NDI RCCL SSS SSEL ORR Ir OY TOL SAG HI UTNE FLERE 2 CAEN AEG GID EOLA SIN
hema TS Seay SERN GON SR SAOR NR y= B MN ES AWS IZATION
Nee Oe ea
Ae WT SS ra Wa ‘fe Lae) ec NOW &( nw RRNA EO "aN CME: TES aS AN
NE Bac Ros Ae Tae ANI
NF CHES ES SMEG EG LOINC OAR VET Ee) EO Ge) Noe ReaD
N/A CR CASS SERN ( (NCCES TSM) / FEN EES
ay Cun re ES aR Ree TGS ZN Mra DINOS
ePUBLISHED WEEKLY (Gai << TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 8) Pee EST.
OL PAAR SS

 

CSS
ANON Sa) YY Like LAGE WEE WS in BIE OZ Le FA OED C5 Oe Soa
SPC SOO OSLO WDE SST EES OSI OGRE DOD

Or aaa Sr

Forty-ninth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1931

Number 2517

 

 

 

SHE WOULD BE A MASON

The funniest story I ever heard,

The funniest thing that ever occurred,

Is the story of Mrs. Mehitable Byrde,
Who wanted to be a Mason.

 

Her husband, Tom Byrde, is a Mason true,
As good a Mason as any of you;

He is tyler of lodge Cerulean Blue,

And tyles and delivers the summons due,
And she wanted to be a Mason, too—

This ridiculous Mrs. Byrde.

She followed him around, this inquisitive wife,

And nagged and teased him half out of his life;

So to terminate this unhallowed strife

He consented at last to admit her.

And first, to disguise her from bonnet to shoon,

The ridiculous lady agreed to put on

His breech—oh! forgive me—I meant pantaloon;
And miraculously did they fit her.

The lodge was at work on the master’s degree;
The light was ablaze on the letter G;
High soared the pillars J and B;
The officers sat like Solomon, wise;
The brimstone burned amid horrid cries;
The goat roamed wildly through the room;
The candidate begged *em to let him go home,
And the devil himself stood up in the East,
As proud as an alderman at a feast—
When in came Mrs. Byrde.

Oh, horrible sounds! Oh, horrible sight!
Can it be that Masons take delight

In spending thus the hours of night?

Oh! could their wives and daughters know
The unutterable things they say and do,
Their feminine hearts would burst with woe;

But this is not all my story.

For those Masons joined in a hideous din
The candidate howling like everything,
And thus in tones of death they sing;

(The candidate’s name was Morey);
‘Blood to drink and bones to crack,
Skulls to smash and lives to take,

Hearts to crush and souls to burn—

 

Give old Morey another turn,
And make him all grim and gory.”’

Trembling with horror stood Mrs. Byrde,
Unable to speak a single word,

She staggered and fell in the nearest chair,
On the left of the junior warden there,
And scarcely noticed, so loud the groans,
That the chair was made of human bones.

Of human bones, on grinning skulls,
That ghastly throne of horror rolls.
Those skulls, the skulls that Morgan bore!
Those bones, the bones that Morgan wore!
His scalp across the top was flung,

His teeth around the arms were strung.
Never in all romance was known
Such uses made of human bone.

The brimstone gleamed in livid flame,

Just like a place we will not name;

Good angels, that enquiring came

From blissful courts, looked on in shame
And tearful melancholy.

Again they dance, but twice as bad;

They jump and sing like demons mad,
The tune is Hunky Dorey—

“Blood to drink,” etc., etc.

Then came a pause—a pair of paws
Reached through the floor, up-sliding doors,
And grabbed the unhappy candidate!
How can I without tears relate
The lost and ruined Morey’s fate?
She saw him sink in a fiery hole,
She heard him scream, “My soul, my soul!”
While roars of fiendish laughter roll

And drown the yells of mercy.
“Blood to drink,” etc., etc.

The ridiculous woman could stand no more—
She fainted and fell on the checkered floor,
*Midst all the diabolical roar.
What then, you ask me, did befall

Mehitable Byrde? Why, nothing at all—

She had dreamed she'd been in the Mason’s hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speed Up Sales

by featuring properly
advertised lines

The manufacturers are creating the
demand and saving your time through

their advertising.

You realize a maximum profit with a

minimum of effort in selling

Baking
Powder

 

Same Price

for over 4O years

25 ounces for 25c

Your customers know it is a quality

product. . . that the price is right.

Why ask them to pay War Prices?

It’s up to you to show them that you

have it.

Millions of Pounds Used by Our

Government

 

 

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

COLO

Sold to Independent
Dealers only

GAOL7O

LEE & CADY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Se iatoonteee nach nan enim ciuscpeerenemsnesnsiblietthabniiels- cleshenstsRacketiiaaliaia linen eeasnndeaedinamaianaailth en

ES SS mp val > ye ee ae

Sal set tA gg ONT

oS

’
if

 

 
 

 

  

 

  
  
 

 

 

> Sih. ste, steeinr eoteediatiastia einen eal

   

AADESMAN

 
  

 

 

Forty-ninth Year

MICHI GAN 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 im advance. $4 per year if not paid
in advance. Canadian subscription, $4.04 per year,
payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10 cents
each. Extra copies of  urrent issues, 10 cents; issues a
month or more old, 15 cents; issues a year or more
old, 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.

All trade reports agree that the
colder weather has spurred business
forward in gratifying degree. In num-
erous cases the gains mentioned are
quite notable, especially in food lines
and wearing apparel.

To what extent the Christmas trade
has been influenced cannot yet be de-
termined. The volume is naturally so
large at this season, even under un-
favorable conditions, that comparative
figures are difficult to obtain. A dis-
tinct improvement in sentiment, while
helpful to business in general, tends
to exaggerated estimates of actual re-
sults.

The younger men are disposed to
believe that the buying slack attributed
to protracted summer conditions will
be taken up in the course of the winter.
More experienced merchants look upon
business not transacted as business that
has been lost. This is true, of course,
of immediate needs. That theory fails,
however, to take account of augmented
supplies of buying power. What the
public has not spent it can spend.

Large store buying, even for holiday
business, has been very close this year
—so close, indeed, that keen observers
are inclined to think that a decided
change in conditions would cause some
embarrassment in filling orders.

Manufacturers have not discouraged
buying limited by consumer demand.
Some of them are now of opinion,
however, that the time is at hand for a
modification of this policy in view of
possible, if not yet probable, develop-
ments. The situation, at all events,
indicates a return of something like
an equilibrium,

Increasing uneasiness is expressed in
many important quarters at the let-
down in quality which has accompanied
the demand for low-priced goods. Sim-
ilar concern is found among manufac-
turers and the better class of distrib-
utors. A reversal in the price trend

would cause a general sharp reaction.

A good deal of current advertising is
coming in for severe criticism these
days on the ground that, in stressing
price, it minimizes quality or implies
that there has been no deterioration.
It is not yet apparent that the public
shares this view. It is observed, how-
ever, that public credulity is being
strained and may reach the breaking
point if no reform is brought about.

The general index number of busi-
ness activity turned upward last week,
although it did not move far. The
gains were in steel mill production,
electric power output, automobiles and
cotton cloth,

Comment on the proposed National
emergency finance corporation is mix-
ed. It is welcomed by corporations
which encounter difficulty in securing
adequate banking accommodations and
believe that the situation now existing
is similar to that which prevailed just
before the close of the kasier’s war.
Critics of the plan are to be found
among business men who dislike gov-
ernment activities in any phase of
business.

Chain store sales in November made
an unusually poor showing, judging
from figures now in hand. Compared
with last year, Woolworth lost 8.6 per
cent. contrasted with a decrease of
only 1.6 per cent. for eleven months.
Sears, Roebuck went off 16.8 per cent.
in the four weeks ended Dec. 3, 6.2
per cent. more than the loss in the
first forty-eight weeks, and even W.
T. Grant, with gains of 6.6 per cent.
in the first eleven months, lost 2.8
per cent. in November.

A measure to curb “the ends” of
too much advertising in the air is to be
considered at the present session of
Congress, according to Representative
Davis, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, rank-
ing minority member of the Merchant
Marine and Fisheries Committee, which
has charge of radio matters.

Cigarette prices were cut this week
in the Cincinnati outlets of Schulte
Stores and United Cigar from 16 cents
a package and two packages for 31
cents to 15 cents a package and 29
cents for two packages. These prices
include Kentucky State tax of 2 cents.

As a result of production increases,
89,000 persons have gone back to work
in Chevrolet plants.

The 72nd: session of Congress, prob-
ably the most important since the
kaiser’s war, got under way last week
with the introduction of about 5,000
bills in the House and with a large
number introduced in the Senate. Ad-
journment will be at the discretion of
Congress, and the session will probably
continue until June.

Immediate decisions demanded of
the Congress are concerned with high-
er taxes to meet the growing Treasury

 
 

deficit, solution of the European war
debt problems, unemployment relief, a
program of financial and banking legis-

“lation, the problem of whether or not

to permit a test vote on prohibition,
and revision or repeal of anti-trust
laws. Recently Senator Tom Connally
summed up the situation by saying:

“The country is filled with demands
that Congress shall restore prosperity
—that it shall cure this economic ail-
ment and remedy that business ill, that
it shall give a stimulant to industry’s
heart action, that it shall bind up the
fractures in finance; in short, that it
shall set up a business, financial and
industrial clinic to treat and cure all
the ailments in business, industry, agri-
culture and finance.”

But Senator Connally did not hold
out much hope for Congressoinal re-
lief, and added that business revival
depends on restoring purchasing power
to agriculture, labor and the producing
classes. Unfortunately, the approach-
ing National election will greatly en-
courage timidity and political expedi-
ency, and little sound legislation is
expected by observers; but there is a
chance for intelligent, economic busi-
ness legislation that is energetically
supported by business organizations.

Tax increases, invariably resisted by
the public, and now necessary because
of the extravagant liberality of the last
Congress in distributing gratuities, will
serve as a deterrent to further attacks
on the Treasury by the present Con-
gress. The prospect is also causing
an increasing demand for more econ-
omy in all Governmental activities, and
for reductions in local and state taxes.
The Department of Agriculture is in-
directly supporting a fight for lower
taxes on farm properties.

Government in business is being de-
fended by Government officials who
have been aroused by recent published
attacks. In the near future a campaign
is expected to be started for the pur-
pose of educating the public as to the
advantages of a number of Government
business enterprises, particularly in the
farm field.

Reduction of radio advertising has
been suggested by Representative Da-
vis, who recently said that the Radio
Commission had “fallen down” in cur-
tailing the volume of advertising on
the air, although it could have taken
action under the law. He also said
that it is probable that a proposal to
curb radio advertising will soon be
considered by the proper House com-
mittee.

The Federal Trade chain store re-
port will be delivered to Congress
soon. It is reported that two impor-
tant sections and a list of accepted
definitions: and terms will go to the
commissioners within the next day or
two, The report follows an exhaustive

Number 2517

investigation, and it will undoubtedly
settle all controversy regarding’ the
economic status of the chain system
of distribution.

Three-cent letter mail is officially
proposed by Postmaster General
Walter F. Brown, in his annual report
made public last week. He proposes
to later reduce the rate to two and one-
half cents as business returns to nor-
mal: but industry need have no appre-
hension of the increase. Leading mem-
have declared
against the proposal, regardless of the
prospect of a $200,000,000 postal deficit
this year.

bers of both houses

American agriculture is more affect-
ed by foreign conditions than is Amer-
ican industry, the Secretary of Agri-
culture states in his annual report,
which is an interesting and factual
record of one of the most critical years
in the history of the country’s farming
Regardless of agricultural
depression, however, the Secretary
notes that the farm population showed
a net increase in 1930 for the first time
since 1922, when the department began
making annual estimates of the number
of people living on farms. The report
contains 102 pages, and copies may be
procured from the Superintendent of
Documents.

industry.

“Commercial and industrial organiza-
tions of the U. S.,” revised to Septem-
ber, this year, will be published next
week by the Department of Commerce.
The book is a complete directory of
trade and other commercial bodies,
and lists more than 19,000 organiza-
tions. National, intrastate and inter-
national organizations are listed alpha-
betically, and classified geographically
by commodities and functions. Bound
in buckram, the directory is sold by
the Superintendent of Documents at
85 cents a copy.

Opportunities for small business ap-
pear to be increasing with the growing
realization that business power does
not rest in bigness. In a recent letter,
Huston Thompson, former Federal
Trade Commisioner, writes that the
youth of to-day is revolting because
of the closing of opportunity by merg-
ers and big business operations. He
added that the tendency is perhaps
the most dangerous thing that con-
fronts our economic system, and con-
tinued:

“When I was on the Federal Trade
Commission I had the opportunity of
observing the ineffiency of bigness.
On one occasion we were permitted to
search the Internal Revenue records,
and we found as far as we went that
it was almost universally true that
our largest-sized corporations did not
return as much net profit on the dol-
lar invested as the medium-sized cor-
porations, and particularly those of a
single corporate unit.”

  

 

F
i

2

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.

Labor Together in Making a Better
World.

A civilization simply cannot endure
unless it rests upon a foundation of
justice, righteousness and a freedom
that is greater than political because
it includes moral freedom, spiritual
emancipation from selfishness, ma-
terialism and sordid absorption in
sensuous pleasures. When quality of
life is sacrificed to quantity of ma-
terial possessions ‘we are materialists,
no matter what creedal religion we
profess.

The more JT study the whole situa-
tion which confronts us to-day and re-
flect upon its complex and_ varied
causes, and the remedies proposed, the
more am [| convinced that ‘basically it
is a moral and spiritual problem.

Some attention has ‘been given to
the higher needs and much has been
done to promote freedom, justice and
happiness. But mixed with whatever
good there has been in the aims and
policies of business and politics, and
often dominating and overshadowing
the good, has been a passion for ma-
terial welfare, and a National and
private selfishness, which have brought
the world to the edge of ruin.

It all comes to this: Unless the peo-
ple have cleaner, saner, truer concep-
tions of the real values of life, what it
means to live a worthy life, modern
life, modern society cannot survive. It
will rise out of its present distress only
to sink again into perhaps deeper
misery.

Important as high wages, short
hours, prosperity, leisure and luxury
may be, people must seek something
higher or suffer the penalties fixed by
the moral laws of this universe.

Of what use are higher wages and
more leisure, popular education and
abounding prosperity if we do not
know how to use them to achieve a
richer and better life? This is the
issue we, the people, and we, the lead-
ers, must face.

Truly great things have never been
achieved by people in the past except
when they were sane, self-sacrificing,
hard-working and high-minded. The
road to national welfare is spiritual
as well as material. To make a better
type of life is more essential than to
make money.

The woes of the world demand hon-
esty of speech and a frank facing of
facts. ‘While we direct every energy
to the relief of distress, we must at the
same time deal with one of the great
causes of distress. To miss the point
now, not to learn the lesson our mis-
fortunes teach, is to invite new
calamities and even greater disasters
to come upon us,

No one is exempt from this issue.
Rich and poor, employer and employe,
educated or ignorant, we all need to
know what constitutes real, true living
and seek after it.

Man shall not live by bread alone.
Great as are our physical needs, basi-
cally our spiritual needs are greater.

The suffering of the mind to-day is
appalling to all who think clearly and
face facts. Multitudes who do not
suffer from lack of clothes, food or
shelter are broken-spirited, perplexed
and miserable. The trials and burdens

pro RN I 5 ISOC Te A I

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

of merchants, manufacturers and bank-
ers and all employers of labor are un-
imaginably crushing and heart-break-
ing. Yes, everywhere there is need of
ministrations to the spirit of man.

So, let us all see our problems in
their broader, bigger aspects. Deal
with all the facts and realities, There
is no single remedy for our woes.
Superficial treatment of our diseases
is worse than useless. With clear
heads, calm resolution and unselfish
determination let us labor together in
the cause of making a better world.—
Alfred W. Wishart in Forbes,

 

perfect satisfaction or agree to refund
the full purchase price. From the re-
tail merchant’s standpoint, aside from
the fact that he is in a position to offer
his trade some splendid value in K 'C
at 25 ounces for 25c, it certainly is de-
serving of his support because it pays
him a better percentage of profit than

most other Nationally advertised
goods, Portage Street.
———_+ + +

Corporations Wound Up.

The following (Michigan corporations
have recently filed notices of dissolu-
tion with the Secretary of State:
O’Rourke Engineering Construction

(Co., Detroit,

Rev, Alfred W, Wishart.

Pays a Better Percentage of Profit.

Kalamazoo, Dec. 15—4jI note you
frequently solicit opinions from your
readers on the lines of goods handled
by them. Especially do you urge your
readers to give their reasons for
handling goods which afford the larg-
est percentage of profit. [I consider
that every retail dealer should feature
such brands as K C baking powder at
this time. Of course, we do not have
to ‘tell you that women all over the
country are watching prices very
keenly these days and that they are
demanding the utmost in value for
their money. That being true, the
merchant who is on the alert will
recognize that this is a very opportune
time for him to get behind such ex-
cellent brands as K .C baking powder.
In the case of K C, he is in a position
to show his customers where they can
make a saving in price without sac-
rificing anything in quality. Naturally,
his customers recognize that K C is
fairly priced, and the dealer is in a
position to guarantee every can to give

 

Greenfield Land Co., Detroit.

Heywood Milling Co., Jackson.

United States Glue Co., Inc., Detroit.

Peter 'Cooper’s Glue Factory, Inc., De-
troit.

American Glue Co., Inc., Detroit.

Keystone Asphaltum Roofing Co.,
Grand Haven.

Walter W. Sheffer Rabbitries, Inc.,
Grand Junction.

National ‘Muellermist Co., Detroit.

Michigan Automatic Merchandising
'Co., Detroit,

People’s Savings Bank of Traverse
City.

Stevens Motor Car Co., Lansing.
3aier Brothers, Inc., Detroit.

J. B. Lewis Sales ‘Co., Owosso.

Brace Upholstery Co., Grand Rapids,

General Export Corp., Detroit.

—_——_~»+-+—____.

There can be no successful team
work in a store where the employes
are not loyal to the store and to one
another, or where the boss is not loyal
to his employes.

December 16, 1931
IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY.

Questionable Schemes Which Are
Under Suspicion.

The Minneapolis chap who makes a
running jump through Michigan every
summer, purporting to sell second-
hand electric refrigerator show cases
—‘“as good as new’—came along as
usual this year. The name he used
this time was F, W. ‘Mann. Next year
it will be something else. ‘His real
name is Devil. He carries a photo-
graph purporting to illustrate a case
which he has “reconditioned in his
factory.’ He secures a check in ad-
vance for as much as he can and im-
mediately has it cashed. Among his
victims this time were J, J. Wolbrink
& ‘Sons, Allendale; Neuman Grocery
Co., Petoskey; Ernest J, Kibbe, 'Char-
levoix; C. C. Brown, ‘Sault Ste. Marie;
Darling & Son, Lake Odessa. We re-
cently wrote the Police Department of
Minneapolis regarding this crook, re-
ceiving the following reply:

Minneapolis, Dec. 12—Replying to
your letter of Dec. 10 in regard to F.
W. Mann, taking advance money on
electric showcases which are never
delivered:

Our officers checked carefully, but
can find no F. W. MaMnn listed in our
directories, and none of the showcase
people here know who he is.

Regret that we are unable to give
you any information regarding Mann.

F. P. Forestal,
Captain of Detectives.

Saginaw, Dec. ll—Just a few lines
to warn your readers of a new racket
which has been worked on us, the
Peoples American State Bank and also
other merchants in Saginaw. Would
describe the woman to be about 40
years old, very thin, with a drawn
face. She wore a red suit with a red
hat. Hair combed straight back, boy-
ish bob, masculine hands and feet,
smoked cigarettes, but dressed as a
female.

She purchased a dress in vur store
amounting to $10 and presented a
check amounting to $22.50, drawn on
the Wayne County Bank of Detroit.
Before accepting the check [ asked her
for credentials and identification and
she showed me a pass book from the
Peoples American State Bank here
where she had cashed a check for $20
and deposited a check for $130 for
savings, and they issued her a pass
book. On seeing that our local bank
had issued her a pass book, we accept-
ed the check. She pulled the same
thing off on several merchants here 1n
town by showing ‘her pass book which
the bank had issued. A few days
later our check came ‘back, stating that
she had no account with the Wayne
‘County Bank in Detroit. ‘

Now the detectives are looking for
her and there are two or three others
pulling the same thing off.

If you hear anything about them,
please wire the chief of police in Sag-
inaw at our expense.

Holland jmerchants to-day were
warned against a man said to be oper-
ating in the State and looting cash
registers through a new ruse.

The man enters a place of business
and posing as a Federal agent asks to
examine bills in the money drawer to
determine whether they are genuine,
according to Chief of Police Peter A.
Lievense,

The visitor sorts through the five,
ten and twenty dollar denominations
and pretends to find several counter-
feit bills. While the merchant looks
on with mingled emotions, he is hand-

 

 

 

 

 

nee

ee

 

 

 

 

December 16, 1931

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

 

ed a receipt for the money as the man
walks out with the currency.

Local business men were asked. to
notify police should the man _ be
seen.—Holland Sentinel.

 

Proprietary medicines will no longer
be advertised ‘by a manufacturing cor-
poration through the medium of testi-
monial advertising which is not the
genuine, correect and duly authorized
opinion of its author or authors, ac-
cording to a stipulation between the
company and the Federal Trade Com-
mission. I/f a monetary or other valu-
able consideration has been paid for
a testimonial, then the respondent shal]
publish along with the advertisement
in an equally conspicuous manner the
fact that the testimonial was obtained
for a consideration. The company will
cease using in its advertising matter
any and all testimonials the wording
of which has been altered in such a
way as to materially change their
sense and meaning, or to materially
misquote the writers. Neither will the
company publish testimonials by users
of its powder products in connection
with advertisements of such products
in liquid form, in such a way as to de-
ceive buyers into the belief that a form
of the product other than the true one
is meant and referred to. Statements
and representations that its liquid
product has tonic properties based on
the presence therein of nux vomica,
when such is not the fact, will also be
discontinued, as will the assertion that
its liquid product is vitaminized, when
this liquid does not contain all the
known vitamins in significant amounts.

 

An individual selling and distribut-
ing soaps, agreed in a stipulation with
the ‘(Commission to stop advertising or
labeling his soap products with ficti-
tious statements concerning price or
value, and from using fictitious names
in advertising. He will also stop
representing directly or indirectly that
a physician was connected with the
preparation of the formula or manu-
facture of his soaps, when such is not
true. Other representations to be dis-
continued are use of the word “Anti-
septic” to describe one of his soaps, so
as to deceive buyers into believing that
it contains antiseptic properties other
than those usually found in cocoanut
oil soaps; and advertising that a sec-
ond brand of his soap contains olive
oil and no acids or possesses the sooth-
ing qualities of castile soap, and is es-
pecially adapted for use on tender
skins.

 

A corporation engaged in bottling
water from a natural spring in Florida,
agreed that it would stop advertising
the medicinal or curative properties of
its water as other or greater than
those usually belonging to water which
is mildly alkali and mildly laxative.
The bottlers will cease other forms of
advertising which do not truthfully
describe their products,

 

A corporation selling and. distribut-
ing bronze powders, signed a stipula-
tion with the Federal Trade Commis-
sion agreeing not to advertise or repre-
sent that it is a manufacturer of
bronze powders. The company will
not use the word “manufacturers”

either independently or in connection
with other words so as to imply that
it manufactures the products which it
sells; or not until such time as it ac-
tually owns, operates or controls a
factory wherein such products are
made,

 

Engaged in the sale and distribution
of automobile parts, including axle
shafts, worms, gears, and brake
drums, some of which it manufactures
and others of which it purchases and
finishes, a corporation signed a stipu-
lation with the Federal Trade Com-
mission agreeing to stop advertising
that the axle shafts it sells are of its
own manufacture, when such jis not
true. The company will no longer
state that it uses the “‘Brinnel Test,”
when this is not the fact, nor that its
products are made from a special al-
loy or nickel+chromium steel, when
only a portion thereof are manufactur-
ed from such steel.

 

The Federal Trade Commission has
ordered Alexander-Martin Co., Grand
Rapids, Mich., ready-made clothing
dealers, to cease representing that
clothing is tailor-made or made es-
pecially to order except in cases where
it is actually cut to the pattern of the
customer’s order measurements. The
company is also not to assert that two
suits are being offered for the price
of one, nor that the purchaser will
have a reasonable opportunity to in-
spect before paying the balance due
thereon where such shipments are sent
c. o. d. without such privilege. The
company is also to discontinue refusal
to make refunds pursuant to guarantee
of fit and satisfaction in cases where
reasonable attempt at adjustment with
the dissatisfied customer has been un-
availing. Besides this company other
respondents listed are A. H. Martin
and W. R. Alexander, individuals.

 

A score of Detroit business houses
were victimized last week by a group
of clever forgers who put into circula-
tion between 30 and 50 bad checks,
after they had stolen the blanks friom
reputable business institutions. One
peculiarity of the transaction was that
most of the forged checks were for
the sum of $60. Due to a delay in re-
porting to the police the theft of the
blank checks the forgers were allowed
a couple of days in which ‘to pass the
spurious paper. All business men are
asked tlo immediately report the loss of
any blank checks in order to prevent
the forgers from using them,

——_++~+____
Spring Underwear Starts To Move.

With the entrance of some whole-
sale buying groups into the market
during the week, sales of lightweight
underwear for Spring showed a fair
gain. These large distributors are pre-
paring their sample lines, which must
be ready by the end of the month, and
placed initial commitments, although
not in any large volume. No changes
in quotations on heavyweight goods
nor any offering of merchandise on an
“at value’ basis has been reported in
the market yet, although with most
mills catching up on their orders, buy-
ers expect that some such move may
develop shortly.

 

ed J, ‘
485 EVERY FS
4 Pla nan OU,

Dive IM WATER

|
|

 

  
  

 

 

 

a ITEMS THAT
BRING PEOPLE INTO
your STORE frequently.

The items that bring people into your store
most often are the ones that are your best
assurance of success. For, when people come
in you can sell them not only what they ask
for, but other products that you may suggest

or that they see on display.

Fleischmann’s Yeast is an item that brings
people into your store frequently. Customers
buy it often; some people come in every day
for this well-known health food.

Recommend Fleischmann’s Yeast to all your
It will keep them healthy. And
you know that healthy cusotmers with good

customers.
healthy appetites buy more of your products

—which means increased sales and increased

profits for you.

LEISHMANN’S

YEAST

a product of

STANDARD BRANDS INCORPORATED

 
 

x xsiiemieiaaseeaoaset
TT

 

en he

PRODUCTS

 

 

 

Ce eee ee re ot

fi
f
f
E
f
k
:
E
i
:
i
EI

ese eet Pe RS amine sta aes SaaS

4

MOVEMENTS OF MERCHANTS.

Wayland—Mrs. Flossie Monroe has
opened a lunch room in the Mason
buildiag.

Bax Axe—Mrs, J. C. Ort is closing
out her entire stock of women’s ready-
to-wear apparel and will retire from
trade.

Ann Arbor—The Superior Ice Cream
& Products Co., Washtenaw avenue,
has changed its name to the Superior
Dairy Co.

