Fo srty-ninth Year 2 AS CIES ESI PDS IHD LAF UG RINT es FL LERG GRATER Q'S 1) a 1 Se CH? OS Ae ~ Y CY Re ase dX a DAA TZN K (Soe \) Soa) KY ROY Z yi, Oe a ea aN e FS ak Reeve CRC) ERED AE i Se CMOS MRTG NNO PA ORNS SG: TSADE: Ae iC Peer ® a pa WE Be d oe (Ga RA Ne AC eee ee ee O PUBLISHED SEK Pe SOTA SWE COSY KPIZ WLLL iem 3 APs SAS cs iN s wis TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS os Lee SE in SOU CESSES Fem OR OSS We Z re Le eta GRAND RAPIDS. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1932 6 , G SEC SSI. P)\ KC c~ Ss cA eZ 1883 SALAD NINE Number 2528 GAM LO GAY L7 GML RAUVL7O GLY L9) GW LO CY L7O GA L779 GLB GRD CYL CAVLZO GV L7 UCL FS BBECUVL70 CLAW LO LAWL? GOL) My Friend Man worships Mother, reveres Father, loves Wife, and adores Children, but the quality of feeling he bears toward the man whom he trusts and calls his Friend has never been defined. When you are in trouble, you do not have to call him; you find him by your side with his hand on your shoulder. When the sun shines on your side of the street, he is over there with you, rejoicing in your prosperity. This Friend of yours is a selfish man because down deep in his heart, he wants life to bring you all of its possi- ble good and hopes you may be spared the heart-aches that come when you are used unfairly and treated disloyally. You may not pull the same string he has hold of as you both try to untangle the knotted skein of life, but you know he is honest in his convictions, and you also realize that possibly he may be right and you may be wrong, and so you march along life’s highway, keeping step each with the other, each of you striking the same basic notes that produce harmony instead of discord. No matter whether the sun shines or is under a cloud, you bravely trudge along life’s pathway because you know you have by your side a dependable man, and that is why you so loudly and proudly assert—This Man Is My Friend. William L. Brownell. CIID RD CLIT DS EA PDS CAPRIS IBLCET PBS ED ODS EIQ CAISS CZF NDS EGIADS CLIDPDS CELIDBDS CEIQIRS CLI OIQDS ELI DS ELIIDS EZGIDIES) CIOS Wholesale Only Wholesale Only DISTRIBUTORS of PINE TREE Brand FARM SEEDS Vigoro Inoculation Bulk GARDEN SEEDS Vegetables and Flowers Semesan Packet We specialize in LAWN GRASS and GOLF COURSE Mixtures SEEDS Write for our special prices INSTANT SERVICE Telephone 4451 ALFRED J. BROWN SEED CO. 25-29 Campau Ave. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Wholesale Only Wholesale Only Here's A money - making ’ LEADER. 2 ae hap Panes STEEL CUT pERCDLE' os OFFEE | peeeceetiire “ so pa et Chase & Sanborn’s Dated Coffee makes an ideal leader for your store. It’s nationally advertised — a quality product—and it meets the popular demand for coffee ‘freshness’. The date on the can guarantees that. Delivered to you under the famous Standard Brands merchandi:ing plan of small stock, small investment, quick turnover. This means quick profits. Chase & Sanborn’s Dated Coffee is one of your most profitable items. Feature it in your advetrsiing,—display it on your counter,—recommend it to your customers. Fushing this popular item pays! CHASE &*SANBORN’S Dated COFFEE A Product of STANDARD BRANDS INCORPORATED in the milling It takes careful milling, as well as good oats, to give uniformly high quality to rolled oats. Our exclusive process assures your customer a sweet, flaky dish of oats entirely free from the usual mush taste. Purity Oats and Chest-O-Silver are the best buys for the inde- pendent grocer that are on the market today. Our sales policy is rigid. We sell to no chain stores or desk jobbers. Our guarantee backing every package is your weapon against indiscriminate selling. PURITY OATS COMPANY KEOKUK, IOWA CALL US WE SAVE YOU 25% TO 40% ON YOUR INSURANCE COST GCAO L7O THE MILL MUTUALS AGENCY 208 NORTH CAPITOL AVENUE LANSING, MICHIGAN Phone 20741 BRANCHES GRAND RAPIDS—601 Grand Rapids Trust Building Telephone 95923 DETROIT—716 Transportation Building Telephone Randolph 0729 GOODNESS } A : 4 i pe erae aaa na io aeeaieeeae , ADESMAN Forty-ninth Year MICHIGAN TRADESMAN E. A. Stowe, Editor PUBLISHED WEEKLY by Tradesman Company, from its office the Barnhart Building, Grand Rapids. UNLIKE ANY OTHER PAPER. Frank, free and fearless for the good that we can do. Each issue com- plete in itself. DEVOTED TO the best interests of business men, SUBSCRIPTION RATES are as follows: $3 per year, if paid strictly in advance. $4 per year if not paid in advance. Canadian subscription, $4.04 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10 cente each. Extra copies of -urrent issues, 10 cents; issues a month or more old, 15 cents; issues a year or more ald, 25 cents; issues five years or more old 50 cents. Entered September 23, 1883, at the Postoftice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. JAMES M. GOLDING Detroit Representative 507 Kerr Bldg. SOME TRENDS IN TRADE. Sidelights on the General Business Situation. Of gratifying significance is the news that one large banking corporation re- turned within five days a loan of about $1,000,000 made to it on Feb. 15 by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The reason given for the speedy liquidation of the loan was that an anticipated emergency had not ma- terialized. The implication is that con- fidence is returning, the lack of which in the last few months has been largely responsible for our troubles. Among officials concerned, hope is expressed, that enactment of the credit expansion bill will have a similar ef- fect among manufacturing concerns and the commercial banks which have been driving with tight reins. These officials are further encouraged by re- turn to circulation of substantial amounts of hoarded currency. Retail trade was somewhat better last week, having been favorably af- fected by the cold snap. Up to the present, however, the quarter's show- ing is not good. Something is hoped from the early Easter this year. There is a strong feeling in trade circles against post-Easter clearance sales, due to poor results obtained from such sales last fall. There are few definite evidences yet that the favorable outlook for the cred- it expansion bill has done much to stimulate business, but from many im- portant quarters come reports of the sort of improvement in sentiment which generally presages better things. Re-orders and mail orders were suf- ficiently numerous last week to give to the wholesale markets an appear- ance of considerable activity, following the lull after early spring business was completed. Average commodity prices went up for a change last week, not much, to be sure—only from 63.6 to 63.7 on the Irving Fisher rating—but, because the movement was in the right direction for the first time since November, enough to cause favorable comment. A similar slight rise was noticed in Great Britain and in Germany. Improved prices for agricultural products are predicted by Alexander Legge, president of International Har- vester, in his annual report last week. He believes that the improvement will be radical enough to stem the tide of depression,” Advancing commodity price trends are foreseen by the American Statis- tical Association, especially for silver, grains and meats. Steel mills have not yet responded to the generally favorable influences; in some districts the mills’ output has rather gone off. But prices are being fairly well maintained and the best authorities in the industry believe that their long-deferred restoration to something like active operations will be witnessed before many more weeks have passed. F. W. Woolworth’s decision to add 20 cent articles to its lines in the South and Southwest is variously interpreted. In some quarters it is regarded as in- dicating something like saturation in the 5 and 10 cent field, which has been greatly expanded in recent months. Elsewhere the view is taken that the company is preparing to take advan- tage of an expected rise in prices. Employment in January was 3.9 per cent. lower than in December, while payrolls were down 7.5 per cent., ac- cording to Department of Labor com- pilations of returns from fifteen major industrial groups which pay $93,573,892 a week to 4,362,503 persons. Employ- ment in the manufacturing industries fell 2.8 per cent. and payrolls 6.9 per cent. Talk is increasing of reciprocal tariff arrangements to be entered upon by this country. By partisans of the World Trade League some such action is regarded as the only means of re- viving our foreign trade and of afford- ing relief to distressed peoples. Wholesale prices of automobile tires were cut in Akron last week to the extent of 10 per cent. in discounts. As a means of meeting this move, F. A. Seiberling of Goodyear & Seiberling, is attempting to get leaders of the in- dustry together to discuss a plan for re-establishing independent dealers as the chief medium of distribution. Dwindling of bank failures and re- lease of Government deposits were the causes of a sharp arrest of the outflow of bank deposits last week, the decline being only $23,000,000. the smallest diminution since the week ended Nov. 24. ’ This trend should have the effect of checking pressure to liquidate bank loans and so to relieve the tension which has stood in the way of business revival. Further point was given to the change by the rise last week in bank loans other than advances on collateral, the first increase for a considerable period. Approval by the Treasury of a sales tax on manufactured products and cov- ering a wide range is fairly well as- sured. Lobbies of industries are now more active in playing for small tax rates than they are in working for ex- emption. It is expected that many articles and products that are exten- sively sold will be moderately taxed to produce approximately $600,000,000 a year. With this increase in Federal taxes in prospect, the demand for low- er state and local taxes is assuming the aspects of a National campaign. In the District of Columbia a proposal to increase taxes, which are comparatively low, is meeting with aggressive oppo- sition from the public. After the com- ing presidential election, consolidations and reorganization of many Govern- ment bureaus and divisions will result in marked economies. Local and state governments are reported to be re- sponding to the demand for economy, and one of the good things to come from the depression will be a wiser and more economical spending of pub- lic funds that will result in a trend of decreasing taxes for several years to come. The break-up of party co-operation, never anything but an emergency ex- pedient, has started with the Garner blast against the Hoover government re-organization proposition; but it is doubtful that the change will affect business and financial legislation now in the making. The House Committee that is investigating the various de- partments and bureaus is large demo- cratic and is unquestionably on a hunt for political ammunition. Its findings will not be considered seriously by Government officials. Leading patent attorneys report an increase in their business in practically all lines during the last thirty days. The filing of both patents and trade- marks is by manufacturing concerns, not by individuals, and the increase will soon reach the Patent Office. At a closed meeting of Government and other economists recently, the sub- ject of the killing of future business by manufacturers was discussed. It was finally agreed that more statistics are required for the buyers and consumers of merchandise, in order to check the demoralizing effect of the abnormal demands created by advertising drives and loss leaders. For example, it was shown that the demand for manufac- tured goods during 1929 was abnormal and largely the result of forcing mer- chandise, and that if this abnormality could have been measured much of the Number 2528 subsequent overproduction could have been prevented. And it is possible that this subject will be studied in the near future by a Government organization. The professional clash with com- merce is found to be a serious handi- cap to the retail drug business by the Department of Commerce. The de- partment finds that the prescription de- partment is the foundation of the drug business, that it is the prestige depart- ment, and that it is the one thing that distinguishes the drug store from other types of retail outlets. However, the Department is finding considerable pro- fessional resistance to the indicated necessity for greater sales and profits through cost control and sales promo- tion in the prescription department. Objections to Government question- naires from the public are reaching the investigating organization direct and through Senators and Representatives. Both men and women are complaining that the questionnaires necessitate an expense that is burdensome and that they are annoying. In the future the organizations will take the trouble to explain why and. how the investigations will benefit the public. However, de- spite the complaints, the returns from mailings to the public on the Drug Survey have exceeded 18 per cent. ——_ A Business Man’s Philosophy. I have been interested all my life jn trying to discover what makes one successful than another. You see many men, young and old, who are equally well educated, equally well bred and health, man more indistinguishable in industry and other qualities associated with success. One man, however, goes ahead while the other stumbles behind and is energy, along lost in the mass. The best explanation of the differ- ence, I think, is that the successful man thas the ability to persuade other people to see things his way. If the man is an architect he bosses his client; if he is a lawyer, he bosses the judge and jury; if he is a banker, he bosses the borrower. He makes those with whom he works feel that his way is right, proper and profitable. Natur- ally all things come to such a man. People like him and prefer to do busi- ness with him. They like to do things his way ‘because it seems logical. William Feather. —_>-+___ Five New Readers of the Tradesman. The following new subscribers have been received during the past week: Wim. J. Whalen, Grand Rapids. Jeffers-Hake Co., Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids Lumber Co., Grand Rapids, Ohio ‘Transit Lines, Grand Rapids. Miss Harriet Fujikawa, Honolulu. —_+--____ When marriage brings a woman to the wash tub she has a right to call it a labor union, Retna assis Sala SEE abe LAC 2 Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court. Grand Rapids, Feb. 18—We have re- ceived the schedules in the matter of David I. Abrahams, Bankrupt No. 4793. The bankrupt is a resident of Benton Harbor, and his occupation is that of a merchant. This matter is a composition. The schedules show assets of $750, with liabilities of $7,948.39. The list of cred- itors of said bankrupt is as follows: E. Albrecht & Son, St. Paul ------ $195.00 Sam Hertzlinger, New York 2. 