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GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1931
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Number 2496
OS PLE SLE SEE TET TS TS ENTE SESE ITT TA OTS
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APPLES OF SODOM
We live amid clouds of sunshine,
In deserts of honey and gold;-
We starve in the midst of plenty,
And our hearts ever perish with cold.
We lust for the good and have not,
Our souls are cluttered with pelf;
We're martyrs of dissatisfaction,
We worship the god of self.
We search for Utopian grandeur—.
We pass it by the road.
We build us our gilded mansions;
We live the life of a toad.
We drive brother men like cattle—
We goad them with sordid wage;
We crush out their souls for our pleasure,
We mock at their impotent rage.
We're slaves of imperious Fashion—
We rail, but we bow the knee;
We'd set the pace, but—we follow;
We're bound, though we think we're free.
We thirst for some new sensation
To tickle our jaded nerves;
We've sounded the gamut of pleasure:
We've called up our last réserves.
We're caught in the grip of the must-be,
‘We sell our souls for a song—
The devil, with cynical laughter,
Has vanished amid the throng.
We worship our fetish—science,
We banish all faith and creed;
We live the life of robots,
Or creatures of baser breed.
We build us machines and engines,
We're eager to win the race;
We speed-to our goal, but whither?
Who knows, and who cares an ace?
We fly over mountains and oceans;
We talk to the ends of the earth. >
But what in the end does it come to,
. And what, when all's said, is it worth?
We think, but our thinking is childish,
We love, but our love is low-born;
We will and we do, but what of it?
To ourselves we are objects of scorn.
We've searched through the infinite spaces,
We're weary and sad with our quest;
We've sought for thegood and we've found it,
But we've always just failed of the best.
Is there naught in this world, then, but ashes?
Must we ever roll Sisyphus’ stone?
Is truth but a grim, hollow nothing?
Is life but a jest and a moan?
O heart, could you dig to the depths once,
Get down ‘neath the storm and the stress,
And attune your ear to the heart-throb
That soothes like a mother’s caress;
You'd find what your soul’s ever looked for
In the star, in the flower, in the clod—
The essence of right, truth and beauty—
The spirit of love—we call, God.
C. Burnell Olds.
OT OT Oe Oe
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Forty-eighth Year
GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1931
Number 2496
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 cents
each. Extra copies of . urrent issues, 10 cents; issues a
month or more old, 15 cents; issues a year Or more
id, 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
507 Kerr Bldg.
Chain Stores To Blame For Present
Depression.
“Chain Stores and Public Policy,”
was the subject of an address delivered
by Frank Grimes, president of the I.
G. A., at a Chain Store Round Table,
held at Charlottesville, Virginia, under
the auspices of the University of Vir-
ginia.
This meeting brought together a
very distinguished group of economists,
food executives, statesmen, and others.
Mr. Grimes, in his address, first
traced the gradual development of big
business and small business in the
United States; big business gathering
into its fold the manufacturiag, pro-
cessing, transportation, public utilities,
mining, etc., while small business em-
braced agriculture, and practically all
the functions of distributing the prod-
ucts of big business. He continued:
“So, up to comparatively a few years
ago Big Business was content to re-
main in its legitimate sphere and open-
ly aid Small Business in every possi-
ble way. Our commercial leadership
seeined to fully sense and recognize the
important place Small Business occu-
pied in our scheme of things.
“Then something happened!
“Certain factors in Big Business and
Finance, looking for new fields to con-
quer, suddenly discovered that retailing
was a nice profitable business. The
more they investigated the more cer-
tain they were that great opportunities
for profit to themselves were lying
open just for the taking.
“And then the Chain was born!
“From the time the Chain system of
retailing reached sizeable proportions
eight or nine years ago an uneasiness
began to manifest itself all over our
country—Small Business was being as-
saulted—profits began to dwindle in
our small centers—agriculture sudden-
ly found itself faced with something
that was driving down prices. Riding
on the crest of a wave of wild specula-
tion we failed to see what was going
on under the surface. It needed only
the debacle of 1929 to rip the whole
thing wide ‘open. ae
“It is not surprising that-so many
business leaders find themselves puz-
zied to account for our failure to rally
from present conditions?
“Perhaps an investigation into the
serious injury to the buying power of
these small communities may reveal
some startling facts.
“Will the ceaseless hammering down
of prices make our country prosperous?
I will leave this question to the intelli-
gent thought of this country.
“To make the alleged low prices to
the American consumer, what has the
chain found it necessary to do?
1. Ceaselessly hammer down the
prices paid the farmer.
2. Pound away at manufacturers
until they in turn have had to beat
down prices paid the farmer and
grower.
3. Establish an hourly wage rate
for store managers and clerks entirely
out of keeping with American standards
of living. /
4. Begin the absorption of manu-
facturing, thus depriving the manufac-
turer of profits and his employes of
wages.
5. Gradually do away with the ser-
vices of brokers.
6. Displace the individual whole-
saler with their own warehouses.
7. Destroy the individually owned
retail business.
8. Take the profits out of the local
community, thus sapping its very com-
mercial life blood.
“It might be very enlightening to
have figures showing just how much
unemployment has been occasioned by
the growth of the chain during the
past eight to nine years.
“Which is best for American stan-
dards? Shall a dress cost $25 and the
average women have $30 in her pocket-
book to buy it with, or shall a dress
cost $10 with only $5 in the pocket-
book? Think this over!
“Public policy is ultimately shaped
by public opinion. To-day in practical-
ly every state legislation is pending
seeking some way to protect individual
ownership of business. If the chain
system was conferring benefits upon
the public could this sentiment be so
strongly crystalized that in every part
of the land protests are becoming more
vehement each day?
“The main issue now up for solu-
tion is whether Small Business shall
disappear and Big Business take its
place.
“Shall the individual be deprived of.
the fullest opportunity to go into a-
business of his own?
“Here we are striking deeply at the
roots of our entire social and political
structure!
“Defenders of the chain system usu-
ally contend that the independent re-
tailer, because of falleged inefficiency,
should be put out of business. Then
to temper this drastic statement they
state that the smart, clever, efficient
retailer has nothing to fear from the -
chain. One need only review the hap-
penings of the past eight or nine years
to see how many splendid, efficient re-
tailers have been forced out of business,
to be convinced that such statements
are not based on fact.
“How can the independent cope with
the following situation? In certain sec-
tions of the country a chain sells one
important item at 21 cents per pound
—in another section 19 cents—and in
still another section 17 cents. Within
two weeks the location where such
prices are named will be reversed.
Where 21 cents had been named, 19
cents will now be named—still later 17
cents—and later again 21 cents.
“What is the object of such tactics
except to cleverly demoralize the inde-
pendent’s standing with the consumer?
“Reports of one very large chain or-
ganization for the year 1930 indicate its
net profit was $4,500,000 greater than
in 1929. When we consider the sharp
decline in food prices in 1930, as com-
pared with 1929, this increased profit
very properly calls for the highest com-
mendation for the management ability
of this organization. It was a remark-
able achievement. Everyone, even the
opponents of the chain system, must
admire the leadership that makes such
a showing possible.
“May I here state that as far as I
know there never has been any antag-
onism shown toward the individuals
owning and operating the big chain
system. It is the system itself that is
under fire.
“Tf my understanding is correct, the
chain which showed the $4,500,000 gain
in profit is very largely owned by a
very small group of individuals, prac-
tically none of the voting stock being
held outside of this group.
“Suppose this $4,500,000 of increased
earnings, instead of going to this small
group, had been earned by, say, 2,000
independent retailers, each one earning
$2,250 more than they did. Practically
everyone would be in the market for
a new automobile, radio, furniture, etc.
Think of the great impetus to buying
that would follow if the profits now
going to these big chains had been
retained by Small Business as was the
case up to eight or nine years ago!
“What will be the situation when
these facts sink home in the public
mind? How will public policy be af-
fected? Is there not present a grave
danger that the public may seriously
resent the invasion of the Small Busi-
ness field and become antagonistic to
all Big Business? The Big Businesses
that have been so beneficial to the en-
tire country should have the hearty
support of everyone, including Small
Business and should not be condemned
because a certain group have stepped
out of their natural province into the
Small Business field!
“The farmer is rapidly awakening to
the danger. Organized labor has been
wide awake to the situation, and now
Mrs. Housewife is making earnest en-
quiry and many now see what the de-
struction of Small Business would do
to their incomes!
“Tl firmly believe that the solution
lies in the complete unscrambling of the
chain systems back to individual own-
ership! If the chair. leaders take this
in hand, it can be done in an orderly
manner and all investments fully pro-
tected. It may take years to do the
job properly, but once it is started the
great uneasiness now prevailing can be
allayed!
“Big Business has its rightful, help-
ful place. If all work together, these
two major factors in America’s life can
be real brothers, each one helping the
other. Out of such a spirit will
emerge a prosperity, the like of which
we have never known before!
“Small business will then take the
products of Big Business and, with
proper, helpful supervision, do a job
of distribution that will surpass in ef-
ficiency and_ effectiveness anything
heretofore attempted!”
oO
Malt Tax Voiding Sought By Suit.
Michigan officials last Friday were
served with notice of a suit filed in the
Detroit Federal court to ‘have part or
all of the State malt tax declared in-
operative. Charging that the State
is clashing with Federal law by inter-
fering with inter-state commerce, Stan-
dard Brands, Inc., a Delaware corpora-
tion with a malt factory in ‘Cincinnati,
has asked for a Federal injunction.
The company claims that a tax of
five cents a pound on the 200,000
pounds of bakers’ malt it ships to
Michigan yearly is prohibitive since the
normal price of the product is from
six to seven cents a pound. The bill
of complaint points out that the malt
is used exclusively by bakers and con-
tains no hops and is not sold to malt
and hops stores.
The company claims the $100 annual
license fee charged foreign corpora-
tions as compared with a fee of $25
for Michigan firms is discriminatory.
———_>2—___
Fresh water pearl button manufac-
turers, hoping to profit by the effort
to popularize cotton dresses for Fall,
will canvass dress manufacturers with
special lines of buttons in the next
few weeks. The fresh water pearl
producers ordinarily receive only a
share of the button orders for cotton
dresses, but this year, because of the
demand for low-end goods, they have
cut into the field to a considerable ex-
tent. ‘Colored buttons as well as the
natural pearl types will be offered by
manufacturers in competition with
ocean pearl button producers,
i
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ininanver. epee
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
N. E. A. CONVENTION.
A Glimpse of This Assembly of
Educators.
During the week ending July 3, the
National Education Association held a
convention in Los Angeles, its 69th an-
nual and its third in this city. Record
breaking in numbers, in value, inspira-
tion, and enjoyment for those attend-
ing, this convention is counted the
best in the history of the N. E. A.
As a part of its contribution to the
success of this great gathering, educa-
tional Los Angeles, assisted by the
Chamber of Commerce and several of
the men’s and women’s clubs of the
city, rose to her opportunity of show-
ing the thousands of visiting school-
ma’ams and schoolmasters the time of
their lives and did herself proud. No
effort was spared, no reasonable ex-
pense was stinted.
At all the principal sessions there
was music. Abundant in quantity and
of surprising excellence in quality, this
was furnished free, mostly by choruses,
orchestras, bands and glee clubs from
the various local high schools. Sev-
eral organ recitals and at least two vo-
cal programs were given by more ex-
perienced musicians, in fact as high
talent as Los Angeles affords.
The solid work of this notable con-
ference was interspersed with break-
fasts, luncheons, teas, dinners and ban-
quets given by teachers, schools and
associations in honor of assigned
groups of visitors. There was also
much private entertaining. Relatives
and friends here made welcome their
kinsfolk and cronies from the old home
towns back East.
These guests whom we were so glad
to have with us were taken in auto-
mobiles to see the old missions, pic-
turesque reminders of the days of the
Franciscan padres and the Spanish and
Mexican regimes in California; up
mountain roads and through orange
and olive orchards and walnut groves
on lower levels; over long stretches of
boulevard connecting the many beauti-
ful towns and small cities of this re-
gion and along smooth highways front-
ing the largest ocean the sun shines
upon,
Excursion steamers carried them on
short sea voyages. Staid pedagogues
who felt a return of the youthful urge
to play hooky from school and all that
relates to it could spend a perfect day
in the superb sport of deep sea fishing.
Airplane trips of any desired length
could be taken from three or four
easily accessible airdromes. All this
without even mentioning the many
sights well worth anyone’s time and
effort to see -within the city itself.
As to all visitors who are good
enough sailors not to mind crossing
a short stretch of salt water which
sometimes becomes a bit choppy, it
is to be hoped that no one of them went
home without making a little run over
to Catalina, seeing there the great bird
farm, the wonderful velvet green golf
links, the Wrigley home and on a bus
trip catching sight of the wild goats
and taking in the many natural attrac-
tions of the island. The erection of the
St. Catherine and of other smaller but
smart hotels, and the building of the
Casino with its theater and large pa-
villion for dancing and many other
features, have made Avalon an up-to-
the-minute resort.
No one visiting Catalina should omit
the classic trip out from shore in a
small boat whose glass bottom allows
plain sight of the beautiful abalone
shells, the continuous sale of wnaich
seems never to diminiish the supply,
and of the marvellous growths of sea-
weed. Either in going over or in re-
turning, one should have the luck to
glimpse a few porpoises and maybe
some flying fish,
Perhaps the more imaginative of the
educators who took this trip, speculated
on how much larger a fortune William
Wrigley, Jr., might have made, larger
even than that evidenced by his ex-
penditures on the island, had not the
teaching profession always set its face
like a flint against youngster enjoy-
ment of his toothsome product during
school hours.
The scale on which entertainment
was provided for the N. E. A., may be
judged from the fact that the Mission
play, the great pageant-drama present-
ed during some months each year in its
own uniquely constructed and most
fittingly equipped playhouse in San
Gabriel, although it had closed its
season weeks ago, was re-enacted the
evening of July 1 at the Hollywood
Bowl, before an audience of’ 19,000.
From all the locations available, this
Bowl was chosen because it combines
an appropriate and picturesque beauty
of setting with sufficient size for ac-
commodating the great number who
would be in attendance and was also
conveniently accessible to the dele-
gates.
“The delegates,” that was the ex-
pression generally applied to those at-
tending. Many were delegates in real-
ity, some of these having seen sent by
their local associations with expenses
partially or fully paid, the delightful
and professionally stimulating trip
being a plum awarded for faithful work
in a teachers’ organization or in recog-
nition of skill and excellence as an in-
structor, or on account of personal
popularity. It is likely, however, that
most of those who had been selected
to come in a representative capacity,
as well as practically all who had not
been so designated, paid their own way.
Complete figures are not now obtain-
able, but approximately 16,700 teachers
and others engaged in education regis-
tered. One hundred and four of these
were from Michigan. It may be men-
tioned here that Sadie M. Alley, of the
Wolverine State, was elected one of
the Vice-Presidents for the ensuing
year.
Many who are not teachers and who
did not register, went at least one ses-
sion. Including these non-profession-
als, it is conservatively estimated that
about 22,000 different persons attended
one or more of the meetings.
Every session was open to every-
body. No admission was charged and
no reservations were made, the teach-
ers taking their chances with the gen-
eral public in securing seats. For so
large a gathering, it was singularly
free from accidents or untowerd cir-
cumstances of any kind.
Alas, however, that there must be
at least one fly in every ointment! The
weather man did not co-operate as he-
was expected to and several convention
days were extremely warm. Loyal
Angelenos failed not in explaining to
every guest that this was most “un-
usual,” while the local newspapers used
much front page space in showing up
the dreadful suffering and many deaths
occasioned by the long heat wave in
the Middle West, giving all visitors to
understand that any discomfort they
might experience here was as nothing
compared with what they would have
gone through at home, where the hu-
midity of the atmosphere, the high tem-
perature and the lack of the ocean
breeze, which never fails to give this
great city a refreshingly cool night— ,
all combined to make “the weather
back there just simply terrible.”
The convention headquarters was the
Shrine Civic Auditorium, which has the
largest audience room in the city, with
a main-floor-and-gallery seating ca-
pacity of 6,400, while 2,000 more can be
accommodated on the stage. In this
auditorium, with a single exception, a
session was held each forenoon, after-
noon and evening. At the same hours
morning and afternoon, there were
held, during the week, half a dozen
other large sessions at each of two
good-sized assembly halls—the Poly-
technic high school auditorium and
Bovard auditorium of the University of
Southern California.
In addition, some thirty audience
rooms (or what could be used as such)
of various sizes had been ‘secured—
these for meetings of different depart-
ments of the N. E. A. and of allied
organizations. A person engaged in
teaching the deaf would prefer to de-
vote a share of her convention time
to gaining what would aid her in her
special work and would want to attend
the two special sessions devoted to lip
reading. It was the same with a large
majority of those in attendance—each
desired to get what would help her
most in her particular field. Every one
of the thirty smaller assembly rooms
was the scene of at least one gather-
ing. In some of them three or four
meetings were held.
An idea of the amount of mental
food provided for this vast herd of
voraciously hungry intellects, may be
gotten from the fact that ninety ses-
sions and conferences were ‘outlined
in the program books, at which more
than two hundred speeches and lec-
tures were scheduled for delivery, and
this not counting many carefully pre-
pared reports and short talks. With few
exceptions, all that had been planned
was carried out.
As to the quality of the provender
so eagerly consumed, it can be said
that every speaker was someone of
distinction in his or her field; most
were men and women eminent either
in the teaching profession or in some
other line of effort. The thought and
presence and words of the latter gave
a breadth and interest and variety not
attainable had only professional in-
structors addressed the gatherings, and
also served to emphasize the necessity
that exists for the proper correlation
between the education given to youth
and the serious activities of mature
life. Celebrated writers, lecturers,
financiers, a railway president and one
governor of a State were among these
outside speakers.
The educational exhibits were an
outstanding feature of the convention
and the center of keen interest. By
means of great effort on the part of
both teachers and pupils, a showing
was made of the entire public school
system of Los Angeles, from the nur-
sery schools through junior college.
Publishers of school books, manufac-
turers of school supplies and makers
of school equipment of every
availed themselves of the opportunity
granted to display their wares and
made ehxibits well worth examination
by all wishing to keep well informed
about such goods.
kind
Most Tradesman readers are -not
teachers, so its editor very properly
would reject any lengthy account of
even one session of the N. E. A. But
every reader of this journal is vitally
interested in education, so I venture
to give an outline of the annual address
of the President of the Association, Dr.
Willis A. Sutton, Superintendent of
Scholos at Atlanta, Georgia, selecting
this not only because it shows in brief
compass the trend of the best thought
of those in the vanguard of educational
progress, but also for the reason that
his masterful handling of the difficult
and embarrassing situation that con-
fronted him just before he began speak-
ing, has a valuable lesson for every
man or woman who is selling goods
or dealing with old Human Nature in
any way.
It was the evening of June 29, the
end of a long hot crowded day, which
happened to be the day when the
Association was paying special honor
to its highly esteemed President. Not
only had he been the speaker at the
5:30 psm. life membership dinner at
the Biltmore Hotel, but, following the
meeting I am to describe, the teachers
of Los Angeles were to give him a
grand reception at the same hostelry,
with dancing afterward, all members
of the Association and their friends
being invited.
First on the program was the Los
Angeles elementary schools junior or-
chestra of 270 pieces and dcomposed of
children of from five up to fourteen or
fifteen years. They gave admirable
rendition of some eight selections.
Then came Carl E. Milliken, former-
ly a governor of Maine and now Sec-
retary of the Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors of America, Inc., New
York. The general theme of this ses-
sion was “The Enrichment of Life,”
his address being entitled “How the
Movies Enrich Life.” His address
over, a dozen or more movie stars
were introduced, several of them very
youthful celebrities. This finished, the
dispersion of the considerable part of
the audience was becoming noticeable.
After the junior orchestra had finish-
ed their seiections, the children, 270 in
number, had been leaving, together
with members of their families who
had accompanied them, and also their
sisters and their cousins and their aunts,
who had come mainly to witness the
performance of their little relatives.
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July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
3
This was all right. Children should go
to bed early. i
The movie stars went also, most of
them ‘having to be ready for work in
good season next morning. And the
portion of the audience that had been
attracted by the movie features of the
program mostly followed suit. When
things quieted down, probably the op-
ening attendance had been reduced by
1,060.
Edward A. Filene, of Boston, was
scheduled to speak next, but he was
not there. Disappointed as many were
over this failure, it was really a mercy,
for it already was past 9:30, the eve-
ning was sultry, and the Presidednt’s
address, as also the banquet and ball
followinfi were still to come.
Dr. Sutton, a middle-aged man of
genial presence, deep, smooth, melodi-
ous voice, and a slight unmistakably
Southern accent, recognized the pre-
dicament he was in, referring tactfully
to the placement of ‘his speech after
the presentation of all those cinema
stars as a most unfortunate anti-climax.
As no wise salesman will even begin
to show his wares until he has put his
prospect in a good humor, so this mas-
ter of men, before he tried to sell the
ideas he was anxious to put over, had
the saf#acity andd nerve to devote a
third or more of the precious time at
his disposal to telling funny stories, to
amuse and gain the attention of his
fagged hearers.
He spoke of his boyhood home, por-
traying his father as a devout lay Meth-
odist, greatly given to long prayers.
Indeed, his parent, at the daily family
devotions, sent up so many requests
and asked for blessings on so many
persons—=in fact, all the individuals
composing the nations of the earth—
that “if a kind Providence were dis-
posed to give attention to all of his
father’s entreaties, other people would
be safe in going to bed without saying
any prayers.”
One day an Irishman came along and
stopped over with them. When the
time came for evening devotions, he
was invited to join with the family.
Being unaware of the length of the
good householder’s petitions, he knelt
in conventional fashion with both his
knees on the hard floor. Knowing no
way to shift to an easier position, he
was suffering visibly long before the
prayers were over. Dr. Sutton and
his small sister, who had learned to
assume postures that could be main-
tained in comfort, watched the stranger
with furtive sympathy, wishing that
their father for the once would omit
“the nations” from his supplications.
The next day when time came for
prayers, Pat took off his coat, folded
it carefully and placed it on his lap
ready to slide under his knees when he
knelt down. Then he remarked, “Now,
Brother Sutton, I’ll stay with ye.” The
application was that he, Dr. Sutton,
was determined to stick to the carrying
out of the evening’s program, even
under discouraging circumstances.
Then he told the Judas Iscariot story.
Recently while riding along a country
road in Georgia, he came to a little
farmhouse with an old-fashioned open
well. A great desire came over him to
drink once more of water drawn up in
a bucket, even at the risk of a few
germs. He got out and asked this
privilege from the Negro auntie.
“Sho’ yo’ all’s welcome. Drink right
out ob de bucket: dat’s de way we alls
does.” But on his expressing a prefer-
ence for some other drinking dish, she
called her young son:
“Judas ’Scariot, yo’ go quick and
fetch this gem’man a gourd or a dip-
puh!”
Judas Iscariot!
osity was aroused.
“Tell me, Auntie, how did you ever
come to name your boy Judas Is-
cariot?”
“T’ll tell you’, Misteh,’ she began,
“When my ol’ man an’ me got married
an’ de chilluns begun to come, we
named ’em all by de Book. Oe oldest
we called Abraham, because Abraham
he done started eb’ryting. Den dar
was anoder boy, an’ den another, so
The Doctor’s curi-
we called ’um Isaac an’ Jacob. Den
next along came two little gals. We
named dese Ruth an’ Naomi. Den a
long string of boys came in reg’lar
orduh, an’ we jus‘ name ’um ’Zek’el,
Jer’miah, Dan’el, an’ Hosewh, an’ den
right troo de minor prophets to Mal-
achi,
“Den what yo’ tink happened nex’?
Cuadrooplets. My man he jus’ scratch
his haid a minit an’ he say, ‘Matthew,
Mark, Luke an’ John!’
“Nex’ a leetul gal come an’ we stud-
died an’ studdied an’ finally we saw we
couldn’t do no better dan call her
Epissul to de Romans.
“Den a leetul boy come an’ purty
soon anudder an’ we name ’um jus’
Jude an’ Rev’lation. An we wuz troo
de Book an’ we tho’t we wuz troo wid
de chilluns.
But after while dis leetul feller come
trackin’ along, an’ we jus’ couldn’t tink
ob nuthin’ to call him. A long time he
run aroun’ widout no name. But one
day I wuz readin’ in the Book ’bout
Judas ‘Scariot—how it wud ’uv been
good fur dat man if he haint nevuh
bin bawn. An’ I saw de light. Dis
boy wuz an orn’ry youngun anyway,
an’ we named him Judas ’Scariot.”
Dr. Sutton claimed that his own sit-
uation that evening was so humiliating
that ‘he felt that, like Judas Iscariot,
it would have been better if he had
never been born. By this time he had
his audience thoroughly en rapport, and
in few and simple words he pressed
home to his hearers his serious mes-
sage.
First he plead that the standards of
education and the expenditures for its
maintenance should not be lowered be-
cause of the present depression. He
spoke again of his boyhood home and
how at a time when the family finances
were distressedly straitened, his father
thought a son and a daughter older than
himself must be taken out of college.
But his mother said “No. The trou-
ble of one generation must not be al-
lowed to deprive the next generation
of its opportunity.” And the brother
and sister staid on.
He spoke feelingly of the thousands
of teachers unemployed because there
is not money to pay them, although the
need of teaching never was greater.
He also made a telling comparison be-
tween the ten billion dollars that crime
costs this country yearly, and the two
billion dollars that covers its bill for
‘education.
“The Relation of Education to Busi-
ness,” was one of the main: themes of
the convention. Dr. Sutton showed
how education fosters business. It is
only the educated who are large con-
sumers of highgrade products. The
cave men would have been poor cus-
tomers for books, radios, pianos, rugs,
automobiles, and airplanes.
Touching upon adult education- as
an outstanding field in which practical
application can be made of the idea
that education should be made to serve
the enrichment of life, Dr. Sutton
earnestly urged every teacher attending
the convention to carry home the pur-
pose, not only of doing well the par-
ticular work he or she is paid to do,
but of arousing in the community in-
terest in good literature, music, and art,
among grown-ups as well as children;
in short, of being a center of inspira-
tion and a bearer of light.
He touched briefly upon health and
physical welfare, and spoke of how
fixed with many persons, even at the
present time, is the old idea that every
physical malady is due to the chasten-
ing hand of Providence. He does not
believe it is necessary to be sick in
order to go to Heaven.
Lastly and eloquently he plead the
cause of the rural schools. Calling at-
tention to the fact that at present, dol-
lar for dollar, only half as much per
pupil is spent in the little red school-
houses as in the city schools, he in-
sisted that so far as is possible, this
wrong must be righted, and the country
boy and girl be given opportunities
equal to those offered the youth of the
cities. At another session he expressed
his belief that rural education was the
most important single subject on the
agenda of this convention.
With the idea that as many as can
should share both the honors and the
responsibilities of the organization, it
is the custom of the N. E. A. to change
its president every year. How signifi-
cant a place the betterment of the coun-
try schools now holds in the minds of
advanced educators may be known
from the fact that Miss Florence M.
Hale, of Augusta, Maine, Supervisor of
the Rural Schools of that State, was
unanimously elected president of the
N. E. A. for the coming year. Atlantic
City was chosen as the site for the next
annual convention. Ella M. Rogers.
Los Angeles, California.
——_+--+
When On Your Way, See Onaway.
Onaway, July 21—And seeing is be-
lieving. After enumerating the vari-
ous. places of interest let us look
around a bit. Investigation tells the
tale. We cannot pile such attractions
out on the main street as a merchant
does some of his wares. Just take suf-
ficient time to read the legends, then
ask questions.
I have often wondered why so
many people whom [I have met should
form an opinion that Presque Isle
county is such a bleak, cold, barren
country. As a matter of fact, it is just
the reverse. Fertility should be our
middle name, and so on up into the ad-
joining Cheboygan county. The finest
fields of alfalfa you ever saw; that re-
quires good soil, you know, and our
soil contains the lime naturally that
produces sweetness. And such live
stock which thrives on, not only al-
falfa, but natural native grasses.
But here is what I started to talk
about in the beginning. An invitation
from H. C. Hutchinson, of Afton, a
little hamlet located on a branch of
the Michigan Central Railroad, four-
ten miles West of Onaway, called my
good friends, L. B. Karr and wife and
myself to visit the Pigeon river fruit
farm, of which H.C. is the proprietor.
Now up until this time I took it for
granted that Mr. Hutchinson’s time
was chiefly occupied in conducting his
general store and postoffice, which he
really does conduct in a creditable way,
and serving quite a community with
dependable merchandise. At the same
time, in some way and with equal
skill, Mr. Hutchinson keeps under
cultivation a field of Cuthbert rasp-
berries—a ten acre field, mind you,
bearing luscious fruit of this famous
variety—long rows of thrifty, strong
bushes free from weeds, disease or
foul matter. In answer to my en-
quiries, Mr. Hutchinson tells it about
like this: “I bought this land just a
few years ago when everything was
wild up in this country, right in the
woods, so to speak: no roads of any
consequence, no clearings. +> +
Joke That Is Not a Joke.
Fred G. Holmes, manager of a drug
store in Detroit, and Holliday Saun-
ders, of 13375 Lander court, used to be
pals. But Tuesday, Saunders sat in
a cell in police headquarters wonder-
ing if there wasn’t something wrong
with Mr. Holmes’ sense of humor.
A year ago, just in fun, it was said,
he gave his friend a $6 check to cash.
It bounded back fast, police said.
Saunders walked into a drug store
in the Free Press building where Mr.
Holmes is employed. Recognition was
mutual. Saufders fled and they raced
around the building. As they passed
the entrance of the Free Press the race
was a perfect tie, Mr. Holmes’ hands
having“fastened in the collar of “his
pal.” They settled down on the side-
walk to talk it over. Mr. Holmes
using? Saunders’ chest as a_ chair.
Patrolman Howard Krohn joined
them,
“It’s all a little joke,’ Saunders ex-
plained from the sidewalk,
He was taken to headquarters where
it was found that he had committed
two other “jokes,” police said. Two
warrants accuse him of uttering and
publishing,
—___¢ 9 ___
Fall Orders Stress Reefer Muffler.
Fall orders now being placed for
men’s mufflers are putting consider-
able stress on the reefer style and this
number is expected to be an outstand-
ing item for the coming season. Both
plain and novel print effects are re-
ceiving attention from buyers, with
most favor accorded to the popular
priced ranges. Silk squares are also
seen as important numbers and, due to
sharply reduced silkprices from last
season, the values offered are con-
sidered to be greater than those of any
previous year,
—_—_+~+.—____ :
Ivan G. Moore, proprietor of Moore’s
Drug -Store, Pontiac, renews his sub-
scription to the Tradesman and says:
“I do“not’ want.to:miss one copy of
the Tradesman. I-‘look for it each
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July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
5
Essential Features of the Grocery
Staples.
Sugar — Local jobbers hold cane
granulated at 5.35c and beet granu-
lated at 5.15c.
Tea—The market has shown some
little firmness during the past week,
including Indias and Japans, Advances,
however, in his country were little, if
anything. Prices were affected only
in the primary markets. The demand
for tea in a consumptive way is good.
Prices are about steady.
‘Coffee—The market for Rio and
Santos coffee, green and in a large
way, has taken another small decline
during the past week, this referring
both to future and spot. In both cases,
however, the fluctuation is tiny. The
undertone is still heavy, with the fu-
ture uncertain. An effort has been
made to create interest in low-grade
coffee by exploiting the destruction of
this grade, which has occurred | in
Brazil, with the fact that this may
cause some scarcity. Mild coffees
show no change during the week. The
jobbing market on roasted coffee is
about unchanged. The demand _ for
coffee in general shows no _ change
from normal.
Canned Fruits—The trade has been
waiting for new prices of California
peaches, but at this writing they have
not appeared. These prices come out
under the new plan for controlling the
pack and what will happen to them
remains to be seen, They are expected
to be low.
Canned Vegetables—The only new
feature during the week was the nam-
ing of opening prices on new golden
bantam corn at 10 cents under last
year’s price. Buying, however, was
not frantic by any means. News has
come that the 1931 California aspara-
gus pack was short of last year and
this strengthened the market, but
caused very little buying. * Cheap lots
of new pack early June peas are nearly
cleaned up: There is a good general
demand. Southern tomatoes are also
doing better. It is being confirmed
every day that there is much damage
to the current pea crop, especially in
the West. l
Dried Fruits—Word from one of the
large independent packers states that
the 1931 crop is going to grade out a
very small percentage of fancy fruit
this year, and there probably will be
a smaller percentage of fancy Thomp-
sons than has been graded’ in several
years. Aftfer estimates of an unexpect-
edly large crop of prunes some few
weeks ago, it now appears that the
scorching sun has damaged a consid-
erable portion of the new California
crop, and estimates are now down
again to 180,000 tons, and some predict-
ing a yield no greater than 170,000 tons.
Dried peaches are reported as firmer,
one of the large independent packers
reporting an advance of 4c to M%c per
pound. Peaches, like apricots, experi-
enced sharp declines in prices until
recently, but appear now to have reach-
ed the turn and are getting stronger.
Brokers report trading as fair and buy-
ing has been stimulated considerably
on each advance in prices.
‘Canned Fish—The season in tinned
fish is now on, but there does not ap-
pear to be a whole lot of interest in it.
Cheaper grades of Alaska salmon are
selling very well, especially by chain
stores. Prices are unchanged for the
week, The packs of the higher grades
have been short so far and this is giv-
ing these grades some strength. New
pack sardines are arousing some in-
terest and the general Maine sardine
market is undoubtedly in better shape
than for some time. Other canned
fish ‘moderately active and unchanged.
Salt Fish—New catch mackerel and
other salt fish are expected to reach
these markets in a few weeks. Busi-
ness generally is dull, but something
is doing every day. Prices are un-
changed,
Beans and Peas—Nowhere in the
list of dried beans is the demand in
more ‘than fair and. mostly it is poor,
with values weak. Pea beans are in
rather better condition perhaps than
the balance of the list. Blackeye peas
are also weak and neglected.
Cheese—The demand for cheese is
only fair. Offerings are light and
prices about steady.
Nuts—Prices are now expected to
open at about present levels and a
rather good situation is expected be-
cause of the manner in which the old
crop supplies are cleaning up. In some
sections there are already signs of
closing out and walnut halves are said
to be finished.
Rice—Little activity has character-
ized the rice market during the past
week and prices are generally unchang-
ed. New crop. developments are
eagerly awaited and report of lack of
rains in some sections has a tendency
to firm the market on present stocks.