Grayling—The Grayling State Sav-
ings Bank has been incorporated with
a capital stock of $25,000, all subscribed
and paid in.

Paw Paw—Jacob Riedl, 55, who con-
ducted a grocery store here nearly
twenty years, died Dec. 9, following
an illness of over three years.

Bear Lake—L. D. Connelly, founder
of the hardware, implement and gro-
cery business of Connelly & Son, has
retired from business owing to ill
health.

Cheboygan—The Cheboygan Home
Bakery, Sam Elliott, recently of Du-
rand, proprietor, was opened for busi-
ness in the Awada block, Main street,
this week.

Detroit—The Mae Hat Co., Inc.,
1425 Broadway, has merged its busi-
ness into a stock company under the
same style with a capital stock of
$1,000, all subscribed and paid in.

Almont — The Almont Poultry
Farms, Inc., has been organized to
raise poultry, deal in eggs, etc., with
a capital stock of $8,100, all of which
has been subscribed and paid in.

Detroit—Nut Pops, Inc., 1806 Eaton
Tower, has been incorporated to man-
ufacture and sell confections. fruit
beverages, etc., with a capital stock of
$1,000, all subscribed and paid: in.

Detroit—The Central Michigan Sales
Co., Inc., 725 Twentieth street, has
been organized to deal in waste ma-
terial, wiping rags, etc., with a capital
stock of $1,000, all subscribed and paid
in.

Hart—The Wigton hotel property
has been leased to Alfred Stevens, of
Boyne City, who, after doing consid-
erable remodeling, will open again.
The hotel had been closed about a
year.

Albion—Art Fiebig, retail men’s
wear, 111 North Superior street, has
filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy
in the U. S. District Court at De-
troit, listing liabilities of $5,217 and
assets of $3,993,

Detroit — Corman’s, Inc., 6640
Twelfth street and 11744 Dexter boule-
vard, has been incorporated to deal in
drugs and kindred goods with a cap-
ital stock of $10,000, $9,800 being sub-
scribed and paid in.

Highland Park — Max Bronstein,
Inc., 12877 Woodward avenue. has
merged his meat and grocery business
into a stock company under the same
style with a capital stock of $3,000,
all subscribed and paid in.

Detroit—Harry Adler has merged
his hardware business into a_ stock
company under the style of the Adler
Hardware & Tinning Co., 10328 Wood-
ward avenue, with a capital stock of
$2,000, all subscribed and paid in.

Otsego—Miss Catharine Townsend

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

died at her home Dec. 5. following a
short illness. Miss Townsend con-
ducted a millinery store on Allegan
street for more than thirty years, from
which she retired three years ago.
Jackson—Levy’s Bootery, Inc., suc-
ceeds Levy & Eichorn in the shoes,
rubbers and hosiery business at 118
West Michigan avenue, with a capital
stock of 35,000 shares at $1 a share,
$25,000 being subscribed and paid in.
Hastings—Mead & Bumford have
purchased the E. C. Russ & Son stock

of groceries and will continue the busi-

ness as a cash store and as one of the
I. G. A. organization. They will con-
tinue their East Side Grocery as be-
fore.

Scottville—Fire damaged the store
building and hardware, implement and
seed stock of Fred J. Reader & Son,
Dec. 10, entailing a loss of many thou-
sands. This is the first fire Mr. Reader
has experienced in his forty-seven
years of business life.

Lansing—The North Side Commer-
cial Club gave a testimonial luncheon
Dec. 14, to Paul E. Dunham, founder
of the Dunham Hardware & Imple-
ment Co., Turner street, who retires
from trade Jan. 1, after fifty years of
activity in Lansing business world.

Grand Rapids—The King Co., 38
Monroe avenue, N. W., has been or-
ganized to manufacture and sell drugs,
toilet preparations, etc., with a capital
stock of $20.000 preferred, $20,000
common and 400 shares at $1 a share,
$1,000 being subscribed and paid in.

Lansing—Harry P. Woodworth, 65,
died at his home, Dec. 10, following a
sudden heart attack. Mr. Woodworth
succeeded his father as owner of the
Woodworth Boot & Shoe Store, 115
North Washington avenue, which was
established by his grandfather, George
Woodworth, in 1856.

Kalamazoo—A. Maxwell Sargent,
doing business as the Camera & Art
Shop, has filed a voluntary bankruptcy
petition in the District Court at Grand
Rapids listing liabilites of $3.678 and
assets of $973. The only creditor with
a claim exceeding $500 is Henderson-
Ames Co., Kalamazoo, rent, $1,000.

Rochester—The Haddrill-Carpenter
Co., dealer in men’s and boys‘ ready-
to-wear apparel, will close out its stock
and retire from trade here. The store
occupied by the company has been
taken over by Fred B. Carpenter, dealer
in men’s and boys’ clothing who will
occupy it as soon as it can be remod-
eled following its vacancy by the Had-
drill-Carpenter Co.

Lansing—An involuntary petition in
bankruptcy has been filed in U. S.
District Court at Detroit against Earl
H. and Glenn S. Davis, individually
and as copartners, trading as Lansing
Shoe & Leather Co., and Davis Bros.,
by J. Earle Brown, attorney, repre-
senting B. F. Goodrich Corp., $356;
St. Louis Shoe Mfg. Co., $145; Fire-
stone Footwear Co., $41.

St. Joseph—Announcement has been
made that a new bank for St. Joseph
will open Jan. 2, 1932, called the Peo-
ples Bank. It will be organized at
$65,000 capital; $13,000 surplus and
$3,250 reserve. The bank’s roster is:
President, J. C. Stubbefield, Oshkosh,

Wis., vice-presidents, Stanley R. Ban-
yon, Benton Harbor; M. W. Stock, St.
Joseph; cashier, Julius Ranking, South
Bend, Ind. Suggested directors are A,
N. Klock, F. S. Upton, Benjamin
Kasischke and Eugene O’Toole.

Charlevoix—Mr. and Mrs. Franklin
C. Sears, owners of the Ramona Park
Hotel on Little Traverse Bay, have
announced plans for their departure
this week to Miami, Fla., where they
will take over management of the new
100 room Casa Loma Hotel. The
Casa Loma is located near the well-
known Miami Biltmore in Coral Ga-
bles and is one of the country’s finest
resort hostleries. They announce that
the swmiming pool, golf course and
country club of the Biltmore are open
to guests of the Casa Loma Hotel. A
large portion of the employes from
the Ramona Park and Belveder sum-
mer hotels, conducted last summer by
Mr. and Mrs. Sears, will be in the
South with them.

Battle Creek—The funeral of John
I. Gibson was held at the Congrega-
tional church Tuesday afternoon. The
services were conducted by the pastors
of the ‘Congregational and Seventh
Day Adventist churches. Lee M.
Bierce, of Grand Rapids, made ap-
propriate remarks. The interment
was in the local cemetery beside his
wife. His brother, who died im 1906,
was buried in the same lot. On every
side there were evidences of the es-
teem in which the deceased was held
by the people with whom he was as-
sociated so long. The Battle Creek
Enquirer and News made a remark-
able presentation of the career of the
deceased in its Monday edition. Mr.
Miller, the editor of the paper, was
one of the pallbearers, having been a
life-long co-worker with Mr. Gibson
in the upbuilding of Battle (Creek, Dr.
John H, Kellogg, who was closely as-
sociated with Mr. Gibson in various
undertakings for over thirty years,
was unable ‘to be present, having gone
to his branch sanitarium near Miami
for the winter,

 

Manufacturing Matters.

Lakeview—Fire destroyed the plant
of the Lakeview Creamery Co., entail-
ing a loss of about $10,000, with very
little insurance.

Grand Rapids— The Hood-Wright
Co., 525 Ann street, N. W., lumber,
timber, etc., has been incorporated
with a capital stock of $200,000, of
which $1,000 has been subscribed and
paid in.

Detroit—The Bailey Products Cor-
poration, 523 East Jefferson avenue,
has been organized to manufacture and
sell compounds for household use with
a capital stock of $10,000, $8.500 being
subscribed and $3,225 paid in.

Detroit—The Seal Chemical Process,
Inc., 5-133 General Motors building,
has been incorporated to manufacture
and deal in chemicals under trade
mark, with a capital stock of 2,000
shares at $1 a share, $2,000 being sub-
scribed and $1,000 paid in.

Detroit—The Wayne Copy-Graph
Corporation, 2-248 General Motors
building, has been incorporated to
manufacture and deal in mechanical
devices for typewriters with a capital

December 16, 1931

stock of $50,000, $4,000 of which has
been subscribed and paid in.
—__>~- 2 ___
A New Bread Law.
Wisconsin now has in effect a newly
enacted law which prohibits the return
of bread, rolls and other bakery prod-
ucts by retail grocers. The reason
given for such a law is that drivers of
bakery wagons have been in the habit
of selling as fresh to one customer
the goods which have just been picked
up from another.
No one is harmed by eating day old
bread. In fact, many people are bene-

-fited by the use of bread which has

been baked forty-eight hours, But
when a person pays for fresh bread
he has a right to demand it. Many
would not notice the difference nor
care much, while others cannot be de-
ceived. Their confidence in the ero-
cer is lessened. If no complaint is
made so the grocer has a chance to
vindicate himself, he, too, has a griev-
ance and may lose trade. When a cus-
tomer does complain the grocer should
do more than declare it is not his fault,
He should confer with the baker and
fix the responsibility for this decep-
tion.

The law is criticised on the ground
that it will cause more good food to
go to the garbage heap than formerly.
Perhaps this is true. Bakers have a
system which constantly disposes of
their leftovers with the least trouble
and least loss. When a customer wants
stale goods he or she has but to look
at a certain case or compartment to
see if it may be had there.

The intention of the law is to pro-
tect the consumer against deception.
It also saves the retailer from the
charge of substitution, and the baker
from the consequences of the retail-
er’s overbuying. On the other hand if
the retailer underbuys to avoid loss,
consumers are inconvenienced by not
being able to secure all they needed
and the baker’s sales are lessened. If
the law also operates to cause more
bread to be thrown away in such times
as these it seems as though its good
and ill effects render it of little real
value,

When necessity overcomes pride the
demand for stale bakery goods at the
lower price will take care of all left
overs,

It will be a good plan to wait and
see whether the Wisconsin law is sat-
isfactory before we ask for a similar
one. The grocer makes little enough
on baked goods as it is now. The fair-
est method for him is to allow him to
continue to return goods,

BE. E. Whitney.

—_—_++»__
Rug salesmen for several fioor-cov-
erings manufacturers were called in
from short selling trips this week due
to retail indifference on new lines at
this time. The salesmen will be kept
at home until the second week in Jan-
uary, when regular spring sales cam-
paigns will be launched. Many of the
carpet mills are planning to close down
for inventory taking next week, and a
few are expected to remain closed un-
til after the first of the year. In some
cases production will be maintained on
a greatly reduced schedule until the
holiday week, which is the customary
inventory period in the trade.

 

 

 

 

 

en ee

 

 

December 16, 1931

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

§

 

Essential Features of the Grocery

Staples.

Sugar— Local jobbers hold cane

granulated at 4.70c and beet granulated.

at 4.50c,

Tea—The demand for tea in this
country has not been very good dur-
ing the past week, partly because of
the season and partly because the drop
in pound sterling quotations in Eng-
land thas affected the market. Prices
have also eased off somewhat. Later
in the week, however, prices firmed
up alittle in primary markets, especial-
ly on low-grade Indias, Ceylons and
Javas. No important fluctuation is
expected in tea in the near future,

Coffee—Future Rio and Santos
coffee, green and in a large way, have
had some little advance on account of
the new coffee tax imposed on coffee
in Brazil and also on the making of a
plan down there to destroy 12 million
bags of Brazil coffee within a year.
This has had an effect upon price of
spot coffees in this country and they
are possibly 34c per pound higher.
Buyers, however, are not disposed to
take advantage of this and anticipate
their wants because they have no con-
fidence in the situation. ‘The future
of the Rio and Santos market is very
hard to predict. Most people appear
to think that the advance will mot last
as the supply is still a very burdening
factor in the market. Milds show no
change for the week, but if Brazils go
up and stay up, they probably will ad-
vance in sympathy. Jobbing market
on roasted coffee has not yet felt the
effect of the advance in Rio and Santos
but will do so shortly if it continues.

Canned Fruits—California fruits are
no longer offered at the low prices
which prevailed only a few weeks ago.
They are being taken off the market
at a ‘time when there is no particular
demand for them. This ,at least, will
help prices, for prices always suffer
when stocks are offered to buyers who
do not actually need them. The
stabilization plan which is being work-
ed out is another hopeful factor. There
does not seem to be any buying of new
pack grapefruit. Regardless of prices
it is not being sold. The low priced
seller faces the same indifference as
the high priced seller. Packers who
have not as yet named their new prices
need be in no particular hurry to do so.
Spot grapefruit has moved in very
good volume here at very low prices.
Buyers certainly have had ample op-
portunity to fill their needs well below
the prices posted on new pack fruit.
For this reason there will no doubt be
a quiet market until these stocks are
moved into consumption,

Canned Vegetables—There is no
change in the major vegetables. To-
matoes are holding steadily, with some
sellers asking $1.05 on standard No.
3s now. Peas are well maintained and
the cheaper grades are being held a
little higher. Corn is unchanged.

Dried Fruits—Except for seasonal
items, there is merely a routine activ-
ity in dried fruits. Sellers look for a
continuation of this condition now un-
til inventory time. Prices are holding
well and advances have been main-
tained with few exceptions. It is
probable that strong buying of raisins
will come into the market just as soon
as the raisin pool makes known its

 

next offering date to commercial pack-
ers. A fractional advance in prices is
likely, and they would naturally want
to cover before this advance becomes
effective. Raisins are by far the
strongest item in the dried fruit line,
and have contributed in no small meas-
ure to holding the list up. Not that
there are any surpluses n other items.
On the contrary, there would seem
to be a shortage. Prunes, peaches,
figs, pears are all well within the po-
tential consuming needs of domestic
and export markets this season. The
difference between them and raisins
seems to be that raisins have the con-
fidence of buyers.

Canned Fish—Tinned fish, of course,
are not selling very well at this time
of the year. Salmon of all varieties is
inactive and unchanged in price. Sar-
dines are not wanted, except in small
lots. Prices are unchanged.

Salt Fish—There is a fairly active
demand for mackerel and other salt
fish. The market is healthy and has
a strong undertone on account of light
stocks. ‘Considering that this is the
dullest season for salt \fish, the demand
is very good,

Beans and Peas—Demand for all
varieties of dried beans is still very
limited. This has brought a complete
disappearance of all firmness which
recently developed and the entire list
has made an average decline during
the week of possibly 25 cents. Dried
peas are neglected and easy.

‘Cheese — 'Cheese has ‘been fairly
steady during the past week as the
offerings were very moderate and the
demand was light.

‘Nuts—Imported walnuts in the shell
continue to move out in greater quan-
tities here owing to the shortage of
domestic walnuts. Distributors report
a good demand for Sorrentos and re-
sales of California and Northwest nuts
have brought a good premium to hold-
ers, The shortage of walnuts has also
had the effect of stimulating demand
for pecans, of which there is an abun-
dance. Pecans will go into wider mar-
kets this year than ever before, be-
cause of the low prices established on
them. In other years their outlets
were very much restricted, so that
they are not as well known as other
domestic nuts. Low prices and ag-
gressive merchandising, however, are
overcoming this handicap. Large and
small medium Brazils still appear to
be short and many importers found
themselves short shipped on imported
filberts in the shell this. year. The
shelled nut market is fairly active. The
volume of ‘business shows some sea-
sonal increase, and importers are not
overburdening themselves with stocks.
‘Shipments of walnuts to this country
are largely sold before arrival, Levant
filberts are coming in on a replacement
basis only. Almonds are steady, with
some shortage of Marconas and Valen-
cias reported here.

Rice—Shipments of rice are coming
into town on contract, and there is
little new buying at the present time.
Prices are holding well all along the
line. Sellers do’ not look for any re-
newal of business now until just be-
fore inventory time when there will
be bookings for shipment after the
first of the year. Growers are holding
rough stocks ‘firmly and millers are

taking just their bare needs. Prices
may ease slightly just before the first
of the year, but this is entirely prob-
lematical. A steady market is seen
after that, however.

Sauerkraut—There is more of a dis-
position to sell evident among packers
of loose kraut, $7.25 up, according to
the desire of packers to sell. Canned
kraut packers are holding firmly.

Syrup and (Molasses—Business in
sugar syrup during the week has been
fair, but in small lots only. Prices are
steady. It will be a quiet market un-
til ‘the first of the year. Compound
syrup is selling about as it ought to
at this season, but mostly in small lots,
The market has declined 10 cents dur-
ing the week. Molasses is a routine
affair only immediate wants being
bought. Prices are unchanged,

Vinegar—A fair volume of business
is being done in vinegar, ‘but it is en-
tirely of a replacement variety. Buy-
ers are not anticipating their needs
very far ahead and there is no snap
to the market. Prices were well main-
tained this week,

oo

Review of the Produce Market.
Apples—Current prices are as fol-
lows:

Baldwins, 2% in, ‘A grade --_-_- $ .85
Bananas, 234 in, A grade ______ 1.00
Delicious, 2% in., A grade ____-- 1.25
Welicious, 234 in., C grade ______ aa
Greenings, R. I., 2% im, A grade 1.00
Greenings, R. I., Bakers, 3 in.-- 1.25

Grimes Golden, 2% in., A grade__ 1.00
Grimes Golden, 2%4 in., A grade .65

Hubbardstons, 2% in., A grade __ 1.00
Jonathans, 244 in, A grade _____ 1.25
ines 214 in iA erade 2 1.00
Kings, 3 in., Baking, A grade __ 1.50
Meclntosh, 214 in. A gerade -__. 1.75
Yellow Pippins, C grade ______- 43
Shiawasee, 2% in., A grade __.. 1.00
Spies. 3 im, Dalking =. 1.50
Spies, 2% in. A grade _________ 1.50
Spies, 24 1. (© srade 85
Talman Sweets, 2% in., A grade .85
Wagners, 2% in., A grade ------ aa
Cookine Aipples 2. 50

Washington box apples are sold on the
following basis:

Extra fancy Delicious __._._____ $2.75
Baney Deherus 2.50
Extra faney Romes oo. 2.35
Waney Nemes 2. 0 2). 25

3agas—iCanadian, 60c per 50 Ib, sack,

Bananas—5@5%c per lb.

Beets—75c per bu.

Butter—The market has had rather
a quiet week with only small fluctua-
tions. Butter can be expected to go
forward about on an even keel with
no important change either way for
some time. Jobbers hold 1 Ib. plain
wrapped prints at 30c and 65 lb. tubs
at 29c for extras and 28c for firsts.

Cabbage—85c per bu.

Carrots—60c per bu.

Cauliflower—$2.75 for box contain-
ing 6@9.

Celery—30@50c according to size.

Celery ‘Cabbage—65c per doz.

Chestnuts—18c per lb. for
York stock,

Cocoanuts—90c per doz. or $5.50 per

New

bag,

Cranberries—Late Howes, $2.50 per
box,

‘Cucumbers—tllinois hot house, $2.25
per doz.

Dried Beans—Michigan jobbers pay

as follows for hand picked at shipping
station:

C, TL Pea Beans 2. $1.80
Light (Red Kidney .... 1. 225
Dark Red Widney .- 9... 4.00

Eges—The market has taken a big
slump on account of a rush of re-
ceipts. Jobbers are paying 20c for
strictly fresh hen’s eggs and 15c for

pullets. They are selling their sup-
plies:

Fresh hennery eges _... 30¢
Bresh ¢ga¢:) 26c
Prealt OGUG nc civeerecc ccs 17c
MX candled storage __.....__. 20c
x candled storage 16c
&® ohecks storage —. 14c

 

Grape Fruit—Florida commands $3
@3.50 per box; bulk $2.75@3 per 100.

Grapes—Calif. Emperors, $2.10.

Green Onions — Shallots, 60c per
doz,

Green Peas—Calif., $9 per crate of
40 lbs.

Green Beans—$3.50 per hamper for
California,

Lettuce—In good demand on the
following basis:
Imperial Valley, 6s, per crate ~-$5.00
Imperial Valley, 5s, per crate -- 5.00
Home grown, leaf, 10 Ibs. ____.__  .80

Lemons—Present quotations are as
follows:

S60 Sunkist $5.50
d00 Sunkist 5.50
360 Red Bal = 4.50
5360 Ned Hall... 4.50

Navels are now sold as follows:
Oranges—Fancy Sunkist California

Oe $5.00
0 4.75
COG 4.50
14 4.50
EO 4.25
Ps ee a Ee 4.25
Oe 4.00
g24 a.49

Floridas—$3.25 for all sizes; Bulk, $3
per 100.

Onions—Michigan, $2.50 per 100 lbs.
for yellow and $3 ‘for white; Genuine
Spanish, $2.75 per crate.

Parsley—40c per doz. bunches.

Potatoes — On the local market
transactions hover around 40c per bu.
In Northern Michigan carlot buying
points the price ranges from 15@18c
per bu.; Idaho, $2.25 per 100 Ib. sack.

Poultry—Wilson & Company pay as
follows:

Heavy Soring 1... 14c
Heavy fowls J... Te
Light fawls . 1lc
Ducks. 14c
Geese 2 Ile
Na ft Furkey (2. 22c

Spinach—$1.50 per bu. for Texas.

Squash—$2.75 per 100 lbs. for Hub-
bard.

Sweet Potatoes—$1.75 per hamper
for kiln dried Jerseys; $1.50 per hamper
for Tenn.; $1.75 per bu. for Ind.

Tangerines—$2.25 per bu.

Tomatoes—Hot house, $1.50 per 7
Ib. basket.

Veal Calves — Wilson & Company
pay as follows:

Patey 2452505000 6@8c
Gog@ 7c
Median 4 io 5c
Poor 2 8c

—__>+ 2s_
Martin—John Vander Molen has en-
gaged in the grocery business here.

 

 

Ss anis  tatiide aheeledibs aadeiaadasseisa te ocd Stars Si pS cee a

EEA REARS ACERS TO TE TP NR NR

2 gpa ETE TE YEE MEIER TIYLE

St oa ca aint aa ohis eases ATAiaacHs ee iat

SER Maa ag NERS ee pa LE eS

—

SPAIN ENI eA Se

6

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

December 16, 1931

 

MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE

Forgotten Causes of Fires on Farms.

The farmer of to-day has more hid-
den opportunities for fire than a man
in any other walk of life. This self-
same farmer would be greatly sur-
prised to find that many fire hazards
exist in connection with his property
and unless remedied may cause the
destruction of his buildings when he
is least expecting it.

 

The farmer too, has a moral obliga-
tion to fulfill, If he does not fre-
quently check up on the safety of his
risk, he is wholly unworthy of insur-
ance protection. At all times the farm-
er should bear in mind that on account
of his carelessness there is danger of
destruction of a large amount of prop-
erty and perhaps the loss of life. If he
is insured he also holds another obliga-
tion. To the company which protects
him he owes the consideration of be-
ing interested in protecting against fire
to the greatest extent.

Check up on yourself Mr. Farmer,
and see if you house any or all of the
following forgotten causes of fire:

Spontaneous combustion in your hay
mows,

Uncleaned lamps and lanterns.

Lanterns set down near hay, straw,
elc;

(Careless use of matches in the barns.

Unwatched brush and rubbish fires.

Unrodded ‘buildings.

Defective chimneys.

Do you park your automobile in
your barn?

Do you feed your kitchen mange
with kerosene?

These are but a few of the many
causes of fire which every farmer, man
or woman, knows but which some-
times are so conveniently forgotten.

—_—__+> >>
Stamping Out Arson.

Arson, as Fire Marshal S. L. Legreid
of Illinois, recently pointed out, is a
crime whose successful prosecution re-
quires the support of a strong and
united public sentiment. It is one of
the most despicable of all crimes—and
one which affects the security and
pocketbook of every citizen.

IWinois has made a good record in
combatting it through the creation of
local arson squads, These are headed
by the fire chiefs, in association with
the heads of the police and public
spirited property owners. The duties
of each squad are: Prompt and thor-
ough investigation of every fire; secur-
ing all possible evidence in suspicious
fires; co-operating with the state fire
marshal in cases warranting further in-
vestigation; building up a state of pub-
lic opinion which will not tolerate
arson.

During the last fiscal year 66 con-
victions for arson were secured in
Illinois—a record for a twelve months’
period. ‘Two notorious arson rings
which had ‘been profitably operating
for several years, were broken up.
Depredations of a gang of boys who
had terrorized farms by burning barns,
homes, sheds and stacks of hay, were
stopped, It is said that the authori-
ties were greatly aided by Illinois’
model arson law which provides. slid-
ing penalties to fit the individual case,
whereas the old law requires the same
penalty in ever instance.

Other states would do well to follow
this example. The crime of arson
must be stamped out.

—_+-+____

The Great Temptation.

Since the old kerosene lamp has
largely exploded its way into history
and left the job to the modern in-
candescent lamp, one would ‘suspect
that “kerosene” had found itself with-
out a job.

A close watch on our news columns
will reveal the fact that kerosene is
still on the job but in a somewhat dif-
ferent position,

Every week old kerosene helps
somebody to emulate Elijah by ascend-
ing to heaven in a chariot of fire.
There seems to exist an unbreakable
bond ‘between kerosene and stoves.

Kerosene is the lazy man’s enemy
in the guise of a friend. When the
irate wife yells out, “Bill, the fire is
out in the furnace,” and suggests that
he do the impossible without kindling,
Bill does it with the able assistance of
his friend kerosene.

Lulled into a sense of false security
and finding it the quickest way to cut
off the flow of wifely ianguage from
upstairs he stumbles onto his ultimate-
destiny. Kerosene has betrayed an-
other trust, wrecked another home and
filled another grave.

Beware of the great “Tempter.”

Buy your kindling or split it your-
self and remember that perspiration
may increase the laundry bill, while
kerosene works only for doctors, un-
dertakers and the hereafter.

2-2
John I. Gibson.

Ever get up sad and weary—

Sun don’t shine—the day yawns dreary;

Outside there’s a raw wind blowing

Rain seems ever colder growing?

Meet a man—He's walking briskly,

Wet, yet calls out gayly—crisply,
“Morning; fine for the potato crop?”

That’s John I.

Hot day—hot nights—no retiring—
Sticky—sweaty—cross, perspiring.
Fretful, at the world about you—
Think ’twould get along without you.
Phone rings—you snap curtly, ‘Hello,’
Back there comes the voice you well
know—
“‘Ain’t this now some fine corn weather?”’
That’s John I

Winter comes and ice comes creeping;
Frost through crack and cranny seeping;
Snow lies banked where strong winds
blew it;

Grumbling, you go wading through it;
Comes the man who likes it creaking—
Cheerfully he hails in greeting

“Won't this make the apples pippins?”

That’s John I.

Has no quarrel with Fate or weather;
Thinks things all work out together—
Thinks the Lord has ways of knowing
Just what winds there should be blowing.
Heavenly hosts will greet him some day;
Pause and smile to hear his voice say:
“Evening, don’t they make the halos
fine now?’
Our John I.
Fred W. Gage.
—_——_> 2. > ____-

Sales of Holiday Hose Fair.