126.50 B. Klein, New York ----~--------- 65.00 Mosheim Geir Co., New York City 73.50 Fellenbaum Bros., Cleveland __---- 70.00 Stylerite Dress Co., New York __-. 65.00 D. Herman & Sons, New York _. 38.00 Mfg. Trading Corp., Cleveland ---. 60.00 Weiss Pollak Co., Cincinnati ---- 43.75 Scharfman Bros., New York ----- 41.50 Roxy Dress Co., New York -------- 49.50 Manny Pruskauer, Chicago ------ 87.00 Wilken Michel, Chicago ---------- 20.00 Adolph Haas, Chicago ------------ 43.25 Pollak Forch, Cleveland -~-------- 127.50 Cramer & Roth, New York ------ 520.00 Phillip Schlansky, New York City 80.50 Cunnerey. Negligee, New York City 288.25 A. Krolik & Co., Detroit ---------- 18.33 *Empire Hat Co., Chicago -------- 71.86 Felsenthal Hat Co., Chicago ------ 82.70 Arthur Kimball & Co., Chicago -- 117.75 Miller Coat Co., Cleveland -------- 299.50 J. G. Sellman & Co., Cleveland__. 335.50 Triangle Raincoat Co., New York 98.26 Louis Falk, New York ------------ 522.50 Dandiline Dress Co., Chicago ----- 40.93 Storyk Bros., New York -------- 77.79 Arlett Girl’s Coat Co., New York 66.50 Petit Garment Co., New York -- 231.00 Gage Bros. & Co., Chicago ------- 112.18 B. & G. Garment Co., Chicago -- 91.75 Henry Engel & Co., Chicago ------ 189.18 Priscilla Dean Hat Co., Chicago-- 37.00 Muriel Hat Co.. New York City 13.50 Newstyle Hat Co., Cleveland ---.-- 12.00 Liberty Hat Mfg. Co., Cleveland... 12.00 Pollett Hat Mfg. C., Cleveland -- 22.50 Intersize Dress Co., New York City 168.75 Halfsize Dress Co., New York City 75.25 Janice Hat Co., Cleveland —_------ 24.00 Samuel Jostromb, Chicago -------- 42.00 Gloria Hat Co., Chicago ---------- 50.00 Albert Rosenblatt, New York City 187.50 Berg & Wassell, Chicago --~----- 84.70 Wellesley Modes, New York City-- 222.50 Hugh Schroeder, New York City_- 93.50 Little Hat Mfg. Co., Cleveland -- 24.00 Potts Bros. Electric, Ben. Harbor 29.00 Trencher Epstein Klinger, New Y. 108.00 Superior Coat Co., New York City 231.00 Reich Dress Co., Chicago -------- 126.00 Dacyger Safety Pin Ticket, Cleveland 3.11 Royal Garment Co., Indianapolis -- 52.50 Wolf Scheinberg, New York City-- 185.40 Greenwald Norvick, Chicago ------ - 10.50 Ritz Hat Co., New York City ---- 41.00 Flora Dress Co., Chicago -------- — 108.50 Bogart & Co., New York City --.. 26.50 ‘American Paper Box Co., Grand R. 9.23 Metropolis Costume Co., Phila. -- 73.50 Fred Ferguson, Chicago —--------- 84.00 Keystone Garment Co., Chicago-- 74.00 Platt’s, Chicago ----------------- 13.20 Mary Courtwright, Minneapolis --- 75.00 Diana Hat Co., Cleveland ----~--- 12.62 Perfect Kiddy Co., New York City 58.50 Medallon Children Dress Co., N. Y. 97.50 Seibel & Stern, New York City -- 38.78 Ess Maid Dance Frock, New York 100.00 Abrams & Linden, New York City 495.00 H. Harris & Co., St. Paul -~------- 270.00 Jackso City Bank & Trust Co., Sacknon 125.00 Smith Printing Co., Benton Harbor 52.00 H. S. Weil, Cleveland -_--------- 16.02 Feb. 19. We have received the sched- ules,order of reference, and adjudication in the matter of Edward L. Meilleur, Bankrupt No. 4802. The bankrupt is a resident of Muskegon, and his occupation is that of a laborer. The schedules show assets of $607, with liabilities of $1,795.95. Feb. 19. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference, and adjudication in the matter of Winifred Collier, doing business as the Avenue Hat Shop, Bank- rupt No. 4799. The bankrupt is a resi- dent of Muskegon Heights, and her occu- pation is that of a milliner. Bankrupt’s schedules show assets of $232.95, with liabilities listed at $1,432.16. 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: Taxes, Muskegon ------------------ $ 77.25 Reed Bros. & Co. Cleveland -_---- 956.52 Fawa Hat Works, Grand Rapids__ 226.42 Hart & Co., Cleveland ___--------- 32.04 D. B. Fisk & Co., Chicago -------- 26.78 Mrs. W. D. Hardy, Muskegon _--- 100.00 Hollywood Co., Fort Wayne, Ind.__ 13.50 Feb. 22. We have received the sched- ules; order of reference, and adjudication in the matter of Ernest N. Bigelow, Bankrupt No. 4804. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occu- pation is that of a railroad laborer. The schedules show assets of $325, with lia- bilities of $1,166.71. The court has writ- ten for funds, and upon receipt of same the first meeting of creditors will be called. In the matter of Edward H. Brown, Bankrupt No. 4458, the trustee has heref tofore filed his final report and account and a final meeting of creditors was held Feb. 5. The bankrupt was not present or represented. The trustee was present in person. Claims were proved and al- lowed. The trustee’s final report and ac- count was approved and allowed. An order was made for the payment of ex- penses of administration and a first and final dividend to creditors of 9.3 per cent. No objections were made to the discharge of the bankrupt. The final meeting then adjourned without date, and the case will be closed and returned to the district court, in due course. In the matter of Edward L. Meilleur, Bankrupt No. 4802. The first meeting of creditors in this matter has been called for March 10. In the matter of Vander Werp & Fol- kertsma, Bankrupt No. 4803. The first meeting of creditors in the matter has been called for March 10. In the matter of Peter C. Dalenberg, Bankrupt No. 4528. The first meeting of creditors in this matter has been called for March 10. In the matter of Winifred Collier, Bank- rupt No. 4799. The first meeting of cred- itors in this matter has been called for March 10. In the matter of Loyd Bittenbender, Bankrupt No. 4789. The first meeting of creditors in this matter has been called for March 10. Feb. 24. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference, and adjudication in the matter of B. F. Krasner Co., a corporation, Bankrupt No. 4806. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupation is that of a merchant. The schedules show assets of $4,536.30, with liabilities of $7,205.21. The list of schedules of said bankrupt is as follows: County Treasurer, Grand Rapids $ 7.21 Andrew Mac Andrew, Grand Rap. 30.00 Matthew Baribeau, Grand Rapids__ 13.00 Hildred Holmes, Grand Rapids --- 15.00 B. F. Krasner, Grand Rapids __-~ 356.27 Peoples State Bank, Muskegon --_ 700.00 G. R. National Bank, Grand Rapids 350.00 R. & J. Dreyfus, New York City 1,712.00 Streicher Mfg. Co., Newark, N. J. 627.00 all @o., Chicaro --- 100.00 Unique Jewelry Co., New York __ 52.12 Breidenbach Sons, Inc., New York 59.15 Grimm & Watson Engraving Co., Citar. 50.00 Krueger & Co., Chicago ------+--_ 45.64 C. & E. Marshall Co., Chicago ---_ 31.18 Fred J. Bidgood, Grand Rapids __-- 90.00 H. E. Skillman, Grand Rapids ____ 146.00 M. M. Berman, Grand Rapids --_-_ 50.00 Decker & Jean, Grand Rapids ___. 348.00 American Art Works. Coshocton, O. 132.89 Amsterdam Diamond Co., Grand R. 329.47 Pan to. Cuicaco 117.44 John Baumgarth Co., South Bend 153.30 J. Berg & Sons, New York City__ 393.11 Fred J. Bidgood Co., Grand Rapids 28.53 Central Dial & Radium Co., Toa Orpsse. Wis. —0 3 75 Breidenbach Sons, Inc., New York 1.00 Enterprise Printing Co.. Grand R. 33.75 Gilbertson & Son, Chicago ~_----_ 1.66 Goldsmith Bros. Smelting & Refin- ine Co:, Chicazo —-. 91.88 Press, Grand Rapids —_---.-______ 24.00 G. R. Welding Supply Co., Grand R. 18.92 Grimm & Wiatson Engraving Co., ONIGRLO 6 1.00 John M. Hannigan, Grand Haven 1.57 Karlan & Bleicher, Inc., New York 25.01 Herman Hamburger, New York ~_- 150.00 Grueger & Co., Chicago —_--__---- 22 Ludwig Lehman, New York City_. 17.00 Linick, Green & Reed, Inc., Chicago 4.30 C. & E. Marshall Co., Chicago ---_ 2.32 Newall Mfg. Co., Chicago -------- 34.34 F. H. Noble & Co., $nc., Chicago_- 106.57 Pacific Radium Application Co., Chi. 9.50 Henry Paulson & Co., Chicago -.-_ 27.63 Quimby-Kain Paper Co., Grand R. 2.81 A. Rassweiler, Chicago ~----------- 36.43 Wm. V. Schmidt Co., New York__ 5.85 Selformer Crystal Mach. Co., Chi. 15.00 Harvey E. Skillman, Grand Rapids 87.14 Streicher Mfg. Co., Newark, N. J. 36.00 Tisch Hine Co., Grand Rapids __-- -85 Valley Mfg. Co., Waterbury, Conn. 20.43 Eli Cross, Grand Rapids ---------- 11.00 G. R. Community Chest, G. R. -_ 5.00 Taylors, Grand Rapids ~----------- 2.75 Western Union, Grand’ Rapids __-__ 4.81 Star Transfer Line, Grand Rapids ~1D Shoppng News, Grand Rapids --_. 22.00 Northwestern Weekly, Grand R. 10.00 Wm. Dixon, Newark. New Jersey 2.38 A. Rassweiler, Chicago ~.------_--- 6.84 Henry Paulson & Co., Chicago ---_ 3.45 Amsterdam Diamond Co., Grand R. 1.10 Fred J. Bidgood Co., Grand Rapids 1.23 H. Knoop, Grand Rapids --------- 2.10 Harvey & Otis, Providence, R. I. 1.22 M. M. Berman & Co., Grand Rap. 215.00 G. R. Nat. Bank, Grand Rapids__ 680.70 Feb. 24. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference and adjudication in the matter of Benjamin F'. Krasner, Bankrupt No. 4485. The bankrupt is a resident of Grand Rapids, and his occupa- tion is that of a jeweler. The schedules show assets of no amount, with liabilities at $5,048.29. 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: Citizens National Bank, So. Bend $1,000.00 J. Berg & Son, New York City -_ 393.11 R. & J. Dreyfus, New York City 1,712.00 G. R. Welding Sup. Co., Grand R. 18.92 Grimm & Watson Engraving Co., Pn Canis 3 oo 51.00 Herman Hamburger, New York __ 150.00 Krueger & Co., Chicago _--_----_- . 45.86 C. & E. Marshall Co., Chicago ---- 33.50 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN A. Rassweiler, Chicago ------------ Unique Jewelry Co., New York City 52.12 Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rap. 435.35 Leon C. Bosch, Grand Rapids ---- 175.00 Gillard & Bidwell, Grand Rapids -- 6.00 Dr. E. Schnnor, Grand Rapids ---- 39.00 Prudential Loan Co., South Bend — Feb. 25. We have received the sched- ules, order of reference and adjudication in the matter of Earl H. McCormick, Bankrupt No. 4807. The bankrupt is a resident of Cadillac, and his occupation is that of a retail druggist. The schedules show assets of $6,828.71, with liabilities of $13,145.60. The list of creditors of said bankrupt is as follows: City Treasurer, Cadillac -~-------- $378.19 Cadillac State Bank, Cadillac -- 3,948.00 Chemical ‘State Bank, Midland -- 362.25 Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co., Grand Rapids ----------------- = 1,744.68 Vadscg Sales Co., New York City 157.02 Bunte Bros., Chicago ------------- 94.47 Frank S. Betz Co., Hammond, Ind. 1.55 Webster Pub. Co., St. Louis, Mo. 10.85 Mich. School Service Co., Lansing 37.98 Richard Hudnutt & Co.. New Y. 75.35 Robbs Merrill Co., Chicago -------- 14.86 Laurel Book Co., Chicago -------- 3.51 F, A. Davis Co., Philadelphia ---- 1.45 Silver Burdett Co., Chicago ------ 129.27 Parke Davis Co., Detroit ---------- 4.47 International Laboratories, Roches- ter, No OW 2 36.36 American Book Co., Chicago *----- 81.32 Mac Millan Co., Chicago ---------- 40.48 Longmans Green Co., Chicago ---- 14.28 Carter’s Ink Co., Chicago -------- 29.56 Bonded Tobacco Co., New York -- 20.29 Cal Wood Specialty Co., Saginaw 125.00 Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester -- 133.39 Gregg Pub. Co., Chicago -------- .98 Lamber Chocolate Co., Jackson -- 145.64 A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago ---. 18.00 Mich. Tuburculosis Ass’n, Lansing 18.00 Row Peterson & Co., Chicago ---- 9.98 Helena Rubenstein, New York City 24.70 BE. R. Sauibb & Sons, New York-. 95.58 E. Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo -------- 4.63 John Wyeth & Bros., Philadelphia 34.93 Chirsty Sales Co., Fremont, Ohio 18.98 United Drug Co., Boston ---------- 284.20 Laidlaw Bros., Chicago ---------- 4.73 American Silver Truss Co., Cou- detsport, fa. > __-- 13.65 Edwin Allen Co., Chicago -------- 88.23 Paul Steketee & Sons, Grand Rap. 25.62 A. N. Palmer Co., Cedar Rapids, Ia. 11.17 Putnam Factory, Grand Rapids -_ 37.18 Chamber of Commerce, Cadillac -- 37.50 Blackney Hints Cigar Co., Saginaw 32.88 G. H. P. Cigar Co., Detroit ~—--- 27.81 General Cigar Co., Chicago ------ 59.76 Michigan Magnesia Co., Detroit -- 16.80 McKesson, Farrand, Williams Co., Demoit 2 470.00 Bauer & Black, Chicago ---------- 10.13 Wilcox & Follett Co.. Chicago ---. 59.89 Qurret Mfg. Co., Muskegon —_---- 2.00 Pabst Chemical Co., Chicago ~----- 12.00 Polk Miller Pro. Corp., Richmond, A eee 24.98 Reese Chemical Co., Cleveland _-- 12.00 Sheaffer Pen Co., Fort Madison, Ia. 118.41 Vigo Laboratories, Springfield, Ill. 8.00 Vanden Berge Cigar Co., Grand R. 10.85 G. F. Harvey Co., Saratoga springs, No Yo 2 5.50 Holey & Co.) Chicago = 18.80 Frederick Stearns Co., Detroit -- 28.99 Sanford Mfg. Co., Chicago ------- 28.20 Hillsdale School Sup. Co., Hillsdale 33.09 J. Perrigo, Alleran .2- 2 14.45 Wm. R. Warner Co., St. Louis, Mo. 33.85 Monroe Chemical Co., Quincy, Tl. 14.66 Diamond Ink Co., Milwaukee __-_ 11.00 American Crayon Co., Sandusky, O. 30.51 Quimby Kain Paper Co., Grand R. 60.00 Burleson Sanitarium, Grand Rap. 4.50 H. C. Glover & Co., New York. 10.79 Owosso Merchandise Co., Owosso _ 5.50 Mrs. Stovers Bungalow Candies, (RICAPG 2 ee 43.70 Com. Paste Co., Columbus, Ohio 12.00 Sharpe & Dohne, Philadelphia -_-_ 9.37 J. B. Rhodes, Kalamazoo ____-__-_ 6.55 Hollinger Cutlery Co., Fremont, O. 2.17 McCourt Label Co., Bradford, Pa. 13.85 Citro Nesia Co., Chicago ____-_____ 12.00 Conklin Pen Co., Toledo ______-_ .25 H. S. McCrecken Co., Chicago -_ 7.65 Armand Co., Des Moines, Iowa ____ 28.66 Acme Specialty Co., Toledo ~_____ 6.17 Auburn Greeting Co., Auburn, Ind. 79.36 A. E. Brooks & Co., Grand Rapids 9.95 Christy Sales Co., Fremont, Ohio 24.38 Becton Dickinson & Co., Rutherford, Nem Wersey, oe 6.28 Kippy Kit Co., Circleville, Ohio__ 17.86 Michigan Briar Pipe Co. __--______ 2.75 Re 4a. Polk Co., Detroit oo... 13.00 Dorothy C. Thompson, Grand Rapids, and Fred C. Wetmore, Cadillac 686.69 Roy S. Hartley, Cadillac ________2,125.00 Peoples Savings Bank, Cadillac __ 433.00 Haynes ros. 3 4.45 Cadillac Credit Bureau, Cadillac __ 24.00 English News Stand, Cadillac ____ 32.00 In the matter of Paul E. LeMieux, Bankrupt No. 4352, the trustee has here- tofore filed his final report and account, and a final meeting of creditors was held Feb. 5. The bankrupt was not present in person, but represented by attorney Christian A. Broek. Creditors were pres- ent in person and by attorneys Balgooyen & Cook. Claims were proved and allow- ed. An order was made for the payment of expenses of administration and for the payment of preferred claims in full. There were no dividends to general creditors. No objections were made to the discharge of the bankrupt. The final meeting then March 2, 1932 adjourned without date, and the case will be closed and returned to the district court, in due course. In the matter of Claude E. Lobdell, Bankrupt No. 4424, the trustee has here- tofore filed his final report and account, and a final meeting of creditors was held Feb. 5. The bankrupt was not present and not represented. The trustee was present in person. The trustee’s final report and account was considered and approved and allowed. Claims were proved and allowed. An order was made for the payment of expenses of adminis- tration, as far as fund would permit. There were no dividends. No objections were made to the discharge of the bank- rupt. The final meeting then adjourned without date, and the case will be closed and returned to the district court, in due course. In the matter of William Eben Barr, individually and doing business as Mus- kegon Barber Supply Co., Bankrupt No. 4452, the trustee has heretofore filed his report and account, and a final meeting of creditors was held Feb. 5. The trustee was present in person. The bankrupt was not present or represented. Several bid- ders for accounts were present in person. The trustee’s final report and account was considered and approved and allowed. Claims were proved and allowed. An order was made for the payment of ex- penses of administration and for the declaration and payment of a first and final dividend to general creditors of 18.6 per cent. All preferred and_ secured claims have heretofore been approved and allowed and ordered paid in full. No objections were made to the discharge of the bankrupt. The final meeting then adjourned without date, and the case will be closed and returned to the district court, in due course. Feb. 29. We have to-day received the schedules, references and adjudication in the matter of Frank M. Warren, Bank- rupt No. 4814. The bankrupt is a resident of Dowagiac. The schedule shows assets of $1,085.50 of which $850 is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $1,966.80. The first meeting of creditors will be called and note of same made herein. Feb. 27. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of James’ DeMeester, Bank- rupt No. 4811. The bankrupt is a resi- dent of Grand Rapids. The schedule shows assets of $3,050 of which $2,300 is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $6,567.50. The court has. written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meeting of creditors will be called and notice herein made. Feb. 27. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Earl Abbott, Bankrupt No. 4810. The bankrupt is a_ resident of Grand Rapids. The schedule shows as- sets of $200 of which the full amount is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $1,298.84. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meet- ing of creditors will be called. Feb. 27. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Victor L. McClain, Bank- rupt No. 4809. The bankrupt is a resi- dent of Kalamazoo, and his occupation is that of a laborer. The schedule shows assets of $310 of which $250 is claimed as exempt, with liabilities of $1,521.39. The court has written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meeting of cred- itors will be called. Feb. 27. We have to-day received the schedules, refereence and adjudication in the matter of Jacob A. Besteman, Bank- rupt No. 4812. The bankrupt is a resi- dent of Grand Rapids. The schedule shows assets of $4,975 of which $2,325 is Claimed as exempt, wth liabilities of $6,694.21. The corut has written for funds and upon receipt of same the first meet- ing of creditors will be called. Feb. 27. We have to-day received the schedules, reference and adjudication in the matter of Jacob A. Besteman and James DeMeester copartners doing busi- ness as Besteman & DeMeester, Bankrupt No, 4813. The bankrupts are residents of Grand Rapids. The schedule shows assets of $49,413.10 with liabilities of $34,- 380.68. The first meeting of creditors will be called and note of same made herein, First meeting of creditors will be called and note of same made herein. List of creditors of said bankrupt is as fol- lows: G. R. Savings Bank, Grand Rap. $17.850.00 Banana Distributing Co., oon, 4,262.00 California Fruit Growers, G. R. 1,616.19 G. H. Cross, Chicago ------------ 954.28 Albert Dickison Co., Chicago —--- 106.77 Ferris Coffee House, Grand Rapids 40.70 Hills Bros. Co.. New York City -- 307.7 Kent Storage Co., Grand Rapids-- 279.66 Grandville Ave. Garage. Grand R. 196.2 ae Ney. Standard Auto Co., Grand Rapids 47.41 Vanden Bosch & McVoy, G. R.-- 149.98 P. Postema, Grand Rapids -------- 82.70 Van Eerden Co., Grand Rapids -- 119.24 Vinkemulder Co., Grand Rapids -- 1 James and Bertha Meyers. G. R. 1,479 C. Cornelisse, Grand Rapids —--- 865.00 John DeMeester, Grand Rapids -- 930.00 Ellis Bros., Grand Rapids --------},250.00 | i ‘ i " 5 IO ni March 2, 1932 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 3 ELIMINATE ~~ —™ that SECOND TAX* + The Grand Rapids Trust Company, in introducing : the ESTATE ECONOMY PLAN, offers to you a } means of legitimately avoiding unnecessary ex- penses in the disposition of your estate....... A will containing trust provisions is the most economical method for a married person to trans- fer property for the benefit of the members of his family. A will containing such a trust need not re- strict the wife or other beneficiaries to the income. * We will be pleased to furnish you, upon request, further information supporting these assertions GRAND RAPIDS TRUST COMPANY : Ls 5 A 5 € 3 a 3 E g e 4 EL TCT IS ANTE T CREE NTE TOL SER OR 4 MOVEMENTS OF MERCHANTS. Cadillac—Earl H. McCormick, drug- gist, has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. Charlotte—The Charlotte Chair Co. has increased its capital stock from $200,000 to $300,000. Flint—Sam Dunseith, has removed his drug stock from 314 Wesson street to the corner of Telegraph Road and Orchard Lake Road. Detroit—The Central Heating Co., 13946 Turner avenue, has been incor- porated with a capital stock of $1,000, all subscribed and paid in. Ewen—I. L, Fuller, recently of Flushing, has purchased the drug stock and store building of the late Fred Wood, taking immediate possession. Bay City—Edward W. Funnell, gro- cer and meat dealer here for the past forty years, died at his home, 511 North Hampton street, following an illness of three years. Detroit — The Rabbitt Industries, Inc., 2510 Riopelle street, has been in- corporated to deal in rabbits and pro- duce with a capital stock of $30,000. all subscribed and paid in. Detroit—Alfred’s Market, Inc., 4858 West Vernor Highway, has been in- corporated to deal in all kinds of foods, with a capital stock of $2,500, all subscribed and paid in. Detroit—The San Juan Drug Co., 7446 West Six Mile Road, has merged its business into a stock company un- der the same style with a capital stock of $3,000, all subscribed and paid in. Highland Park—Glen Drugich, tail- or, 13532 Woodward avenue, has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the U. S. District Court at Detroit, listing liabilities of $16,476 and assets of $6,116. Detroit—Karagas Milk Distributors, Inc., 10628 West Warren avenue, has been incorporated to deal in and dis- tribute dairy products, with a capital stock of $2,000 preferred, all subscribed and paid in. Detroit—The Michigan Auto Acces- sories, Inc., 1917 Dime Bank building, has been organized to deal in auto parts and accessories, with a capital stock of $5,000, $1,500 being subscribed and paid in. Howell—The ogan A. Papworth Co, has been organized to deal in irrigation apparatus and agricultural equipment with a capital stock of 5,000 shares at $10 a share, $1,000 being subscribed and paid in. Flint—The Valley Farms Dairy Co., 1511 North Saginaw street, has been organized to deal in milk, milk products and farm produce with a capital stock of $50,000, $5,000 being subscribed’ and $1,000 paid in. Flint—Goodman’s, Inc., 519 South Saginaw street, has been incorporated to deal in clothing and general mer- chandise with a capital stock of 1,500 shares at $20 a share, $10,000 being subscribed and paid in. Monroe—The River Raisin Paper Co. last week added sevenyt-five men to the payroll and started its only idle paper machine, thus bringing the plant up to capacity production. Employ- ment now totals 700 men. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Detroit—The Detroit Marine Supply Co., Inc., 5166 Seminole avenue, has been organized to supply groceries and meats to marine trade, with a capital stock of $5,000, $1,500 of which has been subscribed and paid in. Algonac — Roy L. Crampton has merged his coal, etc., business into a stock company under the style of the Crampton Coal Co., with a capital stock of $5,000, $2,770 of which has been subscribed and paid in. Flint—Allen’s Smart Shops, Inc., 519 South Saginaw street, dealer in clothing and general merchandise, has been: incorporated with a capital stock of 1,500 shares at $20 a share, $10,000 being subscribed and paid in, Detroit—The Michigan Store Equip- ment Co., Inc., 921 Gratiot avenue, has been organized to conduct a restaurant and store supply business with a cap- ital stock of 15,000 shares at $1 a share, $15,000 being subscribed and paid in. Pontiac—Fay’s Hardware, Inc., 37 North Saginaw street, has merged its business into a stock company under the same style with a capital stock of 1,000 shares at $20 a share, $10,000 being subscribed and $4,000 paid in. Port Huron—Thomas B. Seller, 65, grocer here for the past ten years, died at his home, 1904 Elk street, following a long illness. Funeral services were held in Detroit, from the home of his son, Orrin T. Seller, 11650 Cascade avenue. Pontiac—The Slater Pontiac Co., 94 East Huron street, has been organized to deal in lumber, builders’ supplies, hardware, etc., with a capital stock of $5,000 preferred and 7,500 shares at $1 a share, $12,500 being subscribed and paid in. Weston—Franklin J. Russell has been appointed receiver in bankruptcy for George T. Knapp, dealer in hard- ware and seeds. The appointment was made by Paul H. King, referee in bank- ruptcy of the United States District Court at Detroit. Northville—Stark Bros., dealers in boots, shoes, and men’s furnishings for the past forty-three years, thirty- five at its present location, have taken over the store building next door and will remove to it,thus adding much needed floor space. Lansing—The managers of all the Lee & Cady houses in Michigan will meet here Saturday afternoon for a conference on important matters per- taining to the wholesale grocery trade. After an evening dinner at the Olds Hotel the gathering will disperse. Flint—A grocers’ warehouse, organ- ized and promoted by a group of Flint men, for selling to the general public, has been opened at 2110 N. Saginaw street. The project is to be a perma- nent one, according to the promoters. The floor space totals 11,100 square feet. Big Rapids—The Vaughn & Rags- dale Co., Inc., which has conducted a store here for the past three years, has closed it and removed the stock to Thermopolis, Wyoming, where the lo- cal manager, Arthur Wilson, who has been transferred there, will open a new store, Saginaw—The John D. Mershon Lumber Co., 201 Schirmer building, has merged its business into a stock company under the style of the John D. Mershon Forest Products Co., with a capital stock of 100 shares at $10 a share, $1,000 being subscribed and paid in, Battle Creek—The Guarantee Elec- tric Construction Co., 804 City Na- tional Bank building, has merged its wholesale and retail electrical goods business into a stock company under the same style with a capital stock of $10,000, $1,000 being subscribed and paid in. Kalamazoo—Walter L. Rector, Inc., 215 South Pitcher street, wholesale and retail dealer in fuel, lime, fencing and farm implements, has merged’ the business into a stock company under the same style with a capital stock of $20,000, of which $11,110 has been sub- scribed and paid in. Sandusky—Garry Ashbreck ,who has conducted a drug store here for many years, has sold his stock and store building to W. G. Force, who has been connected with the drug business in Flint for the past twenty-one years. Mr. Force will be assisted by Harold Simmonds, also of Flint. Detroit — The Republic Chemical Corporation, 2750 Union Guardian building, has been organized to manu- facture and sell chemicals and chemical compounds with a capital stock of $100,000 preferred and 15,000 shares at $1 a share, $16,000 being subscribed and $15,000 paid in in cash. Ionia—The Ionia Rubber Co. has de- cided to maintain its plant in Ionia instead of moving it to Kalamazoo, as had been planned. The decision was made following offers of co-operation by Ionia merchants in helping the com- pany to dispose of its products, consist- ing of rubberized clothing. Muskegon—Richard Lau, until re- cently partner in the Torbeson Drug Co., of Baldwin, has located in Mus- kegon, having purchased the bankrupt drug stock of C. J. Meinhardi, 1375 Lake Shore Drive and wiil continue the business at the same location, under the style of the Lake Drive Pharmacy. Hamtramck—An involuntary bank- ruptcy petition was filed in the U. S. District Court at Detroit against Aaron Weisbrot, retail furniture, 10225 Joseph Campau avenue, by Lawhead & Ken- ney, attorneys, representing Mathew- son Daneman Co., $181; Schadt, Math- ewson, $18; Arrow Upholstering Corp., $966. Bay City—The American Textiles, Inc., has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the U. S. District Court here, listing liabilities of $416,081 and assets of $271,031. The case was re- ferred to Referee Paul H. King and George A. Marston: at Detroit. Paul F. Thompson, of this city. was ap- pointed receiver. Attorneys Clark & Henry represent the debtor firm. Howell—The Burdick Sales Co, and branch warehouse and store for the Paul Automotive Parts Co., of Lan- sing, were opened here Saturday, by William H. Burdick, of this city. Mr. Burdick has been connected with the Spencer-Smith Piston Works for the past eighteen years, the past seven as March 2, 1932 sales manager. A wholesale ‘line of paper and paper products will also be introduced later. Pontiac—Fay’s Hardware has re- moved from the location it has occu- pied for the past twenty years, 22 West Huron street, to 37 North Saginaw strete and will combine its stock with that of the Bee Hardware Store which it recently purchased. Fay’s South Saginaw street store, known as Bar- ker’s, will be continued. In addition to complete hardware lines, art sup- plies and a toy department will be added to both stores. Monroe — Downtown parking con- ditions were discussed at length at the last meeting of the Monroe Business Men’s Association. The merchants present expressed satisfaction over the new arrangement. The police have lately been tagging cars which are left in the downtown area longer than the time permitted by ordinance. The streets have been cleared since this began, the merchants said. Store own- ers and employes have been co-operat- ing by leaving their cars at home. The suggestion was made that farmers and other out-of-town motorists might get the impression that they would be ar- rested for overtime parking here. The merchants made clear last night that the parking rule is for local people onl, and that visitors will be given special consideration, Manufacturing Matters. Detroit—The Syno Co,. 112 Madison avenue, has been organized to manu- facture and sell proprietary medicines with a capital stock of 25,000 shares no par value, $25,000 being subscribed and paid) in. Detroit—The Clark Paint & Varnish Co., 2909 Puritan avenue, has been organized to manufacture and deal in varnish and colors, with a capital stock of $5,000 preferred and 100 shares at $1 a share, $1,100 being subscribed and $1,000 paid in. Highland Park — The Clean-Clean Manufacturing Co., Inc., 155 LaBelle avenue, has been organized to manu- facture and sell soap at wholesale and retail with a capital stock of 1,000 shares at $1 a share, $1,000 being sub- scribed and paid in. Muskegon—Purchase of the Accura- lite Co. by the Piston Ring Co., both of Muskegon, was confirmed last Fri- day by C. E. Johnson, president of the Piston Ring Co. Sales of the Ac- curalite company wil be handled by its new parent concern. Manufactur- ing will be continued under the direc- tion of A. W. Lines, president of the smaller concern since it was organized in 1925 to take over the piston division of the Muskegon Motor Specialties Co. Corunna—Arthur C. O’Connor, De- troit, is at head of project to acquire plant and business of Weather-Proof Body Corporation, manufacturer of automobile bodies and equipment, af- filiated with Allied Products Corp. A company will be formed with capital of $100,000 preferred stock and 20,000 shares common stock to take over and expand the property. In addition to automobile bodies, it is planned to manufacture other metal products, also school equipment, recently developed. | March 2, 1932 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 first hands tea business is reported considerably ‘better for the week. Prices both in this country and in primary markets show no special change. General situation is steady. Coffee—The past week has witnessed additional weakness in the Rio and Santos. The price of Santos 4s, a standard Santos grade, during the week fell below the very low prices which have ‘been existing for several months. Rio coffee on the other hand showed some little firmness during the week. (Meanwhile the destruction of Rio and Santos coffee continues in Brazil but there is still so much left that the destruction has so far had practically no effect. The market for milds remains about unchanged for the week. The jobbing market on roasted coffee also shows no particular fluctuation. Canned Fruits—The California fruit situation shows no particular change in the past week. Stocks in the hands of packers outside the cling peach agency are getting closely sold up and the agency itself continues to hold ‘firmly. Canned Vegetables — The major vegetables are steady. Maryland to- matoes showed slight easiness prob- ably on uncertainty over Florida com- petition, but the decline was limited and the item appears to be well stabilized around present levels. Corn is steady with good buying of fancy Maine corn. Peas are working into smaller compass regularly. Canned Fish—It is reported that some fo the chain stores have picked up all of the cheap pink Alaska salmon, which has had the effect of advancing prices in the East to some extent. There is said to be some shading in red Alaska salmon. Fancy salmon is scarce, wanted and firm. Sardines are unchanged, very dull demand. Other canned fish unchanged and not in very good demand, Dried Fruits—With shipments of dried fruits being ordered out from California under the old freight rates, there will probably be some hesitation here until it is more definitely known how these stocks are going to be held. When stocks on the spot are relatively scarce, the price structure can be re- garded as more stable, but when the reverse is true, there is always the possibility of shading. However, this market has held steadier than Califor- nia lately, so that the movement of stocks here ought to firm up the Coast somewhat, and at the same time cause no depressing influence here. Whatever the immediate effect, the higher freight rates will in the long run prove beneficial, for small lot buy- ers will be turning to lange second hands here for their supplies, rather than go to the Coast. The pool car system has to be considered, of course, but as buying is on a hand-to-mouth basis, it may be that pool cars cannot be assembled sufficiently fast enough to meet the immediate demand, and will cause a certain amount of antici- pating, which is not very popular in these times. Prices here show no definite change. They may ease some- what, reflecting the easier tone on some items in California, such as prunes, but raisins ought to remain firm, as shading on the coast has been held to very few operators, and the turnover at lower prices was slight. Fruits other than raisins and prunes have been well moved out of first hasds. The New York State evaporated apple market is reported as in favor- able ‘condition, as stocks are very light, owing to the fact that evaporators cut production sharply on continued easy prices and lack of demand. Beans and Peas—The situation in dried beans and dried peas shows no improvement whatever for the week. In fact the market is actually weaker than it was a week ago, although prices have not sagged any further to speak of, although the tendency is un- doubtedly downward. Cheese—Cheese is as it has been for some time, in moderate’demand with fairly steady prices. Nuts—The unshelled nut market has shown a slight improvement here, with French unshelled walnuts in some- what better demand. Brazils are very cheap. The market, generally speak- ing, is quiet and the improved demand is limited to a few varieties. Shelled nuts are moving out in a routine way, with many sizes and varieties of Span- ish almonds working into small com- pass here. The primary market has moved out stocks well and offerings for export are light, at firm prices. The French walnut market is steady and unchanged. Rice—Rice is moving out here dn fair volume, but the movement has not gained sufficient volume to be re- flected in prices. Fancy Blue Rose is still available to large buyers. Re- ports from the South indicate greater strength in Prolifics. ‘Millers are cov- ering their requirements more freely as a steady routine demand has reduc- ed their clean rice holdings to a point where they have been forced into the market again. Growers have been able to maintain prices well and no change is indicated in the near future. Vinegar—No changes in any of the list quotations. Sellers report the de- mand about normal for this time of year. Salt Fish—The Lenten ‘business in mackerel and other salt ‘fish this year has been good, particularly because stocks are so light. No. 4 mackerel in fact are almost out of the market. Stocks of mackerel are light almost everywhere:and the situation is very healthy and very satisfactory. Sauerkraut—Kraut prices continue cheap. ‘Most of the business is with barrel goods. Cans quiet. All quota- tions steady and maintained. Syrup and Molasses—Demand for sugar syrup continues fair, but contain- ing not the slightest sign of specula- tion. Orders received are for replace- ment almost entirely. Production is being held down and the stocks are therefore light with prices steady. ‘Compound syrup is selling fairly well. Stocks are light and buyers are com- ing frequently into the market for small lots. Prices are unchanged. Molasses is fairly active at unchanged prices. ++ If a man says only what he thinks he is not likely to be a great talker, Review of the Produce Market. Apples—Current prices are as fol- lows: Baldwins, 2% in., A grade __--_- $1.00 Bananas, 2% in., A grade ------ .90 Delicious, 2% in., A grade --___- 1.75 Delicious, 2% in., ‘C grade _.____ 90 Greenings, R. I., 2% in., A grade 1.15 Greenings, Bakers, 3 in., A grade 1.25 Grimes Golden, 2% in., A grade .75 Hubbardstons, 21%4 in., A grade __ .90 Jonathans, 2% in., A grade —__. 1.35 Kings, 2%4 in., A grade -_------ 125 Kings, 3 in., Bakers, A grade _._ 1.75 Spies, 3 in, Baking . 3-0. 