VYLOINA Pe a Shoe a ~S HZ SRY SS FP et ae AZ EN SPO DEMIR ee FENG @ CAN ay OR CN AO aioe ook Pace iss ACB il Oy ERA a] \r SOMES NS BY ae ae x eC = GR OME CON PINE : x FN Be i), Years & RF Cae ee ONG eC Pe) a1 2 BT | Gael et INR Ce GSN EO KY ZZ > GsPUBLISHED WEEKLY ¥ 75 CC Guts a TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERSAX—25 \ ee NOP? hE AT es Pick (Sars LXE ORES > Oat LUG Ga SS ce eo I) 0 UY Ie SIO SSRIS SLE, SETS SSO CE PEEK OREN Gee ; Forty-fourth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1927 Number 2275 t \ ‘ f , ; | A PRAYER | APARE ME from the bitterness and the sharp | | Passions of unguarded moments. May I not forget that Poverty and riches are of the spirit, And although age and infirmity overtake me, and | + Come not within sight of thecastle of my dreams, Teach me to be thankful for life, and for time’s olden | Memories that are good and sweet, and may the evening’s Twilight find me gentle still. The old-fashioned way of “clearing the blood” in the Spring was to take liberal doses of a mixture of sul- phur and molasses. Nobody knows the reason for the almost universal faith in this formula, for modern medicine declares that it is of practically no value, but our grandparents kept their faith in it for many years. The modern physician knows that certain toxins do accumulate in the system during the winter. These toxins are caused by lack of out-door exercise, and by a diet too rich in meats and other concentrated foods. The modern way to remove the toxins and clear the system during the Spring months is to use STANOLAX (HEAVY) jor constipation Stanolax [Heavy] is a pure, carefully Lm refined, heavy bodied mineral oil. It lubricates the intestinal tract, ce T making elimination easy and re- " — storing normal intestinal activity. STANOLAX Stanolax [Heavy] is not a purgative [Heavy] or a cathartic. It does not increase offers you an the flow of intestinal fluids, but attains its results by purely me- chanical means. It is not habit forming: in fact, the dosage can be gradually decreased after the first few days, and in most cases, even- tually be discontinued altogether. osition. excellent profit and a steady repeat business. Write - for our prop- Stanolax [Heavy] is a safe and sure : . : f relief for constipation. een Standard Oil Company . Indiana a EER eee a ire SE... es OR a —}—--~» Land cial Forty-fourth Year MICHIGAN TRADESMAN E. A. Stowe, Editor PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE TRADESMAN COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (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. Subscription Price. Three dollars per year, if paid strictly in advance. Four dollars per year, if not paid in advance. Canadian subscription, $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 mof¥e 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. News and ree ean Seueiel Hotels. Mishawaka, Ind., April 26—W. L. Cartwright has returned to Harbor Springs for the summer, where he manages the Ramona Park Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright have been spend- ing the winter at their Coral Gable residence in Florida. This veteran ho- tel man is well known in Michigan as a former manager of the Perry Hotel, at Petoskey, and other hostelries in Northern Michigan. J. Tupper Townsend, former man- ager of the Hotel Whitcomb, at St. Joseph, who successftlly ptt over a bond issue for the new Whitcomb, a million dollaf proposition, is in charge of the construction of the new build- ing, which will be completed for oc- cuipancy early next season. It is said it will be one of the finest and most complete structures of its kind in the country and certainly will occupy one of the most desirable sites on the lake shore. He will manage it, which means much for the future of the property. Many of the hotels I visited in California make use of the slogan, “See America First.” I think Michi- gan hotels could adopt it with credit and profit to themselves. Henry Bohn, of the Hotel World, believes that if you cannot prevent the theft of vour towels and other linens by properly marking them, you can, at least, utilize their advertising value. He says: “To have your hotel name on all linen and other furnishings may not stop the guest from packing your towels and sheets in his or suit case before checking out, but it will cer- tainly remind persons who see the piece of your property hanging on a private home towel rack or spread on a private home dining table that your hotel is still in business.” The ‘Holdens. with C. L. Holden, former manager of the Hotel Rowe. Grand Rapids, in active charge, will soon have a new hotel at Gary, Ind., one of the most complete in the coun- trv. C. L. will retain the management of Four Flags Hotel, at Niles, which under his charge has proven a paying investment, where it was predicted a failure would be the ultimate result. It looks to me as though the ques- tionnaire sent out to the hotels throughout the country is a display of questionable taste. a least. and will have a tendency to further inflame the GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, followers of Volstead. From the very first I have held to the opinion that every move of this kind is akin to “waving a red flag at a bull.” The eighteenth amendment is just as per- tanent a feature in the U. S. Consti- tution as the fourteenth and fifteenth, neither of which are either respected or enforced anywhere. But this con- dition has been brought about by a studious avoidance of ever discussing them. “Let sleeping dogs lie’ applies to this particular case. Wherever an anti-prohibition pronouncement is made it stirs up the anti-saloon ani- mals and they fairly tear up the ground in opposition to it. If you don’t want prohibition, just let the other fellow think he has got it and some day he will go to sleep, confident in the opinion that it has arrived. One con- gressman told me awhile ago that while he considered prohibition a rank failure, he did not care to intimate he possessed such an opinion because the “wets’ would rush into print and “flush” the game. Isn’t it so? The Premier Hotel, Benton Harbor, A. N. Michaelson, manager. has just completed its fifty room addition. This addition is strictly fire-proof and every room is supplied with either tub or shower bath, which is a tadical innova- tion fot an institution which special- izes on mineral baths. Mr. Michael- son is one of the most efficient hotel operators I know of and has a record of having made money for his backers in face of the very strongest competi- tion possible. His commercial trade is good, although he has nevet made any special “drive” to procure same. Alfred Stevens. until recently opéf- ating the Hotel Stevens, at Bad Axe, recently became possessed of the Ho- tel Reed, at Reed City, which he is rehabilitating and refurnishing, pre- paratory to taking care of the summer rush. Mr. Stevens is a_ first-class caterer and neatness in hotel opera- tion is one of his specialties, as evi- denced by the physical condition, at all times, of his Bad Axe property. Every spring before leaving for my own hotel, Charley Renner, of Hotel Mishawaka, always insists most em- phatically that I pay him a visit, ab- hors the suggestion that I am “spong- ing” and proceeds to do everything possible to make me happy. On this visit we had much in common to talk about because of the fact that on my recent Western trip I came in con- tact with many individuals of prom- ance for at least three decades, among inence who had enjoyed his acquaint- them being a governor. supreme court judge and hotel operators galore. It was through a suggestion made by him and a letter of introduction to an old acquaintance of his that I gained entree to the motion picture studios of Hollywood, a privilege regarded as a prize, which I early discovered. His former connection with the Harvey system meant the brushing away of many pebbles from my _ path. His phenomenal success in conducting the affairs of the Hotel Mishawaka, which he owns, is a matter of much admira- tion with his Michigan hotel friends. This hotel he is now planning to im- prove by the addition of twentv rooms. all with bath. and the installation of a banquet hall with a seating capacity of 350. In other wavs the present hotel will be materially improved and made more attractive. Just at present he is perfecting his plans for the op- eration of the Edgewater Club, at St. APRIL 27, 1927 Joseph, which he also owns. His meals are appetizing and bountifully served and his French creations in the pastry line would do credit to “Oscar of the Waldorf.’ Recently Mr. Ren- ner treated himself to a new Cadillac limousine, with which he delights to entertain his transient guests. I pre- fer much to say these good things about Charley now, rather than to see them engraved on marble in the fu- ture. Frank S. Verbeck. ————_»--.———_ Ephemeral Character of the Anti- Flivver Organization. Detroit, April 26—The organization of the so-called Michigan Retail Mer- chants Association was decided upon only a few weeks ago by the repre- sentatives of several different lines of local merchants who had been meet- ing weekly for the past three or four months in an effort to find some remedy for the ford competition. They have no dues, but elected officers and some voluntary contributions were made to defray the rather limited ex- penses incident to sending out letters, etc. Frank Vogel, one of the directors of the grocers association, is treasurer and the president is a man named Klein—a druggist. The butchers wanted to meet the matter by legislation and somebody sold them the idea that it could be cotttrolied that way. They had the impression that some law in Pennsyl- vania intended to control the mining companies who maintain stores and give their employes credit against their pay checks would fit the case, but { immagine they learned that this was not the answer. They didn’t make much feadway tntil David Brown, head of the General Necessities and the Brownie dftig stores, took hold. As he is quite an aggressive organizer, and got the movement some publicity, the ford interests began to take notice and, as you know, announced that they would discontinue selling to the public. The grocers association as a body has never gone on record as favoring a bovcott, as thev realize that ford has spent a lot of money in wages here and it has been a fact that when ford has been busy in Detroit, busi- ness has seemed to be good. When he closes down there is a feeling of conservatism which makes itself ap- parent in a great many ways here. As things stand now, the merchants are waiting for ford to submit a state- ment showing his costs, his selling ex- pense and his profits. He claims to have made $400,000 last year from this source and the merchants believe that in order to do this he did not charge upa great many items of overhead which should have been charged against the store. An unfortunate circumstance from the standpoint of some that are inter- ested is the fact that Dave Brown is a Jew and Mr. Klein is also. Coming just at this time there is a feeling in the ford organization that there is some malice back of the movement. Brown seems determined to carry the fight right on and was not inclined to wait while ford submits his figures, but the conservative members of the committee seemed to think that they would like to see this statement and also learn what steps ford intends to take to insure merchandise being made available only to employes under penalty before thev officially take any action expressing satisfaction or the reverse with what ford is doing, Number 2275 If I were talking with you personal- ly I might give you a lot of general facts regarding the conditions as I have heard the situation discussed but I don’t know that this would prove of any special benefit to you. I will write you a line Monday night giving you the names of the officers of the association and the lines they repre- sent and while you are at liberty to use any information which you may find in the above letter I will ask you to keep its source entirely confidential. I know you will do that. ———_»>+- When On Your Way, See Onaway. Perhaps we were a little over en- thusiastic in crowing about the weath- er last week. Well, it was worth it anyway; who knows but what we may still have another warm spell before winter sets in? The Perry sales station is adding to its already fine eauipment a nice oil service cabinet this week. Every addition to this piace is a lift in the right direction for good service. A busy week in Onaway for sure. Tuesday night the I. O. O. F. an- niversary exercises; the same, Eastern Star entertainment and_ banquet; Thursday, the twenty-fourth annual firemen’s ball—everyone who has not purchased a ticket will be out of luck: Friday night, the big Community Council play to be staged for the pur- pose of raising funds for clean-up week. So we move merrily right along. QO. Steele, of Orlando, Florida, for merly engaged in the hardware and implement business under the firm name of O. Steele & Co., is in the cits and