ZO NARERQ SOS n SAIHIRDWIENY SF EGE | aa =) ay QO SKY) WIESSY . SARIS CISA NGS EO | > red ai oer aa aa (o5 We area \ Ae ARN a sees ACHPEIG PRG EEL x re) . g (Hz C CRN OO SC ( MD < aa) A>) A 2 ae (CS RS SES pee ACs: Wa yy SPPUBLISHED WEEKLY (ONG SSP TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERSR 55 SE Oo ae oN EE SS FLINT IEEE SHUM wwe Forty-ninth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 193 SEAN SE ee LE RS 2 ya HY) Number 2516 FRIENDSHIP’S LANE The lane to our heart is warm day by day Because of the friends that we meet on the way; We can live without pleasures that sometimes bring pain, But not without friends on that cheery old lane. A NATION’S STRENGTH Not gold, but only man can make A people great and strong— Men who for truth and honor’s sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep Who dare while others fly— They build a nation’s pillars deep And lift them to the sky. Ralph Waldo Emerson. att ttt nae “The promotional value of soaps and cleansers . .. . cannot be over-emphasized,” says the Louisville Servey Makers of: Ivory Soap Ivory Flakes Guest Ivory Ivory Snow Chipso Flakes Chipso Granules Oxydol Camay Jap Rose P and G White Naphtha American Family (cake) American Family Flakes Star Washing Powder Lava Soap Kirk’s Hardwater Castile Crisco THE BETTER IT’S KNOWN, THE EASIER IT SELLS What makes a grocer successful? The U. S. Department of Commerce discovered many things which helped to answer this question in making its famous Louisville Grocery Survey not long ago. The Survey brought out some facts about the sales of soaps and cleansers which should interest every grocer. Here are a few of the “high spots’: Soap and cleanser sales represented 214% of the average stores total business. Average annual turnover 6.7 times —rproof of the active demand for these products. 15% of all the many soaps and cleansers carried by the Louisville stores accounted for more than 8314 of the total sales—evidence that a limited variety of the most popular brands is more profitable than a large assortment of relatively un- known soaps. Multiple unit sales offer opportuni- ties for generous profits. But perhaps the mozt significant point of all was this: 97 out of every 100 regular cus- tomers bought their soaps and cleansers at these grocery stores. Successful grocers agree today that no other products have the pulling power of good soaps. They are bought often—by practicaally every customer. Featuring them brings customers back to your store again and again. This gives you many op- portunities to sell additional goods. Capitalize on the promotional value of good soaps, which the Louisville Survey has so strongly emphasized. You can choose no better products for this purpose than Procter & Gamble soaps. Brands such as Ivory, Chipso, Camay, and P & G White Naphtha represent genuine value to the customer. They are well known and liked. They are bought often. When you feature them, you are bound to get immediate action— from new customers and old. PROCTER & GAMBLE, Cincinnati, Ohio Ee One Pere TET SS Vc (CS OS ToS aes Forty-ninth Year MICHIGAN TRADESMAN E. A. Stowe, Editor PUBLISHED WEEKLY by Tradesman Company, from its office the Barnhart Building, Grand Rapids. UNLIKE ANY OTHER PAPER. Frank, free and fearless for the good that we can do. Each issue com- plete in itself. DEVOTED TO the best interests of business men, SUBSCRIPTION RATES areas follows: $3 per year, if paid strictly m advance. $4 per year if not paid in advance. Canadian subscription, $4.04 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10 cente each. Extra copies of -urrent issues, 10 cents; issues a month or more old, 15 cents; issues a year or more ald, 25 cents; issues five years or more old 50 cents. Entered September 23, 1883, at the Postoftice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. JAMES M. GOLDING Detroit Representative 507 Kerr Bldg. SOME TRENDS IN TRADE. Sidelights on the General Business Situation. Trade reports for the current week show considerable improvement, as- cribed to the colder weather. The effect of the more seasonal weather was immediate, indicating the extent ‘to which the high temperatures in No- vember checked consumer sales. The hope now is that a touch of winter will give the holiday business a chance to retrieve accumulated losses. The index number of general busi- ness activity fell off again last week, influenced by a further decline in the adjusted index of freight car loadings and steel mill production. These losses effaced slight gains in automobile, cot- ton cloth and electrical power output. The extent to which incomes shrank in 1930 is shown very clearly in the preliminary Statistics of Income for that year. Individual gross incomes. representing full buying power less taxes, dropped to $21,665,000,000 from $28,762,000,000 the year before, a loss of $7,000,000,000. Corporations fared even worse, their gross income having been reduced from $112,790,000,000 in the year ended Aug. 31, 1930, to $79,147,000,000 in the year ended Aug. 31, 1931. Their net income suffered to the extent of $4,- 634,000,000, or 45 per cent., bringing it to the lowest point since 1921. Nine automobile manufacturers, ex- clusive of ford and General Motors, earned among them $2,047,108 in the third quarter of this year in contrast with a deficit for the same period last year of $3,368.779. Their domestic sales, about 84 per cent. of the indus- try’s outside that of the two big com- panies were somewhat lower in dollar volume than in 1930. The gain of $5,- 417,887 in net profit was due to opera- tion adjustments to meet conditions. All but one of the companies which lost money last year were in the red this year. Motor vehicle production in October dropped to 80,142 cars, the lowest point reached for any month in a decade or more. Compared with September the falling off was 44 per cent. this year against 33 per cent. in 1930. A bill providing for licensing fees of from $10 to $250 for chain stores in Massachusetts has just been intro- duced in the House of Representatives of that State. The Bay State law- makers have plenty of anti-chain store measures to choose from, including one that duplicates the Indiana law with a maximum license fee of $25 per store and one that carries the tax all the way to $2,700. The New York State Independent Retail Merchants’ Association has put six committees on the job of getting anti-chain legislation in their State similar to the Indiana law. The opening of the twenty-seventh annual Automobile Salon in New York last week gave some inkling of the new models to be introduced at the forthcoming National shows. The latest victim of the labor-saving machine is the negro cotton picker, ac- cording to the Department of Labor, which tells us that a mechanical con- trivance has been put together which in less than three hours will do the work now done by a human picker in seventy-seven hours. This means that four out of every five persons now needed in the cotton harvest season will have to find other employment. Georgia’s 20 per cent. tax on cigar- ettes, which went into effect on April 1, 1931, is proving disappointing to the tax collector. Receipts in recent months have been less than those of last year. Unemployment in January is now estitmated at 7,500,000 by President Green, of the American federation of labor. His former estimate was half a million less. He assumes that there will be at least as many lay-offs in December and January as there were a year ago. Prosecution for criminal libel will result from the publication of the last book which attacks the character of the President, if there is truth in the rumor that such a decision has been expressed confidentially in the White House. Agents of the Department of Justice have located the promoters, the writer and the publishers of the book, and the publication, it is said, is a part of a political campaign that was started with the expectation that legal action would not be taken. Taxing chains for revenue is ex- pected to follow the several decisions of the Supreme Court made recently on the subject of state chain taxation, the latest of which, handed down last week, affirms an opinion of a lower court which subjects chain stores in Virginia to an additional tax on dis- GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1931 tributing houses within the State. The Indiana and North Carolina cases, re- cently before the Supreme Court, were held to be controlling. These cases indicate that states may go about as far as they like in taxing chains. They were brought largely because of public prejudice; but since it is now estab- lished that the methods are legal in principle, there is little doubt that many of the states will tax the chains for revenue. The legislature of Mas- sachusetts will soon consider a chain tax bill. Direct advertising postage waste is again emphasized by the Post Office Department. Burton G. Cowles, super- intendent of the dead letter office, said that the waste due to obsolete mailing lists and the failure to use return ad- dress envelopes was nearly $325,000 during the fiscal year. During the year the division received 6,450,000 letters containing advertising material, and Mr. Cowles referred to the loss of the department in handling this dead mail as well as to the loss of returns to the advertisers who had their print- ing, postage and mailing costs for nothing. He also mentioned the fact that these figures deal only with first- class mail and that the loss on other classifications of advertising was much greater. The department urges the universal use of return cards on all advertising mail and the frequent checking of lists. The American Marketing Society, an association for the advancement of science in marketing,” will hold a meeting in Washington, Dec. 28, for the purpose of studying the work of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Paul T. Cherington is president of the society; L. D. H. Weld, first vice-president; Archibald M. Crossley, treasurer; and Nathaniel W. Barnes, secreatry. The organiza- tion is undertaking to do for market- ing “what other central bodies like the American Bar Association and _ the American Association of Mechanical Engineers are doing in their respective fields.” z St. Louis drug survey field work will be completed by April 1; but the De- partment of Commerce staff will con- tinue the work of compilation in St. Louis until about July 1 and all reports on the survey will be promptly pub- lished. Two preliminary reports, now in manuscript, will go to the printer very soon, five others that are in prep- aration will.be published before July, and it is probable that several more will be published before that time. Growing interest in statistics on the part of business men is indicated by the fact that the net paid circulation of the Survey of Current Business has increased 54 per cent. during the last six months. The magazine is issued ” Number 2516 monthly, with weekly and annual sup- plements, and is published by the De- partment of Commerce at $1.50 a year. The increase was found to contrast very favorably with ninty-one leading business and general magazines, only twenty of which have increased their subscription lists during the same period. ee Oo) Utter Recklessness of the Farm Board. No one except the men who are drawing princely salaries from the undertaking now contend that the Farm Board has been a suc- cess from any point of view. Buy- ing wheat and cotton to sustain the prices of these commodities, the Board finds itself in possession of bushels and bales of these products that cost $177,000,000 more than their present market value, and meanwhile wheat and cotton have sunk to subnormal levels. The Government is out of pocket to a substantial amount and if the farmers have gotten anything out of the operation there is no visible evidence of their gain. This lamentable result occasions no surprise. It was fore- told by most intelligent observers. A similar sequel has followed every attempt to regulate prices by artificial buying of surplus sup- plies, which only encourages pro- ducers to go on putting out more than can be used. But no word comes from Washington or the agricultural regions indicating that the futility of such undertakings has been realized. On the con- trary, the only reaction to the revelation of the fiasco is a grow- ing sentiment in favor of the ex- port debenture plan and _ the equalization fee which, if carried out, will probably make matters worse. The best hope of putting an end to follies of this kind is to be found among the men who sow the fields and harvest their crops. The crafty politicians have made a mess of the job. Perhaps, if the farmers themselves take a hand something useful can be done, but if they consent to be led around by the nose by men who have no practical knowledge of the canning business and who apparently plan their operations to burn up the largest amount of Government money possible, as the cherry operators done in Michigan, they will soon find they are the victims of one of the great- est con games ever perpetrated. No greater record of extravagance and prodigious waste of money has ever been presented in this country. 2 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 9, 1931 IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY. Questionable Schemes Which Are : Under Suspicion. Arthur Miller, manager of the Port Huron Credit Bureau, wishes the Tradesman to warn merchants against a fake United States Government agent who claims he is inspecting cur- rency in a search for counterfeit money. “We have been warned by several Michigan and Indiana credit bureaus that the man has victimized several merchants,’ Mr, Miller writes. “He interviews the merchant, scru- tinizes all $5, $10 and $20 bills picks out a few of each, claiming ‘they are counterfeit, and gives the store owner a receipt, stating the store will be re- imvbursed for ‘the oss.” “The man has made several success- ful visits in other Michigan towns.” This is a very dangerous species of crookedness. Any stranger who re- quests a merchant to permit him to inspect the contents of his money drawer should be invited to leave the store instantly by the most direct route. Knives and cutlery as sold by B. Rosenberg, an individual trading as Globe Supply ‘Co., New York, shall no longer be labeled with the word “Stainless” and that word shall not be used as part of his trade name, unless such articles are made of steel con- taining not more than .70 per cent. carbon and from 9 per cent. to 16 per cent. chromium, according to an order of the Federal Trade Commission to Rosenberg. In its findings, the 'Com- mission makes known that Rosenberg labeled his knives and cutlery with the term “Stainless” or “Globe Stainless” and that such label signifies an alloy of steel containing the ingredients mentioned above. However, Rosen- berg’s knives and cutlery are not made of such alloy of steel, but are manu- factured from carbon steel plated with chromium and so prepared as to imi- tate stainless steel. Rosenberg failed to file answer to the commission’s com- plaint, nor did he appear in the pro- ceedings. The Federal Trade Commission has ordered the Para Paint and Varnish Co., Cleveland, to discontinue repre- senting by labels on cans containing paint, the following: That the paint so offered for sale conitains 30 per cent. carbonated white lead or 15 per cent. zinc oxide or other certain ingredients in certain proportions, or that the paint has a certain vehicle content in cer- tain proportions. In each of these in- stances the order contains the phrase “unless and until’ the paint has the qualities represented. In its findings the Commission declares that the label descriptions of the composition of the company’s ready-mixed paint do not truthfully represent the content of the cans to which they are affixed. The company failed to file answer to the Commission’s complaint, nor did its representatives appear in the proceed- ings. Helena Rubinstein, Inc., New York cosmetics manufacturer, has been or- dered by the Federal Trade Commis- sion to cease entering into contracts with its dealers for resale of Rubin- stein products at prices fixed by the company. The Commission declares in its findings that the respondent fixes uniform prices to which its deal- ers shall resell its products, and makes it generally known that it requires such dealers to resell the goods at fixed prices. It was also found that the re- spondent enters into contracts and understandings with its dealers for maintenance by them of resale prices, as a condition of opening accounts with such dealers, or continuing their supply of such products. The direct effect and result of this system, the Commission found, has been to sup- press competition among the com- pany’s dealers, Publishers of four magazines of large circulation have signed stipula- tions with the Federal Trade Commis- sion agreeing to co-operate with the Commission in proceedings against ad- vertisers in their magazines. One of the periodicals covers the sporting field) two are household magazines, and the fourth is a magazine of gen- eral circulation, The athletic periodical contained the advertisements of a vendor of a treatment for men. The thousehold magazines had carried ad- vertisements of an alleged bureau of- fering correspondence courses to pre- pare men for such positions in the rail- road service as firemen, brakemen, baggagemen, or porters. The bureau also offered assistance in obtaining jobs. The magazine of general circu- lation carried the advertisements of a vendor of a cream alleged to have the power to develop the human body, busts, arms, legs or neck, All these publishers agreed that if the Commis- sion would refrain from making them joint respondents with the advertisers in proceedings pending against the latter, they would discontinue publish- ing the questionable advertising pend- ing the proceedings and would abide by the 'Commission’s action against the advertisers. ——__» + ~~+_____ Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court. Grand Rapids, Nov. 30—We have re- ceived the schedules, order of reference and adjudication in the matter of Byron Sempler, Bankrupt No. 4724. The bank- rupt is a resident of Bellevue, and his occupation is that of a farmer. The schedules show assets of $2,927, with lia- bilities of $4,128.57. The court has writ- ten for funds and upon receipt of same the first meeting of creditors will be called. In the matter of Harvey J. Maatman, Bankrupt No. 4711. The first meeting of creditors has been called for Dec. 14. In the matter of Jacob Heibel, Bank- rupt No. 4720. The first meeting of creditors has been called for Dec. 14. In the matter of Phineas S. Wheat, Bankrupt No. 4718. The first meeting of creditors has been called for Dec. 14. In the matter of Glenn P. Skeels, Bank- rupt No. 4721. The first meeting of cred- itors has been called for Dec. 14. In the matter of Delma C. Hardy. Bankrupt No. 4722. The first meeting of creditors has been called for Dec. 15. In the matter of Byron Semler, Bank- rupt No. 4724. The first meeting of cred- itors has been called for Dec. 15. In the matter of Carl O. Dunklee. Bankrupt No. 4687. The first meeting of creditors has been called for Dec. 15. Dec. 1. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference and adjudication in the matter of Central Electric Co.. a corporation, Bankrupt No. 4725. The bankrupt is a resident of Muskegon, and his occupation is that of a merchant. The schedules show assets of $4,973.33. with liabilities of $5.970.53. The list of ereditors of said bankrupt is as follows: City of Muskegon -. 22 $ 308.56 Carl P. Damm, Muskegon ~_-_------ 20.00 Acetol Products Co. >. 3.78 Alska Refrigerator Co., Muskegon 40.00 Arbor Flower Shop, Muskegon ---- 6.00 Bush Lumber Co., Muskegon ------ 6.72 Beckquist Photo Shop, Muskegon - 10.90 Wm. Campbell Co., Muskegon ---- 128.80 Consumers Power Co., Muskegon_. 15.54 Harvey-Cooper Agency, Muskegon 92.00 Consumers Tire Stores, Muskegon 17.79 Chamber of Commerce, Muskegon 23.00 Daniels Co., Muskegon ----------- 7.45 Earl Press, Inc., Muskegon ------ 13.90 J. Ernewine, Muskegon ----------- 1.15 Elliot Service, Muskegon ---------- 8.40 Fair Store, Muskegon ------------ 18 Fitzpatrick Electric Co., Muskegon 431.25 Goodrich Silvertown Co., Inc., Mus. G. R. Marble Co., Grand Rapids._ 8.10 Alfred J. Hunter Co., Muskegon__ 41.5] indiana Piectric Co. 64.65 Jones Electric Co., Muskegon --- 1.09 Langland Mfg. Co., Muskegon --.- 2.81 Lake Shore Machinery Co., Musk. .60 Mich. Home Telephone Co., Musk. 22.90 Motor Rebuilding & Parts Co., Mus. 1.18 Muskegon Sheet Metal Co., Musk. Lewis Electric Co., Muskegon L. C. Monroe Co., Muskegon --_---- Muskegon Hardware Co., Muskegon 5.44 Chronicle, Muskegon —------------ 121.55 Muskegon Service Co., Muskegon_ 12.50 Mercy Hospital, Muskegon -_------ 15.00 National Time Signal Co., Detroit 17.79 Peoples Transit Corp., Muskegon__ 16.54 Reliable Tire & Accessories Co., Mus. .80 Alexis J. Rogoski, Muskegon 17.26 Sargent Specialties Co., Muskegon 3.10 P. Steketee & Son, Muskegon __--- 20.80 Schuitema Electric Co., Muskegon 6.48 Schulte Motor Sales, Inc., Musk. 1.50 Towner Hardware Co., Muskegon. 9.94 Waegner-Kelley Radio Shop, Musk. 1.12 Korel Hardware Co.. Muskegon -- 9.74 Paramount Electric Sup. Co., Chi. 5.15 Continental Realty Co., Muskegon 300.00 Peoples State Bank for Savings, Mrskeron 9220 es a 175.00 John Vanderlist, Muskegon __----- 14.37 Claude Wolfflis, Muskegon -_----- Ti Dec. 1. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference, and adjudication in the matter of Henry Triezenberg, in- dividually and as a partner in the firm of Hiemstra & Triezenberg, Bankrupt No. 4726. The bankrupt is a resident of Kalamazoo, and his occupation is that of a laborer. The schedules show assets of $30, with liabilities of $873.78. The court has written for funds and wpon receipt of same the first meeting of cred- itors will be called. Dec. 1. We have received the sched- ules. order of reference, and adjudication in the matter of Harvey Anderson and Forest Bliss. coartners doing business as Twin City Upholstering Shop, Bank- rupt No. 4727. The bankrupt is a resi- dent of Muskegon Heights, and his oc- cupation is that of a merchant. The schedules show a'ssets of $422.70, with liabilities of $3,996.70. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meeting of creditors will be called. The list of creditors of said bankrupt is as follows: City of Muskegon Heights —___-__- 25.05 Citizens Loan & Investment Co., Reekeeon 450.00 American Excelsior Corp... Chicago 50.61 G. R. Bedding Co., Grand Rapids 94.35 Blocksom & Co., Michigan City __ 20.00 John A. Belema, Muskegon ______ 10.70 Boyd Auto Sales, Muskegon Hts. 9.50 A. F. Burch & Co., Grand Rapids 286.32 Colonial Furniture Co., Grand R. 319.59 Columbia Mills, Detroit __.._..___ 3.98 Davidson Novelty Furn. Co., G. R. 46.15 Eagle Ottawa Leather Co., Gr’d H. 160.00 Forbes Stam Co.,. Grand Rapis__ ‘Do Garfield Felt Corp.. Grand Rapids G. R. Fibre Cord Co., Grand Rap. 23.92 Hall Electric Co.. Muskegon _____ 3.50 Heights Lumber Co., Muskegon Hts. 45.00 Landers: Conp., Toledo =22. 22. _ 41.52 M. T. Laser & Co., Chicago _____ 25.21 J. H. Lee & Son, Muskegon Hts. 35.00 H. E. McCarrick, Grand Haven__ 22.50 Chronicle, Muskegon __....________ 102,00 Muskegon Letter Service, MusKegon 3.00 Muskegon Woodcraft Studio, Musk. 10.00 Nachman Spring Filled Corp., G.R. 70.04 S. R. Parsons, Muskegon Heights 6.65 Payne & €Co., Dayton -. 022 199.28 Peck & Hills Furniture Co., Chicago 136.78 Richard Pick & Heller Co., Chicago 152.10 FE. A. Rauch & Co., Chicago ______ 80.84 J. B. Salterini Corp., Brooklyn __ 2.00 F. Schuhmacher & Co., New York 77.72 Stordahl Auto Refinishing Co., Muskegon Heights —-__.-________ 63.15 Tisch Hine Co., Grand Rapids ____ 3.00 Towner Hardware Co., Muskegon 22.56 United Felt Co., Chicago =. 34.32 Upholstery Supply Co., Milwaukee 175.31 Automotive Sales & Service, Muskeron Heights <2. 2 19.20 Cameau, Muldally & Meier, Musk. 17.70 Muskegon Tire Co., Muskegon __ 41.44 Berry Brothers, Detroit ~~ _______ 7.16 James Talcott, Inc., New York __ 227.68 Lowell Co., Muskegon —_.__-.______ 4.75 Record, Muskegon Heights ______ 36.25 La France Industries, Frankford, Mniadeivnia ee ee ea 18.00 Michigan Associated Telephone Co., Muskeron) 3 14.00 Furniture Hospital. Muskegon ____ 10.00 Peolstra Motor Sales, Coopersville 14.00 Rental Due Campbell _____________ 600.00 In the matter of Midwest Tire & Elec- tric Co., a copartnership, Bankrupt No 4374, the trustee has heretofore filed his final report and account, and a final meeting of creditors was held Nov. 13. The bankrupt was not present, but rep- resented by attorneys Ward & Straw- hecker. Creditors were present in per- son and represented by attorneys Hil- ding & Hilding and Grand Rapids Credit Men’s Association. Claims were proved ann allowed. The balance of the bills, notes and accounts, etc., were sold to oe labor claimant for the benefit of all of such class. An order was made for the nayment of expenses of administra- tion as far as funds permit. There were no dividends. No objections were made to the discharge of the bankrupt. The final meeting then adjourned without date, and the case will be closed and returned to the district court, in due course. In the matter of Leon P. Hadden, etc., Bankrupt No. 4652, the sale of assets was held Dec. 3. The trustee was present in person and acted as auctioneer. Sev- eral bidders were present in person. The machinery, tools and equipment, and the safe cabinet were sold to Koeze Mfe. Co., of Grand Rapids. for the sum of $610. The office furniture, fixtures and equipment were sold to Jack Kospfsky, of Detroit, for $135. The sales were con- firmed and the matter adjourned with- out date. Dec. 5. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference and adjudication in the matter of George W. McDonald, Bakrupt No. 4728. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupa- tion is that of an electrical engineer The schedules show assets of $9,067.82 with liabilities of $16,000.16. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meeting of creditors will be called. In the matter of Thomas C. Lightfoot, 3akrupt No. 4694, the trustee has filed his first report and account, and an order has been made for the payment of ex- penses of admiistration and _ preferred taxes and labor claims, In the matter of H. L. Hubbell Mfg. Co., Bankrupt No. 4634, the trustee has filed his first report and account and an order has been made for the payment of expenses of administration and se- cured claims to date. 1 - Chain Given Third Body Blow. For the third time in a year, chain stores have received bad news from the Supreme Court— this time in a decision upholding the Virginia tax on warehouses which distribute to more than one store. Lawyers for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. argued their case was different from those de- cided by the court in approving Indiana and North Carolina chain store taxes. The court did not think so, however. Chief Justice Hughes, in announcing that the decree of a lower court which upheld the tax was affirmed, explained that the suit was governed by the court’s action in the previous cases. There was no_ written opinion. Like the Indiana tax on the retail stores themselves, the Vir- ginia levy on warehouses is grad- uated. It mounts with the number of stores served. The Great Atlantic warehouses in Richmond distributed goods to 190 retail stores in Virginia and nearby states in 1930. The re- sulting tax amounted to $6,000. Chinaware manufactures and_ their sales agents are facing a problem this month in supplying retailers’ demands for January sales merchandise. Off- quality goods usually available for such purposes are in short supply, having been absorbed earlier in the season by numerous promotional events. In most cases, producers are planning to weed out a number of regular patterns from present lines and use them to meet the call for post-holiday mer- chandise. These patterns will be sup- planted ‘by new designs at the 1932 trade opening next month, ao oti \ ' } ‘, ‘ ait - | } } i December 9, 1931 DETROIT DOINGS. Late Business News From Michigan’s Metropolis. Harold A, Sage, who has managed the Tuller since October, 1929, when he succeeded Ward B. James in that post, handed in his resignation im- mediately following the removal of John Gillespie as receiver for the hotel and the appointment of William M. Walker, president of the Walker Bros. Catering Co., as receiver on Monday of last week, but no action was taken on it until several days later, when Mr. Walker accepted it. Mr. Sage’s resignation took effect on Dec. 1. Lou McGregor, who has been Mr. Sage’s assistant for several weeks, will become acting manager pending the decision of the court as to the advis- ability of discontinuing the business. The court is expected to consider the fate of the Grand Circus Park House within the week, as soon as Mr. Wal- ker is able to make a survey of the situation and report upon it to Judge Ferguson. Clifford W. Reynolds, who has been business promotion manager, becomes assistant manager and credit man- ager, sharing that responsibility of management with Mr. McGregor, while Edgar E. Pitts, of the promotion department, will become promotion manager. The Oyster Bar and cafe- teria kitchen on the ground floor has been discontinued, and Chef Sigmund, who has presided over this joint kitchen in the past, Las moved his staff to the kitchen of the Everglades Club and will handle the entire cooking for the hotel from that location. William Kurth remains as manager of the Everglades Club, but John Kerns, who has managed the Oyster Bar since its opening, has been made catering manager of the hotel with jurisdiction over everything except the Everglades Club. O. M. Harrison, resident manager of the Detroit-Leland, announces the appointment of Philip Jordan, who has been assistant manager of the house, as business promotion manager to succeed Thomas Brown, who resigned after two months in the post to join the Transamerican Lines. Mr. Brown took over the sales work for the Le- land after the resignation of Seth F. Frymire, who is now manager of the Detroiter. Benj. W. Keiter has been advanced from the post of chief clerk to that of assistant manager, and J. T. Campbell, formerly of the Tulsa and Wells, in Tulsa, Okla., has been added to the front office force. Mr. Keiter came to the Statler in 1917, managed the Park, at the Soo, for the late James R. Hayes, in 1923, and the following year joined the staff of the Tuller, going to the Book-Cadillac on its open- ing in 1925. Later, he was with the Prince Edward, in Windsor, and the Fairbairn and the Fort Shelby, De- troit. When the Barlum opened in 1927 he went there as chief clerk, going from there to the Wolverine in June, 1930. He has been with the Detroit-Leland for several months. A new form of volume merchandis- ing has been opened to stores here MICHIGAN TRADESMAN through the establishment of a welfare clothing list by the Department of Public Welfare co-operating with Douglas Dow, commissioner of pur- chases and supplies. Several of the larger stores have arranged to give special attention to these orders, al- though it has been announced by wel- fare supervisors in charge of the six- teen districts in which the city has been divided for relief work, that such purchases can be made from any re- tailer who will supply garments at the prices designated. An involuntary petition in bankrupt- cy has been filed in U. S. District Court here against Abraham, Philip and William Bricker, individually and doing business as A. Bricker & Co., by Lawhead & Kenney, attorney, repre- senting Brilliant Silk Mfg. Co., $200; M. Breitman & Son, $200; Harry Lyons, $750. Harry Mintz, tailor 10455 West Jef- ferson avenue, has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, listing assets of $1,200 and liabilities of $9.795. Low-priced cars took the center of the stage in Detroit last week and excited even this sophisticated auto- motive audience. The cars, of course, were the 1932 model Chevrolet and the new Rockne six, the latter revealed for the first time as the product of a subsidiary of the Studebaker Corpora- tion. In the competition of their me- chanical equipment, as well as in re- spect to exterior beauty, the two of- ferings reflect the extent to which the individual car manufacturer is going in order to offer compelling bar- gain values in 1932. The two surprises in connection with the Chevorlet introduction were the incorporation of free-wheeling of a new type and the refinements which resulted in an increase of 20 per cent. in the horsepower of the engine. It had been expected that Chevrolet would have a syncromesh transmis- sion, with free-wheeling possibly of- fered as optional equipment at extra cost. When the company went all the way with one of the most elaborate transmissions ever offered in a low- price car, the most poised of the ob- servers outside of the factory was sur- prised. Revelation that Studebaker was the corporation behind the new Rockne confirmed a universal assumption with- in the industry. As to the car itself, it, like Chevrolet, attracts attention be- cause of the inclusiveness of its equip- ment. In addition to free-wheeling, the car has the automatic self-starter which prevents stalling of the engine at any time. It was assumed that this device would be found in cars of high and medium price but not in those in the $585-$685 price range of the Rock- ne. Whether the introduction of this product by the Studebaker subsidiary means abandonment of its small six by the parent corporation is a matter of speculation here. Two points about free-wheeling have become clear within the past few days. One of them is that it will be offered by most car makers and as standard equipment. The other has to do with the placement of the control. It will be located either on the dash or on the toe-board, and the overrunning ele- ment will be built external to the transmission to permit clutchless gear- shifting in all three forward speeds. Buick, Chevrolet and the new Rock- ne leave little doubt as to the trend in respect to frontal appearance. Streamlining is going to be followed on an extensive scale, with a sharper slope imparted to the windshield. All three of these new models show this feature of appearance, which not only suggests greater fleetness but actually is a considerable factor in producing it. Work on new models has had a re- markably beneficial effect upon em- ployment. Chevrolet's twenty-one plants, here and elsewhere throughout the country, are now keeping 200,000 persons busy. The old Studebaker Detroit plant has been re-opened for the manufacture of the Rockne and production is scheduled to get under way within the next ten days. Other plants are also intensifying production activities that will keep the wheels grinding for three months at least. In advance of formal announcement one novel detail of the new Hudson and Essex models has come to light. Appearance, of course, is expected to be one of the largest changes in con- 3 nection with these two cars. The known detail concerns this feature. It relates to the fact that all exterior hardware, even down to hood clamps, is to be cast in a form which will enhance the external impression of speed. a Gloria’s World. Our little Gloria sat With blanket, doll and cat In her chair Having there Apparently a feast Her bottle was such at least; When thus allowed to eat No joy was more complete A world to her was there: Doll, blanket, cat and chair. What happiness have those Whose years do not disclose Any care Anywhere Transcending thus the man And too in Nature’s plan A child does hold a place Which leads the human race Yet with the simplest dower: The doll-cat-blanket hour. Whatever I may do Give me a blanket too Cat, doll, chair And Gloria there; Why! Kings could envy me In such felicity. Then, after peaceful sleep Awakening meet Bo-Peep Or run to Jack and Jill And help them up the hill. Charles A. Heath. — The profit a customer pays you on his purchases entitles him to courtesy, attention, service of any kind you can render. aM Deca 2a 8G re DD STENOGRAPHIC BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN COME TO FERRIS January 4 And prove to yourself that you can and will succeed. Place yourself under the guidance of a competent, inspiring and result-getting faculty. Get education at a moderate cost. Select one of the following courses and gain the benefits of Ferris prestige and standing: and SECRETARIAL ACCOUNTING and BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SALESMANSHIP. BANKING and FINANCE ALSO COLLEGE PREPARATORY TRAINING Write for information FERRIS INSTITUTE Sas INSTITUTE! E. J. PARR, Bus. Mgr. uggest to your trade: an assortment of 12 or 24 cans of Hart Brand Canned Fruits and Vegetables as a practical Christmas gift. W. R. ROACH & CO., Grand Rapids HART BRAND eV Sy FOODS TRADE MARK } i i 4 MOVEMENTS OF MERCHANTS. Otsego—Ray C. Eaton has removed his drug stock from South Farmer street to the corner of Farmer and Allegan streets. Manistique—Ed. Dishneau has open- ed a feed store at the corner of Deer and Second streets. The Purina prod- ucts will be featured. Cadillac—H. W. Labbe, who recent- ly sold his sporting goods, cigar and confectionery stock to Colling Wood's, has repurchased the stock from the trustee. Otsego—Meyer Kohlenstein, who formerly conducted a department store here, has removed to Grand Rapids and engaged in the same line at God- win Heights. Jonesville—W. A. Smith, dealer in groceries and meats, has purchased the general store of Vern Mosher, at Mosherville, and will conduct it as a branch of his local store. Pentwater— W. H. Gardner, who sold his grocery stock to Geo. M. Weeks in January, has taken over the stock again and will continue the busi- ness at the same location. Detroit—The Stikeman Oil Co., 6630 Desmond street, has been incorporated to deal in petroleum of all grades and its derivatives with a capital stock of $1,000, all subscribed and paid in. Coral—Martin DeYoung, owner of the Coral Lumber Co., has purchased the J. N. Drake hardware stock and store building and will conduct it in connection with his other business. Detroit—Harry Kline & Co., 2972 Rochester avenue, has been incorpo- rated to deal on commission and act as manufacturers’ agent, with a capital stock of $1,000, all subscribed and paid in, Lapeer—The Haddrill-Carpenter Co. will soon occupy its own store build- ing, recently vacated by the Powell clothing store. The interior is being redecorated and modern fixtures in- stalled. Detroit—Food Markets, Inc., 2430 Market street, has been incorporated to conduct a retail business in fruits, vegetables, etc., with a capital stock of $5,000, $2;500 being subscribed and paid in. Detroit—The U. C. Freight Co., 2861 Gratiot avenue, has been incorporated to deal in machinery, tools, clothing, groceries, etc., with a capital stock of $10,000, $1,000 being subscribed and paid in. Detroit—James J. Lyons & Co., 1406 Dime Bank building, has been incor- porated to deal in fuel, lumber and builders’ supplies with a capital stock of $10,000, $1,000 being subscribed and paid in. Escanaba—The Full Value Koffee Co. has been incorporated to deal in groceries, tea, coffee, spices, etc., at retail with a capital stock of $20,000, $8,000 of which has been subscribed and paid in. Detroit—The Hurd Lumber Co., 171 South Campbell avenue, has been in- corporated with a capital stock of 3,465 shares at $62.41 a share, of which amount $216,270.72 has been subscribed and paid in. White Pigeon—Gustaf Jeseph, re- MICHIGAN TRADESMAN cently of Niles, has leased the Baker building and will redecorate it and in- stall baking equipment preparatory to engaging in business under the style of the Home Bakery. Jackson—The Monarch Food Mar- ket, Inc., 2802 East Michigan avenue, has been incorporated to deal in meats, groceries, etc., with a capital stock of 20,000 shares at $1 a share, $9,998 being subscribed and paid in. Howell—Fire destroyed the store- building and implement stock of R. E. Barron, enatiling a loss of over $50,- 000. Mr. Barron has occupied the building over thirty years. The loss is partially covered by insurance. Detroit—Schiff & Gus, Inc.. 2461 Russell street, dealer in fruits, vege- tables, etc., has merged the business into a stock company under the same style with a capital stock of $5,000, $1,000 being subscribed and paid in. Mears—George Skinner has merged his fuel and lumber business into a stock company under the style of the Mears Lumber & Coal Yard, Inc., with a capital stock of $15,000 preferred, $14,000 being subscribed and $12,000 paid in. An involuntary petition in bankrupt- cy has been filed in U. S. District Court at Detroit against Reid Clothes Shop by Attorney Irwin I. Cohn, rep- resenting Small Ferrer, Inc., $280; Alexander Licht Co., $138; Jacob Bur- rows, $82. Detroit — Joseph H. Cantor has merged his retail furniture business into a stock company under the style of the Cantor Furniture Shops, Inc., 8927 12th street, with a capital stock of $50,000, $25,000 being subscribed and paid in. Otsego—William O’Harrow has pur- chased the grocery stock managed by Derneth O’Dell and will add many new lines to the stock and open a meat department in connection. _____ Activities of Fred G. Timmer, Trustee in Bankruptcy. Grand Rapids—Stock and fixtures of Emmett Roche, bankrupt, automobile accessories and radio dealer, will be sold at auction, Dec. 11, at 10 a. m. Grand Rapids—The assets of Haven Electric Co. are being disposed of by the court at private sale and it is ex- pected that disposal will be completed this week. Grandville—The assets of the “Hub- bell Manufacturing Co., furniture man- ufacturers. were sold Dec. 2 to the Grandville State Bank for $9,763.87. Grand Rapids—The stock and fix- tures of Thomas C. Lightfoot, doing business as Moul’s Cash _ Sanitary Market, were sold Dec. 3 to Louis Bunyk for $882.50. 6 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 9, 1931 MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE Sidelight on Mutual Fire Insurance. Two thousand two hundred and seventy mutual companies located in thirty-nine states have policies in force covering physical properties in excess of $350,000,000,000. It has been im- possible to secure information as to the amount of insurance carried by sixty- nine other such companies which are distributed among those states referred to above. In three other states there are in existence mutual insurance com- panies and mutual insurance associa- tions of which no reports are available. Six states have no mutual compamies carrying property insurance within their borders. No reference will be made to mutual casualty companies in this discussion. We shall find that property insur- ance in mutual companies is quite spotted, In some states mutual com- panies carry tthe greater proportion of nisks on certain classes of property. In other states the amount of insurance in such companies is so very small as to be of mo particular import. I shall arbitrarily group mutual com- panies carrying property insurance in- to three general classes. First, the Pioneer companies organized more than one hundred years past. Second, the ‘Class Mutuals, or that group of companies which were onganized to carry a particular line of risks, Third the Farm, County and Township Mu- tuals, all of which are distinctly local in character, and none of which have ever written insurance outside the borders of the states in which they were orignally organized. Mutual property insurance carriers have not adopted any particular sys- tem, Policy contracts and policy forms are not uniform, The results of the operation of such companies vary greatly. With a few of the older and restricted companies the cost to the policyholder is practically nil. In one instance at least the insured secure profits in the way of dividends from the operation of the company and the entire premium is refunded to the policyholder upon the termination of the contract of insurance. The savings effected to policyholders of mutual companies range from about 80 per cent, to 20 per cent. of the commercial rates for similar protection rendered by 'the stock ‘fire insurance companies. In the majority of estimates as to the amount of insurance in force on properties in mutual companies the premium income has been used ias a basis for computation, This method penalizes such companies to the amount of initial and direct savings made the insured, For instance a num- ber of local mutual companies write a perpetual policy, and after the initial premium is paid the insurance in force does not contribute funther premium income, A striking example of this particular form of coverage is the Philadelphia Contributionship, with a premium income for 1930 of $35,439 and policies in force at the end of the year amounting to $54,686,626. O. E. Hurst. so The way to make friends for your store is to make your store friendly to its customers. New Device Smothers Gasoline Flames Demonstrations of methyl bromide as a fire-fighting agent were given in London recently by Richard Sansome, managing director of the ‘National Fire Protection Co. Numerous tests were made on different types of gasoline fires to show the advantages of this liquid and the Essex extinguisher for outbreaks in automobiles, motorboats and airplanes. A system of copper tubes conveys the fluid from the ex- tinguisher to danger points, such as the carburetor and the gasoline tank. It has itihe advantage that, while the fluid can be supplied to all the danger points simultaneously, ‘the extinguisher can be detached from the bracket and used by hand if necessary. This system, known as the “Feath- erspray,’ has been adopted for service machines in the Royal Air Force, cer- tain De Haviland planes, and a num- ber of motcrboats, including Sir Mal- colm Campbell's mew craft. Mr. Sansome is now engaged in per- fecting an invention for the British Air Ministry to insure the automatic operation of the ‘“Featherspray” sys- tem on an airplane immediately it touches the ground, provided ithe im- pact is sufficient to wreck the under- carriage. This is expected to reduce considerably the risk of ‘fires on air- planes after a crash or a bad landing. —_» ++ Discuss Dress Design Protection. While copyrighting or patenting a dress design may not prevent copying of such designs, it will stamp the de- sign as original, according to views expressed last week at a group meet- ing of manufacturers of dresses priced at $29.50 and up, held in the offices of the Associated Dress Indudstries. With the co-operation of retailers, it was asserted, copies can be eliminated from the consideration of buyers. The meeting devoted a great deal of atten- tion to the distinct between copyright- ing and patenting. Another conference will be called for further discussion in the near future. ——_> +. —__ Lamp Trade To Limit New Lines. Styles similar to those in vogue this fall will be offered the trade next month by producers of lamps and shades. Disappointing volume this season has discouraged producers, and they are willing to invest only a lim- ited amount of money in making up 1932 lines. Most of the attention usual- ly given to new lines is being directed toward effecting economies in produc- tion costs of fall items so factories can offer present styles at lower prices at the January trade shows. Merchan- dise to retail at $4.50 to $10 is being developed by several factories. — +2 > Small extinguishers are very handy and effective for small fires. ‘Care should be taken in thandling ex- tinguishers. Don’t handle them rough- ly or permit them to be bent in any way. Old or damaged extinguishers are dangerous to use land if the nozzle should refuse to operate after acid: is mixed with soda and water, there should be no hesitation in cutting the those. Salt should never be added in the extinguisher to keep it from freez- ing. OUR FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT with any standard stock policies that you are buying mm na cru» @O%) Less Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Fremont, Michigan WILLIAM N. SENF, Secretary-lTreasurer INSURE and feel sure that when you have a fire you will have money to pay at least the most of the cost of re-building; but place your insurance with the company that will furnish this protection at the lowest cost, as there IS a difference, and it will pay you to investi- gate. The company that gives the most SAFE insurance for the least money is The Finnish Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Calumet, Michigan 1909 22 Years 1931 Losses Paid Promptly — Saving 30% For FIRE and WINDSTORM Insurance THE GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY afhliated with THE MICHIGAN RETAIL DRY GOODS ASSOCIATION 320 Houseman Bldg. Grand Rapids, Mich. “Pll Tell You How to Increase Profits’ “Insure with the Federal and de- crease the cost of your overhead expense. This company, with its truly American plan of operation, is saving merchants throughout the United States from 30 to 50 per cent on their insurance costs. Investigate their plan as I did and you too will be able to increase your profits.” FEDERAL HARDWARE & IMPLEMENT MUTUALS Retail Hardware Mutual Fire Ins. Co Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire | ; % . . ns. Co. Minneapolis, Minnesota Stevens Point, Wisconsin Minnesota Implement Mutual Fire Ins. Co. Owatonna, Minnesota ee ee | at aeeaeneencealaneaonpeenaleaioar=ne nasties December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN The Sales Tax Battle Starts. The incoming Congress will consider the sales tax, for it is ob- vious that the Government is run- ning into a budget deficit of stag- gering proportions. The cost of government has risen at an alarm- ing rate. In all probability it will rise still further. For the last fiscal year, the budget deficit was ap- proximately $900,000,000, and it has been estimated that it will be around $1,500,000,000 by June 30, 1932. The rising cost of gov- ernment administration and the decline of tax receipts have pro- duced a new problem for the United States to face. The Federal Government has leaned upon direct taxation and mainly upon the income tax to balance its budget. The income tax has regularly been providing more than 50 per cent. of the National revenue. Unfortunately, the receipts from this tax are de- clining at an alarming rate. So, we face, in December, the possible introduction of a sales tax. In all probability, Senator Reed will advocate a sales tax of \4 of | per cent.—whose yield he estimates at around $2,000,- 000,000. This tax will be favor- ed by many because its base is wide enough to include every conceivable branch of business endeavor, the miner, the manu- facturer, the wholesaler, the re- tailer, the financier and a multi- tude of service industries. The Canadian government hopes to pull itself out of the de- ficit of last year by increasing its sales tax from | to 4 per cent. What promise is there that a sales tax here would not be similarly increased under pressure’ of emergency. Germany started the sales tax in 1918 under the strain of war expenditures. It was so successful that Italy, France and Belgium and other countries adopted it. The German law requires shop- keepers to keep detailed’ records of stock returns covering sales and to pay the tax in advance, with adjustment at the end of the year. The attitude of the merchants as expressed by a number of asso- ciations throughout the United States is that as long as there are other sources the sales tax must be considered economically un- cound and harmful to business re- covery. These associations also feel that a sales tax, if levied! on all sales, will mean a further bur- den on the independent business man. Merchants believe that the Government must first make an effort to reduce the costs of gov- ernment. We believe that if the sales tax is put on as an emer- gency method, that its life should be limited and that it would be exceedingly grave if we allowed it to be used as an excuse for tax- ation in years and years to come. Thirty years ago there was one family on the tax payroll for every fifteen families contributing to that tax roll. Seven years ago it was one to every thirteen families. To-day it is one to every twelve families. Growing, isn't it? During the last forty years population has increased 100 per cent., National wealth has increas- ed 465 per cent. and the tax bill 965 per cent. Where does the money come from which so lavishly is expend- ed? To meet the sum of $4,220,- 000,000 spent in the fiscal year 1930-31, customs receipts pro- vided 8.9 per cent., the income tax brought 44.1 per cent., other internal revenue, chiefly derived from tobacco taxes, 13.5 per cent., payments from foreign gov- ernments 5.6 per cent., and all other receipts 6.5 per cent.—leav- ing a deficit of 21.4 per cent. And that 21.4 per cent. deficit is what is agitating legislative and business circles as they haven't been stirred up since the war. For the question is not only how to make good the deficit already in- curred, but also and more im- portantly, how to prevent recur- rence of further deficits. In other words, how to balance outgo with income. We oppose it not because we think it is unfair and unworkable, but because we believe its income- producing possibilities will, _ if made actualities, simply add to the tax burden of the future in- stead of being, as it should be if enacted, a substitute for other sources of income. Force on us a retail sales tax and the remain- der of the billions of bonus will be voted. Anything, in fact, will be voted! for which there is money in most remote prospect. A presi- dential election is coming. Both parties are prone to buy favor with other people's money. We cannot forget that. It has been done too often and too recently. Still we have our deficit, al- ready incurred. What to do about that? It has been proposed to in- crease inheritance taxes and in- come taxes in the higher brackets; to float a bond issue; various other remedies, including luxury taxes (which, by the way, also are in consideration in several states) have been advanced. The deficit must be met. But this we believe most firmly: No plan for making good the deficit “should be made effective which has not a comparatively brief life, limited by the act which makes the plan into law. If we must take emergency measures, let them be solely andi strictly for the emer- gency. If the time limit be proved too short, re-enactment for an- other brief period is possible. To saddle new imposts on the backs of already struggling taxpayers without such definite limitation is to add permanently to their bur- den.