Forty-sieth Year . YEZARCESS SOS Ses > NER IIE ye os) AN te AES SAT aN ys) 3° ee ANY Ke yi Bey @ LCE NN DH AMOR ES SOI IV GS7 BORG ONL D LM” w. 2 iG ( ? Ke 4 Ce EO Za , (W ae a Cn es ) EAS ic x FA) 4 ka Pe \ 7 iF TUG é f ss a Tes k Romo) ~ J ) 6 a = oy, ae EZ uN —<- SS ca wire GN OC tate ect Bas ay Bae ~ 2 a eee ON IS ‘PUBLISHED WEEKLY (GX QE Re, (ce CASS TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS2< Ss SPEC SI SIE ge CSTR ESS ESTES SES SEVENTH : GRAND RAPIDS, WED NESDAY, JULY 31, 1929 : sh EY 9) BW iS p55 oO 4 WG cA NCA 2 a g i Sy f wa ie a) CHG oe es \ Nee a Nae oe SY Ne OC aN Sy ZR SUNS, NS Wee @ ee oyy: ZA )\ RAD) ZN Y f “ th C Uy N) ”\ RRS ON #)))\ SOAR: ELTA 2 Number 2393 { { { q f { { { { { { { { { { f { { { f f { { { { { { i TOO BUSY The Lord had a job for me, but I had so much to do, I said, “You get somebody else—or wait till I get through,”’ I don’t know how the Lord came out, but He seemed to get along; But I felt kind o’ sneakin’ like; cause I knowed I done Him wrong. One day I needed the Lord, needed Him right away— And He never answered me at all, but I could hear him say Down in my accusin’ heart, too much to do. You get somebody else—or wait till I get through.” Now, when the Lord has a job for me, I never tries to shirk; I drops what I have on hand and does the good Lord’s work; And my affairs can run along or wait till I get through. Nobody else can do the work that God's marked out for you. “Nigger, I’s got Paul Laurence Dunbar. olla ttle atll.tell.telltn.attller...tell,..tillier...tellin..ttthitn tellin athletes ate cle ote de sn oe. oe 9 2 LINK, PETTER & COMPANY (INCORPORATED) INVESTMENT BANKERS 7TH FLOOR MICHIGAN TRUST BUILDING GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN MR. E. A. STOWE, Michigan Tradesman, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dear Mr,’ Stowe: I was very mach pleased this morning to receive in the mail an order for some bonds, which was the direct result of an ad run in the MICHIGAN TRADESMAN during the past week, We find in running financial adver- tising that very seldom do we get direct responses such as the letter above referred to, The writer thought that you would be very much pleased to know the effectiveness of advertis- ing in this instance, and that the Tradesman undoubted- ly has a large number of financial readers. With kindest personal regards, I am Very truly 3 Trading Departmant Fe , a RY i ASO Forty-smath Year MICHIGAN TRADESMAN E. A. Stowe, Editor PUBLISHED WEEKLY by Tradesman Company, from its office the Barnhart Building, Grand Rapids. UNLIKE ANY OTHER PAPER. Frank, free and fearless for the good that we can do. Each issue com- plete in itself. DEVOTED TO the best interests of business men, SUBSCRIPTION RATES areas follows: $3 per year, if paid strictly in advance. $4 per year if not paid in advance. Canadian subscription, $4.04 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10 cente each. Extra copies of current issues, 10 cents; issues a nonth or more old, 15 cents; issues a year or more cd, 25 cents; issues five years or more old 50 cents. Entered September 23, 1883,at the Postoffice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. JAMES M. GOLDING Detroit Representative 409 Jefferson, E. THE OCEAN OF AIR. Public interest in aviation has scarce- ly settled down as yet to an accurate estimate of what this new means of transportation is good for. The sheer romance of man’s sudden achievements of a very ancient ambition was itself so upsetting that it is difficult to be temperate about it. Freak flights and record-breaking stunts have confused the question of prosaic utility to which even aviation must at last make an accounting. Further, there is so much air and it is so widely distributed that there are few apparent limitations that concentrate aeronautical progress along definite lines toward definite destina- tions. Railroad progress has been guided by population possibilities and regu- lated by the natural lie of the land. Ships must have seas to sail and har- bors for their cargoes. Automobiles have grown in number and in useful- ness with the development of hard- surfaced highways. But the ocean of air is boundless and the ships that sail in it have all points of the com- pass to choose from. They can go anywhere and have been for some time attempting to do so. Two recent events concentrate at- tention on the need for discrimination as an offset to air-minded enthusiasm. One was the transocean race that fail- ed when the French pilots were turned back by weather and the Poles met tragedy. The other was the successful launching of the Dornier flying boat, a three-story monster with twelve mo- tors and a full crew. The latter is the most interesting, although not the most spectacular. For it represents a serious attempt to build a flying machine that can carry something besides itself across oceans and continents and do so with a measurable chance of safe arrival. Sensible passengers do not cross the Atlantic in rowboats, and single-motor planes have almost as little right to start on a 4,000-mile trip with no more than a single small spot en route on which to come down. See SD 7 The quieter progress of aviation has little to do with these gambling ven- tures after the prizes of publicity nor with endurance flights that can now do nothing to a record except break it. It is better represented by the steady work of our own Department of Com- merce to fit each plane and pilot for some specific job. The latest regu- lations, just announced and to be in operation soon, have these things in mind. They contain no suggestions for transatlantic flying, for transatlan- tic flying is not yet practicable nor of any real use with such machines as have been developed to date. But they have much to say in regard to safety on overland journeys and they make sharper discriminations be- tween sport planes, transports and specialized types of aircraft. They rep- resent the growing realization that, while the ocean of air is wide, the use- fulness of every airplane is narrowed by necessity to those things that it can do better than other devices of trans- portation. When this conviction be- comes universal, airminded enthusiasm will give way to airminded intelligence and progress will begin to know where it is going. CONTRAST MAY BE OFFERED. From the corporation reports on op- erations for the first half of the year now being published, it is apparent enough that many of the largest com- panies, at least, not only enjoyed ex- cellent business but also translated that business into satisfactory profits. The showing in the aggregate is one that signifies all is quite well with the lead- ers. But since the headway of these big enterprises is now being accom- plished to no inconsiderable degree through sheer weight of buying or selling ability and by the adoption of the most scientific methods of trade and industrial procedure, the question is whether they have not gained at the expense of smaller undertakings. At least it seems well to take this phase into account before rushing to the broad conclusion that all business is highly prosperous. In the reports coming from the basic lines of industry, little change is noted. Automobile operations are reduced somewhat, but apparently no more than is customary at this time. On the other hand, the construction business has re- gained some lost ground and is cutting down the earlier decline it showed un- der the figures of last year. From the steel industry nothing but the most favorable news is received. All the recent car-loading reports testify to a sustained distribution move- ment, the figures running in excess of one and two years ago. It is to be noted, however, that from now on the year’s comparisons for industrial and trade lines may have greater difficulty in exceeding the 1928 totals, for the reason that the first half of last year was a period of recovery while the sec- ond half brought full operations. DISCOUNT REFORM. It is entirely possible that the dis- count dispute, now that the chain and group organizations figure so prom- inenty in the matter, will open the way toward a more satisfactory handling oi the whole question. Custom has at- tached many absurdities to the system and there is countless time and effort wasted to-day in computations which serve no useful purpose. The discount for cash has undoubted value, but the series of other accommodations now prevailing in so many lines only add to confusion and encourage the shift- less sort of business which bulks so large in the loss through waste. But if a revision of discount prac- tice is undertaken, then perhaps a method may be devised that will ac- commodate itself to the changed con- ditions in business. Quantity discounts may become more general and thus af- ford.a solution of the haggling price pressure now found so unsettling in many lines. This system might replace the bar- gaining which is disturbing at present, where the buyer has no way of know- ing whether a competitor is being quot- ed a lower price or not. He hears rumors of a lower price and he at- tempts to force down the seller. With so many following the same procedure, sooner or later there are sellers who will make concessions since they also hear reports that others are selling for less. Quantity discounts would not end the trouble—that is certain—because the problem will always be present, but they should greatly reduce some of the present difficulties. WHERE MAN IS AHEAD. About this time every year a certain number of people become greatly both- ered about masculine dress reform. Gazing upon the female of the species and feeling a hot sun pouring on their backs, they are overwhelmed with a desire to see the male shed a little of his superfluous raiment. Nevertheless, the convention that in urban communities the properly dress- ed man must wear a full complement of clothes still prevail. The Rotary Club may applaud Dr. Darlington when he appears in the rather unusual costume of a coat but no shirt as the first step toward the adoption of a pajama uniform, but we venture to say that on the next day its members all went to their offices in conventional garb. There is no denying that man is conservative. This, however, is not the only factor DESMAN GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1929 Number 2393 in the situation. Man has one advan- tage over woman. The human body pretty well adapts itself to temperature and it is only during a heat wave that the cry to shed coats becomes voci- ferous. Then everybody is suffering, even the more lightly clad female. But man has something to take off. He may feel,sconstrained to wear his coat on the way to work, but once in his office, where after all he spends most of his day, he can discard it. Unfor- tunately, woman can find no such re- lief. There is nothing more she can possibly take off. HARD CASH AND CREDIT. That by far the greater part of the country’s business is done on credit 1s a truism. But those who jump from this generalization to the conclusion that so-called hard cash and credit are unrelated have had a little lesson in finance during the last week or so. Most of our currency problems are solved automatically. This does not mean that there are no problems. The issue of the new-size paper money had a real effect on the country’s credit situation, which will be felt for several weeks. The new money has a certain curi- osity value. When millions of persons would rather keep a few extra bills iu their pockets than put them in the bank, as they usually do, the resultant currency withdrawal amounts to con- siderable proportions. This was felt in the slowness in which money flowed back to the great financial centers and created an appreciable scarcity in that community. It would be difficult, per- haps, to measure the results in figures. But the fact that Federal Reserve note circulation expanded $100,000,000 with- in a week is interesting. Cash is only a small cog in the finan- cial machine. But when, for any rea- son, it slows up, there is at least a creak or two of surprise from the rest of the wheels. cee cee The Makuwa, a species of Honey Dew planted from seed brought sev- eral years ago from Japan, is the latest. R. W. grower of Brawley, Munger, cantaloupe Cahf., took 4a chance this year and planted fifteen acres. The first car was recently sent to New York by the H. R. Okamota Co. If it meets with favor, the acre- age next vear will be increased. The new variety is of the same aver- age size as the Honey Dew and can be shipped in standard Honey Dew trates. Its rind is soft, but first ar- rivals in Eastern cities show it car- ried perfectly and sold for above Honey Dew prices. In sugar content the Makuwa exceeds the Honey Dew. The loafer ultimately finds himself without bread. 2 IN THE REALM OF RASCALTIY. Questionable Schemes Which Are Under Suspicion. M. E. Raymond, Muskegon securi- ties dealer, was released on bail of $1,000 when he appeared before Jus- tice R. R. Gale Saturday at 10.30 p. m., a few hours following his arrest on a charge of forging and uttering a note for $1,248. Raymond demanded examination which was set for Aug. 6. The arrest, made by the sheriff's de- partment, was obtained through the activity of the investors’ protective committee of the Chamber of Com- merce which started an investigation of Raymond’s’ operations — several months ago. The complaint was signed by Uriah N. Hursen, a carpenter living at 1248 Kenneth street. Hursen accepted a promissory note for $1,248 in exchange for a block of Foulds Macaroni stock. The note, as reproduced in the complaint, bears the signature of San Juan Railway and Land company, S. A., over the signa- ture of M. E. Raymond, secretary. The investors committee was unable to establish the identity of the San Juan company and, after many weeks of enquiry, obtained a warrant for Ray- mond Saturday afternoon. Bail for Raymond was furnished by J. B. Benson and Thomas Shumaker. Muskegon police records show Mel- vin E. Raymond was sentenced in 1926 to serve one year in the Cook county house of correction upon conviction of operating a confidence game in Chi- cago. T he record also shows Melvin E. Raymond was arrested in 1924 and acquitted on a charge of larceny by bailee. Some months ago the attention of the investors’ protective committee was called to the operations of Raymond. It was believed that Mr. Raymond had obtained a list of the Muskegon stockholders of Foulds Macaroni for he was soliciting them for the pur- chase of their stock. The present market value of Foulds Macaroni preferred stock is about $45, varying from day to day. At the price, the Foulds stock is about one-third of original price of $125 paid by most Muskegon investors. For this reason Mr. Raymond's offers to pay in excess of the market value and in many cases the full value for the stock were often accepted. Mr. Raymond did not pay in cash, however, but offered promissory notes on the San Juan Company, S. A. sign- ed by himself as secretary. The San Juan Railway and Lumber company supposedly was a Mexican corporation and $1,000,000 of interim certificates had been printed by the American Bank Note company and delivered to Mr. Raymond, it was dis- covered. The notes referred to the Bank of Mexico, of Mexico City, as trustee. ae : An investigation by the Investors Protective committee it is said, reveal- ed that no organization named the San Juan Railway and Lumber Company had been chartered in Mexico and that no arrangement had ever been made MICHIGAN TRADESMAN between Mr. Raymond or his company for the Bank of Mexico to act as trus- tee. The notes were made out for 60 or 90 days and it was learned that Mr. Raymond had been calling on the note holders, making small payments, and renewing them. In some cases he did not renew the notes, it is alleged. Soon after the Chamber of Com- merce officials started investigating his activities, Mr. Raymond began visiting holders of the San Juan notes and of- fering to substitute for them notes of the same denomination on the United States Land and Investment Company a recently chartered Michigan corpora- tion, it is said. It was on the complaint of one of the holders of a note on the San Juan Railway and Navigation company that the warrant was issued and the stock operator was arrested Saturday night. L. E. Griffin, special investigator for the Michigan Securities Commission, co-opreated with the Investors’ Pro- tective committee in the investigation. —Muskegon Chronicle. Morris Massing, dealer in men’s and boys’ pants in Baltimore, Maryland, has been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to discontinue the use of the name Columbia Pants Manufac- turing Co. or any similar name im- plying or importing that he is the manufacturer of men’s and boys’ pants and shirts. The Commission found Massing had for several years mis- represented himself as being manfifac- turer of “Southern Brand Men’s and Boys’ traded in such finished goods and had no interest or connection in any fac- ants,” whereas he merely tory or mill where these products were made. Massing was further ordered to discontinue affixing to. garments he sold labels or tags bearing the words “Union Made” whereas as a matter of fact they were not so manufactured. The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Bowey’s, Inc., of Chicago, te discontinue mislabeling artificial fruit flavors and concentrates which it man- ufactures and The company made imitation fruit syrups simulating sells. in flavor and color raspberry, cherry and grape and advertised and sold them under the designation of ‘“Rasp- berry Flip,” “Cherry Flip,” and “Grape Flip.” The word “imitation” appeared on the labels but in much smaller type. Specifically, the company is ordered to cease and desist from using in connec- tion with the sale in interstate com- beverage flavor, the “Raspberry,” or merce of any words “Cherry,” “Grape” or either of them, or any other word or letter or pictorial illustration signifying a fruit or fruit juice as a trade brand, label or designation of a product not composed of the fruit or fruit juice indicated, unless the said words designating the product be im- mediately preceded by the word “Im- itation,” and followed by the word “Flavor” and by the words “Artificial- ly Colored,” all printed in type as con- spicuous as that in which the other product are words designating the printed. The Sethness Co., of Chicago, man- ufacturers of imitation fruit flavors and concentrates used for soft drinks, has been ordered to discontinue mis- labeling and falsely advertising its products as being made from the true fruit. The company listed these under the general trade name “Cosco” and described them as “Grape Catawba White,” “Grape Concord True,” “Grapette,” “Cherryette clear,” “Ban- anaette, clear,’ “Lemonette, cloudy,” “Lymette, cloudy,” “Limonette,” “Or- angette,” “Peachette,” “Raspberryette” and “Strawberryette.” Specifically the company is ordered to cease and de- sist from: Using in connection with the sale of any beverage flavor, con- centrate, or syrup the words “Lemon,” “Grape,” “Concord,” “Cherry,” “Ca- tawba,” “Banana,” “Lime,” “Orange,” “Peach,” “Raspberry,” or “Straw- berry,” or either of them, either with or without suffix, or any word or let- ter or pictorial illustration signifying a fruit or fruit juice as a trade brand, label, or designation of a product not composed of the fruit or fruit juice in- dicated unless the said words designat- ing the said product be immediately preceded by the word “Tmitation,” and followed by the words “Artificially Colored,” or printed in type as con- spicuous as that in which the other designating the product are , words printed. Numerous wholesalers in the Upper Peninsula would like to know the whereabouts of Steve Dafnis, who was proprietor of the Princess Candy Kit- chen, at Ishpeming, until early last week. Dafnis has apparently left for other parts, but none of his friends or cred- itors seem to know where he has gone. The Princess has been taken over »y the Miners National Bank, which held a mortgage on the fixtures and stock, and arrangements are being made for a foreclosure sale. Ill health for the last two years is the probable cause of Dafnis’ not be- ing prosperous in business. He is a former owner of the Grill Cafe, the city’s oldest restaurant, and disposed of his holdings in that business because of his health. Following a few weeks’ rest he purchased the candy kitchen. During the firemen’s tournament Dafnis slashed the prices on meals an‘ did a large business. At the conclu- sion of the week he endeavored to sell out to A. D. Lafkas, but, when the latter learned of several thousand dol- lars indebtedneses that Mr. Dafnis had incurred, besides the amount due on the mortgage, he declined to buy. Daf- nis had not paid any of his bills fol- lowing the tournament and it is thought he left the city with about $2,000 in cash. Mrs. Dafnis and children have been gone for @ few weeks and, upon in- vestigation, creditors learned their household goods had been moved out after dark and shipped by truck. a 1ne chap who is always ‘“‘on the go” is in danger of going to the bad. os To grow with your community, make it grow. July 31, 1929 How Chain Stores Desecrate the Sabbath. Picnics and play time seem to be the center of interest during the past two weeks. While not very remunerative from a profit basis, recreation is essential from a physical health basis and is very important in keeping fit the human mind and body, better enabling man to function in a business way. The old adage, “‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, is ever true and the holiday is a safety valve of mankind. To my mind the man who does not take time to play is not get- ting the best out of life and is not keeping fit for business responss- bilities. I received an invitation from the Lansing Association to attend their annual picnic at Lakeside Park July 24 and regretted ex- ceedingly I was unable to attend, due to a previous engagement. An elaborate list of prizes and games galore was advertised by the Lansing Association, and | am of the opinion, judging from the announcement, the Lansing picnic must have been the largest and best patronized of any grocers and meat dealers’ picnic ever held in the State. On Monday evening, July 29, the board of directors of the Grand Rapids Grocers and Meat Dealers Association held a dinner and board meeting and completed their arrangements for a picnic Thursday, August |, at Townsend Park. A parade led by a band has been arranged, with automobiles featuring the propaganda of *‘Community Builders” and Home Owned Stores.’’ Stores will close all day, regardless of the attitude of the chain stores, which have refused to close in the past to give their employes a holiday. The oldest of the chain syndi- cates holds its picnic on a Sunday each year, a day set aside for wor- ship. This affords an excellent ex- ample of the policy and greed of the stores bidding for business from the various communities and should be broadcasted to acquaint the consuming public with the tvpe of business men in charge of the syndicate. Herman Hanson, Sec’y. —_— New “Marble” Pottery Imported. Among late foreign pottery imports are vases of a composition material which closely resembles marble in both surface. The available in a series ci eighteen classic designs in water ewer, flower holder and other effects. The vases are made in Germany and are said to be the first of the type to be in the market here. Whiie giving the impression of considerable value, the merchandise is priced so as to permit the retailing of each item at $3 each. graining and external items are available —_—_-9____ A swelled head dcesn’t bring a like bank account. Be mae July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 3 HIT BY FRUIT FLY. Great Industry Menaced By Mediter- ranean Insect Pest. Ten banks in Florida failed because of a tiny insect. The banks closed down because the citrus crop failed and the citrus crop was destroyed by the fruit fly. Against the destroyer the Federal and State governments are waging a war. While all the evidence indicates that they are winning, vic- tory will have been gained at a fright- ful cost to the fruit growers. At this time something like 34 per cent. of the entire land of the State is involved in the infestation, and this 34 per cent. contains nearly three- fourths of all the bearing citrus trees. area Just what the money loss will be when the pest is finally eliminated is a ques- tion. However, it is officially stated that the value of the infested citrus crops and others are may reach $60,000,000. The economic situation in Florida is thus held to be definitely and intimate- involved ly related to the policies which may be adopted in relation to the insect known as the Mediterranean fruit fly, probably the most deadly of all enemies of trop- ical semi-tropical fruits. In ap- pearance it is not unlike the common house fly, but in action it is a foe of the first magnitude. The hot areas of Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and and many islands in various parts of the world have suffered by the inva- The total world-wide sion of this pest. damage of its money activities would probably run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Based on official reports to the De- partment. of Agriculture within the past week, the capital investment of the Florida fruit crops threatened by the fly approximates $300,000,000, while industries dependent upon that fruit represent an annual income of not less than $52,000,000. For the purpose of obtaining an ac- curate account of the situation in Flor- ida, Secretary of Agriculture Arthur M. Hyde appointed a committee of seven economic and agricultural ex- perts with instructions to make a care- ful study in the State. This committee surveyed not only the destruction wrought but also the problem of con- trolling the pest. “The permanence of the home and the adequate support of the old fam- ilies of 40 per cent. of the rural popu- lation of Fiorida,” the committee says in its report to Secretary Hyde, “are threatened by the fly. for the State for the purpose of gov- ernment is laryely affected by the con- ditions of the citrus industry and its kindred commercial, transportation and industrial development. “In the event the fly should escape from Florida, infesting other regions of the South and West, capital values invested in properties producing sus- ceptible fruits aggregating $1,800,000,- 000 and producing annual incomes of $240,000,000 would be threatened. Such an infestation would mean chaos to many agricultural regions in the South and West. The result is their interest Also the income in the policy which may be adopted with relation to the fruit fly is even greater than that of Florida.” As for the consumers of the United States, the spread of fruit fly infesta- tion might, the committee declares, effect the reduction of susceptible fruit products everywhere from 25 to 50 per cent. which would mean an in- creased cost to the consumers of from 25 to 100 per cent. At the same time there would be a definite effect on in- dustry and tradé which in whole or in part is dependent on the citrus fruit crops of the country. The cost of commercial control measures and of quarantines, should the fly spread to other sections of the country, would involve, Secretary Hyde has been informed, an amount difficult to estimate but “undoubtedly greater” than the cost required for the eradica- tion of the pest in Florida. However, after careful research and observation the experts have informed the Secretary of Agriculture within the week that in their best judgment eradi- cation of the fly in Florida is possible under existing conditions. “But,” the- report, “this will require vigorous effort, large ad- ditions to present forces, fearless ac- tion, maintenance of the full co-opera- tion of all citizens of Florida and ample continues funds promptly available.” Despite the fact that the infested Florida areas have shown an increase, progress toward eradication has been definite and rapid, according to the reports of the field experts represent- ing the Department of Agriculture in Florida. The department is now formulating a system of certification which will to an extent remove the quarantine against Florida in certain states and permit the shipment in interstate com- merce of susceptible fruits and vege- tables. Experiments under the direc- tion of the Department of Commerce indicate that a system of processing whole fruit can be devised which will ensure freedom from the fly and will at the same time be economically feas- ible. Under such a procedure the depart- ment is of the opinion that reimburse- ment of growers from the Federal Treasury will not be required; that a sound economic background for the Florida citrus industry will be restored, and that the full co-operation of grow- ers and other citizens of Florida will be maintained at a maximum of ef- ficiency. There has probably been but one other such battle in American history to compare with the fight against the citrus fly. That was the ten year strug- gle to eliminate the boll weevil, a pest which brought about a loss of hun- dreds of millions of dollars to the cot- ton farmers of the South. The Govy- ernment and the State authorities won that battle. —__——__s2-2_____ To “see ourselves as others see us” might make us terribly unhappy. ——_+-.___ Fail to keep appointments and you won't keep much else. ————_23.2+.___ Shallow minds don’t dig deep. Giant Wholesale Merger Planning Retail Chain. An $86,000,000 wholesale dry goods merger, with plans for expansion in both the retail chain store and manu- facturing fields, is being developed by six prominent jobbing firms strategic- ally located throughout the country, announcements according to recent made in New York. One of the most active figures in the merger is Eugene Greenhut, who promoted the Hahn De- partment Stores. The concerns are Ely & Walker Dry Goods Co., St. Louis, Mo.; Finch, Van Slyck & McConville, St. Paul, Minn.; Watts, Ritter & Co., Huntington, W. Va.; Walton N. Moore Dry Goods Co., San Francisco, Calif.; A. Krolik & Co., Detroit, and the Arbuthnoi- Stephenson Co., Pittsburgh, Va. These six, powerful as they are with their combined volume of $86,000,000, are but the nucleus, it is declared, of the larger group that will be developed from them through the addition of se- lected houses. Only cautious statements have been made as to the plans of the group for the invasion of the retail field with an- other great chain enterprise, but the impression given is that no plans will be considered for a while for entrance into the big department store field, but that expansion efforts first will be several concentrated on developing hundred outlets, in larger cities, of the smaller type of dry goods and apparel stores which as independents have for several years been the backone of the jobbers’ trade. The bination are wholesale houses in the com- interested in the manufacturing trades. The Ely & Walker Dry Goods Co., of St. Louis, has been engaged in the manufacturing also division for many years, having as many as thirty-eight garment plants The total number of factories owned by the under its ownership and control. combine is now numbered at forty- two. In a preliminary statement of finan- cial standing filed by the companies in- volved in the combine the total sales put through in 1928 figured well over $86,000,000, while the net worth of the group is figured as between $26,000,000 and $28,000,000. For the last year the net earnings of the concerns entering the merger were given as $3,000,000 after taxes, etc. It is also stated here that the merger will about 50,000 individual accounts in the retail field, this num- ber being served by the named in the embrace companies combination. The Ely & Walker Dry Goods Co. has between 20,000 and 30,000 accounts at this time. While six wholesale concerns form the backbone of the initial organization the United Dry which will act as the parent company, Goods Corporation, the administrative and control body, will, it is reported here, take in other jobbers, although the latter will not participate in the charter membership nor take part in the general organiza- tion proceedings, such as stock issue, At this time four other widely known jobbing houses are said to be contemplating joining the capitalization, etc. merger and their status is satisfactory to the United Dry Goods Corporation and will in all probability be accepted. Among the possibilities which rumor merger is that of a Hahn This, so far as could be learn- attributes to the union with the Department Stores. ed recently, had no foundation in any statement issued, but resulted solely that are to be observed in the plans for the from the observation similarities financial side of the development and the identification of Greenhut with both enterprises. ~~? —.—__—_- When On Your Way, See Onaway. Onaway, July 30—And by all means be on hand again next summer when the annual dairy picnic is in full blast, because if anything it may surpass the ene held last Wednesday at the State park, although where any ment can be added is hard to say. For the first attempt of an occasion kind it must be said that M. G. Koepsell, the efficient and capable creamery man, has started which is going to do more for Onaway improve- of this something and vicinity than anvthing that has taken place heretofore for years. Farmers, business men, tourists and visitors for miles around came as though it would be a misdemeanor to stay away. The park was filled; the tables were loaded with picnic baskets filled with everything to encourage avoirdupois. Mr. furnished an unlimited quantity of ice cream. Hot coffee by the barrel, all free. Priz- the useful kind, given to the winners in the sports and races. Swimming races, running races and novelty races. Then came the speed boat races in which Oscar Strand. Jr., of Detroit, took Maurice Sugar, of Detroit, second, and a Rogers City man, third. The rather choppy sea and the vibra- tion caused by Koepsell es and good ones. too, first, extreme speed gave Osear’s boat such a terrible shaking up that it may reauire a nerve specia! ist to effect a cure. Prominent speakers from M. A. C. entertained the crowd and a commit- tee was selected for the coming vear and given authority to nerfect its own organization. The creameries from several cities who sent representatives have their eves on this project, realizing its im- portance. Onawav and vicinitv is fast becoming a dairy section, embracing a lot of rich fertile territory. An abundance of alfalfa is being grown and the farmers are constantly adding high erade and thoroughbred animals. The amount of butter fat producing cream shipped bv the several stations can only be estimated by the load upon load of cream cans to be seen daily on their v-av to the depot. Squire Signal. SO eee Sawdust For Fuel. Sawdust, a waste product of lumber mills, can be converted into a fuel with a heating value equivalent to that of three-fourths of its weight in bitumin- ous coal and at a cost of $1.64 a ton, Basore of the Institute. The according to Dr. C. A. \labama_ Polvtechnic sawdust is partly carbonized and press- thinks ed into briquets. Dr. Basore his discovery will have a commercial value and that the briquets he has de- vised may be used for fuel for indus- trial and domestic purposes. —_—_—__a-____—_— Waste of health is more than waste and quite as common. ae : Promptness is the politeness of of wealth- princes. ——_-e2-->__- Honesty, unharnessed to effort, isn't enough, 4 MOVEMENTS OF MERCHANTS. Perrinton—Gerald Rhynard has tak- en over the Ramsey Meat Market. Detroit—The Motors Boot Shop, Inc., has filed a petition in bankruptcy. Mulliken—The Red Front Grocery and Baking Co. will open a branch store here. Battle Creek—The McSherry Drug Co., has changed its name to Bull’s Pharmacy, Inc. Adrian—Wm. J. Enders has opened the Broad Street Meat Market at 523 North Broad street. Manistique—James Moon has open- ed a gift, lamp and electrical appliance store at 218 Oak street. Springport—The West Chemical & Paint Co. has changed its name to the Oxidermo Products, Inc. Monroe—The Monroe State Savings Bank has imcreased its capital stock from $160,000 to $200,000. Detroit—Ignatz Bazger has sold his grocery and meat market at 6603 Mil- ler avenue to Dan Wyrobkiewicz. Detroit—Anna Selman, dealer in boots and shoes at 9414 Joseph Cam- pau avenue, has filed a petition in bank- ruptcy. Ontonagon—Mr. Bayee has purchas- ed an interest in the Peoples Meat Market of J. W. Heard. They will operate under the firm name of Bayee & Heard. Kalamazoo—Chas. M. Hill, in the bakery business at 110 East Paterson street, is remodeling his store building and will add a modern grocery and meat department. Detroit — Flash Drugs Inc., 536 Grand River avenue, has been incor- porated with an authorized capital stock of $1,000, all of which has been subscribed and $250 paid in. Lansing—The Maple Street Phar- macy, 528 West Maple street, has been incorporated with an authorized cap- ital stock of $10,000, $3,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Curtis Lumber, Fuel & Supply Co., 9132 Linwood avenue, has been incorporated with an author- ized capital stock of $50,000, $5,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Montague—Mrs. J. S. Potter, who has been engaged in the dry goods business here many years, has sold her stock to L. W. Mills, of Lansing, who will continue the business at the same location. Albion—The Albion Pastry Co., 110 North Superior street, has been incor- porated with an authorized capital stock of $1,750 common and $850 pre- ferred, $850 being subscribed and paid in in cash. Portl4nd—Sidney Osman has pur- chased and opened for business the Fowner cigar stand and restaurant which has been closed since voluntary bankruptcy proceedings were started several months ago. Kalamazoo—The Field Electric & Furniture Shop, 127 North Rose street, has been closed by its proprietor, L. C. Field and the fixtures and equipment removed to the Field store, South Westnedge avenue. Augusta—L. A. Knight, of Battle Creek, who recently purchased the MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Park Hotel, is- modernizing it, re- decorating and installing a steam heat- ing plant. The hotel will be open for business about August 15. Detroit—Pickwick Incorporated, 728 Penobscot Bldg., has been incorporated to deal in women’s wearing apparel with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, $5,000 of which has been sub- scribed and paid in in cash. Grant—Mrs. Isaac Campbell, pro- prietor with her husband of the M 37 restaurant here, died at Gerber Mem- orial hospital, July 28. Mr. Campbell has sold the restaurant to Fred Kru- sen, who has taken possession. Detroit—Conlcy’s Sales Rooms, 4811 14th avenue, has merged its business into a stock company under the same style with an authorized capital stock of $5,000, all of which has been sub- scribed and $1,000 paid in in cash. Detroit—The Specialties Distribur- ing Co., 