will spend the summer improving his Black Lake resort property ai Stewart Landing. William Waltenbury, the dealer in horses and trotting stock, has return ed to Onaway, preparatory for the Julv and fall racing season. The Stone building. formerly oc cupied by C. J. Fish as a pool room and bowling alley, is being re-fitted* with new front and interior decoration and will be occupied. Ed. Everling is the official A. A. A. garage, a big membership being se cured in the city. Several jurors have been selected from Onaway to attend the Federal Court for the Eastern District. to be held in Bay Citv. Squire Signal. —_2 2+ >—___ Lost Diamond Ring in Last of 200 Chickens. Denver, April 22—There will be no more chicken, stewed, fried, roasted or otherwise, in the Thomas M. Skinner household for some time. Mrs. Skin- ner has found her diamond ring. One vear ago Mrs. Skinner lost the ring in her chicken coop. Search was un- availing. So she decided that one of her chickens must have swallowed it. Nothing remained but to kill the chickens. one by one, search their gul- lets. and serve chicken hash, chicken soup and chicken dumplings to the Skinner family. And there were 200 chickens. Time went on. The feath- ered population in the Skinner back- vard grew smaller and smaller. Zut still no diamond was revealed. The Skinner family began to rebel at the diet. Finally only one hen remained. It was a pet and Mrs. Skinner didn’t want to kill it. But it became ill and died. Mrs. Skinner held a_ post- mortem. There gleamed the diamond in the gizzard of the last chicken. GRADUALLY GROWING. Early Sessions of Grocers Meeting at Flint. The twenty-ninth annual convention of the Retail Grocers and General Merchants Michigan convened at the Hotel Durant, Flint, yesterday afternoon. After an invoca- tion by Rev. James Hailwood, an ad- dress of welcome by the Mayor and a response by Hans Johnson, of Mus- kegon, President Bailey was intro- duced and read his annual address as follows: It gives me great pleasure to know that the grocers and meat dealers of our State are taking such an active in- terest in State and local association work. Thanking the officers and members, also E. A. Stowe, editor of Michigan Tradesman, for the loyal support they have given me in my year’s work as State President, is only stating mildly my appreciation to such cordial co- operation. We have accomplished a number of things which are very beneficial to the retailers of our line. We have been very ably assisted throughout the State by wholesale representatives who have helped us to organize a number of local associations in Michigan. We will pause here one moment to show respect for our deceased mem- bers, Mr. Lamb, of Ypsilanti; Ralph F. Zacharias. of Flint, and Frank L. Huff, of Lansing, and others who have left this world for the greater world beyond, from which no traveler ever returns. God bless our home and native land, for we know not who will be the next to cross the Great Divide. Your President has made two trips to Flint: two to Battle Creek; one to Saginaw: three to Grand Rapids and two to Ann Arbor this past year, which I hope have been of benefit to our State Association. We are still working on legislative matters which we are in hopes will bear fruit and be of great benefit to the retailers and jobbers as a whole. We should pay our respect and ap: preciation to Paul Gezon, our able Secretary, also Frank Albrecht, our able Treasurer, who both have per- formed their duties promptly and ac- curately. They are always on the job to help in any State work which may come before the Association. Also our past President and Board of Di- rectors, who have so ably made it pos- sible for the present officers to find the roads cleared and work laid out for us to do and always ready to as- sist at call from officers of our As- sociation. My whole hope and ambition is that we mav be able to accomplish re- sults, the same as the National As- sociation does. Fhis can be. ac- complished by a little more work on the part of your President, Secretary and members as a whole. Secretary Gezon then read his an- nual report, as follows: We have again come to the close of another vear and this convention marks the opening of a new one. It has been a busy year for all of us and I think a profitable one. The live merchant has profited by Association of the new class of stores which have arisen in most every town in the State and in the larger towns by the hundreds. True, many smaller stores have had to sell out or be closed up and the chances are that the chain stores will force others out of business in the vear that lies before us. 3ut that need not dishearten you if you will but profit by the lessons that are being taught all about you. Are you learning anything from the chain stores? Or do you go on in the same rut and try to do business as you MICHIGAN did twenty years ago Now surely the honesty and integrity which have built up your business in the last twenty years should not be abandoned, but we must adopt some of the newer methods in order to meet new prob- lems. ‘IT am thinking of collective advertis- ing, collective buying, clerk training, book-keeping, price marking, better displays, more fresh vegetables, cleaner stores, white coated clerks, short time credits, specials, etc. In traveling around the State it is not hard to find who are the mer- chants who are making money for themselves and keeping out undesir- ables. It is those who have adopted and put into practice many of the ideas mentioned above. And men, now as never before, must we get together often, weekly, month- ly and yearly, exchange ideas, organ- ize and fight for our rights. Call upon the officers of this As- sociation for help and I assure you you will find us ready and able to help you. Other speakers on the program will tell you of the results the different towns are having by organizing for ad- vertising and buying, so I will not go into that. Orla H. Bailey. Legislation has received a_ large share of our attention this year and the committee has been on the job at Lansing. Financially we have had a good year and our status is as follows: Cash on hand April 15, 1926__$1,287.43 Cash received to April 26, 1927 2,871.68 Tol ee $4,159.11 Orders drawn and cash paid 2,445.80 Net worth §-20 oo $1,713.31 In 1923 when I took over the office of Secretary there was a deficit 232.35 Cash balance 1924 = 656.25 Cash balance 1925 22 002) 4 806.10 (Cash balance 1926... 1,287.43 Cash balance 1927 ...8 1,713.31 I made a 1,300 mile trip through Michigan last summer, making over 150 calls, securing new members anc collecting dues. The first trip around is usually not so successful for direci results, but I did secure more than enough to pay the expenses of the trip. If we had a field man to call on the merchants I believe it would be a great help. The insurance agency is doing verv well. we having received commissions on 119 policies, with a net revenue to the Association of $216.39. I have never heard a single com- plaint on our company. the Mills Mu- tual of Lansing, and they have been TRADESMAN very fair about allowing our commis- sions. I want to compliment the members of the Flint committee on the thor- oughness with which they have gone into this convention and I am _ sure this will be one of the best in the his- tory of this Association. The purpose of a convention is to get charged with new enthusiasm. We hope that the program prepared may be successful in this respect so that you all may go home determined to make this a banner year in your busi- ness as well as for your local Associa- tion, and to that end we as officers promise to assist and encourage you and I am sure we can promise that Mr. E. A. Stowe, of the Michigan Tradesman, will assist all of us to ac- complish this end. President Bailey then read his report as a delegate to the annual meeting of the National Retail Grocers Associa- tion at Rochester, as follows: The twenty-ninth annual convention was held in Rochester, N. Y., June 22, 23 and 24 and it was the good fortune of vour President to be there. Mrs. Bailey and I, together with Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Goossen, left Lansing at 7 o'clock Saturday evening for Jack- Paul Gezon. son, where we took the convention special a little after midnight. From the conversation and songs we knew we were with a jolly bunch. In due time the porter came through with his morning call. This was not necessary, as no one had had a chance to do any sleeping. Breakfast was served in tlie diner, so all were ready when we ar- rived at Niagara Falls about 10 o'clock. Here we were met by delegates, placed on open cars, and for three hours were entertained seeing the sights for which Niagara is noted. : Returning from this trip, the Shred- ded Wheat Biscuit band led us to their spacious dining hall, where a wonder- ful dinner was served. Again led by the band we were taken to the plant in front of which, while resting, a band concert was enjoyed. After go- ing through the plant we left for the depot and arrived at Rochester late Sunday afternoon. The retailers’ headquarters were at the Seneca Hotel. Here we received our credentials and tickets for the en- tire programme. All convention meetings, together with the pure food show, were held in the mammoth State armory. On ac- count of sickness President Sheehan could not be. present, so Vice-Presi- dent Coode. from Tennessee, officiated as presiding officer. Secretary Bal- singer was about as busy as vou could imagine with the convention affairs. So many good things were brought to us from all over the Nation that I] April 27, 1927 do hope a large delegation from Michigan will attend the convention at Omaha this coming June. Charley Myers, of Armour & Co., headed the entertainment committee— enough said. The ladies were entertained each afternoon while we were at the meet- ing, - such as visiting the Eastman theater, and music hall (a gift from the manufacturer of Eastman kodaks), a trip to La Ray through Jell-O factory and many luncheons. At the each day’s something nice was in store for all.’ Monday night a banquet. and ball sponsored by the famous Asparagus Cluh; Tuesday,a play, The Grocers’ Follies, put on by the wholesalers was a scream from start to finish. Business was abandoned Wednesday afternoo’ and a trip around the city was ended with a box dinner at Ontario Beach I will not go into detail in regard to the business transacted at the con- vention, as it has been published in all National trade papers throughout the United States. I hope this year every city in Michi- close of session gan which has an association will be represented. It would be nice to go in a body with Michigan bad iges. Special fare and a half for round trip will be provided. D. L. Davies, of Ypsilanti, or Paul Gezon, our Secre- tary, if notified, will send in for hotel reservations, and furnish the badges. You will always remember the good time and good things. you learn if you go. J. A. Hannah, of East Lansing, eave a talk on How the Grocer and Meat Dealer Can Help the Egg Producer. © t) Bramard: ot. Elsie, read a paper on Advertising, which is publish- ed verbatim elsewhere in this week’s paper. William Rorke, of Saginaw, then read a paper on Pay Day To Pay Day, which is published elsewhere. In the evening the ladies were en- tertained at the Palace theater and the men were given a smoker in the ballroom of the Durant Hotel, Wm. Chicago, delivered an ad- the sented an interesting movie on Health Regained. Wednesday morning Herman Han- Garhtt: of dress and Fleischmann Co. pre son read a paper on Progress of Qual- ity Store Service Stores in Michigan, which is published verbatim in an- cther portion of this week’s paper. Ole Peterson, of Muskegon, read a paper on Selling a Distinctive Line, follows: With almost every other line of business, the grocery store picture has changed completely in the last decade. A few years ago the wholesaler would call on the grocer about once A eee and through him the merchant would are both the wholesale and the retail price. of goods, with a margin of about 20 per cent. usually available for overhead and profit. Anvone could run a grocery store then, with evervthing in connection with it of anv moment thought out and figured out. But changed business conditions shews an altered picture. With competition so keen, a retail grocer must be a good buyer, he must be able to work out his own problems of overhead and cost and, above all. he must be a good salesman. In other words, then. he must be a better mer- chant to make anything of a success. No salesman can make his work reallv worth while unless he has an absolute and abiding faith in the goods he merghandises. He must be con- verted to the line of wares he handles. And so it pays a grocer to handle a line of goods which is iust a little better than the standard products April 27, 1927 which he need not hesitate to assure his customers are goods he stands back of. And the margin of cost, if it be kept at a small figure above what need be paid for ordinary goods, will not halt sales. Every time