ooo — i). ee o> i ocovscnen>> REL ESLEDESSELELEELELEDLLALESSSEEPSEEE SES EEE ESE EPSP PEEP PE PEEP PE EPL LSE EEE EEEP SEEPS SESE EELS EL ES ET ESSE DPSS PEE EEER y Lae ea ae ED BO ess Neo a2) y MS Zit ee ae C ee < Oe Ry a ee %N x 12 . MA AA SOA) 7) Ae ‘ ep a Oe Aas Gy i an (i ) a Ps Gi rq Vr : a N (Cae ——— 5 RY Ay 1 ry 2 EN )) e - oa e “ G7 Uf; S | ' com, O 4 ¢) iG 4G EG ma | aig BS ’ cy LA Wi = xo] a ws 7 S i. tv e « ; > 4 . ‘ of 4K f f cvy§ ™ ' » , f ~ a4 i. . = “3 ” “ Ee v ~ .- t , - » *. a ¢ ’ » 0 > s s ‘ ES ~< 4 » Yr Y ‘ e Forty-second Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1924 Number 2154 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, 1883, at the Postoffice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. GOMPER PATRIOTISM A JOKE. The fulsome flattery bestowed on Sam Gompers by the (union) sub- sidized daily press is enough to make any true American blush with shame. Born in the slums of London with Jewish parentage, his methods were those of the slum, based on the theory that might makes right. As a matter nf fact, the accomplishments of his lifetime—if they can be called ac- complishments—were due to terrorism, hreats, cajolery and pretense—never o right, justice, The widely paraded claim that he was t patriot is enough to make the blood of any genuine patriot turn cold, udged by the following activities of he crafty old dissembler: fairness or honor. He vehemently defended the right of Boston firemen and policemen to ro out on strike and served notice on ur. Coolidge that he had signed his volitical death warrant because he put lown the strike by substituting in lace of the strikers State \nything patriotic about that? soldiers. He induced President Wilson to ex- mpt walking delegates from the op- ration of the draft during the kaiser’s var, thus legalizing the criminal tac- ics of the slimy lizards who precipi- tated many thousands of strikes and delayed the making for conducting the war at the most critical period in the Nation’s preparations we were history. Anything patriotic about that? He led the mob of union thugs which held the watch while Congress was coerced into enacting the Adam- son law—the most infamous law ever enacted by the representatives of a free people. He also held the watch on Wilson when he gave the President 5 minutes to sign the bill. Anything patriotic about that? He induced McAdoo, the most sub- servient union truckler who ever ex- isted, to issue an order coercing rail- way employes into joining union or- ganizations during the war, thus crippling the Government in transport- ing men and material to the seaboard. Anything patriotic about that? He forced wages up to a point and reduced the efficiency of workmen to a degree which made the war cost the Government three times what it would have cost under normal conditions. Anything patriotic about that? He preached the infamous doctrine of the anarchist that it was proper to violate the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States any time that tribunal handed down a decision which was not in accordance with his pernicious ideas. Anything patriotic about that? No longer ago than last fall he under- took to throw the strength of his fast disintegrating organization — 40 per cent. less in numbers than it was four support of La over- ago—to the Follette, who stands for the throw of everything essential to the maintenance and perpetuation of the Republic. . Anything pa- years American triotic about that? In short, the Tradesman challenges any man to produce a single ACT of Gompers which was in harmony with the fundamentals and traditions of the country of his adoption. His mouth was always prating patriotism, but his ACTS were always those of a marplot and a traitor, seethed with selfishness. Steinmetz, the electrical wizard, was moved by a just sense of relative val- ues in leaving money for scholarships at Union College as his most desirable memorial. umental stones could never mean so muchas the encouragement of students Tablet or portrait or mon- with insufficient funds for a college training. Many a man has given a large sum for architecture that would advertise himself for succeeding gen- erations and has neglected the upbuild- ing of lives of young men who hold in their firm tenure the world’s expecta- tion. One of the best things about Steinmetz was his generous encourage- ment of promising youth, and his be- quest is in keening with his spirit of one who had himself climbed from the bottom of the ladder despite all handi- caps of frail physique and adverse cir- cumstances, eee Judge Moinet, of the Clinton County Circuit Court, sentenced Mahlon Law- head, aged 30, of Ovid, from five to fifteen vears in the State Penitentiary at Jackson for stealing an Essex coach belonging to George C. Young, of Ovid. The automobile was taken to Jacksonville, Florida. The automobile and thief were brought back and Law- head was prosecuted in the Circuit Court at St. Johns. The Judge, in pronouncing sentence, said he was go- ing to do his part to protect the prop- erty of the citizens of the State. This sentence should be a warning to young men who are too free to appropriate the property of others. MORE PROTECTION NEEDED. The Tradesman has long felt that the present many along the line of personal responsibility for accidents. automobile laws need amendments, especially Under existing conditions a pauper driving a worthless car can smash into a good car, killing or in- juring the occupants and destroying many hundred dollars’ worth of prop- erty, without being able to make one penny of restitution. If the present law was amended, providing that no one be granted a driver’s license unless he has first obtained an indemnifying bond to be drawn on the event of in- defensible accident and injury, many irresponsible drivers who make auto- mobile driving a menace to life and limb would be eliminated. All will concede that the percentage of inex- perienced, sponsible men using the roads of the careless and utterly irre- country is altogether too large and that something must be done—and done quickly—to curb their reckless and reprehensible methods. An _ ap- peal was recently made to the manager of a large accident imsurance company for his opinion on this question. His reply was as follows: I note that you say that it seems proper that the next Legislature should pass a law providing that no license be issued unless the applicant carries insurance or, possibly, a bond to cover damage for personal injury and prop- erty damage. Up to this time I do not believe that any Legislature has passed such a law except on commer- cial vehicles and bus lines. However, there is no doubt but what sentiment in favor of such a provision is increas- ing, in view of the fact that a great many people who drive automobiles are not able to pay for any damages I have also heard some talk that if a law of that kind is they may cause. passed there should be a companion bill providing that judgment the automobile owner for personal in- against jury or property damage be limited to say $5,000. is no question but what many ato- mobile owners are imposed upon and At the present time there damage suits started against them for from $20,000 to $50,000 which, in most cases, will frighten them into a settle- though it would appear that they were not to blame for the ment, even accident. BRAZILIAN COFFEE. A somewhat difficult problem was Hoover a few National Coffee Roasters’ Association. It seems that it is difficult to do intelligent trading in coffee without knowing what stocks are available in Brazil, where most of the article used in this country comes from. So it is proposed to have this Government approach the Brazilian federal government or the Sao Paulo put before Secretary days ago by the both, with a view to getting reliable statistical in State government, or formation on coffee similar to that fur nished here about cotton. In return, the suggestion is made to have in this country a permanent service to inform Brazilian coffee growers of marketing here. In a case of this United States Government could go no further than condi ions kind, manifestly, the to make a friendly suggestion to the Brazilians. To the latter the proposi- tion would doubtless appear as one to the advantage of those engaged in the trade while its benefits coffee here, otherwise might appear negligible. About 635 per cent. of all the coffee imported into this country comes from Brazil. Before the war the percentage was about 74. In actual quantity, however, the imports from Brazil have being 743,113,500 year 1914 and 658,231,671 in the nine months’ period This shows pretty clearly how much this been increasing, pounds in the fiscal ended with September last. country is dependent on Brazil for its coffee supply. The danger of this de pendence on a_ single country is stressed by the coffee roasters in their appeal, and they urge the Department of Commerce to encourage increased coffee production in countries now growing the berry and also to investi gate the possibilities in Porto Rico, Cuba, Hawaii and countries not doing so. This, while being prudent counsel, is hardly apt to commend itself to the Brazilians. case ednieienads There is in a uniform cost account ing system the removal of a great temptation to individuals to change their methods in order to bring about a good statement, J. W. O’Leary. vice- president of the Chicago Trust Com pany, Chicago, told a -ecent gatherini of manufacturing executives and trad? aassociation officers held by the de partment of manufactuce of the C‘:em- ber of Commerce of the 'nited States. He traced the changes in tclations be- tween the manufacturer and the bank er from the old days when a loan was frequently made on the basis largely of the borrower's general reputation, time when through to the present banks and manufacturers jointly see the advantages of complete informa- tion on the borrower’s business and his ability to repay the loan. There 15 no question that the banker is going to have a great deal more confidence in a concern which is in an industry tha‘ has a uniform system of accounting,” he said. “He will have much mcre confidence in the figures that he re- ceives, knowing that he can find out the real facts.” Protected by insurance brings a feeling of relief to the property owner; but it should never cause relaxation of endeavor to prevent fire 2 IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY. Cheats and Swindles Which Merchants Should Avoid. The soft spot in the pharmaceutical breast has been one of the most pro- lific hunting grounds for swindlers of late. Nursed by constant tales of sickness, tempered by sympathy for those who seek medical help, the phar- maceutical breast is renowned as one of the most tender breasts in business. On this account, it has become a tar- get for swindlers, and hardly a week passes without reports of how some druggist has been duped and reliev- ed of his hard-earned money. As the methods employed by the swindlers are more or less the same, it would be an eye opener to other druggists if they were to become acquainted with the tricks and plans the swindlers use to extract their money. The first aid story has an A rating in the swindler’s pharmacopoeia. He usually gives it a three stars’ notation, as everywhere it is used it does not fail to bring re- sults. Stripped of all verbiage, the first aid story will run something like this: A well dressed, neat appearing young man will walk into a drug store and say that he has just run into a ford while driving in another part of the city. The accident resulted in severe injuries to his wife, he contin- ues, and he wants these first aid sup- plies despatched to his home at once. He will order a list of first aid items, such as boric acid. witch hazel, plas- ters, cotton wool, bandages, etc., and run the bill up to about $5. In pay- ment, he will tender a check for $17.40 —always an odd amount—made pay- able to K. R. Meitzel and signed W. E. Williamson. The young man will pull out his fountain pen, and endorse the check in the presence of the drug- gist. He will also show an engraved business card of K. R. Meitzel, repre- senting some well-known business company. Without the slightest sus- picion, the druggist will cash the check, deducting the price of the first aid articles purchased, and will send the goods to the address given. When the messenger returns and reports that there is no such person living at such an address, the druggist realizes the game, but a bit too late. Modifications of the above scheme are encountered, but in the main es- sentials they are the same. The young man may go to a doctor for medical advice, and after securing a prescrip- tion, he seeks a druggist whom he asks to compound the medicines, ten- dering in payment a check for $2 drawn on a well-known bank. Having gone thus far, the swindler takes the prescription to another part of the city, and this ‘time he orders medical supplies to the value of three or four dollars along with it. His check now varies from $14.50 to $16.75. When the druggist cashes the check he loses the difference—which he quickly real- izes on despatching the drugs to the bogus address. Another plan that is being worked by the swindlers is illustrated in the experience of a Chicago neighborhood MICHIGAN TRADESMAN A man called up the drug- gist and said that he was Dr. Allen of the Illinois Humane Society. Fol- lowing this introduction, he went on to say that he will be supervisor of a certain district in the city for the Humane Society and in due time will be provided with a gold star and diploma in token of his new honors and responsibilities. The cost was to be $27.50 which the good doctor will collect in person. When the druggist communicated with the Illinois Hu- mane Society and learned that no such fictitious person as the Dr. Allen was in their employ, the fellow, sensing trouble, has already gone. druggist. Few drug stores have escaped the swindlers as possible looting grounds for booze. Here is one way how the swindlers went after the job. A man called on a druggist in working cloth- es and with a coil of telephone wires over his shoulder. He said he was sent to do some wiring on one of the store’s telephones. He went to the basement, where he remained some time. A week later the druggist’s store was burglarized and a quantity of cigars was taken. It developed that the man with the coil of wire was not a Bell telephone employe. How can you _ protect yourself against these people? First: Do not, under any circum- stances, cash a check for a stranger. This applies to what appear to be cer- tified checks just as it does to any other check. Second: Do not, under any circum- stances, accept a check from a stran- ger in payment of merchandise which a customer intends to take away with him. It is safest to deliver the mer- chandise only after the check has been cleared at the bank. A current periodical describes and declaims against the newest “come-on” schemes by which the professional crooks fool and rob the gullible and the innocent. Since the armistice these experts have gone into the real estate business, and it is declared that no less than $100,000,000 was the booty they raked in by their shady operations last year. The ease with which the inno- cent are beguiled into fake investments may be accounted for, but why thousands upon thousands of the peo- ple who have worked hard to accumu- late small savings take risks in the face of palpable fraud, even admitting to themselves and friends that they hope to profit by the fraudulent char- acter of the schemes, is a mystery. For the gullible small crooks ought ¢o be clever enough to see that the game is rigged against them. High pressure stock salesmen with their promises of “no risk and 10 per cent.,” find the industrial Middle West, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, the best field for their fraudulent operations, according to a Nation-wide survey made by the National Vigilance Com- mittee, of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World. The aggregate stock losses throughout the country are estimated by the committee to be about $600,000,000 a year, with Mich- igan, Ohio and Indiana contributing far above the Nation’s per capita stock loss of $6. The highest per capita loss of any town or group of towns, $40, was reported by seven adjoining towns in Pennsylvania, whose com- bined population was not 10,000. One Michigan city with a population of 40,000, reported a loss of $1,000,000, or $25 per capita. The survey also showed that the group of individuals who pay the highest toll are mine and factory workers of foreign birth. The work of vigilance associations, the committee found, has saved the public and legitimate business many millions of dollars. Detroit is a good instance of this savings, the Better Business Bureau reducing fraudulent stock loss- es from about $35,000,000 to $15,000,- 000 in three years. ——— nn His Practice and Preaching Did Not Harmonize. Grandville, Dec. 30—In a former communication I referred to a back- woods preacher who was patriotic to the backbone, and who was in every way an estimable man and honest citi- zen. It is pleasant to recall some of those old timers who were the mak- ing of the country, the very essence of purity and kindliness. Not all the early woods citizens were of this man’s caliber, however. As a boy I attended the little Sunday school in the schoolhouse on the hill overlooking the longest and most pro- ductive logging river in the world. One spring some 400,000,000 feet of pine logs were given to the big Mus- kegon to be floated to the mouth where a score and more of big saw- mills were waiting to manufacture these logs into lumber for the Chicago and Western market. It was to this region that the itiner- ant men of God made their way, back- ed by their respective churches, pion- eering for Christianity. It was no picnic to try and interest those hardy lumberjacks in their souls’ salvation and those pioneer preachers experi- enced many real hardships and dangers wholly unknown to the preachers of the present time. The early circuit riders were excellent horsemen and made their rounds in the-saddle. The example of men high up has its influ- ence on the rising generation, and a good example counts far more than a whole lot of platitudes issuing from the mouths of men. Ezra Parvel (not his real name) was one of the very pious men who came to the pine woods to better his for- tunes and seek to curry favor with those who had favors to grant. Ezra was a blacksmith by trade and a Sun- day school teacher by preference. He was one of the most pious characters I ever came across, yet his example, set before the young people of Sun- down, was hardly in keeping with his professions. We had a score of at- tendants at the Sunday school which Parvel superintended. He was a very solemn visaged man of fifty, and until a certain incident revealed his real character we young folks deemed him a most worthy individual. One fatal Sunday the first steamboat to plow the waters of Muskegon river was heard tooting its whistle a mile below our sawmill town. -2.—__ If you let your men loaf to-day when there is work to be done, they will ex- pect to do the same thing to-morrow. SELLS ON MERIT Moseley Brothers GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Jobbers of Farm Produce = a v > December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN OLD-TIME PARTISAN SPIRIT. Lack of It Explains Present Vote Reduction. Much is said these days about the large number of voters who do not vote. This element has been figured all the way from 25 to 50 per cent. of the whole voting population. These voters whoa don’t vote have been given all sorts of bad names, and a systematic campaign was conducted during the past fall to correct this growing neglect. What is it that bas brought about the apathy of so many voters? In my opinion the cause proceeds. from the independent political attitude taken by most of the newspapers in recent years. The old-time “organ” has been assigned a place in the museums wih the corkscrew, the hairpin and the horse. No longer is the opposition party a “menace to the country.” No longer are invective and contumely hurled at those on the other side of the political fence. The newspaper of this day prints in its news columns everything that is said and done by all parties, editorial columns the editor expresses his opinions mildly and cautiously. while in its In the late campaign there was, so far as I could see, almost no difference between the policies of Coolidge and those of Davis. Both were eminently respectable and able men. looked upon without fear by the great moneyed interests of the Neither side “viewed with alarm’ what was going to happen to the United States of America if the other side got the offices. Both were country. There were no Greeleys, no Danas, no Wattersons, no Whitelaw Reids to wave the red flag of wordy partisan warfare and thus arouse in the human heart the old-time partisan spirit. Naturally the voter took little in- terest in what was going on. He felt that things would run along all right, no matter who was elected. And so, when election day came around, he did what he does on Decoration Day and Fourth of July—he called it a day off, and went everywhere but to the polls. His desire for pleasure triumphed over his patriotism. Theoretically, political independence in the press is to be commended. The news columns should tell what is going on in all parties, and this news should not be garbled. Particularly in this policy desirable in places where but a single daily paper is published. To make a violent partisan organ of the only paper in the town verges closely on business idiocy. The dollar that comes in for adver- tising or subscriptions is equal to ex- actly one hundred cents whether it is handed over by a Democrat, a Repub- lican or a Socialist. And the more dollars a publisher takes in, the more dollars can he pay out to improve his paper and the more dollars can he take to the bank to im- prove his balance. Above all else, a publisher must run his paper according to the policies that will bring him in the most profits, honestly earned. Personally, I regret to see the old- time “organ” disappear. It was a spectacular and picturesque institution that stirred up our patriotism and love of our country. It kept partisanship alive and sent voters to the polls with the conviction in their hearts that they were saving the nation from destruc- tion by the opposition. But the “organ” seems gone forever. The drift is from partisanship to neu- trality, and of course neutrality leads straight to indifference. Unless you stir up the human heart, you cannot make the blood flow fast, and when the political blood becomes sluggish you get precisely the condition we have to-day, when half our voters care nothing whatever for the priceless privilege of helping to choose those who govern us. Is there a remedy to correct this growing political indifference? Some foolish folks favor a law compelling everybody to vote or go to jail, just as we now have laws compelling us to do or not to do nearly everything that takes place under the canopy of the sky. For one, I don’t believe in any more law than is absolutely necessary to maintain order and common decency. Particularly am I opposed to a law that attempts to legislate loyalty and love of country into anybody. If we can’t educate and train our people to take an interest in our government, I feel sure we can’t ram those virtues down their throats by act of Congress. And so again I express regret at the exit of the “organ.” It had its faults, but its one great virtue was stimulat- ing patriotism and loyalty to country. The old-time. “organ” passed out, not because of its partisanship, but be- cause it paid less dividends to stock- holders than independent journalism. In all things, money eventually is the token by which merit is measured. No matter how worthy an institu- tion may be, it has to make way for something else if this ‘something else” fills up bigger cavities in the cash drawer. So let’s not be too severe with the man who doesn’t vote. Instead of putting him in jail for his delin- quencies, let us put a little more par- tisanship into our editorials. And, above all else let us have some real, vital issues to vote upon. “‘Re- publican” and “Democrat” are adjec- tives meaning exactly the same thing, the only difference being in the spell- ing. 3ert Moses. a Butter Finally Defined Legally in United States. Washington, Dec. 30—While it may surprise the layman to hear it said that until lately “butter” has never been legally defined or standardized by the United States Government, yet it is true, because there never was a Fed- eral standard set up until the passage recently of the Haugen bill, which re- quires a minimum standard for butter of 80 per cent. fat, with all tolerances provided for. This does not interfere with the internal revenue ruling that if butter contains as much as 16 per cent. of moisture it is adulterated. +> ____ On Way To Health Again. Millbrook, Dec. 30—A. D. Kendall, who had a serious operation at Harper Hospital, Detroit, has so far recovered as to be home, but is very weak and not able to be out of the house yet. He says Happy New Year and many of them to the houses he deals with and all the salesmen who call on him. Says he is coming good but slow. 1925 The year 1924 is finished and we stand at the dawn of a New Year. For each of us 1925 is going to be very largely what we make it. We are going to get out of it as much suc- cess as we put service into it. We are going to get out of it much happi- ness if we choose to, for happiness rarely comes unsought. The person who follows the same old meth- ods in 1925 that he has for the last decade, will be the loser. The dawn of the New Year is a forceful reminder that time is speeding by on golden wings and that customs are changing with the times. It is easy to float with the current—in a way it is easy—but it is the man who bends his back to the oars who gets up the stream of success. It has been said that “anything worth hav- ing is worth striving for.” And, inasmuch as 1925 is going to be to each of us largely what we make it as individuals, then let us strive for greater success in our chosen vocations, at the same time planning for more pleasure to brighten the hours of work and add to the enjoyment of life. The WorvdeEN GROCER Company has rolled up its sleeves, so to speak, to aid you to greater success in business and to aid in every way possible, so that we may all in 1925, make the most of every opportunity. Remember, for everyone of us, 1925, is going to be very large- ly what we make it. WORDEN (j;ROCER COMPANY Wholesalers for Fifty-six Years. The Prompt Shippers MICHIGAN TRADESMAN = — — —_ Bren) ae m1 = CAAIARTISA ress Woes I CERES SS = = Td PMO Movement ‘of Merchants. Grass Lake—The Shelly Lumber Co. succeeds the Davis & Shelly Lum- ber Co. Detroit—Carl E. Cook, grocer at 301 Custer avenue, is succeeded by Anna Mossey. Detroit— Morris Heller has sold his grocery at 4201 Bueabien street to Wolf Snyder. Detroit—James Templeton succeeds George Van Husen, confectioner, 2230 Central avenue. Coldwater—The Homer Furnace Co. has increased its captial stock from $1,000,000 to $1,150,000. 3essemer—The Bessemer Auto Service Co. has increased its capital stock from $4,000 to $10,000. Detroit—Meyer Robinson is the new owner of the confectionery and cigar stock at 4771 Grandy avenue. Detroit—Nathan Shapero has taken over the Brightmoor Shoe Store, 20712 Twelfth street, from H. Sandler. Detroit—Gilbert Heidermaier, con- fectioner at 9528 Gratiot avenue, has sold his stock to Herbert M. Esper. Detroit— Max and Walter Wain are now the owners of the grocery and confectionery store at 5114 Beaubien street. Detroit—Albert J. Boyer succeeds Herma and Gustia Feldman in the candy store at 4865 Grand River avenue. Detroit — Anthony Thomas and Samuel Joseph have taken over the grocery and meat market at 3476 Mack avenue. Detroit—The H. W. Harding Lum- ber Co., 15953 Hamilton boulevard, has increased its capital stock from $200.000 to $300,000. Detroit—The confectionery stock of P. B. Blain, 3004 McDougall avenue, has been sold to Joseph J. Hart by Mr. Blain’s estate. Detroit—Paul Joseph has bought the share of his brothers Alex and Charles in the Joseph cery, 468 Howard street. 