Sauerkraut—This item continued in
a poor position. Stocks were large
and the demand was slow. Prices re-
mained unchanged but had an easy
undertone.
Syrup and Molasses—Demand for
sugar syrup is perhaps a little better
than it has been, Sales are confined to
small lots. A routine demand is re-
ported for compound syrup, without
change in price. Molasses shows no
change and small demand,
Vinegar—Unchanged prices showed
on vinegar. Consumers were taking on
fair quantities and it was expected that
the turnover would show improvement
as the season advanced.
—_++<
Review of the Produce Market.
Apples — Transparents command
$1.85 per bu. Western apples com-
mand $2.50 for Winesaps and $2.25 for
Roman Beauties,
3ananas—4@44c per lb.
Beets—Home grown, 30c per doz.
bunches or $1 per bu.
Blackberries—$3.25 per 16 qt. crate.
Butter—Butter has had a more or
less quiet week. Offerings have been
moderate; demand fair and only one
advance of 1%c per pound is reported.
Jobbers hold 1 Ib. plain wrapped prints
at 25%c and 65 lb. tubs at 2414¢. for
extras.
Cabbage—Home grown, 60c per bu.
'Cantaloupes—Arizona stock is quot-
ed as follows:
Standards: 499 2h $3.25
Jumba): 36s. 22 es B25
Jumos 3459) oo eee U5 350
Jumbo flats: 222008) 80s ona 56
Carrots—35c per doz. bunches,
‘Cauliflower—$1.50 for box contain-
ing 6@9.
‘Celery—Home grown,
cording to size.
‘Cherries—Sour, $1.50@1.75
qt. crate; Sweet, $2 ditto.
Cocoanuts—80c per doz. or $6 per
bag.
‘Cucumbers—No. 1 hot ‘house, 75c
per doz. basket; outdoor grown from
the South $1.50 per bu.
(Currants—Red, $1.75 per 16 qt. crate.
Dried Beans—Michigan jobbers are
quoting as follows: :
Co ea Beans) $3.80
Eseht- Red Kidney 2.20 ..00- 8.50
Dark Red Kidney 2.2 3 9.00
Eggs—The market has sustained a
sharp advance, due to sudden shortage
in fine fresh eggs, pending the receipt
of wheat eggs. Jobbers pay 18c to-
day for high grade fresh stock.
Green Onions—20c for Silver Skins.
Green Peas—$2 per bu. for home
grown, *.
Green Beans—$1.75 per bu.
Gooseberries—$1.75 per 16 qt. crate.
Honey Dew Melons—$1.85 per crate
of 12 or 16.
Lettuce—In good demand on the
following basis:
30@50c ac-
per 16
Imperial Valley, 6s, per crate ___-$5.00
Imperial Valley, 5s, per crate ____ 6.00
Home grown leaf, per bu. ______ 1.00
Home grown head, per bu. _____ 1.25
Lemons—Present quotations are as
follows:
S60 Gumkist 2) 3 $9.00
S00 Sunkist 0 9.00
660 Ned Ball 2 2 8.00
S00) Red Ball 8.00
Limes—$2 per box.
Oranges—Fancy Sunkist California
Valencias are now sold as follows:
LAG $6.25
TA ee 6.00
1G ee a 6.00
70) ee
72) (04 ee 5.25
Age ee 5.00
AO ee ie 5.00
Onions—Calif. yellow, $1.50 per 50
Ib. sack; white, $1.85 ditto.
Parsley—50c per doz. bunches,
Peaches—The market is pretty well
supplied with Southern grown. Early
white stock from Florida fetches $1
per half bushel, Elbertas’ from the
same state command $3.50 per bu. The
Elberta growers in Arkansas are fur-
nishing jobbers an assortment of col-
ored signs advertising their product,
especially with reference to fruit for
canning.
Peppers—Green from Florida, 50c
per doz.
Pieplant—75c
grown.
Potatoes—New home grown, $1@
1.10 per bu.; Virginia stock $2.85 per
bbl,
Poultry—Wilson & ‘Company pay as
follows:
per bu. for home
blcauy fowls oe 17c
Pight: fowls 2202s 14c
OPO GS) oe ee 14c
Geese) 65 2c
Raspberries—Black, $2.50 per 16 qt.
crate; Red, $3 ditto.
Spinach—75c per bu.
Tomatoes—$1.15 per 10 Ib. container,
Southern grown: home grown hot
house, $1.25 for 7 lb. basket.
Turnips—60c per doz. for home
grown; $1.25 per bu.
Veal Calves— Wilson & Company
pay as follows:
Paney 92 oe _. 10%@I11c
GoGo ie 9c
Meditinr 255s 222 8c
POOR haa ee ee ee 8c
>
Campaign Boosts Home Merchants.
For more than thirty years the
Times has been boosting Ironwood
merchants, the home town business
Why? Because our merchants
stand by their home town at all times;
at all times are willing to lend a help-
ing hand in the support of every home
enterprise and because they back every
move that is for the best interest of
our city,
men.
But we wonder if the citizens in
and about the community realize the
worth of the home town merchants—
of the many things they do for the
town and its people, and how much we,
as a people, owe to them.
Back of every movement for good—
for progress, development and uplift
are the home town merchants, and
usually only the home town merchants,
while others “pass the buck” except:
during beneficial showers.
Who contributes most to community
welfare—to church, to school, to so-
ciety, to civic movements, to charity
and-improvements? Usually only the
home town merchants.
Who are the vital forces in every
organization having to do with com-
munity life and improvement? Usually,
only, the home merchants.
‘Who are the first to work for need-
ed improvements, for better streets—
for cleaner city, for city beautification
—for the very ‘things that make us
proud of our home town? Usually
only the home merchants.
Who are the first to combat the
things that are injurious to our com-
munity—to society—to our industrial,
commercial, financial and moral life?
Usually, only, the home merchants.
Who dig into their pocketbooks
deeper than the home town merchants
to support community benefits? “Day
by day, in every way,’ home town
merchants are contributing of their
time, their energy and money to make
this community a bigger and better
place in which to live.
It is proper and fitting then that we
give more than a passing thought to
the debt we owe the home town mer-
chants and that we come to the realiza-
tion that this debt can be repaid by
giving to them the trade of the com-
munity, a trade well earned and right-
fully theirs,
The truth of the matter is, home-
town merchants are selling goods at,
or less, than prices elsewhere, and if
we will be fair and include additional
expenses incurred when trading away
—we are bound to admit that it is
cheaper to trade at home besides show-
ing a spirit of reciprocity.
Spend your money elsewhere, and
the merchants will be forced to go out
of business and to seek a new location
where more civic pride and community
spirit exists. And you may be sure
that no other business men will come
in to take their place, for nothing
scares ‘business away from a town as
much as “for rent” signs on a vacant
store building —Ironwood ‘Times.
cmt ve Ob po vat ge tke 2 vty Rn
gira name ea
6
IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY.
Prosecuting Stock Salesmen Who
Defraud Public.
As I recall it, going back two
decades or so, the man who engaged
in a scheme of fraudulent stock selling
would get himself - something that
passed for a mine or for an oil well.
The scheme to defraud, in which the
mails were necessarily used, dealt with
mining or oil.
Twenty years ago, 25 years ago, 15
years ago, the public imagination was
all worked up over the possibility of
obtaining enormous fortunes through
a lucky strike under the surface of the
earth. It was easy for the average
mining or oil promoter to give a list
—five or six would be enough—of the
huge gains made through successful
enterprises of that kind; and the peo-
ple bought. They did not know.
If the bank depositor in some little
town came to withdraw his savings so
he could send a check to a New York
promoter whom he mistook for a great
banker, and the cashier suggested: “Be
careful, you are more than likely to
lose your money, even if the proposi-
tion is legitimate; why don’t you buy
a good bond of our local street railway
company or our local gas company?”
the depositor decided that the cashier
stood in with the crowd of local finan-
cial “marauders” and was opposed to
the best interests of the community
itself. It was not possible to dissuade
people from acting foolishly. They
bought and lost money in tremendous
chunks,
Those crooks were prosecuted and
sent to Atlanta. At last the method
became so crude that the ‘financial
racketeer who indulged in fake oil or
mining operations was considered a
mere amateur. A new method was
evolved, one that applies to-day, not
only to stock selling but to any num-
ber of other propositions, some of
which J am now investigating.
The idea developed that instead of
buying a mere hole in the ground and
calling it a mine, instead of buying
wildcat land and lying about it as oil-
producing territory, it would be much
better if the racketeer took over a
legitimate company, a company genu-
inely engaged in the manufacture and
selling of a product that anybody
could recognize and understand, a
company which could show a balance
sheet, and a correct one.
The method in the last few years
has been for the promoter first to fool
the officials of the company, who, be-
cause of the prospective growth of
their business, need new financing. The
racketeer who has any finesse to-day
in stock-jobbing deals with the legiti-
mate company and not with an im-
aginary property. The plan was very
simple: The company needed financ-
ing. The crooks told its officials “We
are ‘big men in Wall street; we can
give you the financing.” It was easy
to have an address in Wall street or
thereabouts, No difficulty was experi-
enced in ‘fixing up an office so that
it had all the appearances of being the
abode of a Croesus; the hard-working
company directors, who were actually
operating factory and_ salesrooms,
would call and be duly impressed. They
would sign on the dotted line; all they
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
wanted was a certain amount of
money, represented by so much per
share. It was a legitimate valuation;
everything looked clean.
The grief came next. The racketeer
organized what was known as a
“boiler room,” that is, nothing more
or less than a set of telephones at
which skilled stock salesmen called up
people who. were flattered by the fact
that So-andiSo of New York, such-
and-such a number, Wall street, or
Broad street, or some similar address,
was on the wire. The name not in-
frequently was a fair simulation of a
name that meant something in finance,
but was not a direct fraud. The whole
name was not copied; there actually
was somebody who had a name more
or less resembling the name of a leader
in finance, who, for $50 a week, would
permit the use of his own name as a
part of the ‘firm of racketeers,
The flattered victim would be told
what a great company this was (and it
was certainly an honest company);
that its prospects were tremendous,
the great financing was going to put
this company at the head of its indus-
try. Other misrepresentations were
made that were quite specific, such as
the payment of dividends when divi-
dends had not yet been earned. Stock
was sold not infrequently for five, six
and even ten times what the promoter
was paying for it to the company
itself,
That method of swindling greatly
broadened the field of fraudulent
finance. It has largely increased the
activities of the Post Office inspectors.
It has largely increased the business of
the United States Attorney’s office. It
has largely increased the burden of
our courts. In some cases the fraud
on the public went into the millions,
literally millions, not simply into the
few hundred thousand dollars of a fly-
by-night promoter who might take his
money, close up his shop and dis-
appear.
In some instances the business was
so pyramided that the promoter simply
could not let go; he had to stay on the
scene until the inevitable crash came;
he could not get out himself. Of
course, there is no better way of call-
ing attention to a fraudulent operation
than failure; that has been the experi-
ence with respect to banks, it has been
the experience with respect to all
other financial operations.
And so we get more and more busi-
ness in the United States Attorney’s
office. I wish the business never ex-
isted, because you find conditions of
this sort: When you get a case of the
kind just explained and the fraud has
been extensive and based on a legiti-
mate enterprise, in order properly to
prove your case, not only with legal
precision but with persuasion to a jury,
it is necessary to spend on a single
case months and months of prepara-
tion, and then not infrequently, as
much as a month in actual trial.
The United States District ‘Court in
this district consists of eight judges.
Sometimes Judge Knox, who is Senior
District Judge, succeeds in cajoling a
judge from rural territory to sit in this
great metropolis in a courthouse,
which, T regret to say, does not begin
to compare with the most picayune
courthouse in his own state. Once we
get the outside judge here, we have
him, but we are not always able to get
him. ‘When we do, what is the situa-
tion?
Ordinarily, since our Federal Courts
do not deal primarily with the criminal
law but with the relations of people
that are perfectly normal and honest,
three-quarters of the business of that
court is necessarily civil business, The
result is that six of the eight judges
must in all decency attend to the civil
side of the District Court in this dis-
trict. If we have two of our regular
judges sitting for us in criminal cases
we are fortunate enough; we are get-
ting at least our fair share.
Of course, the judges have been
most generous. Upon occasions they
have stepped in and helped us, where
we wanted more than our quota. For
example, recently there was a mail
fraud case in this district. When it
came to be tried, we found we were
shy a judge, because one judge sitting
in our criminal work was engaged with
the necessary prohibition activities;
the other judge was engaged with the
normal criminal affairs.
Now, that criminal business has cer-
tain aspects that require immediate at-
tention. Some people actually get into
the clutches of the Federal law who
cannot afford bail; not many—most
persons who are defendants in Feder-
al criminal proceedings get bail; a few
of them cannot, practically only a
handful; but if a man is in jail await-
ing trial, every dictate of decency calls
upon us to give him a preference over
the man who is on bail and still has
the comfort and consolation of home
and family,
And so, on that particular day, we
had a mail fraud case which was about
as slick a thing as I ever saw. It was
a large petty-larceny scheme in which
the defendant, under the guise of a
legitimate business—that is, pretending
to operate a small mail order house—
would pretend to file claims in bank-
ruptcy for sales that were never made;
not large enough to make trouble, say
$5, all out of town, or send bills for
two, three, five, six dollars to various
jobbing houses for goods he pretended
to have delivered, which would get by
the book-keeper in a hurry. He made
himself a most comfortable living.
It was very important that the case
should be tried because if he could get
away with it, others would learn how,
and we would have a set of “rackets”
of that kind running all over the coun-
try, but in order to try it we had to
call referees in bankruptcy from as
far as California; lawyers, clerks of
court, managers of businesses—and
they all came with deadly precision, on
the same day. ‘We had to get rid of
them and not send for them a second
time, as it had cost the Federal Gov-
ernment several thousand to assemble
them. 'We were in a dilemma; two
courts occupied, nobody else around.
Judge Knox volunteered to drop his
regular work and sit. One of his as-
sociates, who was equally busy, real-
izing that Judge Knox was making a
greater sacrifice than he ought to,
stepped into the breach, abandoned
other engagements that were most
pressing, and tried the case. In the
course of a week it was out of the way
July 22, 1931
and the Government saved a tremend-
ous duplication of expense.
The ‘breakdown of business morals
would be a frightful disaster. We can-
not reform the whole world, we cannot
reform everybody. At times, when
things go badly, it is always possible
that men otherwise honest, who have
led clean and blameless domestic and
business lives, will just “relax” a little
in their business morals and do the
one thing that tends to disturb that
finely adjusted balance in business,
business depending so much as it does
on perfect confidence and when that
balance is disturbed, because of the
breach of faith, of course the business
world and the community generally,
must rise in its wrath and through its
- government representatives set an ex-
ample that will make it both difficult
and dangerous for a repetition of that
yielding to temptation.
No racketeer any more goes about
brazenly, with palpable fraud. His
methods are subtle, and because they
are subtle they are worthy of our ef-
forts; the efforts of Government offi-
cials, the efforts of grand jurors, the
efforts of judges, so that those offenses
may be stamped out.
George Z. Medalie,
U. S. Attorney Southern District of
New York.
——_2-<.
Over Sales Minded and Under Credit
Minded.
Grand Rapids, July 21—Since my
article on the method of preventing
bankruptcies appeared in the Trades-
man, I have had quite a number of
favorable comments. One attorney
at Benton Harbor wrote in this morn-
ing and said he considered it the best
article on the subject he had ever
read,
The only criticism was from Sol
Rosenthal, and who he is, I do not
know. Neither do I know whether he
has an axe to grind or not. Evidently
he would rather have some creditor
get in the saddle. I have seen some
very sorry experiences along that line.
I am certain no one would say I
even remotely suggested the bank-
ruptcy court does not function proper-
ly. I merely stated that many of the
cases which go into bankruptcy should
never land there. The court is requir-
ed to conduct a ‘bankruptcy case along
the lines laid down by the law, and if
the law is cumbersome, surely that
cannot be used against the adminis-
trative agents. The principal point |
would like to drive home is to cut out
the waste and get down to a real busi-
ness basis; to keep as many deserving
merchants as possible in business and
if they are not deserving, then liqui-
date as cheaply and quickly as possible.
For eight years I have been in this
game and [| sometimes reflect on the
great saving which could be accom-
plished if business executives would
join whole heartedly in a co-operative
plan,
One thing seems certain. The pres-
ent credit losses are awakening the ex-
ecutives to the fact that a sale is not
really a sale until the money is in the
cash drawer. Too many executives
are over sales minded and under credit
minded. A happy combination of the
two would prove one of the biggest
contributions to a sound business re-
covery, ~- Edw. De Groot.
—_+--.___
You pay for all other education.
Why expect anything different when
you sign notes for relatives?
——_~r--__
The two things that cause a trigger
to work more quickly are oil and a
yellow streak,
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July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
eelamanciatnte setae
7
DETROIT DOINGS.
Late Business News From Michigan’s
Metropolis.
Adolph Sanders was shot last Friday
when two Negroes entered his dry
goods store at 11730 Oakland avenue
and demanded his money. The center
of the store is the dividing line be-
tween Detroit and Highland Park.
When police were notified of the shoot-
ing exactly twenty-six officers, repre-
senting two departments, responded.
Fifteen were from Bethune station,
while the balance, under Chief Patch,
were from Highland Park. They met
at the entrance to the store, surprised
and questioning. An investigation re-
vealed the south side of the store to
be in Detroit, the north side in High-
land Park. However, the cash register
is on the right hand side as you enter,
and it was on this side of the store
also, that police found Mr. Sanders.
The holdup took place in Detroit, it
was decided, but since the Highland
Park patrol wagon was handy, it took
the victim to the hospital. He was
reported recovering Saturday.
The business of E. P. Hurd, 5820
Fischer avenue, was recently incorpo-
rated as Hurd Lock Co. E. P. Hurd
is president, P. W. Mulder is vice-
president and Charles D. Ferguson is
secretary and treasurer of the organ-
ization. A new and larger factory is
being planned at Almont, owing to re-
cent sales expansion. The company in-
tends to expand in both the hardware
and automotive fields with a sincere
effort to have strictly jobber policy in
the hardware trade, says Mr. Hurd.
Current report of Union Guardian
Trust Co., as trustee, states that the
estate of Milton Barbach, retail hos-
iery, trading as Congress Hosiery Co.,
126 West Congress street, is not now
ready for closing, as trustee is still in-
vestigating the estate and desires to
conduct further examination of the
debtors and other parties relative to
assets of the estate. A balance on de-
posit of $2,637 is shown by the report.
Composition offer of 20 per cent.
made by debtor firm is pending in in-
voluntary bankruptcy proceedings
against Clarence Gottesman, retail dry
goods, 7446 Michigan avenue.
Sale of assets has been authorized by
the U. S. Court here in involuntary
bankruptcy proceedings against H.
Rosinski & Sons, retail men’s wear. A
50 per cent. composition offer was with-
drawn in this case. Union Guardian
Trust Co. is receiver. Assets are given
as $10,940 and liabilities $10,543 in
schedules filed.
First evidences of fthe 1932 model
cars which will be introduced in the
late Fall are beginning’ to appear in
isolated departments of the various
automobile plants. They are not rad-
ically different, it is true, but there is
no mistaking them. Whenever a factory
department has produced sufficient
units for the completion of production
on the 1931 models, instead of being
allowed to stand idle altogether, it is
adapted to the task it must perform
on next year’s line. So far retooling
operations have been conducted on a
small scale, but they point to a future
of increasing activity.
It may be a relatively dull year for
the automobile and other industries,
yet the month of July has produced a
small number of vacation announce-
ments. Cadillac will close for two
weeks for inventory, and Oakland-Pon-
tiak also ceases operations for a similar
period beginning next Saturday. In
connection with the latter’s vacation,
it is pointed out that no changes are
contemplated in the present line during
the shut-down.
Of the parts suppliers, Timken Rol-
ler Bearing closed its plants for the
regular Summer vacation on Thursday
of last week. Operations will be re-
sumed on July 29.
July may turn out to be the best
month so far this year for Chrysler
production. The appearance of the new
Plymouth has acted as a_ stimulus
throughout the whole organization.
When the new model of the four-cyl-
inder car appeared, production for July
was estimated at 17,000. Now there is
a feeling that Plymouth may reach
25,000.
Factory sales executives are of the
opinion that the problem of cleaning
up 1931 models, when they are con-
fronted by it, will be disposed of more
easily than in any recent years. Two
factors support this opinion. One of
them is the light production, which has
kept down dealer inventories. The
other is that bumper crops of most
farm products will enable farmers to
replace cars that are nearing the non-
serviceable stage. Wheat and cotton
prices are a concern, but the prospects
for other crops seem favorable, from
the motor industry’s point of view.
It is generally agreed that the one
influence which prevented the adoption
of safety glass as standard equipment
on a large scale this year was the neces-
sity of keeping motorcar prices at a
minimum. There are conditions in De-
troit which not only support this con-
clusion but also indicate that a change
in the economic situation may work a
considerable revision of sentiment with
regard to safety glass as a standard
rather than optional equipment.
That July production will take a’
slump over June is assumed in most
quarters here. The decline, however,
is not expected to be drastic. For one
thing, Chevrolet is expected to run
close to its 85,000 record for June, while
others are expected to experience no
more than the normal drop for the
season.
—_++.—___
Obtaining Proper Amount of Exercise
We can reduce our weight by eating
less and exercising more, or by com-
bining the two. The latter is usually
the best plan, for it involves neither
starvation nor overwork,
When it comes to exercise, none
excels that taken out of doors, par-
ticularly these Summer days when the
opportunity for hiking, golf, tennis and
swimming is so great. One of the
easiest ways to exercise is to walk. It
costs nothing; it takes relatively little
time, and it is not strenuous,
The chief trouble with most of us
in the city is that we are lazy, and the
pavements are hard. Most folks who
work in offices, seated at a desk all
day, believe that they are expending
as much energy as a woodsman. They
feel tired at night and rest up from
their labors by sitting some more, in
the theater, or at home, or by retiring
early. Most of them begrudge the
steps that must be taken to carry them
from their office to the subway sta-
tion, Yet they wonder why, with all
this expenditure of energy, they grow
fat.
The automobile and the street car
are the natural enemies of fat people.
If one would grow thin he must learn
to avoid them, except when it is neces-
sary. Every person-can and should
walk at least one mile every day.
People should take their walks in the
morning or evening when their time is
their own. If their work is within
walking distance they should start a
few minutes early and walk it every
day. Also if it is close enough they
should walk home.
If the distance is great, it often is
unwise to walk to work in the morning
because the exercise is apt to be too
tiring for the beginning of the day.
But walking home again is a different
matter. After a cramped position in
the office, walking will prove restful—
even exhilarating. One will arrive
home feeling better than when he left
the office with most of the worries
wiped from his mind, with his blood
circulating well and with his body
ready for rest and thorough relaxation
when he retires.
In this city there are a number of
organizations which promote walking
among their members—the so-called
hiking clubs. If there is such an or-
ganization in the community it is a
wise health move to join it, and take
the exercise it affords. But hikes once
a week, even long ones, are not worth
as much as short, regular walks every
day. The same is true of all week-end
sports. They are better than nothing,
but if one can manage it, he should
take some exercise every day to keep
in shape. Dr. Shirley W. Wynne.
——_++~<+____
Corrected Sketch of Career of Michi-
gan Man.
At a recent meting of the Executive
Committee of the National Biscuit
Co., Ralph L. Smith was elected vicé-
president in charge of production. For
a little more than two years, he had
ably filled the position of vice-presi-
dent and production manager for
Christie, Brown & Co., Ltd.
Mr. Smith was born at Leroy, Mich.,
November 26, 1888. His father was
Frank Smith, a well-known merchant
thirty years ago. He came into the
biscuit business April 15, 1908, as re-
ceiving clerk for the National Biscuit
Co., at Detroit. July 28, of the same
year, he ‘became a shipping clerk
there. His ambition to get into the
selling game was gratified June 19,
1909, when a district in Detroit was
turned over to him. He developed so
great ability in this work that, August
13, 1915, he was made a Supervising
Salesman and, August 1, 1917, he was
appointed country sales manager. May
1, 1918, he was transferred to our
agency at Cambridge, Mass., as city
sales manager.
After handling that position about
two years, he decided that he wanted
to learn the baking part of the busi-
ness, For this purpose, he went into
the Kennedy Biscuit Works, Cam-
bridge, where he received excellent
training for four months, when he was
transferred to the Kennedy Biscuit
Works, ‘Chicago, to continue his edu-
cation in manufacturing, There he re-
mained until May 1, 1921, when he
was made manager of our ‘Cincinnati
Bakery. September 1, 1924, he was
promoted to the corresponding position
at Kansas City, Mo. He obtained fur-
ther advancement when, December 1,
1926, he was appointed manager of the
two bakeries at East Liberty and Pitts-
burgh, Pa. May 1, 1929, soon after
our acquisition of the Christie, Brown
business and the incorporation of
Christie, Brown & Co., Ltd., he was
elected Vice-President of that com-
pany and was given charge of all our
manufacturing operations in Canada.
In his present position, which repre-
sents his next promotion, his responsi-
bilities are very great. Nevertheless,
in view of his record of accomplish-
ment, his persistent energy, his fair-
mindedness and affable personality, he
can safely feel assured of confidence
‘and co-operation, all along the line, in
his efforts to maintain and improve the
reputation of “Uneeda Bakers” prod-
ucts,
OE
orand_ Rapids
Safe Company
OLDEST
LARGEST
STRONGEST
Handlers of Safes in Michigan
No Commission too Large
No Order too Smail
Our prices are 10 to 20 per
cent. lower than those of Chicago
and Detroit dealers, due to our
low overhead.
ee
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LIMITING NARCOTICS.
Aftfer a long and weary period of
negotiations the delegates to the opium
conference of the League of Nations
have completed their: treaty for the
limitation of the manufacture of nar-
cotic drugs. It has been signed by
twenty-eight nations, and while the
United States is not yet included among
them, its delegation is only awaiting
official word from Washington upon
certain technical reservations before
falling into line. The treaty does not
im some respects go so far as had been
hoped, but it is generally characterized
as valuable.
Its provisions for the limitation of
manufacturing mark a genuine advance
over previous agreements. One par-
ticularly encouraging feature of the
treaty is the inclusion of codein among
the drugs subject to international con-
trol. Furthermore, the convention calls
for a complete accounting of narcotic
production to aid the signatory govern-
ments in fighting the drug traffic, rec-
ommends that states which have not
already done so set up central narcotic
authorities, advises a tightening of the
penalties in previous conventions and
recommends that in view of the highly
dangerous character of heroin the vari-
ous governments look into the question
of either its abolition or close restric-
tion.
The conclusion of this convention in
no way marks the end of the fight
against the drug traffic or even a let-
up in this important struggle. Rather
it is a first step in a program which will
not be wholly successful until the man-
ufacture of narcotics is so closely reg-
ulated that the supply will in no case
exceed the legitimate medical demand.
This is a distant dream, but every ad-
vance toward its realization deserves
universal support. Drugs are a menace
to society which can be fought only by
international action and however slow
and haiting this action may seem, as
with disarmament, we should applaud
small victories as steps in the right
direction.
MADE A MESS OF THINGS.
The German crisis continued to over-
shadow domestic business affairs dur-
ing the past week and to exert a dom-
inating influence upon sentiment and
upon security and commodity markets.
However, toward the close of the week
the agricultural situation once more
broke into the foreground as a result
of the all-time low price paid for wheat
and the demand in some quarters that
a moratorium be also declared upon
farm indebtedness.
Just how the German difficulty will
be worked out is not yet clear, but the
pian, as pointed out previously, must
obviously substitute long-term for the
short-term credit which has proved her
undoing. After this crisis is over we
are more than likely to find South
American financing taking its place
even as we struggle with our own real
estate problem at home.
If we include the plight of the rail-
roads, which are so largely under their
influence, it is little exaggeration to
say that our bankers have made a mess
of things. On the other hand, it is
also necessary to recall that the secur-
ity speculation which !ed to most of
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
the present difficulties was encouraged
by the leaders of the previous National
administration, who prevented the ad-
vance in Federal Reserve rates which
would have curbed the frenzy. And
esteem for these leaders still runs high
despite the debacle which their policies
caused.
A return to the previous low is mark-
ed by the weekly business index, al-
though the movements it represents
were irregular. Commodity prices de-
clined in the week, but the Annalist
sensitive price index was higher. June
building was disclosed as a little ahead
of that in May, but little more than half
of the June, 1930, figures, and permits
for the month were the lowest since
January, 1921. Employment statistics
showed furthe recession.
DRY GOODS CONDITIONS.
Hot weather and the reaction in vari-
ous fields to European difficulties acted
to reduce retail trade volume somewhat
during the past week. The ordinary
trend would be to some slackening in
activity toward midsummer, so that
unfavorable influences are more pro-
nounced in their effect in the present
circumstances. However, the usual
Summer promotions are meeting with
fair response, and no doubt the hesi-
tation of the average consumer at mak-
ing major expenditures is helping to
hold up volume on numerous small
purchases.
Should weather conditions permit
more comfortable shopping and for-
eign affairs become more settled, the
feeling is that a revival of hopeful sen-
timent will once more lead to active
trade, especially in the larger cities and
industrial regions. Purchasing power
in the rural sections, of course, is man-
ifestly suffering from the low prices
being paid for agricultural products,
and for the present, at least, prospects
in the farm areas appear quite dubious.
In the various promotions which the
stores are launching there is perhaps
more basis than usual for contending
that purchases can be made to ad-
vantage. Not only are prices much
lower than a year ago, but quite a
number of lines of merchandise offered
reflect the desire of manufacturers to
keep their plants operating. Should
business make gains by early Fall, it is
not at all unlikely that prices may
move higher.
The wholesale merchandise markets
during the past week were quite ac-
tive as a result of the first large at-
tendance of buyers for Fall needs.
While results were not altogether in
proportion to the number of store rep-
resentatives on hand, it is felt that
more shopping around may be indulged
in this season than usual, but that
volume in the end will be satisfactory.
PURCHASING POWER NEEDED.
In the discussions of the National
debt problem, tariff barriers and inter-
national co-operation, a point often
emphasized is that practically all coun-
rties are harassed by overproduction
within their own boundaries and that,
consequently, all steps except National
isolation will fail to offer any practical
solution of world-wide difficulties.
On the present economic set-up there
is more than a little basis for this con-
clusion. As long as purchasing power
of the masses is restricted to a low
average then it is quite clear that over-
production will continue to be the lead-
ing problem. Certainly, larger markets
cannot be supported by the very few
consumers who at present draw the
bulk of each country’s income. —
Agitation for higher wages is by no
means new, and yet some of the defi-
nite facts connected with the means of
overcoming overproduction are grow-
ing clearer, even though Mr. Coolidge
in a statement on profitless merchan-
dising erroneously asserts that the
wholesale cost of most commodities is
principally the cost of labor. The last
census figures would have shown him
that the cost of labor in manufactures
of this country is somewhat less than
17 per cent.
What is not appreciated in the pres-
ent depression is that not only have
many workers suffered wage cuts but
that a large number of them, through
having to pay off instalment debts, have
had this further reduction in purchas-
ing power. The country witnessed
what might be accomplished through
an improvement in purchasing power
when instalment selling expanded, but
somehow or other the lesson was not
driven home.
A survey of low wage industries is.
urgently required, it would seem, along
with the necessary steps to see if their
rates cannot be lifted.
HAMPERED BY TRADITION.
Retailing is a business which even
its members are willing to admit is
often tied too closely to tradition, Cer-
tain methods and practices have be-
come established almost beyond the
possibility of removal, although their
value may be questioned on many oc-
casions.
The returns question furnishes a
case in point. Many executives would
like to see what could be done to-
ward reducing unwarranted returns by
store customers, and yet they hesitate
to adopt a practical program because
of the feeling that their houses benefit
through offering this convenience to
the public.
An even more appropriate example
of tradition is to be found in the gen-
eral attitude of discounts. Some lead-
ing executives believe that they should
ask for higher terms on certain lines
which have offered only low rates.
They could obtain the same results
through increasing their mark-ups, but
they feel that tradition is too strong
and that there would not be a general
following of these longer margins.
About the same thing holds true of
retail wages and salaries. It has been
demonstrated that where selling sala-
ries are highest costs are lowest and
profits largest, and yet these facts ap-
parently are overlooked for compen-
sation along the traditional lines.
What the business of retailing ap-
pears to need on many of its pressing
problems is an outside viewpoint or an
engineering approach which would not
be bothered by tradition but would
point out how profits might be achieved
or increased, The new interest turning
toward distribution may furnish some
changes which may greatly aid the
stores if they do not turn down the
July 22, 1931
suggestions—which is a tradition also
which they often follow.
LESS TUBERCULOSIS.
A study of vital statistics has dis-
covered encouraging progress in the
fight against the dread disease of tuber-
culosis. Last year’s death rate from
this cause in the United States was
the lowest in history and lower than
most other countries where adequate
records are kept. In fifty-nine leading
cities it has dropped in twenty years
from 177.4 per 100,000 population to
66.5.
Chicago has the best record in this
respect. The heaviest mortality is re-
ported from states with a large colored
population and from districts where
sufferers seek relief or prolong their
lives as much as possible under a
benevolent condition of climate.
Analysis of the reports reveals three
chief factors which affect the death
rate from tuberculosis. One is climate,
a second is the economic condition of
the population. This condition is im-
portant because wholesome living has
much to do with the prevention and
cure of the disease. The third is med-
ical science and experience. In all the
civilized world and particularly in the
United States advancing knowledge
has made progress against a disease
which was at one time among the com-
mionest causes of death. It still takes
a heavy toll, but the figures prove a
steady progress toward mastery of an
ailment which was once considered in-
curable and which has always been
nearly universal in its ravages.
A WILDERNESS SANCTUARY.
Despite the depression there are pub-
lic-spirited men and women who are
giving to the cause of conservation, as
the successful effort to save the Cali-
fornia redwoods demonstrates, Another
worthy, undertaking of the same gen-
eral kind is the endeavor to save for
the public a magnificent stretch of land
and water on the border between Min-
nesota and Ontario—10,000,000 acres of
forested lakeland containing islands,
waterfalls and sand beaches without
number. There should be a treaty with
Canada setting this mighty realm aside,
to be enjoyed by multitudes of folk in
ordinary circumstances instead of being
exploited for the benefit of logging in-
dustries, to its ultimate destruction.
