Ham Steak, Sweet Potatoes Broiled Calves Sweetbreads, Mushrooms Roast Spring Chicken, Sage Dressing Mashed or O’Brien Potatoes Fried Parsnips Creamed Asparagus String Bean Salad Vanilla Custard Pie, Ice Cream and Cake Beverages The Park-American makes the fol- lowing offering at an even dollar: Chicken Broth with Noodles | Oyster Stew. Plain or with Milk Hearts of Celery Iced Olives Grilled Lake Trout, Saratoga Chips Fried Calves Liver and Bacon Fricassee of Chicken, Tea Biscuit Roast Ribs of Prime Native Beef au jus Au Gratin and Steamed Potatoes Lima Beans Corn Fritters Hot Maple Syrup Tuna Fish Salad Cocoanut Custard Pie, American Cheese Vanilla Ice Cream and Cake Chocolate Sundae Beverages And last—but by no means least— comes forward with the following at 75 cents, which also merits special mention. Oyster Cocktail Cream of Wheat Sweet Pickles Broiled Sirloin and Tenderloin Steak with Mushroom Sauce Fried Spring Chicken with Cream Sauce Cold Boiled Ham Eggs to order saked Idaho and Creamed Potatoes Head Lettuce Salad Fresh Strawberry Shortcake Hot Rolls Beverages There are no longer any strings at- tached to Kalamazoo bills of fare. The obnoxious words “Choice of’ have been eliminated and unlimited selection has been substituted. The other day I made a brief: stop at the Hotel Kerns, at Lansing, and found that eminent host, Ernie Rich- ardson, was. absent in California. “Rich” is a busy, practical hotel cper- ator, but money making is not his only hobby. He lays off occasionally and goes out into the world to find better hotels than his own—in which quest he has never been succe*sful— and to find out how to make his ow. more popular. The last obiect is el- together unnecessary and he has little to accomplish in that direction. Time and again traveling men have tried to impress upon me the fact that A. C. Martin’s hotel at St. Johns— the Steel—is worthy of special men- tion. I paid St. Johns a visit the other day and am now prepared to say that almost any seemingly extravagant praise of the place is justifiable. When- ever Martin discovers a_ dollar of profit he is not satisfied with himself if he does not spend jit improving his hotel, and he succeeds in making a showing. In addition to excellent meals at reasonable prices, his rooms are comfortable and beds are all pro- vided with box spring mattresses. In addition to running water and many other conveniences, each room is pro- vided with excellent lighting facilities and writing desks which are always equipped for immediate use. His room charges are based’ on the American plan—$2 per lodging and _ breakfast, and 75 cents each for other meals— $3.50 per day. At St. Johns the Grand Trunk Rail- road has easily one of the neatest, and most up-to-date stations in Michigan, and it is also kept in the most perfect sanitary condition, for which state of affairs H. E. Austin, station agent, should be given full credit. I congra- tulate the Grand Trunk people for being fortunate enough to have him in its service. Would that there were more like him! | had the good fortune to meet J. R. Stafford, manager of the Park Ho- tel, of St. Louis (Michigan—not M.s- souri), and it was a pleasure to be shown through his’ beautiful place, which in neatness is unexcelled in the State. Mr. Stafford has been intimate- ly associated with the establishment since it was erected in 1881, and the corporation behind him is fortunate in being able to retain him. The Park is famous for its magnetic. springs and baths which are well patronized, but it also specializes in its cuisine, which adds greatly to its popularity. At Mt. Pleasant I discovered that A. X. Smith, formerly of the Hotel Braun, of Muncie, Indiana, has recent- ly acquired the Park Hotel, and is in a fair way to increase the popularity of that well-known establishment, as- sisted by a most capable landlady, his wife. ‘the physical condition of this proprety ‘is of the very best and its dinning room service deserves especial mention. As an evidence that there is a ten- dency to return to pre-war conditions I cite conditions at the Hotel Ben :ett, Mt. Pleasant, recently taxen over by EB. J. Kartley and J). ©. Kirtley Chis son), formerly of Point Clinton, Ohio. Under their ownership ths_ hotel, one of the oldest in Central Michigan, has been rejuvenated and shows a vast improvement. It is conducted on the American plan at $2.75 per day. A comfortable room and_ three tasty meals per day at that-price. My visit there was especially enjoyable in that the Kirtleys are born entertainers, and the kitchen service, under the direction of Mrs. K., produces food of an ex- ceptional high quality, Che charge per room, a model. of