3rothers Gro- Detroit—Weller Brothers, furniture, 2188 Gratiot avenue, have filed a peti- tion in bankruptcy, with liabilities of $3.613.83 and assets of $1,100. Detroit—Benjamin A. Love, dealer in men’s furnishings, has moved his place of business from 2101 Wood- ward avenue to 3112 Woodward. Detroit—The Glaze & Kettle Boot- ery opened at 7909 Ferndale avenue a short time ago. Oliver Glaze and J. Harrison Kettle are the proprietors. Detroit—The Third Street Ouality Market, 4632 Third, is now in the hands of I. Oppenheim, who bought it from Michael Schneider recently. Detroit—Fred Neifert’s confection- ery is now being run by R. Galbreath, to whom Mr. Neifert sold the busi- ness. The store is at 2869 Baker street. Lansing—An involuntary petition in against Frank T. Rohn & Son, hardware deal- bankruptcy has been filed ers of this city.. The bills listed total $1,042.88. Detroit—Charles A. Sagar has sold Sagar’s Pharmacy, 15001 Grand River avenue, to Otis and Burwell Jones, who are now conducting it as Otis Jones & Son. Painesdale—The South Range Mer- cantile Co., Ltd.,, has merged its busi- ness into a stock company under the same style, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000. Detroit—An involuntary petition in bankruptcy has been filed against Ir- ving Schreiber, hardware merchant at 1833. Davison avenue, East. The claims total $806.30. Detroit—An involuntary petition in bankruptcy has been filed against Jack Golden, retail shoe dealer at 7446 Michigan avenue. Three creditors claim a total of $1,904.41. Detroit—An involuntary petition in bankruptcy has been filed against the Advance Lumber & Shingle Co., 1103 Majestic building. The claims of three creditors total $2,125.83. Devereaux—E. E. Stokoe, dealer in hardware, implements, paints, oils, etc., has purchased the grocery stock of B. R. Tuxworth and has consoli- dated it with his other stock. Mt. Clemens—Sam Kastenbaum, women’s wear merchant at 52 North Gratiot avenue, is the object of a peti- tion in bankruptcy filed against him by three creditors whose claims amount to $683.75. Detroit—Joseph J. McLouff has re- cently opened the Belle Isle Market at 11312 Jefferson avenue, East. The Riverside Ouality Market, formerly in the same location, discontinued busi- press more than a month ago. Pontiac—Louis H. Klein, operating as Klein’s Emporium, 75 South Sagi- raw street, is the object of an involun- tary petition in bankruptcy filed in U. S. District Court recently by three creditors whose claims aggregate $749.78. Saginaw—The Fordney Oil Co., Meredith and Franklin streets, suc- cessor to the J. H. Nickodemus Oil Co, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $15,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Coldwater—Harry J. Bassett, until recently engaged in the jewelry busi- ness here. is dead at the age of 63 years. He leaves his widow, one daughter, Miss Bertha M. Bassett, an instructor of music in the Peabody In- stitute, of Baltimore, Md., and one son, Irving M. Bassett, Dallas, Texas. Imlay City—The Imlay City Oil Co. has been incorporated to deal in gaso- line, oils, greases, auto accessories, supplies and parts, with an authorized capital stock of $30,000, of which amount $14,000 has been subscribed and paid in, $8,000 in cash and $6,000 in property. Birmingham—J. Harry McBride has merged his hardware business into a stock company under the style of the McBride Hardware Co., 108 North Woodward street, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000 common and $10.000 preferred, of which amount $45,100 has been subscribed and $5,- 000 paid in in cash. Saginaw—Herman L. Taub, 66 years old, pioneer Saginaw business man, is dead in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he had gone for his health. He was engaged in the plumbing and heating business and was a member of the Elks and a charter member of the Hebrew Benevolent society. He leaves four daughters and two sons. Grand Rapids—The Quality Lumber Co., has been incorporated to deal in lumber and all kinds of bulding ma- terials at wholesale and retail, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000 preferred and 5,000 shares no par vaue, of which amount $33,000 and 3.000 shares has been subscribed, $411.62 paid in in cash, and $32,588.38 paid in in property. Owossc—FE. H. Cherry has removed the nursery company, of which he is president, from Battle Creek here, where he has purchased a 60 acre tract of land just east of the city. Mr. Cherry will spend several thousand dollars in fitting it for the nursery business. The company will also manufacture garden furniture, fancy fences, etc. Manufacturing Matters. Birmingham—The_ Flexotile Prod- ucts Co. has changed its name to the Fibretile Company. Detroit—The Ferro Stamping & Manufacturing Co., has increased its capital stock from $360,000 to $1,060,- 000. Detroit—The Dongan Electric Man- ufacturing Co., 2987 Franklin street, has increased its capital stock from $25,000 to $100,000. ‘ Detroit — The Wolverine Stair Works, 8931 Greeley avenue, has changed its name to the Wolverine Mill & Lumber Co. Detroit—The Strand Lumber & Woodwork Co., 8433 Epworth boule- vard, has changed its name to the Strand Lumber Co. Grand Rapids—The Standardized Furniture Co., 1019 Godfrey avenue, has increased its capital stock from $140,000 to $210,000. Grand Rapids—The Special Furni- ture Co., with busines offices at 1019 Godfrey avenue, has been incorporated with an- authorized capital stock of $1,000 all of which has been subscrib- ed, and paid in in cash. _Detroit—The Michigan Kelvinator Corporation, 2051 West Fort street, has been incorporated with an author- December 31, 1924 ized capital stock of $1,000 preferred and 400,000 shares at $1 per share, of which amount $1,000 has been sub- scribed and paid in in cash. Holland—Van’s Chemical Co. 6 East Eighth street, has been incorpor- ated to manufacture and sell fertilizers, chemicals used for fertilizing purposes, etc., with an authorized capital stock of $20,000 common and $30,000 pre- ferred, $30,000 of which has been sub- scribed and paid in, $21,000 in cash and $9,000 in property. 23s ea Queen Alexandra has just been ob- serving very quietly her eightieth birthday. She has won the goodwill of the empire and of sister republics in her own right, apart from the popu larity of Edward the Peacemaker. A doctor of music at Cambridge Uni versity, she has always been deepl) concerned for the arts and sciences, and by her participation in various human endeavors she has _ endeare:| herself to a public that hailed her with enthusiasm when she appeared in the London streets, as on Alexandra Day. with its sale of flowers. for charity. Daughter of a Danish monarch, she felt an unfeigned affection for the sea, which helped to endear her to a land proud of its navy and dependent on its fleets to maintain its insular in- dependence. America joins Britain in wishing for Queen Alexandra a peace- ful, happy eventide of life. —__>-- > Radio Fans are naturally impatient at the delay in spanning the ocean with waves of sound. The very rapid- ° ity with which the invention has de- veloped nationally accentuates its more leisurely progress in the interna- tional realm. In this difference his- tory is repeating itself once more. It was ten years after the telegraph had clicked off Polk’s surprising nomina- tion for President that Cyrus W. Field began his series of attempts to lay a cable across the Atlantic. There were a dozen of these efforts and they were spread out over nine years. The first cable to be laid lasted just long enough to have a message transmitted from Queen Victoria to Presiden: Buchanan. It broke while its success was being celebrated. But finally all obstacles were overcome and cabling became an everyday occurrence. So will it be with radio. ——_>~- > —____ Soldiers, even though of tin, ‘seem inappropriate toys for Hapsburg nurs- lings. The circumstantial tale is brought of ex-Empress Zita’s twelve- year-old royalist hope maneuvering his miniature armies in mock encoun- ter on the sitting-room floor. Captain Kirchner, a Tyrolese officer, has creat- ed furore in Italy by his description of the militaristic parlor games in which Austrians, Hungarians, Germans and Russians are mobilized against Ital- ians, who are always assigned the roles of craven and renegade foemen. Even the progressive monarchists of Central Europe are offended and demand that the education of the child shall forth- with be taken out of the maternal Hapsburg hands. One would hardly expect the embittered and impoverish- ed Zita to entertain designs less am- bitious than the recapture of the throne she vacated so reluctantly. > a “¥ 4 ENE le hag i December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 5 Essential Features of the Grocery Canned Fish—Fish packs are seas- points are firm and high on rough and = 300 Sunkist ~----------- ad 3.84.90 Staples. onably dull. Salmon is not being milled rices. Unsold stocks in the 300 Red Ball ~----------------- 7.00 Sugar--The market continues to pushed by Western interests who are South are not only moderate but they 360 Read Ball... 7.00 weaken. Local jobbers hold cane holding firm at $2.35 for reds and are in strong hands and there is no Lettuce—In good demand on the granunlated at 734c and beet granu- $1.35 for pinks, which does not attract pressure to sell. The basis of rough following basis: lated at 7c. local attention for later outlets. Chin- rice indicates higher prices later on California Iceberg, per crate ~---$4.25 Tea—The market for teas is very ooks are no more active than is occa- from the mill. Foreign rice is quiet Hot house leaf, per bu. -------- 1.50 quiet and both retail and wholesale trade is at present giving attention to other lines of merchandise more ap- propriate to the holiday season. Im- portations of teas into the United States for the first ten months of 1924 were less than those of the previous peridd in 1923. During the ten months of 1924, including October, they were 73,267,970 pounds, as contrasted with the quantity imported for the same period of 1924 of 80,756,623 pounds. The higher price this year evidently has had an effect on consumption, but the months of November and Decem- ber may pull up the average and make a more favorable showing. Coffee—Reports reached New York Dec. 30 to the effect that the Brazilian minister of finance and the president of the Bank of Brazil had resigned and this seems to have an unsettling effect on American sentiment to such an extent as to have promoted scat- tered sales and a decided decline. Molasses—Trade is quiet, so far as new business is concerned. However, factors are kept busy meeting deliv- eries on regular contracts. The black- strap situation shows little or no change. Canned Fruits—California fruits are not active as there is very little offer- ed in any position and in any variety or grade. Peaches and pears are very difficult to duplicate even in the lower grades in No. 10 cans. Renewed ac- tivity is expected in the jobbing field in early January. Pineapples are firm but not active in a big way. Apples are steady to firm, depending upon the canner and the pack. Canned Vegetables—The movement toward the consumer is going on with- out interruption. although there is nothing to make the situation specta- cular. A strong undertone prevails in all commodities as there is no free selling since advances are expected and there is therefore no reason why an operator should sacrifice stocks now which later on can be sold to better advantage. Southern tomatoes are the subject of greater enquiry and for the season are fairly active. Ef- forts have been made to buy under the market and have failed and as some factors anticipate advances they are placing buying orders now before the market goes against them. The demand is almost wholly for No. 2s as 3s are not much wanted and gallons still remain quiet but are firm in tone. There is also more enquiry than ac- tual trading in California packs. Corn could be sold if it were released on the resale market in sizable blocks but much of it is under cover. Good standards fuly up to specifications are scarce and as the future outlook is favorable there is no desire to move present holdings. Where any grade is available it is readily absorbed. Peas have been quiet all week with a steady undertone. Most popular sizes are very difficult to obtain. sioned by ordinary consuming outlets. American sardines are being main- tained at former quotations. There is only a nominal demand, however. For- eign fish are rendered exceedingly firm by their general scarcity. Shrimp and tuna fish are also examples of shortages both here and at the source. Lobster and crab meat are unchanged. Dried Fruits—California and North- western prune packers cannot be blam- ed later on for not giving the domestic distributing trade ample opportunity to cover their later wants at prevailing quotations by their failure to post the trade on the statstical position of the market. Their advice all along has been to buy ahead and their reasons for such suggestion have been fre- quently stated; yet the buying drive has not started, perhaps for one reason the holiday and the prospective inven- tories have caused operators to post- pone action. The market has not been entirely lacking in orders placed for later shipment, but in view of poten- tial outlets and accepting conditions at the source as they are represented, the volume of business has not been up to expectations. All packers pre- dict substantial advances and it has been stated that the resignation of A. M. Mortensen as manager of the Cali- fornia Prune Association will tend to- ward a sharper advance in the near future than would. otherwise have oc- curred. This, however, is the individ- ual opinion of some factors. All sen- timent expressed in California and Oregon is bullish and without excep- tion an early clean up of all Coast stocks is anticipated. The raisin mar- ket passed through another quiet week. The most favorable feature has been the drive by chain stores to sell pack- age goods which are being offered at attractive prices. Sales in that direc- tion have increased, while the users of bulk stock have been content to take care of routine requirements. Apricots are so high that consuming outlets are not extensive and yet the shortage of stocks prevents any reac- tion. Many operators prefer to buy in moderate blocks as their needs dic- tate rather than speculatively. Peaches are also well maintained and are pret- ty well sold up at the source. Cur- rants were steady all week but not active in a big way. Olive Oil—Spot distribution of all grades of olive oil is restricted, as most operators are following a hand- to-mouth policy until the middle or end of January. Their stocks are suf- ficient for the moment and there is little speculative buying for later out- lets, even though many phases of the market indicate the advisability of buying at to-day’s range. Stocks here are moderate and cannot be duplicated abroad in many instances. Cables and letters still indicate a strong under- tone at primary markets. Rice—There are no weak holders to undersell the market, while Southern but the market is in excellent position and no fluctuations occur. Rolled Oats — Expectation that prices on packaged oats will be ad- vanced in the near future is held by many. Owing to higher grain prices bulk oats have ascended the price lad- der materially the weeks. 9ackaged oats have un- changed. That this condition cannot past few remanied long continue appears the general be- hef. Spices—After a moderate break in cloves at Zanzibar and a similar easing in this country trading in the latter is quiet. Mace continues in a firm position and despite the lack of any important buying movement prices keep very firm. Leading sellers are inclined to be very optimistic in re- gard to business next year, and as far as prices are concerned it is expected that they will remain firm for some time. Fruit Jar Rings—Prevailing prices on fruit jar rings are the lowest in years, if not in the history of the trade. This is said to be due to a price war waged by competing manufacturers. Jobbers are booking orders at the pre- vailing sub-cellar prices for delivery at any time up to July 1, 1925. ee ee Review of the Produce Market. Apples—Baldwins command $2.50 per bu.; Spys command $3@3.50. 3agas—Canadian, $1.75 per 100 Ibs. Bananas—9@9'%c_ per lb. Beans—Michigan jobbers are quot- ing as follows: CoP Pea. =e $5.85 prow Swede 9.2.2: 00 0) 6.00 Parke Rea Kidney . 4 9.50 bient Red Kidney _..-___-______ 9.25 Butter—The price has advanced Ic per lb. Local jobbers hold 4resh creamery at 42c; June packed, 34c; prints, 43c. They pay 24c for packing stock. California Fruits—Emperor grapes packed in sawdust, $3.25@3.50 per erate. Celery — Commands $1@1.50 per bunch for either Michigan or Calif. Cauliflower—$2 per doz. heads. Cranberries—Late Howes ing at $8@8.50 per ™% bbl. Cucumbers—lIllinois hot house com- mand $4.50 for fancy and $4.25 for choice. are sell- Eggs—The market is still steady. Local jobbers pay 50c for strictly fresh. They resell as follows: Wreesh. candied __--_ __ ______..__ 52c Me 42c Cangled first 2) 40c Me 37¢ Checks = 07 32¢ Egg Plant—$1.75 per doz. Garlic—35c per string for Italian. Grape Fruit—$3@3.50, according to quality. Green Onions—Charlots, 75c per doz. bunches. Honey—25c for comb, 25c¢ for strained. Lemons—Quotations are now as fol- lows: Onions—Spanish, $2.25 for 72s and Michigan, $2.50 per 100 Ibs. Oranges—Fancy Sunkist Navels are now on the following basis: 292 and larger... Se AA eee 6.00 324 6.00 Red Ball, 50c lower. Potatoes—Country buyers pay 40@ 50c per 100 Ibs., mostly 40@45c. Poultry—Wilson & Company pay as 50s; follows, this week: Live Dressed Heavy fowls _...: _.__ 24e 26¢ bient fois 2... l4c 1&c Heavy springs __...____..4ée «26¢ Con 2 10c I4e ‘Tnikeeys =. ae 38e Ducks = ee 2ae Geese 18¢ 22a¢ Radishes—75e per doz. bunches for hot house. Spinach—$1.25 per bu. for home grown. Squash—Hubbard, 3c per tb. Sweet Potatoes—Delaware Sweets, $3.50 per haamper. Veal—Local dealers pay as follows: Fancy White. Meated ..._._._._ Me Coad Le... _ ¥4e (70 Faw. 10¢ es Fattening of Poultry Well Founded Trade. London, Dec. 20—Feeding poultry and fattening it for market is a busi- ness that is as well established in Eng- land as that of feeding livestock for market is in this country. These chicken feeders purchase the adult birds, feed them to great fatness, take the most promising of the lot and finish them as milk-fed by giving them ten days at the close of the feeding with only stale bread and milk, or meal and grain and milk for food, the result being that the poultry becomes plump and fat. The meat is whitened, they assert, because of the milk in the food, and the milk-fed birds command a price well above the ordinary stall- ied birds. #} Presidential economy as a White House gesture is one thing. As a cur- tailment of the public enjoyment of show and luxury and thrill it is some- The trip had a certain Jeffersonian sim thing else altogether. Chicago plicity, but already an organized pub- lic appeal not to do it again and hang the expense is working its way slowly The next important item on the social budget at the cap- ital is the inauguration, and the Cham- ber of Commerce, sensing the biting wind of thrift that is blowing from the White of the Chicago lesson in plenty of time, Washingtonward. House and taking knowledge has already met and framed a petition to the President to re-establish the old- fashioned inaugural ball in all its pro- fusion and glory. A good many peo- ple feel that even such a serious thing as a Presidential Administration ought to produce a little fun as it goes along. 1 Oe Paul Khoury, dealer in general mer- chandise at Channing, writes the Tradesman: “Enclosed check is for renewal of my subscription to the Tradesman. I am glad to be a sub- scriber, I would be lost without it,” MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 31, 1924 UNWISE COUNSEL. Scarcity of Wheat Follows Decreased Acreage. Written for the Tradesman. “Two years ago wheat sold in Michi- gan for 90 cents per bushel—a big loss to every Michigan grower; for it costs $1.50 to $2 or more to raise a bushel of wheat. What should he do? From farm papers, farmer’s Agricultural organizations, Department officers and others came the response: “Cut down the wheat acreage; quit raising a sur- plus; check over-production.” Farmers generally accepted this as thing to do and wherever practicable, followed such advice. Any the only one who suggested the possibility of a world famine was a fool; for as the conditions resulting from the Kaiser’s war were overcome and the nations re- sumed usual occupations each more and produce their own foodstuffs. American farm- their one would more ers should decrease wheat production in order to obtain better prices. But there were a few people who did not join the popular clamor. They remembered that in the days of Phar- oah and Joseph in Egypt. the years of plenty were followed by years of fam- ine, and the same might happen even in the third decade of the twentieth century. They would not admit that there is ever overproduction of food while there are starving and underfed people in the world. They believed that conditions following the Kaiser’s war had clogged the arteries of trade; communication with habitually under- fed people had never been adequately OW practice. established; they considered it the part of prudence to conserve the surplus of wheat in America as a reserve in case world conditions became more favor- exporting. They deplored any premeditated combination to de- crease production and force wheat prices upward. It seemed on a par with strikes of union miners and others who cruelly brought about nation wide hardship and untold suffering in re- cent years. able for The plunger always throws up an enterprise at the first reverse while the more steadfast ones hold on until the tide turns and then recoup their former losses. That seemed a reason- able thing to do in wheat production. 3ut many a farmer could not go on paying exorbitant prices for farm ma- chinery and labor to produce crops at a loss. As an individual it was his right to adjust his farm operations to his environments and financial circum- If that meant less wheat and more attention to other crops which promised adequate compensation that effort. In where wheat was only one of many lines of farming it may have been wise to decrease production, but in the great wheat growing states of the West to sow less wheat and take on stances. was a_ reasonable states various kinds of crops in its place meant an additional outlay for equipment—ma- chinery, storage, buildings and other Each crop required its special equipment in addition to some of the wheat growing paraphernalia which could be used for other crops. More more indebtedness, more unused for long accessories. expense, machinery periods meant a greater burden for overhead. Then, again, in whatever proportion —to extent—the principal wheat states produced the things which they aforetime had been wont to purchase, to that extent they shut their markets to the products of neighboring states, obliging them to seek other markets or decrease their production. We wonder if the present depressed condition of Wisconsin is in any measure due to whatever growing dairying in loss of trade from the wheat states. Other factors besides lessened acre- age and lower yields have contributed to scarcity of wheat for export. Prices of feedstuffs did not decline in ade- quate ratio to lower prices for wheat. Bran at $24 per ton; middlings and alleged middlings at $26 per ton offer- ed the farmer no inducement to haul his wheat to market at $30 per ton and bring back the by products of wheat which gave him far less returns in feeding than his whole wheat. So he ground his wheat for cattle and swine and fed it more generously to fowls. He got more money for his wheat in that way. Who was most to blame? About that time we made some cal- culations comparing the wheat, bran, middlings and flour, and obtained these figures: On bran the miller made eleven cents per cwt.; on middlings he made 40 cents per cwt.; and on flour $1.50 per cwt. To put it in other form, he took $3 worth of wheat and got $7 for it after the mill- ing process. He did not carry on business at a loss; then why should the farmer? People could cook whole prices. of wheat if there were no mills; but the mills could not get any wheat if farm- ers did not sow it. Neither the farmer nor any other business man should shape his plans according to some nation wide policy without the most careful study. There is always the possibility that those who deal only in statistics may be as one-sided as the man who looks only at the facts in his limited experience. We need all the facts and information obtainable from official sources, but these are not all-sufficient. Future world conditions can no more be correctly predicted than” the weather. The past few months have been most unfavorable for new sown wheat in Michigan. Unusually dry weather until late November and now a thick coating of ice. Every farmer should continue the old plan of making his land produce the most and best. E. E. Whitney. ee Death of Mr. Von Piaten Causes Uni- versal Sorrow. Boyne City, Dec. 30—Boyne City was shocked to learn of the death of Godfrey Von Platen. Mr. Von Platen’s father came to Boyne City almost a half century ago and established a saw mill at Advance, on Pine Lake, across from Boyne City. Like a great many lumber ventures of the pioneer time, it was not successful, and Mr. Von Platen, a stripling of 20, took over the business and operated it to a success. When we say operated we mean that he did more than his share of the work, besides managing the business. About thirty years ago he moved his mill to Boyne City and run it con- tinuously for twenty-five years. The fruit of his youthful energy and com- mon sense, combined with an eye to Located on Ground Floor Building & Loan Building Corner Monroe and Lyon Our systematic plan of regular payments returns the highest rate consistent with safety and good building and loan We employ no high pressure salesman to sell membership “‘privileges’’ but depend upon our 36-year record and the recommendations of our satisfied members for the growth of our business. SAVINGS SHARES Weekly payments of 15 cents per share. Will amount (with earnings) to $100 in about 91 years. Class B Shares—25 cents per share. Will amount (with earnings) to $100 in about 612 years. INVESTMENT SHARES Advance Paid $62.50 in one payment. The earnings on these shares accumulate until they mature at $100 in about 9l\4 years. If withdrawn before maturity we pay 4% earnings for the actual time in force. Full Paid 5% certificates $100 in one payment. We pay a semi-annual dividend of 2% on June 15 and December 15 each year as long as these are in force. Can be withdrawn at any time without notice and we pay 5 % for the actual time if in force three months. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Charies N. Remington —__._______.___________________ President Frances E. Howell -------~--- cee Assistant Secretary C. Carroll Folimer - _.._Vice President & Chairman of Board Mever Ss: May oo President A. May & Sons Chaes H. Bertsch Vice President Dan ©. steketee ee. Paul Steketee & Sons Leon T. Closterhouse _____-_____________ ee Treasurer Dan A. Cawthra __--Secretary-Treasurer Cawthra Realty Co. Stuart & Knappen 2! Attorney Arthur E. Gregory ---------- Secretary Judson Grocer Company hows © Mabon Secretary Grover C. Good ---~-~---- Vice-President Globe Knitting Works Altice 1, Weleran 22 ee Assistant Treasurer Edward M. Schopps ----Secretary-Treasurer Ward-Schopps Co. GRAND RAPIDS MUTUAL BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIATION Resources Over $6,000,000 A mutual association organized to promote thrift and help people own their own homes. aoe ¥ y . { . a é , ‘ 5 q ~ >» A » a 7 ; , cx 4 ' xr , ~ e * 4 * ie > «af b> Fr f + ? 52 fh. i 4 ‘ ‘ ~n i “a, xe 4 . ~ w « ¥ { vv j ¥ - { : * é ‘ ‘ : ¥ 4 . F 4 24 - d - \y ot Beri : ’ Y , | » ' T * A > Tf 2 Down in Texas. there but town exemplification of can accomplish. It in 1904. The small lumber yard there start. To-day it has a population of 6,000, is growing rapidly, its citizens are working together under the direc- tion of the Commercial Club, which, although in a small town, has wide- awake direction. The club is unique in that a man does not have to be a merchant, a banker or. a professional man to belong to it. All one has to have is an interest in the upbuilding of Kingsville and Kieberg county, in which it is located. small that iS an is a successful what co-operation was founded establishment of a was its 9 Two Ways To Increase Your Sales Volume. There are two ways for merchants One is to get more people into their stores to increase their volume of sales. and the other is by selling more goods to those who come into their stores. Many merchants are awake to the desirability of attracting mew cus- tomers and are active in this line of work, But many of these men do not appreciate the opportunity they have of increasing their sales through sell- ing larger orders to the customers they already have. There are comparative- ly few families, especially in the larger trading centers, who buy at any one which they that To a large degree this is store all of the things regularly use and which store has to sell. because they do not know how com- plete the merchant’s stock is and so fail to that they could themselves time and unnecessary steps realize save by securing more of their requirements at one store. The matter of proper display of mer- chandise and that of tactful suggestion of prime im- Additional business secured in this way costs less when taking orders are portance in these cases. to get than an equal amount from new customers and for that reason returns larger profits to the merchant. —_—_22>—__ -— Peaked Crown Hat To Stay. Radiogram Paris to the Retail Millinery Association of effect that if the first Spring showings of the big milli- ners are to be taken as a criterion, the information from America is to the “peaked” crown hat, with trimming simulating the peak, has come to stay. Women, complained a_ great Americans, have that This they were brought original exaggerated correspondent of the especially deal such chapeaux are unbecoming. was so when their out in form, the association ad- mits, but this objection has since been overcome. he reports, “is showing many hats that have merely the ordinary round crown, usually of “Lewis,” picot or milan, trimmed to suggest a peak at the top. Bunches of flowers are his favorite method of marking tlie peak at the top, and he also uses huge flowers of velvet. Two of these are placed back to back in a vertical posi- tion at the top of the hat. These hats generally have small upturned brims much like those of the cloche.” a A Coolidge Story. first check of Calvin of the United States had just been brought to him. check—$6,250 for a It had taken his father years to earn so large a sum, It was than much as he himself had received as Vice-Presi- dent. Compared with what he had earned in his earlier career, it seemed little less than a fortune. Mr. Coolidge looked at the chec' for a considerable period, but, as is his custom, he said nothing. He continued to be silent until the mesenger had passed out and was about to close the door. It was then that the President’s emotions overpowered him. He could not remain silent. With warmth’ and loquacity quite unaffected, he uttered these words: “Come’again.” The Coolidge as salary President It was a ereat single month. more six times as 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN wy) V3 dj a at) ALLS — aE! 2 ee mR ey =, RR ACU SPIE LALLA) suv Kinds of Bargain Hunters. The neighborhood store especially is confronted with the problem of bar- gain-hunters, and the problem is all the more complexed because there are a number of different kinds of bargain- hunters and I will try to classify them: 1. People who have extra large or extra small feet are likely to be bar- gain hunters because department stores offer great specials at the end of seasons on the accumulation of ex- tra large or extra small sizes. 