But a treaty is not made in a minute.
Meanwhile Congress has passed a law
which in part protects the area. The
law will be attacked in the courts and
the proposed treaty will be opposed.
If this vast region is to be preserved
for all the future, far-sighted and gen-
erous-hearted men and women must
come to the rescue. The fight on its
behalf thus far as been waged by a
small group, calling itself fthe Quetico-
Superior Council, whose activity has
been in inverse ratio to its size. But
it will have to be re-enforced if its
efforts are to be successful. Here is a
genuinely patriotic opportunity. The
treasurer of the Quetico-Superior
Council is J. . Byam, vice-president of
the First National Bank, Minneapolis.
bccn ata
No man can be ‘happy without a
friend, or be sure of his friend until
he is unhappy.”
0 A Oa CARRE ERIE
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i sc RAR es IRANI as
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July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN: TRADESMAN
9
OUT AROUND.
Things Seen and Heard on a Week
End Trip.
The collapse of the Michigan Drug
Co. reminds me _ of a circumstance
which occurred about forty-five years
ago. James E. Davis, who was then
the dominating head of the house,
wrote me a letter, requesting me to
call on him. J found it convenient to
do so the next week, when he asked
me point blank how much the Hazel-
tine & Perkins Drug Co. paid for the
16 inch space it then occupied in the
Tradesman, [ told him the price,
whereupon he remarked: “You can
make out a contract for a one inch
space for a year. We will pay the
same for one inch that Hazeltine &
Perkins pay you for sixteen inches.”
The proposition looked so peculiar to
me that [I asked him what he pro-
posed to run in his one inch space. He
replied; “Only a few words: Williams,
Davis, Brooks & 'Co. will sell anything
in the drug line 5 per cent. cheaper
than the price quoted in this paper.”
Of course, the negotiations ended right
there.
I had a call last week from a broker
who has been familiar with grocery
conditions in the Middle ‘West for
about twenty years. Speaking of the
utterly wretched collapse of the ‘Na-
tional Grocer Co., he remarked: “If
Frank Letts had lived, he would never
have permitted the National Grocer
Co, to come to such an untimely end.
Virgil was a good man to work under
the instruction of Mr, Letts, but as an
executive he was the most outstanding
failure I have ever met. The fact that
he continued to draw $25,000 per year
(and permitted Kruisenga to draw
$19,000 per year) when he knew the
concern was losing $1,006 per day
plainly shows what a wretched finan-
cier he was on his own account. He
did not get his idea of permitting such
outrageous salaries from ‘Mr. Letts.
When Mr. Letts snugged up a dozen
or more wholesale grocery houses into
the Western Grocer ‘Co. he was ac-
tuated largely by a desire to save the
banks in which he was interested from
loss. The houses owed the banks
$000,000. ‘When he was asked what
salary he wanted, he replied: “Wait
until we see how we come out,’ When
the indebtedness had been cleared up
and the Western Grocer ‘Co. was in a
strong financial condition, he consent-
ed to accept $5,000 per year for the
service he had been to the company.
Contrast this, if you please, with the
$44,000 per year Virgil and Kruisenga
insisted on drawing out of the National
Grocer ‘Co. so long as they could keep
the concern out of bankruptcy. ‘The
comparison shows the difference be-
tween the builder and the wrecker.”
A sorry piece of news comes to me
from-St. Joseph concerning the forced
sale of the St. Joseph Electric ‘Steel
Casting Co. to satisfy the demands of
creditors. The particulars of the sale
are thus set forth in a letter from a
local correspondent, as follows:
The machinery, good will and busi-
ness of the St. Joseph Electric Steel
Casting 'Co., exclusive of the building
and real estate, were sold July 4 at
public sale, under authority of the ‘Cir-
cuit Court, to Frank H. Hatfield, of
St. Joseph, for $14,500, a ridiculous
price. There were a large number of
people at the sale, but very few bid-
ders. It surely was a grand and
glorious opportunity to acquire a bar-
gain, for two electric furnaces alone
cost over $355,000, without installa-
tion expense, and are to-day in splen-
did condition, There were a dozen
bidders interested in purchasing the
furnaces, but the highest individual bid
was $2,500 for one furnace, which in-
dicates that people are not going to
pay very much at an auction or pub-
lic sale.
The holders of the outstanding
stock and creditors, whose claims
amount to $97,000, will receive nothing,
There is a local group, with some
outsiders, who are planning on organ-
izing a new company to continue op-
erations of the business here, so that
there will be no shutdown of the plant,
A shutdown in this business is more
serious than most others, on account
of production depending entirely upon
customer’s patterns, and when pat-
tern equipment is once removed from
the foundry, a customer is reluctant to
make any more changes than neces-
sary,
On account of the low bid that was
made on the property, the trustee will
be unable to take care of back taxes
on the real estate amounting to sev-
eral thousand dollars, This, together
with the default of the interest pay-
ment due on the bonds July 1, is not
a pretty situation for the bondholders.
Tlowever, their equity in the value of
the property would ordinarily be
ample as the property was appraised
by the American Appraisal Co. for ap-
proximately $150,000. The bond issue
outstanding is approximately $80,000.
This incident is one of the outstand-
ing features of the present period of
depression—the forced sale of ordin-
arily good assets at 10 to 20 cents on
the dollar under circumstances which
leave nothing whatever for creditors or
stockholders. The information J have
in my \file leads me to believe that the
unfortunate condition of the company
was due to incompetence on the part
of a former manager who through
ignorance or otherwise permitted the
organization to become insolvent.
Muskegon county is certainly doing
her share of road building this year—
with the generous assistance of the
State—but we will all be delighted
when she can complete the gap of 1.8
miles of cement road which will give
us a smooth and dustless thorough-
fare all round Spring Lake.
With the issue of this week the
Michigan Tradesman completes its
forty-eighth year of successful publica-
tion. Perhaps it might not be out of
place at this time to present some
facts regarding trade journals which
appear to be appropriate to the oc-
casion.
In the development of American
journalism there has already come in-
to existence a fairly well standardized
type of newspaper. ‘So well recogniz-
ed and so uniform are the contents of
newspapers in general that it has been
possible through the establishment of
press associations, syndicates, news
organizations and in other ways to
place at the disposal of readers in all
parts of the country newspapers which
are substantially similar in appearance
and contents so far as relates to mat-
ters in general National interest. It
is the special local content or news
_that differentiates the rank and file of
newspapers from one another, except
in so far as such differentiation is ef-
fected through a difference in editorial
content or policy. Even the latter dif-
ference is more or less steadily lessen-
ing or perhaps even disappearing.
In this movement toward standard-
ization certain exceptions have stood
out conspicuously. In all parts of the
country there have been here and
there newspapers which seem highly
individualized by reason of their re-
fusal to assimilate themselves to the
general rank and file of publications by
which they were surrounded. In some
cities, moreover, there have been de-
veloped specialized newspapers whose
appeal is primarily to one particular
class in the community. Thus there
have grown up able financial, industrial
and trade journals, journals of sport, of
literature, art and of other fields, some
of them published monthly, some
weekly and some daily. ‘There has
tended to be, even among these spec-
ialized publications, a certain degree of
standardization; those in one particu-
lar field or class gradually assuming a
similarity of content and method; al-
though, as already stated, outstanding
examples of highly individualized
newspapers may be found in every
part of the country and in every field.
The Michigan Tradesman, early in
its career, undertook to avoid both the
so-called general newspaper field and
at the same time the highly specialized,
though closely standardized, field. It
sought to become an individual news-
paper dealing with business at large
and closely informed upon all eco-
nomic questions. This general pur-
pose the Tradesman has held before
itself throughout its history. In this
way, it has gradually come to cover
the entire business field and has de-
veloped itself as a general newspaper
of business. Its view in so doing is
that business or economic life asa
whole is a unit essentially, and hence
demands a unified treatment which is
impossible where attention is solely
concentrated upon finance or upon
some specialized branch of industry.
What is called “general business news”
has thus become an important element
in the work of the Tradesman.
Every business man is engaged in
some business particularly and desires
information about and guidance, per-
haps, in that particular business. It
is, therefore, necessary that a news-
paper dealing with business shall di-
rect its attention in a specialized way
to those branches of business in which
its readers are particularly interested.
The result has been the evolution of a
series of sections or departments with-
in the Tradesman, each of which en-
deavors to cover an important branch
of business, and in each of which it is
sought to give expression to the views,
wishes and ideas of that particular
part of the business community. ‘The
editors of these particular departments
are expected to familiarize themselves
with the views of leaders of business
and industry in those particular lines
and thus to be able to give expression
to the wants, needs, views of these
several sections of the business world.
It is thus, in a sense, a series of busi-
ness newspapers united together by an
identity of treatment into a single gen-
eral business newspaper. Its purpose
is to present the news and ideas of the
chief fields of business and to combine
them in such a way as to make the
whole a consistent treatment of busi-
ness as an aggregate. In developing
this conception of business journalism,
the Tradesman has always occupied a
unique position.
Development of such an idea of
business journalism has necessarily im-
plied a definite concept of the subject.
That concept has been the presenta-
tion of actual facts from a non-partisan
and colorless point of view in such a
way as to represent the actual truth as
nearly as, subject to the difficulties and
obstacles present in all newspaper
work, would prove practicable. The
ascertainment of facts, so far as possi-
ble, directly from those who are con-
cerned in events, and the getting of
authentic statements of intention and
attitude has necessarily been a funda-
mental element in the working out of
this idea of business journalism. Edi-
torially it has involved entire freedom
from control originating with outside
interests, and has involved the analysis
of public questions from a strictly in-
dependent viewpoint with the purpose
of exhibiting as clearly as possible the
conflicting elements at work in every
question. The policies of the Trades-
man have consisted, therefore, in the
advocacy _of those legislative objects
and methods which were consonant
with sound economic ideas and the
avoidance of special pleading or the
advocacy of measures and schemes cal-
culated to work in the interest of any
particular section or group of the busi-
ness population to the disadvantage of
any or every other. In view of the
fact that trade questions and trade pol-
icies are inflnitely complex, and in
many cases involved no broad prob-
lems of general public welfare. The
Tradesman has usually abstained from
taking sides on issues which involve
matters predominantly concerned with
trade practices, conflicts of interest be-
tween different groups, and matters of
analogous character. It has contented
itself with the publication of the facts
about such issues, while its opinions
when expressed have related chiefly to
matters of public policy and economic
principle.
As years have passed, the United
States has become undoubtedly the
leading country of trade organization.
Multitudes of such organizations exist
to-day. They are doing a valuable
work in developing business opinion
and in focusing it upon legislation and
administration in general. The policy
of the Tradesman has invariably been
to maintain a close and friendly rela-
tionship with such trade organizations
as have been conducted along honest
and legitimate lines, because by that
means it was enabled to keep its finger
on the pulse of business and to know
both what was being done and what
was desired by business in its organ-
Ss eaaaeaeti
10
ized form. It has, however, never re-
garded itself as the agency or repre-
sentative of any trade organization, nor
has it ever become the authorized chan-
nel or intermediary through which such
a business organization expressed its
views to the public. Its conception of
itself has been that of a truthful and
reliable agency for furnishing informa-
tion to all members of a given trade
or profession. Insofar as business or-
ganizations could assist in performing
this function the Tradesman has de-
sired to stand in close relations to and
to assist them, but it has conceived of
this duty as quite different from that
of promoting the interests or advocat-
ing the views of any particular trade
group, even as officially set forth by
an organization no matter of how au-
thentic or highly responsible a charac-
ter.
A very similar policy has guided tre
Tradesman in its relation with public
men. On many occasions throughout
its long history it has stood in close
relationship to various public figures;
and frequently members of its staff
have drafted legislation, prepared pub-
lic documents and furnished expert
advice; besides not infrequently acting
in administrative capacities for Federal,
State or local governments. In such
work the Tradesman has conceived of
itself not as giving expression to the
point of view, or as becoming the “or-
gan” of any particular man or party.
In fact at times the paper has found
it necessary to oppose the view and
wishes of members of its staff who
were engaged in public work as indi-
viduals, or who had allied themselves
with some particular cause. The
Tradesman has endeavored to maintain
a closely friendly relationship with pub-
lic men of all parties simply for the
sake of keeping an authentic connec-
tion with sources of information and
of knowing precisely what was the at-
titude of the different individuals or
groups whose efforts at any given time
were shaping public opinion and poli-
cies. For these reasons the Trades-
man has always been what is called an
“independent” newspaper — not allied
with any particular party or element,
and never supporting the policies or
ideas of any particular party or indi-
vidual, unless it could find reason for
‘approving them upon the basis of its
own general policies or principles. In
particular, it has refrained from “per-
sonal journalism,” seldom, if ever, tak-
ing sides for or against any particular
candidate of any definite party, unless
in those few cases where an individual
had become so identified with some
sole outstanding issue as to be prac-
tically inseparable from it in public
thought.
‘The departmental policies of the
Tradesman ‘have necessarily been ot a
kind which would assimilate with its
general tenor and editorial point of
view. While it has endeavored to give
expression to the views and needs of
different branches of business, it has
subordinated such expressions of opin-
ion to the general or controlling pol-
icies which were dominant in the paper
as a whole. There are many phases
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
of activity and elements of policy in
every branch of trade, which are pe-
culiar to itself and which have no neces-
sary bearing upon, or antagonism to,
the more general phases of public
questions. In dealing with these dis-
tinctly trade issues, the effort of the
paper has been to guide itself by the
general welfare of the branch of busi-
ness under discussion, and to refrain
from the advocacy of policies which in
any way would tend to limit the field,
or curtail the activities, of individual
members of the trade affected. It has
not hesitated, therefore, to modify its
trade policies from time to time, as the
problems and organization of business
changed, recognizing that changed con-
ditions require changed remedies and
methods, and that what is at stake at all
times is the greatest good to the great-
est number. This general policy has
not prevented the paper from under-
taking at various times active participa-
tion in movements or campaigns for
the purpose of improving general busi-
ness conditions in some particular
branch of trade in which it is interest-
ed. For example, its participation in
the pure food movement is well known,
and resulted in briging influential aid
to the support of the demand for
cleaner and better methods in the
preparation of foods, especially canned
goods, and the more complete carrying
out of the Federal pure food law.
This summarized statement presents
in brief form the nature of the work of
the Tradesman, and makes plain what
the newspaper itself is. It is a general
reflection and analysis of current busi-
ness, specialized and departmentalized
to suit the needs of the different
branches of trade, but with its different
parts bound together by a comprehen-
sive survey of the entire economic sit-
uation. It is an independent and non-
partisan publication, controlled by no
special interests, yet not hesitating to
bear its share in the work of legislation
or the improvement of business condi-
tions through administrative action, re-
gardless of party. This place in the
journalism of the United States has
been gradually developed and earned
during the past forty-eight years of ef-
fort by the Tradesman. It not only
occupies this field to-day, but it is
still engaged in the task of broadening
its service and enlarging the scope of
its activities.
Contrary to the experience of last
year, no whitefish have put in an ap-
pearance at Holland, Grand Haven or
Muskegon this season. They are in
evidence at Michigan City, St. Joseph,
Saugatuck, Pentwater, Ludington,
Manistee and Frankfort, where the
fishermen are having good hauls. One
Pentwater fisherman had a haul of
1,100 pounds ‘Monday from two day’s
netting. A period of Northwest wind
is expected to bring them back to the
ports first named.
‘Professor Blumenthal, the dis-
tinguished psychologist, has taken up
his abode at South Bend, where he is
the lion of the day. He has all the
personal patronage he can attend to
and has much corporation work in
prospect. He has completely regained
his health.and is as full of vim and de-
termination as a ifire horse.
The Hoekstra Ice Cream Co.
(Grand Rapids) is somewhat dis-
tressed over the rumor that it aims to
consolidate with the National Dairy
Co. The management insists that
such a disposition of his property has
never been even considered by the di-
rectors, E, A. Stowe.
———_>++_____.
Play Up Sausage Department Con-
stantly,
A well-managed sausage department
in a retail meat store or a general food
store is a particularly valuable adjunct,
especially in the warm summer
months. \Sausages, judging by increas-
es in volume of sales, are growing.
more popular continually,
At the present time a sausage ad-
vertising campaign is being conducted
in the city of Chicago, under the aus-
pices of the [Meat ‘Council of that city.
With their permission, we are reprint-
ing the introduction paragraphs of a
booklet which they have distributed to
Chicago retailers, in the hope that you
may increase your profits by building
your sales of sausage.
Selling sausage is as simple as it
can be profitable.
No expensive equipment is required,
no costly stock involved. About all
that is needed is a willingness to dis-
play sausage and to talk sausage to the
consumer. Probably no other meat
product sells itself as readily on proper
display as sausage,
Sausage is important to the dealer
not only because it is profitable mer-
chandise to handle in itself, but also
because it can be used repeatedly and
continually as a means of adding a
s sizable amount to the customer’s
meat order, and in this way increase
volume and decrease the dealer’s cost
of doing business.
Sausage, moreover, is easy to handle.
There is virtually no shop shrinkage,
almost no time at all is required for
cutting or preparing for the consumer,
and it can be wrapped easily, quickly,
and inexpensively. In brief, sausage
is a very desirable product to handle
and sell,
‘A book could be written about the
art of selling sausage, but some of the
most essential and valuable points can
be expressed briefly as follows:
1. Give a definite space in your
store to the display of sausage.
2. (‘Place the display counter or
case in the front part of your store, if
possible—right where everybody com-
ing in will be sure to see it.
3. Display sausage in your windows
whenever you possibly can.
4. Neatly label all sausages on dis-
play so your customers will know
what to ask for. Frequently people
hesitate to buy when they don’t know
the name of the object they want.
5. Show the prices of al! products
on display, This is oné of the best
means of stimulating sales. The fig-
ures can be lettered neatly on the
small card used to show the name of
the sausage.
6. The addition of suggested uses
to the card showing the name and
price of the product also will be a
powerful aid in stimulating sales. Thus,
July 22, 1931
the card referring to liver sausage
might read:
Liver Sausage
Price To-day 25c per Pound
Fine for Sandwiches, for Frying, for
‘Croquettes, and for Broiling
Try Some To-day
7. Since neatness and cleanliness
are most valuable selling aids, cases
in which, or counters or tables on
which, sausage is displayed should be
kept clean, neat and attractive.
8. In displaying sausage, the skill-
ful use of parsley or fern leaves wilt
help to add a touch that will appeal to
the eye of the consumer.
9. Displaying sausage in combina-
tion with other foods, if done neatly,
is sure to attract attention and aid
sales. Showing bologna or liver
Sausage sandwiches, for example, or a
platter of cold meats garnished with
parsley and pickles, or a delicious
looking waffle with a few nicely
browned pork sausages on top all will
help to increase your sausage sales.
10. When you have cut sausages on
display, be sure to trim the surface
frequently enough to assure an attrac-
tive appearance. Discolored sausage
and sausage which has the appearance
of being dried out will discourage
sales.
11. Require your employes to sug-
gest sausage at every opportunity.
This should be done tactfully, of
course, or some customers are likely
to resent it. One good way is to sug-
gest the purchase of a specific kind of
sausage for a specific use, such as, for
example, bologna for sandwiches, pork
sausage for breakfast, frankfurters for
picnic lunches, et cetera.
12. Utilize every opportunity to
tell consumers of the merits of sau-
sage; of the fact that it is high in food
value and relatively low in price; that
it is virtually all food and without
waste; that it is highly pleasing to the
taste, and that it is available in many
forms ‘and varieties, some of which are
sure to appeal to every consumer.
13. Train your salesmen to ask
customers, after having sold them a
meat order, “And now, Mrs. Smith,
how “about a little bologna to-day?
It’s so nice in sandwiches.” Or
“These are good pork sausage days,
Mrs. Jones. How about some for
breakfast?” Or “Have you ever tried
liver sausage sandwiches, Mrs. Brown?
Your bridge club members would en-
joy some, I’m sure.”
14. Finally, think Sausage, talk
Sausage, interest your customers in it,
sell more of it. ‘There’s money in
sausage, Get some of it for yourself.
John Meatdealer.
—_2++___
The exceedingly hot weather during .
the week was both an aid and a detri-
ment to men’s wear retail Sales, as it
stimulated purchases on some goods,
such as underwear, but was partly re-
sponsible for keeping consumers out
of stores, due to the discomfort of
shopping. On the whole, however,
volume was regarded as fairly satis-
factory. Sales on furnishings attract-
ed a good response, due to the attrac-
tive values offered by most stores, but
purchases on Summer clothing began
to decline, as the season is advancing.
Linen suits, however, continued to re-
ceive attention,
a
|
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|
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July 22, 1931
A
_ MODERN
| PLAN
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
Our New Estate Economy Plan may add thousands of
dollars to the net value of your estate when it is
probated.
It is customary for a man to believe that the gross value
of his worldly accumulations and the net value of his
estate must necessarily coincide. If he knows his estate
is worth $100,000 today, he assumes that his heirs will
have the benefit of the income on $100,000.
The fallacy of this assumption was uncovered in a recent
United States Government survey of over 22,000 estates.
This survey discloses the average shrinkage on the gross
value of estates to be approximately 19%—or a shrinkage
of $19,000 on an estate of $100,000.
While some of the items making up the shrinkage are
unavoidable, the Grand Rapids Trust Company is
introducing a plan whereby this shrinkage may be
materially reduced.
Our organization will prepare a practical Estate Economy
Plan to fit your individual needs, to the end that the
shrinkage of your estate will be reduced to a minimum.
The preparation of this plan will incur no obligation on
your part. We will gladly furnish further details.
COMPANY
UNIT OF
nM hc NR nk
ll
Estate Economy
GRAND RAPIDS TRUST
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
____ FINANCIAL
Automobile Men Predict Trade Gains
Soon.
Detroit, July 20—Now that the
moratorium matter has been agreed
upon, the eyes of the business world
as a whole, and those of the auto-
mobile industry in particular, are
focused on Detroit. Bankers and busi-
ness men in other financial centers
are asking the same question: “When
is the motor industry going back to,
or above, normal?”
The belief prevails among men in high
places throughout the Nation that the
automobile industry will pull business
back onto smooth highways after
traveling for nearly two years over a
muddy detour.
There is no denying the fact that the
industry is setting the stage for the
inevitable comeback in a most compre-
hensive way. New models in the last
several months have been numerous;
more new ones will be announced be-
fore the end of the year which will
have worked into them many import-
ant elements of new inventions which,
it is said, will make driving and riding
much easier. And from an economic
standpoint, the whole line-up could
hardly be improved upon.
Thousands of people, perforce of in-
ability to finance new automobiles,
have been paying off the two-year-old
debts on old cars. This soon will be
finished, and with their present cars
worn down to a nominal value, this
same army of motorists will then en-
ter the market for something new and
improved—and at lower cost than ever
before in the history cf the industry.
And credit will do the trick as ever
before.
The psychology of comparisons is
seldom better illustrated than in the
report of sales by General Motors Cor-
poration for the first half of the cur-
rent year. Sales were larger in June,
1931, than in June last year by ap-
proximately 15,000 units, and the de-
crease for the first six months was but
about 44,000 units from that of one
year ago,
Chevrolet continues to be the indus-
try’s sensation with a far greater de-
mand for its product than during the
same period one year ago. June out-
put was 84,597 units compared with
78,472 in June, 1930. The 500,000 mark
for the year was passed early in June.
The action of one manufacturer who
entered the low price field a year or
so ago in choosing the normally dull
period of the year to bring out a new
model with a somewhat radical en-
gineering change is admitted in some
quarters to have given pause to what-
ever plans his close competitors may
have had to close down their plants
for another mid-summer vacation. The
widespread advertising campaign that
accompanied introduction of the new
car also is believed to presage more
than the ordinary activity in the entire
low-priced car field.
There has, however, been a seasonal
tapering off of sales activities as well
as production in the industry as a
whole, the recessions having been more
orderly and not nearly as extensive as
’ automobile executives had anticipated.
Belief prevails, in fact, that July will
mark the low point of the year in out-
put and distribution. Heretofore No-
vember and December have been the
“quiet” months.
During the two final months this
year, several new models will be
brought out. This fact, alone, will call
for a speeding up of production.
Some of the plants are planning an-
other mid-summer “vacation period,”
but up to the present time none of the
leading producers has made any such
announcement. With the low price
field becoming more competitive than
ever before there is a possibility the
larger producers may decide against
a shutdown.
Each of the three producers in the
low price field—Chevrolet, ford and
Plymouth—watching every move by
their competitors, feel that a shut-
down at this time would work to their
disadvantage at a time when the in-
dustry is believed to be just getting
its basic momentum for the upward
climb,
Although the annual automobile
shows in New York and Chicago are
still several months “up the road,” they
are being looked forward to by manu-
facturers generally as the time when
opportunity will be afforded for a re-
liable appraisal of what 1932 holds for
the industry. It is anticipated -that
more new models will be shown. at
next winter's shows than ever before.
regardless of the comparatively lean
year which will then have just closed.
Motor vehicle speed legislation must
rate 1931 as one of its most active
years. With the final count now in the
record shows that nine states modified
their laws in some way, and in every
case where a revision was made it was
in an upward direction. Changes made
in state speed regulations indicate
forty-five miles per hour to’ be the
most popular arbitrary maximum.
No one is predicting a spurt in auto-
mobile sales the remainder of the year.
Leading’ executives, however, are. con-
fident of highly satisfactory results and
see the business in general gaining
ground, as it did in the good years
leading up to 1929. Perhaps the mora-
torium will prove to be the right tonic.
[ Copyrighted, 1931.]
—_~~+.___
May Expect Reasonable Prosperity
Before European Adjustment.
Assuming that Germany’s financial
embarrassment will have an adverse in-
fluence on world trade recovery, tend-
ing to prolong the business depres-
sion, will the United States be able to
emerge from the shadow before ad-
justments abroad have been completed?
That is a question American finan-
ciers are pondering. Uncertainties in-
volved in the Paris and London nego-
tiations, obscuring the outlook for for-
eign trade, naturally tend to restrain
optimism, but the fact that political
negotiators are giving greater consid-
eration than usual to economic prob-
lems warrants a hopeful view,
When in a crisis such as this dire
happenings become so clearly visible
that they may be studied, the worst
that can happen rarely comes to pass.
That is the philosophy of a clear-
thinking New York banker who has
followed closely the dramatic episodes
in Europe’s post-war history. And it
explains why he feels America may
enjoy reasonable prosperity even
though Europe may require several
years to solve its financial problems.
If we were asked to formulate a
program for a dictator in this country,
he tells you, he would stress five points.
In the first place, he would favor
economic—not political — co-operation
with Europe.
He would modernize the Sherman
anti-trust law to permit agreements
limiting production to economic re-
quirements, thus checking the ruinous
competition and waste of our mineral
Investment Bankers
Change
of
Corporate
Name
==
Fenton, Davis
& Boyle
Mid ~ West
Securities
Corporation
Investment Bankers
DETROIT
GRAND RAPIDS
¢ «Phone 4212 : iil
UUTTOTTTTTT TT
~
PTA OTT ITT TTT TS
|
Telephone 4677
resources, without, however, granting
monopolies.
Greater initiative on the part of rail-
road managements would be encourag-
ed without removal of Government
regulation. Railroads at present are
too much like kindergarten children
US
HELP
YOU
SOLVE
YOUR
INVESTMENT
PROBLEMS
— PHONE 4774 —
EITER,
URTIS&
ETTER
Investment Bankers and Brokers
Grand Rapids Muskegon
JOHN A. KELLEY & COMPANY
INVESTMENT BANKERS
and BROKERS
1004-05 G. R. National Bank Bldg.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
The ability to invest wisely
is the keystone of prosperity
A. E. KUSTERER & CO.
303-307 Michigan Trust Building
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
The Oldest Investment Banking House
in Western Michigan
Phone 4267
July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
13
who must raise their hands to an In-
terstate Commerce Commission teacher
every time they want anything, he says,
Experiments in providing agricul-
tural relief he would continue on a
more moderate scale in the hope of
finding a correction of price maladjust-
ments.
Lastly, he would modify prohibition,
which, he says, has reduced Govern-
ment revenues by hundreds of millions
of dollars and wrought great harm to
the country’s social fabric.
Such a program, contemplating relief
for industry, agriculture and the rail-
roads, you are assured, would restore
a sufficient volume of business in this
country to keep us from worrying over
European affairs. Although it could be
made effective almost over night, its
proponent doubts whether the public is
ready for acceptance,
The outlook for a gradual solution
of the great world problems is not
hopeless, however, and one by one
adjustments will be effected.
The hill seems higher from -the foot
than from the top.
William Russell White.
[| Copyrighted, 1931.]
———_--+ ~~ __
Trading,
In establishing a trading position in
the bond or the stock market, become
a bull or a long pull investor, as this
is the right side of the market. One
should take a cynical attitude toward
the market. Believe nothing you hear
until it has been verified. The best
advice is to trade alone and do not
listen to tips and opinions on a lot of
world-wide topics such as wheat, silver
or other situations, by a lot of people
who are not qualified to discuss these
subjects.
needed
Base your activities on fundamentals
and the technical side of tae market.
It is also a good policy to only watch
a few stocks, but know these stocks
thoroughly. Become acquainted with
their earnings and assets, book value
of the stocks, previous highs and lows,
dividend rates, dates of meetings of
the board of directors for important
announcements and also the industry
in which it operates. However, one
should not forget that quarterly re-
ports are past news and that statistics
are past history but credit conditions,
the money market and commodity
prices are big factors in the stock
market,
Do not make commitments on past
history except as has been mentioned
before, to discount good or bad news.
In later articles, volume of sales in the
market will be considered as a barome-
ter of the enthusiasm of pessimism of
the buyers or sellers and is one of the
most important factors in trading in
the market. This is on the theory that
the biggest participations are at the
top of the market. Jay H. Petter.
—~+++___
A- Business Man’s Philosophy.
The dinner had been so good that
one of the guests asked the hostess
about the cook,
The lady explained that the cook
had formerly been employed by an
elderly couple who paid higher wages
than she now received.
“T asked her why she came to work
for me,” said the hostess. “Her an-
swer was that nothing ever happened
at the other place.”
Activity, something doing, change, a
that one is alive—these are
the factors included in what
is known as “psychic income.” Econ-
omists recognize that men do not live
by cash alone. If the uniform is gay,
some Negroes are said to be willing to
work as doorman for almost nothing.
One can easily imagine that cooking
for an old couple who rarely entertain-
ed would be dull, and that a woman
who liked action and people would pre-
fer to work for less money at a place
where “something was doing.”
Some workmen would consider a
night watchman’s job in a cold storage
warehouse at any wage.
Active men of lively temperament be-
come ticket-takers on merry-go-
rounds, or drivers of taxicabs.
It is a frequent source of wonder
how irascible employers can get any
one to work for them. The explana-
tion probably is that the flighty boss
keeps things stirred up, thus making
life interesting for his assistants.
William Feather.
————® + ~~
sense
among
impossible
Corporations Wound Up.
The following Michigan corporations
have recently filed notices of dissolu-
tion with the Secretary of State:
Mt. Forest Fur Farms of America,
Inc... Detroit,
Jackson Gas Development Corp., Jack-
son.
Saunders Michigan Stores, Inc., De-
troit.
Columbia Preperties Corp., Detroit.
Winston & Coon, Inc., Saginaw.
Mead Drug Co., Escanaba.
Absopure Refrigeration 'Corp., Detroit.
Home Furniture Co., Saginaw.
Tecumseh Supertile Co., Tecumseh.
Universal Accordion Manufacturing
'‘Co., Detroit.
Gratiot Avenue Land Co., Detroit.
Cambridge Land Co., Detroit.
Westwood Land Co., Detroit.
Dorset Land Co., Detroit.
Jominy Realty ‘Co., ef Detroit.
Warren-Dearborn Land Co., Detroit.
Jones Investment Co., Detroit. *
Dearnan Road Land Co., Detroit.
Bee-Craft ‘Corp., Detroit,
Weaver Brothers Co., Clinton.
Suptrior Oven 'Co,, Albion,
Blancett’s, Inc., Detroit.
First State Contract Co., Detroit.
E. & B. Manufacturing Co., Ypsilanti.
Union Sanitary Rack Manufacturing
(Co. Albion.
Lambrecht-Kelly Co., Detroit.
Roberts & Schaefer Co., Lansing,
Oakwood Realty Co., Oakwood.
White Pine Extension Copper
Detroit.
Redford State ‘Savings Bank, Redford.
Fort/Twelfth Corp., Detroit.
Arenac Oil and Gas Development Co.,
Whittemore,
Rentz Realty Co., Detroit.
Kean Realty Co., Detroit.
Budd-Willer Jewelry Co., Inc, Pontiac.
—_->2-~+—.
Picture Frame Orders Aheadd.
A steady demand for novelty picture
frames is an outstanding feature of this
season’s gift trade. Sales of frames
since the early part of June are 10 to
15 per cent. ahead of those made laét
year. Wood, metal and combination
metal and glass numbers are active at
this time in retail ranges of $5 to $7.50,
The metal and glass type lead in the
volume of orders and are especially
popular in the 5x9 inch size.
——_2-~>___
Painstaking effort must preced pleas-
ure.
Ce;
GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL BANK
Established 1860
Incorporated 1865
Nine Community Offices
GRAND RAPIDS
NATIONAL
COMPANY
Investment
Securities
Affiliated with Grand Rapids
National Bank
OG I I IT IT GT IT IT IE IT OIE IT I IGT GT IT OIE GI GT IE IT GT” IGS NOT GT AST RT IT RET IT ET
GIGI IT II EI GT ET OI IE LIT IT GT IT II TG TS IGT GT GT OG IT I TT
6} YEARS OF
BANKING SERVICE
“Tur Granp Rapips Savincs Bank”
for 61 years has continuously provided
a comprehensive banking service. We
offer every banking facility broad enough
in scope -— large enough in resources —
small enough to be personal. A service
to fit every requirement of individual
or industries.
CRO LO
GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK °
“The Bank Where You Feel at Home”
17 Convenient Offices
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SERIA AS Dt ep eee Nye
5
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ze
14
Sees More Profits in Private Brand
Goods.
Most canning factories have their
factory labels and also use _ private
labels for those who want them.
Labels identify merchandise and make
it passible for us to feature our pet
brands. When a label is advertised
extensively and vigorously we now
call it a nationally advertised article. A
nationally advertised article would
seem to be the thing to tie to, because
of its easy salability. We like to sell
merchandise and that which sells
readily should be preferred. So why
not sell nationally advertised products.