Sales of women’s full-fashioned and
seamless hosiery for the holiday trade
have ‘been holding up fairly well, with
several mills producing low-end goods
sold up until the end of the year.
Major emphasis is being placed on
merchandise to retail at 59 and 69
cents. In the better ranges, jacquard
lace effects are moving in fair volume.
Meshes are also a favored number,
and increased sales on both these
types are looked for during the Spring.
Prices continue unsatisfactory to mills;
Nevertheless, it is felt in some quar-
ters that there may be further re-
visions before the close of the year.

 

 

Finnish Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Of Calumet, Michigan
Has paid dividends of 40 to 68 per cent for the past

40 years and have accumulated more assets and sur-
plus per $1000.00 of risk than leading stock com-

panies.

We insure at Standard Rates and issue a Michigan

Standard Policy.
We write Mercantile, Garage, Church, School and

Dwelling risk.

Write for further information..

JACOB UITTI, Manager
444 Pine Street
Calumet, Mich.

 

 

 

 

1909

THE GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

afhliated with
THE MICHIGAN RETAIL DRY GOODS ASSOCIATION

320 Houseman Bldg. Grand Rapids, Mich.

22 Years

Losses Paid Promptly — Saving 30%
For FIRE and WINDSTORM Insurance

1931

 

 

 

 

BEFORE THE LIBERTY BELL
In 1752, before the — /

founding of the na-

tion — even before
the Liberty Bell rang
out, the first plan of
insurance was found-
ed. It was a Mutual

company organized by Ben-

jamin Franklin. The Federal

Mutuals operating un-
der this tried and test-
ed system, are today
giving policyholders
sound protection at
substantial savings.
Investigate the Fed-

eral plan—write or telephone

the nearest office TODAY.

FEDERAL HARDWARE & IMPLEMENT MUTUALS

Retail Hardware Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Minnesota Implement Mutual Fire Ins. Co.

Owatonna, Minnesota

 

 

 

OUR FIRE INSURANCE
POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT

with any standard stock policies that
you are buying

The Net Cots 0 OU) Less

Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
of Fremont, Michigan

 

WILLIAM N. SENF, Secretary-Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 1931

DETROIT DOINGS.

 

Late Business News From Michigan’s
Metropolis.

Albert G, Kunz and Arthur M.
Keyes, individually and as copartners,
doing business as the ‘Cadillac Credit
Clothing Co., filed a voluntary petition
in bankruptcy in the U. S. District
Court here, listing liabilities of $4,291
and nominal assets of $16,849.

Last among the details of new
model automobiles to be settled these
days is what their prices shall be. This
is especially true of many of those
cars which are being held in abeyance
until the New York automobile show.
Mechanical details may be known to
competing manufacturers, for mechani-
cal details do have a way of leaking
out, but prices are different. Usually
they are known by only a few persons
noted for their silence. Two possible
advantages lie in a last-minute price
announcement. It gives a manufactur-
er a chance to establish his prices after
a competitor has announced his, and it
withholds the same advantage from
the other fellow.

It is virtuahly assured that there will
be few, if any, price increases, The
situation now existing is construed in
Detroit as indicating that, in the lower
price field, there will be no change
either upward or downward, though
added values will be built into cars.
Above the low-price level the trend is
expected to ‘be downward, as typified
by Buick and Studebaker.

The new Studebaker, which was an-
nounced last week, set at rest all
speculation as to the possibility of the
six being discentinued as a result of
the corporation’s entrance into the low
price tier with the new Rockne. Stude-
baker will continue its six as a large
car of 117 inch wheelbase and with an
80 horsepower engine. The base price
of the latter, $840, will remove it
definitely from the competitive sphere
of the Rockne.

With substantial agreement on the
mechanical details of the new ford now
reached by all those who have been
speculating about it, the announcement
date has become the subject of con-
stant variation, Rumor now is fixing
it as Jan. 9, the date of the opening of
the New York show. ‘There is evi-
dence that things are moving slowly
at Dearborn, but whatever the signifi-
cance of this may be, it remains a
mystery to those on the outside.

Only one more new model announce-
ment appears likely ‘to materialize at
an early date. It is a car that ranges
in price from the level just above the
popular up to $2,000. Among those
which seem destined to be withheld
until January are ifive General Motors
products—Cadillac, La Salle, Oakland,
Pontiac and Oldsmobile. Hudson and
Essex, Hupmobile and Willys also will
be among the late comers, according
to present indications.

Thirty-four thousand persons are at
work upon the production of the new
Chevrolet, not including those in the
Fisher Body plants. Already more
than $20,000,000 worth of new cars and
parts have been turned out. The
plants are operating a minimum of
four days a week, officials announce.

‘That motor car makers are going
to be more responsive than in any re-

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

cent year to the demand for instru-
ment boards of higher visibility ‘be-
comes more apparent with every new
model announced. Instruments not
only are carrying larger faces but
faces of a type which makes them
easier to read. Except for the motor
heat indicator, it is unlikely that any
instruments will wander away from
the dash panel this year, and in the
case of this one it pslace is likely to
be taken by something new in the way
of a driving dial,
—__+~+~+_

Items From the Cloverland of Michi-
gan.

Sault ‘Ste. Marie, Dec. 15—The
Union Carbide iCo. is doing much to
put the ‘Christmas spirit in our Christ-
mas this year, with the announcement
that the plant will start on full time
Jan. 1. This surely will be a Merry
Christmas to its 400 employes who
have been working on half time for the
past year.

Our Chamber of Commerce has
adopted a plan to provide work for
the unemployed. The plan provides
that neighborhoods organize, pooling
their funds so that in each neighbor-
hood a snow shoveler could be em-
ployed. Thirty homes donating 50
cents each could pay a man $15 per
week to keep the snow from the walks
and steps of the homes,

Many families are moving into
Stuben from that community, in search
of employment as a result of the news
that D. Schruler, of Gaylord, is build-
ing three sets of new camps which will
operate this winter and next spring in
their lumbering operations.

Did you ever hear of the Scotchman
who painted red stripes around his
baby’s thumb so the child would think
it was peppermint candy?

W. D. ‘MacIntyre, who for the past
number of years has been purchasing
agent for the Soo-Cadillac Lumber
Co., has resigned to accept a position
with the Hewett Grocery ‘Co.

The many friends of N. J. Lapine,
of Gladstone, were shocked to hear of
his death, which occurred on Wed-
nesday, Dec. 9, at his home at Glad-
stone. He was 53 years old. Although
in failing health for tlfe past four
months, Poly, as he was known by
his many friends, continued active in
his duties until about three weeks ago,
when. he was confined to his home. A
slight rally, a week ago, after his life
had been despaired of, gave hope that
he would recover, but he again de-
clined. Death was caused by heart
trouble, complicated by a liver ailment,
Mr, Lapine was a lifelong resident of
Delta county and prominently and
widely known throughout this section
of Cloverland. For over fifteen years
he was a traveling salesman for the
Cornwell Co., until they sold out to
Swift & Co. He resigned and entered
politics, being elected county super-
intendent of poor. He was also vice-
president and director of the First
National Bank of Gladstone. Besides
he was secretary and treasurer of the
Gleason Exploration & Mining Co. He
was considered the most popular and
best known salesman in the territory,
beloved by all of his customers and
the best salesman in the employe of
his company. He was born Aug. 10,
1878, at Masonville, where he was
reared, receiving his education in the
schools of Gladstone and Masonville.
In the early days he conducted a livery,
later entering the undertaking profes-
sion, until about twenty years ago,
when he entered as salesman for the
Packing Co. He is survived by his
widow and nine children.

William Walker, the well-known
grocer at Hessel, moved into his new
store, which is next to the one he was
occupying. Everything in the new
store is up-to-date. The stock is nicely
arranged and neat in appearance.
Mrs. Walker is in charge of the store

while Mr. Walker will keep on with
the transportation business,

W. W. Joslyn, aged 83, died at
Sterlingville last Thursday morning of
dropsy and old age. He had been ac-
tive in the grocery business with his
sister, Mrs. Thomas Rothwell, since
the death of Mr, Rothwell.

Mrs. Tony Young, wife of Tony
Young, one of our Johnson street gro-
cers, died at Newberry last Thursday
and was buried here. She is survived
by her husband and one son.

The ‘Canadian highway No. 2 will
not join highway U §S 2 at ‘Sault Ste.
Marie, as hoped by Grover C. Dillman,
State Highway ‘Commissioner, accord-
ing to a letter received from C. H.
Fullerton, deputy minister of high-
ways for Ontario. Mr. Fullerton said
that the Ontario Highway, between
Pembroke and the Soo, Ont., has never
been named and that the probability is
that if it happens to form part of the
trans-Canada highway it will be known
as No. 1. The present No. 2 highway
runs from Montreal through Toronto
and London to Windsor. It was Mr.
Dillman’s suggestion that Ontario
give part of this highway another
number, U S 2 ends at Montreal and
starts up again at ‘Sault ‘Ste. Marie.
Had Mr. Dillman’s suggestion been
adopted it would have meant a trans-
continental highway No. 2 through
Canada and Northern United States.

The nicest thing about the ‘Christ-
mas season is the discovery that the
kindly feeling is worth more than a
present. William G, Tapert.

Saati allied
Ripe brains never turn green with

envy.

Canned Goods Campaign a Success.
Promotion of canned goods as a
holiday gift item brought a flood of
new business to the food industry dur-
ing the last two weeks. The plan
started by the National Canners As-
sociation and taken up by jobbers and
retailers has moved large quantities
of canned peas, corn, meats, pineapple
brokers
here, Retailers ‘have featured assort-

and peaches, according to
ments of canned goods retailing from
$1 to $5 but are getting the best call
for $1 to $2 assortments, Re-orders
on the staple canned goods have been
since the plan started, but
stocks in the hands of brokers and
canners are ample and no shortages

heavy

are reported.
oa

Little Willie from his mirror

Sucked the mercury all off,
Thinking, in his childish error,

It would cure his whooping-cough.
At the funeral Willie’s mother

Smartly said to Mrs. Brown:
“*Twas a chilly day for William

When the mercury went down.”

 

GREENE SALES CO.

SPECIAL SALES CONDUCTORS

Reduction — Money-raising or
Quitting Business Sales.
142 N. Mechanic St. Phone 9519

JACKSON, MICHIGAN

 

 

scent 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

ae Wd

FNS
FOODS

TRADE MARK

  
   

 

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:

STENOGRAPHIC and SECRETARIAL
ACCOUNTING and BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SALESMANSHIP. BANKING and FINANCE
ALSO COLLEGE PREPARATORY TRAINING

Write for information

FERRIS INSTITUTE

 

 

 

Thee Ts
INSTITUTE!

E. J. PARR, Bus. Mgr.

 

 

 

 

LS RUM OULAL IS e

 

Sic ae : 3

re
}
a
if
% ;
e
i
ie

LS CLL Ease aeetMeneba ee ons ace TNT e ae

SE ce ae eS Te Sa Sa ac RR sana

COMMODITY INFLATION.

Although the immediate movement
of commodity prices does not yet re-
flect any firming tendency, there is
good reason to believe that the col-
lapse will be halted and an upward
movement started. Year-end influ-
ences with the usual curtailed buying
to keep down inventories are now felt
and were probably responsible for the
further slump last week in values.
The Annalist index moved to a new
low of 98.9 and Dun’s list showed the
largest number of declines since last
May.

There are, however, at least five
sources which may contribute to a
firming up fo commodity prices, and,
in fact, to definite inflation: (1) Ad-
vances authorized in freight rates are
being introduced at once into costs
of the materials affected. (2) An-
nouncement of higher taxation will
lead to the figuring of higher costs.
(3) Operation of the bankers’ pool re-
duces the pressure for commodity liqui-
dation. (4) The Hoover plan for
finance and home-loan corporations,
additional aid to Land Banks and
broadening the credit base of the Fed-
eral Reserve System would have sim-
ilar effects. (5) Less hoarding of cur-
rency and a gold inflow will enlarge
the credit base and encourage freer
loans.

Against these factors tending toward
inflation there must be mentioned, of
course, the counteracting influence of
gold standard suspensions in Great
Britain and other countries, which have
reduced export prices, increased com-
petition in world markets and led to
the forcing on domestic markets of
larger imports and a portion of the
products which we might ordinarily
sell abroad.

The key of the world slump is un-
doubtedly the commodity price slump
which was largely brought on by ex-
cessive speculation here. The latter
was in turn accounted for chiefly by

_ our “prosperity chorus” administration

and otherwise. If the present price
trend can be arrested and turned up-
ward many of our difficulties would
disappear, but it would be well to see
even now that inflation is not again
made a political party program.

 

PERSONNEL TURN-OVER.

The largest turn-over in executive
personnel in years is expected soon af-
ter the start of the year. The mor-
tality will be especially heavy, it is
said, among the “stuffed shirt’ type
of executive who boasted of results
when almost every enterprise could
scarcely avoid getting them during
good times, but who failed completely
to make headway when conditions de-
manded real ability. The loss of these
fair weather supermen will scarcely be
mourned, since they will make way
for those better able to cope with
present business difficulties.

In the retail field during the year
there has been notable effort made
toward getting all personnel on a pro-
ductive basis. The so-called “salary
review” process has been applied to
selling staffs to determine those who
are “earning their way’ and those who
must exert themselves more efficiently

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

or receive better direction. Store
executives are being submitted to the
same tests, and, where production is
not proved, salary revisions or dismis-
sals have been made or are contem-
plated.

No doubt the same examinations are
being carried out by business at large,
which has probably been taxed huge
sums for inefficiency in high places
which was hidden temporarily by the
last boom. It is not unlikely that some
of the older executives who have con-

tended successfully with depressions in.

the past may find an enlarged call for
their services. The fad for young men
in high posts was no doubt overdone
in many instances, although rapidly
changing conditions might seem to put
a premium on the fresh and untram-
meled viewpoint. :
While only good can come from
greater recognition of real business
ability, a word of caution is sounded
against changes which are made only
for the sake of change. The cost of
replacing executives is frequently

larger than the advantages obtained, |

as many managements can prove from
sad experience. Unbiased study and
not mere whim is held up as the best
basis for judgment.

 

NATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Opening of Congress and the series
of messages by President Hoover and
Mr. Mellon were of outstanding im-
portance to business interests during
the past week. Their effect on senti-
ment was obviously disheartening,
probably because it became so much
clearer how the steps to meet the huge
budget deficits would hit each indi-
vidual. Trade representatives expect
to see further economies practised by
those who fear higher taxation.

The Hoover message on “the state
of the Union” was regarded as dis-
appointing in business circles because
of its failure to deal with conditions
in a more positive manner. The usual
negative style of handling the country’s
problems was observed, and it was re-
marked that finance corporations may
succeed commissions as Mr. Hoover’s
favorite method of meeting vital ques-
tions.

Recommendation that the tax pro-
gram follow the general lines of the
1924 act will at least enable business
men to know from experience just
about what to expect. Congress is
likely to make important changes, how-
ever, and probably will not lose sight
of the fact that concentration of wealth
is a prime cause of our economic dis-
turbance. Similarly, this body may not’
underrate excessive tariff rates as an-
other disturbing factor or accept fal-
lacious arguments against some form
of unemployment insurance, which
could be subsidized at the start with
almost immediate good results for busi-
ness,

Year-end slackening was observed
last week in most industries, but the
decline has not exceeded the usual
amount. The weekly business index
has firmed up a little and the expan-
sion of automobile output should soon
be reflected in the steel and other sup-
ply lines. ‘Building operations have
dropped to a new low, according to

contract award figures, and permits
last month were almost 50 per cent.
below the figures for the same month
last year.

 

RUSHING THE SEASONS.

Although there seems to be little
possibility of changing such practice
as long as organized effort is lacking,
the retail and manufacturing habit of
“rushing the seasons” can be held re-
sponsible, it is declared, for a great
many costly evils that affict most lines
of merchandise activity. Price compe-
tition. unjust returns and similar caus-
es of universal and continual complaint
can often be traced in large measure
to attempts at selling goods before the
appropriate period.

This year, for instance, there was
the usual staging of apparel sales im-
mediately after Thanksgiving despite
the fact that warm weather had de-
layed consumer buying and regular
merchandise at regular prices might
have been moved right through even
the holiday shopping. In fact, this
kind of buying has been a feature of
the holiday business so far.

A further example may be given of
the rush that has already started to
begin Washington bi-centennial pro-
motions following the holidays. This
celebration does not start until Feb.
22 and runs through to next fall. Ap-
parently, it is the idea of some mer-
chants to take all the “kick” out of this
promotion plan before the actual cele-
bration starts. It may be wondered
why some more “enterprising” estab-
lishment does not introduce its centen-
nial offerings alongside its toy section.

An early Easter next year gives
special emphasis to the need of curb-
ing this general desire to do Easter
business at Christmas. Unless some
action is taken, the stores cannot look
very hopefully toward spring prospects.

 

LOSSES IN SOME LINES.

Until the break in the weather last
week, retail trade in this area was
making fair progress. Christmas busi-
ness so far seems to be a little delayed
or else the stores will have to be satis-
fied with sales about 10 per cent. under
last year’s. While the probable trend
of demand toward practical gifts was
foreseen, the buying of apparel and
home furnishings is remarked upon.
Such lines are holding up well, while
perfumes, lingerie, hosiery and even
toys are showing appreciable losses.
Possibly the latter will show up much
better in last-minute purchases.

Wholesale merchandise markets are

having their usual quiet spell, although.

re-orders have been received on a num-
ber of lines which are wanted by stores
that failed to cover their requirements
earlier. More buyers are expected this
week who will look after post-holiday
needs. Women’s coat producers have
clean stocks in the main, but are of-
fering special lines for January selling,
which are about 20 per cent. lower
than their fall prices. Reductions on
several well-known brands of shoes,
made by a large manufacturer, were
announced during the week. lLower-
priced lines of bathing suits were also
introduced.

December 16, 19381

THE ICE CREAM CONE.

Those who prefer the portable por-
tion of ice cream, commonly known as
the ice cream cone, may suppose that
this convenient and ingenious arrange-
ment was devised simultaneously with
the discovery of the frozen delicacy
itself. It seems simple and _ logical
that the container should be as edible
as the contents. But as in the case of
many other inventions, it required an
inspiration of genius to discover the
obvious. Charles E. Menches, who
first put cake and cream together to
make an ice cream cone, has just died
in Akron at the age of seventy-two.
He was at one time a circus performer.
His great idea came to him on the
midway at St. Louis’s World’s Fair,
where he noticed a girl eating ice
cream on a waffle. He immediately
borrowed a sliced of cake, wrapped it
around a portion of ice cream and
created the first ice cream cone. Later
he built a good business on his basic
idea but was never able to secure a
patent on the ice cream cone itself.
Yet he must have found satisfaction
in the thought that he rendered a great
service to society, even though his
name is unknown to the great host that
does him honor in the popularity of
his invention.

 

QUACK FARM REMEDIES.

Secretary Hyde’s stand on agricul-
tural rehabilitation, stated in his annual
report to the President, is, in substance,
a challenge both to the farmers and
to the Congressmen who are supposed
to represent them. He correctly states
that surpluses cannot be forced on un-
willing markets by the export deben-
ture or the equalization fee. Agriculture
was inflated during the war. Deflation
has been so slow that the world mar-
kets are still: overstocked. The Farm
Board was organized to help relieve
deflation by fostering co-operative crop
limitation. It was shunted into just
such operations as Secretary Hyde
now warns against—artificial stabiliza-
tion which encouraged more surpluses.
That experience itself should be suf-
ficient warning. Apparently it is not.
The Congressional doctors are de-
manding more experiments, and even
the Big Three farmer organizations
are again calling for the debenture and
the equalization fee. American agri-
culture will have to adjust itself to a
declining export trade even when the
depression is ended. The adjustment
involves two major factors, voluntary
reduction of acreage and abandonment
of marginal farms.

 

A HEALTHFUL YEAR.

There are many complaints in these
days of wintry weather, of. colds,
coughs, sore throats and other minor
discomforts and disorders. But accord-
ing to those who keep statistics of the
public health, this has been a year un-
usually free from serious epidemics,
and the present period is freer from
influenza and dangerous colds than any
similar time since the records have
been kept. Claims for sick benefits
and health insurance are at mid-sum-
mer level when illness is at its mini-
mum.

December 16, 1931

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

9

 

OUT AROUND.

 

Things Seen and Heard on a Week
End Trip.

Our only mercantile call last Satur-
day was made at the ‘Stanton store on
Lake Michigan Drive, four miles West
of the city. Ever since Mr. Stanton
started handling eggs by weight I
have purchased our household supply
from him, because |] have advocated
that method of handling eggs ever
since I put out the {first issue of the
Tradesman and want to encourage
that method to the extent of my abil-
ity. Mr, |Stanton tells me that he has
many followers, owing to the success
he has achieved since making the
change in handling eggs, and that he
believes that an effort to present the
matter to the Legislature would re-
sult in the enactment of a law by that
body providing that all sales of eggs
be made by weight.

The creditors of Claude Hamilton
have come to an agreement with him
and his wife which appears to be fair
and equitable to all concerned, Under
this agreement ‘Mr. Hamilton surren-
ders both his homes—his former home
on North Lafayette avenue and _ his
present home on Robinson road—for
a $15,000 mortgage which runs three
years without interest. In addition,
Mrs, Hamilton receives $10,000 for her
dower right. ‘The Hamiltons retain
their household furniture and the Lin-
coln letters they have accumulated.
The creditors assume $5,000 in taxes
which thas accumulated during the past
two years and also the arrears of taxes
on the North Lafayette avenue home.
Mr, Hamilton receives a monthly
stipend of $125 a month for twelve
months. Mr. Hamilton’s liabilities are
about $500,000. ‘It is expected that
the creditors will receive from 30 to
50 cents on a dollar. When Mr. Ham-
ilton felt he was mentally unable to
continue his business on account of the
great shrinkage in his securities, he
turned over his assets, except his real
estate, to Robert Irwin and Wm. H.
Gilbert, giving them a bill of sale.
These men, of course, have acted un-
der the advice of the creditors to a
great extent and have handled the
situation so carefully that they have
avoided all the friction possible.

The East end home of the Hamiltons
was appraised by the Old National
Bank three or four years ago at $150,-
000. On account of the depressed
conditions of real estate values at this
time it probably would be impossible
to obtain more than $60,000 for the
property at forced sale. It is under-
stood the creditors will lease the prop-
erty until such time as real estate
values improve.

Unless all signs fail the DeVaux
Hall Motor (Corporation, which came
to Grand Rapids about a year ago with
a great flourish of trumpets, brass
bands, banquets, fireworks and clap-
trap, is not turning out as it was hoped
it would. So far as outward appear-
ances go, the company has practically
suspended operations, with no indica-
tion of a revival of activities later. The
latest report available, dated Oct. 10,
shows liabilities of $840,439.17, which

includes $400,000 due to banks in San
Francisco and Oakland and $330,669.57
accounts payable. Local job printers
hold unpaid accounts of $18,000, These
accounts have been assigned to the
James Bayne Co., which has started
suit for the account against James
Houlihan, Inc., which handled the ad-
vertising and printing of the corpora-
tion. Both of these concerns have
main offices at Oakland, to which
place Houlihan thas evidently returned.
The DeVaux Hall Co. will probably
also return to Oakland.

Later—Since the above was written,
the printing bills have been paid
through the law office of McAllister &

 

than $5,000,000. The cost of the plant,
as let by contract and equipment pur-
chased by the city, has been $806,000.
The total cost, including land, en-
gineering and inspection, extras, equip-
ment and tools, planting, landscaping,
and additional expense, will be $925,-
000 when the work around the plant
is completed in its entirety.
James R. Rumsey,

Superintendent Sewage Treatment
Works,

I am very glad to be set aright in
a matter of this kind or any other
kind, because I pride myself on the
reputation the Tradesman enjoys for
accuracy of statement. Because J have
carefully inspected the underground
construction and ma velled at the

The Late John I. Gibson.

McAllister, attorneys for the DeVaux
Co.

In the course of my business career
I have seen many concerns start by
the brass band method, but I have
never known a concern which availed
itself of such methods to succeed, Of
course, the times were such that no
new undertaking of the kind could
make a showing that would justify its
existence,

Grand Rapids, Dec, 11— Many
thanks for the kind words that you
gave us in this week’s issue of the
Tradesman under Out Around, but
please allow me to correct one state-
ment and that is, that the Sewage
Treatment Works cost a little less

enormous expense it must have in-
volved I am at a loss to understand
how so much could be accomplished
for less than a million dollars.

I am gratified beyond measure over
the large number of letters of appre-
ciation and commendation [ have re-
ceived concerning our forty-eighth an-
niversary edition. It is a fact that I
worked very hard to make it a worth
while publication, but I had no idea it
would find favor in the eyes and hearts
of so many good friends.

Little did I think when I wrote a
cheery note about John J. Gibson in
this department last week that the very
next issue of the Tradesman would

chronicle his demise. After we called
on him at the Sanitarium hospital, at
Battle ‘Creek, Dec. 5, it was deemed
wise to perform a minor operation on
him. He withstood the ordeal in a
satisfactory manner. Last Saturday
we were informed that the next
twenty-four hours would determine
whether he would survive, but at 6
o'clock Sunday morning word came
over the wires that he had just passed
on. I have lost many friends by
death this year, but no death has given
me a greater shock than that of ‘Mr.
Gibson.

Mr, Gibson was born in Warings-
town, County Down, Ireland, 1859. He
left Belfast in 1885 and went to New
Zealand on account of the ill health of
his wife. The long sea voyage and
the change in climate restored her
health, so in 1887 they went on to
Samoa, Honolulu and California, where
they located in Oakland. Mr. Gibson
found employment with a publishing
house there, which two years later sent
him to London as their European
representative. He remained in Eng-
land six and a half years, when they
returned to this country, settling in
Battle ‘Creek, where he took the posi-
tion of superintendent of the Review
and Herald publishing house. Four
years later he retired from this position
to take the position of superintendent
of construction of the original Sani-
tarium building. On the completion
of this work he accepted the position
of Secretary of the Battle Creek Cham-
ber of ‘Commerce, remaining there six
years. For the next ten years he acted
as ‘Manager of the Western Michigan
Development Bureau, which he _ built
up-to a remarkable degree of efficiency
and effectiveness. Eleven years ago
he was prevailed upon to return to
3attle Creek and again assume the
secretaryship of the Chamber of ‘Com-
merce, which he voluntarily relinquish-
ed May 1, 1927, since which time he
has been in the employ of the financial
departments of the Battle Creek Sani-
tarium and the Battle Creek College.