a grocer sells a better brand of goods—a real distinctive line of better-than-standard products which he personally recommends and con- scientiously guarantees—he has made a repeat customer. For your customer will be satisfied. He knows you figure he wants the best. He knows he is getting it at your hands. And he will come back for more, feeling your personal inter- est in what he eats is worthy of a con- sideration. What every grocer needs in these days of trial and trouble is satisfied customers, even if this satisfaction means an extra effort to begin with to convince them. But any customer, once used to a better grade of goods, will continue to demand them, this or that certain brand having painted in his mind a definite and concrete picture, even though something cheaper’ may be bidding for his favor in your local market. And we, the local grocers, must Ole Peterson. handle nationally advertised goods. To meet the competition of our chain competitors, we must buy them in large quantities, which we do. The local grocer’s salesmanship should be the biggest factor in his business. His store should breathe the personal touch which is so absolutely lacking elsewhere. His advice, his counsel, as to the best to buy, should be made worth asking for. And his advice and counsel should be honest, not merely given with the idea of increasing profits, but voiced for the purpose of furnishing honest advice to his customers. No real grocer sells a customer a certain ar- ticle merely because it is cheap. First, it must be good. Second, the price must be reason- able, at such a price, in fact, that in view of the value it is a bigger and better bargain than the goods offered by the competitor. When this is practiced the local gro- cer will come into his own. His posi- tion in his neighborhood, in his com- munity or in his city will be brought up to those of leaders in other indus- tries. And his business will be a marked success. —_—_+2>—__ If your finances bother you, it may be that you and your banker ought to be working a little closer together. Take your business difficulties to him. —__—_.>-————— Nine million women and girls in the United States are working for a living. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY. Questionable Schemes Which Are Under Suspicion. A. L. Dyke, the little Detroit crook who has been repeatedly exposed in this department for his fraudulent prac- tices, is now located in Room 412, De- troit Life Building, where he is doing business under the style of the Mer- chants Adjusting Co. He is just as dishonest as they make ’em. Any one who has any dealings with him is quite likely to regret his action as long as he lives. At the suggestion of the Better Busi- ness Bureau of Indianapolis fifty local furniture dealers have adopted stan- dards which eliminate “No money down Sales” advertising. In addition, the dealers pledged themselves to use clear and exact statements of the “down” payment necessary on the pur- chase of merchandise. Certain piano advertising and selling methods during the past few years have occasioned many complaints to Better Business Bureaus all over the country. Questionable advertising methods, the use of bait copy, and sub- stitution of inferior merchandise for that advertised, tend to make the pub- lic skeptical. Correction of such prac- tices, or exposure where the facts war- rant, by local Bureaus, has done much to raise this type of advertising and build good will for those who accurate- ly and cheerfully describe their mer- chandise as and for what it is. Enquiries continue to reach this de- partment from conscientious persons who are confused as to their obliga- tions concerning unordered merchan- dise sent to them through the mails. Do they have to accept it? Must they return it? Are they obliged to pay for it? These are some of the questions which they ask. We say “No” to all three, and reiterate—Persons who re- ceive such merchandise are under no obligation to pay for it (unless they use it) or even to return it. They can return it if they care to; they can hand it to the postman marked “refused,” or they can, if they so desire, write to the shipper that they do not care to purchase the merchandise and are hold- ing the same for his disposal. If the shipper does not send for it promptly, the addressee is relieved of legal lia- bility for its safekeeping. The ma- jority of complaints received refer to the practice as a nuisance. One way to end an advertising nuisance is to make it unprofitable. The Postoffice Department recently denied the use of the United States mails to Victor Hosiery Mills of Phila- delphia, Pa. ‘Investigation showed this to be trade name adopted by Wil- liam Victor who operated no hosiery mills, but conducted his business from a furnished room at 53 No. Hutchinson street, Philadelphia. Victor, by means of advertisements featuring “Men’s Silk Socks,” “Men’s Silk and Wool Hose,” and “Men’s Wool Hose,” endeavored to sell merchandise through the mails. Investigation disclosed such hose to be chiefly cotton, cheaply made and in some cases imperfect, decidedly dif- ferent in quality from that which pros- pective purchasers were led to expect from his advertising. This action by the Postoffice Department supplements that of the Federal Trade Commission and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the seventh circuit, both of which have held that the use of the word “mills” is unlawful unless an advertiser actually operates, and directly or absolutely controls a fac- tory or mill wherein his merchandise is made. The National Bureau has for many years advocated an accurate application of the term “mills” and expressions such as “Direct from Fac- tory to You,” and “From Creator to Wearer,” implying that the advertiser actually manufactures the merchandise he offers. According to Clark, Williams & Co., members of the New York Stock Ex- change, “getting something for noth- ing” is estimated to be still costing the public $1,000,000 a day, and is aptly designated as America’s most expen- sive indoor sport. “The game is played by an im- pressive and cordial chap, in reality the fraudulent stock salesman, and the amateur investor, otherwise known as the sucker,” states an article in the company’s monthly publication. “The likable salesman allows otherwise sane people to convince themselves that they can make big money easily. You give him a check and he gives you a handsomely engraved certificate. Some time later you discover that you have lost and that he has won. The remarkable part is that nobody wants to play the game and nobody realizes that he is playing it until the game is over.” Almost unbelievable amounts are lost to the American people annually from unwise ventures. This loss, estimated at nearly one billion dollars a year, is accounted for when you take into con- sideration that practically all of the money “invested” in numerous fake schemes and_ half-baked projects is forfeited by the investors. A “good front” has put over more crooked deals than any other one thing. Every irrespnsible promoter specializes in putting on a “good front” in his dealings with those whom he fleeces out of their savings. Whether or not he is successful is due to a large degree on how good a front he is able to put on. In motion pictures, the sets, or “props” as they are called, supply the setting for the scenes. They are used to portray things that seem large, things that seem grand and beautiful. Peer behind those sets and what d you see there? You see that the at- tractive fronts are supported by braces made of the cheapest, knottiest and poorest timber imaginable. They serve their purpose in the world of make-believe, but in real life you cannot afford to buy only good fronts. Your. house must have real rooms behind it, your purchases and investments real values. In the field 3 of wild-cat financing if you peer be- hind the “good front” which the pro- moter puts on you will find that it is supported only by deception, dis- honesty and _ fraud. Unscrupulous persons of the “good front” type are expert actors in the role of “big brother’ to inexperienced with money at their command. As protector and advisor to the widow and the inexperienced, which they claim to be, they are in reality wolves in sheep’s clothing. In personal appearance they are im- pressive. As conversationalists they are convincing. As students of the traits of human nature they are high. In short, they know how to stalk their prey successfully. With Satanic cun- ning they fall in line with their intend- likes and dislikes, his viewpoint and his hobby, and when they have gained his favor and trust they grow more and more confidential, presently taking a great interest in his welfare and happiness. they are offering advice and pointing out how he can better his own inter- ests by making a new disposition of his available cash or by selling his present securities and buying others recommended by them. Your promoter will draw upon your imagination and paint a picture of a scheme by which you can make thou- sands of dollars without effort or risk —-he may describe some invention selling for an astounding sum, or de- pict the prospects of a fabulous mine or oil company that is going to double or treble in value over night. As a climax he may paint the picture of a vine-covered cottage which is to be your old age, with its radiantly burning fire on the hearth and with all the luxuries that go with a happy home. And finally, he may paint you sitting before this fire, happy and contented—independent for investors ed victim’s Before long good yours in life, as the result ‘of an investment made according to his advice. But there is a great difference between what you get and what the wild-cat promoter paints in the imagination of his victims. By the lure of easy money he leads them over the preci- pice of financial ruin. Instead of old- age ease and comforts there usually results poverty and privation. ASK FOR A variety for every taste Sand Lime Brick Nothing as Durable Nothing as Fireproof Makes Structures Beautiful No Painting No Cost for Repairs Fire Proof Weather Proof Warm in Winter—Cool in Summer Brick is Everlasting GRANDE BRICK CO., Grand Rapids. SAGINAW BRICK CO., Saginaw. JACKSON-LANSING BRICK co., Rives Junction. 4 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 27, 1927 MOVEMENTS OF MERCHANTS. Allegan—The Kysor Heater Co. has removed its business offices to Cad- illac. Silver Lake—Clarence R. Lamb suc- ceeds Sears & Oatley in the grocery business. Merrill—The Merrill Creamery Co. has increased its capital stock from $5,000 to $15,000. Muskegon—The Hasper Biscuit Co., 318 Apple street, has changed its name to the Michigan Biscuit Co. Raverina—William Hosmer has en- gaged in the grocery business, the Worden Grocer Co. furnishing the stock. Lake—E. Herman has engaged in the grocery business on Rural Route 1, the Worden Grocer Co. furnishing the stock. Iron Mountain—Rosenblum & Con- feld, dealer in boots and shoes, is offer- ing to compromise with creditors at 40 per cent. Grand Rapids—The White Baking Co., 1601 Lafayette avenue, S. E., has increased its capital stock from $25,- 000 to $75,000. Detroit—The Detroit Rubber Stamp & Machine Co., 523 Shelby street, has changed its name to the Detroit Rub- ber Stamp Co. Wayland—Ben Ter Haar has sold the Wayland Feed & Coal Co. stock to William Graczyk, of Dorr, who has taken possession. Detroit—The L. F. Mullin Co., 5850 Cass avenue, autos, accessories, etc., has increased its capital stock from $50,000 to $75,000. Ionia—Lake & Smith have closed out their produce business and retired from trade, returning to their former home in Nashville. Mt. Clemens—The J. S. Paganetti Co., 129 South Broadway, lumber, etc., has increased its capital stock from $50,000 to $100,000. Detroit—The W. E. Wood Co., 1805 Ford building, construction engineers, has increased its capital stock from 200,000 to $300,000. Kalamazoo—Klaas T. Hyma, one of the oldest grocers in the city, died at his home April 24, following an illness of several months, aged 73 years. Kalamazoo—Morris Willage has en- gaged in the grocery business at 220 North Rose street. The stock was fur- nished by the Worden Grocer Co. Lansing—Rich’s Bar-B-Q Sandwich Shop, 123 West Washtenaw street, which has been closed for remodeling and enlarging, has been re-opened. Pontiac—The Oakland Tire Co., Inc., 165 South Saginaw street, has been in- corporated with an authorized capital stock of $3,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Co-Operative Furnace Sales Co., 3025 Baker street, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $15,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in prop- erty. Detroit—The Athens Linen Supply, Inc., 1022 East Palmer avenue, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $6,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash, Ishpeming—Charles' Schemltz has engaged in the electrical business in the Voelker building on avenue, carrying a complete line of electrical household appliances, elec- trical supplies, etc. Grand Rapids—The Grand Rapids