neatness, is $1.25; breakfast, 45 cents; dinner and supper, 60 cents each. Regular home cooked meals in sensible variety and satisfactory service. Mt. Pleasant is certainly well equipped with good ho- tels and one will make no error in patronizing either. It was reported some time ago that Largest Hotel Rooms in Grand Rapids CENTRALLY LOCATED GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN Corner Sheldon and Oakes; Facing Union Depot; Three Blocks Away HOTEL BROWNING |. GRAND RAPIDS 150 Fireproof \ Rooms Rooms, duplex bath, $2 Private Bath, $2.50, $3 Never higher Turkish Baths WHEN KALAMAZOO | Stop at the nerican Drotel Headquarters for all Civic Clubs Excellent Cuisine Luxurious Rooms ERNEST McLEAN, Mgr. 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. Detroit, Mich. The Durant Hotel Flint’s New Million and Half Dollar Hotel. 300 Rooms 300 Baths Under the direction of the United Hotels Company GEORGE L. CROCKER, Manager Western Hote! BIG RAPIDS, MICH. Hot and cold running water in all rooms. Several rooms with bath. All rooms well heated and well ventilated. A good place to stop. American plan. able. WILL F. JENKINS, Manager. Rates reason- Bell Phone 596 Citz. Phone 61366 JOHN L. LYNCH SALES CO. SPECIAL SALE EXPERTS Expert Advertising Expert Merchandising 209-210-211 Murray Bldg. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Stop and see George, HOTEL MUSKEGON Muskegon, Mich. Rates $1.50 and up. GEO. W. WOODCOCK, Prop. 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. OCCIDENTAL HOTEL FIRE PROOF. CENTRALLY LOCATED Rates $1.50 and up EDWART R. SWETT, Mor. Muskegon rae Michigan Columbia Hotel KALAMAZOO Good Place To Tie To ie ‘Whitcomb oa Mineral 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 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. HOTEL KERNS Largest Hotel in Lansing 300 Rooms With or Without Bath Popular Priced Cafteria in Connection Rates $1.50 up -E. S. RICHARDSON, Proprietor i 4 oe es * o 4 4 i a 4 rl \- ; id ~ ~ » i . a 4 -@ ’ . y ’ , Heagaue ail namerule i Sec a a * . Bia ¥ ° - . , . . “ a a > * - ’ — Wee February 13, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 25 “Bill” Cooper, who runs the very ex- cellent Phoenix Hotel, at Edmore, had sold out, but this announcement was somewhat premature at least, for Mr. Cooper is still at the old stand. The commercial men are fond of this most genial host and hope he will con- tinue to serve them. The Hotel Golden, at Howard City, recently changed hands, J. A. Golden disposing of the property to R. H. Periolat, who from all reports is giv- ing satisfactory service. This gen- tleman formerly conducted the Tustin House, until it was destroyed by fire some time ago. It was rumored some time ago that A. Cooley, the landlord at the Lake- view House, at Lakeview, had pur- chased the Phoenix, at Edmore. As I have previously stated, Mr. Cooper has not sold out and Mr. Cooley is still at Lakewiew, where he is giving entire satisfaction to a growing trade. Bert B. Baxter, who is running the Batley House, at Ionia, and with whom I spent several pleasant hours the other day, while waiting for a train connection, is a most companionable being. The old Bailey House is probably 75 years old and was said by many to have outlived its usefulness, but Mr. Baxter has been renovating, redeco- rating, and refurnishing same, and in- ternally it presents a very attractive appearance. There has been a great deal of talk about a new hotel at Ionia, but noth- ing has been developed and_ the chances are that the Bailey House will continue in service for years to come, and if Mr. Baxter remains at the place, there will be always in evidence signs of physical improvement in the prop- erty. The dining room was finally closed last year, which I think was a mistake, but as there are several restaurants in its immediate neighborhood, perhaps this will not prove as much of a handi- cap is it might under other conditions. “Uncle Ben’ Branham, of the Hotel Bulletin, is a sage and philosopher and is the friend of every man in the hotel profession, who has ever had the pleas- ure of forming an acquaintance with him. He has something to say about the boniface who smiles: “The hotel man—owner, manager, clerk, bell-hop—smiles and smiles and smiles. He smiles when a guest ar- rives, smiles as he serves, smiles as the guest pays his bill and departs. He smiles when the guest departs without paying his bill, pleased with good riddance. He smiles always be- cause he has to or lose trade. But he may smile, if he is that kind of a fellow, because he is making other people happy. There is a difference in smiles. The kind of a smile that emanates from a