—Boot and Shoe Recorder. Holiday Stocks Should Be Protected In the rush which precedes the holiday season, merchants sometimes fail to realize that an increase in merchandise stocks should be accompanied by an increase in insurance premiums. Until after the holiday season, your store will undoubtedly contain much more merchandise than it did at the time your present insurance was writ- ten. It isto your own interest that you consider carefully the adequacy of your insurance protection. Any representative of any good mutual insurance company will be pleased to help you in this matter. His experience and training in insur- ance matters enable him to give you expert advice and practical assistance. Write for an appointment with him. STUDYING PRICE TREND. A problem of major importance which progressive retailers are now studying concerns itself with the pol- icies best adapted for dealing with firmer wholesale prices and increased consumer demand. The prospect of stiffening values in the merchandise markets is one which is associated with the not-too-distant future, and, simi- larly, some gain in consumer buying is expected. According to authorities, the stores have been operating on the necessities of the manufacturers, if not on their actual distress. Producers have been forced to accept terms which they are more than likely to revise upward as soon as conditions warrant. Merchan- dise standards have been lowered in many cases to an alarming extent in order to get business, and intelligent retailers recognize that this kind of manufacturing cannot last a great deal longer and, in fact, is already starting to “dry up.” Among the better type of manufac-. turers there is said to be a feeling which goes beyond resentment and amounts almost to determined desire for vengeance against the price buy- ing of the stores. These producers make it plain that they are quite satis- fied to bide their time and then make up for some of the losses they have sustained by refusing to join in the cheapening of their goods. Since the quality lines of merchan- dise usually take longer periods for manufacture, it is obvious that the stores must decide on what they pro- pose to do for the coming season. Should prices grow firmer, the chances are that orders will be placed earlier and there will be fewer demands for cheaper articles to sell at lower prices. A review of the many phases of this problem indicates that retailers may find it highly desirable to work more closely with their supply sources. After all, there seems to be no reason why a retailer should not recommend im- proved products to sell at somewhat higher prices. The same result is achieved as when he asks a lower price on something quoted higher. DRY GOODS CONDITIONS. Favored by cooler weather, distri- bution of Christmas savings and im- proved banking conditions and senti- ment, retail trade is reported as great- ly improved. This gain appeared im- mediately after the Thanksgiving hol- iday. Apparel and dress accessory buying featured this business at the start, but holiday buying has now gathered volume. The emphasis in the early Christmas shopping is heavier than ever before on useful gifts, among which home furnishings have obtained more attention. While the contraction in money in circulation has been interpreted in some quarters as forecasting a much lower volume of Christmas trade this year, retail executives are not looking for any decided drop. In fact, they expect a fairly good total, conditions considered, because of the variety of merchandise which is being featured this season for gift purposes. In the early reports on November retail sales, which are now appearing, there is ample evidence of the toll taken by unfavorable weather. A large 5-and-10 chain reported a loss of 8.6 per cent., although its decline for eleven months was only 1.6 per cent. A dry goods chain which has made an exceptional record so far this year with an increase of 6.6 per cent. suf- fered a loss last month of 2.8 per cent. On the basis of these returns, it is not likely that trade in general did much better than in October. Re-orders in the wholesale merchan- dise markets on holiday goods have not been numerous so far. Typical gift lines have perhaps felt some ef- fect from the switch in demand to more practical articles. Special values for January promtion have been de- ‘scribed as quite attractive by buyers. Surpluses in most branches of the mar- ket, despite the slowness of the season, are not large, which testifies to the cautious operations of the manufac- turers. At the spring rug openings during the past week previous reductions were confirmed, and for the time being the market seems stabilized at present levels. BLIND AIDING THE BLIND. A blind proofreader—yes, a blind proofreader—reading proof for Braille publications is a startling revelation of what the blind are to-day doing for the blind. Yet it gives only an incom- plete picture of the development of the new facilities which enable the blind workers of the American Braille Press to issue its magazines and its books to thousands of blind readers through- out the world. The old meaning of the saying in regard to the blind leading the blind is completely transformed. To-day they lead one another into a measure of light which in the days before Braille invented his alphabet would have been unbelievable. For this work to go on, however, additional funds are always necessary. The blind cannot support their own publishing enterprises, even though they can run the stereotyping machines and the presses. If their books and maga- zines are to reach the thousands of readers to whom they mean so much, help is constantly needed. This is the plea of the American Braille Press. It is one hard to ignore, even at a time of so many demands on public generosity, when we who can see stop to realize what it would mean to us to be deprived of the opportunity to read. OPERATIONS EXPANDING. Business sentiment probably suffered some setback during the week by reason of the financial difficulties en- countered by a leading railroad and a large amusement enterprise, along with further easing in security values. With the exception of wheat, which has regained some of its recent losses as a result of the short winter crop expected, the tone of commodity prices was again weak and declines predom- inated by a very wide margin. Steel prices are undergoing severe pressure from the automobile producers, who are intent upon getting down costs to the lowest possible level, so that the MICHIGAN TRADESMAN new models to be launched next month will represent exceptional value. The automobile industry has come through a hard year with what it prop- erly considers as worthwhile results. Authorities assert that it has sold 75,- 000 more cars than it has produced. Used-car stocks have been reduced, and record gasoline consumption in- dicates that many vehicles will soon have to be replaced. It is pointed out that the new lines will represent more improvements than have been offered in the past four or five years, due to intensive research . Production for this month in the automobile industry will greatly exceed the low November figures, according to reports, and operations will be con- tinued on an expanded scale through the first quarter of the year in accord- ance with the plans developed earlier to afford employe relief over the worst period. There is a general idea in business circles that conditions will improve after the turn of the year. Larger automobile employment and _ higher prices for wheat, arising from a crop shortage, may prove the forces which will bring about this gain. AN AIR DEFECTION. It is a double blow to see the Eng- lish Government decide to scrap its last remaining $2,000,000 airship, sell the frame for junk and go out of the airship business. Such throwbacks rarely happen in the march of me- chanical invention and improvement. This one seems contrary to natural law. Then, too, it shakes one’s faith in the ultimate feasibility of the giant Zeppelin. Is it really able to stand up to the tests that must confront it? Airship experimentation will go on in America and Germany. But Eng- land’s defection ought to make the remaining powers take stock and see whether the goal of reasonably stable navigation, in fog and wind, is coming steadily into sight. YOUTH AND EMPLOYMENT. Among many recommendations for the relief of unemployment, particular- ly during the winter to come, a sug- gestion has been made by the Presi- dednt’s Emergency Committee which holds special interest for young people and their parents. Boys and girls are asked to postpone, if possible, their entry into the keen competition of the business and industrial world and to prolong their studies rather than risk the discouragement of seeking work under abnormal conditions. This excellent advice is in keeping with an enlightened theory of the pur- pose of education. It should not be merely a vocational training but should also regard the enrichment of life, which means the development of the individual capacity for happiness and usefulness. Hard work can wait, if the years of youth are well employed in preparation for good living. And it would be a major tragedy of a time of depression if economic’ conditions should compel many young .people to sacrifice their years of mental and physical growth to the struggle for work and wages. December 9, 1931 Some must do so, of course, for the sake of family security in hard times. But even in these difficult days the vast majority of young people need not be hurried from their studies and the legitimate enjoyment of their youth to wrestle with the responsibilities of ma- turity. They will serve their Nation and their neighbors at this time by restraining their ambitions and leaving the world’s work to those who need its rewards. Such patience will pay them a profit in the future and will contribute a little to the solution of the gravest problem of our times. “ONE-WAY” GLASS. The report that there has been in- vented a “one-way” glass, through which it is possible to see without being seen, opens tremendous possi- bilities in an age in which privacy is constantly invaded. It would be prac- tical, in fact, to build those glass hous- es about which architects so often talk but which somehow lose their appeal when one visualizes how open the life within would be to every passerby. For with one-way glass it would be possible to enjoy all the advantages of the glass house, for we suppose that it would admit sunlight even if that were somewhat dimmed, and yet re- main cloaked in perfect invisibility. This glass, however, has a use of which we should not like to see advan- tage taken. We are thinking of the windows of those clubs which still offer benign old gentlemen the oppor- tunity to sit at their ease and watch life flowing by on the streets outside. If they were protected by a well of in- visibility, able to see without being seen, it would hardly be fair. For al- though the gentlemen may not always realize it, they are as much a show for the passersby as the passersby are for them, In reverse fashion one-way glass might prove more useful for sporting events or public demonstrations in which the participants are embarrassed by their audience. Inclosed in a glass house from which they could not see but which was fully open to the public gaze, performers could go through their acts completely oblivious of the effect upon the spectators. INSUFFICIENT POSTAGE. It may serve as a reminder of im- portant changes in postal rates to con- sider the problem before a post office clerk as he deals according to regula- tions with a letter to England with insufficient stamps upon it. The new rate is five cents for the first ounce and three cents for another. There are still those, however, who think a two-cent stamp will carry a letter to England. The clerk must calculate in such cases the amount of surcharge due on delivery. It is to be figured, according to the rules, as double the deficiency in postage. This amount must then be calculated in gold and converted into terms of the currency of the country to which the letter is going. A conscientious postal clerk, therefore, must be well informed on the ‘current price of gold, expert in arithmetic and conversant with foreign currencies. seer ae ares ees ine re mmeaa } i eae December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 9 OUT AROUND. Things Seen and Heard on a Week End Trip. The culminating feature of last Sat- urday’s Out Around was a visit to the bedside of John J, Gibson, who is tem- porarily located in the Sanitarium hos- pital at Battle Creek. Mr. Gibson was prevailed upon by his friends to under- take the management of the Battle Creek centennial celebration in Sep- tember when he should have taken the time off and accepted the appointment tendered him as Battle Creek’s dele- gate to the International Rotary con- vention at Vienna. Instead, he felt it his duty to serve the city of his adop- tion by managing one of the most unique and successful celebrations ever pulled off in this country. In doing this he overworked and is now suffer- ing a physical collapse, from which he will be slow in recovering. His phy- sician insists that every organ of the body is in normal condition and that a period of rest and patience will ulti- mately restore him to his former con- dition of good health and usefulness. Mr. Gibson is one of the most re- markable men [J have ever known, not in one respect but in a dozen different ways. Scotch-Irish by birth and gifted with all the genius and resourcefulness of that wonderful combination of the best traits of both races, Mr. Gibson has lived a most wonderful and re- sourceful life. He never wastes two minutes of the time of any deliberative gathering. His ability to come to the point without humbug or delay is not surpassed by any man in America. Fools and their foolishness meet their doom when they encounter him. He has an unusual degree of patience with all sorts of honest folk who are trying to do a good job, but he simply cannot tolerate those who are eternally beat- ing about the bush. He is constitu- tionally formed to keep up a constant search for the truth and the facts. Mr. Gibson is distinguished by the possession of an original way of think- ing. His thoughts are the results of his own thinking. ‘They are not bor- rowed or copied. He stands on his own feet at his own angle of eternity and faithfully, vividly and vigorously reports what he sees with his own eyes and hears with his own ears, ‘He is a clear-sighted Watchman on his Tower; he sees the day and he sees the night also; but he sees likewise with a clear faith that the morning comes, the morning breaks in abiding light and the night passes away. He has the common sense which can dis- tinguish between the transient thun- ders of the skies and the spiritual voices proclaiming the presence in our midst of the beloved spirit of Jesus Christ, Having a little time at our disposal after calling on our stricken friend, I drove out Cliff street, where one can obtain a fine view of the Postum plant and the enormous aggregation of buildings composing the W. K. Kel- logg institution. I have a very vivid and happy re- membrance of the establishment of the Postum business in a barn which still is carefully preserved by the Postum Co. The newspapers had already be- gun to make fun of the new substitute for coffee Mr, Post proposed to place on the market under the name _ of Postum—alleged to ‘be a mixture of bran and molasses. Mr. Post came to Grand Rapids with samples of the product which was destined to make many millions of dollars for himself and associates. J introduced him to the grocers up and down Monroe and Canal streets and he made eight sales during the day. The first sale was made to E. J. Herrick, who was then the leading fancy grocer of the city. Mr. Herrick was quite smitten on Postum and told Mr, Post that if he would remain in Grand Rapids another day he would introduce him to the grocers on South Division | street, which suggestion he was very willing to embrace. The total result was over twenty orders, which encouraged Mr. Post greatly, because Grand Rapids was the first city in which he person- ally introduced his product. Years afterward Mr. Herrick fell on evil days and needed employment. He wrote Mr. Post an appealing letter and was rewarded with a commission to act as a free lance and sell the Postum products in any territory he might select. During this engagement Mr. Post was invited to address the Grand Rapids Advertising Club.” He replied that he would come on one condition —that Mr. Herrick might sit at his right hand at the dinner. Mr. Post was not the most amiable man in the world, but this act on his part gave him a high place in my estimation of the real man. I was greatly pleased to find three good merchants docated near the Postum plant who have taken the Tradesman fifty-four years in the ag- gregate, Hawley & Fay have religious- ly read the paper ever since they en- gaged in business eighteen years ago. R. C. Richardson formerly with the Standard Oil Co. in Grand Rapids, has taken the Tradesman ever since he en- gaged in business in Battle Creek, six years ago. 'IC. W. Slade began taking the paper thirty years ago at Remus under the name of Kendall & Slade and has read every issue since. Fink & Hicks, grocers at 420 West Main street, and Mason & Adams, meat dealers at the same location, are very proud over the new equipment they have recently installed in their store, albeit the Battle Creek news- papers made no mention of the innova- tion. If it had ‘been a chain store, Mr. Fink said the local papers would have played it up to the extent of two col- umns. Mr. Fink began reading the Tradesman when he was a clerk in the store of S. W. Temple, at Tecumseh, thirty-two years ago, and has kept in close touch with tthe publication ever since, All of the merchants on whom I called in Battle Creek reported very satisfactory ‘business. The time is not far off when the sewage disposal plant in this city will be one of the features strangers will want to visit. The grounds surround- ing the establishment are rapidly be- ing developed along artistic lines and the structures above the ground are so located as to present an attractive ap- pearance. The plant cost a little less than $5,000,000. It will, apparently, be self-supporting or nearly so from the sale of gas and fertilizer. It is one of the few public functions in the city which is ‘being conducted with due re- gard for economy as well as efficiency, Experts in sewage disposal from other cities who have visited the Grand Rapids plant and given it careful in- spection insist that it stands at the head of all the disposal plants in the United States. Complaints continue to reach me concerning the reckless and extrava- gant manner in which tthe city store is being conducted. It has been disclosed that it is paying $2 per dozen for socks which have been offered the buyer for $1.50 per dozen and that it is charging $1.50 ‘for overalls which can be obtain- ed at other retail stores in the city for much less money. Right buying and economy of operation are two essen- tials which, apparently, are not given much attention at the city store, The store is getting 85c for Big Yank work shirts which can be obtained in the bargain basements ‘of local stores for 59c. It is selling genuine Geo. Brown Trojan work pants at $1.25 which regular stores are selling at 95c. It is selling blue wool socks at 25c, which can be obtained elsewhere at 19 cents. A small wholesale dry goods house permits its store to be used as a retail establishment to exchange goods which are handed out at the city store and happen to ‘be too large or too small in size to fit the recipient. By so do- ing the alleged wholesale house be- comes a party to the vicious methods of the city store and arrays itself in Opposition to the best interests of the regular retail merchant. The city store is gradually under- mining the regular retail merchant by forcing the worker to leave the regu- lar merchant and ibuy goods at higher prices ‘than the average retailer charg- es. The merchant pays taxes to se- cure protection, which is withheld from him by the action of the city ad- ministration in maintaining its city store, Even if the city store sold goods without a surcharge it would still be unable to compete with the local stores, so far as prices are concerned, because it is paying more for goods in the dry goods line than local stores are selling them for at retail. The whole system is dead wrong—a crime against the poor devils who are forced to concen- trate their trade at one store, a crime against the regular merchants. who are thus deprived of the patronage which legitimately belongs to them and a re- flection on the good faith of a city which has no business to enter into competition with its own citizens who support the municipality by paying high taxes. ‘Charles M. Greenway, Manager of the Grand Rapids Press, has establish- ed an experimental plant for the propa- gation of grayling at his trout pond at Williamsburg. This fish, which was once very common in Northern Michi- gan streams, is now to be found only in the Otter river in the Upper Penin- sula. Mr. Greenway is not positive that success will crown his efforts, but he is giving the subject painstaking attention, based on his expert knowl- edge of the habits of sport fish gen- erally. His constant effort is to im- prove existing conditions in all lines of human endeavor. Col. D. N. Foster, of Fort Wayne, who is one of the few men in the world who has had a monument erect- ed to his memory before passing on to the next world, spent a couple of days in Grand Rapids last week, looking over the changes which have taken place since he lived here, sixty years ago. He is now 90 years of age, but is as active as the average man of 60 years. He has outlived all the men who were in evidence when he lived here in the early seventies except Charles W. Garfield, who also appears to be slated to round out a century on this mundane sphere. I have had it in mind for some time to say something about the great mass producers of the world, for, after all, we have learned now to be a nation of mass producers. The big problem confronting business is the matter of distribution, because we have learned to produce goods so well, so rapidly and so cheaply. JI suppose Mr. ford will be given credit for introducing into America this great wave of mass production. Henry ford isn’t the only man in America who learned to make something worse and for less. We have had a good deal of that in all lines of business, There is a crying demand in America for the man who can reverse ‘the vicious policy of Henry ford and make goods better and for more. Whenever a man begins to run an automobile out all under the same color, the same design and gives it a standardized production, what does he do? [ don’t care whether it is an automobile or a breakfast food, he encounters a market of discontent, a selective market, which, thank God, is always and forever the market of the individual merchant, Although the mass producer and the merger has this great aggregate of capital, this ability to buy and produce cheaply, don’t forget he is also encum- bered ‘by the size of his establishment. He ceases to ‘be able to turn quickly on his axis and to adjust and modify and mold like the individual can do. The individual merchant can, on the other hand, always blend and adjust and adapt and modify and shoot his proposition and his service through and through with his own personality. Therein lies, in my opinion, the salva- tron of the individual merchant, the man who gets after this selective mar- ket—this market of the man who wants it made better and for more. That, I say, is the market of the indi- vidual merchant, I recently read something about the story of combinations of capital in or- ganization. It was Merle Thorpe tell- (Continued on page 23) 10 FINANCIAL Plan Is a Step in the Right Direction. Most revolutionary in many respects of all the banking reforms recently suggested is that on reserves made by the special committee of the Reserve system. After a thorough study of the problem this committee has come to the conclusion that our present legal reserve structure needs a complete overhauling. There is, of course, nothing new in this conclusion, but in its recommendation the committee has shown real originality and imagination, In its simplest terms the plan of the committee would involve a calculation of reserves on the turnover of bank deposits, instead of on the absolute amount of deposits as at present. This general idea is modified by the provision that there be a basic reserve of 5 per cent., which would have to be maintained quite regardless of the ac- tivity of the deposits, and, further, that the maximum requirement is to be 15 per cent. More specifically, the com- mittee suggests that the requirement should be 5 per cent. of net deposits plus an amount equal to 50 per cent, of the average daily debits to these de- posits, the aggregate in no case to be more than 15 per cent. The purpose of bank reserves is to serve as a restraining influence upon the normal inflationary propensities of commercial banks. Contrary to the popular conception, reserves have nothing to do with providing the bank a backlog of funds which may be paid out during times of unusual demands. Their use is to place a limitation upon the amount of deposits which a bank may create through the making of loans and discounts. Before the Federal Reserve system our legal requirements effectively per- formed this service. At that time the country had an inelastic supply of cur- rency and as the lending operations of banks increased deposits, greater and greater strain was placed upon the monetary system. This resulted, on the one hand, from a larger demand for currency in circulation, and on the other hand from the need for a larger proportion of the total monetary stock to meet the reserve requirements. With the provision of an elastic cur- rency system in 1913, however, this strain ‘became much less important. To-day there is no danger of a short- age of money, or funds, with which to meet reserve requirements. Accord- ingly, itis possible for banks to expand with much greater freedom, This ability to expand almost without limit has been one of the most dangerous elements in the commercial banking system during the last fifteen years. Adoption of the recommendations of the Reserve system committee would not eliminate this danger entirely. Nevertheless, it would be a step in this direction. By relating the amount of reserve required to the activity of bank deposits, there would be progressively greater restraint as deposits increased through the dending operations of banks. This restraint would not be especially vigorous, but it would give us greater protection than we have from the present unsatisfactory at- tempt to distinguish between demand and time deposits. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN It is difficult, of course, to justify the provision for a maximum reserve of 15 per cent. The committee ex- cuses it on the basis that it would sel- dom be effective. It should be clear, however, that these are exactly the periods when the greatest restraint should be imposed. This provision, ac- cordingly, should be eliminated from the plan. It is completely out of har- mony with the rest of the proposal. Ralph West Robey. [(Copyrighted, 193'1.] —_+>++—_- Banking Changes May Have Changed Views. Many stories have been carried in the daily press the past few days to the effect that the Federal Reserve Banks are opposed to any broadening of their rediscount powers. Some of the accounts have gone so far as to maintain that this attitude was a direct slap at the suggestion President Hoover made at the time he announc- ed his plan for the National Credit Corporation. The basis of these stories does not justify any such con- clusions, That is, the statements of the Re- serve Banks that they do not favor changes in their rediscount powers were in reply to questionnaires sent out and answered many months ago, and long before the President made his suggestion. The questionnaires were a part of the study of the banking sys- tem which has been made during the past year by the Senate Subcommittee on banking and finance. Within the past few months, of course, there have been some very im- portant changes in the banking situa- tion. Several hundred banks have failed and the country has been sub- jected to an enormous amount of hoarding. It was such facts as these that led the President to make the statement that he would recommend Congress widen the rediscount powers for the Federal Reserve Banks. ‘Whether these banking changes have had any influence on the opinions of the officials of the Reserve System in regard to their discount power is not known. Perhaps they still are of the same opinion that they were the first of this year. On the other hand, it is scarcely conceivable that the President made his suggestion without consultation with some of the leading Reserve officials, and consequently it is probable that at least in some quar- ters there has been a modification of the earlier views. It is very unfair, therefore, to in- terpret answers given early this year, although just made public, as evidence that the President’s suggestion goes counter to the ideas of the Reserve Banks. The conclusion may be cor- rect, but the information at hand does not justify it. As thas been stated here before, there is no need for broadening the re- discount powers of the Reserve Sys- tem. The type of paper made eligible for rediscount under the present law is quite ample to take care of the legiti- mate needs of the commercial banks of this country. Extending the list of eligible paper merely would add po- tential danger to our banking system. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the Reserve Banks still hold their earlier opinion and oppose vigorously any at- tempt which in the long run will weak- en them. As yet, however, we have no definite proof that they will do this, and consequently it is desirable not to accept the view that there is no danger of such attempts being successful. Ralph West ‘Robey. [Copyrighted, 1931.] oe Public Utilities. 