2. A good many foreigners (not as much the Americanized) with whom it seems to be a born instinct to hunt bargains. 3. The unemployed or the small wage earner who becomes a bargain hunter through circumstances. There are two more classes that space does not permit to mention or explain. From the above we deduct that every class must be approached in a different manner. Class No. 1 is rather easy to handle. Appealing to their sense of fairness as a rule works; for instance, telling the customer that when the merchant bought the shoes he did so specifically to accommodate those who are hard to ft and that it isn’t fair of the customer to expect the merchant to sell the shoes at a loss, etc. Class No. 2, sizing up the customer, reasoning and good judgment will make the sale. As a rule this class can afford to buy a good shoe, wants a good shoe, but likes to make their own prices on them. For instance, you show a customer a shoe. He likes it. You ask him $6 for it, but that’s too much, he thinks, and offers $5 The best thing for the salesman to do is to pretend he has not heard a word and keep on explaining the merits and special features of the shoe and im- mediately fetch a $5 pair, and tell him ‘f you wish a lower priced shoe here is a mighty good buy at $5, etc. Class No. 3 must be treated very courteously for eventually they turn out good customers and a progressive merchant will allot a few dozen shoes that he will sell at a small profit in order to give this class the very best quality for the lowest price. Summing up the whole thing, you must use much patience, plenty of energy and stick-to-itiveness. Julius L. Zychick. — +22 A Type Easy To Sell. No doubt every store has its bar- gain hunter. The writer has had con- siderable experience in dealing with them. I find that a bargain hunter can be sold the same as any other customer, and it doesn’t take very long to find out they are looking for bargains, Just as soon as | find out I give them my special attention and try and give them a bargain. I find that in selling this class of trade that if you give them a bargain, they do not forget it and have confidence in you. If the merchandise is right and proves right you have made a cus- tomer, but I always try to be honest with them in regard to the size and quality of the merchandise. ‘Most bargain hunters think they know more about the merchandise than the one who sells, and I let them believe that way. We have so many different types of bargain hunters that we must use a little different system in selling the different ones. For instance, the writer has a customer who lives in a small town, and she is always looking When she comes in she brings her husband with her. He is a bigger bargain hunter than she is and he must examine everything about the shoe before he buys. The writer has sold this customer about 10 years on the average of one or two pairs a season. But they always must be bargains. I must fit the woman with the shoes and then the husband will remark about the quality, and, if he says that is the best, I always agree with him. J have learned more from selling this particular customer than I have any other customers. for bargains. If they are sold right they make a customer for the store and a good booster, but you must give them at- tention the first or second time that you wait on them. I find it is a very easy matter to sell bargain hunters. A. A. Scard. ea Get the Shoes on the Feet. Due to the vast amount of advertis- ing in national magazines, the con- sumer’s desire to possess has increased greatly and the standard of living in America has risen as a consequence. The limited means of the average fam- ily has caused the American mother to do a little shopping before purchasing in an effort to make her purchasing tower go as far as possible toward naintaining that standard of living as established in the United States. The American mothe: tries to “stretch” her money. She is out to get the best she can for her money without fa‘l, and as a result the bargain-hunters have increased in number. Just how to sell this type is a problem. Every sale re- quires tact, of course, but in order to sell the bargain-hunter it requires just a little more tact, plus a little better scales talk. It requires a ‘‘magnified- sales-line” to make her feel that she is ,ctting the best. The shoes must not be only a “good shoe” but it must also be “the best shoe on the market and the newest thing out.” Do you get the idea? Now the price! Im- portant indeed, and the salesman who can size up people quickly and then produce goods of that price can usual- ly do business with the bargain-lunter. It is most important, however, that the salesman get the shoe on the pros- nects foot. If the salesman can per- suade the “shopper” to try the shoe on and then tactfully impress her as to how well it looks, it becomes difficult for that woman to resist buying the snoe. Make her take a pride in the shoe and by all means point out where she is ahead by buying that shoe— wear, satisfaction, etc. In short, once contact with the cus- tomer is established, it is essential that the bargain-hunter be made to feel that the salesman is in sympathy with her situation, impressing her with ap- propriate emphasis that she is getting her money’s worth. Harold Judge. —__~++2s—___ Must Be Assisted in Buying. We devote a space 40 feet long of a 20 by 120 foot store to selling better than $60,000 of women’s, children’s and men’s shoes, no bargain table, and we inventory never over $12,000. So you see our shoe department is a pay- ing department and the following is how we do sell the bargain hunter: All customers on entering the store are greeted with a cheerful “Good Morning,’ not by one but by every salesman they pass until they get to the shoe department. Here with a smile another salute is. given, she is asked to “sit here, please.” Always a special shoe is shown her, and her own shoes are removed to let her see the shoes as they appear on her ject. Then we talk confidence in buying shoes that fit, wear, look well and please to the very end. We al- wavs try on both shoes. Then the customer is asked to walk a few steps on the carpet, and by the time she is back in her seat the price is mentioned. Attention is called that with the shoes, go fit, wear, style and perfect satisfac- tion. We usually mention that we do make make a reasonable profit, but we also make a friend with every sale, and in her case, long after the price is for- gotten she will remember where these shoes were bought. We do trust in the meantime she will mention to her neighbors how well she is pleased with this particular pair of shoes. Bargain hunters can never be left to decide. They must be assisted and December 31, 1924 put into a good frame of mind. They do more to advertise your cheerfulness and willingness than you can do in your local newspaper. They are right- ly named “hunters” and all “hunters” must be shown. Show them the light of cheerfulness, frankness and honesty, plus leadership, and your bargain hunter is not only your customer, but your friend. Jennie Church. : —_++->——- How To Handle the Bargain Hunter. The bargain hunter type of customer in most cases can be recognized by a tendency to “look around.” She gen- erally wishes to see quite a few de- signs before being seated to try them on. All the cordiality at the salesman’s command should be used in the meet- ing and selling of this type of cus- tomef. She must never be allowed to think of herself as a “bargain hunter” while being taken care of by the sales- man. She is looking for cheap prices, not cheap merchandise. Show her the merchandise at hand, and, if a special sale on certain articles ‘s being held, never forget to have some reason for the low price. She does not care for left-overs or dam- aged goods, but neat appearing mer- chandise at a reasonable price. This type generally demands all the service that the man on the floor can give and must never be neglected for ~ any length of time. Make her feel as well pleased with your service as the woman buying expensive merchandise. Be as sociable as possible and talk appearance and quality and sometimes quantity as well as price. Handle her with precision and tact. Keep the idea that she is a bargair hunter from her mind, so that she will feel as important as any other cus- tomer. In the end she will ultimately pur- chase a quantity that will make your sales slip as large as that of the man who sold the customer who demanded not so much quantity, but neatness and appearance, without much thought to price. Claude Fountain. > ____ Are you doing your share in train- ing up young men in your field of activity, so there may be no shortage of experienced men in your line? ———. 2. If you expect to be crowded to the front, you will have to do your own crowding. Other people will be more likely to try to crowd in ahead of you. Coming — “January Thaw” Be prepared with a full run of sizes in light rubbers and rubber boots. Sell your customers Wales Goodyear “BEAR BRAND” the rubbers that give perfect satisfaction. HEROLD-BERTSCH SHOE CO. Grand Rapids, Michigan | aA Aa. December 31, 1924 Welcoming the New Year Sixty-One Years Ago. Grandville, Dec. 30—With a white Christmas and near zero weather, we are having symptoms of a hard winter such as used to tingle the cheeks of boyhood in lang syne. Sixty-one years ago to-day we were in the midst of the great Civil War with which the destinies of the Great Republic were seriously concerned. And that was a long to be remember- ed New Year. It went down im his- tory as “the cold New Years.” Some of us old timers remember that New Year well, especially those who were enlisted under the banner of the stripes and stars, doing battle for the salva- tion of the American Union. New Year’s morning, 1864, was one of the coldest ever known. The mer- cury went far below the zero mark, the wind blowing a hurricane, and many of the soldier boys away from camp on furlough. With two feet of snow drifting everywhere it was cer- tainly a day to be reckoned with. The brother of the writer, whose furlough was out that day, showed no hesitancy in setting out across forty miles of country to join his regiment at the Valley City. Seven miles by private conveyance to the State road, where he connected with the stage from Newaygo to Grand Rapids. He suffered no ill ef- fects from that New Year ride. That same night the Eagle office burned to the ground. The 10th Cavalry had gone South and the Newaygo county soldier boy, just past 18, took the next morning train for the Sunny South and the seat of war. Melancholy days, the saddest of the year, were those to the mothers who had sons down in Dixie exposed to the ills of pneumonia and rebel bullets. That was a New Year long remem- bered. It was cold even in the South and the soldiers suffered much, yet there was little complaint. It was war any- how and that was what the boys en- listed for. New Year’s is a day for the forming of new resolutions, most of them com- ing to naught before the year is half out. I remember well when three young fellows sat together in the rear of a backwoods store on New Year’s eve and drew up an agreement to quit smoking forever. Everybody smoked in those days and those boys had been reminded of the folly of it by indulgent parents, all to no purpose until the night in question. The agreement was duly signed and lived up to for a week and a day. Since the story has been told before I will not afflict the reader with a repetition. These New Year resolutions are sel- dom worth the paper on which they are written. We mortals are an “or- nery set,” as the old hunter’s wife put it, and I reckon she was more than half right. : We had much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving day, and we have even more to satisfy us as a Nation on New Year’s day than ever before. We have passed safely through a political cam- paign and come out without blood- shed such as usually stains the politi- cal campaigns of Mexico. , Another twelvemonth has passed in- to the realm of forgotten things and we face the perils and pitfalls of a new year with happy hearts and a determination to make our lives better than last year. At least such has been the case at the opening of other years. Simply being better does not count for much unless we cap the resolution by being friendly to those whom we have passed by on the other side dur- ing the year just past. Another milestone 1n life has gone by. We are a year older, a year near- er to the jumping off place, when we pass off the stage of action and begin our explorations in that land beyond this old world, a land that fhas its at- tractions if we are to accept the MICHIGAN TRADESMAN preached word—that is, if we have lived a good life according to the tenets of the Christian faith. Solemn thoughts should find place when we contemplate the future. How seeming short the old year has been. As age advances the years of life seem shorter and shorter. On fleet wings to the days, weeks and months flat away into eternity, leaving us stranded at last on the shore of Time, gazing mayhap with longing eyes into that future whose conditions and surroundings no man knoweth. Being born is as unaccountable as is death at the end of life’s short journey. New Year days come and go, barely seconds of time in comparison with the ages, and it behooves us to be ready for the change which comes to every being as assuredly as the sun shines throughout infinite space. There are more worlds than ours. If this was the only handiwork of the Almighty we might easier understand how things came about. When we take into consideration the illimitable space which the creation occupies we feel as humble as the insect that stings the body of a flea, and has himself other fleas to bite him. What is a year? The diurnal trip of the earth around the sun. Three hundred and sixty-five fleeting days, so soon passed they seem hardly worth recording. We shake hands across the distance with inhabitants of other worlds than this. Out in the woods with God, we begin to realize the omnipotence of it all, and sometimes wonder why the spirit of mortal should be proud as he realizes his own littleness. As the years count upward this mortal body begins to decline, to rust out under pressure, and yet with the counting up of the years which so wreck the physical, the mind of man does not decay, but retains its powers until the whole skein of life is wound and the boatman from across. the Styx calls for his waiting passenger. Good bye, old year, welcome the new. Old Timer. —_—_2>2+—__—_ Items From the Cloverland of Michi- gan. Sault Ste. Marie, Dec. 30—Charles Shilling, the well-known grocer on Spruce street, is selling out his busi- ness to R. Masters and will start the New Year free from business cares. The Gowan Hardware Co. tin shop is now doing business in its new loca- tion from Arlington street to one door West of the News building, opposite the city hall. The Du Roy Brothers, the well- known garage and repair men, have sold out to Jay R. Warren and Erwin G. McCartney. They will continue auto electrical repairing, cast iron and aluminum soldering in connection with the winter car storage. Some travelers think that a dining room is a filling station. Adolf Wandler, chief meat cutter for the Pittsburg Supply Co., finished the season and is opening the Superior meat market again, which he will con- duct during the winter. Adolf is well known as a sausage maker, having learned the trade in Germany. He en- joys a good trade during the winter, having a large acquaintance and being an expert meat cutter. The Riverside Tire & Battery Ser- vice have moved from 520 East Port- age to its new location, 512 East Portage. D. H. Maloney, the popular clothier, leaves after the first of the year for Dade, Florida, where the family will spend the winter. Looks now as if Harry Snodgrass, king of the ivories at W. O. S., will be on Easy street when he gains his freedom in January, which only goes to show that it pays to advertise, in- stead of spending time to, work the cross puzzles. i. R. V. Purvis, Superintendent of the Northern Terminal Railway, is spend- ing the holidays with relatives in De- troit. He is accompanied by his wife. They expect to return in about three weeks. The second wolf hunt pulled off by our Canadian wolf hunters last week resulted in the slaughter of another wolf. It seems the wolves are not so numerous as had at first been reported and what few there are give the hunt- ers a merry chase. S. D. Newton, the Soo’s well-known writer and merchant prince, gave a very creditable book review on Mada- gascar and the man eating tree, pub- lished by our famous townsman, Ex- Gov. Chase S. Osborn. The item was published in the Soo Times of Dec. 11. Roy Bowman, of Manistique, has accepted a position as manager of the Greenwood Chevrolet Co., at Iron- wood, and left for that place last Monday. He will also continue to have charge of the Bowman Chevrolet Co... at) Manistique. The last whistle of the boats for this season was heard last Saturday when the steamer F. B. Squire passed through the locks, thus closing the 11 navigation season for 1924, which from all accounts was a successful season, with but few accidents and not much loss of life. William G. Tapert. —_—__~+->—__—_ The earnings of authorship are bet- ter than in the old days of Grub street, but they are still on most modest pro- portions. Mrs. Frances Hodgson Bur- nett, who died last month, was for many years one of the most popular writers, with a market for her wares in every land. Her will, which has just been probated at Mineola, L. L., disposes of an estate of something over $150,000. It is a sizable estate for authorship, but it represents more than forty years of toil with the pen, showing that the writing art at its best still belongs very largely in the realm of manual labor. On the other hand, like other great arts, its value to society and civilization is above that of rubies. Continental Gas & Electric Corporation (Subsidiary of the United Light & Power Co.) 7% Prior Preference Stock Continental Gas & Electric Corporation is one of the large and successful public utility holding companies. Organized in 1912, the Corporation controls a group of electric power and light com- panies operating in four States and in Canada and serving 192 communities. The total output of electric energy by subsidiaries in 1923 showed an increase of more than 23% over 1922, and an increase of more than 140% over that of 1918. Net earnings, after making deductions for maintenance, depre- ciation and sinking fund charges at the rate provided in the Inden- ture securing the recently issued Secured 614% Bonds of the Corporation, for year-ended June 30, 1924, were in excess of 334 times the dividend requirements on Prior Preference Stock out- standing. The Prior Preference Stock is followed by $1,920,600 of 6%- % Participating Preferred Stock and 151,078 shares of Common Stock, which on the basis of present quotations represent a market equity junior to the Prior Preference Stock of over $14,000,000. We recommend this stock as one of the most attractive Public Utility Preferred Stock investments on the market. Price to yield over 73% HOWE, SNOW & BERTLES C(ANCORPORATED) INVESTMENT SECURITIES NEW YORK GRAND RAPIDS DETROIT CHICAGO AUTOMATIC 4267 GOVERNMENT RAILROAD 205-217 Michigan Trust Building A.E.KUSTERER &CO. INVESTMENT BANKERS & BROKERS MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BONDS BELL, MAIN 243 5 PUBLIC UTILITY s & GRAND RAPIDS VighgeaeRa DRAM rare eens 12 GOA uw CLEC CECUUE — —_— = agqeete ‘ Sy Zz. > Z e > MICHIGAN TRADESMAN in the way of innocent writing of let- ters. A suggestion that our Consular agents get the real facts and keep American importers advised is equally futile. How long would Brazil, with her control of wires and cables, per- mit outsiders to send out advices detri- mental to those who already have the Brazilian authorities by the throat? Another suggested recourse is more promising. Since the present financial resource to hold back coffee “valor- yy “a C€Ce pee toyed Fighting the Coffee Trust With Amer- ican Money. At last the coffee trade of the world is waking up to the evils of monopo- listic control of the great staple by the governments of Brazil and especially of the State of San Paulo. Coffee traders are showing signs of a desire to hit back, but, unhappily, find them- selves pretty well handicapped in any effective weapons with which to fight. Many years ago the coffee trade foresaw the danger which lay in the periodical schemes of Brazilian “valor- ization” and has for years past con- sistently condemned the economic pru- dence of such artificial interference with the natural law of supply and de- mand: sometimes without the full sup- port of the coffee trade, who failed to realize where such practices would lead. But now it has come home to them with all the force anticipated and more. Brazil has been so persistently ex- panding her coffee production that she now occupies a dominating position in the world’s markets for basic coffee. Production from any other given coun- try is so small as to have become secondary and most of such grades are used for blending rather than as a staple supply. Brazil has meanwhile, so manipulated exports and has been able repeatedly to lock up uncomfort- ably large crop surpluses in bonded warehouses—often secret warehouses —that the world at large has no real and dependable knowledge of how much actual coffee is available. Buyers are constantly at the mercy of Gov- ernmental manipulation and prices are at all times nervous and uncertain. Nor are importers able to discover the truth: for Governmental control covers cable information as well as physical stocks. The result of this has been 10 create a high ruling quotation for coffee which the trade frankly asserts to be 15c or 20c above a normally economic fair price: so high as to restrict popular consumption at the very time when the trade is beginning to feel the results of its campaigns to popularize coffee. Naturally there is a how! of protest and the New York Coffee Exchange and the Coffee Roasters’ Association are studying plans for creating com- petition for Brazil from other coun- tries and through encouraging other grades which are not so manipulated. One plan is to open the doors of the exchange for trading in ‘“Robusta” coffee, but the aggregate supply of this is only about 750,000 bags, as against the gigantic total of about 16,000,000 bags of the standard Brazilian grades. The fear is that any competitive bal- ance available would be but a sorry ness man should indicate the futility ized” surpluses comes from British One of the recourses of some of the and American investors—who have trade has been to ask our own Gov- bought the bonds with which valoriza- ernment to interfere, but of course, tion schemes have been made possible second thought of any intelligent busi- —it is suggested that American in- of any such interference. It is strictly vestors be persuaded to lend a hand in none of our diplomatic business, save financing the cultivation of other coffee “drop-in-the-bucket”and of small effect. lands. In our own possessions, grades December 31, 1924 of coffee have been produced which are said to be promising competitors of Brazilian types—such countries as Porto Rico, Hawaii and particularly the Virgin Islands. There is a growing feeling that if capital could be made up until planta- tions become productive—a matter of five or six years—Brazil might find that her grasping tax exactions had only begotten their natural conse- quences through the restoration of the law of supply and demand, and that her monopoly is ended. In any event, it looks as though a firm and determined action by the coffee trade, along true economic and competitive lines, may result from the present unrest. Any artificial palliative will only result in petty results and continuance of the old-line monopoly. per year. provided for? and without additional resources? of a “Funded Life Insurance Trust.” guard properly the welfare of those under his care. Insurance. ADDITIONAL in family protection. It is well worth your consideration. you in detail. THE COMPANY Organized in 1889 Corner Pearl and Ottawa Grand Rapids, Mich. Life Insurance Safeguarded By a Trust Suppose you had $30,000 invested in Bonds or were in a position to buy that amount, returning you an income of approximately $1,800 Suppose these bonds and your home constituted your entire estate. In the event of your death would your loved ones be adequately Suppose that during the active years of your life you leave this income untouched and invest it in such a way that your provision for the family support would be substantially increased, USUALLY DOUBLED, sometimes more than doubled, without much delay The Michigan Trust Company offers opportunity for this by means Every family man should be interested in this opportunity to safe- The income from $30,000 of 6% bonds (not spent but irrevocably set aside for use by the Trustee in purchasing life insurance) in the case of a man of 35 would buy, on present insurance rates, from $61,000 to $84,000 of Life Insurance, (depending on the kind taken, whether 20-year paid life or ordinary life) ; in the case of a man of 40 it would buy from $54,000 to $70,000 of Life Insurance; in the case of a man of 45 it would buy from $46,000 to $58,000 of Life Insurance; in the case of a man of 50 it would buy from $39,000 to $46,000 of Life By this plan, $30,000 is made to produce from’ $39,000 to $84,000 Let us explain the plan to ICHIGAN [RUST ! ¢ a, . » , < -~% > a ® 7 ‘ Ps « > . " Pd » December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 Wheat Trade Expecting Empty Bins y Harvest. Chicago, Dec. 30—The wheat market this year has been the most peculiar in the history of the trade. Prices ad- vanced more than 60 cents from the low point early in the year and wheat is now selling in many markets close to $2, depending on the different grades. Dark Northern spring com- mands more than $2. Some of the best informed men in the wheat trade are confident that wheat will sell at $2 and over in the next six months, and they are basing their operations in cash wheat on a higher level of prices. Chicago handlers of cash wheat have not been inclined to sell freely for some time past, and it would take a good stiff bid to induce them to sell, as they are too well satisfied with the carrying charges from December to May. velopments from week to week are more bullish, and it makes those who have been successful in their forecast feel as though the advanced price has net fully discounted all the bullish conditions. The latest estimates on the world’s crop indicate a shortage of 440,000,000 bushels from last year, with an estimated yield of 3,330,000,000 bushels. The rye crop is short 320,000,- 000 bushels, making a combined short- age of 760,000,000 bushels. What this means in the way of prices will take time to develop. All indications are that reserves of wheat and rye will be exhausted by the end of this season, and that the new crop of 1925 will start with empty bins and _ should command good prices. There are 96,000,000 bushels of wheat in the visible supply, or 23,000,- 000 bushels more than last year. There are 20,000,000 afloat and in store at Buffalo, nearly 11,000,000 bushels at Chicago, almost 16,000,000 bushels at Kansas City, 12,000,000 bushels at Minneapolis and 8,000,000 bushels at Duluth. Stocks at Atlantic and Gulf ports are small. Despite the heavy shipments to Buffalo and other lake ports they are regarded as lighter than last year, both of American and Can- adian grades. Reserves in Canada and in the American Northwest are said to be smaller than usual and the movement from those sections has fallen off ma- terially. Farmers in the three North- western Canadian Provinces are said to have only 37,000,000 bushels of wheat to be marketed and there are 23,000,000 bushels at country elevators, suggesting 60,000,000 bushels in all to come forward, as estimated by the Northwestern Grain Dealers’ Associa- tion. Their estimates of the crop are 247,000,000 bushels, or 2,000,000 bush- els more than the Government esti- mate. The wheat market has taken an im- mense load in the last ten days and prices declined only about 6 cents from the top of the season. Where all this wheat has gone to is one of the largest puzzles that the trade has ever tried to solve. The week is closing, how- ever, with prices touching fresh high levels. Flour stocks are not regarded as heavy, as millers in some sections have fair stocks of wheat and all their sales of flour are practically at lower prices than the prevailing market at present, yet flour consumers are relatively slow in furnishing shipping orders to mills, and some of the latter are disposed to cancel low price sales of flour unless the shipping directions are given. The Government report on winter wheat acreage and conditions for the harvest of 1925, as given to the trade late last week, was about as expected. The acreage increased 6.5 per cent. with a condition of 81 and an acreage of 42,317,000 acres. It suggests a crop of 545,000,000 bushels, compared with 590,000,000 bushels harvested this year. Corn prices are regarded as in de- batable ground. The usual December In the world’s wheat situation de- movement is underway, but may be curtailed owing to the killing dis- counts prevailing on the No. 4 and No. 6 grades, the latter being around 13 cents or more under the December. On this basis country buyers should not pay over $1 per bushel for corn at most loading stations in the West, which is considered too low as com- pared with the futures. While increasing the acreage of wheat and oats and decreasing the area planted to corn this year, the Depart- ment of Agriculture raised the yield of wheat and oats and reduced that of corn to a greater extent than the trade expected. There is one of the shortest corn crops raised in recent years, there being 617,000,000 bushels less than last year and 469,000,000 bushels below the average. 