No man among my many acquaint-
ances was more versatile, more com-
panionable and more thoroughly genu-
ine in all the relations of life than
John I. Gibson. J have known him
many years and worked with him un-
der many difficult conditions. J never
knew him to shirk a duty or fail to
discharge any obligation which con-
fronted him in a masterly manner. He
was well grounded in English and
American literature and could recite
from memory every poem Kipling has
ever written. He kept thoroughly in-
formed on contemporary history and
the advances and discoveries of scien-
tific men ‘by careful perusal of the
latest reviews, both American and
foreign. He lived a useful life and had
every reason to regard the future with
hope and complacency,

relations
were of the most delightful character.
His wife was his first and only sweet-

Mr. Gibson’s domestic

heart, They were both born near Bel-

fast. Mrs. Gibson died about ffive

years ago. Since then he has lavished

his affection on two young lady grand-
(Continued on page 23)

 

 

 

 

10

FINANCIAL

Element of Safety Seen in Wabash
Receivership,

Receiverships precipitated by the
depression will keep re-organization
managers busy for some months to
come. Investors who are having their
first experience with a period of wide-
spread corporation difficulties may
find some instructive lessons in watch-
ing how the various classes of securi-
ties are treated in the re-organization
plans,

So far the Wabash Railway receiver-
ship is the most important to come out
of this depression. The Wabash was
in receivership in 1915 and from the
re-organization which followed the
prior liens and underlying bonds
emerged undisturbed. It is believed
they will fare similarly this time, too,
although the first and second 5s of the
road recently were selling at record
low levels.

The Wabash receivership also will
provide another interesting test for a
type of security which ranks high in
investment rating—the guaranteed
stock,

The Wabash has only one guaran-
teed issue, the Hannibal Bridge 'Com-
pany. The main line of the Wabash
crosses the bridge owned by the com-
pany at Hannibal, Mo., under a ninety-
nine-year lease which has been. in ef-
fect since 1883. Am annual rental of
$68,000 has been sufficient to. pay divi-
dends of 8 to 8% per cent.

The bridge lease was unchanged in
the re-organizations of the Wabash in
1889 and 1915, and, if history repeats
itself this time, it will further enhance
the investment standing of guaranteed
railroad stocks, in the opinion of
Adams & Peck, specialists in that type
of security.

About thirty-five railroad guaranteed
stocks currently quoted have come out
of receiverships in the past without a
change in their status. Three guar-
anteed stocks involved in the Chicago
& Alton receivership from 1922 to
1931 received dividends regularly, al-
though bond issues were in default.

Even during the recent collapse of
railroad security prices generally guar-
anteed stocks continued to command
a relatively high rating in the invest-
ment scale. Backed by the credit of
the guarantor as well as the intrinsic
value of the property behind the stock,
they occupy a unique investment posi-
tion. Essentially, for the security they
offer the holder, guaranteed stocks
have more the qualities of a bond than
of a common stock,

(Copyrighted, 1931.]
—_—_>2—__—
Short-Term Funds Not Bought From
Savings.

Flotation of $1,300,000,000 of short-
term Treasury bills and certificates of
indebtedneess is unusual in many re-
spects. As a rule governments do not
turn to the short-term capital markets
for such a large volume of accom-
modation in times of peace. Rather,
the more usual practice in such heavy
borrowing is to float long-term bonds
in the expectation that a large portion
of them will be purchased by the gen-
eral public out of its accumulated sav-
ings. Treasury officials, obviously,
have decided in the present instance

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

—as at various times in the past—that
the more usual procedure offers less
advantage than relying entirely upon
the short-term market.

At least one major reason for this
decision on the part of Treasury offi-
cials is evident. During the past few
months there has been a marked tight-
ening of interest rates, with the result
that a long-term Government bond
issue at this time would have to carry
a relatively high rate of interest.
Among careful students it is estimated
that for long-term bonds a rate not
less than 41% per cent. and perhaps as
much as 4% per cent. would be neces-
sary.

The immediate cause for the current
borrowing is the $995,000,000 of notes
and certificates falling due on Decem-
ber 15. In addition there is need on
the part of the Treasury for additional
funds with which to meet the rapidly
increasing déficit, which now amounts
to approximately $850,000,000.

‘There will be, therefore, only about
$300,000,000 additional which the
money market will be called upon to
absorb as a result of the current issue.
This should not obscure the fact, how-
ever, that some of the present holders
of maturing bills and notes may not
subscribe to the new issues. Con-
sequently new purchasers may have to
take somewhat more than the excess
of the new flotation over the maturing
volume.

This larger amount should come
from the accumulated savings of the
country. It is questionable, however,
whether it will draw upon this fund to
a large extent, but instead probably
will come from the ‘banks.

This inability of Government short-
term ‘borrowing to draw funds from
the accumulated savings of the coun-
try is its worst feature. Because of it
a large portion of the public debt has
to be carried by the commercial banks
of the country. ‘This, when it goes
too far, is a potential source of trouble
in our ‘financial system.

This is true because the commercial
banks have to employ short-term funds
for the purchase of obligations which
represent credit that must remain out-
standing for a long number of years.
In spite of this broad objection to the
method of financing being followed by
the Treasury Department, the terms
at which the current offering is made
probably are wise. ‘They are wise,
however, only because the policy of
short-term borrowing in the past has
caused the opportunity to turn to
long-term obligations at a low rate of
interest at this time to be lost.

Ralph West Robey.
[\Copyrighted, 1931.]
——_—_-> > > ____

Check Tax Worst of Special Levies.
In spite of the almost universal
recognition that there must be a sub-
stantial increase in taxation and that
the Secretary of the Treasury would
make a recommendation to this. effect,
the actual announcement of the pro-
posed changes has started widespread
controversy. On the whole, the differ-
ence of opinion is not on the question
of whether the Government should
more nearly balance its budget but on
the question of the means by which it
proposes to accomplish this.
Comparatively little has been said

as yet on the increases in the income
tax rates. This, however, is not be-
cause the suggested schedule is viewed
as satisfactory, but because arriving
at a decision on the proper rate of pro-
gression of income tax rates involves
considerable study. In due time the
great discrepancies in the percentage
of increase of the proposed over the
present rates in the various income
brackets almost certainly will be the
subject of bitter controversy.

For example, the proposed schedule
would increase the tax of those with a
net income of $50,000 by only about
20 per cent., while those with a met in-
come of $5,000 would be taxed some
50 per cent, more than at present. The
percentage increase of those who have
an even smaller net income will be
still higher. On the other hand, the
suggested increase of those with very
large incomes is also increased by a
relatively great amount. In brief, the
proposed schedule gives the most
favorable treatment to those with net
incomes of between $20,000 and $100,-
000.

It is quite possible, of course, that
this represents a sound rate of pro-
gression. When it comes to political
debates, nevertheless, comparatively
little attention will be devoted to this
aspect and the main emphasis will be
placed upon the percentage increase
over the present rates. And it will be
exceedingly difficult for those support-
ing the proposed schedule to prove
that both it and the present rates are
justifiable.

There will be strong objection, also,
to several of the special taxes recom-
mended. Worst of these is the sug-
gested levy of 2 cents on canceled
checks. Not only does it have no re-
lation to the ability of the one taxed
to pay, which is a characteristic of all
of these special taxes, but as well it
would cause a disturbance in the
monetary system.

That is, a tax on all checks would
tend to reduce the number of checks

     
 
      
   

AMERICAN
HOME
SECURITY
° BANK -°

Under the Tower Clock
On Campau Square

 

December 16, 1931

drawn, or, from the opposite point of
view, would increase the use of money.
This, of course, would mecessitate an
increase in currency.

It is highly questionable whether
any moves should be made at this time

 

 

HELP
YOU
SOLVE
YOUR
INVESTMENT
PROBLEMS

— PHONE 4774 —

FETTER,
URTIS&
ETITER

Investment Bankers and Brokers

Grand Rapids Muskegon

 

 

 

 

¥ 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 Ofifices
12 Community Offices

 

GRAND RAPIDS
507 Grand Rapids Trust Bidg.
81201

 

LAGEISTERT
ee

Investment Bankers

MUSKEGON
613 Hackley Union Bidg.
25749

 

REY a EAT TR

—

 

Ss au slat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a

December 16, 1931

which would have such an effect, for,
although we have immense gold re-
serves, an element of danger would! be
involved in dissipating these reserves
through causing a needless increase in
the volume of currency in circulation.
Ralph ‘West ‘Robey.
[Copyrighted, 1931.]
—___* + ____-
Public Utilities,

3. Fair Value of Property.

The estimate turnover in a public
utility property is very low. It takes
$4 to $5. in value in property to pro-
duce $1 in gross earnings. The invest-
ment in hydro electric properties will
be higher in relation to gross as will
also public utility property located in
large cities where expensive under-
ground systems and equipment must
be installed.

Many appraisers use kilowatt hours
generated to measure plant capacity in
dollars. :A complication for estimat-
ing value of property is original cost
as against replacement vlaue. Should
one consider the original or the re-
placement value? The majority of
public utility appraisers are now using
replacement value; this is of benefit to
the company during periods: of rising
prices, also in falling prices. From the
bondholders’ standpoint, this valua-
tion offers the greatest security.

4, Service.

This should tbe considered in three
ways. ‘Can the company render ser-
vice which can be used, have they ade-
quate facilities to rendeer good service,
and are there chances for development
and future growth for service? In con-
sidering the rendering of adequate ser-
vice, power station capacity can be
measured by each 1000 population. As
a further check, kilowatt hours gen-
erated can be estimated by station
capacity per capita. Development of
future service can be estimated by the
number of meters for each 1000 popu-
lation served, On the basis of four
persons per family, the saturation
point of meters is 25 customers to
every 100 population.

5. !Revenue.

Revenue should be considered as
commercial and household users. The
domestic appliances and the amount
now in use might hamper the company
from showing repeated increased earn-
ings as these had reached the satura-
tion point. The type of inhabitants
and the geographical position of the
utility should be considered as it is ap-
parent that a Northern city with white
people with a high standard of living
should ‘be sounder than a Southern
city with a large percentage of colored
people whose demands for additional
facilities are ‘limited,

Jay H. Petter.

—__.—> —_——_—
Commends Our Anniversary Issue.
Last week’s issue of the Michigan

Tradesman was the forty-eighth an-
niversary number and that excellent
periodical now enters its forty-ninth
year. The edition contained 100 pages
and was a credit to the publishers and
its veteran editor, E. A. Stowe. No
man has had so large an influence in
promoting good business practice in
Michigan and nearby states as Mr.
Stowe; a man of vision, high purpose,
undeviating patriotism, intelligence and
indefatigable industry. ‘Past the scrip-
tural years of man he continues with

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 11

undiminished energy, putting to shame
many men a score of years younger,
who became soft and lazy when need
no longer prompts the effort. We are
printing herewith a typical Stowe
utterance which ought to put a thrill
into the veins of every person reading
it whose sympathy and sentiment are
with true Americanism, — Oceana
Herald,
———+-2
A Business Man’s Philosophy.

One of the problems of business is
how to deal fairly with the man who
is easily satisfied.

George J. Whelan founder of the
United Cigar Stores, told the late
Clarence W. Barron, publisher of the
Wall Street Journal, that in the early
days the survival of the company was
jeopardized. by the dishonesty of the
clerks. He estimated that $250,000
was stolen by the clerks.

“That was stopped and a percent-
age of the gross sales was given to the
clerks as a bonus,’’ said Whelan. “That
change made the company. Then the
difficulty was to interest the clerks still
further to increase the sales. A man
would be satisfied when he had $50 or
$60 a week. Cut his percentages and
he would increase the sales to get back

his weekly wage, and so we had to

keep cutting the percentage of interest
to increase the sales.”
William Feather.
—_—__~2+2—___—_

Novelty Jewelry Volume Good.

Novelty jewelry to retail at popular
prices is meeting a good holiday de-
mand, although trade in fine merchan-
dise has been unsettled by the scaling
down of customer buying and the
liquidation sales of some dealers, Plain
gold effects continue to lead in novelty
goods, their position having been
strengthened greatly by the strong
emphasis accorded gold details by the
Parisian couturiers. The bulk of re-
orders ‘has ‘been concentrated on neck-
laces, followed by clips and bracelets.
Re-orders on sterling silver cigarette
cases at lower prices have been notably
brisk.

—_——————

Promote Vacuum Bottle Sales.

Special promotional efforts made by
manufacturers of vacuum bottles have
enabled producers to equal last year’s
volume of holiday sales. The drive
for volume was confined to selling
jobbers and the larger retail establish-
ments and centered chiefly on vacuum
bottles made up for home and. office
use. Thermos jugs and pitchers of
pint and quart capacity have been fea-
tured by the producers in price ranges
of $1.50@5. Orders for conventional
shape bottles for use by motorists
have been limited in the past two
months.

ooo

Commends Anniversary Edition.

The December 2 issue of the Michi-
gan Tradesman marked the forty-
eighth anniversary of that outstanding
mercantile publication founded by E.
A. ‘Stowe, who is still at the helm as
its vigorous editor. The Tradesman
has always rendered splendid service
to both wholesale and retail mer-
chants. We congratulate you, Mr.
Stowe, and express the wish and hope
that your good work will carry on
many, many more years. — Lowell
Ledger.

 

 

61 YEARS OF
BANKING SERVICE

“THE Granp Rapips Savincs Bank”
for 61 years has continuously provided
a comprehensive banking service. We
offer every banking facility broad enough
in scope — large enough in resources —
small enough to be personal. A service
to fit every requirement of individual

or industries.

CIOL’

GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK
“The Bank Where You Feel at Home”

17 Convenient Offices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Established 1860
Incorporated 1865

Nine Community Offices

 

 

 

GRAND RAPIDS
NATIONAL
COMPANY

 

Investment
Securities

Affiliated with Grand Rapids
National Bank

 

 

 

RET cet Seeman lgee cee

 

 

Se Ae te dalla sistehd Gadde decdichieei es baeengeiac ial

SES ed eee See ET

 

12

RETAIL GROCER

Retail Grocers and Meat Dealers Assocla-
tion of Michigan.
President—William Schultz, Ann Arbor.
First Vice-President—Paul Schmidt,
Lansing.
Second Vice-President—A. Bathke, Pe-

toskey.
Secretary — Herman Hanson, Grand
Rapids.
Treasurer—O. H. Bailey, Sr., Lansing.
Directors — Ole Peterson, Muskegon;

Walter Loefier, Saginaw; John Lurie,
Detroit; Clayton F. Spaulding, Battle
Creek; Ward Newman, Pontiac.

 

America Is Settling Down and Sober-
ing Up.

‘How we turn up old truths, think-
ing we have made discoveries. A bet-
ter business bureau gravely announces
that “retailers report that mere price
appeal is to-day insufficient to build
sales unless supported by evidence of
quality.”

That truth was “discovered” by this
writer about 1896. It has been un-
covered in one form or another by
every merchant who has traded up in
his ‘business, which means pretty near-
ly every merchant who can be called a
success,

But what retailers must look out
for right now—and none more keenly
than grocers—is the price handicap.
True it is that price appeal has lost
some of its power ‘because it has been

overdone badly. That means that

value for price has not always been
sustained; an old story, too.

But price handicap is cropping up
already.. That is to say, many grocers
—most grocers by a big majority—
have been sitting so pretty lately that
they have ‘become lax on market re-
ductions. Some day soon many will
awaken to the fact that their trade is
not so good and it will take them a
long time to find the reason,

It is always bad to thold the
umbrella for price competition and the
exceedingly prosperous individual re-
tail grocer is to-day a prominent sin-
ner in this respect.

Under the caption of ‘“Dime’s Worth
for a Quarter” another sales angle
comes out of Omaha. A _ hardware
man sold his stock of can openers to a
peddler for 10c each—probably having
tired of goods that “would not sell.”
That night the merchant’s wife showed
him “the best can opener she had ever
seen—bought from a peddler for only
a quarter.” It was one of those he
had sold.

I think I can hear that merchant
complaining of “dead business—de-
pression—no sale for anything.”

We thave to remind ourselves that
thirty years ago it cost the National
Cash Register folks 40 per cent. of the
money you paid to sell you a register.
It may cost less now, since registers
have come to be recognized as busi-
ness necessities, but this shows that
the big effort ever must be on selling.
And that finally shows why wise mer-
chants display advertised goods, They
are pre-sold, have in them all the -tre-
mendous expense of ‘finding an outlet
and therefore are profitable on a nar-
row margin against unknown goods
on which the maker has “allowed for
a good profit.”

Carelessness of values in recent
years has undermined consumer con-
fidence to an extent that presages
heavy work in its re-establishment dur-
ing the coming year. Merchants who
take heed of this fact and give extra

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

values during this holiday December
will be in line for most rapid better
ment in 1932,

One trouble with having a run for
your money is that it is such a long
walk back, but evidence is not want-
ing that we are on our way. Sales of
bridge tables have fallen to almost nil,
whereas this was quite staple mer-
chandise a year or two back. America
is truly settling down and sobering up
—often a somewhat painful, but ever
a salutary process.

The proposed sales tax, like all new
taxes, is strongly opposed, but one

angle may be given some _ thought.

This is that real estate to-day and for
long has ‘borne virtually all expenses
of local government. The burden now
approaches plain confiscation in many
localities—a condition which affects
every home owner, every business
block owner, all those who own realty
in whole or in part. Inasmuch as the
great majority of grocers’ customers
who “own their own homes” in real-
ity own only an equity, those people
feel the present burden keenly. In
countless cases it is a question wheth-
er they can carry on at all.

So we may see that any plan where-
by the burden of government is
spread more widely on the community
as a whole may be a great benefit to
all of us. The question of the terribly
excessive burden of archaic govern-
ment we persist in carrying—county
government, for preferred example—
is another one which grocers, in com-
mon with all other citizens, will have
to face and help solve in the near fu-
ture. For this is an evil which, like
it or not, we are not going to be able
to dodge.

Debates on chain vs. individual
stores are rapidly running out of
fashion. California seems to have
pointed the way. The California Gro-
cers Association long since discoun-
tenanced these because it was evident
that such debates, regardless of any
“decision” on the part of the “judges,”
was a boost for chains.

This outcome was plain in the case
of Old Man Henderson and his radio
activities because his was an_ over-
statement of the case for the individ-
ual, and evidently the debates worked
out. the same way.

Fact is, merit will win without
argument. Argument without merit
gets us nowhere. Let the individual
tend to his knitting as a ‘business man
and he will not have to argue. This
reasoning loses not a bit of its force
because it holds as good for the chain.
Folks are not much interested in argu-
ments. They are keenly interested in
actual performance.

It is the same where the pot calls the
kettle black. The Los Angeles Com-
mercial Bulletin has made a consistent
feature of news of arrests and/or fines
for short weight and measures, co-
operating closely with the scale in-
spector. J have known of this for the
last fifteen years and believe it has
been done for much longer than that,
but the variation in the target is in-
triguing,

Fifteen years and down to eight or
ten years ago, the Bulletin played up
strong on arrests of Japs and other
orientals. So, while all arrests were

(Continued on page 23)

   

    

  
 

    

LON WYP

 
   
 

Crackers
Gp erarBiauita

Grand Rapids, Mich.

December 16, 1931

 

 

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.

 

 

MUN omitted tm ettschessye tal

nc

"THE FLOUR THE BEST COOKS USE
Call - Phone - Write

VALLEY CITY MILLING COMPANY
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

 

 

d

oy

by

 

December 16, 1931

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13

 

MEAT DEALER

Michigan State Association of Retail
Meat Merchants.
President—Frank Cornell, Grand Rapids

Vice-Pres.—E YP. Abbott, Flint.

Secretary—BE. J. La Rose, Detroit.

Treasurer—Pius Goedecke, Detroit.

Next meeting will be held in Grand
Rapids, date not decided.

Always Job For Meat Cutter If He
Is Good,

The other day a meat dealer friend
said to me; what thas become of the
good meat cutters and general all
around meat dealers we had years ago?

That is an open question, Can any-
one answer it?

 

What is there so objectionable to
the meat business? Where can you
get a conscientious, trustworthy type
of a young man to-day who is willing
to undertake the learning of the meat
business and stick with it.

Surely the salary paid by a good
meat market for both its counter and
back room men is just about as good
as in the average line of business. The
thrifty, conscientious, and persevering
man who learned his trade from a man
who understands his business, will al-
ways find ready employment. If he
is thrifty he will sooner or later have
a business of his own and ‘be success-
ful,

We used to make meat dealers when
working conditions were the most try-
ing, and when it was necessary to
work twelve to sixteen hours a day.
Now with seven-thirty opening and six
o’clock closing it is hard to get the
right type at any price. Then in a
short time they get tired of the job
and are insolent to both proprietor
and customer.

The meat business offers steady all
year round employment, and because of
its steadiness the yearly earnings of
the individual stands pretty well with
the earnings of some profession,

The meat business is still a craft,
but is almost devoid of craftsmen.
That is why it offers a wonderful op-
portunity now for the right kind of
young man,

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and no
fortune has ever been built on a false
foundation, Any young man who will
learn the meat business thoroughly,
serve his patrons conscientiously, mas-
ter all the details of the business, will
in a few years far out-strip the chauf-
feur, soda fountain dispenser, truck
drivers, hotel clerks, so-called auto-
mobile mechanics, and a lot of profes-
sional men.

What we need to-day is for the mas-
ter butchers to start in and hire a bet-
ter type of young men from good
families, and by their handling and
teaching interest them in making the
meat business their life work. Get
away from the floating type of meat
cutter we have to contend with to-day.

Charles Houska.

—_—__»+>—_—_
Detroit Peddler Has Display Case on
Truck.

A truck fitted out for selling meat
from house to house has made its ad-
vent in Detroit and created a new
problem for the established meat mar-
ket owners. An ex-service man, who
is a meat cutter, has fitted up a motor
truck with a small ice box and dis-
play counter refrigerated with dry ice.
In the car is a tank of water with a

faucet. A grinding machine is oper-

ated from the car battery. In fact it
is a miniature market on wheels.

This method of retailing, if permit-
ted to expand, the meat dealers con-
sider a serious problem, as the aver-
age proprietor of a market pays heavy
rent, or if he owns his own building
pays taxes and has a large investment
in equipment,

The Detroit Health Department is
co-operating with the Retail Meat
Merchants’ Association with a view to
putting a stop to the practice of sell-
ing meat in this way on the grounds
that there cannot be adequate health
inspection, The matter is before the
court and a ruling is expected shortly,
as the Board of Health has quite a
number of applications for peddler li-
censes pending,

At the last regular meeting of the
Detroit Retail Meat ‘Merchants’ As-
sociation, presided over by President
Emil |Schwartz, this new form of com-
petition received much attention.

Discussing what he termed the
“Chain ‘Store Menace,’ ‘Clark CC.
Doughty of the Merchants’ Protective
League, addressing the meeting, de-
clared that if the Sherman anti-trust
laws were enforced the chain stores
could not exist. He asked the mem-
bers to co-operate ‘by obtaining signa-
tures to a petition to be presented to
Congress asking for a thorough inves-
tigation of chain methods.

The Association voted to allocate
$300 of our funds to provide food for
needy families during the holidoy sea-
son. A committee was appointed to
determine the best method for distri-
bution.

Meat retailers of Detroit are invited
to join this Association, which is work-
ing for their interests. The fee is
small, only $2.50 to join, and $10 for
dues. Write Henry Provo, Secretary,
1945 Adelaide street, Detroit.

Sidney C. Black.
>> ___
Increasing Sales Despite Depression.

A meat market whose proprietor is
a leader of retail methods in his city
finds that its gross sales, which are
nearly one million annually, are larger
in 1931 than in 1929, ‘His business
policies, which may be of real interest
and value to other meat markets, are:

1. Adopted advertising campaign
on quality appeal at moderate prices.

2. Set up a statistical department
which prepares daily sales and profit
and loss statement.

3. President of organization per-
sonally supervises education of sales
force.

4. Adopted latest methods of dis-
play.

5. Careful buying and at no time
overstocked,

6. No wage cuts; staff increased six
men over last year.

7. Modernized plant but did not
enlarge,

See
O.K. By Her.

“Did you know, dear, that tunnel we
just passed through was two miles
long and cost $12,000,000?” said the
young man to his sweetheart.

“Oh, really, did it?” she replied, as
she started to re-arrange her dishevel-
ed hair. “Well, it was worth it, wasn’t
it?”

 

 

 

Wonderful Flavor
JENNINGS
PURE VANILLA

Jennings Flavoring Extract Co.
Grand Rapids, Mich.

Ocean, Lake, Salt and Smoked
Wholesale and Retail

GEO. B. READER
1046-8 Ottawa Ave., N. W.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

 

 

 

 

     

 

2 canes 5¢

Recommend—

 

 

RED‘STAR YEAST

for Health
HE fact that RED STAR YEAST contains Nuclein and Vitamins,
its value as a nutriment, an aid to digestion and flesh building is
unquestionable.
Red Star Compressed Yeast builds up the body and nerve tissues, aids
digestion and purifies the blood. The discovery of vitamins is the most
important contribution of modern times to food knowledge.

20c A DOZEN (Delivered)
YOUR PROFIT is 50% on cost selling at 2 cakes for 5c

Our Branch in or near your city guarantees a Fresh Supply

 

 

RED STAR YEAST & PRODUCTS CO.

Main Office - Milwaukee, Wisc.
Detroit Branch—1234 W. Fort St. Grand Rapids Branch—516 Division Ave.. 8.

**x STRICTLY INDEPENDENT—SINCE 1882 **

 

 

Leading oe —_ have
POSTMA’S RUSK

POSTMA BISCUIT CO.

GRAND RAPIDS. MICHIGAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRIDDLES — BUNSTEAMERS —
Everything in Restaurant Equipment
Priced Right.

Grand Rapids Store Fixture Co.
7 N. IONIA AVE. Phone 67143 N. FREEMAN, Mgr.

URNS

 

 

   
    

 

GRAND RAPIDS PAPER Box Co.

Manufacturers of SET UP and FOLDING PAPER BOXES
SPECIAL DIE CUTTING AND MOUNTING

G R AN D RA,PIDS, MICHIGAN

Corduroy Tires

Known from the Canadian Border to the Gulf—and from New
York Harbor to the Golden Gate—the Corduroy Tire has in ten
years gained a reputation for value, for superlative performance
and dependability that is second to none!

The Corduroy Dealer organization dots the nation’s map in
metropolis and hamlet. It is an organization that swears
allegiance to the Corduroy Tire because of long years of unfail-
ing tire satisfaction to the motorists of the country.

Go to your Corduroy Dealer today. Ask to see the tire. Big—
Sturdy—Handsome in all its strength and toughness, the Cor-
duroy Tire will sell itself to you strictly on its merit.

CORDUROY TIRE CO.
Grand Rapids, Mich.

 

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.

 

 

 

siecle cecum

16

HOTEL DEPARTMENT

Judge Verbeck Describes His Impres-
sions of San Diego.