1. Stability of Earnings, Next to the railroads, the public utility indus- try is our largest. The capital invest- ed is estimated to be about $20,000,- 000,000. This is divided, $3,000,000,000 into telephone companies, $5,000,000,- 000 into electric railways, and $12,000,- 000,000 electric light anid gas business. Gross earnings of the electric light and power business have shown a steady increase since 1900. They have just about doubled every five years. The electric light and power industry has ‘become a necessity. Even in times of business depressions, industries con- tinue ito consume power and people do not stop using electric lights and. tele- phones. The growth can also be ac- counted for due to general price de- cline. The prices to-day are about 10 per cent, lower than in 1913, while the prices in general are 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. higher. As ‘the price of electricity declined the demand has in- creased. There has been a great deal of speculation as to why electricity has declined in price when prices in general have advanced over the last few years. The answer is that about 20 per cent. of gross earnings go into wages and wages are the principal item which has been increasing costs in every industry. Another factor which accounts for the stability of pub- lic utility earnings is the absence of large inventories. They have prac- tically no inventory losses to absorb during depressions. 2. Finincial Yardstick. It is evi- dent that holding companies with their wide diversification, are less likely to run into trouble than a small operat- ing company. This should be taken into consideration when studying a December 9, 1931 public utility bond. In other words, there should be two separate formulas; one for holding companies and one for operating companies, Fixed charges should be covered by net earnings at least twice for an operating company ¥ West Michigan's oldest and largest bank solicits your account on the basis of sound poli- cies and many helpful services ... OLD KENT BANK 2 Downtown Offices 12 Community Offiices HELP YOU SOLVE YOUR INVESTMENT PROBLEMS — PHONE 4774 — ETTER, URTIS& : ETITER Investment Bankers and Brokers Grand Rapids Muskegon UNDER THE TOWER CLOCK ON CAMPAU SQUARE ‘ Ye CO. Investment Bankers GRAND RAPIDS MUSKEGON 507 Grand Rapids Trust Bidg. 81201 613 Hackley Union Bldg. 25749 December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN il and once and a half for the holding company. The amount of bonds in- cluding prior liens must not exceed nine times net on the operating and nine and a half times on the holding company. Also the amount of bonds must not exceed five times gross earn- ings for either type of company. There should be a balance of gross available for depreciation and dividends of 20 per cent, for an operating company and 15 per cent. for a holding com- pany. Fixed charges must not exceed 25 per cent. of gross for the one, and 30 per cent, for the holding company. Due tto the diversification of the hold- ing company they can consequently operate on a marrower margin of profit. ‘This should be remembered when considering public utility bonds. The above financial yardstick should only be applied when used with the balance of ‘the points mentioned as a unit in its application to a good safe public utility investment. Jay H. Petter. ————_+ > > Past Two Years Cannot Be Used as Guide. Of most interest in the statistics on income in 1930 recently made public by the Treasury Department are the losses from the sale of capital assets. The reason for this interest is that these losses have been used widely in support of the argument that a higher rate on incomes fallimg within the upper brackets would not result in a proportionately greater revenue. The figures reveal that in 1930 there was a decline in net income, as com- pared with 1929, of approximately $3,- 500,000,000 from the sale of capital as- sets, This was the greatest relative decline shown in any of the broad categories used by the Treasury De- partment. In spite of this the figures must be used with care. This caution is essential because with only superficial analysis the con- clusion may be drawn that the great decline proves that nothing would be gained by taxing incomes more heav- ily than at present. This conclusion fails to take into consideration that during the past few years this coun- try has witnessed a type of inflation and deflation that has been reflected in these figures to an unusual degree. It is unthinkable ‘that such violent fluctuations will continue. If they should occur frequently our whole capital system will be ruined. Our tax system should be based upon reason- ably normal conditions, not upon the kind of times we have been undergoing the past fifteen years. The Treasury Department, there- fore, is not justified in using ‘the enor- mous declines in income from capital losses the last two years as a conclu- sive reason for abandoning progressive imcome taxes. Data on these losses should ‘be considered as only of his- torical interest, and not as a primary guide to our future tax policy. Of course regularity of yield is an admirable quality in a tax. Other things being equal a tax with this qual- ity should be selected over one which is highly irregular in its yield. Other things, however, never are equal, It would be possible, presumably, to construct a tax system which would bring in a very steady flow of income. Such a system, however, in effect would mean taxing the bread and but- ter that goes onto the table of the wage earner, Ralph West Robey. [Copyrighted, 1931.] —_—_—_+ +> ___ Whittischisms. “It pays to advertise,’ but not for lost health. A single track mind may direct double dealing. It is unlucky to believe in luck. ‘Misfortune—the fortune you missed obtaining. Tell all you know and invite ridicule. Tell what you don’t know and be called a liar. When people ask after your health, do not tell them of your ailments. ‘Having an account down in black and white, may not prevent its appear- ing in the red. A memorandum is of no use to the person who forgets he has one. When opportunity knocks for some men it knocks them overboard. Speculate: To think, to ponder, to contemplate, therefore speculate seri- ously lest you speculate with serious results, Before paying out money to gain more be sure you can re-gain it. Too often people pay out money when they think they are paying in. How can a straight thinker see all sides of a matter? By revolving it in his mind. It is possible to be “at your best” when not “in your best.” E. E. Whitney. —_>>>—___ Christmas Seals. If the first twenty-five years are the hardest, the selling of ‘Christmas seals will be easier after this year, which ends a quarter century of this benevo- lent activity. There are two reasons for buying Christmas seals—the record of what has been accomplished in the fight against tuberculosis and the knowledge of what remains to be done. This is the first time in medical history that an economic depression has not been accompanied by an increase in the number of deaths from this disease. On the other hand, it is still responsible for the deaths of more persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five than can be charged to any other ailment. Yet nobody should die of it. “Every one of these deaths is preventable,” says Dr. Linsly R. Williams, president of the New York Tuberculosis and Health Association. ‘To spread this information, to lead people to seek a diagnosis earlier and to accept pro- longed treatment when necessary— this is the combined program of pre- vention and cure which every little Christmas seal does its bit to “put over.” Let’s give as many of them as possible a chance to work. —_2+ > The foreman reported that the jury were unable to agree upon a verdict. The judge reproved them, saying that the case was a very clear one, and re- manded them back to the jury room for further deliberation. “And if you do not reach an agreement before eve- ning,” the judge added, “I will have twelve suppers sent in ‘to’ you.” “May it please Your Honor,” spoke up the foreman, “you had better make it eleven suppers and one bundle of hay.” GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL BANK Established 1860 Incorporated 1865 Nine Community Offices GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL COMPANY Investment Securities Affiliated with Grand Rapids National Bank A STRONG BANK Corporations, Partnerships, Societies and Individuals, find it desirable to do business with this bank because of its strong financial position, efficient management and reputation based upon over 61 years of experience. & Let us serve you too 4 GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK “Me Bank Where You Feel at Home” 17 Convenient Offices te pte allen lt tle nll ll nl tlt ic el i ln i ln nila atl nl ry, { { { { { { { ‘ { { { ' { { 12 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 Loefler, Saginaw; John Lurie, Detroit; Clayton F. Spaulding, Battle -Creek; Ward Newman, Pontiac. Fallacies and Half Truths, Speaking at the latest National con- vention, Sydney Anderson uttered many things long regarded as self evident postulates which later exam- ination have shown to be unsound, misleading or, at best, true only in themselves and apart from modifying factors. ° “Tt costs more to sell for credit than for cash” was one assertion. If that were literally true, department stores, our most skilful merchants, would have continued on their original cash basis, but for more than a generation they have extended credit and gone after credit trade in preference to cash trade. It is also well known that gro- cers who sell on open account are gen- erally in stabler condition than those who sell for cash. They have better trade, make a greater ratio of profits than cash sellers, and are apt to enjoy a longer average business life. It is high time that service grocers got into their minds the truth that credit trade is inherently more profit- able than cash trade. I use the word inherently, meaning in and of its own nature, because credit trade must be handled with painstaking skill, else it will prove a source of loss instead of profit. But because a man is unskilful or inattentive to the fundamentals of credit extension and therefore gets the short end of the deal is no indictment of credit as such. Mr. Anderson indicated by inadvert- ence one of the elements which make credit trade profitable. “It costs more per order to sell small orders than large orders,” he said. That is true. Experience shows tthat credit orders average much larger than cash orders, hence on this count credit trade costs less to handle than cash trade. Again, consider the grocer who has on his books the modest number of 150 regular charge accounts. These folks order frequently. Some order twice daily: more order once daily; some order every other day; -some twice weekly; finally come those who order irregularly. Let us see how this works out. Assume ten who order twice daily, that is twenty orders per day; next are fifty—the most numerous among regular charge customers—who order daily, showing fifty daily orders; next are forty who order every other day, giving us twenty daily orders; then assume twenty-four order twice week- ly, showing eight daily orders; finally, we have twenty-six whose orders come irregularly, showing us, say, seven daily orders. Here we have 105 orders on which we can count every day. That’s a nice nucleus for any grocery business of moderate size. These orders are wonderfully eco- nomical and convenient to handle be- cause a large proportion of them come Hangover of MICHIGAN TRADESMAN at stated daily hours, depending on our delivery schedule. Undoubtedly we each have a considerable list whom we call up at a certain hour each morning, thus handling that business when it is most convenient, consequently least expensive, for ourselves to handle it. (Consider that our heaviest expense is wages and that wages are paid for time, Then we can see the great economy of filling in the early morning hours, before personal trade arrives, by taking phone ordeers, putting up the goods and delivering a big proportion cf the day’s sales ibefore we have to wait on trade personally in the store. This is one of the most important items in the real economy of credit trade. I can think of nothing more bene- ficial to any grocer than that he should visit his neighbors some times in the morning—even if his own store be busy at the same time—to get the real low-down on this general condition, If he has not yet reasoned things out logically along the lines I indicate, such a morning of visiting others will prove an eye-opener for him. I have stood for an hour in an or- dinary neighborhood grocery store from 8 to 9 o'clock and witnessed the greatest activity—calling customers, answering calls, putting up and check- ing orders, getting out loaded trucks— during which interval not more than four or five people entered the store for personal trading, The next point I almost hesitate to stress, it is so familiar to every grocer who has ever sold good trade on credit. That is the greatly higher average grade of merchandise bought by credit customers, plus the vastly wider va- riety demanded; but any merchant who has thought things out at all knows that this is one of the basic elements which makes credit trade so much more valuable than cash trade as in itself to constitute almost a sufficient element in the lowering of cost of credit as against cost of cash trade. 'We aer all prone to make snap judg- ments. Thus when we consider cash trade and its cost, we are mighty apt to overlook two important elements. We forget, first, the costly and con- tinuous effort, through advertising and curtailed margins, necessary to obtain cash trade. We see the cash come in at once for goods bought. We take careful account of savings in time and labor through not having to keep books of personal account. But this element of special cost we overlook. We likewise fail to weigh the crucial fact that nobody owns cash trade; that it goes next door as readily as it comes to us; and that it goes after any other offer as promptly as it comes to us. This element makes cash trade so. ex- pensive as in itself almost alone to justify decision against it in favor of credit trade. The novice in or unintelligent oper- ator of a credit business magnifies normal credit losses beyond reason. He sees $25 gone and he thinks of $25. He never analyzes that sum in propor- tion to his total credit business. Yet it is a truism so well established as to admit of no question that any fairly skilful, diligent credit grocer need never sustain more than about 2/5 per cent, and from that down to % per cenit, of losses on sales through exten- sion of a normal proportion of credit. If we could get grocers to eliminate this consideration all together—and I say all together, not altogether, be- cause I seek to ‘be emphatic—and re- gard the slight normal shrinkage through bad debts as a part of the cost of operating a credit business, we should have taken an important step forward. For that is precisely what normal credit losses amount ito: a part of the cost of credit extension, and as such just as legitimate and proper as— and no more to be afraid of than—the salary of somebody to keep our books. In the last two years, bad enough for business to hear most men tell it, Uncle Sam’s survey shows interesting facts. His study was of six lines of business, in each of which normal credit losses are heavier than in the December 9, 1931 grocery business. These were depart- ment store, furniture, jewelry, men’s clothing, shoe, women’s specialty and electrical appliances. The average loss on open account was six-tenths of 1 per cent, in 1930 and eight-tenths in 1931. We should get the right outlook on facts so vital to our business. When we do that we shall realize that we have been overlooking ‘one of the most potent forces for enlarged prosperity among individual grocers, for the credit business is—as yet—an activity which is the sole and precious posses- sion of the individual grocer—and that its use, not abuse, will go very far to- ward making and keeping his business increasingly profitable. Paul Findlay. —_—_+-+___ Charm is wealth. The flour that brings repeat sales! Ch aoe Fiour “THE FLOUR THE BEST COOKS: USE Call - Phone - Write VALLEY CITY MILLING COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Rademaker-Dooge Grocer Co. Distributors Fremont Sweet Peas Miss Michigan Ex Stand Cut Wax Beans Miss Michigan Ex Stand Cut Green Beans Miss Michigan Sweet Peas Miss Michigan Early June Peas Above all packed by Fremont Canning Co. In Muskegon it’s HOLSUM Muskegon Baking Co. 3 December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 MEAT DEALER Michigan State Association of Retail Meat Merchants. President—Frank Cornell, Grand Rapids Vice-Pres.—E Y. Abbott, Flint. Secretary—B. J. La Rose, Detroit. Treasurer—Pius Goedecke, Detroit. Next meeting will be held in Grand Rapids, date not decided. Over-the-Counter Observations. I am a retail meat dealer. My daily work includes waiting on customers in a meat market. I take my work seri- ously, and consequently have made some studies of the elements involved in it. I think it is imperative for every clerk to know thoroughly the rudi- ments of his trade. Not only must he know how to handle meats and other food products, store management, and sanitation, but he must be acquainted with all the fundamentals of running a meat emporium. Aside from the fundamentals, one of the most important, and I may say interesting ends of the business, is the sales angle. To know what you are selling is one thing. To know how to sell it And the latter thought is what has prompted these observations from behind the counter. is another. To become a successful meat sales- man, the use of common, every-day psychology is very essential. One has but to use ordinary intelligence to be a success behind the counter. The ultimate end a clerk strives for is to sell, but he must also strive to satisfy his customers. To accomplish this he must use brain matter. Every customer presents a new and different problem to a clerk. Each and every one entering a meat market expects good service, a fact to be taken for granted beforehand by the clerk. But not every customer likes to be served in the same manner. Each one is an individual sales prospect, and each must be handled to suit the cus- tomers’ mood, not the clerk’s. The clerk establishes the link of good will between customer and meat dealer. Therefore it is essential that the clerk be abe to tell almost at a glance, just what type of customer he has to deal with in each case and the kind of service she would like to have. If a customer wants to be joked with, the meat salesman can easily find that out, as a rule by the manner in which customer reacts to his first approach and query. Then there is the type of customer who likes jesting the clerk, but in return, dislikes being jested with. In this case, the meat clerk should not lose his temper, or bear a grudge against the customer. I am convinced the customer of this type does not mean anything personal by the jesting. I’ve found such types of customers usually suffer from an inferiority com- plex, and to cover this trait in them- selves, they take advantage of the clerk, knowing their patronage is val- ued, trying to impress the meat clerk with their superiority Knowing this, I have tried never to take their re- marks personally. The plan _ has worked. In order to be. popular with cus- tomers, the meat-clerk must also be able to judge the different moods of a client. Service is expected, of course, and a sale is the usual outcome of the customer-meat dealer meeting. But the moods of a buying public play an intermittent and important part in the sales transaction. Although the ordi- nary customer comes into the store for merchandise, she expects from the meat clerk some sort of a personal touch. She likes to be under the im- pression that the clerk prefers to serve her above all others. He must culti- vate that angle. The customer may have had some recent trouble, which fact causes her to be sad or uncommunicative. Or she may have some good reason for being happy. In either case, it is for the meat clerk to notice her mood instant- ly, and proceed with the sales transac- tion accordingly. The clerk may tact- fully offer the customer his sympathy, or congratulate her heartily, as the occasion demands But he must never overdo himself in his actions or ex- pressions. I try to show the customer I’m interested and sympathetic with her various moods, but I also make it a point not to pry into her confidences when it is evident she does not wish me to: The meat clerk must always remem- ber that his business is limited to serve the customer quickly and well. Give your business client the quickest pos- sible service and the best also. Re- member that you must please the cus- tomer in every way, and at the same time, satisfy your employer, from you draw your pay. I have found these elements, among numer- ous other fundamentals, to be axioms for successful salesmanship behind the meat dealer’s counter. Barney Light. ——_+-+>____ Glassware Prospects Unsettled. A continuation of the keen price competition which cut deeply into profits of glassware manufacturers this season is predicted for next year by producers, Stemware and other pieces for table use will be exhibited by man- ufacturers at the seasonal showing in Pittsburg next month. So far as can be learned no producers have made plans for drastic reductions from cur- rent levels, but many hold that some minor declines are probable. Business during the Fall season has been handled strictly on a price basis, with producers of low-end goods getting the Dulk of orders. Prices are estimated at from 15 to 25 per cent. under those prevailing in the ‘Spring, whom —_+ + +___ Anklet Trade Sees Difficulties. As a result of the strong demand for children’s and misses’ anklets this year, which induced many mills to start producing these goods for the first time, considerable difficulties are fore- cast for the trade. It is argued that many of these manufacturers are not sufficiently capable either from a pro- duction technique or a styling stand- point to turn out satisfactory merchan- dise and that in some instances they have priced their products too low. Many will not obtain the production they expected, it was contended, and as a result goods may be dumped on the market. Spring anklets will be available to retail as low as 10 cents per pair. Talking Pictures, Jackson came home after a visit to friends. “Well,” asked his wife, “did you see the Jones’s twins?” “Ves,” “Oh, George,’ she went on eagerly, “don’t you think the boy is the picture of his father?” “Yes,” he said, “I certainly do. And the girl is the talkie of her mother.” curtains and curtain materials continue at a subnormal level. Purchases of limited quantities for immediate delivery have ‘been made by some mid-Western retailers, but manufacturers say the call from other negligible. Spring lines are still in the process of prepara- tion and neither converters nor curtain producers have made any special effort to book advance orders. In many in- Demand for sections is Wonderful Flavor JENNINGS PURE VANILLA Jennings Flavoring Extract Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. stances producers said they would wait until the middle of January or before presenting early in February 1932 patterns. FRIGIDAIRE ELECTRIC REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS b i RODUCT OF GENERAL morors WITH FAMOUS cold CONTROL AND HYDRATOR All Models on Display at Showroom F. C. MATTHEWS & CO. 18 E. Fulton St. Phone 93249 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. 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 GRIDDLES = 7 N. IONIA AVE. BUN STEAMERS — Everything in Restaurant Equipment Priced Right. Grand Rapids Store Fixture Co. Phone 67143 URNS N. FREEMAN, Mgr. GRAND RAPIDS PAPER Box Co. Manufacturers of SET UP and FOLDING PAPER BOXES SPECIAL DIE CUTTING AND MOUNTING G R AN D RA,PIDS, M I GH IGAN Corduroy Tires Known from the Canadian Border to the Guif—and from New York Harbor to the Golden Gate—the Corduroy Tire has in ten years gained a reputaticn 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. SRA eT NE TEL A PUIG Ae SS ER SN ERE 14 HARDWARE Michigan Retail Hardware Association. President—Waldo Bruske, Saginaw. Vice-Pres.—Chas. H. Sutton, Howell. Secretary—Harold W. Bervig. Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit. Show Cards Help in Your Christmas Selling. “To priceitag or not to price-tag” is one of the questions in regard to which there is much argument among mer- chants and window trimmers, There are dealers who never price a single article in a show window. I asked one such dealer why he adopted this policy. “Well,’ he said, “it’s this way. If I put a price on an article, ten to one the prospect will think it’s too high and will go elsewhere. But if the ar- ticle interests him and he comes into the store, then I can show him why it is a good buy at the price J ask.” Another dealer put it more bluntly: “When people have lots of money prices are high. If I price-tag an ar- ticle in the window, the prospect is scared by the price. When, on the other hand, prices are low, money is scarce, and the price tag still scares the prospect away. It emphasizes the one feature of an article that should be kept in the background—the money it will cost. So I use show cards to stress quality and value, and leave it to my salespeople to talk price to folks who show their actual interest by com- ing into the store.” On tthe other hand, numerous retail- ers follow a fixed policy of price- tagging everything they display. They don’t seem to suffer as a result, either. One of the price-taggers gave his views as follows: “A window costs a heap of money. I pay $100 a month rent. I could get more store space and floor space on a back street for $25 per month. The difference, $75, is the cost of the loca- tion—of a window that looks out on a street where crowds pass every day. It’s up to me to get that money, and more, out of my window by making my displays tell the public everything they can. “These price tags answer the first question in the mind of practically every prospect—How much? At a sea- son when salesmen are exceptionally busy, the price tag saves the sales- man’s time. “Then, nobody likes to come in, price an article, and say, ‘I’m afraid that is too much,’ or ‘I just wanted to know,’ and back out again. Suppose a few people are scared off by the price. A lot more people refuse to come in where the price isn’t quoted just for fear of the awkward experi- ence of having to admit they can’t af- ford the article on display.” This dealer right now has price tags and show cards on practically every- thing, not merely in his window, but in his interior store displays. At Christmas time, when salespeople are rushed, the price tag and the show card perform a useful and labor-saving service, not merely for customers, but for the merchant. One hardware dealer summed up his views as follows: “T consider show cards of incalcul- able value. ‘They are useful at all sea- sons of the year, but they are particu- larly useful at the Christmas season. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN They are a great help to the sales- people, 5 “Look at all those cards which quote prices. They do more than merely help my salespeople. They act as salesmen themselves. They quietly answer a lot of questions that other- wise would have to be answered by my clerks. That is an important thing at Christmas time, and T’ll tell you why. “At ‘Christmas time a great many customers aren’t shopping for some specific article—they are shopping for a gift to cost a certain price. In search of some article at that price the customer may visit every department of the store. No individual salesman at Christmas has the time to accom- pany a customer from one department to another and quote prices on articles here, there and everywhere. The more so as a lot of customers are merely seeking information as a basis for budgeting their Christmas spending and intend to come back later for the actual purchases. People are shopping around at this season more than at any other time of the year, and to answer all the questions by word-of-mouth in- volves a lot of waste motion, “But my show cards and price tickets are on the job all the time. They have all the time there is. They have been prepared ahead of time and they stand sentinel over the goods and tell just what they are and just what they are selling for. Many people ap- proach a salesman and say, ‘I'll take one of these,’ showing some article of which they know nothing except what they have learned by examination or what has been told them by the show card,” Another view on the pricing of ar- ticles is given by a dealer who uses price tags generously in his window displays. ‘Our experience,’ he says, ‘is that it is good policy to let people know the price of the article shows in the window. If a person is attracted iby a display he will pause, and he may come inside; but if an appealing price is quoted the likelihood of the prospect coming into the store is very much in- creased, “Tt is a good thing, ‘too, to make the article on display talk about itself, through the show card. Many people cannot see everything just by look- ing at the display. The show card should not merely give the price, but it should indicate something of the quality, use some catchy phrase that makes the article seem exceptionally good value at the price.” For “talking up the goods” the win- dow trimmer can use manufacturers’ cards, hangers, etc., to a large extent. These can be supplemented by hand made show cards. For the latter, a brief phrase of catchy description is enough: just a few words to “hit off the quality of the article on display, A mere price, say $49, on a kitchen range may, as some merchants declare, scare the prospect away. But a show card which says, “Excellent baker, large sized oven, only $49,” will attract. In preparing a show card, brevity is important. The knack of brief, epi- grammatic description is something that can be acquired by practice. Of course the show card writer should have an intimate knowledge of the selling points of the article on display. Then, he should not try to put all this knowledge into one show card: he should, rather, pick out the one high point and stress that. The price tag answers the obvious question “How much?” ‘The tersely descriptive show card discusses quality and value. Both help the salesman at a time like this when he is pretty busy. If such cards are now used, and used liberally, at the rush season customers inevitably have to stand around, wait- ing for a chance to ask the salesman personally what they want to know. A good many of them refuse to wait, and instead go elsewhere. There are many ways in which show cards can be used to advantage at the Christmas season, They may suggest gifts suitable for different classes of people. One dealer has a list of gift suggestions printed in fair sized type, copies of this list are bulletined or tacked up in a score of different places inside the store, and even worked into the window displays. The customer, waiting for a salesman, whiles away the time by glancing through this list. Inside a few minutes he gets more in- formation and more suggestions than a clerk could give him by word-of- mouth in half an hour, : Another helpful card shows in what part of tthe store to look for this, that or the other line of goods. The counters are numbered consecutively and this store directory, posted at the store entrance and at _ intervals throughout the store, helps the cus- tomer to quickly locate what he wants. He sees just as much of the store and of the stock as he goes along; but he doesn’t take up the clerk’s time in ask- ing questions and getting directions and he doesn’t have that irritating sense of futile waiting which hurts so many stores, In preparing show cards, it is usu- ally good policy at the ‘Christmas sea- son to use the Christmas colors, red and green, on white paper. A touch of white frosting can be added to sug- gest snow, or little dabs of white ab- sorbent cotton will serve the same purpose. .A leaf or sprig of holly can be attached, depending on the size of the card. Little Santa (Claus stickers will always appeal to the youngsters. It is worth while, if you have the time, to devise some show cards de- signed to appeal especially to the younger folk. Work in Santa Claus December 9, 1931 wherever possible. For the smaller cards, little ‘Santa Claus stickers will do. For big show cards, paste on the larger pictures cut from magazine covers, posters, etc. In the wording of your show cards, talk direct to the youngsters, Don’t say, “An attractive present for a boy,” but rather, “Hello, Jim. How’d you like me for Christ- mas?” or “Wouldn't tthis look nice in your Christmas stocking?” Preparing i'Christmas show cards in- volves considerable work. It is, how- ever, time well invested; and it will pay good dividends from year tto year, for the greater part of the show cards can be used year after year, with, of course, additions from time ‘to :time to give variety. Price tags can be put - away, and used again and again, new ones being made to replace those that become worn or dirty. It is good policy, as a rule, to have a fairly uni- form scheme of color and design in your price cards and to adhere to it. Price cards will be particularly valu- able in \the last few days of the ‘Christ- mas selling season, when it is physical- ly impossible for the salespeople to answer even a tithe of the questions that might be hurled at them. Victor Lauriston. —_+~++—___ Glass Demand Slowing Up. Some recessions in demand for flat glass are noted as the year approaches its end and inventory-taking time comes nearer. It is now considered not improbable that the demand of October and early November has reached its height and that requisitions upon manufacturers will become less as 1932 looms closer. Plate glass is in a better situation than other forms of flat glass. The great market for plate glass is the automobile industry, and this is most active in the first four months of the year. Window glass production, hampered recently by the wage controversy with the cutters, is slowing up. ———++>—___ Advertising was characterized as the most important element in ‘business success at the present time by Dr. Julius Klein, Assistant Secretary of Commerce, in a radio broadcast last week. He summed up his recom- mendations as follows: “Stick-to-it- iveness, common sense and ingenuity, with special attention ito those three P’s—vigorous publicity, well-trained personnel and well-selected products.” Michigan Hardware Co. 100-108 Ellsworth Ave., Corner Oakes GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Xt Wholesalers of Shelf Hardware, Sporting Goods and FISHING TACKLE e QoS = ae ee eS ee aaa ee December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 15 DRY GOODS Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. President—Jas. T. Milliken, Traverse City. Vice-President—George C. Pratt, Grand Rapids. Secretary-Treasurer—Thomas Pitketh- ly, Flint. Manager—Jason E. Hammond, Lansing. The Woman With An Outsize Head. In a recent article the selling of millinery was taken up in a general way, stressing the abilities essential to success. In this we shall deal with just one of the difficulties of this ex- acting vocation—the baffling task of furnishing with becoming headwear the woman with a large head and prominent features. Selling hats must always be difficult so long as women remain tempera- mentally as they are, but if Mother Nature wanted to, she could ameli- orate greatly the lot of millinery sales- girls, by placing upon the shoulders of every daughter of the race a small shapely head, and bestowing upon each a comely face with regular and not too-large features, a complexion pleas- ing without cosmetic aid, and hair with enough of wave or curl to be pretty and easily managed. Sad to say, Dame Nature cares not at all for the millinery girls, but is wholly absorbed in keeping true the old apothegm. It takes all kinds of people to make a world. Determined not to fall short on her quota of dif- ferent types, she models vast numbers of girl babies on varying schedules of wholly inartistic lines, and all too fre- quently condemns some luckless lass to carrying through life, a head and feat- ures noticably outsize. Trouble enough there may be in selling to the woman with a small shapely head, but whatever the specific difficulty encountered, the saleswoman always can take courage from the inspiriting fact that a person of that type can wear almost any style Fash- ion may dictate, and get by with it successfully. In a stock of any considerable size there are scores of hats that are per- fectly all right for her. Selling becomes largely a matter of focusing milady’s attention upon a model that is correct for the kind of wear wanted, that is neither too expensive nor too cheap, and that she particularly fancies. Of course some obstacles may arise before a sale is effected. A hat of a shade to match the peculiar hue of a dress or a coat may be desiredd; or after the prospect herself has nearly decided on a very desirable model, some friend whom she brings in may unsettle her mind by declaring that another is far better for her, that other being found in the stock of some rival store; friend (or enemy) husband may come and take a hand, with resultant conflict of ideas and delay in closing the deal. But such happenings, annoying as they are, all come in the day‘s work, and the saleswoman who has tact and patience, can, in a good percentage of cases, brings matters to a successful issue, But with the woman with a large head, even the adept seller of millinery may come to an impasse before she really begins, from not having a single hat that the customer in question can wear. The cute little trifle that is ‘just too sweet” over the baby face of an ingenue, and the ultra-smart model so becoming to the woman with an almost ideally perfect head and a distinguished air—these simply will not answer. Don’t say they will. The large- headed woman may know better, and you lose not only the sale but her respect also. If, poor thing! she is devoid of taste and you persuade her to pay her mon- ey for a creation that make her a fright, her family may see it is all wrong if she doesn’t. The hat may come back. If she has no relative or intimate neighbor to inform her, and through a season she innocently wears the thing in all its hideousness, her circle of acquaintances will come to know where she got it, and possibly just what saleswoman was guilty of load- ing it off onto her. It will advertise against, not for, your store, and may lessen your personal clientele. Whether the outsize head bears a face with strong, bony features, or an obese face, made almost huge by a double chin and fat-distendedd cheeks, matters little. The problem of pro- viding a suitable hat for the owner of either is difficult. Of course both of these types are usually middle-aged or elderly. Even more difficult than these two is the case of the large-headed miss of fifteen or upward. The girlish styles so appropriate for typical flappers are not for her. Still her older-than-she- is appearance, caused by her too-large head, must not be emphasized by a matronly hat. So there you are! And not one of the three can be left to go bareheaded. Every millinery establishment that carries only ready-to-wears should stock at least a few hats for the larger heads. Shops where hats are made to order should buy some shapes and frames of extra head-size, and always have on hand say four or five of these tastefully made up, to give the cus- tomer some idea of what can be done for her. Modifications of these pat- terns will suggest themselves readily. Dear saleswoman, put yourself in the place of the overgrown creature need- ing headgear, and learn that even as the outsize head’ is the dread of the seller of millinery, so buying hats is the bete noire of the outsize head’s owner. “Why, I’m worn out,” exclaimed one of these sisters, returning from a fruit- less quest. “They jammed onto my great pate dozens of hats so tight they were distressing as well as ugly.” Take a hint from this. Don’t tire this sort of customer with impossible models. Be gentle. Don’t make the ordeal harder for her by haste and harsh handling. Studdy the types of large heads, noting what is best for each; that is, what shape or mode of trimming does most to hide defects and enhance good points. Some of these women are handsome in a large way when prop- erly hatted. For aiding them in being properly hatted, you must know the becoming- ness of a charitably sheltering brim, the softening effect of cleverly placed lace or other filmy stuff, the elegance obtainable from rich—not heavy—ma- terial and expert workmanship. Don’t forget that a tasteful “trimminess’ that is not fussy, is far less trying than any severe style. Another point. No woman with an outside head should wear a hat giving the slightest suggestion of cheapness. Of course you will do your utmost for the poor body who has little to buy with, selecting those best for her from your inexpensive numbers. But as to all of the large-headed sisterhood who are in good circumstances, bring out for their trying on, models so temp- tingly becoming that they speedily will decide they simply cannot afford to practice any drastic economy in the purchase of their headwear. Often the woman with a large head has also a big and grateful heart, and will return again and again and send her friends, to the saleswoman who has supplied her with something com- fortable and becoming. Every such sale is a distinct triumph, the gaining of another round of the ladder of the high artistry of correct costuming. Ella M. Rogers. —__—_+ ++. Plan Men’s Wear Style Show. Tentative plans for a banquet and style show of men’s wear to be held in New York City some time in Feb- ruary as a means of promoting style consciousness were endorsed last week by members of the Retail Clothiers and Furnishers’ Association of New York State, Inc., at a luncheon meeting at the Beaux Arts Restaurant. The board of directors will meet shortly to comolete details. Thorndike Deland, personnel authority, who returned re- cently from a trip through the coun- try, said that stores were preparing for a good year and that they were now seeking capable executives and other employes. He urged that re- tailers learn more about the products they sell, as consumers were becoming keener shoppers. a Sterling Silver Volume Cff. Holiday orders for sterling silver hollow and flat ware were more numer- ous in the market last week. Buyers are still limiting purchases to small quantities, however, and _ producers have accepted the fact that holiday volume will fall considerably below early estimates. The spurt in buying caused by sharp advances in the price of bullion recently subsided last week and is not expected to revive until after the first of the year. In flatware retailers are purchasing silver spoons and forks to retail around $23 per dozen. Pieces which can be retailed from $5 to $15 are wanted in hollow ware. ——_2 +. >___ Completed the Sentiment. The president of the local gas com- pany was making a stirring address. “Think of the good the gas com- pany has done,” he cried. “If I were permitted a pun, J should say, ‘Honor the Light Brigade.’” And a customer immediately shout- ed, “Oh, what a charge they made!” All Weights — All Styles — “For Every Member of the Family” UNDERWEAR Spring comfort. favorite women Distributed by GRAND RAPIDS =i od Gen needled for extra flexibility and fort and warmth. A Its springy texture makes it the gays. Styled for men with every member of the family. NELLASTIc UNDERWEAR ' Elastic ribbed, fleece Good looking, utility lined underwear for and misses that provides warmth without bulk. C. J. FARLEY anp co. Lemabidean, Fleece lined for com- match for the bleakest | Utica-tant JACKETS sweater coats for out- doors and _ indodors. Answers many pur- poses of many men. -i- MICHIGAN RENEE 16 HOTEL DEPARTMENT News and Gossip of Interest To Landlords. Los Angeles, Dec. 5—My _ ideas about prohibition enforcement have been occasionally expressed, perhaps too often, but I see many things dur- ing my daily ramifications, read about many other things and— have my own opinions. The enforcers do a lot of things which really compel me to feel sorry for them—for not knowing bet- ter. There are really many cases for psychopatic study among ‘them, Here is the latest: The industrial alcohol regulator now decides that candy manufacturers must cease using a small amount of a certain chemical which has been introduced for flavor- ing purposes only. I do not know how much intemperance could have been caused by alcoholic candy but a large manufacturer told me that there would not be enough in a five pound box to “wet the whistle’ of a hum- ming bird. My personal opinion is that even the intemperance resulting irom the use of strong, raw whisky is nothing compared with the intemper- ance in law enforcement demonstrated by the promulgation of such an in- sane regulation, Chicago police and firemen are in- cluded in the 23,000 employes of that city whom the city cannot pay unless its wealthy citizens come to the rescue by buying tax-anticipation warrants. The city treasury contains $36,000,000 of such warrants for 1930 uncollected taxes, but no cash. And while ] am treating on this subject I might say that there are very few municipalities which can consistently make any “slams” concerning this state of af- fairs, whether it be Los Angeles or a lot of Michigan cities I might mention. What we really need is a tax-payers strike, and a legitimate revision of property values, all of which are ab- normally high and inequitable, follow- ed by a pruning of expenditures. Chi- cago is broke only ‘temporarily, of course; in the long run it will find some way to pay its bills, but in the meantime the situation is tough on the city and tougher on the city’s creditors —who include 18,000 school teachers who have had no pay since last May, save in the form of a scrip which stores will not take as money except as a heavy discount. But it comes as a warning just the same and only the practice of the strictest economy will keep a lot of others from going the same way. The old problem of the use of the paper napkin, bobs up quite frequently at gatherings of hotel and restaurant operators. [| hate them and have al- ways maintained that no self-respect- ing caterer will use them. In these modern times when there are hotel linen organizations to supply textile napkins at a quarter of a cent each, laundered, the excuse anyone could give for using the paper variety would not wash with me, In a recent write up of a visit to the estate of the former Polish actress, Madame Helene Modjeska, I made mention of ithe fact that her former estate had been divided up into tracts of ten tto fifteen acres, devoted to the propagation of olives. After once be- ing educated to its use, ‘the olive is at once popular in the various forms in which it is prepared and proved a most valuable tree. Among the ancients it was regarded with almost religious veneration. A tree in the garden of the Vatican, at Rome, is said to be 1,600 years old, and other trees in the Holy Land are even much older. The chief revenue of Italy is derived from its olive oil, after having been adulter- ated with American cotton-seed oil sent to Italy for that purpose, Califor- nia grown olive oil, known to be pure, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN is hard to obtain, even here, and its high price confines consumption chief- ly to medical purposes. But the strict- ly salad oil is produced in large quan- tities and profitably. They claim to compound it with peanut oil, but I am not so sure that they do so. The qual- ity of the natural oil is said to be largely controlled by environment of the trees which produce it. It will grow on the rich plains, ‘but in such lo- cations it attains an abnormal woody growth at the expense of quality of its fruits. In warm and dry soils the quality is at its best. Irrigation is not considered good for the olive if grown for the oil, and Califor- nia’s suwbnormal rainfall is considered adequate for purposes of propagation. It needs plenty of sunshine, but the roses are unessential. Here is one product that Nature, so far, has not provided an insect pest for its amuse- ment. That the New York State law limit- ing the liability of a landlord to $100 in case of loss of baggage, where there had not been a previous agreement be- tween the owner of the baggage and the ‘hotel, is recognized as meaning what it says, is evident from a decision handed down by the supreme court of that state, where a verdict of $100 was rendered in an action for the loss of a jewelry trunk which was valued at $15,000 and that amount claimed in the suit. It would be a good thing to have such a daw in a good many other states. There has been an epidemic of lawsuits all over the country wherein an attempt has been made to develop a goat out of the hotel man, and he has acted the part nobly, but it is high time he was permitted to take a vaca- tion. Recently out here a guest stub- bed his toe on a stair carpet and forth- with the hotel man was asked to pony up $25,000, notwithstanding the fact that no proof was offered to the effect that the said stair covering was in any way defective. The judge, however, probably sensed that some bootlegger, and not the hotel man, was to blame and promptly took the case away from the jury, I notice some of the hotels out here are issuing a multigraph daily news- paper for the benefit of guests, which is slipped under the door each morn- ing. Reminding me of a similar ser- vice on steamship lines on which I have traveled, which covered import- ant radioed news topics in addition to- the boat’s petty happenings. The Pennsylvania Hotel, at Flint, has experimentally reduced its rates and Geo. L. Knapp, manager, says it has proven a wise procedure, as they have been doing a capacity business ever since they adopted the plan. An- other feature of the Pennsylvania is free laundry work for guests. The ho- tel controls its own laundry and can thus handle this class of work with small cost to itself, Hotel Fort Shelby, Detroit, now has an official courtesy representative in the person of J. E. Wilson, recently appointed to that position by Manager Bradwell. His duties are naturally to greet the arriving and speed the part- ing guest, and my prediction is that if the part is not over-played it will prove a winner. Real courtesy does not con- template nauseating ostentation, but can be applied in various ways where it will be warmly appreciated. William Carroll, who has been as- sistant manager of Kellogg Inn and the Kellogg apartment hotel, at Battle Creek, has been appointed manager of both these institutions, which is what I would call prompt promotion, as Mr, Carroll only took up his former duties about a month ago. No wonder the Trojans defeated Notre Dame at the recent tilt between the two teams. It seems the Los Angeles footballers had a meal at Ward James’ hotel, the Windermere, at Chicago, and the boys were so grati- fied over it, they “anonymously” elect- ed him as their rabbit’s foot. Hotel and Restaurant Equipment H. Leonard & Sons 38-44 Fulton St., W. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. NEW BURDICK KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN In the Very Heart of the City Fireproof Construction The only ‘Ail New Hotel in the city. Representing a $1,000,000 Investment. 250 Pree ee with Private European $1.50 and up per Day. RESTAURANT AND GRILL— Cafeteria, Quick Service, Popular Prices. Entire Seventh Floor Devoted to Especially Equipped Sample Rooms WALTER J. HODGES, Pres. and Gen. Mgr. Occidental Hotel FIRE PROOF CENTRALLY LOCATED Rates $2.00 and up EDWART R. SWETT, Mgr. Muskegon ete Michigan Columbia Hotel KALAMAZOO Good Place To Tie To “We are always mindful of our responsibility to the pub- lic and are in full apprecia- tion of the esteem its generous patronage implies.” HOTEL ROWE Grand Rapids, Michigan. BRNEST W. NHIR, Manager. Park Place Hotel Traverse City Rates Reasonable—Service Superb —Location Admirable. GEO. ANDERSON, Mor. ALBERT J. ROKOS, Ass’t Mgr. Décember 9, 1931 DETROITER ROOMS 750 BATHS FREE GARAGE UNDER KNOTT MANAGEMENT SINGLE ROOMS WITH PRIVATE BATH noe NO HIGHER nae “A MAN IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS” That is why LEADERS of Business and Society make their head- quarters at the PANTLIND HOTEL “An entire city block of Hospitality” GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Rooms $2.25 and up. Cafeteria -t- Sandwich Shop q Warm Friend Tavern Holland, Mich. Is truly a friend to all travelers. All room and meal rates very reasonable. Free private parking space. GEO. W. DAUCHY, Mgr. In Kalamazoo It’s the PARK-AMERICAN Charles Renner, Manager W. D. Sanders, Asst Mer. New Hotel Elliott STURGIS, MICH. 50 Baths 50 Running Water European D. J. GEROW, Prop. MORTON ‘ HOTEL Grand Rapids’ Newest Hotel 400 Rooms -% 400 Baths RATES $2.50 and up per day. CODY HOTEL GRAND RAPIDS RATES—$1.50 up without bath. $2.50 up with bath. CAFETERIA IN CONNECTION December 9, 1931 Frank Duggan, president and gener- al manager of Hotel McAlpin, New York—a former Detroit hotelier— made himself immensely popular with his help by supplying all with a Thanksgiving turkey dinner, including “extra helpings.’ Getting in practice for that visit I am giving him next spring? George Baker, former chief steward of Hotel Fort Shelby, Detroit, has been given supervision of the catering ends of the Royal Palm, Eddystone and Addison hotels in that city, by Clifford Taylor, who is general man- ager of the various institutions. Whether it is psychologically wrong for a cafeteria to serve “all you can eat,” for a cértain stipulated, and I might add, moderate charge, doesn’t seem to agitate the patrons of these places. JI believe every cafeteria in Los Angeles is serving such meals for 50 cents or less, without reducing the portions or narrowing the list of offer- ings, Finally the Interstate Commerce Commission has promised to find out if the railroads are warranted in col- lecting extra fares on trains which are more ornate than others, rush over the country more rapidly, and give more personal service. JI don’t see how they are going to compel itthem to give up the practice. It is only carrying the hotel idea a little bit further. You get a room with a roof over your head for a certain small accepted sum. If you want a radio and a bottle opener you will pay more. Sleeping cars have a centain fixed capacity and can com- fortably house a certain fixed number of passengers. ‘The railroads want to handle the maximum of passengers and if this cannot be done on the fast trains, why this “privileged” class ought to pay more for a service which they surely receive, Were there no de luxe trains the itrains would be loaded to the guards with the hoi poiloi, and, after all, it is for the passengers who are paying these extra fares, to make the complaint, which, I understand they have not done. President Hoover’s idea of a home for everybody is certainly to his credit, but the fact remains that everybody doesn’t want a home. Statistics out here show that 26,000 homes passed on mortgages, trust deeds and taxes in this city during 1931, and as only about 25 per cent. of this year’s taxes have been collected, a fresh crop will be ready for the auctioneer’s ‘hammer next spring. Thousands of small homes are vacant, rentals are prac- tically nil, and if the President wants to do anything for the so-called “work- ing” class he had best arrange for au- tomobile (financing. The labor crisis in railroad circles constitutes an acute danger that will have to be faced this winter. The vast army of railroad employes are strong for a five day week and all that sort of thing, ‘but they want just as much money as they are getting now, hence these employes will go to the ‘length of bringing on a strike, with its attend- ant suffering, without a chance on earth of winning out. It is a mess al- most any way you look at it. A gen- eral strike would be apt to kill what- ever chance there is of a recovery from the panic. But what can the railroads do? Trucks have taken over so much of the freight hauling that the profits of the railroads have gone down with a smash, Om the other hand, auto- mobile trucks are a legitimate advance- ment of transportation methods. Pros- perity also depends upon them; they keep factories going and consume large quantities of gasoline. The trouble lies deeper than railroads or trucks, either, The truth is that the whole commercial, industrial and political MICHIGAN TRADESMAN world has come to the end of an era— to the end of an epoch. The next epoch will probably be better than any other which has preceded it; but the process of transferring from one era to the next will be fraught with general con- fusion, and railroad and other strikes will only add to this confusion, and more than likely destroy all chances for rehabilitation in these particular lines. Once a year the United States Navy is host to the dear public which keeps it going, and down at San Pedro, the other day, thousands were on hand to witness the array of half a dozen of our staunchest battleships which are sunning themselves in our harbor. The grim side of the navy business was thrust into the background as every officer and man from the greenest sea- man to the Admiral in command of the entire fleet, extended the annual greet. ing to their civilian “bosses.” Ship bands played patriotic concerts all day, fighting sea planes were catapaulted from ships’ decks and rolled and zoom- ed in the air above; the annual Naval Day boat races were held in the morn- ing, besides other affairs too numerous to mention. On this particular oc- casion Uncle Sam met his visitors at the ‘San Pedro docks with Government launches, transported them without charge, or even the suggestion of tips, to any particular vessel they desired to board, where they were given person- ally conducted tours by well-posted guides who explained the workings of everything from the electric bread mixer to the powder elevators for the seventy ton, six inch guns. Later on will come target practice, lasting sev- eral days, when the hills surrounding Fort McArthur will be alive with spectators, Every profession has a lot of “runts”’ who don’t fit anywhere, and the busi- ness of soul-saving is no exception. In Los Angeles we ‘have one of these radio ranters (or rather did have, until Uncle Sam shut off his “air”’) who has villified and slandered everybody he ever knew by name, started all sorts of controversies, and then sneaked out between the acts, to let the victims continue the senseless squabbling; is always “harping” about God’s financial requirements, but who never even suggests giving anything to the hungry and needy, who sees crime stalking everywhere, but never offers a staying hand. Incidentally he is a Mooney sympathizer, Such is life in the Far West. I think 1 have told you that in Cali- fornia there are no robins. But there is an equally sociable and friendly feathered creature which, according to my idea, takes the place of the red- breast. The mocking bird is what I have in mind. Somebody thas written the local paper and wants them an- nihilated ‘because they are the original “early birds,” possibly beginning their activities at 3 a. m.