232 Plan Farm Associations Chicago Center. Chicago, Dec. 30—A movement is under way to establish an agricultural temple to cost more than $31,900,000. One of the most active workers in the movement is former Governor of Illinois, Frank O. Lowden, who is also active in the co-operative marketing movement. It is proposed to construct the mammoth hall with storerooms, offices, hotels, railroad and steamboat docks on Michigan avenue, adjacent to the South end of the bridge, covering a tract of five acres. This Temple of Agriculture has been the dream of a lot of agricultural lead- ers for several years, but it has not reached a concrete state until recently, as the agricultural people were without the money or the disposition to raise it in sufficient volume to make it a “go.” It now seems nearer a reality, al- though it is far from completion. The building is to be alongside of or covering the tracks of the Illinois Central Terminal on the other side of the Michigan avenue bridge and the tower covered office buildings of the Chicago Tribune and the Wrigley structures, a most imposing location. The American Agricultural Society, which favors the movement to estab- lish the Agricultural Temple where national dairy, live stock and other shows can be housed, is composed of ninety-two district divisions, represent- ing more than 30,000,000 people, direct- ly or indirectly in agriculture, who would lend support to the new project. The auditorium contemplated would have a seating capacity of 21,000 peo- ple. The exposition and show rooms would be on the main floor above the Illinois Central tracks. It is under- stood that the Illinois Central Rail- road Company, through its contract with the city is to have foundations of the building completed by January 1, 1927, at which time the electrification of its lines and those of other railroads using its terminal would be completed. Cotton enthusiasts assert that mills might be established in Chicago and that investigations of Eastern manu- facturers have been along these lines. The location, however, is in a congest- ed district where transportation is poor and would be most difficult to remedy. Board of Trade people have considered the idea of becoming identified with this agricultural temple movement, but nothing has been done in regard to forming concrete plans. An official of the Board of Trade says that while grain exchange is in yympathy with the movement, it would hot be wise for it to give up its pres- ent location, which is worth more than $5,000,000, and it would result in the loss of its individuality. —_2->—_____ If lack of nerve is the only thing that prevents you from telling the “boss” where he gets off, lack of nerve is probably the only thing that stands between you and loss of your job. -—___>-2- 2 It isn’t what you say but what the buyer understands. Your Resolution N° matter what your New Year’s resolutions, let this one be included in the list: I will plan my will without delay, have my attorney draw it and name as executor the Grand Rapids Trust Company. Failure on the part of many to carry out this resolution has resulted in dissi- pated estates and unhappiness for the heirs. Make this resolution today! FFRAND Rlapios [RUST [‘OMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN OFFICERS WILLIAM ALDEN SMITH, CHARLES W. GARFIELD Chairman of the Board Chairman of Ex. Com. GILBERT L. DAANE, President ARTHUR M. GODWIN, ORRIN B. DAVENPORT Vice President Assistant Cashier EARLE D. ALBERTSON, HARRY J. PROCTOR Vice President and Cashler Assistant Cashier EARL C. JOHNSON H. FRED OLTMAN Vice President Assistant Cashier BRANCH OFFICERS Grandville Avenue and B Street East Fulton St. and Diamond Ave. R. A. Westrate, Manager Willls Vandenberg, Manager West Leonard and Alpine Avenue Wealthy Street and Lake Drive H. Fred Oltman, District Manager John W. Smits, Manager Leonard and Turner Bridge, Lexington and Stocking Chris Ricker, Manager Bert Q. Hazlewood, Manager Grandville Ave. and Cordelia St. Bridge and Mt. Vernon Peter Leestma, Manager Frank C. Wegenka, Manager Monroe Avenue, Near Michigan Division and Franklin Jacob Heeringa, Manager C. Fred Schneider, Manager Madison Square and Hall Street Eastern and Franklin Edward L. Sikkema, Manager Tony Noordewier, Manager The Grand Rapids Savings Bank 60,000 Satisfied Customers Resources Over $19,000,000 — — The Devil’s Conference. L ‘Twas Christmas, nineteen twenty-three, When gladness reigned o’er land and sea. The Devil called his Faithful Few— it was a heartless, motley crew— And said: ‘“Now, men you may commence Your diabolic conference.” II The Match was there, a treacherous fag, And so were Oily Mop and Rag. Bad Wiring entered on the scene, Puffed with power, but all serene; Our Red Brick Chinney towered aloft And at the others snarled and scoffed, While Open Fires and Open Lights Recalled a thousand ghastly sights. Explosion showed his sin’ster flashes And looked askant at Old Hot Ashes, While Sparks On Roof and Kerosene Defied their rival, Gasoline. Then Gas and Innocent Rubbish met, ‘As Fireworks ‘“‘shook’’ with Cigarette, While less obstrusive, Trash Pile sat As he appears, serene and flat. lil The Devil ruled that wicked band With gavel poised in steel-mailed hand; And speaking loud, he said that day: “My Faithful Few, what do you say?” IV As Flesh and Blood is wont to do, The speakers numbered very few; But just the same, enough there was To make the annual conference buzz. Vv The Match arose. ‘I'm first,’’ quoth he, “Because most fires begin with me. I am the playmate of the child Who starts the conflagration wild; When mother drops me, unaware, 1 go with baby, ‘neath the stair; And to a trash pile lead the tots To shroud them for the graveyard lots. Each year I take more human lives Than in this cursed city thrive.” VI Now Mop and Rag, in dual voice, Declared it was their mutual choice To listen while the others spoke Of mankind’s lurid, flaming yoke. Defective Wiring, though, was heard, While Lesesr Lights drank in his word. “It's I who starts the ‘unknown’ blaze” He said, ‘in lofts and garrets’ haze. I creep between the studded walls And on the ceilings of the halls; Where-e’re I breathe my poison breath, There's danger, desolation—death.” Vil “Wiring holds no edge on me,” Declared our Red Brick Chimney. “J send hot ashes through my cracks And in the embers leave my tracks; On shingle roof, maticious, mute, I shower my blazing sputum—soot. My creed is, ply destruction’s brand While all the world’s in Slumberland.” Vill Hot Ashes spoke for Fire and Light. “TI do not claim such deadly blight,” He said in meek apology, “As these, my brothers, I'll agree; They slant their curse athwart the home And revel whie their victims moan; The lick a swishing garment free, And laugh at writhing agony.” Trash Pile winked as Ashes spoke: “I scorn this boast as but a joke. I've singed full many a lassie’s tresses And burned away their flowing dresses; I've watched them, playful—never fear- ing— Scorned their blackened bodies searing; And then rejoiced at mothers weeping Where their little forms are sleeping.” Old Satan's eyes now gleamed with hate, That none but Gasoline could sate. *“There’s one among you, wise, sedate, Whose hideous’ tales he'll now relate.” And then with most respectful mien, All bowed before King Gasoline. XI “Sitting here,” he said, ‘I’ve gleaned The thought that I must be archfiend. When I go forth, in car or tank, ° Through crowded street, or valley dank, 1 blow my vapor-laden breath That carries . fire—torture—death. ‘Tis sweet to me to hear -the scream That echoés: from: Inferno’s gleam, And watch,-Old.Death with sharpened scythe Draw néar as suf‘ring children writhe; And then to view, the mourners’ plod Amidst those somber. mounds of sod, That in the village-churchyard shed, Their ghoulish. gloom about ‘the, dead.” — oo . The. Wooden Lath. J am the lath that’s made of wood; } am not strong, nor sound, nor good; Sawed from ends and scraps and waste, Nailed to the. studs jn, reckless haste ‘And covered With plasier,sthiek or thin, Just any old way to hoid me in. I am the lath ‘that the Jerrys use In building the house on which you lose sons 4 r The time you spend, or the money you pay; I seal the house that’s built for a day. But Jerry loves me; I’m cheap and light, And quickly placed. Of course I’m right. I am the lath that forms a flue. Between the studs; the draft creeps through Where the mice have gnawed and built their nests, And | have made them welcome guests; And the hungry, licking tongues of fire Greedily wrap the waiting pyre. Four minutes, only, do I resist, I quickly yield as soon as kisse By loving flames, whose warm embrace Knfolds me in the secret place. But ere I go—as I was planned— Some human life, I wil: demand. I am the lath. that’s made of wood, l am backing that don’t make good. My only claim, or good excuse Is, that I am in common use; But you! Oh builder, owner, man, Know you no wiser way to plan? sa Corporations Wound. Up. The following Michigan corpora- tions have recently filed notices of dis- solution with the Secretary of State: Andrews & Petrie, Inc., Muskegon. South G. R. State Bank, Grand Rapids. Great Central Forwarding Co., Detroit and IJinois. Phoenix Cheese Co., New York and Zee- land. National Manufacturing Co., Detroit. Eaton-Smith Co., Kalamazoo. Woodward-Larned Realyt Co., Detroit. Jacobson & Capehart, Inc., Jackson. Wolverine Grinding Wheel Co., Jackson. 2ound the World with Roy, Inc., Detroit. Frazier Printing Co., Detroit. Jeffres-Willebrands, Inc., Detroit. Muzzy-Lyon Co., Detroit. Bond Investment Co., Inc., Wilmington, Del., and Detroit. Westmore Realty Co., Detroit. Hager Brothers Co., Ltd., Marquette. Great Central Forwarding Co., of New York, Wilmington and Detroit. ——_~—>—a———_ “Fully covered by insurance” is a false or misleading newspaper report. No honest person who suffers a fire loss ever receives enough insurance money to “fully cover” value of prop- erty destroyed. The above trade mark on your fire extinguisher, is a guarantee of an especially effective prepared chemical which forms a heavy blanket of gas when it strikes the fire. This gas excludes the air and smothers the fire. Simple to operate. A fire protection appliance of ab- solute dependability. Write for our booklet “Fire Demon” PIONEER CHEMICAL CO. of Ithaca Irwaca, MiIcu. WESTERN DIVISION 212 West 11th Ave. Mitchell, So. Dak. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 31, 1924 Michigan Shoe Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company LANSING, MICHIGAN PROMPT ADJUSTMENTS Write L. H. BAKER, Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 549 LANSING, MICH. Grand Rapids National Bank The convenient bank for out of town people. Located at the very center of the city. Handy to the street cars—the interurbans—the hotels—the shopping district. On account of our location—our large transit facilities—our safe deposit vaults and our complete service covering the entire field of bank- ing, our institution must be the ultimate choice of out of town bankers and individuals. Combined Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits over $1,450,000 GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL BANK GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. THE CITY NATIONAL BANK of Lansing, Mich. Our Collection and Bill of Lading Service is satisfactory Cupital, Surplus and Undivided Profits over $750,000 “OLDEST BANK IN LANSING” Fenton Davis & Boyle BONDS EXCLUSIVELY Grand Rapids National Bank Building Chicago GRAND RAPIDS First National Bank Bldg. Telephones | Citizens, 4212 Detroit Congress Building SAFETY SAVING SERVICE CLASS MUTUAL INSURANCE AGENCY “The Agency of Personal Service” Cc. N. BRISTOL, 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. December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Happiness and Progress. Gradually we begin to appreciate and enjoy the teachings of successful leaders, even though the process is slow. These leaders became worthy because they took advantage of the possibilities before them that con- trolled their existence, acts and habits for their own benefit and the benefit of others. For your own sake, remember that whatever you do in the way of honest work you do first of all for yourself. There is no kind of work that can fail to make you a better man and more successful if you work at it hon- estly and loyally. The man content is an enthusiast and optimist, an admir- able combination; does his best work and devotes his energies to that which is worth while. To study hard, think quietly, act frankly and talk gently, always sin- cerely, is to lead a life of self control, a life that is worth while, a life that leads to something and helps forward the improvement of the human race. To live in contentment means to re- alize the fullest possibilities of life. Train your mind through your work. Study the lives of those who have suc- ceeded. Then you will more clearly understand that they did whatever they did as well as they could. The way of a human being in the midst of life is that of a ship on the ocean. Make up your mind that, in your own way at least, you shall be controlled by the rudder of conscience and learn from passing ships a lesson of use in your own life. It is harder to beat against the wind and many men have had hard struggles to steer themselves to a good port in the face of an adverse start, a hard beginning or inclinations difficult to overcome. Think of the things that are wrong and of the possibilities of righting them. Take inventory of your own weaknesses and imperfections; as a man thinks he grows. The brain, like muscles, needs well planned exercise. There is no limit to its possible ac- complishments. There is power in the brain of every man to do greater good if he will only develop that power. : The world needs honest, conscien- tious men and women, able to do good work themselves. In order to im- prove things, to do the good that you can, begin by improving yourself. Your hardest effort may fail to reach a definite goal but honest work will, however, make it impossible for you to become a failure. You can and will achieve self re- spect and success as you are endowed and at least become a more able man or woman bringing the desired meas- ure of happiness and lighting the way to further progress. C. J. Williams, Jr. —_— > oe The British are grumbling at Amer- ica again. They have heard that France is asking for easier terms than they obtained in the settlement of their war debt to the United States. The average Englishman was rather proud that his country was able to shoulder its debt payment so soon after the end of the war; he grumbled when it came to paying the necessary taxes, but that was only human. Now he hears rumors that the French may get off more easily. Perhaps France de- serves more lenient treatment, if for no other reason than that the war was actually fought on French soil. Americans are not apt to concede that any of the war debtors have grounds for complaint. They are expected to pay, but the United States has not been pressing them to do anything be- yond their ability. The United States has been just a little more than fair, and is not likely to change its ways. If the British will realize this fact they will find that the future will take care of itself. They will only injure their own cause by putting any obstacles in the way of our settlement with France. ~~. When the country is more or less congratulating itself upon the regula- tion and drastic reduction of immigra- tion it is something of a shock to learn from Secretary of Labor Davis that 850,000 unwanted foreigners smuggled themselves over the Mexican and Canadian borders last year. If the Secretary’s estimate is warranted by the facts, the official and permitted immigration is no more than a fraction of the total; and if it is so easy to get into the country 850,000 can come be- fore they are noticed, it raises the question whether it is worth while to have any immigration laws at all. The Merchants’ Creditors Asso- ciation, 208-210 McCamly Bldg., Battle Creek, Mich., have a Col- lection Service that Collects at a small cost and the subscribers get every Dollar collected. Try it and be convinced! References: Chamber of Commerce and Old National Bank, Battle Creek, Mich. OUR FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT with any standard stock policies that you are buying the Net Costs 2 O%O Less Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Fremont, Michigan WILLIAM N. SENF, SECRETARY-TREASURER PROTECTION OF THE MERCHANT By the Merchant For the Merchant PROVIDED BY THE Grand Rapids Merchant Mutual Fire Insurance Company Affiliated with the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association 320 Houseman Bldg.. Grand Rapids, Michigan "4 Cease ESTABLISHED 1853 Through our Bond De- partment we offer only such bonds as are suitable for the funds of this bank. Buy Safe Bonds from The Old National FINNISH MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO. CALUMET, MICHIGAN ORGANIZED IN 1889. This Company has returned A DIVIDEND OF 507% For 29 consecutive years. HOW? By careful selection of risks. By extremely low Expense Ratio. Assets 44.11 per 1000 of risk. Surplus 30.89 per 1000 of risk. Agents wanted in the Larger Cities. FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS WRITE F. M. Romberg, Manager, Class Mutual Insurance Agency Finnish Mutual Fire Insurance Co. General Agents Calumet, Michigan. Fremont, Michigan. Merchants Life Insurance Company RANSOM E. OLDS WILLIAM A. WATTS © Chairman of Board President Offices: 3rd floor Michigan Trust Bldg.—Grand Rapids, Mich. GREEN & MORRISON—Michigan State Agents 16 MICHIGAN RANKS FIRST Acreage of Fruits. In the Total Small Michigan, because of its nearness to the geographical center of the coun- try’s population, its proximity to many large cities, its rapidly increasing in- dustrial population and wealth, and its peculiarly favorable climate for fruit- growing, should naturally hold a high place among horiicultural states. It has attained a high rank in that re- spect, a place that would have been capitalized to a far greater extent by some other states if they had reached a like position. It would seem that only a relatively small percentage of our people realize the importance of their State, not only with respect to fruit-growing possibilities but in many other ways. It is also evident that Michigan people are gifted with an un- usual amount of modesty when it comes to advertising their common- Not long ago I was talking Federal statistician in In- wealth. with our diana. He was learn that Michigan among the states in the bearing apple trees, that it was con- sidered particularly important in apple production, or that it even exceeded Indiana in that respect. I contend that this lack of information on his part was not as much his fault as it was quite surprised to ranked = sixth number of ours. I doubt if there are 100 people out- side of Michigan, other than statisti- cians and_ research that know Michigan ranks first in the total acreage of small fruits. I doubt if one- tenth of one per cent. of Michigan's specialtists people even recognize that fact. Yet, many people realize that Washington and New York are lead- ers in apple production and that California is highly important in many of the other fruits. seem to It would seem that either we are not advertising our fruit-growing sufficiently or in the A merchant does not satisfactory achievements proper manner. consider his business as unless it makes a substantial growth from year to year. He has to meet the higher costs of doing business . to- day with a larger volume sales. . Fruit growers are facing greatly increased costs in raising and marketing their crops as compared with fifteen or twenty years ago, but Michigan's fruit industry has not increased in propor- tion. In fact, it has not held its own in potential producing power. In 1910, we had 7,534,000 bearing apple trees in the State; in 1920, 5,- 616.000, a decrease of a little over 25 per cent. This change may largely be attributed to the passing throughout Southern Michigan of the so-called farm orchard, which has affected. the commercial production much less than the above percentage of loss would in- fer. Also, in 1910 there were 2,253,000 apple trees below the bearing age as compared with 2,050,000 in 1920. The fact that these young trees were re- ported from 42 per cent. of the farms in 1910 and from less than 20 per cent. in 1920, indicates that the more recent plantings have been more concentrated on farms in the commercial districts and that only a limited effort has been - an increase of nearly 42 per cent. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN made to replace the farm orchards that have gone as the result of old age, neglect and disease. The number of bearing peach trees decreased during the same ten-year period from 2,907,000 to 2,010,000, or nearly 31 per cent. This loss was largely due to severe winter killing, and but little replanting has since been done because of the greater haz- ard in retaining the trees and securing regular crops in comparison with other fruits. The State ranked twelfth in number of bearing trees in 1920. Contrary to the general impression, the loss in pear acreage is relatively small compared with that of peaches and apples, being approximately 9 per cent, during the same period. In 1910, 1,136,000 bearing trees were reported; anad in 1920, the number was 1,030,000, the State ranking third in this fruit. Plums and prunes, in which we held tenth place in 1920, have decreased from 465,000 to 377,000 bearing trees during the same ten-year period, or a decline of about 19 per cent. This par- ticular piece of news is not expected to dishearten those of you who are en- gaged in the canning business, how- ever. These fruits seem to be losing favor with the consumer, the buyer, the grower and the canner. The only fruit that made an import- ant gain during the decade was the cherry, there having been 760,000 bear- ing trees in 1910, and 1,077,000 in 1920, It is probable, also that the number has continued to increase at nearly the same rate since 1920, and that the State now has at least 1,200,000 trees. If this assumption is true; it undoubt- edly places Michigan in first place; as New York had only a few thousands more in 1920 than Michigan, and its increase since that time is said to have been only a nominal one. With reference to the small fruits, the State ranks second in raspberries and currants, third in gooseberries, fourth in strawberries, and fifth in blackberries. The last census showed an increase over 1910 of about 11 per cent. in the acreage of raspberries and 3 per cent. in currants. The 8,048 acres of strawberries reported in 1920 was almost the same area as reported in 1910. In the case of blackberries and dewberries, there was a decline of 27 per cent. Thus, during a ten-year period when we had a gain of 30.5 per cent. in the State’s population, and a gain of 41 per cent. in the population of our cities, we had a loss of approximately 2 per cent. in the area producing small fruits and a loss of 21 per cent. in the number of bearing orchard trees. In other words, if we consider the ratio of supply to consumption in 1910 as 100 per cent. that ratio is now only 60 per cent. This great loss has been partially overcome by the improved quality of fruits that are now reaching our markets but, on the other hand, as the quality improves the demand usu- ally increases. First quality fruits nearly always bring good prices while those of poor quality are generally a drug on the market and tend to weaken and destroy demand. We are still over-producing the latter . kind and under-producing the former. There- fore, it is evident that the evolution now in progress in the fruit industry must continue until we are selling nothing but good fruits in the large outside consuming markets. This ap- plies to canned products as well as fresh fruits, for, nature must first sup- ply the size, color, texture and flavor before you can put *hose qualities in the can. The canners of Michigan have made a long step forward through the recog- nition of this fact, and the steadily in- creasing demand for their products go- ing to nearly all parts of the country is due to the improved and standard- ized quality of their output in recent years. The State Department of Agri- culture has also been a factor of great influence through its efforts in stand- ardizing the grading, packing and marking of fresh fruit. The Michigan State Experiment Station, through its research studies in cultural, pruning and spraying methods and the intro- duction and improvement of market varieties, has rendered and can con- tinue a service of immeasurable value to the fruit industry. Many com- mercial growers have also contributed their full share to this general better- ment by applying the improved meth- ods at their command. However, there are far too many Michigan growers who fail to recog- nize the value of maintaining a certain standard in their market products and who ignore the best practices recom- mended in growing and marketing their fruits. A successful merchant buys only the goods of kind and qual- ity that he knows his customers want, yet, many farmers insist on selling their products, often of very inferior quality, to customers who would much prefer to pay a higher price for some- thing good. Of course it is true that he cannot control the weather element which often reduces the volume and lowers the quality of his crop despite his efforts to counteract its influence, but I am speaking more particularly of those who are too willing to leave the quality entirely to the vagaries of our Michigan weather. He also often insists in using whatever style and size of package is most convenient for him rather than to comply with the preferences of his customers. As a result, he finds it difficult to establish and maintain a satisfied list of custo- mers. In many instances he tries to overcome the situation by selling his choice fruits to his preferred customers and turning the remainder over to you, in the belief that it is just as good for canning as the number 1 product. Perhaps some of you are more or less to blame at some time in the past for his having reached that conclusion. During the fruit season we generally read accounts from various points in the State that thousands of bushels of fruit are going to waste on farms for the want of a market. In the ma- jority of these cases, the fruit is ac- tually going to waste because it has so little market value that the owner can- not afford to handle it. In such cases, I believe the market is better off with- out it, and I believe the time will come when the growers will be better off if they never attempt to put low grade fruit on the market at all. I doubt if December 31, 1924 we can ever establish a perfect reputa- tion for Michigan fruits until the ship- ping out of the State of anything but first quality fruit is absolutely pro- hibited by law. I am also inclined to believe that such a restriction should apply to canned goods as well. More extension work in city of what, when and how to buy fresh and can- ned fruits and vegetables would add greatly to the building up of a better demand for them. A very small per- centage of city housewives have any practical knowledge of the proper sea- son to buy for canning, or of the varieties best suited to their table or preserving needs. Many of them rely on the recommendation of a man biased toward whatever he may wish to sell them. I have known grocers to urge their regular customers to buy peaches for canning around the first of August, When only Georgia Elbertas were available and in a season when Michigan had a large crop of superior quality to come on the market a few weeks later. If city customers were also familiar with existing laws rela- tive to grading, and knew that they could demand and have fruits of a certain standard and uniform quality, it would greatly stimulate the sales of fresh