But we must have a fair profit. Can
the fair profit be obtained on nationally
advertised articles? ‘That is where the
rub comes in. So many merchants,
particularly the chain stores, do cut the
price of nationally advertised products.
When the price of any well known
article is cut continually, the cut price
becomes the regular price, and this
price leaves no profit for the retail
grocer.
The retail grocer is forced to go to
a private or controlled label, where
he can take a legitimate profit. How
far must the retail grocer go with his
private label? It is a heavy question.
There is none who can answer for all.
Each of us must solve the problem for
himself. You are a retail grocer. You
want all the customers you can get. If
you are wise you will not let your cus-
tomers go to the chain stores to obtain
nationally advertised merchandise. You
must carry some and a progressive
merchant will let his customers know
it, by displaying conspicuously with
prices very close to that of the chain
store. You may have to sell for less
than is fair, but you must do it. You
must hold your customers.
You cannot handle all the brands of
merchandise that customers may ask
for. You will have too many duplica-
tions. You must cut your number
down to as few as possible.
A grocer should carry a controlled
line of private label canned merchan-
dise wherein the fair profit could be
obtained. If he is very sure his
private label or controlled label covers
good quality merchandise, he will
naturally push it in preference to na-
tionally advertised products, to hold
them, J. C. Harline.
—_77.>___
Death of Roy O. Carscallen, the
Selkirk Merchant.
Two days after an operation at
Mercy hospital, Bay City, Roy O.
Carscailen, well known in Ogemaw
county and this part of the State
where he had spent his entire life,
passed away early Monday morning.
His death was caused by malignant
cancer of the stomach,
About three weeks ago he suffered
what the family thought a partial sun-
stroke, after which he seemed to make
a recovery. Following a week’s illness
he went to ‘Mercy hospital for obser-
vation, and last Friday was operated
on fdr stomach trouble after X-ray
diagnosis. The operation disclosed a
malignant cancer growth. He rapidly
failed after the operation and passed
this life early Monday morning,
Mr. Carscallen was born at Omer,
Arenac county, 53 years ago, where
he entered the mercantile business
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
early in life as an employe of the
Squires & Sterling Mercantile Co. He
came to Selkirk when 23 years of age
in the employe of W.:C. Sterling, and
shortly thereafter formed a co-partner-
ship with his brother, Herb, who pre-
ceded him in death only a few years
ago. Carscallen brothers built up a
substantial business at ‘Selkirk which
has been continued by Roy, as he was
familiarly known, since the death of
his brother.
Roy ‘Carscallen was a man among
men, and through his very pleasing
personality had acquired many very
warm personal friendships, which is a
legacy that is to be cherished by the
family. He was a man who believed
in his fellowmen, and throughout his
career practiced the “golden rule” of
life. He was a friend of all, and will
be greatly missed by the people of his
community. His acquaintance was
large, and perhaps, no one in our
ceunty was more widely known than
R. O. Carscallen.
Seldom is it the privilege of a man
only 53 years old to live to crowd into
that brief span the wealth of friend-
ships, -the achievements of having ex-
erted a good influence on the people
with whom he came in contact, as was
the heritage of Roy Carscallen.
The immediate family who will
mourn his death other than Mrs, Cars-
callen. are: one son, Fletcher Cars-
callen; two daughters, Adeline and
Gladys ‘Carscallen; one brother, Syd
Carscallen, all of this county, and one
cousin, Fred ‘Carscallen, of New
Mexico,
Roy Carscallen was a member of
West ‘Branch Lodge F. and A, M.,
Elf Khurafeh Tempie, Saginaw and
the Consistory at Bay City. Many of
his fraternal associates attended the
tuneral,
Funeral services were held from the
Selkirk home Wednesday afternoon.
Rev. ‘Herbert Wilson, of the Trinity
Episcopal church, officiated at the
house service, while the West Branch
F. and A. M. lodge had charge of the
burial service at the Selkirk cemetery.
—-Ogemaw Herald,
>>
The Danger of Waiting.
Life can play foul jokes on people
some times.
In a large ‘Middle Western city there
was a grocer who worked and saved
too hard to have very much fun, so
that his old age would be provided for.
For fifty years he stuck to his gro-
cery store. ‘He worked and saved too
hard to have very much fun, but he
was looking forward to the day when
he could retire. Then he would have
his fun. He would have money and
leisure and he would hake up for the
years of hard work.
‘Well, he ffinally retired—money in
the bank, an assured income, a nice
home, everything he needed. “Now,”
he told his friends, “J am going to en-
joy life.”
And just twenty-four hours after he
had retired he dropped dead.
Tf a novelist put that in a book we
wouldn’t believe it. ‘We would say
that things don’t really happen that
way and we would accuse the novelist
of straining too hard for an ironic
effect,
‘But life takes queer twists that are
not permitted to good fiction. It all
happened, precisely as it is described
here; and all we can do is admit that
there are times when wisdom and
prudence are horribly confounded.
As a matter of fact, this sort of
thing ‘happens fairly often—in a little
different way. Not many people who
have prepared for a carefree and leis-
urely old age die just as they begin to
taste their reward, of course; but they
get cheated out of their dues, just the
same. They find leisure, after a life-
time of hard work, is boredom. They
find that they have forgotten how to
play. They find that the-empty hours
are depressing because they do not
know what to do with them. They
find themselves feeling that they have
been put upon the shelf, and they grow’
ten years older in twelve months.
Perhaps we aren’t meant to be too
cautious. Deferring one’s happiness to
the end, when one will have time and
the means to take it, is risky. For
most of us that gilded to-morrow will
never dawn. If we don’t get our hap-
piness along the way we shall never
get it at all.
‘That is a lesson worth learning. The
real joy of living is not something that
can be banked and drawn on at some
future date. It has to ‘be taken from
day to day. It is compounded usually
of many little experiences. The haze
July 22, 1931
of an autumn afternoon over a flaming
woodland; the confiding smile of a
child, nestling in one’s arms for a fairy
tale; the smell of a clear wind as one
trudges along a beach of blue water;
the sudden .revelation of tenderness in
the eyes of a loved one; the brief,
vanishing strain of a bit of music—of
such things is a satisfying life fabricat-
ed. You cannot postpone them, you
cannot waii for them. You must get
them as you go along, or you will miss
them entirely—Lapeer Press.
———_+ +
Spring Woolens To Be Delayed.
Although some clothing manufac-
turers expect to look over Spring
woolen lines within the next two
weeks, official openings of these goods
will not be held until late in August or
early September. ‘Some of the mills
have swatches and colors of the new
woolens and worsteds ready, but com-
plete lines will not be shown for some
time. Prices on the ‘Spring goods have
not been discussed yet, but it was in-
dicated that they will be lower than
last year’s Spring lines, according to
the tentative estimates now being
made by mill men.
—_>-____.
Albion—Paul J. Hawes who pur-
chased the North End Drug Store
from K. N. Burlingame, has opened
the store for business,
GRAND RAPIDS
507 Grand Rapids Trust Bidg.
81201
LAGEISTERT
eo
Investment Bankers
In Muskegon it’s
HOLSUM
Muskegon Baking Co.
MUSKEGON
613 Hackley Union Bldg.
25749
Telephone
Cadillac 1411-1412
COLLECTIONS
We make collections in all cities. Bonded to the State of Michigan.
Prompt remittance of all moneys collected is guaranteed. Write us
for information regarding our system of making collections.
CREDITOR’S COLLECTION BUREAU
7th Fl, Lafayette Bldg.,
Detroit, Michigan
naa nenncereenen nett EN
July 22, 1931
eeeteerancntrnnae
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
15
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE
Points To Watch When Writing Col-
lection Letters.
It goes without saying, that a re-
tail merchant or any other business
man has the right to use forceful
language when writing céllection let-
ters, if he believes the situation de-
mands it. He has a perfect right to
call a spade a spade, and inform a
lagging debtor just what may be ex-
pected if payment is not forthcoming,
s> long as he keeps within a few well
cefrned limitations,
yor, while a merchant is allowed a
wide latitude in writing collection let-
ters, there are certain restrictions that
he should always have in mind if pos-
sible after trouble is to be guarded
against. As these restrictions may for
convenience be divided into two di-
visions, i. e., those governed by state
laws and those controlled by Federal
laws. ‘Now let us examine these di-
visions in some detail.
As may be expected, the laws of the
different states are not uniform in their
restrictions on the writing of collec-
tion letters. But generally speaking,
the use of threats that tend to humili-
ate or degrade a debtor in the eyes of
his neighbors or associates are frown-
ed upon. And, as illustrations of what
the courts have held to be unlawful in
situations of this kind, let us take the
fcllowing: .
It has been held that for a merchant
to threaten a debtor with criminal
prosecution unless a certain bill was
paid was violative of a statute against
extortion, And that this was true
even though the debt was a just one,
fer the object of the statute was held
to be to discourage the invoking of
criminal laws of the state to force
payment of a private obligation.
And in another state, Missouri, the
court held the sending of a letter, in
which a merchant threatened to ad-
vertise a claim for sale unless it was
paid, was held to be a violation of a
statute against threatening leters. This
seems to be the only case in which the
courts have gone this far in constru-
ing threatening letter statutes, and it
is given as an example of how drastic
the rulings on this subject may be.
So too, the sending of a letter in
which the mrchant hreatened to report
the debtor to the board of trade, if a
claim was not paid, was held to violate
a New York statute. This statute
made the sending of a letter with in-
tent to annoy or harass a person a mis-
demeanor, and provided certain pen-
alties, and the above letter was held to
fall within its terms.
Here, we find the greatest danger
arises through the mailing of what is
termed non-mailable matter with the
object of having delivery made through
the post office. And, generally speak-
ing, the law forbids the mailing of let-
ters or post cards that carry terms,
words, or epithets upon the outside
cover, that tend to reflect injuriously
upon the character of another. The
courts have held the following to be
violations of this law.
Where a merchant wrote on a post
card, “If it (the bill) is not paid at
once, we shall place same with our
lawyer for collection.” And, where a
post card recited, “I see you do not in-
Sac letbENea Yat
tend to pay any attention to your
agreement,” the court held this violat-
ed the law since the language used
was clearly intended to reflect upon
the character and conduct of the
debtor,
The foregoing are fair illustrations
of expressions which, if placed upon
the outside of a letter, post card, or
other paper that is mailed, may cause
trouble to the merchant. And, in con-
clusion, the danger points in writing
collection letters may be summed up
as follows:
DON’T use a post card, or other un-
covered paper, when writing a dunning
message to a debtor. And don’t place
a message of this kind on the outside
envelope that is addressed to a debtor.
You might get away with it, depend-
ing upon the words used, etc., but
there is always an element of danger
here that may lead to a conflict with
the post office authorities.
As to state laws, don’t threaten to
have a debtor arrested on some crim-
inal charge unless he pays, and don’t
threaten to expose him to disgrace or
humiliation of any kind as a means of
compelling payment. For, while a mer-
chant might not incur liability through
letters of this kind, depending upon
the facts of the case, there may be
great danger in this procedure. And,
generally speaking, threatening letters
of this kind should not be employed
in collection correspondence,
Leslie Childs.
——__ + —___
Does His Athletics at Home.
C. L. Glasgow is not particular just
now about shaking hands in the old
“pump ‘handle, up and down” fashion
of the old days, in fact he’d rather just
incline his head in greeting for a few
days, and he’s awfully cautious when
it comes to approaching stairs of the
polished wood variety, whether he’s
going up or down. He started out to
do a flight of them the other day, all
at once sort of changed his plan, by
acrobatic work, but broke the little
finger of his right hand in saving him-
self from the longer fall and the “forty
‘leven” other hazards. ‘This had no
connection with the recent surprise at
the Glasgow home, neither was it an
“after effect.”—Nashville News.
——___o +e
Expect Fall Volume on $1 Curtains.
Early buying in the popular-price
curtain market this year has given
manufactureers a clear idea of both
style and price for Fall, Producers are
convinced that curtains in the $1 range
will draw the greatest volume in spite
of the emphasis placed by buyers upon
59 and 79 cent merchandise. The
manufacturers expect that the low
price goods will be used as special
sales offerings and the $1 grades car-
ried throughout the season as regular
merchandise. Dotted grenadines, ecru
and sand shades have been ordered by
the stores in good volume.
—_—_—_>-+ + —___
Happiness in this world, when it
comes, comes incidentally. Make it the
object of pursuit, and it leads us a
wild-goose chase, and is never attained.
Follow some other object, and very
possibly we may find that we have
caught happiness without dreaming of
it—Nathaniel Hawthorne,
OUR FIRE INSURANCE
POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT
with any standard stock policies that
you are buying
rena cone 30% Less
Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
of Fremont, Michigan
WILLIAM N. SENF, Secretary-Treasurer
THAT’S A LONG TIME AGO!
aw
Cate
x es
“Two
Lungers?”’ Back in the days of
Remember the old
Goggles and long linen dusters
the Federal
serving the American public.
Mutuals began
Since that time these strong
companies have grown to a
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large—No risk too small for painstaking Federal Service!
FEDERAL HARDWARE & IMPLEMENT MUTUALS
Retail Hardware Mutual Fire Ins. Co. Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Minnesota Implement Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
Owatonna, Minnesota
1909 22 Years 1931
Losses Paid Promptly — Saving 30%
For FIRE and WINDSTORM Insurance
THE GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
affliated with
THE MICHIGAN RETAIL DRY GOODS ASSOCIATION
320 Houseman Bldg. Grand Rapids, Mich.
Finnish Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Of Calumet, Michigan
Has paid dividends of 40 to 68 per cent for the past
40 years and have accumulated more assets and sur-
plus per $1000.00 of risk than leading stock com-
panies.
We insure at Standard Rates and issue a Michigan
Standard Policy.
We write Mercantile, Garage, Church, School and
Dwelling risk.
Write for further information.
JACOB UITTI, Manager
444 Pine Street
Calumet, Mich.
eo
16
INVISIBLE PAYMENTS.
Enormous’ Contributions America
Makes To Foreign Countries.
‘Probably a good many of you this
afternoon had samples of the usual
Sunday traffic. I am going to ask
you, now, to imagine a procession of
automobiles that will absolutely
dwarf anything you may have seen
this afternoon—impossible as that may
seem. J] wish you would try to visual-
ize, if you can, a line of 5,409,458
American cars. We will allow them
fifteen feet of space apiece. How far
de you think that line would reach?
It would be no less than 15,300 miles
long. It would extend as far as the
entire round-the-world route of the
heroic airmen, Post and Gatty. That
big parade represents the number of
automobiles belonging to Americans
whick passed from the United States
into the Dominion of Canada “for
touring purposes” (as the official
phrase goes) during the year 1930.
In those cars were American citizens
with vacation money in their pockets
—perhaps not as much as in 1929, but
nearly so, And they spent it, vast
amounts of it, in that great friendly
commonwealth to the North of us—
left it there for ‘Canadian use and en-
joyment, in return for the delights of
camping in the woods or listening to
the chimes of the Parliament House
at Ottawa or looking at the peaceful,
picturesque old-world villages of the
French-Canadian “habitants,” or other
Satisfying pastimes which Canada
knows so well how to supply.
‘Consider the growth of such ex-
penditures. In 1922—only eight years
before—Americans had spent in ‘Can-
ada the relatively small sum of 76 mil-
lion dollars. According to the most
careful computations by our experts at
the Department of Commerce, the to-
tal in 1930 was approximately 266 mil-
lion dollars. Considerably more than a
threefold increase. As regards the ac-
tual number of our people visiting in
Canada, we find that the so-called “‘de-
pression year’ 1930 showed a 20 per
cent. growth over the immediately pre-
ceding year, 1929, ‘Here, I think, is an
interesting fact: The tourist traffic be-
tween the United States and Canada
involves a larger total expenditure than
that between any other two countries
on the face of the globe, and the rate
of growth of the traffic has had no
parallel in the history of international
touring.
‘Now why get excited about how
tourists spend their money? Just for
this reason: it is one of the biggest
items in all our international business,
financial or commerci3l—and we have
been hearing a lot about that lately.
“Tourist expenditures” sound like
something trivial—post-cards, roadside
lunches, Indian blankets (which may
have been made in Chicago) and so on.
But, as a matter of fact, this item is
of vital importance in helping foreign-
ers pay for things they buy from us
or for the money they borrow from us,
And so this money spent in tourist
traffic beyond our frontiers goes to
make up a major item in that illumin-
atig compilation which we call the
“Balance of International Payments of
the United States.” It has appeared
annually at this time ever since it was
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
launched « number of years ago by
President Hoover when Secretary of
Ccmmerce to clear up the hitherto al-
most unexplored field of the invisible
items in our business relations involv-
ing in some recent years as much as
nine billion dollars. The study that
cevers all the tremendously varied
items for the year 1930 has just been
released. [I want to give you to-day a
few glimpses of it and try to point out
a pathway or two through the appar-
entiy formidable “forests” of statistics.
We should not be scared away by
figures, by tables or by charts, even
when they seem austere. Figures real-
ly are not dry. When you penetrate to
the acts and impulses and desires that
underlie them, you find that they are
intensely. human, And the figures in
this “Balance of International Pay-
ments” represent, in one way or an-
other, pretty nearly the entire gamut
of human incentives, energies, emo-
tions and experiences. They pcrtray
the acquisitive instinct—the passion
for a larger life—the resistless impulse
to trade and barter—the ambition to
master new fields—the powerful sense
of social obligation—the deep affection
for distant dear ones—the generous
wish to minister to suffering or need
—the determination to lay lanes of
swift transport around the earth—the
keen and ardent urge to enrich one’s
personality through new sights and
broader knowledge and a_ deeper,
truer acquaintance with the ways of
our fellowmen. All those things—and
many. more—lie behind the arrays of
figures in a Balance of International
Payments. Because, quite inescapably,
every one of those human impulses
and accomplishments involves the use
of money,
As we realize that we see how ab-
surd it is to make the frightfully com-
mon mistake of thinking that inter-
national business is simply made up of
interchanges of concrete, material,
“touchable” articles of merchandise—
the things about which there has been
so much tariff uproar, pro and con.
There are items in foreign business
running into billions in their total
value which lie far beyond that zone
of fire. Foreigners who owe us
money, either for our exports or for
loans, war debts, or what not, may
pay us not only in goods or gold, but
in services sold to our business men
or tourists.
‘The trades in tangible goods are
enormously important, to be sure. I
would not dream of attempting to
slight or minimize their foremost place
in the business movements between
different countries. But we must ever-
lastingly be conscious that they form
only part of the story—that there are
many other currents of tremendous
force and influence that simply cannot
be gauged by those elemental stand-
ards of size and weight and “touch-
ability.” They are more or less in-
visible currents; in estimating them we
must be guided by “the evidence of
things unseen,” but none the less real
and potent.
One of the biggest facts about mod-
ern business is that such business has
increasingly transcended and exceeded
the boundaries of the trade in goods
of bulk and burden. To an ever greater
extent the payments passing between
nations are payments for services, for
the use of funds, for endeavors that
shall heighten the sum of human wel-
fare.
To illustrate how that works, let us
bring it right down to the simplest
terms, to your own personal activities
and wants and the life of your com-
munity—because trade between na-
tions is simply trade between people,
not places. You need a roof to cover
you—a suit or dress to wear—a porter-
house steak or a dish of berries to ap-
pease the inner man—a chair to lie and
loaf in—a car to take you places, And
how do you get those very necessary
things? Plainly, it must be a swap.
You exchange either something you
own or some of your own work, some
of your own ability, for the many ar-’
ticles you must acquire. ‘Let us ex-
amine a bit more closely that phrase
“your own work.” Just what does it
imply? Some of you get the things
you need by your excellent ability to
actually turn in and make a portion
of a shoe or a tractor or a table or a
vacuum cleaner. ‘That is splendid.
But do all of you have to get busy and
create a tangible article of that sort?
Not by any manner of means—not by
many millions of the workers who
were enumerated in the recent census.
Some do and some do not—and the
contribution of all classes is deserving
of equal praise.
Some of you—in order to get your
new set of golf clubs or the radio re-
ceiver to install in your car—are easily
able to trade your ability to cite legal
precedents or make a convincing plea
to a jury. Others of you bring to the
mart the things you know about fallen
arches and roving germs and “tours
through the alimentary canal with gun
and camera,’ ‘Some of you proffer
your skill in inserting a porcelain fill-
ing when a molar tooth has run
amuck, ‘Others of you offer the ability
to hit high C or to dash off a news-
paper “lead” with a punch or to car-
toon the human comedy with pen and
ink or to teach the novice at contract
bridge how to escape from a game
without incurring too many abrasions
on the shins, Countless kinds of skill
and knowledge are being exchanged
all the time for the wherewithal to pur-
chase goods.
‘Services, in multitudinous cases be-
tween individuals, are being exchanged,
ultimately, for merchandise. They are
the equivalent of goods. And it is the
same between nations, ‘Services help
to make up the great items of “in-
visible payments,” going very far to
adjust the balances which are drawn
up. Economists, for years, have been
laboring to hammer home that fact—
but certain quarters seem comparative-
ly impervious to it still.
‘Take any single country. It would
not happen once in a million years that
the exchanges of actual goods between
the United States and that country
could be exactly equal. ‘Maybe we
buy from them considerably less mer-
chandise than we sell to them (of
course, it may well be and often is the
other way around, but we will assume
this condition, just for the sake of
argument). Does that isolated fact
form a basis for a complaint of ‘Ameri-
can “injustice” or “selfishness,” or
“commercial aggression,” or what not?
July 22, 1931
Is the foreign nation warranted in say-
ing: “We buy a lot of your stuff and
here you're not buying enough of our
toys or cosmetics or wickerware or
musical fly-paper, How about it?” No,
I think we~can safely say that, in the
overwhelming majority of cases, a
plaint of this kind would not be justi-
fied. For here is the thing to bear in
mind; Maybe we Americans did not
buy so many clocks from a given for-
eign region as other countries did, but
we made up for it amply by having
our tourists purchase huge quantities
of winter sports and sunlight on gleam-
ing glaciers. Or if the olive market
was a little off, we may have com-
pensated for it by taking longer looks
at Titian’s pictures, Grecian temples
or Moorish minarets and paying plenty
of sound American dollars for the
privilege.
And so on down the line. We can
understand the situation best, I am
convinced, by proceeding with a num-
ber of other concrete human examples,
Let us say you are in a postoffice here
and you fall into conversation with a
sturdy foreign-born worker who is in-
vesting in an international post money
order, to send to his wife and children
in a peasant cottage on some far-off
Central European hillside. His thoughts
are always with them. He wants to
supply their needs and keep them
from ill-fortune, so he sends them
money he has earned in an industry
in the United States. iMaybe you are
a manufacturer or export merchant,
and, to get your goods to a foreign
port in some out-of-the-way corner of
the world, you are obliged to pay
freight charges to a foreign shipping
line. You pick up a newspaper and
read a story about starvation, plague
or wretchedness in some other distant
country, or about the need for educa-
tion or social readjustment, and you
are moved to write a check and send
it to an organization which is working
to remedy the situation. Or you are
traveling abroad yourself, and you buy
the head-waiter’s knowledge of the
most delicious dishes the chef has just
concocted—or a voluble guide’s inside
information on what Napoleon said to
Josephine in some _ gaudily gilded
room at the Palace of Malmaison. You
buy the memory of the tattered ban-
ners of the valiant ‘Charles the Twelfth
of Sweden, the shattered towers of
robber-barons’ castles or the brilliant
pajama-pageants at the Lido beach. Tt
all involves payments. It is all a part
of modern business,
All such payments by Americans
compensate for and offset foreign pur-
chases of American goods. If a Brit-
ish merchant buys an American adding
machine, we do not have to make it
right by acquiring a suit of clothes
from (Bond street or a supply of
Sheffield cutlery. No, the matter can
be adjusted by a pilgrimage to Shakes-
peare’s tomb at Stratford. The in-
visible payments are potent in bring-
ing the mutual business into the de-
sirable state of balance. The frequent
failure to recognize that basic, vital
fact—that heavy weight cast into the
scales of international business rela-
tions—leads to all kinds of fallacies,
and absurd misconceptions and erron-
eous ideas of unfairness. “Because a
distressing depression or the adoption
= SS
Fre
= SS
July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 17
of a fiscal policy may in some instanc-
es lessen our American purchases of
certain things which come in bales and
boxes, one cannot jump to the conclu-
sion that the scales are tilting at too
sharp an angle and a wrong is being
done, ‘Nine times out of ten, at least,
an examination of the invisible pay-
ments will show that the intangibles
are actively and vigorously correcting
the discrepancies that are mistakenly
alleged to be so onerous to certain of
our foreign friends.
So you will find that this American
governmental study of the Balance of
International Payments, which has
just been released, is ‘filled with facts
not only about the merchandise ex-
change, but even more with carefully
developed figures and shrewd esti-
mates by various experts in the De-
partment as to the extent and true
significance of the invisible items. A
good many of those payments have
been shrouded in mystery in the past,
because they are obscure and elusive
and difficult to trace. Some guess-
work still is present, but a multitude
of questionnaires have helped to bring
the truth to light,
The invisible items cover a variety
of payments in addition to those I
have mentioned. For instance, in 1930
we paid 237 million dollars to foreign-
ers who have invested in .American
enterprises, while we received 826 mil-
lion dollars from our own investments
abroad (these figures both refer to
long-term private investments), As the
earnings of short-term interest and
conmunissions, we paid to foreigners
abroad the sum (in 1930) of 73 mil-
lion dollars, while we collected from
foreigners abroad a little more than
that or 78 million dollars. We paid
4 million dollars for electric power
which came to us from ‘Canada. We
paid foreigners 15 million dollars for
cablegrams, radiograms and telephone
services, while for this same class of
service they paid us something like 21
millions, On insurance transactions
the balance seems to have been prac-
tically equal, with about 70 million dol-
lars passing in each direction. On
motion picture royalties we apparently
received, in 1930, about 50 million dol-
lars and paid out 6 million,
But let us get to the big items—the
items J] was trying to emphasize a little
earlier in this talk. First, take the ex-
peuditures abroad by our millions of
American student travelers
and others. Foreign countries in 1930
made (so far as we can ascertain)
about 811 million dollars out of the de-
termination of Americans to improve
themselves culturally or spiritually or
physically or gastronomically through
an inspection of “foreign parts.’ With
a like purpose, presumably, foreigners
spent in the United States only 171
nillions., ‘The difference is 640 mil-
liens in favor of the foreigners, in that
single twelve-month period. That
would compensate for a good many
American automobiles, razor blades,
electric toasters and other gadgets or
bulk articles the foreigners deemed it
desirable to buy from the United
States. Of that 811 millions that our
tourists spent abroad last year, 489
millions were spent overseas (chiefly
in Europe and the West Indies);
Mexico got 56 millions, and Canada,
tourists,
as J have stated earlier, benefitted to
the extent of 266 millions. Naturally
the expenditures were not quite so
heavy as in the boom year 1929 but
the number of American citizens going
overseas (with cash and _ travelers’
cheques and letters of credit) increas-
ed by more than 27,000, or over 6 per
cent.—setting a new all-time record.
Foreign immigrants in the United
States sent home to families, in 1930,
199 million dollars, as compared with
247 million in 1929, Our missionary
aud charitable contributions to for-
eign countries amounted last year to
about 4Q million dollars. ‘Most of it
was church money, but the funds for
non-sectarian charitable and_ social
work were thoroughly substantial; the
Rockefeller Foundation alone spent in
rere'gn countries in 1930 not far from
5 milion dollars. For carrying our
freight on the oceans and Great Lakes
we paid to last year 201
nullions, while they paid our ship-
owters only 166 millions—another dif-
ference in favor of the foreigners of
95 million dollars. Our studies seem
o show that the losses of the world
depression have fallen more heavily
upon the American flag shipping than
they keve upon the foreign.
toreigners
co
This study of the Balance of Iater-
national Payments is a serious and
valuable work. It provides indispens-
able check ups. Through it, baseless
and reckless assertions can be refuted
and realities be brought to light.
Julius Klein.
—_—_>-2+___
Furnishings Lead Men’s Wear.
Summer furnishings for immediate
delivery continue to dominate the
men’s wear orders placed in the whole-
sale markets this week, and the total
business compares favorably with that
of the last several weeks. While a
fair amount of purchases are made on
Summer clothing, such as flannel
trousers and linen suits, interest in
these goods has slackened considerably.
Some commitments for men’s and boys’
Fall suits and topcoats have begun to
appear, in retail prices ranges from
$18 to $40, with the greatest emphasis
placed on the $22.50 to $35 brackets.
Purchases on leather clothing are being
made steadily, and this division is fore-
cast for the most active season ever
experienced,
—_++___
Fall Glove Stocks Held Down.
With style trends favorable, the glove
trade is looking forward to improved
market conditions this Fall. At the
moment, however, both importers and
domestic producers are operating cau-
tiously and are holding stocks down.
In some quarters the view is expressed
that this attitude of “refusing to hold
the bag” will possibly develop a short-
age of merchandise during the season.
In better merchandise the types being
featured are glace, doeskin and suede
gloves. For street wear, the prediction
that 75 per cent. of the demand will
center on four to five button lengths,
with the eight-button mousquetaire
style favored for afternoon wear.
———_@ « «+ —____
Correct.
“What's the greatest help to the
textile industry?”
“Moths.”
Corduroy Tires
Known from the Canadian Border to the Gulf—and from New
York Harbor to the Golden Gate—the Corduroy Tire has in ten
years gained a reputation for value, for superlative performance
and dependability that is second to none!
The Corduroy Dealer organization dots the nation’s map in
metropolis and hamlet. It is an organization that swears
allegiance to the Corduroy Tire because of long years of unfail-
ing tire satisfaction to the motorists of the country.
Go to your Corduroy Dealer today. Ask to see the tire. Big—
Sturdy—Handsome in all its strength and toughness, the Cor-
duroy Tire will sell itself to you strictly on its merit.
CORDUROY TIRE CO.
- - Grand Rapids, Mich.
MICHIGAN BELL
TELEPHONE CO.
Vocation in ‘‘water-cooled’
Michigan .. Land of 5,000 Lakes
Sc your vacation where days are
temperate, and where cool nights bring
restful sleep . . . in Michigan! Michigan
offers an endless variety of summer pleasures.
Long Distance teiephone service is available
everywhere. Use it frequently to call home
and office to see that all is well. Telephone
friends who live off your route. The cost of
your Long Distance calls will be a surpris-
ingly small item in your vacation budget.
One of a series of 12 advertisements concern-
ing the vacation advantages of Michigan,
being published in 250 newspapers by the
Michigan Bell Telephone Company
VACATION IN MICHIGAN
SUMMER SCHOOL
Securing a good position is a matter of being pre-
pared when the position is open. You may save
two months in preparation by attending Summer
School. This school is Chartered by the State as
a Class A College. All work in business, Account-
ing, Secretarial, Law, Income tax, and Economics
is of very high grade. It is a pleasure to send
catalog.
DAVENPORT-McLACHLAN INSTITUTE
215 Sheldon Avenue
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
M. E. Davenport
President
18
DRY GOODS
Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association.
President — Geo. E. Martin, Benton
Harbor.
First Vice-President —J. T. Milliken,
Traverse City
Second —— -President—George C. Pratt,
Grand Rapids.
Secretary-Treasurer—Thomas Pitketh-
ly, Flint.
Manager—Jason E. Hammond, Lansing.
The Secret of Having the Right
Clothes,
Basically a week-end wardrobe is
the same for the impoverished and for
those with an unlimited purse. Clothes
must be appropriate for the occasion,
and if they are, it doesn’t make much
difference whether you have found
your dress on the rack of the most un-
known shop or whether it has been
designed especially for you by the best
of dressmakers.
From Friday afternoon until Mon-
day morning is always an unknown
quantity, so you must be prepared for
anything, and that without too much
luggage. The kindest of hostesses
may be upset by the appearance of a
guest with enough luggage to do for
a trip around the world.
‘Start out from town in a print dress
with short sleeves, or a sleeveless one,
with a matching jacket in a plain color.
The dress will do for Sunday night
supper and for Friday night, if you are
not dressing. The short coat over a
white tennis dress with the hat you
wore from town and brown and white
shoes will take you to any Sunday
lunch and look extremely well at the
polo match. The same bag should do.
You will find that if you stick to a
three-way color scheme you will have
no difficulty about accessories. Blue,
yellow and white; blue, red and white,
or brown, green and white are all ex-
cellent combinations. Your topcoat of
tweed or a light woolen should be pur-
chased with your color scheme in
mind.
Tennis or golf dresses you must
have, even if your idea of sport is
Sitting in the sun. Two will do, but
if the purse allows, three will make
you much more carefree. White is
smarter than colors, and one dress in
thin wool or mesh, one in linen or
pique, and one in shantung or crepe
will give you the variety you need
without the bother of matching ac-
cessories,
Do pick out a becoming bathing
suit, and when you buy it, try to im-
agine what it will look like when wet.
White is always grand with a sun-
burn, but if you are having one suit
for the entire Summer, you will find
it anything but practical. Beach
pajamas will not be a problem if you
will be conservative enough to buy
loose trousers and a coat of dark blue
wool, with a short sleeved striped
sweater. You can pull this suit on
over the dampest bathing suit and
look well. Besides, with a pair of
canvas espadrilles, and a beret, you
are outfitted for any boat, and in case
of a cool day the blue coat may be
worn over your tennis dresses,
A white string beret and one in an-
other color, perhaps, will do you for
the week-end with the hat you have
worn from town. White and brown
shoes with built-up leather heels,
tennis or-golf shoes and evening slip-
pers are all you can possibly need.
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
And shoes do take up a lot of room
in a suitcase.
‘Remember when you pack your
negligee that Sunday breakfast is
often an informal affair, and a negligee
startlingly beautiful in a bedroom
may look somewhat forced on _ the
porch,
Your evening clothes will certainly
depend on the household you are visit-
ing. If it is a small one, take a lace
or chiffon dress with a matching or
contrasting jacket and slippers. Satin
and crepe always need to be pressed
after packing. If you have room, a
semi-demi, as an informal evening
dress is known in the country, is al-
ways safe.
Time, labor and money are saved a
professional guest if she has a box of
powder, lotions, toothbrush, manicure
whatnots, and the like, and keeps it
solely for week ends. Don’t forget a
small bottle of cleaning fluid, and
white polish for your shoes, nor your
pet medicaments. There may be an
emergency, and the household may
have different tastes or a short supply.
And most important of all is a good
disposition and a few merry quips.