1.65 mpies: 274, im A erade -- 22 £75 Spies 234 in., € @rade 00 .90 Talman Sweets, 2% in., A grade .90 Wagners, 214 in., A grade _____- 1.00 Cooking Apples 200 50 Washington box apples are sold on the following basis: Extra fancy Delicious $2.75 Raney BDeleious 250 xtra fancy Romes 235 Maney Rome 2 00 2s Bananas—5@5'%c per lb, Butter—The market has moved down Ic per Ib, since the last report, owing to the fact that outside markets were weaker. The demand has been only moderate during the week. Job- bers hold 1 lb. plain wrapped prints at 21%c and 65 Ib, tubs at 20%c for extras, '‘Cabbage—$2 per 100 lbs. for home grown; $3.75 per crate for new from Texas. Carrots—80c per bu. Cauliflower—$2.50 for box contain- ing 6@9. ‘Celery—30@50c according to size; box of 15 bunches, $1.25, Celery Cabbage—$1.20 per doz. ‘Cocoanuts—90c per doz. or $3.50 per bag. Cranberries—Late Howes, $2.75 per box, Cucumbers—Illinois hot house, $2.25 per doz. for extra fancy. Dried Beans—Michigan jobbers pay as follows for hand picked at shipping station: €. H. Pea from elevator ________ $1.75 Pea froin farmer 2202 1.45 Light ‘Red Kidney from farmer__ 1.65 Dark ‘Red Kidney from farmer__ 2.50 Eggs—The market price has dropped 2c per doz. during the past week. Job- bers now pay 12c per doz. and sell fresh hennery white eggs at 15c and fresh eggs at 14c. Cold storage sup- plies are entirely exhausted. Grape Fruit— Florida commands $2.50@3 per box; bulk $2.75@3 per 100. Grapes—Calif. Emperors, in kegs with sawdust, $6.25. Green Onions — Shallots, 60c per doz. Lettuce—In good demand on the following basis: Imperial Valley, 6s, per crate ~-$3.50 Imperial Valley, 5s, per crate -- 4.00 Hiome grown, leaf, 10 Ibs, ______ .75 Lemons—Present quotations are as follows: S60 Samkist 20520 $5.50 S00 Sunkist 22 5.50 S60 Red Ball 22.0 5.00 300 Red Ball 5.00 Mushrooms—35c per one lb. carton. Oranges—Fancy Sunkist California Navels are now sold as follows: Me $3.75 5 Oe es 4.50 76 4.75 0 4.75 2) A eee 5.00 OMe 5.00 OO 5.00 SAR oo 4.25 Floridas—$4 per box; bulk, $4.50@ 5 per 100, Onions—Michigan, $4.25 per 100 Ibs. for yellow; Genuine Spanish, $3.50 per crate, Parsley—40c per doz. bunches. Potatoes —'On the local market transactions hover around 35@45c per bu. In Northern Michigan carlot buy- ing points the price ranges from 20@ 25c per bu.; Idaho, $2.25 per 100 Ib. sack, Poultry—Wilson & Company pay as follows: Heavy Springs. 15c Breavy fowls 2) 0 14c Lieht fowls 23 13c Ducks oo 14c Geese llc No, 1 Furkey 25 18c Spinach—$1 per bu, for Texas. Sweet Potatoes—Kiln dried Indiana Jerseys, $1.50; Tenn., $1.25, Tangerines—$2.50 per bu. Tomatoes—Hot house, $1.50 per 7 Ib. basket; Southern and California, $1 per 7 lb. basket.. Veal Calves — Wilson & Company pay as follows: Nancy 8@10c Gd 8c Median 0 | 7c POGr 5¢ Sane cee ate a Beech-Nut Launches New Radio Feature. Chandu the ‘Magician is the title of the new nightly radio feature which will tbe launched March 7 by the Beech-Nut Packing Co. The cast is made up of famous theatrical people, including Gayne Whitman, who plays the part of Chandu, and this nightly broadcast is best described as an oc- cult mystery drama, with travel and adventure thrown in for good meas- ure. Realism will be added by the use of more than two thousand sound ef- fects, and an orchestra will be used nightly. ‘Chandu the Magician goes on the air over station WJR and is re- leased every night except Saturday and Sunday. Each month a different magic trick will be offered, and this may be obtained by purchasing Beech- Nut products, there being no addition- al charge. ee Forty-four Years With the Tradesman Ishpeming, Feb. 26—It is forty-four years ago to-day that the late J, L. Bradford and the writer left Grand Rapids for Ishpeming, where we en- gaged in the clothing business under the style of the J. L. ‘Bradford Co. That firm name is still over the door, although Mr. Bradford died some years ago. ‘Mr. Bradford was a subscriber to the Tradesman ‘before we engaged in ‘business and at has been our con- stant companion and close friend ever since. ‘We ‘find it next to impossible to undertake to do business without it. John A. Olson, Vice-Pres. J. L. Bradford Co. —_—__ + The law doesn’t permit gambling, but you can teach school or hold a municipal job and get the same thrill of uncertainty. : : eet See oe te tae ae STL Fee : met seats as Cats & . MUTUAL. FIRE INSURANCE The Art of Taking Care. Since-it is to -his home that every man instinctively goes in quest. of ab- solute. safety there is grim irony, more than a little, in the revelation that somebody’s dwelling suffers attack by fire every three minutes, approximately —that the average yearly destruction of homes approaches $66,000,000. Plain- ly, the safety that he seeks is not-to be found around the average American hearth, At least it is not conspicuous- ty. there at present, and all available ‘statistics indicate that the record of fire destruction is growing worse in- stead of better. The reflection is a peculiarly disturbing one for those who remember that the home is basic and that any insecurity existing there can hardly fail to affect ere long the very ground-work of the Nation—if that in- security is allowed to. continue. “Allowed,” of course, is precisely the term; for, as appears from the pub- lished record, of the six leading causes of fire in the home four—defective chimneys and flues; sparks on roofs; stoves, furnaces, boilers and their pipes, and matches-smoking—indubit- ably are preventable by the exercise of proper care and common sense. Only these humble virtues are required; these only, and not knowledge of a specialized nature, as so often is de- manied to. accomplish protection of public and commercial occupancies. »\Jesters and sober sages aplenty, both in their.own way philosophizing, have seen, or have affected to see, in the more or Jess fevered extra-mural ac- tivities of the present day the begin- ning of the decline of the American home. Can it be that they are right after all, and that the quickened rate of residential burning is merely one manifestation of the indifference with which people nowadays look upon the home .and its institutions. It is to be hoped not, devoutly. Such a prospect is far, far too dismal. Better will it be to lay the blame for a growing fire loss, at least in greatest part, simply to, lack of thought. By so ascribing it room is left for hope; ‘because thought is a product that can be sup- plied, where there is both interest and willingness. to learn, ‘Time will help to supply it, unques- tionably. “Time,” says Lowell, “hath a quiver full of purposes, wh’ch fail not-of their mark.” And one of those purposes, it is not hard to believe, is to teach America the art of taking care. Surely a people virile and far-sighted enlough to found a Nation can muster sufficient intelligence and strength of will to preserve it from the wasting of fire—starting with their homes. Me — ++ Fire Prevention and the Depression. In a recent Nation-wide broadcast over Columbia Chain, Governor Albert C. Ritchie of Maryland dealt with the subject of “Fire Prevention and the Depression,” emphasizing particularly the meed of redoubling of efforts at this time in curbing the Fire Demon. Stressing the point that, “under pres- ent conditions, unnecessary and costly waste. should be reduced to a mini- mum,’ (Governor Ritchie held: that “we ifiust conserve:as well as create,” say- ing that he was thinking particularly MICHIGAN TRADESMAN of “the economic waste from prevent- able fire.’ He pointed out that the loss by fire in the United States is approximately $500,000,000 annually, asserting that a large portion of this is from easily preventable causes. Comparing the destruction of this country’s wealth (which is going on at a rate of $4 per capita) with that of large European countries (which, col- lectively, have an annual fire loss of a little over 50c per capita) Governor Ritchie emphasized the statement that if we decrease our average per capita to that of England, France and Ger- many, we will have accomplished an annual saving of $300,000,000. In this connection, the Maryland executive said we have no laws similar to those of some European countries, where the owner of a burned building is subject to a sort of a coroner’s investigation, and if found careless is unable to col- lect insurance and is liable for dam- ages to other property jeopardized by the burning of his premises. Governor Ritchie held that “It is beyond all question that preventable fire is a most significant factor in our economic situation.” He further said that “a decreased store of raw ma- terials means less potential prosperity and though the cost of reconstruction is covered by insurance, yet business activities may become temporarily de- moralized, with a consequent loss of customers and diminution of profits.” Not only this, but during the period of reconstruction there is almost cer- tain to be a loss of employment, the speaker said, thus aggravating the al- ready depressed situation. “Conver- sationly,” the Governor stated, “a re- duction in the number of preventable fires will aid in assuring more con- tinuous employment to workers now engaged.” In conclusion, Governor Ritchie as- serted: “After all, it rests with the great mass of us to make the purpose effective. A new year is here. It be- gan unscorched with a single blaze. May I urge that you make a resolu- tion of vigilant fire carefulness throughout the year 1932, and that you mean it and carry it out, and thus con- tribute to waste elimination and to the return of our economic prosperity.” The National Fire Waste Council, which is an outgrowth of a resolution passed at a pioneer meeting of the Governors of several states, which was called some years ago by Governor Ritchie to deal with the subject of fire prevention, concentrates the collective power of more than 600 Chambers of Commerce, as well as many other bodies, in well directed efforts to re- duce the preventable fire waste of the Nation, the speaker said Mutual In- surance Journal. —_> +> The only music in some stores is that of the anvil chorus as the knock- ers tune up their little hammers on everything and everybody outside of their own little personal group. —__—_ o> —___—_ The man who can be nothing but serious or nothing but merry is but half a man. —_+2>__ The man who never does anything until he is told to, is never told to do anything important. March 2, 1932 OUR FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT with any standard stock policies that you are buying The Net Cost is 30% Less Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Fremont, Michigan WILLIAM N. SENF, Secretary-lreasurer Mutual benefit, protection and responsibility has been the object of all organized human efforts throughout the ages. It’s the underlying principle of Mutual Insurance. THE GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY affliated with the Mich- igan Retail Dry Goods Association offers all the benefits of a successful organization. 319-320 Houseman Building GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN INSURE and feel sure that when you have a fire you will have money to pay at least the most of the cost of re-building; but place your insurance with the company that will furnish this protection at the lowest cost, as there IS a difference, and it will pay you to investi- gate. The company that gives the most SAFE insurance for the least money is The Finnish Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Calumet, Michigan Put the Spotlight on Your Insurance Dollars Are you getting full value for every insurance dollar? If not—investigate Federal insurance. It is the maximum in protection at the lowest possi- ble cost. Policyholders share in the profits made by the companies. Large reserve and surplus funds are set up to assure financial stability and prompt payment of losses. Again we say—lIf you are not getting value in insurance— investigate the Federal Mutuals. Federal Hardware & Implement Mutuals Retail Hardware Mutual Hardware Dealers Mutual : Fire Ans. Co. Fire Ins. Co. __Minneapolis, Minnesota "Stevens Point, Wisconsin Minnesota Implement Mutual Fire Ins. Co. Owatonna, Minnesota i t i i eterna ner ee ae seem ee | arpa mea SE tne | March 2, 1932 IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY. Questionable Schemes Which Are Under Suspicion. Detroit, ‘March 1—You have at- tacked all forms of fraud so ruthlessly and fearlessly that I am a loss to understand why you have not turned your batteries on the gang of swindlers who compose the More Egg Produc- ang Co., of this city. I enclose you some circulars showing you the kind of bait they are throwing out to catch the unwary. ‘What do you think of the lurid promises they make as to the efficiency of their chicken restora- tive and invigorator. : John 'T, Small. ‘Science has been accused of many things, but probably few that thave brought the blush of mortification to her cheek as has this charge of con- cocting a liquid a few drops of which placed in the drinking water of fowls will rid them of lice, mites, blue bugs, chiggers, fleas and other vermin, For good measure, the liquid will, it is claimed, keep down disease and make hens lay more eggs. ‘Now Science has worked another wander,” says the circular. She has, indeed, if she has accomplished all this, but still another wonder