fruits. In the case of canned products, I assume that your Associa- tion and individual members are handling this situation with a proper and liberal distribution of printer’s ink. From the figures given above, it seems evident that there is an oppor- tunity for a marked expansion of the fruit and canning industries in Michi- gan. Particularly is this true if quality is made the chief objective. I believe that the word “Michigan” on a pack- age of any product of our State, should be made to represent a high standard grade of that product, stand as a guarantee to the purchaser, and its use on inferior products be forever prohibited. I believe I would go so far as to recommend that the address of manufacturer or grower must be omitted from all shipments, if such are - allowed to go out of the State at all, of inferior products. This would make it impossible to trace any connection between them and this fair State. Consumers would soon learn. that in buying such goods they would be doing so at their own risk, and that they would have no redress for the shortcomings of the products. If we continue to drive with our lights dim- med, we should at least remove the obstructions and repair the rough places in the road. However, we are living in a fast age and we all want to make the best possible speed. Your competitors are coming from all points of the compass. They, too, are driv- ing fast but with glaring lights in- tended to throw you into confusion and slow you up. The only logical re- dress seems to be to light up your path with your strongest head lights, and turn your spotlight on the quality of your products in such a manner that the entire countryside cannot fail to see it. You can then drive ahead with speed and with safety. Verne H. Church. —— ++ Be so true to yourself: that you can- not be false to others, ~ 4 = a =) 4 © * - 4 v » , o PS ° i 4 *- v . “ me - ‘ ° ’ ae a ¢ = ‘ -“ ~, ’ ¥ cr ° 5 ‘ bog v a | _ ot 2 t “ . < « . -& oe « » « » » ad < . e 4 bs Net ~ 4 { os \ < ~ ‘ - a a re “ - ¢ 8 “ » < - . - Ww _ @ ‘ > ~< as r+ ge a eee December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN PAYING DEBT OF ANOTHER. Promise Must Be in Writing To Be Enforceable. One of the most important rules of law from the standpoint of the busi- ness man, is that provision of the statutes of frauds pertaining to the enforcement of promises made by one person to answer for the debts or obligations of another. This law is substantially the same in most of the states, and in brief provides as follows: That no action shall be brought to charge any person upon any special promise, to answer for the debt, de- fault, or miscarriage of another, un- less the promise upon which such ac- tion shall be brought shall be in writ- ing and signed by the party to be charged. In other words, under this law the mere oral promise to pay the debt of another cannot be enforced in the courts. If the person making the promise keeps his word well and good; but, in event he does not, the one re- lying on the promise is without remely unless the promise has been reduced to writing and signed. The application of this rule may be illustrated by the following. Where a merchant refused to sell a person goods, and a third person whose credit was good promised to see that the merchant was paid, the promise was held to be within the statute of frauds, and not being in writing could not be enforced. In another case one man promised to pay for goods if the merchant would let another person have them. The merchant delivered the goods on these conditions, charg- ing them to the person who received them, and the promise of that first man was held to be within the statute of fraud, and not being in writing could not be enforced against him. Of course there are numerous ex- ceptions to the rule that may be brought into play by the given facts of a particular case. And if the mer- chant can show that the promise of the one agreeing to pay a debt was an original promise, it may not have to be in writing. As where one promises to pay for goods to be delivered to an- other and the goods are charged to the one making the promise, and where it is shown that the one making the promise to pay reaps the benefit of the goods, even though delivered to an- other, the promise may not have to be in writing to be enforceable. But unless a business man is also a lawyer, or has gone into various legal phases of the subject in a careful man- ner, the question of whether or not a given promise must be in writing to be enforceable may be one of difficulty. Besides not one business man in a hundred has the time or opportunity to investigate the validity of a promise at the time it is made, and for that reason it will usually be a good policy to have such promises reduced to writing. Needless to say the question of ‘q whether or not a given case is con- trolled by the statute has been the cause of much litigation. In fact the law reports hundreds of cases in the light of the particular facts involved, the subject cannot be covered by the statement of a hard and_ fast rule. However, leaving aside legal refine- ments which do not as a general rule interest business men, this much may be said. From the standpoint of the average business man it is not prudent to take anyone’s bare oral promise to pay the debt of another. Regardless of the circumstances, and without stopping to reason out the question of whether or not a written promise is required by law to cover the situation involved, it will usually be to the advantage of the one relying on the promise to have it in black and white. There are people who will make promises lightly. A gentleman may walk into a store, and upon request of a friend airily inform the merchant to ‘Jet George have what he wants, Tl stand good for it,” etc., and thereafter if George fails to pay for the goods the merchant may be put to no end of trouble in getting the promisor to make good. And unless the promise is one that can be enforced though not in writing the merchant may in the end have to stand the loss. Thousands of merchants have had experience of this kind and have learn- ed to their cost perhaps in both money and friends that it does not pay to rely upon the mere oral promise of anyone to pay the debt or obligation of an- other. A far better, and safer policy is to have such promises reduced to writing and signed which tends to avoid all after disputes over the re- sponsibility of the one making the promise. Leslie Childs. ———_-e-——_—- ‘Keeping Trade at Home. A. successful small-town merchant, who does more than $100,000 a year in a town of 1,500 people, less than eight miles away from a much larger city, declared in a recent interview that out- side competition can be defeated by merchandising and advertising policies that “keep up the interest” in the home-town store. Stocks must be car- ried and well-displayed, must be of standard quality, and must keep a shade ahead of the big-town competi- tion in price, he said. If these things are done, it is his experience, the home town store will get and keep the con- fidence of the. people, and their familiarity with the store and its owner will keep their business at home, says “Pep,” house organ of the La Crosse Clothing Co. Nevertheless, the merchant insist>, i- is necessary to have “somethirg doing” in the home-town store to keep a good deal of business from drifting away. He advises a program of stunts throughout the year, at least one a month, to keep the store constantly freshly advertised in the minds of the community—and of course he believes in liberal advertising, not only of stunts but of merchandise, its quality and price. To this end this merchant publishes a monthly store news, which is a four-page publication frankly de- voted to advertising the store and its merchandise. It is sent out in a one- cent envelope, because after experi- ment it has been found that separate addressing and mailing it thus- insures a much higher percentage of careful reading than simply broadcasting it from door to door. Our Association is Mutual A Every person who invests a dollar with us becomes one of us, and shares in the profits. Under very low expenses, we conduct our affairs for the bene- fit of all. Our record shows the soundness of our plan. Our plan, the result of 36 years of experience, pays the highest return consistent with safety and good building and loan practice. WE CHARGE NO MEMBERSHIP FEE. THE GRAND RAPIDS MUTUAL BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIATION Charles N. Remington, Pres. Thomas C. Mason, Secy. WIDDICOMB BUILDING PAID IN CAPITAL AND SURPLUS $6,000,000.00. Preferred Lists of Safe Investments FOR the guidance of clients this organizatien maintains constantly revised lists of bonds of all types that offer unquestionable security plus attractive yield. Lists Supplied Upon Application Telephones: Bell Main 4678. Citizens 4678. HOPKINS, GHYSELS & CO. Investment Bankers and Brokers Michigan Trust Bldg., Ground Floor, Grand Rapids GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Fourth National Bank United States Depositary Established 1868 The accumulated experience of over 56 years, which has brought stability and soundness to this bank, is at your service. DIRECTORS. L. Z. Caukin, Vice Pres. J. C. Bishop, Cash. Christian Bertsch, Sidney F. Stevens, David H. Brown, Robert D. Graham, Marshall M. Uhl, Samuel G. Braudy, Samuel D. Young, James L. Hamilton. Wm. H. Anderson, Pres. LOCAL AND UNLISTED Bonds and Stocks Holders of these classes of securities will find in our Trading Department an active market for their sale or purchase. PRIVATE wirss | CORRIGAN COMPANY M Shien A Investment Bankers and Brokers Ground Floor Michigan Trust Bidg. Grand Rapids, Michigan ™ Citizens Bell Mais 4480 4900 “By their works ye shall know them:” NACHTEGALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. BANK, STORE & OFFICE FIXTURES Gentl2men: : We take this opportunity to say we are thoroughly pleased with all the material you have furnished us, the artistic design and fine workmanship. We can not speak too highly cf your erector who is on the job about sixteen hours a day and busy every minute. He is a competent workman and a gentleman. Yours Very Truly, THE BELLEVUE STATE BANK, Cc. D. Kimberly, Cashier. 5 aR gE eR Pea “I MICHIGAN T eerste reams OTT Samy RADESMAN RT December 31, 1924 18 c eee a Oey . = P = ie [a =: Y Fr oe Se 22 = \ PY? pry GOODS, % = 8 re = = 9 : = a fg = = : : . FANCYGOODS +“ NOTIONS: 4 oe = a Sek, Zo 2 = = = 8 > =O we ; — : oe = . N 2 aE aR =¢ A “off 7 ) WN Vg é Nat e Lg & Ni — My Y Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. President—J. B. Sperry, Port Huron. First Vice-President —Geo. T. Bullen, Albion. Second Vice-President—H. G. Wesener., Saginaw. Secretary-Treasurer—H. J- Battle Creek. Manager—Jason Mulrine, E. Hammond, Lansing. Spring Millinery Shown. At most of the early showings of spring millinery in Paris, silk and satin in combination with straw have been highly favored. Black, blue and brown have been the favorite shades. The only exception to this has been in the felt hats, which come in the brightest colors imaginable. Moire, grosgrain and the new peb- bled ombre silk are the favorite ma- terials, according to a radiogram re- ceived by the New Milinery Bulletin, the official organ of the Retail Milli- nery Association of America. The favored straws run largely to milan and hemp. Black satin for the in- between season is very smart. “Indications are that flower trim- mings will be very popular for the first spring hats, they being placed at the center top of the crown,” the Bul- letin continues. “All kinds of ostrich are good, and the combination of two tones is especially well liked. Ribbon still holds a very high place. Crimp- ed or fluted brims are being used by some of the houses. “Maria Guy is making some of her new toques entirely of wide ribbons, with crowns very soft and suggesting the Tam o’Shanter. Large bow ends trail over the wearer's cheek on the right side. A new hat made for an English Duchess by Molyneaux is of black satin. It has a soft peaked crown and three-inch brim turned straight up in front, with one ridge in the brim held by an elaborate pearl buckle. “A new spring hat from Flora & Marguerite is made of black laize de paille, a straw all over that resembles brocade. This hat has a regulation Stetson cowboy crown with a narrow rolling brim and side trimmings of black wings.” —_22+>—_ Styles in Jewelery. Semi-precious jewels will dominate morning styles in jewelry during 1925, according to predictions made by a Fifth avenue jeweler of international reputation. For morning lectures, concerts or shopping, he says, women will wear as jewelry a row of tur- quoises or coral, or, perhaps, tqpazes with earrings to match. In the afternoon the properly dress- ed woman will wear either pearls or precious stones, such as rows of em- erald beads, but jewelry will be set with very few diamonds. Cabochon stones will be worn in the afternoon in preference to cut stones. In the evening only cut stones will be worn, with necklaces made rather long. Tiaras are no longer in favor, but headbands are worn very low on the forehead. Ornaments used at present appear smaller than those previously in fashion, but their value is increased as a result of the employment of larg- er gems. One of the novelties which “smart” women will wear, the jeweler in ques- tion says, is the cliquet brooch. This pin frequently contains extremely val- uable pearls. It is so fashionable, however, that it is worn in the morn- ing made of coral and semi-precious stones. It also is seen in the after- noon, when it is made of pearls, es- pecially larger ones, and precious stones. It is particularly favored for wear with small hats. oes Silks. Buying for present needs in the silk markets is still slow but there is more activity in the purchase of novelties for Spring. The demand for wash silks for Spring is also gaining and silk broadcloths in varieties of stripes and colorings are popular. Brocades in the lighter weights of two-tone and contrasting colors are interesting, also brocaded chiffons in the lighter shades. Indications point to the continued use of bengalines but it is suggested that the buyer of piece goods and made-up garments pay particular at- tention to the construction of such fabrics. Due to the popularity of this material many manufacturers, who had little or no experience in its manufac- ture, produced a cloth that looked good but which did not wear satisfactorily. Garment manufacturers and piece goods buyers demanded a soft, drapy cloth of this weave but to produce this fewer picks were used which made the material more prone to pull and slip when subjected to strain. Any ribbed weave such as bengaline is liable to slip under trying conditions but the closer it is woven the less this will show. A close examination of such cloths is therefore advised. Bright colors and novelties in bright contrasting prints are being strongly featured. Stocks are still compara- tively low. ——_+22s—__ Women’s Apparel. Producers of women’s garments are adhering to straight line effects, slight- ly changed by the draping of the skirt. This is being shortened to about twelve inches from the ground and some designers are favoring a partial flare produced by pleats at front or The ensemble costume will be strongly featured for spring and many sides. manufacturers who have not previous- ly produced these are now doing so. As some of these manufacturers have not heretofore made dresses and others have not made coats, care should be exercised in selecting such garments. Short sleeves are to be seen on many costumes made for the Southern win- ter trade. As there is little change in the lines of garments, novelty is developed by the use of fancy materials, silk, woolen and cotton, and the application of these. Bright colorings and effective patterns in weaves and prints are fav- ored and embroidery is popular. Tunics in their many variations will be good for the spring trade, and there is increasing interest being shown in the short blouse of Russian, Peasant and sport type, many with short sleeves. As there have been many complaints against the tendency of Bengaline to “slip,” we suggest that you read our statement under the heading of “Silks.” ——__—2 as Says Fur Prices Will Hold. That the price weakness which has been reported in the last few days from some of tlie primary fur mar- kets is more sentimental than actual, and that it is due to the effects of the usual holiday dullness, is the assertion made by a man regarded as an author- ity on fur matters. “In my opinion,” he said, “prices of furs are going to remain high for some time to come, despite all talk to the contrary. This will be so, regardless of the conten- tions advanced by many factors in the local market that prices are now so high that they can neither buy nor sell. While business is dull right now, as is common with all lines during the last week of the year, it is my judg- ment that a period of real activity and price firmness in the fur trade is at hand. I do not look for inflation, as that would be harmful. However, strong prices, based on actual supply and demand, can scarcely fail to be maintained. This is especially true of the leading American pelts.” ——_—-2 eo —_ To Hold Back Velvet Lines. Conditions in the velvet market are slowly improving, but, for the time being, producers are playing a waiting game in the showing of their fall lines. Ordinarily the showings of the latter would be made sometime next month, but it may be March before the lines for next fall are shown. Prices on goods for immediately delivery are a little firmer than they were a while ago, but the same cloth to-day is bringing much less than it sold for a year ago. Production has been se- verely curtailed recently. A prime difficulty has been the swing of the fashion trend away from a strong vel- vet vogue. You can’t reach laurels lying down. increasing measure. To Our Friends and Patrons We wish to express our appreciation to the merchant who visited us during our Re- organization Sale and made it a success. We hope that in the year 1925 we shall continue to conduct ourselves so as to merit your co-operation and patronage in an ever GRAND RAPIDS DRY GOODS CO. - GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. New lines of Spring Dress Goods — White Goods — Cotton Goods and Wash Goods — Underwear — Hosiery — Work Shirts — Dress Shirts — Blankets — and all Notions will be ready for your inspection next week. Select your 1925 merchandise from the completest line we have ever shown. Wholesale Dry Goons Paul Steketee & Sons Grand Rapids, Mich. yr w7 . a Yr > , c ia < . d 4 < ~ 4 ‘ \@? 4 a >. » < ’ d : < ~ « * a w ~ * x + st a ~ 7 « y ¥ Py 4 ¢ % + * ” yr. ad ‘ » ” < « v =a Fs « . . « » < od * ° » 4 > 4 ’ 1 . a Y * Pe “ - < ; * * - < » December 31, 1924 Restriction of the Sale of Revolvers. Legal Lansing, Dec. 30—Among a batch of bills offered in Congress last week was one prohibiting the indiscriminate sale of small firearms to other than properly designated authorities. A move in the right direction has been the announcement of two nationally known mail order houses that sale of such articles by them has absolutely been discontinued. This announce- ment is particularly encouraging, but there is some doubt as to the Federal Government being vested with author- ity to regulate the disposal of one- handed magazine guns within the bounds of the sovereign states without constitutional authority, which can only be secured through a long and tedious process. Many of the individual states have for years attempted to regulate the use of these instruments of death, and in Michigan it is a misdemeanor to carry concealed weapons, but for all that they are so carried, even by individuals who would scorn the intimation that they were law breakers. Uncle Sam may, however, prohibit the transporta- tion of such merchandise through the mails and regulate transportation from one state to another, either by freight, express or on the person, and legisla- tion to this end would be one signifi- cant move in the proper direction. But it is up to the states to enforce the laws they already have or create such safeguards and then enforce them. it ought to be legally prima facie evi- dence of an intent to commit crime for any individual—not endowed with police authority—to have such fire- arms in his possession, and the punish- ment should be severe especially in cases of second offenses. A very large proportion of homicides, much man- slaughter and most of the accidental shootings could be prevented if private individuals were not permitted to carry or even own such dangerous equip- ment. Especially is this true in many cases where youth is either the owner or familiar with the use of guns. Every day we read in the news columns of this, that and the other case, where individuals of both sexes, in a moment of temporary aberration, have gone to the bureau drawer, whipped out a re- volver, and murdered a member of the family, some relative, or a dear friend, regretting it immediately afterward; Where someone has mistaken his wife for a burglar, or someone else who “didn’t know it was loaded. In cases of hold-ups and most burglaries guns in the hands of victims are worse than in such circumstances the aggressee would have lived to tell the tale if he had not made some movement in the direction of his hip pocket. Without the use of the “gat” the occupation of the criminal is almost essentially taken away from him. The criminal’s chief weapon to-day is the gun. It figures in an overwhelming majority of every species of violent crime. Brass knuckles, the sand bag, Lillies, the dagger and knife are now coming to be reckoned with among the more or less antiquated and incidental implements of crime. The revolver is the principal standby. A gunman, stripped of his gun, will not necessarily cezse from criminality. Without it, however, he is going to be greatly handicapped and imbued with a sense of fear. He will not be in a position to pump lead into unarmed citizens and then assassinate officers of the law from safe positions or while fleeing in motor cars. He will have to face the officials, and while he may fight back the worst that can usually happen will be minor physical injuries. Without ihe gun, the hold-up?man, who is usu- ally an arrant coward, is going to be deterred in his activities, with a conse- quent restoration of confidence on the part of the innocent citizen. The Michigan Hotel Association at its Grand Rapids meeting passed a useless and in most cases of homicide, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN resolution asking the Legislature to en- act a law preventing gun toting, which will replace all previous acts. But it will not be sufficient to regulate the use of firearms in the hands of actual or embryo criminals. The bureau drawer arsenal must be taboo. The sale of small arms must be taken from out the hands of dealers, placed under strict regulation by police bodies, and before anyone is even permitted to “blow in the muzzle,” it must be defi- nitely demonstrated that he is capable of handling it sensibly and with great Care. Of course State enactment will nec- essarily be limited in authority, hence such Federal legislation as is offered in Senator Capper’s bill will be an assist- ing auxiliary, even though its scope may be limited to interstate traffic and gun-toting across the border. All this legislation should be concurrent and it should be broad enough in its scope to cover the manufacture of guns as well as the sale of same. A war on the criminal’s gun is undoubt- edly right, but it will avail nothing if the law abiding citizen is permitted to treasure up these relics of barbarism, which may eventually fall into the pos- session of criminals or into the hands of irresponsible parties to cause grief and incidental undertakers expenses. Michigan has what is known as an individual gun license. This pertains altogether to sporting equipment, but every little while we hear of some candidate for the functions of the “fool killer’ who is responsible for the de- mise or accidental injury of some body. This privilege should also be greatly curtailed. During the period between March 1 and September 1 one cannot legally slaughter any kind of game. In lumber jack days, whenever social functions were indulged in, gun bearers were customarily required to leave their utensils at the checker’s stand as a measure of safety. Why not make it obligatory upon the own- ers of shot guns, rifles, etc., to deposit same with a proper custodian during the closed season and thereby elim- inate five-twelfths of the danger, and before issuing a license ascertain by examination, whether the applicant is mentally capable of differentiating be- tween a “muzzle” and “stock”; also keep such weapons out of the hands of children. A shot gun may not be equipped with facilities for creating such general havoc as a motor Car, but the authorities are expected to limit driver’s licenses to adults at least. Try to tote firearms across the bor- der into Canada and see what hap- pens. The customs officer will relieve you of the article during your sojourn in any of her provinces, even if legiti- mately in one’s possession, returnable when you leave its jurisdiction. Eng- land has the lowest criminal record of any political division iin the world. While she punishes crime without fear or favor, she exercises as much effort in preventing it as she expends in de. ‘ing with the offender. The gov- ernment absolutely regulates the dis- position of one-hand arms. Conceal- ing a weapon is a felony. The gun must go and Michigan’s authorities will certainly strike the right gait if they co-operate with Uncle Sam in its extinction. If when President Coolidge holds his next con- ference with the governors of the vari- ous states, he will propose some regu- lation of this evil, he will perform a distinct public service and add to laurels already won. A war on the criminal’s gun is tactically right. It must be taken from him. It must be kept out of the hands of law lovers, who possibly might be the innocent means of undesirables securing same. Appropos of guns and criminals, I have read with much interest a recent address by Judge Tolley, of the New York Court of General Sessions, in which he states in a blunt way that the United States must plead guilty to be- ing the most lawless country on earth. This is a pretty strong indictment, but may it not be true? It is almost im- possible to pick up any periodigal or journal to-day without finding some discussion of this current problem, all tacitly admitting its truth. Sociologists, lawyers, ministers, authors and com- munity leaders all over the Nation are continually expressing their alarm over a situation which is placing the country unfavorably in the limelight of the world, thereby exciting unfavorable criticism on the Government of which we are all so proud. Now comes a prominent jurist, well versed in conditions from absolute personal contact with the® evils of which he speaks. He has been dealing at first hands with criminals for years. His attitude toward the problem is not that of a fanciful reformer, but what he does have to say compares favor- ably in significance with. the opinions of a host of other writers and sociol- ogists who have drawn their conclu- sions on the basis of ascertainable facts and without savoring of preju- dice in any degree. They know the absolute conditions and speak under- standingly. Dr. Hoffman, the eminent insurance statistician, declares that the homicide rate for the past year indicates a state of affairs “so startling and of such significance that no government, Fed- eral or state, can ignore it.’ He points out that the murder ratio has, population considered, doubled in the past twenty-five years. This statement seems almost in- credible, but backing it up is the law enforcement committee of the Ameri- can Bar Association who are respons- ible for a statement which shows that nearly 10,000 people lose their lives annually through homicide, all af which goes to carry out the conten- tion of Judge Tolley that there is “something rotten in Denmark.” Some- thing should be done about it. Beat what can be done? The real fact is that nothing is now being done other than criticising the courts for their in- terpretation of existing statutes, and not all being of the same mind, differ- ent conclusions make law’s adminis- tration extremely complicated. Criti- cising the courts is not usually justi- fed. Sometimes, through political or charitable reasons, inefficient lawyers are elevated to the bench, but their actions are subject to review by high- er courts. It is very easy to ask the courts to be more strict in their dealings with the criminal element, but the judge must be governed by the law as the jury is by the facts. In this country the assumption of innocence on the part of the accused is pre-eminent, and this established tenet of jurisprudence is responsible for what might be considered mis- carriages of justice. But the custom cannot and should not be abrogated, any more than should the right of trial '+; jury be annulled. The judge must » governed by long established rules of practice and the juror will always be human. The judge’s acts are al- ways subject to review, but the juror squares himself with his own con- science. The old established theory that it is far better to acquit a guilty man than to convict an innocent party will hold to the end of time. What the Nation, and possibly every state, really should do, is to reduce the catalogue of crimes. There are too many so-called malefactors who are only technically so. Offenses against life and property should be punished, but petty misdemeanors which are the outgrowth of “isms” should be elim- inated from the statutes, so far as possible. Crime has increased in the ratio that it has been created by the action of so-called “brother’s keepers.” The great underlying trouble is that the judicial organization has not been increased in the same ratio that new crimes have been made so by question- able laws. The courts are perpetually hampered by useless litigation, the juries, overworked at times, seek the 19 channel of least resistance, and the wily criminal and his legal defender, stall proceedings until such time as the legal machinery is run down and out. The prevention of crime by moral and educational influence might bring about some relief, but a reduction of some of the long list of technical crimes ought to be more effective. Frank S. Verbeck. ——_+>—_—_ Dress Accessories. Laces and trimmings are inactive at present in the wholesale markets ex- cept for reorders and as yet there is little in the way of new novelties to be seen. The fabric glove manufacturers and importers are showing the fancy cuff styles, also gloves, mostly twelve button lengths, in the lighter shades. longer underwear for re- The hosiery and_ knit markets are inactive except orders for holiday selling and there is nothing really new to be seen in these markets. Stocks are light and prices remain as they have been. —_.2>_—_ Bolshevists are excitable folk. They are now bombarding Washington with indignant protests because our Coast Survey put a brass tablet on one of their precious rocks along the Siberian It was the indication of a site, not a claim of possession, but the astuteness of Moscow discerns no dif- coast. ference. Any pretext will serve for a letter to a capitalistic government; the one to London, bogus or not, brought so much free advertising that the Central Soviet is now trying to draw the epistolary fire of America. Among the commissars the most disdainful reply is better than the indifference with which their overtures have in- variably been treated by the American Govenrment. l RELIABLE SECRET SERVICE Private Investigations car- ried on by skillful operators. This is the only local con- cern with membership in the International Secret Servcie Association. Day, Citz. 68224 or Bell M800 Nights, Citz. 63081 National Detective Bureau Headquarters 333-4-5 Houseman Bidg. a TYPEWRITERS Used and Rebuilt machines all makes, all makes repaired and overhauled, all work guaranteed, our ribbons and car- bon paper, the best money will buy. Thompson Typewriter Exchange 85 N. lonia Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich. The Standard Cash Register will detect er- rors of your clerks, Avoid disputes with your custom- ers, Keeps your eash _ straight, Simplifies your book-keeping. Write for de- details. STANDARD RECORDING CO. North Manchester, Ind. No. 7 College Ave. 20 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 31. 1924 Ripe Olive Poison Hurt Sale of Green Olives. Written for the Tradesman. A severe slump has overtaken the green olive industry as an aftermath of deaths reported as chargeable to California ripe olives. The editor of a prominent trade contemporary writes that— “Large olive dealers report that their sales have dropped to one-third what they were. Of course, all this will come back, but why, if consumers have any sense at all, did it ever oc- cur?” And he says some distinctly uncomplimentary things about the great American public and their ap- parently average low intelligence, add- ing as a commentary: “T wonder why the green olive peo- ple didn’t divert some of the money they are spending on innocuous ad- vertising to consumers to the making of strong explanations aimed to pro- tect their trade.” Well, this does not strike me from that angle at all. I think this is a preferred example of the interdepend- ence of all industry, plus the fact that knocks are boomerangs as often as they are boosts. First, to consider the consumer: What more natural than that he should cut out all olives? Olives mean little or nothing to most Americans. When they read flamboyant reports of poison- ings by one kind of olives, it is the easiest and most natural thing to de- cide to lay off all olives and be safe. If ripe olives can kill, how do we know green ones are any safer? We don't Therefore, let’s cut ’em all out. Let us remember that it is our special business to know about foods and the differences between them; but the consumer is not such a specialist. Years ago somebody was poisoned by eating a ham or bit of bacon in- fected by trichinae. This being a dis- ease that was new at the time, much was made of it. Result: Consumption of cured pork products fell off tre- mendously. Yet cured pork was a food familiar to generations of Ameri- cans and by most of us regarded as not merely wholesome, but especially beneficial and nourishing. If such a result could follow a localized scare such as that, how much more reason- able to conclude that olives must suff- fer under the latest accident. Second, it would be wonderful if the green olive folks would use some of their funds in effective advertising; but that certainly would not wisely take the form of explanations. Ex- planations do not explain. Intelligent boosting of the virtues of olives as a food and condimental commodity would help, especially if the broad view were taken by the advertisers. And what would be the broad view? To advertise California ripe olives. Imported olive venders will not get this at all. They will say to them- selves: “What have we to do with California ripe olives? The answer is that they have everything to do with them: that the olive industry stands as a whole in the public eye. It stands or falls as a whole. “The hand shall not say because I am not the foot, I am therefore not of the body.” It will take business a long time to reach such an intelligent view of its affairs and to sense how all its inter- ests hang one on another. But the orange growers of California under- stand fully that any help they can give Floridians in marketing Florida or- anges helps Colifornia. The Oregon prune growers know that to further the consumption of any prunes helps them. If you are inclined to think your business is a hard one, consider the local cigar manufacturer. His busi- ness is in the doldrums now, because of transitional conditions. Here are some of his troubles: The saloon formerly furnished a preferred outlet. It was ubiquitous and generally occupied prominent lo- cations. Then only one druggist in ten had a cigar department. Generally, too, druggists were backward to take up expensive locations. Now drug- gists have learned the value of the best places and all of them have well furnished cigar departments, supplied by central, nationally distributing man- ufacturers of advertised brands. The druggist capitalizes such prominent places at prices the specialist cannot afford on his home brands. Every grocery store and restaurant now has a cigar department and cigars are a by-product therein, which makes it impossible for the specialist to com- pete. Thus the big national manufac- turers are making money, while the local man starves. The automobile cuts into this local business, too. This because the aver- age man can spend just so much for luxuries and, having a car which he is bound to keep, he cuts down on his smoking, buys fewer cigars at a time, also cheaper ones. More customers are waited on and more sales made on lower average volume. Some manufacturers are not even earning enough to return an income tax. The grocer has no monopoly of trouble. The latest news is that the Jones department store, Kansas City, has quit the grocery business. The rea- son given out is that other depart- ments are expanding and the room is M. J. DARK & SONS GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Receivers and Shippers of All Seasonable Fruits and Vegetables Red Star TS regular users of RED STAR Flour readily understand why they must pay more for this flour than most other brands. Cheap price never tempts RED STAR customers, just as we are never tempted to meet the cheap price of other mills by cheapen- ing quality. Wherever and whenever you see RED STAR Flour, its quality is always the same. JUDSON GROCER COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN A Happy New Year To be followed by 52 weeks of Business Prosperity -- To all our Good Customers and Friends-- Is the wish of the KENT STORAGE COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS _ ~ LANSING ~ BATTLE CREEK ‘Wholesale Grocers General Warehousing «« Distributin 2 »* sa December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 21 too valuable for groceries. This is in- bacon for breakfast is the expected possess the essential proportioning of willing to pay the extra premium teresting from many angles. thing. Not only is it the universal finely textured fat and lean. The bacon linked with small production and First, the Jones store always got such prices for food products that I felt it must make money, regardless of handicaps inherent in department store business. It never of late years has been any trouble for grocers in Kansas City to compete with Jones. Second, department store expenses are necessarily so high that groceries cannot be sold there profitably, as a general thing. Gimble Bros., in Phila- delphia, have a wonderful food de- partment and it seems to be profitable, but there are peculiar circumstances about it, one of which is the manager, Mr. Smyser, who is a merchandising genius. Third, of course, it will pay Jones ietter to use the room for women’s garments, for such merchandise is in every way fitted for department store saies, whereas groceries are not. Thus old department stores are dropping groceries and new ones are not install- ing a grocery department. A recent news item reads: “Chain systems of grocery stores on motor trucks are spring i in the big cities. The grocer backs his sack up to the curb and honks for the housewife to come out and buy. It is claimed that some of these trucks do $1,000 a day business apiece. No rent. Chain store systems are a bit worried. Consum- ers watch the contest, sensing that hrains are finally being applied to problems of distribution, as they have been for years to production.” Pretty soft free advertising for the truck manufacturer? I'll say it is. Moreover, it seems that this is fully as much of a propaganda for the truck maker as for anybody else. All he is interested in, of course, is to sell the truck. Why should he not work the idea by way of free news items as hard as he can and carry it as far as pos- sible? All is fish that comes to his net. My suggestion is that you be a bit Some have It must be a cautious on. this. men made a success of it. poor scheme or idea that will not fit into the capacity of some men, but do not let the maker of trucks capitalize on this too glowingly in your case. And the no rent idea emphasized above is not going to hold long. Grocers as- sociations everywhere are awakening to the injustice of according road and street privileges to such itinerant mer- chants free of tax burdens. City coun- cils and county governing bodies are being prodded into the realization that it is not a square deal for merchants to pay taxes on stocks and rent on loca- tions, owned or not owned, to build and keep in repair roads and streets for itinerant vendors to use free. It behooves everybody to awaken on this question. It is hardly suitable that anybody get away with quite such a snap as the news item details. But it is up to each set of grocers in every community to get busy and safeguard their rights. The people wont do this for you. Paul Findlay. ——_+22>—__—_ Evolution of the Bacon Industry. “Bacon for breakfast’ deserved special emphasis not so many years ago. It signified something out of the ordinary, an unusual treat. To-day breakfast dish, but it occupies an im- portant place in any meal of the day. It is becoming, too, a very popular article for luncheons in the form of sandwiches. The story of how bacon was shifted from the luxury class and placed among the food staples in homes all over the world is closely interwoven in the romance of the packing indus- try’s marvelous development. It is a story of production, preparation and distribution on a scale made possible by the business genius and courage of a few pioneer packers. Although pork has been the food of mankind for many centuries, the ani- mals providing it were wild or barely semi-domesticated; depending for their sustenance on foraging. Naturally this resulted in tough, stringy, poor tasting meat. Even after the colonists in this country had developed a profitable trading in salt pork, particularly with the West Indies, practically no effort was made to improve the quality of the hogs for better meat. It was not until packing plants were established in Chicago, which has since become the packing center of the world, that producers seriously sought to improve the quality of their animals. There are many living to-day who can remember when the slaughter of hogs could be done only in winter and the killing small slaughter houses whose limited capac- ity could supply only a limited area. The methods employed were decidedly haphazard; while the animals available were usually improperly fed scrubs. Consequently the product was of a consistently unreliable quality. Because of this and lack of adequate refrigera‘ing facilities the really choice bacon placed on the market was a minor quality and, of high priced that only people of means could afford it. To betier visualize and appreciate was confined to live necessity, so the wonderful change wrought in this particular phase of hog packing we will packers as briefly out- line the preparation of ther product for the market. First of all the preparation of their product actually starts with the animal select one of the large truly representative and on the hoof. Buyers who are expert judges of finish, conformation and quality select the animals best suited This task is constant- easier, for good bacon. ly becoming since producers are naturally careful breeding and scientific feeding, to at- tain the standard of quality most de- sired. striving, by After animals have been purchased they are inspected by U. S. Govern- ment Those that are sent to the killing Here a seemingly endless pro- cession of hogs enter at one end to emerge a few moments later as cleanly shaven, and pork, ready for the coolers. inspectors. passed are then plant. washed inspected When the carcasses have remained in the cooler for forty-eight hours they are sent to the cutting room where the sides best, suited for bacon are selected. For the choicest bacon only the young corn fed barrow hogs chosen are very carefully trimmed and graded for sizes and sent to the curing rooms where they are treated accord- ing to a formula developed after years of experiment. They are then sub- mitted to the hickory smoking. Each individual step of the various processes is performed with astonish- ing speed and orderliness. There is wasted motion; synchronizes no uncertainty, no each unit of operation perfectly with the movement of the whole. Skilled men handle saws, cleavers and knives with unerring ac- curacy and remarkable rapidity. It is quite obvious that production on such a large scale requires a relatively large and smoothly working system of distribution. Branch houses must be maintained in every large city to pro-, vide centers from which retailers in that territory can be quickly supplied. Transportation facilities, independent of ordinary disturbing influences, must be kept up. This includes thousands of refrigerator cars, equipped to carry properly cured bacon (besides various cuts of fresh meats) to consumers far distant from the original sources of supply. All these things play a most im- portant part in putting bacon on the tables of thousands upon thousands of homes every day and doing it at a price that all can afford. Were it not for the large packers with their tre- mendous organizations, bacon would sill be classed as a luxury and avail- able only to those immediately near the places of slaughter or to those small shipment transportation. Paul A. Dett. An empty head induces cold feet. A. E. BEEBE & SONS Glenwood, Mich. Are offering at wholesale their crop of Golden Heart Celery. Our stock was gathered be- fore the frosts and is tender and crisp. Sample orders make contin- uous customers. Michigan’s Largest Celery Growers. Wishing Our Friends A Happy and Prosperous New Year The VINKEMULDER CO. Distributors of Fruits and Vegetables We are establishing a reputa- tion for QUALITY BROOMS PARLOR WAREHOUSE WHISK TOY At Very Attractive Prices MICHIGAN EMPLOYMENT INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND Saginaw, W. S., Michigan “Products which merit your confidence.” fn —— CHOCOLATES My But They’re Good ee STRAUB CANDY COMPANY Traverse City, Mich. Saginaw, W. &., Mich. pT 22 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 31, 1924 . fe 7 “ ~ = ° M ._ & 7 ee ee oto , ' § STOVES 4»> HARD nite Trucks ¢ = = = = Lo. ‘ - — ~ : —_ Ss 2 wa Zz Zane p 2 A SIZE e e f (So St. anon aie AND | | OTD STYLE - 2 AN, War eae Eke en Ol SALES SERVICE _ & XN PX . Z ‘ ed a7 ECKBERG AUTO COMPANY 2 : 5 Michigan Retail Hardware Association. to the workings of the system. At the 210 IONIA AVE. NW. ' 4 President—A. J. Rankin, Shelby. ae oe leed a Vice President—Scott Kendrick, Flint. start of the building season—aindeed, ; Secretary—A. J. Scott, Marine City. He ‘ shand—he made Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit. for some time beforehanc i a weekly round of calls on contractors : : and builders. He started his round on ee ee > t . . Nn 2: 8 Builders Hardware Presents Scope For Tuesdays. Monday was always given G an sates ee ug expense and a : on to finishing up Saturday business and ond *fastructions sent with = Vritten for the radesman. 2 ao 2 ma e : — evator. e stating require- ' : window dressing. Outside work oc ee er eee a There is more scope for “outside cupied his attention pretty largely un- size of platform wanted, as well 1 ship” in the builders’ hard- ee = : cee oe as height. We will quote a money ‘ . salesmanship” in the builders’ he til] Friday, when window dressing waS BARLOW BROS. Grand Rapids, Mich. saving price. ware department, perhaps, than in any — again in order. Special window trims Ask about our way Sidney Elevator Mnfg. Co., Sidney, Ohio other department of the hardware were always fitted up for Saturday. store. At any rate, this branch of the While a good many hardware firms in business has been pushed more communities of this size do not change through the medium of outside can- their displays twice a week, this firm vassing than other branches. A large found it good policy to do so. number of firms have very success- fully followed a canvassing campaign to stimulate trade. Foster, Stevens & Co. | § WHOLESALE HARDWARE tt During the time he was engaged each week on his outside work, the salesman made it a point to see prac- Builders’ hardware lends itself read- tically all the contractors in the com- ‘ ily to this method of salesmanship. The munity. He very seldom found it outside salesman has at all times necessary to go to the owner himself something tangible to work upon. He in probably 90 per cent. of cases the eo 5 does not have to “scout” for prospects; hardware supplies were purchased by a on the contrary, he knows exactly the builders. He also kept in touch a where he can meet likely customers. with the city engineer’s department : < There are contractors to keep in touch where building permits were registered. = ee a with, building operations to watch, “I did not find it difficult te get 157-159 Monroe Ave. - 151-161 Louis Ave., N. W. property owners to interview. An aggressive outside salesman can keep so thoroughly alive to the build- ing situation that not a contract will get by without his firm having a chance to figure on it. This he can do by keeping track of all building permits, watching the local newspapers closely and calling regularly on all contractors. I recall one hardware firm in a city of about 20,000 people that carried out this policy with marked success. In- terrogation of the head of the firm as to why they had come to adopt the system elicited a rather blunt reply. They wanted more business. Instead of waiting for the business to come, they went out for it. And they cer- tainly got it. How they got it, however, makes an interesting story for hardware dealers, especially those who believe in brisk methods of hustling business along. They handed the job of outside sales- man for builders hardware over to one of their most promising clerks and gave him carte blanche in the matter of time. He could devote to the out- side work just as much time as he fouond necessary; and he was expect- ed to keep right in touch with every- thing going on in the building line. The results were, according to the head of the business, decidedly satis- factory. Their trade in builders’ hard- ware grew to large proportions. Not only that, but business in other lines showed stimulation which could be traced more or less directly to tne outside man. The builders ‘hardware “outside man” furnished further information as wind of all new buildings in time to -figure on the hardware,” he said. “It is seldom that we miss a chance to figure through not knowing of any particular job on hand.” This salesman kept a memorandum of all building news picked up at other seasons of the year. During the winter months, for instance, informa; tion relative to projected buildings could be obtained. Anything heard in this line was jotted down at the mo- ment; and steps taken to get in touch with the builders and contractors likely to be interested, as well as the property owners. li was found to be the rule rather than the exception that other goods could be sold with each order secured for builders’ hardware. Thus, although primarily canvassing for the one par- ticular line, no opportunity was missed —_— Gabby Gleanings From Grand Rapids. Olives toast Grand Rapids, Dec. 30—John A. Higgins (Watson- Higgins Milling Co.) leaves Jan. 10 for Bradentown, Florida, where he and his family spend their winters in their own home. W. W. Hubbard, who left, the em- ploy of the Worden Grocer Company two months ago to engage in the auto- mobile business, has returned to his trst love. His territory comprises the Central part of Michigan Northeast of Crand Rapids. W. E. Thompson, Manager of the ilood Rubber Co., accompanied by his wife, sails on a Canadian Pacific liner from New York Jan. 17 for a 45 day trip to Bermuda, Jamaica, Cuba, Panama and one or two South /vmerican points. Wm. H. Anderson, President of the Fourth National Bank, who has been confined to his home by illness for the past four weeks, has so far recovered that he is now able to be at his desk at intervals. story and basement brick building, 54x95 feet in dimensions, at the corner of Cherry street and Commerce avenue Jesse H. Gingrich has sold his four- to the Tri-Art Printing Co. for $61,000. Possession will be given Jan. 1, at which time the Blizzard Sales Co. will remove to a location on Bond avenue. The Tri-Art Printing Co. is practical- ly owned by the Grand Rapids Show Case Co. It was originally located in the factory, but about six months ago it was moved to the Leonard building. The world’s just full of guys who wail “It can’t be done.’ For the most part they make up the 70 per cent.— or is it 80 per cent?—of the folks who, the life insurance folks tells us, are dependent on charity after they reach sixty years of age. Then there are any number of “Go Getters” who tackle any job given to them with “the larger they are the harder they fall” spirit and those guys build Panama Canals, sell life insurance and clip coupons at sixty. For instance, a cer- tain knitting company making sweaters added knitted bathing suits to their line. A bathing suit quota was given to each salesman. For the salesman covering resort territories where there was water, the quota was “duck soup.” but for the boys in the arid territories where the only ocean, lakes and rivers seen are in the rotogravure sections of the newspapers, the quota looked like “apple sauce.” And a wail arose from the ranks. But one bird used his noodle and not his mouth. He de- cided to find a way to sell bathing suits in his territory. His answer was to sell a place to breathe, and he ac- cordingly picked a progressive town and, working with his dealer, started an agitation for a municipal bathing pool. It went over! The pool was built and “the salesman sold his quota of bathing suits in that town.” To-day, that salesman’s territory is dotted with bathing pools and dealers who sell bathing suits. There’s one bird who said it could be done and did it. The school for bricklayers recently established in Grand Rapids is turning out about twenty-five master workmen a month. It requires about three months to convert a novice into a finished workman. The original inten- tion was to pledge students to remain outside the bricklayers’ union, but this plan has been abandoned, because of the importunities the graduates receive from the walking delegates of the union to join that organization. The cost of initial membership is $5 to $10, but the walking delegate insists on $50 as “hush money” in the case of each applicant. Unless he receives his “divvy” he invariably blocks the acceptance of the Applicaants peti- tion for membership. No one ever joins a union voluntarily. All the union card does for the holder is to prevent him being maimed or murder- ed by union men. The U. C. T. dance committee an- nounce a special New Year dance and dinner Saturday at the Morton Hotel. Dinner will be served in the ball room at 6:30 and regular dancing will be- gin at 9 o’clock. Dinner and dance, $2 per; dancing only, $1.10 per couple. The regular meeting of G. R. Council will be held at the Rowe Hotel at 7:30 p. m. The meeting will be short and snappy, as all will want to attend the dance at the Morton. Mrs. A. F. Rockwell, chairman of our social committee, is planning on a real party to precede our meeting Feb. Our December meeting proved the worth of having the ladies with us on meeting night. While the men were having their business meeting the ladies played cards in the mezzanine room. After the business meeting, lunch was served in the lodge room. Mrs. kK. Dingeman sang several num- bers. Miss Marion Lypps and Miss Marion Boyd did novelty dancing and singing. The program was enjoyed by all. “The largest crowd in years’? was what all the old timers claimed for this meeting. W. E. Thompson (Hood Rubber Co.) has invented and applied for a patent on a device to be used inside an overshoe at the heel or counter portion, to prevent the heel of the wearer’s shoe from tearing the lining of the counter or from otherwise in- juring the same. The principal object of the invention is the provision of means which may be attached to the _ the figures showing heel of the wearer’s shoes, which will be of non-friction material, which will have no sharp edges, and which will keep the heel of the wearer’s shoe out of contact with the lining usually sup- plied on the inside of a galosh or over- shoe. The invention consists in the provision of a detachable shell con- forming substantially to configuration of the heel, which may be slipped upon the heel of the shoe and retained in this position by friction, or otherwise. The shell may be made of any desired material, preferably, however, of non- friction material such as celluloid or the like. The juncture of the bottom of the device and the rear upstanding wall is designed to be of a rounded nature so that as the heel of the wear- er slips into the galosh, there will be no sharp edges of friction material in contact with the lining in the heel of the galosh or overshoe to tear the same. Mr. Thompson has received assurances from Washington that it is entirely new, no one ever having perfected such a device before. William K. Wilson (Judson Grocer Co.) has gone to Baton Rouge, La., to spend the holidays with his son and inspect a new grandson whom he has never had the pleasure of interviewing before. Mrs. Wilson accompanied him. They expect to be gone about three weeks. ————— Do Not Fail To Cover Present Re- quirements. Written for the Tradesman. Grain of all kinds have reached new high marks during the past week. Wheat has been particularly active, May option selling as high as $1.81%, but apparently the advance was too rapid and quite a sharp reaction de- veloped, resulting in a net decline of approximately 7c per bushel for fut- ures and 4c per bushel for cash wheat. An encouraging situation the millers of the country is depicted in for distribution of flour exported so far on this crop. During the first four months Holland was the largest buyer of United States flour, receiving 16 per cent. of the to- tal exports, whereas in 1923 her pro- portion was only 8 per cent. The United Kingdom received 15 per cent. of the total against 10 1923. Germany, the third largest flour buyer, has advanced from less than 2 per cent. of the total in 1913-1914 to 14 per cent. during the four months following July 1, 1924, so, as a whole, Europe during the first four months of this milling year was a_ larger buyer of United States flour than at any time during the past twenty years, with the exception of one or two war years. This increase is very encour- aging to the millers of the United States and apparently has been a ma- terial factor in the steady and con- tinuous advance in the price of wheat and flour. It would seem that wheat is high enough for the time being, although there is plenty of bullish sentiment. Many grain dealers are predicting May wheat will sell for $2 per bushel be- fore this option is closed out and the market acts as though this prophecy has a better than even chance of being fulfilled. From the consumer's viewpoint flour is high enough or too high. Those favoring the short side of wheat maintain there will be less flour con- sumed on account of the high price prevailing. The fact remains, how- ever, that wheat flour to-day is the per cent. in most economical food. In other words, $1 worth of flour will buy over 30,000 units of energy, while $1 will buy of Sirlion or beef —- 1,920 units Beas -. 