selfish motive, in the face of a hotel man seeing money in every guest, doesn’t fool anybody. It makes guests put their hands on their pocketbooks and look around for the ways in which the hotel has skimped equipment or service. The other kind of a smile that ‘comes from a pleasure in serving people is an infectious thing. It makes people hold up their heads and hold out their hands. It makes them comfortable in dollar-a-night rooms, and, recollected, inspires rec- ommendation. The third kind of a smile is mechanical, trained, practiced before a mirror. It is not really a smile; it is a contortion. Yes, this matter of properly and profitably smil- ing is rather difficult. There’s only one way to succeed as a smiler and that is to be so really friendly and cordial towards people that we never think about smiling and so let the heart manage the facial muscles to produce the sort of a smile that de- serves the name.” Notice posted in a hotel room which I occupied the other night: “Remember that Esau sold his birth- right for a mess of pottage, and don’t eternally lower yourself in the eyes of good people by continually com- plaining. If one meal don’t exactly satisfy you, or exactly hit the spot, perhaps the next one will be better suited to your taste.” Frank S. Verbeck. —— oe Sights Seen By J. D. En Route to Savannah. Savannah, Ga., Feb. 8—Mrs. Martin and myself made our get away from Grand Rapids as planned Sunday, Feb. 3. The sleeper we occupied was picked up at Detroit by the train known as the Royal Palm, a train consisting of all sleepers and a diner, with very few stops from Detroit to Jacksonville, and routed by Cincinnati and Chattanooga. We left the train at Atlanta. At that point reservations had been made from Cincinnati on the Central of Georgia Railway for us and that train landed us in Savannah. Our friends, Mr. and Mrs. O. K. Cum- mings, who are former Michigan peo- ple, moving from Battle Creek five years ago, met us at the depot and had reservations made for us at the Hicks Hotel, where we are putting in this week, but we have a little three room furnished apartment engaged which we will occupy Saturday. Nat- urally there was nothing of interest on the trip down from Grand Rapids to Cincinnati, as it was a night trip, but immediately on getting out of our births on the sleeper Monday morning the most important thing on my mind was something to eat, so after making our way through four other sleepers we came to the dining car. By this time we had passed over the Ohio River and were in Kentucky and the country began to be interesting, yet it did not at this time of the year bear out the old-time saying, “the blue grass of Kentucky.” On both sides as we looked we could see farmers out plowing and that continued all the way through Kentucky and Tennes- see. Passing through Lexington, Ky., we saw from the train the former dis- tilleries of the James E. Pepper Co, and it brought to my memory good old days of the past in the grill room of the old Morton House and the Pantlind Hotel, where “good fellows met together,” including good old friends like “Bill” Donohue, Walter S. Lawton, Harry Harwood, “Bill” Sawyer, Charley Perkins and many others I could mention. All those gatherings are past history. Very soon after passing Lexington my at- tention was attracted by the cuts as we passed along the railway right of way, the flat rock formations on either side. Out in the fields this formation of flat rock seemed to lie about six to ten feet beneath the surface of the ground, and only where a cut was made to about that depth was the rock to be seen. From enquiry I made almost any place you might go down six to ten feet and come to the rock, and in place of wire fences or cobble stone fences, they were using these flat rock stones in pieces of a few inches to two feet in width. About 100 miles South of Cincin- nati we passed over the High Bridge crossing the Kentucky River at High Bridge Station. The length of this bridge is a little over 1200 feet and about 350 feet high. Some of the views from the bridge were very in- teresting, very beautiful scenery of the Kentucky River. The junction of the Dick and Kentucky rivers was very picturesque, as was also the flat bottom river boats. One very inter- esting part of the route was what is known as the “pan bowl,’ near Jack- son, Ky. It is about seven miles around and all the time the train is on a ridge 60 feet from the water on each side. Chimney Rock is another interesting view from the train near High Bridge. This natural stone for- mation is eniirely of this flat rock, is 75 feet high and 4x6 at the base and about the same all the way up. Hard- ly any