—and they surely are active. I cannot agree with such as call them a nuisance. There are so many of them here that one would think everybody had gotten used to them and their little eccentricities and look- ed upon their singing as a sort of lullaby. It is that with me. But then, there is always that advantage of the clear conscience, and under such con- ditions the lullaby theory applies. When you go to bed for a certain specific purpose, I don’t see how a few mocking birds, more or less, are going to alter your program, and even if you cannot sleep why wouldn’t the chipper of the mocking bird ibe somewhat of a relief over the snorting of the auto- mobile. Almost any old town can have a stack of black cats employed to make night hideous, but only a South- ern California environment can supply you with the night chirping of the mocking bird. Now here is a letter from H. F. Hel- denbrand, one of Michigan’s most sub- stantial hotel men, saying that he is about to take over the actual operation of Hotel Kimbark, Bay City, which he thas controlled for some time. I presume the details of the transaction will be properly set forth by ye editor, but information is to the effect that “Hildy” is already beginning to plan my next summer’s trip to Dear Old Michigan by meeting me at Denver. Wouldn't that make anybody want to take the trip? Well, pard, you will find me waiting for you on the capitol steps at Denver, any old time. Why not, however, come out to L. A., spend a tolerably comfortable winter, and then let me in on the long distance driving? Now J] am closing this letter and heading for a train which will land me in San Diego early this evening. If nothing further is heard from me, please remember that my trip down there is for the purpose of “checking up” on Uncle Louie Winternitz. Frank 'S. Verbeck. _—_——— > > > Think Well of the Anniversary Edition Carson City, Dec. 5—I wish to con- gratulate you upon the forty-eighth anniversary number of the Tradesman. It contains many excellent articles to set men thinking, as well as trade news. Never in our history was there a time when it is so necessary to study conditions affecting our safety and future success. As a Nation we are at the crossroads and must determine the road we are going to take. The Tradesman is a “beacon light” to those who will “stop, look and listen.” E, ‘B. ‘Stebbins. Ludington, Dec. 7—It is a great pleasure to congratulate you upon the anniversary of your forty-eight years as publisher of the Michigan Trades- man. It surely is a wonderful record you have made. J admire your fair and square ways on all subjects. Ac- cept my kindest personal regards and best wishes. !Here’s hoping the good Lord will spare you and your associates on the Tradesman for many years, Louie E. Courtot. Ionia, ‘Dec. 5—There has been a long pause before beginning this letter. I have been searching my mind for words adequate to express myself re- garding your forty-eighth anniversary number of the Tradesman, which came to my desk during the week. What a splendid thing it is to be able, year after year, to continue to some new height. This year’s anni- versary number must have reached your fullest expectations. You have my sincere congratulations, I note that your old newspaper friends were with you and Mrs. Stowe again this week. What a wealth of fragrant memories must lie ‘behind. all those years. To respect and cherish the past is a God-given trait. In that you are more than wealthy, ‘T:wo articles in this year’s annivers- ary number are of interest to the peo- ple of Ionia county—the story about the Belding ‘Basket ‘Co. and the article by Lee M. Hutchins. I would like to see both articles reproduced in the Ionia News. Would it be asking too much to request the loan of the two halftones? They will be returned im- mediately. Of course, proper credit will be given the Tradesman, Fred D. Keister. eS Eagle Hotel Has Been Literally Born Again. The old Eagle Hotel burned Feb. 5, 1883. The new hotel was erected dur- ing the summer and opened to the pub- lic Nov. I, the same year. It was conducted about thirty-five years by Deacon Johnston, whose reputation as a landlord was nation wide.. Since the 17 deacon’s death the hotel has been con- ducted under different managements, but the four sons of the deacon have now taken over the management and have rejuvenated the hotel inside and out. The sons are Guy, Fay, Carl, and Park. They will all take a hand in the management. There are eighty rooms—all clean and wholesome— with hot and cold water, and steam heat, and ample bath rooms on each floor. The rooms will be rented to tran- sients for $1 and $1.25 per day. Weekly rates will be $4, $5, $6, and $7. The dining room, which cut a considerable figure in the culinary history of Grand Rapids for many years, will be re- opened. Because the prices for the services rendered are very low and the service will be kept up to a high standard for a hotel of that class, the new regime will, probably, make the hotel very popular with country merchants and the traveling public generally. we Congratulates the Mayor of Hamtramck, Greenville, Dec. 3—The Greenville 3ooster Club, at a meeting held Tues- day, Nov. 24, voted to send you a let- ter endorsing the action of the Com- mon Council of Hamtramck in regard to licensing chain food stores. We do heartily endorse the stand taken by your city government. Will you please send us a copy of the ordinance? G H. Pheilng, Sec’y Greenville Booster Club. ee Greenville Success in your work depends upon how hard you try, not upon how easy it is for you. EAGLE HOTEL Now under management of four sons of the founder, Jas. K. Johnston. Complete rejuvenated, hot and cold water and steam heat in every room. Baths on every floor. Rates $1.00 and $1.25 per day. Special Weekly Rates $4, $5, $6, $7. DINING ROOM IN CONNECTION. GUY, FAY, CARL and PARK JOHNSTON NEW Decorating and Management Facing FAMOUS Grand Circus Park. Oyster Bar. 800 Rooms - . - 800 Baths Rates from $2 HOTEL TULLER HAROLD A. SAGE, Mgr. 18 DRUGS Michigan Board of Pharmacy. President—Orville Hoxie, Grand Rapids. Vice-Pres.—Clare F. Allen, Wyandotte. Director—Garfield M. Benedict, San- dusky. Examination Sessions — Beginning the third Tuesday of January, March, June, August and November and lasting three days. The January and June examina- tions are held at Detroit, the August ex- amination at Ironwood, and the March and November examinations at Grand Rapids. Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association. President—J. C. Dykema, Grand Rapids. First Vice-President—F. H. Taft, Lan- sing. Second Vice-President—Duncan Wea- ver, Fennville. Secretary—R. A. Turrell, Croswell. Treasurer—Clarence Jennings, Law- rence. How the National Drug Store Survey Profits Retailers. “What good is this National Drug Store Survey to me?” This question was asked by the pro- prietor of one of the fourteen drug stores in St. Louis being studied in- tensively in the investigation now un- der way. “My business every month this year has ‘been. off compared to what it was in 1930 and off considerably to what it was in 1929, “T know general business conditions are bad and, in spite of a lot of hopeful predictions from business Pollyannas, they dont seem to be getting any bet- ter. “But I know, too, that there are drug stores right here in St. Louis, just as there are in other parts of the country which are doing right in this year, 1931, better than tthey did in 1930 and even better than they did in 1929, “Now if this National Drug Store Survey is going to do any good for anybody, it certainly ought to be doing it for me. “Your investigators ‘have been in my store day in and day out now for months—ever since the first of April, im fact, “You understand I’m not complain- ing. I’m glad to co-operate in investi- gations of this kind if they do any good for me or for retail druggists generally. But your investigators have been in my store month after month now, and as far as J can see, condi- tions are going from bad to worse. Iif this investigation won't help me— where conditions which these Survey investigators must ‘be seeing are right under their noses—how is it going to help anybody else—druggists in other cities whose problems they won’t be as familiar with as with mine?” All this time the Survey investi- gator sat listening intently as the two faced each other over a soda table near the rear of the store. The Survey man was keenly sympathetic. He knew that even a 10 per cent. drop in sales in this store very well might produce a 50 per cent. drop in net profits if operating expenses could not be cut proportionately, He was human enough, too, to real- ize what a 50 per cent. drop in his own salary would mean to him. No auto- mobile, a cheap two room flat in a poor section of the city, shiny, threadbare clothes and only an occasional 25 cent movie for amusement. Therefore he was decidedly sympa- thetic and greatly concerned about brane yuan iancddee etace eee ec nos SS nee a ee MICHIGAN TRADESMAN this druggist’s alarming drop in his sales and the still more alarming drop in ‘this profits. “Well, what’s the answer,” finally concluded the druggist. ‘Is this ‘Sur- vey going to help me or isn’t it? I need help and I need it right now. “T know this Survey is supposed to last a whole year, but if things keep on the way they are going, I’ll be ready for the sheriff at the end of a year. I should think after being around here all these months as much as you have you would be able to tell me something right now.” “Remember, back in your days at the college of pharmacy,’ began the Survey investigator slowly, “you used a text book called the ‘Practice of Pharmacy.’ “You'll remember, though, that your pharmacy text book was divided into chapters and the chapters were group- ed into sections—one section on weights and measures, another on solu- tions, another on prescription filling, and so on. “That's just what is ‘happening in our study of yours and these other stores. One day we find some useful and profitable information on window displays, another day it as something about free goods, or, store layout or fountain management. “Wihen the investigation is over we are going to take all these facts we have collected on tthe business prob- lems of pharmacy and group them in chapters and sections just as was done with the subject of professional phar- macy in the text book you used in the college of pharmacy. “When all this is done there will be ready a text book of facts and prin- ciples about the ‘business side of phar- macy which you can study and use just like the old reliable text books on the professional side of pharmacy. “What is more, that text ‘book can be studied and use with profit not only by you and the other druggists whose stores are included in this Survey but by thousands of other druggists. It will bring to light facts and principles which wholesale druggists and manu- facturers can use to understand better the problems of their retail customers. “Why? Your store and the other stores in ‘this Survey were chosen be- cause they are face to face with the same or practically the same business problems which have to be met every day by many thousands of other drug- gists. Every store in this Survey is typical in all important respects of thousands of other drug stores throughout the country.” “Wihen that text book is ready,” in- terrupted the druggist, ‘I won’t need it, what good is a life preserver half a mile away from a drowning man?” “T know what you mean,” responded the Survey investigator sympathetical- ly. “Just ‘because our results now aren’t all collected and classified, does not mean that we don’t have results and plenty of them which you can use if you want to.” “Now your're talking. That’s what I want. Something I can use right away. “It thas taken you a long time to come to the point though,” continued the druggist with a trace of impatience. The Survey investigator smiled. “I didn’t want us to misunderstand each other. You know more about this business you ‘have here than any other man on earth. We don’t propose to tell you how to run it, but, as we say, we ‘have run across already some facts and ideas which you may think are worth while thinking about and acting on, I’ll tell you what some of them are and you can decide quickly enough if they are worth doing anything about, “You have a 10 year old daughter. Occasionally you send her across the street to the grocery store for bread and other things.” “What has that got to do with my store?” “Wait a minute. “Would you like to think that every time your daughter went in that gro- cery store she might have to listen to language that would do credit to a sailor’s parrot and be the envy of a ‘Missouri mule skinner? “Our investigators thave reported time and again that one of your phar- macists has the pleasant habit of ad- dressing loud profane remarks to the fountain men. That is a habit, that you know is not to be commended when there are no customers in the store, but when it continues in cus- tomers’ presence, it is decidedly seri- ous, “Our investigations so far show that 78 per cent. of your customers are wo- men and children, so you can see that there is almost a 4 out of 5 chance that they will be hearing that kind of language from your pharmacist.” “What shall I do? Fire him?” “From what we can see, he is an excellent man in every other way. Why not give ‘him a private lecture that will make him understand that that kind of talk is driving customers out of your store right at the time when you need their business the most and that if it isn’t stopped at once he won’t ‘be working there any more?” “Hmum. What else?” “You remember those investigators of ours who were in here from time to time with stop watches in their hands? You remember when we first asked if they could come in you smiled a little and J suppose there ran through your head the idea that here certainly was something highly theoretical which just could not have any possible value to you in increasing the profits of the store. “Well, one of the first things we ob- served as a result of these stop watch December 9, 1931 investigations was that time and again you or your assistants had to spend extra time looking for merchandise that customers called for. J don’t need to tell you what an impression it must create on customers to be kept stand- ing an average of 125 times a week while you look ‘for merchandise that they want to buy. Our stop watch tests show repeatedly that an average of 125 sales every week were being de- layed this way, “What this means, of course, is that customers aren't being served as rap- idly as they should be or expect to be. You know, too, that the remedy is easy although it wouldn’t have been uncov- ered, I don’t think, without just such an investigation as we made with the stop watches. Store stock needs to be rearranged in a way which will make it easier to find. That means, you can see, less work for you, faster service and fewer lost sales.” “Well, well, what do you think of that? What else?” “You've said a tthousand times if you have said it once that your foun- tain doesn’t do the business it should and even on the volume you do have the profits aren’t enough to keep your shoes shined, “Lots of people like mayonnaise on their sandwiches. You must use lots of it. Anyway you ‘buy it in gallon jars. Of course at the fountain they dispense out of quart jars and those little 3 ounce individual jars you keep on the tables and counter sfor cus- mt oers to help themselves. “Ever see one of your fountain men BROOKSIDE BRAND WHISK BROOMS ROTARY PRIZE Whisk AMSTERDAM BROOM co. AMSTERDAM, N. ALL STYLES AND PRICES THE LATEST AND BEST YEAST CANDY WILL NOT SPOIL DELIGHTFUL TO EAT EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE A Convenient 5c Package that can safely be carried in the pocket. Families buy it by the box. Order liberally of your Jobber, or NATIONAL CANDY CO., INC. PUTNAM FACTORY Grand Rapids, Mich. ORIGINATORS AND MAKERS 5 * =. = * : mini: December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 19 wash and scald one of those small jars before refilling it? How would you like to have your milk come in. bottles that hadn’t been sterilized after every using? Mayonnaise is just as delicate- ly flavored as milk and after it is open- ed it is almost as perishable. “And while we are on this subject . of cleanliness at the fountain—and do not think your customers do not notice such things—do you have any specific instructions for your fountain men on just what they have tto do every day to keep the fountain in tip top shape?” “Sure, I’ve told them time and again that that fountain has got to be clean and kept clean.” “T mean specific instructions. Gen- eral instructions get general results. Specific instructions get specific re- sults. I mean are they told to keep the back bar and counter constantly clean and that it must receice a thor- ough cleaning at the end of every day. Is all the bright work on fixtures pol- ished every day? Are the ice boxes clean and without odor? Is the silver- ware, chinaware and glassware clean— washed and scalded—and not chipped or cracked? Is the floor scrubbed with soap and hot water every day? Are used dishes removed promptly from the counter and tables? Are the foun- tain men clean and neat and in clean coats and aprons? Are there enough signs and are they clean and appro- priate? Are the menu cards fresh and spotless? “Well, that is certainly an earful. You have told me enough to keep me going for weeks trying to get the things started that you have ttold me about. “T’ll be ready for more soon, though. Just to let you know that I am really thinking, what is your idea about this store layout. Sometime let me know what you think of my putting the cigar case where it its and should [I really have high backs on my display win- dows and— “Just a minute,’ interrupted the Survey investigator smilingly, “I told you a while back that one result of this Survey was going to be a text book full of facts and principles on the business problems of pharmacy which you and other druggists cam use to in- crease the profits of your ‘business. “That text book isn’t going to be a big ponderous volume that will take a month to read through. It is going to be published in sections. The first one of these sections is finished now. The Government is printing it now and it will be ready for distribution in a very few weeks. “What will interest you about this section of the text book is that it is all devoted to store layout and arrange- ment problems based on our observa- tions of yours and ‘the other stores in this ‘Survey. “Tn this book you will find a definite practical plan by which you and other druggists with stores the shape and size of yours can arrange them so as to get the greatest possible amount of profit out of each square foot of floor space. “What will please you most of all if you do decide to rearrange your store along the lines of this plan, is that you can do the whole thing with a total cash expenditure of less than $100.” “Well, well, well, that is certainly interesting and encouraging. J want that book just as soon as it comes from the printer. See that I get a copy, won't you?” —_—_>~++___ Sounded Familiar. Tourist: Know a fellow down this way with one leg named Oliver? Farmer: I’m not sure. What’s the name of his other leg? Grand Rapids Blank Books for 1932 Ledgers — Journals —Record Books Day Books — Cash Books Counter Order Books — Tally Books Standard Order Books Petty Day Books — Memorandum Books Also Account Files — Shannon Arch Files Greenwood’s Business and Income Tax Records Card Index Files — Letter Files Blank Notes — Receipts — etc., etc. Our stock is complete come in and look it over Prices Right Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co. Michigan Manistee WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT Prices quoted are nominal, based on market the day of issue. Acids Boric (Powd.)-. 10 @ 20 Boric (Xtal) -.10 @ 20 Carbolic -~--.---- 38 @ 44 @iteie: 22 40 @ 65 Muriatic ------- 3%@ 8 Nitrtie ........... 9 @ 15 @xalte =. 15 @ 26 Sulphuric ------ 3%@ 8 Partaric .._.___ 38 @ 52 Ammonia Water, 26 deg.-. 07 @ 18 Water, 18 deg... 06 @ 15 Water, 14 deg... 5%@ 13 Carbonate ----.. 20 @ 25 Chloride (Gran.) 08 @ 18 Balsams @Coparbal ._- 50@ 80 Fir (Canada) -. 2 75@3 00 Fir (Oregon) -. 65@1 00 Part 2 2 25@2 60 Woluc 1 50@1 80 Barks Cassia (ordinary)- 25@ 30 Cassia (Saigon) -. 40@ 60 Sassafras (pw. 50c) @ 40 Soap Cut (powd.) Gq) 15@ 25 Berries @ubebh 2... @ 75 Wish 22 @ 25 Juniper ——-.___._. 10@ 20 Prickly Ash ------ @ 50 Extracts Licorice —..__._...-- 60@ 75 Licorice, powd. -. 60@ 70 Flowers Arnica — 75@ 80 Chamomile Ged.) 35@ 46 Chamomile Rom. @ 90 Gums Acacia, Ist -__. @ 650 Acacia, 2nd —~--. @ 45 Acacia, Sorts -.-. 20@ 30 Acacia, Powdered 25@ 35 Aloes (Barb Pow) 3)@ 495 Aloes (Cape Pow.) 28@ 35 Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 75@ 80 Asafoetida -----. 50@ 60 POW. @ 7% Camphor -..-.-.-- 87@ 9 Guaiae —......... @ 60 Guaiac, pow’d -.- @ 70 King. 2 @1 25 Kino, powdered_- @1 20 REVEro 2. @1 15 Myrrh, wdered @1 Opium, powd. 21 00@21 50 Opium, gran. 21 00@21 50 Shellac, Orange 40@ 60 Shellac, White 65@ 70 Tragacanth, pow. 1 25@1 50 Tragacanth -... 1 _ 25 Turpentine -..—_ 25 Insecticides Arsenic ----- 71@ 20 Blue Vitriol, bbl. @ 6 Blue Vitriol, less 07@ 15 Bordea. Mix Dry 10%@ 21 Hellebore, White powdered Insect Powder.. 32@ Lead Arsenate, Po. 11 @2 Lime and Sulphur cence OSE 2a Paris Green --.. 2%@ 45 Leaves Buchu -.-. pcm @ 60 Buchu, powdered @ 60 Sage, Bulk _-... 25@ 30 Sage, % loose .. @ 40 Sage, powdered... @ 35 Senna, Alex. -... 50@ 75 Senna, Tinn. pow. 30@ 35 Uva: Ural ......._. 20@ 2% Oils Almonds. Bitter, true, oz. ........ @ 50 Almonds, Bitter, artificial ..__. 8 00@3 25 Almonds. Sweet, Spies ia 1 50@1 80 true Almonds, Sweet, imitation ---. 1 00@1 25 Amber, crude -- Amber, rectified 1 50@1 75 Anise 220 1 50@1 75 Bergamont -... 5 00@5 20 Cajeput ---.---- 1 50@1 75 @assia —__..___ 2 25@2 60 Castor ......._.__ 1 40@1 60 Cedar Leaf -.-.. 2 00@2 25 Citronella ------ 75@1 20 Cloves —_.._._ 2 50@2 80 Cocoanut -—---- 22%@ 365 Cod Liver ------ 1 40@2 00 Croton ._----—. 8 00@8 26 Cotton Seed ---- : 25@1 50 Cubehe ......___... 5 00@5 25 Kigeron ......... 4 00@4 25 Eucalyptus ~—-- 1 00@1 2 Hemlock. pure... 2 00@2 26 Juniper Berries_ 4 00@4 25 Lavender Gar’n. 1 26@1 50 Lemon 2 00@2 25 Linseed, boiled, bbl. @ 66 Linseed, raw, bbl. @ 63 Linseed, bld., less 73@ 81 Linseed, raw, less 70@ 78 Mustard, artifil. os. @ 80 Neatsfoot -..... 1 25@1 35 Olive, pure -_.. 3 00@5 00 Olive, Malaga, yellow —....___ 2 50@3 00 Olive, Malaga, ween: 2 85@3 26 Orange, Sweet 4 00@4 25 Origanum, pure. @2 50 Origanum, com’! 1 00@1 20 Pennyroyal -... 3 25@3 50 Peppermint -_.. 3 50@3 75 Rose, pure -__. 13 50@14 00 Rosemary Flows 1 50@1 75 pene E. Se ce 12 ae 75 Sassafras, true 2 00@2 25 Sassafras, arti’l 75@1 00 Spearmint _-... 4 (0@4 25 Sperm... 1 25@1 50 Tang 5 00@5 25 Tar USP _...._ 65@ 75 Turpentine, bbl. _. @ 50 Turpentine, less 57@ 65 Wintergreen, leat 6 00@6 25 Wintergreen, sweet bireh ..._. .- 3 00@3 25 Wintergreen, art 75@1 00 Worm Seed -... 6 00@6 25 Wormwood -.. 7 00@7 25 Potassium Bicarbonate —.... 35 40 Bichromate —___. 15 25 Bromide .....____ 69@ 85 Bromide .... 5 71 Chlorate, gran’d_ 10 28 Chlorate, powd. 16@ 23 or Miah 17@ 24 Cyanide -______ 20 90 lo@ide oo 4 34@4 55 Permanganate __ 22%@ 36 Prussiate, yellow 35@ 45 Prussiate, red _. 70@ 175 Sulpaste 35@ 40 Roots Alkanet —..._____ 40 Blood, powdered___ 300 40 Calamus -....... 25@ 65 Wiacampana pwd. 20@ 30 Gentian, powd. ~ 20@ 30 Ginger, African, powdered -_.___ 20@ 25 Ginger, Jamaica. 40@ 60 Ginger, Jamaica, powdered —_____ 35@ 40 Goldenseal, pow. 3 00@8 50 Ipecac, powd. __ 3 00@3 60 Ldeorice ow. 35@ 40 Licorice, powd.__ ico 25 Orris, powdered. 35@ 40 Poke, Powdered 25@ 40 Rhubarb, powd. __ @1 00 Rosinwood, powd. @ 60 Sarsaparilla, Honda. SIGOnG: 2 @1 10 Sarsaparilla, Mexic. @ 60 Squils ..... 50@ 70 Squills, powdered 70@ 80 Tumeric, powd.._. 15@ 25 Valerian, powd. .. @ 50 Seeds Anning: 20@ 30 Anise, powered @ 35 Pre 4 2 3@ 17 Cutary oo 0o@ 15 Caraway, Po. 25 20@ 25 Cardamon ______ 2 00@2 25 eer pow. 30 x 25 ele 20 Wonmen oo 200 30 > ee 6%@ 15 Flax, ground _. 6%@ 15 Foenugreek, pwd. 15@ 25 Hemp: 2 8@ 15 Lobelia, powd. .... @1 100 Mustard, yellow 10@ 20 Musard, black_. ina z Poupy Guinée 2 02 Sahadila .... 30@ 40 Sunflower _ _-.__. 122@ 18 Worm, American 25@ 30 Worm, Lavant — 5 00@5 75 Tinctures Aconite __......_.. @1 80 Aloes .. @1 56 Asafoetida @2 28 arvleg 2. @1 60 Belladonna ______- @1 44 Bensote @32 28 Benzoin Comp’d. @2 40 Bache ......... @2 16 Cantharides -... @2 52 Capsicum -.... aaa @2 28 Catcaa @1 44 CINCHORS ....nccu= @2 16 Colchicum -..... @1 80 Cutete @2 76 Digttaile 0. @2 04 Gentian _._. @1 % Guaiee ............ @2 28 Guaiac, Ammon. @2 04 loging =: 25 Iodine, Colorless. 1 50 oes Ce cc 1 56 Mine @1 44 layres CS @2 52 Nux Vomica ____ @1 a nan @5 40 Opium, Camp. —-. @1 44 Opium, Deodorz’d @5 40 Riuhars @1 92 Paints Lead, red dry _. 13%@13% Lead, white dry 134%@13% Lead, white oil “ern Ochre, yellow bbl. @ 2% Ochre, yellow less 8@ 6 Red Venet’n Am. 3%@ 7 Red Venet’n Eng. 4@ 8 Wig bar 8 f ng, Dee Whites ... “oO S10" Rogers Prep. _. 3 “tos 6s Msceillaneous ground ........, © 16 Bismuth, Subni- ° Wate 212 Borax xtal or = powdered ______ 06 13 Cantharides, po. } 25@1 60 Calamel 40@2 70 Capsicum, ae" 42@ S Carmine —......... 8 00@9 Cassia Buds -_.. 35@ s Clava 35 45 Chalk Prepared. 14 16 Chloroform ______ 47@ 64 Choral Hydrate 1 20@1 60 Cocaine 12 85@13 85 Cocoa Butter __.. 40@ 90 Corks, list, less 30710 to 40-10% Copperas -_...... 3%{@ * Copperas, Powd. 4@ Corrosive Sublm 1 75@2 oo Cream Tartar ____ 28@ 42 Cuttle bone -.. 40@ 6u Dextrine _.____ 6%@ 15 Dover’s Powder 4 00@4 50 Emery, All Nos. 10@ 15 Emery, Powdered @ 15 Epsom Salts, bbls. @03\% Bpsom Salts, less 3%@ z Ergot, powdered = @4 00 Flake, White _.. 15@ 20 Formaldehyde. lb. 09@ 35 Gelating 2... 60@ 70 Glassware, less 55% Glassware, full case 60%. Glauber Salts, bbl. 02% Glauber Salts less 04 Glue, Brown -__. 20@ 30 Glue, Brown Grd 16@ 22 Glue, White -___ 27% 35 Glue, white grd. 28 35 Giveerine = 35 cc 15@ loge 6 45@7 00 8 00@ Lead Acetate Mace ” ap dort 60 Mace powdered $i 60 Menthol 5 65@6 32 aos ---- 13 58@14 33 Nux Vomica ____ 26 Nux Vomica, pow. s rane. Black, pw so . epper, White, po. és Pitch, Burgundy_ 56 = Quassia iso 30 Quinine, 5 oz. cans s = Rochelle Salts _ ae 35 Saccharine -_... 