‘San Diego, Calif., Dec. 12—As I re-
marked last week I came down here to
check up on “Uncle Louie Winternitz,
and knowing that one may be judged
by the company he keeps, will confess
that he has a perfect alibi living at a
perfectly good caravansary, Hotel
Embassy, under the eye of Mr. and
Mrs. William Brooks, who own and
operate same, and seems to be in the
best of health. Also he has a lot of
warm friends who believe he is all
right. His chief “buddy,” Constable
Harry E. Webber, who serves pro-
cesses from the various courts, takes
much more than a passing interest in
his welfare. They were all wonderful
to me and I had a most wonderful
time, I always did have a warm spot
in my heart for San Diego and have
so expressed myself on previous oc-
casions. There are a lot of historic
facts and much romance inscribed on
its records. While its actual existence
is measured by centuries San Diegans
did not discover themselves until sixty
or seventy years ago, when they be-
gan building a metropolis. They
created a new town on a new site and
did it in much of a hurry. But the
job was a satisfactory one. Its wide
streets, on a perfect mesa, overlooking
one of the most perfect harbors in the
world, form an ideal setting. Immense
wharves, business blocks, handsome
hotels, stores, clubs, theaters, schools,
hospitals and residences have replaced
the barren effort of early days. San
Diego has justly and truly come into
its own. The World’s Exposition of
1915, which made Balboa Park pos-
sible, formed a most interesting and
attractive feature and the completion
of the Panama Canal did the rest. The
storm proof harbor of San Diego is 22
square miles in extent. The promon-
tory of Point Loma drops Southward
from the mainland, swerving suffi-
ciently to the West to admit of steam-
ers’ passing between the high flank of
the mainland and the sandy beach on
which Coronado is situated. Always
there are war vessels in the harbor,
and freighters and passenger ships,
ferryboats, yachts, launches and canoes
add to the activity of the crescent bay.
According to the local forecaster San
Diego “has the shortest thermometer
in the United States, except the South-
east Farralone Islands.” The latitude
gives a temperate climate, the proxim-
ity to the sea equability of temperature,
the distance from the storm tracks (of
the Northern coast) freedom from
high winds and rough weather, and
the absence of mountains in the im-
mediate neighborhood, contributes to
the infrequency of fogs. In short the
weather man offers so many special
advantages that it has contributed
largely to the city’s rise to greatness.
The homes of |San Diego rise above
the commercial center and command a
view which reaches to the mountains
of Mexico, and across calm waters to
Coronado Islands which Cabrillo’s log
described as “having great valleys and
in the interior—high ridges.” Some-
times mirage islands appear on the
opal sea, and so clearly that they may
be reflected on a photographic nega-
tive. Everywhere one finds evidences
of the earlier Mission days, with the
architecture of a passing century. It
was a Grand Rapids furniture manu-
facturer who ‘first applied the trade
word “Mission” to a square, heavy
product, resembling the older archi-
tecture.

Uncle Louie took me over to Balboa
Park, to see the “elephant.” ‘Now I
had visited this park on previous oc-
casions, and knew all about its being
the second largest in the world, with
its 1400 acres, but under the guidance
of a 100 per cent. camera man, one is
not permitted to overlook anything.
Here the world’s fair was held, the
buildings, many of them in an excel-

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

lent state of preservation, covered
nearly one-half of this area. Attrac-
tions here are a museum, zoo, aviary
and the only outdoor pipe organ in
the whole world, broadcasting recitals
at frequent intervals to large audienc-
es. From the esplanade a green and
gold checker board shows below, with
white houses standing in the glossy
squares. And such a wonderful feast
of flowers. It hardly seems possible
that one single municipality can keep
up such a wonderful show.

Old San Diego is one of the numer-
ous birthplaces of Ramona, Helen
Hunt Jackson’s heroine of the novel
bearing this title. A vast aggregation
of relics in a restaurant bearing this
magic name are to be had at certain
stipulated prices, but the central figure
of the drama is said to have passed on
—if she ever existed. Across the bay
from San Diego a narrow shoal of
sand bears oceanward the rambling,
red-roofed hostelry which dictates the
pastimes and hospitality of Coronado
Beach, famed in story and song. It
is reached from the mainland by ferry,
or there is a popular highway, 20 miles
in extent, by way of National City,
traversing the Pacific water front,
which is attractive and draws much
traffic,

[ did not go to Tia Juana (meaning
Mary Jane) Mexico, having pretty
thoroughly covered it in a previous ar-
ticle, but I learned that, thanks to one
Volstead, she is still enjoying a boom
over a demand for pre-war cough
syrup. I have never taken occasion
to more than make passing mention of
San Juan Capistrano, situated midway
between Los Angeles and San Diego,
of which it has been said that the
building of the railroad created such
a sensation in the town that most of
the population, when the first engine
poked its nose in sight, fled to their
homes and buried themselves under
bed clothes. The indolent little village
on the old stage highway to and from
Mexico is said to be much the same as
it was a century ago, but it is a goal
where much of interest is to be un-
earthed. They mostly live in decrepit
houses—Indians, Spaniards, a few
Americans—speak a special dialect, at-
tend sheep and occasionally indulge in
a cock-fight. On the border of the
town, up the street from the railroad
station, there stands on a hilltop with
mountains for a background, the most
historic ruin in the entire Mission
chain in California. It was dedicated
in 1806. A few years later, in the
midst of a special service, an earth-
quake dislodged a tower which carried
the rafters down on the heads of the
congregation, killing 43 victims, most
of whom were buried in the little
cemetery adjoining. Now roofless and
gray, the temple stands, its floor a
turf-patch, its nave walls tufted with
weeds. Long rows of arches proclaim
the splendid cloister which once sur-
rounded the quadrangle. The rending
of this noble portal and high vault
of the church, the decay of column and
cornice disclose more perfectly than
the completed work how well the
architect and builder performed their
work. Part of the edifice, small in
proportions, has been repaired and in
same may be found many interesting
relics. The flower garden is a thing
of beauty, and excites much admira-
tion. The millstones of the old Mis-
sion still hang in the stanchions on
the premises. All worthy of an ex-
tended visit by the tourist.

 

Los Angeles, Dec. 12—Detroit hotel
men have succeeded in perfecting ar-
rangements with the local telephone
company whereby rooms in hotels may
be disconnected for a period of six
months either at the board or in the
room. Where the phones are re-
connected before the six months are
up, a charge for labor only amounting
to approximately 25 cents per phone,
will be made. If disconnected for
more than six months, the charge will

be the regular disconnection fee of

$2.50 per phone and the telephone
company reserves the right to remove
the instrument after the six months
period. If the instrument is removed
the regular charge of $3.50 will be
made. Whether this arrangement 1s

December 16, 1931

 

 

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.
ERNEST W. NBIR, Manager.

 

 

Park Place Hotel
Traverse City
Rates Reasonable—Service Superb
—Location Admirable.

GEO. ANDERSON, Mor.
ALBERT J. ROKOS, Ass’t 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.

 

 

NEW BURDICK

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
In the Very Heart of the City
Fireproof Construction
The only All New Hotel in the city.

Representing :
a $1,000,000 Investment.
250 Rooms—150 Rooms with Private

Bath.

Buropean $1.50 and up per Day.

RESTAURANT AND GRILL—

Cafeteria, oe Service, Popular
8.

ces.

Entire Seventh Floor Devoted to
Bspecially uipped Sample Rooms
WALTER J. HODGES,
Pres. and Gen. Mgr.

“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 -i- Sandwich Shop

 

 

 

 

Warm Friend Tavern
Holland, Mich.
Is truly a friend to all travelers. Ali
room and meal rates very reasonable.
Free private parking space.

GEO. W. DAUCHY, Mgr.

 

MORTON
HOTEL

Grand Rapids’ Newest
Hotel

400 Rooms “i 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

 

 

 

 

Hotel and Restaurant
Equipment
H. Leonard & Sons

38-44 Fulton St., W.

 

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

 

 

 

 

HOTEL...
DETROITER
ROOMS 75O BATHS

FREE GARAGE
UNDER KNOTT MANAGEMENT

 

SINGLE ROOMS
As

PRIVATE BATH

anno

NO HIGHER

age ee

DETRO

 

 

    
 

 

December 16, 1931

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

   

17

 

satisfactory to the hotel men has not
‘been made clear to me.

Harold Sage, who has managed the
affairs of Hotel Tuller, Detroit, for
the past two years, when he succeeded
Ward James, has resigned. Lou Mc-
Gregor, who thas assisted Mr. Sage
for a short time, has been appointed
to the position temporarily. ‘The af-
fairs of the Tuller have been a monu-
mental mix-up for a long time. Mr.
Sage, as the most of us know, was
given to perform the impossible, to
extricate its affairs from the mess they
had fallen into, long before the James
incumbency, and while he made a sur-
prising showing, and held on much
longer than J thought it possible for
any human being to do, has finally
come to the parting of the ways. But
Mr. Sage has much ahead of him. He
is in good health, has been endowed
with a long head, and will yet be heard
much from in hotel administration
affairs. It is not known what will be-
come of the Tuller property.
ly seems possible that it will be aban-
doned as a hostelry, but with the pre-
vailing depression, little may be ex-
pected to relieve the dilemma im-
mediately,

Now [I learn that my old friend
Frank Duggan, who has been presi-
dent and managing director of Hotel
McAlpin, New York, for the past four
years, will resign his management of
that institution on Jan. 1, when his
contract expires. After leaving the
hotel he will tuck Mrs. Duggan and
their two boys in his motor car, and
come out to California, prepared to
enjoy the real pleasures of life for a
while. Mr. Duggan has made no an-
nounced plans for the future, but bear
in mind he will be heard from.

Reported '!that Edgewater Club, St.
Joseph, owned and operated by
Charley Renner, was badly damaged
by fire last week. [I trust that (Charley
had insurance to cover his loss, The
establishment being closed for the
winter gives Mr. Renner an opportun-
ity to make repairs without interfering
with trade, which is a decided advan-
tage,

I notice that E. S. Richardson, with
the assistance of his son-in-haw, “Dick”
Murray, will henceforth operate Hotel
Wolverine, Detroit. The Wolverine is
one of the older of the modern Detroit
hostelries, and I believe is. equipped
with all modern improvements, which
will bring it into the Hotel Kearns
class which Mr. Richardson operated
so successfully for a long period of
years. ‘Bioth of these gentlemen enjoy
a wonderful acquaintance with Michi-
gan commercial men, as well as a
great many tourists and J have no
doubt but what they will garner their
share of the harvest, though one can-
not help but think that there are a lot
of good, active hotel operators in De-
troit to bite into the plum. Service,
however, will gio a long ways in secur-
ing business and Ernie is used to
passing it out.

Mrs, Mae L. Nussbaum has been
appointed resident manager of Hotel
Berkshire, Detroit, by the holding
company. Now, this is all right. Mrs.
Nussbaum has been an outstanding
figure in Detroit hotel affairs for a
long time, and is one of the most
capable women, in her particular line,
that I know ‘of. She has also been a
prominent member of !the Greeters, is
a wonderful mixer and | predict suc-
cess will crown her efforts at the Berk-
shire,

L. G. Davis, who conducts Hotel
Wequetonsing, Harbor Springs, every
summer and has done so successfully
for many years, will conduct the
Jungle Hotel, at St. Petersburg, Fla.,
this winter.

Driving down to tthe Imperial Val-

It hard--

ley the other day, right under the
shadow of snow-capped mountains,
with weather none too comfortable
for such as were minus red flannels,
I saw scores of so-called hobos wend-
ing their way toward Los Angeles,
tramps who had undoubtedly ‘footed
it’ from away back East, to the land
of sunshine and roses. And. yet J had
a sort of troubled feeling because of
my knowledge that they would be
hustled right back to the snow banks,
East of the Sierra Nevadas, just as
soon 1as they were discovered. ‘Califor-
nia has been the refuge for this type of
nomads for a generation, but it has
finally resolved itself into a situation
which is. no longer regarded as humor-
ous. This winter it is going to be en-
tirely different, At various points of
entry along the CaliforniawNevada
border, detention camps with rock pile
auxiliaries have been established. The
incoming stranger will have to make
a showing of responsibility or his nose
will be turned toward the land of the
rising sun; if he doesn’t take kindly to
the program offered he will be initiat-
ed into the industry known as “stone-
breaking,” ‘compensation for which
will be in the shape of a meal, after
the day’s work has been accomplished.
This year visitors will be compelled to
face the acid test. No longer will it
be possible for a familv consisting of
half a dozen record feeders to roll
lightly into a California ‘burg and be-
gin picking 'the bones of the unsuspect-
ing natives. There will be food, but
it will be well earned ‘before it is
served, Los Angeles does its best to
take care of its own citizens, but it
sinyply cannot take in all the strangers
now seeking admittance. And those
who come here thinking their troubles
will be over, are simply dreaming.
While the city teems with sympathetic
citizens who are trying to the limit of
their means—and often beyond the
limit—to aid those in pitiable plight,
there are many others. who are taking
advantage of existing conditions,
though a careful watch is placed over
such, which makes it mighty hard for
the deserving. I have said it many
times before and now repeat: Don’t
come to California unless you can af-
ford to, and protect yourself with a
round trip ticket in your possession.
There are absolutely no jobs to be had,
and the bread lines are already over-
taxed.

A committee of Easittern investors
who have been indulging in movie
stocks, which ihas been holding a con-
tinuous session over a period of sev-
eral weeks, announces that a major
operation—or rather two of them—
must be performed. There are too
many theaters and the salaries. of the
stars are much higher than they
should ‘be. The story of the overdose
of theaters is a long one. It is said

‘that in some localities if the entire

populace turned oue enmasse they
could not fill the theaters which have
been provided for them. ‘To be sure
there has been a lot of hoakum about
the stupendous salaries paid to some
of the stars, but in real, honest-to-
goodneess cash there are more of
them working for $100 per week, or at
that rate, than for any other sum, but
they are producing too many pictures
—much faster than the public can di-
gest them. The large salaries are
mostly paid to the executives and they
are quite likely to be radically reduced.

Now the bean growers of California
are making an appeal to the farm re-
lief board for a loan to help carry on
their industry. The grape growers,
citrus raisers and alfalfa fanciers have
already filed their applications, and
almost any day the real estate boom-
ers may apply for pensions, along with
the army of flivver tourists who
“didn’t know ’twas loaded.”

 

Somebody has figured out that 42
per cent, of all the crimes committed
in ‘California are by individual crim-

inals who are at liberty on probation.
It seems like a travesty on justice to
convict a wrong doer at great expense
to the public and then turn him loose
without punishment of any kind. But
there are a lot of people out here who
seem to think almost any malefactor
has been ‘punished sufficiently after
the jury has gotten through with him.
Also another barge element who for-
get about the enormity of the crime
committed as the years go by and are
strong ‘for pardons, There are some
unfortunate individuals who are pun-
ished as much as they ever can be as
soon as they are sentenced, but there
is an example to be set for the rest of
the world, which is hardly accomplish-
ed by a too prompt application of the
probationary prerogative. Quite like-
ly parole methods ought to be applied
for occasional ifirst offenders, but un-
der no circumstances to the repeater.
And the pardoning power should cer-
tainly be restricted greatly. [ would
suggest that the supreme court of a
conmunonwealth should constitute the
proper authorities to pass on pardons,
at least. Frank S, Verbeck.

Mancelona—Mr. and Mrs. William
Moore, who conducted the Wisler
House for the past eighteen months,
have given up their lease on that house
and have taken over the lease on the
Russell House, at East Jordan, from
Mrs. Alice Joynt,

Manton—E, L, Piper, proprietor of
the Hotel Piper, which was badly
damaged by fire on Nov. 13, began the
work of rehabilitation so that he will
be able to re-open in plenty of time
for the 1932 tourist business. The
bulk of the work will consist of re-
decorating throughout, refinishing the
woodwork and floors and re-upholster-
ing furniture,

Benton Harbor—M. D. Hunt has
started construction of a thirty room
hotel building on the new scenic U S$
31 at Lake ‘Michigan Beach. The
house will be three stories in height,
and of rustic construction with the
front simulating a log cabin. There
will be a large dining room, lobby,
grocery and meat market and foun-
tain and grill room on the first floor,
with fifteen guest rooms on each upper
floor. [

Whigville—The Whigville Tavern,
which flourished in the ’50s and ’60s,
was reopened for business as a hotel
early in November by Albert Edelhoff,
who rebuilt portions of it and prepared
it for occupancy, after having been
closed for ‘fifteen years. ‘The tavern
was built in what was then Gibson-
ville ‘by ‘Charles D. W. Gibson and
was opened on Jan. 1, 1849, by Gurden
Waterous, with a ball for 400 residents
of Flint. The guest rooms have been
re-arranged to conform to modern re-
quirements, A ‘large dining room and
lounge, access to which are gained
through the old-fashioned set-in porch
and entrance hall, three private dining
rooms, kitchen and butler’s pantry
occupy the ground floor. On the sec-
ond floor are the original ballroom
and the guest rooms,

7
Must Make Radical Changes in Fed-
eral Laws.
Washington, D. C., Dec. 14—Per-
mit me to sincerely congratulate you
on the publication in your valuable
paper of the timely and enlightening
articles by Hon. Montague W. Ripley
in relation to the menace of price-

  

cutting and unfair methods in trade.
I have read these in the December is-
sue of the Michigan Tradesman. I
trust that every business man in the
State of Michigan and as many as pos-
sible outside of it will read these ar-
ticles, t is, indeed, unfortunate that
so many independent business men of
every description and more particular-
ly the general public are seemingly
unaware of the unmistakable trend
towards monopoly of production and
distribution. Ultimately the consum-
ing public must ifind itself at the mercy
of this. As the Sherman law, enacted
in 1890 and the Federal Trade Com-
mission and Clayton acts in 1914 were
designed by ‘Congress to preserve
competition for the protection of the
public, the very fact that competition
is to-day ‘being destroyed on all sides
is the best evidence that radical chang-
es must be made in the Federal laws
if the consuming public is to be safe-
guarded, E. C. Brokmeyer.
———__2so>___——_

Cheaper Gifts Reported Active.

Last-minute orders for holiday gift
items in the $1 and $2 price ranges are
numerous in the market. Producers
of metal-mounted glassware and of
similar novelties for home and table
decoration report stores are not re-
ordering as expected on articles retail-
An exceptionally
heavy volume business is ‘being done,
Among
the articlees in chief demand are bon-
bon dishes, novelty ash trays, pepper
and salt
Colonial candlesticks, at prices below
e>

pe.

ing for $5 or more.

however, on cheaper goods.

shakers, candy jars and

—_—__+~+~+____
Men’s Wear Orders Spurt.

Men’s wear orders, delayed by the
unseasonable weather, are rushed into
the wholesale markets this week, and
the volume of mail commitments is ex-
ceedingly heavy. Emphasis is chiefly
on holiday merchandise, such as gift
sets, shirts, neckwear,
mufflers.
from practically all

hosiery and
Requests have been received
sections of the
country, with most orders coming
from the Middle and Northwest. The
South, however, was not as active as
other areas. The market expects that
the remainder of this week will see a
continuance of the current activity,
—— —- © -- :
Observation must precede action,

NEW

Decorating
and
Management
‘Pacton FAMOUS
Grand Circus Park. Oyster Bar.

 

800 Rooms - « -
Rates from $2

HOTEL TULLER

HAROLD A. SAGE, Mgr.

800 Baths

 

 

 

EAGLE HOTEL

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

Now under management of four
sons of the founder,
Jas. K. Johnston.

I fot and cold water and steam heat
in every room. saths on every floor.
Rates, $1 and $1.25 per day.
Special weekly rates, $4, $5, $6, $7.
“Best room in town for $1”

Dining room in connection.

GUY, FAY, CARL and PARK
»- JOHNSTON

 

 

  

:
5
F
2
x

;

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.

 

Individualize Your Store By a Well
Lighted Exterior.

Light is the life of retail trade. This
truism applies both day and night.

The drug store that has not been
designed properly for adequate admis-
sion of daylight will suffer from im-
paired merchandising opportunity, and
the store that is not equipped with a
modern electric lighting system will
experience the same handicap.

Getting the customers into the store,
that they may test its values and
service, is the primary objective in
retail drug merchandising.

Selling ability hasn’t a chance to.
function unless the customer crosses
the threshold.

Location undeniably has a great deal
to do with the volume of potential
patronage for a retail store, but in
these days, when so many competitive
retail outlets are concentrated in com-
paratively small trading areas, the at-
tention-arresting powers of the store
exterior determine how large a slice
of the available trade the store is likely
to obtain.

Assuming proper construction of the
storefront, as regards the entrance and
display facilities, the principal instru-
mentality for making a drug store
dominant among other stores of the
same size, is exterior electric illumina-
tion and effective window lighting
equipment.

Many drug stores continue to use
old-fashioned signs, that are adequate
for identifying the name and character
of the business under favorable natural
lighting conditions, but possess no in-
dividualizing or advertising value un-
der any conditions.

In about an equal number of cases,
the defects of drug store exterior light-
ing equipment consist in an inadequate
volume of lighting current, or inef-
fctive utilization for modern merchan-
dising requirements of what would be
sufficient illumination if it were di-
rected properly.

Exterior illuminating devices are es-
sentially forms of advertising. All
modern advertising must be alive with
appeal and attraction. In their funda-
mental purpose, electric signs are em-
ployed to identify products, to create
indelibility for the name and trade
slogan of a business, and to help make
the location of a store a retail land-
mark.

The electric sign, being a natural
impression medium the circulation of
which can be limited only by the num-
ber of persons who observe it through-

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

out the year, constitutes one of the
strongest and most economical medi-
ums of present day advertising for the
retail merchant,

The electric sign makes its impres-
sion on the prospective buyer closer
to the point of sale than any other
medium. Proper exterior advertising
effects will continue to be powerful
influences on the economic destiny of
retail drug stores as long as people are
influenced so largely by the proverbial
“first impression.”

Besides possessing a high degree of
inherent advertising value, electric
signs are a most valuable supplement
to all other forms of local publicity,
actually costing less for the number
of impressions made on the public
mind than any other medium of ad-
vertising.

Electric signs are the most important
single medium of stationary advertis-
ing, and the most rapidly-growing in-
strumentality of outdoor publicity. By
stationary advertising, as I apply the
term to electric signs, I mean that
the electrical sign or advertisement is
fixed in position.

It depends for its effectiveness upon
being conspicuous and unavoidable,
reaching people by catching their at-
tention as they pass.

Stationary electrical advertising, be-
cause it cannot move and must do its
work on moving people, must be very
simple, striking, and impressionistic.
Its funtional powers are confined large-
ly to an appeal to the senses.

It is enabled to fulfill these func-
tions through its unique facility and
capacity for brighness, motion (when
desired), color, individuality, and beau-
ty. It permits symbolizing a name or
trademark or trade slogan more graph-
ically and spectacularly than any other
medium of advertising.

If a drug store front is remodeled,
without due attention being paid to
electric sign advertising opportunities
as well as improved window illumina-
tion, the job is only half-done.

The neglected half—the electrical
sign advertising opportunity —is the
half that would have paid for the other
improvements in a short time.

The dominant retail store always has
a well-lighted front, individualized by
a distinctive architectural style and
color combination in the painted area
of the front. Almost invariably, it is
further individualized by the right kind
of electrical signs.

The importance of a distinctive store
front in attracting new trade and caus-
ing the drug store to be remembered
can hardly be over-estimated.

The principle has been expressed
fittingly in the statement that the cus-
tomer’s body may come in through the
door, but her eyes come in first through
the display windows.

The trade-conductivity of the first
ten or twelve feet of floor area inside
the door is greater than in any other
part of the drug store. Like the fact
that the window frontage, next to loca-
tion value, is the principal factor in the
determination of retail store rents, the
greater trade-conductivity of space
nearest the entrance is a fact, not a
theory.

Further proof of the far-reaching
benefits of a drug store front that is
highly-individualized as regards illum-
ination and electric advertising, is ad-
duced from an actual experiment in
which it was demonstrated that a drug
store of distinctive front in a secondary
location coud! ‘be made to register a
stronger merchandising impression
than another drug store in a better
location, but lacking exterior individ-
uality.

Of course, the stores were of about
the same status as regards their size,
frontage and character of stocks, and
even the store in what I refer to, in
a comparative sense, as a “secondary”
location, had a good average location.

The point is that the inherent mer-
chandising opportunity in the location-
value of either store was demonstrated
to be subject to a high degree of im-
provement by means of exterior at-
traction forces.

Many drug stores have electrical
signs and window lighting equipment
that are all right for the requirement
of mere visibility at comparatively
close range, but their proprietors are
making a mistake in not using a higher
illumination “load” when the location
of their stores would justify much
brighter exteriors, affording greater
advertising and selling value from their
illuminated displays.

The limitations of an article of this
kind necessarily preclude discussion of
the technological phases of window and
sign lighting equipment, such as wir-
ing, voltage requirements, sizes and
styles of lamps and fixtures.

The engineering service department
of the local public lighting company
maintains an organization of experts
to assist merchants with store and
window lighting problems. The service
is a co-operative feature of the selling
activities of such companies and is not
charged for specifically.

The electric sign, properly designed,
can be made an actual ornament to the
store and the building. Usually, it is
a brightly illuminated spectacle against
a dark background, and that is why it
has more attraction force than any
other nighttime medium of publicity.

As the illumination of the surround-
ing district increases, the brightness of
a sign may not of itself be sufficient
to make it stand out. However, there
are two additional properties of at-

December 16, 1931

traction to fall back on—namely, the
use of color and motion.

Very neat and attractive borders of
a variety of types can be used and their
attractiveness can be improved by the
proper manipulation of flashers. Words
and groups of words can also be made
to flash in any desired sequence, thus
adding materially to the attracting
power of the whole effect.

It is generally desirable to give a
different and usually more pleasing
touch to the display by the use of
harmonizing colors. Colors, however,
have the property of absorbing much
of the light radiated by the lamps; con-
sequently, the viewing distance for
colored displays is less than that for
clear lamp displays.

At short viewing distances, however,
color adds greatly to an otherwise un-
finished display.

‘The ultimate effectiveness of the sign
as an advertising medium depends upon
another factor even more vital than
brightness, color or motion. That fac-
tor is careful wording.

The wording should be chosen care-
fully, and should indicate clearly just
what is meant, for the average sign is
usually read quickly or from a consid-
erable distance.

Therefore, the ease with which it can
be read at the limit of the maximum
viewing distance for which it was de-
signed, is of primary importance.

Due to the increasing competition
for attention, in the maze of electrical
advertising signs along the main busi-
ness arteries of all progressive cities, a

 

BROOKSIDE BRAND
WHISK BROOMS

(~) he
“a” ~—- ROTARY PRIZE

   

ALL STYLES
AND PRICES

 

 

 

 

THE
PUTNAM FACTORY

NATIONAL CANDY CO., INC.
Grand Rapids

WISHES ITS MANY LOYAL CUSTOMERS

A MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS
NEW YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 1931

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

19

 

good electrical sign will have some
distinctly outstanding symbol or fea-
ture, and will be designed so that it is
adapted to the use of color and mo-
tion, and preferably, will be of suffici-
ent size to dominate its immediate sur-
roundings.

Care should be taken to provide for
maximum legibility. This is achieved
by designing the sign properly for the
distance and the purpose for which it is
intended. It is also important to have
a sign of pleasing appearance both
lighted and unlighted.

It is too often the case that signs
are designed only for the lighted effect.
The value of such signs can usually be
increased by paying more attention to
daytime appearance. Wherever prac-
ticable, it is desirable to design the
display to harmonize with the architec-
ture of the building.

Oftentimes, good signs have been
erected and allowed to deteriorate be-
cause no thought was given to main-
tenance. A sign that is well kept and
properly lighted makes a good impres-
sion, invites the prospective customer
to enter the store, and assures him that
he is dealing with a progressive firm.

A sign poorly maintained, not only
cheapens the appearance of the store
or factory ‘building to which it is af-
fixed, but even tends to cheapen the
street. Such a sign never attracts
trade, for it is out of harmony with
the appearance of an up-to-date busi-
ness place.