place we passed on the way through Kentucky and Tennessee did we see automobiles, but we did see many old jaded horses hitched to old style piano top box buggies. Some- times in place of horses they drove mules. We also saw many _ people riding horse and mule back. This ap- plies to both men and women. At Chattanooga we took time to look around some, viewing many of the old civil war points of interest, includ- ing Lookout Mountain, the incline up the Mountain, the Umbrella Rock on Lookout Mountain, and the Bee Hives, the Old Man of the Mountains and the Mushroom Rock on Signal Mountain. A very large part of the journey through Kentucky and Ten- nessee was up and down hill about all the time and if the railroad did not go up the mountain and over it, it used a tunnel. From Kings Mountain to Chattanooga we went through fif- teen tunnels, most not being very long, yet there were two I was mighty glad when we came out again into fresh air because the coach was so full of smoke as to make it quite hard to get your breath. When we did emerge it was not possible to see out of the windows for many miles or un- til the steam had dried from the win- dows. From Atlanta our journey was again in a sleeper and we naturally did not get any views of that 300 miles, but were told there was not anything of particular interest on the trip. At- lanta impressed me very much. It is a city of about 200,000 and I was told a large majority of business people were Northern people; in fact, it is called the “Northern city of the South.” A short time ago a women was convicted of first degree murder at Atlanta and in Georgia that carries a death sentence, which is hanging. We have looked over Savannah con- siderable, as our friends have a Stude- baker sedan and a lot of time to drive, consequently we have been on the go practically all the time since reaching here. This city is not just as I ex- pected to find it. A large number of new residences have recently been built and on more modern plans. I do not mean by that that the city is growing, as many of the old Southern homes have been vacated and are now empty. The population is not increas- ing. John D. Martin. +> > These Items Are Not Taxable. Not infrequently taxpayers include in their income tax returns items that are specifically exempt from taxation. Among these are the following: Proceeds of life insurance policies paid upon the death:of the insured. The value of property acquired by gift, bequest, devise or descent. The income from such property, however, is taxable. Returns of premium on life insur- ance, endowment, or annuity contracts. Amounts received through accident or health insurance, or under workmen’s compensation acts for personal in- juries or sickness, plus the amount of damages received, whether by suit or agreement, on account of such injuries or sickness. Amounts received as compensation, family allotments and allowances un- der the provisions of the. war risk in- surance and the vocational rehabilita- tion acts. Pensions from the United States for the services of the beneficiary or an- other in the military or naval service in time of war. —___» -. ____ It may be and it probably is neces- sary to take some chances in busi- ness, but it is not necessary to make a gamble of your business by taking frequent and unnecessary chances. Co-operate rather than coerce. showed that: getting where they want to go. for the Greatest Number.” CONGESTED STREETS In Baltimore, Md., a recent count of downtown “S times as many automobiles carry less than one-fifth as many persons as street cars do; that 4,130 parked vehicles not only took up all the available space in the downtown district, retarding the use of other automo- biles while the owners were transacting business, but, in addition the parked autos lessened the width of the street by half and practically choked up all the main arteries in and out of the city.” No less grave a situation confronts the residents of this community on its local transportation problem. congestion on ,our streets works to the detriment of our business houses in the matter of trade and the loss of time of all citizens in This congestion is due, not to the number of street cars in use, but to the very great excess of the num- ber of automobiles which, however, transport but approximately 15 per cent of the people using the streets. The problem of unnecessarily congested streets is one that calls for earnest and thoughtful attention by civic authorities in the interest of efficiency and progress and on the basis of: Your Street Car System Affords You Safety, Convenience and Economy CRAND RAPIDS RAILWAY CO. L. J. DeLamater, Vice-Pres. and Gen. Mer. traffic conditions Unquestionably the unnecessary “The Greatest Good ee 26 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN February 13, 1924 SS WS fy i) Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 65@ 70 €Calomel 1 76@1 96 Asafoetida 65@ 75 Roots Capsicum, pow’d 48@ 55 4 sy VRS rs 1 00@1 25 2 Carmine ___._____ & 00@6 66 Gamphor == 1 20@1 30 Alkaner = 25@ 30 Cassia Buds _-_. 