2 60@2 76 Salt Peter —_.._. 11@ 32 Seidlitz Mixture 30@ 40 Soap, green -__. 124%@ 25 Soap, mott cast _. @ 26 Soap. white Castile, ae... @15 00 a white nine ess, per i 1 Soda Ash ______ 30 10 Soda Bicarbonate J 10 Soda. Sal ....... 240 08 Spirits Cue” mig} 20 Sulphur, roll... 11 Sulphur, Subl. _. “40 10 Tamarinds ______ 26 Tartar Emetic __ 50 60 Turpentine, Ven. 50 16 Vanilla Ex. pure 1 50@2 00 Venilla Ex. pure 2 25@2 50 Zine Sulphate _. 06@ 11 Webster Cigar Co. Brands Websterettes ..____ 60 Cee 2... 3 50 Webster Cadillacs .. 75 0¢ Golden Wedding Panatellas ......__ 75 00 Commodore ~.....___ 95 00 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN GROCERY PRICE CURRENT These quotations are carefully corrected weekly, within six hours of mailing and are intended to be correct at time of going to press. Prices, however, are liable to change at any time, and merchants will have their orders filled at mar- ket prices at date of purchase. For price changes compare with previous issues ar — ADVANCED DECLINED Veal Pork Sausages Smoked Hams Clothes Lines Holland Herring Oleo Mazola Oil AMMONIA Pep, No. 224 ~--.---- 2 70 Plums Parsons, 64 0Z. ------ 295 Prep, No. 202 --.----- 200 Grand Duke, No. 2%-- 3 25 Parsons, 32 0Z. ------ 3 385 Krumbles, No. 424 -.. 270 Yellow Eggs No. 2%-- 3 25 Parsons, 18 0Z. ------ 420 Bran Flakes, No. 624 2 45 Parsons, 10 0z. ------ 270 fran Flakes, No. 602 1 50 Black Raspberries Parsons, 6 0Z. ------ 180 Rice Krispies, 6 oz. -- 225 No. 2 _______-_______. 65 Rice Krispies. 1 oz. -_ 1 10 Pride of Mich. No. 2-_ 3 10 Kaffe Hag, 12 1-lb. Pride of Mich. No. 1_- 2 35 lena ay All Bran, ne. 2 All Bran, 10 oz. ------ 2 wo Red manyeenrios cs All Bran, % oz. ---- 200 No 1 Marcellus, No.2 60 BROOMS Pride of Mich. No. 2.. 4 00 Jewell, doz. ----------- 16 25 Standard Parlor, 23 lb. 7 00 - Strawberries Maney Parlor, 8 tb 800 Ty meer 25 Ex. Fancy Parlor 25 Ib. : 4 + ch ------ : “4 — ee 1 7§ Pride of Mich. No. 2-_ 3 60 Whisk, No: 2. 2 25 10. Ib. pails, per doz. 9 40 15 Ib. pails, per doz. 12 60 25 lb. pails, per doz. 19 15 25 lb. 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., 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 , 10c size, 8 oz. --- 3 60 , 15¢ size, 12 oz. -. 5 40 . 20c size, full Ib.-_ 6 80 KC, 25c size, 25 oz. -- 9 20 KC, 50c size, 50 oz. — 8 50 K&, 5 ib. size —.... 6 75 KC, 10 ib. size _.. 6 50 BLEACHER CLEANSER Clorox, 16 0oz.. 248 -. 8 86 Lizzie. 16 02z., 128 ---. 2 15 BLUING Am. RBall.38-1 oz..cart. 1 00 Boy Blue, 18s, per cs. 1 35 BEANS and PEAS 199 Ib. bag Brown Swedish Beans 8 Dry Lima Beans 100 Ib. 1 Pinto Beans —.._--— Red Kideny Beans -- 7 75 White H’d P. Beans 3 Black Eye Beans -- Split Peas, Yellow -- 6 Split Peas, Green ---. 5 Scotch Peas --------- 75 BURNERS Queen Ann, No. 1 and S Boe ee 1 36 White Flame, No. 1 enn 2 Goe. co. 26 BOTTLE CAPS Ah! Taenuor 1 gross pke.. per gross ------ 15 BREAKFAST FOODS Kelloqgo’s Brands Corn Flakes, No. 136 2 45 Corn Flakes, No. 1 24 2 45 ROLLED OATS Purity Brand Instant Flakes ‘PREM er ‘ e oe = yi PURITY on cri | y ey, Small, 24s ~—------- 1 77% Small, 48s ---------- 3 60 Large, 18s ---------- 3 25 Regular Flakes Small, 24s ~--------- 177% Small, 48s --------—- 3 50 Large, 18s -------—- 3 25 China, large, 12s ----3 06 Chest-o-Silver, lge. *3 25 *Billed less one free display package in each case. Post Brands. Grape-Nuts, 248 ~------ 3 80 Grape-Nuts, 100s ---- 2 76 Instant Postum, No. 8 5 40 instant Postum, No. 10 4 50 Postum Cereal, No. 0 2 25 Post Toasties, 36s -. 2 45 Post Toasties, 24s -- 2 45 Post’s Bran, s .. 2 46 BRUSHES Scrub Solid Back, 8 in. ---- 1 50 Solid Back, 1 in. ---- } 76 Pointed Ends -------- 1 26 Stove Shaker --------------- 1 80 No. 50 ------------- - 2 00 Peerless —-~---.------- 2 60 Shoe No. 4-0 ------- ease 2 25 No. 2-0 ------------- . 3 00 BUTTER COLOR Dandelion ------------ 2 85 CANDLES Electric Light, 40 lbs. 12.1 Plumber, 40 lbs. --- 8 Paraffine, 6s -- Paraffine, 12s Wicking -------------- 40 Tudor, *. per box -- 30 CANNED FRUITS Hart Brand Apples No. 10 32 4 95 Blackberries a 35 Pride of Michigan ---- 3 25 Cherries Mich. red, No. 10 ---- Med. No. 10) 62 7 50 Red, No, 2 -..__. 3 50 Pride of “Mich. No. 2-- 3 00 Marcellus Red -------- : 56 Special Pie ~--._---- 1:75 Whole White ~------- 3 25 Gooseberries No: 49 2 8 50 Pears 19 oz. glass —-_- Pride of Mich. No. 2% "3 60 CANNED FISH Clam Ch’der, 10% oz. Clam Chowder, No. 2- Clams, Steamed. No. 1 Clams, Minced, No. % Finnan Haddie, 10 oz. Clam Bouillon, 7 oz. Chicken Haddie, No. 1 Fish Flakes. small -. Cod Fish Cake, 10 oz. Cove Oysters, 5 oz. —_ Lobster, No. %, Star 1 2 3 2 3 2 50 2 1 1 1 Zz 2 Shrimp, 1, wet --.--. 15 Sard’s, % Oil, Key —. 5 25 Sard’s, % Oil, Key ~~ 5 25 Sardines, % Oil, k’less 4 15 Salmon, Red Alaska. 8 00 Salmon, Med. Alaska 2 15 Salmon, Pink, Alaska 1 20 Sardines, Im. \%, ea. “ae Sardines, Im., %, ea. Sardines, Cal. 1 Gel 40 Tuna, % Curtis, doz. 2 55 Tuna, 4s, Curtis, doz. 1 80 Tuna, % Blue Fin -_ 2 00 Tuna, is, Curtis, doz. 4 76 CANNED MEAT Bacon, Med. Beechnut Bacon, Lge. Beechnut Beef, Lge. Beechnut Beef, No. 1, Corned ~~ Beef No. 1, Roast —_ Beef, 24% oz., Qua., sli. 1, B’nut, sli. Beefsteak & Onions, s Chili Con Car., 1s -_-- Deviled Ham, \%s ---- Deviled Ham, %s ---. 2 85 Hamburg Steak & Onions, No. 1 -.-.-- 3 15 Potted Beef, 4 oz. 10 Potted Meat, % Potted Meat, % Potted Meat, % Qua. 175 Potted Ham, Gen. % 1 46 Vienna Saus. No. % 1 36 Vienna Sausage, Qua. 80 Veal Loaf, Medium __ 2 25 + 1 00 He OO DD Ht OO BQ OTR DO NWAMEWwoo Heron SvsZSRRSSogs Baked Beans Campbells ....-_____. we 6) Quaker, 16 oz. ~------__ 70 Fremont, No. 2 -.... 1 26 Van Camp, med. -.. 1 2% CANNED VEGETABLES Hart Brand Baked Beans Medium, Plain or Sau. 70 No. 10 Sauce ~------__. 4 50 Lima Beans Little Dot, No. 2 ---- 2 80 Little Quaker, No. 10 13 00 Little Quaker, No. 1 -- : 15 Baby, No. : sae 55 Baby, No. 7 1 75 Pride of nich, No, 1_- 1 55 Marcellus, No. 10 ---. 8 20 Red Kidney Beans No. 105 6 35 NO. be 3 70 NO. 2 3 1 30 NO. A ee 90 String Beans Little Dot, No. 2 -.-. 3 20 Little Dot, No. 1 ---_ 2 25 Little Quaker, No. 1-- 1 * Little Quaker, No. 2 __ 2 90 Choice Whole, No. 10 12 50 Choice Whole, No. 2_. 2 50 Choice Whole. No. 1--1 : Out. Noe. 3) oe 10 00 Cut, Noe. 2 oo 1 95 Cut; No. 2 os -- 1 60 Pride of Mich. No. 2_- 1 75 Marcellus, No. 2 ---- 1 50 Marcellus, No. 10 ---- 8 25 Wax Beans Litlet Dot, No. 2 --.. 2 75 Little Dot, No. 1 -_-- 1 90 Little Quaker, No. 2-. 2 65 Little Quaker, No. 1 1 80 Choice Whole, No. 10.12 50 Choice Whole, No. 2_. 2 50 Choice, Whole. No. 1 1 70 Cut, Wo. 10 222 10 00 Cut No: 2 2. 1 95 Cut; No. 425 8b Pride of Michigan _. 1 75 Marcellus Cut, No. 10- 8 25 Beets Small, No. 2% Extra Small, No. 2 ~~ 2 80 Fancy Small No. 2 -- 2 25 Pride of Michigan Marcellus Cut, No. 10 6 25 Marcel. Whole, No. 2% 1 75 Carrots Diced, No: 2 =....... 1 30 Diced, No. 10 7 00 Corn Golden Ban., No. 3_. 3 60 Golden Ban., No. 2_-1 80 Golden Ban., No. 10 10 00 Little Dot. No. 2 ---. 1 70 Little Quaker. No. 2 1 70 Little Quaker. No. 1.1 35 Country Gen., No. 1-1 25 Country Gen., No. 2.. 1 70 Pride of Mich.. No. 1 1 15 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-- 1 45 Peas Little Dot. No. 1 --- 1 70 Little Dot, No. 2 -.-. 2 50 Little Quaker, No. 10 12 00 Little Quaker, No. Little Quaker, No. bifted E. June, No. 10.10 00 Sifted E. June, No. 5_. 5 75 Sifted E. June, No. 2-- 1 85 Sifted E. June, No. 1-- 1 25 Belle of Hart, No. 2__ 1 85 Pride of Mich., No. 10 8 75 Pride of Mich., No. 2_. 1 50 Marcel., H. June, No. 2 1 40 Marecel., E. June, No. 56 4 50 Marcel., BE. Ju., No. 10 7 50 Templar E. J., No. 2 1 32% Templar E. Ju., No. 10 7 00 Pumpkin Sauerkraut No.) 102 Se 00 NO, Wig -oo eo 1 35 NO. 2 22 oe 1 10 Spinach No; 24 22 2 25 NO; 2 oo 1 80 Squash Boston, No. 3 ~-----.- 1 35 Succotash Golden Bantum, No. 2 2 40 Little Dot. No. 2 ---- : 35 Little Quaker —~___---_ 2 26 Pride of Michigan ~~ 2 05 Tomatoes No. 10 220 5 80 INO: 3% 222 2 NO. Sooo 1 60 Pride of Mich., No. 24% 2 10 Pride of Mich., No. 2._1 40 CATSUP Sniders, 8 oz. ~------- 35 Sniders, 14 oz, ------.. 2 15 Sniders, No. 1010 -... .90 Sniders, Gallon Glass. 1 25 CHILI SAUCE Sniders, 8 oz. --.---_.. 2 10 Sniders, 14 oz. ---.--__ 3 00 Sniders, No. 1010 ~-.__ 1 25 Sniders, Gallon Glass_ 1 45 OYSTER COCKTAIL 2 Sniders, 8 oz. ~-.-..- a 2.10 Sniders, 11 oz, ------__ 2 40 Sniders, 14 oz, ---_.-__ 3 00 Sniders, Gallon Glass 1 45 CHEESE Roquefort 2 60 Wisconsin Daisy --____ 17 Wisconsin Flat - --_-___ 17 New York June ------.- 27 Sap Sago 2 40 Brick. foo ed Michigan Flats ~ _____ 17 Michigan Daisies ~--___ 17 Wisconsin Longhorn __ 17 Imported Leyden -_.__. 27 1 Ib. Limberger —.__.__ 26 Imported Swiss -._.... 58 Kraft Pimento Loaf __ 26 Kraft American Loaf __ 24 Kraft Brick Loaf —____- 24 Kraft Swiss Loaf _.____ 32 Kraft Old Eng. Loaf__ 45 Kraft, Pimento, % Ib. 1 85 Kraft, American, % Ib. ; 85 Kraft, Brick, % lb. -. I 8 Kraft Limburger,% Ib. 1 85 CHEWING GUM Adams Black Jack ---- 65 Adams Bloodberry - 5 Adams Dentyne Adams Calif. Fruit Adams Sen Sen Beeman’s Pepsin ------ 65 Beechnut Wintergreen. Beechnut Peppermint.- Beechnut Spearmint -- Doublemint --..-------- 65 Peppermint, Wrigleys -- 65 Spearmint, Wrigleys -- 65 Juicy Fruit 65 Krigley’s P-K -.--~---- 65 eno. 222 -— 65 Teaperry: 220250. 65 COCOA Droste’s Dutch, 1 lb._. 8 56 Droste’s Dutch, % Ib. 4 50 Droste’s Dutch, % lb. 2 35 Droste’s Dutch, 5 Ib. 60 Chacolate Apples oo. 4) 50 Pastelles, No. 1 12 Pastelles, %4 lb. Droste’s Bars, Delft Pastelles 1 Ib. ~~ Tin Bon OR oe 18 00 7 oz. ‘Race Tin Bon pone 1% lb. Rosaces - ¥%4 lb. Pastelles __ Langnes De Chats -. ~ 4 80 CHOCOLATE Baker, Caracas, %s ---- 37 Baker, Caracas, %s -... 35 SLOTHES LINE - Kemp, 50 ft. -.. 2 00@2 25 oe Cotton, ee a Sash Cord -_-_-- 1 75@2 25 COFFEE ROASTED Blodgett-Beckley Co. Old Master -_~-~---. vi Lee & Cady 1 ib. Package Breakfast Cup ------- 20 iherty 2.0 17 Quaker Vacuum ----. 32 Nedrow. 220202. 28 Morton House ~_-_-_-_ a Reno oe Imperial ee oi 29 Boston Breakf’t Blend 24 McLaughlin’s Kept-Fresh Frank's | 50 pkgs. Hummel’s 50 1 Ib. CONDENSED MILK Leader, 4 doz. Eagle, 4 doz. MILK COMPOUND Hebe, Tall, 4 doz. --. Hebe. Baby, & doz. -. Carolene. Tall, 4 doz, Carolene, Raby ------ EVAPORATED MILK Pave, Tall. : - Page. Bapyo3 oo Quaker, Tall, 10% oz. ; 10 Quaker, Baby, 4 doz. 3 10 Quaker, Gallon, % doz. 1 55 Carnation, Tall, 4 doz. 3 45 Carnation, Baby, 8 dz. 3 45 December 9, 1931 Oatman’s Dundee, Tall 3 45 Oatman’s D’dee, Baby 3 45 Every Day, Tall ---. 3 20 Every Day, Baby ---- 3 20 Pet Tall oo 3 45 Pet, Baby, 4 dozen _. 1 73 Borden’s Tall ~-----_. 3 45 Borden’s Baby ~~ ---_ 3 45 CIGARS Airedale 2220 35 00 Hemeter Champion -__38 vn Canadian Club 35 Robert Emmett -... 75 ob : Tom Moore Monarch 75 06 Webster Cadillac -... 75 00 Webster Astor Foil. 75 00 Webster Knickbocker 95 46 Webster Albany Foil 95 v0 Bering Apollos ______ 95 00 Bering Palmitas -_ 115 90 Bering Diplomatica 115 vu¢ Bering Delioses -___ 120 0¢ Bering Favorita -___ 135 00 Bering Albas ______ 150 CONFECTIONERY Stick Candy Pails Pure Sugar Sticks-600c 4 00 Big Stick. 20 lb. case 17 Horehound Stick, 5 lb. 18 Mixed Candy Kindergarten —~______ 16 TieCaNer es ee 11 French Creams —_______ 13 Paria Creama (222 14 SUptOr oe 0 Fancy Mixture —_______ 16 Fancy Chocolate ; 5 lb. boxes Bittersweets, Ass’ted 1 50 Milk Chocolate A A 1 50 Nibble Sticks ~_______ 1 50 Chocolate Nut Rolls — 1 60 Blue Ribbon ~W._____ 1 25 Gum Drops Pails Champion Gums —..____ 15 Challenge Gums ___.. oa ae Jelly Strings ~ 2. 2 oe Lozenges Pails A. A. Pep. Lozenges __ 14 A. A. Pink Lozenges __ 14 A. A. Choc. Lozenges__ 14 Motto Hears t..._______ 18 Malted Milk Lozenges __ 21 Hard Goods Pails Lemon Drops _________ - at O. F. Horehound drops " Anise Squares —_________ Peanut Sauares _____ ai it Cough Drops Bxs Putnam's 270 1 35 Smith Brag 20300 1 56 Ludeng: 23 1 50 Specialities Pineapple Fudge -..... 18 Italian Bon Bons ______ 16 Banquet Cream Minta.. 28 Handy Packages, 12-10c 75 COUPON BOOKS 50 Economic grade 2 &@ 100 Economic grade 4 50 500 Economic grade 20 00 1000 Economic grade 37 50 Where 1,000 books are ordered at a time, special- ly printed front cover is furnished without charge. CREAM OF TARTAR 6 lb. boxes -.-__.., 48 DRIED FRUITS Apples N. Y. Fey., 50 lb. box 13 N. Y. Fey., 14 oz. pkg. 16 Apricots Evaporated, Choice —. 13 Evaporated, Fancy . 18 Kvaporated, Slabs ____. TUS WanNCy oo 25 Citron 10 Ib; box, 22 36 Currants Packages, 14 oz. ...... 17 Greek, Bulk, lb. ---. 16% Dates Dromedary, 36s ~____ 6 75 Peaches Evap. Choice ----__._ 12% Haney (oo a ae Peel Lemon, American ------ 28 Orange, American —_-. 28 Raisins Seeded, bulk eat 8% Thor. pson’s s’dless blk 8% i ages s seedless, 15 Seaded, 16/02. 11 California Prunes 90@100, 25 lb. boxes__@05% 80@90, 25 lb. boxes__@05% 70@80, 25 lb. boxes._@6% 60@70, 25 lb. boxes__.@06% 50@60, 25 lb. boxes__.@07% 40@50, 25 lb. boxes__.@08% 30@40, 25 lb. boxes._@11 20@30, 25 lb. boxes.__@14 18@24, 25 lb. boxes_.@17 si it aR ce a lisse Ruserae aes ale : 4 : € S December 9, 1931 Hominy Pearl, 100 lb. sacks __ 3 Af Macaroni Muelier’s Brands 9 oz. package, per doz. 1 39 9 oz. package, per case 2 20 Bulk Goods Elbow, 20 Ib. -_-__- 5@07 Egg Noodle, 10 Ibs. __ 14 Pearl Barley C0) 00 Barley Grits ~~ -_.____ 5 00 Chester: oo fe 3 76 Sage Gast. India oo. 10 Taploca Pearl. 100 lb. sacks __ 09 Minute, 8 oz., 3 doz. 4 05 Dromedary Instant __ 3 50 Jiffy Punch 3 doz. Carton ________ 2 25 Assorted flavors. FLOUR Vv. C. Milling Co. Brande Hily White 222020 5 10 . Harvest Queen -_____ 5 20 Yes Ma’am Graham, DOS Lee & Cady Brands American Eagle ____ Home Baker ___.___. FRUIT CANS Mason F. O. B. Grand Rapids Half pint 2020 One pimt 2200 7 35 One quart 2 Half gallon Ideal Glass Top Eall pint 2. 9 00 One pint 2 9 50 One: quart: 202 Il %é Balf gation ___._.._ 16 49 GELATINE Jell-O. 3 doz. 2... 85 Minute, 8 doz. _ _---- 4 05 Plymouth, White -__. 1 55 Quaker, 3 doz. __-_- 2 25 : JELLY AND PRESERVES Pure, 30 Ib. pails ---. 3 30 Imitatin, 30 lb. pails 1 60 Pure, 6 oz., Asst., doz. 90 Pure Pres., 16 0z.. dz. 2 40 JELLY GLASSES 8 oz., per doz. =.-...__ Margarine 1. VAN WESTENBRUGGE Food Distributor Cream-Nut, 1 Ib. Pecola, 1 Ib. BEST FOODS, iNC. Laug Bros., Distributors 1 Ib. 1 Ab, Nucoa, Holiday, Wilson & Co.’s Brands Oleo Certified 2052 20 IN Goo 11 Spnociar Mom co 13 ‘MATCHES Diamond, 144 hox -- Searchlight, 144 box-_- 4 75 47 Ohio Red Label, 144 bx : ‘ 38 5 5 Ohio Blue Tp, 144 box 5 Ohio Blue Tip, 720-1c 0 *ReRliable, 144 ~------- *Federal, 144 .-------- Safety Matches Quaker, 5 gro. case. \ t MULLER’S PRODUCTS Macaro: 20 mi. 9 ox. —... Spaghetti 9 oz. -.--.. 20 w mi, 9 oz. 2 20 Egg Noodles, 6 oz. -__. 3 20 Keg Vermicelli, 6 oz. 2 20 Egg Alphabets, 6 oz._. 2 20 Egg A-B-Cs 48 pkgs._. 1 80 NUTS—Whole Almonds, Tarragnna_- 19 Brazil, large -------. 13% Fancy Mixed -_---_-- 18 Filberts, Sicily ~------ 17% Peanuts, Vir. Roasted Peanuts, Jumbo, std. Pecans, 3, star ----__ 25 Pecans, Jumbo --_---_ 40 Pecans, Mammoth Walnuts, Cal, ~----- 23@25 Gickory 2.00.0 07 Salted Peanuts Fancy,: No.1 2... Shelled Almonds Salted —.______ 95 Peanuts, Spanish 126 ib. bags --.._-_._. 5% Bitberts 2 bz Pecans Salted ~.-----___ 73 Walnut Burdo ----_._. 78 Walnut, Manchurian __ MINCE MEAT None Such, 4 doz. -.. 6 20 Quaker, 3 doz. case -_ 3 35 Libby. Kegs, wet, Ib. zz OLIVES 4 oz. Jar, Plain, doz. 1 15 10 oz. Jar, Plain, doz. 2 10 14 oz. Jar, Plain, doz. Pint Jars, Plain, doz. Quart Jars, Plain, doz. 1 Gal. Glass Jugs, Pla. 5 Gal. Kegs, each __.. 7 25 3% oz. Jar, Stuff., doz. 6 oz. Jar, Stuffed, doz. 91% oz. Jar, Stuff., doz. 1 Gal. Jugs, Stuff., dz. PARIS GREEN PETROLEUM PRODUCTS Including State Tax From Tank Wagon Red Crown Gasoline —_ 15.7 Red Crown Ethyl —___ 18.7 Stanoline Blue __.._. 13.2 In tron Barrels Perfection Kerasine __ 10.6 Gas Machine Gasoline V. M. & P. Naphtha__ 15.8 ISO-VIS MOTOR OILS In Iron Barrels Diente oo 77.1 Medium 50 77.1 Heavy TA Ex Heavy 2 Tt Eient 2 62.1 Medium 22-030 a. Gack Heavy 2200 62.1 Special heavy ~._--____ 62.1 Extra heavy =... 62.1 Polarine “Sh” oo. as Ga.) Cransmission Oil] ~-.___ 62.1 Finol, 4 oz. cans, doz. 1 50 Finol, 8 oz. cans, doz. 2 30 Parowax, 100 lb. ~_ _ 7.3 Parowax, 40, 1 lb. __ 7.55 Parowax, 20, 1 lb. __ 7.8 = > —<— ry DAG ISEMD. frau . i supERtoR Tyee (omy ee alee Gti AT eon Pav Tite Is Ya Wiad as peereetrer es on Semdac, 12 pt. cans 3 00 Semdac, 12 at. cans 5 00 PICKLES Medium Sour 5 gallon, 400 count ._ 4 75 Sweet Small 16 Gallon, 2250 __---- 27 00 15 Gallon, 750 ~-----. 9 75 } Din Pickles ne \ Gal. 40 to Tin, doz.__ f S33 2% Ting 2... 2 25 ¥s2 oz. Glass Picked__ 2 25 32 oz. Glass Thrown -. 1 95 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN oll oe Bulk 16 Gal., 650 __________ 11 35 45 Gal. 1906 30 00 PIPES Cob, 3 doz. in bx. 1 00@1 20 PLAYING CARDS Battle Axe, per doz. 2 65 Bicycle, per doz. -.-. 4 70 Torpedo, per doz. -... 2 50 POTASH Babbitt’s, 2 doz. __.. 2 76 FRESH MEATS Beef Top Steers & Heif. -___ 16 Good St’rs & H’f. -__. 13 Med. Steers & Heif. ~. 12 Com. Steers & Heif. —. 11 Veal OD 222 12 Good 10 Medium 2200 09 Lamb Spring Lamb 0 13 OO ee 1 Medium: 2.200 0200 10 POOR 222 08 Mutton 000 10 bein, med. 2.02. 10 ets 09 Shoulders 22.02 08 Spareribs PROVISIONS Barreled Pork Clear Back __ 16 00@20 00 Short Cut Clear -.__ 16 00 Dry Salt Meats D S Bellies -_ 18-20@18-10 Lard Pure in tierces —_.___ 8 60 lb. tubs __._.advance 4% 50 lb. tubs -___-advance % 20 lb. pails _...advance % 10 lb. pails _._-advance % 5 lb. pails _._-advance 1 3 Ib. pails ___-advance 1 Compound tierces -... 8% Compound, tubs —_-.._ g Sausages POlOe NA, oo aa Liver Hramkfort (300 b 15 ork Veal Tongue, Jellied —_______ 25 Headcheese _____.____ 15 Smoked Meats Hams, Cer. 14-16 Ib. @16 Hams, Cert., Skinned 1G-ES Fp. 2 @15% Ham, dried beet Knuckles =. D28 California Hams ~. @12% Picnic Boiled Ham So 20 @25 Boiled Hams —_____ @25 Minced Hams ______ @16 Bacon 4/6 Cert. __.. @19 Beet Boneless, rump ____@22 00 Rump, new __ 29 00@35 00 Liver RICE Fancy Blue Rose -___ 4 15 Fancy Etead 2.00. RUSKS Postma Biscuit Co. 18 rolls, per case -_.. 1 90 12 rolls, per case —-.. 1 27 18 cartons, per case__ 2 15 12 cartons, per case__ 1 46 SALERATUS Arm and Hammer -_ 3 75 SAL SODA -canulated, 60 tbs. cs. 1 35 Granulated, 18-2% Ib. packages 2... 1 00 COD FISH Middles Tablets, % lb. Pure - 0m) 2. 1 40 Wood boxes, Pure -_ 29 Whole Cod 1l& HERRING Holland Herring Mixed, Kegs -_------ 76 Mixed, half bbls. -.-. 1 25 Mixed, bbis. ..._.... 5 50 Milkers, Kegs —_---- 86 Milkers, half bbls. -. 9 40 Milkers, bbls, ~---.-.- 17 50 Lake Herring % Bbl., 100 Ibs. ___. Mackeral Tubs, 60 Count, fy. fat 6 u Pails, 10 Ib. Fancy fat 1 60 White Fish Med. Fancy. 100 Ib. 12 af Milkers, bbls. —___-_ 18 50 K K K K Norway __ 19 50 S Ib paile 1 40 Cut Luneh _.... 1 50 Boned, 10 Ib. boxes __ 16 SHOE BLACKENING 2 in 1, Paste, doz. -.. 1 130 E. Z. Combination, dz. 1 30 Dri-Foot, doz. ______ 2 00 Bixbys, Doz ._._.._ 1.36 Shinola, doz. ....._.. 90 STOVE POLISH Blackne, per doz. _.-_ 1 30 Black Silk Liquid, dz. Black Silk Paste, doz. 1 25 Enameline Paste, doz. Enameline Liquid, dz. E. Z. Liquid, per doz. Radium, per doz. -___1 30 Rising Sun, per doz. 1 30 654 Stove Enamel, dz. 2 sv Vulcanol, No. 10, doz. 1 30 Stovoil, per doz. _____ 3 UU SALT F. O. G. Grand Rapids Colonial, 24, 2 lb. Colonial, 36-1% 1 20 Colonial, lodized. 24-2 1 36 Med. No. 1 Bbis. ____ 2 90 Med. No. 1, 100 lb. bk. 1 00 Farmer Spec., 70 Ib. 1 00 Packers Meat, 50 Ib. 65 Crushed Rock for ice cream, 100 lb., each 8&5 Butter Salt, 280 lb. bbl.4 00 Block, 50 Ib. Baker Salt. 280 lb. bbl. 3 80 6, 10 lb., per bale -_.__ 93 20, 3 lb., per bale -___ 1 00 28 Ib. bags, Table __.. 40 Old Hickory, Smoked, Cie Wo 4 50 ae een eri (K CAKa rs On HAROOS) ann) Free Run’g, 32 26 oz. 2 40 Five case lots 23 lodized, 32, 26 oz. _. 2 40 Five case lots ____-- 2 30 BORAX Twenty Mule Team 24, 1 Ib. packages -. 3 35 (8, 10 oz. packages -. 4 40 96, % oz. packages __ 4 Of CLEANSERS 80 can cases, $4.80 per case WASHING POWDERS Bon Ami Pd., 18s, box 1 90 Ron Ami Cake. 18a .-1 62% Brig (oo 85 Climaline, 4 doz. -.-- 4 20 Grandma, 100, 5¢ ---- 3 50 Grandma. 24 Large -- 3 50 Gold Dust, 100s ------ 8 70 Gold Dust, 12 Large 2 80 Golden Rod, 24 ~------ 4 25 La France Laun., 4 dz. 3 60 Old Dutch Clean., 4 dz. 3 40 Oetagon, 96s 3 90 Rinse, 406 2... 3 20 Renae, 448 0 5 25 Rub No More, 100, 10 Oz. 3 Rub No More, 20 Le. 4 00 Spotless Cleanser, 48, 20 Oe 3 85 Sani Flush, 1 doz. -. 2 25 Sapolio, 3 dow. _...._.. 3 1G Soapine, 100, 12 oz. -. 6 40 Snowboy, 100, 10 oz. __ 4 00 Snowboy, 12 Large -_ 2 65 Speedee, 3 doz. -____ 7 20 Susbrite, 60s 210 Wyandotte, 48s -_____ 4 75 Wyandot. Deterg’s, 24s 2 75 SOAP Am. Family, 100 box 5 60 Crystal White, 100 ___ 3 50 Bie daek, Gis _ Fels Naptha, 100 box Flake White, 10 box Grdma White Na. 10s Jap Rose, 100 box ____ Fairy, 100 box _...___ Palm Olive, 144 box__ Bava, 100 box Octawan, 126 Pummo, 160 box _____.. me Om 6 oe 1 09 GO OT an o Sweetheart, 100 box __ 5 70 Grandpa Tar, 50 sm. 2 10 Grandpa Tar, 50 Ige. 3 50 Trilby Soap, 100, 10c 7 25 Williams Barber Bar, 9s 50 Williams Mug, per doz. 48 SPICES Whole Spices Allspice, Jamaica ____ @30 Cloves, Zanzibar __.. @47 Cassia, Canton ______ @25 Cassia, 5c pkg.. doz. @40 Ginger, Africa; | @ig Mace, Penang ______ 1 00 Mixed, No. f |. ~@uz Mixed, 5c pkgs., doz. @45 Nutmegs, 70@90 ___. @50 Nutmegs, 105-1 10 ___ @48 Pepper, Black 25 Pure Ground in Bulk Allspice, Jamaica _._._. @33 Cloves, Zanzibar _._._. @53 Cassia, Canton __.___ @29 Ginger. Corkin ....___. @30 Oneal @29 Mace, Penang __.___ 1 05 Pepper, Black _______ @25 Nocmeee @35 Pepper, White __.___.__ @44 Pepper, Cayenne _____ @36 Paprika. Spaish .___ @36 Seasoning Chili Powder, 15c ___. 1 36 Celery Salt, Joz. ss 9K Sage, 2.08, 8 gu Option Sale 0 1 36 Care: ooo 1 35 Ponelty, 32% of. ._... 3% Kitchen Bouquet ____ 4 50 Laurel Leaves __.__ 20 Marjeram. I oz. ____ 9e Savery. | of. ..... 90 Thyme foe 90 Tumeric, 2% o2. _... 90 STARCH Corn Kingsford, 40 Ibs. __ 11% Powdered, bags -_.__ 8 26 Argo, 48, 1 lb. pkgs. s za Cream, 485) 4 40 Gloss Arzo, 48, 1 Ib. pkgs. 3 Argo, 12, 3 Ib. pkgs. 2 Argo, 8 5 Ib. pkgs... 2 46 Silver Gloss, .8, ls _. 1 Elastic, 64 pkgs. -... 5 10 wieer, 40-2 Timer, SG Wie, ..8 2 76 SYRUP Corn Blue Karo, No. 1% _. 2 54 Blue Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 3 63 Blue Karo, No. 10 ~_ 3 33 Red Karo, No. 1% __ 2 75 Red Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 3 79 Red Karo, No. 10 __._ 3 59 imit. Maple Flavor Orange, No. 1%, 2 dz. 3 26 Orange, No. 5, 1 doz. 4 99 Maple and Cane Kanuck, per gal. ..._ 1 6¢ Kanuck, 5 gal. can __ 6 60 Maple Michigan, per gal. _. 2 76 Welchs. per gal. _... 3 76 COOKING OIL Mazola Pinta, 2 doe. ... 5 75 Quarts, i doz. ______._ 5 3% Half Gallons, 1 doz... 11 05 Gallons, % doz. 0 TABLE SAUCES Lee & Perrin, large_. 5 75 Lea & Perrin, small__ 3 35 PeOUeR oo i Royal Mat 2 Tohaaca, 2 of. + Sho You, 9 oz,, doz. 2 25 A-l, large 4 A-1 small __- 2 Caper, 2 oz. 3 TEA Blodgett-Beckley Co. Royal Garden, % Ib... 75 Royal Garden, % Ib. __ 177 Japan Co 27@35 Chatee oo 36@40 POney oo 42@52 No. t Nibia 54 1 lb. pkg. Sifting ______ 12 Gunpowder Caee 40 any 47 : Ceyton Pekoe. medium ________ 67 English Breakfast Congou, medium _____ on OO Congou, Choice ____ 35@36 Congou, Fancy ____ 42@43 Oolong Medium 3y Cle i NOE secu TWINE Cotton, 3 ply cone UU sa th, Buties ¥ UL it ©. Hutter... 1d uy AD th, Butter .... Zo vu WRAPPING PAPER Fibre, Manila, white __ 05 NO. 5 ee U6 Butehera DF OG. hrate MYA Sie oo 09% YEAST CAKE Magic, 2 daa 2 70 Sunlight, 3 dow, _.._. 2 70 Sunlight, 1% doz. ____ 1 35 Yeast Foam, 3 doz. __ 2 70 Yeast Foam, 1% doz. 1 35 YEAST—COMPRESSED Fleischmann, per doz. 30 Red Star, per doz. ____ 20 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 Associati Business Office, 907 Trans- portation Bldg., Detroit. Greatest Problem Which Confronts the Shoe Dealer. Every thought, every act, every plan inaugurated in building the twenty- first N. S. R. A. convention, to be held in Chicago, January 4, 5 and 6, 1932, has centered around the solution of the shoe merchant's most vital problem, namely, how to provide the right shoe at a profit. To find the answer is be- yond the power of any individual mer- chant, And yet, upon the correct answer depends the prosperity and well-being of every retailer of shoes in the country—and thus of the entire in- dustry. The National Shoe Retailers As- sociation was created to meet just such emergencies as this, It is a “mutual aid”—organization made up of pro- eressive shoe merchants, great and small, from every section of the coun- try. Many of these men are giving of their time, talents and money without stint, reaping their reward through the advancement of the craft as a whole. To find tthe answer to this great problem with which every shoe re- tailer in the country is face to face, ‘the N.S. R. A. is reaching out and calling to its aid the best brains of the indus- try. Manufacturers of shoes and acces- sories have been invited to exhibit their product and, from present indications, there will be more of them than ever before. The makers of shoes have caught the spirit of mutual helpfulness, for they are planning ‘to show beauti- ful footwear that fits in with the pre- vailing colors and modes of apparel. In these displays will be found shoes cf every grade from the lowest to the highest that any merchant may need. The variety of materials and patterns will cover the needs of every man, wo- man and‘child, Here, too, will be shown ithe newest creations of the tan- mer’s art, leathers crafted into the newest colors. The visitor will also see fabrics and other materials deftly assembled into stylish footwear. A study of these displays will be an edu- cation no progressive merchant can afford to miss. The regular convention program has been divided into three parts. Each day, at noon, there will be a business luncheon session open to all merchants, manufacturers and salesmen. At each meeting, one or two nationally known merchants or business leaders will deliver addresses on timely and per- tinent topics. These meetings have always been a source of inspiration as well as ‘information, and this, of all years, they will be of utmost import- ance, A feature of the 1932 convention, which alone will be worth the time and money spent by any merchant, will be the big open meetings of the N.S. R. A. Joint Styles ‘Committees. It is planned to have separate meetings of these committees. A meeting on wo- men’s shoes, a meeting on men’s shoes and a meeting on juvenile shoes, Fol- lowing the meeting there will be a MICHIGAN TRADESMAN thoroughly organized round-table dis- cussion elaborating on style merchan- dising. This means that a merchant inter- ested only in women’s shoes need not waste time listening to a discussion of men’s shoes or juvenile shoes. If, how- ever, he is interested in more than one meeting, the time and location of the meetings have been arranged so that they will not conflict, It is probable that the developments at these meetings will call forth a sup- plemental style report and merchants attending the meetings will know (first hand “what's what’ for the entire Spring and Summer season, Another important feature will be the round-table sessions dealing with the practical merchandising problems of shoe retailing, These sessions are for the rank and file of merchants, or- ganized as ‘open forums,” Every shoe retailer in the country, whether he be a member of the N. S. R. A. or not, is not only invited to this great convention, but is urged to come and take an active part in all conven- tion proceedings, Non-members will receive the same courteous attention accorded to members in viewing the displays of manufacturers and in regu- lar convention sessions, Arrangements have been made for special reduced rates on all railroads in the United States and Canada. Those attending the convention will pay full fare going, have their tickets validated at N. S. R. A, headquarters, Palmer House, during the convention, and pay half-fare for the return trip. Return tickets will be good for thirty days from date of departure home.