After erecting a good modern sign
of pleasing design, it should be fully
maintained, which simply means wash-
ing and repainting the sign whenever
necessary, and relamping as soon as
possible all burnouts that may occur.

The amount of time necessary to
give to sign maintenance depends
somewhat upon the locality in which
the sign is erected.

Many signs will be kept in good con-
dition if washed or cleaned once in two
months and repainted once each year,
while others, due to atmospheric or
other local conditions, will require
cleaning at least once a month and
repainting twice a year,

Victor N. Vetromile.
—_++ +
Fishing.
When the sky is lowering
And begins a showering
"Til the vales are wet
Then I go a fishing

While a going wishing
For fishing ever yet.

Fishing is a pleasure
Croesus could not measure
With his pile of gold
But if you are failing
Troubled, worried, ailing
Go fishing—young or old.

Fun in every minute
After you begin it—

This great fishing game.
Fun to-day, to-morrow—
If you have to borrow :

Go fishing, just the same.

Any real old trouble
Turns into a bubble
When you whip a stream
Take a fly and try it
Then you can’t deny it
Fishing is a dream.
Charles A. Heath.

——____ 2+ ____
Kitchenware Reorders Heavy.
Moderately priced kitchenware nov-
elties suitable for holiday gifts and
low-end staple products are in good
demand at wholesale this week. Job-
bers report heavy re-ordering on
staple goods retailing at 10 to 50 cents
and a fair volume of fill-in business on
specially boxed novelties in the $1 re-
tail range. Producers are now mak-
ing up stock for retail midwinter and
early Spring promotions and have
concentrated on items to retail at 25
cents or less. Mixing spoons, bowls,
small pans and a wide variety of cut-
lery pieces are to be offered as sales
merchandise next month,
—_++>—___
Buy now—not for patriotism but for
profit.

 

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
Carholic —...._... 38 @ 44
0 @ 55
34@ 8
9 @ 15
5 @ 26
Sulphuric ---.-- 34@ 8
Partariec —....__. 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
Copaiba, .--.-__- 50@ 80
Fir (Canada) -. 2 75@3 00
Fir (Oregon) -. 65@1 00
Pert) 2 25@2 60
Tole 1 50@1 80
Barks

Cassia (ordinary) 25@ 30
Cassia (Saigon) -. 40@ 60
Sassafras (pw. 50c) @ 40
Soap Cut (powd.)

a06 2

 

15@ 25
Berries
Cubeb .. 75
Fieah 2.2... 25
Juniper 20
Prickly Ash —----- @ 650
Extracts
Licorice —......_... 60@ 75
Licorice, powd. .. 60@ 70
Flowers
Arles 22 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) 35@ 45
Aloes (Cape Pow.) 25@ 35
Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 75@ 80

Asafoetida ----.. 50@ 60

Pow. 2 @ 76
Camphor -_-.-.-- 87@ 9
Guaiae .......... @ 60
Guaiac, pow'd --- @ 70
King . @1 25
Kino, powdered... @1 20
Mivrrh ..8 @1 15
Myrrh, powdered @1 25

Opium, powd. 21 00@21 50
Opium, gran. 21 00@21 50
Shellac, Orange 40@ 50
Shellac, White 55@ 70
Tragacanth, pow. 1 25@1 60
Tragacanth -... 1 75@2 25
Turpentine -__. @ 2
Insecticides
Arsenic ~~~... a (2 36
Blue Vitriol, bbl. @ 06

Blue Vitriol, less 07@ 15
Bordea. Mix Dry 10%@ 21
Hellebore, White

powdered —- .... 15@ 25
Insect Powder. 3@ 40
Lead Arsenate, Po. 11 @25
Lime and Sulphur

ae 6aa

Paris Green -... %@ 45
Leaves

Buchy 2.3. @ 650
Buchu, powdered @ 60
Sage, Bulk ___._. 25@ 30
Sage, % loose —_ @ 40
Sage, powdered__ @ 35
Senna, Alex. -... 50@ 175

Senna, Tinn. pow. 30@ 365
Uva Ural 20@ 2%

Oils
Almonds, Bitter,

true, of, @ 50
Almonds, Bitter,
artificial _..___ 3 00@3 25

Almonds. Sweet,

tue. 1 50@1 80
Almonds, Sweet,

imitation -... 1 00@1 25
Amber, crude -. 75@1 00
Amber, rectified 1 50@1 75
Anise oo. - 1 50@1 75
Bergamont --.. 5 00@5 20
Cajeput .__.... 1 50@1 75
Cassia ..0 2 25@2 60
Castor 1 40@1 60
Cedar Leaf _.--. 2 00@2 25
Citronella -..---- 75@1 20
Cloves 2... 2 50@2 80

Cocoanut ----.. 22%@ 38
Cod Liver ------

Cotton Seed __.. 1 25@1 60
Cubebe _.. 5 00@5 25
Higeron ........ 4 00@4 25
Eucalyptus -.. 1 00@1 25

Hemlock. pure. 2 00@2 25
Juniper Berries. 4 00@4 25
Juniper Wood - 1 50@1 75
Lard, extra .... 1 55@1 65
Lard, No. 1 ... 1 25@1 40
Lavender Flow... 6 00@6 25
Lavender Gar’n. 1 25@1 50

EeMOn 2 2 00@2 25
Linseed, boiled, bbl. @ 66
Linseed, raw, bbl. @ 63
Linseed, bld., less 73@ 81
Linseed, raw, less 70@ 78

Mustard, artifll. os @ 3@

Neatsfoot -_._._ 1 25@1 35
Olive, pure -... 3 00@5 00
Olive, Malaga,

yellow ._....___ 2 50@3 00
Olive, Malaga,

e7een 2 85@3 26
Orange, Sweet 4 00@4 25
Origanum, pure_ @2 50
Origanum, com’) 1 09@1 20
Pennyroyal _... 3 25@3 50
Peppermint -... 3 50@3 75
Rose, pure ___. 13 50@14 00
Rosemary Flows 1 60@1 75
Sandelwood, E.

| Aes 12 60@12 75
Sassafras, true 2 00@2 25
Sassafras, arti’l 75@1 00
Spearmint -_-_. 4 (0@4 25
SUGEN 1 25@1 50
OS 5 00@5 25
Ter USP 65@ 75
Turpentine, bbl. _. @ 50
Turpentine, less 57@ 65
Wintergreen,

Ieee 6 00@6 25
Wintergreen, sweet

birch. . -~ 3 00@3 25
Wintergreen, art 75@1 00
Worm Seed _.__ 6 00@6 25
Wormwood ___ 7 00@7 25

Potasslum

Bicarbonate _____ 35@ 40
Bichromate _____ 15@ 25
Bromide 69@ 85
Bromide _ 54@ 71
Chlorate, gran’d_ 21@ 28
Chlorate, powd. 16@ 23

or Xtal 17@ 24
Cyanide _....... S@ $6
fodigg oo @4 65

4 34
Permanganate __ 24%@ 35

Prussiate, yellow 35@ 45

Prussiate, red _. 70@ 75

Sulphate _ 35@ 40
Roots

Alkanet -____.... 30@ 40

Blood, powdered___ 30@ 40

Calamus a 25@ 65
Elecampane, 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@3 50
Ipecac, powd. __ 3 00@3 60

Eleorigg 0 35@ 40
Licorice, powd.__ 15@ 25
Orris, powdered. 35@ 40
Poke, Powdered 25@ 40
Rhubarb, powd. __ @1 00
Rosinwood, powd. @ 650
Sarsaparilla, Hond.

groang ... @1 10

Sarsaparilla, Mexic. @ 60
Squills @
Squills, powdered 70@ 380

Tumeric, powd.__ 15@ 26
Valerian, powd. __ @ 650
Seeds
AOS 15@ 20
Anise, powdered __ @ 25
Bird. ia 13@ 17
Cantey 2 10@ 15
Caraway, Po. 25 20@ 25
Cardamon ______ 2 00@2 25
Corlander pow. .30 15@ 25
PA 15 20
Kennel) 20@ 30

Se 6 15
Flax, ground __. 6%@ 15
Foenugreek, pwd. 15@ 25
Heng 8@ 15
Lobelia, powd. ____ @1 100
Mustard, yellow 10@ 20
Musard, black... 20@ 25
Porous 2.03 15@ 25
Guinea 2 00@2 25
Sabadilia, 30@ 40
Sunflower _._____ 12@ 18

Worm, American 25@ 30
Worm, Lavant —_ 5 00@5 75

Tinctures
Acqnite: @1 80
Alege @1 56
Asafoetida ______ @2 28
arnteq @1 50
Belladonna _______ @1 44
Benzoin __....____ 2

  

Benzoin Comp’d_ @2 40
pane g3 16
Cantharides —___ 2 52
Capsicum @2 28
Catechu ......... @1 44
Cinchona ......... @2 16
Colchicum  ...... @1 80
Coulee @2 76
Digitale: ou. @2 04
Gentian ........ oa @1 35
Guaige @2 28
Guaiac, Ammon... @2 04
Mean ¢ 25
Iodine, Colorless_ 1 50
bem, Cla, @1 56

ne @1 44
are @2 52
Nux Vomica ____ @1 80
One @5 40
Opium, Camp. __ @1 44
Opium, Deodorz’d @5 40
Rhuler 0... @1 92

Paints
Lead, red dry __ 13% @13
Lead, white dry isxoise
white ofl 13% @13%

Ochre, yellow bbl. @ 2%
Ochre, yellow less 3@ 6
Red Venet’n Am. 3%@ 7

Red Venet’n Eng. 4@ 8
Puy oo 5@ 8
Whiting, bbl. ___ @ 4%
Whittae 5% @10

Rogers Prep. __ 3 45@2 65

Msceillaneous

Acetanalid ______ 57@ 75
am O6@ 12
— — and
FOUne 0, 6

a Subni- =

Pee
Borax xtal or eater

Powdered ______ 06 13
Cantharides, po. 1 2601 50
Calomel 2 40@2 70
Capsicum, pow’d 42@ 65
Carmine... 8 00@9 00
Cassia Buds ____ 35@ 45
Cloves 35@ 45
Chalk Prepared... 144@ 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% 10
Copperas, Powd. 4@ 10
Corrosive Sublm 1 75@2 00
Cream Tartar ____ 28@ 42
Cultie bone ___ 40@ 6u
Dextrine ___. ~ 6%@ 15
Dover's Powder 4 00@4 50
kimery, All Nos. 10@ 16

Emery, Powdered

Epsom Salts, bbls. Sos
Epsom Salts, less 3%@ 10
Ergot, powdered __ @4 00
Flake, White ___ 15@ 20
Formaldehyde,
Gcélating . 6
Glassware, less 55%
Glassware, full case 60%.

Glauber Salts, bbl. 0
Glauber Salts less ud *
Glue, Brown ____ 20@ 320
Glue, Brown Grd 16@ 22
Glue, White ____ 27 35
Glue, white grd. 29 35
Glycering .. 16@ 35
Hoye 75@ 96
loging 6 45@7 00
lodoform 8 00@8 30
Lead Acetate __ 17@ 2%
Mace a @1
Mace powdered__ @1
Menthal 5 65

60
@6 32
Morphine ~--- 13 568@14 33
Nux Vomica ____ @ 2%
Nux Vomica, pow. 15@ 2
Pepper, Black, pw, 35@ 45
Pepper, White, po. 55@ 65
Pitch. Burgundy. 10@ 20
Quasdia 15@ 20
Quinine, 5 oz. cans Q@ 6

Rochelle Salts __ 224%4@ 35
Saccharine ...__ 2 6U@2 76
Salt Peter 11@ 32
Seidlitz Mixture 380@ 40
Soap, green ____ 12%@ 25
Soap, mott cast _ 2
Soap. white Castile,

case 15 00

on white Castile

ess, per bar ___ 1
Soda Ash a 20 to
Soda Bicarbonate 34%@ 10
Sega, Sal. 02%
Spirits Camphor @1 20
Sulphur, roll ____ 4@ 11
Sulphur, Subl. __ 4%@ 10

Tamarinds _.___ 20@ 26
Tartar Emetic _. 50@ 60
Curpentine, Ven, 50@ 175

Vanilla Ex. pure 1 50@2 00
Venilla Ex. pure 2 25@2 50
Zinc Sulphate __ 06@ 11

Webster Cigar Co. Brands
Websterettes _____ —~ 33 50
Ciews 33 50
Webster Cadillacs __ 75 oe

Golden Wedding
Panatellag ________ 75 00
Commodore .________ 95 00

 

te Plain tt tie at, intent

20

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

GROCERY PRICE CURRENT

These quotations are carefully corrected weekly, within six hours of mailing
and are intended to be correct at time of going to press. Prices, however, are
liable to change at any time, and merchants will have their orders filled at mar-
ket prices at date of purchase. For price changes compare with previous issues

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

ADVANCED DECLINED
Lard
Beef Liver
AMMONIA Pep, No. 224 --___--__- 2 70 Piums
Parsons, 64 0Z. ------ 95 Pep, No. 202 ---.---- 00 Grand Duke, No. 2%-- 3 25
Parsons, 32 oz. ------ 3 35 Krumbles, No. 424 --_ 270 Yellow Eggs No. 2%e-- 3 25
Parsons, 18 0z. ------ 420 Bran Flakes, No. 624 2 45
Parsons, 10 0z. ------ 270 Bran Flakes, No. 602 1 50 Black Raspberries
Parsons, 6 0z. ------ 180 Rice Krispies, 6 oz. -- 225 No. 2 ____--.___-___- 3 65
Rice Krispies. 1 0z. -_. 110 Pride of Mich. No. 2_. 3 10
ene Hag, 12 1-Ib. - Pride of Mich. No. 1_. 2 35
An aso 2 25 Red Raspberries
All Bran, 10 oz. ------ 70 _ Oo eee no pes 4 50
Ail Bran, % of. — 290 No 1 __ 3 15
Siekcaion No. 2 ---~. 3 60
BROOMS a Pride of Mich. No. 2__ 4 00
Jewell, doz: ---------- :
Standard Parlor, 23 Ib. 7 00 No Strawberries i.
Fancy Parlor, 32 cr
Ex. Fancy Feeney = ; . wai wind
ae Fey. Parlor 26 Ib. 9 02 Pride of Mich. No. 2 3 60
Whisk, Ne, 3 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 0z., doz. .--- 3
Royal, 4 oz., doz. -—. 1 8
Royal, 6 oz., doz. -. 3 45
Royal, 12 oz., doz. -__. 4 80
Royal, 2% Ibs., doz._. 1 - 15
Royal, 5 Ibs., doz..-__ 24 60
KC, 10c size, 8 oz. --- 3 60
KC, 15c size, 12 oz. -. 5 40
KC, 20c size, full lb.__ 6 80
KC, 25¢ size, 25 oz. -- 9 20
KC, 50c size, 50 oz. —- ; 50
KC, 5 ib. size ______- 75
KC, 10 ib. size —.-----_ 8 50
BLEACHER CLEANSER
Clorox, 16 oz., 24s -- 8 8
Lizzie, 16 oz., 128 .-.. 2 16
BLUING

Am. Ball,36-1 0z.,cart. 1 00
Boy Blue, 18s, per cs. 1 35

BEANS and PEAS

100 Ib. bag

Brown Swedish Beans 8 50
Dry Lima Beans 100 Ib. 1 75
Pinto Beans ---.--- _ 8 75
Red Kideny Beans --

White H’d P. Beans 3 25

Black Eye Beans -.

Split Peas, Yellow -- 6 00

Split Peas, Green ---- 5 50

Scotch Peas ----..--- 4 75
BURNERS

Queen Ann, No. 1 and i:

2, doz.
White Plame,
and 2, doz.

BOTTLE CAPS
Dbl. Lacquor. 1 gross
pkg., per gross ------ 15

Kellogg’s Brands.
Corn Flakes, No. 136 2 45
Corn Flakes, No. 1 24 2 46

BREAKFAST FOODS i

ROLLED OATS
Purity Brand
Instant Flakes

 

|| ace o
“EB yaa) EF |
pear \\ pees burs

cae "ear oA: Gey
Small, 24s ---------- 1 717%
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 05
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 75
Instant Pogtum, No. 8 5 40
Instant Postum, No. 10 4 60
Postum Cereal, No. 0 2
Post Toasties, 36s -- 2
Post Toasties, 24s -- 2 45
Post’s Bran, 248 ---- 2

BRUSHES
Scrub
Solid Back, 8 in. ---- 1 50

Solid Back, 1 in. ---- 1 76

Pointed Ends -------- 1 26
Stove i.

Shaker -~-------—------

No. 60 -------------. -- 2 00

Peerless ------.~------ 2 60
Shoe a

No. 4-0 ---------------

No. 2-0 -------------- 3 00
BUTTER COLOR
Dandelion ------------ 5
CANDLES
Electric Light, 40 Ibs. 12.1
Plumber, 40 lbs. ----- 12.8
Paraffine, 6s --------~ 14%
Paraffine, 12s ------- te

Wicking -.------------
Tudor, *. per box -- o
CANNED FRUITS
Hart Brand
Apples
No. 10. 2. 4 95
Blackberries

re Cea ae 35
Pride of Michigan ~--- 3 25
Cherries
Mich. red, No. 10 ----
Red, No. - tee ee 7 50
Red, No. 2 ~--------- 3 50
Pride of Mick. No. 2. 3 00
Marcellus Red -—----.- 2 56
Special Pie ---------— 1 7
Whole White -------- 3 26
Gooseberries
No, 19 50

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 o0z._
Chicken Haddie, No. 1
Fish Flakes, small —_
Cod Fish Cake, 10 oz.

Spt BORO Oe tO De
on
o

Cove Oysters, 5 oz. -. 1 60
Lobster, No. %, Star Zz yu
Shrimp, 1, wet --._-- 2 15
Sard’s, \% Oil, od -- 5 26
Sard’s, % Oil, 5 26

Sardines, 4 Oil | less 415
Salmon, Red Alaska_. 3 00
Salmon, Med. Alaska 2 15
Salmon, Pink, Alaska 1 20
Sardines, Im. %, ea. 10@zz
Sardines,

Sardines, Cal.
Tuna, % Curtis, doz. 2
Tuna, 4s, Curtis, doz.
Tuna, % Blue Fin _. 2 00
Tuna, 1s, Curtis, doz.

CANNED MEAT
Bacon, Med, Beechnut
Bacon, Lge. Beechnut
Beef, Lge. Beechnut
Beef, No. 1, Corned —-
Beef No. 1, Roast —_
Beef, 2% oz., Qua., sli.
Beef. 4 oz. "Qua. sli.
Beef, 5 oz., Am. Sliced
Beef, No. 1, B’nut, sli.
Beefsteak & Onions, s
Chili Con Car., ls -_-.
Deviled Ham, \%s --...
Deviled Ham, %s ---- 3
Hamburg Steak &

Onions, No. 1 -..... 3
Potted Beef, 4 oz. -... 1
Potted Meat, % Libby
Potted Meat, % Libby
Potted Meat, % Qua. 75
Potted Ham, Gen. % 1 46
Vienna Saus. No. % 1 36
Vienna Sausage, Qua. 90
Veal Loaf, Medium _. 2 25

anc oeono

NIGSLeVeS akon

f= -4 Co mm CO DO Co Bg OTP DO
oo
Gs soe

neo

Baked Beans
Campbells... oe
Quaker, 16 oz. —
Fremont, No. 2

   

Van Camp, med. _--- 1 25
CANNED VEGETABLES
Hart Brand

Baked Beans
Medium, Plain or Sau. 7,
No. 10 Sauce Sau Bese a 4 50

Lima Beans
Little Dot, No. 2 ---- 2 80
Little Quaker, No. 10 13 00
Little Quaker, No. 1 -- : 75

Bany, No. 2 2.-- 55
Baby, No. 1222352 1 75
Pride of Mich. No, 1. 1 55
Marcellus, No. 10 ---. 8 20
Red Kidney Beans
NO, 40 oo 6 35
NO. 5 oo 3 70
Nip 2S ee 1 30
No. 4 90
String Beans
Little Dot, No. 2 .-.. 3 20
Little Dot, No. 1 -_-. 2 25
Little Quaker, No. 1-- 1 90

Little Quaker, No. 2 _. 2 90
Choice Whole, No. 10 12 a
Choice Whole, No. 2_. 2 56

Choice ced: tes No. 1-4 70

Cut, No. 10-2 0 00
Cul: NG 2 ul 95
Cut No. 4 23 -_ 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. a. 70

 

No.
Pride of Michigan --

1 75

Marcellus Cut, No. 10. 8 25
Beets

Small, No. 2% —-_--- 3 00
Extra Small, No. 2 -- 2 80
Fancy Small No. 2 ~~ 2 25
Pride of Michigan -. 2 00
Marcellus Cut, No. 10 6 25

Marcel. Whole, No. 2% 1 75

Carrots
Diced. No: 3 —.___ 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 15
Fancy Crosby. No. 2.. 1 70
Fancy Crosby, No. 1_. 1 45

Peas
Little Dot. No. 1 ---- 1
Little Dot. No. 2 --.. 25
Little Quaker, No. 10 12 00
Little Quaker, No. -- 2
Little Quaker, No. 1
Sifted E. June, No.
Sifted E. June, No.
Sifted E. June, No. 1
Sifted E. June, No, 1-. 1
Belle of Hart, No. 2-. 1
Pride of Mich.. No. 10 8
Pride of Mich., No. 2_. 1 50
Marcel., KB. June, No. 2 1
Marcel., E. June, No.5 4
Marcel., 7
Templar E. 3
Templar E. “No. 10 7 00

Pumpkin
No. 10)
2%

  

No. 2

Squash
Boston, No. 3 --------

Succotash
Golden Bantum, No. 2

Little Dot, No, 2 ---- 2 35

Little Quaker ~-.-.--- 2 25

Pride of Michigan -- 2 05
Tomatoes

No. 0 2 5 80

No. 2% -..-- oa ae

No,. 3 --:.. 1 60

Pride of Mich., "No. 2% 2 10
Pride of Mich., No. 2-1 40

CATSUP
Sniders, 8 oz. -------- 35
Sniders, 14 oz. -------- 215
Sniders, No. 1010 -90
Sniders, Gallon Glass_ 1 25

CHILI SAUCE

Sniders, 8 oz. -.------- 2 10
Sniders, 14 02, ---.---- 00
Sniders, No. 1010 ---. 1 25
Sniders, Gallon Glass_ 1 45

OYSTER COCKTAIL
Sniders, 8 oz 10

  

Sniders, 11 oe ee a0
Sniders, 14 oz. ---__--_ 00
Sniders, Gallon Glass 1 45
CHEESE
Rogquetort -...-.. 60
Wisconsin Daisy --..-- 17
Wisconsin Flat -_----__ 17
New York June -------- 27
Sap Sago —...20 40
SICK 19
Michigan Flats —_ ad:
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, % Ib. -- 1 8
Kraft Limburger,% lb. 1 86

CHEWING GUM

Adams Black Jack ---- 65
Adams — 28D
Adams Dentyne ------ 65
Adams Calif ee es as (OD.
Adams Sen Sen ------ 65
Beeman’s Pepsin ------ 5
Beechnut Wintergreen

Beechnut Peppermint--

Beechnut Spearmint --

Doublemint ---.-..----- 65

Peppermint, Wrigleys -- 65
Spearmint, Wrigleys -- 65

duicy Fruit —.---____- 65
Krigley’s P-K  -----.--- 65
DODG ee 65
Teaberry .--..--.23-+ 65

 

Droste’s Dutch,
Droste’s Dutch,
Droste’s Dutch,
Droste’s Dutch, 5 lb. 60

Checolate Apples -_-. 4 50
Pastelles, No. 1 _--. 12 $0
Pastelles, % Ib. ------ 6 60
Pains De Cafe __----- 3 00
Droste’s Bars, 1 doz. 2 00
Delft Pastelles __---- 2 15
1 Ib. oo Tin Bon
ee 8 00
7 oz. _ Rose Tin Bon
cena eee 00

    

% 5 be Pastelles ___.-- 3
Langnes De Chats .. 4 80
CHOCOLATE
Baker, Caracas, ¥%s ---- 37
Baker, Caracas, 4s --.. 35
SLOTHES LINE
FBemp, 50 ft. -.. 2 00@2 25

tele Cotton,

SOott. 2 1 ong) 75
Bratded, 50 ft.
Sash Cord ~----- 1 ie? 25

COFFEE ROASTED
Blodgett-Beckliey Co.
Master — 40

Lee & Cady
1 ib. Package
Breakfast Cup ------- 2

Old

iiberty 2220-2 17
Quaker Vacuum ---.. 32
Nedrow =. 28
Morton House -_._--.. 35%
RONG go a 27
Emperial 2. 37%

Majestic 29
Boston Breakf’t Blend 24

McLaughlin’s Kept-Fresh

 

Hummel’s 50 rf. Ib.

CONDENSED MILK
Leader, 4 doz.
Eagle, 4 doz.

MILK COMPOUND
Hebe, Tall, 4 doz.
Hebe, Baby, 8 doz.
Carolene. Tall, 4
Carolene, Baby ------

EVAPORATED MILK

 

3 45
Quaker, Tall, 10% oz. 3 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 16, 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 so 3 45
Pet, Baby, 4 dozen __1 :
Borden’s Tall ~------. 3

Borden’s Baby -~_----_- 3 ig

CIGARS
Airedale «oot 35 00

Hemeter Champion _-_38 60
Canadian Club ____-_- 35 bv
Robert Emmett -... 75 00
Tom Moore Monarch 75 06
Webster Cadillac .... 75 00
Webster Astor Foil... 75 00
Webster Knickbocker 95 46
Webster Albany Foil 95 vv
Bering Apollos ______ 95 00
Bering Palmitas  _. 115 00
Bering Diplomatica 115 0¢
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
PiGaGer os he oe 11
French Creams —__.____ 13
Paris Creams — ...____ 14
DUpiOr 10
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 1 26
Gum Drops Pails
Champion Gums  ...___. 15
Challenge Gums __..... 13
Jelly Strings ..-.... 16
Lozenges Pails
A. A. Pep. Lozenges __ 14
A. A. Pink Lozenges __ 14
A. A. Choc. Lozenges__ 14

ee eee ee

Motto Hears t_...______ 18
Malted Milk Lozenges __ 21
Hard Goods Pails

Lemon Drops —~..-______ 17
O. F. Horehound drops 15
Anise Squares 16

Peanut Squares __.___ 14
Cough Drops Bxs
Putnam se 22 1 35
Smnith Bros .2.2. 1 56
PMIGOR A 1 50
Specialties

Pineapple Fudge —.....

ae Bon Bons ______ :
anquet Cream Minta.. 33
Handy Packages, 12-10c 75

COUPON BOOKS
50 Economic grade 2 5@
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 ~_.____ a, 4

DRIED FRUITS
Apples
N. Y. Fey., 60 lb. box 13
N. Y. Fey., 14 oz. pkg. 16

Apricots
Evaporated, Choice __ 13
Evaporated, Fancy __ 18
Evaporated, Slabs

He Nancy: 2
Citron
£0) iD. Dox 36
Currants
Packages, 14 oz. 1. 17
Greek, Bulk, lb. ..... 16%
Dates
Dromedary, 36s ______ 6 75
Peaches
Evap. Choice —-._____ 12%
BANC a Ae
Peel
Lemon, American —_____ 28
Orange, American _____ 28
Raisins

Seeded, bulk ~..___.___ 84
Thor.pson’s s’dless blk 8%
or 8 seedless,

1
Seodei, AD OF 11

California Prunes
ae ite. 25 Ib. boxes__.@05%

90, 2 . boxes._.@05%
. boxes_.@6%
. boxes__@06%
. boxes._@07%
. boxes_._.@08%
. boxes.__.@11
. boxes__.@14

18@ 24. boxes__@17

 

 

 

December 16, 1931

Hominy
Pearl, 100 lb. sacks __ 3 6

Macaroni
Mueller’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
AERO Ee 00
Barley Grits --_____._ 5 00
Ee a 3 76
Sage
Gast India: oo 10
Taploca
Pearl. 100 Ib. sacks __ 09
Minute, 8 oz., 3 doz. 4 05
Dromedary Instant __ 3 50
Jiffy Punch
2 doz. Carton | 2 265
Assorted flavors.
FLOUR
Vv. C. Milling Co. Brance
Ey White 2030 5 10
Harvest Queen ______ 5 20
Yes Ma’am Graham,

O08 oe 1 40

Lee & Cady Brands
American Eagle ___.
Home Baker _______.