Your host and hostess expect to be
amused, and your future invitations
will depend on your present success.—
N. Y. Times.
—~++.—___
Fall Millinery Prospects Good.
All prospects favor an active season
in Fall millinery. Early business has
been developing nicely, so much so as
to place hats in the forefront of the
early accessory demand. At the same
time the trade is favored by the de-
velopment of strong interest in mil-
linery of the Second Empire or Em-
press Eugenie type. The trend in the
business placed is strongly toward vel-
vets, chenilles and felts, with the ex-
pectation being that velvets will do
particularly well: Popular price mer-
chandise dominates. Some orders are
still coming through for Summer mil-
linery, including Panamas and rough
straws.
—_~+++___
Plan Sales Drives in Grocery Field.
Displeased with reports of sales
volume during the first six months of
the current year, grocery product
manufacturers will launch drives with-
in the next week in an effort to in-
crease the size and number of orders
during the coming months. The pro-
ducers have been working on new
sales plans since the first of the
month and expect to offer special in-
ducements such as premiums and ex-
tra service accommodations in return
for volume orders. With few excep-
tions, the grocery manufacturers have
found business duller than was ex-
pected during the early Summer and
are anxious to improve the situation.
—_++2—___
Working on Metal Novelties.
Domestic manufacturers, informed
that buyers are disappointed at the
limited variety of Fall novelty metal
wares offered by importers, are con-
centrating on new designs in pewter,
silver and plated wares, with the hope
of capturing additional business. The
producers believe many import houses
failed to order quantities of foreign
goods for Fall because they had a
heavy carry-over from the previous
season. In an attempt to entice new
business, the domestic producers are
using increased care in developing sal-
able novelties and rushing to complete
the lines for the inspection of buyers
late this month or early in August.
+2 ___
Good Start in Novelty Jewelry.
Early buying of novelty jewelry is
proceeding along satisfactory lines.
The emphasis on popular price mer-
chandise which featured the Spring
and Summer buying is giving way to
some extent to a call for better goods.
The new lines attracting most buying
interest reflect the influence of the
French Colonial exposition being held
in Paris. This is particularly so in
the case of bead and stone-set neck- |
laces, bracelets and earrings. Choker
and longer lengths are in demand, with
earrings expected to sell better than
a year ago. Sets of galalith bracelets
in colors are still sought for immediate
selling,
—_2>+~+—____
Holeproof Women’s Hose Unchanged.
With the exception of one chiffon
number, which has been reduced 25
cents per dozen, the Fall price list on
women’s hosiery of the MHoleproof
Hosiery Co. remains unchanged from
the current levels, it was announced
yesterday. The chiffon style, which is
a dollar retailer, has been reduced
from $8 to $7.75, allowing retailers a
slightly higher mark-up, An official of
the company expressed the opinion
that a price cut at this time would be
harmful. ‘Some slight improvements
have been made on several styles. The
company will continue to place most
emphasis on the $1, $1.25, e 50 and
$1.95 price ranges.
——_+++____
Wall Paper Opening a Success.
Closing their annual trade exhibi-
tion at the Hotel ‘Commodore, New
York, last Saturday, wall paper manu-
facturers are assured of a greater vol-
ume of business than they booked last
year. ‘Between 350 and 400 jobbers,
as well as a large number of retailers,
visited the display and sampled the
new offerings. Little actual buying is
done at the annual exhibit, but pro-
ducers gauge their Fall sales by the
interest exhibited by jobbers at the
opening and by the sample selections
taken by the wholesalers. Selections
this year have been more varied than
in previous seasons, but have been
confined chiefly to low-end goods,
July 22, 1931
Fall Tie Silks Bought Cautiously.
Men‘s neckwear manufacturers,
who have been in the Eastern market
during the week to make purchases of
tie silks for Fall lines, indicate that
they are pursuing a conservative policy
in regard to purchases of material and
that very few large orders will be
placed at the present time. Producers
of the better grade neckwear expressed
themselves as satisfied over the vol-
ume of business received for the per-
iod just ended and look forward to a
fairly good Fall season. Popular-
priced tie manufacturers, however,
were not so optimistic, as competition
is exceedingly keen in their division
and the large number of new firms has
resulted in business being spread over
a greater number of producers.
—_+++—___
Lamp Orders Show Improvement.
‘Heavy buying at Chicago’s lamp
trade exhibition in the closing days of
last week was reported here and manu-
facturers aree convinced that the Fall
demand will prove better than was
first expected. Orders sent in by
salesmen, the producers said, indicate
that buyers are ready to sample goods
in all price ranges instead of concen-
trating in one or two low-end groups,
as they did last Spring. Pottery base
lamps, in white, green, rust and gold,
with silk or parchment shades to
match, are in best demand. Lamps
retailing from $4.95 to $16.95 are
wanted,
—_+-+___
Accessory Sales Spurt Near.
A sharp increase in the buying of
Fall accessories is likely next week,
leading producers of this type of mer-
chandise report. Many stores have
about completed initial purchases of
apparel and will now be represented
in the Eastern market for accessories
to complete their stocks. In some
lines, Fall buying has already begun
to gain headway, notably in millinery
and shoes. Handbags, lingerie, nov-
elty jewelry and trimmings and orna-
ments were cited as lines which will
show the anticipated activity. The
trend-in all divisions continue strongly
to popular and medium price goods.
Can It Be True?
“Why is it that you encourage all
of your clerks to get married?”
“Well, replied the knowing boss, “I
find that married men are not in such
an awful rush to get home early as
single men.”
low prices.
New “Hat” Specials
Messrs. Farley and Manni have just returned from market
where they secured the newest and latest merchandise at very
It will pay you to visit us or see our salesman.
If you want to know what to buy that you can turn over
rapidly at a good profit, this is your opportunity.
C. J. FARLEY & COMPANY
Jobbers of Dry Goods & Dresses
20-28 Commerce Ave., S. W. Grand Rapids
July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
: 19
SHOE MARKET
Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers Association.
President—Elwyn Pond, Flint.
Vice-President—J. E. Wilson, Detroit
Secretary—Joe H. Burton, Lansing.
Asst. Sec’y-Treas.—O. R. Jenkins.
Association Business Office, 907 Trans-
portation Bldg., Detroit.
Select Shoes by Types and Avoid
Buying Errors,
Every morning when [I go down to
the factory, I try to open the day in
an attitude of constructive criticism.
I try to put myself in the analytical
frame of mind of the retail customer.
In a way, it’s a good thing for a man-
ufacturer to open up the day critical
of his achievement, and then, as the
day progresses, to give praise and en-
couragement for the right sort of ef-
fort, becoming more optimistic as the
day goes on.
Artistic shoes can only be built that
way. Exquisite shoes can be produc-
ed only in a shop that can be under
the supervision of one man. J have
seen so many cases where volume is
the destruction of the manufacturer’s
initiative and idealism. But, strange
to relate, profit is made on volume
only. How to balance the two is the
problem, for when volume ceases so
also does profit.
We.are coming into a period of
style in which it is very necessary to
study types. There are too many out
of line shoes in every store. JI see a
change coming, Three types of shoes
will dominate in quality footwear—
the pump, the sandal and the shoe for
the street. I feel that the pump type,
in its artful variations, will increase
tremendously, for in high-heeled
shoes 18/8 to 21/8 or higher, it is the
one type that sells freely, and it is
bound to occupy the dominating place
in high-heel style demand. The pump
was originally a court shoe, and it fits
into the new cultural expression of
America,
Seasonal significances have under-
gone no greater changes within the
shoe trade than the swing by the
American woman into accepting un-
traditional themes in pattern and color.
A simple illustration in point is found
in the use of dark brown for the spring
season, When my line of samples for
the passing season was developed, last
December, buyers noted a predomin-
ance of dark brown, and many were
totally disinclined to accept my proph-
ecy of brown supremacy over beiges
and blues. The general comment was
that light tones were synonymous
with spring; that dark brown was dis-
tinctly an autumnal note. The smart
woman, however, in her acceptance of
dark brown shoes, showed that she
“seeks the unique.”
For the summer, I foresaw a nation-
wide acceptance by women of all ages,
of extreme sandal types. Advanced
indications proved that in the desire
expressed by women for barefoot type
sandals, there was that feminine readi-
ness to abandon traditional ideas in
footwear, providing the new thoughts
expressed beauty and lent attractive-
ness to the foot.
Don’t close your eyes to the new
thing that is coming—the selection of
shoes by types, so as to make possible
more sizes and widths. This method
of selection gives better fitting values
eee
and at the same time a more simple
stock for the merchant to handle.
The retailer who is not sure of his
stock is being driven into a dangerous
condition. Far better for him to have
fewer and better types, for then his
selection will be more critical. It is
hazardous to stretch a store’s capital
over too many items, Why should a
man buy a lot of fancy and funny pat-
terns when he can do bigger and bet-
ter business by concentrating on types
—for then he can put more of his at-
tention into color, its blend or con-
trast.
‘The merchant gets a realization of
hie errors in buying when clearance
time comes. The reason why he has
so many shoes for clearance is that he
paid sc much attention to the subject
of inark-up that he has ignored con-
centration on a type. If he had basic
pattern types, the mark-up would take
care of itself, with a greater number
of unit sales and a cleaner clearance
at the end,
It is time for merchants to listen
less to so-called stylists whose recom-
mendations reflect personal opinion
and think more about those funda-
mentals of good trade practice that
make their shoes sell with a minimum
of left-overs,
While there has been an internation-
al manifestation for price emphasis,
we have found that the chasm between
desire and economy may be success-
fully spanned by appeal of style loveli-
ness, The American woman and girl
recognize the unique in fashion and
we all know that the exclusive touch
is the most expensive. The bugaboo
of price ceases to frighten.
Style innovations work many sur-
prising changes that are often thought
beforehand to be impossible or ex-
tremely difficult. Take the matter of
lasts, for example. When ‘J introduc-
ed my sandals, I was convinced that
wo:nen of all ages would be won over
to their acceptance and my primary
idea was to work out a last that would
fit a majority of feet. My customers
who never bought anything but re-
fined, narrow toe last shoes from me
in the past were induced this season
to try out sandals on a round toe.
Some reported that their customers
demurred at first but once they put
the sandals on their feet and saw for
themselves how chic the effect was,
their objections were forgotten; they
only knew that they were being per-
fectly fitted; their feet were comfort-
able and undeniably smarter in ap-
pearance than ever before.
I hold no brief for any particular
last or toe refinement. I merely point
out that style changes overwhelm our
preconceived notions and to this, I
want to add that too many in the
trade seem afraid to be called radical
in their style thinking. They laughed
at Poiret when he said we should see
women in pajamas or trousers at
formal occasions and on the street.
Poiret did not mind the jibes; women
flocked to him for his new ideas; and
Poiret remains the dean and the ar-
biter of the couturiers—Semour Troy
in Boot and ‘Shoe Recorder,
——_2-—->____
Industrially, the race will be won by
the strong.
-
Uncle Louie Notes Some Changes in
Charlevoix.
‘Charlevoix, July 15—After having
spent a year and a half in San Diego,
California, and enjoyed the hospitality
of my newly made friends there, I de-
cided to revisit ‘Chicago and my adopt-
ed summer home, the Elston cottage,
at Charlevoix the ‘Beautiful. I occupy
the same room as J did, but am miss-
ing the cheerful little Addie Holley,
not only at the cottage but in a general
way. Mrs. Elston is selling out the
stock of Addie’s gift shop and is try-
ing to make the best of the situation.
I observe there are a number of
modern stores in the line which Addie
used to handle and they, as well as
others, are now ready for business. It
is my opinion that the season here is
somewhat backward but the local busi-
ness men are ready with nicely dis-
played merchandise and I note that
almost every store on Bridge street is
occupied,
‘Our mutual friend, ‘Charley Emery,
has moved his haberdashery stock
from San Diego to this city and is
about to open his new establishment
on Bridge street.
I observe that since I have been
here a modern gas station has been
opened by the Charlevoix Oil iCo., of
which A. Fochtman and A. Cook are
the managers. ‘The place is as mod-
ern as can be and fitted with the
necessary requirements.
A new Pee Wee golf course has
been erected between this station and
the Fountain ‘City Hotel. It is a nice
playground and fairly well patronized.
It is operated by Angell & Krulik.
I had a vist with my friend, Mayor
Bergeon, who warned me. to live
within the law, if iI can, as they now
have four policemen in new attractive
uniforms on the beat,
My friend, ‘Colonel Joe Lowenback,
from Alexandria, Virginia, is also a
guest at our cottage and has been
calling my attention to some of the
local improvements of which we will
report later on.
The other day I walked out to the
golf links and had the pleasure of
meeting my old friend, Mr. Watson.
He is the golf pro who has charge of
the links here and who winters in Los
Angeles, where [| visited him and ad-
mired the sporting goods business
there, which is in charge of his wife
the year round. ‘L. Winternitz.
—_+~+-+__
The Ideal Community,
Okacrhe, a village in Western Okla-
homa, has laid claim to the distinction
of being “America’s most stable com-
munity.” Its list of distinctions in-
cludes: No bank robberies or failures,
only two needy families, no bonded
city indebtedness, no factional fights,
few mortgaged homes and each mer-
chant owner of his own business build-
ing. Most of these distinctions could
properly be boasted by thousands of
American villages where unemploy-
ment and charity are all but unknown,
where the business men are in most
case both residents and property own-
ers and where mortgages on homes are
the exception rather than the rule.
Those are among the traditional at-
tributes of American villages. But be-
fore Okarche is lifted up as the model
for other villages it might be well to
see what this list of distinctions has
brought. Has Okarche electric lights,
gas, running water, sewers or other
modern conveniences? Does its lack
of bonded indebtedness necessarily in-
dicate a lower tax rate than usual?
Does its lack of political factionism re-
sult in excellence of administration?
There are other qualities than stability
to be sought in the ideal community.
TORSON SHOES
Going Ahead
in 193]
Creating Sales and Profits
for Alert Merchants
$4.00 - $5.00 - $6.00
Torson Arch Shoes
For Men
$6.00 and $7.00
Nationally Advertised-$4.50
For complete information about
our lines, advertising campaigns,
dealer merchandising plans, write
direct to:
HEROLD BERTSCH SHOE
Shoe Manufacturers since 1892
11-15 Commerce Ave., S. W.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
Mutual Building
Save On Your Insurance
By Placing It With The
MICHIGAN SHOE DEALERS
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
LANSING, MICHIGAN
Phone 20741
20 ‘e
RETAIL GROCER
Retail Grocers and Meat Dealers Associa-
tion of Michigan. _
President—William Schultz, Ann Arbor.
First Vice-President—Paul Schmidt,
Lansing.
Second Vice-President—A. Bathke, Pe-
toskey.
Secretary — Herman Hanson, Grand
Rapids.
Treasurer—O. H. Bailey, Sr., Lansing.
Directors — Ole Peterson, Muskegon;
Walter Loefier, Saginaw; John Lurie,
Detroit; Clayton F. Spaulding, Battle
Creek; Ward Newman, Pontiac.
Utter Futility of Government in Busi-
ness.
“In the days of the Conqueror’—say
900 years ago—an apple fair was in-
stituted in a Normandy village. It is
held annually now. But until this
Spring of 1931 it seems not to have
changed its ways in the 900 years.
Apples have been produced, gathered
and offered on a price-quantity basis,
but always to the stranger. The pro-
ducers and their neighbors, like most
inhabitants of French and Italian fruit
producing regions, eat few apples,
though they do drink cider—-mostly
“hard.”
‘The outlet has been shrinking for
years. Guests at French hotels and
consumers generally have taken to the
fine quality,. uniform standard, well
packed, perfectly graded American
frrit, while all the French boys did
was make faces, yell “pourquah?” and
otherwise run around in circles. The
exact counterpart can be seen in New
York State, where farmers have al-
ways worked on the quantity-not-
quality basis; have stung consumers
with inferior fruit and have watched
their outlet shrinking while Western
apples have been sold on a steadily in-
creasing plan.
Now the Norman boys have at least
partly awakened to the truth that it is
one thing to produce poor apples and
auite another thing to get money for
them, so they have made a start at
organized methods a la America.
The story holds a lesson for all food
distributors on how standard high
grade goods always win out. Its out-
line is thus:
In 1913 France exported 39,000 tons:
in 1928, 12,000; in 1930, 7,000: and in-
dications are that 1931 will show fur-
ther shrinkage. California, Oregon
‘and Washington have been the bene-
ficiaries. “This American competition,”
say the officials of the new organiza-
tion,” is becoming highly dangerous—
a well disciplined movement, increasing
with startling rapidity every year. It
is driving us out of markets where we
felt ourselves imgregnable—even com-
peting dangerously with our own in
French markets.”
‘This, please notice, against the
handicap of high freight costs and
with much higher prices necessary;
but the wherefore is revealed thus:
“American apples as sold in Europe
are of standard high quality. Some
of our Norman apples are better, more
luscious; but not in totality. American
apples are always first quality, perfect-
lv packed, wormless, attractive—qual!-
ity constant, standardized. If this
rompetition is to be met, a standard-
ized apple must be adopted for French
export. It must have a predetermined
level of excellence—hearty, undecayed,
wormless, perfectly packed. There is
our only chance.”
Thus the Frenchman goes to mar-
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
keting kindergarten—even as many of
our individual grocers and produce re-
tailers would better go.
Battle now on between private vs.
nationally advertised brands would be
settled instantly in favor of nationally
advertised if merchants could make a
fair margin thereon, Raise that ques-
tion and packers thereof hold up their
hands. “It can’t be done,’ they pro-
test. But we recall that all packers
formerly held that “futures” must be
sold to everybody, else who would
finance the carrying thereof? And
one also recalls that our persistence
in not buying futures caused a way to
be found. If nationally advertised re-
mains asleep much longer, private
brand will get so much business that
nationally advertised will find a way
to do this other “impossible.”
‘Perhaps that’s the road over which
minimum resale prices eventually will
travel to its logical common sense
goal. The persistent kicker among
grocers is the one who will most
speedily bring about the desirable re-
form,
Four studies are now going forward
by various university-professor organ-
izations. The real good accomplished
by ‘Harvard in the last fifteen years
now has plenty of imitators; and like
most imitations which are “just as
good,” they tend to be pretty futile,
even as essay material for hopeful
young sprouts. Hard facts, familiar
to all thoughtful retailers, will blow
some of those boys out of the water
some day. Meanwhile, they are hav-
ing a lot of fun dabbling with that of
which they know so little.
Chains, they all find, sell nationally
advertised brands cheaper. Well, we
know that chains do and then again
they don’t; but the answer is as above
and not otherwise; so why dabble
further?
‘Meanwhile change—not chains now
—works as steadily as ever. Volun-
tary chains rise overnight. In total,
they bulk large and important. Indi-
vidually, they are good, bad and in-
different, according to their set-up and
management. In this they differ not at
all from business all along. -As these
get numerous and of varying value;
there will be fights among them, and
with buying exchanges and such
wholesalers as are even now learning
how to do the grocery business on
1931 lines. Then, regardless of their
names or alleged aims, the inefficients
will go to the cleaners,
Bulletins dribble out of Uncle Sam’s
commercial laboratory every so often
—better say so seldom—on some phase
of the Louisville Survey. Each has a
few pages of precisely the same ma-
terial as its predecessors, so that, ex-
cept by the attentive student, none is
apt to be read from now on, they look
so much alike. We few who yet read
"em are glad to see “Sam Grofax” dis-
appear with his nursery rhyme jingles;
but even so, we find it hard to main-
tain interest.
For let us note that change is con-
stant. ‘By the time the last bulletin is
published—perhaps in 1935 to 1940—
not a trace of the conditions and cir-
cumstances of 1928 will remain. As
things stand now, just two classes
benefitted by that costly work. Those
were the business men who gathered in
Louisville in February, 1929, and
studied the work at first hands; and
the “stuffed shirts” who read speeches
they did not write and _ performed
their other arduous labor of cashing
their salary checks,
For the real student of business at
that date, Louisville turned up not a
single new or unfamiliar fact. Every
figure was an old friend, It was our
hope that the authentication of those
facts and figures by the Department
of ‘Commerce would so establish the
facts that they would take on added
July 22, 1931
value; but now we know that by the
time the job is done, we might as well
have authentication of the subsistence
accounts of the building contractors
of the pyramids.
By such is the way of bureaucracy
always. By the time they have gotten
done with their kind of “check and
double check’’—with plenty of leisure-
ly pipes in the process—all value of
their “findings” has evaporated. Shall
we have more government in business?
Do we need a better lesson of its utter
(Continued on page 31)
Old Master
COFFEE
Universally Conceded To Be the Best
Brand on the Market For the Money.
SOLD ONLYIBY
The Blodgett-Beckley Co.
Main Office Toledo
Detroit Office and Warehouse
517 East Larned Street
Bouquet Tea
Finest Packed
Rademaker-Dooge Grocer Co.
Distributors
Fragrant Cup Tea
Morning Glory Tea
fe brand
you know
W. R. ROACH & CO., GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Hart Brand
vegetables
and fruits are
building prof-
itable repeat
business for
thousands of
Michigan re-
tailers....
Qunmenemnenig
MPa AR,
ee
wy
MPa AR,
July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN’ TRADESMAN
21
- MEAT DEALER
Michigan State Association of Retail
Meat Merchants.
President—Frank Cornell, Grand Rapids
Vice-Pres.—E P. Abbott, Flint.
Secretary—E. J. La Rose, Detroit.
Treasurer—Pius Goedecke, Detroit.
Next meeting will be held in Grand
Rapids, date not decided.
Four Ounces of Meat For a Dime.
A large store used a full page news-
paper advertisement to advertise a dol-
lar day sale. Included. in the items
offered during this sale at a dollar
were some which a smaller store in
the next block was selling regularly
for ninety cents. Yet the public went
to the large store and spent its money
rather than to the smaller one.
It does not require any great de-
gree of imagination to realize what a
good move it would have been for the
owner of the smaller store to have
studied the full page advertisement as
soon as it was published, picked out
the items which he was selling at a
lower price than they were offered in
the advertisement, taken everything
else out of his show windows and put
in these items all plainly marked with
his selling price. A great many people
who spent money at the larger store
during the sale went right past this
small one but saw no indications in its
show windows that it was offering bar-
gains. - Only those who just happened
to enter the store realized it.
The five and ten cent stores, the de-
partment stores, the chain stores, may
all offer to the public goods at a high-
er price than the smaller independent
stores sell them regularly. Yet be-
cause the small stores do not use their
show windows effectively for the pur-
pose of counteracting this practice and
because the large stores do use dis-
plays and advertising so effectively, the
general public appears unaware of the
fact that they are paying relatively
high prices when buying these items
from the larger organizations and take
it for granted that the smaller ones
are charging higher prices,
In other words, the larger stores
make a lot of noise and attract atten-
tion, while the smaller ones keep far
too quiet for their own good. Also
the larger stores use different units for
the purpose of making an _ appeal.
There will be ten cent sales, dollar
sales and the like. The chances are
there will be no very great reduction in
price, yet the public buys.
The meat dealer can do the same
thing, if he so desires. He can have
a dollar day by making up groups of
things which he can sell for a dollar.
He can have a twenty-five cent day by
offering so many ounces of each thing
for twenty-five cents, a combination of
units of other articles for twenty-five
cents and so on. He can make a dis-
play of the articles he is offering dur-
ing this sale and can continue the sale
over a period of a week or confine it
strictly to a single day, if he wishes.
In such a sale as this it is not likely
that it will be necessary to reduce any
prices much, if any. It is the novelty
of the thing that appeals,
There may even be ten cent sales,
fifty cent sales and so on. It is large-
ly a matter of selecting the articles
that can be offered at this price, either
at so many ounces for the amount or
so many units. Anything that can be
Sea date in
divided into small enough amounts to
be offered at the unit price can be fea-
tured,
If a large store can actually increase
the regular price on any item and still
attract customers, the small store most
certainly can attract customers by of-
fering articles at its regular price but
at a unit price that has an appeal. The
five and ten cent store has succeeded
largely because it has depended to the
degree it has upon displays. These
stores do not by any means sell every-
thing that they sell at lower prices
than other stores do. However, they
do use displays more effectively, both
in the store and in the windows.
‘They may sell stockings at ten cents
each rather than twenty cents a pair.
They may sell candy at four ounces
for ten cents rather than forty cents
a pound. As a consequence people
think of the ten cents and not of the
higher price they pay for the actual
amount they want. A small store in a
little city was selling a water set at a
dollar. It was selling a lot of these
before a five and ten cent store was
opened. This store featured the iden-
tical set but sold the different pieces
at five or ten cents each. The total
price for the entire set when bought
at the five and ten cent store was $1.20
yet people began buying the set at the
five and ten cent store rather than the
small store and most of them failed
to realize that they were paying more
for it. The five and ten cent stores
made better displays and the unit
price was five and ten cents. To be
sure a good many people never did
buy the entire set at one time but in
the course of a few purchases of single
pieces they did.
Meat that is selling for forty cents
a pound is likely to appear much more
expensive than the same meat when
it is being sold at four ounces for ten
cents. The price remains the same
but it is the ten cents that is mention-
ed rather than the forty cents.
Salesmen selling from door to door
have often found that the idea proves
successful. They will state that what
they are selling, be it a magazine or
something sold on the installment plan
is going to cost but a few cents a day
or a week. The thing is made to look
so inexpensive that the prospect is
soon convinced that he can
afford to buy it.
There is really no good reason why
the butcher should allow other stores
to give the impression that they are
giving far greater bargains ‘than they
are, especially if they are selling the
same thing he is and doing so at a
higher price. All he needs to do in
order to counteract this is to put his
windows to work. He needs to show
what he is offering at a price at least
as low as any other stores are and to
use price cards that are large enough
so that people cannot help seeing
them. If he is selling some things at
a higher price than the other stores,
he can still give the impression that
they are not so high in price after all
if he will give the price in units of
money rather than in units of the ar-
ticle—that is, use ounces instead of
pounds, single items instead of a
dozen and so on.
One way of getting the idea over
effectively is to make a mass display
readily
in the window of a single thing, This
plan dozs not lend itself especially well
-to fresh meats but it does to practically
everything else that is sold. If pota-
toes are selling at 32 cents a peck then
they are four cents a quart. Even at
five cents a quart they may appear
cheaper to the public than at 32 cents
a peck. A great many-people do not
seem to be good at mathematics.
Back in the days when steak could
be sold for 12 cents a pound a woman
sent a note to the butcher that unless
he would sell her two pounds of round
steak for 25 cents she would not buy
it. If he would he could send over
two pounds by the youngster who had
the quarter with which to buy it.
Others insist on getting three eight
cent units for a quarter.
Five cents, ten cents, twenty-five
cents, fifty cents and a dollar are units
that all people understand. Odd prices
either seem high or low. Four cents,
nine cents, twenty-four forty-
nine cents and ninety-eight cents all
give the impression of being bargains
(Continued on page 31)
cents,
EGGS -
Eggs, at full market prices.
Quotations mailed on request.
EGGS -
WE BUY — WE STORE — WE SELL
We are always in the market for strictly fresh current receipt
We can supply Egg Cases and Egg Case Material of all kinds.
KENT STORAGE COMPANY -
EGGS
GRAND RAPIDS
G R AN D
GRAND RAPIDS PAPER Box Co.
Manufacturers of SET UP and FOLDING PAPER BOXES
SPECIAL DIE CUTTING AND MOUNTING
RA,PIDS, MI
C HIGAN
GRIDDLES —
7 N. IONIA AVE.
BUN STEAMERS —
Everything in Restaurant Equipment
Priced Right. ~
Grand Rapids Store Fixture Co.
Phone 67143
URNS
N. FREEMAN, Mgr.
sui
"THE FLOUR THE BEST COOKS USE
Always stock these fully-guaranteed, widely-advertised
flour products!
Valley City Milling Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.
Rowena Yes Ma’am Graham
Rowena Golden G. Meal
Rowena Pancake Flour
Rowena Buckwheat Compound
Rowena Whole Wheat Flour
Rowena Cake and Biscuit
VINKEMULDER COMPANY
Grand Rapids, Michigan
BRANCH AT PETOSKEY, MICH.
Distributors Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Cranberries, Grapefruit, “Yellow Kid’? Bananas, Oranges,
Onions, Fresh Green Vegetables, etc.
LILLE IO ICONS STII
Nae Ree Le Tee Sead K
Rusk Bakers Since 1882
Leading Grocers always have
a supply of
POSTMA’S RUSK
as they are in Demand in all Seasons
Fresh Daily
POSTMA BISCUIT CO.
GRAND RAPIDS. MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
HARDWARE
Michigan Retail Hardware Association.
President—Waldo Bruske, Saginaw.
Vice-Pres.—Chas. H. Sutton, Howell.
Secretary—Harold W. Bervig.
Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit.
Following Up Your Paint Sales.
In the retailing of paints and var-
nishes, the dealer in many instances
does not attach enough importance to
the first sale, either to an entirely new
customer, or of a new line to an old
customer. In many instances such
first sales can be so handled and fol-
towed up as to lead to further sales.
The possibility of repeat orders de-
pends to a great extent on the quality
of the goods sold and the service ren-
dered in the first transaction, With
good quality and dependable service,
the dealer by adopting a follow-up plan
can often secure repeat orders.
One dealer discussed the opportunity
in this way:
“There is no line of business that
lends itself so readily to this follow
up system as does the retailing of
paints, varnishes and allied lines, sim-
ply because there is no other line in
which the individual items are so close-
ly connected. The sale of a paint
brush naturally leads to the sale of
paint; paint requires fillers, varnishes,
stains and colors; these lead again to
more brushes and incidentally bring in
putty and window glass; and dealers
handling wall paper and wall finishes
are right in line for pushing the sale
of these items as a follow up to the
sale of other paint lines.
“The one beautiful feature underlying
the retailing of paints is that if a house-
keeper or owner once starts on the
very smallest job of painting or var-
nishing, he or she can be very easily
encouraged to go ahead and paint or
varnish everything around the place;
because one newly painted spot in the
house makes its immediate surround-
ings look dingy.
“The time for suggesting additional
items is, as a rule, not when the first
sale is made; because usually at that
time the customer has not the slight-
est idea of undertaking anything furth-
er. At that stage, suggestion of addi-
tional purchases, unless made very tact-
fully, are apt to have a bad reaction.
An exception is, of course, the sug-
gestion of proper brushes.
“But in the main, much better re-
sults can be secured if at the time you
make the initial sale, you secure the
mame and address of the customer.
You can do this on the pretext that,
if you get time, you'd like to check up
on the results of the job. This securing
of name and address is a very im-
portant item, and no sale should be
regarded as complete without it; even
if the supplies are sold to a painter for
use on contract work. It represents
the only way in which the owner or
housekeeper can be reached effectively.
“After sufficient time has elapsed for
the completion of the original job and
for comparison between the freshly
painted work and the old surfaces to
have made its impression on the cus-
tomer, a very short letter, a phone
call or a personal enquiry as to the
results secured from this first job will
pave the way for further business. As
an incident to your enquiry, you can
casually suggest some further work
along the same line.
“For instance, Mrs. Bill Jones buys
some white enamel for her sink. Two
or three days later we offer to furnish
her enough material to enamel her
whole kitchen for ‘about’ so much, or
floor stain for so much, or wall finish
for a certain lump sum. Or Bill him-
self buys a brush and we find he is
going to use some old paint for his
reaper. We, in a few days, suggest
some more of the same paint for his
plow and his mower, because by that
time he has had a chance to see how
much better the reaper looks with the
fresh paint and to realize how much
better it is protected against rust and
deterioration.
“It is always well to make a rough
estimate as to the cost of the entire
job, and to specify that it is a rough
estimate merely; because no one but a
practical painter knows or appreciates
how little paint it takes to do a certain
amount of work. Much more paint
would be sold if housekeepers and
owners had the cost of the complete
job shown them in actual figures.
“The opportunities for work of this
kind in the paint department are prac-
tically unlimited. No sale should be
made over the counter without securing
a memo of the buyer and the purpose
for which the paint is intended; and
this record should be systematically
used as a basis for soliciting further
business. The results of such a sys-
tematic follow up will surprise dealers
who have never tried it.”
Linked with the business-getting as-
pects of the follow up are those aspects
which concern what might be called
the complaint department. Poor paint
makes a poor job, as a rule; but good
paint often makes a poor job, too, when
it is improperly applied, or put on
under wrong conditions.
An important factor in building paint
business and securing repeat orders is
to see that the customer gets thorough
satisfaction from his job. To this end,
the dealer should do something more
than merely sell the paint.
One dealer makes it a point, in every
instance, to take a little time to talk
over the details of the job. Who is
going to do the work? If the purchaser
himself, has he ever done painting be-
fore? Then come suggestions as to the
proper method to apply the paint, the
proper way to hold the brush, the con-
dition of the woodwork or wall before
the paint is applied. As a result the
man who has never painted before
knows something about the job before
he tackles it. He has been warned
against certain pitfalls; and he has been
invited, if he encounters any difficulties,
to come straight to the retailer for
help and advice.
If an unsatisfactory job results, the
customer, instead of complaining to
his neighbors, goes back to the dealer.
That, you say, means a lot of extra
trouble for the dealer? Not at all. In
the long run, it saves troubles.
Where the dealer takes the time be-
forehand to make suggestions, by fore-
warning the customer he eliminates
nine-tenths of the trouble that other-
wise would develop. He invites the
customer to bring any complaints or
difficulties direct to him. As a result
he is often able to eliminate difficulties
before the job is finished. One dealer
whenever a complaint comes in does
not argue the matter out in the store;
he goes down and: looks at the job
itself, and it is an easy matter to put
his finger on the weak spot. If-the
fault is the customer’s—if after being
forewarned the customer has gone
ahead and done some of the things he
ought not to have done—the dealer
tactfully explains. If, as rarely hap-
pens, the trouble is due to some defect
in the paint, the dealer simply makes
good. Throughout, the customer is edu-
cated to the idea that this particular
dealer is anxious, not merely to sell
paint, but to see that his customer gets
the right sort of results from its use. |
So that even the customer who has
cause for complaint remains a friend
and patron of the store.
Discussing follow-up systems an-
other dealer makes some suggestions:
“A proper system for the paint de-
partment should begin with the pros-
pective customer and follow him even
after the paint is sold and on the house.
A good practical plan of handling this
properly, so that every detail will be
looked after, is to use a single loose-
leaf binder with a sheet for each cus-
tomer; or a card index file with large
cards.