11 West Jefferson avenue, has been incorporated to deal and dis- tribute electrical supplies, with an au- thorized capital stock of 500 shares at $10 a share, $5,000 being subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Stowe Clay Products Co., 9545 Grand River has been incorporated to deal in building material and supplies, with an author- ized capital stock of 250 shares at $100 a share, $5,000 of which has been sub- scribed and paid in in cash. Detroit— Northern Groceterias, Inc., 1910 Buhl Bldg., has been incorporated to deal in food stuffs, with an author- ized capital stock of $500,000 preferred and 95,000 shares no par value, cf which amount $3,500 has been scribed and paid in in cash. Flint—The Long Lumber Co., 3830 Corunna road, has been incorporated to deal in lumber and building supplies at wholesale and retail, with an auth- orized capital stock of $20,000 com- mon and $40,000 preferred, $23,700 be- ing subscribed and paid in. Detroit—The Lightstone Electric Co., 8837 Linwood avenue, has merged its business into a stock company un- der the same style, with an authorized capital stock of $20,000, all of which has been subscribed, $2,000 paid in in cash and $8,000 in property. Detroit—Edward M. Johnson, 1314 Gratiot avenue, dealer in pipe cover- ings and other insulations, has merged his business into a stock company un- der the style of the Edward M. John- son Co., with an authorized capital stock of $30,000, all of which has been subscribed and $16,020 paid in in cash. Comstock Park — Morris Brothers have sold their hardware stock to G. F. Neitzel, formerly of Detroit, who will remove to Grand Rapids and con- duct the store. Mr. Neitzel has had previous experience in the hardware business, having conducted a hardware store at East Jordan for three or four years. avenue, sub- Manufacturing Matters. _ Kalamazoo—The Kalbfleisch Cor- poration, manufacturer of chemicals, has changed its name to the Derega Corporation. Detroit—The Superior Brush Manu- facturing Co., 19619 Oakland avenue, has increased its capital stock from $2,000 to $5,000. Detroit—The Kolipse Interchange- able Counterbore Co., 7410 St. Aubin avenue, has changed its name to the Kolipse Counterbore Co. Battle Creek—The Battle Creck Chocolate & Wafer Co., 55-57 Kala- mazoo street, has changed its name to the Dutch Wafer & Chocolate Co. Kalamazoo—The Upjohn Co., 301 East Lovell street, manufacturer 2f pharmaceuticals, has increased its cap- ital stock from $3,500,000 to $4,500,- 000. Oxford—The F. & R. Chemical Co., has been incorporated to manufacture cleaning preparations with an author- ized capital stock of $25,000, $9,500 of which has been subscribed and paid in. Detroit—The Velvet Creamery Co., 4804 St. Clair avenue, has been incor- porated to manufacture and deal in dairy products, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, $15,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Home Specialties Co., 11 West Jefferson avenue, has been incorporated to manufacture and deal in electrical supplies, with an author- ized capital stock of 500 shares at $10 a share, $5,000 being subscribed and paid in in cash. Detroit—The Acme Steel Treating Co., foot of Lieb street, has merged its business into a stock company un- der the same style with an authorized capital stock of 5,000 shares at $10 a share, $20,010 being subscribed and paid in in property. Albion — Maywood Laboratories, Inc., has been incorporated to manu- facture pharmaceutical preparations with an authorized capital stock of 5,000 shares at $10 a share, $50,000 being subscribed, $5,500 paid in in cash and $25,000 in property. Grand Rapids—Silbar & Co., manu- facturer and dealer of wax paper, has merged its business into a stock com- pany under the style of the Handy- Wacks Corporation, 634 Front avenue, N. W., with an authorized capital stock of $30,000 preferred and 20,000 shares at $1 a share, $15,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in in property. —_>2>____ Nation-Wide Fight on Bare-Leg Fad. Hosiery manufacturers, department stores and women’s specialty shops throughout the country have estab- lished a Hosiery Style Service as a promotional organization to combat the stockingless vogue among young women, which in the past two months has been making substantial inroads into their business. Under the direction of Lord & Thomas and Logan, New York, a test campaign was launched this week in newspapers of Kansas City and San Antonio. This campaign will quote prominent style specialists, writers and civic leaders on the “ugliness” of bare legs. The degree of success of the test campaign will determine whether or not it will be extended Nationally. The Hosiery Style Service has asked newspapers throughout the country ___—__ Recent Trade Changes in Indiana. Bremen—Forrest Hannes has_ sold his grocery stock to Sam Kessler who has added a modern meat department. Columbus—Gary C. Davis will add some new equipment to his grocery and meat market at 530 Fifth street. Franklin—Some new improvements are being made to the grocery and meat market of G. M. Porter at 291 South Haugham street. Indianapolis—H. A. moved his grocery stock and meat mar- ket to 1153 Shalby street. Marion—E. V. Barney, who is ‘n the grocery and meat business at 508 South Washington, is erecting a store building at a cost of $8,000. New Castle—Harry Williams has sold his grocery and meat market at Walnut and 21st streets to James Hop- kins. Petersburg—Carl Jones chased the meat market of P. S. Me- Kinney. Shoals—Dant & Osborne are the proprietors of the grocery and meat market which was formerly owned by J. B. Savage. Kesphol has has pur- To Breed a Chck Having Fou: Drumsticks. Reports from Kansas of the develop- ment of a new breed of wingless chickens have inspired Jersey poultry raisers to attempt a cross-strain in which an extra pair of drumsticks will replace the discarded wings. A breed which will be all white meat with no neck is also being sought by some iconoclasts, regardless of the dive effect on church suppers and pot-pre dinners for fire companies, which, a:- cording to their patrons, find wings and necks their mainstays. Some farmers have expressed the fear that their flocks will be ann-hilat- ed by automobiles when they have no wings to assist them in dodging cars, so one iconoclast is seeking to origin- ate a breed of chickens which won't cross the road. —_++.—___ Offer Candy Thrift Bank. A thrift bank which piece of milk chocolate every time a coin is deposited has just been place i on the matket. The banks are mac of metal in an assortment of colors and each contains ten pieces of chocolate. A penny, nickel or dime may be ir- serted in a slot at the top and th: candy is visible through a space on the side. Chocolate refills may be ob- tained. The manufacturers assert that the bank, by means of its candy at- traction, teaches thrift to children 17 an “appealing and far-reaching way.” dispenses —__2+>—___ Whatever you dislike in another per- son, be sure to correct in yourself. * July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 5 Essential Features of the Grocery Staples. Sugar—Last week we advised our readers to buy sugar. Cane granulat- ed was then quoted at 534. It has since advanced to 5.90. The indications are that the New York refiners will ad- vance this quotation to 6c before the end of the week. If they do, the Grand Rapids price will be 6.40. Beet granu- lated is quoted to-day at 5.70. Tea—The past week in tea business, speaking of first hands trade, has been dull. Some business is doing every day, but there is not much snap to it. The leaders are still Indias, Ceylons and Formosas. Javas have not sold as well this week as for some time. Japan and China green teas have shown only a fair interest. Prices throughout the entire list remain un- changed for the week. The undertone, however, is rather strong. Coffee—The market is in a dull and rather unsatisfactory condition from a seller's standpoint. Brazil has been making what effort it could to support the market for futures during the week, but in spite of everything it has done the undertone is. still soft. Spot coffees in this country remain wun- changed for the week. Demand is light and the undertone easy. In spite of the slight firmness about the middlz of the week, it is still a buyer’s mar- ket. Milds have not changed since the last report. The jobbing market on roasted coffee has shown no change for the week. Demand fair. Beans and Peas—Owing to the sea- son the demand for dried beans is very dull and the tone of the market is easy particularly on pea beans and Califor- nia limas. Split peas are unchanged from a week ago. Cheese—Offerings of cheese are only moderate and there seems to be no pressure to sell. Demand is fair and the whole situation is firm. Canned Foods—The most important features of the canned foods market last week were the announcements of opening prices on 1929 California fruits and the offering of new pack red Alaska salmon, which was quoted at $1.65 for No. 1 talls. Fruits were all high, as was expected, while the range on red salmon occasioned no surprise here. Canned Fruits—Pineapple is very strong on all grades, especially sliced Hawaiian 2%s and demand is active. All kinds of canned pineapple are go- ing to be valuable from now on through the 1929 pack. Premiums of 10 per cent. have already been report- ed on 1929 Hawaiian pineapple con- tracts, and indications are that there cannot possibly be any surplus this year. Canned Fish—The situation on can- ned shrimp is not improved and sellers who are offering good quality are able to get fancy prices. Supplies both here and in packers’ hands in the South are almost entirely cleaned up. Canned Vegetables—The local mar- ket continued steady, with trading rather quiet. There have been no de- velopments of great importance this week in the spot situation. Prices throughout holding firm at previous quotations. The only variations which have taken place have been revised prices among certain sellers on some particular items, sharp general market advances being more or less prevented by the narrow scope of trading which is more the result of limited offerings Spot stocks have reached such a low level that distributors are beginning to ask “What are we going to eat?” as one wholesale grocer put it yesterday on of spots than a slow demand. an enquiry for goods from a broker here. The Southern market on future tomatoes shows greater strength and other sections of the country appear to expect a short pack. Southern pack- 82%c a dozen on 2s and ers quote $1.221%4 on 3s, with some trading re- Other prices are firm and Peas are quiet on both spots and futures. The situation looks strong in regard to the new pack at present, as many of the producing districts all over the coun- try have been having difficulty in gei- ting enough peas from their growers, and in some of the most important sections the harvest has been running ported at those levels. unchanged. . Hight. Dried Fruits—The market on dried fruits continues strong and a decided rising tendency is apparent through- out the list of prunes and peaches being the centers Prunes have met fractional major commodities, of interest. advances in several sizes and peaches are moving up throughout the list. California’s prune crop forecasts show the smallest crop since the year 1922 and world production is expected to be the lowest since 1924. Market con- ditions are favorable all the way round, and growers in California are declining buyers’ offers, feeling that they are below their ideas of values. Growers in the entire fruit line, in fact, are reluctant to sell this year and a high market is inevitable. The fore- cast of 1929 production for California, according to official sources, is only 128,000 tons, as compared with 220,- 300 tons in 1928, and the record short crop of 110,000 tons in the year 1922. Estimated world production of prunes is 182,000 tons, against 256,104 of last year. Based on these figures, the mar- ket on prunes is going to be high and what carryover there is, and reports state that it is negligible, will be worth money to the holders. In the minor dried fruits there was not a great deal of activity last week in the local mar- ket but values were well maintained in spite of a slow demand. Nuts—The spot nut market is in- active, no changes of any note having taken place, and the situation in gen- eral remaining unaltered. Prices have ruled fairly steady and few distressed lots have appeared to depress prices. Reports on many of the 1929 crops ali over the world, in fact, have been so bullish recently that in some quarters a firmer market is evident, especially in regard to production of almonds and filberts in the Mediterranean coun- tries. Almond production for the world will be small this year, the Cal- ifornia crop being hurt by frosts and, in fact, cut down to one-third of eariy anticipations. That of Italy, on the other hand, is expected to be quite good, which would seem to offset the shortages in this country and in France and some of the other import- The primary Brazil nut market made sharp advances last week on heavy buying by England, and stocks in Para and Manaos are now so small buyers are forced to pay much higher prices to get supplies. ant growing districts of Europe. Salt Fish—Shipments of new mack- erel have been New England coast during the current week and the quality is described as very made from the good. There have also been arrivals here of summer mackerel from Nor- way, mostly 3s, 4s and 5s, the quality of which is satisfactory. Coming on a bare market, sales of the above men- tioned salt fish have been readily trans- acted at the reasonable prices now pre- vailing. Nothing is heard from Ire- land, which has been having a poor season. Sauerkraut—The sauerkraut market is dull, though canned goods have been Bulk ts stagnant in futures as well as in spots. Prices are unaltered. selling fairly well recently. Syrup and Molasses—Production of sugar syrup is still short, but is never- theless sufficient for the quiet demand. Prices are unchanged and the market is about steady. Compound syrup also dull but prices are steadily maintained. Molasses is selling fairly well for the season, which doesn’t mean very much of a business. Prices are unchanged in spite of the dullness. Vinegar—This is a good consuming period for vinegar, and movement this week, as reported by the local trade, has been more than satisfactory. Prices on all varieties are steady and the same as last listed. Review of the Produce Market. Apples — $2.25@2.50 per bu. for Duchess, Transparent and Red As- trachan. Bananas—6%@/c per lb. Beets—40c per doz. bunches. Blackberries—$3.50 for 16 qt. crate. Butter—The market advanced Ic per lb. last week and another Ic to-day, due to the shortage of pasturage, in- cident to the long, dry spell. Jobbers hold prints at 45c and 65 Ib. tubs at 44c, Butter Beans—$1.75 per bu. Cabbage—$1.40 per bu. Cantaloupes—California stock is held as follows: Yembeos, 45 ..----.----—_-..---- $4.25 Jumbos, 36 ~------------------- 4.00 Bint 1.75 Carrots—40c per doz. bunches. Cauliflower—$3 per doz. for II. Celery—Home grown, 40@60c_ per bunch. Cherries—$3 per box for Calif.; $3 per 16 qt. crate for home grown sweet and $2.50 for sour. Cocoanuts—90c per doz. or $7 per bag. Cucumbers—$1.35 per doz. for home grown. Currants—$2.25 per 16 qt. crate for either white or red. Dried Beans—Michigan jobbers are quoting as follows: C. H. Pea Beans -------------- $8.50 Light Red Kidney ------------ 8.75 Dark Red Kidney -------------- 8.75 Eggs—Good fresh eggs of the finest quality are in active demand as the The at an advance of 2c per doz. during the past week. supply is light. market is firm Local jobbers pay 33c¢ for strictly fresh, candled. Egg Plant—10c apiece. Garlic—23c per lb. Gooseberries—$2.50 per 16 qt. crate. Green Corn—45c per doz. Green Onions—Shallots, 40¢ per doz. Green Peas—$2.50 per bu. for home grown. Green Peppers—60c per doz. Honey Ball Melons—$4 per crate. Honey Dew Melons—$2.50 per crate. Lemons—Ruling prices this week are as follows: S60 Susmist 204 $12@14 S00, Suskkist (22002 12(@14 S60 Red Ball 0 12@14 300 Red Hall 2 12@14 Lettuce—In good demand on _ the following basis: Imperial Valley, 4s and 5s, crate $7.59 uw Garden grown, per bu. ....____-__ Fc Limes—$1.50 per box. Mushrooms—65c per Ib. Oranges—Fancy Sunkist California Valencias are now on the followinz basis: 6 ee $8.00 TS oe Fa9 V6 2 7.59 QUO) 6.50 M6 Sa OOF 4.50 O88 4.00 5 4.69 Onions—Iowa white fetch $2.25 per 50 Ib. sack and $2 for yellow. Parsley—$1 per doz. bunches. Peaches — Elbertas from Georgia command $2.25@2.50 per bu. Pieplant—$1.25 per bu. Plums—$2.75 per 4 basket crate for Calif. Potatoes—$6 for Virginia stock. Poultry — Wilson as follows: & Company pay Eleavy fowls). 4 27¢ Pient fowls 2 xe Pléavy broilers .. = = 28c Eiegh beotiers --.-..__._____._- 20c Radishes—20c per doz. bunches. Raspberries—Red, $4 per 16 qt. crate; black, $3 ditto. Spinach—$1.20 per bu. $1.85 per 10 Ib. basket home grown hot house. Tomatoes Veal Calves — Wilson & Company pay as follows: Baneyg 9 22¢ Gadd 2 18¢ Mediu 96 15c Page 2 10¢ Watermelons—40@50c for Florida. Whortleberries—$4.50 per 16 qt. erate. —_+-->____ Poor Fruit Year in Prospect. Government statistics indicate a poor crop year for most varieties of fruit. Apples and pears indicate a reduction of one-sixth, as compared with last year. Grapes, oranges and lemons indicate a reduction of one-quarter. Peaches and grapes indicate a re- duction of one-third. California prunes indicate a reduc- tion of more than two-thirds. Apricots, figs and olives are the only fruits which are likely to be up to last year’s figures. 6 HEAD OF NATIONAL GROCERS. E. S. Berthiaume, Leading Food Dealer of Superior. Eugene S. Berthiaume, the nine- teenth President of the National As- sociation of Retail Grocers, who now engages the attention of the retail gro- cers and the food industry of the Na- tion, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, 50 years ago, on the spot where the Fifth and Robert streets, to-day one of the bus- Ryan Hotel now stands, at iest corners of the city. Both his French, the father having been born in Canada and the mother in Minne- Gene was the first of their four It can be said that he came parents were Canadian sota. children. of a family of “strong” men, for both his father and his grandfather were blacksmiths. In this honored occupa- tion of frontier life, they had their special art, which was plow making. All over the Northwest pioneer farm- ers put the Berthiaume plows into the heavy sod and found them gvod in design and workmanship. Grandfather Berthiaume particularly was said to have a secret for tempering the steel of his plow shares so that the heavy clay soil found so many places in Min- nesota Dakotas stick to Whatever the was, it died with him. In 1881 the family moved to Crook- and the would not them. secret where Gene’s father Then he noticed ston, Minnesota, farmed for ten years. with alarm that his children had begun to grow up. Realizing the limited edu- cational advantages of the undeveloped schools in the community, the head of the Berthiaume family decided that his children should have a better chance for education than immediately In 1891 the family left the farm life and’ went to Superior, Wis- was available. consin, where the father first worked at driving a bakery wagon to give his three boys and one daughter a chance to have an education. But just then the independence of these same chil- dren, Gene’s particularly, began to as- sert itself. They needed a place in this world of work. So Dad looked around for a store location. It was when he had found one that Gene Berthiaume entered the grocery business. It is worthy of more than passing (dad) A. journeyed to Chicago in 1893, and was among those who founded and organ- ized the National Association of Re- tail Grocers, of which his son is now the President. Gene started in as a delivery boy, delivering groceries by hand, with a comment that Berthiaume small wagon which he pulled himself. After two years a horse was purchased. To-day Gene Berthiaume is still in the business of delivering groceries, but instead of using a hand wagon or a one-horse rig, the firm of Berthiaume 3rothers does it by boat and by truck, operating tugs on Lake Superior and trucks on the city streets. The store re- mained in its first location for eight original Berthirume years. Then competition became keen and the store was moved to the center of town, where a wide trade area was available. In this location the store MICHIGAN TRADESMAN prospered for nine years until the site was purchased by five and ten cent store interests. The business then was moved to a larger location, where the second floor was used as quarters for a bakery. In this place the business continued to grow for nine years more when it be- came necessary to move toa still larger space. The present Berthiaume store, located at 1026 and 1028 Tower avenue, has been in operation for eleven years. It is a big store, 560x140 feet, with a full basement. There are thirty-eight employes. All the store’s baking is done in its own bakery. Five meat cutters are employed back of a thirty-five feet freezer display counter. Ammonia _ refrigeration is used throughout. There is a full sized vegetable ice box, which has proved a great economy and aid in the vegetable department. Show windows are changed once a week—the work being done on Mon- day and Tuesday evenings—and are kept lighted every night. The volume of business is one-half million dollars per year. Last year the credit losses on this volume were $725. The total of discounts for cash were $1,250. From this comes Mr. Berthiaume’s maxim, “Your cash dis- counts should more than offset your credit losses.” : The store runs six deliveries per day, and all employes are instructed to sug- gest delivery of goods, no matter how Mr. Berthiaume believes in this policy for tke reason, that he has found the convenience of of delivery increases the size of the order. Vegetables and fruits are featured items in the Cafe business is sought and a large busi- ness is done in this field. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Ber- thiaume is the marine de- partment. This part of the business is conducted by Fred Berthiaume. Or- ders are received by wireless from the busy stewards of the lake boats and de- livered in the harbor by Berthiaunie tugs. small the purchase. 3erthiaume store. business Rain ot shine, storm or calm, Berthiaume tugs are on the job. It is from a reputation for quality and service that Berthiaume Brothers prestige in Superior has grown. It is significant that last summer when President Coolidge came to spend his vacation on the Brule River all the groceries for the summer white house were purchased at the Berthiaume store. Mr. Berthiaume believes in three things: Cleanliness. Scientific store arrangement. Education for those in the business. He puts cleanliness first of all. Tn his own words he says, “The man who keeps a dirty store is my worst ccon:- petitor; because, as retail grocers, the public classes us together. To them there are only two kinds of grocery stores, individuals and chains. The Berthiaume store is not a ware- house. It is a sales emporium and stock is arranged to sell. Selling is Mr. Berthiaume’s hobby. Next to his in- sistance on quality merchandise he is most interested in selling. Like other great merchants, he loves to get on the floor and wait on trade, alhough he does not do as much of this now as in former years. Standing near him while he was waiting on a lady, it was worth interesting selling fruits hear his items of while to talk on condiments. edge of selling is not superficial. various and Mr. Berthiaume’s knowl- No merchandise ever enters the Ber- thiaume store without andergoing the most rigid inspection. If it is not up to grade, it does not enter and the people of Superior have come to know at. The people want good food qaulity food. They want the best there is, handled with care and kept under the most sanitary conditions. They de- mand cleanliness, courtesy, service and consideration, and the public must be pleased. That's the Berthiaume policy of running a retail grocery store. When you enter the Berthiaume store, you are struck with a congenial atmosphere. The merchandise display and the personnel inspire confidence at once. Even though you are a strang- er, you immediately feel at home. Mr. Berthiaume gently directing his employes. in trained employes, each of has a definite responsibility in business intelli- He be- believes in lieves whom the store. He education, not only for clerks but for managers and proprietors as well. believes in and some months ago, of the Superior Retail Two as President Grocers Association, he was the prime mover in organizing a class of Superior grocers for the National Association’s The course continued summer years training course. all winter, closed for the months, re-opened the next fall and was completed last spring with a ban- quet, to which many prominent men of the trade were invited. The thirty- five members of the class completing the course had an averave attendance of over 85 per cent., which shows their interest in this study of grocery busi- ness principle. Mr. Berthiaume has made his hobby Association work. His business is for business hours and Association work is for his spare time. The one helps the other. His trip to the National convention each year is his vacation. Association work the year around is his avocation. It is this trail which guides him so to run his own business that his com- petitors speak well of him. Eugene Berthiaume has been the President of the Superior Retail Gro- cers Association for fourteen years. The Association employs a full time secretary, F. A. Eckman, who is capa- ble and efficient in retaining the inter- est and the confidence of his members. For two years, 1924 and 1925, Mr. Berthiaume served as President of the Wisconsin Retail Merchants Associa- tion and since 1904 has been attending the National conventions. San Fran- cisco was his first National convention and in 1923 he was elected a National director at the convention in St. Paul. aaNet July 31, 1929. He is therefore well schooled in As- sociation work. Strong and in good health, he has besides his material possessions a fam- ily, which although it is not so large as his famous predecessor’s, is full size. There are three children. Two are girls, seven and eighteen years of age who write their names as Janette and Gloria. One son, Norbert, is the oldest child. He is twenty-one and is attend- ing St. Thomas’ College in St. Paul. Mr. Berthiaume is interested in hee husband’s hobbies and in his business as well, but her chief pleasure is in her home and children. Mrs. Berthiaume is interested in her other chapter in the “Book of Oppor- tunities” which American life offers and should be an inspiring example to those who are in doubt as to the pos- sibilities in this business. Beginning with little, he is at the top rank of his business, with a fine store, a splendid patronage and a loving family. Re- spected by his fellow merchants, he has been honored by them with the highest place among retail grocers in this country. EE From the Land of the Setting Sun. Los Angeles, July 27—The Depart- ment of Labor is adding its warning to other watchful interests who would check any movement of job seekers toward the proposed site of the Colo- rado River dam. It may be several years before any great number of men can be used on that job and the work will be a back-breaking task under ele- mental conditions with which few Northerners are qualified to cope. There are desert temperatures up io 135 in the sun to be reckoned with and the jdb is no white-collar picnic. Mexi- can labor is the only type which can be depended upon to do this work and the Department of Labor will do well to make a careful survey of the field before putting up any bars. Sugar beet raisers in Michigan and several other states know this to be true. If they are depending on anvthing else to build Boulder Dam they will run foul of many shattered hopes before they complete the job. Any restriction of Mexican labor by Congressional action would work par- ticular hardship on California. Without this class of help it would be absolute- ly impossible to harvest the crops of the Imperial Valley. Many other farm districts are almost equally dependable upon peon labor. There is a great howl from labor unions that they are taking work from the American work- ingman; but the American working- man isn’t much in evidence when the thermometer is 120 and melons ripen- ing at the rate of hundreds of train loads every day. To the very last de- gree the Mexican immigration is self- regulating. The fruit gypsies come when the picking is ready to begin. They either go back directly afterward or are drafted for similar work else- where, but they never displace Ameri- can labor. This class of labor has the dual virtue of being flexible and re- liable. They keep moving, but they always turn up when they are wanted. Col. Lindberg finds the motion pic- ture noise men as objectionable as the newspaper reporters. They not only try to steal his picture, but the words out of his mouth with microphones hidden under their shirt bosoms. Its a hard life, but the colonel would find life much easier if he didn’t take it so seriously. After all what do interviews matter—one way or the other? Or sound pictures or reporters or cigar- ette advertisements or’ youthful prodi- gies with giant intellects, or blond July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN cannibal queens or movie stars or Con- gressmen? Nothing matters except hot weather and keeping your cellu- loid collar where it will not come in contact with the sun’s rays. The trend of the times was indicated by a statement made by a high Elk official at their convention held here a week or two ago. “There are more armed men in America to-day than there were during the civil war,” is what he is accredited with saying. If this were true it would sure be a sign of retrogression. The constitution, of course, gives every citizen the right to bear arms, but it is usually con- ceded these davs that arms are un- necessary and that most people are safer without them. I think the most of us would like to see a world without arms. Let us hope future generations will enjoy such a condition. We plant game in game preserves to overcome the wanton destruction of game in the past, but we still allow the use of in- struments of destruction which wan- tonly destrovs such game. In the days of pioneering nearly every man Cat- ried a gun, but it was for protection against wild animals and savages. But these have passed out of the picture. Now, no. thoughtful individual ever thinks it necessary, and very tew do so for legitimate purposes. Gun play used to be a normal state of affairs; now it draws a headline in the news- paper because of its rarity. There are still too many guns in America—and I am speaking for America only—and what there are are mostly in improper hands. It is to be hoped that there will be fewer in the future. The man- ufacture of firearms should be regu- lated by law, just as that of malt syrup and a few other ingredients which cannot possibly be used for legitimate purposes. Chairman Wickersham’s activities on the law-enforcement commissioiu, are liable to get him into trouble. It isn’t always safe to give out opinions without due consideration, and then sometimes they are like the old-time muzzle loading shot-gun—dangerous without lock, stock or barrel. His opinions, kept under his hat, might be valuable as time progresses, but the garrulousness of a Coolidge would be the hit of the present age. Brazil has $250,000,000 worth of coffee until they forced the ordinary know what to do with. and a new crop in sight. I, for one, am not in the least sorry for those hottentots down there. They forced up the price of coffee until the forced the ordinary users to substitute sawdust, old auto tires and peanut shells, thereby estab- lishing an esthetic taste which is away and above regular coffee qualifications, and are now forced to take some of their own medicine. Let’s not even exchange them chicory for their stuff. Now there is a new national organ- ization which is using for its slogan: “Phis is your country—beautify it!” Why not this one, instead: “This is your country—leave it alone!” I hope I am optimistic, but I sin- cerely doubt whether the average man is capable of “beautifying” the country. Some of them have had a whack at the job, but the resulting hot-dog stands, billboards and filling stations fail, to my notion, to fill the bill, or at least to satisfy my crude notions as to what is beautiful. I wish I had the power of speech to tell what I think of the human marvel, who, hands on hips, gazing on mountain peaks, talks about “beautifying” them. It is to laugh. Leave the country alone. God made it. Man made the cities. If we are going to beautify anything, let us ex- ercise our activities on the man-made city, but leave the country to Nature, which means we will have fewer cig- arette signs. And just now they have unearthed another type of crookedness in California. When I heard that a malefactor had been apprehended in the act of stealing air out of automobile tires, | thought the limit had been reached, at least for ingenuity, but the other day I wandered into an “ap- praisers’ warehouse,’ in East Los Angeles, and found immense stocks of imported goods beng disposed of for a song, and discovered that a very large importing firm had taken advan- tage of a verv large line of foreign credit by ordering in itmmense stocks of goods, only to refuse them, and have them thrown back into customs storage, and sold at auction wherein they, knowing the contents of these parcels, bought them for a song and placed them on their shelves along- side of current purchases. It remind- ed me of a story which thev used to tell of P. 7. Barnum, the famous showman. When he was taking his circus into Canada he found he must pay a duty on his printed matter from this country, which made it cost him a small fortune. So the next time Barnum planned to go to Canada he shipped in his printed matter a year in advance. Under the law, anything which has lain unclaimed for one year must be sold, so a year later an agent of his bought in the printed matter as waste paper at a fraction of a cent a pound. That is just what these fel- lows were doing here, and on investi- gation I find it has been a_ regular practice for vears and the poor boobs in Europe have regularly been led into the abbattoir and haven't had sense enough to know they are being hooked. The police commission of Los Angeles have definitely decided that hereafter their minions shall obey the law and they have issued a radical or- der to the effect that any officer who makes an entrance into a private home without a search warrant shall “walk the plank.” This was brought about through the disastrous termination of a suit for damages against the city, wherein complainant was awarded a verdict because the officers had over- looked this formality. And, strange as it may seem, the head of the anti- saloon league has acquiesced in this determination to hence forth keep out of trouble. The constitution of Cali- fornia is almost a replica of the Na- tional document and the right to hold inviolate the sanctity of the home, is going to be strictly adhered to in the future. Hence the thrifty individual may even utilize the blossom of the dandelion to prepare his spring tonic and will not be subject to the inter- ference of some booze-fighting police “bull” who might otherwise come. in and, by inference, threaten him with consigninent to the “wicked place,” or extract sustenance from his wallet. Frank S. Verbeck. ———_s2o- oa___—__ Fruit Uses More Ice in Refrigerator Than Meat. Which would require the larger piece of ice to keep it cool, a 10 pound roast of beef or 10 peaches? Most pounds of ripe people would. think this a silly question and would answer that the meat demands better refrig- eration. That, however, is not pre- cisely the question. Once the meat is thoroughly cooled the only task for the ice in the refrigerator is to absorb the heat that may leak in from the warmer outside air. If the temperature is low enough to prevent decay or mold for- mation, the meat, not creates no heat within the refrigerator. being alive, The peaches, as a rule, present a dif- ferent case. The are living. peaches, however, Physical and chemical The fruit is It is taking up oxygen and changes are in progress. respiring. is liberating carbon dioxide and water formed by oxidation of its sugars. This chemical process is accompanied by a production of heat, and the heat would melt some ice in the refrigerator which would not be melted if the meat roast were substituted and kept at the same temperature as the peaches. —_——__2- +> —___ Frank Clay Witnessed the Ohio Boat Race. Kalamazoo, July 30—In vour issue of July 24 on page eight you mention- ed the boat race on the Ohio River between the Tom Greene and Betsy Ann. For vour information the writer was in the pleasure boat just behind the two racers from which the Crosley Radio Corporation broadcasted the in- formation setting forth the relative position of the boats, etc. It was cer- tainly a great sporting event and bets ranged from one to one thousand dol- lars. Thinking vou did not see the Cincinnati Post, I am sending you a copy of the extra. I am also sending the torn page from the Tradesman to Tom Greene at Pittsburgh. A few weeks ago I visited several of my customers in Bangor, Michigan, among them Church Bros. The con- versation came to the point where | could mention the many good deeds vou have done for the merchants of Michigan in the exposing of frauds in your Realm of Rascality. I wouid suggest that vou send them an oc- casional copy of your paper, believing they would subscribe, as they are live wire business people. Frank H. Clav. GEO. B. READER Wholesale Dealer in Lake, Ocean, Salt and Smoked Fish 1046-1048 Ottawa Ave., N., Tel. 93569 GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. INVESTMENT SECURITIES The Industrial Company Associated with The Industrial Bank Grand Rapids, _ Michigan Resources over $5,600,000. vide for the distribution of HROUGH an Insurance ‘Trust Agreement you can, in effect, in- sure your Insurance. You can pro- your Insurance money, so that the protec- tion you now plan will certainly be provided. One of the officers in our Trust Department will gladly ex- plain the simple, practical details. The MICHIGAN TRUST Co. GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS ABOVE A YEAR AGO. Although here and there evidence of the normal seasonal let-down ap- pears, business as a whole continues to hold unusually high and even pace which has characterized the spring and eariy summer months. For the most part, activity is reported slightly above the lévels of a year ago and in certain industries, notably the iron and steel industry, a remarkable output is being maintained. 