is that, having done so much, she has stopped short of making a fluid that will also do away with bumble-foot, frozen combs and dead chicks in the shell. Of course the usual testimonials from enthusiastic poultry- men and the iron-clad money-back guarantee are appended to the descrip- tive circular; no fake would be com- plete without them, but the advice of the Realm is that no money be sent in the first place and that dependence for ridding fowls of vermin be placed upon jess miraculous, ‘but better proven, compounds. It is exceedingly unfortunate that no assistance is ever rendered the retail dealers and poultry raisers of Michi- gan in matters of this kind, The Realm sent a bottle of alleged chicken panacea to the ‘Secretary of the food and drug department at Lansing more than six months ago, but has never been able to obtain an analysis of the mixture. [The receipt of the bottle and contents was acknowledged and a promise ‘made that an analysis would be promptly forthcoming, but the promise has never been kept, although several very importunate letters have been dispatched to Lansing in the hope that the work could ‘be expedited. Under some former administrations such matters were given prompt at- tention, but the men who draw large salaries and apparently render the peo- ple no equivalent in return therefor are evidently too busy building political fences to turn a willing ear to the tax- payers who furnish the funds to keep the wheels of government turning round, A corporation selling general mer- chandise, including hats, and a cor- poration selling women’s apparel, agreed to stop using such words as “Panama” or “Toyo Panama” to de- scribe such hats in advertisements so as to imply that the products are made from the leaves of the Jipi japa or in accordance with the regular process of manufacturing Panama ‘hats. The companies will not use the word “Panama” either independently or in connection with the word “Toyo” or MICHIGAN TRADESMAN with other words in any way that would deceive buyers into believing the hats to be Panama ‘hats. L. Heuman & Co., vendor of an al- leged cure for nervous disorders, desig- nated “Nerosol,” agrees to discontinue representing that a Rev. Mr. Heuman is alive, and that a product is manufac- tured ‘by him or under his direction, when such are not the facts; to discon- tinue representing that “‘Nerosol’ is approved ‘by any branch of the United States Government, that it is a double treatment compounded from ingredi- ents from all over the world, and proves effective in giving permanent relief, when such are not the facts: to discontinue circulating a warranty in the form of a guarantee or bond, un- less actually guaranteed by a third party. Sophie Koppel, vendor of an alleged tissue developer designated “Grow- dina,” agrees to discontinue represent- ing that “Growdina’ was discovered by Mlle. Sophie Koppel, that she is a famous Parisian beauty culturist, and that “Growdina” agitates the white corpuscles so they invade the tissue and stimulate the fat cells, thus de- veloping any undernourished and un- derdeveloped tissues, when such are not the facts, ‘Dr. C. M. Coe, Inc., St. Louis, vendor of an alleged cure for tapeworm agrees to discontinue advertising the product, and to limit its sale to the filling of unsolicited orders. H. W. Barton, trading as W. B. Way Co., Kansas ‘City, Mo., vendor of an alleged treatment for kidney, bladder, and prostate troubles, agrees to dis- continue use of the word ‘“Prostatis” to designate the product and to dis- continue representing that it is a com- petent treatment for the troubles in- dicated. D. D. D. Corporation, Batavia, IIl., vendor of a skin lotion designated “DP. D. D.” agrees to discontinue repre- senting that “D. D, D.” is a competent treatment for any form of skin disease, eczema, and ulcers, without a qualify- ing statement to the effect that it is not efficacious in all cases of itching skin, or in all cases of pimples or skin blemishes, Alice Gutterman, trading as Crystal Diamond Co., New York City, vendor of glass crystals designated “French Diamonds,” agrees to discontinue use of the word “Diamond” in firm name; to discontinue representing that crys- tals are sent free, unless there is no charge made for packing and postage, ‘and that any article is “free,” there be- ing no merchandise to be sold, when a sum is charged for mounting same, the cost of the article purported to be given free of charge, being included therein; to discontinue advertising that only two crystals will be sent to one address and that crystals will be sent only to readers of the publications carrying the advertisements, Alleged False and Misleading Adver- tising. Princess Silk Mills, New York, en- gaged in the sale of women’s clothing and fabrics, uses the word “Mills” in furm name and uses the terms ‘“SiSlIk,” “Satin,” “Chiffon,” “Linene Shan- tung,” “Flat Crepe Rayon Silk,” etc., to designate fabrics made of cotton and rayon. Madison Mills, Inc., New York, en- gaged in the sale of men’s shirts, uses the words “Satin Striped Broadcloth,” “Satin Ribbed Radiox,’ “Navarre Flannel,” and “English Broadcloth” to designate cotton or cotton and: rayon shirts made in the United States of domestic materials, Alleged Misrepresentation of Thera- peutic Value. Guarantee Veterinary Co. and others, Sioux City, Iowa, engaged in the manufacture of live stock remedies. Tiffany Laboratories, Cleveland, en- gaged in the sale of tissue cream. Menke Grocery Co., Kansas City Mo., engaged in the sale of groceries, flavoring extracts and live stock reme- dies. E. W. Hall and others, St. Louis, engaged in the sale of proprietary medicines. Walnut ‘Grove Products ‘Co., Atlan- tic, Iowa, engaged in the manufacture of live stock remedies, Nancy Lee, and others, New York, engaged in the sale of tissue cream. Alleged Representation of Dealer as Manufacturer. Silktex Hosiery and Lingerie Co., and others, Philadelphia, engaged in the sale of hosiery and lingerie. —- -_—- > Curfew Poem Keeps Author in Old Age. San Diego, Cal., Feb. 27—:Modest circumstances have come in the sunset of life to Rose Hartwick Thorpe, at 83 years of age, author of “Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night,” a poem-song 7 which still is a household favorite of sentimental people the world over. “My daughter is employed and takes care of me,’ Mrs, Thorpe told Inter- national News Service to-day in the study of her daughter’s home here. “My sole source of income, however, is the copying of the Curfew poem in longhand occasionally, ‘Sometimes I can copy the poem in one day, other times it takes longer, I get $5 for this from people who write in from this country and foreign places. “T had sufficient money to live in comfort the rest of my days, but in- vestments which [ ‘believed safe were in the hands of persons who violated my confidence in them.” The head of one investment com- pany where Mrs. Thorpe had some of her funds is now in San Quentin prison. While countless scores of persons everywhere will learne with regret of Mrs. Thorpe’s impaired situation, many others will be surprised to learn that the author of “Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night,” is alive and of this age. It is generally believed in the United States and England, and in- formation is given in mumerous li- braries that “Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night” is a traditional poem of England and was written several hun- dred years ago. Irony is no novelty in the life of Mrs. Thorpe. A publisher once ob- tained a copyright to her poem, she related, and for many years Mrs. Thorpe had ito buy copies of her own poem from the publisher, “T wrote the poem on a school slate when 16 years of age,’ Mrs. Thorpe related. “That was in 1865 when I was Rose Hartwick and living in Litchfield, Mich. It was first printed in the Detroit, Mich., Commercial Ad- vertiser and I wasi paid one year’s sub- scription, tthe equivalent of $1.50.. I subsequently lived many years at Pent- water, Mich.” +. The game isn’t wicked even if it is called base ball. 8 MAY REMOVE THE KEY LOG. Signing of the Glass-Steagall bill, reduction of the New York Federal Reserve rediscount rate to 3 per cent. and another decline in money in cir- culation on an adjusted basis were three developments of last week which should have real influence in relieving the credit situation. The changes in the Reserve act, in fact, may remove the key log in the credit jam which is chiefly to blame for blocking business progress, Commodity prices were also more buoyant during the week although it was to be expected that the tendency to wait upon the effect of credit im- provement would cause some easing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics re- ported a slight increase in its com- modity index for the week ended Feb. 20, while Dun’s list showed the first excess of advances over declines in fifteen weeks. The weekly business index dropped to a new low for the depression, car loadings and power output showing sizable declines. However, the same thing may be pointed out concerning this recession as about the failure of prices to firm appreciably. Business interests were plainly waiting for the outcome of the steps taken to relieve the credit stringency. The steel industry finds a better de- mand from the railroads but is still marking time upon the requirements of automobile producers. The latter, in turn, are anxious to know the full ford program. The building industry, on the other hand, has reported more encouraging figures for the early part of the month. While contract awards ran about half what they were in Feb- ruary, 1931, they exceeded the January daily average by more than the season- al amount. BANKRUPTCY MESSAGE. In announcing that he would send a message to Congress this week on the subject of reform of the bankruptcy laws and procedure of the Federal courts in criminal cases, President Hoover submitted last week a sum- mary of the investigation conducted over the last-two years by the Depart- ment of Justice and the Department of Commerce. This survey disclosed that the number of bankruptcies had in- creased from 23,000 in 1921 to 65,000 last year, while losses to creditors mounted from $144,000,000 to $911,- 000,000 in the same interval, The full report of this investigation will be awaited with great interest, since the figures vary quite widely from private reports. Thus, Brad- street’s placed the total of failures last year: at 26,381 and the Government figures are almost two and a half times higher. Liabilities were given by Brad- street’s as $2,280,829,316 and, since the net return-to creditors in bankruptcy proceedings is quite low, their losses would seem to b2 above the amount given in. the Government survey. The assumption is, of course, that the Federal enquiry was much more thorough than what the credit agencies could undertake, and it is likely that authgritative data will be presented for . the first time upon an evil that has MICHIGAN TRADESMAN been called the cancer of business. In the absence of such data, however, credit men will scarcely agree with Mr. Hoover that there has been a sub- stantial increase in bankruptcies even during the period of prosperity. Avail- able figures indicate that after the 1921 depression the figures mounted to a high level and more or less kept to that height until 1930, when, of course, they shot upward. SMALL COMPANIES GAINING. A point in the depression has now been reached which brings in the usual development of better progress by some of the smaller units in business than by the larger organizations. Re- liable data to support this claim are not readily available except, perhaps, in the electric power figures which indi- cated for last year that the decline for small concerns was only 0.8 per cent. as against a drop in consumption by the large concerns of 8.5 per cent. However, a canvass of machinery and other markets which supply the needs of both small and large com- panies seems to show that the smaller firms are more active purchasers. They possess, of course, more flexibility and are not usually burdened by heavy in- ventories or top-heavy management but can rapidly adjust themselves to changes in both product and market- ing. While the measures of basic indus- trial activity, therefore, are still mov- ing downward and indices of aggregate operations are falling in the same way, it is perhaps worth while to consider that a number of small producers are making headway against this current. They will lead the way out of this slump as they have out of others. Steps taken to relieve the credit stringency should prove of special as- sistance to this type of manufacturer because he has suffered most from the restrictions. Bankers would do well, it seems, to give adequate consideration to the needs of such clients once they are in a position to extend freer ac- commodations. “DEADBEAT” CLASS GROWING. While reform of bankruptcy practice will undoubtedly afford great relief to business, retail interests and others are growing quite concerned over a situa- tion growing out of the depression. They find that there is a fairly large group of customers who apparently cannot reconcile themselves to the changes brought