25@ 30 Guaie 2 @ 60 Blood, powdered 30@ 40 Cloves ________ 50@ 55 % x Guaiac, pow’d __ @ % Calamus —— 35@ 75 Chalk Prepared. 14@ 16 '? : Y ino 220 @ $85 Elecampane, pwd 25@ 30 Choloroform _____- 57 @67 3- PAN BR RK Tf. Kino, powdered__ @ 90 Gentian, powd.__ 20@ 30 Chloral Hydrate. 1 35@1 85 © I i Mae @ 80 Ginger, African, | 4g, Cocaine ——____ 11 60@12 25 Myrrh, powdered @ 0 powdered __--~ Z. Case aaa = Bee 50- ee aS y a. Aiea Or r eg y OC e Z i. oe 50 Steel Gut, 100 OATS. 03% — Tecur ain -- 4 20 Mustard ae oo ee 55 \ , We é : oak --- $20 Mace, Penang -- @3« y= oe a MOL ibe. 22 Silver a "ake ee eaer 7-H BEE Co 2 a Nt ned enang 2 @a2 i 54 . be ASSES. a Teas oe a Horn frm Pepper, 8 an vo VINEGAR “ luaker, 12s lar... 0 Bags 2 vory, 24-2 cart 92 ‘epper ack @45 Whit » 40 Grain Siwer a ae N 5 fe Bags 2 a No. oo 2 35 Pepper, a nee 2. @22 White a 80 grai 22 ver Flak Tl’num a 3ags =O b. Clotl ned. 26 Paprika ayenne =. @29 Oaklane ine, 10) oa 29 — 90 Reg : a Rock aloes Cloth oo 40 , Spanish ol @dd S V ca a 17 acks 90 . ute * : HY? 100 airy Chili Se - Soe @42 : 0.’s a & Pi RE , lb. C oO 8h )0-lb. sé 1 76 ‘hili Pow asoning 4 Oaklar srands ckle SALE otton acks 70 Cél owder, 15 Blue id Ap Ss A ER =. 2 ‘ Celer ; 15¢ u : ppl rm and Pannen a Sage, oa a. 1 35 Sabie we aan = 45 SA Lea aed so Onion Ss ee ee 95 No char hite Pi == 20 Granulated, SODA 6 Am AP Garlic Se 90 charge 2 ickling 20 , Granulated, fet 2g Exp¢ Family, 100 a 135 w Ww packages. jranulated, 3 0 Ibs. cs 2 - Flake 120 bo box 6 00 Kitchen Bo a. 1a NS ICKING pack , 36 2 5 e W Me 00 La ou oe 3 25 No + per Semdac, 12 oer am a Paleo 100 box 4 15 oe te 4 oa - 1, per ae iea ~ : +6 Se ’ oo Naptna, x 4 - rjo : oe 3m . va mage 6 vo, Gold Bren Rabbit eee a Ae com 4 2 ue user ne ee ene 80 Savory, 1 1 on. oo 20 Pecrie per gross _W—- is No. 5, cans t it PICK s 4 1 ablets, 1 Ib. Pur N v More W s 5 0 yme, 1 Se 99 Leerles Bross ___- 50 ‘ Yo. 5, 12 ci o case 5 55 CKLES b 4 th Pure 1 vaptha Whit Oo Tu » 1 oz. a Nee s Roll i 4 No. 23; cans to se 555 Bar Medium Ta — _ Pure 6 Swit , 100 e wenie 30 on 9 Rochest S, pe 30 YO. Zi, 2° case 5 sarre 9 So do ¥% Ib. S20 t Classi box , 2% "7 gg fee er, N r doz Ne ie as ee oe ur Pure pak ie canada -- 5 00 o (n 0. 2 . : », 36 ca s to es. 6 05 alf bbls., 6 ount =. i Ww pee aoe Ee : Cr ule Borax 0 box 47 s = 30 Rayo, © No 3 doz. 50 ; Green pg to cs. 5 00 10 gallon eed count 10 ee Whole es Bare 12 1 40 ates 100 box 100 bx 7 o Kin ee per doz. oo 2 00 No. - 6 came Rabbit - : Swee Sa 50 tisliand Horcin ---- 27 Jap Ro 100 how 2 6 50 ere 40 Ad woop Jo ae 2. cna a 19 cane P case 4 20 = gallon, et Small otal dp Herring 11 Palm a i 5 50 eka a a ENWARE A No. it a Oe ae 5 oe” ane ‘3 00 aan half bis 1 05 ob ea oT" pox 11 00 Cream os et ee ade ts Biomog * 2 cans t = 70 , 500 ines OS OO Mil : bls. S. --- 8 25 3 mo, 100 box _ uaker Gt aa 3 99 rire haa »w ba ‘a a Aunt . o es. 4 0 - co ‘Apes here 1 iz Sweethe O box 2 4 90 ap 4 ee 48 Bushels andles nd. %, hag 10, 6 Dinah Brand. 0 600 a. hoe 75 be Bt eee ee : 7 Grandpa an” 50” ar : 85 de 8 eo , | Wood handles a 1 75 : ae ‘ Ley : = tae bis. a aoe - Are » 20, ; a tushels a . - No. enc case 300 Cob, 8 sont ES an 7 half bbls. —-—- 110 hore woe a 26 Argo, 12 3 ee a Market wide band. —— 1 80 a No. 114. 3 cans nS 25 in bx. 2 ge a as _ Casti ardwa 345 31 eee 5 ee a » 74 Market, arop t — 246 { ge - oe ca 3 - signee oe 20 : = * ee oo Pose 72s, ee : mineti Gloss, es --- 3 a Meroe single —— se ‘ Fane ew Orlean . 3 00 Blue way, per d DS 8 Ib. pails oe 13720 Trilby, ie a -- 2 70 Pies 64 — Ey Splint, large. _— 90 Choice Open K s Bi Ribbon oz. _. 2 40 Xut Lu Ses 0 00 Willia 0, 12c be 400 Ti m, 49-1 eg 4% Splir arge Ce a Choice ------ os ae ae ta Boned oy ep ee : 40 writin Barber a aia 48-1 ---------- 3 50 Splint, medium _____- 8 60 ae 68 «POTASH: — ’ J poxes 5 u , 98 sO [email Z at eS es 52 Babbi PO 4 26 La oxes __ 28 g, 50 =. 05% fb 7 5 ‘ F tialf varrels ~-------- 39 Babbitt’s 2 TASH % bbl. ar Bercing 28 Pr per doz. 48 CORN SYR Bie ae ao 8 * 3 D Molasses i be extra FRE doz ae , 9 lbs. 9 ; octor & Ga UP. mete 5 “Ts 50 » oe oe ib. Whe Ty Top_S a Ogee ® pope: én i ie a he ee ns sto 6 gai gal, ouch. 9 g : Dove, 24, 2% Ib Wh. 560 G teers “. 60 cou cy fat 24 5 ivory, 100, 6 oz. o i, per g th__ 2 55 : » Dove, 36, of, lb. h. L 5 20 ood Steers Heif. 18 M Whit Mt 22s 6 50 Ivory 00, 16 oz. co 6. 