Creamery Co., 305 Scribner avenue, has increased its capital stock from $60,000 preferred and 1,500 shares no par value to $60,000 preferred and 2,000 shares no par value. Gladwin—The Gladwin State Bank and the First State Savings Bank have consolidated under the style of the First State Savings Bank of Gladwin and the capitalization has been de- creased from $40,000 to $35,000. Monroe—Henry Erfurt & Son have opened a self-serve shoe store in the basement of the store building directly opposite their main shoe store. It will be conducted under the style of the Economy Basement Shoe Store. Muskegon Heights—The R. & J. Cut-Rate Drug Co., Broadway avenue and Sanford street, has been incorpo- rated with an authorized capital stock of $10,000, of which amount $7,000 has been subscribed and $3,000 paid in in property. Augusta—The Gull Lake Enterprise Co., Inc., has been incorporated to deal in merchandise of various kinds at R. F. D. 1, Gull Lake, with an au- thorized capital stock of $10,000, $3,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Lansing—Fred W. Houghton, pro- prietor of the East Side Pharmacy, 431 East Michigan street, has sold a half interest in his stock to L. L. Bryant, his assistant manager and the business will be continued under the syle of Houghton & Bryant. Detroit—The Grand Coat & Apron Co., 5017 Moran avenue, has been in- corporated to conduct a general linen supply business, with an authorized capital stock of $30,000, of which amount $9,000 has been subscribed and $1,200 paid in in cash. Kalamazoo—Kelser & Lowe, dealer in automobiles, accessories and sup- plies, has merged its business into a stock company under the same style, with an authorized capital stock of $20,000, $7,690 of which has been sub- scribed and paid in in property. Detroit—The Universal Sport Seat Corporation, 6543 Sylvester avenue, has been incorporated to deal in auto accessories, with an authorized capital stock of $2,500, of which amount $1,- 350 has been subscribed and paid in, $943.75 in cash and $406.25 in property. Detroit—The United Light Stores Co., 1510 Broadway, has merged its business into a stock company under the style of the United Light Co., with an authorized capital stock of $4,000, all of which has been subscribed and paid in, $3,000 in cash and $1,000 in prop- erty. Detroit—The Trippensee Planetari- um Co., 2679 East Grand boulevard, has been incorporated to deal in school supplies and novelties, with an author- ized capital stock of $6,500, of which amount $5,000 has been subscribed and paid in, $341.05 in cash and $4,658.95 in property. Cleveland East Lansing—The East Lansing Electric Co., 136 West Grand avenue, has merged its electrical merchandise and fixtures business into a stock com- pany under the same style, with an authorized capital stock of $10,000, of which amount $5,000 has been sub- scribed and $1,050 paid in in cash. Flint—The Hartman Co., 317 South Saginaw street, has been incorporated to deal in women’s and children’s ready-to-weat garments at wholesale and retail, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, of which amount $25,- 100 has been subscribed and paid in, $5,100 in cash and $20,000 in property. Sebewaing—The Sebewaing Prod- ucts Co. is a new $25,000 corporation at this place. The company is com- posed chiefly of Sebewaing capital and has purchased the building owned for years by Charles Beckman, coal dealer. The new company will be equipped for the manufacture of malt extract and soft drinks. Manufacturing Matters. Williamston — The Michigan Clay Products Corporation has increased its capital stock from $500,000 to $700,000. Detroit—The Panyard Machine & Manufacturing ~Co., 743 Beaubien street, has removed its business offices to Muskegon. Detroit—The Gray-Hawley Mfg. Co., 3123 East Jefferson averiue, auto and motor boat supplies; has increased its capital stock from $10,000 to $100,000. Detroit—The Brenner Tool Co., 326 Majestic building, has been incorpo- rated with an authorized capital stock of $5,000, all of which has been sub- scribed and $1,500 paid in in cash. Fordson—General Welding, Inc., 10501 Haggerty street, has been in- corporated with an authorized capital stock of $5,000, all of which has been subscribed, $1,000 paid in in cash and 2.000 in property. Detroit—The E. H. Kotcher Die & Tool Co., 1726 Rivard street, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $50,000, all of which has been subscribed, $25,000 paid in in cash and $1,300 in property. Detroit — The Supreme Furniture Manufacturing Co., 701 Majestic build- ing, has been incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, of which amount $19,500 has been sub- scribed, $150 paid in in cash and $10,- 000 in property. Bay City—The Bay City Lumber & Manufacturing Co. has been incorpo- rated to sell lumber at wholesale and to manufacture products from waste lumber, with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, $10,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. ——_+--2 Annal Meeting of the Grand Rapids Wholesale Grocery Co. The tenth annual stockholders meet- ing of the Grand Rapids Wholesale Grocery Co. was held Wednesday evening April 20, at the Elk’s club rooms on Ottawa avenue, where a bountiful dinner was served at 7 o'clock p. m. to over 300. Chuck Helwegen’s orchestra fur- nished the music. The tables were profusely decorated with flowers. About seventy-five ladies were present this year, which was a new feature of the meeting. After the dinner, the regular business of the meeting was taken up, with President F. T. Marty presiding. After several small revisions of the by-laws were made, election of the board of directors, seven in number, followed and the following were elect- ed for one year: F. T. Marty, Grand Rapids; P. J. Hoekzema, Grandville; Sierd Andringa, Byron Center; C. E. Hickok, KaJamazoo; V. C. Bomberski, Grand Haven; Gerrit Vander Hooning, Grand Rapids; Archie Lindberg, Grand Rapids. The reports of officers to the stock- holders showed the company in fine financial condition, having a surplus over and above all indebtedness, with stock, in the building and money on hand in full for every penny’s worth of outstanding stock and any indebted- ness. Attorney Clare J. Hall presented the reports in a very able and effec- tive manner and talked briefly on the future of the company. Vice-Presi- dent, P. J. Hoekzema and President, F. T. Marty gave brief talks on the fu- ture prospects of the company. Numerous merchants are joining the organization at present and the com- pany has every prospect of a very suc- cessful year during 1927. ——+ Gabby Gleanings From Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, April 26—Martin Ver Maire, Salesmanager for the Val- ley City Milling Co., is on a six weeks’ trip through the New England States in the interest of his company. Will F. Bullock, ‘cepresenting the Louisville Varnish Co. in Michigan, has spent the last few days at the factory, which he tries to do at least once a year. The convention committee of the annual convention of the Grand Coun- cil, U. C. T. of Michigan, which will be held in Grand Rapids June 9, 10 and 11, are having meetings every Saturday afternoon to perfect arrange- ments for the meeting and expect it to be the largest and best annual meet- ing ever held in Michigan. Sam Huldin, representing the Wol- verine Upholstering Co., has worn out a Hudson car on an average of every three months and has evidently ex- hausted the supply, as he recently pur- chased a new Studebaker. Mrs. Bernice Hough, younger daugh- ter of R. H. Randall, underwent an operation at Blodgett hospital Tues- day morning. The patient withstood the ordeal nicely and is on a fair way to recovery. Many members of the U. C. T. are planning to attend the banquet of the Old Time (1880-1910) traveling men at the Pantlind Hotel Saturday evening. It will be a matter of general re- gret that Richard D. (Dick) Warner, Sr.. will not be strong enough to be with the “old fellows” Saturday eve- ning. He received an especially urgent invitation, because he is one of the oldest traveling men still remaining to tell the interesting tale of other days. The bankruptcy proceedings against the Specialty Dry Goods Shoppe. owned by C. S. Simpkins and Earl Stoll, have been stayed for a time, pending the outcome of the sale of the stock now in progress under the auspices of the Michigan Trust Co. The stock was appraised at about $11,- 500. The lease of the store proves to be a waluable asset, so that $15,000 to $18,000 may be realized for the creditors, whose claims aggregate about $50,000, @ April 27, 1927 Essential Features of the Grocery Staples. Sugar—Jobbers hold cane granulated at 6.90c and beet granulated at 6.80c. Tea—The past week has been dull. No changes in prices have occurred anywhere in the line. The underone, however, is still strong. Everything in the list is fully maintained. Con- sumptive demand for tea will be im- proved by warm weather. Coffee—Market for green Rio and Santos coffee, sold in a large way, is still weak. Rio No. 7 standard grade and standard grade of Santos No. 4 are ruling very close together now. The undertone of the entire Brazil coffee market is soft, with a light and listless demand. Prices are perhaps a slight shade under what they were last week. The feeling of milds is also rather soft, although there has been no particular change during the week. Canned Fruits—The movement in California canned fruits has been larger than generally supposed, with good enquiries for sliced cling peaches, 3artlett pears and Royal Anne cher- pears have shown much firmer tendencies in the Cali- fornia market right along. Canned Vegetables—Comparatively steady conditions have ruled in the canned vegetable end of the wholesale food market. There has been a quiet absorption of staple items right along and prices for the more important products have withstood selling pressure in satisfactory shape. Corn, tomatoes and peas have all en- joyed a fair market movement and there seems to be little doubt that some good blocks have been removed from the market. The wholesalers, it develops, have been quietly examining samples submitted by brokers and have selected the more desirable lots. Business in asparagus has shaped up a little favorably and with weather conditions in California not as favorable as might be expected the possibility of still higher prices 1s pointed to. Dried Fruits—The existing arrange- ment to clean up spot holdings of ries. Canned leading more prunes before another crop comes on the market is occupying the attention of the trade, much to the exclusion of other matters. Following this, plans for the marketing of future crops will be perfected through the co-operation between packers and growers for a term of years. Apart from this inter- est has centered in the somewhat firmer conditions that have been de- veloping in the market for raisins. There has been a general effort in the Pacific Coast markets to advance quo- tations for Thompsons, particularly the seedless varieties. The stocks of extra choice apricots in the Coast mar- kets have been pretty well cleaned out and attention is now directed to crop reports that the new crop has been damaged to some extent by frosts and floods. Oregon prunes have become firmer in sympathy with Californias. According to last cables from Patras, Greece, Amalia Bridecake currants had advanced 2s, with only 12,000 tons left in Patras. : Canned Fish—The sample of spring MICHIGAN TRADESMAN weather which appeared last week did not stimulate the fish lines as much as might have been expected. Packers on the Coast predicted that advances might materialize, but there was no change of any importance that could be seen in the spot situation. The season in Columbia River salmon will open as of May 1, but to date no open- ing prices have been announced. The packing season in shrimp is well along. Opening prices for 1927 pack lobsters from Nova Scotia will be coming along now in the near future. Salt Fish—Mackerel is about un- changed. Supply is very small and the market practically nominal. The consumption of Japanese crab meat for last year in this country, from figures received during the week, ‘showed a very large increase over a year before. America is now the largest consumer of Japanese crab meat. Beans and Peas—No change has occurred in the market for dried beans, The entire list is weak and in buyer's favor, with the possible exception of pea beans, which are reported a little stronger in Michigan. All varieties of dried peas are dull and unchanged. Cheese—Old cheese is ruling firm and is wanted. New cheese, which is now in the market, is dull and weak. Syrup and Molasses—The increas- ingly warm weather has put’a crimp in the demand for molasses. Prices are unchanged, but the market is rather dull. Sugar syrup is also dull, but at fairly steady prices. Compound syrup is a shade off from last week. The demand is rather poor. —~++ > Review of the Produce Market. Apples—Baldwins command 75c@ $1.25 per bu.; Northern Spys, $2@3 tor good; $3.75 for fancy; $4.50 for extra fancy. Delicious in boxes, $3.75. Asparagus—75c for big bunch. Bananas—0@6%c per Ib. Beans—Michigan jobbers are quot- ing as follows: © WW. Pea Beans --_-__--_----__ $5.50 Light Red Kidney ------------- 8.00 Dark Red Kidney -------------- 6.90 Beets—$1.25 per bu. for old; $2.25 per bu. for new from Texas. 