“There should be a_ place for
‘weather’. Paint to last well and give
satisfaction must be applied to a per-
fectly dry surface. If the slightest trace
of moisture is left, the sun will draw it
out, and bring the paint with it. Paint-
ers all know this, but many of them
to rush the job to completion will ap-
ply paint where it is too damp for good
results. As a matter of course, in a
year or so the owner is complaining
about the paint being unsatisfactory.
Now, if a record of the weather has
been kept, it will be easy enough to
show that there had been rain just
before the paint was applied, and that
the damp surface was responsible for
the bad results. Such a record will
silence unjust complaints on that score.
“Another good follow-up idea is to
photograph every house painted with
your paint. These photos may be
good-sized snapshots taken by some
member of your staff, but should show
as much detail of the house as possible.
Mount these photos in an album, writ-
ing under each the name of the owner
and the date the paint was applied.
This book will increase in value with
each succeeding year, as you can show
your customers photos of houses paint-
ed with your paint a number of years
before and this will serve to impress
them with the durability and popularity
of your paint.”
It is good policy in your card-index
or other record of paint jobs to note
the dimensions of the building, amount
of body and amount of trim, amount of
paint sold, colors used, and, of course,
the date. Keep these cards; and when
time comes for repeat orders, you will,
in soliciting your customer for a re-
peat, be able to tell him much paint
he will require, how long the previous
job has lasted; in fact you will have
all the needful information at your
finger-tips.
It is worth remembering that a cus-
tomer who has used your paint and
found it satisfactory will be, some years
later, the best. kind of prospect for a
repeat order. Hence the advisability
of keeping a record of paint customers.
Victor I auriston.
——~-++—_—_
No Fooling.
A country man, on entering a drug
store and seeing a pay station, placed
a nickel in the slot and lifted the re-
ceiver.
The operator, of course, inquired,
“Number please?”
Country Man:
want my peanuts.”
“Number, Hell; I
- — 22s
Cutting down advertising is a poor
way to try to make progress.
Wholesale Only.
342 MARKET ST., S. W.
Manufacturers and Distributors of
SHEET METAL ROOFING AND FURNACE SUPPLIES,
TONCAN IRON SHEETS,
CONDUCTOR PIPE AND FITTINGS.
We Protect our Dealers.
THE BEHLER-YOUNG CO.
(SAME DAY SHIPPERS)
EAVETROUGH,
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
Michigan Hardware Co.
Wholesalers of
100-108 Ellsworth Ave., Corner Oakes
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
se
Shelf Hardware, Sporting
Goods and
FISHING TACKLE
>
es
oligs,
es
July 22, 1931
MICHIGAN: TRADESMAN
ip SR a ar eb PA i ep ipnsinsasa
23
Recent Mercantile: News From Ohio.
Cleveland—Stone Woolen Co., 3223
East 55th street. Schedules in volun-
tary bankruptcy filed in 'U. S. District
Court here, list assets of $2,872 and
liabilities of $15,286. ‘There are
twenty-seven creditors with unsecured
claims.
Wellsville—Miss Alberta Pry, 64,
dry goods merchant for eighteen years,
is dead at her home here. She had
lived here for more than forty years
and was active in affairs of the retail
merchants association of ‘Wellsville for
many years.
‘Cincinnati— Chas. N, Zesterman,
trading as Zesterman Case Co., retail
luggage, 112 ‘West Seventh street. In-
voluntary bankruptcy schedules list as-
sets of $5,272, of which $3,028 is stock
in trade, $765 machinery, tools, etc.,
and $560 open accounts. Liabilities
are $15,047, of which $14,992 is un-
secured.
‘Cleveland — Involuntary bankruptcy
proceedings have been filed in the U.
S. District Court here against Harry
Friedman, trading as Ohio Furnish-
ings, by Attorney Herbert 'S. Mendel-
sohn, representing Liberty Textile Co.,
$433; Klopper Bros., $60; ‘Campus
Sweater ‘Co., $57.
Toledo — \Morris Genfan, furrier,
417% Huron street, ‘has ‘filed a volun-
tary bankruptcy petition in the U. S.
District Court there, listing liabilities
of $15,616 and assets of $925.
‘Ravenna — Freda Plotkin, men’s
wear. Involuntary bankruptcy sched-
ules, filed in U. 'S. District ‘Court at
Cleveland, list assets of $324 and lia-
bilities of $5,246. There are forty-one
creditors with unsecured claims.
Weilersville—Fire destroyed the gen-
eral store of A. C. M. Fetter and
virtually wiped out the business sec-
tion of the village including damage to
other retail stores. The blaze when
discovered was beyond control. The
general store was also used for post
office and railroad depot. Losses esti-
mated at $20,000, partly covered by in-
surance,
Avelia—A_ fire of undetermined
origin caused damage in the business
district of -Avelia, estimated at $15,000,
and threatened to sweep an_ entire
business block, including several re-
tail stores. Heaviest loser was Joseph
Lazzairo, whose shoe store was
gutted. Nearby stores were slightly
damaged by the flames.
iNiles—E. J. Abraham, retail dry
goods, 33 East Park avenue. Debtor’s
- composition of 35 per cent. was ac-
cepted by the majority of creditors but
objections were filed by Nathan TI.
Roth, attorney, representing Gross &
Schaeffer, New York, with a claim of
$251. The objections raised were that
as creditors, they failed to receive no-
tice that a meeting of creditors had
been called; that they had no oppor-
tunity to go into the merits of the
offer; that they believe 35 per cent.
is insufficient dividend. The U.S.
District Court at ‘Cleveland thas allow-
ed objecting creditors ten days to file
specifications in opposition to con-
firmation of composition and a bond
in the amount of $250 to secure court
costs. In default of such specifications
and bond, the composition will be con-
firmed. ;
‘Toledo—Damschroder-Berry 'Co., St.
Se ee ee ee
Clair and Adams streets. All assets of
the debtor firm were sold at public
auction. The sale was very well at-
tended, with about 200 buyers present,
according to George W. Dougherty,
the trustee. The property was sold to
I. Finkelstein, of Philadelphia, Pa., as
follows: Entire stock of merchandise,
$6,000; entire furniture and fixtures
and office supplies, $3,500; accounts
receivable, $3,850, a total of $13,350.
The highest bulk bid received was
$11,000. The sale has been confirmed
by Referee Fred 'H. Kruse here, and a
10 per cent, first dividend will be paid
to creditors within the next month.
Cleveland—Vanity ‘Cloak Co., wear-
ing apparel, 305 Prospect avenue, ‘In-
voluntary bankruptcy schedules, filed
in U.S. District ‘Court here, list assets
of $400 and liabilities of $14,942. There
are twenty-seven creditors with un-
secured claims,
London—Samuel Newpoff, a resi-
dent of Columbus and proprietor of
Odds & Ends Store at this place, has
filed a petition in involuntary bank-
ruptcy in the U.'S. District ‘Court at
Columbus, listing liabilities at $13,184
and assets of $1,350, claiming $700
exempt. At the same time Lulu New-
poff, his wife, filed a petition in volun-
tary bankruptcy with liabilities of $5,-
996 and no assets,
(Medina—Charles I, Englert, trading
as Englert’s Variety Store. Voluntary
bankruptcy schedules filed in U. S.
District ‘Court at ‘Cleveland list
seventy-five creditors with unsecured
claims.
‘New Philadelphia—The Star Cloth-
ing Co. suffered heavy loss as the re-
sult of a fire of undetermined origin
which started on the second floor of
the store. Firemen confined the blaze
to the main floor of the store and the
loss was mostly to stock of clothing
and furnishings. The loss is covered
by insurance.
Logan—Augustus G. Steinman, of
the firm of Steinman & Wellman, re-
tail shoe dealers here, died recently
after an illness of two months. He is
survived by his wife.
‘Hamilton—Rudolph Dolloff, retail
furniture, 515 Main street, Involun-
tary bankruptcy schedules list assets
of $2,047, of which $515 is stock in
trade, and open accounts, $500. Liabili-
ties are $6,974, of which $6,288 is un-
secured,
Columbus—Upon the application of
the Keller-Heumann/Thompson Co.,
New York, David 'S. Craig, attorney,
was named receiver for ‘Markert, Inc.,
an Ohio corporation conducting men’s
furnishings stores in ‘Columbus and
Zanesville. The headquarters of the
company is in Zanesville, and Roy
Markert is secretary, treasurer and
general manager. An estimate of the
assets, exclusive of accounts receiy-
able, is $5,500. Liabilities have not
been marshalled, but will amount to
about $15,000, it is announced. E. W.
Dillon, Columbus, is attorney for the
receiver,
——_+--__
Glass Demand Again Quiet.
The slight improvement noted re-
cently did not continue this week in
the flat glass industry. While consum-
er demand is reflected immediately in
orders to factories, the volume is not
great. Enquiries are numerous and
_cellent,
there seems to be a feeling that con-
sumption possibilities this Fall are ex-
Enquiries from mirror mak-
ers concerning plate glass showed a
healthy interest, being the one bright
spot in the plate glass situation. Those
industries which consume large
amounts of flat glass are affected by a
slowing down in activity due to the
Summer season.
——_>- ~-e_--—_
My Log Cabin.
My log cabin keeps talking to me
With its logs of wood
Talking lanugage of their tree
Happily understood
Yet with more devoted word
Each one now is better heard
Like a saint’s doxology.
Raised by sunbeams but to lie
Prone, unsawn, aware
Fallen logs will never die
In a cabin’s care
But re-live within, without
Telling comers there about
Timber-land’s tranquility.
Log on log will say to me
In its forest lay
“Tm not sighing for my tree
Nor a happier day
Pleasure grows if I can give
Cheer to those who wish to live
In a cabin’s company.’’
Dear log cabin what a friend
Dearer none could be
For you always love to send
Joy on joy to me
Till your door I open wide
Enter in and long abide
Lost in dreams where worries end.
Charles A. Heath.
———_3->
Highland Park—Yale Roberts, doing
business as Blumenthals, retail wo-
men’s wear. Union ‘Guardian Trust Co.
has been elected trustee. ‘Sale of assets
in parcels for $448 has been confirmed.
Assets are given as $3,936 and liabili-
ties, $11,414 in schedules filed.
Jennings’ Pure Extracts
Vanilla, Lemon, Almond, Orange,
Raspberry, Wintergreen.
Jennings Flavoring Extract Co.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Phone 61366
JOHN L. LYNCH
SALES CO.
SPECIAL SALE EXPERTS
Expert Advertising
Expert Merchandising
209-210-211 Murray Bldg.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
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.
Piii welfare demands
fresh, clean food, and the man who sells it is
doing a service to his community— with profit
to himself.
High among protective, appetizing methods is
KVP Delicatessen Paper; it builds faith in the
freshness and purity of the food you sell and
trade grows by confidence.
KVP Delicatessen as a “slap sheet’’ is proof
against air and moisture; keeps odors out and
goodness in. It is grease-resistant and strips
clean. Comes in handy wall cartons, rolls or
boxes. Write your Paper merchant (or us
direct) for samples.
Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Co.
Kalamazoo - Michigan
(Aid
DELICATESSEN
PAPER
Kent Products Co.
Service Distributor
Eskimo Creamed Cottage
Cheese.
Borden Cheese.
Meadow Gold Butter “June
Flavor.”
Grand Rapids and Western
Michigan
Phone 64-929
SARLES
Detective Agency
Licensed and Bonded
Michigan Trust Bldg.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
I. Van Westenbrugge
Grand Rapids - Muskegon
We have been
appointed exclusive
service distributors on
KRAFT) CHEESE
KRAFT Mayonnaise
KRAFT Malted Milk
Weekly service in
Central Western Michigan
—
24
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
HOTEL DEPARTMENT
News and Gossip of Interest To
Hotels,
Los Angeles, July 18—Five years
ago when I made a trip to Honolulu,
I spent a couple of weeks in San
Francisco, At that time an attempt
was being made to: procure pardons
for Mooney and Billings, who have
been in the public eye for ten years.
I confess that the appeals made had
their impression on me, and [| took
occasion to look up the records of
their trial in the archives of the public
library, in the ‘City of the Golden Gate.
My investigation led me to believe
that even if they were not participants
in the bombing which occurred on the
“preparedness” parade, their records
were such that they deserved punish.
ment of some kind for other felonies,
so, after discovering that the jury re-
turned a verdict of “guilty” after five
minutes of deliberation, I naturally
came to the conclusion that they were
naughty boys and were certainly en-
titled to corrective methods. Now
that one of President Hoover’s fault
finding committees has had something
to say on the subject, through innuen-
do purely, I am called upon to consider
that perennially the cry goes forth to
raise money for the defense fund of
Mooney and Billings, and I believe it
would be safe to estimate that a mil-
lion dollars or more have been raised
on this particular alibi, only a very
sma!l percentage of which was ever
spent directly or indirectly to aid
Mooney or Billings. But the Wicker-
sham Commission, while it does not
specially go into the details of this par-
ticular case, intimates that certain mat-
ters of evidence, coming to public no-
tice after the trial, were not used for
the benefit of the defendants, and
hence they were not given full justice,
the supreme court of California agree-
ing that such evidence was so entirely
gauzy that it was, when offered, not
worthy of consideration. If you
should ask my opinion I would freely
grant that these individuals had been
sufficiently punished, and _ probably
would behave themselves if they were
turned loose, but the ‘Wickersham
stuff leaves a bad taste in the mouth,
and ought to be corrected in the pub-
lic mind, hence if it is brought to your
individual attention, please remember
that these people had already been im-
pressed with the scarlet letter, and de-
served correction.
Apropos of the Mooney-Billings
episode | might add that the Mc-
Namaras who bombed the Los Angeles
Times building, snuffing out a score
of human lives, and who were prompt-
ly convicted on their own confessions,
are now setting up the claim that they
are innocent and asking consideration
at the hands of the pardoning power.
Zack D. Jenkins, who preceded
Tupper Townsend as manager-of the
New Whitcomb Hotel, St. Joseph, has
been appointed receiver of the Midway
Hotel company, operators of the Faust
Hotel, at Rockford, Illinois,
A lot has been said about the mat-
ter of “tips” in hotel and restaurant
operation and [ have uniformly ex-
pressed myself as being opposed to the
system, without, I confess, being par-
ticularly interested in the equities of
the situation, but the other day a Los
Angeles court stirred up a riffle and a
kind friend was responsible for my en-
joying myself hugely for a couple of
hours. It is claimed, of course, that
in almost every line of business, ein-
ployes have paid their help starvation
wages, counting on the “generosity of
the public’ to make up the difference
to the help. This has been the case,
especially with the Pullman people,
and a great many of the restaurants.
I have declared myself many times on
the tip proposition, holding that if an
employe dispensed a special service
without ostentation, that a monetary
reward was ethical, but opposing
strenuously the rush stuff whereby the
payer was intimidated into dispensing
a tip. But the other day a case came
up in the municipal court here over a
dispute on the question of compensa-
tion of a waitress; how much she
should get depended on her weekly
earnings, of which she was to be paid
a percentage during her time out be-
cause of injury. ‘The testimony in-
volved the fact that she was only re-
ceiving $8 per week, far less than a
living wage, but that her tips amount-
ed to $12 per week on an average. The
court ruled that wages and tips to-
gether constituted the girl’s earnings.
The judge said, “The employer, in ef-
fect, saved in direct outgo for wages
the amount received by the employe
for tips. ‘The idea of tipping is dis-
tasteful to some people who prefer to
pay in increased charges enough to
enable the appropriate wage to be paid
directly to the employe by the em-
ployer. There is a feeling that tips
are not in harmony with the spirit of
American institutions, and that they
tend to put the recipient in a depend-
ent or service position and to under-
mine independence of character. It
cannot be overlooked or ignored, how-
ever, that in certain employments the
custom is almost universal in this
state, and presumably elsewhere. That
condition must be recognized. It has
in those employments a vital effect
upon the terms and conditions of labor
and the relations of employer and em-
ploye. It is a custom by which the
employer, in the case at bar reaped a
financial benefit in the lower payments
made by him each week to secure the
services of the employe.” Of course
this decision leaves the matter up in
the air where it has been for ages. No
matter what percentage of the patrons
of restaurants are opposed to the pay-
ment of gratuities to help, the facts
remain that no matter how stringent
the rules may become the subject of
tipping, and no matter how frequently
we all express ourselves most vocifer-
ously on the subject, in the final
analysis, we pay the price, and try to
look pleasant because it is the custom.
The Pullman people, in spite of notori-
ously low wages paid to employes, are
always overwhelmed with applications
for positions as porters, knowing that
the salaries are meager but the rewards
attractive. The sleeping car people
have not overlooked this fact, and have
profited much. At almost every meet-
ing of hotel executives the question of
tips is a subject for discussion. We
all know the system is wrong and we
also know that our patrons agree with
us, but it is an absolute fact that when
a certain railroad company—IJ think it
was the Burlington—asked patrons of
the dining cars to desist from tipping,
suggesting that evidence of it would
mean dismissal of the waiter, it was
resented by the public, and they secret-
ly slipped their gratuities to the wait-
ers. Jt seems to be human nature. We
don’t care to be told where to get off.
Proponents of the Volstead “bluster”
have discovered this. I am opposed
to tipping, but ] will confess that
when the tippee performs a service
without expecting a gratuity, I am
with him,
Every once in a while I am reminded
of the wonderful meal service at Frank
Ehrman’s ‘Columbia Hotel, at Kala-
mazoo. Quite a long time ago Frank
inaugurated a combination table d’hote
and ala carte bill of fare, the prime
object being to combine economy with
a square meal, and he made a wonder-
ful success of it, if an inspection of
his improved facilities last summer
when J] was there, impressed me with
the fact that he is feeding the multi-
tudes. Now Frank’s idea was to set a
certain standard price on some particu-
lar article on his bill of fare, surround
it with all the accessories which go to
New Hotel Elliott
STURGIS, MICH.
50 Baths 50 Running Water
European
D. J. GEROW, Prop.
HOTEL ae
DETROITER
ROOMS 75O BATHS
FREE GARAGE
UNDER KNOTT MANAGEMENT
S/INGLE ROOMS
inte
PRIVATE BATH
aan
NO HIGHER
NEW
wouter
Decorating
and
Management
Facing FAMOUS
Grand Circus Park. Oyster Bar.
800 Rooms - - ~- 800 Baths
Rates from $2
HOTEL TULLER
HAROLD A. SAGE, Mgr.
FOUR FLAGS HOTEL
In the Picturesque St. Joseph
Valley. Seventy-eight rooms. Con-
ducted on the high standard es-
tablished and always maintained by
Charles Renner, landlord.
HOTEL KERNS
LARGEST HOTEL IN LANSING
300 Rooms With or Without Bath
Popular Priced Cafeteria in Cen-
nection. Rates $1.56 up.
WM. G. KERNS, Proprietor
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 lcci ++____
Make Most of the “Swimming Season”.
Hot days are here, and men, women
and children are taking to the beaches
and swimming pools throughout the
country. Coincident with the hot
weather is the vacation season, mak-
ing almost every person a potential cus-
tomer for bathing accessories, for who
would go on a vacation without a
bathing cap, etc., even though it is
just possible that it would seldom be
used. However, the market is there,
and the store which puts real effort
into the promotion of this line of mer-
chandise for the next few weeks will
be well repaid by greatly increased
sales.
While there is a real opportunity to
do a large and profitable business in
bathing accessories these must be mer-
chandised in the right way. And this
does not apply only to stores in the
cities on the seacoast or lake front.
It is an admitted fact that women
throughout the world have more than
ever become bathing-conscious. They
have turned to bathing, not only for
recreation but for health. During the
last few years the health-giving prop-
erties of the sun’s rays have been deep-
ly impressed upon women, and the pop-
ulation of the beaches and water fronts
has increased proportionately.
Women in inland cities have felt the
urge as much as their sisters on the
seacoasts. Lakes, ponds and rivers are
dotted with created bathing and loung-
ing beaches. Suntan now takes prece-
dence over “peaches and cream” com-
plexions during the summer. It is both
fashionable and healthy to be brown
—the deeper the brown the more fash-
ionable.
In order to secure the best results in
this brief but profitable campaign, it is
essential that bathing accessories be
available, and that they be so arranged
that one suggests the other. Many
stores in the large cities have found it
most profitable to devote separate sec-
tions to these accessories, and the sec-
tion is given a prominent location
where it is sure to attract the attention
of passers--by. Bathing accessories are
quick turnover items with a highly
profitable markup.
It is advisable, when arranging the
July 22, 1931
counters, to devote one to each type
of accessory. There should be one for
caps, another for water balls and nov-
elties, another for shoes, etc.
Color is an important features in
bathing accessories, and this section
can be made a highly colorful spot.
All of the staple colors of other years
have been retained in all their bright-
ness. To these have been added many
new colors, used separately and in com-
bination with one another. Among the
new shades now winning popular favor
are capucines, yellows and purples in
their several shades. Suntan, winning
high favor last year, is a good seller
this summer, although it is anticipated
that the higher and brighter shades
will be the best sellers.
New shapes and styles in shoes are
being shown, one being so molded that
neither water nor sand will remain in
it, and in addition it is light enough
that it may be worn while swimming.
Shoes are available in all styles, even
with high heels.
The average drug store does not
half utilize the opportunity it has to
sell toilet preparations and beauty aids
during the summer months and, in
fact, well into the fall, for many busi-
ness women take their vacations in
September or October. The vacation
season offers a chance to sell in quan-
tity, as at no other time of year. It is
one thing for a woman to be in town
with beauty shops and drug stores all
about her, and quite another to be out
in a cabin in the mountains or the for-
est where she must do the work her-
self. The results she obtains there will
be governed largely by the care and
intelligence she has used in selecting
the proper toilet requisites before she
left home. Here is where an alert
clerk, thoroughly familiar with the
stock, can be of great assistance and
make many extra sales in the toilet
goods sdepartment. It is well also to
select the best-known brands of toilet
preparations.
In all parts of the United States and
Canada thousands of women visit the
beaches each year. In these days of
the skirtless bathing suit, not only must
care be taken of the face, hands and
hair, but also of arms and legs as well.
The summer girl must be attractive
whether she is lolling on the sand or
cavorting in the surf, and an essential
is that there must not be the slightest
trdce of superfluous hair on either arms
or legs. Here is the chance to seli
good depilatories, and a sa‘ety razor
for removal of hair from the under-
arm. Cold cream, freckle lotion, sun-
burn cream, are all possible things to ©
keep in mind when selling to those
going to the seashore. Many women
will appreciate being told of a good
neck bleach. Fur collars on winter
coats have a way of discoloring nice
white necks.
217 Eugene St.
HOEKSTRA’S ICE CREAM
Cream of Uniform Quality
An Independent Company
Phone 30137
Grand Rapids, Mich.
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July 22, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 27
Ttems From the Cloverland of Michi- memorial hospital until last week = WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT
gan. when she returned to her home and is
: ; f the business
Sault. Ste. Marie, July 21—The now able to look after : .
steady flow of tourists is still increas- again. Prices quoted are nominal, based on market the day of issue.
ing, but they most all seem to be prac- One of the hopeful things about this Acids Cotton Seed -_-_ 1 25@1 50 Benzoin Comp’d. @2 40
ticing economy, Seems as if the motorized age is that we have fewer Boric (Powd.)_. 10 @ 20 meee ———— : ae a Se ee e3 x
Scotch are in the majority. Many are punctures, because _ tires multiply Hee (Xtal) -- pi g a Eucalyptus —_.. 1 00@1 25 Capsicum. 2. 38
traveling with trailers and houses on faster than tacks. a i¢ -------- 44 @ 60 Hemlock, pure... 2 coer 2 Catechu “See a1 44
ing i r : ine, one of the open Citric ---------- ‘ uniper Berries_ nchona ________
wheels, carrying supplies for the round othe Plymouth mine, ape of ue Open faatis 3%@ 3 Juniper Wood 16004 Ga e.
trip and camp supplies, so that all that pit mines at Wakefield, resumed opera- Nitric ______---- 9 @ ae Lard, extra. 155@168 Cubebs _7777~~ oat
is required is a camp site. All, however, tions June 6.. The Plymouth is oper- a wee . 3 Lard, No. 1. 126@1 40 Digitalis -22-7~77~ pi
appear to be having a good time and ated by Pickards, Mathers & Co., and oo 43° @ 55 Pavender How § 00@6 = Gentian Jo a @1 25
we are pleased to see them come is one of the real tourist objectives of aes z boars be Gusta poe o =
where they can get so much for so Northern Michigan, as well as a huge ‘Aamie Linseed, boiled, bbl. @ 80 Iodine — @1 25
little. The old saying, “Every little industrial enterprise. The big pit, Water, 26 deg... 07 @ 18 Linseed, raw, bbl. @ 77 Iodine, Colorless. @1 50
bit helps,” is very acceptable at this well over a mile long, lies close to Water, 18 deg... 06 @ 15 pimened bld., leas = . — Clo 2 gi 56
time. The extreme hot weather which highway US 2 and visitors to the Water, 14 deg... Ba = Minataca ‘ae on aon eA oa ss
has been covering the country has North country find it very interesting. Caos ialaay 08 @ 18 Neatsfoot ______ 25@1 35 Nux Vomica __ @1
made the Sault an outstanding place to Mrs. A. Leighman and daughter, at oa — ---- 8 00@5 00 Ga a gs :
go for relief, DeTour, have decided to close out the Galesuie vaoe oo 2 60@3 00 Opium’ Deoders’a @5 40
Fred Shaw, manager forthe Gamble- Stock in their store in the near future ee 1 00@1 25 Olive, Mal Rhubarb ________ @1 92
Robinson Co., has purchased a de- and discontinue business, Fir (Canada) -_ 2756@3 00- green _____"___ 2 85@8 26 :
lightful lot on the banks of Saint James ‘McDonald, of the firm of Fir (Oregon) _- ae be Orange, Sweet 6 00@6 25 Paints
Marys River, where he expects to Goetz & McDonald, at DeTour, has = — pre 9, Origanum, pure_ @2 50 Lead, red dry __ 13% @13%
build a summer cottage. He will join
the large colony of resorters who have
built on the shore a few miles East of
Brimley.
Many of the farms in Chippewa
county show, by the beautiful gardens
that surround the back doors, that
there is a real recognition that in. these
days there is good sense shown by
raising sufficient vegetables for the
family use. To eat one must have food.
Humans do not live on hay nor flax
nor field peas. They must have meat
and vegetables. Those who are get-
ting back to the land are said to have
shown a grasp of this need by putting
in gardens—gardens which shall ren-
der it unnecessary to go to the market
for all provisions next winter.
R. G. Ferguson, one of our leading
citizens, was again elected as chair-
man of the Michigan Hospital Com-
mission at the annual meeting held at
Traverse ‘City last week.
The many friends of Miss Lelia
Seaman, manager for the Seamon gen-
eral store at Drummond, will be pleas-
ed to know that she has recovered
from the accident which she met with
about a month ago when she was
thrown from a car in coming to the
Sault, which overturned, inflicting a
bad cut in the head and other bruises.
Her condition at the time was very
critical and she has been at the war
returned from Ann Arbor, where he
went for treatment several months
ago. He is feeling fine and back on
the job again.
The board of managers of the Upper
Peninsula state fair has designated
August 24 to 29 inclusive as the dates
for holding the fourth annual 1931 ex-
position in Escanaba, The Upper
Peninsula state fair has taken its place
in the past three years as one of the
outstanding fairs of the country. This
has been accomplished by the universal
co-operation of the district. Before the
establishment of the fair comparatively
few Upper Peninsula people had ever
seen a Michigan state fair, although
many had attended the state fairs at
Wisconsin and Minnesota, Last year’s
fair presented really remarkable ex-
hibits and programs, worthy in every
way of a great region. This year’s
attractions promise to be still better.
It looks as if we are not going to
have a fair in Chippewa county this
year, as our board of supervisors
seem to think it will help out on the
depression.
The new busses which replaced the
street railway system are running at
a loss. It looks as if they will also be
a thing of the past.
Let us hope that the end is not far
away and that we may hope to get
back to the good old times again.
William G. Tapert.
PICNIC SUPPLIES,
WALL
Grand Rapids
Seasonable Merchandise
Base Balls, Indoor Balls, Golf Balls
GOLF SUPPLIES—Clubs, Bags, Etc.
TENNIS SUPPLIES—Balls, Rackets, Etc.
INSECTICIDES. ROGERS HOUSE PAINT
ROGERS BRUSHING LAQUER
SODA FOUNTAIN SUPPLIES
KODAKS AND FILMS
MOTH KILLERS — ANT KILLERS
BATHING SUPPLIES — FOOD JUGS
SPONGES — CHAMOIS — ETC.
Complete Sample Line Always on Display
Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co.
Michigan
PAPER CLEANERS
PAINT BRUSHES
Manistee
CARER sige orem oo.
Barks
Cassia (ordinary). 25@ 30
Canela (Saigon) -. 40@ 60
Sassafras poms Sy @ 40
Cut (pow
pas amet 20@ 30
Berries
Cubeb 2050 @ 75
Mighe ooo @ 25
Juniper 2222... -. 10@ 20
Prickly Ash ~_----. @ 50
Extracts
EAlcoriee: 22 60@ 75
Licorice, powd. -. 60@ 70
Flowers
Arnica 22502 15@ 80
Chamomile Ged.) 35@ 465
Chamomile Rom. @ 90
Gums
Acacia, lst ._____ 60
Acacia, 2nd -... 50
Aloes (Cape Pow.) 25@ 35
Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 75@ 80
Asafoetida -.._. 50@ 60
Pow. oo @ 7
Camphor -.....__ 87@ 95
Guaiac 0 @ 60
Guaiac, pow’d —.. @ 70
Kimo: @1 25
Kino, powdered__ @1 20
Myrrh oo @1 15
Myrrh, powdered @1 25
Opium, powd. 21 00@21 50
Opium, gran. 21 00@21 50
Shellac, Orange 40@ 50
Shellac, White 55@ 70
Tragacanth, pow. 1 25@1 50
‘Tragacanth -_.. 2 00@2 35
Turpentine ~_ @ 2%
Insecticides
Arsenic ~...___ — T@ 2
Blue Vitriol, bbl. @
Blue Vitriol, less 08@ 15
Bordea. Mix Dry 10%@ 21
Hellebore, White
Powdered _.___. 15@
Insect Powder_. 30@ 46
Lead Arsenate, Po. 11 @25
Lime and Sulphur
a ORE «683
Paris Green -... 25@ 45
Leaves
Buchu: 2.0. @ 60
Buchu, powdered @ 60
Sage, Bulk ______ 25@ 30
Sage, % loose __ @ 40
Sage, powdered__ @ 35
Senna, Alex. _... 50@ 175
Uva Urat
Olls
Almonds, Bitter,
rls 7 50@7 75
Almonds, Bitter,
artificial ..____ 3 00@3 25
Almonds. Sweet,
is EEU@: 2 1 50@1 80
..dlmonds, Sweet,
imitation -__. 1 00@1 25
Amber, crude __ 5@1 00
Amber, rectified 1 50@1 75
ARISG 2 0@1 75
Bergamont -... 6 00@6 26
Cajeput -_...._. 00@2 25
Camsig 00@3 25
Castor ...-.___ — 1 55@1 80
Cedar Leaf _____ 2 00@2 25
Citronella __.... 75@1 20
Cloves: 3 50@3 75
Cocoanut -___.. 22%@ 35
Cod Liver ______ 1 40@2 00
Croton —... 8 00@8 25
Origanum, com’l 1 60@1 20
Pennyroyal -_.. 3 25@3
Peppermint ____ 4 50@4 75
Rose, pure ____ 13 50@14 00
Rosemary Flows 1 50@1 75
Sandelwood, B. :
I~... 12 50@12 76
Sassafras, true 2 00@2
Sassafras, arti’l 75@1
Spearmint ______ 5 00@5
Sperm = 8 2 = 1 25@1
aeny 02
Tar USP
Turpentine, bbl. peo
Turpentine, less 64@
Wintergreen,
leat ee 6 00@6
Wintergreen, sweet
birch 2. =-~ 3 00@3 25
Wintergreen, art 75@1 00
Worm Seed ____ 6 doGa 26
Wormwood __ 10 00@10 26
Potasslum
Bicarbonate _____ 35 40
Bichromate _____ isd 25
Bromide _________ 69@ 85
Bromide _________ 54 71
Chlorate, gran’d_ at 28
Chlorate, powd. 16@ 23
OF Xtal 2 17@ 24
Cyanide ________ 22@ 90
Iodide ________ 4 34@4 55
Permanganate __ 221%4@ 35
Prussiate, yellow 35@ 45
Prussiate, red __ 70@ 15
Sulphate _______ 35@ 40
Roots
Alkanet _________ 80@ 40
Blood, powdered. 40@ 45
Calamus ____.__ 25@ 65
Elecampane, Pwd. 20@ 30
Gentian, powd. _ 20@ 30
Ginger, African,
powdered ______ 20@ 25
Ginger. Jamaica_ 40@ 560
Ginger, Jamaica,
powdered _____ 45@ 60
Goldenseal, pow. 3 00@3 50
Ipecac, powd. __ 4 00@4 60
Licorice 35@
Licorice, powd.__ 15@ 25
Orris, powdered. 35@ 40
Poke, Powdered 25@ 40
Rhubarb, powd. __ @1 00
Rosinwood, powd. @ 50
Sargaparilla, Hond.
ground ....