60 No Egg gal. -- 16 -, ov ’ 24, 21% Ib Black 43 a Stears é& Heif. er ed. Fanc e Fish 00 Ivory ae 10 oz. 22) 96 85 Na 1, Star Cases. > ie: 6. 10 tb. Black 3 90 om. Steer & Heif. 12 = SH y, 100 lb. 1 Ivory oap Fiks., 100s 5 50 No. 2, Star Carrier Blmetta oe Blue L 4 ¥ s & Heif. @is 23 OE BL 3 00 y Soap F s., 100s 3 No. 1, St Cane 5 00 , A; 256 45 T Cc 10@12 in: 1. 2 ACKEN HES. 50 00 = No: 2 a ar Egg r___ 10 00 cae % Ib. 4 65 a a ows. : Z. tebe ane ING. 50s 4 10 NSA Bf 4, Star Eee Be 4 50 . Ss. a 0 dri- inati 2 So \ eg Tra ‘ . Almonds Whole Medium Dia ie ieee 12 note doz. ion, dz. 1 35 CLEA Penict Rov CN ae fo Sticks ys 9 00 4 eae ease . Common co a Shinola oes es ‘ 00 NSERS. enincs ened rup Benpee ph ia ee as «--__ Tweeds More To the Fore? It would not prove surprising if there were something like a marked swing to tweeds as a fabric for suits and coats, possibly for the Fall sea- son. Those who hold this view say that the weave is already receiving considerable attention for the Spring, but the movement May not get well started until wholesale preparations for the Fall are made. It is pointed out that fashion sponsorship ‘has been recently given to tweeds by the Paris- ian couturieres. Chanel and Lanvin, who have used them for suits. The trend is being watched with interest by the mills, as well as by the gar- ment wholesalers. —_2--___ Features of Neckwear Buying. Jabots are receiving some attention in Spring buying of women’s neck- wear. They represent the late trend, and are called for in nets, laces and chiffons. Pleatings are likewise in de- mand. Lines of collar and cuff sets in varied materials and fancy color combinations are being featured, and wholesalers say they look for them to continue their popularity. Panel col- lars are being shown, and retailers in certain sections are ordering them. Buying in general is expected to spurt during the next two or three weeks. Le REFRI “Our McCray Refrigerators Build Bigger Business for Us” HAT is the experience of grocers everywhere. They tell us so in letters which arrive almost daily. McCray refrigerators help you grocers sell more goods. They enable attractive display. They keep your stocks fresh, wholesome and tempting in appearance. Besides, they save you money by cutting down spoilage—and because they are economical to operate whether you use ice or mechanical refrigeration. Ask any McCray user—he will back that up. The secret of McCray service is in-built quality that goes through to every hidden detail. The patented McCray construction in- sures circulation of cold, dry air through every compartment. Complete equipment in stock for stores and markets of every size—refrigerators, coolers, display case refrigerators. We'll build to order if you desire. Send the post card now for further information. We'll gladly suggest specific equipment to meet your particular needs. Pay for the McCray as it pays you. Let us tell you about our term payment plan. McCRAY REFRIGERATOR CO. Salesrooms in all Principal Cities 36 E. ELIZABETH STREET 2444 LAKE STREET DETROIT SALESROOM ORS Sor all purposes This is the interior of the Dunn Mercantile Company store, Wichita, Kansas, showing the various units of McCray equipment which the president, H. J. Dunn, writes gives highly Satisfactory service, and is eco- nomical in operation. \ =e ne is 4 4 RR Ig! eee oe » “ oth ae = February 13, 1924 GAINING IN STRENGTH. (Continued from page twenty-three) A survey shows construction valued at $5,992,900,000 . This reduced the shortage of needed building by $2,- 617,900,000 or about 40 per cent. What interests us is that there is still a shortage of $3,375,000,000 in needed buildings in the United States and Owing to Michigan’s great automobile industries she will have to absorb con- siderably more than her ordinary share of this building program. Mr. ford it is reported will spend $125,000,000 for his 1924 program. New plants are planned, cement by- products, coke and wood distillation are included among the projects plan- ned. The fact that one in every seven persons in the United States owns a motor car and that the number of cars in use in 1923 over 1922 was 2,916,918, or an increase of 23.6 per cent. has not seemed to cause a let up in the automotive industry, which during 1923 used 11 per cent. of all steel produced in the United States. The manufacturers of auto pleasure cars and trucks are planning the larg- est production in their history for 1924. An interesting side light on this in- dustry is that of over 100 active manu- facturers of passenger cars in the United States five of this number ac- count for over 80 per cent. of