3utter—The market has had rather a nervous week. Early the demand was light and the market draggy. After this, firm news from ouside markets began to come in and the market showed some advance, but finally the receipts increased and the outside ad- vices weakened and the market drop- Jobbers hold fresh packed at 45c, prints at 46c. They pay 22c for packing stock. : Cabbage—$3 per 100 Ibs. for old; $4 per crate for new. Carrots—$1.25 per bu. for old, $4.50 for iced crate from Texas. Cauliflower—$3 per doz. Celery—California Jumbo, 75@90c; Rough Florida, 4 to 6 doz., $5. Cocoanuts—$1.10 per doz. Cucumbers — $1.50 per doz. for Southern hot house. Eggs—The big Easter demand is over and this has eased the egg mar- ket considerably. The week has been a‘fairly steady one, withou any ma- terial change. Demand is quiet and ped 4c per Ib. market about steady. Local jobbers pay 22c for strictly fresh. Egg Plant—$3.50 per doz. Garlic—35e per string for Italian. Grape Fruit—$4@4.75 per crate for Floridas. Green Onions—Shalots, 75c per doz. bunches; home grown, 20c per bunch. Lemons—Quotations are now as fol- lows: 300 Sunkist -------------------- $6.00 360 Red Hall .)...-----_-.----- 5.50 800 Red Ball _..-._--..:------- 5.00 Lettuce—In good demand on the following basis: . California Iceberg, 4s, per bu. _-$4.25 Hot house leaf, per lb. ---------- llc New Potatoes — Florida, $7.25 per bbl. for No. 1, $6 for No. 2 and $4.75 for No. 3. Onion Sets—White, per bu., $3.50; yellow, $2.50. Onions—Home grown, $4@4.25 per 100 Ib. sack; new Texas, $3 per crate for yellow and $3.50 for white. Oranges—Fancy Sunkist California Navels are now on the following basis: R06 $4.75 100 5.25 126 2) 5.50 150 _2.-.02 6.00 Ge ee 6.00 200, 6.00 216 6.00 292 6.00 288 (0 6.00 A an 5.00 Sunkist Red Ball, 50c cheaper. Parsnips—$1 per bu. Pears—$3.50 per crate for California. Peppers—Green, 75c per doz. Pieplant—$2 per bu. for home grown. Pineapples—$6.50 for 24s, 30s and 36s. Potatoes — 95c@$1.05 per bushel around the State. Poultry—Wilson & Company pay as follows this week: Heavy fowls ~------------------- 28c Light fowls -------------------- 21c Springers, 4 Ibs. and up --------- 29c Radishes—60c per doz. bunches for home grown hot house. Spinach—$2@2.25 per bu. Strawberries—Klondykes from Ala- bama command $6 per crate of 24 qts. Sweet Potatoes—$1.75@2_ per ham- per for Delaware kiln dried. Tomatoes—Southern stock, $1@1.25 per 7 lb. basket. Veal Calves—Wilson pay as follows: & Company Fancy ------------------------ 15%c Geod) 2222 14c Medium: 2.5.02.) 12c Poot 2262225 250. --- 09c > Buy Flour To Cover Requirements For Thirty Days. Written for the Tradesman. There has been considerable strength in the Liverpool market, based princi- pally on the assumption that Europe will need more wheat between now and the harvesting of the new Canadian crop than was thought possible a month ago. Strength in Winnipeg, coupled with light stocks in Chicago and_ steadily decreasing visible supply, both in the United States and Canada, have all tended to firm up wheat prices some- what, but it is rather difficult to force advances even temporarily in the face of better crop prospects than we had a year ago at this time. Of course, the price of wheat was considerably higher a year ago than at present, so the favorable conditions have been generally discounted, and any set-back in crop prospects would have an im- mediate strengthening effect on the market. The fact that Europe will in all probability be good buyers the bal- ance of the old crop year will be re- flected in firmer markets than would be possible otherwise. As stated recently, the market gen- erally speaking will be a “crop” affair during the next month or two, and will be influenced by crop reports, as well as by volume of export and domestic consequently purchasing agents should watch crop news and business, export movement closely. Some reports profess alarm over de- lay in seeding of spring wheat in the Northwest, but there is yet time to sow a good big acreage, and there has been plenty of moisture. Of course, a long unfavorable continuance of seeding conditions in that section would result in another short spring wheat crop, and that would be a distinctly bullish condition. We do not favor the present situation for speculation on the long side of the wheat market, and while we do not advise to buy or not to buy, it is our opinion the wisest policy is to buy flour and wheat to cover trade require- ments for not over thirty to forty days. Lioyd E. Smith. —_——--_-~+$-<-—————— Buries Ice With Peach Trees To Delay Blossoming. St. Joe, Ark., April 22—A method to make the peach crop in this sec- tion more certain each year is to be tried by W. L. Hanley, who has ex- tensive holdings here. After observ- ing for many years that there is a crop of Elberta peaches about one year in six and that even the Hardy seed- lings do not yield more than every other year, because warm weather in February starts the buds and freezes the latter part of March kill the blos- soms, Mr. Hanley decided that some artificial meams must be adopted to combat this. Considering the smudge pot used in Colorado orchards too expensive and probably not effective here, where the temperature often falls 20 degrees be- low freezing after the peaches have bloomed, he has evolved a scheme of burying a cake of ice at root of each tree in February, covering it to pre- vent thawing, believing that, with the ground being kept chilled, the blos- soming of the peaches will be retard- ed past March freezes. The fruition of his present plan is dependent upon his establishing an ice plant here, thus making it possible for him to secure ice at a cost that would justify its be- ing used in the peach orchard. —_———- >< -<———— Detroit—The Absopure Refrigeration Corporation, 2011 Park avenue, has been incorporated to manufacture and deal in refrigerators, with an author- ized capital stock of $2,000,000 prefer- red and 1,100,000 shares at $1 per share, of which amount 1,000 shares has been subscribed and $1,000 paid in in cash. ——~++>——— Don’t boost to-day’s sales at the expense o1 to-morrow’s patronage. It pays best in the end to sell ’em right rather than to sell ’em more. 6 Progress of Quality Service Stores in Michigan.* Several weeks ago Secretary Gezon advised me I was scheduled for an ad- dress at this convention and assigned to me the topic “Progress of Quality Service Stores in Michigan.” I believe Paul was absolutely sincere in his purpose and if I do not measure up to your expectation, I trust. you will bear with him. I will, however, promise you not to talk for forty-five minutes as he requested, which is. not prompted by any consideration I may have for my listeners, but because I can’t hold my breath that long. The topic assigned to me is, in my estimation, the most important of problems confronting the individual retailers of to-day and the one which offers the greatest amount of relief to the trade who are game enough to stick it through. Our problems are not confined to the merchandising of food only, for large chain corporations are invading almost every line of retailing endeavor, and I will be frank in stating to you Herman Hanson. they are a menace to every community in which they invade. Business men of a great many com- munities are waking up to this fact and are responding nobly to the efforts and methods being adopted by the in- dividual retailers to curtail the same. In some instances, legislation creat- ing a hardship for large chain corpora- tions to operate has been resorted to, but in my opinion is not the logical method of combating. The scientific laws prescribe poison as an antidote for poisoning and ad- vertising geniuses recommend adver- tising to combat advertising. It is, however, just as important to apply the proper kind of advertising to combat chain advertising as it is to prescribe the proper poison as an ef- fective antidote for poisoning, and it is for us to learn which is the proper and most effective method of advertising to regain our position in the merchan- dising field. First, let us diagnose the frame of mind of the average housewife, who is continually confronted with advertis- ing of well known brands of merchan- dise at prices the individual retailer *Paper read at Flint Convention by Herman Hanson, of Grand Rapids. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN cannot in many instances buy from his jobber as low as they advertise and then the propaganda of the chain with reference to their tremendous buying power. I know you will agree with me that the effect is the same as it would be with you, if yeu were not connected with the retail business, and that is, that the chain prices are all based on the same low level and the prices of the individual retailer’s merchandise is classed with hold-up men. We, as retailers, know this is not true and with thre exception of com- paratively few well known lines, prices are no higher with the individual re- tailer and in many instances their prices are even lower. In order to reverse this opinion isn’t it logical for us to adopt similar meth- ods? We all know that, individually, we cannot afford to conduct an adver- tising campaign in the newspapers, as the rates are prohibitive for a retailer single handed, but when many retailers club to gether and advertise, the pro- rated expense is comparatively small and is the only method the individual retailer can adopt. In order to make the individual re- tailers club advertising effective, it is necessary, of course, to advertise some real buys to the consumer, and in order to do this it becomes necessary to club the buys as well, but I am not going to deal with the buying end, as you have another speaker in the person of our Grand Rapids President, Mr. Van- derHooning, who has collective buying as his topic. Club advertising—more commonly known as collective advertising—has been featured in many portions of the United States for a number of years. As far back as five years ago, at the time our convention was held in Lan- sing, I was sold on collective adver- tising, as the outstanding hope for re- covery of our business. I tried for a long time to interest our Grand Rap- ids retailers, but could not muster up enough of them to put on an effective campaign at a price per store they could stand. As a result, the chains had clear sailing and, believe me, they cashed in and to-day Grand Rapids is decorated with stores of every color of the rainbow and some colors not in the rainbow. The collective advertising of staple lines at competitive prices has its ad- vantages to the retailer, which is so often overlooked, especially by the so- called high class stores. If the indi- vidual retailer will keep his own cus- tomers sold up on staples, even if the margin is very close, it will reduce the hazard of his regular customers pur- chasing them from the chains, and buying other items which net a regular margin, jor it is just as important to retain your customers as it is to add new ones, and in so doing the chains are deprived of their volume makers, which is a real blow to them. The first city in Michigan to adopt collective advertising, I believe, was Muskegon, which has been organized a little better than two years. They adopted the name of the Quality Ser- vice Grocers. To-day they control their own warehouse. Next to fall in line were Holland and Kalamazoo, and on Sept. 30, 1926, Grand Rapids made their first appearance in the Grand Rapids Press. In Muskegon and Grand Rapids, I happen to know the newspapers co- operated in splendid manner and a great deal of credit is due the news- papers in these two cities in putting across the campaigns. Newspapers of every community should co-operate, not only from a profit basis, but as a April 27, 1927 civic and community development movement. Port Huron has also a quality ser- vice organization consisting of twenty- eight retailers, who deserve being com- plimented on their aggressiveness. I am also informed Traverse City, Bat- tle Creek and Lansing have advertising groups, and, last but not least, Big Rapids is organized and advertising collectively. I had the pleasure to accompany Secretary Gezon to Big Rapids a short yY — MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL GIFT PACKAGES —=— JOWNEY'S CHOCOLATES ORDER WHILE THE ASSORTMENT IS COMPLETE NATIONAL CANDY COMPANY, INC. PUTNAM FACTORY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN If we send you more. FAST SELLING IONIA FLOWER POTS Fancy, Plain or Assorted. you this crate of quick sellers we will sell 36 — 4 in. pots and saucers @ 2%c $ .90 36 — 5 in. pots and saucers @ 5c 1.80 24 — 6 in. pots and saucers @ 7c 1.68 12 — 7 in. pots and saucers @llc 132 6 — 8 in. pots and saucers @16c 96 aiptal net oe $6.66 You can double or treble your money