about by the business crisis and continue their former scale of living with merely the difference that they are not paying their bills. There have always been “dead- beats,” but, as most credit records have proved, their percentage to the whole of our citizenry was very small. It was the exceptional degree of honesty in this country that made instalment credit possible on the huge basis it at- tained before the slump. The new class of those who refuse to face conditions and adjust their liv- ing standards do not always, of course, classify as “deadbeats,” since they are “often sincere in believing that they will get back to their. former incomes. On the other hand, the prosperity era un- doubtedly encouraged loose and spend- thrift habits which in present circum- stances have probably added many “deadbeats” to the former small total. The example given by these people to others of thrifty habits is not a good one. It has possibly raised the question of what advantages come from thrift and prompt payment of obliga- tions, since the debtors must be car- ried. Steps by the stores to correct this notion and the conditions leading to it are suggested. DRY GOODS CONDITIONS. With only about a month left until Easter, the stores have been putting more effort into the task of clearing out winter merchandise. The week did not bring much increase in sales vol- ume but some interest was reported in the spring dec’gas now being intro- duced on a larger scale. A spell of real cold weather would probably help clearances materially and that is what retailers are hcping for. Sales of women’s apparel have been only fair and special offerings of men’s wear yielded very nominal results ex- cept in a few cases. House furnishing promotions were reported to be show- ing somewhat better response but the demand was fairly well satisfied by earlier events. While February will probably make a better comparison with a year ago than the January sales figures showed, the margin is not likely to be very wide, according to the estimates now available. There will be one more business day, however,. to help the figures this year. Retailers, in common with other business interests, are ‘ooking for somewhat better results with the eas- ing of credit and the drop ia hoarding. The stores particularly may benefit from a revival in public confidence and the spending of some money, at least, be‘ore it is returned to depositories. LUGGAGE TRADE UPSET. As the result of the re-organization of numerous luggage manufacturing companies, following voluntary bank- ruptcies in which they have made only partial payments to creditors, a group of established manufacturers in the in- dustry is making attempts to straight- en out the credit situation. Manufac- turers of supplies, such as locks, han- dles, straps and linings, have been ex- tending credit indiscriminately to bank- rupt concerns which have started in business again. Only recently a com- pany which paid its creditors 20 per cent. has been re-established, and sup- ply firms in their eagerness for busi- ness have been fighting to obtain its account, Meetings have been held between luggage manufacturers and supply men, in which the former have asked the latter not to penalize their paying cus- tomers by extending credit so liberally to re-organized concerns. A few supply houses are checking credits carefully, but business has been so poor in re- cent months that most of them are willing to sell goods on any basis. Some of them are attempting to drop the luggage trade and are seeking other channels of distribution, feeling that March 2, 1932 ‘the immediate outlook for luggage js not any too bright, pending a revival] in travel by the public. CANADA’S TEN MILLIONS. The final figures for the 1931 census show a substantial growth in Canada’s population during the last ten years; from 8,788,000 to 10,374,000. The rate of increase, 18.04 per cent., compares favorably with that for this country in the 1920-1930 decade, 16.1. Canada still has fewer people than New York State with its 12,588,000. With its area of 3,510,000 square miles—the area of continental United States is 3,026,000 square miles—the Dominion is not troubled by visions of overpopulation in the near future. Immigration has played small part in the growth of Canada’s population in recent years. It reached its peak, 402,000, immedi- ately before the kaiser’s war and last year was only 88,000. Canada has set an example to some other coun- tries in the care exercised in the ad- mission of newcomers. Less emphasis has been laid on restriction of numbers than on obtaining the kind of persons who will make good citizens. The Dominion policy with regard to de- porting those who prove to be unde- sirable because of criminal proclivities also has contributed to that country’s fine record for the maintenance of law and order. PRODUCERS DIFFER ON TAX. A sharp division of opinion exists among manufacturers regarding their attitude toward the proposed general manufacturers’ sales tax of 2 per cent., which is expected to form the basis of the new Federal revenue bill now un- der consideration by Congress. Pro- ducers questioned insist that the tax would prove a further discouragement to business and reduce, by a consider- able percentage, the small volume of sales they now enjoy. Others exhibited little more than a cursory interest in the matter, contending that the sales tax, applied alike to all producers, would not affect their competitive standing or discourage buying. At the offices of the National Asso- ciation of Manufacturers, executives said the group had taken no definite stand on the question as yet, but that directors would consider the bill at a special meeting to-day. Data concern- ing the measure are now being gath- ered by the Association’s tax commit- tee and will be submitted to the board members, Business success, concededly, is not everything. If it were everything, in fact, it would be nothing. It might keep the race alive, but what would be the use of keeping a race alive if it had nothing more to do than to keep alive? It is culture and art and ideal- ism, it is religion and spiritual aspira- tion, which give a meaning to life. Material success is important only be- cause it makes all these other develop- ments possible. Getting a living is imperative if we hope to achieve life; but getting a living successfully does not necessarily mean successful living. ww ee If you happen to find your feelings all worked up, order a fresh supply. Natdoame asain assis a 5 es : iiaiinaaatnsiaiil # March 2, 1932 OUT AROUND. Things Seen and Heard on a Week End Trip. With ideal weather a brief trip to Kalamazoo last Saturday was very enjoyable. The first stop was at Way- land, where I was told the Pet Milk Co. would close its condensories at Allegan and Coopersville and transport the milk tributary of those places to the Wayland factory. [I hope the re- port is untrue, because I dislike to see any disarrangement in existing con- ditions, especially in a line off business which is so thoroughly demoralized as the milk industry is at present. It is always a pleasure to me to see a young man well started in business. The owner of the Weaver hardware store told me he bought the Hooker hardware stock in order that his son might have something to play with. Judging by the appearance of the stock J should say the young man was “playing” to good advantage. It is also a pleasure to step into a meat market and note the absence of any unpleasant odor. Such a store is in evidence at |Martin under the owner- ship of Bernard Spoolstra, who cer- tainly knows how to keep a market immaculately clean—and does it. I found the merchants J called on at Kalamazoo very busy and not inclined to prate about hard times. All I saw are dead sure the turn has come, They are very happy that Kalamazoo has been able to weather the storm with- out a bank failure, which condition, by the way, ‘Battle Creek has also been able to present. There appears to be about the same percentage of vacant stores and dwellings in Kalamazoo which “Grand Rapids presents, which leads me to believe that business con- ditions are about the same in both cities. The owners of the Red and White stores I called on assured me they were pleased with the connection they had made. I had the good fortune to meet two old friends on the street in Kalamazoo —iFrank G. Clay and Jacob Kersten. The former was a long-time traveling man, who has conducted a wholesale radio and automatic accessory store for many years, making many friends and building up a large clientele by the most approved methods and honor- able dealings. The latter is one of the few inventors I have ever known who is a good business man as well as a practical inventor. He originates a new device of a thoroughly practical character about once a year and usual- ly succeeds in disposing of it outright ‘or arranging for its production on a royalty basis as soon as a patent is granted, The ‘Controller of the Currency and the ‘State Banking Commissioner ap- pear to have been very unfortunate in the selection of receivers for banks which suspended payments, The ap- pointing officials probably did all they could to secure the assistance of good men, but political pressure brought to bear by crafty legislators evidently re- sulted very disadvantageously in many MICHIGAN TRADESMAN cases. One of the receivers of the First ‘National Bank of Allegan is now serving a term at Ft, Leavenworth for criminal acts committed while he was discharging the duties of his office. Complaints come to me from several sources of criminal acts and arbitrary actions committed by receivers who are now acting under authority from Washington. It is to be hoped that this country will never again experi- ence such an ordeal as she has passed through during the past two years, necessitating the employment of in- experienced men—frequently unreliable and unscrupulous—to administer the affairs of banks which have failed. Congress has come to the rescue by enacting measures for temporary re- lief, but what we need, now and for- ever more, is remedial legislation which will make it unnecessary for banks to close their doors on the first appearance of trouble. A record of 7,000 bank failures in the United States and two failures in Canada dur- ing the past thirty months shows very clearly that a change in method to the Canadian system would reduce the per- centage of failures. Whether the peo- ple of this country would consent to the adoption of the Canadian system is a matter I have never heard dis- cussed to any extent. One thing I do know and that is that our present banking system is not adapted to the needs of the country in times of stress and should ‘be supplanted by a more elastic system at the earliest possible moment, Unless our law makers do this at the present session of Congress they are neglectful of their duty and should be relegated to the ranks of the unfaithful. I am exceedingly sorry that Gov- ernor Brucker has decided to call a special session of the Legislature to meet in April. Of course, we are not yet acquainted with the legislation he will recommend for the special session, but any dislocation of present systems, except along lines of drastic economy, would throw the machinery of the State government badly out of gear. As JT understand the situation, we are deriving about $30,000,000 per year from automobile licenses and about $25,000,000 per year from the gas taxes. If the Governor recommends turning the former sum back to the counties— and the Legislature concurs in the recommendation—it would preclude the construction of any new roads during 1932 and deprive thousands of men of employment who have a right to ex- pect same at the hands of the road department. J believe in a consider- able curtailment of road building, but any such drastic action as the suspen- sion of all new construction would cer- tainly result in turning the wheels of progress backward. ‘This would be such a fatal mistake as to delay the re- turn of prosperity for a long period. I am so utterly disgusted over the untenable position of Japan in her un- warranted attack on China and the in- human manner in which she conducts her warfare that [ have started a per- sonal boycott on the chief products of Japan in hopes I can induce my read- ers to join me in that kind of a cam- paign, J refer, of course, to such prod- ucts as tea, rice, crabmeat and silk. I am assured by Hon. Thomas J. O’Brien, who served this country as ambassador at Tokio some years ago, that if the United States were to pur- sue this policy for six months, she would ‘bring Japan to terms by starva- tion, ‘because no other nation accepts Japanese products to the same extent we do. This action will mean much to me, because J have always used Japan tea when [ could not obtain Tetley’s Russian tea, which I have always con- sidered the most satisfactory beverage in the tea line J have ever been able to secure. With something like a hundred can- didates for the various city offices in Grand Rapids this spring, the desks and letter boxes of business men are littered with cards and circular appeals bearing the union label, which is the authorized emblem of anarchy, murder and incendiarism. No