the total aggregate and that of the approximate 4,000,000 manufactured in 1923 five of the manufacturers turned out about 3,335,000. These figures should be of special interest to members of the Michigan Association for Michigan may properly be called the headquar- ters if not the actual home of the au- tomotive industry. May we not profitably hesitate a moment, then and ask ourselves: 1. What portion of these projects and activities are we as merchandis- ers of hardware going to participate in and profit from? 2. With the enormous ~ needed building program ahead of us, the re- quirements necessary for increased auto production estimated at over a billion dollars, and the great need of our railroad systems in new equipment and rolling stock, and the usual ex- pansion in all sections of a progressive nation—what, if any, are the prospects of declining prices in the near future, and what may we reasonably expect in the way of deliveries? While it is true that several items in hardware suffered slight declines dur- ing the closing weeks of 1923, it is my belief that these declines have been more than offset by the advance in other lines and the still further stiffen- ing of prices on the more basic com- modities. During the week ending Jan. 12, $50,000,000 of call money was offered on the New York Stock Exchange and returned to the banks as not wanted. Of this amount $20,000,000 was re- turned in one day, and call funds were being loaned at from 4 per cent. to 434 per cent. This does not indicate tight money nor hard times. There is some difference of opinion between forecasters but the majority predict that at least for the first half MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 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 Insertion. of 1924 we may be reasonably sure of good business. Beyond the first half few care to predict but nearly all are optimistic. So called “presidential year” no longer causes the fear and doubt about business that it once did. There is no good reason why it should seriously affect business and especially is this true in connection with the coming election. Personally, and after a very close study of the situation I am convinced that 1924 will be a good year for the hardware merchant who adopts mod- ern methods of accounting, collecting, stock and store arrangement, simpli- fication in stock selection, watches closely stock turn, eliminates slow moving items and adds those for which there is a growing demand, and which justly belong to the hardware trade. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation for the privilege of serv- ing this Association as its President. I am grateful for the splendid feeling of good fellowship which prevailed with its officers during my incumben- cy. During our group meetings offi- cers and members of the executive boards took an active part in the pro- motion of Association interests going cheerfully when and wherever re- quested, without compensation for their time lost. I have met with nothing but kind- ness, consideration and cheerful co- operation on all sides. My _ duties brought me in closer contact with Mr. Scott, our Secretary, Mr. Nelson, our Field Secretary, and Mr. Moore, our Treasurer, than it did with other mem- bers of the Executive Boards and to these three gentlemen, with whom I have worked so closely, I am es- pecially grateful for their kindness and helpful consideration, and to the mem- bership at large I wish to congratu- late you on being able to retain such faithful officers as tnese three men, for “in all the states there are none like them.” —_>-+____ A well located merchant said the other day that he had been waiting for years for the opportunity to extend his business and it never seemed to come. His competitor on the less desirable side of the street had in the meantime doubled his sales and profit's by making his own opportunities. . +3. Do people ever say in your store, “Why, I didn’t know you kept that!” If they do, you are weak in your ad- vertising. ——_——_o>-<__—_ Hides, Pelts and Furs. : Hides. ReePCORR Dee 05 Ceveen NO: oe ee 04 @Curce: INO: Go ee 06 ATC INO Se 05 @aliskin, Green, Noob 2 32 12 Calfskin, Green, No. 2 .-..--... __- 10% Cmlickin« ured. NO. feo ES @aitsnin.: Cured, No. (2) 7S 11% Borsa. NO. os oso 3 56 REGRESS. INO 2 oe as 2 50 Peits. Old Wool 2 -~-- 1 00@2 00 ig ee ee eS 75@1 25 SHearlnes foes es 50@1 00 Tallow Trime __ 06 NO. bo 05 Noi 2 oe. 04 Wool Einwashed, medium (2-0 =. @40 tWmwasned,.. nejects: 22000 @30 Unwashed: fine 2.020525. o22 ee @40 31 If set in capital letters, double price. No charge less than 50 cents. display advertisements in this department, $3 per inch. Small Payment with order is required, as amounts are too small to open accounts. Store for Rent—On main street: live town. Wm. M. Monroe, Bronson, Mich. 467 WANTED-—-A CANNERY. FINE LO- CATION, soil adapted to FRUITS, VEGE- TABLES. BOX 215, MIDDLEVILLE, MICH. 468 FOR SALE—Clean grocery stock and fixtures. Corner location. Good town. A. fine business opportunity. Don’t pass this up. Address No. 469, c/o Michigan Tradesman. 