on this assortment. IONIA POTTERY COMPANY Ionta, MicHIGAN BOAT SUPPLIES AWNINGS Umbrella Tents Grand Rapids, Michigan CAMP EQUIPMENT Distributors of Brooks Square CHAS A. COYE, Inc. Always Sell Rowena Golden G. Meal LILY WHITE FLOUR “The Flour the best cooks use.” Also our high quality specialties Rowena Yes Ma’am Graham Rowena Pancake Flour Rowena Buckwheat Compound Rowena Whole Wheat Flour Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. VALLEY CITY MILLING COMPANY Grand Rapids, Michigan 1927 April 27, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN time ago to tell the retailers regarding our method of advertising and it cer- tainly was gratifying to witness the harmony existing between the retailers of Big Rapids, so different from the old days, when it was a case of dog eat dog. I will outline to you our method of operation in Grand Rapids, the Quality Service Grocers organized as a separ- ate group and adopted a set of rules and by-laws. In order to be eligible the group, the first become a member of the local or- to join retailer must ganization and each applicant is voted on by the group, which prevents stores which do not measure up to the stand- ard from participating in the advertis- ing, even though they may be members of the Grocers Association. The members of the group sign up with the newspaper for a period of six the newspaper $5 per week to participate. months and each agree to pay The newspaper makes the collections and places same to the credit of the grocers contributing and the advertis- ing is charged against them as a group. Any accumulated overage remains to their credit and is used up at the end of the six months contract by an ex- tension of the advertising without ad- ditional cost to the members. The advertising group controls every item advertised by majority rule, as, well as the propaganda which is used each week in the advertising and meet- ings are held every Tuesday evening in the Association offices. The attendance at these meetings averages about 90 per cent. and has instilled a spirit of good fellowship and has been the means of making real merchants out of some of the weaker ones. The only dissatisfied members in the group are those who fail to at- tend the meetings. On the 12th of this month the group was re-organized for the second Six months period and twenty out of the 1 original twenty-two signed up again new members were enrolled, total of twenty-six in -and six making a the group at present. I want to bririg to your attention at this time the advantage of a group of men assembled weekly, with one pur- the advertising were eliminated entirely. In closing, I wish to offer as a sug- this conyention—that a State organization of Quality Service bership, even if gestion to Grocers be formed, and meetings be arranged oftener than once a year to perfect the best possible system of op- to the communities which may require same. eration and render assistance oe Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court. Grand Rapids, April 19—-In the matter of Albro BB. Young, Bankrupt No. 2702, the trustee has filed his final report and account and a final meeting of creditors has been called fro May 3. The report and aceount of the trustee will be con- sidered. Claims will be allowed and an order for the payment of expenses of administration and preferred claims and a first and final dividend to general cred- itors will be made. In the matter of Fairview General Store, etc., Bankrupt No. 3106, the trus- tee has reported the receipt of an offer of $800 from Frank Jebb, of Grand Rap- ids, fer all of the stock in trade and fix- tures of this estate, except such as has been heretofore reclaimed. The purchas- er also assumes contracts uopn two cash registers. The property consists of gro- ceries, clothing, notions, etce., and gen- eral merehandise, including fixtures, all of the appraised value of $2,566.74 and located at Grand Rapids. The sale will be held at the office of the referee May 2. An inventory may be seen at the office of the referee. The property may be seen prior to the date of sale by applica- tion to C. W. Moore, trustee, Belmont. The trustee has rural Grand Rapids tele- phone number. All interested should be present at the date and time of sale. April 19. On this day was held the sale of assets in the matter of Henry W. Ogden, Bankrupt No. 3079. The bank- rupt was not present or represented. The trustee was present in person and rep- resented by Dilley, Souter & Dilley, at- torneys. Various bidders were present in person. ‘The stock in trade and fix- tures of the estate, as shown by the in- ventory and appraisal were sold on final offer to Clyde BH. Claeys, of Shelby, for $1,825. The sale was confirmed and the meeting adjourned without date. In the matter of Harry A. Wilkins, Bankrupt No. 3081, the trustee has filed his report of the receipt of an offer of $450, from Anna Wilhelm, of Sturgis, or all of the stock in trade, fixtures, tovls and equipment of this estate, which has been appraised at $975.87. The prop- erty is located at Sturgis, and consists of stock and materials. as well as tools and equipment for the conduct of a plumbing business. The date of sale has been fixed at May 3. The sale will be held at the office of the referee in Grand Rapids. An inventory is in the hands of tre referee and the property may be seen by application to M. N. Kennedy, trustee, 250 S. Burdick street, Kalamazoo. All terested should be present at the time and place of sale. April 16. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Glen Carlton, Bankrupt No. 3140. The matter has been referred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bank- ruptcy. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupation is that of creditors of said bankrupt are as fol- lows: J. BF. Top Dry Goods Co., G. R. ..$ 7.76 Est G. R. Fuel Co., Grand Rapids 43.85 J. E. DeBoer, Grand Rapids eee > A iL. Kitoker, Grand Rapids —........ 2.50 Louis Kuntz, Grand Rapids -_----. 12.84 O. M. McLaughlin, Grand Rapids_. 184.46 Tom Morgan, Grand Rapids —----- 36.58 Milton R. Thynge, Grand Rapids_- 8.00 James A. Middleton, Grand Rapids 12.50 Walenta Bros., Grand Rapids -.-. 9.90 R. L. Patner, South Haven --.---.~- 13.58 Dr. R. N. Freyling, Grand Rapids 3.00 Dr. Joe DePree, Grand Rapids -_-- 1.50 Goldfield Dairy, Grand Rapids ---. 18.00 Jos. Gumm, Grand Rapids ......... 4.50 Elmer Kast G. Richardson, Chicago 33.95 R. Bank, Grand Rapids 40.50 Colonial Service, Grand Rapids ._-. 6.3 Franklin Fuel Co., Grand Rapids. 17.75 John E. Kerwin, Grand Rapids ---. 25.00 April 20. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Abe Gelman, Bankrupt No. 3142. The matter has been referred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bankruptcy. The bankrupt is a resident of Kalama- zoo, and his occupation is that of a gro- cer. The schedules show assets of $5,900 of which $250 is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $1,954.17. The firt meeting 7 of creditors will be called, and note of the same made herein, and the list of creditors are as follows: City of Kalamazoo -$ 18.00 State of Mich., County of Allegan 108.00 Peoples State Bank, Bloomingdale 575.00 Kalamazoo Citizens Loan and Inv. Co., Kalamazoo oe a ee Ashton Milling Co., Kalamazoo -- 8.16 Butler Bros., Chicago -..._... .~ 102.87 Mrs. Caldwell, Comstock Park 18.00 Card Seed Co., Freedonia, N. Y.-- 24.00 Chicago Evening American, Chicago 7.50 William Bordman, Kalamazoo ~... 100.00 I. BE. Evans, Kalamazoo ~~. _ 100.00 Gilmore Bros., Kalamazoo 6.50 Goodrich Candy Co., Kalamazoo - 11.01 David Harrigan Coal Co., Kalama. 4.75 Heckman Biscuit Co., Kalamazoo... 33.32 Lee & Cady, Kalamazoo --.-.. ___ As To the Future of Grandville. Grandville, Aprii 26—Our village has prospered wonderfully during the past two and more years, but most of the improvements consist in additions to the village on which many residenc- es have been constructed. New streets have been laid out and a general era of growth in population prevails. After having lain comparatively dor- mant for nearly a century Grandville is coming into its own. In age she stands on a par with Grand Rapids, yet her growth has been stunted for many years because of the fact that the place is “too near Grand Rapids to ever amount to anything.” A greater fallacy than this was never uttered. We are just about the right distance from the main city to make one of its most populous and thriving suburbs, hence merchants should not fight shy of investing in business in this neck of woods. Doubtless it has been duly noticed that the business section of the town is not on a par with its residential area. While the population has been growing rapidly, the business street has not improved to any _ noticeable extent. Grandville offers a splendid opening for various sorts of business which to date have failed to adventure here, no doubt because of the old idea that it is but a pinfeather to the main bird, the growing city on the Grand. Admitting this to be true, even then that pinfeather will grow and feather out into a full fledged fowl ready to travel on its own feet. The old super- stition which has so long relegated Grandville to the rank of a nonentity, must be cast aside and the full vigor of a growing town made manifest by those who have faith in the future of the place. Our business street needs improv- ing. The small rattletrap buildings which cling should be replaced by new, up-to-date blocks, and once we have them they will be occupied by up-to-date dealers, no fear of that. The one greatest need in our mer- cantile life is a modern department store. “Mercy!” exclaims one, “we are too near Grand Rapids, with her great stores, to ever think of such a thing as trying to compete.” Now. my friend, that is where you are entirely wrong. The lack of places where one can purchase articles of every day use is a misfortune to Grand- ville. That drawback should be remedied at the earlieSt moment pos- sible. Small towns in other states have supported such stores and made their proprietors wealthy. Being so near Grand Rapids is all the more rea- son for the opening of a department store here. Outside the high rent district, while surrounded by an extensive farm com- munity, is evidence enough to prove my contention. Grandville is not liv- ing up to her possibilities. Even if we eventually become a part of the big city so much the better, we will cer tainly be one of its most thriving dis- tricts. The village is well supplied with grocery stores, yet outside of these and an up-to-date drug dispensary, there is a lack. Some of the most needful articles of household necessity cannot be pur- chased this side of the city. Is not this fact decidedly against the future prosperity of the town? I am blaming no one for this state of affairs, but the facts being such, is it not worth our time to seek to rectify so far as pos sible this condition? The one unfortunate thing is that we have no suitable building in which to install stores of the kind needed. Men of property might interest them selves in making a better business street by the erection of suitable sites for up-to-the-minute stores. It would be impossible for a depart- ment store located on State street to fail, given the man, the money and the building. It may not be admitted that every one who essays to become a successful merchant succeeds. Indeed such is far from the case, and yet the opening is there, afid success cannot be otherwise when the right man takes the rudder. The push and vim of those who have lately interested themselves in the real estate future of Grandville is to be commended. The town has grown and expanded wonderfully in its residential parts, while the business street stands still, a relic of ancient days. The Sunday quiet of this town has often been remarked upon. Certainly the low, straggling buildings on the business street are not a credit to the town. Erect a suitable housing for a complete department store, set busi- ness going, and it will not be long until a complete transformation will take place in the once sleepy old town. These Easter days remind one of the necessity for a complete resurrection of business spirit in the place. Shall we have it Surelv, otherwise there will be a dropping back to the quietude of Indian days, and the obituary of Grandville written for all time. Grand Rapids is known as a good place to live. Also Grandville is hail- ed as a village of good neighbors. Both slogans are true, and yet the mere fact of being good neighbors will not save the town from. suicide unless these good neighbors are up and doing for the betterment of the burg. The far sighted man of means who interests himself in the future of Grandville need not fear to make in- vestment that is sure to return to him ample profit for his undertaking. State street should at the end of two more years show a far different sky line than the one at present in evidence. Old Timer. —_—_>2>————_. The greatest need of the age is men whose word can always be depended on, no matter what circumstances may arise to render any promise made dif- ficult or fulfillment. This is the true and unfailing test of manhood, high character and absolute dependability. No man should make a promise which he cannot keep. Having made it, no power on earth should be permitted to stand in the way of his making good. To plead misunderstanding or misfor- tune is to stamp the person who re- sorts to such tactics as unworthy of the confidence and respect of decent men. —__>+~>—__— There are twenty-seven states larger than Alabama, yet that State could ac- commodate the whole of England within its boundaries, 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Apri! 27, 1927 SHOE MARKET Dealer Must Take on Slow-Selling Shoes. Those who read this will agree that 40 per cent. is a good mark-up to- day, taking the average and general run of stores. Well, then, say you place an order for five shoes of a thirty-six pair run. The shoes cost $5 a pair. They come in and they look so good you mark them $9. You say to yourself: “There is a real mark-up —44.9 per cent. Those shoes will make me some money.” It sure looks like it. But do they? Let’s see just how much. It won’t be enough net to pay for a good suit of clothes. You have those shoes a week and four of them move right along, but You ask one of them seems to drag. the boys to push it, but that does no At the end of the second week you put a dolar “spif” on it. That moves three or four pairs, but yours is a good store and they want and your men do not like’ to push undesirable You finally wind up by selling that shoe at cost. Where do you stand good. shoes. on that shoe in actual figures? Let’s figure. You had thirty-six pairs. At $5 a pair they cost you $180. You sold five pairs at $8—after the “spif.’ This brought back $40. You sold 26 pairs at cost, or $5 a pair. This brought backback $130 more. Then five pairs went on the “Dollar Day” table a $1. Total up the procedure and we find you paid out $180 and got back $175. How much did you lose on that shoe? Was it $5? Yes, and then some, for it cost 25 per cent. to sell those shoes. In fact, to get back the $175 you had to spend in overhead and running and selling expense one-fourth, or $43.75. Add to that the $5 less that came back than went out and you have an actual loss of $48.75 on an investment of $180, or 21 per cent. plus. I think the average shoeman of the average town will say that this is about the usual result of a five shoe buy. All right. Did the other four shoes sell at the full mark-up profit? If they did it was a phenomenon, if the shoes were bought on the usual run of the average shoe store—5 to 8A down to 3 to 7C. Tl bet that the average run of thirty-six pairs of shoes carries at least six pairs to the bargain table because of the “odd sizes.” I think every other old shoeman will take some of that bet, too. Let’s go on with the figures. Six pairs of each of the other four shoes boubght went to the bargain table. Then 30 sold for $9, or a total of $270. For the four shoes we then get in actual money $1,080. Because of the odd sizes of the six pairs carried over out of each lot we will not figure on them at all now. And the chances are we will have to give them away dt some price which we will not admit. Let’s go back to where we started and figure up. We bought 180 pairs of shoes at $5 each. We have paid for the shoes with-our check for $900. The shoe that we had to cut right at first brought $175. The other four brought $1,080—a total of $1,,255. Looks like we had made $355. But did we? Twenty-five per cent. of that $1,255 was spent in selling, running expenses and overhead. We find in the final figures that we made a few cents over $42’ on a $900 investment. Now, $42 is not much, but it is bet- ter than a loss. Many a shoeman— about 90 per cent. too many—marking shoes that cost $5 a $8. Apply this price all the way through to this deal of five shoes on runs of 36 pairs. As only 120 pairs went out at a profit, we take in $120 less at $8 than we did at $9, Instead of making $42 we lose $78. And that is about what is occur- ring to about 90 per cent. of the shoe- men to-day. They are selling shoes that cost $5 for $8 and think they are making money. Someone says, “But what about the other 36 pairs you haven’t sold? Are they not worth something?” The answer is, “They are not, unless you can find the feet to fit them while the style is ‘hot.” I was in a big Western department store not a month ago when they took inventory. They buy few shoes for women under $5.50 wholesale. They had 800 pairs of shoes from 4B down to 2A, and 1,000 pairs from 8C to 9AA, with no sizes in between. The styles were as much as five years out of date, but the old ones were about as salable as the new ones of a month or two in age. This department does about $100,000 a year. They handle men’s womens and children’s shoes. With $9,000 tied up in women’s odds and ends, what chance has any buyer to make money on a stock like that? You tell ’em. I sure can’t. I have imposed on the publisher of this paper, so much with this kind of stuff that I imagine he bursts into tears every time he sees a letter post- marked from my town, but I would like to irritate the ears of all shoe- men with the cry, “Get more profit, get more profit,” until they did get enough profit to at least keep them out of debt. Now, don’t try to tell me it can’t be done. I know a man in Northern Indiana in a town of less than 10,000 people who has made a very cosy little fortune running a shoe store. He is within a two-hour’s drive of Indian- apolis, an hour’s drive to two other towns three times as large as his own. He owns his building. I say owns, be-° cause it is all paid for. He owns other city property. This year he will build and pay for a $15,000 home. He al- ways discounts his bills. —_»+2 Original Styles in Ensembles. Designers who are interested in the ensemble in dress have become ex- ceedingly clever in creating new mod- els, some of uncommon style and dis- tinction. Worth, for example, is showing an original design in gray silk alpaca chine, with a flounce around the bottom lifted in front. A gilet and scarf of rose crepe, which is drawn down from the neck and tied at the waist line with long ends, illus- trates charmingly the beauty of rose and gray combined. In another model from Worth, also made of alpaca chine, a large collar of gray fox is added. Premet, whose creations are always characterized by restraint, has de- signed an unusual ensemble in citron green silk poplin. The dress, cut with subtly lined seams, pockets and a belt, has incrustations both curved and straight appliqued to accentuate essen- tial points, and a collar and tie of white crepe de chine. The three-quar- ters-length coat of the same material has a deep narrow shawl collar of black sheared caracul and is without fastenings. Buttons are used, however, in some of the ensembles from the best houses, on the frock in rows, as a trimming and on the coat as a prac- tical fastening. A model from a Paris collection is done in crepe in the new mauve tones, shading from deep violet to delicate lavender. Side panels on the skirts are made to meet in a diagonal open- ing over a cluster of gathers which swings the fullness toward the front. The collar is attached to form a soft turnover, with revers that are length- ened to form two floating scarf ends, a feature that is shown on a number of the late Spring gowns. The wrap, which is made of the same crepe in the darker shade and lined with one lighter, has wide dolman sleeves and a soft scarf arrangement at the neck. —_—_.--—-—— New Scarf Sets. Since the vogue has become so marked for sets of things, one artist has gone so far as to design a set consist- ing of a scarf, tie, small handkerchief and either long scarf or square neck- erchief. The same design is carried out in all three, but in varying ways. On the tie each end has a daring figure of a girl playing tennis, but on the handkerchief the tennis net is brought out with a ball somewhere in the dis- tance and the player in a corner in the background. ——E— Hides, Pelts and Furs. GON IO. a Ss ee eee 09 RaTORTE ON, 08 Cuned: Nol 8 2s 10 Cue we Fk 09 Calitskin, Buying of Straw Hats. The suggestion of an early opening of the men’s straw hat prompted orders from retailers who have been dilatory in their buying. Some stores will be ready to show the new straws about May 6, it was said yesterday, while others will start the season a few days later in order to be prepared for the expected rush of con- sumer buying on Saturday, May 14. The sennit with fairly broad brim and fancy band is expected to dominate again in the cities. ever, been a slight gain in the interest season has There has, how- shown in fancy braids and straws, which sell well in certain sections of the country. Business Wants Department Advertisements inserted under this head for five cents a word the first insertion and four cents a word for each subse- quent continuous insertion. If set in capital letters, double price. No charge less than 50 cents. Small display adver- tisements in this department, $4 per inch. Payment with order is required, as amounts are too small to open accounts. CLOTHING and shoe business, estab- lished twenty-five years. Great tourist and farmer trade. Unusual opportunity. Healthiest climate. Lindquist & Jacob, Park Rapids, Minn. 552 FOR SALE OR TRADE—240-acre farm six miles from Petoskey. Good land, fair buildings, fruit, fine water. Lot of new seeding. Sell cheap, or will trade for stock merchandise. A. J. Crago, Petos- key, Mich. 554 FOR SALE—Grocery store. I am now offering one of the best groceries in Newton, Kansas, doing a strictly cash business. Better than $50,000 a year. Low rent. Good reason for selling. Look me over. Greer Cash Grocery, Newton, Kansas. 555 GENERAL STORE WANTED — Have cash and gilt edge Detroit property for live business in small town, with or with- out building. Send particulars to N. Sutherland, 2955 Grand River, Detroit, Mich. 556 FOR SALE—Good clean stock of gen- eral merchandise and fixtures, located in a thriving little town. Old established business. Will inventory about $10,000. Will give good lease or sell building. Reason for selling, to settle an estate. Address Box 19, Palo, Mich. 557 HUSSMAN, GRUENDLER and _stan- dard makes freezer display cases; butch- er’s coolers, grocers’ boxes; 100 sets com- plete bar fixtures. Priced right. St. Joseph Transfer Co., St. Joseph, Mis- souri. 558 FOR SALE—100-foot lake and road front with garage and boat shop with equipment for doing most any kind of work. Located on Clam Lake, % mile from beautiful Torch Lake, with very good business. For particulars, write Dan G. Berg, R. No. 1, 3ellaire, Mich. 559 FILLING STATION—For sale or lease. Battery and tire repair shop in connec- tion. On US-131. Harold Edger, Howard City, Mich. 561 For Sale—Dry goods, furnishing goods, stock in Detroit suburban town of about 6,000. Splendid surrounding business drawing territory. Clean stock. Inven- tory slightly over $20,000. Worth investi- gating. No stock buyers. Address No. 562. c/o Michigan Tradesman. 562 For Sale—Something new in duplicate receipt books, two or four to the page; eo books. The Observer, Saline, ch, A THIRTY-FIVE ROOM SUMMER HO- TEL AND SEVEN COTTAGES Ft mm RENT—New equipment. Electric light and running water. Located on beauti- ful point between Elk and Round. Lakes and nine imiles from M-11 at Eik Rapids, Michigan. Beautiful virgin timber, fine fishing, boating and bathing. Motor and row boats. Camp sites and two miles of excellent lake frontage. Owners will accept as rental one-half of gross income from rooms and cottages. Operator to have entire income from meals. State experience and references in first letter. Address Earl M. Grove, 321 Bay street, Traverse City, Mich. 553 FOR SALE—tTen thousand dollar stock of groceries, boots, rubbers, gen- eral merchandise, including fixtures. Strictly cash store for many years. Stock ean be reduced $3,000 or $4,000 if desired. Annual sales $50,000, all cash. Reasonable shoes, rent. Good location on main street of strong county-seat town not far from Grand tapids. Address No. 544, c/o Michigan Tradesman, 544 FOR RENT—Store building at Owosso, Mich. Best location. Modern store front, two floors and one-half of basement used for salesroom. Has been a dry goods store for thirty-four years. Lyons & Son, Owosso, Mich. 545 FOR SALE—Stock of general merchan dise and fixtures; invoices about $5,000 including fixtures. Doing a good busi- ness. All good, clean, salable merchan- dise. A prosperous small town, located in one of the best farming communities in Central Kansas Reason for selling. Address Box 37, Heizer, Kansas. 