—Boot and Shoe Recorder. —___2—>___ Just a Few Lines of Council Activities. Grand Rapids Council No. 131 has undertaken a man sized job in putting the “Team Work in Business” cam- paign across in Grand Rapids. The program has been developed by the Supreme Council in Columbus, Ohio, and will be applied throughout the United States and Canada. It is the most constructive movement which has been launched on a large scale to stabilize business, and enable the re- tailer as well as the wholesaler to re- main in business and prosper. A fine thing about the program is that every member will have an opportunity to assist. While the work will necessarily be directed by committees there is the need of interested activity on the part of all the members. H. F. DeGraff is in general charge of the program. President Herbert Hoover thought so highly of the plan that he wrote a strong letter of commendation to J. P. Callaway, of Boston, urging that it be carried through promptly, as it will do much to bring business back to a nor- mal state. We urge all members to have a part in this, as it will bring great credit to the order and to a great extent bring back the opportunity for salesmen to render greater service to their trade and, incidently, increase earnings. The Council was honored at the meeting Saturday by a visit from Charles W. Blackwood, of Kalamazoo, Grand Counselor of Michigan. He was accompanied by Brother Weireck, Past from Senior Counselor of Kalamazoo Coun- cil. Both brothers gave us very in- spiring addresses, which were charac- terized by being thoroughly practical and applicable to present day condi- tions which confront us. Grand Rapids Council is deeply appreciative of their visit and helpfulness. The next big event of our Council will be the New Year’s party, which will be held in the Browning Hotel the evening of Dec. 31, and a small part of Jan. 1, 1932. Instead of the usual formal banquet, we have substi- tuted a buffet supper, which will be varied and appetizing and available during the entire party. We think it will be a fine innovation. Dancing from 9 p. m. until ?. The committee in charge of the event consists of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Ohlman, joint chair- man, assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Hol- man, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Wilcox, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ohlman, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Dunbar and Howard Car- sten. The cost of attendance is very nominal, being but $2 per couple.. The 3rowning Hotel presents many advan- tages with its large home-like lobby to spend a pleasant evening, renew acquaintances and keep alive old friendships. Truly this will be an ad- mirable place to bid goodbye to the old year and extend a warm welcome to 1932, which we confidently believe will present a new era of prosperity for those who are willing to employ their hands, head and feet in some sphere of usefulness. May we see a large number of our members at this, our annual New Year’s party. We take off our hats to the Ladies Their record since their organization proves that they were needed in U. C. T. circles. They never fail to provide refreshments which tempt the most flagging appetite and encourage the members of the Council to attend the meetings and to keep in good standing. They have developed a new interest in the organization, for we feel they realize the importance of the protection which the United Commercial Travelers furnish at small cost. They have held several delight- ful card parties this season. The last one in Herpolsheimer’s Tea Room on Nov. 26, which was in charge of Mrs. Earl Dunbar. Fifty-two members and friends attended. The affairs of the Auxiliary are directed by Mrs. L. V. Auxiliary. December 9, 19381 Pilkington, who is president this year. The organization is not entirely social. They offer to take care of one family that may be in need of the necessities of life during this winter. They prefer to supply a family whose head, at some time in the past, was a member of our Council or who has been a salesman, and owing to the prevailing conditions, has been unable to earn his usual in- come. We announce this with a par- donable pride in the Ladies Auxiliary. The annual meeting of the Grand Rapids Traveling Men’s Benefit As- sociation was held Dec. 5 in the par- lor of the Herkimer Hotel. The an- nual report showed the Association to be in excellent condition financially. The membership report showed a small loss, due to the prevailing conditions. The attendance at the annual meeting was very gratifying, also the unusual interest on the part of those present. This Association was organized Sept. 10, 1910. Walter S. Lawton was elect- ed President at the first annual meet- ing and has been re-elected at each annual meeting since that time. He was re-elected for the ensuing year at the meeting on Saturday for the twen- ty-second consecutive term. L. L. L. —_—_2<++___ Plan Two Toy Fairs in 1932. The marketing committee of the Toy Manufacturers of the U. 5S. A. drew up a report last week recom- mending that two toy fairs be held in 1932, The report, which will be presented at the annual convention of the association, which began last week in the Hotel McAlpin, calls for a local fair in that hotel from Feb. 8 to 27 next, and one in the Hotel Stevens, Chicago, from April 25 to May 5. The committee also devoted considerable attention to the framing of a program, to be launched at the convention, deal- ing with the development of an all- year-round demand for toys. Well Paid. A well-known lawyer was always lecturing his office boy, whether he needed it or not. One day he chanced to hear the following conversation be- tween the boy and another youngster employed next door. “How much does he pay you?” asked the latter. “T get $2,000 a year,” replied the lawyer’s boy, “$10 a week in cash, and the rest in legal advice!” ositive protection profitable investment is the policy of the yy: ‘ MICHIGAN 2 SHOE DEALERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Mutual Bullding Lansing, Michigan NR tsin se) eas elie a si are December 9, 1931 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 23 OUT AROUND. (Continued from page 9) ing you in his own trade paper. He said, “This merger to-day of the chain store and of the mail order house is just a repetition, after all, of the de- partment store which came up in 1895.” And then he goes back beyond that and traces it back to the Hudson Bay Company and to the East India Company and says that is just an echo from the ‘Hanseatic League, going back to the thirteenth century. We might have traced it back to the shores of Galilee when the Master came by one morning and said to six men who were fishing by the sea, “Fold up your nets and follow after me,” for that was a merger, too; that was the first spiritual merger in the history of the world. That was an effort, some might say, to organize a great gospel company. Don’t forget that as large as it was, as inspired as it was by Jesus, it did not corner the religion proposition, It did not dampen the ardor of the individual man who wanted to be out and sell the idea to the world. That discipleship was very large and very important. As Bruce 3arton said, it was made up largely of fishermen and small town business men, but it was a great organization— one of the first great organizations in the world—and from the. spiritual standpoint decidedly the greatest or- ganization in the history of the world. I suspect there are few of my readers who can tell me the names of the six men who belonged to the discipleship of that great organization of Jesus. Well, you all know something about that independent operator. You haven't forgotten the man who didn’t belong to the organization, You remember the man who was struck blind on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus, the man who was not of the organization, the man who organized and developed and carried on his own work. He stepped off on Mars Hill and delivered, while the organization was. miles away, the most wonderful selling address in the history of the world. Apostle Paul found no fault with the organized efforts. He said, when he saw Peter there, and he was with him for two weeks in Jerusalem, “Go on and run your organization, do every- thing you can with organized effort, I will see what I can do independently, on my own account.” The next time he saw Peter they were manacled together in prison in Rome. Paul the Independent and Peter of the Organization were chain- ed together in that great prison, They spent their last days of martyrdom there. They had a wonderful oppor- tunity to talk over the relative value of organized effort and independent ac- tion. Finally Paul wrote his last letter. He said it was dark and damp in the prison and his soul was about ready to be offered up, and gave the glorious valedictory that I wish might be read into the motto of every independent merchant, grocer and otherwise, in America, when he said, “I fought the good fight, I have finished my course, and [ have kept the faith.” There is a great deal in that philos- ophy to carry over the independent merchant who is meeting the selective market to which I made reference. H. G. Wells says the Peace Confer- ence in Versailles is the first practical gesture that has come to the world from the Sermon on the Mount. The wars of the world have been fought around the balance of power. The trouble about that kind of balance of power is that it has been of the head and has expressed itself in battleships and poison gas. Jesus’s balance of power was of the heart. It was effi- cacious and abiding. The biggest thing that has come into business in my time is the change that is coming into the international rela- tions of the world. The same wind that is blowing toward the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is blowing in the field of business, and the biggest discovery in business is the fact that emotional values are su- preme, not intellectual values, E. A. Stowe. > Items From the Cloverland of Michi- gan. Sault Ste. Marie, Dec, &—The Cloverland readers of the Michigan Tradesman want to congratulate Mr. Stowe on his forty-eighth anniversary edition. It must be a great satisfac- tion to look back all these years and realize that so much useful information and advice has built up the high stand- ard of ‘business to so many merchants. Mr. |Stowe will never know how many merchants owe their success to the in- formation derived through the iMichi- gan Tradesman, especially the inde- pendent retail grocer who has been able to combat the chain store com- petition. ‘We hope Mr, Stowe will be spared many more years to continue the good work of spreading the gospel of good business and high ideals. Foss Elwyn, principal of our high school, was again elected to the repre- sentative council of the high school athletic association at a meeting held at Lansing last Friday. Carl Quigley, manager of the Car- penter Hotel, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has ‘been engaged by officers of the Ishpeming Hotel Co. as man- ager of the Mather Inn, which will have its formal opening in Ishpeming about Jan. 15. A few years ago the whole world was yelling “H.C. of L.” To-day one- half is bawling “‘S. O. 3S.” and the other half “C. O. D.” Now that the Union ‘Carbide Co. has abandoned the mines at Hendricks Quarry on M 28 in ‘Mackinac county, it has been decided to sell all of the houses at the quarry, which will mean some good bargains for summer homes at the surrounding resorts. The Escanaba \Paper 'Mill Co. is ex- panding by adding a structure 50 by 75 feet, two stories high, built of steel, to its Gross plant on the Escanaba river, near Escanaba, which will be used in the manufacture of sheet news print paper. They expect to operate the entire plant at full capacity throughout the fall and winter. The addition will make possible the pro- duction of a variety of tints in colored sheet paper. (Small winders for the manufacture of mercantile counter paper will be added later. Mrs. E. McCormick has taken over the Belvidere dining room and_ will serve regular meals, short order break- fasts and specialize in home made pies. The opening took place Dec. 7. R. W. Ballensinger, formerly pro- prietor of the Canteen, later going to Cheboygan, where the purchased a farm, was a caller here last week. To-day those who are setting pretty are the ones who have the standing. With the closing of the deer season last week the State ferry reports that a total of 4,750 deer had been trans- ported across the Straits, as compared with 5,900 deer last year. Included in the list this year were tabulated seven- ty ‘bears, eight bobcats, ten foxes, seventeen coyotes, six timber wolves and one live ‘bald-headed eagle. The season this year has been marked by a comparatively small number of hunt- ers being killed or injured, only four hunters lost their lives, as compared with nine last year. W. A. Munroe, {Munising, president of the Upper Peninsula Development Bureau, announces this week that the annual midwinter business meeting of the Bureau officers and directors will be held at the New Mather Inn at Ishpeming, Jan. 20. The real idea of (Christmas is to give presents to the children, but few of us ever grow up. Ed, Dishneau, of Manistique, has opened a new feed store at the corner of Deer and ‘Second streets. Mr. Dish- neau will handle a complete line of Purina feeds, William ‘Carpenter, of Manistique, has opened a new barber shop in the Weber building on River street, with Carl Roamer as assistant. Any Irishman can tell you that the Irish are the finest people in the world. But he will have to admit that the Scotch are a close second. William G. Tapert. ——_.-———_—__ Anyway, He’s Irish. The foreman looked the applicant for work up and down. “Are you a mechanic?” he saked. “No, sorr,” was the answer, “oi’m a McCarthy.” BuiltOn aSheet ofPAPER Only a sheet of white paper, slapped’ on as an extra pre- caution against dust and bac- teria—but how often it is the deciding factor that brings the customer back! (Wp DELICATESSEN PAPER is an all-around useful aid to the highest standard of service. It is proof against air and moisture, resists grease and is odorless and tasteless. Comes in rolls, boxes and neat wall cartons: convenient, econom- ical and a fine trade builder. Write us for working sheets and samples of our other Papers for your use or sale. Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company Kalamazoo — Michigan The only question as to the expan- sion of your business is whether you are willing to work hard at the ex- panding. for “—— really clean hands 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. Business Wants Department Advertisements inserted under this head for five cents a word the first insertion and four cents a word for each subse- quent continuous insertion. If set in capital letters, double price. No charge less than 50 cents. Small display adver- tisements in this department, $4 per inch. Payment with order is required, as amounts are too small to open accounts. WANTED—Married man wishes posi- tion in general merchandise or grocery store. Experienced. References fur- nished. Box 60, Perth, North Dakota. FOR SALE — WATER WORKS with over 500 customers on meter, fast grow- ing community, low operating costs, at a bargain. $15,000 will handle. J. W. Graham, Hinton, West Virginia. 477 Vil pay cash for any stock of mer- chandise, none too large or too small. Write, phone, or wire. L. LEVINSOHN, Saginaw, Mich. is 24 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN December 9, 1931 Gabby Gleanings From Grand Rapids. G. J. Johnson, who thas spent the summer at his home in this city, leaves to-morrow for New York, where he embarks on an ocean steamer to Los Angeles via the Panama ‘Canal. This prolongs the trip so he will not reach his destination until Jan. 2. He will remain in Los Angeles until April or May, as usual, All of the machinery used by the Bel-Car-Mo Nut Butter ‘Co. in the manufacture of peanut butter has been sold by the receiver to the Koeze Manufacturing Co., of Wyoming town- ship, for $610. The office furniture was sold to Jack Kospfsky for $135. If the machinery had been permitted to remain intact it would probably have ‘brought much more, but it had been dismantled and removed to a storage warehouse so it had much the appearance of junk. As the indebted- ness is in excess of $23,000 the creditors will probably receive about one cent on a dollar. The business was in a very prosperous condition at one time,-but on an evil day the man- ager admitted John Barleycorn to equal partnership in the concern, The new partner soon became very dom- ineering and induced the manager to remain away from the business and out of the city for long periods. As a result, the business was sadly neglected. The decline was as rapid as it was disastrous for all concerned —owners, employes and creditors. The new owner of the machinery will in- stall a portion of it in his factory at 1297 Burton street and dispose of the remainder to the best advantage. Goods will be manufactured and ex- ploited under the Bel-Car-Mo label and also under the name of the brand he has used in the past. Schedules filed in U. S, Court here in the involuntary bankruptcy pro- ceedings against Jacob ‘C. Rappaport, doing ‘business as the National ‘Cloth- ing Co., list liabilities at $43,006 and nominal assets of $146,794. Liabilities include secured claims of $24,112 and unsecured claims of $15,677. Assets in- clude debts due the debtor on open account totaling $72,725. Creditors have accepted a 30 per cent. composi- tion offer, but the debtor’s offer has not ‘been confidrmed yet. Secured and priority claims include: Personal property tax owing the city of Grand Rapids, $1,684; Old Kent Bank, Grand Rapids, $800 note due Nov. 26, 19311, secured by $1,000 negotiable bond; Grand Rapids Trust Co., agents for Cornelia Seydel for store rent during June, July and August, 1931, $1,050. Grand Rapids ‘Savings Bank, Grand Rapids, notes due as follows: Jan, 18, 1932, $3,450; Dec. 1931, $6,300; Nov. 10, 1931, $5,621; Oct. 26, 1931, $1,900; Nov. 16, 1931, $3,300; Jan. 18, 1932, $1,650. The above notes to the Grand Rapids Savings Bank are secured by deeds to certain real estate and assign- ment of land contracts for purchase of the same amounting to $39,500. Un- secured claims include Epstein, Frank & Lochner, Buffalo, N. Y., $998; L. A. Hurwitz & 'Co., New York, $1,395; Samuel Rosenthal & Bro., New York, $1,273; Morris Saffer & Sons, New York, $524; Old Kent Bank, Grand Rapids, note due, Nov. 2, 1931, $500; Mrs. Cornelia Seydel, Grand Rapids, $1,498. Stock in trade is listed at $7,- 215, with fixtures valued at $5,000. —_———_+ + + ____ How the Blatz Brewing Co. Favors the Chains. But little progress in the protection of independent ‘business can be ac- complished until specific understand- ing is given for action and united ac- tion in specific cases taken. We illustrate with a case of very un- fair practice by one of the chain chas- ing manufacturers and distributors. The independent merchant has suffer- ed greatly from price quotations by these chain chasers and our recom- mendation, as a supporter of the idea of independence and independents in business, is that every independent avoid business with such concerns. For five years or more the writer was manager of the Grand Rapids branch of the Blatz Brewing Co. The policy of the Blatz Brewing ‘Co. toward the Great Atlantic and ‘Pacific Tea :Co. was as follows on their three pound Bohemian malt syrup. They gave the headquarters of the A. & P. in the East a 10 per cent. discount from the retail price they established. ‘The lo- cal buyer of the A. & 'P. was given an- other 10 per cent. reduction and in- stead of the usual 2 per cent. cash dis- count for payment in ten days the local buyer was allowed 5 per cent. This ar- ticle, which cost the independent about $5 and the jobber about $4.45, cost the A. & P. only about $4 or a cent or two more, On top of that, the A. & P. was offered a case free with each case purchased. If the local warehouse had. 250 stores in which that malt was distributed, it could secure 250 cases of malt free, with the pur- chase, originally, of the same number. The independent will readily under- stand what would happen to him and to the prices of that malt. We leave it to his imagination as to what would happen and what he should do about such practices. This same concern was manufactur- er, distributor and retailer of its Grand Rapids made lines. The inde- pendent was not only discriminated against as above, but on a number of lines, a consumer could call at the local plant or order from the local plant to be delivered at his door for a few cents more than the retailer paid for the self same article. Other illustrations could be offered from this same source. If the independent is to make any progress in the elimination of its com- petitors, it must act unitedly in sup- pression of those things which are un- fair or stand in this way. And he knows how ‘to secure the needed re- sults if he chooses and does what he should do. Harvey iC. Whetzel, Director of Independent Business Council. —_—_—_+-+ > ___ Relationship Between Soda Depart- ment and Prescription Room. To what extent can an unsanitary appearing soda fountain and soiled and rumpled clothes on soda men injure the prestige of a pharmacy which took years of hard work in the iprescription department sto ‘build up? The relation between the soda de- partment in the drug store and the prescription department was recently pointed out by Dr. Willis H. Gregory, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Buffalo, before a meeting of the Boards and Schools of Phar- macy, “Tf the pharmacist,” said Dr, Greg- ory, “can make an effort to demon- strate hygiene at his fountain, certain- ly the pride manifested in his prescrip- tion department ‘by cleanliness and neatness will evoke that faith and re- spect and confidence in those served which is vital to pharmacy.” Before the fountain customer can approve of a store he tests the general appeal of the fountain, Shining mir- rors, glistening urns, clean, satiny marble, Inviting beyond a doubt. Now the soda man. ‘He, unfortunately, doesn’t make the grade. ‘His coat lapels are grimy, his sleeves, where they are rolled above the elbow, have a wavy line of discolored dish water which shows he went down deep for an elusive saucer. “Sloppy bird,” is the silent verdict of the fountain cus- tomer, and he begins to wonder how the sandwich will look and taste. To escape the feeling of revulsion created by the man who took his order, he sur- veys the other fountain man. This time he is jeopardizing his appetite for fair. A two-day old uniform. Need more be said? He manages to eat his sandwich and swallow his coffee, carefully keeping his eyes on the foun- tain decorations and the streamers across the spotless mirrors, lest he again glimpse the sickening costumes of the soda men. “Yes,” he muses, “the sandwich is good, coffee is great. I wanted some ice cream, too, but I guess [ had better beat it. Maybe after I walk off the effect of those ‘dust and dirt’ twins, T’ll drop in somewhere else for ice cream.” Gone is the value of a beautiful fountain, a good location, a good chef, and expert “jerkers.” All that had been needed to sell that fountain to that customer (and perhaps to a thou- sand others) was a pair of clean coats and aprons. Can a druggist afford to trade the respect and confidence of the public for an extra day or two squeezed out of a coat and apron? The answer is self- evident. —_+>-~+>____- MacVeagh & Co. Retire After Sixty-six Years. Franklin MacVeagh & Co., one of the oldest wholesale grocery houses in Chicago, will discontinue operation as soon as its stock and equipment are disposed of, about the first of the year. This was announced by Franklin Mac- Veagh, one of the founders of the six- ty-six year old business and Secretary of the Treasury under President Taft. Present business conditions were given as the reason for going out of busi- ness. Mr. MacVeagh is 91 years old. “My son, Eames, wanted to close the business some time ago,” he said, “but I did not resolve to do so until a week ago. We could go on. but it does not seem advisable. We have gone through several panics and one great disaster, the Chicago fire. The present depression will end, but it is the most incorrectible situation I have ever experienced. Never before has one been so difficult to control or so mixed up with foreign finances.” Mr. MacVeagh indulged in remi- niscences of his early experience in the grocery businses and declared he would miss his business associates and the 400 employe of his company. He declared that he and the found- ers of Chicago’s other pioneer whole- sale groceries, Albert Sprague & Co. (now Sprague, Warner Co.) and Reid, Murdoch & Co., had always been friendly competitors. Mr. MacVeagh met the late Albert Sprague at Yale university and later when they both entered the grocery business in Chi- cago. Franklin MacVeagh & Co. original- ly had four partners, James A. Whita- ker, Isaac N. Harmon, Col. John Mes- ser, and Mr. MacVeagh, and was known as Whitaker, Harmon & Co. until Mr. MacVeagh bought the others out. Its present location is 333 West Lake street. Mr. MacVeagh said that he might devote his time to writing after he disposes of his ‘business. His interests have always been varied and he has headed many civic and charitable as- sociations in Chicago. 2 Farmer Who Is Surely Hard Hit. Slab Siding, Dec. 8—There is so much talk about Republican prosperity, I believe ’tis my duty to write my views and help analyze the situation so we can make up our minds that we should change our ways of living. Take my own case for instance. I see my mistakes and many others have acted likewise. I bought a ford instead of a farm and it is worn out, but the farm is ‘O. K. J bought a radio instead of a cow and the radio gives static instead of milk, I am feeding ‘five hounds in- stead of five pigs. I thad my piano tuned instead of my well cleaned. I spent all my cash in 1928, used my credit in 1929, traded my future wages in 1930, so hard times caught me in bad shape. Tf I had spent my last $10 for flour and meat instead of gas and oil, I would have been O. K. I built a nice garage instead of covering my barn and J loafed in the mountains two weeks instead of fixing my pasture so my cow won't get out, but she is dry now and mortgaged to boot for two blankets my wife bought from an agent instead of paying the preacher. I am on a cash basis now but ain’t got no cash. J am tied to the end of my rope and the men J am working for is busted on account of nobody won't buy. I had saved $4 for a rainy day, but it turned dry and I spent the $4 for two inner tubes. I tried to make both ends meet with a turnip patch but when I got ready to sell, everybody was giving them away and the market was glutted. JI am worried plumb to the bone and my wife's kinfolks are coming next Tuesday for two weeks. Write or phone if you hear of any re- lief from the Government coming this way. I am willing to be a Democrat or Republican for a few weeks if that will help any. Yours truly in pain, (Author Unknown.) ———_o. > —__ _ Honsberger Bros., dealer in clothing and shoes at Laingsburg, renew their subscription to the Tradesman and write: “The ‘traveling’ is somewhat rough, but we feel that it would be ‘rougher’ without the Michigan Trades- man.” —2____ Hastings—W. W. Ingraham _ suc- ceeds L. M. Howell as proprietor of the Club cigar store. are : mereeads CALL US WE SAVE YOU 25% TO 40% ON YOUR INSURANCE COST GCAOL’S) THE MILL MUTUALS AGENCY 208 NORTH CAPITOL AVENUE LANSING, MICHIGAN Phone 20741 COFFEE With the perfect blend and Uniform Quality Satisfies the consuming public. Our Coffees always satisfy. Always fresh roasted. Imperial Morton House Quaker Majestic Nedrow Boston Breakfast Blended Breakfast Cup GIOLO Sold to Independent Dealers only GIAOL9 LEE & CADY Colds due to reduced resistence Fleischmann’s Yeast rids the sys- tem of poisons that reduce resist- ance to colds and other minor ills. Recommend it to your customers. They will appreciate your interest in their health. You will increase your business. FLEISHMANN’S YEAST STANDARD BRANDS a product of yp STANDARD BRANDS INCORPORATED Our sales policy To sell no chain << =F ANCY PAN TOASTE stores — L AR To sell 30 “co-ops” To sell no desk jobbers ny Ny po rt aS To back every package with a solid guarantee This policy backed by a quality product like Purity Oats is your weapon against ‘“bar- gain sales’ and other types of indiscriminate selling. - WO NY — PURITY OATS COMPANY KEOKUK, IOWA With the Pnice Established through the manufacturers’ advertising your selling cost is less and profits more. Your customers recognize that the price is right when it is plainly shown on the label and in the advertising as it is in Baking Powder Same Price for over 40 years 25 ounces for 25c You save time and selling expense in featuring such brands as K C. Besides your profits are protected. Millions of Pounds Used by Our Government mt ac Si on oa