2,800 units Loin of pork -.-- 4,690 units Cheese: 4,720 units Milk .____.______ 5,340 ants Butter 7,100 units Potatoes _.------13,330 units Stiga, 2... 18,400 units Rice _. 18,450 units It will be readily seen from this ta- ble that wheat flour is more than one and a half times as economical as rice, its nearest competitor, and over fifteen times as economical as beef steak. lt is apparent the has no real complaint to make on the cost of bread compared to the cost of other food products. very consumer Suggest flour buyers watch markets closely, for while it is undoubtedly in- advisable to buy beyond requirements, it is poor business policy, in our opin- ion, to fail to quirements. cover these Lloyd E. same re- Smith. i Evidently. A Denver business man recently dic- tated to his stenographer as follows: “Upon my return to the city after a brief trip following the election I find everyone optimistic.” The “dictated but reached his correspondent letter the not read” with statement: “Upon my return to the city after a brief trip following the election I find everyone up to mischief.” —-—_?>->__—_—_ Hides, Pelts and Furs. Green, No. 1 —....-.------.--- 09 Green, No. 2 ~~~. -- 2. cee 08 Cured. No. 1 —...-.--—_-...-.. ee 10 Cured, No. 2 _........_-+-- 09 Calfskin, Green, No. 1 ae 18 Caltskin, Green, No. 2 ~------------- 13% Calfskin, Cured, No. 1 : 19 Calfskin, Cured, No. 2 -~----- SES: a Horse, No. 1 ~----------------------- 3 60 Horse, No. 2 -----.---.............----+ 2 50 Pelts. Old Wood __..........__.....__-+- 1 00@2 50 Lambe ....___...-... 1 00@2 00 Shearlings -—------------------- 50@1 00 Tallow. Prime ..—-..----- een Di Bc ier eee retirees Be, 2 oc nee e ween neendnaneend Wool. Unwashed, medium ---------------- @40 Unwashed, rejects ----------------- @30 Unwashed, fine -------------------- @40 Furs Skunk, Black la Ey ceer iia | Skunk, Short i — ee 6 oe Skunk, Narrow ae Skunk, Broad -........._.-.-....... 50 Muskrats, Winter -- if a eae Muskrats, Fall - : i ae Muskrats, Kitts - suees 15 accom taree U.S ae Raccoan. Medium ..._......__._ 1, S oF Raccoon Gina ol Mink, Large 1 OR ener 9 OU Mink, Medium -—....._._................. 7 00 Mink Soall ......W 5 ne Wm. D. Batt FURS Hides Wool - Tallow Agents for the Grand Rapids By-Products Co.’s Fertilizers and Foultry Foods. 28-30 Louis Street Grand Rapids, Michigan MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ~ e ¢ The Memory of a Customer. The memory of a customer may be ballast for your pharmacy vessel, to help keep her straight for the harbor of success, or it may be the overload that wrecks the and leaves it a derelict on the business sea. Are not courtesy and discourtesy alike graven on the memory of a cus- tomer? nose pointed vessel Again, to use another illustration, we might say that fair treatment is like a lighthouse whose warm beams light the return trail for a satisfied cus- tomer. “My sister can never forget that your clerk pointed out a defect in the article that she was about to pur- said a customer to her phar- macist. Do not those who say, “Yes, honesty pays in the long run,’ defer pay day too long? Honesty—absolute honesty—is often a prompt paymaster. chase,” Are little courtesies often forgotten? Turn back the pages of memory: there are customers who could not be pried away from your pharmacy with any bargain lever simply because you have always been courteous, considerate and helpful. “For who hath despised the day of small things?” Small courtesies may be door openers for big business. Newspaper advertising may be essen- tial but it is always somewhat proble- matical, but the problem of customer advertising was settled long ago; you get it, whether it is favorable or un- favorable—get it in the solar-plexus or in the cash register! The memory of customers either our business blessing or our doom. Accrued courtesies eventuate in accrued trade—courtesy sowing, cash-register reaping. ‘Tit for tat, first you go out of your way to please and fit a customer, then he goes out of his way to trade with you. What are a few extra steps to the pharmacist’s who smiles and says, “Pleasant day,” in such a confident way that you would say, “It sure is!” if it were raining pitchforks. proves When an article sold proves worth- less and a pharmacist with a bored air, “Oh, we don’t guarantee Says, that stuff!’ memory gets busy and rivets and clinches those careless words. A pharmacist must at least make good in words, and he had far better lose a perfectly good dollar than to lose a perfectly good customer who will trade with him for many moons if treated not only fairly, but tactfully as well. Why not have a bit of patience even if a disappointed customer is unreasonable, and look at the matter from his viewpoint?—“a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind. Yes, customers will exercise memory but we furnish the halter that leads it out. The memory of a customer may . rubbing be first aid to trade or it may be a What’s in a _ cus- Presumably just about what we have put in. George W. Tuttle. — Cleaning Marble at the Fountain. Marble that has become dirty by ordinary use or exposure may be cleaned by a simple bath of soap and waiter. If this does not remove stains, a trade-preventer. tomer’s mind, anyhow? weak solution of oxalic acid should be applied with a sponge or rag, washing quickly and thoroughly with water to minimize injury to the surface. Rubbing well after this with chalk moistened with water will, in a meas- ure, restore the luster. Another meth- od of finishing is to apply a solution of white wax in turpentine (about 1 in 10) thoroughly with a piece of flannel or soft leather. The action of acids, viz., sulphuric, carbonic, citric, phosphoric, lactic, etc., or the fumes emitting therefrom, em- ployed in carbonating and dispensing soda water, attacking marble, is very injurious to its polish; the front of the apparatus, marble slabs, etc., exposed to the spattering of soda water in which one or more of these acids are present, should be immediately rinsed with water and afterward rubbed quickly with a clean, soft cloth until perfectly dry. Frequent applications of pure olive oil to black or fancy marble rubbed vigorously with a soft, smooth fabric, will assist toward re- taining their original appearance. Un- der no circumstances should oil or soap be applied to onyx, Italian white, French blue or Bardillo marbles. Stone of this description should be washed frequently with pure water and after- ward rubbed briskly with a clean chamois until it assumes a glossy ap- pearance. If the marble counter is much af- fected by acids it will be necessary to thoroughly repolish it and this can be best done by experts who employ at first coarse sand, changing to finer kinds and finishing with a pumice and putty powder. —> +2>___ How One Druggist Awakened His Clerks. Out in Minnesota there’s a druggist who thought he ought to sell more plasters. He had been in business for years and he knew that plasters en- joyed a reputation which could easily be capitalized. But his young clerks didn’t enthuse. They seemed to think that plasters did not fit in with modern customs. There were sO many new things to occupy their minds, that they looked upon a medicated plaster as a thing of the past. So, to get their attention and inter- est, the druggist offered a new hat to the clerk who would sell the most plasters during the next two weeks. The four clerks studied plasters, dis- played plasters on the counters and put a plaster display in the window, and they talked plasters to customers. That store sold more plasters in those two weeks than it had sold the previous year. That little contest taught those clerks, as no amount of preaching would, that there is a great undeveloped field for the sale of plas- ters, and they are profiting by the les- son. The efficient clerk will not wait for a contest to arouse him to action. He will see in plasters an opportunity to swell his weekly sales slips. ——_2-2->____ An Information Shelf. A store service, much appreciated by regular trade and which also serves to bring others into your store is an information shelf. On this shelf, and in pocket com- partments on the wall keep for ready reference the railroad and_ traction time tables; parcel post and express rates; postal scale; telephone directory; county atlas, or city maps, etc. Announce the inauguration of this store service with a short reference to it in your printed advertising, and have a few store cards, lettered inviting your trade to feel at home in using the shelf. Place them in various locations throughout the store. If practical, an information desk is preferable to a shelf for it gives your customers a place for writing letters, addressing packages, etc. —_+++__ The Heart Appeal. The store which caters to a neighbor- hood or small town trade can build good will with parents indirectly, through watching the birth records. One way to do this is to send a gift of a plaything and a useful article (like a bank, talcum, etc.) to each new baby born in the neighborhood. Accompany the gift with a letter addressed to the baby telling how glad the merchant is that the baby has come into the neighborhood: that he is sending two articles, one for pleas- ure and one for comfort: that the mis- sion of the store is to sell articles for making life more pleasant and com- fortable, and that when the baby grows up the merchant expects to be then in business and enjoy his patronage. —-_s2e2?2>____ He Had Nerve. Old gentleman at counter: “Please tell me is Compound Syrup of Hypophosphites a good tonic for a man my age?” “Why, certainly, sir; it is perfectly all right for you.” (Visions of a sale.) “Are you sure there is nothing in there to injure me in any way?” “Positive, sir; you can take it with perfect safety. Shall I wrap up a bot- tle for you?” “No, thank you, you see I get it so much cheaper at Spigget’s chain stores but it’s no use asking these very young men there any such questions. I know whatever you tell me I can rely on.” December 31, 1924 Liquid Court Plaster. Pyroxylin, 2.0120 1 dr. Ol of clove 23 = ie 20 min. Onl ot lavender 22 10 min. Amyl acetate 2 Gee. 5 drs. Benzol) 22252 eee 4 drs. Acetone ~-____ ee 20 drs. Dissolve the pyroxylin in the amy] acetate and mix with the other in- gredients. —_+- > In the opium conferences that have begun under auspcies of the League of Nations two main ideas will come in contact. One, which might roughly be labeled the American idea, will cal! for a pact among the nations concern- ed to outlaw all traffic in narcotic drugs not designed stricty for medi cnial purposes. All advanced sociol- ogists agree that the use of drugs for any other purpose is an evil. The other idea, which might be called British, will call for an admission that such a pact could be carried out only by three or four strong governments and that its inevitable violation in oth er countries might increase rather than diminish the use of opium for non- medicinal purposes. Those who hold to this idea will therefore favor an agreement to recognize, but control the use of anarcotics that is frowned upon. From this point of view the two ideas are far apart. But both meet in favoring strict control of the drug trade; so beneficial results should follow if only the conferees do not attempt to take in too much territory. oo Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood, and prob- ably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, log- ical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Those who are freest with com- plaints usually have little else to offer. Ideal Location For New Drug Store located in our new building at the corner of Third street and Clay avenue, just across from the Hackley Park. A large number of people pass this store every day. The room has a frontage on Third street of 52 feet and on Clay avenue of 51 feet. There is also a basement with a high ceiling, dimensions 29 x 36. Its location direct- ly across from the park, will make it an especially desirable place for a soda fountain. We will rent this space to responsible parties at $200 per month for the first year and at $250 per month for an additional four years, making the total term of the lease five years. Occidental Hotel Edward R. Swett, Manager Muskegon, Michigan. * December 31, 1924 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN oe Parchment Bond Nice, white writing paper for approx. 500 sheets universal writing paper Home, School or Office, Every dealer should carry a stock Say to our Dept. C. **Personal Stationery—Cheaper than scratch wae me five pound a teae™ “The most good paper I ever got for my money,’’ said another. KALAMAZOO VEGETABLE PARCHMENT CO., Kalamazoo, Mich. The home of Quality Papers. pads, said one man. hocolates WELCOME 1925 WITH EVERY GOOD WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR Welcome Also PEACOCK BLUE, BLACK and WHITE The New “MONOGRAM” PACKAGE LINE. The Line that will not only increase your business for 1925 but will increase it from year to year. “Monogram” Package Line of PURE DRUGS and LIQUIDS in all size containers and in pack- ages and bottles that are clean-cut, certainly stand out as one of the greatest improvements in the pack- age Drug Line in years. It’s worth your trouble to write for price list of sizes. HAZELTINE & PERKINS DRUG CO. MICHIGAN Grand Rapids WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT Prices quoted are nominal, based on market Acids Boric (Powd.) -. 15 Boric (Xtal) ---- 15 Carbolie _......_ 40 Citic: ... 59 Muriatic ~-....... 3 Nitric .._-._.... 9 Oxatle 2... 15 Sulphuric ~------ 3 Tartare ...._.__. 40 Ammonia Water, 26 deg. -. 1 Water, 18 deg. -- Water, 14 deg. -- Carbonate ---.-.. 2 Chloride (Gran.) 10% Balsams Copaiba —_.____. RE 89999 909999999 Sane 75@1 Fir (Canada) -. 2 65@2 Fir (Oregon) er w@3 reru ......_.... Tolu —....___...= . 8 00 Barks Cassia (ordinary) 7 Cassia (Saigon). 50 Sassafras (pw. 50c) @ — Cut (powd.) JE 18@ Berries Cubeb 2 @1 Wish @ Juniper -.--- au. LG Prickly Ash —------ @ Extracts Licorice —._.._.._.. “—, Licorice powd. ~-- Flowers Arnica: 2. 25@ Chamomile Ger.) 20@ Chamomile Rom. -- Gums Acacia, Ist ...-- 50@ Acacia, 2nd --.-- 45@ Acacia, Sorts --. 20@ Acacia, Powdered 35 Aloes (Barb Pow) 25 Aloes (Cape Pow) 25@ Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 65@ Asafoetida ------ bom 00@1 Guawe Guaiac, pow’d -- Kise oo Kino, powdered_-_ Myrrn .. Myrrh, powdered Opium, powd. 19 65 Opium, gran. 19 = Sheliac .......... Shellac Bleached 10 Tragacanth, pow. Tragacanth ---- Turpentine —----- a ao esese Insecticides Arsenie .. 15 Blue Vitriol, bbl. Blue Vitriol, less 8%O 15 Bordea. Mix Dry 1234@23% Hellebore, White powdered --_-.- 20@ 30 Insect Powder -. 75@ 85 Lead Arsenate Po. 244%4@39 Dry 9@20% Pace Green —_.... 32@ 438 Lime and Sulphur Caneee Buehy ......... ag Buchu, oes. 16 Sage, Bulk ------ Sage, % loose --- Sage, powdered__ Senna, Alex. _.. 50@ Senna, Tinn. --.. 30 Senna, Tinn. pow. 25 Uva Ural... 20@ Olls Almonds, Bitter, oe artificial ...... 00@4 Almonds, — true ...___... 25@1 imitation .-_-. 60@1 Amber, crude -- 1 50 Amber, rectified 1 75 Anise .... 10 Bergamont 5 Cajeput --.. 1 Cassia ...__.._._.- & Castor ........_.. 19 Cedar Leaf ---- 1 15@2 Citronella -.--.- 1 50@ Cloves... 3 25@3 Cocoanut -...--. 25 Cod Liver -~----- 1 65 Croton ..__..{_... 2 00@2 Cotton Seed -.-- 1 50 Cubebs —__.-..... 7 50 Higeron —_----- 6 00@6 Eucalyptus ----- 1 25@1 Hemlock, pure._ 1 75@2 Juniper Berries. 3 00@3 Juniper Wood.. 1 50@1 Lard, extra ..-- 1 50@1 Lard, No. 1 ---. 1 35@1 50 S88 qqcc0 Doe er OO Lavendar Flow... 8 00@8 25 Lavendar Gar’n 85@1 Lemon... 1 50@1 Linseed, bld, bbl @1 22 Linseed, bld less 1 29@1 Linseed, raw, bbl. @l1 2 Linseed,, ra. less 1 27@1 Mustard, artifil. oz. @ Neatsfoot --.... 1 35@1 Olive, pure .... 3 75@4 Olive, Malaga, yellow ............ 2 75@3 green... 2 g Orange, Sweet. 4 50@4 Origanum, pure @2 Origanum, com’l 1 00@1 Pennyroyal ____ 3 00@3 Peppermint -. 12 50@12 Rose, pure .. 13 50@14 Rosemary Flows 1 25@1 6 Sandalwood, E. © oe 10 00@10 Sassafras, true 2 50@2 Sassafras, arti'l 80@1 Spearmint —.--~_ 6 00@6 25 Sierm ........... 1 80@2 Ne --- 5 00@5 Far, USF _....... HE Turpentine, bbl. @92% Turpentine, less 1 00@1 Wintergreen, leat |. 6 00@6 Wintergreen, sweet MivGn. 2. 3 00@3 Wintergreen, art__ 80@1 Wormseed —_--~ 6 50@6 7 Wormw od _... 8 50@8 Potassium Bicarbonate __--_ 35@ Bichromate __--_- 15@ Dremide _....._... 69@ Bromide _........ 54@ Chlorate, gran’d 23@ Chlorate, powd. or Xtal __.- Cyanide —.....__.. 304 Joao Ll ., © oe Permanganate .. 20@ Prussiate, yellow 65@ Prussiate, red —- @1 Sulphate —....... 35@ Roots Almaoet ...._... 25@ Blood, powdered_ 35 Camus: =| «ge Elecampane, pwd = Gentian, powd... 20@ Ginger, African, powdered aa 30@ Ginger, Jamaica 60@ Ginger, Jamaica, powdered __-__ 55@ Goldenseal, pow. & 5 Ipecac, powd. -. 3 75@4 Licorice - Licorice, powd. 20@ Orris, powdered 30@ Poke, powdered. 35@ Rhubarb, powd. 1 00@1 Rosinwood, powd. @ Sarsaparilla, Hond. ground Sarsaparilla Mexican, ground Square 35@ Squills, powdered 60 Tumeric, powd. 17 Valerian, powd. 40@ Seeds PIB cen Anise, powdered 35@ Bue, 6 13@ Copa 13@ Caraway, Po. .30 25 Cardamon -—.._.. @3 Celery, powd. .dd_ .45 Coriander pow. .35 27 1 Dit 2%@ Vannell ............ 25 ss 08@ Flax, ground __.. 08@ Foenugreek pow. 15@ Hans ........... 8@ Lobelia, powd. .. @1 2 Mustard, yellow... 15 Mustard, black -. 20 Quince —_.._._..._. 1 50@1 ane 15@ Sabadilia oc ae Sunflower -.-..-. 11 %@ Worm, American ee Worm, Levant -... Tinctures Aconite ..__...... @1 aes 2... @1 Amica _..... he @1 Asafoetida ------ @2 Belladonna -_---- @1 Benzoin -_.------ @2 — Comp’d ; caervesaiion Dae @2 Capsicum -------- @2 Catechu --..---.. @1 a o aie @1 the day of issue. CichOna ..........-- @2 Colchicum --.... @i Cue @3 PAS css @1l Cee. @1 Ginger, D. S. .. @1 Gusiie ........ a @2 2 Guaiac, Ammon. @2 eee 6 @ Iodine, Colorless @1 nen Ci a. @1 Re i es @1 Mern ............ @2 Nux Vomica --_-- @1 Onan —......... @3 Opium, Camp. -- @ Opium, Devodorz'd @3 Rhubarb — ...... @1l Paints. Lead, red dry __ 15%@16% Lead, white dry 15% @16% Lead, white oil__ 15% @16% Ochre, yellow bbl. @ Ochre, yellow less 24@ Red Venet'n Am. 3%@ Red Venet’n Eng. 4@ Poe 5@ Whiting, bbi. in Whiting sill 2 ae L. H. P. Prep... 2 80@3 00 Rogers V’rep. .. 2 80@3 00 Miscellaneous Acetanalid __.......... 47@ 55 AI 08@ Alum. powd, and on ......... 09@ 3ismuth, Subni- wate 3 22@3 43 Borax Xtal or powdered .... o7@ 13 Cantharades, po. 1 75@2 25 Calomel ..._.... 1 79@1 99 Capsicum, powd 48@ Carinine ..._..... 6 V0@6 60 Cassia Buds -... 25@ 30 Chaven oo 50@ 56 Chak ¥ repared_ 14@ Chieroferm .......... 55 Chloral —— i 39@1 85 60@il = Cocaine ....... Cocoa Butter -... 50@ Corks, list, less 40@50% Copperas ........ 2% Copperas, Powd. 4@ Corrosive Sublm 1 4s@1 Cream Tartar -... 30@ Cuttle bone ..--.. 40@ Dextrine ' ... 64 @ Dover’s Powder 3 60@4 Emery, All Nos. lv@ Emery, Powdered 8@ Epsom Salts, bbis. @ Epsom Salts, less 3%@ Ergot, powdered — — Flake, White —--- Formaldehyde, . 30 Gelatine _.__...._ 1 10@1 7 Glassware, less 55%. Glassware, full case 60% Glauber Salts, bbl. @ 03 Glauber Salts less 04@ Glue, Brown _-.. 21 Glue, Brown Grd 15 Glue, white __.. 27%@ Glue, white grd. =. Glycerine .__.... 25@ TOUS oi mn 66@ ioG.ne .. 6 13096 lodoform ...... 7 35@7 6 Lead Acetate _. 20@ Mace. ...... i @1 20 Mace, powde red_ @1 2 Menthol .._.... 18 50@19 Morphine -__-. 11 18@11 9 Nux Vomica -_... Nux Vomica, pow. 17@ Pepper black pow. 32 Pepper, White -. 40 Pitch, Burgundry 10@ GRR oe 12 § GoInine . 12g : Rochelle Salts . 30 3 Saccharine ~~... Salt Peter —_.... 11@ Seidlitz Mixture s0@ Soap, green -... 15 Soap mott cast. 22%@ Soap, white castile CUNEO eee @ll Soap, white castile lees, per bar .... oo SOGE ABN nn nene Soda Bicarbonate 340 Soda, Sal __._.... G@@ Spirits Camphor .~ @l Sulphur, roli --.. 3%@ Sulphur, Subl. -.. 04@ Tamarndas ...... 20@ Tartar Emetic -. 70 Turpentine, Ven. 5 5 Vanilla Ex. pure 1 75@2 25 Vanilla Ex. pure 2 50@3 00 Zinc Sulphate -.. 06@ 16 filled at market orices at ADVANCED Octagon Soap Karo Syrup Argo Starch Quaker Milk Olives Veal date of purchase. Sugar Jelly MICHIGAN TRADESMAN GROCERY PRICE CURRENT These quotations are carefully corrected weekly, within six hours of mail- ing and are intended to be correct at time of going to press. Prices, however, are liable to change at any time, and country merchants will have their orders DECLINED Boned Herring AMMONIA Arctic, 16 oz. —_..--.- 2 00 Arctic, 32 oz. .--..... 3 25 Quaker, 36, 12 oz. case 3 85 AXLE GREASE 6 ite 2 24, 3 Ib. ee 10 lb. pails, per doz. 8 15 lb. pails, per doz. 11 25 lb. pails, per doz. 17 BAKING POWDERS Arctic, 7 oz. tumbler 1 Queen Flake, 25 lb. keg Royal, 10c, doz. 95 Royal, 6 oz., doz. Royal, Royal, ‘ 3 Rocket, dice _ ee. BEECH-NUT BRANDS. Mints, all flavors -__- - 60 cam 70 Fruit Drops —......... 70 Caramels .....-_ 70 Sliced bacon, large -- Sliced bacon, medium Sliced beef, large Sliced beef, medium — Grape Jelly, large -__ Grape Jelly, medium... Peanut butter, 16 oz. Peanuts butter, 10% oz Peanut butter, 6% oz. Peanut butter, 3% oz. Prepared Spaghetti __ Baked beans, 16 oz.__ a BLUING Original condensed Pearl bet eh LS CO em DO OT Co Crown Capped 4 doz., 10c dz. 85 INTJ 3 dz. l5c, dz. 1 265 BREAKFAST FOODS Cracked Wheat, 24-2 4% 8 Cream of Wheat, 18s Cream of Wheat, 36s Pillsbury’s Best Cer’l Quaker Puffed Rice__ Quaker Puffed Wheat Quaker Brfst Biscuit Kalston Purina Ralston Branzos ---. Ralston Food, large - Saxon Wheat Food __ CON web Olb-~1 605 Shred. Wheat Biscuit 3 85 Vita Wheat, 12s sis 13 Post’s Brands. Grape-Nuts, 24s __-- Grape-Nuts, 100s Instant Postum, No. 8 Instant Postum, No. 9 Instant Postum No. 10 Postum Cereal, No. 0 Postum Cereal, No. 1 Post Toasties, 326s. __ Post Toasties, 24s —__ Post’s Bran, 24s BROOMS Parlor Pride, doz. - 6 Standard Parlor, 23 lb. 7 Fancy Parlor, 23 Ib. 8 9 0 DOCOMO HP orotpg ce 2 oe Ex. Fancy Parlor 25 lb. 9 2 Bx. Fey. Parlor 26 Ib. es 2 DOW Wisk, No. 3 2020 2 Solid Back, 8 in. Solid Back, 1 in. Pointed Ends 2 3 0 BUTTER COLOR Dandelion, 28 Nedrow, 3 oz., [2 CANDLES Electric Light, 40 Ibs.-12.1 Plumber, 40 Ibs. —__- 12.8 Parafiine, 68 —......._ 1 Paraffine, Wicking Tudor, 6s, per box __ 30 CANNED FRUIT. Apples, 3 lb. Standard 1 50 Apples, No. 10 __ 4 50@5 50 Apple Sauce, No. 10 8 00 Apricots, No. 1 1 35@1 90 Apricots, No. 2 ____- 2 85 Apricots, No. 2% 2 60@3 75 Apricots, No. 10 8 00 3iackberries, No. Blueber’s, No. 2 2 00@2 Blueberries, No. 10__ 12 Cherries, No, 2 3 Cherries, No. 2% 3 Cherries, .vo. 10 ___. 10 7 Loganberries, No. 2 __ 3 Peaches, No. 1 1 25@1 Peaches, No. 1, Sliced 1 Peaches, No. 27 Peaches, No. Peaches, 2% Cal. 3 25@3 7 Peaches, 10, Mich. @ Pineapple, 1, sl. 1 80@2 Pineapple, 2 sl. 2 P’apple, 2 br. sl. P’apple, 2%, sli. é Papple, 2, cru. _... @2 Pineapple, 10 cru. __ 12 Pears, NO, 2 2 3 Pears, No. 2% __4 00@4 5 Plums, No. 2 __ 1 75@2 riume, No, 246 2. Raspberries, No. 2, blk 3 Raspb’s, Red, No. 10 12 Raspb's, Black, No. 10 ..- 44 50@12 § Rhubarb, No. 10 5 2 CANNED FISH. Clam Ch’der, 10% oz. 1 Clam Ch., No. 3 3 00@3 Clams, Steamed, No. 1 1 Clams, Minced, No. 1 2 Finnan Haddie, 10 oz. 3 Clam Bouillon, 7 oz.. 2 Chicken Haddie, No. 1 2 Fish Flakes, small __ 1 Cod Fish Cake, 10 oz. 1 Cove Oysters, 5 oz. -. 1 Lobster, No. 4, Star 2 Shrimp, 1, wet 2 10@2 Sard’s, 4% Oil, ky 5 75@6 Sardines, ™% Oil, k’less 5 Sardines, % Smoked 7 Salmon, Warrens, %s 2 Salmon, Red Alaska. 3 Salmon, Med. Alaska 2 Salmon, Pink Alaska 1 75 Sardines, Im. \%, ea. 10@28 Sardines, Im., , ea. 5 Sardises, Cal. _. 1 656@1 Tuna, %, Albocore Tuna, 4s, Curtis, doz. Tuna, %s, Curtis, doz. Tuna, 1s, Curtis, doz. CANNED MEAT. Bacon, Med. Beechnut Bacon, Lge. Beechnut Beef, No. 1, Corned __ 5 Beef. No. 1. Roast __ 75 Beef, No. 2%, Eagle sli 1 25 Beef, No. %, Qua. sli. 1 75 Beef, 5 oz., Qua. sli. 2 50 Beef, No. 1, B’nut, sli. 4 06 Nap Sago 86 Beefsteak & Onions, s 2 75 Chili Con Ca., Is 1 35@1 45 Deviled Ham, \%s ___ 2 20 Deviled Ham, %s 3 60 Hamburg Steak & Onions, No. 1 ___.... 3 15 Potted Beef, 4 oz. ___ 1 10 Potted Meat, 4% Libby 52% Potted Meat, % Libby gu Potted Meat, % Rose 85 Potted Ham, Gen. \4 1 85 Vienna Saus., No. % 1 35 Vienna Sausage, Qua. 95 Veal Loaf, Medium _. 2 30 Baked Beans Campbells 1 15 uaker, 18 oz. 95 Fremont, No. 2 ___.__ 1 20 Snider, No. 1 95 pmider, No. 2.1.” a» 1 25 Van Camp, small __.. 85 Van Camp, Med. ___. 1 CANNED VEGETABLES. : Asparagus. No. 1, Green tips 4 60@4 75 No. 2%, Lge. Green 4 50 W. Bean, cut 2 26 W. Beans, 10 __ 8 50@12 00 Green Beans, 2s 2 0uw3 75 Gr. Beans, 10s 7 50@13 00 L. Beans, 2 gr. 1 35@32 65 lima Beans, zs, Soaked 95 Red Kid. No. 2 1 20@1 35 Beets, No. 2, wh. 1 75@2 40 Beets, No. 2, cut -.__ 1 60 Beets, No, 3. cut ____ 1 80 Corn, No. 2, Ex stan 1 45 Corn, No. 2, Fan, 1 60@2 26 Corn, No. 2, Fy. glass 3 25 Corn, No. 10 __7 60@16 75 Hominy, No. 3 1 00@1 16 Okra, No. 2, whole . 2 00 Okra, No. 2, cut __. 1 60 Dehydrated Veg. Soup 90 Dehydrated Potatoes, Ib. 45 Mushrooms, Hotels ____ 42 Mushrooms, Choice __. 55 Mushrooms, Sur Extra 75 Peas, No. . E. J. 1 65@1 80 Con ely 1 90@2 10 . 2, EX. Sift. 2 60 . Fine, French 25 Pumpkin, No. 3 1 35@1 60 Pumpkin, No. 10 4 50@6 60 Pimentos, %, each 12@14 Pimentos, %, each _. 37 Sw’t Potatoes, No. 2% 1 60 Saurkraut, No. 3 1 40@1 60 Succotash, No. 2 1 65@2 60 Succotash, No. 2, glass 2 80 Spinach, No. 1). 1 25 Spinach, No. 2__ 90 Spinach, No. 3__ 50 Spinach, No. 10__ 6 00@7 00 ‘1omatoes, No. 2 1 40@1 60 Tomatoes, No. 3 2 00@2 25 Tomatoes, No. 2 glass 2 60 Tomatoes, No. 1u 7 50 CATSUP. B-nut,, Small 2 Lilly Valley, 14 oz. __ 2 Libby, 14 oz, TARDY, 8 os. 1 75 Lily Valley, % pint 1 Paramount, 24, 8s ___. 1 45 Paramount, 24, 16s __ 2 Paramount, 6, 10s _. 10 Sniders, 8 oz. 1 Sniders, : Nedrow, 10% CHILI SAUCE Snider, 16 oz. 8 35 Sniders, § oz. | 2 35 Lilly Valley, 8 oz. Lilly Valley, 14 oz. OYSTER COCKTAIL. Sniders, 16 oz, ______ 3 25 Sniders, 8 oz. ________ 2 35 CHEESE Roquefort. 55 Kraft Small tins ____ Kraft American Chili; small ting —_- Pimento, small tins__ Roquefort, small tins Camenbert, small tins Wisconsin Old Wisconsin new Longhorn Michigan Full Cream New York Full Cream Pap Sapo ee 4 CHEWING GUM. Black Jack -_-- 65 Bloodberry --_--~ 65 Dentyne _______ 65 Adams Calif. Fruit _ Adams Sen Sen Beeman’s Pepsin ______ 65 Beecknut |. 70 Doublemint ~~ -_________ 65 Juicy Fruit ..2. 65 Peppermint, Wrigleys _. 65 Spearmint, Wrigleys _. 65 Wrigley’s P-K 65 Zeno 65 Denver Q222 65 CHOCOLATE. Baker, Caracas, \%s Baker, Caracas, %s Hersheys, Premium, %s 35 Hersheys, Premium, 8 36 Runkle, Premium, %s_ 29 Runkle, Premium, ¥%s_ 32 Vienna Sweet, 24s ___ 2 10 Adams Adams Adams 37 -- 35 43 35 = 82 Droste’s Dutch, 1 Ib... 9 00 Droste’s Dutch, Ib. 4 75 Droste’s Dutch, Hersheys, Hersheys, Huyler Lowney, Lowney, Lowney, Lowney, Runkles, Runkles, Van Houten, i 76 Van Houten. % i COCOANUT. %s, 5 lb. case Dunham 4s, 5 Ib. case —_..____ %s & %s 15 Ib. case__ Bulk, barrels shredded 48 2 oz. pkgs., per case 4 48 4 oz. pkgs., per case 7 CLOTHES LINE. Hemp, 50 ft. _...._____ 2 Twisted Cotton, 50 ft. 1 oe “4 ft. 27 HUME GROCER CO. ROASTERS MUSKEGON, MICH COFFEE ROASTED Maracaibo Gautemala Java and Mocha ____ 46 Bogota 4 Peaberry McLaughlin’s Vacuum packed. Always fresh. Complete line of high-grade bulk _ coffees. W. F. McLaughlin & Co., Chicago Coffee Extracts M. Y., per 100 —.... Frank’s 50 p ; 4 25 Hummel’s 50 Ib. ~. 10% Kept-Fresh CONDENSED MILK Leader, 4 doz. —_____ 6 75 Eagle, 4 doz. —...____ 9 00 MILK COMPOUND Hebe, Tall, 4 doz. _. 4 50 Hebe, Baby, 8 doz. .. 4 40 Carolene, Tall, 4 doz. 3 80 Carolene, Baby -_.... 3 50 EVAPORATED MILK Quaker, Tall, 4 doz. __ 4 35 Quaker, Baby, 8 doz. 4 25 Quaker Gallon, % dz. 4 20 Blue Grass, Tall, 48 -. 4 25 Pal O Mine, 24, 5c ____ Blue Grass, Baby, 96 4 15 Blue Grass, No. 10 ~~ 4 25 Carnation, Tall, 4 doz. 4 Carnaion, Baby, 8 dz. 4 livery Day, Tall __. 4 Iivery Day, Baby ---- 4 Pet, Tall 4 Pet. Baby, 802. 25. Borden’s, Tall Borden’s Baby ------- Van Camp, Tall _... 4 Van Camp, Baby ---.-. 3 CIGARS Worden Grocer Co. Brands Master Piece, 50 Tin_ 37 50 Henry George 37 50 Harvester Kiddies -. 37 60 Harvester Record B. 75 00 Harvester Delmonico 75 00 Harvester Perfecto_. 95 Uv Websteretts 37 50 Webster Savoy -.-- 75 00 Webster Plaza 95 00 Webster Belmont__.-110 00 Webster St. Reges_.125 00 Starlight Rouse ---- 90 00 Starlight P-Club -- 135 00 La Azora Agreement 58 00 La Azora Washington 75 00 Little Valentine -___ 37 60 Valentine Broadway 75 00 Valentine DeLux Im 95 00 Wione: 2-2 30 00 Clint Ford ~._--._. -- 35 00 Nordac ‘Triangulars, 1-20, per M Wordens Havana Specials, 1-20, per M 75 00 Little Dutch Stogie 18 50 CONFECTIONERY Stick Candy Pails Standard oo osc oe 17 Jumbo Wrapped ---_- 19 Pure Sugar Sticks 600s 4 2f¢ Big Stick, 20 lb. case 20 Mixed Candy Grocers) 20200 oe 12 Fancy Chocolates 5 lb. Boxes Bittersweets, Ass’ted 1 70 Choc Marshmallow Dp 1 70 Milk Chocolate A A__ 1 80 Nibble Sticks 1 Primrose Choc. No. 12 Choc., No. 12, Choc., Light — 1 75 Chocolate Nut Rolis — 1 75 Gum Drops Pails AMIBG eo ee 17 Orange Gums —..... 17 Challenge Gums ---_-_- 14 Pavorite. 2 20 Superior, Boxes —-_-_. 