FRUIT CANS

ason
F. O. B. Grand Rapids
Mele: ping 2305

One pint ooo 7 35
One quart 00 8 55
Half gallon 1 55
Ideal Glass Top
Halt pint 2200 9 00
One pint 2 9 50
One Quart 22 1 ‘5
Half gallon 15 40
GELATINE
Jell-O; 3 doz 2. 85
Minute. 3 doz. 2. 4 05
Plymotth, White 1 55
Quaker; 3 doz. ..__.- 2 25

 

JELLY AND PRESERVES
Pure, 30 Ib. pails -.-. 3 30
Imitatin, 30 Ib. pails 1 60
Pure, 6 oz., Asst.. doz. 90
Pure Pres., 16 0z., dz. 2 40

JELLY GLASSES
8 oz.. per doz.

Margarine
I. VAN WESTENBRUGGE
Food Distributor

 

Cream-Nut, 1 Ib. ---. 15
Peco, Lolb. 2a: 10%
BEST FOODS, INC.

Laug Bros., Distributors

 

Wucoa, 1 Ib. 2225 15
Honday. Libs 2 oe 10
Wilson & Co.’s Brands
eo

Certified 200502 tos

Nut ee 11

Special Rol = 13
MATCHES

Diamond, 144 hox -. 4 75
Searchlight, 144 box-- 4 75
Ohio Red Label, 144 bx 4 75
Ohio Blue Tp, 144 box 4 75
Ohio Blue Tip, 720-1c 3 80
*ReRiiable, 144 -------

*Federal,

Safety Matches
Quaker, 5 gro. case

MULLER’S PRODUCTS
Macaroni, 9 oz. .._._. 2 20

es.
Eeg Vermicelll,
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, $, star: 3 25
Pecans, Jumbo -_-_-_ 40
Pecans, Mammoth
Walnuts, Cal. ~-___ a
Hickory 22

Salted Peanuts
Fancy, No. 1

Shelled
Almonds Salted —____.__ 95
Peanuts, Spanish
125 Ib. bags .._.._- ee ov
Filberts
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. 22

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.
9% oz. Jar, Stuff., doz.
1 Gal. Jugs, Stuff., dz. 2 40

PARIS GREEN
Le Ce 34

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Including State Tax
From Tank Wagon

Red Crown Gasoline __ 15.7

Red Crown Ethyl ____ eo

Stanoline Blue 3.2

In fron Barrels
Perfection Kerasine __ 10.6
Gas Machine Gasoline 35.1
V. M. & P. Naphtha__ 15.8

1SO-VIS MOTOR OILS
In Iron Barrels

EAéghe oe (2
Medtum 220 til
Heavy (2 TZ)
Ex: Heavy 1

olarine

Iron Barrels

Edge 62.1
Medium =. — 62.1
Heavy (oo 6a
Special heavy ~..._____ 62.1
Extra heavy 22.0000 62.1
Polarine “EK! 62.1
Cransmission Oil ~____ 1

Finol, 4 0z. cans, doz. 1 5u
Finol, 8 oz. cans, doz. 2 30

Parowax, 100 Ib.  -___ 7.3
Parowax, 40, 1 Ib. __ 7.55
Parowax, 20, 1 Ib. __ 7.8

 

cans 3 00
cans 5 00

Semdac, 12 pt.
Semdac, 12 at.

PICKLES
Medium Sour
5 gallon, 400 count ._ 4 75

Sweet Small

16 Gallon, 2250 —~.--__ 27 °

5 Gallon, TaQ 2.22 $7
Dill Pickles

Gal. 40 to Tin, doz.__ 10 25

No.. 2% ‘Ting: 202... 2 25
32 oz. Glass Picked__ 2 25
82 oz. Glass Thrown __ 1 95

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

Dill Pickles Bulk .
Gal. 6. a
45 Gal., 1300 ________ 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 75

Fase ante

Top Steers =: Tiel. 2. 36
Good St’rs & H’f. -__. 13

Med. Steers & Heif. —. 12
Com. Steers & Heif. —. il
Veal
OD 22 12
Good 10
Medium 200 09
Lamb
Spring Lamb 2. 13
Good 2 11
Mecham 2220 10
POO ee 08
Mutton
Gogg 10
Medium (003 aan 08
Poor 10
Pork
Eom, med. 20 10
Butte, es 09
mphowulders 22850 08
Spareriba: oo 09
Neck bones 04
Priming 06

PROVISIONS
Barreled Pork
Clear Back __ 16 00@20 00
Short Cut Clear ____ 16 00

Dry Salt Meats
DS Bellies -_ 18-20@18-10

Lard
Pure in terees 7%
60 lb. tubs ___.advance +4,
50 Ib. tubs __._-advance \%
20 Ib. pails _._-_.advance %

10 lb. pails ___.advance %
5 lb. pails __.__advance 1

3 Ib. pails ___.advance 1
Compound tierces __.. 8%
Compound, tubs —_____ 9

Sausages

Bolorna: 2200. a ee
Diver 15
Brancore 200 15
Pot 20
Weak 19
Tongue, Jellied _______ 25
Headcheese ser 15

Smoked Meats

Hams, Cer. 14-16 Ib. @16
Hams, Cert., Skinned
G-rS We @15%
Ham, dried beet
Knuekles @28
California Hams __ eins
Picnic Bollea

Fiene 20 @25
Boiled Hams ______ @25
Minced Hams ______ @16
Bacon 4/6 Cert. ____ @19

Beet
Boneless, rump ____@22
Rump, new __ 29 00@35 S
Liver
Beet 2 13
Cale do
Pork 220 06%
RICE
Fancy Blue Rose ____ 4 15
Fancy Head 2...) 06
RUSKS

Postma Biscuit Co.

18 rolls, per case __.. 1
12 rolls, per case _... 1
18 cartons, per case__ 2
12 cartons, per case__ 1

SALERATUS
Arm and Hammer __ 3 75

SAL SODA

. anulated, 60 Ihs. cs. 1 35
Granulated, 18-2% Ib.
packares 2200. 1 00

Middles 22 20
Tablets, % lb. Pure __ 19%
doz 1 40

Wood boxes, Pure -. 29
Whole Cod _._... ___ 11%

HERRING
Holiand Herring
Mixed, Kera. 76
Mixed, half bbls. -_-. 1 25
Mixed, bbis. —....... 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 vu
Pails, 10 lb. Fancy fat 1 50

White Fish
Med. Fancy. 100 Ib. 18 0#
fa pe 18 50
K K K Norway __ a 50
eS i pale 1 40
Cut Eameh 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, Dox ..._ 1.30
Shinola, doz.  _______ 1)

STOVE. POLISH
Blackne, per doz. ____ 1 30
Black Silk Liquid, dz. 1.30
Black Silk Paste, doz. 1 25
Enameline Paste, doz. 1 30
Enameline Liquid, dz. 1 30
E. Z. Liquid, per doz. 1 30
Radium, per doz. ____1 30
Rising ‘Sun, per doz. 1 30

654 Stove Enamel, dz. 2 su
Vulcanol, No. 10, doz. 1 30
Stovoil, per doz. _____ $ Uv
SALT
G. Grand Rapids
Colonial 24, 2 Ib.

Colonial, 36-14% _____ 1 20
Colonial, lodized, 24-2 1 36
Med. No. 1 Bbls. ____ 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 Ilb., each 85
Butter Salt, 280 Ib. bbl.4 00

Block, 60 1h 4U
Baker Salt. 280 Ib. bbl. 3 80
G, 10 Ib.. per bale _... 93
20, 3 lb., her bale __._ 1 00
28 Ib. bags, Table ____ 40
Old Hickory, Smoked,

Gal@ ty 2 4 bt

 

Free Run’g, 32 26 oz. 2 40

Five case lots -.._.. 2 3

lodized, 32, 26 oz. __ 2 40

Five case lets ______ 2 30
BORAX

Twenty Mule Team

24, 1 Ib. packages __ 3 35
48. 10 oz. packages __ 4 40
96, % oz. packages __ 4 (ti

CLEANSERS

   

80 can cases, $4.80 per case

WASHING POWDERS
Bon Ami Pd., 18s, box 1 90

Bon Ami Cake. 18a __1 62%

Bete 85
Climaline, 4 doz. ~. £ 20
Grandma, 100, 5c ---- 3 30

Grandma. 24 Large -- 3 54
Gold Dust, 100s ---... 3 70

Gold Dust, 12 Large 2 80
Golden Kod, 4 4 25
La France Laun., 4 dz. 3 60
Old Dutch Clean., 4 dz. 3 40
OCetazon, 94a .... 3 90
Rened, 406 2 3 20
Feed. 249 2. 5 25
we No More, 100, 10 ‘

Rub No More, 20 Le. 4 00
Spotless Cleanser, 48,
on 3 85
Sani Flush, 1 doz.
SapolHo, 2 dos,
Soapine, 100, 12 oz, —.
Snowboy, 100, 10 oz. __
Snowboy, 12 Large —_
Speedee, 3 doz. _-_.__
Supprite, 60s
Wyandotte, 48s _____
Wyandot. Deterg’s, 24s

bo & DO AT bo op Co bo
bo
o

SOAP

Am. Family, 100 box
Crystal White, 100 ___
Big Jack. 60s _.__
Fels Naptha, 100 box
Flake White, 10 box
Grdma White Na. 10s
Jap Rose, 100 box ____
Bairy, 106 box...
Palm Olive, 144 box__
Lava, 100 box
Oetagon, £m
Pummo, 100 box ______ 4 85

Ol im © Hm 1 CO Co OT om Co OF
ou
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. i... we
Mixed, 5c pkgs., doz. @45
Nutmegs, 70@90 ____ @50
Nutmegs, 105-1 10 __. @48
Penner Hitech 3. 25
Pure Ground in Bulk
Allspice, Jamaica ___. @33
Cloves, Zanzibar ___. @53
Cassia, Canton ______ @29
Ginger, Corkin __..... @46
Mustard @29
Mace, Penang _______ 1 06
Pepper, Biack ..... @25
Notmens @35
Pepper, White @44
Pepper, Cayenne _____ @36
Paprika, Spaish @36
Seasoning
Chili Powder, 15c ____ 1 35
Celery Salt, 3 o2. ____ 95
wage, 2 Of 90
Olen Salt 20. 1 35
Carne 1 35
Ponelty, 3% of. _.. # %
Kitchen Bouquet ____ 4 50
Laurel Leaves ______ 20
Marjoram. 1 oz. __.._ 9¢@
Savery, 1 ae 90
Toyme, ) of 90
Tumeric, 2% oz. _... 90
STARCH
Corn
Kingsford, 40 Ibs. __ 11%
Powdered, bags __.__ 8 26
Argo, 48, 1 lb. pkgs. s Zo
Croam, 48-5 0 4 40
Gloss
Argo, 48, 1 lb. pkgs. 3 03

Argo, 12, 3 lb. pkgs. 2 17
Argo, & 5 Ib. pkgs... 2 46
Silver Gloss, .8, ls _. 11%

Elastic, 64 pkgs. -_-_ 5 10
Tiger 49-5
ager, 6G Iie 2 76
SYRUP
Corn

Blue Karo, No. 1% —_ 2 54
Blue Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 3 53
Blue Karo, No. 10  __ 3 33
Red Karo, No. 1%  _. 2 75
Red Karo, No. 5, 1 dz. 3
Red Karo, No. 10 ___. 3 59

~
©

imit. Mapie Flavor
Orange, No. 1%, 2 dz. 3 25
Orange, No. 5, 1 doz. 4 99
Maple and Cane
Kanuck, per gal. -... 1 50

Kanuck, 5 gal. can __ 6 60
Maple

Michigan, per gal. _. 2 78

Welchs. per eal mon See

COOKING OFIL

Mazola

Pints, 2 dos. _.._._,._.. 5 75

Quacts. 1 doe. 5 25

Half Gallons, 1 doz... 11 05

Gallons, % doz. --.. 10 60

TABLE SAUCES

Lee & Perrin, large._ 5 75
Lea & Perrin, small__ 3 35
Fepier 1 60
Royal Mint 2.2... 2 40
Tobaseo, 2 6a... Ee
Sho You, 9 oz., doz... 2 25

A+l, We 555525 a= 4 76
Ant Oe 2 85
Caper, 2 o&. 2... 3 30

TEA
Blodgett-Beckley Co.
Royal Garden, % lb... 7

Royal Garden, % Ib. __ 77
Japan
Mediun 27@35
Cage 2 36@40
PANGS oo betes

No i Nite.
1 Ib. pke. Sitting

a
Gunpowder
Chica 40
Paneg 47
Ceylon
Pekoe. medtem eoleiiaciaice 67
English Breakfast
Congou, medium _____ in ae
Congou, Choice ____ 35@36
Congou, Fancy ---- 42@43
olong
Magan 3y
NN can ae
OO bu
TWINE
Cotton, 3 ply cone .... 26
Cotton, 3 ply Balls ____ 27
Woah ¢ ply wine 40
VINEGAR

Fo Grand Rapi
os 40 Grain _
‘hite Wine, 80 ..
White Wine, 40 orate 20

WICKING
No. U, per SIGs ........ ou
No. 1, per arose... Ll Zo
4NUu. 2, per SICee ...... 4 vv
Nu. 6, per SICee ow Z su

feeriess Kos, ber aoz. yu
fuchester, No, 4, Quoz o6v
tocnester, No, 3, doz. Zz

vu
Heyy, per dos. _. ia
WOODENWARE
Baskets
Susheis, narrow vand,
wire handies ______ io
Busuels, narrow bana,
wood handles ______ 1 sv
Market, arop handie__ yu
Markel, singie nandie_ vo
Market, Gara 1 ou
Splint, larwe 3 Su
Splint, medium __ ( bu
Splint, smais 6 ov
Churns
Barrel, 5 gal., each —
Barrel, lv Bal., eacn._ 2 oo
3 tO © gal., per gai. .... LU
Pails
10 qt. Galvanized ____ 2 ov
12 qt. Galvanizea 2 da
i# qt. Gaivanizea aw @ §U
1Z qt. Fiaring Gal. Jr. a vy
dv qt. ‘Vin ay 2. € vv
Traps
Mouse, Wood, 4 noles. 6
Mouse, wood, 6 nuies_ ‘u
Mouse, tin, od holes cial oo
Mea, Woe i vv
at, Giese i uy
Mouse, spring ________ 20
Tubs
Large Galvanized ____ 6 7p
Meuiuin Galvanizeua __ ; lo
Dual Galvanized _.__ 6 7b
Washboards
Banner, Globe _.._____ & au
Mirage, sitigie _.... 0 wu
ummm sige DvD ur
Doubie Peerless ______ 3 au
Single Peerless ______ é ar
Northern Queen ______ @ vt
CMIVGFHNS ( Za
Wood Bowis
56 i, Butter: d VU
fo in, Mutter y UU
tt th. Butter | 13 uu
7 10. Batin za vv

WRAPPING PAPER
Fibre, Manila, white __ 05

NO © Wee V6%
Butchers D F Obie
weer oo 06%
SOA sire ........... 09%

YEAST CAKE

Manic. 2 dow 2 7
Sunlight, $ dos. 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

 

i
|
i
=

SHOE MARKET

Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers Association.
President—Elwyn Pond, Flint.
Vice-President—J. E. Wilson, Detroit
Secretary—Joe H. Burton, Lansing.
Asst. Sec’y-Treas.—O. R. Jenkins
Association Business Office, 907 Trans-

portation Bldg., Detroit.

 

Advantage of Getting the Boys’ Good
Will?

Up in New Rochelle, N. Y., there is
a men’s store I like to visit. J get a
great kick out of it every time I go
there, to hear the boys visiting with
the young man who has charge of the
boys’ department. Sometimes joking
and kidding, sometimes really serious.
3ut dropping in without hesitation as
friends.

And just the other day I heard the
boss say, “Mrs. Brown said George is
sending back that coat; give them
credit, And the boy will stop in and
pick out what he likes when he is
home from school.”

Like a lot of other good stores, they
are selling boys’ clothes—and plenty
of them—through friendship and in-
terest. All over the country there are
stores with lively boys’ clubs. Believe
me, when it comes to boys—friend-
ship mixes with business—or there
isn’t as much business as there should
be,

Instead of worrying about how to
sell more boys’ shoes—figure how to
make more ‘boy friends. Absolutely
elementary. And yet mighty few
shoe stores are inviting or interesting
to boys.

There must be someone in the store
who is a “regular fellow” to them—
some one young in spirit who knows,
understands and is sympathetic with
their youthful interests. Perhaps that
one is a young man or high school lad
on a part-time arrangement. Perhaps
an older person whom youngsters will
“take to.’ And that person will have
the job of doing things that will make
boy friends for the store. Contests,
talks, movie parties—all the stunts
that will keep up unflagging interest.

Good merchandise, good fitting, right
prices, yes—they make the plain cake.

The other is the frosting, And boys
like the frosting.
You could have an “S. M. Boys’

Club”—Saturday Morning Boys’ 'Club
—with membership cards presented
when a boy (or parents) buy a boys’
shoes from you. The young man I
mention above, under your guidance,
would arrange for interesting speakers,
or contests, or exhibits, or walks, or
parties.

Another idea any store can use is the
“Monthly Movie Party.’ One ticket
given with each purchase of boys’ (or
children’s shoes. Once a month a
movie party, with souvenirs and spec-
ial features to make it interesting.

Contests always interest boys—such
as making the most words out of the
store name. We show how such a
contest may lawfully be conducted.
Before starting any contest it is sug-
gested you consult your local post-
master to see if it is all right. Skating
or coasting contest. A coasting con-
test with homemade coaster wagons
was a great success. So was a kite-
making and flying contest, with a “hot-
dog” party at a municipal park, for
the contestants,

Birthday lists are good. A remem-

 

 

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

brance card or small gift on his birth-
day makes a hit with any boy,

All these things offer opportunities
for making friends with boys. Back
up such a program with friendly, effi-
cient service, good values, and consist-
ent, interesting advertising (part, at
least, directed 'to the boys, themselves)
and you will sell more boys’ shies, At
a time when increasing the pairage is

a problem, getting more customers is.

important.—Boot and Shoe Recorder.
> + + ___

How To Care For Riding Boots.

Here’s the way an English valet
treats his master’s riding boots:

All loose dirt is first removed, then
the boots are washed with saddle soap.
Care is taken to have the sponge
wrung out very dry. Next another
washing with a clean sponge, so that
all soap will ‘be taken off the leather.
This is to take all oil out of the leather.
The boots are now allowed to dry
thoroughly before mubbing up with a
soft cloth. Hawkins now applies a
neutral cream that has no turpentine
in it whatever. He does this by
dampening a piece of cheesecloth in
the cream and rubbing it in a light
circular manner. <A brush is never
used as it is sure to leave a dark mark.
The shoes are now left ito stand over
night before polishing. The act of ap-
plying the cream and that of polishing
is all done with the index finger.

The secret of long boot wear is the
cleaning with saddle soap, and the
polishing when the boots are thorough-
ly dry. Any friction with a rag when
the boots are wet from the saddle sioap
or from the cream is sure to cause dis-
coloration and to burn the leather.
This method makes the boots look like
patent leather as it gives them a hard
mirror-like finish that will not catch
dust or dirt.

a ee
Proceedings of the Grand Rapids
Bankruptcy Court.

Grand Rapids, Dec. 8—We have re-
ceived the schedules, order of reference
and adjudication in the matter of
Christopher Lloyd, Bankrupt No. 4729.
The bankrupt is a resident of Grand
Rapids, and his occupation is that of a
laborer. The schedules show assets of
$1,850, with liabilities of $1,200.21. The
court has written for funds and upon
receipt of same the first meeting of cred-
itors wiil be called.

Dec. 9. We have received the sched-
ules, order of reference and adjudication
in the matter of John Modderman, Jr.,
Bankrupt No. 4733. The bankrupt is a
resident of Kalamazoo, and his occupa-
tion is that of a laborer. The schedules
show assets of $250, with liabilities of
$1,884.58. The court has written for
funds and upon receipt of same the first
meeting of creditors will be called.

In the matter of Clyde See, Bankrupt
No. 4601. The first meeting of creditors
has been called for Dec. 29.

In the matter of Central Electric Co.,
Bankrupt No. 4725. The first meeting
of creditors has been called for Dec. 29.

In the matter of Warren J. Miller,
Bankrupt No. 4719. The first meeting
of creditors has been called for Dec. 29.

Dec. 9. We have received the sched-
ules, order of reference and adjudica-
tion in the matter of Earl M. Averill,
Bankrupt No. 4732. The bankrupt is a
resident of Coopersville, and his occupa-
tion is that of a grocer. The schedules
show assets of $2,170.79, with liabilities
of $2,448.13. The list of creditors of said
bankrupt is as follows:

Peoples Sav. Bank, Coopersville $315.00
Muskegon Candy Co., Muskegon__ 35.16
Hekman Biscuit Co., Grand Rap. 44.05
Rademaker-Dooge, Grand Rapids__ 153.83
Ferris Coffee and Nut Co., G. R. 37.60

Swift & Co.. Muskegon -_-~------- 9.88
Cc. W. Mills Paper Co., Grand Rap. 49.93
Lee & Cady, Grand Rapids —--_-_- 30.53
Vanden Berg Cigar Co., Grand R. 64.41
Laug Bros., Grand Rapids —_------ 2.92
Renfro Bros. Co., Chicago ~-----~- 92.60

Alfred J. Brown Seed Co., G. RR. 6.70
Sure Set Desert Co., Grand Rapids 1.50
Peoples Mill & Elevator, Coopersv. 49.16
Co-Op. Elevator Co., Coopersville 38.68
Ross Reynolds, Coopersville ------ 38.00
A. J. Brown & Son, Inc., Grand R. 20.00

Durham Hardware Co., Coopersville 7.70
Harry Meyer, Grand Rapids ------ 3.43
Carrie Carr, Coopersville ~--------- 100.00
Peoples Savings Bank, Coopersville 125.00
Coopersville State Bank, Coopers. 1,205.00
Neal Van Leeuwen, Grand Haven 17.10

Dec. 9. We have received the sched-
ules, order of reference and adjudication
in the matter of Lewis Diamond,
Bankrupt No. 4731. The bankrupt is a
resident of the village of Eau Claire. The
schedules show assets of $21,391.44, with
liabilities of $21,610.67. The list of cred-
itors of said bankrupt is as follows:
County Treasurer, St. Joseph --$ 650.00
Lena B. Winter, Eau Claire ---- 130.00
Mrs. C. E. Maleomson, St. Joseph 4,240.00
Frank Bihlmire and Amelia Bihl-

mine, Baroda foe 1,200.00
Bernice Diamond, Niles ~~------~- 7,202.50
Troost Bros., Benton Harbor ---- 330.00
Indiana and Michigan Electric

Co., Benton Harbor -----_-~---- 177.00
Artic Ice Cream Co., Benton Har. 139.35
Arnold Bros., Chicago ------------ 138.80

Barnetsen Candy Co., Benton Har. 77.17
Blodgett & Beckley Co., Toledo,

Pa Claire 222 oe 40.00
Butler Bros., Eau Claire ~------- 124.49
Robert Chapman & Co., Brooklyn 20.96
Herald & Examiner, Chicago -_ 42.50
Edwards Chamberlain Co., Kala. 158.00
Edson Moore Co., Detroit ~------- 384.12

Eau Claire Lumber Co., Eua Claire 92.00
Goodyear Rubber Co., Detroit -- 172.11

M. Gimble & Son, Chicago _------- 9.47
W. W. Goldsmith, South Haven-__ 50.70
Harry Hogue, Eau Claire 99.00

Kidd Dater Price Co.. Benton Har. 260.87
H. M. Myers & Co., Berrien Springs 35.97

Ozark Pencil Co., St. Louis -_---_ 24.00
Pioneer Hat Co., St. Louis ------ 23.71
Pipestone Creamery Co., Eau Claire 26.40
Pillsbury Flour Mills, Chicago -. 26.75
L. Perrigo & Co., Allegan —------- 45.18
Perfection Biscuit Co., Ft. Wayne 72.64
Peltz Kauffer Co.. South Bend -- 80.84

Reinhardts Meat Co., Benton Har. 150.00
St. Jos. & Benton Harbor Light &

Fuel Co., Benton Harbor ------~- 38.10
S. B. Store & Fixture Co., S. Bend 7.00
Symons Bros., Saginaw ---------- 89.88
Paul Schulze Biscuit Co.. S. Bend 68.38
Cc. R. Sparks Lumber Co., Ber-

Mon ~SspTINeES. 22s 82.01
Schafer Co., Decatur ~--------_---- 207.37
Dr. W. A. Smith, Berrien Springs 30.00
Standard Oil Co., Benton Harbor 10.20
Ward Baking Co., South Bend  -~- 987.88
Loose Wiles Biscuit Co., So. Bend 61.00
Levy Ward Co., South Bend ---- 97.7]
Lesa B. Winters, Eau Claire __-_ 120.00
Fau Claire State Bank, Eau Claire 1,200.00
Lena B. Winters, Eau Claire __-_ 400.00
Kidd Price Dater Co., Benton Har. 800.00
Will Graham Estate, Ber. Springs 500.00
Mrs. M. A. Diamond, Benton Har. 100.00

December 16, 1931

Reid Murdock & Co., Chicago ---- 46.00
Dude Dilly, Berrien Springs ----- 20.30

In the matter of Hery Triezenberg, in-
dividually and as a partner in the firm
of Hiemstra & Trizenberg, Bankrupt No.
4726. The first meeting of creditors has
been called for Dec. 29.