546 FOR SALE—A general store on M-14 in Southeastern Michigan. Fine location. Keason for selling, ill health. Address Charles Salter, St. Johns, Mich. 547 WANTED—Lines of merchandise sold to the rural or small town trade, such as septic tanks, etc. Have a dealer organ- ization already. Address No. 548, c/o Michigan Tradesman, 548 FOR SALE—A meat market located in thriving town in close proximity to the city of Flint. Doing a good conservative business. This market is the best equip- ped outfit north of Detroit. lil health only reason for selling. H. C. Agans, Fenton, Mich., Lock Box 152 556 FOR SALE—Bakery, retail and whole- sale. Low rent Cheap. Traverse City, Mich. Box 16 551 RESTAURANT—And confectionery for sale. On M-13, near resorts. Fully equip- ped. In operation. Owner has resort. Cannot handle both. S. C. Meyers, Man- eelona, Mich. 537 FOR SALE—Up-to-date drug store, city of 13,000 about 100 miles north of Grand Rapids. Best location in city. No foun tains, and about $8,000 investment. Will net owner $6,000 per year. Terms to suit buyer. Address No. 538, c/o Michigan Tradesman. . 538 For Sale-—-One 200-account McCaskey register. Cost $133, seil for $35. One Wayland paper baler, $10. A-1 condition. Brooks & Warner, Carson City, Mich. : 543 FOR SALE—New and used Northey coolers, refrigerators, freezers, and di play cases. Bargains Send for list Modern Store Fixture Co., 1815 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Mich. 521 Wanted—General store, $5,900 to $10,- 000 stock. Address No. 524, c/o Michigan Tradesman. 59 ve Expert Special Sales To reduce or close out stocks of merchandise any- where. Arthur E. Greene, 142-146 N Mechanic, Jackson, Mich f For Sale—Thriving, successful. retail business 8 years old, with yearly earning of over ten thousand dollars, net. Last year equal to past 5 year average Lo- cated on Monroe Ave., in Grand Rapids’ best business section. Established trade, and trained organization Any man or woman with business experience and common sense can operate. Price, $22,500 plus inventory. Fifteen thousand dollar cash (minimum) needed Full particulars given to those interested and able to swing this attractive proposition. Write No. 531, c/o Michigan Tradesman for ap pointment, at which time full details, ete., will be given 5o1 FOR RENT Service Store building and fixture suitable for furniture, hardware, or dry goods and clothing. Write No. 524, c/o Michigan Tradesman. 524 FOR SALE—One fifteen-foot Sherer grocery counter, one National cash reg- ister, one set Dayton computing scales, and other show cases and counters. Ail in A-1 condition. Frank A. Wieber, Fow ler, Mich. 77 CASH For Your Merchandise! Will buy your entire stock or part of stock of shoes, dry goods, clothing, fur- nishings, bazaar novelties, furniture, etc. LOUIS LEVINSOHN, Saginaw, Mich. ; Pay spot cash for clothing and furnish- ing goods. stocks. lL. Silberman, 1250 Burlingame Ave., Detroit, Mich. 566 32 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN April 27,. 1927 Items From the Cloverland of Michi- gan. Sault Ste. Marie, April 16—George and Henry Shields, formerly at Chi- cago, have purchased the meat and grocery business from Trambley & Vachon, on East Spruce street. After making a few changes, they will add to the stock and conduct the business on a cash basis. The Shields boys need no introduction here, as they have been in the same line of business at Algonquin for several years prior to their selling out and moving to Chicago, where they made a short stay in the business, preferring their old home town to the Windy City. They are both young men of ability and expect to make a success of their new venture. Alex Bush is now in charge of the new Co-Op. Mercantile Association branch store, No. 8, having succeeded J. MacInnes, who is back in the main store on Ashmun. street. The management of the New Hotel DeTour is now under W. Peterson, he having succeéded Charles Malancon, who has been in charge since the open- ing last year. Walter Derosher, one of the proprietors, states that Mr. Peterson has had a lot of experience in the hotel business, principally in Lower Michigan. The hotel is one of the best places for its size in the State and promises to get. much of the tour- ist business as well as the traveling men who make DeTour. If we love mystery and adventure we must love life, for life is both of these. J. A. Andary has opened a grocery and confectionery store on East Port- age and Bingham streets in the place known as the corner store, which has been vacant for several months. A new and well selected stock of staple groceries makes it an inviting place. “Just one more glass, boys, and then we'll all go home,” said the dish- washer, as he laid down the soap. Adolf Wandler, who has been in the meat business on Johnson street all during the winter, has closed up the market for the summer, going back to his position with the Pittsburg Supply Co.. where he is chief meat cutter, which position he had held for the past fifteen years. Richard Houston, who a short time ago started in business on his own ac- count in a small way, selling groceries and fish. has taken Dutch leave and left to mourn his departure a few creditors. who would wish him a speedy return. The only way to show a fellow he has chosen the wrong business is to let him try it. William McPhee has been appoint- ed postmaster at Hessel. He carries a stock of light groceries, confection- erv, cigars and tobacco in connection. Business near DeTour was excep- tionally good on the new road a few miles North of the village, where the frost coming out of the ground has put a short distance of the road out of business. A farmer nearby is reaping a rich harvest, pulling the many cars out as they try to pass. No report has been made to the income tax collector, but one of the victims who kept tab Sunday evening between 7:30 p. m. and 4 a. m. said seventeen cars were safely dragged over the spot. He was No. 17, but as he was in a hurry to get home he did not wait until the finish. Thomas Rothwell, the old reliable merchant at Sterlingville, was a busi- ness visitor last week. It seemed good to see Mr. Rothwell, as he very seldom makes the trip to the Soo, preferring to remain on the job. Mr. Dillingham, of Hulbert, has purchased the Eckerman pool room from Mr. Nelson and will continue the business. Al Jacobs, manager of the Chevro- let agency here, announces that he has awarded the contract for the erec- tion of a new $12,000 garage, 70x107 feet, constructed of cement and brick. on Ashmun street, opposite the present quarters, to care for his increasing business. John W. Gray, the well-known mer- chant prince of Nebish Island, has re- turned, after spending the winter in Lower Michigan. He is getting ready for the tourist business, which promis- es to be a record breaker. Nebish Island is noted for the big bass fish- ing and John has a chart of the good spots where the big bass loiter during the season, so that he is a busy man starts up again for the summer, which will be good news for the merchants, as the mill is their principal industry. We are told that there is a handsome lady doctor in Detroit, who has a fair idea of her charms. She says: “When I feel -a male patient’s pulse I deduct 10 beats. I allow that much for my personality.” William G. Tapert. ——_»++>—__—_ Printed Voile Negligees Liked. Among the popular models in Spring negligees are those made up of printed voiles are especially suitable for the negligee trade, being in large designs with borders that make a finish for the hem of the garment. Peach satin under mauve voile with an iris pat- tern, turquoise blue under gray, and similar color combinations are em- ployed. Owing to the decorative ma- terial used, the models follow the plain lines of the kimono, with satin band- with his store and information bu- reau. The Sheldon mill, at Eckerman, *% “Om contrasting voiles lined with a plain crepe satin shade. These wide sleeves. ings for the front openings and the j Dated March 1, 1927 ter as follows: BUSINESS AND PROPERTY: Through its operating subsidiary and afhliated com- panies, the Company serves 138 com- munities having a population of approxi- mately 290,000. Electric light and power is furnished to 130 communities in Mis- souri, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico. Gas service is furnished to 50,000 population, while ice service is furnished to over 140,000 population. Water service :s also furnished in four communities and steam heat in one. PURPOSES OF ISSUE: The proceeds from the sale of these bonds will be used to retire the existing funded indebtedness of the Company and for other corporate purposes. SECURITY: The First Mortgage Collateral Gold Bonds of this issue are secured, in the opinion of counsel, by the deposit and pledge with the Trustee of First Mortgage bonds of each subsidiary corporation, and by the deposit and pledge with the Trustee of the entire outstanding voting stock, except Directors’ qualifying shares, of such subsidiary companies. In effect, CHICAGO All information given herein is from source event are the statements herein contained $11,000,000 Community Power and Light Company First Mortgage Collateral Gold Bonds Thirty-Year 5% Series of 1957 Due March 1, 1957 Mr. D. A. Belden, President of the Company, summarizes his accompanying let- therefore, the First Mortgage Collateral bonds of this issue are a first mortgage on the properties of all the subsidiary com- panies. VALUATION OF PROPERTIES: The combined properties have a conservative present value, after making liberal deduc- tions for depreciation and amortization reserves, etc., considerably in excess of one and one-half times the total face value of these bonds, which comprise the entire funded debt of the Company and its sub- sidiaries to be outstanding in the hands of the public. EARNINGS: The consolidated statement of the company and its subsidiary companies for the year ended December 31st, 1926, which has been audited by Messrs. Lawrence Scudder and Company, certi- fied public accountants of Chicago, shows consolidatd net income available for fund- ed debt interest, federal income taxes, dividends, depreciation and amortization, amounting to $1,490,296.22, or over 2.7 times the annual interest requirements on these bonds. Circular fully descriptive of this issue furnished on request. Price 954 and accrued interest, to yield about 5.30% Fenion Davis& Boyle © DETROIT GRAND RAPIDS s which we regard as reliable; but in no to be regarded as our representations. QGollections, BONDED COLLECTORS YOUR PROBLEM: How to SALVAGE your DELINQUENT AND SLOW PAYING ACCOUNTS. THE SOLUTION: Employ COMPETENT CREDIT SPEC- IALISTS capable of eliminating mis un- derstandings, re-establishing business re- lations thru an educational system of collections. WE DO GET THE MONEY FOR YOU. NO COLLECTIONS — NO CHARGES. INTERSTATE PRC INTERSTATE BUILDING --- IBTH & LOCUST STS. WANSAS CITY, MISSOURI DIAMOND BRAND CARTON CLOTHES PINS Made of New England White Birch Selected- Polished CARTONS OF 24 PERFECT PINS~ TRADE MARKED QUALITY OF THE DIAMOND MATCH Co Sold and Recommended by ALL LEADING DEALERS HART BRAND The Choice of the Land Fancy Quality Fruits Vegetables Look for the RED HEART On The Can W.R. ROACH & CO. General Offices Grand Rapids, Michigan STRENGTH ECONOMY THE MILL MUTUALS i AGENCY Representing the MICHIGAN MILLERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES Michigan Combined Assets’of Group $33,389,609.28 20% to"40% Savings Made Since Organization #IRE INSURANCE— ALL BRANCHES Tornado— Automobile — Plate Glass More Profit to You by increasing turnover. When you sell goods with an established price which protects your margin of profit—then rapid turnover makes you money. In pushing Same price for over 35 years 25 onan 25 (more than a pound and a half for a quarter) with the consistent quality and price advertising behind it— with the price plainly shown on the label —you can increase turnover and get more profit on your baking pow- der investment. Millions of Pounds Used by the Government Yours for selling more vocerles g clan ’™ A Sunland Service Man Did you ever dream that a raisin could make such a hit? Miss America, with a handkerchief over her eyes, stood on the stage. I faced her, a carton of Sun- Maid Nectars in one hand, a bunch of full ripe grapes in the other. singerly I placed one of those plump, glisten- 7 / ae a ing Nectars between her lips. ‘The audience— every grocer in_ the country was in_ the crowd — strained for- ward to catch her deci- sion. “It’s a grape,” said Miss America... and then I awoke. Loony? Well it was a dream. No one awake would call Nectars grapes; yet no one would call them seedless raisins, either, taking the ordinary kind as a standard! Course, this won’t get a rise out of you since you've already tasted Nectars. You know how much their flavor is like that of sweet grapes fully ripened on the vine. And maybe, if a carton was ever opened be- hind your back, their fragrance fooled you— they smell just like ripe grapes, too! The point is, however: People who know Sun- Maid Nectars are not satisfied with anything less. And it isn’t any wonder that your custom- ers use more of these finer seedless raisins—keep coming back for them oftener. Here’s a tip to speed their sales still faster. Recommend Nectars to idea-starved customers for springtime puddings, cakes, cookies, and for cereals. And show ’em off in the window. Then see how much sooner your Nectars’ shelf yawns for more! RAISIN WEEK THIS YEAR IS APRIL 25-30