@i 10
Sarsaparilla, Mexic. @ 60
Squilia 2. 35 40
Squills, powdered 709 80
Tumeric, powd.__ 20@ 25
Valerian, powd. __ @ 50
Seeds
Anisg 0 20@ 30
Anise, powered @ 35
Bird: tg 2. 13@ 17
Canary. 2 10@ 15
Caraway, Po. 30 25@ 80
Cardamon ______ 2 25@2 50
Corlander pow. .30 15@ 25
DN 15@ 20
Fennell 20@ 30
ig 64%@ 15
Flax, ground _. 6%@ 16
Foenugreek, pwd. 15@ 26
Hemp 8@ 15
Lobelia, powd. ____ @1 100
Mustard, yellow 10@ 20
Musard, a 20@ 25
Boppy 22 n 15@ 25
Quince _________ 2 35@3 50
Sabadilla ________ 45 50
Sunfiower 18
poe 12@
Worm, American 25@ 30
Worm, Lavant _ 6 50@7 00
Tinctures
Aconite 2.0. @1 80
Aloes ____ Bes @1 56
Asafoetida ______ @2 28
Menlea 2 @1 50
Relladonna _______ @1 44
Benzoin __________ @3 28
Lead, white dry 13% @13
Lead, white oil 1B¥O134
Ochre, yellow bbi. @ 2%
Ochre, yellow less 3@ 6
Red Venet’n Am. 3%@ 7
Red Venet'n Eng. 4@ 8
Putt 5@ 8
Whiting _~ guceaa
--- 5%@10
Rogers Prep, __ 3 ito: 65
Msceillaneous
Acetanalid
Alum a oe ia
~- pone and
un Oe a
oe Subni- =~ >
ERCG. oo
a xtal or a
Dowdered ______
Cantharides, po. 1 2691 a
Calomel SUSE 2 72@2 82
Capsicum, pow’d 42@ 55
— He 00@9 00
assia Bu =
Cloves 350 2
Chalk Prepared__
Chloroform iM
ESS 47
Choral Hydrate 1 2091 Mo
Cocaine ______ 2 85@13 50
Cocoa Butter ---- 45@ 90
Corks, list, lesg 30710 to
40-
Copperas s4@ “I6
Corrosive’ sume » gf 2, 10
ve Su
Cream T "ae oe =
Cuttle bone === 46 50
Dextrine ______ 6%4@ 16
Dover’s Powder 4 00@4 50
tmery, All Nos. 10@ 15
Emery, Powdered @ 16
Epsom Salts, bbls, @03%
Epsom Salts, less 3%@ 10
Ergot, bowdered __ @4 00
Fore aynite --- 1@
Tmalde
Gates yde. lb. 09@ 35
Glassware, less bbq"
Glassware, full case 60%.
Glauber Salts, bbl.
Glauber Saltg less ug 8
hg Brown ---- 20@ 30
Town Grd
Glue, White ties 743 3
Glue, White grd. 25 35
Glycerine ___~ | 17%@ 40
ODS 15 95
Iodine __-7_777~ 6 45@7 00
Iodoform penne 8 30
Lead Acetate 17@ 235
CG oe cig 1 60
Mace bowdered__ $i 60
Montho} cee 5 50@6 20
Orphine ____
Nor Vesics 13 58@14 33
---- 30
Nux Vomica, Ss
Pepper, B Dow. 15@ 25
Pepper, White, a :
Pitch, Bur rs
Quassia — 23 s
@
Seidlitz Mixture
Oap, green ____
Soap, mott cast _ 26
Soap. white Castile,
Ane) @15 00
Soap, white Castile
less, ue bar _ @1 60
ee 8@ 1
Soda Bicarbo
Soda, Sal ene OB
Spirits Camphor $ 2
Sulphur, rol] ---- 4@ 11
Sulphur, Subl. - 44@ 10
amarinds 0@
Tartar Emetice __ 50:
vurpentine, pe
anilla Ex. pure 1 50@2 00
Venilla Ex. Dure 2 25@2 60
06
Zine Sulphate so @ 1
Webster Cigar Co. Brand
Websterettes __ __ 33 50
Cincos 0
es ee 33 5
Webster Cadillacs _
Golden Wedding ~ >
Panatellags ___ 75 00
Commodore ------... 95 00
- Pinto Beans
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
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
ane ne
ADVANCED DECLINED
Canned Cherries
Canned Milk
White Hand Picked Beans
AMMONIA CANNED FiSH
ROLLED OATS
4 Clam Ch’der, 10% oz. 1 35
Purity Brand Clam Chowder, No. 2. 2 75
Clams, Steamed. No. 1 3 00
Clams, Minced, No. % 2 25
Finnan Haddie, 10 oz. 3 30
Clam Bouillon, 7 oz._ 2 50
Chicken Haddie, No. 1 2 75
Fish Flakes. small —_ 1 33
Cod Fish Cake. 10 oz. 1 54
Cove Oysters, 5 oz. __ 1 60
Lobster, No. %, Star 2 90
Shrimp, 1, wet ---... 2 15
Sard’s, % Oil, Key —. 6 10
Instant Flake, lge., Sard’s, % Oil, Key -. 5 00
Regular Flake, sm.,248 1 80 Sardines, % Oil, k’less 4 75
Regular Flake, sm., 48s 3 60 Salmon, Red Alaska. 3 76
Regular Flake, lg., 188 3 40 Salmon, Med. Alaska 2 8§
China, large, 12s --.. 315 Salmon, Pink, Alaska 1 35
Chest-o-Silver, lg., 128 8 25 Sardines, Im. %, ea. 10@22
Sardines, Im., 4%, ea. 25
a ee 4 55
A 3 ae 6 25
10 Ib. pails, per doz. 9 40
15 lb. pails, per doz. 12 60
. pails, per doz. 19 15
. pails, per doz. 19 15
APPLE BUTTER
Quaker, 24-21 oz., doz. 2 10
Quaker, 12-38 oz., doz. 2 00
BAKING POWDERS
Arctic, 7 oz. tumbler 1 35
Royal, 2 oz., doz. ---- 93
Royal, 4 oz., doz. -. 1 80
Royal, 6 oz., doz. ---- 2 45
Royal, 12 oz., doz. -__- 4 80
Royal, 2% Ibs., doz.-. 13 75
Royal, 5 Ibs., doz.___. 24 60
KC, 10c size, 8 oz. -- 3 70
KC, 15¢ size, 12 oz. -. 5 50
KC. 20c size, full ib... 7 20
KC, 25c size. 25 oz. -. 9 20
KC, 50c size, 50 oz. -. 8 80
cC & ib. sie 6 85
KC, 10 lb. size ~----- 6 75
BLEACHER CLEANSER
Clorox, 16 oz., 2s -. 8 8
Lizzie, 16 oz., 1268 ---- 2 16
BLUING
Am. Ball,36-1 oz.,cart. 1 00
Boy Blue, 36s, per cs. 2 70
BEANS and PEAS
100 Ib. bag
Brown Swedish Beans 9 00
Dry Lima Beans 100 lb. : 75
Red Kdney Beans -- 9 75
White H’d P. Beans 4 75
Black Eye Beans --
Split Peas, Yellow ~~ 5.60
Split Peas, Green .... 6.50
Scotch Peas ~.-------- 4 50
BURNERS
Queen Ann, No. 1 and
2 C06 1 36
White Flame, No. 1
and 2, doz. -----.-. 2 26
BOTTLE CAPS
Obi. Lacqguor, 1 gross
pkg., per gross ---. 16
BREAKFAST FOODS
Kellogg’s Brands.
Corn Flakes, No. 136 2 85
Corn Flakes, No. 124 2 85
tep, 70
Pep, é
Krumbles, No. 424 -_. 2 70
_-Bran Flakes, No. 624 2 45
tran Flakes. No. 602 1 50
Rice Krispies, 6 oz. -- 2 25
ice Krispies. 1 oz. __ 1 iv
Kaffe Hag, 12 1-Ib.
Cane ES se 15
All Bran, 16 oz. ----- 2 25
\ll Bran, 10 oz. ~----- 2 70
All Bran, % “#. ---. 2 00
BROOMS
lewell, doz. -...---.-- 5 25
Standard Parlor, 23 Ib. 7 50
Fancy Parlor, 23 Ib... 8 75
fix. Fancy Parlor 25 Ib. 9 00
Ex. Fey. Parlor 26 Ib. 9 50
MI oso se ec cemennen 1 75
Whisk, No. 3 ~------- 2 25
Post Brands.
Grape-Nuts, 24s ------ 3 80
Grape-Nuts, 100s ---- 2 75
Instant Postum, No. 8 5 40
Instant Postum, No. 10 4 50
Postum Cereal, No. 0 2 25
Post Toasties. 36s -. 2 85
Post Toasties, 248 -- 2 85
Post’s Bran, 24s ---- 2 70
BRUSHES
Scrub
Solid Back, 8 in. ---- 1 50
Solid Back, 1 in. ---- 1 75
Pointed Ends -------- 1 25
Stove
Shaker --------—------- 1 80
No. 50 ------------- 2 00
Peerless -------------- 2 60
Shoe
No. 4-0 ~.--+-~--------- 2 25
No. 2-0. —....._-___--— 3 00
BUTTER COLOR
Dandelion —----------- 2 85
CANDLES
Electric Light, 40 Ibs. 12.1
Plumber, 40 lbs. ----- 12.8
Paraffine, 6s -----~--- 14%
Paraffine, 128 ------- 14%
Wicking -~------------- 40
Tudor, 6s. per box -- 30
CANNED FRUITS
Hart Brand
Apples
No. 10 _--------------- 5 75
Blackberries
Mae ae 35
Pride of Michigan ---- 3 25
Cherries
Mich. red, No. 10 —---
Rod, No. 10 —____._____ 8 50
Res No. 2. 3 50
Pride of Mich. No. 2-- 3 00
Marcellus Red —------- 2 55
2 60
Whole White ~------- 3 25
Gooseberries
Noe 16. 00
Pears
19 oz. giass _.._______.__
Pride of Mich. No. 2% 3 60
Plums
Grand Duke, No. 2%-- 3 25
Yellow Eggs No. 2%-- 3 25
Black Raspberries
NO 2
Pride of Mich. No. 2_. 3 25
Pride of Mich. No. 1-- 2 35
Red Raspberries '
Nos 2 65 60
Wo. 2d 2 -. $8 15
Marcellus, No, 2 ------ 3 60
Pride of Mich. No. 2-. 4 00
Strawberries
Neo Be 4
Wis 3 00
Marcellus, No. 2 -...- 3 25
Pride of Mich. No. 2_. 3 75
Sardines, Cal. -. 1 35@2 25
Tuna, % Curtis, doz. 2 65
Tuna, 4s, Curtis, doz. 1 80
Tuna, % Blue Fin __ 2 00
Tuna, 1s, Curtis, doz. 4 75
CANNED MEAT
Bacon, Med. Beechnut
Bacon, Lge. Beechnut
Beef, No. 1, Corned —-
Beef No. 1, Roast __
Beef, 2% oz., Qua., sli.
Beef. 4 oz. Qua. sili.
Beef, 5 oz., Am. Sliced
Beef, No. 1, B’nut, sli.
Beefsteak & Onions, s
Chili Con Car., Ils -._
Deviled Ham, %s -.-_
08 09 mm Cobo 69 Dom BO
te
a
Deviled Ham, %s ____ 3 85
Hamburg Steak &
Onions, No. 1 --.... 3 15
Potted Beef, 4 oz. ____ 1 10
Potted Meat, % Libby 52
Potted Meat, % Libby 90
Potted Meat, % Qua. %
Potted Ham, Gen. % 1 45
Vienna Saus. No. % 1 365
Vienna Sausage, Qua. 90
Veal Loaf, Medium __ 2 25
Baked Seans
Campbells ..
Quaker, 16 oz. -.-...._ 16
Fremont, No. 2 --... 1 26
Snider, No. 1... 110
Snider, No. 2 -.--..-- 1 25
Van Camp. small _... 90
Van Camp, med. -... 1 45
CANNED VEGETABLES
Hart Brand
Baked Beans
Medium, Plain or Sau. 15
No, 19; Sauce 5 60
Lima Beans
Little Dot, No. 2 -_- 3 10
Little Quaker, No. 10_13 25
Little Quaker, No. 1 —_ t 80
Bay. NO. 2. 75
Hany, No. 2 6. 1 80
Pride of Mich. No. 1. 1 55
Marcellus, No. 10 -_.. 8 76
Red Kidney Beans
10 6
Ne. 20 - 6 50
No. So 3 70
Dn. 2 1 30
No. 2° 90
String Beans
Little Dot. No. 2 ---- 3 20
Little Dot, No. 1 -___ 2 40
Little Quaker, No. 1-- 1 90
Little Quaker, No. 2 _. 2 90
Choice Whole, No. 10_12 75
Choice Whole, No. 2_. 2 50
Choice Whole. No. 1-1 70
Cot. No, 30 8. 10 25
Cut, No. 2 -..- anc’ @ 10
Cut. No. i a ee
Pride of Mich. No. 2... 1 75
Marcellus, No. 2 __.. 1 50
Marcellus, No. 10 -... 8 25
Wax Beans
Litlet Dot, No. 2 --. 2
Little Dot, No. 1 __-. 1 90
Little Quaker, No. 2_. 2
Little Quaker, No. 1 1 80
Choice Whole, No. 10_12 50
Choice Whole, No. 2__ 2 50
Choice Whol, No. 1_. 1 765
Cut; Wo, 10 10 25
ee 2 15
Cut. Ne 8 1.45
Pride of Michigan _. 1 75
Marcellus Cut, No. 10_ % 25
Beets
Small, No. 2% 3
Etxra Small, No. 2 __ 3
Fancy Small No. 2 _- : 45
6
1
Pride of Michigan —_
Marcellus Cut, No. 10_ 6 50
Marcel. Whole, No. 2% 1 85
Carrots
biceG, No. 2 .. 1 30
Diced, No. 10 __---.-_ 7 00
Corn
Golden Ban., No. 3_. 3 60
Golden Ban., No. 2-_1 90
Golden Ban., No. 10_10 75
Little Dot, No. 2 --.. 1 70
Little Quaker, No. 2 1 70
Little Quaker. No. 1.1 35
Country, Gen., No. 1_-1 35
Country Gen., No. 2. 1 70
Pride of Mich., No. 5. 5 2u
Pride of Mich., No. 2_ 1 70
Pride of Mich.. No. 1. 1 25
Marcellus, No. 5 -... 4 30
Marcellus, No. 2 _.-. 1 40
Marcellus, No. 1 -_-. 1 16
Fancy Crosby. No. 2.. 1 70
Fancy Crosby, No. 1_. i 45
Peas
Little Dot. No. 1 ---- 1 70
Little Dot. No. 2 2 50
Little Quaker, No. 10 12 00
Little Quaker, No .2_. 2 35
Little Quaker, No. 1_. 1 60
Sifted E. June, No. 10.16 00
Sifted E. June, No. 5_. 5 75
Sifted E. June, No. 2.. 1 85
Sifted E. June, No. 1__ 1 40
Belle of Hart, No. 2_. 1 85
Pride of Mich.. No. 10 8 75
Pride of Mich., No. 2__ 1 65
Marcel., EB. June, No. 2 1 40
Marcel., BE. June, No. 5 4 60
MarceL, BE. Ju., No. 10 7 50
Templar E. J., No. 2 1 32%
Templar E. Ju., No. 10 7 00
5 50
1 75
Oo; 2 2 Bo 1 40
Marcellus, No. 10 — 4 50
Marcellus, No. 2% -.. 1 40
Marcellus No. 2 _---- 115
Sauerkraut
No.
No. 2
No. 2
No. 2
No. “
Squash
Boston, No. 3 -_-_-. -- 1 80
Succotash
Golden Bantum, No. 2 2 60
Little Dot, No. 2 ---. 2 36
bw
to
an
Little Quaker ~__-____
Pride of Michigan -- 2 10
Tomatoes
NG. Oe 5 80
No. 8% 26
TO i ee 65
1
Pride of Mich., No. 2% 2 10
Pride of Mich., No. 2__1 40
CATSUP,
Beech-Nut, small -.-_ 1 50
Beech-Nut, large -_-. 2 30
Lily of Valley, 14 oz._. 2 25
Lily of Valley, % pint 1 65
1
Sniders, 8 oz. -_--__.. 55
Sniders, 16 oz. __-_._ 2 35
Quaker, 10 oz. -___-_ 1 35
80
Quaker, 14 — 1
Quaker, Gallon Glass 12 00
Quaker, Gallon Tin __ 7 26
CHILI SAUCE
OYSTER COCKTAIL
Sniders, 16 oz. _.____ 3 15
Sniders, 8 oz. _____- 2 20
CHEESE
Monuetort 60
Wisconsin Daisy ._._ ss AE
Wisconsin Flat ~___..__ 17
New York June —______ 27
BaD Sago 2 40
A ee 18
Michigan Flats _______ 17
~Michiga Daisies _______ 17
Wisconsin Longhorn __ 17
Imported Leyden ______ 27
1 Ib. Limberger ______ 26
Imported Swiss ______. 58
Kraft Pimento Loaf __ 24
Kraft American Loaf __ 22
Kraft Brick Loaf ______ 22
Kraft Swiss Loaf _______ 30
Kraft Old Eng. Loaf__ 44
Kraft, Pimento, % Ib. 1 85
Kraft, American, % Ib. 1 85
Kraft, Brick, % Yb. __ 1 85
Kraft Limburger,% lb, 1 85
CHEWING GUM
Adams Black Jack -... 65
Adams Bloodberry ---. 65
Adams Dentyne --.-.. 65
Adams Calif. Fruit —-. 65
Adams Sen Sen -.---- 65
Beeman’s Pepsin —~--_-- 65
Beechnut Wintergreen_
Beechnut Peppermint...
Beechnut Spearmint --
Doublemint ---.__------ 65
Peppermint, Wrigleys -. 65
Spearmint, Wrigleys -- 65
gmicy Eruit. 65
Krigley’s P-K -_.------ 65
oe 65
Teaperry. .¥.. 5 65
COCOA
Droste’s Dutch, 1 lb... 8 50
Droste’s Dutch, % Ib. 4 60
Droste’s Dutch, % lb. 2 35
Droste’s Dutch, 5 Ib. 66
Chocolate Apples -_.. 4 50
Pastelles, No. 1 --.. 12 50
Pastelles, % Ib. ------ 6 60
Pains De Cafe —-_---. 3 00
Droste’s Bars,
Delft Pastelles __----. 15
1 lb. Rose Tin Bon
Bont 2 8 60
7 oz. Rose Tin Bon
plier 9 00
13 oz. Creme De Cara-
ne 13 20
12 oz. Rosaces --.--.- 10 80
% Ib. Rosaces -_------ 7 80
% Ib. Pastelles __---_ 3 40
Langnes De Chats __ 4 80
CHOCOLATE
Baker, Caracas, %s -.-- 37
Baker, Caracas, 4s ---. 35
SLOTHES LINE
Remp, 50 ft. _-. 2 00@2 25
oe Cotton,
Ce — 1 80@2 25
Braided, 50 ft. .__...__ 2 2!
Sash Cord -...-_ 2 50@2 75
COFFEE ROASTED
Blodgett-Beckley Co.
Old Master —-_-_-_-.. ae
Lee & Cady
1 ib. Package
Breakfast Cup ----- yg 20
OTE 17
Quaker Vacuum -_-___ 33
enrow 29
Morton House -_-.. 37
ERB oe 27
SAOVIR Se 39
MAIGMG _ 30%
Boston Breakf’t Blend 25
McLaughliin’s Kept-Fresh
Coffee Extracts
M. Y., per 100 ._....
Frank’s 5@ pkgs. -. 4 25
Hummel’s 50 1 Ib 10%
CONDENSED MILK
Leader, 4 doz. -_...__ 7 00
Eagie, 4 doz. -..--.__ § 00
MILK COMPOUND
Hebe, Tall, 4 doz. ..
Hebe. Baby, 8 doz. -.
Carolene. Tall, 4 doz.
Carolene, Raby -.._-.
EVAPORATED MILK
TREO TO 3 45
Pare: Baby 222 3 45
Quaker, Tall, 10% oz.
Quaker, Baby, 2 doz.
Quaker, Gallon, % doz.
Carnation, Tall, 4 doz. 3
Carnation, Baby, 8 dz. 3
Oatman’s Dundee, Tall 3
Oatman’s D’dee, Baby 3
Every Day, Tall _... 3
Every Day, Baby —_-. 3
Pet. Tatts 3 45
Pet, Baby, 4 dozen __ 1 73
orden a Tall: 0: 3 45
Borden’s Baby --_____ 3 45
CIGARS
Airedale ./.222 22... 35 00
Hemeter Champion __38 50
Canadian Club ______ bap “te
Robert Emmett ____ 75 of
Tom Moore Monarch 75 00
Webster Cadillac ____ 75 wu
Webster Astor Foil_. 75 04
Webster Knickbocker 95 i
Webster Albany Foil 95 0
Bering Apollos _____-_ 95 00
Bering Palmitas _ 115 aA
Bering Diplomatica 115 0°
Bering Delioses ____ 120 0¢
Bering Favorita ____ 135 ec
Bering Albas Lie ¢
CONFECTIONERY
Stick Candy Pails
Pure Sugar Sticks-600c 4 00
Big Stick. 20 lb. case 17
Horehound Stick.’ 5 lb. 18
. Mixed Candy
Kindergarten ___.____ 17
MMOt oo cat
French Creams _ - 14
Paris Creams __ ao
PUGS 2 10
Fancy Mixture ________ 17
Fancy Chocolate
: 5 lb. box
Bittersweets, Ass'ted 60
Milk Chocolate A A 1 65
on Sticks |. 1 50
ocolate Nut Rolls _ 1!
Blue Ribbon ilocos i 30
Gum Drops Pails
Champion Gums
Challenge Gums Se Pet i
Jelly Strings ie 16
Lozenges Pails
A. A. Pep. Lozenges 15
A. A. Pink Lozenges __ 15
"A. A. Choe. Lozenges__ 15
Motto Hears t_______ 18
Malted Milk Lozenges _ 2]
Hard Goods Pails
Lemon Drops __________ 17
Horehound drops 16
Anise Squares _.____ 16
Peanut Squares ee &
: ough Dro ~ Bxs
Putnans 203 rs
Smith Brog .. 0” 1 Bt
luden’s 0 re 1 50
: Specialties
Pineapple Fudge __. 18
Italian Bon Bons a. 17
Banquet Cream Minte_.
; : — 2.
eee King M.Mallows 215
andy Packages, 12-10e 75
COUPON BOOKS
50 Economic Brade 2% be
100 Economic grade 4 50
500 Bconomic grade 20 uv
1000 Economic grade 37 5u
Where 1,000 books are
ordered at a time, specia)-
ly printed front ‘cover is
furnished without charge
CREAM OF TARTAR
6 lb. boxes __. ous 40
DRIED FRUITS
Apples
N. Y. Fey., 50 lb. box 13
N. ¥. Fey., 14 oz. Pkg. io
Apricots
Evaporated, Choice
G ROR: «5
Evaporated, Fan
Evaporated, aa ™
Citron
10-35. box 36
Currants
Packages, 14 oz. ______ 17
Greek, Bulk, lb. ______ 16%
Dates
Dromedary, 36s eee a 6 76
Peaches
Eyap. Choice 14
PANCy 15
Peel
Lemon, American ______ a3
Orange, American _____ 2x
Raisine
Seeded, bulk _______ 08%
Thompson’s s’dless bik 08
Thompson’s seedless,
RO; Ge ---- 10%
Seeded. 15 oz. ________ 1044
California Prunes
90@100, 25 Ib. boxes. _@05%
80@90, 25 Ib. boxes__@06
70@80, 25 lb. boxes__@06%
60@70, 25 Ib. boxes__@07%
50@60, 25 Ib. boxes__@081%
40@50, 25 Ib. boxes__@09%
30@40, 25 Ib. boxes__@12
20@30, 25 Ib. boxes__@15
18@24, 25 lb. boxes__@17%
: Hominy
Pearl. 100 Ib. sacks 2 50
a
"4
¥
uy
,
+
e
+
4
ae
e
1A
|
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i
July 22, 1931
Macaroni
Mueller’s Brands
9 oz. package, per doz. 1 30
9 oz. package, per case 2 20
Bulk Goods
Elbow, 20 Ib. __.___ 54@T%
Egg Noodle, 10 lbs. __ 14
Peari Barley
ae 00
Barley Grits -________ 5 00
Ch Me owe a 76
Sage
mest: Indigo id
Tapioca
Pearl. 100 Ib. sacks __ 09
Minute, 8 oz.,-3 doz. 4 U5
Dromedary Instant __ 3 30
Jiffy Punch
a: G02, Carton — 32 2 25
Assorted flavors.
FLOUR
Vv. C. Milling Co. Brands
tay White
Harvest Queen ________
Yes Ma'am Graham,
AOS
Lee & Cady Brands
American Eagle ____
Home Baker ___.___.
FRUIT CANS
Mason
F. O. B. Grand Rapids
Pee We ss 7 15
ne pint ooo 7 40
One quart 8 8 65
Hatt ealion 11 65
Ideai Glass Top
mot int 9 UO
One Ot 22. 9 56
tre: Guest A)
Half gation 15 40
GELATINE
*eeH-O, 98 doz. 2 35
minute, % dog. 2: 4 05
Plymorth, White ____ 1 45
Quak«t. 3 joz. | 2 25
JELLY AND PRESERVES
Pure. 30 Ib. pails ____ 3 30
Imitatin, 30 Ib. pails 1 60
Pure, 6 o0z., Asst.. doz. 90
Pure Pres., 16 oz.. dz. 2 40
JELLY GLASSES
8 oz.. per doz.
OLEOMARGARINE
Van Westenbrugge Brands
Carioad Distributor
Cream-Nut, No. 1 __ 12%
Pecdia,; No. 1 10%
BEST FOODS, INC.
Laug Bros., Distributors
Nucoa. 1 Ib.
mouday, ft Ib. 2 2
Wilson & Co.’s Brands
Oleo
BOPEINOG 2 20
PS 13
special Rou oo 17
MATCHES
Diamond, 144 box __ 4 25
Searchlight, 144 box__ 4 25
Vino Red Label, 144 bx 4 2u
Univ Blue Tip, 144 box 4 vu
Ohio Blue Tip. 720-1c 4 éU
“Reliable, 144 ________ 3 15
“Pederal, 144 ____.___ 3 95
Safety Matches
Quaker, 5 gro. case... 4 25
MULLER’S PRODUCTS
Macaroni, 9 oz. -_____ 2 20
Spaghetti 9 oz. ______ 2 20
Elbow Macaroni, 9 oz. 2 20
Eger Noodles, 6 oz. __._ 3 20
Egg Vermicelli, 6 oz. 2 20
Egg Alphabets, 6 oz... 2 20
Egg A-B-Cs 48 pkgs... 1 80
NUTS—Whole
Almonds, Tarragona... 19
Brail, Large ~......___ 23
SFancy Mixed ________ 22
*Filberts, Sicily —-___ 20
“Peanuts, Vir. Roasted 11
¥Peanuts. Jumbo, std. 13
Pecans, 3, star ._.__ 5
* Pecans, Jumbo -____. 40
Pecans, Mammoth -_ 50
Walnuts, Cal. --.. 27@29
Bickory. 2 07
Salted Peanuts
Panty, No: to 14
Shelied
Almonds Salted -.______ 95
Peanuts, Spanish
P25 3b. hage: 2.0. 12
Mitberte 30 32
Pecans Salted —__..___. 87
Walnut Burdo -__.____
Walnut, Manchurian __ 65
MINCE MEAT
None Such, 4 doz. -__ 6 20
Quaker, 3 doz. case __ 3 50
Libby. Kegs, wet, Ib. 22
OLIVES
4 oz. Jar, Plain, doz.
10 oz. Jar, Plain, doz.
14 oz. Jar, Plain, doz
Pint Jars, Plain, doz.
Quart Jars, Plain, doz.
1 Gal. Glass Jugs, Pla.
5 Gal. Kegs, each ____
34 oz. Jar, Stuff., doz.
6 oz. Jar, Stuffed doz.
9% oz. Jar, Stuff., doz.
1 Gal. Jugs, Stuff., dz.
bo Oboe et on Dom po
oo
Oo
PARIS GREEN
Bel Car-Mo Brand
44 1 1b, Ting 2 4 35
8 oz.. 2 doz, in case __ 2 65
16 ib. pails 22
20) Ib. opaile?
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Including State Tax
From Tank Wagon
Red Crown Gasoline _. 16.7
Red Crown Ethyl ____ 19.7
Solite Gasoline _____ aa BSF
in fron Barrels
Perfection Kerosine __ 12.6
Gas Machine Gasoline 39.1
Vv. M. & P. Naphtha__ 20.8
ISO-VIS MOTOR OILS
Eight 2s tol
Medium (22000 7.1
ee te
Re: Heavy teal
olarine
iron Barrels
Pighs 65.1
Medina 02. 65.1
Heavy oo 65.1
Special heavy ________ 65.1
Extra heavy —________ 65.1
Polaring “. . 65.1
Tranmission Oj) _____ 65.1
Finol, 4 oz. cans, doz. 1 5
Finol, 8 oz. cans, doz. 2 30
Parowax, 100 lb. ____ 7.3
Parowax, 40, 1 lb. __ 7.65
Parowax, 20, 1 Ib. 7.8
semdac, 12 pt. cans 3 00
jemdac, 12 qt. cans 5 00
PICKLES
Medium Sour
5 gallon, 400 count ._ 4 75
Sweet Small
16 Gallon, 2250 _.____ 27 00
5 Gallon, 750 _______~ 9 75
Dil Pickles
Gal. 40 to Tin, doz.__ 10 25
No. 2% Tins _________ 2 25
32 oz. Glass Picked__ 2 25
32 oz. Glass Thrown __ 1 95
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
DIN Pickles Bulk
1., 200 3 6
PIPES
Cob, 3 doz. in bx. 1 00@1 20
PLAYING CARDS
Battle Axe, per doz. 2 65
Torpedo, per doz. -_.. 2 50
POTASH
Babbitt’s, 2 doz. -___ 2 75
FRESH =e
Bee
Top Steers & Heif. __._ 14
Good St’rs & H’f.
Med. Steers & Heif. __ 12
Com. Steers & Heif. __ 11
Veal
ROD ct ee 13
al Sees 11
Medium: 22 09
Lamb
Spring amp 18
Good
Mutton
Good 2 10
Medium (oo es 08
OOP 20 oe eS 10
Pork
Bom, med 17
Butts 2 14
Dhoulders 2 iy
Spareribe 2.0 08
Neck bones __________ 05
Trimmings je 98
PROVISIONS
Barreled Pork
Clear Back __ 25 00@28 v0
Short Cut Clear26 00@29 00
Dry Salt Meats
DS Bellies __ 18-20@18-12
Lard
Pure in tierces ________ 9%
60 lb. tubs ____advance 4
50 Ib. tubs ____advance %
20 lb. pails ____advance %
10 lb pails ____advance %
5 Ib. pails _.__advance 1
3 lb. pails __advance 1
Compound tierces ____ 11
Compound, tubs ______ 114%
Sausages
Bologna oo 16
Eiver 2 ee 18
Rrackfort: 000 20
Pon ees 31
Nea ee 19
Tongue, Jellied _______ 35
Headcheese _______ 18
Smoked Meats
Hams, Cer. 14-16 Ib. @20
Hams, Cert., Skinned
TO-13 Ib. 19
Ham. dried beet .
comes eee @33
ornia Hams __ @lij
Picnic Boiled —
So 20 @25
Boiled Hams 30
Minced Hams ______ @16
Bacon 4/6 Cert. 24 @28
Beef
Boneless. rump 28 00@36 00
Rump, new __ 29 00@35 00
Liver
Beet 2k eee 16
CA ee 55
Por 08
RICE
Fancy Blue Rose ____ 5 10
Pancy Head 220.) 07
RUSKS
Postma Biscuit Co.
18 rolls, per case ____ 1 90
12 rolis, per case ____ 1 27
18 cartons, per case__ 2 15
12 cartons, per case__ 1 45
SALERATUS j
Arm and Hammer __ 3 75
SAL SODA
anulated, 60 ths. es. 1 35
Granulated, 18-2% Ib.
OAcKages 0 1 00
COD FISH
MGGieR 20
Tablets, % ib. Pure 19%
CU 1 40
Wood boxes. Pure _ 30
Whole Cod ____... 11%
HERRING
Holland Herring
-Mixed. Kegs __._____.
Mixed, half bbls. ____
Mixed, bbls ________ a
Milkers Kegs _______
Milkers, half bbls. __
Milkers. bbis) . ___
Lake Herring
% Bbl., 100 Ibs.
Mackeral
Tubs, 60 Count, fy. fat 6 in
Pails, 10 lb. Fancy fat 1 60
White Fish
Med. Fanev. 100 'b. 12 a6
Milkers, bbls. ______ 18 50
K K K K Norway __ 19 50
Sib? pails 2 1 40
Cut f£uneh 1 50
Boned, 10 Ib. boxes __ 16
SHOE BLACKENING
2 in 1, Paste, doz. ___ 1 35
B. Z. Combination, dz. 1 35
Dri-Foot, doz. ______ 2 00
Bixbys, Dozz. ________ 1 35
Shingla, doz = 90
STOVE POLISH
Blackne, per doz. __ 1
Binek Silk Liquid, dz. 1
lack Silk Paste, doz. 1
Enameline Paste, doz. 1
Enameline Liquid, dz. 1 3:
E. Z. Liquid, per doz. 1
Radium, per doz. 1
Rising Sun, per doz. 1
654 Stove Enamel, dz. 2
Vuleanol, No. 5, doz. 35
Vuleanol, No. 10, doz. 1 35
Stovoil, per doz.
SALT
F. O. G. Grand Rapids
Colonial, 24, 2 lb.
Colonial, 30-1% ______ 1
Colonial, Iodized. 24-2 1 35
Med. No. 1 Bbis. ____ 2 90
Med. No. 1, 100 Ib. bk. 1 00
Farmer Spec., 70 Ib. 1 00
Packers Meat, 50 Ib. 65
Crushed Kock for ice
cream, 100 Ilb., each
Butter Salt, 280 Ib. bbl.4 00
Block, 66 bh.
Se,
Baker Salt. 280 Ib. bbl. 3 80
14, 10 lb., per bale ____ 2 10
50. 3 lb.. per bale ____ 2 50
28 Ib. bags, Table ____ 40
Old Hickory, Smoked,
6-10 Ib.
Free Run’g, 32 26 oz. 2 40
Five case lots 2 ¢
lodized, 32, 26 oz. __ 2 40
Five case lots ______ 2 30
BORAX
Twenty Mule Team
24, -1 Ib. packages __ 3 35
48, 10 oz. packages __ 4 40
96, % oz. packages __ 4 6
CLEANSERS
80 can cases, $4.80 per case
WASHING POWDERS
Bon Ami Pd., 18s, box 1 90
Ron Ami Cake, 188 __1 621%
RO 85
Climaline, 4 doz. ___. 4 20
Grandma, 100, 5c __-. 3 20
Grandma, 24 Large .. 3 “4
Gold Dust. 100s ~ 3 70
Gold Dust,
Golden Rod, 74 _-___ 4 26
La France Laun., 4 dz. 3 60
Old Dutch Clean. 4 dz. 3 40
Octagon, 968 _ 3 98
Rinso:? 408° 2s 3 20
RATISO. 249 5 5 25
Rub No More, 100, 10
OF. 8 BS
Rub No More, 20 Lg. 4 v0
Spotless Cleanser, 48,
OO OR.