469 For Sale—Confectionery and lunch busi- ness on Roosevelt Highway. Modern buildings, five-room furnished flat up- stairs, ice house, garage, light plant, running water, soda fountain, fixtures, and stock. Bell telephone toll station. Located in thriving town of 1,000 popu- lation. Address Jas. Norton, Engadine, Mich. 470 TYPEWRITERS—AIl_ makes, slightly used, $20 up. Easy payments. Free trial. Guaranteed two years. Write today. Payne Company, Rosedale Branch, Kan- sas City, Kansas. 471 For Sale—Owing to death of my hus- band wish to dispose of hotel property here. Has poolroom in connection. Sit- uated on Mackinac Trail. For particu- lars, write Mrs. J. A. Bryant, Fife Lake, Mich. 472 For Sale—By owner. Double — store, fixtures, and five-room cottage. 3est lo- cation, in excellent farming country. Price $4,500, with $2,500 down, balance terms to suit. Address No. t3, 6/6 Michigan Tradesman. 473 FOR SALE—‘‘The Big R’’—tourists’ cafeteria—at the gateway of Cloverland— population 1,000. Inventory $5,000, build- ings $6,000. Famous for chicken dinners. Grocery and drug stock side line. Will sell for $9,000, part down, easy terms if taken at once. Address Dr. C. F. White- shield, Sheridan Road, Powers, Michigan. 474 Wanted — Meat cutter, middle-aged American, who can work at meat counter and assist in general store in small town. Good position and wages for right man: Must be steady. Address No. 475, c/o Michigan Tradesman. 475 For Sale—$75. One Burroughs five- column adding machine and stand. 100d as new. Price when new: machine, $125; stand, $12.50. Frank J. Ward, St. Johns, Mich. 476 For Sale—$125. One McCaskey 220- account register. Has been used only about one year. Price when new, $246. Frank J. Ward, St. Johns, Mich. 477 FOR SALE—Being a candidate for Probate Judge, I offer my grocery stock for sale. Capital needed, $2,500. Best location in a live manufacturing town. Good opportunity for a hustler. —___ The German ambassador was with- drawn from Paris when the French occupied the Ruhr on the ground that the occupation violated the Treaty of Versailles. A German Ambassador now returns to Paris. This is a tacit admission that the French position was legal. It is certainly an indica- tion that the political phase of the Ruhr occupation, so far as Germany is concerned, may be considered a dead issue. Passive resistance was aban- doned four months ago. Soon after- ward a beginning was made toward economic and financial adjustment. The Dawes committee is attempting to find a more permanent ground for agreement. Full resumption of diplo- matic relations between Berlin and Paris brings the political position somewhere near normality. —_—_+2>_ Europe’s alarums frighten you. Re- member, human natyre has more lives than a cat. EUREKA Chemical Indoor Closet Odorless, Sanitary Comfort, Convenience and Healthfulness secured without running water or plumb- ing. Danger of contaminated well water 1 DM eliminated. Can be placed in any convenient room. No tools and only a few minutes required to install. Set in position and connect the vent pipe to the chimney —that is all. The Eureka Chemical Indoor Closet is made odorless and sanitary through ventilation and the action of the special chemical which is mixed with water and placed in the con- tainer. The chemical closet is not an experiment but has been in successful use for years, and is endorsed and recommended by many health boards and health authorities. For use in any place where running water or sewer is not available; in the farm or town home, summer cottage or camp, for workmen in buildings under construction, etc., its comfort, convenience and healthfulness is worth far more than the small cost. The outer container and pipe are attractively enameled, the inner container of galvanized steel. Complete as shown in the illustration with 7 joints 3 inch enameled pipe each 12 inches long, 2 3 inch enameled elbows, a 6 to 3 inch stove pipe hole reducer and wall finish collar, toilet paper holder and roll of paper, and one can of special chemical. Extreme size across top 15 x 16% inches. Height 17 inches. Shipping Weight approximately 28 Ibs. Foster, Stevens & Co. Wholesale Hardware 157-159 Monroe Ave., 151 to 161 Louis N. W. Grand Rapids, Mich. Haein