24. Lozenges. Pails . Pep. Lozenges 18 cink Lozenges 18 . A. Choc. Lozenges 18 Motto Hearts —__---_.. 20 Malted Milk Lozenges 22 Hard Goods. Pails Lemon Drops _.__-.__ 20 O. F. Horehound dps. 20 Anise Squares ____-___ 19 Peanut Squares __- -- 20 Horehound Tabets __. 19 Cough Drops Bxs. Putnam Soe 1 30 smith Bros, 2202) 1 50 Package Goods Creamery Marshmallows 4 oz. pkg., 12s, cart. 95 4 oz. pkg., 48s, case 3 90 Specialties. Walnut Fudge -_--___- 23 Pineapple Fudge — _____ 21 Italian Bon Bons __-__- 19 Atlantic Cream Mints_ 3] Silver King M. Mallows 31 Walnut Sundae, 24, 5c 80 Neapolitan, 24, 5¢ ____ Yankee Jack, 24, 5c __ 80 Mich. Sugar Ca., 24, 5c * 0 COUPON BOOKS 50 Economic grade __ 2 50 100 Economic grade __ 4 50 500 Economic grade 20 00 1,000 Economic grade 37 50 Where 1,000 books are ordered at a time, special- ly print front cover is furnished without charge. CREAM OF TARTAR 6 Ib: boxes: 2.20 38 December 31, 1924 DRIED FRUITS Apples Evap. Choice, bulk ____ 15 Apricots Evaporated, Choice ____ Evaporated, Fancy Evaporated, Slabs -____ 24 27 22 Citron 10 Ib. box 22s ——— a0 Currants Package, 14 oz. ~_____ 17 Greek, Bulk, Ib. —---_. 16 Hollowi Peaches Evap., Choice, unp. -__ 15 Evap., Ex. Fancy, P. P. 20 Peel Lemon, American -. 34 Orange, American -._..24 Raisins. Seeded, bulk 9 Thompson’s s’dless blk 9% Seeded, 15 oz. 11 Thompson’s seedless, California Prunes 70@80, 25 lb. boxes ~.@08 oUWi0, Zo lb. boxes -.@09% 60@70, 25 lb. boxes _.@11 40W50, 25 lb. boxes --@1414 40-40, 25 lb. boxes ~.@17 20-30, 25 Ib. boxes ~.@23 FARINACEOUS GOODS Med. Hand Picked __ 07 Cal. Limas 16 Brown, Swedish Red Kidney 0944 Farina 24 packages ooo 2 50 Bulk, per 100 Ibs ~_-- 06% Hominy Pearl, 100 lb. sack Macaroni Domestic, 20 lb. box 09 Armours, 2 doz., 8 oz. 1 80 Fould’s 2 doz., 8 oz. 2 25 Quaker, 2 doz. ---.... 1 80 Pearl Barley Chester 00 and 0000 --.-....-- 7 25 Barley Grits 06 4 00 Scotch, Ib. ee Split, lb. yellow —_-.__ 08 Split, green ~~... -- 10 Sago fast India. 2202 10 Taploca Pearl, 100 Ib. sacks . 9% Minute, 8 oz., 3 doz. 4 05 Dromedary Instant -. 3 50 FLAVORING EXTRACTS --_ % ounce 80 __.1% ounce ---24% ounce ounce ---4 ounce --.8 ounce ---16 ounce __ 24 00 ---32 ounce ._ 48 00 Arctic Flavorings Vanilla or Lemon 1 oz. Panel, doz. -... 1 00 2 oz. Flat, doz. -_____ 3 00 3 oz. Taper, 40 bot. for 6 75 Jiffy Punch 3 doz. Carton ________ Assorted flavors. Mason, pts., per gross 7 70 Mason, qts., per gross 9 00 Mason, % gal., gross 12 05 Ideal, Glass Top, pts. 9 20 Ideal Glass Top, qts. 10 80 gallon 16 36 FRUIT CANS. Mason. Half pint) or One ‘pint 3. One quart’ 2222 032 9 00 Half gallon ________ 12 00 Ideal Glass Top. Halt pint ooo 8 85 One pint, 22s cs 9 20 One quart -__________ 10 90 Half gallon _______ 16 25 Rubbers. Good Luck -__._.. 75@80 NAO we ee 1 oo et 2 25 Go Seer eS Se ao © December 31, 1924 GEL Jello-O, : ATINE M K: a? 3 do Pin Ic eas’ Sparkling, dow. 345 4 ‘ Jars, dozen HIGAN TR Seeeka Aeldu'd. ook 2 5% ; i “7 o 4 ADESMAN Plymou OZ. . 25 9 OZ. J ’ pl., do : Ss alt Me th —__--- * 2 ar, plai z. 1 60 P Bell ats Quaker , White 05 20 oz. J plain, do ies Bl 3 ---- . Jar, z. 2 36 -- 18 00 locks, s oe 5 oH iy Jer, gen —— 7c ue ere @20 00 fyyN3 salt ie a wa 42 ON oO . Jar, ., doz. 1 35 b. pO oe, ay 3 . cn 4 eacls C Per doz jor comma Peete — Z 2 3 = - a SS advance pe, 2 ib ce ation é a te a oz., 1 dz 2 25 29 a Sa . Jar, St , doz. 3 50 . pail ___-advance 1} 20. 10 Ib. T ae 5 BT Qu sh Clean. 4 SELLY --- 120 doz. es uffed, 10 lb. pa s _.--advan “4 28 lb. be ale -- 5 57 ' een Ann, 60 ' dz 3 40 Mich Maple Pure Papen PRESERVES = | aed — 75 : > a ~““Taadvanee * ee eet eat 5 = es 100 oz. oz. 2 40 vom. << Imitatio . pails ANUT . 7 00 a . pails _---advance 1 e Salt _. 2 No More, 106 10 5 75 : on — a ene a _-.- 3 50 BUTT Con ~---ad - 2 40 oZ. e, 100 ,10 TABL --- 2 80 Pure 6 ' 30 lb. pails 9 ER. . aypound ti vance 1 > -- , L E SAU OZ s ails 1 Cc tierces Rub N ae ; ea & CES. ee, doz. 1 ‘0 P er ae --- 14% Serra More. 18 Lg cag Lee & Late et 6 00 eG oz., doz. 2 20 Poloase Sausages ------ 15 20 pen Cleanser, a 4 00 rouge . rin, small. 3 35 LY oe Sani Flush, 1 doz ie aT ne ee 8 oz GLASSES i ees oe 12% oe ai lush, I an 3 8d Tobasco - o---- } 60 ., per doz. ---- Frankfort 12 ao si 325 Ghe You oe aneecine * ork ann—-oonn— ta Be | snowbes eden as Ack bee 0a, dow 310 Kent RGARINE Veal ——--------—- aad ee eee 100, 10 © - € 40 a oe 5 2 Good oe Brands Tongue ——————- NS AS oa se Large a ‘ 80 Capers, 2 sa 3 iS ’ : e i Ss ita OZ. oo seo ai Luck, 2 - S26 ——« eons ALT: oe 72 . Gest eal 7 20 + a. 2 eee - ~f'se ne d Hams, sk. z yandotte, 48 ------- ‘= J 96 | Edge, ¢ 7 nae ie n ams oe 476 Medi apan Deliciz ge, 2 lb. - 6 24 1 doz. in Hea “a ok 23 75 Medium - : ee --- 25% 12 2 ou wed a one » tb. 24 SPICES eee nae » & oe -- 4 lb en ee Cc ee Ww ° é ay --- aoe 35 204 _ pails 6 in crate alifornia Hams _ hol No --—=-- @44 Vv 1, 14 6 in ua tan Ayieut e Spl - | Nibbs ane an ee plait 25 pails ae crate i as eee : an” 7 — 1 Ib. Bag ------ 52@59 arload — 50 Ib. Essig see nae” oe ‘ Pa Scucinar _: @i6 = Sifting __-- * : A epee Minced Hams 89 @32 Five cas: 24, 2 Ibs Cassia, Canton = w40 Fancy hesadesesei 1 PRODU acon ms --- 14 ws. Jodi sase lots ; .. 2 40 inger, : £., Nia 25 ancy —— a. co Pe Iro — dll” ee a 15 dized, 24, 2 o------~ 9 imper, frican _ * 40 Se 8 USSA) Perfection Kerosine wn 12 a oie wee #2 vexoo, meta “en NUT isco 1th) -- 14. } , Fenans a : edi SLEGMARGARINE I Pidlige ao 1 Rump, caw mp 18 00@22 00 Worcester —_ No. 1s al =. cate a ee camel Ve P a Ramp, ance Meats 00 — Mixed, Ge pkgs, dos. @22 Congou, ish Breaktast N pe ro ine 36.2 Co sed No. 1 ¢ Cy Nu s, 70-80 = i Coenen ae 2 Nucoa, 1 Capitol Cylinder n= o Condensed Bakers ‘brick % ee \ 4 Pe er ae ------ @70 Congou, Fancy wees seis , 1 Ib. Winter ed Engine_-_ : ass 1 test » Black ----@65 ---- 42¢ — oo oe ee oT a YT) rae “tae a — Oolong _ eee ‘ a NOR Allspice, Jami aa ian certified & Co.'s oe Q@olarin e ta. oe 3 50 ‘ Ra Clever wenuihar M20 Chole —-<2------o--—-7- = Wut _ ee fa _ 4 Ue 1 r “assla, Canton F @20 0 SWINE — Ceeiey Eels. ---- 25 frotat uel 7 AL Ginger ‘anton - ~~. on 50 vegas Bole :, ee eee 14 00 to 1 Must r, Co-Fin ----- @25 Cotton. 3 TWINE MATCHES _ 251% Iron B Kits, 15 Ib rn ae Prmasirn Say Mac ~~ ---~- a i 3 ply cone Crescent naa Sot es arrets. % ko iy aa lbs oe gees 90 Siig hate Penang - CNS @28 Wool : one balls re = Diamond. . oo 59 bis., 40 Ibs. —--—-- Bh oe Pep ees .---- .-@1 15 : iy -- 4% ° ; ----=<-- 9 a 59.2 Ho 0 Ibs - 1 60 bls. 30- epper, Black “oP VINEGAR, § poesia oo . ees ae Ea 61.2 oo pel aan 300. Dee. ae sks. __- Pepper, ak @70 Cider VINEGAR ? a Stick as box 8 00 us Sheng ne a: Beef, ——_ hee es 120. _ one 40 Sona a — pi White tos 2s Diamond ec bhxs 5 5 Cra. ay ; Sh ’ iddles apelaeaes @26 0-3 lb. -2% sks tee 55 -aprika < ne .- Ber a Whit ne, 80 asi . 144 bx | 50 Ri Deacon Ol... 69.2 eep, @ skei set. 25@3 Bbls. 28 sks. — — ¢ 069 . Spanish ___- @32 e Wine grain 22 Safet ah ee 2 = ein 1 75@2 6 Bois. 280 1b. bulk: 6 05 ---- @38 , 40 grain Quaker, a Finol, 8 ise cans, doz. oa Fanc RICE 75@2 00 2 Pa ies : bulk: 5 chin P Seasoning Ne WICKING 17 MINCE vo. case 4 75 Parowax, 100, 1b doz. 2.00 me Blue Rose 7% aes oe 4 20 Celery et 15¢ No. ' per gross Po Such . a aia 40, 1 - cy aed Head ---- ne a 4 _ tgs 4 20 Sage. 2 ~ Sa , - No 4 sa “ee... 1 75 a ‘ Oz. Ww: : Cs 0 Broken —————--------- @ | Medi ey “ go i . Lae — 5 a re ee Snker. don. case 5 3 ay SN teed Loree ae Ss egumnseh i aia By alga Sait s§ So. ie par eroee a? i | s. wet, Tb ni ee el Cut, 10 TS Ca ea - farm Pone ce ee 135 Roc ess Rolls af. 4 MOLA = ace So ig Ib. sks. 3 50 Cases, ivory, 24-2 ----- 92 eee! poe a... 1 26 poe’ me doz. 90 SSES. Quaker, 18 Mal Fam. 25 oes 95 lb. Ne 2 cart 2 35 ta ne n Bouque 78 os oe N “ap doz. 50 bo aa 12s rT. of ve ee 25 lb. ns med. 28 Po Leaves t - 4 50 Rayo, per aaa 3, doz. 2 00 Bane. ig N 2 75 i gy oe ae 40 ee ------- 20 w } 80 . jilver Flak , Il'num 3 2 a 160th dairy 76 chy Sob ge 1 | 90 OODENWA Sacks, 9 ’ R s sacks 7 a c a eet 90 Ib. wets eg. 1 60 SOAP ks 70 ate. a 9@ Bushels Baskets - s, 90 Ib. Con 3 65 Am. Family t, 2% Oz. eT a _ wire a band nega fn oe ay 100 box 6 3 STARCH - 90 Bushels, ancien eo . Holland ek ¢ win} Four Wh ye oa aa ae Corn et eee band, 15 ia . Ls %0.; “ake Whi . Na. 100s 3 : igsford Market " eae 36 roll Brand " Hols N 1ite, 100 s399 Powder , 40 lbs Market, drop. hi nan 1 18 r packages Gra Naptha, 7 box 425 Ars ered, bags _ 1% | arket, single andie = 36 roll packages Le 2 . pong age Na. 100s ; a0 Cream — ; Ib. pkgs. 4 50 oe: bara extra handle | 90 18 car ackages — - 2 30 Nz : ore Ww 10 Quak . kes. 4 05 Spli , large — ene 1 50 rion packages — oa sett eheesic, Pp cer, 40-1 _------. 105 Splint, medium -———- § 60 Arm and CERATUS — 260 20 Mule gon 100 box . oo . ---- 17 ee 7 60 Gold Bre s ammer Wool, 1 orax, 100 eal 49 Argo, 48 loss Ch _.. 6 50 No. 10, 6 r Rabbit Semdac Granulat AL SODA _ 8% Fairy tec box ox 7 55 Argo. 13 t Ib. pkgs Barrel, 5 a. a Nol BI cans to case 5 91 Semdac, 12 pt. ca Granul ed, bbs. - Jap R G0 ree 6 50 hie, &, § 6 th pke pop Daisey . each. 9 : a2 5 95 ac ns at — Lose ie & ie _ a9 pkgs. 2 96 3 . bal ; 40 No. 244 cans to case 6 2 ’ 12 qt. can 270 Granul ed, 100 Ibs 1 80 Palm >, 100 box C6 ho Sliver G Ib. pkgs . 2 96 to 6 gai -. vach. No. 1%. . hans 40 68 6 whicKLEs s 4 30 masini 36 2% i 200 Lava one, a cn . 85 oo a aa ta 3 35 pind gal. _- * ve : cans to ne 5 7 OB ome latin : Octag Ox -~~ 00 Tiger oe rhe. lM No. i, 3 ases. No. les ond ae o Barrel, 100, count 24 50 mien — FISH 2 25 eum, ian eas . Tiger, oa ------ a 3 o ae ‘ Pied Pi 5 00 No. 5, 12 ns to case 4 0 gallon — 0 count 1 ais, 1 ib. Pure .- 16 Sweetheart a 4k ce No. 1, Star of rrier__ 10 00 No. 21 cans to as 4 6( on kegs -- 225 Tablets, . Pure .- lt Grand , 100 box — 5 85 — oy NO Star EB Trays No. Te 36 cans ea ention ant 7 & eo nes Grandpa Tar, 60 sri. 2 00 CORN SYRUP " ue a trays 12 60 eee 10 "5 gallon, 900 a 140 Coco: Hardwater - Begian soe es No. 10 a Brand 0 ee aia 10 00 0 cer 2 ee Fai a, ize, 1 N iy patent spring 06 ve Waa ee 1g soo since a tied $2 panne “ar, 0) ge , Seliger amhald U8 fo. 2%. 24 © case 3 25 PI _--- 18 00 ueen. a 10 cakes p, 100, 10c 0 1 of C 7 0 RS. Fatt oe | Pea Se main par a _— * a iam 1 sous onean ca. 3 00 PLAYING C o@1 20 YM 2a age 17 50 oe ea er 9s 5 A 1 Mop eats a Fancy Open Kettle Ea oo a —.. 1 10 Pro Mug, per doz a C4, / 10 qt. Gal sg (thoice ettle ue Ri poe r doz. 2 "halt bbis. __. ctor ae ce Sy, 5 12 at. ra vanize ag oon hr ee ee fo omen | a Galvanized "3 ee ee re a oa ca « ie ag 19 00 oe 100, 6 0 ssorted . cKrsyru 12 at. eee 9 “ arrels 6 Babbitt’ TASH KK ring ry, 100 a 8 GOLDEN-C p 10 flaring G . s & H’' Ale op + anes : le Ib. cans oo. ao a ae n, 5 -- Tos hen EE op sirens HCE GM Tubs, ty Aone as oe m) Rate wood, cee | te NUT 2 Ib, 515 Top ows. ae te 1s, 60 count. at 24 50 6. i stal Whit Mou ae. 1 00 Al = Joo Aa EEE 121 Med Satea ial a 4 OU 12, : ic cans je Syree ouse, spring —-----— 1 6¢ \lmonds, Te ec a ls SH Fancy, 100 24, 21 D. cans -- 3 70 ------ % Brazil, New rregona 2 Co nes a OE B Ib. 13 24, 2% tb. cans “77-3 99 Large G Tubs Panee New ee mmon oo 69 2 in 1 _ EE ReRenin’ 00 24, 1% Nl ane __ i = M “se Galvanized Sa ad alate i fa 7 i ‘ e, d 3. 2 tb. cans i 4 05 Mediun oh ct o oe So aaa go Good Veal. 07% mz, Combination, aa ; 35 Penick Maple sa a Time - 7 80 uts, Virginia, O56 || SOR ~-a-=------ =~ : Bix sanyo aggre iol 35 6, 10 -Like S anized .--- 6 5 ee oe raw 11% Mediun eee a 16 Tien San 2 00 2 5 - cans yFeP Banner Washboards se Reta _. 13 We ---- 14 a. 1 35 24, 21 ‘i cans 445 Brass oo ae - Peanuts, Jumbo, et oe. srmgTOVE POLISH. | bi unin Glass, single o inn s, 3 star , rstd 15 Medi wae - ee e, per . — ». Cans a 0 conls Paaiens ... 7 pecan: Fame ao oh coll ai Se ee 32 _—— Silk Li doz. -- 1 35 ; 6 Unkle o 23 rai Peerless oe 6 00 Walnut ‘ 10 « I eS lack Sil quid, d rs ; 620 TI Ned N Peerless aoe ts, California, e Mutton, 22 Hnamaline Paste, doz. in oo aah ye sa pool 3 5 eg ee ua. 7 -- FOC , ae : 5 s aA » pa . cans woo & OG Jnive ‘as cuae ‘a Fancy, No. pe ae ee eee ag ree a 35 Eas SCOURS oe te cans ie a 1s yo Lay ante Poor sae ae i : << per oo ; 35 i UBsS-PoL!S gs ion a cans - 3 85 12 in indow Cleaner S 4 — % Tweens 1 mae “Soe. is rare 4 ee oe 1 erro 8 pupae on ene oat on a = ca es per doz. : . 1ck BRE. jun a Ye er +& ita, Spanish. 62 Medium ST 1 ulcan inamel, 7s: aoe 5 ane Ib. bags ie Light Po a ee Yuncanot No. 5, Pi 2 60 Blue Kar / 1 wast Geese 2 30 pilberts aman a. - ae ve an 1 80 can cas ee ae ey a. mn a 32 a See e -- 13% . ‘per doz. z. 1 35 ses, $4.80 Bina & ro, No. ! ,; ah 2 i, ae Scene es Z s one oe he es ‘ pe a € Karo - , 1 dz ~ 1 : ries 1 02 Shoulders te - Colonial a 7 - 3 00 WASHING P i Cane Red Karo ' a 10 net a0 1 i. 4 ewes. 63 Spareribs Sooo 15 Log Cab : 2 tb. - o Bon Ami OWDERS ted Kar ees Ll, > oY i ha 2 gal - ck wee 13% na Cabin rere 24-2 2 : eee a goers dz. bx 3 75 Red Karo oo 5, 1 dz. 4 oe eal eee PA Bulk, 3 : 860 ae Os ed. N -2 Ib. case 1 ‘imaline ‘ake, 3 dz. 3 nt Ma o. 10 a A e, Ma PER ee Sa w —_proviins oe haa § Sina: ts 18 he itale Pavan: Beth iantas_ white ten art Jars, d __.. 8 00 Barr ‘armer Sp b. be. oF Srandma, 24_ Lon Genes | o. 1%, 2 : — aa 08 7 COAL Clear ear Pork Packe pec... +0 . 9 Gold o 24 Large _ 400 Or: ige, No. 5 b, 2 dz. 3 3d Kraft ania ...... _ 5 50 Clear Bac tyeara® 00@30 00 Crushed tpg led Alay gate OE a a ce oe id ean Kraft SiS ne 08 9 00@s0 00 creas ock for ice 62 Golde net. 12 Large 00 Gr Ma -- 470 YEAST CAKE 09 B . 100 Ib A n Rod rge 3 20 treen ple. M EAST we utter Salt ase on al a 3 aa uw 4 25 Groen — Karo Maas. 3 doz CAKE ; . bbl 4 50 France Laun., 4 ‘abel Karo - Sunlight es L La non & SO aro .. 5 Ss , 3 doz. an 2 70 uster Box, re 4daz.360 K Maple a 5 19 seen is diet 2 70 ee anuck nd Ca east F OS. — 81! ck, per ne Y ‘oam, 3 ae 1 Mayflower ry gal. east Foam, doz. _. 2 er, per gal. 7? YEAST—ct 1% doz. 1 S yal. .. ‘ee , pe ree r dos. 20 30 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 31, 1924 Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court. Grand Rapids, Dec. 22—On this day was held the final meeting of creditors in the matter of Olive Kk. McGannon, Bankrupt No. 2502. The bankrupt was not present or represented. The trustee was not presented or represented. Glenn D. Matthews was present for creditors. Claims were allowed. An _ order was made for the payment of administration expenses and a final dividend of 18.45 per cent. There were no objections to the discharge of the bankrupt. The meeting was then adjourned without date, and the case will be closed and re- turned to the district court in due course. Dee. 23. On this day was held the first meeting of creditors in the matter of Louis V. Claire, Bankrupt No. 2598. The bankrupt was present in person and by attorneys, Jewell, Raymond & Face. No creditors were present or represented. Claims were proved and allowed. The bankrupt was sworn and examined with- out a reporter. No trustee was appoint- ed. The meeting was then adjourned without date and the case closed and re- turned as a case without assets. On this day aiso was held the sale of assets in the matter of Christian Coffee Corporation, Bankrupt No. 2568. The trustee was present in person. The bank- rupt corporation was present by Clare J. Hall, attorney. Several bidders were present. The machinery and equipment was sold to D. F. Helmer, for $725. The furniture and fixtures were sold to Geo. Hoeksema for $100. ‘The account, bills and notes receivable were sold to Flor- ence K. Sullivan for $310. All of the sales were confirmed. The special meet- ing was then adjourned without date. On this day also were received the schedules, order of reference and adjudi- eation in bankruptcy in the matter of George Myers, Bankrupt No. 2613. The bankrupt is a resident of Rockford and has conducted a restaurant at such place. The schedules filed list assets of $1,211.60, of which $250 is claimed as exempt to the bankrupt, with liabilities of $4,208.15. Almost half of the liabilities are represented by clams secured on the assets and the court has written for funds for the first meeting, and upon arrival of the same the first meeting will be called, and note of the same made here. A list of the creditors of the bank- rupt is as follows: Clara Eastman, Rockford oe $ 15.00 Victor W. Krause, Rockford —----- 200.00 G. R. Store Fixture Co., Grand R. 937.20 Rockford Co-operative Associatino, Potitoee 0 ee Chaffee Bros., Grand Rapids ---- 600.00 2. C. A. Grand Rapids __-__ 10.00 X Cigar Co., Grand Rapids i. Woodhouse Co., Grand Rapids ---- Squires & €o., Rockford .______ Vanden Berge Cigar Co., Grand R. Schneider & Co., Grand Rapids -- Zouge River Light & Power Co., Rocko _.... Dick Kimm Furn. Co., Rockford —- 2 Paimolive Co., Chicago —_-------- Kent Storage Co., Grand Rapids__ lowell Johnson, Rockford _______- G. R. Kolatona Co., Grand Rapids Coffee Ranch, Grand Rapids —---- Hunting Co., Rockford ens G. R. Store Fixture Co., Grand R. ireoguois Co., Flint -.--__-_- Lael Hetier & Co., Chicago -—..-- oo General Cigar Co., Chicago —__-_- Grey-Beach Cigar Co., Grand Rap. J. Cc. Dilineham, Rockford __.__- Chas. A. Coye, Inc., Grand Rapids Rockford Creamery Co., Rockford 4 Dennis Bros., Rockford B G HP. Cigar Co., Detroit ____- Patterson Printing Co., Grand R. Tuxpan Importing Co, Chicago -- Newspaper Engraving Co., Grand Pete. 3.49 Reliable Safe & Leok Co., Coving- ion. Ky. ese (oe oe Cc. G. MeBride, Rockford oe AES, Finch Bros., Rockford 2. 18.00 Petersen & Thompsett, Rockford__ 180.00 Rockford State Bank, Rockford__ 100.00 Pythian Lodge, Rockford -_---__- 43.00 Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co., Grand Rapids --- _.. 142.45 Elliott Service Co., New York ---- 8.65 Kelly Ice Cream Co., Grand Rapids 100.00 A. E. Brooks & Co., Grand Rapids 78.00 A. R. Walker Candy Corp., Mus- kegon piece eke ae ee uae “s eee ae 35.54 D>. Ho Moore, Greenville .....--__ 11.32 Pete McCarthy, Grand Rapids - 17.50 Dec. 24. On this day were received the schedules, order of reference, adjudi- cation in the matter of Christian Coffee Co., a partnership, and Alfred E. Chris- tian, Reginald Christian and Peter Chris- tian, individually. Bankrupts No. 2511: The matter has been referred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bankruptcy. The bankrupt partnership was engaged in the business of roasting and vending coffee in the city of Grand Rapids and else- where, with offices at such city. assets later were merged in the Chris- tian Coffee Corporation, later bankrupt, and which is in the course of adminis- tration in bankruptcy court. The sched- ules of the partnershp list no assets other than those heretofore turned over to the corporation, with liabilities of $10,- 316.33, and claiming exemptions for the individuals out of any property the estate may have, of $1,500. The court has writ- dividually show assets of $400, all of Max Cobb, Grand Rapids eee ee 28.00 “aang for i? for the first meeting and which is claimed as exempt, with liabil- Atwood Brass Co., Grand Rapids__ 10.00 upon receipt of the same the first meet- ities of $10,942.44. | Most of the liabili- Holwerda Htg. Co., Grand Rapids 21.50 ing will be called and note of the same ties are are those of the partnership. The Tubbs Oil Co., Grand Rapids ees ele made here. A list of the creditors of fol owing liabilities in addition are listed: Minnesota Mining Co., St. I aul = | 20-26 the partnership is as follows: J. Silverman, Grand_ Raps eee oe Ae ol aeuemieais Varnish Co., soe ce i. 4 cea Eppens Smith Co., New York ---- 563.5 \ ag) aan nn “6 se ee eras re schedules of the individual Regi- Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch, Grand R. 42.00 ee eee peace 1.45 ja Christian show assets of $530, all Old National Bank, Grand Rapids 150.00 National Cash Register Co., Grand __ of which are claimed as exempt, with G. R. Savings Bank, Grand Rapids 50.00 : oye ya — ao ce liabilities of $10,657.44. The coe oe Security Co., Cin- | op sradstreet Co., Granc apids -._ 37.9 are listed as creditors of this individua Cinnati jo 277.68 Chope Stevens Paper Co., Detroit 57.17 jn addition to the liability as a partner Sewall Paint & Glass Co., Cincin- i Chappell & Harl, Grand Rapids -- oT in the bankrupt firm: mati —____--________-___._-_______-. 67.00 ae et ee ee pe 108.15 Eppens Smith Co., New York ----$563.66 Patrick W. Foley, Grand Rapids 19.00 ra. sa. a ee eee eb La Salle Extension University, Dehco Enameling Co., Kansas City 15.00 Iskeda Homma Co, New York _--- 552.00 Ce Federal Products Co., Grand Rap. 16.50 Michigan Tradesman, Grand Rap. 49.98 Chicago -——-- : 40.00 lee eae Tats Cee aS SA ; Michigan Street Car Advertising Dec. 27. On this day were received On this day also ee the ao eee 955.66 the schedules, order of reference and schedules, anes oF Chronicle, Muskegon __- 18.00 adjudication in bankruptcy In the matter Tindeaw A. Dahigreen, Bankrupt No. Tarthwester ric Grand Rao 24 of Fred Voss, doing business as_ Dehco Northwestern Weekly, Grand Rap. 24.00 HMuameline Co., eeibaie No. 2615. The 2616. The matter has been referred to pankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids Charles B. Blair as referee in bankrupt- National Checking Co., Chicago--~ 100.00 Peerless Paper Box Mfg. Co., Cleve- land 296.37 and has conducted a business at such cy. The bankrupt is a resident of Fre- An ‘ Rohloff Bros., Grand Rapids ---- Silbar Co., Grand Rapids -------- 61.80 Lawrence W. Smith, Grand Rapids ee matter has been ase EB. an, Gankeupt, with Habllities of $5,125.33. : schedules list assets of $2,764, of which The court has written for funds for the $500 is claimed as exempt to the bank- first meeting, and upon arrival of the rupt, with liabilities of $932.01. Certain same the first meeting wil be called, questions as to the nature of the secured and note of the same made here. A list Standard Oil Co., Grand Rapids __ 4 Swanson Bros., Chicago ------ Thompson-Taylor Co., Chicago —-38,482.% Tisch-Hine Co., Grand Rapids -- 2 United Auto Ins. Co., Grand Rap. 31.5 e : Vigil Pub. Co., Grand Rapids -__- 50.00 claims make the 87 Blair as referee ‘oo F Toiman Co., New York —. 232.68 the first meeting E c ) ee) ee . : ARS receipt of the same the first meeting will Jos. M. Stern Co., Cleveland —----- $. 40.40 be called and note of the same made Norwalk Upholstering Co., Clev Braunling Coffee Co., New York 2,608.24 Wealthy & Division Garage, Grand Rapids -------------------------- : 30.00 here. What’s a Customer Worth? A comprehensive recently made brought to light some interesting and significant facts regarding the value of a custcmer on ‘he books of Lee. survey various kinds of stores, and the fnc- ings have an important bearing on the business of selling in all its branches. It is estima‘ed that the average de- partment ap- preximately $350 worth of merchan- per The amount of sales made by a retail clothing store to its average customer varies from $80 per store customer buys dise year. year to $250 per year. To a shoe store a customer is worth from $35 to $70 per year. A furniture store customer, af‘er having furnished his home, buys approximately $70 worth of furniture each year. Carefully that (he average business loses 15 per compiled statistics show cent of its old customers each year. In order to hold its own it must, there- fore, obtain new customers amounting to 15 per cent. To expand it mus? add upwards of 20 per cent. new customers. It is obvious that a systematic effort to retain more than the normal 85 per cent. of the old customers should be more productive and more profitable than similar work performed for the sole purpose of adding new customers to take the place of those who have heen lost. —————a They Stood Up Better Than They Paid. In the midst of a serious heart-to- heart talk with his flock on the sub ect of honesty and responsibility, the par- con of the small-town church got right down to cases: “Let all those who promptly pay their just debts stand up,” he shot at his attentive audience. Apparently the entire congregation arose. “Be seated,” said the parson. “Now all who do not pay their debts please stand up.” One lone man, his hair prematurely tinged with gray and his. shoulders bowed by a world of care rose slowly to his feet. “My poor man,” quoth the preacher with tears in his eyes, “how is it that you alone of all this congregation are unable to pay your debts?” In a low, tired voice, the man re- plied, “I am_ the proprietor of the State Street Grocery Store and most of these people present are my Cus- tomers.” The parson said, “Let us pray.” —_2+22s—_—_ Pineapple Company Is Prosperous. Indicative of its prosperity is the aunouncement by the Hawaiian Pine- apple Co. of a proposal of the directors to declare for next March a specia! stock dividend of 33% per cent. on the $6,000,000 outstanding stock of the company. This announcement cate together with declaration of an extra 5 per cent. dividend for December. This extra brings the total dividends of the company for the year to 17 per cent., exclusive of the 3314 stock divi- dend, which will be submitted to the s‘ockholders at their annual meetiig in January or February. At that time there will also be submitted a proposal to increase the capital stock to $9,000,- 000, covering the $2,000,000 stock dividend with an issue of $1,000,000 to be offered to stockholders at par in proportion to their holdings. ——__—_ Tomatoes as a Barometer. “The tomato market is stronger and according to general opinion, tomatoes may surprise you in the spring, for the s‘atistical position appears to warrant confidence on the part of holders,” says the Webster, Butterfield Co., of Baltimore. “It is strange and beyond understanding why tomatoes appear to be the keynote to the canned foods market, and whether this is just an invention of the mind is another mat- ter. It seems as if great interest holds as to which way tomatoes may incline. Now that the tomato market is re- ported stronger, it may be worth while observing developments.” —_2so___ The huge operations which go in the name of the Government of the United States and under iis direction are in- dicated by the report just made by the War Department of its efforts to ad- minister the Adjusted Compensation Act, which provides bonuses for the soldiers of the World War. The de- partment has printed 15.000.000 blanks for distribution to 5,250,000 persons. To date 1,785,000 of these blanks have been filled in by soldier applicants. More than 2,000,000 men have so far made no move to obtain the bonus. Sixty-four have refused it. In order to reach and persuade these millions the Government had to find all their names, addresses and war records—a clerical task dimensions and costing millions of dol- lars. It is estimated that it may take until January 1, 1928, the final date for taking advantage of the Bonus Act, to canvass the remaining millions and obtain their applications. ex-service of enormous December 31, 1924 Rear Admiral Moffett, chief of the Bureau of Naval Aeronautics, has demonstrated a distinct capacity for keeping his feet on the ground. He refuses to soar aloft with those who have predicted that future wars will be fought entirely in the sky. He re- fuses to go up in the air with those who foresee the time when a fleet of planes will cross the Atlantic or the Pacific to bomb American cities. The distant future, when these things will become possible, should not be ignor- ed, but it-is the nearer future for which it is essential to prepare. According to Admiral Moffett, the United States is quite as well prepared for eventual- ities as any other power, perhaps bet- ter. We could defend ourselves from any foe that tried to take the air against us. Development of aviation in this country is going steadily ahead, and there is small possibility of our being left behind. There s something about Admiral Moffet’s calm and cal- culated view that is particularly wel- come after our recent dose of hyster- ical propaganda. —_—_»22s_—_ China’s latest civil war has resulted only in bringing political confusion in Peking. Feng, the Christian general, remains nominally in control of the capital, but Chang of Manchuria and Sun of Canton are not far away and are holding themselves in readiness 0 take advantage of any development that may come. The Great Powers that for so many years have attempted to direct the destinies of the Flowery Republic find themselves virtually im- potent, for there is no real power in China with which they can effectively treat. The Russian Ambassador, on the other hand is in his true element. uncertainty simply He seems Confusion and further his dubious aims. in way of making the Chinese anti- foreign movement his and in whipping up sentiment, both in leaders and in the masses, for repudiation of China’s treaties. The diplomatic chan- nels have been obstructed. Russia is concentrating upon China in a way that calls for summary action by the other Powers, including the United States. The Far East may be scorned but never ignored. own, ————-__ oo — A small Minnesota railway is add- ing a fleet of passenger busses to its equipment. It will fight fire with fire. Busses in competition with its train service have ripped big holes in its receipts. A cross-country trip in al- most any direction will show that the Minnesota line is not the only railway whose passenger business is being crippled by the omnipresent omnibus. The transcontinental highways are alive and acrawl with this latest de- the transport field. “Accommodation” and “milk trains” are from division schedules. The motor bus is hurting the railways and hurting them badly. It is a compétition that can hardly be met by reduced fares, even if the roads with their overhead costs and high wage figures and heavy tax bills, were in a position to reduce fares. Some- thing big and maybe vital is happening to American transportation. velopment in vanishing many