3uilding has been the only sour note in the general chorus of prosperity all year, having been seriously hampered While other able to by high money rates. lines of industry have been forge ahead in the face of unusually severe charges for credit, building has suffered from its inability to compete with the stock market for credit ac- commodaticn. Many observers have stressed this aspect of the business picture and have felt that the failure of building activity to pick up was a serious danger sigi. While recent weeks have seen sporadic reports from various districts of some increase in building, the past week is the first to bring prominent mention of advancing structural activity. In the and continue to operate close to capacity. The report of the Bethlehem Steel Cor- past week, showing unusually high earnings iron steel trades, mills poration, released during the and announcing an increase in the an- nual dividend rate, offers sufficient commentary on the prosperous state of this branch of industry. Agriculture continues to progress. Further reports of damage to the wheat Canada caused a recovery in wheat prices from the sell-off the improvement in prices does not crop in the Northwest and late last week and while mean an immediate gain for the farm- er, it is likely that the latter will re- ceive unusually good returns for his harvest. Developments in the money market In place of the anticipated ease, there has been in- have been disappointing. creasing firmness. Call money rose to 10 per cent last week, while time mon- ey firmed discouragingly, moving up to 8% to 8% per cent. for all ma- turities, compared with a recent charge of 7% per cent. Recent predictions of an early slump in money charges are now being re- vised and it is realized that the future of credit depends entirely upon the action of the Federal Reserve during the next few weeks. CHAIN STORE INIQUITY. So far have times and conditions changed that the old warning of “Ca- veat emptor!” or “Let the buyer be- ware ” is now in process of being converted into “Let the seller beware!” Once again the chain store and the large buying combination is responsi- ble. The particular case in point is the issue which has been drawn between the cloak manufacturers and the large distributing organizations. How it en- tered the strike just recently concluded in the garment market is now made as plain as day. The labor union con- MICHIGAN TRADESMAN tended that the pressure exerted on prices by the chains and buying groups was undermining employment stan- dards since it forced manufacturers and contractors to pay their workers less in order to enable the retail systems to undersell the legitimate dealer. Now, from an exchange of corre- spondence between a cloak official and the head of a department store chain, it is disclosed that the alleged price pressure took the form of a demand for an extra discount. The manufac- turing branches and retailers agreed some twelve years ago on terms and this was brought to the at- tention of the retail The answer of the chain head—who, by the way, was the executive manager of the retailers’ organization when the dis- count agreement was negotiated—was that “our buyers must always get the most favorable prices and terms pos- sible.’ discount interests. This reply appears to ignore any responsibility in keeping the dis- count pact. What the controversy emphasizes is the sharp and natural difference of opinion on the terms that should gov- ern quantity buying. The volume buy- er rightly believes he is entitled to a lower price, due to the savings in over- head, material and labor costs which the manufacturer is able to effect, and the manufacturer is quite willing to accept a large order on that basis. But when the price offered by the buyer goes below the proper level, then there is complaint and rightly so. A BRITISH INVASION. The United States in general and Pennsylvania in particular are faced with the imminent prospect of invasion, for it is announced that a plant is to be established at Butler, Pa., for the manufacture on a large scale of one of the most popular of British “baby” automobiles. It is said that the Amer- ican price of the car will be under $500, and it is claimed for it, on ac- count of its small size—the “Baby” Austin has a seven-horse-power engine and weighs about 950 potnds—that it is remarkably economical in operation. Whether or not this diminutive auto- mobile will be equally successful in this country, or whether it will prove to be a serious competitor in the al- ready contested small-car market, is at least problematical. For the litde car owes its popularity in Great Britain chiefly to the system of taxation whicl: prevails there—the taxation v7 auto- mobiles on a horse-power basis, at the rate of $5 per unit of horse-power. The same conditions do not apply here, and so it may be found that the American motorist will continue to prefer size and power to economy of upkeep. But quite apart from the success of the venture, this British invasion is in- teresting as an indication that British producers are beginning to follow the lead of Henry ford and other American automobile manufacturers by experting their factories to foreign markets in- stead of their products. The same tendency is already showing itself in other industries, and probably it is an entirely healthy one. For it means that business competition, so prolific a source of international friction, will express itself increasingly by industrial rather than by national divisions, and that the nations of the earth wi!i be- ccmie in increasing degree partueis in cack other’s prosperity. pos aaie ei STATISTICS NOT USED. To the average business man, the value of statistics of one kind or an- other is recognized, but only to a very vague degree. The proof of this is seen in the constant expansion of our statistical data on business accompan- ied, as it is, by the almost universal complaint that little or no heed is paid to what the figures show. The trouble seems to be that the significance of these reports has not been made plain to the medium and smaller concerns. They will, perhaps, admit that large enterprises require such data for the guidance of their operations, but they do not see what influence the figures can have on their own interests. And yet the statisticians of indus- try can readily show how the material they gather may mean all the difference between profit and loss in almost any case submitted. For instance, the man- ufacturer who over-produces and must sell his surplus at a loss has only him- self to blame if he operated contrary to what the figures in his industry pointed as the better course. Similarly, the producer who is slow to see a bet- ter business ahead, such as the figures might indicate, loses profits othewise his. Since the chief problem in industry is overproduction, which causes keen competition and narrow profits, it wou!d be decidedly worth while if the trade associations of the country were to devote a series of meetings at this appropriate time, when plans for an enlarged Federal census next year are being prepared, to make vast statistical information now available of more practical significance to members so that at least a portion of it may be more effectively utilized. DRY GOODS CONDITIONS. While the run of reports on retail trade continue to be of a satisfactory sort, some let-down from the previous volume of sales is mentioned. Beyond the usual seasonal explanation of this, the theory is held that consumer pur- chasing in the earlier weeks of the month pretty well satisfied hot weath- er requirements, thereby creating the present lull. Other contributing causes would be the number of vacationists both in this country and abroad, the latter representing not only an in- creased number of persons but a group whose buying power is impressive. Despite the certain degree of trade slackening which has come, all indi- cations are that the month now about closed will show a good increase over the same period last year. The early sales level ran very high and should bolster up the nominal results now re- ported. Of particular satisfaction to trade executives is the clean condition of stocks as a general thing. Opera- tions are not handicapped by the neces- sity of having to shape purchases to move surplus goods. July 31, 1929 The wholesale merchandise market is more active this week, but the num- ber of buyers in the Eastern markets still lag under a year ago, which sub- stantiates the notion that stores intend to operate even closer to their selling seasons. This notion is based on a certain hesitation evident in their buy- ing, particularly on volume goods. No doubt the style changes launched for the fall are responsible in a measure for this, although all factors are agreed that the new designs enhance the sea- son’s prospects of larger business. MORE HELIUM. Old Mother Earth answers’ with surprising faithfulness and patience the needs of the race of men who live by her bounty. Helium, for example, was once so scarce that its very existence seemed an ironic jest and all its pos- sible uses no more than idle dreams. But airships need the stuff, and the need drives men to dig and delve for it, and in the course of time the earth yields it generously. New fields of helium are now report- ed in Colorado richer and larger than any yet discovered. The yield from the natural gas which contains the rare element is twice as heavy as any yet found. This year’s discoveries in helium do much to settle the future of lighter- than-air craft. Undoubtedly they will all be helium-filled, and there will be more of them than could have been foreseen a few years ago. The demand did not create the supply, but it in- spired the diligent search which un- earthed it and proved that helium is not the rarity that was once supposed. A. & P. GREEDY SELFISHNESS. State Secretary Hanson, in his mes- sage to the grocery trade this week, lightly touches on the annual picnics of the A. & P., which are invariabiy neld on the Sabbath. Employes of this grasping organiza- tion are seldom permitted to partici- pate in the annual picnics of independ- ent grocers. Instead, they are com- pelled to keep open their stores in hopes they may catch a little business from housekeepers who have failed to provide for picnic day from regular sources the day before the event. Independent grocers extend an inv:- tation to their customers and the pub- lic generally to join with them in cele- brating the annual festivity. Who ever heard of any one but an A. & P. em- ploye taking part in an A. & P. picnic? Independent grocers always hold their picnics on week days. A. & P. employes are permitted to hold their picnics only on Sunday. The difference between the two sys- tems of merchandising is nowhere more strikingly set forth than in the holding of their annual picnics. Detroit—The Detroit Milk Bottle Crate Co., 1245 Beaufait street, has been incorporated to manufacture milk bottle and other crates, with an au- thorized capital stock of $10,000, $5,- 000 of which has been subscribed and paid in, $1,000 in cash and $4,000 in property. July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 9 OUT AROUND. Things Seen and Heard on a Week End Trip. Assuming that no merchant would be in a mood to be interviewed with the temperature at 92 last Saturday, we headed for the coolest place we knew and hugged the lake shore, both going and returning, as far as White- hall. The scenic highway is again open to traffic and was the coolest stretch we found on the trip. If there is any merchant in Michigan who "rs not covered this wonderful highway, i hope he does so !-fcre the close cf the present summer season. It caa be reached from U. S. 31. Climb the hill at North Muskegon and turn to the left instead of proceeding North on U.S. 31. Drive slowly through the village of North Muskegon, which is about five miles long and one-half mile wide, so as to enjoy the beautiful homes and grounds overlooking Mus- kegon Lake on the left. At the end of the pavement, turn left onto the scenic drive and proceed to Michilinda. Then turn to the left and make an in- spection of Sylvan Beach resort. Then proceed to Whitehall, cross the bridge to Montague and take the scenic drive on the North side of White Lake to the channel. Return to Montague over the same route. It will be found full of beauty spots both ways. We had as our guests for the week cnd Hon. L. Burget Des Voignes (and family) of Cassopolis, who round- ed out an unusual career of forty-tw2 years in public service. After grad- uating from the law department of the Michigan University he engaged in the law practice at Cassopolis. He served the people of Cass county four years as prosecuting attorney and ten years as judge of probate. He was then elected circuit judge of his judicial dis- trict, covering the counties of Cass, Van Buren and Berrien, which he served twenty-eight years. On his re- tirement from the bench a few years ago, he took the Presidency of the Dowagiac National Bank, the duties of which he finds very much to his liking. Judge Des Voignes is a descendant from the French who settled in the French canton in Switzerland. His grandfather was a tailor by occupation and owned eight acres of land, which was an unusually large amount of land for one man to possess in those days i that canton. Satisfying himself that America was the land of oppor- tunity he came to this country with his family, locating in Wooster, Ohio. His three sons engaged in the mec- cantile business, in which occupation they prospered greatly. Althougn they rapidly acquired the customs of their new country, they , maintained some of the practices of the land from which they came. One of the latter was to drop all gold coins taken in over the counter in a box under the counter, unknown to anyone except the three brothers who constituted the entire store force. In the meantime the civil war came on and the gold coin had a market value about three times as much as the paper money which the Government had created to enable it to prosecute the war. Judge Des Voignes’ father was the younger of the three brothers and an ardent abolitionist. Because of his position on the slavery question his buildings began to dis- appear through the activity of incen- dieries. Judge Des Voignes’ mother was so greatly alarmed over the situa- tion that she prevailed upon her hus- band to sell his interest in the mer- cantile business and remove to Men- don, Michigan, where they were ex- empt from the clandestine attacks which had attended them in Ohio. One-third of the contents of the gold coin box enabled him to purchase a farm on the edge of Mendon, which he continued to manage as long as he lived. In discussing his long career on the bench and commenting on the com- paratively few times his decisions were reversed by the Supreme Court, I asked the Judge how it happened. He replied: “I discovered early in my career as a judge that when I permit- Hon. L. Burget Des Voignes. ted the attorneys to tangle me up by citations from the decisions of other courts, I usually got the worst of it, but when I used just ordinary horse sense and made my decisions accord- ing to what I thought was just and right, the Supreme Court sided with me. Citations from other and higker courts can be presented to sustain al- most any kind of a rascally act, but the trial judge who relies on his own judgment and ‘knowledge of humana nature and follows his own intuitions usually finds he is right ninety-nine times out of a hundred. To this inter- pretation of the law I attribute my suc- cess on the bench and the infrequency reversed by the with which I was Supreme Court.” It is a matter of common knowledge that Cass county has one township composed exclusively of colored peo- ple. They settled there before the war and their descendants occupy the same lands their fathers and grandfathers originally purchased. In the original owners of the land were accompanied by their masters, who many cases saw the handwriting on the wall and purchased and paid for the land, pre- senting the deeds to their former chat- tels, along with their papers. Meeting the late Booker Washington one day in the South, the latter expressed a desire to the Judge emancipation to spend a day among his fraters in Cass county. The Judge arranged the programme and Mr. Washington spoke to the colored people at every church and school house in township. While resting at the home of the Judge in the evening, Mr. Washington remarked: “I never was so tired in my the life as I am to-night, but I have spent the most enjoyable day of my life.” Judge Des Voignes stated that a few days ago he needed some first-hand He called on his grocer, Mr. Pipher, wio knowledge on a mercantile topic. said: “I don’t know off hand how to answer your question, but here’s the the find an answer bible Michigan You will to your enquiry in that paper.” merchant’s Tradesman. Judging by some recent experiences with the Supreme Court I am inclined to the opinion that that tribunal has long since ceased to be a vehicle for the perpetuation of human justice. establishment, dissemination and By its blind adherence to precedent and its anxiety to discover and magnify tech- nicalities which have no material bear- ing on the cases at issue, it has de- frauded many a litigant of the fruits of victory obtained in the lower courts and turned loose hundreds of rascals whose proper place is behind the bars. The trial judge, in the nature of things, comes into closer touch with the s‘tua- tion in each case which comes before him than the Supreme Court possibly can. Long experience on the bench enables him to absorb the atmosphere in each case and readily detect the true from the false. He knows when a wit- ness goes on the stand with perjury on his lips. He knows when a witness is telling a distorted story. He knows when a witness is following the in- structions of his attorney and shaping his testimony to conform to the drill- ing he has been given by his legal ad- viser in advance of the trial. He knows when the testimony is a deliberate frame-up, concocted by an unscrupu- lous attorney to gain his ends by the dishonest methods so much employed by the legal fraternity at the present time. He knows the tricks and clever subterfuges of every attorney who practices in his court and fully real- little placed on the plausible subterfuges of All these things izes how dependence can be some legal gentlemen. are as plain as day to the trial judg: and, if he is a man, he hands out his rulings and hands down courageous his opinions in accordance with his knowledge of the the technical features which are intro- duced into the case to befog the judge Court m4- and situation, scorning and furnish the Supreme terial on “ouess.” which to speculate The hand, is not in possession any of this information. All it has to go by— Supreme Court, on the other of [ all the information it can possibly pos- sess of any case submitted to it—is the printed the specious pleas of the attorneys as set their the trials of page of the record and forth in briefs. It views situation the cases submitted to it from the stand- and reviews point of the housewife who is looking for flyspecks. It digs up the holdings of other courfs, dragging in decisions which may have no direct bearing on the particular case at issue, because Court f ascertaining the relative circumstances The result is, in many that the final reached by the wise men of the higher tribunal is so utterly at variance with the facts and the testimony as to make I do not know the Supreme has no way of in each case. too cases, opinion the finding ridiculous. how we are ever going to remedy this travesty on justice, but it should be remedied, because it is gradually bring- ing about a contempt for our highest tribunal which is highly deplorable and will some time lead to stmmary action which may be drastic beyond measure. E. A. Stowe. —_—_2+2 >—__—_ How Long Does Retail Grocer Stay in Business? The life expectancy of retail grocers, or the length of time the average re- tail may expect to remain iu business, in Buffalo, N. ¥. ts much lower than that of retail druggists, ac- grocer cording to a statistical survey issued by the Bureau of Business and Social Research of the University of Buffalo. The life expectancy figures for the in- dependent grocery stores are based on stores which started in 1919, or later, the field during or before 1926, or still remain- and either withdrew from ed in business after that year. The report shows the percentages of such stores, that is, those which dur- ing this nine-year period had oppor- tunities of surviving for periods of from one to nine years and which suc- business for ceeded in remaining in one year, two years, three years and so on. The percentage for any par- ticular length of life, it is explained, 1s not the total stores involved for the entire period based upon number of but only upon those which by virtue of the year in which they actually en- tered business really had a chance to survive for the number of years specified. The percentages of independent gro- Buffalo business year by year, the first year cery stores in remaining in representing 100 per cent., are as fol- third year, 23; Ef; ear, 12; seventh year, 10; eighth year, second year, 39; 19; fifth lows: fourth year, year, sixth y 8, and ninth year, 6 per cent. —_—_+-.___ but we Success is another for As This stated in name SErviIce. serve so do we suc- thought has been different But every man must discover the old, old truth for himself. ceed. same many ways. That is one thing that makes the progress of civilization so slow. We cannot hand down our full experience. Each generation may profit by what has been done before, but we must all discover the big things in life for ourselves, July 31, 1929 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN CREDIT IS CONFIDENCE. agencies and friendly concerns, which TO CUT GROCERY COSTS. tribution — packaging, bulk packing, Sas might include competitors, and fur- ace selling—are being considered in this Part It Plays in Our Individual ther information may be drawn World-Wide Survey Undertaken By investigation. Success. The granting of credit dates back to the earliest of business transactions, which is proof in itself that credit is one of the most vital component parts of business to-day, and it behooves every jobber, wholesalér and retailer to understand how the manufacturer checks credit, and that it is to his ad- vantage to build his own credit stand- ing in the trade and to protect it most zealously. One of manufacturer has is the unfair deduc- the greatest problems every tion of discounts, but credit managers to-day are making excellent progress for eliminating this evil, and are even going so far as to refuse credit to a consistently takes dis- count after the ten day period has ex- pired. That is as it should be, for no granter of credit should be expected tc finance another’s business, nor con- tribute unfairly to that business, for every jobber and retailer can make a fair profit on the products he handles. concern who Every manufacturer has a highly department where files are maintained which contain a minute description of the history of every risk carried on the books, and this information is exchanged between credit managers throughout the trade. specialized credit Credit groups and clubs are organ- ized in the large cities, comprised of credit managers of large manufactur- which and discuss ac- counts from a credit and paying stand- point, and at these group meetings friendly associations grow, making it possible for credit men to call each other on the telephone and secure com- plete detailed information as to any specific credit risk in any part of the country. ers, the members of meet at least once a month Information as to the paying record in every market on any concern is known to the manufacturers through co-operation, and while it used to be easy for a concern to hide the fact that it was slow pay in certain markets, that is now a thing of the past. Let us go into a highly organized credit department and see the way mil- lions of dollars in annual business is looked after. The salesman takes an order and sends it to his house, and it reaches the desk of his credit manager. It 1s checked against the ledger records of previous years to ascertain whether or not any experience has been had with the account. Commercial ratings are then looked up, and if such ratings are highly satisfactory the order is usually shipped, but if the credit man is in doubt, the order is held and certain agency reports are requested. In the meantime, may be solicited by telephone for information on the account, and if such advance in- formation is satisfactory the order is immediately shipped, but if there are any unsatisfactory features in the in- formation thus obtained, that order is held until a complete check-up is made. The reports come from many sources. We have mentioned the commercial several houses through various banks, attorneys and other specialized reporters, some of whom are right on the ground and who may be personally acquainted with the firm or individual seeking credit. All this information is put in a credit file and held in the credit de- partment for future reference, and for gradual revision. Let us assume the order is shipped and the account becomes due on the books. A corps of experts in chargs of collections will take up the item and begin collection correspondence in or- der to secure payment. If the account has been a troublesome one to collect, there are two permanent records made —one on the ledger sheet and the other in the credit file, so that when the next order is received the credit man knows immediately that the ac- count was troublesome, and gives the matter more attention, for he is prone to accept a risk in which he has no confidence. By the time the first transaction is completed, that is, payment made (we are speaking of a new account), the credit man’s file will date back to when the business was organized; who is in charge of the business; what their past record has been; what their char- acter is; what their business tactics are; whether or not there have been fires and the circumstances surround- ing each fire; failures in business, if any; unfair deductions throughout the trade; paying record right up to a re- cent date; volume of business, ct cetera—and by analyzing figures he can tell the number of times the in- ventory is turned over; he can tell what the collection policy is by the number of times the accounts receiv- able are turned over, together with any other pertinent facts concerning a credit risk. Credit, as has been mentioned, is based upon one important element, and that is the financial standing of the firm or individual requesting credit, and very often those seeking credit are very reticent regarding their affairs, which has more of a tendency to cast a shadow than it has to clarify the situation, so that the credit granter cannot immediately approve such re- quests for credit. No firm or indi- vidual purchasing on credit should hesitate to give a financial statement, which always should be an honest re- flection of his affairs, for it enables the credit granter not only to make a de- cision as to a line of credit, but very often a credit man can extend advice that will be of great help to a pur- chaser, for it is the credit man’s duty and desire to assist in any way he can an organization using his products, for it is through that manner of co-opera- tion that he does his part in keeping the channels of distribution for his product open. Too often we lose sight of the im- portance of credit and the part it plays in our individual success and we say again: build your credit carefully on a firm foundation and protect it. L. W. Smith. Manufacturers. A need for reduction in the cosis of distribution in the grocery industry is responsible for the inauguration of on investigation, world-wide in scope, being undertaken by the Associated Grocery Manufacturers of America. This group of manufacturers of gro- ceries was recently re-organized and - its name changed from the American Grocery Manufacturers’ Association to its present title. The Associated Grocery Manufac- turers of America, comprising 230 leading manufacturers of grocery prod- ucts in this country have embarked upon a world-wide investigation look- ing toward the reduction of distribu- tion costs in their industry. With the statements of Mr. Hoover and Mr. Lamont and other authorities pointing so clearly to the necessity for eliminating wastes in the present sys- tem of distribution, our industry is approaching this matter with the re- solve to do its share in the solution of the problem and the necessary machin- ery with which to carry on the work is now being set up in its new head- quarters in New York City. While the grocery industry has kept pace with American business in general by the adoption of the most economical process of manufacturing, there is good reason to believe that the same degree of efficiency has not yet been achieved by the industry in the field of distribu- tion. In fact, we believe that there is considerable waste in the various divi- sions of this branch and that a great deal of lost motion could be eliminated and substantial savings effected which could be eventually passed along to the consumer. This investigation will not be con- fined to the problems of distribution in this country alone, as we are of the opinion that a study of foreign mar- kets and of the many distribution processes now in operation between the factory door in this country and the consumer abroad will reveal facts upon which an improved and more economical system can be developed. At present our exports of manufac- tured foods alone total more than $500,000,000 a year, exclusive of the enormous exports of household prod- ucts in the grocery field. There ap- pears to be a desire among the people of all countries abroad -to attain for themselves a standard of living ap- proaching the American standard as closely as possible, and this situation presents a great opportunity for Ameri- can products, especially if we can re- duce their cost to the foreign con- sumer, © A lower price naturally creates a larger volume of sales through the broadened market which comes with each price reduction. If, as many ex- perts claim, the excessive costs of dis- tribution are the cause of high prices in foreign markets, it follows that a reduction in these costs would result in lower prices to the consumer and, following that, more consumers of American products. All factors entering into grocery dis- The matter of packaging, for ex- ample, can be the deciding factor be- tween profit and loss per sale by the retailer, and that point in itself indi- cates the importance of this subject. Facts already developed by authorita- tive surveys show that a grocer fre- quently sells a single unit at little or no profit when he might sell three and make a good profit because the cost of handling is thereby reduced one-third. It is believed that, in many cases, three units could be packaged together to general advantage and profit. Speaking of advertising, many mann- facturers in the grocery field, as well as in other fields of distribution, have long been convinced of the good re- sults to be obtained from the use of window display advertising, but due to the uncertainties which exist in many markets in regard to getting it set up at a definite time, many have been discouraged from taking full ad- vantage of such displays. With a group scheduling system in operation, these uncertainties could be eliminated and maximum results secured, permit- ting a national advertiser to tie up his local advertising definitely and simul- taneously with his window displays. These are but two examples of the various elements now being studied. The complete system includes con- sideration of every factor in grocery distribution from the time a product leaves the machine producing it until it reaches the hands of the ultimate consumer. It is apparent that these plans present a definite move on the part of a great industry toward an or- ganized effort to lower its distribution costs. ——_2+<.___ Novelty Jewelry Response Good. Growing response to Fall lines cf novelty jewelry presage an active sea- son in this merchandise. Costume types, including chokers in stone set and metal effects, bracelet and ear- rings, are favored. Pearls in both choker and long lengths are believed headed for an extremely good season, while crystal and semi-precious stones retain popularity. The color trend is being carefully watched for significant developments during the weeks direct- ly ahead. ——_»~-~- Predicts Fifty Million Motor Cars in America. That 50,000,000 automobiles will be on American roads within a few years in contrast to the 25,000,000 now used is the prophecy of the Albert Russel Erskine Bureau of Street Traffic Re- search of Harvard University. This forecast, the bureau states, reveals the importance to cities of careful street traffic planning ‘by qualified engineers, in order that the great increase of cars may be properly handled. ———22-.__ The sincerity of a true man so per- vades his whole spirit and beautifies his language that his society is the most attractive, his speech the most forcible, his influence the most benign. Let us develop and enforce these three points. July 31, 1929 11 ONO NON CAO ON Et BY 5 : SLOW BUT SURE STARVATION BY : Dominance of Chain Store Must Necessarily Result in Impoverishment LY : of the Community. EY = ( sl I have been accused of many things of which I had no knowledge during the time I have con- 5 ducted the ‘Tradesman, but one accusation has never been laid at my door—that I have an inordi- 5 nate love for the chain store. I have fought this menace to legitimate merchandising with all the x vigor I could command ever since the viper showed its head. I shall continue to oppose it as long BY as I have any breath in my body, not because it has no good features to commend it, but because Rf the bad features outweigh the good. Under existing conditions it has but one fundamental theory ‘ Bf —to make money for the owner. Such features as service to the public, duty to the community, BS and fair treatment to clerks are entirely overlooked by the chain stores in the mad endeavor to BI make as much money as possible and get the money so made out of the town in which it is made at 5 the earliest possible moment. Money made by a legitimate merchant usually finds lodgment in BY the local bank and is utilized to assist in meeting the payrolls of local factories, from which it Bs comes back to the merchant in never ending procession and succession, but no local banker dares BY to use the deposits of chain stores in meeting local calls and necessities; because he knows that BY such action on his part will force him to either suspend payment or go on a borrowing expedi- tion day after tomorrow or week after next. ke E The independent retail dealer sends out of town only sufficient funds to cover his foreign i 5 purchases. The remainder of his bank deposits, which represent the profit he has made in his is = store transactions, remain in the bank until invested in a home, devoted to payment on a home KK 5 already purchased on time, applied to the purchase of additional home furnishings, needed addi- f x tions to his store building, desirable additions to his stock or fixtures or investment in local manu- ie 5 facturing enterprises which give employment to home people and thus contribute to the growth 5 and prosperity of his home town. i EI The chain store, on the contrary, sends the entire receipts of the store (less rent and wages : 5 paid the store manager and his clerk) to the headquarters of the chain system in Detroit or else- i Rf where, to be immediately transferred to New York, where they are absorbed by high priced Re x executives and clerks and divided among the greedy stockholders of the organization. = This steady stream of money, constantly flowing out of town every week, NEVER TO : Bi RETURN, must ultimately result in the complete impoverishment of the community. It is a pro- i x cess of slow but sure starvation. > 5 This is the strongest indictment ever presented against the chain store—an indictment which BY precludes the possibility of a defense, because there can be no defense to a charge of this kind, R BY based on the logic of events. : 2 This indictment effectually outweighs and overcomes any possible advantage which can be 2 presented in favor of the chain store, because of its low prices on some lines of goods, alleged uni- S RB formity in methods and prompt service. 3 5 In the light of this disclosure, which no one can successfully contradict or set aside, the con- RY sumer who patronizes the chain store, instead of the regular merchant, is effectually destroying Ra RY the value of any property he owns in the town in which he lives, placing an embargo on the further k BY progress of his own community and helping to bring on a period of stagnation in business, real BY estate and manufacturing which will ultimately force him to accept less pay for his services and ie by reduce the level of living he enjoyed under conditions as they existed before the advent of the iS chain store. _ z The decadence of the town, due to lack of employment and the diversion of all available be Ry capital to the headquarters of the chains in Eastern money markets, will cause a depression in farm te 5 products, due to lack of local demand, which will ultimately result in the impoverishment of the i BY farmer. He canstill ship his wheat to Liverpool, but there will be no local market for perishable he 5 products which must be consumed near at home.—E. A. Stowe in Michigan Tradesman. i 2) Ke Dy a re AAA AM AMAMAMAMAMAmamamar IATA AMA AMAMAmAmAmAmAamAmAmAmAmOmamanmat TAMAMAMOAG. MOAnAMOmAnal ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Tradesman Company, Grand Rapids, furnishes the above in circular form as follows: 100, $3.75; 500, $7.75; 1.000, $12.75. 