San. Flush, 1 doz. __
Sanoha Fs dom. |
Sonpine 100, Ie 68: _
shaom hoy 90, 10 oz.
Souewbov 12 Carge __
Spree tee Ss dere
Sunbeite sis
Wiyatiteate 48
Wyandct Neterg 3, 24s
NORD ADE DM COrO Co
oo
on
SOAP
Am. Family. Jut) cox
Crystal White, ..2. __
Big: Jack GOs.) 5. 4 75
wo
>
Fels Naptha, 100 box 5 <"
Flake White, 10 box 3 35
Grdma White Na. 10s 3 50
Tap Rose, 100 box ____ 7 40
Fairy, 100 box _______ 4m
Palm Olive, 144 box 9% 50
Lava, 100 box 25 4
Octagon, 120 5 00
Pummo, 100 box ____ 4
Sweetheart, 100 box __ 5
Grandpa Tar, 50 sm. 2 10
Grandpa Tar, 50 Ige. 3
Trilby Soap, 100, 10c 7
Williams Barber Bar, 9s 30
Williams Mug, per doz. 38
SPICES
Whole Spices
Allspice, Jamaica ___ @30
Cloves, Zanzibar ____ @47
Cassia, Canton _____ @25
Cassia, 5c pkg., doz. @40
Ginger, Africa: _—__ @i4
Mace, Penang ______ 1 00
Mixed, No 3 ¢2.05 2. @ sz
Mixed, 5¢ pkes., doz. @45
Nutmegs, 70@90 ____ @50
Nutmegs, 105-1 10 ___ @48
Pepper, Black = 7) = 25
Pure Ground in Buik
Allspice, Jamaica ____ @33
Cloves, Zanzibar ____ @53
Cassia, Canton ______ @29
Ginger, Corkin = i. @30
Mustard (2 @29
Mace, Penang _____ 2 5.06
Pepper, Black. 2057 @27
Nutmegs, 2-30 @35
Pepper, White @44
Pepper, Cayenne _____ @36
Paprika, Spaish ______ @36
Seasoning
Chili Powder, 15c ____ 1 35
Celery Salt, 3 oz. es 95
Sage, 2:07 2. yu
Onion Salt. 2 1 35
Gavia: 2 1 35
Ponelty, 3% oz. aa ae
Kitchen Bouquet ____ 4 50
Laurel Leaves ______ 20
Marjoram, 1 oz. _____ 9¢e
Savory, | az. 2 2 90
Thyme, 1) ez. 220. 90
Vameric, 2% 67 90
STARCH
Corn
Kingsford, 40 lbs. __ 11%
Powdered, bags ______ 3 25
Argo, 48, 1 Ib. pkgs. 3 03
Cream, 48-) =. 0 4 40
Quaker, 40-1 2
Gloss
Argo, 48, 1 Ib. pkgs. 3 03
Argo, 12, 3 Ip. pkgs. 2 13
Argo, 8, 5 lb. pkgs. __2 45
Silver Gloss, 18, ls __ 11%
Elastic, 64 pkgs. ____ 5 10
eer, 48-0 2
Wieser. 50 lpe 2 75
SYRUP
Corn
Blue Karo, No. 1% __ 2 69
Blue Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 3 78
Blue Karo, No. 10 __ 3 58
Red Karo, No. 1% __ 2 90
Red Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 4 04
Red Karo, No. 10 __ 3 84
tmit. Maple Flavor
Orange, No. 1%. 2 dz. 3°25
Orange, No. 5, 1 doz. 4 99
Maple and Cane
Kanuck, per gal. __ 1 50
Kanuck. 5 gal can __ 6 50
Maple
Michigan. per gal. _. 2 7h
Welrhe ner eal. dices ao ee
COOKING OIL
Mazola
Pints, 2 dow 5 75
Quarts, I doz... 5 25
Half Gallons, 1 doz. _ 11 75
Jallons, % doz.
29
TABLE SAUCES
Lee & Perrin, large__ 5 75
& Perrin, small__ 3 35
Pepper 0 1 60
Royal Mint 2 40
Tobasco, 2 oz. ______ 4 25
Sho You, 9 oz, doz.__ 2 25
Apt, large 4 75
#eok small 2 2 85
Caper, 2 07.) 3 30
TEA
- Blodgett-Beckley Co.
Royal Garden, % Ib... 76
Royal Garden, % Ib. __ 77
Japan
Medium 0 ~- 36@36
Choice 22 37@52
Rance 52@6)
No. 1 Nibbs Stone oe
1 Ib. pkg. Sifting _____ 14
Gunpowde
Choice 20s Le 40
ey 2
Ceyion
Pekoe, medium 2 57
English Breakfast
Congou, medium
Se a 8
Congou, Choice ____ 35@36
Congou, Fancy = = 2@ 12
Oolo
Medium Pbiaials 3s
Cholég” 2 yg ae 4:
Fancy Soot ee 5b
TWINE
Cotton, 3 ply CONe 22 33
Cotton, 3 ply Balls so. $6
Wool, 6 Diy es a Le
: VINEGAR
Cider, 40 Grain 18
White Wine, 80 grain’
ine, | nm... 35
ite Wine, 40 Brain__ 20
WICKING
No. 0, per gross ____ &
No. 1, per gross _____ i a
No. 2, Der fross =. Fat
No. 3. Der gross _____ 2 3t
Peerless Rous, per doz. x:
Rochester, No. 2, doz. bt
Rochester, No. 3, doz. 2 cu
ayo, per doz. eee tS
WOODENWARE
Basket
Bushels, narrow ud
wire handles ____ : 1 7%
Bushels, narrow band. :
wood handles _____ a 8b
Market, drop handle__ 9u
Market, single handle_ 95
Market, Gxita 2 1 6
Splint, large 8
Splint, Medium __ ae (a
Splint, Seat 6 5
Churns
Barrel, 5 Ral. each __ 2 4
Barrel, 10 Sal... each a 45
3 to 6 gal. ber gal. __ 16
Pails
10 qt. Galvan 460 ' 4 ea
12 at. Galvanized ce ee
14 at. Galvanized a 3 ly
12 qt. flaring Gal. Jr. 5 Oi,
10 qt. Tin Dairy 3: € Oy
Traps
Mouse, Wood, 4 holes_ 6u
ouse, wood, ¢ holes_ it
Mouse, tin, § holes ge
at, wood ee 1 Ou
Rat. eprine 297 1 oe
Mouse, Spring 222. 20
; a Tubs
4arge Galvanized ees
Medium Galvanized __ 7 in
Small Galvanized _ __ 6 74
Washboards
Banner, Globe. 5 5b
Fass, single G2
AAS Shiple 0G vu
Double Peerless 8 5s
Sing'e Peertec. ce coe
Northern Ou. en ee Dae,
Universal 7 de
Wood Bowls
13oin) Butte; eee ae
15 jn RIVER 9 Ge
Win Hutter See ow OS Oe
9 in Butter Seu 25
WRAPPING PAPER
Fibre, Manila, white __ 05
Ni Bite v6
noe DB 062.
Seatt ee 06
Kraft Stripe one oa
YEAST CAKE
Merle £ log 2 2 te
Supbehte 2 dog. ===> 2°40
vuntivht 1M doz ___ 13s
“hast Poam, 3 doz... 2 7h
“east: Foam ly nz 1 48
YEAST—COMPRESSEN
Fleischmann, per doz 3¢
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
———— ——~ —— —
A CREED FOR 1931
I believe in the United States of America.
I believe in the American ability to beat any
beatable set of circumstances and come up smiling.
I believe in the ability of the American citizen
to swim upstream, hit fast ball pitching, break out
of a half-nelson and have a pretty good time in the
bargain.
I believe that in the long run fair weather
overbalances the bad, that all “breaks” are subject
to the law of averages, that the expression “Good
old days” is relative and that everything comes
out all right in the wash.
I believe a little optimism never hurt anybody
and can be taken straight.
I believe in the capacity of the American in-
dustrial leader and in the common sense of the
American workingman.
I believe that Uncle Sam is still at the old
stand with a brave heart and a clear head and I do
not believe he is in any danger of losing his pants,
coat, vest or shirt.
I believe in the total inability of Russia to
change the course of the stars, to rearrange the gen-
eral appearance of the heavens, to eliminate the
constellations, to discontinue the daily rising of the
sun, to subject the rainbow to a five-year plan or to
make the American of normal backbone jump into
a hole and pull it in after him.
I believe American railroads are worth consid-
erably more than a dime a dozen.
I believe the United States Steel Corporation,
the American Telephone & Telegraph Company,
the General Electric Corporation, and other big
industrial institutions will stay in business and that
none of them is in any danger of having to take on
a side line of lead pencils or apples.
I do not believe there is any danger of seeing
John Pierpont Morgan, Owen D. Young, General
Atterbury, Charlie Schwab or James A. Farrell
throwing their jobs overboard and deciding to
make a living as ferryboat musicians.
I believe that what the country needs more
than anything else is a restoration of the ducking
stool for professional pessimists, squawkers, calam-
ity howlers and confirmed grquches.
I believe in the ability, instinct, capacity and
power of the average American to fight his way
out of any difficulty, to scale any reasonable
heights, to make the final payments on the auto-
mobile, to put something in the bank and to look
adversity in the face and tell it where to go.
I believe the American people will continue to
own and operate automobiles and that there is not
a Chinaman’s chance that conditions will arise
which will make them decide it is a good idea to go
back to the bicycle and the buggy.
I believe the American housewife will continue
to have an electric ice-box and will never again be
satisfied to spend a half day mopping up the
kitchen after the visit of the old-fashioned iceman.
I believe the old-fashioned washtub has gone
for good and that anybody who thinks the Ameri-
can wife is going back to the old days of drudgery
and inconveniences is two-thirds cookoo and one-
third army mule.
a
I believe that three square meals a day will
always be the American standard, but that even if
we miss one or two it won’t hurt us.
I believe in common sense and natural vision
as opposed to the “fidgets” and the use of smoked
glasses when anything goes wrong.
I believe in the silver lining, the rainbow after
the storm, the plunge through center, the infalli-
bility of the slogan “Never lead with your chin,”
and the potency of the cries “Block that kick!” and
“Hold ’em, Yale!”
I believe that much of the world depression is
done by mirrors.
I believe the worst is over and that it never
was as bad as it was advertised.—H. I. Phillips in
New York Sun.
>
July 22, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 31
i Rapids Automotive Parts, Grand Rapids. 17.51 In the matter of Peter De Mull, Bank- ly practical to make such displays, at
a Proceedings - Grang P Baker Auto Parts, Grand Rapids __ 2.55 rupt No. 3901, the final meeting was held le : 1 ‘| ny wis’ and Ht aioe
5 Bankruptcy Court. _ . A. M. Baloyan & Co., Grand Rapids 27.60 June 17. The bankrupt was not present, east those over five cents, may
Grand Rapids, July 14—We have re- Benjamin Agency, Grand Rapids__ 10.00. but represented by attorneys Dunham, be possible to reduce the quantities
ceived the schedules, reference and ad- SBetter Factories, Inc., Chicago -. 3.25 Cholette & Allaben. The trustee was ffered head that a five
i judication in the matter of William G. Bixby Office Supply Co., G. Rapids 92.57 present in person and represented by at- ofrered to such a degree U
i Kenney, Bakrupt No. 4559. The bankrupt Bond Welding Co.,.Grand Rapids __ 26.30 torneys McAllister & McAllister. Claims cent display can be made frequently.
& is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his Brown & Sehler, Grand Rapids _.__ 12.62 were proved and allowed. The trustee's ee : \ ‘
. occupation is that of a real estate and C. & J. Com. Driveway, Lansing. 47.50 final report and account was considered . Large stores have grown large in a
insurance agent. The schedule shows as- Cadillac Ribbon & Carbon Co., Det. 2.50 and approved and allowed. An order was
sets of $150, with liabilities of $21,000.24.
The court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting cf cred-
itors will be called.
July 14. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of Burt F. Amerman, Bankrupt
No. 4558. The bankrupt is a resident of
Fremont, and his occupation is that of a
dentist. The schedule shows assets of
$3,326.75, with liabilities of $9,549.15. The
court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itors will be called.
In the matter of Clarence B. Jones,
Bankrupt No. 4273. The final meeting of
ereditors has been called for July 30.
There may be a small first and final divi-
dend for creditors.
In the matter of Mabel Barnum, Bank-
rupt No. 4276. The final meeting of cred-
itors has been called for July 30. 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 Lucy Otis, Bankrupt
No. 4287. The final meeting of creditors
has been called for July 30. The trustee’s
final report will be approved at such
meeting. There may be a small first and
final dividend for creditors.
In the matter of Barney B. Mann,
Bankrupt No. 4297. The final meeting of
creditors has been called for July 30. The
trustee’s final report will be approved at
such meeting. There will be no dividend
for creditors.
In the matter of Garret Van Allsburg,
Bankrupt No. 4204. The final meeting of
creditors has been called for July 30.
The trustee’s final report will be approved
at such nreeting. There probably will be
a dividend for creditors.
In the matter of John B. Stemm, Bank-
rupt No. 4308. The final meeting of
creditors has been called for July 30.
The trustee’s final report will be approved
at such meeting. There will be a final
.dividend for creditors.
July 14. We have received the sched-
ules, reference ad adjudication in the
matter of Clark R. Otten, Bankrupt No.
4560. The bankrupt is a resident of Kala-
mazoo, and his occupation is that of an
auto mechanic. The schedule shows as-
sets of $50, with liabilities of $1,802.28.
The court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itors will be called.
July 14. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of Elwin J. Campbell, Bankrupt
No. 4561. The bankrupt is a resident of
Muskegon, and his occupation is that of
a labover. The schedule shows assets of
$50, with liabilities of $1,516. The court
has written for funds and upon receipt
of same the first meeting of creditors
of said bankrupt will be called.
July 15. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of William T. Briley, Bankrupt
No. 4563. The bankrupt is a resident of
Kalamazoo, and his occupation is that of
a salesman. The schedule shows assets
of $750, with liabilities of $7,473.70. The
court has written for funds and upon re-
ceipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itors will be called.
July 15. We have received th sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of Harold M. Caldwell, individual-
. ly, and as a member of the copartnership
Caldwell Auto Sales, Bankrupt No. 4564.
The bankrupt is a resident of Belding,
and his occupatio is that of a automobile
dealér. The schedule shows no assets,
with liabilities of $1,426.75. The court
has written for funds and upon receipt of
same the first meeting of creditors will
be called.
July 15. We have received the sched-
ules reference and adjudication in the
matter of Francis Maxwell Norman,
Bankrupt No. 4566. The bankrupt is a
resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupa-
tion is that of a laborer. The schedule
shows no assets, with liabilities of $1,-
190.82. The court has written for funds
2 upon receipt of same the first meet
of creditors will be called.
July 15. We have received the sched-
, reference and adjudication in the
er of Mason F. Maynard, Bankrupt
565. The bankrupt is a resident of
Paw, and his occupation is that of
er. The schedule shows assets
1.09, with no liabilities listed. The
as written for funds and upon
of same the first meeting of cred-
il be-called.
6. We have received the sched-
ence and adjudication in the
jefferson-Oldsmobile Co., Bank-
b7. The bankrupt isa resident
Rapids. The schedules show
30,089.14, with liabilities of
e list of creditors of said
as follows:
& Son, Grand Rapids $399.38
eltman, Grand Rapids 76.36
ly News, N. Y. ---- 12.00
City Coal & Coke Co., Grand Rapids 206.06
B. D. Coats Co,, Grand Rapids __ 11.65
Com. Auto Paint Co., Grand Rap. 115.00
Consumers Ice Co., Grand Rapids 3.67
Garret De Groat, Grand Rapids__ 23.33
Electric Service Co., Grand Rapids 226.28
Enterprise Electric Co., Grand R. 240.60
M. P. Farrell, Grand Rapids —__.__ 7.05
Foster Stevens, Grand Rapids —_-__ L413
Gen’'l Office Equipment Corp.,
PrAVCIsDi ee 2 es 2.50
J. P. Gordon Co., Columbus _____. 226.32
Herald, Grand Rapids = 397.10
Labor News, Giand Rapids — 35.00
Press, “Grand Rapids 92 100.00
G. R. Water Works, Grand Rapids 17.10
Louis E. Dow Co., Minnesota __.___ 36.66
Grandville Ave. Garage, Grand R. 183.53
Greenleaf, Inc., Detroit ~-.-______ 1.82
L. W. Hillys Sons, DesMoines ____ 3.71
R. W. Hyman Co., Chicago ______ 4473.31
Kleanheat Corp., Grand Rapids -. 2.50
Lowell Ledger, Lowell ~___---_____ 8.40
Dr. J. L. McKenna, Grand Rapids 2.00
Master Tire Service, Grand Rapids, 26.00
Merchants Service Co., Grad Rap. 24.50
Michigan Bell Telephone Co., G. R. 167.85
O. W. Mills Paper Co., Grand Rap. 11.25
Morley Bros., Grand Rapids ______ 75.61
Motor Rebuilding & Parts Co.,
Grand Wapids 2 a 55.39
Motor Wheel Corp., Lansing —_____ 20.82
Natioal Refining Co., Kalamazoo__ 13.50
National Used Car Market, Chicago 23.00
Peterson Printing Co., Grand Rap. 8.75
Preferred Auto Ins. Co., Grand R. 7.89
Reed & Wiley, Grand Rapids ______ 49.10
Dr. R. G. Richards, Grand Rapids 16.50
Riverside Auto Wrecking Co., G. R. 1.00
D. Robinson & Sons, Detroit ___. 14.39
Ruud Mfg. Co., Pittsburg —_______ 12.83
Sherwood Hall Co., Grand Rapids 211.29
Sunstrand Adding Mach. Co., G. R. 26.00
Tisch Auto Co., Grand Rapidds __ 162.13
Vacuum Oil Co., Grand Rapids__ 186.41
Western Union, Grand Rapids ____ -38
Adv. Leather Spec. Co., New York 28.02
The Autoberth, Lansing __________ 18.75
Gas Co.;: Grand ‘Rapids 20.30
Consumers Power Co., Grand Rap. 95.83
July 16. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of McQuarrie Motor Sales, Inc.,
Bankrupt No. 4568. The above named
, bankrupt had place of business at Rock-
ford. The schedules show assets of $6,-
366.53, with liabilities of $18,396.15. The
list of creditors of said bankrupt is as
follows:
Lyle Gordon, Rockford ____________ $ 6.00
Leslie Mathews, Rockford ~________ 12.00
D. & W. Rottschaffer, Grand R. 10,000.00
Joseph H. Hummel, Grand Rapids 50.00
Motor Bankers Corp., Grand Rap. 2,000.00
Rockford Co-operative Co., Rockford $1.21
White Star Refining Co., Grand R. 50.94
Winter & Kaufman, Detroit ____ 60.00
Tropical Paint & Oil Co., Gleveland 17.10
Telephone Direc. Adv. Co., Detroit 15.00
Thomas Krapp Motor Sales, G. R. 96.43
Frak S. Tobias, Inc., Detroit ____ 6.00
Tisch-Auto Supply Co., Grand R. 62.90
Theodore Miller, Rockford ________ 3.00
W. Bliss Keeler, East Lansing __3,000.00
Mich. Bell Tele. Co., Grand Rapids 35.62
Mich-I-Penn Oil & Grease Co., Det. 9.54
S..A. Hobson Co., Detroit ________ 22.48
P. B. Gast & Sons Co., Grand R. 50.00
Greenville Body Shop, Greenville 15.30
William Ford & Co., Detroit ~-___. 117.25
C. J. Farley.& Co., Grand Rapids 4.70
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Detroit 70.00
Earl Elkins, Rockford ________.___ 150.00
Consumers Power Co., Grand Rap. 39.51
@oral News; Coral 2 si 10.00
Cabo Co., Grand Rapids __________ 60.00
Corduroy Tire Co., Grand Rapids __ 200.00
Allen- Wilcox Co., Grand Rapids __ 61.30
Alemite Co., Grand Rapids ______ Eat
North Kent Publishing Co., Rockford 17.70
R. H. Perry Motor Sales, Toledo 1,071.60
Harold McQuarrie, Grand Rapids 1,000.00
July 16. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of Andrew H. Bruce, Bankrupt
No. 4569. The bakrupt is a resident of
Evart, and his occupation is that of a
pharmacist. ‘The schedule shows assets
of $2,446.78, with liabilities of $7,153.09.
The court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itcrs will be called.
July 17. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of William Byron Wisner, Bank-
rupt No. 4573. The bankrupt is a resident
of Grand Rapids, and his occupation is
that of a laborer. The schedule shows
assets of $35, with liabilities of $738.70.
The court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itors will be called.
July 17. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of Ernest H. Wellman, Bank-
rupt No. 4572. The bankrupt is a resi-
dent of Grand Rapids, and his occupation
is that of a milkman. The schedule shows
assets of $269, with liabilities of $1,698.45.
The court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itors will be called.
made for the payment of expenses of ad-
ministration. There were no dividends.
No funds were provided for objection to
discharge, but the matter of recommenda-
tion on discharge was reserved for furth-
er consideration. The meeting then ad-
journed without date. The case will be
closed and returned to the district court,
in due course.
July 18. We have received the sched-
ules, reference and adjudication in the
matter of Ernest T. Gaffney, Bankrupt
No. 4570. The bankrupt is a resident of
Little Traverse. The bankrunt is a dealer
in foxes. The list of assets according to
the schedules are $26,470.60, with liabili-
ties of $34,948.27.
In the matter of Burt F. Amerman,
Bankrupt No. 4558. The first meeting of
ereditors has been called for Aug. 5.
In the matter of Andrew H. Bruce,
Bankrupt No. 4569. The first meeting of
ereditors has been called for Aug. 5.
In the matter of J. Howard White,
Bankrupt No. 4535. The first meeting of
creditors has been called for Aug. 5.
—_—>+ + __
Four Ounces of Meat For a Dime.
(Continued from page 21)
because they are just a trifle below the
common coins used. Prices between
these common units of money do not
appear so understandable. That is the
main reason, apparently, why dollar
days and similar tricks succeed. ‘The
merchandise units are made to fit the
prices charged rather than the mer-
chandise units being kept standard and
odd prices quoted,
People just simply do not figure.
Two pounds for a quarter may seem
a better bargain to them than twelve
cents a pound, three for a quarter bet-
ter than eight cents a pound and four
cents a quart a much more attractive
price than 32 cents a peck. As long
as the price unit featured is the same
as a coin in general use or just below
that amount so there will be a few
cents change, the price is understand-
able to everyone and may appear much
lower than it actually is.
‘Traction companies appear to be
finding through experience that a
straight five or ten cent fare is much
more satisfactory in the long run than
an odd fare such as eight cents. Ten
cents is only a dime but eight cents is
three-fifths more than the old fare of
five cents. If in addition to the eight
cent fare a twe cent charge is made for
transfers there is a still further feeling
of being overcharged. ‘This feeling is
not nearly as intense when the same
amount of money, or even more, is
collected in the form of dimes.
A display is not the most effective
unless prices are plainly shown. When
the prices are shown in units of five,
ten, twenty-five, fifty cents and a dol-
lar or just a cent or two under these,
they become the most effective. -.>__
Utter Futility of Government in Busi-
ness.
(Continued from page 20)
futility? Business spent enough on
that trip to Louisville to have done the
job long before this and done it better.
Business should know ‘that facts, by
this time, and hereafter clean its own
Augean Stables.
What an opportunity for real ser-
vice. What a mess made of it.
Paul Findlay.
Business Wants Department
Advertisements inserted under this head
for five cents a word the first Insertion
and four cents a word for each subse-
quent continuous insertion. If set in
capital letters, double price. No charge
less than 50 cents. Small display adver-
tisements in this department, $4 per
inch. Payment with order is required, as
amounts are too small to onen accounts.
FOR RENT—The five-story Campbell
business block,. Mt. Pleasant, Mich., the
livest town in Michigan. Will rent any
or all floors, from the ground up. Myers,
Cooper & Watson, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Phone 465. i Sat
_ FOR SALE—One Remington cash reg-
ister; one store electric coffee grinder; one
computing scale. These articles have been
used only a short time and are as good as
new. Frank Malmstone, Wayland, Mich.
Cee ee ee ea
For Sale—Adding machine $39, Type-
writers, $15-$18-$32, Cash Register $28.
8 South Ionia, Grand Rapids. 439
DRUG STORE FOR SALE—The busi-
ness formerly owned by L. C. Carpenter,
of Silverwood, Michigan. Small store—
desirable purchase. For all particulars
write Mrs. Eldora Clark, Grant, Mich.
oe
I WILL BUY YOUR STORE
OUTRIGHT FOR CASH
No Stock of Merchandise Too
Large or Too Small
No Tricks or Catches—A Bona
Fide Cash Offer For Any Stock
of Merchandise
Phone—Write—Wire
L. LEVINSOHN
Saginaw, Michigan
Z
32
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
July 22, 1931
Small Volume Store Is Neighborhood
Necessity.
Ours is a neighborhood store. Thirty-
five yex:. ago my father started the
business just a block from where we
are now located and for the past twen-
ty-ttvo years we have been in business
at ‘he location now occupied. We have
become a fixture in and a part of our
neighborhood.
I was born over the store and I have
been in the store ever since; except
the time Uncle Sam needed my services
in the army. I grew up, knew and
played with the children in the neigh-
borhood; and to-day when they have
grown up, married and are housewives
I still know them well enough to be
called and to call them by their first
names. Many families have two gen-
erations, and a couple three genera-
tions dealing at our store. .
This gives us an opportunity to use
the greatest weapon that the inde-
pendent possesses against the chain
store, “Personality.” We know their
wishes and they know that we will
comply with their requests. In time of
stress or sickness they do not hesitate
to ask assistance, and in worthy cases
this needed aid is never refused.
This intimate relationship between
customer and owner gives opportunity
to spread pro independent propaganda
around the neighborhood. We not only
urge them to listen in on our Associa-
tion’s broadcast, but the subject matter
of these talks is a matter of discussion
among themselves and with us. When
our secretary broadcasted the fact that
the City Court of Baltimore had
awarded a verddict of $2,500 against
the A & P Store because one of their
managers had ‘handed a woman a dead
rat wrapped up instead of bread, the -
interest shown was so great that we
had to secure the copy of a decision
to show them.
Although proud of the fact that our
store is old in point of existence and
location, we spread the thought around
that our ideas are thoroughly modern
and up to the minute. Every principle
of modern display is used where it can
be used advantageously; for we be-
lieve that goods well displayed are
half sold.
We call for the orders and make de-
liveries. Electrical refrigeration has
been installed and modern re-ararnge-
ment effected.
Since the inception of the voluntary
chain in Baltimore nine years ago, we
have co-operated with such movements.
You notice, the word was co-operated,
not joined. For a grocer is worse than
foolish who joins such an organization
and then does not yield the measure of
co-operation that enables the movement
to help you.
Our membership sign is conspicuous-
ly displayed across the entire store
front; we buy the goods that will be
listed in the advertisement, we sell at
the advertising price, no matter how
small the margin may be; we dress our
window with the advertised articles
with price tags plainly ‘ showing the
sales prices. We omit no tie up with
the advertising so that we can safely
say to the trade, “How do you like
our advertisement?”
We make it a point with every cus-
tomer to try and sell them a little
more than they intended to buy. It
is needless to say that we merchandise
sanitation and that our store is clean.
We do not hesitate to assure our
trade that we can give them everything
that the chains can and something more
in addition. For, we give them the
intelligent service that they need and
that is more than any chain store
manager can do.
In addition to being members of a
grocery voluntary chain, we are also
members of a meat voluntary chain
so that our prices on both groceries
and meats are advertised in the daily
papers.
We are not getting rich but we pay
our bills, draw regular salaries, and
are putting a little away for the rainy
day. When Pop opened up thirty-five
years ago he could handle the whole
business, now there are five of us meet-
ing the wishes of the trade.
I omitted to tell you the part fresh
fruits and vegetables play in our game.
As soon as Southern fruits and vege-
tables appear in the market, we stock
them. It usually means increased sales;
for few women can resist the appeal
of fresh fruits and vegetables when
they first appear on the market.
The small volume store plays an
important part in the perpetuation of
the independent grocers. He is not
burdened with the heavy overhead of
his larger brothers. Because of co-
operative institution his buying power
equals that of the large stores, and he
has a closer contact with his trade
than does the larger grocer.
His sales volume, though much
smaller when compared to the big boys,
totals far more than theirs when mul-
tiplied by the number of small stores in
existence. It is the smai! grocer who
maintains the dominance of the inde-
pendent in food distribution.
With clean stores, modern equip-
ment, fair prices and service he is un-
conquerable and no chain system can
put him out of business, if he keeps
on his toes. He will live, he will con-
tinue to grow and to prosper because
he is a neighborhood necessity.
William H. Stellhorn.
—_2++—__—_
Putting a Punch in Payments.
As a business engineer, one frequent
problem presented to me has been the
collection of over-due accounts. Credit
Nation’s business. From experience
I can say that the cause of many
is the basis of eighty per cent. of the
retail bankruptcies has been due to
entirely too much laxity in this same
matter of credits.
Getting down to the facts, the first
thing necessary is to find out what ac-
counts should be paid now. If there
are delinquents, delay serves but to
make collections more difficult.
A system of full understanding on
credit accounts should be put into
play from the beginning. Credit is an
accommodation, it is a privilege. If the
customer is told plainly that the
credit limit is one week, or thirty days,
as the case may be, when that time
limit is up, then pressure must be
brought to bear. ’
Regular statements when issued
should be followed in ten days by an-
other statement and a bold rubber
stamp, red ink, should be used.
‘Credit Limit Is Up—Pay Now!
Five days later another statement in
a plain envelope, bearing no earmarks
that it may be a dun, is sent. This
time a small sticker is attached to the
statement:
Business Is Business!
You agreed to pay on time—we ap-
preciate your credit account, but un-
less prompt payment of this over-due
account is made, we must be forced
to believe you do not desire credit. It
may have been an oversight—mail the
check and it will be appreciated.
‘That's far enough with soft soap.
Get this fact, you may want business,
but you can’t settle your bills with
dead accounts. You know, or should
know, by ‘bitter experience, that the
man or woman who owes:you money
is not coming back. Scores who aré
forced to settle, owing nothing, will
come back.
Another point on credits. When
book accounts get to the point where
a collection agency, or attorney is
needed to enforce them, right there
your profits go glimmering. Selling
on small profit margins, twenty or
twenty-five per cent. fees means doing
business at a loss. ‘Collect your own
bills before they have to be placed in
an agent’s hands.
‘Some figure fifteen days is too short
a time for “strong measures,” if so,
carry it to 30 days but at that point
include with the statement a neatly
printed form like this:
What Shall We Do With This Bill?
We can still extend credit if it is
paid now. If not we can consider you
can only pay a part of it, we must
have something.
‘Shall we see a full or partial check
now, or shall we be compelled to take
other steps?
‘What we shall do will rest with you
—AICT NOW.
This reveals your determination to
press the matter, you are not lying
down on the job. The hint of “some-
thing to follow” creates an uneasy
feeling. There is the loophole of. par-
tial payment. The courtesy of con-
tinued credit.
Only the “hard-boiled” accounts may
be considered as left, after this third
shot. In ‘five days send just a regular
statement, and stamp on this an office
credit memo, in red ink, as follows:
Credit Action Memo
Accomm No, 2
Amount Due —....2..._..
Final notice before suit (or garnishee)
Date this last five days from time of
mailing,
Now the final shot, a personal letter
stating the account will go to an at-
torney, not a collection agency, on five
days from the date of the letter, this
should be made final.
Dear Sir: The law states clearly just
debts must be met. I have been fair
in my efforts to collect the $30 due me.
You knew when you incurred this
debt it was to be paid in 30 days, There
is no evading a garnishee, or court
judgment, The next message you re-
ceive in this regard will be a summons
to court.
Adopt, or adapt, these as part of
your credit system and when you fig-
ure up your income tax next March
you won't find quite so many delin-
quent and unpaid accounts staring you
in the face. A collection system is
psychological in its attack onthe dead
beat’s attempt to cheat you. It is a
sei eet eae Sil RS SUA Taian Bod ot Oy
ena et aaa
punch for those merely slow and care-
less. If you are slow in your collec-
tion methods, you may put it down as
a sure bet the dead beats and slow
payers will get onto the fact and you
only lose by“ procrastination.
When you set a credit limit stick
to it. Hugh King ‘Harris.
—_—__+ +.
Death of Long-Time Wholesale Drug-
gist.
Frank E. Bogart, 65 years old, wide-
ly known Detroit druggist, died sud-
denly Tuesday at 12:20 p. m. in Henry
ford hospital, where he had gone a few
hours earlier for a tooth extraction.
For many years he served as director
of the Board of Commerce and at the
time of his death was chairman of the
board of McKesson, Farrand & Wil-
liams ‘Co., Detroit wholesale druggists.
Mr. Bogart had been in good health
until recently. Immediately after en-
tering the dentist’s office Tuesday he
was stricken with a heart attack. No
anasthetic had been administered.
Born in Whitby, Ont., Aug. 4, 1865,
Mr. Bogart came to Detroit in 1888 to
enter the drug business. He was asso-
ciated with Farrand, Williams & ‘Clark,
wholesale druggists, located at 515
West Jefferson avenue, and eventually
was named president of the corpora-
tion. He also was vice-president of the
Atlantic coast division of McKesson &
Robbins, Inc., druggists of Bridgeport,
Conn.
He was prominent in church affairs
and at one time was chairman of the
board of trustees of the First Congre-
gational church,
A son, Frank E. Bogart, Jr., a daugh-
ter, Mrs. Maxwell S. Austin, of Bir-
mingham; two brothers and two sis-
ters, Alonzo, of Toronto; Mrs. Sarah
Gates, of Auburn, N. Y., and Alson
Bogart and Mrs. Clara Siler, both of
Deseronto, Ont., survive. His wife,
Mrs. Susie S. Bogart, died two years
ago. |
——_>+—____
G. I. Leavingood, merchant at Oli-
vet, renews his subscription to the
Tradesman because he says, “it is hard
to remain in without the
Tradesman.”
———_2-~~—____
The question of the hour is, “What
time is it?”
» Coa Rapids’
oldest and largest finan-
business
cial house, offering
every service conforming
with sound bankin
practice, and bringi
these services almost j|
the customer’s door
OLD KEN
BANK
_2 Downtown O
12 Community ¢