Dec. 9. We have received the sched-
ules, order of reference and adjudication
in the matter of Maxwell Sargent, Bank-
rupt No. 4734. The bankrupt is a resi-
dent of Kalamazoo, and his occupation
is that of a retail merchant. 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 and County ---~-------------- $171.86
Kalamazoo Industrial Bank, Kala. 314.45
Kala. Loan Co., Kalamazoo ------ 246.00
Service Tire Co., Kalamazoo ---- 164.00
Daylight Illum’g Co., Kalamazoo -- 8.00
Gordan-King Co., South Haven -_ 48.85
Carl Zeiss, Inc., New York -_------ 3.18

Metropolis Moulding Co., Chicago 16.22

Master-Craft Corp., Kalamazoo__ 8.55
Star Paper Co., Kalamazoo -__--- 60.00
Engel Mfg. Co., Chicago -------- 3.00
Glass Service Co., Kalamazoo ---. 10.65
Star Bargain House, Kalamazoo__ 10.85
vV. & A. Bootery, Kalamazoo ---_ 10.00
Amature Cinema League Inc., N. Y. 1.71
Buitliff Mfg. Co., Minneapolis ---. 22.19
A. M. Collinge Mfg. Co., Philadelphia 17.23
Central Blectric Co., Kalamazoo -_ 18.00
Fowler & Slater Co., Cleveland -_ 79.84
Economy Sample Card Co., New Y. 35.00
Muncie Potteries, Muncie -------- 88.39

Consumers Power Co., Kalamazoo 14.00
Mich. Bell Tele. Co.. Kalamazoo__ 7.40
Walls Little Plumber. Kalamazoo 30.00
Home Savings Bank, Kalamazoo__ 50.00
Owen P. Morton, Kalamazoo ---- 22.29
Consumers Power Co., Kalamazoo — 1.35
Henderson-Ames Co., Kalamazoo 1,000.00
Engler Studio, Buffalo ~----------- 5.68
Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester -- 436.01
Victor Animatograph Corp., Davenp. 159.37
L. E. Waterman Pen Co., New Y. 60.00

Johnson Frame Co., Chicago ---. 58.80
Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc., Detroit 49.19
Amer. Signs Corp., Kalamazoo -. 14.57
Eastman Kodak Stores Co., Chicago 21.61
Haloid Co., Rochester ~----------- 35.31
Gazette, Kalamazoo ~___--------~--- 59.00
Carrington & Co., Chicago ~~------ 14.68
Johnson Paper Co., Kalamazoo ---. 12.00
Abbott Mnfg. Co., Chicago ------ 23.00
Nashua Package Sealing Co.,

New Hampshire 20" oe 12.00
WanlCo., Chicago oo 70.19
Franklin Stores, Kalamazoo —_---- 14.00

Vance Piper Estate, Kalamazoo__ 200.00

In the matter of Conklin Construction
Co., Bankrupt No. 4275. The final meet-
ing of creditors has been called for Dec.
30. The trustee’s final report will be

 

$475,000.00
HAVE YOU RECEIVED YOUR SHARE?

This amount has been paid to our
policyholders in dividends since

organization in 1912.

Share in these profits by insuring

with us

oe

MIcHIGAN SHOE DEALERS
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO.

 

Mutual Building

 

LANSING, MICHIGAN

Phone 20741

 

 

 

 

 

Po

 

 

 

 

 

*Bakrupt No. 4185.

 

 

December 16, 1931

 

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

23

 

approved at such meeting.
be a dividend for creditors.

In the matter of Charles Van’t Hof,
The final meeting of
creditors has been called for Dec. 30. The
trustee’s final report will be approved at
such meeting. There may be a dividend
for creditors.

In the matter of John Stratsma, Bank-
rupt No. 4267. The final meeting of cred-
itors has been called for Dec. 30. The
trustees final report will be approved at
such meeting. There may be a dividend
for creditors.

In the matter of E. A. Godfrey, Inc.,
Bankrupt No. 4371. The final meeting
of creditors has been called for Dec, 30.
The trustee's final report will be abp-
proved at such meeting. There will be
a lividend for creditors.

There may

In the matter of Hale Hat Stores, Inc.,

Bankrupt No. 4372. The final meeting
of creditors has been called for Dec. 30,
The trustee’s final report will be abp-
proved at such meeting. There may be
a dividend for creditors.

Dec. 11. We have received the sched-
ules, order of reference and adjudication
in the matter of Lawrece D. Connelly,
individually and sometimes doing busi-
ness as Connelly & Son, Bankrupt No.
4735. The bankrupt is a resident of Bear
Lake, and his occupation is that of a
general merchant. The schedule shows
assets of $8,343.78, with liabilities of $4,-
366.17. The list of creditors of said bank-
rupt is as follows:

Millere. Preasuper (os $101.75
Real Pistate oo 187.61
Real Estate Mortgage ~____.____ 1,200.00
Citizens Bank of Bear Lake____ 1,200.00
John P. Anderson, Manistee ______ 8.55
Armour & €o., Chicaso 9... 8.00
Blodgett Beckley Co., Toledo ____ 102.50
Bear Lake Garage, Bear Lake __ 51.20

Brown Sehler Co., Grand Rapids 43.83
Colgate Palmolive Peet Co., Chi. 19.51
Beshler Broom Co., Deshler —_____ 32.10
Detroit ‘Mich. Stove Co., Detroit 1.11
J. F. Eesley Milling Co., Plainwell 17.52
Federal Hardware & Implement

Co,, Stevens Point .200 53.14
John Deere Plow Co., Lansing __ 135.97
Harold Alkire, Bear Lake —_-_____ TGd

Bear Lake Tele. Co., Bear Lake 5.00
G. T. Grocer Co., Traverse City__ 506.60

Geo. T. Hunter, Manistee ____- 25.87
Hekman Biscuit Co., Grand Rap. 26.57
Hume Grocer Co., Ludington ____ 141.74
International Harv. Co., Grand R. 14.72
Lee & Cady, Grand Rapids —_____ 164.68
C.. 3. Darsen. Manistee -..- 5.00
Manistee Fruit Co., Manistee -__. 20.60
Tom Morris, Manistee. 22.45
Manitowac Seed Co., Manitowoc __ 38.63
Moore Plow & Implement Co.,
Greenville: oe ee 31.96
William Miller Hdwe. Co., Manistee 3.75
National Biscuit Co., Cadillac ___. 14.85
Nelson Paint & Wall Paper Co.,
IManEStCe seo a ees 1.62
Oliver Farm Equipment Sale Co.,
South Bend 222225. 35.00
Perfection Stove Co., Cleveland ~_ 47.04
Patek Bros.. Milwaukee —---__--__ 389.7
Peninsular Stove Co., Detroit _... 2.50
John Pritzlaff Hdw. Co., Milwaukee 448.31
R: Reynolds Tobacco Co. 02 2.24
Aug. Redman, Manistee -_--______ 8.50
Switt & Co.) Chicaeo 22.000 eo 21.74
Youells Extermiating Co., West
Bields 0 11,92
John Connelly, iansing 2... 80.00
A. BE. Herrin, Fraverse City ______ 11.08
Harold Sorenson, Onekema —_---~ 38.78
Lower Peninsula Power Co., Frank-
TOG 1.70
Harold Alkire, Bear Lake _-_-____ 18.00
Bart Bair, Bear Tiake 2... -_ 14.69
Fred Eldridge, Bear Lake 1.57
Louie Richmond, Bear Lake ____-_ 30.00
W. EF. Milarch, Bear Lake ____-___ 14.38
Carl: Olsborn, Bear Take. 2.0... 2.97
Will Potter. Bear: Lake 22... 23.43
Keddiprint Adv., Bear Lake -___-_ 1.10
John Lambert, Bear Lake ____--__ 11.60
Herman Lutz, Bear Lake -_________ 6.48
West Highland Farms, Bear Lake 2.82
Arch Marshall, Bear Lake —--__-_- 147.26
Ruggles & Rademaker, Manistee__ 10.00
Clarence Soller, Chief: 220. 10.00

In the matter of Fleckenstein Pump
Co., Bankrunt No. 3942, the trustee has
heretofore filed his final report and ac-
count, and a final meeting of creditors
was held Nov. 23. The bankrupt was not
present. The trustee was present in
person and by attorneys Corwin, Nor-
eross & Cook. Glen D. Mathews, attor-
ney, appeared for the bankrupt, Claims
were proved and allowed. The trustee’s
final report and account was considered
and approved and allowed. An _ order
was made for the payment of expenses
of administration, preferred claims and a
first and final dividend to creditors of
34.5 per cent. All preferred claims have
heretofore been paid in full. No objec-
tions were made to the discharge of the
bankrupt. The final meeting then ad-
journed without date, and the case has
been listed for closing and return to the
district court.

Dec. 14. We have received the sched-
ules. order of reference, and adjudication
in the matter of Elsan W. Hichelberg,
Bankrunt No. 48737. The bankrupt is a
resident of Greenville, and his occupation
is that of a laborer. The court has writ-
ten for funds and upon receipt of same
the first meeting of creditors will be
called. Schedules show assets of $550, with
liabilities of $882.63.

OUT AROUND.
(Continued from page 9)
daughters, who reside with their par-
ents at East Lansing and attend the

college in that city.

 

March 17, 1927, the Battle Creek
Kiwanis ‘Club gave a testimonial din-
ner to Mr. Gibson on his decision to
spend the summer in Europe. The
principal address was given by Dr.
John Harvey Kellogg, who traced Mr.
Gibson’s ancestry back to the Irish
Kings; to the druids in King Solo-
mon’s time; to the Israelites in Egypt
and to the people who erected the
Tower of Babel. Concluding he said:

“So much for origins. Now for the
man himself. Naturally, from such a
royal pedigree we expect something
more than mediocrity, Emerson says
‘A man passes for what he is worth.
What he is engraves itself on his face,
his form in letters of light which all
may read but himself. And we have
read him. As he has moved among us
during a third of a century we have
noted his daily walk and conversation
and we thave not found him wanting
in the elements which make up true
manhood, sound character, and good
fellowship. Unswerving Scotch hon-
esty, a keen sense of justice and un-
compromising defense of a righteous
cause, loyalty to friends, fairness to
opponents, and though stalwart in
opinions, possessed of enough of that
subtle afflatus from the mystic stone
of Blarney Castle to make him a good
mixer and insure him a multitude of
devoted friends and the respect of his
enemies,

“Says Emerson again, ‘What hath
he done?’ is the divine question which
searches men. Time will not permit
a ‘rehearsal of the activities and
achievements of this red headed, red
blooded, Scotch-Irish human dynamo.
Suffice it to say that after doing a
variety of other notable things he put
Michigan on the map as a fruit grow-
ing state and has for years back been
helping to boost Battle Creek to its
proper place in the sun as the model
city for the enjoyment of health and
happiness, and has put every citizen
of this town under obligation to him
for his efficiency, his devotion to the
broad interests of the town, his liberal
views of civic opportunities and ob-
ligations and his cordial support of
every forward looking plan or meas-
ure. Every enterprise for which he has
labored has received the impress of
sterling worth of 100 per cent. validity.
But these words are needless. As an
eloquent ‘Methodist divine once said,
‘A real man can neither be praised
nor insulted” ‘He stands solidly on his
own feet, justified by his own intrinsic
merits. And so, my friends, I offer
no idle words, eulogy or compliment
to our beloved citizen, but with you
simply look upon him and behold a
real man whom it is a delight to honor,
Will you rise to do homage to an Irish
prince and a_ royal good fellow?
Salutis.”

As an instance of wonderful econ-
omy in the purchase of supplies for the
city store, the matter of securing a
truck load of turnips may be mention-
ed. The manager of the store sent a
crew of men on a truck to Allendale

to secure a load of turnips. When
they returned it was found the load
cost the city 85 cents per bushel. They
can be purchased on the city market
any morning for 30 cents per bushel.

The ninety members of the Inde-
pendent Business Council of Grand
Rapids sent a committee of six mer-
chants to call on City Manager Welch
the other evening. They asked him
why he persisted in maintaining a city
store when ‘it was conclusively proven
that the city store was penalizing the
workers to the extent of 25 per cent.
He replied that he did this because re-
tail merchants as a class are dishonest
and would cheat the workers if they
were furnished orders on the grocers
direct; als» that the men who sell
goods to retail grocers are dishonest,
but are prevented from being dishonest
in their dealings with the city store
because of the shrewdness of the buy-
er for the city store.

Nation’s Business for December
contains an article on the city store
which is so replete with falsehoods and
mis-statements that it is unworthy a
place in any reputable publication. I
renewed my order for the magazine
last week, paying three years in ad-
vance. I paid $7.50. I will sell my
receipt for $5, ‘because J do not want
to be a party to the dissemination of
false information concerning the city
of my adoption, as the Nation’s Busi-
ness has. ‘done in such a slipshod man-
ner, E. A. Stowe.

—__>~+ +
America Is Settling Down and Sober-
ing Up.

(Continued from page 12)
noticed, any oriental sinner’s case was
singled out for prominent featuring.
Of late years, the play-up has been in
the case of chain managers. A good
example is the issue of October 30.
The headline reads: “Chain store man-
ager in jail on weight shrift,” and the
news follows thus:

“Sentenced to spend four days in
jail or pay fine of $20 upon conviction
on a short weight meat charge, H.
Truax went to jail. He is manager of
the Blank store on Blank avenue.”

There was another chain manager
and four convictions of individuals,
but the chain is now headlined, while
the others are buried in the text, All

@ FRIGIDAIRE»

A ELECTRIC REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS LJ
P RS.
RODUCT OF GENERAL MOTO

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

CONTROL
AND
HYDRATOR

All
Models
on Display
at
Showroom

 

 

 

 

 

F. C. MATTHEWS & CO.

of this special pleading seems to me
to have the same weakness that at-
tacks on chains via debates and Hen-
derson had: the reasoning reader in-
clines to take sides with the under dog.
Clear, unbiased statement of the bare
facts will always have the effect really
aimed at: the lessening of carelessness
or worse in weighing and measuring.
To single out any class of offenders is
both to evoke sympathetic reaction for
them and detract from the main issue.

Meanwhile, the chains are consoli-
dating on the basis of to-day and the
future. News Detroit is that
Kroger discontinues many small stores
Wm a

from

neighborhood, replacing them
with one big store—reducing rent a
half and replacing three managers with
one, thus consolidating on economic
lines,

Make no mistake. The chains are
not down and out yet.
Paul Findlay.

—_+-->___
The brilliant shine best when things
are darkest.

 

 

18 E. Fulton St. Phone 93249

 

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—General store. Have  two-
family home in Grand Rapids to trade for
same. Address No. 482, c/o Michigan
Tradesman. 482

FOR SALE—Shoe repair shop, in a gzo00d
town. <A nice, going business. Sickness
forces owner to sacrifice. Address No.
483, c/o Michigan Tradesman. 483

 

 

 

 

I'll pay cash for any stock of mer-
chandise, none too large or too
smail. Write, phone, or wire.

L. LEVINSOHN, Saginaw, Mich.

 

 

 

      

 
   
           
     

24

PAST ERAS OF HARD TIMES.

 

Some of the Causes of Business
Depressions.

Hard times exist somewhere all the
time, Hard times existed in the early
history of this country. Hard times
existed wherever and whenever peo-
ple settled the newer portions of our
land. Stories of the hardships and
privations of pioneers excite our sym-
pathy and win our admiration, because
people braved adversity and endured
all for those who should come after
them. It was not their folly, their ex-
travagance, their improvidence, their
thriftlessness, which plunged them into
want.

We study causes, conditions, dura-
tion and methods of recovery from
past eras of hard times, hoping that
such knowledge may help in this time
of distress.

Experience and observation of alter-
nating periods of hard times and pros-
perity during the past seventy years
taught valuable lessons. Had people
generally been conversant with the his-
tory of preceding hard times and heed-
ed the lessons so plainly taught, a de-
pression like the present would not
ahve taken place.

In many respects the various factors
which contributed to the present con-
ditions were unlike any former period;
therefore we have little to guide us as
to when or how we may expect settled
good times. In former periods there
may have been one predominating
cause for each which was generally
understood. By natural processes or
by changes of Governmental policy,
former desirable conditions were re-
stored.

3efore the civil war villages were
small, cities few and far apart, rail-
road transportation meager. As about
three-fourths of the poulation lived on
farms there was a market for but a
small proportion of farm products. But
they grew almost everything they ate.
In the line of food stuffs they bought
sugar, molasses, rice, tea, soda, spices,
codfish, salt. Not much else. Some
cloth was bought for clothing, which
was made in the home. Other gar-
ments were spun and knit and woven
from their own wool. There was no
ready made clothing. During the war,
being cut off from the former sources
of sugar, molasses, hemp, tobacco and
cotton they grew sorghum, flax and
tobacco.

Hard times during the war were
laregly due to the war. The with-
drawal of so many men from farms
and factories resulted in lessened pro-
duction and higher prices. Wages and
everything else went up, but there was
an approximate equality between prices
of farm products, wages and merchan-
dise. Before the war farm wages were
fifty cents a day or $10 per month,
while at the same time flour was $12
per barrel. White bread was for com-
pany. Corn meal and buckwheat flour
were exclusively used.

The close of the war saw the advent
of an era of prosperity. Soldiers re-
turned to their former occupations;
wages were good and work plenty.
Machinery began to replace hand tools:

MICHIGAN TRADESMAN

villages grew and flourished because
mills, factories, shops and foundries
were located in them to supply the
farms with almost everything needed.
The increased population of villages
and towns furnished home markets for
increased amounts of farm products.

The war had drained the country of
untold thousands of horses and horses
were replacing oxen as motive power,
so a great impetus was given to raising
horses to sell at good prices. Wheat
sold from $2.50 to $3 per bushel; wool
at a dollar a pound; other things in
proportion. People began to build
larger, better houses, buy comforts and
luxuries; send the boys and girls to
high schools and colleges. All this
expense was commendable,if kept with-
in the income. But people seemed to
think high wages and high prices for
their products would always continue,
so they went in debt; they renewed
mortgages, increased their indebted-
ness, sacrificed too much of their goods
to clear the land to raise more grain
to sell or feed cattle and hogs for
market.

Why could not these good times have
continued? Answer: Debt. Cred-
itors all too often demand payment
when the debtor is not ready to pay
—has not planned to pay at that time.
The Government went deeply in debt
to pay war expenses. Every green-
back issued was a promissory note.
Those notes were discredited to the
extent that $100 in gold would buy
$275 in greenbacks. Wealthy men who
had faith in the Government's ability
to redeem its promises reaped a rich
reward. They bought greenbacks or
their equivalent at their low valuation
with gold. When specie payment was
resumed they got back their $100 in
gold for $100 in paper money which
cost them about $40. The enormous
profits they made came out of the
people in general. They had to pay
not only the Government’s debts but
their own. Debts incurred when mon-
ey was cheap had to be paid with dear
money. Prices fell. When wheat
went down to $1 per bushel many
thought it only temporary and con-
tinued to raise all the wheat possible.

Meanwhile the Government was giv-
ing Western lands to settlers and to
railroads to encourage railroad build-
ing. In a few years wheat from the
prairie states was supplying Eastern

_markets to the detriment of farmers in

the central states, who were obliged
to give more attention to fruit, vege-
tables, dairy and poultry products, hog
raising and other lines. Debts were
eventually paid and normal conditions
again prevailed.

The presidential election of 1884,
with the first change of party adminis-
tration in twenty-four years and the
resulting menace of free trade, put a
stop to manufacturing, demoralized
merchandising and threw many out of
work. It has always seemed to me
that the degree of unemplyoment then
equalled the present. Its effect was
minimized because so many owned
their homes and could give security
for loans. Another thing helped great-
ly—the credit system. Merchants were
in the habit of carrying customers

 

 

through periods of unemployment with
far less risk tham in recent years. Home
owners did not decamp in the night
leaving unpaid rent, store bills and doc-
tor bills. Permanent residents might
be slack in other matters‘and yet aim
to retain the good will of grocers and
meat dealers.

Free trade did not come about and
business revived. At the end of four

-years the tariff advocates again con-

trolled the administration. All went
well until the next change in 1892.
Matters seemed to go on as usual until
May, 1893, when a great financial panic
came with the suddenness of a storm
from a clear sky. It was claimed that
this panic was deliberately planned as
a political measure. Be that as it may
the effect lasted at least eight years,
and wage earners suffered most. For
the farmer and merchant there was
some compensation for low prices.
What they bought and sold were near-
er a parity than now. When the price
of wheat was down to 55 cents per
bushel, flour retailed at 40 cents for
24%4 pounds. And so with many
things. These are some of the retail
prices. of the nineties: Sugar, 5 cents;
tea, 30 to 50 cents; molasses, 20 to 60
cents; coffee, 15 to 30 cents; crackers,
5 to 8 centsi; raisins, 10 cents; soda,
7 cents; salmon, 10 to 15 cents; rice,
8 cents; candy, 10 to 20 cents; butter,
15 cents in summer; cheese, 16 cents;
eggs, 10 to 14 cents; sliced dried beef,
20 cents; salt pork, 8 to 10 cents. In
wearables —- men’s shirts, overalls,
jackets, 50 cents; shoes, $1 to $2.50,
sandal rubbers, 70 cents; ladies rub-
bers, 50 cents; children’s, 25 cents;
children’s shoes, 40 cents up; ladies’
shoes, $1 and up; hose, 10 cents per
pair; rubber boots and combination felt
boot and rubbers, $2 to $2.50; men’s
work pants, $1 to $1.50. Nails sold for
3 cents per pound, axes 60c, hoes and
rakes 25 to 35 cents, calico 6 cents,
denims 13 cents, sheeting 12 cents,
grain bags 20 to 22 cents. Farm labor-
ers were more numerous than jobs, due
in part to poor crops, and were glad
to get 75 cents per day and two meals.
Building material was cheap — about
onefourth of present prices for com-
mon grades. Taxes were about one-
fifth to one-fourth of recent years.

For the past fifteen years the in-
equality of prices has worked great
hardship and injustice to some. High
prices. always do that, while low prices
being about equality. When wages
are high, profits great, work plenty,
people in general save least, waste
most and go in debt more if possible.

Along with prices quoted which pre-
vailed in the nineties, the following for
comparison were overlooked; in the
summer of 1931 when the price of
wheat fell to 40 cents a bushel, flour
cold from 73 to 89 cents. Now it is
down to 49 to 69 cents, according to
grade. Bakers held their price of one
and one-half pound loaf up to 12 cents,
now some charge 10 cents, while ap-
parently a majority of grocers have
dropped to 7 cents. With lard and
flour down to one-half their former
price, fried cakes are still sold at 20
and 25 cents per dozen. For years
fried cakes and cookies sold for 10

December 16, 1931

cents per dozen. Nor did crackers
come down perceptibly with the drop
in the price of flour and butter. From
18 and 20 cents per pound they came
down to 14 and 16 cents.

There seems to be no end—no com-
plete recital possible of this matter.
Thank you.

 

The forty-eighth anniversary edition
of the Tradesman suited me better than
issues of recent years. The smaller
size gives one a chance to read it all
sooner; then physicians furnish eigh-
teen articles, which is the kind of read-
ing which always interests me. Alfred
B. Tozer brings pleasant memories and
Dorothy Dix’s article suits me better
than her daily answers to oft repeated
questions. Charles A. Heath’s. poems
are always new. E. E. Whitney.

——_>+ 2.
Chain Store Tax Suggested in Iowa.

A tax on chain stores was suggested
by the Governor of Iowa, Dan W.
Turner, in a recent address. The Gov-
ernor’s ‘message said, in part:

“Tt will be the duty of the next Leg-
islature to consider a tax that will
reach these great chain organizations
in Iowa. I hope you will consider,
among other things, the various plans
that are being considered to increase
the purchasing power of the farmer
and laboring men, also the important
matter of reducing taxes.”

Senator Smith ‘W. Brookhart, ad-
dressing the convention, urged the
election of legislators who would favor
a graduated tax on the chain stores.

“Since the United States Supreme
‘Court has sustained the graduated tax
laws on chain stores,’ Senator Brook-
hart said, “it puts the most powerful
regulation of these chains into the
hands of the State.”

——_—-> +>
Activities of Fred G. Timmer, Trustee
in Bankruptcy.

Muskegon—The assets of Enoch
Beckquist, a camera and photography
supply shop, will be sold at public
auction on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 2 p. m.

iCharlevoix—The assets of ‘Clarence
J. Withers, conducting a grocery and
electrical store, are being disposed of
at private sale.

Grand Rapids—The assets of Orrie
J. Dykman, including a large ware-
house of steam fitters supplies, pipe,
etc., will be sold at public auction
shortly. -A definite date will be an-
nounced in a few days.

Grand Rapids—The stock and fix-
tures of Emmett F. Roche (Roche
Auto Accessories) were sold at public
auction Dec. 11 and a total of $478.50
realized from the sale.

——_»->—___
Better Grade Pewter in Demand.
Re-orders om pewter ware are

numerous in the wholesale market, as
stores replenish stocks of better price
merchandise for holiday sale. Calls
for articles in retail ranges of $5 to
$10 are much heavier than was expect-
ed. Stores are understood to be clear-
ing their stocks of $1 and $2 pewter
pieces and concentrating on items on
which more satisfactory profits can be
made. Plans for January promotions
of pewter are still incomplete, but pro-
ducers intend to offer retailers special
assortments for  post-holiday sales
within two weeks,

   

     

 

met OO wr at antl ns ain nO it oo eee

 

    

 

SNe ilar igs tinal s,

Sage Tege Sg ee gE age SNS 0g -0gN--G-- 0g 09 T-St 6g 6g ee eee ey eee ete enone eee nen een eee ener nena eee eee eee eee ee ee ee NN

 

 

 

RETROSPECTION

If I had my life to live over again,
I'd change it a lot, like most other men;
The mistakes I have made, and they’re many, not few,
Would give me next time quite a different view.
For one thing I'd patience and foresight exert,
And with each stride ahead, I'd keep on the alert

For knowledge so useful to mind, heart and soul....

For ‘friends’ who would aid me in reaching my goal.

I'd certainly strive not to rush through each day;
Instead, I'd progress in a steadier way.
I’d take far more time for the cultural things
That to everyone's life a rich mellowness brings.
I'd smile at the irks that aroused all my ire,
And I'd temper the sting of my selfish desire.
Yes, every sane man as he meditates life
Is thankful, indeed, for the struggle and strife,
Each day an adventure both thrilling and sweet

For the man who can take it and keep on his feet!

Frank K. Glew.

 

 

 

—————

 

 

 

 

 

The
Mutual Building

Lansing,

Michigan

 

Michigan’s largest Mutual Fire Insurance Company and

Michigan's largest Mutual Insurance Agency, occupying

the first two floors and basement of this (their own)

building. Employing over one hundred and twenty-five

people. Five telephone trunk lines are available for
quick service to assureds.

The Company
MICHIGAN MILLERS MUTUAL FIRE

INSURANCE, COMPANY
(Organized 1881)

The Agency
THE MILL MUTUALS AGENCY
(Organized 1921)

Afhliated Home Company
MICHIGAN SHOE DEALERS MUTUAL FIRE
INSURANCE COMPANY

(Organized 1912)

Insurance in all its Branches

We Give You Service
We Save You Money

No Risk Too Small No Risk Too Large
Phone — Lansing 20741

We have a man in your Territory

 

 

 

 

RE a pO RR IT

sasstsmeeetinanentee Sa cat AER a
Se eet gp ee se ae

ata te ta NE mein agate Saat nc et i

>