12 PERE nae Approach of August Opens No New eversals. With August near the stock market presents as convincing a demonstra- tion of bullish sentiment as it did at midyear. The summer to date has brought none of the disagreeable turns in business that seemed destined once to introduce trouble. The most puz- zling aspect of the market has been its own rapid advance. Yet it must be confessed that the accepted aver- ages have created an illusion of rising stock prices when in reality a vast number of issues have been drifting lower. The blue chip stocks that make up the index numbers have been moving steadily ahead since the low was reached following last spring’s liquidation. The index of ninety stocks, computed by the Standard Statistics Company, Inc., has risen 36 points or 18 per cent. since May 27. To study the performance of any stock average is to conclude that the 1929 summer market has been a broad sweeping bullish affairs indeed. Actually a long list of individual stocks have been moving toward lower rather than higher levels since May 27. Since that date 150 different stocks have reached new high peaks for all time. But 178 simultaneously have fallen to a lower level than that at which they sold on May 27. Many stocks have made some advance with- out attaining a new high. Others have neither lost nor gained ground. What the country has been witnessing there- fore is not a broad bull market strictly, but two simultaneous markets—one a market of rising and the other a mar- ket of falling prices. Investors this summer have been more discriminat- ing than usual which doubtless is the explanation for the highly selective character of trading during the last eight wedks. The feverish increase in volume that usually accompanies a ris- ing market has not yet given the warn- ing of an aroused public buying stocks on thin margin. Whether before it ends ° the market will witness such a demon- stration is a question answered in the affirmative by an increasing number of observers. Firming money rates with the ap- proach of the month-end is a normal expectation but explanation for the July advance in rates lies elsewhere. Inconceivable as it is to some the tight condition of July reflects primarily the introduction of the new currency. Ap- parently the new bills possess a cur- iosity value greater even than the money authorities anticipated. Normal- ly currency flows back in volume to the banks by mid-July. This year the return flow was smail indeed. That the popularity of new bills was a fac- tor is plainly suggested by the reports. This influence is of course temporary but meanwhile demands for funds in connection with the month-end set- tlements have begun to multiply. Then partly as a result of the stock market itself the shrinkage in member bank loans on securities expected after the mid-year settlements has not been pro- nounced. Even the volume of com- MICHIGAN TRADESMAN mercial loans has begun its seasonal expansion a month early. Member bank loans to industry have held consistently high throughout 1929 to date but the accelerated pace of the expansion this summer gives pretty clear testimony that business continues active. It further means that so far at least dear money rates have not dis- couraged industry. While current re- ports reveal some seasonal relaxation in the key industries no reliable index as yet is forecasting a drastic business recession for the near future. Indeed the consensus is that the recession will be less than normal. The dearth of new bond issues might suggest re- cession through the absence of funds but busineses is finding its money through new channels nowadays. In the field of agriculture the spectacular recovery in wheat has added millions of dollars to the indicated purchasing power of the farmer and has turned what at the end of May was despair and gloom into general good cheer. Paul Willard Garrett. [Copyrighted, 1929.] —_~+++_____ Crop Values Up Over a Billion Dollars. A billion dollars and more has been added to the indicated value of the country’s four major farm crops since the beginning of June thus turning what was a cheerless prospect for ag- ricuture early this summer into re- newed confidence. On the basis of estimates for wheat, corn, oats and rye a value for June 1 of $3,545,000,000 was indicated. By July 1 improved conditions had raised that indicated value to $4,075,000,000. By July 17 it was $4,610,000,000. In that six weeks’ period rising prices made the comparison with a year ago extremely favorable for 1929. The June 1 indication for the four crops was a value 22.1 per cent. below the corresponding date a year ago. By July 1 it was 8.8 per cent. below. By July 17 it was 7.9 per cent. better than a year ago. Wheat’s spectacular recovery since the end of May has contributed a major proportion of this theoretical improvement in farm conditions—that commodity sold as low as 96 cents in May whereas the July option now is up to $1.41. Taking the changes in wheat we find that from a June 1 in- dicated value of $859,000,000 there had been an increase to $1,008,000,000 by July 1 and to $1,223,000,000 by July 17. As in the case of the four lead- ing crops computed jointly, the gain over indicated values of a year ago has been steady and sharp. The indi- cated value on June 1 for wheat was 26.8 per cent. below a year ago. On July 1 it was 11.4 per cent. lower. By July 17 it was 16 per cent. higher than at the same time last year. What this all will mean in improved purchasing power for the agricultural regions nobody can tell. Certainly the outlook in this respect has been ma- terially improved since the end of May. That the stock market itself has taken note of this favorable reversal is at least suggested by the close corre- spondence in the movement of wheat and stocks. Just as the price of wheat July 31, 1929 The Measure of a Bank The ability of any banking institution is measured by its good name, its financial resources and its physical equipment. Judged by these standards we are proud of our bank. It has always been linked with the progress of its Community and its resources are more than adequate. GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK “The Bank Where You Feel At Home”’ 16 CONVENIENT OFFICES Phone 86729 Night Phone 22588 THE INVESTIGATING AND ADJUSTMENT CO., INC. COLLECTORS AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS Fire losses investigated and adjusted. Bonded to the State of Michigan. Collections, Credit Counsel, Adjustments, Investigations Suite 407 Houseman Building Grand Rapids, Michigan 2 .« «2 A BANK THAT OFFERS EVERY SER= VICE TO THE MAR WHO WANTS TO BE SOMEBODY . . . OLD KENT BANK CAPITAL AND SURPLUS, $4,000,000 RESOURCES, $38,000,000 THREE DOWNTOWN OFFICES ELEVEN COMMUNITY BRANCHES July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 and stocks fell together late in the spring, the recovery since June 1 has been simultaneous. While sections of the stock market particularly affected by agricultural prosperity have been more sensitive than others the general tone of the security markets has bene- fited from the improved agricultural prospects. While these computations must be accepted as theoretical the addition of $364,000,000 since June 1 to the indi- cated value of the country’s wheat crop, and of $1,065,000,000 to the value of its wheat, corn, oats and rye crops combined, reveals how completely the outlook in agriculture frequently is re- versed with an unexpected change in world conditions. Fortunately for the American farmer the changes during the summer of 1929 have been mostly favorable. Paul Willard Garrett. [ Copyrighted, 1929.] oes e_ Is This a Bull or a Bear Market. What the country is witnessing this summer turns out to be not the broad bull market it seems but a rising mar- ket for the blue chip stocks running simultaneously with a bear market !n an almost equal number of less con- spicuous stocks. The lows in the spring decline were reached on May 27. Since that time up to the close on July 23 the market had been giving the appearance of a spectacular bull affair. The demonstra- tion in a sense has continued through this week. Standard Statistics Com- pany’s weighted index of ninety stocks, carried daily by the Evening Post, and generally accepted as the most re- liable measure of the market’s per- formance, has risen 36 points since May 27 to new record high territory. To look at the averages is to conclude that the bull market of the summer of 1929 has indeed been a sweeping sensation. Yet on an analysis of the markets for the 619 individual stocks traded in both on May 27 and July 23 a very different conclusion is reached. Actual- ly only 150 individual issues have moved into new high ground in this great summer bull market. More stooks than that—178 to be specific— have moved to a lower level than they The fact that the been in the were on May 27. summer’s upswing has quality stocks figuring in all of the ac- cepted averages has created the im- pression of a broad advance through- out the entire list. This view does not stand the test of detailed examine ‘ion. Two hundred and seventy-five stocks have made some advance since May 27 without reaching a new peak. Four- teen stocks show no change since the end of May. What the advance of 36 points or 18 per cent. in the general index since May 27 means, at a time when many issues actually were sliding lower and lower, is that more than ever the stock market this summer has been a selec- tive affair. Pronounced advances have come to many issues but largely to those of quality rather than to those of uncertain merit. In part explanation for the market’s failure thus far to run into a corrective downward movement lies in the character of the buying. Strong institutional investors accumu- lated substantial blocks of the best stocks during June. At no time has the public’s enthusiasm for stocks reached the feverish state that eventu- ally brought liquidation in early De- cember and in the early spring of this year. The presence simultaneously during the summer of a bull and a bear mar- ket in itself has induced adjustment and postponed the usual corrective set- backs normally expected after a sharp Paul Willard Garrett. [Copyrighted, 1929.] ova eo Home , Owned Store Bulletin From Jackson. competition rise. What business and what are the net results from competition? First let us consider the competition does mean in among the chains at the present time. The lines of competition in the chain store system are drawn very tight, and it is a real problem that they must solve, to successfully continue to show profits. By that I mean there is a fight on among them to get the business, and this is being done by a price- cutting war. There is an essential dif- ference between competition which stimulates and competition which kills, and for the good of every community whether it be chain stores or inde- that they show a profit, because the com- pendent stores it is necessary munity prosperity depends upon pros- perous businesses. Unless we pay the full cost of production and distribu- tion, the processes of production and distribution must break down. This price-cutting, and cut-throat competition has produced one other condition—that is the cut of quantity of commodities. For instance, the manufacturer is not going to jeopard- ize his business and his profits by the present trend of cut prices. Therefore, as the two examples show, the manu- facturer is protecting himself. The new pack of soap chips has content weight of 23 ounces, against the old pack of 26 ounces. The new bar of soap is 1%4 ounces less than the for- mer bar, now weighing 8 against the former 9% ounces, Who pays for this. The customer of course. And just so long as the purchasing public think that price slashing means economy, lowering of the standard of quality and the lowering of the quan- tity must enter into the scheme and the public will pay. Now what has been the result of clean competition? Competition has been the teacher which we all would like to get rid of, but we certainly have been taught many things about busi- ness. For instance, the manufacturer has been taught and is studying new production ideas. The wholesaler has been a student of better distribution methods, and the merchant, through study, has learned and is applying bet- ter business methods to retailing. Mr. Independent Merchant you have the edge on business, and if you con- tinue to study that business of yours, and take advantage of the new meth- ods of merchandising you have nothing to fear in regard to your business. Let the chains slash prices. Let them worry about their short profits, ounces Utilities Power & Light Corporation COMMON STOCK Traded on New York Curb Exchange Impressive gains in both gross and net income continue to be reported by the Utilities Power & Light system. For the year ended on March 31, 1929, the consolidated net income of the Corporation and its subsidiaries was reported at $3,827,420, an increase of 14% over that reported for the year ended on December 31, 1928. We believe that the following factors will be responsible for the sustained prosperity of this system in the future: (1) Character of the system's business (chiefly the sale of electricity for light and power). (2) Excellent possibilities for growth in the territory served which includes the important cities of St. Louis and Indianapolis, thriving residential and agricultural sections in diversified areas of the United States and leading industrial cen- ters of Great Britain, including Birmingham, Smethwick, Dudley, Kidderminister and Ban- > bury, as well as a portion of the city of London. (3) Benefits the centralized operation of important properties recently acquired. (4) (5) Competence of management. Soundness of financial policy permitting the advantageous acquisition of capital to provide for future expansion. (6) Strategic location of properties in regional power grouping plans. Further information regarding this system is available in our descriptive circular, copies of which may be obtained upon request. LINK, PETTER & COMPANY Investment Bankers and Brokers Grand Rapids — Muskegon 14 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN July 31, 1929 and the problems of volume business. Let them try the cut-throat competi- tion which cannot in the long run suc- ceed. You take advantage of their costly experiments and make your business pay you a profit, which is only fair and right that it should. Next week I will show you that the wildly heralded talk of the great in- roads that have been made in the in- dependent business, is just propaganda. James A. Andrews, Manager. ———_» + > Sports of Other Years Not Common Now. Grandville, July 30—The joys of a backwoods life are not for the lad of to-day. Fishing, hunting, canoeing and swimming. What more could a healthy boy ask or require? There were healthy, lively boys in those days despite the fact that numerous cases of ague and the itch afflicted many of the inhabitants. The latter affliction was not fash- ionable to say the least. One family of a backwoods neighborhood seemed to always be scratching, and were re- garded with disgust by their neighbors. One day the report got abroad that the settlement schoolmam had the itch. It was a shocking condition and the pretty girl who taught our school pub- licly denied the charge. She was right about it toc and really had a case of libel for some of the woods busy- bodies had she chosen to take the mat- ter into the courts. Having the “fever’n ager’ was a common complaint, even the most aristocratic citizens succumbing to its influence. When a lazy fellow desired rest from twelve hours daily drill in the milis he came down with the “ager.” 3ut having the itch! Ah, there was the rub, and when there was the least indication the sulphur and ointment was brought out and unceasingly used on the victim. Whole families were greased up in this way merely on sus- picion. Hunting deer and pigeons was sport of a certain nature that pleased whites as well as Indians. Then, when it came to fishing, these were so abund- ant as to be of little sport in the catch- ing. The boys often set night lines, securing some very fine fish and now and then becoming angry when going down to the water in the morning to find a dogfish had gotten himself hooked. How the boys hated the dogfish, which was nearly as large as a pike, of a brown, muddy color and wholly unfit for the table. I call to mind a man who had for three nights set his hook snaring a dogfish each time. It was three times and out with him. As a boy I shuddered to see the revenge he took on that third dogfish. He carefully removed the entrails and then tossed the fish back into the stream. Believe it or not but that fish swam awav with apparently as much gaiety as ever. Sturgeon were another fish not rel- ished by white people. Indians some- times made food of them but really preferred the pike and bass with which all the Western streams abounded. Going fishing was an everyday ex- perience with some of the boys. Fora wonder the gentler sex seldom if ever took rod and line and sought the shades of the wood along the river bank in search of fish. One old maid, however, made jit a point to do her share of angling and she really became an adept at the art. What are called walleyed pike to- day were simply pike to the woods folks, while that of the walleyed va- riety was a small round bodied fish that came to the river during the sum- mer season and was very seldom taken as ?n article of food. The least desirable fish was the sucker, but coming as it did on the going out of the ice in the spring was used as a filler in until the more desir- “able pike and bass made their appear- ance, Speaking of the sturgeon would say that, although the largest fish that swims our inland rivers, he is the least desirable of any, or at least such was true in the early settlement of the country. Standing on a boom I have seen thhalf a dozen lordly sturgeon swimming not far from the surface and never once felt a desire to capture one of them. The only part of a sturgeon of use was that gristle or snout which the schoolboy sometimes trimmed into a round ball, wrapped it well with yarn thus making a fine bounding ball, the gristle serving to give the bail elas- ticity. I read in the sporting news not long ago of a desperate encounter with a sturgeon. This was indeed an item of news, even though it lacked the pos- sibility of truth since the sturgeon has no such jaws, it having a sucker mouth which can do no harm to even the smallest child. Sturgeon are not such terrible crea- tures as this newspaper reporter seem- ed to think. Although sturgeon were of no particular value in the early days I read now of a single one bringing the captor eighty dollars. I some- times think perhaps this last is a fish story equally as unfounded as the one where the poor hunter suffered the loss of an arm. Boys of the early pine settlements did not go bathing. Instead they went in swimming wholly unclad, making the welkin ring with their shouts as they enjoyed the sport of swimming over deep holes where the water boiled in riotous exuberance. In reading of numerous enemies to fish culture, the small kingfisher was named as worthy of destruction be- cause of its love for the minnows planted by the State. No mention was made of the much larger bird, the stately fish-hawk which soars aloft until- its keen eye catches the whir of a fish in the water below when it swoops down and makes «1re of catch- ing its prey in tke shape of a fuil grown member of the fish family. These hawks do not confine their raids entirely to the fish family but often snatch snakes and other vermin from the woods and fields. The real persistent enemy of the fish has two legs and wears the name of man. Old Timer. ——_.» >> __ Greatest Picnic Ever Held in Lansing. Lansing, July 29—Five thousand people of Lansing and surrounding towns enjoyed the annual public picnic given by the Lansing Retail Grocers & Meat Dealers Association, at Lake- side, Pine Lake, July 24. The picnic was officially opened at 10:30 a. m. by Mayor Troyer, who gave an informal address of welcome. The clown band, led by Mr. Van Antwerp, kept the crowd in a gay mood throughout the entire day. Contests for men and women were held and valuable prizes were awarded the winners. The children’s prizes were all awarded in cash. It is well worth mentioning the country grocery store, from which baskets of food stuffs were raffled, the proceeds to be used for paying the advertising and other expenses of the picnic. The big attraction of the day was the gold which was given away in denominations of $20, $25 and $50. The drawings begin at 4 p. m. and con- tinued until 10 p. m. This was well planned and the entire crowd remained until the last drawing took place. At 10:15 the picnic closed with a beautiful display of fire works. The manufacturers and local busi- ness concerns deserve a great deal of credit for the fine way they co-operated with our local association, making this the greatest picnic in our history. C. H. Bailey, Jr., Sec’y. GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL BANK Established 1860—Incorporated 1865 NINE COMMUNITY BRANCHES GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL COMPANY Investment Securities Affiliated with Grand Rapids National Bank “The Bank on the Square”’ L. A. GEISTERT & CO. Investment Securities GRAND RAPIDS— MICHIGAN 506-511 GRAND RAPIDS TRUST BUILDING Telephone 8-1201 PRODUCTS—Power Pumps That Pump. Water Systems That Furnish Water. Water Softeners. Septic Tanks. Cellar Drainers. MICHIGAN SALES CORPORATION, 4 Jefferson Avenue PHONE 64989 GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Fenton Davis & Boyle Lwestment Bankers W Detroit Grand Rapids Chicago SUPREME Try Dutch Tea Rusk with jams or marmalades for a delicious tea- time treat. Or combine with fresh berries for an entirely different shortcake delight. Serve with fresh asparagus or grilled mush- rooms, Simply delicious! At your grocer’s. DUTCH TEA RUSK COMPANY HOLLAND, MICHIGAN RUSH We recommend the purchase of FEDERATED PUBLICATIONS, INC. 6% SECURED GOLD NOTES WITH STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS Write or Phone us for Particulars July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 15 MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE How Volunteer Fire Departments Lower Their Efficiency Failure of volunteer departments to distinguish between the social aspects of their societies and the technical aspects of their work has operated fre- quently to lower the fire fighting ef- ficiency of their organizations. It is entirely in order that a volun- teer fire department may desire to change annually its officers governing social and other occasions but it is ludicrous for a volunteer fire depart- ment to elect a different fire chief each year. Fire fighting and direction of fire prevention activities are the technical duties of the volunteer fire department. It is entirely possible that there may be several men in a volunteer fire de- partment who are equally competent to act as fire chief but it is preposterous that there is a sufficient number of equally competent men to permit the election of a different fire chief each year and expect good fire fighting di- rection. departments They find out who is the most competent man in their midst at directing fire fighting, make him chief and then let him hold the job, ruling supreme on the fire field. But their constitution provides for election of a president and other officers who may serve for one year only and who direct all other ac- tivities of the organization. Many volunteer fire have recognized this situation. Most of the material on fire fighting which has been made available in pub- lic form has been particularly suitable for the department in the large city having an ample supply of equipment. The present need is primarily for printed material which will be suitable for use of departments in towns and cities from 500 to 10,000 population. In these cities, equipment is usually limited. Ingenuity in use of the equip- ment on hand must frequently take the place of purchase of additional ap- paratus. A definite plan has now been out- lined for producing what has been so much needed for use of these depart- ments in the smaller towns and cities. The National Fire Waste Council will ask men thoroughly familiar with the problems of the small town and city to produce written information covering the elements of fire fighting, this in- formation to be used as a basis for instruction in the many state and re- gional fire schools which are being con- ducted over the country. Regional fire schools and production of teaching texts suitable for such schools are among the most promising developments in the fire field. The city of Boston is paying $2,750 to a firm of engineers for a fire survey of the city. Engineers employed by the city engaged the National Fire Pro- tection Association to undertake the survey. That organization will receive the payment. This is an encouraging sign of the times. For a long time it has been customary for cities to recognize the wisdom of making planning surveys, water-works transportation surveys, or other special kinds of sur- veys for which it was expected that payment would be made. Cities are be- ginning to recognize that fire surveys surveys, are more important than some other surveys which they have been ordering. It is true that the National Board of Fire Underwriters has made fire sur- veys of cities for many years. These ssurveys have naturally been directed chiefly to determination of the effec- tiveness of fire fighting and have gone into many problems just far enough to indicate deficiencies. The fire survey of Boston is to be by far the most complete survey of this kind ever pro- duced in this country. It involves at least eight months’ work on the part of two engineers and in addition the part time work of a large staff of as- sistants furnished by the city itself. The Boston survey report is going to be a very interesting document. Fire chiefs will want to obtain and study it carefully. It is undoubtedly true that in a num- ber of cities which have received recog- the National Chamber of Commerce fire waste contest, the chief factor in bringing the winning prizes to the various chambers has been the activity of the local fire chief. We hear some chiefs criticize the contest on the ground that the business men are getting credit for what the fire chief has really done. nition in The interesting fact is that these criticisms do not come from any of the chiefs whose cities have obtained recognition. They know that their local business men have been aware of the work which they have done and that in their local communi- ties they are receiving full credit for the leadership whch they have given. In some of the cities which have been receiving national recognition, lo- cal citizens have come to a realization that their fire chief has done more than any other man in the city to give the city a National reputation and they have acknowledged this debt publicly. The fire chief who is a leader in his community is the first to recognize that in the end credit will come where credit is due. ———_2+2—___ Qualifications of a Good Merchant. The strength of an ox. The tenacity of a bull dog. The daring of a lion. The patience of a donkey. The industry of a beaver. The versatility of a chameleon. The vision of an eagle. The melodies of a nightingale. The meekness of a lamb. Th The disposition of an angel. The resignation of an incurable. The loyalty of an apostle. The heroism of a martyr. The faithfulness of a prophet. The tenderness of a shepherd. The fervency of an evangelist. The devotion of a mother. George Caleb Moor. hide of a rhinoceros. oO oO Novelties Stress Bridge Items. Bridge accessories and prizes con- tinue a feature of lines of novelty mer- One items is a “perpetual” chandise being shown for Fall. of the latest scoring pad in pastel colored metal frame. Figures on the pad may be erased by pushing a small button. Four scoring spaces including honors and tricks, and a pencil, are provided. The item retails at $2.50. For prizes im ported soap dolls, animals and figures 4 are meeting with considerable interest. They are wrapped in cellophane and are priced to retail at 50 cents. ——_~-++—___ Trade is a companion of peace, and flourishes only in her presence. Yet trade, seen through eyes prejudiced by a too selfish nationalism, becomes an excuse for war. Peoples are too easily led by leaders into thinking that the stimulating rivalries of the market- place are summons to war. ——_-__ es Avoid overdrafts as well as drafts. Heinie And His Orchestra Brunswick Recording Artists Delighting West Michigan Dancers AT RAMONA GARDENS (Reed’s Lake, Grand Rapids) Wonderful Music! Delightful Programs! Popular Prices! Dancing 8:45 until Midnight Every Night Except Sunday and Monday OUR FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT with any standard stock policies that you are buying rhe Net Cots OVO Less Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Fremont, Michigan WILLIAM N. SENF, SECRETARY-TREASURER Affiliated with 320 Houseman Bldg. The Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association Insuring Mercantile property and dwellings Present rate of dividend to policy holders 30% THE GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Grand Rapids, Mich. 16 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN July 31, 1929 MEN OF MARK. Vice-President Industrial Co. and Di- rector Industrial Bank. It is a trite saying that a man’s life is what he makes it, but for the most part the man himself has very little to do with the general or the particular trend of his life. The boy or young man frequently plans for fifty years in advance, but his plans are most often realized only in dreams, and the structures of afflu- ence or power or knowledge that he erects prove to be mere castles in Spain. Circumstances, environment, natural ability or the limitations of his natural ability combine to hedge in his way, so that by the time he approaches middle life the average man has little choice. He may still have his dreams of other things, but he walks along a path determined by other than his own wish, with the confining walls of habit and of fixed conditions rising higher on either he advances. The result is that he follows the fortuitous side as path to the end with few or no digres- sions. With making comes to be a habit which can most business men money- not easily be laid aside; in fact, the problems, conflicts and chances in the pursuit of wealth are more absorbing and interesting than those of any other game whatsoever; and who shall say that, looking at it simply as a game, it is not the equal of any? When a gen- uine man no longer has to work for subsistence he must still work; his mind must have something to engage it, his body something to employ its energies, his sympathies something on which to expend themselves, “or perish and to What is natural than should continue burn.” that he the familiar and absorbing occupation ashes more that has so long engaged his attention? And yet the man who lives for nothing but money-making misses much of the best of life, even although he may not be conscious of his loss. For this reason it is well for a man to add to his voca- fads business. It tion an avocation; to have his and interest outside of broadens his capacity for enjoyment and adds something to the store of wealth that can not be taken away from him. It is gratifying, therefore, to find a man who is able, while he is acquiring enough money to supply his needs and gratify his tastes, to devote some time to rest and recreation while yet he is in the prime of life, while yet there is time to do something else, to ex- perience other pleasures and to cultivate other tastes. Ivor Conrad Bradbury was born on a farm near Sioux Falls, South Da- kota, Nov. 12, 1883. He lived on the farm with his parents until he was 16 years old, going to school winters and working on the farm His first introduction in the business world was as an employe of a lumber yard at Winfred, South Dakota. He continued with this concern two years, when he took up a clerkship in the local bank, where he remained for three years. He then removed to Oldham, where he worked nine years in one summers. bank; five years as cashier. He was then introduced to the somewhat am- bitious and comprehensive plans of the United Mercantile Agency, which had been established in Chicago by P. H. Early and associates. In consideration of his purchasing stock in the under- taking, which represented a large part of his total savings up to that time, he was given the management of the Grand Rapids office. He came here in November, 1911, and devoted two years to building up the business of the com- In the meantime, it failed, in- volving the loss of his total investment. In April, 1913, he entered the employ of Howe, Snow, Corrigan & Bertles. He started as cashier, keeping the books, including records of orders, re- mittances, sales and purchases. His pany. own home at 356 Wocdmere and in the summer occupy the home formerly owned by the Howlett estate on the West side of the South end of Spring Lake. This property is one of the finest estates on Spring Lake and the purchasers were so fortunate as to acquire with it much beautiful furniture, antiques and bric-a-brac, which had been collected from the four corners of the earth. Mr. Bradbury and his family have made the interior of the wonderful mansion completely modern without detracting from the beauty and symmetry of an old fashioned country home. It is one of the show places of that region and Mr. Brad- bury takes great pleasure in entertain- ing his friends there. Mr. Bradbury is an active member Ivor Conrad Bradbury work was so arduous that he seldom got home before the owl car. Ten years ago he was made assistant sec- retary-treasurer of the organization, a position which he retained with satis- faction to his associates and the cus- tomers of the house. On the amalgama- tion of that house with E. H. Rollins & Sons, he entered into negotiations with J. E. Frey, which resulted in his transferring himself to the Frey syn- dicate, which involved his election as Vice-President of the Industrial Co. and director of the Industrial Bank. Mr. Bradbury was married in June, 1906, to Miss Emma Peterson, of Old- ham, South Dakota. They have three children—a boy of 18 and two daugh- ters, aged 16 to 14 respectively. During the winter months they reside in their of the East Congregational church and is a member of the building committee. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and be- longs to the Peninsular ‘Club, High- land Golf Club, Spring Lake Country Club and other hunting and fishing clubs. In addition to his duties with the Industrial Co. and the Industrial Bank, he is a director of the following com- panies: A. J. Brown & Son, Inc. Henry Smith Floral Co. Peck Drug Stores. Wolverine Portland Cement Co. Rubber Patents Corp. Mark’s Stores, Inc. Highlands Country Club and others. Mr. Bradbury is a lover of golf and horseback riding. He keeps several riding horses on hand, either at his farm on Cascade Road, near the Cas- cade Country Club, or at his estate on Spring Lake, which he _ frequently places at the disposal of his friends. Personally, Mr. Bradbury is a most companionable man. While he gives his office duties close application dur- ing business hours, he unbends as soon as he is away from his desk. He as- sumes a role which would hardly be expected of a hard working business and financial executive—that of social entertainer and genuine good fellow. Happy in the possession of a com- fortable’ competence, with a vast amount of good work ahead of him, Mr. Bradbury has every reason to ce- gard his record with satisfaction and his future with complacency. —~++>____ Packaged Fish on Market After Years of Experiments. Package fish has appeared on the market to vie with the dried, the smok- ed and the canned. This is the latest phase of the story of the fish industry, which since its beginning has been one of effort to extend the range of con- sumption beyond the landing time and place. A vast business has grown up in the last eight years, devoted to packaging fish, until now it is said to rank with the canning of shrimp, oyster, tuna and salmon. Last year this industry con- sumed 160,000,000 pounds of fish in the round, to produce 65,000,090 pounds in the package form, valued at $10,000,000. It consisted mainly of fillets of haddock, accounting for 87 per cent. of the total. The fish shipped thus is both fresh and frozen. The frozen, naturally, has greater possibilities for an extensive market. Upon it, in consequence, in- ventive genius has concentrated to pro- duce a product that will vie with the fresh. Frozen fish in the past has had none too good a name, it having been the practice, in case of an oversupply on the market, to freeze fish which was not fresh. The fish-packaging factory, on the other hand, is not interested in last- minute efforts to save a stock. It goes in for freezing for its own sake. As soon as the fish are brought ‘n from the sea the flesh is stripped off the bones and the fillets are placed on the aluminum plates of an automatic, continuously operating freezing ma- chine. These plates have projections underneath dipping into calcium chlor- ide brine at about 20 degrees below zero. The plates move on a conveyor through a room where the temperature is well below zero, and in about thirty-five or forty minutes the process is completed. Each machine freezes a carload a day. As soon as the fillets come out of the freezer room they are skinned, wrapped automatically by machine, packed in parafin paper to make them moisture proof and loaded into refrigerator cars from a room with temperature near zero. ————_2-- To be successful, do the things you know you ought to do. —_22>—___ Average is as close to the bottom as it is to the top. July 31, .19z9 BRUTAL FRANKNESS. Black Pit Lying in Path of Manu- facturers. What is the average factory sales manager, or the average wholesale manager, doing to help his retail friends get business? Pitifully little. Let us hear from a few retail mer- chants. A hardware merchant in a substantial Nebraska town, when called upon by a traveling salesman a few moments before noon, reached for his hat. As he rammed his hat on_ his head he exclaimed: “My word, I have entertained nine traveling this forenoon, and not a living one of them offered me any suggestion on how to sell my stuff. They all wanted an order. JI am in ‘business to sell, not to buy. This afternoon when I get back from lunch, doubtless more sales- men will be here. When in thunder do I ever get time to tend to my own salesmen business, the business of selling goods; what I am here for?” Here were nine traveling salesmen calling on the same merchant in the same half-day, and not one mother’s darling offered him a single idea about how to sell the goods, once he got it. One of the sensational smail-town merchants of the great corn belt was recently asked: “What kind of a sales- man is most welcome in your place of business?” Like a flash this small-town wizard merchant replied: “The salesman welcome in my of- fice is the man who will show me how to sell goods and make money. I have no time for the man who urges me to take a case or two of canned goods, I want him to talk about a carload, but I want him to bring a plan to move that carload when it comes in. I want him to know what he is talking about, too. I will listen to that man. He can have an interview any time he wants it.” A dry goods merchant in the Middle West was asked if there were any traveling salesman who had called on him in the year, who, he considered, had rendered him or a dozen cases. excellent service. “Yes, I re- member the ready-to-wear man who, when I didn’t want to take on his line, put one of his dresses on a dummy in my window, went into my shoe depart- ment and picked shoes to match, went into my millinery department and se- lected a chic hat to match, and con- verted that window dummy into such a symphony of color and_ loveliness that a woman within two hours came in and bought the whole outfit. I took the suggestion, and kept dressing that figure in various colors until I sold out the entire stock of dresses in a r2- markably short time. That is the kind of traveling salesman a retailer re- members.” Some of the instances mentioned serve to show the retailer has too much of his valuable time consumed by salesmen traveling for houses which have not sent them out to offer selling help to the merchants. They repre- sent houses who understand movement of goods to mean movement only from the house to the merchant’s His prompt reply was: MICHIGAN TRADESMAN shelves, and think their duty ends there. If further evidence is show too much of the merchant’s time is consumed by traveling salesmen who needed to render no merchandising service, a big Western firm of expert accountants could supply figures. This firm is often called upon by a some startling creditors’ committee to examine the books of retailers whose financial status is shaky, to make a report and a recommendation to the creditors. This firm decided not to stop at list- ing merely assets and liabilities. They provided an extra column on their re- port sheet. This column was headed: “Time Consumed by Traveling Sales- men.” This firm found that in some tottering retailer mated that as high as 90 per cent. of his time daily was being given to trav- eling men. This left him 10 per cent. of the day to devote to selling. If all of these salesmen had plans instances the esti- for moving goods to the consumer, the time might have been well spent, but most of them were only armed with a pencil and an order blank. Contrast the situation of such a re- tailer with the situation of the mod- ern chain store. pends for its success upon three prin- The chain store de- ciples, centralized buying with large purchasing power, attractive displays, on the serve-yourself plan, and con- centration on moving goods, with a system where sellers are never both- ered by traveling salesmen, and one purchasing office does the buying for literally thousands of sellers and clerks. This last feature is one of the cru- cial points making for the success of chain stores. In the store, all time ts spent selling, wrapping and punching the cash register. The independent merchant who sur- vives will be he who shaves down his purchasing time and concentrates on buying from a few big service houses which can give him not only merchan- dise, but also the latest selling ideas to attract goods. the public and move his This is not a sweeping denunciation of all manufacturers and wholesalers seeking business through the channels of the independent retailer. We have already noted some classic examples of makers and distributors who are fully abreast with merchandising progress. Let us now cite some very large manufacturers and wholesalers who, for one reason or another, have not yet caught step with this transition in the art of selling. A trade paper writer was recently seeking information for a symposium of retail volume getting ideas on fish- ing tackle. It was natural to ask wholesale hardware houses for lists of retailers getting conspicuous volume in fishing tackle. The general manager of the wholesale house referred him to the manager of the sporting goods department. This manager at first could not think of many dealers get- ting big volume in this line. After he was questioned persistently, he was able to name some fifteen retailers in his whole territory who were sellinz from $500 to $2,000 worth of fishing tackle per year. modern He was asked how these men got their volume. The department man- ager did not know. “I only know they order a lot of this class of stuff from us,” he said. “Have you any good photograph of any window trims they use in their fishing tackle campaign?” he ‘was asked. “No, I don't believe I have any. I don’t know anything about that. But these fellows order a lot of fishing tackle in the season, believe me.” The writer then called on sporting goods departments of numerous other hardware wholesalers with practically the same result. able to tell him from their records who sold the most fishing tackle in the territory, but not one of those he called upon had a single bit of information as to how selling was accomplished merchants. They selling $2,000 worth, and another was selling only These managers were by their country know one man _ was $150 worth, but it had never occurred to them to find out what methods the volume-getter was using. It never seemed to occur to them that they had a responsibility toward the fellow who was not getting the volume. It never occurred to them to find out the vol- ume man’s method, and convey the in- + formation to the weak merchant to help him push his sales up, thereby swelling the volume for their own house. When the writer called on dealers whose names had been given him he found them employing some remark- able merchandising methods. He found them carrying on bass fishing contests, advertised for fifty miles up and down the graveled highways. He found one merchant who lived 100 miles from the nearest fish pond getting a record volume in tackle be- cause of sensational methods. But the wholesalers serving that dealer did not know of the methods, and seemed not to care to know. The same writer sought a sym- posium of ideas on selling tourist sup- plies, stoves, paint, household utilities, and met with the same degree of in- difference on the part of the houses serving the volume-getters in these lines. Always he had to go to mer- chants themselves to find out how big volume was being gained. : With such existing situations, it 1s about time for manufacturers and wholesalers to awaken to their dealer responsibility if they, themselves, want to escape the gulf of oblivion yawning for those who cannot catch the step. It is time for makers and distributors to step down out of their offices, away from their mahogany desks, and hum- ble themselves to the extent of learn- ing from miracle merchants in small towns. It is time for them to begin cataloguing these methods, and urging the adoption of similar methods upon their slower retailer friends. Even though these big distributors complain that the retailers are slug- gish, there are plenty of retailers who can teach them much about consumer demand, and methods of creating it. Yes, there are plenty of small re- tailers out on the firing line, fighting a gallant battle, of which the big 17 There is the Nebraska who found his customers complaining that houses know nothing. hardware dealer in they could send to Chicago and get a pitchfork for $1.35, while the local merchant was charging $1.85. So this little merchant sent to the mai! Chicago for a half order house at dozen of these pitchforks. He hung Now when farmers come in and burst into that tirade about the $1.35 fork he them on a rack beside his own. “Oh, yes, you mean that one Here it is. | keep a few of them, but they don’t Says: with the blue label. sell. Do you want this? You can have it for $1.35, surely.” A compari- son of quality, in the farmer’s own eight times out of ten causes him to pay the $1.85, and take the standard merchandise. critical eye, There is also the group of four hard- ware merchants in a Middle Western town who forced aluminum peddlers out of How? town in hours. They twenty-four advertised their own aluminum prices on a full page in local with prices beside papers, peddlers’ them, item for item. Figures showed peddlers were 33 per cent. higher than the stores. When the peddlers started making calls the next morning they were met by housewives armed with brooms. The local merchants began to sell aluminum, and to order more wholesalers. from manufacturers and But manufacturers and wholesalers rever made any effort to find out why the sudden rush of aluminum orders from that town. When a certain radio station began to offer overalls over the air at ridicu- lous prices, one active merchant in a siall town, 300 miles from the radio station, ordered a pair immediately. He compared them with those in his He noted one seam where two, and the flimsy own stock. there should be stitching in the crotch. He weighed the whole product against his own on He got all the facts and figures, and hung the overalls up. delicate scales. When the farmers complained of his prices, and threatened to send for radio overalls, he showed the sample over- alls. He pointed out the stitching, threw them on the scales before their eyes, and sold them his own brand. they had The merchant held his over- These farmers told wha learned. all trade. But manufacturers and dis- tributors took no par- ticular note of what he: had accomp- lished or the battle he had won in his They saw no lesson in it. serving him community. When makers and distributing hous- es have department managers and sales managers unaware of how their best dealers are getting sensational volume in lines these houses are seeking to promote, then it is decidedly time for the pot to quit calling the kettle black. It’s time for those who live in glass houses to lay aside the stones. It is time for a brutal frankness that will show these manufacturers and whole- salers the black pit lying in their path if they continue to pass the buck to the small retailer. A. E. Long. —_++>—_—_ For mental exercise analyze your interviews. 18 DRY GOODS Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. President—F. H. Nissly, Ypsilanti. First Vice-President — G. E. Martin, Benton Harbor. Second Vice-President-—-D. Mihlethaler, Harbor Beach. Secretary-Treasurer — John Richey, Charlotte. Manager—Jason E. Hammond. Lansing. Accessories For a Small Child. Many accessories are 19 be seen for the child ranging in ages from 1 to 10 or 12. They are ever so varied and show great attention to de- tails. infant there is a new type of layette case. It comes in crepe de chine and taffeta and 15 This case will at into any bureau drawer and has small sachet bags fastened inside. For the slightly whose demands are larger, additional cases are avail- attractive For the very tiny oblong in shape. older chiid, able for separate articles, such as shirts, bands and petticoats. Also for fine dresses, there are extra fancy cas¢s with inside pockets to hold bonnets or socks. All these cases are tied with ribbons and have the edges finished with either cording or a double picot. are no longer limited to the nursery blues, pinks and whites, but now take in yellow, pale green, coral and peach. Play rugs for porch or play room are made of a strong but loosely woven crash in natural colors. Color coa- trast is achieved by having the edges bound in a bright-colored imitatioa leather, which is also used with colors for the characters portrayed in the cen- ter designs. Hassocks to match may be had in two heights to suit the needs of the child. These are finished in the same colors and fabrics as the rugs. Two looped handles are provided to make them easy to carry about. Carriage robes are seen made of gay printed siiks with plain silk bor- ders, as well as of linen and lace wool. The sizes vary, depending upon pur- pose and the age of the child. Woolen undercovers are shown with some of the silk ones and have concealed snaps to fasten them together. For children who must be weighed regularly there are very attractive scale pads made in silk and a soft floss. The pads come in scale sizes and are tufted and finished with small bows at each end. Hot water bottles for the youngsters are made with and without outside covers, those having covers being a bit ornate. One cover shown is made of heavy pink satin with a hand-painted floral design and the edge finished with a ruching of real lace. Another cover in crepe de chine has drawn work and the edge finished with a triple cording. The colors o> See Men’s Shorts as Staple. Belief that the demand for shorts and shirts has reached the saturation point in the lightweight underwear field and will settle down next year to a steady demand is expressed by several mill agents who have been gauging the coming season while pre- paring their new lines. In. their opinion, shorts have passed from the fad stage into the ranks of staple de- mand and henceforth will always be a big factor in underwear lines. As far as the approaching season is con- _ cerned, it is believed the union suit MICHIGAN TRADESMAN will make slight gains from those who will change back to this type after trying shorts. some —_—_—o. > -— Bathing Su't 1930 Prices Lower. Bathing suit lines for the 1930 sea- son were opened in the New York market last week with prices from 5 to 10 per cent. under those of the 1929 Although the formal openings in most cases will not be held until next Monday, the majority of houses were their lines yesterday and quoting prices to customers. In men’s and boys’ lines, the preference was given to speed suits by most of the mills, one agent reporting that 90 per cent. of his ranges were devoted to this type. Navy and black are more important in the color offerings than they were last year. In women’s suits the sunback suit is featured. season. showing —_~2+22—__ White Slipon Gloves Scarce. A sudden demand for plain white slipon gloves has sprung up that has caught dealers unprepared. Buyers are finding much difficulty in securing the gloves for immediate delivery. The merchandise is designed to match white shoes, hosiery and coats. For Fall, deliveries are being made of ‘kid gloves from importers’ stocks which are now arriving. The slip-on with fancy cuffs still leads with the mousequetaire type showing possibilities. In low-end mer- chandise washable capes are outstand- ing, the call trend ranging from lamb- skins to kid merchandise. Blacks, brow ns and beaver are favored shades. ———_+->>__- Rubberized Overalls. An overall for the small child, girl or boy, is made of rubberized terry cloth combination, and is cut large enough so that it may serve as a beach rug. It sheds the sand easily and is handy to wrap the child in when leav- ing the water. For the junior girl there are new swimming suits with the shirt made in pantie form, so as not to slip up, and a pair of trunks which button on. With this suit is shown a short jacket of the same fabric. Both solid colors and mixed weaves are used, with plain trimming. —_2+22>__ Underwear Novelties Sampled. Outstanding novelties being featur- ed in women’s undergarments for Fall are being sampled by retailers, while there is also considerable covering of needs of staple rayon merchandise. Step-ins, gowns, pajama sets and com- bination garments are outstanding. The circular effect or uneven hemline is a new feature of style treatment for the season, being stressed in both pa- jamas and gowns. Much is expected of the new banana color. In volume merchandise, rayon types retain their strong position. —_2++<2s—___ Boys’ Leather Lines Active. There is no mistaking the strength of the call for boys’ leather apparel for the coming season. Liberal orders have been placed and indications are that prompt deliveries on late-season orders will be as hard to obtain as last year. Interest centers on sheep-lined coats, lumberjacks and wind-breakers. There is also a call for leather helmeis for sports use. While buyers of boys’ lines are still seeking Summer mer- chandise for sales purposes, there 15 expanding purchasing of furnishings for school opening needs. > e—_——_ Bright Shades Lead For Fall. There is now definite assurance that the bright colors of the Summer sea- son will continue into the Fall and probably for considerable time to come, according to color index issued last week by Cheney Brothers. Blues, it is pointed out, are strongly entrenched and will continue in volume. Greens, however, are gaining acceptance in higher circles and are important from a promotion standpoint. Cucumber, a blue green of medium tone, is particu- larly prominent. Rich browns are stressed, especially for contrasts with bright colors. The Spanish Exposition July -31, 1929 at Barcelona is centering interest in reds. —_++ > —__ Trade Conditions Help Half-Hose. With the market free from carry- overs from last year and most retail- ers in need of new goods, prospects for Fall business in men’s half-hose are claimed to be exceptionally bright this year. Mills let go of most of their left-over stock in February, and the merchandise which was picked up by retailers at that time has since moved over their counters. At present the mills are prepared to start into the new season, but are held back by the fact that buyers are late getting into the market and too occupied with cur- rent demands to take hold of the new merchandise. COUNTERS, SHOW CASES AND SHELVING FOR SALE SUITABLE FOR DRY GOODS STORE Above goods are practically new and in good condition. JOHANNESBURG MANUFACTURING aa Johannesburg, Mich. 176 Jefferson Ave., E. WE CAN SELL FOR YOU! YOUR SURPLUS STOCK YOUR ENTIRE STOCK GET IN TOUCH WITH US Merchants Clearing House Wholesale Auction Detroit, Michigan Phone Cherry 0380 H. J. GILLES, AUCTIONEER By L. LEVINSOHN, BUYER AND LIQUIDATOR AUCTION SALE EVERY THURSDAY Big Bargains in General Merchandise, Always » 4 > % Pr July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 19 SHOE MARKET Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers Association President—Elwyn Pond. V ce-President—J. E. Wilson. Secretary—E. H. Davis. Treasurer—Joe H. Burton. Asst. Sec’y-Treas.—O. R. Jenkins. Association Business Office, 907 Trans- portation Bldg., Detroit. Shoe Dealers Should Plan For Fall Now. Retail shoe sales are holding up well in most sections of the country, according to the weekly reports of our cerrespondent, with midsummer clear- ances supplying much of the momen- tum, reinforced by the active consum- er demand for white footwear and sport shoes. Similar conditions may be expected to prevail during the early part of next month, but by late Au- gust the advanced retailers will be fea- turing styles for early autumn and the inducement of price reductions will give place to the appeal of the new colors, leathers and patterns. Merchants who make it a practice to feature the new season’s styles before the season has really arrived have often been subjected to criticism for so do- ing, on the ground that premature ex- ploitation of coming fashions, when weather conditions are not propitious and the public mood is not yet prepared for their acceptance, tends to dull the edge of their newness and diminish their sales appeal when the season for them actually arrives. There is a definite relation of cause and effect, however, between the prob- lem of protracted clearance sales and this other problem of advance show- ing of the new season’s merchandise. This tendency to drag out the reduced price sales period over two and some- times three months has a depressing effect upon profits. Merchants who are alive to the importance of main- taining their margins at all costs have been driven in desperation to the early exploitation of advance styles as one way of cutting short the sales period and getting back to a profit basis. Show the public something new, they argue, and it is possible to get regular prices even while competitors are hold- ing sales. That evils some times result from disclosing advance styles to the public too soon cannot be doubted, but on the other hand there are advantages to be gained in getting the new season’s business under way as early as pos- sible. It is one of those merchandis- ing practices which seem bound up so inextricably with prevailing conditions that it is far easier to complain of its ill effects than to suggest a better way of obtaining its advantages. Meanwhile, it is important to re- member that showing fall styles in late August doesn’t necessarily promise that they will sell in volume either then or for several weeks thereafter. And so it is none too early to begin to plan the sales promotion work, the advertising and the window displays which should form the backbone of the season’s selling effort. Hastily plan- ned advertising is likely to contain a large element of waste and to fall short of the results that are expected of it. Wise and successful merchants make their plans well in advance so that every move in the sales promo- tion campaign will dovetail with every other and the result will be a logical and consistent program that will con- tribute a cumulative increase to the development of the season’s business. —Shoe Retailer. —_—__¢-2—____ Thre Notable Pioneer Citizens of Grand Rapids. Every little while in the course of my research grubbing I come upon the names of notable citizens of Grand Rapids who were once likewise in De- troit. Within a few days I have hap- pened upon the names of George W. Thayer, Peter R. L. Pierce and Jef- ferson Morrison. In the year 1800 Abraham Geel owned a large, irregular lot which ran across Griswold street, many years be- fore that street was opened North of Congress street. Griswold street, be- tween Fort and Congress, now crosses that lot. A part of the Penobscot building and a part of the Ford build- ing stand on the portion West of Gris- wold street and a portion of the Ham- mond building now stands on what remained of the lot East of Griswold. It would be worth real money to-day. James Abbott bought the lot from the heirs of Mr. Geel. One of these was Caroline Geel, who married Jefferson Morrison on Feb. 17, 1836. I suppose this was the Jefferson Morrison who was one of the early settlers of Grand Rapids. At the time of the Mexican war Asahel Smith Bagg, for whom Bagg street was named (now Temple avenue) kept a book store on lower Woodward avenue. An old item reads: “With A. S. Bagg was a young man, Peter R. L. Pierce, who was his right hand man while in the book business; a bright, curly-headed, handsome chap. He went to Grand Rapids and engaged in business. He was county clerk of Kent county during the civil war and after that a member of the Legisla- ture.” Mr. Pierce was also postmaster during the days the office was located in the Eagle building at 49 Lyon street. He was a strict (Episcopal) churchman and was first and foremost in every movement for the good of the town. George W. Thayer in his younger days was a clerk in the old Michigan Exchange Hotel when Edward Lyon, uncle of Charles D. Lyon, was pro- prietor. The Lyons were noted hotel men. I think Mr. Thayer also clerked for Hiram R. Andrews Railroad Ho- tel where the Shubert Detroit Opera House is now located; also in the old National Hotel where the First Na- tional Bank is now. He was a nephew of Lucius Lyon, one of Michigan’s first pair of U. S. Senators. Mr. Lyon visited his old home in Burlington, Vt., in 1845, and brought his nephew, then 17 years of age, to Michigan to be- come one of Dr. Douglass Houghton’s exploration and surveying party in the Lake Superior country. President Polk had appointed Mr. Lyon as sur- veyor general for the district North- west of the Ohio. When they arrived in Detroit Mr. Lyon and Mr. Thayer found the expedition had left two days before, so they came to Grand Rapids —Michigan Central to Battle Creek and stage for the remainder of the way —with William A. Richmond, of Grand Rapids, for a fellow passenger. They stopped at a log tavern at Ada, kept by Mr. Withey, father of the late Judge Withey, and in Grand Rapids at the Bridge Street House, then kept by Gaius Deane. Some time later Mr. Thayer and Mr. Lyon returned to Detroit and went up the lakes to join the Hough- ton party. Mr. Thayer lived a worthy and interesting life and was one of the foremost men of Grand Rapids when I first knew it, almost fifty years ago. I realize that I am a person of freak- ish notions and interests but I do love to toss a sprig of evergreen upon the memory of such notable men as I have known in times long past. George B. Catlin. ———_++.___- Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not do it; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost Education will not; the of educated derelicts. determination alone The slogan “Press a proverb. world is full Persistence and are omnipotent. on” has solved and always will solve the problem of the human race. —__~+-.____ Only a fool tries to fool others. MICHIGAN SHOE DEALERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO. MUTUAL PROGRESS CASH ASSETS 2... 7. fe27 er er. ns $ cone 151,393.18 ae 200,661.17 Meanwhile, we have paid back to our Policy Helders, in Unabsorbed Premiums, $380,817.91 for Information write to L. H. BAKER, Secretary-Treasurer LANSING, MICHIGAN 460.29 7,191.96 85,712.11 10 LB. DISPLAY BASKETS MADE BY NORTHLAND CHERRIES PUTNAM FACTORY, NATIONAL CANDY CO. Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. 20 RETAIL GROCER Retail Grocers and Meat Dealers Associa- tion of Michigan. President — A. Faunce, Harbor Springs. First Vice-President—G. Vander Hoon- ing, Grand Rapids. second Vice-President — Wm. Schultz, Ann Arbor. Secretary—Paul Gezon, Wyoming Park. Treasurer—J. F. Tatman, Clare. Credit Not Always the Cause of Failure. A letter I have unfortunately neg- lected contains these questions: “What percentage of those who en- ter the retail grocery business go broke? “What percentage of variety stores go broke? “Of course there are many more grocery stores than variety stores; variety stores are cash. But does that account for the difference in mortal- ity?” Nobody knows precisely the per- centage of failures in the grocery busi- ness, nor would it matter much because the figure would change constantly; but a close estimate is, perhaps, that, of all who enter the business some 93 per cent. do not succeed. Two interesting results follow, for the seven per cent. who make a suc- cess become trade factors so stable that they remain in business their en- tire lives, often into and through the second and third generation; and this brings about a condition wherein the grocer, on the average, has as long a business life as the exact average of ten leading trades. In fact, the gro- cer’s business life is about as long as that of any other retailer. This fact is so striking that it makes me plenty tired to have the grocer re- ferred to as an inferior order of busi- ness man. For the truth is that the man who succeeds as a grocer mani- fests as high an order of business ability, industry, intelligent application and well developed judgment as is shown in any other department of hu- man activity. I make no exceptions to this statement. The variety business, as we know it to-day, is a development so recent that statistics are not available, but my opinion is that failures therein— considering all who start in the busi- ness—fully equal those in the grocery line. There are, it is true, more grocers than other retailers. That is because of the universality of the food business. Most persons eat twenty-one meals weekly, which provides wonderful op- portunity for retail business. This fact of numbers deceives us. But the proportions do not vary greatly. In talking of the cash feature, we must remember the innate character of the business. It is a pick-up, con- venience, personal-shopping ‘business. Folks go in for one thing and go out with six or seven they have seen. They pick up, pay cash and carry. Cash is accountable for much of variety success, but not from the angle nor from the cause you have in mind. What you are thinking about is that those merchants get cash for their goods at time of sale. But their strength and stability result from the fact that they pay cash for what they buy; that they hold a cash reserve, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN that they safeguard themselves not by being sure others do not owe them, but by insuring that they do not owe others. Think this over. It is the most im- portant factor in the stability of re- tail meat dealers as against grocers. It explains the practically universai success of credit- granting department stores. It shows why the most pros- perous, stablest, longest-lived grocers, those whose profit ratio is greatest in any community are the credit, delivery, telephone and full service grocers. To grant credit successfully requires a peculiar order of ability, and the con- stant vigilance entailed connotes a high order of character. To carry on a cash business is in many respects a more exacting, more difficult task. Far easier is it to provide for financial stability by keeping a cash reserve and buying within your capital means. No- body can back a merchant off the boards who holds no bills against said merchant! This is where cash plays its most important part in business. The New York World recently said editorially: “For some reason; not impossible to imagine, there is a feeling in the world of high finance that now is the time for monopolistic mergers, based on the conviction, which possibly may be un- justified in fact, that the administra- tion in Washington is in sympathy with such movements. The power merger and now the food merger. “Nothing could possibly be more serious or intolerable than a food mer- ger designed to give a comparatively small group of men a dictatorial power over the food of the people and power to fix the prices. It is not the con- sumers only who are concerned. Sen- ator Walsh has been receiving com- plaints from Western merchants for some time. It appears that the food merger has been worked out pretty thoroughly under cover. “Under all the circumstances there certainly is justification for some such Congressional investigation as is pro- posed by senators King and Walsh. It is a dangerous thing to play with the food of the people. They can be lulled into a stupid acquiescence on many things, but not on food. Least of all can the Administration afford it. Dynasties have been overthrown on food troubles in older days when only arms could overthrow them.” All of which is just about the kind of piffle that it sounds like. For there is no such danger at all. The food busi- ness is too vast, too universal, for monopolization. This applies as well to the question of chain monopoly of retailing of foods as it does to inside mergers that seek control of “the food of the people.” Since Robert Warren & Co. went broke trying to corner the pork market in Chicago some 40 years ago, few attempts have been made seriously to hamper the freedom of commerce in foods; and none is ever likely to get farther than Warren did in 1887. I find every day renewed evidence that the old line grocer who knows his onions is as stable as any business man, (Continued on page 31) July 31, 1929 VINKEMULDER COMPANY Grand Rapids, Michigan Distributors Fresh Fruit and Vegetables “Yellow Kid” Bananas, New Potatoes, Strawberries, Sunkist Oranges, Lemons, Fresh Green Vegetables, etc. M.J.DARK & SONS INCORPORATED GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN o—™ Direct carload receivers of UNIFRUIT BANANAS SUNKIST -~- FANCY NAVEL ORANGES and all Seasonable Fruit and Vegetables AT YOUR GROCER’S A huge advertising campaign is sending thousands of new customers to grocers for their daily supply of Yeast. Grocers who show Fleischmann transparencies on their windows or doors, and metal package displays in their stores are identify- ing themselves with this advertising and are enjoying bigger profits by securing these new customers. To get your share of this new business be sure you have these displays in a prominent place. FLEISCHMANN’S YEAST Service We now invite you to inspect the finest cold storage plant in America. We have Charles A. Moore Ventilating System throughout the building enabling us to change the air every seven hours. We also carry a complete line of fresh fruits and vegetables at all times. Won't you pay us a visit upon your next trip to Grand Rapids. ABE SCHEFMAN & CO. COR. WILLIAMS ST. AND PERE MARQUETTE RY.. GRAND RAPIDS The Toledo Plate & Window Glass Company Glass and Metal Store Fronts ° GRAND RAPIDS -t- wt MICHIGAN NEW AND USED STORE FIXTURES Show cases, wall cases, restaurant supplies, scales, cash registers, and office furniture. Grand Rapids Store Fixture Co. 7 N. IONIA AVE. N. FREEMAN, Mgr. Agency for Remington Cash Register Co. Call 67143 or write NL LE PLIES BENDA EERE RE Ne " ¥ RSE SPREE ANSE RSH ERE TEN TEI July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 21 MEAT DEALER Michigan State Association of Retail : Meat Merchants. President—Frank Cornell, Grand Rapids Vice-Pres.—E ®. Abbott, Flint. Secretary—E. J. La Rose, Detroit. Treasurer—Pius Goedecke, Detroit. Next meeting will be held in Grand Rapids, date not decided. Speed Versus Economy in Producing of Swine. A pork production experiment of more than usual interest and import- ance is to be conducted in Jasper county, Iowa, under practical farm conditions. The aim is to find the re- lationship between rapidity of gains and feed consumption. Farmers are asked to enter pigs of their own breed- ing, whatever that may be, and a defi- nite record will be made of the rate of gain, to determine whether or not the pigs that gain fastest are also the pigs that produce the largest gains per 100 pounds of feed. “So far as is known,” says the Chi- cago Daily Drovers’ Journal, in com- menting on the experiment, “one pig has a digestive apparatus exactly like that of another, so in theory one should be as efficient as another in the use of food. But there may be considerable variation for not entirely known. It is a common observatioa among stockmen that some animals gain more readily than others, even on Some horses, for in- reasons the same feed. stance are easy keepers, while others ‘eat their heads off’ and still remain thin. The food that is used in part to build tissue, in part as There may consumed is fuel, and some is excreted. be differences in animals in all three respects. “Another point involved is feediag skill or management. The feeder who has his pigs on edge for every meal will get more out of any pig than the feeder who fails to detect digestive troubles, even slight and so throws the animals in his charge off feed every so often. Soa pig in this test that showed himself above the average in use of feed, might, under different management, give quite dif- ferent results. “The big question involved is wheth- ones, er or not metabolism is a transmissible trait. Some of these pigs will do bet- ter than others. Will the strain of breeding that produced them continue to be marked by the same trait? May- be what these animal experts should be studying is glands. Anyhow, the way certain glands function is sup- posed to be what makes a fat boy fat. “The results of the Jasper county test will be looked forward to with much interest. It is a good kind of research, and much of it is needed.” en The Shoulder of Pork. Among the major cuts in the pork carcass, the shoulder stands out prom- inently. . It comprises approximately 17 per cent. of the carcass weight. There are several ways of cutting shoulders and they take different names from either the style of cut or the location where the special cut is made. The shoulder takes in the front leg and all meat from the knee up, with some variance in the way the foot is cut off. It extends up to the backbone, with the neck bones taken out and frequently with some of the fat and skin The width varies according to demands at cer- tain points and weight of the carcass. It is frequently made entirely free >f bone either before being offered for sale or in retail markets when bought. When this is done it is very suitable for stuffing and roasting. It is chiefly a roasting piece in a fresh state, though it may be partly sliced and fried or broiled. The part containing the meat around the shank and thick- est part of the lower shoulder section is frequently rounded into what is called the picnic style shoulder, Cala, or some sectional name. When this is done the end next to the backbone is made into what are known as Bos- ton butts, boneless butts, blade meat, fat trimmings, etc. Like hams, bacon, and some other pork cuts, the shoulder may be used fresh, cured or smoked.—New York Department of Agriculture. —_2 + >__—_ Annual Field Day at Demonstration Farm. Howard City, July 30—You were so kind and courteous to me some time ago when I came to see you about the Pennsylvania Railroad’s demonstration farm, located about two miles North of Howard City, that I want to take this means of again expressing my sin- cerity in asking you to make a visit at the farm at your convenience. Our annual sand land field day has been set for Thursday, Aug. 8. The event has received considerable pub- licity and several farm paper editors have written me that they are planning on attending. I assure vou it would be more than a passing pleasure on my part to have you among those present. From many qualified to judge, we have received expressions voicing their opinion that we were justified in hold- ing these field days in order that the sand land farmer in Western Michigan might learn of our activities, our methods and the progress we have made toward profitably farming some of the ‘better grades of our marginal lands. President Shaw, of the Michigan State College, is one who has written me, assuring us that our efforts are yearly becoming more and more ap- preciated by those confronted with sand land problems. B. O. Hagerman, Agricultural Agent. —_222>___ Tradesman Is a Mystery To Him. Riverdale, July 19—Having permit- ted mv subscription to get three num- bers in arrears hoping that you would amble around this way and give me a “dun” once more, I think I had better send it in and save yor the trouble of writing. How you manage to make the Tradesman BETTER year after year, as you most assuredly do, is a mystery to me. I thought years ago that you couldn’t possibly do so, but you fooled me in this respect, as badly as you did the first time we met. Perhaps you remember how amused Mrs. Stowe and my clerks were that day and how “flabbergasted” the writer was when he identified E. A. Stowe. Would be mighty pleased to meet you again. Hope you will run over this way on some of your week end trips. William Horton. —_2»+ 2 >__ Above All Else Sincere. Lake Odessa, July 16—I am enclos- ing $3 for the Tradesman. There is never a number that we do not all read. It is a dandy weapon for all commercial wrongs and ills. I wish to say that we think it is always au- thentic and above all else sincere. E. €. Tew & Sons. removed. At Every Meat at i HEKMAN S Cookie-Cakes and Crackers and Crackers ASTERPIECES _ OF THE BAKER'S ART SS XW, Se y ot. | S() ha ~ _ — an at — y¥ eee n DSSS ae We Ail ND 2 = = A i fiN oe rere / 2 bf WaT] A ces _ a ————s Dream” wy or every OCCASION Grand Rapid ;.Mich Always Sell LILY WHITE FLOUR “‘The Flour the best cooks use.” Also our high quality specialties Rowena Yes Ma'am Graham Rowena Pancake Flour Rowena Golden G. Meal Rowena Buckwheat (Compound Rowena Whole Wheat | lour Satisfaction guaranteed or money retunde«| VALLEY CITY MILLING CO. Grand Rapids, Mich. GRAND RAPIDS PAPER Box Co. Manufacturers of SET UP and FOLDING PAPER BOXES SPECIAL DIE CUTTING AND MOUNTING G R AN D RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Don’t Say Bread — Say HOLSUM 22 HARDWARE Michigan Retail Hardware Association. President—-W. A. Slack, Bad Axe. Vice-Pres.—Louis F. Wolf, Mt. Clemens Secretary—Arthur J. Scott, Marine City. Treasurer—William Moore. Detroit. Suggestions For the Hardware Dealer in August. In August, the hardware dealer will face the problem whether or not carry over to another year the broken lines and odd lots of seasonable, hot weather goods.. By the end of July, the normal sea- sonable demand for these lines will have slackened. People who have not already bought ice-cream freezers, re- frigerators, screen doors, hammocks and similar articles will begin to argue: “What's the use tying up money in these things in order to get the use of them for a few weeks. Better worry along as we've been doing, and put off buying until next summer.” In the first part of August the push- ful, energetic dealer, given favorab’e weather, mav still be able to make some sales at regular prices. But by the middle of the month, at the latest, the real selling season for these lines will be practically past. The average man who has not bought yet will not buy—that is, unless special inducements are offered. “T wouldn't find myself with an over- stock,” he said. “I don’t buy that way. But if I found myself with some odds and ends, which is apt to happen with even the most careful buying, I’d give the public substantial reasons for tak- ing those goods off my hands. When in doubt whether to sell goods or carry them over, by all means sell. That's a pretty safe rule in business.” Where goods are carried over a cer- tain amount of depreciation and result- ant loss is inevitable. In hardware this 1s perhaps less than in any other line of trade, but it’s there, just the same. Then there’s the loss of interest on the money invested. Money is tied up which could be used to good advantage in buying for the fall and Christmas trade. Add all the potential losses, and you can tell how drastic a cut is justified to get rid of the hot-weather left-overs. Hence, toward the middle of August, if not earlier, a midsummer clearance sale will be in order. Such a sale is merely the liquidation of a certain loss that is practically in- evitable if the goods are carried over. On the one hand, you have the pros- pective selling value of the article twelve months hence. Offset against this depreciation, loss of interest on your investment, storage charges, loss through lack of money of the ability to handle your fall and Christmas business on the scale you desire—and when you deduct the total of these items from the prospective selling value of the article, you have a pretty fair idea of what it ought to sell for right now within a few weeks of the close of the season. This deduction compensates the buyer of the article for the limited use he will secure, this summer, from the article into which he puts his money. Now is the time to take a look over the stock and see how the various seasonable lines are moving. Do what you can in the next week to stimulate sales at regular prices. Study these lines closely and size up the situation. When you have sized up the probable extent of the left-overs, you can tell whether or not it will be desirable to hold a special midsummer sale in order to turn these items into cash. Don’t wait until the buying move- ment has entirely stopped before put- ting on your sale. Launch your sale when it begins to slow down appre- ciably. If you do hold such a sale, make it sufficiently outstanding to be a good advertisement for your store. Play up the special sale. Use it, not merely as a medium for clearing out odd lines, but as a means of interesting new cus- tomers in ‘your store. Advertise more aggressively than usual, get out circu- lars and dodgers, put on some special window displays and drop your price to a figure where, in spite of the heat, they will pull in the customers. Run this sale right through to the end of August, if necessary, and keep the public interest at the highest pos- sible point throughout. To do this, it is desirable to feature different lines at various times. Let your window dis- plays be a constant reminder that something out of-the ordinary is going on. Put on practical demonstrations of different articles. For instance, show the refrigerator keeping the food cool; and serve ice cream made in the freezer. If such a sale is worth putting on, it’s worth playing up, I knew a hard- ware dealer once who held a mid- summer clearance sale. He brought the odds-and-ends of hot weather lines to the front, put price-tickets on the various articles announcing “one-quar- ter off,’ and ran a couple of small . advertisements. “It's too hot to sell anything, I guess,” he told me. “We haven’t had any response to our efforts at all—or, at least, none worth mentioning.” “Why don’t you play up the sale more?” I asked. “Give it some window display? Quote specific price cuts in- stead of a percentage that nobody will bother to figure out? Get out some handbills or some circulars? Use a full page advertisement, or at least a quar- ter page, and will it chuck-full of spe- cific prices?” He hemmed and hawed a few mo- ments. “To tell the truth,” he said, “T never thought much of price cut- ting, and I hate to identify the store even this much—although I suppose it’s legitimate enough.” A man who tackles a special sale in that half-hearted manner is not going to make a success of it. If he doesn’t regard it as legitimate business, he should not tackle it all all. But if he regards it as legitimate, he should throw into it all the energies he pos- sesses and make it really worth while. In advertising your special sale, you must inevitably stress price. To make your sale convincing, you must quote specific prices. In the old days, it was not infrequent for a merchant to ad- vertise ,“Ten per cent off everything in stock.” He might so on go down MICHIGAN TRADESMAN July 31, 1929 Special Reservation Service — “Wire Collect” In Detroit the Detroit-Leland Hotel Much larger rooms... . an inward spirit of hospitality . . . . unsurpassed standards of service .... a cuisine that transcends perfection, have within a year of its estab- lishment, gained for the new Detroit- Leland Hotel an enviable national and international reputation. 700 Large Rooms with bath— 85% are priced from $3.00 to $5.00 DETROIT-LELAND HOTEL Bagley at Cass (a few steps from the Michigan Theatre) Direction Bowman Management WM. J. CHITTENDEN, Jr., Managing Director BROWN &SEHLER COMPANY Automobile Tires and Tubes Automobile Accessories Garage Equipment Radio Sets Radio Equipment Harness, Horse. Collars Farm Machinery and Garden Tools Saddlery Hardware Blankets, Robes Sheep lined and Blanket - Lined Coats Leather Coats GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Michigan Hardware Co. 100-108 Ellsworth Ave.,Corner Oakes GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN e Wholesalers of Shelf Hardware, Sporting Goods and Fishing Tackle Ciba i Laggtss 28 July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 23 the scale, and advertise “fifty per cent. off everything.” - Now, percentage advertising isn’t convincing. The average customer is not going to take the trouble to figure the saving, unless he is very much in- terested in some specific article. Make it easy for him to understand what you are offering by quoting specific prices. Quote both the regular price and the special sale price. The fa- miliar device of a card with the reg- ular price in black, crossed through with red lines and the sale price given in red, should be used in ticketing all goods offered at sale prices. In such a sale the cut need not cover anything except special lines. These include hot weather lines you want to clear out, and other odds and ends of stock—slow selling goods, generally —that should be moved. Nor need the price cut on these goods be a uni- form percentage. It is better to select certain articles and feature them by drastice price cuts, with lesser cuts on the general run of sale goods, and reg- ular lines left at regular prices. The “feature special” is an old stunt with the dry goods and department stores. Often it is some article, bought at an exceedingly favorable price and not carried in the regular stock. I recall one dry goods store that got hold of a lot of fairly good alarm clocks and offered theni at 59 cents each. And at that they made money on the clocks. Such a feature attracts atten- tion to your sale; it convinces people that you are offering real values; it gets them inside the store; and often people who do not want the feature article when they see it become in- terested in other lines instead. In your advertising, it is good busi- ness to supplement the price quota- tions with a few words describing each article. Tell about your lawn mowers, your ice-cream freezers, refrigerators and lawn swings; tell about them in such terms that the reader of the ad- vertisement is anxious to own one. Study the better class of dry-goods advertising, and see how, in a few terse words, the copy-writer gives the reader a sort of sketchy picture of this or that article. It is usually good business to make your special sale something more than a special sale—a sort of link between summer and fall trade. Play up your summer specials in your newspaper ad- vertising and window display, but show your regular lines inside the store—the lines that people will begin to buy a few weeks hence. Demonstrate some of these lines, and get the names and addresses of prospect who are inter- ested in them. You may not make sales at the moment but you will get a line on quite a few prospects to be followed up later. A special sale, properly featured, will bring a lot of new customers into your store. People who have never before bought from you may, if they are properly handled, be induced to buy from you regularly. See to it that everything is calculated to give the newcomer a favorable impression of your place of business, your selling methods, your sales people and your- self. It is through getting a line on new prospects, and through the chance it gives to acquire new customers, that the special mid-summer sale will pay its biggest dividends. Turning odds- and-ends of stock into ready money is of course worth while; but do not over- look your chance to develop new busi- ness, and to secure new customers. Victor Lauriston. ———o-+___- Girdles Which Suit New Figures. Girdles—or corsets, as they are usu- ally called—and the regular one-piece foundation garments are all being af- fected by the change in silhouette. For the moment most of the leading mak- ers are focusing their attention on shaping the designs to suit the new slightly raised waist-lines. The tops are being shaped, the fronts curving up a bit to hold the diaphragm in place and prevent any suggestion of a bulge or roll of flesh. Again, the corsets fiz more tightly about the waist-line. One designer has achieved this by inserting an elastic gusset in the back and top. A corset for the medium figure, made either of plain satin or one of the brocaded fabrics, has panels of the material back and front as well as nar- row hip sections, and the joining sec- tions are made of strong elastic. This model is built up in front and curved, and the back is made to hug the figure by means of an elastic inset in the top. Another girdle for the same type of figure is made of flesh-colored satin, and has lacings at the side from the top to below the hips. It is built up -in front with the aid of three small bones. Boneless garments are being shown in girdle and step-in models. A praz- tical girdle made of pink satin has the fashionable curved front panel and elastic sections at the side fronts and backs, and a narrow elastic extends from the top of the front panel to the hips to give greater play to the gar- ment and hold it in shape. To make up for the absence of boning, the back and front panels are quilted, and the quilting being used differently on each panel, the front one having it near the top, while the ‘back is quilted more through the middle and lower parts. This garment is shaped to give a de- cidedly fitted effect. For the fuller figures, and also for the tall, there is a corset made with an extended front panel curving at the top and spreading in fan shape. The spreading part is strongly boned to give support to the diaphragm. The lower part of the front panel has a “V” inset of elastic. Elastic side sec- tions are used. A new one-piece garment with a glove silk top made in the style of a brassiere has the lower part of satin with elastic sections. — oso A busines sis like a snowball: One man can easily push it along for a while, but the snowball becomes so large if pushed ahead that help must be obtained to roll it—and if you don’t keep rolling it, it will soon melt. —_—_» 2. Words are to a salesman brush is to an artist. what a Waterproof tarpaulin, guaranteed for one year. Any size, or custom made as illustrated. Send measurement. Prices and samples submitted without obligation. 24 hour delivery. When you want good cheese ASK FOR : KRAFT ({) CHEESE EW ERA LIFE ASSOCIATION Grand Rapids. SOUND COMPANY, SOUNDLY MANAGED BY SOUND MEN. I. Van Westenbrugge Grand Rapids - Muskegon (SERVICE DISTRIBUTOR) Nucoa KRAFT(({) CHEESE All varieties, bulk and package cheese “Best Foods”’ Salad Dressings Fanning’s Bread and Butter Pickles Alpha Butter TEN BRUIN’S HORSE RADISH and MUSTARD OTHER SPECIALTIES The AMERICAN NATIONAL o BANK ° Capieal and Surplus $750,000.00 One of two national banks in Grand Rapids. Member of the Federal Reserve System. President, Gen. John H. Schouten Vice President and Cashier, Ned B. Alsover Assistant Cashier, Fred H. Travis The Brand You Know by HART Look for the Red Heart on the Can LEE & CADY Distributor Phone 61366 JOHN L. LYNCH SALES CO. SPECIAL SALE EXPERTS Expert Advertising Expert Mrechandising 209-210-211 Murray Bldg. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN ® at FRIGIDAIRE ELECTRIC REFRIGERATING SYTEMS PRODUCT OF GENERAL MOTORS For Markets, Groceries and Homes Does an extra mans work No more putting up ice A small down payment puts this equipment in for you F. C. MATTHEWS & CO. 111 PEARL ST. N. W Phone 9-3249 Pm | 1862 - - 1929 SEELY’S FLAVORING EXTRACTS SEELY’S PARISIAN BALM Standard of quality for nearly 70 years SEELY MANUFACTURING CO. 1900 East Jefferson. Detroit, Mich. WATER COOLING EQUIPMENT For Office, Factory, Institution Grand Rapids Water Cooler Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. Sand Lime Brick Nothing as Durable Nothing as Fireproof Makes Structure 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. 24 HOTEL DEPARTMENT News and Gossip Regarding Michigan Hotels. Los Angeles, July 26—There are mergers and combinations in every trade and industry. No business 1s either too large or too small to escape the attention of the trained blenders. The day is at hand when the hot-dog distribution of the country will be in keeping of some massive corporation which will have its uniformed repre- sentatives on hand wherever two or three human beings are assembled for sport or play. A melding of the hot- dog and hamburger industries of the Nation would be a warm proposition ‘= full rations of mustard were in- cluded. “Dad” Smith, who has conducted the Houghton Inn, at Houghton Lake, for the past twelve vears, has sold out to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Clark, of Adrian. “Dad” Smith, built in a spec- ial mold, was one of the unique char- acters in Michigan hotel operation and was a wonderfully popular host. He is just in the prime of his existence and [ trust is not going into retirement at his time of life. He ought to make many thousands of resorters happy in the days to come. Some folks would go so far as to call this relieving the farmers, especial- ly as farm relief is masquerading un- der many aliases. For instances some housewives scrape the kernel of the golden bantam from the cob. But that’s no way to eat corn. With me its cob or nothing. Some people fix up corn with Par- mesan cheese and green peppers and all that sort of truck. But the only humane way to get it is to tuck your panvkin under your chin, have the but- ter plate handy, and gnaw away at the kernels. Farm relief? Watch the ordinary human this summer and gain an idea of just how he regards it. Hotel men over in Detroit are all agog over the possibility of showing the 800 delegates to the American Ho- tel Association, next month, just how they ought to do it. There will be many entertainments, if they can keep the delegates this side of the Detroit river, and a full program of construc- tive business sessions. Last year they had a wonderful convention at Denver, but the newly rejuvenated association had hardly got into their paces, and there are hopes of a much bigger and even better time this year. Among special attractions will be offerings made by Edgar Guest, one of Amer- ica’s foremost poets, who will speak at the official banquet, and William Butterworth, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce, who will be an honorary guest of the con- vention, as well as Secretary David A. Skinner, of that institution, with which the A, H. A. is affiliated. Great care is being exercised this year in the selection of topics for presentation and discussion at the business sessions. Successful hotel operators from vari- ous sections of the country are being solicited to present papers on subjects of vital importance to the industry— men who know their particular fields thoroughly and can impart that in- formation interestingly. Owing to the vast amount of important business to be transacted at the five arranged business sessions, a special meeting of the committee on program will be called in advance of the meeting, so that no time will be wasted after the delegates get into official session. And the delegations are going to travel to and from the convention in every sort of contrivance, including air ships, automobiles, busses and by antiquated rail transportation. Polo plavers even will go horseback. The Chicago fel- lows, particularly, are arranging a MICHIGAN TRADESMAN motorcade, whereby they will leave Chicago in the morning, stop along at Gary and Michigan City, Indiana, and St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Kalama- zoo, Battle Creek, Jadkson, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and thence to Detroit. Of course they will be entertained at every town they stop at, with the distinct understanding that they will do nothing which Mr. Volstead wouldn't indulge in. At Detroit they will be farmed out at the various hotels, but the business sessions will mostly be held at the Statler. It is going to be a big undertakinz. but Detroit has the very boys in its midst who are past masters when it comes to entertaining. The idea of making up a census of so-called “ghost” hotels, is, to say the least, original. It ought to be worth something to know just what cities are over-hoteled, but the trouble seems to be, that while the operators them- selves know all about it, the fool in- vestors gain the impression that just because a few institutions which are favorably located and intelligently op- erated, are making a reasonable profit, there oughtt to be big returns from similar investments almost anywhere. ‘The result is an epidemic of headaches. Every once in awhile somebody who is not interested financially in the op- eration of hotels and_ restaurants, bursts forth in song—or rage—and talks about the Jesse James’s in that line of industry. Even in their palm- iest days, the food dispenser never made even a small percentage of the piofits you find in almost any other line. You will find the shoe man coni- bining fifty cents worth of raw ma- terial with a dollar’s worth of elbow erease ,and working off the product for fourteen dollars and nothing is heard of it, or the medicine dispenser packing away three cents worth of in- gredients in a tin can and offering it for a stingy dollar. And then there ts the boot—well we wont go anv further. Of course, it is true that cow meat, in the cow, is probably worth a couple of cents a pound; with the packer, sixty; the retailer, ninety, and on the platter in the restaurant, $2.50. but it is well to bear in mind that the transportation company takes the first grab, and then there is the organized banditry in the kitchen which picks out the succulent portions for “home” consumption, so that the guest has absorbed and paid for the dainty morsel finally peddled out to him, there has been no wonder- ful margin of profit for the individual or concern which undertakes to “feed the brute.” A. F. Gardiner has been appointed assistant manager of Hotel Durant, Flint, under managing director H. F. Price. Mr. Gardiner came from the Southern Hotel, at Baltimore, Mary- land. Clyde Carson, who has been as- sociated with the Madison-Lenox Ho- tels, Detroit, for some time, and was for ten vears with the old Pontchar- train, that city. under W. J. Chitten- den, Jr., has gone to St. Louis to be- come assistant manager of the new Hotel Roosevelt. The new officers of Michigan Char- ter, No. 29, of Hotel Greeters, were duly installed last week, and the roster is as follows: President—Wm. E. Snyder, Seward Hotel. First Vice-President — J. Allan Doyle, Hotel Tuller. Second Vice-President — Edward Million, Hotel Capitol, Flint. Third Vice-President — George A. Southern, Kellogg Inn, Battle Creek. Secretary-Treasurer—A. F. Nuss- baum. Members of the Board—W. H. Rademaker, Hotel Lewis, chairman; J. H. Pichler, Hotel Statler, and Jerry Moore, Hotel Tuller, This is one institution where employ- ers give full sanction to its activities which are always mutually beneficial. Attendants at vast National gather- ings have been known to do a lot of HOTEL CHIPPEWA HENRY M. NELSON, Manager European. Plan MANISTEE, MICH. Up-to-date Hotel with all Modern Conveniences—Elevator, Ete. 150 Outside Rooms Dining Room Service Hot and Cold Running Water and Telephone in every Room. $1.50 and up 60 Rooms with Bath $2.50 and $3 July 31, 1929 “We are always mindful of our responsibility to the pub- lic and are in full apprecia- tion of the esteem its generous patronage implies.” HOTEL ROWE Grand Rapids, Michigan. ERNEST W. NEIR, Manager. Columbia Hotel KALAMAZOO Good Place To Tie To CHARLES RENNER HOTELS Four Flags Hotel, Niles, Mich., in the picturesque St. Joseph Valley. Edgewater Club Hotel, St. Joseph, Mich., open from May to October. Both of these hotels are maintained on the high standard established by Mr. Renner. Park Place Hotel Traverse City Rates Reasonable—Service Superb —Location Admirable. Ww. O. HOLDEN, Mgr. HOTEL KERNS LARGEST HOTEL IN LANSING 300 Rooms With or Without Bath Popular Priced Cafeteria in Con- nection. Rates $1.56 up. E. S. RICHARDSON, Proprietor WESTERN HOTEL BIG RAPIDS, MICH. Conducted on the European Plan. Hot and cold running water in all rooms. Several rooms with bath. All rooms well heated and well venti- lated. A good place to stop. Rates reasonable. WILL F. JENKINS, Manager MORTON HOTEL Grand Rapids’ Newest Hotel 400 Rooms ote 400 Baths RATES . $2.50 and up per day. “A MAN IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS” That is why LEADERS of Business and Society make their head- quarters at the PANTLIND HOTEL ““An entire city block of Hospitality” GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Rooms $2.25 and up. Cafeteria -t- Sandwich Shop Warm Friend Tavern Holland, Mich. Is truly a friend to all travelers. All room and meal rates very reasonable. Free private parking space. E. L. LELAND, Mar. NEW BURDICK KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN In the Very Heart of the City Fireproof Construction The only All New Hotel in the city Representing a $1,000,000 Investment. 250 Rooms—150 Rooms with Private Bath. Buropean $1.50 and up per Day. -BESTAURANT AND GRILL— Cafeteria, Quick Service, Popular Prices. Entire Seventh Floor Devoted to Especially Equipped Sample Rooms WALTER J. HODGES, Pres. and Gen. Mgr. Wolverine Hotel BOYNE CITY, MICHIGAN Fire Proof—60 rooms. THE LEAD- ING COMMERCIAL AND RESORT HOTEL. American Plan, $4.00 and up; European Plan, $1.50 and up. Open the year around. HOTEL OLDS LANSING 300 Rooms 300 Baths Absolutely Fireproof Moderate Rates Under the Direction of the Continental-Leland Corp. GrorcEe L. Crocker, Manager. e Occidental Hotel FIRE PROOF CENTRALLY LOCATED Rates $1.50 and up EDWART R. SWETT, Mgr. Muskegon ot Michigan CODY HOTEL GRAND RAPIDS RATES—$1.50 up without bath. $2.50 up with bath. CAFETERIA IN CONNECTION seein atoaaale wo LomahtaNe ie sacitssagy ish eR tt les Sorte mass onda its ob Saran aaa restreia& SSS ue S cae July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 25 damage to hotel furnishings when making ‘“‘whoopee,” as they are pleased to call it. ly in Los Angeles nearly put the cult out of business. Presumably liquor had nothing to do with it. It is just che human element of destruction in rere man who wants to do his little stunt whenever he gets away from home. A. T. MacFadven, promotion manager of Hotel Pantlind, has an in- teresting subject in a recent issue of the New York Hotel Review, which is well worth perusal. Also in the same issue of that publication is an article from the pen of Fred G. Miner, in which he has something to say about the present owner of the Pant- lind: “Twnty years ago, as auditor and court reporter, Joseph H. Brewer was on the lower step of the business lad- der. Realizing the opportunity, he en- tered the field of municipal utilities with such success that to-day he is one of the outstanding figures in Michigan where millionaires are no longer a novelty. His hotellic identity consists of the control of both the Pantlind and Morton hotels, in Grand Rapids, and his home life is self evident ‘n the fact that he recently inaugurated an eighteen hole golf course that is ac- credited with being one of America’s finest. All of which represents, and well represents, the ways and works of one who has made good in the great field of American opportunity.” L. G. Davis, manager of the Inn, at Wequetonsing, has been made presi- dent of what is known as the Airways Service, a coming transportation ele- ment in the Middle West. Mr. Davis’ activities around Traverse Bay, have held him in the limelight for several years. He is in every way a good specimen of the genius “hustler.” It is announced that Hotel Tuller, Detroit, which was to have entered into receivership July 11, will operate i: dependently for at least three months under the management of Ward B. James. Frank S. Verbeck. —_—_2->—___ Treat the Traveler With Due Respect. When Secretary Herman Hanson, sometime ago, raised a point of con- structive suggestion in his weekly edi- torial contribution to the Tradesman, relative to the attiude of many mer- chants toward salesmen, he said a regulation-size mouthful. More than one merchant is unneces- sarily cold and aloof toward salesmen who call upon him. Too often, he is downright uncivil. This is no point to be denied. Now, just why? Is it because he is afraid the sales- man is going to cheat him? If so, his action betrays his own lack of con- fidence in his own judgment. He is afraid that he will be won into a pur- chase which his native shrewdness or moral courage is unable to detect as unprofitable or unwise. Or is it because he has been cheated by a few and judges all others by the same standard? If so I, as a consumer and a customer, am justified in judging all merchants by the few who have cheated me. Is it because the merchant considers the salesman an unnecessary item in overhead and begrudges him the living which he makes while he ‘is trying to serve the merchant? If so, then I, as a consumer and a customer, am justified in preaching the doctrine of “eliminat- ing the middle man.” The merchant wants to remember that his profit is also an item of overhead, and there are Two of these affairs recent-: those who think that it could be elim- inated with very good economy. Perhaps the merchant must have someone to be the victim of his spleen. The salesman must take his abuse, un- fair criticisms and endure his superior airs or lose his business. So he takes the cowardly advantage to bully the salesman into abject docility, even to the point of taking every sort of un- kindness—cold shoulders, forced wait- ing, being totally ignored, etc. If that is the merchant’s reason, then I am justified, as a consumer and customer, in remembering that my merchant must have my business. That being the case, I can bully and browbeat him and think myself quite some citizen because I get away with that sort of thing. If the merchant would only see that his position with reference to the pub- lic is precisely that of the salesman to- ward himself, he might find in some of his criticisms of an unkind, unthink- ing or bargain-minded public criticisms that apply to his own treatment or mistreatment of the salesmen whose business it is to serve him. The merchant says he tries to serve the public honestly. Let him remem- ber that the salesman is trying to do the same thing by him. The merchant claims that he is necessary to the pub- lic’s best interest. Let him remember that the same thing may be said of the salesman’s essential service to him. When the merchant feels the sting of injustice at the hands of his public, may he not go back in his own experi- ence and find some fellow with a port- folio with whom he may now sym- pathize. He has found out how it feels to try to do well by his customers and receive a slap for thanks. If this attitude of merchants is due to an instinctive rebellion against the idea of buying anything, he might as well remember that when the time comes that he will no longer be buy- ing it will be when he is no longer selling. Merchants who criticise a “something-for-nothing” public should be the best qualified to write a sermon for their own reading, entitled, “The Folly of Something-For-Nothing Mer- chants.” By that term, I mean the merchant who says, before a caller has had time to say a word about his proposition, “No, I’m not interested, to-day; and, besides, I’m too busy.” Many a merchant, by saying that very thing, has said that he is “not inter- ested” in his own welfare. Perhaps he told the truth. Who knows? Some- times, I almost believe him. W. H. Caslow. —_>~>>__ Sauce For Goose Is Sauce For Gander There is an article in another column which I hope every retailer who gets this paper will read, if he doesn’t read another thing. It is by a man named W. H. Caslow, whom I do not know, but the article is sent to me by &. A. Stowe, editor of the Michigan Trades- man, with the suggestion that it ought to be given as wide publicity as pos- sible. I think so too. Caslow doesn’t state his business. He is evidently a traveling man of some sort and, getting about a good deal, he has a chance to see how con- sistent retail grocers are in their be- lief that patronize local stores. Caslow says a lot of them aren’t consistent at all. They forget that the home store rule affects them as much as it affects any- body, local consumers ought to when they buy as consumers, and they will go to the city or the mail order house—over the head of their local dealer—whenever they think it pays them to do it. The grocer who goes out of town to buy anything that he can get sub- stantially as well from a local dealer, has no kick whatever against the local consumer who trades with a chain store. Yet Caslow gives instance after in- stance of retailers who think there ought to be one rule for consumers and another one for them—even when they buy as consumers. This article ought to be taken to heart by every retailer who feels that he isn’t getting a square deal because his townsmen buy of a chain store. What are you doing, brother? Do you spend your money at home, or do you fly all over the United States hunting an imaginary nickel saving? If your answer is that it is your duty to buy in the cheapest market, I answer why isn’t it your customer's duty too? If you say they don’t save anything by buying from the chain store in the long run, then I say that your saving 3 are largely illusory too. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.— Philadelphia Grocery World. ee Late Business Changes in Ohio. Carrollton—John Minor, who is in the grocery and meat business here, is erecting a store building on Green street. Cleveland—Frank Zoldak will move his meat market from 3112 to 3110 East 130th street. Cleveland — Solomon's has been opened by Louis Solomon at 14113 Kinsman road. Dayton—Robert E. Nester has taken over the grocery and meat market at 1605 Huffman avenue from the Freud Pure Food Market Company. Green Springs—The Home Meat Market has been opened by Dorr C. Birdsall here. Tiffin—Louis Felchtner has sold his meat market at 250 East Market street to Warren P. Saylor. Tiffin—G. F. Hill has purchased an interest in the meat business of Mr. South Washington Delicatessen Delaplane on street. Toledo—F. J. Sherman has discon- tinued his grocery and meat business at 2540 Cherry street. Corporations Wound Up. The following Michigan corporations have recently filed notices of dissolu- tion with the Secretary of State: Railway Employes Co-operative As- sociation, Escanaba. Flower Market, Detroit. Dutch Oil Co., Holland. LaFlamme Co., Detroit. Land Contract Investors, Inc., Detroit. O’Brien-Dores Dvelopment Co., De- troit. Detroit & Southern Gas €o., Detroit. Cook-Central Co., Detroit. Ionia Mutual Oil Co., Adrian. Superior Tile Co., Inc., Detroit. Adam Groth & Co., Detroit. Cooper Underwear Co., Marquette. Elaborated Roofing Co., Detroit. Lake Shore Brass Works, Holland Michael-George Co., Grand Haven. Animated Advertising Displays, De- troit. Howe, Snow & Co., Inc., Detroit and Grand Rapids. Consolidated Expanded Metal Co., De- troit. Allied Refrigeration Lansing. Gibralter Floors, Inc., Detroit. Schiedel Realty Co., Detroit. Victor Electric Supply Co., Detroit. International Foxes & Furs, Inc., De- troit. Saginaw Chemical Co., Saginaw. F. C. Nowack Co., Menominee. Portland Farmers Elevator Co., Port- land. Unit Investment Co., Flint. Al-gon-quin Hotei Corp., Hastings. Michigan Oil Properties & Realty Co., Grand Rapids. Davis-Stuntz Co., Detroit. Rotary Ventilator Co., Detroit. Dalite Laundry, Inc., Pontiac. Northwestern Oil Co., Marquette. Michigan Oil & Industries, Inc., ——_—_--~___ Four New Readers of the Tradesman. The following new subscribers have been received during the past week: Theodore L. Engel, Harbor Beach. Sinclair Refining Co., Chicago. _R C. Lioyd, Bradtord, Penn. L. W. Mills, Montague. oe Stamina wins. HOTEL BROWNING 150 Fireproof Rooms GRAND RAPIDS, Cor. Sheldon & Oakes Facing Union Depot: Three Blocks Away. 300 Rooms with Bath Dining Room THE DURANT FLINT, MICHIGAN One of Michigan’s Finest Hotels : Under Direction of UNITED HOTELS COMPANY OF AMERICA Harry R. Price, Managing Director Soda Fountain Rates from $3.00 Coffee Room 26 DRUGS Michigan Board of Pharmacy. President—J. C. Dykema, Grand Rapids. Vice-Pres.—J. Edward Richardson, D2- troit. Director—Garfield M. dusky. Examination Sessions — Beginning the third Tuesday of January, March, June, August and November and lasting three days. The January and June examina- tions are held at Detroit, the August examination at Marquette, and the March and November examinations at Grand Rapids. Benedict, San- Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association. President—J. M. Ciechanowski, Detroit. Vice-Pres:dent—John J. Walters, Sagi- naw. Secretary—R. A. Turrell, Croswell. Treasurer—L. V. Middleton, Grand Rapids. Afternoon Tea at the Soda Fountain. Jimmie Brady, the junior partner in charge of the Jones Fountain at Jones- ville, Northwest, is an automobile en- Automobiles appeal to Jim- mie from two standpoints. First, they bring the Jones Fountain plenty of business and, secondly, he likes to step thusiast. on the gas occasionally just to show the home town folks that he’s in the man” class. Jimmie associates automobiles with tourists in the following manner. Let him tell you about it: My tourist trade is divided into two classes, those that are passing through those that are staying “business in cars, and somewhere around here and are likely to come in often if I treat them right. With the trade, the “through” trade, as we call them, the idea is to sell them as big an order as we can while they’re in sight. So I have a lot of specials that I’ve named after the high class cars. A Hupmobile Special is just like a banana split, with berries or peaches instead of the bana- na. A Franklin Airman is pretty much any kind of crushed fruit, topped with a lot of whipped cream, served with sweet crackers. I recommend that to the older woman in the party, who is apt to be pretty well chilled, even in a closed car, where the young folks generally want more air than mother does. I couldn’t sell her ice cream on a bet, but the rest of them help me sell her that Franklin Airman because they don’t feel right, seeing her take just a cup of tea or coffee while they’re all having something good. Yes, I sell plenty of coffee all summer. For one thing, we have a lot of for- eigners living right around here, Ger- mans, Swedes, Norwegians, who drink automobile MICHIGAN coffee every afternoon when they’re at home. They come here for it when they’re downtown shopping. Of course I’m very careful, with the tourist trade, not to let the hot drink take the place of the regular fountain specialties. lf they order coffee first, “Will you have sandwiches or buns,” I ask them, “‘or will you try one of our fountain spec- Those Rolls Royce delights are very popular.” By that time I’ve got a card into the hands of the man of the ials? party, if he wasn’t looking at it before, and in a minute he has seen the thing I put there for him. “What's a Packillac?” he asks with a grin. When you've got a man to laugh, you’ve got him half sold. “It’s just like a maple nut sundae,” I tell him, ‘‘with sarsaparilla sauce in- stead of the maple syrup. Very good Or coffee, or what- ever he has ordered. With a party of four, that’s good for 60 cents at least, and it nearly always works, because these through tourists expect to spend money. with ginger ale.” I make it a point to ask them about the roads. They’re generally glad to talk about their trip, and then I answer questions about the roads all around. If they're going far, which they’re pret- ty sure to mention without my asking them, once they’re started talking, I’m apt to ask them if I can’t wrap them up some sandwiches to take along, pointing out that they’ll make better time if they don’t have to stop for supper until they’ve got where they are That often means two dollars altogether from one ‘party. They nearly double my luncheonette trade. They come along after the rush of the business people is over, and they are likely to want something sub- stantial any time from one o’clock on, particularly on Sundays. I make a specialty of hot roast beef sandwiches, and I get fifty cents for them right along, which is about 400 per cent. on the cost of the materials. I’m too far from a wholesale delica- tessen man here to get the kind of cooked meat I want, so I get my mother to cook it up for m, on Fridays, or the day before a holiday. heading for. I use a piece of the eye of the round; because it makes an ideal sandwich cut, and it just fits into my fudge cooker. I can keep it hot there from one until eight, with the gravy in the other section. TRADESMAN That’s a trick I learned when the busi- ness wasn’t so big and we didn’t need a steam table. There’s nothing like using your fudge cooker right to build up your luncheonette business to the point where you're ready for the big- ger equipment. Now I can use it all the hot Sunday afternoons, when 1t wouldn't pay me to have the steam table going, of course. You have to keep the meat off the bottom of the cooker. I couldn't find a trivet to fit, so I put a few big nails in the bottom and rest a piece of hard- ware cloth on them, and the meat on that At first mother said she couldn't give me enough gravy without cooking all the taste out of the meat, because of course I had to have much more gravy than she could make the my regular way she cooked meat at home. But I’d make up my mind to have that meat just right, so she “stretches” the gravy with meat extract. I’m careful to have the plates hot for that sand- wich. Any meat that’s left over at eight o’clock, I take out and cool quickly, as near a fan as I can get it. Then I wrap it air tight with wax paper and put it right into the refrigerator, where it will be good and cold without freez- ing. It'll be just as good the next day. For the summer boarders here I have afternoon tea,. A lot of them are used to it at home and can’t get it at the places where they’re staying. I feature a Chinese tea that costs a very littie extra and brings me in a big profit. With the cheaper tea, I use the tea balls, but with the China tea, I meas- ure one teaspoonful into the pot, pour on the boiling water, and pour off the tea in five minutes. Any of that tea that’s left over goes into my iced tea. I make an iced tea punch, too, with tea, ginger flavor, lemon flavor, bits of chopped cherries and mint leaves when I can get them. It stands in a big bowl on the counter, and they can have it plain or carbonated. On cool days I run a hot chocolate at tea time, and any time, my cold Aztec chocolate is good. I use extra nice china for this after- noon tea and a fancy grade of paper napkins. I give them real cream or whipped cream, and French pastry that I can get from my local baker. When business is slow, he gives me a lot July 31, 1929 of pastry shells that I can fill with jam and top with whipped cream as they are ordered, which cuts out any losses on the pastry. These are not the big patty shells, of course, but a quarter that size. It’s a very popular item. The reason I take so much trouble with this afternoon tea trade is that I figure that if a tea room came here. I'd lose a lot of business. Luckily i me, there are a lot of boarding place near here, and no tea room in this par of town. These regular afternoon t patrons are never in a hurry, and if I’m rushed with a bunch of through people, I ask them if they won't loc’ over the circulating library for a mir- ue, “until I get these people off mv hands, because they have to go right on.” Then I give them a lot of tim: when I have it, and make them feel as if they owned me and the store too. Virginia Tower. ——_+>.-<.___ Be Sure and Serve Ice Cold Ice Water. As a final thought, let me say that the ice water you serve with sundaes and luncheon items should be “ice cold’, as well as the carbonated drinks. Nothing kills a luncheon business so quickly as half-chilled water with it. Years ago I assumed the man- agement of a fountain and tea room served that was on the down grade, with the idea of building up the business. One of the first things I discovered was that the water served in the tea room and secured at the fountain was soon far from cold when the rush began. The firm argued that it was “cold enough,” and I contended that it should be “icc cold,” and finally had a cooling system installed that would give us that kind of ice water. Business grew and in a short time the firm admitted that I was right. People want a good cold drink of water with the things they eat and with their sundaes and if you are failing te deliver it you are hurting your busi- ness. Ice is hard, glassy, solid, because it is frozen milk is in- clined to be in flakes or layers, because in the freezing process water and the solid content of butterfat, etc., sep- atate, 1 is water. Frozen necessary that we dis- cover the reason why. Tests may even go to show that ice cream received from our source of supply yields full measure and as many es Ao e es Swot oo Same” EE GRAND RAPIDS STORE EQUIPMENT CORPORATION GRAND RAPIDS ~ MICHIGAN COCO GRAND RAPIDS SHOWCASE CO. DRUG STORE FIXTURES Planned to make every foot of store into sales space. COOL LO) WELCH-WILMARTH CORPORATION DEE eee eee eee DRUG STORE PLANNING Recommendations to fit individual conditions. CMM 4 arg So nee shiteagitiire Raa tapes get als OS SR July 31, 1929 servings as we have a right to expect and yet when we come to dish it out later to customers, for some strange inexplicable reason it falls short. We scratch our heads and wonder where the jinx is. Then suddenly a light dawns slowly on us and we begin to understand! In an amazing number of cases we * find that they do not, but fall con- si -rably short of it and it is quite right a | even cream is uniform and velvety i texture if of good quality, because «the air which is beaten into it. This is there when the cream is made wv d delivered, but if the type of re- igeration furnished by the dealer imself in handling and using the ream is not such that it holds the can f ice cream at a uniform temperature rom top to bottom until it is all used there is a softening from the the air escapes, and the eream shrinks amazingly, as is proved by the fact that ice cream in the beat- ing of manufacture swells to a larger bulk than the original volume. The escape of the air content through soft- and the ip-—why, op down, ening causes shrinkage, cus- tomer is not served with uniformly frm, well-hardened cream. Poor refrigeration is chilled carbonated water, expensive in improperly svrups and other materials. The best kind of dessert calls tor a all through—and only correct temperature will insure successful results. tis a fact that there is an ideal tem- drink or proper temperature perature for every ice cream, and this temperature varies in different creams, according to flavor, mix, butierfat con- tent, etc. A good trade on brick ice cream is greatly aided by a properly controlled temperature of storage. Customers like to know with reasonable certainty that the cream they expect to serve will be MICHIGAN hard when they get ready to use it, and not mushy and disappointing. em Marshmallow as a Trade Getter. Marshmallow, served right, is always a good trade-getter; and we_ believe that those who do not have this de- business is all that and then pur- dressing are losing A gallon at is necessary to start on, licious thereby. a time chase in five-gallon cans and save eas- dollar. 16 ai a half. marshmallow ily oa dollar and Good should be diluted cold water, and not Make day enough for that day only—then st with either hot or too much at a time. up every is always fresh and flexible for use. Do not use a simple syrup for dilut- ing, as it will ferment quicker. Sugar works, and there is enough sugar it marshmallow anyway—as most marsh- mallow makers use powdered sugar, corn syrup or glu- Just And granulated sugar, cose, whites of eggs and gelatine. water—remember!—hot or cold. it thick, not soupy. For a delicious marshmallow ice cream serve arge glass—around the edge, scrape an ounce of marshmallow, then two ounces: chocolate syrup, one ounce of plain cream, a fine stream of soda, a No. 16 scoop of chocolate ice cream, and fill up with soda. Serve with two straws, and spoon, of course, as usual. To Keep a Good Store Never show your temper. Never indulge in sarcasm. Make don’t insist on it. sure your way is best, then Permit other people to have views. Never contradict an irritated person. Keep unpleasant opinions to your- self. Be considerate of the rights and feelings of others. Always grant a reasonable favor. Don’t try to fool your customer. Supplies, Etc., Etc. Hazeltine Grand Rapids SCHOOL SUPPLIES Our stock you will find one of the largest in Michigan. PENCILS, CHALKS, PENHOLDERS, CRAYONS, RULERS, PROTRACTORS, DICTIONARIES, PENCIL TABLETS, INK TABLETS, Slates, Artists’ Water Colors, Oil Paints in Tubes, Pencil Boxes, Scolars Companions, Pencil Sharp- ners, Composition Books, Note, Drawing, Theme, Music Books, Spelling Blanks, Student Loose-Leaf Books and Fillers, Drawing Papers, Inks, Mucilage, Glues, White Paste, County School Records and G& Perkins Drug Co. Michigan Complete lines of PENS, Leads, Brushes, Fountain Pens, Compasses, Manistee TRADESMAN WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT are nominal, based on market the day of issue. Prices quoted Acids Boric (Powd.)_. 9 @ 20 Boric (Xtal) -. 9 @ 20 Carholic —. 38 @ 44 Cltrie) 53 @ 170 Muriatic _ 34%@ 8 Nitric —... 3 9 @ 15 Oxalig 0 15 @ 25 Sulphuric —...___ 3%4@ 8 Dartaric _..._... 52 @ 60 Ammonia Water, 26 deg... 07 @ 18 Water, 18 deg... 06 @ 15 Water, 14 deg... 54@ 13 Carbonate ____ 20 @ 25 Chloride (Gran.) 09 @ ®@ Balsams Copaiha _.. 1 00@1 25 Fir (Canada) __ 2 75@3 00 Fir (Oregon) -. 65@1 00 Pern) 220 00@3 25 Tolw 22 2 00@2 25 Barks Cassia (ordinary). 25@ 30 Cassia (Saigon) _. 50@ 60 Sassafras (pw. 60c) @ 50 Soap Cut (powd.) S0C) oo 20@ 30 Berries Cube 2. @ 90 Bish . a (@ 25 Jonge, |. 11@ 20 Prickly Ash _.... @ 76 Extracts Edcoriee 2220 60@ 65 Licorice, powd. __ 60@ 70 oe Arniea oo 50@1 60 Chamomile Gea.) @ 650 Chamomile Rom. @ 7 Gums Acacia, Ist ____ 50@ 55 Acacia, 2nd _... 45@ 50 Acacia. Sorts 25@ 30 Acacia, Powdered 35@ 40 Aloes (Barb Pow) 25@ 35 Aloes (Cape Pow) 25@ 35 Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 75@ 80 Asafoetida —_____ 50@ 60 EHOW, 200 90 @1 00 Camphor —.... 90@ 9 Gualae 2 @ 60 Guaiac, pow'd __ @ 70 King) @1 2 Kino, powdered__ @1 20 arn @1 15 Myrrh, powdered @1 25 Upium, powd. 19 65@19 92 Opium, gran. 19 65@19 92 Shelige 65@ e Sheliae ooo “A@ 90 Tragacanth, pow. @1 75 Tragacanth —___. 2 00@2 35 Turpentine —_.___ @ 30 Insecticides Arsenic ........... 08S@ 20 Blue Vitriol, bbl. @ 08 Blue Vitriol, less 094%@17 Bordea. Mix Dry 12@ 26 Hellebore, White powdered ______ 15@ 25 Insect Powder__ 474%%@ 60 Lead Arsenate Po. 13144@30 Lime and Sulphur Bey Os@ 22 Paris Green -_.. 24@ 42 Leaves Buchy 22 @1 08 Buchu, powdered @1 10 Sage, Bulk ______ 25@ 30 Sage, % loose __ @ 40 Sage, powdered__ @ 35 Senna, Alex, __.. 50@ 75 Senna, Tinn. pow. 30@ 35 Ova Ursi 20@ 2 Oils Almonds, Bitter, vue... 50@7 75 Almonds, Bitter, artificial __.._. 3 00@3 25 Almonds, Sweet, true 20 50@1 80 Almonds, Sweet, imitation -... 1 M1 25 Amber, crude -_ 1 00@1 25 Amber, rectified 1 50q@1 75 ANISeG 25@1 50 Bergamont —-_-. 8 00@8 25 Cajeput __.. 2 00@2 25 Cassia... 3 00@3 25 Caster: _......._.. 1 55@1 80 Cedar Leaf --__ 2 00@2 25 Citronella ~_---- 75@1 00 @loves) js 00@4 25 Cocoanut ------ 27%@ 35 Cod Liver —----- 1 50@2 00 Groton. 2). 3 00@3 25 Cotton Seed —_ - : 35@1 Cupeps 22 5 00@5 Bizveron: 3 4 00@4 Kucalyptus Hemlock, pure__ I 2 Juniper Berries. 4 50@4 Juniper Wood ~_ 1 50@1 Lard, extra -... 1 55@1 hard. No. 1... 1 26@1 Lavender Flow__ 6 00@6 Lavender Gar’n_ 1 25@1 Remon 6 00@6 Linseed, raw, bbl. 1 Linseed, boiled, bbl @1 Linseed, Linseed, raw,less 1 09@1 2: Mustard, arifil. oz. @ Neatsfoot _____ 1 25@1 Olive, pure ___. 4 00@5 Olive, Malaga, Yellow ..--_ 3 00@3 Olive, Malaga, ereen 2 85@3 Orange, Sweet 10 00@10 Origanum, pure_ Dz 50 25 bld less 1 12@1 25 Origanum, com’! 1 00@1 20 Pennyroyal __-. 3 00@3 25 Peppermint --.. 5 60@5 70 Rose, pure 13 50@14 00 Rosemary Flows 1 25@1 50 Sandelwood, E. 1 ae 10 50@10 75 Sassafras, true 1 75@2 00 Sassafras, arti’l 75@1 00 Spearmint 7 00@7 25 Sperm oo 1 60@1 75 Pane 7 00O@7 25 tar USP _ 65@ 176 Turpentine, bbl, _- @ 59 Turpentine, less__ 66@ 79 Wintergreen, leat 6 00@6 25 Wintergreen, Sweet birch oe 3 00@3 25 Wintergreen, art 75@1 00 Worm Seed -___. 3 50@3 75 Wormwood —. 20 00@20 25 Potassium Bicarbonate __.. 35@ 40 Bichromate ___ 15@ 25 Bromide 2 69@ 85 Bromide 9 54@ 71 Chlorate, gran'd_ 23@ 30 Chlorate, powd. Or Mtal oo 16@ 25 Cyanide . s0@ 9 lodige 4 36@4 66 Permanganate __ 22%@ 35 Prussiate, yellow 35@ 45 Prussiate, red __ @ 70 Sulphate _<«_— Sh 0 Roots ARAN et 28 30@ 35 Blood, powdered. 40@ 45 Csiamys 35@ 85 Elecampane, pwd. 25@ 30 Gentian, powd. 20@ 30 Ginger, African, powdered _____ 30@ 35 Ginger, Jamaica. 60@ 65 Ginger, Jamaica, powdered _.___ 45@ 60 Goldenseal, pow. 7 50@8 00 Ipecac, powd. _. 4 50@5 00 tacerice _. 35@ 40 Licorice, powd._. 20@ 30 Orris, powdered. 45@ 650 Poke, powdered_. 35@ 40 Rhubarb, powd —. @1 00 Rosinwood, powd. @ 60 Sarsaparilla, Hond. ground _......._ @1 10 Sarsaparilla, Mexic. @ 60 Saute 35@ 40 Squills, powdered 70@ 80 Tumeric, powd... 20@ 25 Valerian, powd.__ @1 00 Seeds Amiseg 202 @ 36 Anise, powdered 35@ 40 Bird t¢ 2. 13@ 17 Canary 22 10@ 16 Caraway, Po. 30 25@ 30 Cardamon __.._. 2 50@3 00 Coriander pow. .40 30@ 2 ee See 15@ 20 Fennell 22000 35@ 50 Flax See 8%@ 15 Flax. ground —_ 8%@ 15 Foenugreek, pwd. 15@ 26 nen 8@ 15 Lobelia, powd. —_ 2 60 Mustard, yellow 17 25 Mustard, black_. 20@ 25 Poppy __- 15@ 30 Guince _........ 1 00@1 25 Sabadilia.: 200057 45@ 50 Sunflower _.... 14@ 1 ‘18 Worm, American 30@ 40 Worm, Levant — 6 50@7 00 Tinctures Aconite @1 80 Aloes: @1 56 Arpics 2 @1 50 Acafoetida -__.__- @2 23 27 Belladonna -..__. @1 44 Harmen oo @2 28 Benzoin Comp’d. @2 40 Buenn 2. @2 16 Cantharides —-___ @2 52 Capsicum @2 28 Catechu __.__... @1 44 Cinchona ..0 @2 16 Colehicum _...__ @1 80 Cubebs @2 76 Digitalis @2 04 Gentian @1 35 Guaiac 2 28 Guaiac, Ammon... @2 04 fodine. @1 25 iodine, Colorless_ @1 50 Hon, Clo 22 @1 56 Ming 2.0 @1 44 Myr @2 62 Nux Vomica —.. @1 80 Onium @5 40 Opium, Camp. —. @1 44 Opium, Deodorz’d @5 40 Hhubarh @1 92 Paints Lead, red dry -. 13%@14\% Lead, white dry 13%@14% Lead, white oil. 18% @14% Ochre, yellow bbl. @ 2& Ochre, yellow less 3@ 6 Red Venet'n Am. 34%@ 7 Red —. Eng. 4@ 8 Putty 5@ 8 Whiting, bor @4 Viiting 22200000. 5%@10 BE. H. P. Prep... 2 65@2 70 Rogers Prep. .. 2 55@2 70 Miscellaneous Acetanalid ____. 57@ 75 Alum 2 w@ 12 \lum. powd and round 2. 09@ 15 Bismuth, Subni- Wate ...___ ss 3 256@2 62 Borax xtal or powdered _... 05@ 13 Cantharides, po. 1 5U@2 Ou Calome, 2 |. 2 72@z 82 Capsicum, pow’d 62@ 75 Carmine ( 7 50@8 oF cassia Buds ___. SUW 3s Cigves: 40@ 56 sialk Prepared_ io lb Chloroform __. 53@_ 66 Chioral Hydrate 1 20w1 50 Cocaine =. 12 85@i3 5u Cocoa Butter _._. 60@ 90 COLKS, list, less 3U-luU to : . 40-10% Copperas 2. 03@ lu COpperas, Powd. 4@ 10 Corrosive Sublm 2 25@2 3u Cream Tartar _. 3@ 4 Cuttlie bone _____ 40@ 50 Hextrinvg 6@ 156 Dover's Powder 4 00@4 50 t:mery, All Nos. 10@ Z iimery, Powdered @ Ipsom Salts, bbls. 03% 4upsum Salts, less 3%@ lu Ergot, powdered @4 00 Flake, White ._. 15@ 20 Formaldehyde, lb. 134%@35 Geisting | 8u@ 90 Glassware, less 55% Glassware, full case 60%. Glauber Salts, bbl. @02% Glauber Salts less 04@ 10 Glue, Brown ____ 20@ 30 Glue, Brown Grd 16@ 22 Glue, White _.__ 27%@ 35 Glue, white grd. 25@ 35 Glycerine ae 19@__40 Hans 78@ 95 Otiie 20 6 45@7 00 Iodoform _..___ 8 00@8 30 vzead Acetate _. 20@ 30 faeq 2 @1 50 dace, powdered_ @1 60 Menthol _.... 8 00@9 00 Morphine __._ 13 58@14 33 Nux Vomica ___ @ 30 Nux Vomica, pow. 15@ 26 Pepper, black, pow 67@ 70 Pepper, White, pw. 75@ 85 Pitch, Burgudry. 20@ 25 Guassia, 12@ 15 Quinine, 5 oz. cans @ 69 Rochelle Saits _. 28@ 40 Sacharine ...__ 2 ar ae Salt Peter ...... 22 Seidlitz Mixture 30 40 Soap, green _.. 15@ 30 Soap mott cast _ @ 2% Soap, white Castile, Co Se 15 Soap, white Castile less, per bar __ — 60 Soe AS 10 Soda Bicarbonate 4 10 Noda, Sak (| 02% 08 Spirits Camphor @1 20 Sulphur, roll _... 3%@ _ 10 Sulphur, Subl. _. 4%4%@ 10 Tamarnds 20@ 25 Tartar Emetic _. 70@ 75 Turpentine, Ven. 50@ 175 Vanilla Ex. pure 1 50@2 Vanilla Ex. pure 2 25@2 Zinc Sulphate _. 060 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN GROCERY PRICE CURRENT These quotations are carefully corrected weekly, within six hours of mailing and are intended to be correct at time of going to press. Prices, however, are liable to change at any time, and merchants will have their orders filled at mar- ket prices at date of purchase. For price changes compare with previous issues. ADVANCED DECLINED Macaroni Lamb Spaghetti Mutton Sugar Pork AMMONIA BREAKFAST FOODS CANNED FISH Quaker, 24-12 oz. case 2 50 Kellogg’s Brands. Clam Ch’der, 10% oz. 1 _ Quaker, 12-32 oz. case 2 25 Corn Flakes, No. 136 285 Clam Ch., No. 2 ____ Bo Peep, 24, sm. case 270 Corn Flakes, No. 124 285 Clams, Steamed, No. 1 3 00 Bo Peep 12 lee. case 2 25 Corn Flakes, No. 102 200 94 No. 2% Ting —-._-. 225 Arm and Hammer 8 75 Am. Family, 100 box 6 80 oss 3 to 6 gal.. per gal __ 16 Fancy Mixed __----. 25 32 oz. Glass Picked._ 2 75 Crystal White, 100 __ 420 Argo, 48, 1 Ib. pkgs. 3 60 Palls Filberts, Sicily .-.--. 22 32 oz. Glass Thrown 2 30 Big Jack, 60s -______- ac ee 7. 4 ib oka 26% 19 at ntvaniena on Peanuts, Vir. Roasted 11% Dill Pickles Bulk SAL SODA Wale “om t00 bos 68 ane. 82 1b. PKBS. --2.97 12 at. Galvanised $78 Peanuts, Jumbo, std. 14 5 Gal, 200 2 475 ee ee ee Ee aa Ligh a 48, Is -- 11% 14 gt. Galvanized 2 00 ——. a. oe a 2) Grawulared. 60 Ibs. es. 1 35 Sap Rose. 100 : beg 85 Teer. 4001 pkes. ---- 5 85 19 at. farine Gal. Ir. 6 00 Pecans, Jumbo --..-. 40 5 Gal 4200) 2s 19 50 Granulated, 18-21% Ib. Dp Oe eee ce ea ee a 3.30 10 at. Tin Dairy 400 P , Mammoth 50 packages 129 Fairy, 100 box —_-_ ‘ 00 «Tiger, 50 Ibs, ________ 06 * —- oe. .....C)CUr.l,.lmh..DD.lrrlr @ Palm Olive, 144 box 10 50 raps . ---- 380@35 : _ ee due Lava, 100 bo __...-- 4% svAuP Moe wert Cob, 3 doz. in bx. 1 00@1 20 Cop FISH Octagon, 13¢ ____.-__ 5 00 Corn Mouse. tin & holes _ 65 Salted Peanuts : Pummo, 100 box -_-- 4 85 ae Paha Pa 1 ee : ( Rat woe? 1 00 Fancy, No. 1 ---------- 14 SENS Conn Tablets wanna anna nn 20 Sweetheart, 100 box -5 70 Blue Kary, No 1g om 3) Rat. spring —-_-- 1 00 Shelled Battle Axe, per doz. 7c ablets, % Ib. Pure 4 re Grandpa Tar, 50 sm. 210 Red Karo, No.1% _.305 } © o wae a " Pie ube. oe fon. 425 Gad aa soy, Grandpa Tar, 50 ge. 3 60 fed Taro, No 5.1 dz. 429 rare Galvanized R 75 ies oll : Whole Cod . a 11% Quaker Hardwater ted Karo, No. 10 _- 4 01° Medium Galvanized __ 7 75 COTASH ae Cocoa, 72s, box __-- 2 85 1k ‘Magie @liwes sma!l Galvanized __ § 75 Filberts “ Babbitt’s. 2 doz. --_ 2 76 Fairbank Tar, 100 bx 400 Orange. No. 1%, 2 dz, 3 50 Washboards Pecans Salted _------- 80 HERRING Trilby Soap, 100, 10c¢ 7 25 Orange, No. 5, 1 doz. 4.99 Ranner. Glohe ____ 8 50 Walnuts Manchurian _-55 FRESH MEATS Holland Herring Williams Barber Bar, 9s 50 pi oe PS 6 26 MINCE MEAT Beet Mixed, Kegs -___.___. 110 Williams Mug, per dos. 48 | Maple and Cane Tenis Crcaay Gas Mixed, half bbls. 8 75 eet 1 Se FP baieel None Such, 4 doz. --- 6 47 Top Steers & Heif. --.- 25 ce Kanuck, 5 gal. es 5 ete Peers 7 60 Quaker, 3 dos. case __ 3 50 Good St'rs & Ht 15%@23 Mixed. bbls. -_______ 16 50 ——— © see aaa Northern Queen -.___ 6 60 Libby. "Kegs wet, Ib. 22 Med. Steers & Heif. —- a Milkers, Kegs ________ 1 20 Maple miversal 0 735 : : r Com. Steers & Heif. 16@20 wikers, half bbis. _. 9 75 Michizan, per eal. . 275 49, wre Bowls OLIVES beat Milkers, bbls. ______ 18 50 Weenie Ger eel 8 ee ‘< 4 oz. Jar, Plain, doz. 135 om, 24 K K K K Norway __ 19 50 p COOKING o'L 17 in. Rutter ____.___ 18 09 10 oz. Jar, Plain, ax : a oe a. he ee 1 40 ; Kaciete 19 in Rutter ________ #5 00 Pint Sera bain’ aon. 3 25 Medium --—--—— - Cut Boneh 2 1 50 EY Pinta, 2 doz. __6.75 WRAPPING PAPER uart Jars, Plain, doz. 6 00 Boned. 10 lb. boxes __ 15 3/ ats COZ co 25 Fibre, Manila, white 05% T Gal Glass Jugs, Pla. 2 10 Lamb a : oe ees i Got Te No 1 Wie 06% 5 Gal. Kegs, er sea : - Serine amp, 2! e A snUoug ™ doz --- tf 30 Butchers He. 06 3% oz. Jar, Stuff., doz. 1 ¢ ood ~----~-------------- F Crate 0614 oc. Jar, Stuffed, doz. 235 Medium __------------- 24 Lake Herring rr TABLE SAUCES Hiatt Sete 091% 9% oz. Jar, Stuff., doz. 3.75 Poor —---.------------- 4) % bbl., 100 Ibs. ______ 6 be 1 Lea & Perrin, large__ 6 00 YEAST CAKE 1 Gal. Jugs, Stuff., dz. 2 75 qj eo eS ae te 270 Mutter... tr ee cee eet S PARIS GREEN Goode S05 14 Mackerel | UB Secret Lie = Tana Game S 2 40 cuniane ‘oa ; x Medium 1s Tubs, 60 Count, fy. fat 5 75 S-PoL = ia a 2 : Yeast Foam, 3 doz. __ 2 70 UOr: ee 11 Pails. 10 Ib. Fancy fat 1 75 A tree 4 75 Yeast Foam. 1% doz. 1 35 a A-1 email ee 3 15 YEAST—COMPRESSED o aner, OR ee 3 30 Fleischmann, per doz 30 Light hors —___._-__ White Fish Medium hogs - Med. Fancy, 100 Ib. 18 00 % can LOCALPRIDE 6 —~_ dy — PROVISIONS Shinola, doz. ___----_- " oo we ie go! Barreled Pork . ee Bel Car-Mo Brand Gold Dust, 12 Large 3 20 24 1 Ib. Tins ___------- Clear Hack. oe ee te Golden Rod, 24 ____-- 4 25 in case.. 32 do. 25 ib. pala PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. From Tank Wagon. Red Crown Gasoline -- 11 Red Crown Ethyl ------ 14 Solite Gasoline -------- 14 In tron Barrels Pestesto® ; as ie : Gas Machine Gas . Vv. M. & P. Naphtha 19.6 Short Cut Clear26 00@29 00 Dry Sait Meats D S Bellies .. 18-20@18-19 Lard Pure in tierces —----- 13 60 lb. tubs ees advance % 50 Ib, tubs _.-.advance % 20 Ib. pails ._._--advance 10 lb. pails -...advance 5 Ib. pails __.-advance 1 3 Ib. pails ...-advance 1 _Compound tierces -... 13 Compound, tubs —----- 13% STOVE POLISH Blackne, per doz. ____ Black Silk Liquid, dz. Black Silk Paste, doz. Enameline Paste, doz. Enameline Liquid, ds. E. Z. Liquid, per doz. Radium, per doz ____ Rising Sun, per doz. 654 Stove Enamel, dz. Vulcanol, No. 5, doz. Vulcanol, No. 10, doz. Stovoil, per doz. __.. 3 00 PO bet et et et et ro) a La France Laun., 4 dz. 3 60 Old Dutch Clean. 4 dz 3 40 Octagon, 968 -_---- __ 3 90 Rinse, 408 3 20 Rinso, 243 _ 5 25 Rub No More, 100, 10 Of ee Rub No More, 20 Lg. 4 00 Ca Cleanser, 48, ae Sani Flush, 1 doz. _. 2 365 Sapolio, 3 ‘doz. 3 Soapine, 100, 12 oz. Snowboy, 100, 10 oz. 4 0 Products of Van Buren Co. Canning Co. ITALIAN SPAGHETTI DINNER Local Pride Brand 12 50c Family Package 4 50 SALSA SAUCE Local Pride Brand 45 No. 1 cans 1 80 a4 No. 2 cans oo 3 15 G NG. 10 ears 0250 15 00 CHINESE, SOY SAUCE Local Pride Brand 12 $ oz Sottles _...__ 2 25 41 gal. glass ___.s- 27: «G6 CHINESE BROWN SAUCE Local Pride Brand 12 8 oz. Bottles _____ 2 25 41 ak singe 24 00 NOODLES Local Pride Brand Chow Mein Chinese 24 No. 2 cans 2 25 BEAN SPROUTS Local Pride Brand Genuine Chinese — 24 No. Z cans 8 G5 6 No. 16 cans _... 8 oc 30 Some Facts About Pioneer Editors of Grand Rapids. Old Timer, in last week to the Tradesman, suggested that some information in regard to the pioneer editors of newspapers in Grand his contribution of Rapids would be read with interest by patrons of your journal. But few edi- tors are noted in history among the men accomplished great things. Journalism has not produced a Thomas Jefferson or an Abraham who have Lincoln. It has however, produced a Benjamin Franklin and, alas, a Warren G. Harding. by the rules of the publisher of the tacts 3ut the writer is warned Tradesman, not to scatter his over too much white paper. A return to the Old therefore, in order. George W. suggestion of Timer is, Patterson, who started the first newspaper in Grand Rapids (1837), was aided in the preparation of reading matter by Simeon M. John- son, a young lawyer. He wielded an able pen. Politics and current events were the subjects of his contributions. Johnson, in later life, became ‘prom- inent in the affairs of the general gov- ernment at Washington. Patterson, failing to win success for his enterprise, sold his outfit, moved to Detroit, started the Firemen’s Journal as a weekly publication, devoted to the interests of the volunteer fire depart- ment of that city. The organization disbanded in 1862 when the municipal- ity organized a full pay department of fire quenchers. Publication of the journal was discontinued and Patterson opened a stock of old books and sta- tionary, the sale of which kept him em- ployed several years. C. H. Taylor and Jacob’ Barnes started the Grand Rapids Enquirer about 1840. Barnes was a_ practical printer and Taylor was a tailor, pos- sessed of moderate means and a fair education. Taylor was assisted in the preparation of reading matter for the Enquirer by Ezra D. Burr, a printer, and still later by Thomas’ B. Church, an able later a doctor of medicine, lawyer, Charles W. Eaton, a printer, and Haley H. The sources of limited. 3arston, a lawyer. local news were National, political and current news were the topics to which the write-s 3urr acquired the Enquirer, following the purchase of the Detroit Free Press by Taylor and Barnes in 1862, locating in that city. N. D. Titus purchased the Grand Rapids Democrat from George W. Gordon, the founder, in 1861 and 1865, that devoted their attention mainly. until matter Burr prepared for the Enquirer. M. H. Clark purchased interest in the Democrat in July, 1865, and ordered continued its publication using the same reading an Burr, who did not possess a printing outfit, to take his rag baby and leave, which he did. Burr was the father of Dr. Burr, who founded the Oak Grove Sanitarium at Flint, Mich. Clark ousted Titus in 1866. Soon after the State of Michigan was admitted to the Federal union, Clark, a printer, commenced the publication of a newspaper, the Argus, in the little hamlet that had been labeled Owosso. Clark was the first editor in the United MICHIGAN State to present General Lewis Cass to the electorate as a candidate for pres- ident of the United States. After Co- runna had been elected as the county seat of Shiawassee county, Clark mov- ed his printing outfit to that place and gave his paper another name—the Shia- wassee Democrat. Clark was chosen to fill the the county. were shackled and imprisoned in the attic of Clark’s house while awaiting office of under sheriff of Persons accused of crime Shiawassee Clark merchandise of trial or commitment. county did not possess a jail. engaged in selling various kinds quite successfully. In 1857 Clark’s printing plant was badly damaged by flames, publication of the Democrat was suspended and the sal- vaged material was sold to Geo. P. Sexton, of Grand Rapids, Clark taking a horse and cutter as part pay for the type cases, galleys and other material The ton 2 which he delivered to Sexton. taken out of its stable drive, proved to be wind broken and later, interest in horse, worthless. when Clark the Grand Rapids Democrat, he found in Eight years purchased an the printing outfit the type and cases he had sold to Sexton in 1857. Sexton little (weakly in every respect) in started a weekly newspaper Grand Rapids. Its life was very short. In 1859, Clark purchased the Omaha Times, disposed of his interests in Corunna and moved to the then capitol of the territory of Nebraska. Soon after his arrival in that city he formed a partnership with Theodore H. Rob- editor, who owned a the Nebraskian. ertson, an able weekly newspaper, Publication of the Times was suspend- ed and the Nebraskian continued. Two later Clark owner of the paper. years became the sole Clark was twice elected as a representative of Douglas the Started the first daily newspaper in the cecunty in territorial legislature. territory, sold out and in 1864 returned to Michigan and located in Grand Rap- ids. He was the principal owner of the Democrat from 1865 until 1878, when he transferred the paper to Stevens & Messmore. During his control of the Democrat he had as financial associates from time to time, Richard Birt, H. P. Churchill, John L. E. Kelly, C. Bil- lings, A. A. Stevens, Frank Godfrey and Robert Wilson. Clark the Democratic party in 1878 and joined the greenback- He had been an unsuccessful as- pirant for nomination for member of abandoned ers. Congress and expected to realize his political ambition through the favor of the new party. To advocate the cause of the greenbackers, Clark, with the assistance of C. C. Comstock, William T. Powers, Julius Houseman and oth- ers, started a daily newspaper bearing the title of Grand Rapids Enquirer. M. D. Wilbur, a recreant Republican, of Allegan, was nominated for Con- gress by the greenbackers, endorsed bi the Democrats and defeated by William D. Williams at the polls. adventure as a publisher of the Cla-k’s last En- quirer was a complete miserable fail- ure. He had as an associate an in- competent partner, Geo. E. Sweetland. Clark’s last employments in the State TRADESMAN of Michigan were at Hastings and Manistee, as an editor and manager of newspapers owned by citizens of those cities. Finally a position in the Gov- ernment printing shop at Washington was obtained through the efforts of the After four or five service, local Congressman. years spent in Government Clark, poor in purse and broken in health, was admitted to the printers’ home at Colorado Springs, where he spent the remainder of his days. Arthur Scott White. —_—_+s 2. 2—__—_ Magnitude of the Grand Traverse Cherry Crop. Traverse City, July 30—All roads leading to the nine canneries of this region are traversed by trucks loaded with cherries. The canneries are op- erated over time. Several hundred persons are engaged in picking cher- ries and more are needed. Growers are appealing for help through the col- umns of the newspapers. Three hun- dred boys, under the guidance of the Big Brothers, will arrive in Traverse City to-morrow from Grand Rapids to be transported immediately to the cherry groves to assist in. harvesting the crop. 3en LL. Taylor, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, has furnished the public with an interesting state- ment in regard to the magnitude of the cherry growing industry of this region. “According to the reports of observ- ers,” Mr. Taylor says, “there were 40,- 600,000 pounds of cherries produced in Michigan last year. If the crop is as large this vear (probably it is greater), there is enough of this luscious fruit to fill, in this State alone, 48,000,000 pies, which, placed end to end, would make a solid line stretched from Tray- erse City to New York, to Jackson- ville, to Los Angeles, via Houston and Phoenix, to Seattle and back to Trav- erse City, with left overs sufficient to supply all the pie eating contests which might be planned in Michigan during the current year.” Mr. Taylor estimates the value of the crop for the year 1929 at $2,000,000. Many thousands of trees as yet too young to bear, have been planted dur- ing the past two years, and greater crops are promised for years to come. If the Mediterranean fruit fly will con- fine its activities to Florida, the cherry growers of the Traverse region will not ask the aid of Mr. Hoover or ‘his farm board for material assistance in their efforts to gain profits from the soil of Northwestern Michigan. Seemingly the farmers, the villagers and the residents of the cities of Mich- igan are obsessed with the idea that fortunes await those who engage in the business of furnishing lodgings and food to tourists while traveling through the rural districts and also in many streets of the cities and also villages, signs may be seen near the entrances to private homes advertising rooms to rent and food to be sold. Many of such accommodations are purchased by the travelers nightly, and it would seem that such competition would af- fect the business of the hotel keepers. The writer of this paragraph has been advised by several landlords of this city, however, that such is not the case; that the volume of their patron- ave is larger than in past. years. Among the residents of certain neigh- borhoods rivalry prevails, and much ill feeling, if not actual hatred, has been developed, as the following inci- dent shows: A lady whose home is lo- cated on East Front street opened her rooms for the occupancy of tourists three years ago. At the close of the season she boasted to neighbors that she had cleared $800 as the result of her foresight. On the opening of the resort season the following year, she was confronted with the rivalry of ten July 31, 1929 or fifteen neighbors. Jealousy, hatred, backbiting and slander prevails in the neighborhood. The social amenities which once prevailed have been dis- dupted. Greed for gold is not, by any means, confined to Wall street. A wealthy lady of this city who had patronized a certain dealer in foods many years and had always paid cash for the goods she purchased asked for an accommodation for a day or two on an article she desired. She did not have the 30 cents needed to pay for the article in her purse that day. “Well, you see,” the dealer began dubiously, “I speak seven languages.” “You need not speak but one to answer my request,’ the lady inter- rupted. The dealer delayed making a reply and the lady dashed out of the store, never to return. Another lady purchased a box of hose from a merchant. The sales girl who waited upon the lady had _ said, “These goods are guaranteed. If thev do not wear well, bring them in and we will supply you with other stock, free of charge.” A few weeks later, the hosiery, hav- ing failed to sustain the guarantee of the maker, the lady returned with the goods to the store of the merchant, who met her at the entrance. She pointed out the faults of the hosiery and asked for an exchange. “Those are not our goods,” the mer- chant declared. “We have never car- ried this line in stock. You must have purchased them at another ¢‘-re,” he continued. At that moment the sales girl who had sold the hosiery to the lady ap- peared and remarked: “You are mis- taken. I| sold the goods to this lady. They are marked guaranteed and she is entitled to an exchange.” The reader can imagine what oc- curred after the lady left the store with ithe object of her call. Mrs. Lowry, wife of a farmer living near Williamsburg, in addition to per- forming multitudinous duties in the home, is a brooder of chickens and tur- keys. Long years of experience with the occupants of the barnyard and the coop has taught her that the hen is more reliable as an incubator than a turkey. So she employs hens to sit on turkey eggs, for which she pavs 50 cents each, and usually has a fine col- lection of gallineceans to sell to gour- mands when Thanksgiving day ap- proaches. Four weeks’ time is needed to hatch the eggs of turkeys, three weeks for hens. Hens care for their young much better than turkeys do. The turk is an independent bird. He or she will not scratch the ground and search for food for their offsprings as the hens do. Turkeys wander away from the farm to find entertainment in fields of grain, woodlands or swamps and when night appears, the limb of a tree, the top rail of a fence, the ridge of a barn furnishes a roosting place for them. The hen is more domestic. She cares for young turkeys conscientious- ly, while their parents, so to write, would unconcernedly let them starve. Clarence L. Greilick, President of the Greilick Manufacturing Co., drove to his cabin on Lake Leelanau on Fri- day last and spent the day in his boat while fishing. On Saturdav his life- less body was found on the floor of his boat house. Mr. Greilick had been a sufferer from a weakened heart dur- ing the past two vears. The deceased had been active in the business, social and civic life of Traverse City. His loss is ‘keenly felt. His age was 62. The Northern Creamery Co. is about to onen a branch in Alpena. It will be under the management of Lyle Kilmer, a man with years of experience in the dairy trade, Arthur Scott White. aesecaniataatn e ss July 31, 1929 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 31 Credit Not Always the Cause of Failure. (Continued from page 20) At this time last summer my boat was at Courtland, some twenty miles South of Sacramento, and I traded ex- clusively at Miller & Jackson’s; old- line, full service, credit-delivery gro- cers. I went there because I could get what I wanted, reliable goods. Dur- ing the winter my boat was transported from Sacramento Bay to the Potomac River. Before leaving Washington on this summer’s cruise, we stocked up at the store of Magruder Brothers, one of the older, well established, high grade gro- cers of the District of Columbia. Prices were not noticeably low, but we were not seeking low prices. We sought goods and assortment and we got ‘e:it both. In the hamlet of Solomon’s Island, Maryland, we looked up the best gro- We did not ask prices. We did ask for excellent foods and we got high grade goods and service. ‘Now we lie in the harbor of Catskill- on-Hudson, and we go to Smith’s & VanLoan’s. acceptable service. cer, We want good goods and We get these from merchants who have behind them a history of thirty years’ service to this community. If strangers seek the best, residents also want that character of goods and service. The grocer who hews to the line closely is no more in danger now than he was in 1889. We have vestors. Nation of in- Folks of the type to whom a bond was a mystery, to whom stocks were conundrums, now quite common- ly own such evidences of investment. This condition is good and bad. It is good as concerns those who taken pains to learn what tangibles, reputation, performance and results lie back of the paper for which they pay their money. It is bad and dangerous for those who hear of easy earnings and plunge into buying with- out such investigation. Nothing can be healthier for a peo- ple than that investments should be diversified become a have which are sound, well managed, productive of solid earnings which are equitably apportioned serves among enterprises between increasing re- and dividends. Such true in- vestment enables us to get a legitimate share of the prosperity now so gen- eral. It is also a measure of insurance under such prosperity. It is an anchor to windward, security on which we can draw in emergency, business and family income assurance. It enables us to use our accumulated earnings— meaning our own self-denying—where both we and those to whom we ad- vance our funds benefit; which benefit, in turn, operates for the general good. The danger arises from such condi- tions that many plunge into what they think are investments fact, plain gambles, often with the other fellow manipulating loaded dice. I write this immediately after the receipt of a letter which offers “com- plete analysis of an investment stock which we believe is due for further sub- stantial gain. We especially recom- mend the convertible preferred, prior which are, in to the contemplated split up and list- ing. 1927 were over 16 per cent., and for the first six months of 1928 the com- pany increased its cent. over the corresponding period of 1927. keeping with ad- vanced methods of established finan- cial houses in extending their invest- The earnings on the common in business 149 per ‘his 18 (in ment services to prospective investors. We believe wilt find it valuable.” My impulse was to drop that in the waste basket; but then I noted the signature of a fine house; so I shall ask for full information, then you very submit it to my banker—then probably not invest at this matters sometimes costs earnings; but usually it is best not to act hastily, even when everything looks all right. A favorite recipe for success on the part of those time. Delay in such made good with their own investments is: “Never try to buy at the bottom nor sell a the top.” who have It also takes experience to judge and discriminate between investments and gambles, and experience comes with time taken for study or with regrets for hasty action. Plain money is a pretty good thing to have, so do not jeopardize it by being hasty in its dis- position. Paul Findlay. Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court. Grand Rapids, July 17—In the matter of George E. F. Vennard and Edward T. Vennard, individually and as copartners under the name of Vennard’s Pharmacy, Bankrupt No. 3617. The final meeting of creditors has been called for Aug. 2. The trustee’s final report will be approved at such meeting. There will be no divi- dend for credisors. In the maiter of John M. Schleicher, Bankrupt No. 3603. The final meeting of creditors has been called for Aug. 2. The trustee’s final report will be approved at such meeting. There will be a first and final dividend for creditors. In the matter of Milarch Tire & Battery Co., formerly the Milarch-Olsen Tire Store. Arthur J. Milarch and Arnold Milarch, copartners, Bankrupt No. 3575. The final meeting of creditors has been called for Aug. 2. The trustee's final re- port will be approved at such. meetting. There probably will be a first and final dividend for creditors. In the matter of Claud FE. Drake, Bank- rupt No. 3543. The final meeting of cred- itors has been called for Aug. 2. The trustee’s final report will be approved at such meeting. There wiil be first and final dividend for creditors. July 17. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Tony Shioub, Bankrupt No. 3853. The matter has been referred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bankruptcy. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupaion is that of a factory worker. The schedule shows as- sets of $250 of which the ful! amount is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $1,085.65. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meeting of creditors will be called and note of same made herein. July 18. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of C. Lawrence Paul, Bank- rupt No. 3854. The matter has been re- ferred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bankruptey. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupation is that of a laborer. The schedule shows assets of $5,455 of which $250 is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $34,265.55. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same, the first meeting of creditors will be called, note of which will be made herein. July 18. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Milo Heath, Bankrupt No. 3855. The matter has been referred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bankruptcy. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupation is that of a saw operator. The schedule shows assets of $175 of which $175 is claimed as ex- empt. with liabilities of $1,202.22. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same, the first meeting of cred- tors will be called, note ot which will be made herein. In the matter of Floyd M. Bement, Bankrupt No. 3846. The funds have been received and the first meeting of creditors has been called for Aug. 5. In the matter of Marinus J. Brand, Bankrupt No. 3841. The funds have been rece ved and the first meeting has been ealled for Aug. 5. In the matter of Kenneth F. Tubbs, Bankrupt No. : The funds have heen received and the first meeting has been ealled for Aug. 5. In the matter of Forest L. Wilson, Edward Lee Wilson and William F. Wil- son, individually and as copartners, doing business under the firm name of Wilson & Son, Bankrupt No. 3840. The funds have been received and the first meeting of ereditors has been called for Aug. 5. In the matter of William Bradley, Bankrurt No. 3849. The funds have been received and the first meeting has been called for Aug. 5. In the matter of Robert G. Thompson, Bankrupt No. 8344. The funds have been received the first meeting has been called for Aug. 5. In the matter of Clarence Finstrom, individually and as Finstrom Brothers, and also as Finstrom Motor Sales, Bank- rupt No. 3845. The funds have been re- ceived and the first meeting of ereditors has been called for Aug. 6. In the matter of Alpheus W. Triggs. 3ankrupt No. 3848. The funds have been received and the first meeting of cred- itors has been called for Aug. 6. In the matter of Charles F. Riede and Fred T. Brockhaus, individually and as copartners doing business as the Tonia faking Co., Bankrupt No. 3839. The funds have been received and the first meeting of creditors has been called to be held on Aug. 6. In the matter of Fred A. Towner, Bankrupt No. 3842. The funds have been rece'ved and the first meeting of cred- itors has been called for Aug. 6. In the matter of Georme W. Fox, Bankrupt No. 3851. The funds have been received and the first meetting has been called for Aug. 6. July 19. On this day was held the first meeting of creditors in the matter of Lee J. Dornan, Bankrupt No. 3832. The bankrupt was present in person and rep- resented by attorney Fred C. Cogshall. No creditors were present or represented. No claims were proved and allowed. No trustee was appointed. The bankrupt was sworn and examined without a re- porter. The first meeting then adjourned without date, and the case has been clos- ed and returned to the disrict court, as a case without assets. July. 19. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Jacob P. Schrier, Bank- rupt No. 3856. The matter has been re- ferred to Charles B. Blair as referee in bankruptey. The bankrupt is a resident of Kalamazoo, and his occupation is that of a laborer. The schedule shows assets of $955 of which $155 is claimed as ex- empt, with liabilities of $1,900.18. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same, the first meeting of creditors will be called, note of which will be made herein. July 19. On this day was held the first meet ng of creditors in the matter of Jerry Knapper, doing business as Knap- per Heating & Ventilating Co., Bankrupt No. 3828. The bankrupt was present in person. but not represented by attorney. Creditors were represented by attorneys Jackson, Fitzgerald & Dalm. Claims were filed only. The bankrupt was sworn and examined, without a_ reporter. No trustee was appointed for the present. The first meeting then adjourned to July 30. On this day also was held the first meeting of creditors in the matter of George A. Jackson, doing business as Hastings Upholstering Co., Bankrupt No. 3831. The bankrupt was present in per- son and represented by attorney W. G. Baur. Claims were proved and allowed, The bankrupt was sworn and examined, without a reporter. Shirley C. De Groot, of Grand Rapids, was appointed trustee, and his bond placed at the sum of $1,000. The first meeting then adjourned without date. On th’s day also was held the first meeting of creditors in the matter of Herman Knoop. Bakrupt No. 3837. The bankrupt was present in person and rep- resented by attorneys Hilding, Hilding & Tubbs. Creditors were represented by Boltwood & toltwood; Wicks, Fuller & Starr; L. N. Atwater; G. R. Credit Men’s Association and C. W. Moore. Claims were proved and allowed. The bankrupt was sworn and examined with a reporter present. The test'mony was. ordered transcribed and filed. Edward De Groot, of Grand Rapids, was elected trustee, and his bond placed at $7,500. The first meet- ing then adjourned without date. On this day also was held the first meeting of creditors in the matter of Karney E. Van Nortwick, Bankrupt No. 3811. The bankrupt was present in per- son. No creditors were present or rep- resented. Gne claim was proved and al- lowed. No trustee was appointed. The bankrupt was sworn and examined with- out a reporter. The first meeting then adjourned without date, and the case has been closed and returned to the district court as a case without assets. >>> Become obsessed with “getting even” ei and you won't get ahead. >.> Weak knees come from a weak head. A Little Personal Shouting. A big fine specimen of the Negro black and 6-feet tall, was back against a tree whittling a stick at the Face, Very once noticed by an elder with edge of the meeting grounds. The big fellow seemed to have no idea of attending. “Say, young man,” said the elder, camp Mission was in session, but the “is you a believer? “No,” answered the youth in a deep voice. “Has you got religion?” “No,” said the youth. “Den what for did you cum to camp meetin’ ?” “T cum here for to hug and kiss de ’ girls and sing bass.’ Do You Wish To Sell Out! CASH FOR YOUR STOCK, Fixtures or Plants of every description. ABE DEMBINSKY Auctioneer and Liquidator 734 So. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, Mich. Phone Federal 1944. EA Business Wants Department Advertisements inserted under this head for five cents a word the first insertion and four cents a word fer each subse- quent continuous insertion. {f set Ir capital letters, double price. No charge tess 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. Zor Sale—Meat market in Battle Creek, now doing GOOD business. Mechanically equipped, ineludine e trical refrigera- tion. Reason for sellin death of owner. Address No. 122, c/o Michigan Trades man. ae For Sale—-Hardware stock and fixtures, clean store and clean stock. Located in nice build'ng very reasonrble. rent. Write for particulars. Address No. 123, e/o Michigan Tradesman. 125 FOR SALIE—General stock, consisting of groceries; dry goods; ladies’, children’s, and men’s soe ladies’ and gent’s fur- nishings; men’s caps; flour; feed; hay. Complete stock of general merchandise as should be carried in a farming commun- itv. Stock will inventory about $15,000. Will sell stock and rent building or sell real estate, whichever the purchaser pre- fers. Have Cone business here for thirty- one vears. "s good will goes with the business. E. E. Kobe, Scottville, Mich. 124 FOR SALE—Grocery and market, locat- ed in city of 4,500 population. Selling for other business reasons, Address No. 125 c/o Michigan Tradesman. 25 For Sale--Store and stock six north of Merrill, Michigan. MeGowan, Proprietor, R. 3, 125 miles Write Wm. Merrill, Mich. oa ae ee a 126 FOR SALE—Clean stock of men's and boys’ clothing. shoes, and _ furnishings. Would consider trade for farm. W. H Parry, Vassar, Mich. 120 FOR SALE — DRY GOODS STOCK $6,500. STORE room 20x125 feet. Estab- lished 72 years. Want to retire. Wil lease or sell building. WINTER & CO. Eiamrton. GMO, 0 For Sale — Solid oak tables, desks chairs and other office equipment. Used only a few months in office of a local broker. Cheap for cash. On display at our office. Tradesman Company. CASH FOR MERCHANDISE Will Buy Stocks or Parts of Stocks oj Merchandise, of Groceries, Dry Goods. Shoes, Rubbers. Furniture, etc. N. D. GOVER. Mt. Pleasant, Mich. I OFFER CASH! For Retail Stores—Stocks— Leases—all or Part. Telegraph—-Write—Telephone L. LEVINSOHN Saginaw,. Mich. BD) eh ark Established 1909 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN July 31, 1929 32 Late News From the Michigan Metropolis. Milton M. Alexander, advertising counsel, with offices at 343 John R street, speaking before the Hamtramck Rotary Club at a noon day luncheon, last week, urged independent firms to co-operate and concentrate on the par- ticular problems affecting the retail business. Independent merchants, he declared, should not worry about farm relief but should concern themselves with relief through co-operative sys- tems with centralized buying and mer- chandising bureaus before they are put out of business by department and chain stores. R. B. Ailing Co., 4490 Cass avenue, Michigan distributors of Copeland elec- tric refrigeration products, has been completely reorganized, following pur- chase of the interests of the late R. B. Alling. Gerald S. Bataille, in the electric refrigeration ‘industry since 1915, is president; Fred M. Hancock, formerly with Copeland Products, Inc., vice president; Adrienne E. Bataille, secretary-treasurer, and Arthur M. Davison, Flint, banker; Matthew Da- vison, Flint auto dealer; George Reid, Detroit broker, and Robert M. Brown- son, Detroit attorney, new directors. New managers have been placed in charge of all sales divisions. In the last thirty days new agencies have been opened in the seven largest cities in Michigan outside of Detroit. Announcement was made a few days ago of the appointment of S. J. Scal- len to the staff of the business exten- sion department of the Union Trust Co. Mr. Scallen is a native Detroiter. Before his affiliationt with the Union Trust Co. he was assistant treasurer and auditor of the Conductors’ Pro- tective Assurance Co. for some years, and was a salesman for Backus-For- don Co., investment bankers. Following the complete remodeling of the building at 142 E. Jefferson avenue, damaged by an explosion in adjoining buildings, several months ago, the I. Shetzer Co., wholesale hos- iery and dealers, have moved from their temporary quar- ters and again occupy their former home. In addition three floors in the building at 138 E. Jefferson have been leased by the firm and will be used as stock rooms to care for the increasing business. According to I. Shetzer, plans for an expansion program have been formulated and the territory serv- ed by his company will be enlarged and “covered by additional salesmen. Representing the General Motors Corporation, which recently acquired a 40 per cent. interest in Fokker Air- craft Corporation, Fred J. Fisher, C. F. Kettering and C. E. Wilson have been elected to the board of directors of Fokker. : Wednesday will be play day for the grocers and meat dealers of Detroit. The Detroit Grocers Association will men’s furnishings give its annual excursion to Tashmoo park where a regular program of events has been scheduled and prizes approx- imating several thousand dollars will be awarded. The Detroit Retail Meat Dealers will on the same day hie them- selves to Put-in-Bay holding their eighteenth annual excursion. A lively program has been arranged by the entertaining committee. The grand prize will be a prime steer donated by the Sullivan Packing Co. According to officials of the Amer- ican Show Case Co., with plants in Detroit and Muskegon, construction work will start Monday on the rebuild- ing of the Adrian plant, which was destroyed by fire on April 4. As soon as the engine room and power plant are completed production will be start- ed in a large three-story building which was saved from destruction at the time of the fire. About 20,000 square feet of floor space is available in this build- ing. When the plant is completed a larger force of men will be employed than before the plant was destroyed. Funeral services for Morris Rosen, 50 years old, proprietor of the People’s Paint So. and a resident of Detroit for eighteen years, will be held on Wednesday from his late residence, 2049 Virginia Park. Rosen died early Tuesday in Harper hospital after an illness of two weeks. Born in Russia, Rosen came to this country more than a quarter of a century ago. Besides his widow, he is survived by six chil- dren, Nathan, Ralph, Sam, Ruth, Bessie and Freda Rosen. Thomas Neal, president of the Equit- able Trust Co., of Detroit, with offices in the First National building, an- nounces the appointment of Alexander H. Foster as a vice-president of the company. Mr. Foster, who joined the Equitable Trust Co in January, has had charge of the trust estates and business extension departments. He has been identified with all phases of trust company practice during the last fourteen years. At least 700 members of the Amer- ican Hotel Men’s Association will come to Detroit September 26, 27 and 28 for the organization’s annual con- Representatives of the Mich- igan Hotel Men’s Association, who are chairmen of committees having the convention in charge, held a meeting at the Hotel Statler Wednesday. H. William Klare, managing director of the hotel, who was luncheon host, pre- sided. In attendance were Thorvald Aagaard, of the Battle Creek Sani- tarium; J. E. Frawley, of the Fort Shelby Hotel; A. E. Hamilton, of the Fort Wayne Hotel; William J. Chit- tenden, of the Detroit-Leland Hotel; Ward B. James, of the Tuller Hotel; Preston Norton, of the Norton Hotel; W. L. McManus, of the Cushman House, Petoskey; Ernest H. Piper, of the Madison-Lenox Hotels. Charles J. Showers, advertising coun- sel and prominent among members of the Adcraft Club and Detroit Board of Commerce, has joined the staff of the Saturday Night Press, Inc., who has moved into its new building on East Jefferson avenue. Mr. Showers has been active in the development of ad- vertising and merchandising programs in this city and his wealth of experi- ence will be a big asset to the Saturday Night Press organization. According to Samuel Broder who heads the exclusive wholesale hosiery firm of Broder Brothers, 218 Jefferson vention. avenue, West, a careful analysis of the hosiery markets and retail centers in- dicate a return to simplicity of hos- iery quality and colors for fall. The sun tan idea in color will not predom- inate, he said, but the various tan shades will be chosen for their har- mony with women’s garments rather than for the appearance of tan they lend the legs. Beiges, stated Mr. Bro- der, will be among the important shades known. A spectacular fire, following a series of rapid explosions, lighted up the en- tire southeast section of Detroit when ‘seventy drums of paint and varnish were ignited in a storage yard at the rear of the Berry Bros., Inc., factory Friday. The fire occurred across an at Leib and Wight streets at 1:30 a. m. alley from a used?car lot owned by the O’Donnell-Waldner Co. Ten automo- biles in the lot were destroyed by the shower of falling metal and flaming oil. Leonard F. Wyman, former secre- tary and treasurer of the Stecker Elec- tric Machine Co., died suddenly of heart attack at his home at 65 Colorado avenue, Highland Park, Thursday eve- ning. Mr. Wyman retired from the Stecker company in 1920, and since has been engaged in the real estate business, with offices in the Hammond building... He was a member of the Corinthian Lodge of Masons, the King Cyrus Chapter, Michigan Sovereign Consistory, and Detroit Commandery. He also belonged to the D. A. C. and the Detroit Golf Club. Funeral ser- vices were held on Monday from the Crosby undertaking establishment. James M. Golding. —_——_2. 2 __ Buying Wholesale Through the In- fluence of Pull. Did you ever hear of someone being able to buy merchandise at wholesale through some friend of his who hap- pened to be in position to do him the “personal® favor?” This is a point which I believe in- volves a principle. Let us analyze ‘it. Legitimate profit is the tax which business assesses for the maintenance of business administration and opera- tion. Profit is to the structure of busi- ness what tax is to the maintenance of government. If I, being a friend of someone at the city hall who has the influence or “pull” to do so, am able to have my property made exempt from all taxation, I am a tax-dodger and entitled to the accusa- tion of graft. If I, being a friend of someone who has the influence or “pull” to get some- thing wholesale for me, that purchase is made exempt from all taxation in business. Therefore I am a commer- cial tax-dodger and subject to the same classification. This raises the question for consid- eration of the merchant who likes to tell how he buys this-or-that “whole- sale.” Perhaps he is a grocer, but he can buy window curtains or bed blan- kets or tires or anything else not in his line of business, ‘wholesale.” “But,” says someone, “by the same token, the grocer should not buy his own groceries at wholesale then. He should buy them at retail, or he is a tax-dodger, just as a city employe who would seek exemption on his property.” The answer is that the modern mer- chant, if he be a systematic business man, will charge his groceries to his personal account just that way. At any rate, is this point not worth considering. May some of us not have been boasting of a business practice which has in it less of virtue than we have led ourselves to suppose? It is hardly likely that we shall become too conscientious about such things. Per- haps it would be a good practice for us, when offered an opportunity to buy at wholesale, to ask ourselves, “What right do I have to such a con- sideration? If everyone did the same, how would it affect me?” Certainly, the code of democracy teaches us this, if it teaches anything: “T have no liberty by right which, if taken by everyone else under the same conditions, would work injury rather than good.” W. H. Caslow. —_2++___ Chains Make Poor Showing in Gov- ernment Survey. The United States Bureau of For- eign and Domestic Commerce has con- ducted an exhaustive study of inde- pendent and chain stores in nine ci- ties — Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago. Denver, Kansas City, Providence, San Francisco, Seattle and Syracuse. In the drug line the compliation is as follows: Number independents ~-___-____ 88.3 Number chains, 225000 oo 11.7 Sales independents ~-___________ 69.9 Sales Chains 2220s 30.1 Inventory independents _.--____ 76.5 Inventory Chains 2200000 23.5 Employes independents -________ 66.7 Prmployes chains 29-60 33.3 Wages independents ~__________ 65.1 Wases chains 20020 33.3 In the general stores the compila- tion is as follows: Number independents __________ 85.1 Number chains). 22). 14.6 Sales independents ____.________ 71.4 Sales chains 29400 28.6 Inventory independents ~_-_--_____ 80.. Inventory chains = 19.8 Employes independents ~_______- 80.7 Employes chains 2.0 8. 19.3 Wages independents ___________ 70.5 Wages chains 2-020 29.4 So far as these nine cities are con- cerned, the chains do not cut the figure that might be expected, considering the boastful statements made by the chains —assertions which do not appear to be borne out by the facts. —_++<___ Adopting Merchandise Reviews. Merchandise reviews, or analyses of the “health” of a retail selling depart- ment are now being conducted regular- ly in a number of stores, according t> the Merchandise Managers’ Group cf the National Retail Dry Goods As- sociation. At the reviews every fac- tor influencing the net profit figure of . the department is thoroughly analyzed. Included are purchases, stocks and sales and service policies and their ef- fects. The belief was expressed that these reviews will soon be recognized as a necessary and essential instrument of sound merchandising. EES Ss - iat Are You Mistaken? Some people think that because a Trust Company is large enough to amply protect their estate and is an experienced executor, having in its employ many men who are specialists in their line, that it charges more for its services than an individual executor or trustee. As a matter of fact, the fees of a corporate executor and an individual executor are governed by the same . law and are the same; in many cases the expense of the corporate executor is actually less. GRAND RAPIDS TRUST CO. Grand Rapids, Michigan STRENGTH ECONOMY THE MILL MUTUALS Lansing AGENCY Michigan Representing the MICHIGAN MILLERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY (MICHIGANS LARGEST MUTUAL) AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES Combined Assets of Group $45,267,808.24 20% to 40% Savings Made Since Organization FIRE INSURANCE— ALL BRANCHES Tornado — Automobile — Plate Glass ne ‘WoRDEN GROCER COMPANY The Prompt Shippers You Can Be Sure Of QUAKER Evaporated Milk It Is Reliable WORDEN (GROCER COMPANY Wholesalers for Sixty Years OTTAWA AT WESTON - GRAND RAPIDS THE MICHIGAN TRUST COMPANY, Receiver. What to serve for summer refreshments? Iced coffee* and dainty English style Beech-Nut Biscuits make a perfect combination. Chocolate Wafers—Scot Cakes— Butter Sweets, an interesting variety. Your customers will appreciate the known excellence of these Beech-Nut foods. Feature and display this combination as a special for summer entertaining and you will be assured continued sales during this season of the year. *Note: The best iced coffee is made by pouring strong, freshly-made coffee into tall glasses partly filled with cracked ice, adding more ice if necessary to chill thorough- ly. Top with whipped cream and serve with powdered sugar. Beech-Nut FOODS OF FINEST FLAVOR MICHIGAN TRADESMAN July 31, 1929 % Vsa va 32 Late News From the Michigan Metropolis. Milton M. Alexander, advertising counsel, with offices at 343 John R street, speaking before the Hamtramck Rotary Club at a noon day luncheon, last week, urged independent firms to co-operate and concentrate on the par- ticular problems affecting the retail business. Independent merchants, he declared, should not worry about farm relief but should concern themselves with relief through co-operative sys- tems with centralized buying and mer- chandising bureaus before they are put out of business by department and chain stores. R. B. Ailing Co., 4490 Cass avenue, Michigan distributors of Copeland elec- tric refrigeration products, has been completely reorganized, following pur- chase of the interests of the late R. B. Alling. Gerald S. Bataille, in the electric refrigeration industry since 1915, is president; Fred M. Hancock, formerly with Copeland Products, Inc., vice president; Adrienne E. Bataille, secretary-treasurer, and Arthur M. Davison, Flint, banker; Matthew Da- vison, Flint auto dealer; George Reid, Detroit broker, and Robert M. Brown- son, Detroit attorney, new directors. New managers have been placed in charge of all sales divisions. In the last thirty days new agencies have been opened in the seven largest cities in Michigan outside of Detroit. Announcement was made a few days ago of the appointment of S. J. Scal- len to the staff of the business exten- sion department of the Union Trust Co. Mr. Scallen is a native Detroiter. Before his affiliationt with the Union Trust Co. he was assistant treasurer and auditor of the Conductors’ Pro- tective Assurance Co. for some years, and was a salesman for Backus-For- don Co., investment bankers. Following the complete remodeling of the building at 142 E. Jefferson avenue, damaged by an explosion in adjoining buildings, several months ago, the I. Shetzer Co., wholesale hos- iery and men’s furnishings dealers, have moved from their temporary quar- ters and again occupy their former home. In addition three floors in the building at 138 E. Jefferson have been leased by the firm and will be used as stock rooms to care for the increasing business. According to I. Shetzer, plans for an expansion program have been formulated and the territory serv- ed by his company will be enlarged and “covered by additional salesmen. Representing the General Motors Corporation, which recently acquired a 40 per cent. interest in Fokker Air- craft Corporation, Fred J. Fisher, C. F. Kettering and C. E. Wilson have been elected to the board of directors of Fokker. Wednesday will be play day for the grocers and meat dealers of Detroit. The Detroit Grocers Association will give its annual excursion to Tashmoo park where a regular program of events has been scheduled and prizes approx- imating several thousand dollars will be awarded. The Detroit Retail Meat Dealers will on the same day hie them- selves to Put-in-Bay holding — their eighteenth annual excursion. A lively program has been arranged by the entertaining committee. The grand prize will be a prime steer donated by the Sullivan Packing Co. According to officials of the Amer- ican Show Case Co., with plants in Detroit and Muskegon, construction work will start Monday on the rebuild- ing of the Adrian plant, which was destroyed by fire on April 4. As soon as the engine room and power plant are completed production will be start- ed in a large three-story building which was saved from destruction at the time of the fire. About 20,000 square feet of floor space is available in this build- ing. When the plant is completed a larger force of men will be employed than before the plant was destroyed. Funeral services for Morris Rosen, 50 years old, proprietor of the People’s Paint So. and a resident of Detroit for eighteen years, will be held on Wednesday from his late residence, 2049 Virginia Park. Rosen died early Tuesday in Harper hospital after an illness of two weeks. Born in Russia, Rosen came to this country more than a quarter of a century ago. Besides his widow, he is survived by six chil- dren, Nathan, Ralph, Sam, Ruth, Bessie and Freda Rosen. Thomas Neal, president of the Equit- able Trust Co., of Detroit, with offices in the First National nounces the appointment of Alexander building, an- H. Foster as a vice-president of the company. Mr. Foster, who joined the Equitable Trust Co in January, has had charge of the trust estates and business extension departments. He has been identified with all phases of trust company practice during the last fourteen years. At least 700 members of the Amer- ican Hotel Men’s come to Detroit September 26, 27 and 28 for the organization’s annual con- Representatives of the Mich- igan Hotel Men’s Association, who are Association will vention. chairmen of committees having the convention in charge, held a meeting at the Hotel Statler Wednesday. H. William Klare, managing director of the hotel, who was luncheon host, pre- sided. In attendance were Thorvald Aagaard, of the Battle Creek Sani- tarium; J. E. Frawley, of the Fort Shelby Hotel; A. E. Hamilton, of the Fort Wayne Hotel; William J. Chit- tenden, of the Detroit-Leland Hotel; Ward B. James, of the Tuller Hotel; Preston Norton, of the Norton Hotel; W. L. McManus, of the Cushman House, Petoskey; Ernest H. Piper, of the Madison-Lenox Hotels. Charles J. Showers, advertising coun- sel and prominent among members of the Adcraft Club and Detroit Board of Commerce, has joined the staff of the Saturday Night Press, Inc., who has moved into its new building on East Jefferson avenue. Mr. Showers has been active in the development of ad- vertising and merchandising programs in this city and his wealth of experi- ence will be a big asset to the Saturday Night Press organization. According to Samuel Broder who heads the exclusive wholesale hosiery firm of Broder Brothers, 218 Jefferson avenue, West, a careful analysis of the hosiery markets and retail centers in- dicate a return to simplicity of hos- iery quality and colors for fall. The sun tan idea in color will not predom- inate, he said, but the various tan shades will be chosen for their har- mony with women’s garments rather than for the appearance of tan they lend the legs. Beiges, stated Mr. Bro- der, will be among the important shades known. A spectacular fire, following a series of rapid explosions, lighted up the en- tire southeast section of Detroit when ‘seventy drums of paint and varnish were ignited in a storage yard at the rear of the Berry Bros., Inc., factory Friday. The fire occurred across an at Leib and Wight streets at 1:30 a. m. alley from a used?car lot owned by the O’Donnell-Waldner Co. Ten automo- biles in the lot were destroyed by the shower of falling metal and flaming oil. Leonard F. Wyman, former secre- tary and treasurer of the Stecker Elec- tric Machine Co., died suddenly of heart attack at his home at 65 Colorado avenue, Highland Park, Thursday eve- ning. Mr. Wyman retired from the Stecker company in 1920, and_ since has been engaged in the real estate business, with offices in the Hammond building... He was a member of the Corinthian Lodge of Masons, the King Cyrus Chapter, Consistory, and Detroit Commandery. He also belonged to the D. A. C. and the Detroit Golf Club. Funeral ser- vices were held on Monday from the Crosby undertaking establishment. James M. Golding. —__»-+_ Buying Wholesale Through the In- fluence of Pull. Did you ever hear of someone being able to buy merchandise at wholesale through some friend of his who hap- pened to be in position to do him the “personal’ favor?” This is a point which I believe in- volves a principle. Let us analyze it. Legitimate profit is the tax which business assesses for the maintenance of business administration and opera- tion. Profit is to the structure of busi- ness what tax is to the maintenance of government. If I, being a friend of someone at the city hall who has the influence or “pull” to do so, am able to have my property Michigan Sovereign made exempt from all taxation, I am a tax-dodger and entitled to the accusa- tion of graft. If I, being a friend of someone who has the influence or “pull” to get some- thing wholesale for me, that purchase is made exempt from all taxation in business. Therefore I am a commer- cial tax-dodger and subject to the same classification. This raises the question for consid- eration of the merchant who likes to tell how he buys this-or-that “whole- sale.” Perhaps he is a grocer, but he can buy window curtains or bed blan- kets or tires or anything else not in his line of business, “wholesale.” “But,” says someone, “by the same token, the grocer should not buy his own groceries at wholesale then. He should buy them at retail, or he is a tax-dodger, just as a city employe who would seek exemption on his property.” The answer is that the modern mer- chant, if he be a systematic business man, will charge his groceries to his personal account just that way. At any rate, is this point not worth considering. May some of us not have been boasting of a business practice which has in it less of virtue than we have led ourselves to suppose? It is hardly likely that we shall become too Per- haps it would be a good practice for us, when offered an opportunity to buy at wholesale, to ask ourselves, conscientious about such things. “What right do I have to such a con- sideration? If everyone did the same, how would it affect me?” Certainly, the code of democracy teaches us this, if it teaches anything: “T have no liberty by right which, if taken by everyone else under the same conditions, would work injury rather than good.” W. H. Caslow. —_2>+-__ Chains Make Poor Showing in Gov- ernment Survey. The United States Bureau of For eign and Domestic Commerce has con- ducted an exhaustive study of inde- pendent and chain stores in nine ci- ties — Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago. Denver, Kansas City, Providence, San Francisco, Seattle and Syracuse. In the drug line the compliation is as follows: Number independents ~__-______ 88.3 Number chains (02008) 17 Sales independents ___-__ 69.9 malesichains 200) ne 30.1 Inventory independents ~_______ 70.5 Inventory chains 92/0000 0318 23.5 Employes independents ~-_______ 66.7 Employes chains §9 090 00 33.3 Wages independents ~__________ 65.1 Wages) chains .20 000 33.3 In the general stores the compila- tion is as follows: Number independents ~____-_____ 85.1 Number chains (00) ei 14.6 Sales independents _____________ 71.4 Sales chains =.) 0 28.6 Inventory independents ~________ 80.2 Inventory chains (228 19.8 Employes independents ____-_____ 80.7 Employes chains 2.00 19.3 Wages independents ___________ 70.0 Wages chains 02000 29.4 So far as these nine cities are con- cerned, the chains do not cut the figuri that might be expected, considering the boastful statements made by the chains —assertions which do not appear to be borne out by the facts. ——_+>-<___ Adopting Merchandise Reviews. Merchandise reviews, or analyses of the “health” of a retail selling depart- ment are now being conducted regular- ly in a number of stores, according t» the Merchandise Managers’ Group cf the National Retail Dry Goods As- sociation. At the reviews every fac- tor influencing the net profit figure of . the department is thoroughly analyzed. Included are stocks and sales and service policies and their ef- purchases, fects. The belief was expressed that these reviews will soon be recognized as a necessary and essential instrument of sound merchandising. es STRENGTH ECONOMY . 9 Are You Mistaken: THE MILL MUTUALS Some people think that because ee AGENCY Michincin Trust Company is large enough to amply protect their estate and is an experienced executor, having in its employ many men who are specialists in their line, that it charges more for its services than an individual executor or trustee. As a matter of fact, the fees of a corporate executor and an individual executor are governed by the same .law and are the same; in many cases the expense of the corporate executor Representing the MICHIGAN MILLERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY (MICHIGANS LARGEST MUTUAL) AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES is actually less. Combined Assets of Group $45,267,808.24 GR AND R APIDS TRUST CO 20% to 40% Savings Made Since Organization Grand Rapids, Michigan FIRE INSURANCE ALL BRANCHES Tornado — Automobile — Plate Glass ea asd ‘WoRDEN (GROCER COMPANY 7 | Pn Ea tide bo eh ad The Prompt Shippers You Can Be Sure Of QUAKER | 8 Evaporated Milk What to serve ie by Reliable for summer refreshments? Iced coffee* and dainty English style Beech-Nut Biscuits make a perfect combination. Chocolate Wafers—Scot Cakes— Butter Sweets, an interesting variety. Your customers will appreciate the known excellence of these Beech-Nut foods. Feature and display this combination as a special for summer entertaining and you will be assured continued sales during this season of the year. *Note: The best iced coffee is made by pouring strong, W ORDEN (GROCER ( OMPANY freshly-made coffee into tall glasses partly filled with cracked ice, adding more ice if necessary to chill thorough- Wholesalers for Sixty Years ly. Top with whipped cream and serve with powdered sugar. OTTAWA AT WESTON - GRAND RAPIDS eechr-Nul THE MICHIGAN TRUST COMPANY, Receiver. - FOODS OF FINEST FLAVOR OG OG GE OGG OG GE OG OG OG OG OG OGY OG OG OG OGG GP OG OG OGG OGY GEG GY GF GG 53 years of service to the American Investor The investment firm of E. H. Rollins & Sons was founded in 1876, during the admin- istration of President Grant, when the popula- tion of the United States was less than half what it is today. During the eventful half century of its existence, it has had an active share in the industrial growth of the nation, through the financing of innumerable enterprises. Today, as always, its service is of a two- fold nature: It provides funds for the expansion and development of public utilities and other industries contributing to the comfort and happiness of mankind, and through its inter- national organization, distributes to the in- vesting public, securities of sound character. E. H. Rollins & Sons Founded 1876 HOWE, SNOW & CO., INCORPORATED Merged 1929 GRAND RAPIDS BOSTON — NEW YORK — PHILADELPHIA — CHICAGO DENVER — SAN FRANCISCO — LOS ANGELES LONDON — PARIS — MILAN cties antistatic sth pssst iantin siesta. tien tthe: stttinn sti tlie, alpe oles gi ole se ee oe oe we we i ig secrete tems nem