man who is fit to hold public affice will permit the use of this emblem on his literature, be- cause it places him on the level with the infamous methods and practices of trades unionism, When it is recalled that less than 5 per cent. of the voters of the city, county, state and Nation are union men and women, the utter foolishness of this violation of good citizenship is clearly apparent. It is unsafe to entrust the administration of public affairs to any one who will voluntarily debase himself and_ his cause by the use of this emblem, which is stained by the blood of thou- sands of men who have refused to bend their necks to the infamous yoke of trades unionism. Edward Frick came up from Douglas one day last week to celebrate the fifty-second anniversary of his coming to Grand Rapids in 1880 to identify himself with the wholesale grocery trade. For nearly fifty years he was a close and painstaking student of every feature pertaining to the purchase and sale of groceries. Many men would have ceased adding to this storehouse of information long before Mr. Frick did, but he never conceded he was too old to learn. He has instructed many men in his line, all of whom frankly admit that they never expect to equal him as an expert buyer. The Schantz Implement Co. (Grand Rapids) held its annual round-up of farmers last Saturday. The affair was attended by about 500 farmers and their wives. All registered on arrival in the forenoon and were given a ticket to the luncheon at noon, a chance on the premiums given out later and a badge which admitted them to the ten minute talks which were given by twenty-five representatives of the im- plement trades. Lunch was served on the second floor of the store building. The talks were given in the hall next door. The Ohio Transit Lines has been organized by Grand Rapids people to conduct a trucking business between this city and Toledo, The corporation is officered as follows: President, Eugene W. Rathbone; First Vice- President and General Manager, Harry E. Willard; Second Vice-President, 9 Francis A, ‘Harmon; Secretary and Treasurer, Stanley E. Vincent. The local office is at 44 Grandville avenue. The Toledo office and headquarters is at 211 Lucas street, Liberty highway terminal. The company is an insured carrier, which means that it makes good on any loss or damage in transit or-delivery. Three trucks are in use by the company, which makes six round trips a week each way. At the annual meeting of the Michi- gan Retail Hardware Association at Detroit two weeks ago an officer of the Detroit association jumped to his feet on the occasion of the best attend- ed session and asked that all Detroit hardware dealers who were present stand up. Eighteen men rose to their feet, which was somewhat humiliating to the spokesman for the association, who was sure the large attendance on that occasion was due to the presence of at least 100 Detroit hardware dealers. After all, it is “ways of doing it” quite as much as merely advertising or pushing any idea that makes success for the retail grocer. Here is an Indi-’ ana grocer advertising in his local paper and emphasizing “Phone for Food,” but mis-spelling ten words in his advertisement and offering a one pound can of his pet coffee to the first ten readers who bring in the correc- tions of the mistakes. Besides, he adds at the end of the advertisement the jumble: “Eohpn rfo Odfo.” Can it fail to get under the hat of any one who wants a can of coffee free. Then he makes them bring it in personally though the advertisement says in part: “We are real grocers—service gro- cers. We attend to everything that is a part of the retail grocery business. We maintain a good delivery system. Our telephone is always open to you ‘Phone for Food’ is our motto and the quality and services guaranteed on all phone orders. Avoid shopping incon- venience—telephone your orders to us.” A letter from Mr. Charles M. Heald, who spends his winters in South Pasa- dena, Calif., and his summers on his farm at Bangor, states that he had two bushels of apples shipped from his farm to his winter home by express, but that he was notified by the repre- sentative of the state fruit department at Los Angeles that delivery could not be made. [ do not know whether this action was due to a state law or a rul- ing of the fruit department of that state. In either case the action was a cowardly one, unworthy a great state which has made a good living off the remainder of the country by selling the people oranges which are handsome to look at, but not in the same class with Florida oranges in flavor and eating qualities. I do know that the Califor- nia legislature enacted a law prohibit- ing the shipment of Florida oranges into California, which I always con- sidered one of the most atrocious pieces of legislation I ever had brought to my attention. The very existence of this law was an admission on the part of California people that their citrus products are so inferior to Florida fruits that no one would touch a Cali- (Continued on page 23) es i s f i t Aeaiehee MEAIB ine Moa Lee Le 10 FINANCIAL Trade Position Is Best Test of Good Investment. Some basic commodities, notably wheat and cotton, in recent months have shown indications of stabilization, Throughout the price structure as a whole, however, the readjustment process has continued and is likely to continue even after price averages definitely have seen their bottom. With prices unsettled and former re- lationships between one industry and another among various groups and in- dividual commodities, upset on the sharp decline in the last two and a half years, business still finds price in- stability one of the main obstacles to resumption of normal trade and indus- trial activity. Considering the influence of this re- adjustment process on corporate profits, Frazier Jelke & Co. point out in an investment survey of food stocks that the food industry deserves special consideration from investors because it has been more successful than other lines in adjusting retail food prices to the reduced level of public purchasing power, especially to lower incomes of wage earners and salaried workers. Government statistics show the de- cline in food prices since the middle of 1929 has gone much further than the drop in prices of clothing, furniture, housing and other items in the cost of living. ‘Compared with December, 1929, food has come down about 27.5 per cent.; clothing, 15.5 per cent.; rent, 6.2 per cent.; fuel and light, 11 per cent. and so on. Food prices are only about 14.4 per cent. above the 1913 level, in contrast with levels of 35 to 105 per cent. higher for other import- ant elements in the cost of living. “Food companies,” the Frazier Jelke survey notes, “have been able to main- tain their earnings in a much more satisfactory manner than manufactur- ers and retailers of clothing, furniture and other items entering into the cost of living—and they have done this while reducing their selling prices more than manufacturers and dis- tributors in other lines. “Intelligent and persistent advertis- ing of established brands by constantly growing companies, the remarkable progress of chain stores in the retail grocery field and the increasing prefer- ence for package groceries have com- bined to add stability to the basic food industry. “The rate of growth in the food in- dustry no doubt has slowed percep- tibly during the past two decades, due to the slower increase in population caused by selective immigration laws. For a time an increasing standard of living among first and second genera- tion Americans went a long way to off- set the lower growth of population. But of late this helpful trend has been less pronounced. Food luxury con- sumption probably is decreasing, but diet fads, which caused so many taboos a few years ago, no longer are a seri- ous problem. “Perhaps the best test of a good in- vestment in food shares is the trade position of the brand. Established brands resist competition, break down sales resistance, survive all kinds of MICHIGAN TRADESMAN business reverses and in the long run pay good dividends. Most food con- cerns have a simple capitalization, con- sisting largely of common shares and involving little or no funded debt.” [Copyrighted, 1932.] ——_-+-2 Banking System Has Adequate Lend- ing Power. It is regrettable that those devoting so much attention to thoarding do not realize clearly that the most important aspect of the problem is merely to pre- vent further hoarding. Many of the statements currently being made im- ply that business recovery in this coun- try is impossible unless the funds now hoarded are returned to circulation. The fact of the matter is that if fur- ther hoarding can be stopped we need not concern ourselves at present with the money which already has been withdrawn from the banks, The necessity for getting the hoard- ed money back into circulation as a preliminary step to business recovery would ibe true only in case the banks were absolutely “loaned-up,” or, that is, unable to extend more credit except upon the receipt of cash deposits, This is not the situation by any means, for our banking system could increase the volume of loans immensely without a dollar of the now hoarded money being returned to it. Necessarily the lending power of the banks to-day is substantially less than if so much money was not held in hoards. This does not alter the fact, however, that there still is ample lend- ing power left to take care of any im- mediate possible demands from pbusi- ness, Stated in another way, the present so-called shortage of credit is not the result of the inability on the part of banks to lend, but ‘because of their un- willingness to lend. ‘This unwilling- ness to a large degree has been caused by the danger of depositors withdraw- ing their funds, either for the purpose of hoarding or to redeposit them in some other institution which they con- sider safe. If this danger is removed, that if, if the banks can be assured that there will be no more “runs,” we need not worry about a shortage of credit or pulling hoarded money back into cir- culation. Of course this danger can be removed only by stopping bank failures. In the final analysis, therefore, it makes comparatively little difference whether the newly announced plan of selling “baby” bonds to thoarders is successful. If those now hoarding buy the bonds, but the danger of “runs” is not removed, nothing will be accomp- UNDER THE TOWER CLOCK ON CAMPAU SQUARE lished, In these circumstances the banks still would refuse to adopt a liberal credit policy. On the other hand, if the danger of unusually heavy withdrawals from the banks is removed, the increased lend- ing power resulting from pulling hoarded money back into circulation would not be needed. Rather, it mere- ly would add to the already adequate lending power of the banking system. Ralph West Robey. [ Copyrighted, 1932.] March 2, 1932 Successful Trading, The advantages for a common stock- holder in a corporation with a small amount of capitalization are very ap- parent. In the case of a small con- cern, whose profits are limited, a small amount of common stock outstanding does not give a great deal of advantage. If, however, the business has large potentialities and is expanding, or its profits are likely to increase, it has a big advantage for the common stockholder in regards to its propor- Complete Investment Service ... Suite 343 J. H. PETTER & COMPANY Michigan Trust Bldg. Mr. John F. Sterling in charge of Statistical Department Telephone 4417 and its connection here. COLO GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK “The Bank Where You Feel at Home’ “17 Convenient Offices Ally Your Business with a bank that will help you, in every way, to take advantage of the opportunities which you enjoy here in Grand Rapids - - a city of diversified industries. | THE GRAND RAPIDS SAVINGS BANK has been an essential factor in the develop- ment of Grand Rapids for over 61 YEARS, EXPERIENCED, PERSONAL SERVICE adds much to the value of a wT f an Bi co a a March 2, 1932 tion of bonds and stock, The reason- ing is not complicated. If a growing corporation doubles its profits in five years, if in the beginning the profits are low, then the easier it becomes to repeat this rather than it is to double them if originally high, For example, it is easier for a corporation to increase profits from one million to two million than from fifty million to one hundred million. If the company, starting with net profits of one million, increases this to two million on 100,000 shares of capital stock, earnings increase from $10 to $20 a share. If there are 5,000,- 000 shares outstanding and the earn- ings increase one million, new earn- ings advance to $1.20 a share. Therefore, in ordinary practice, the company with small capitalization and small earnings is more apt to show larger profits per share and at a rapid rate than the company with large cap- italization and large earnings. This theory is not to discourage the pur- chase of common stocks of large com- panies ibut to show the possibilities as to speculation in a small company with large earnings. In contemplating an investment, be sure to ‘become acquainted with the company’s ‘balance sheet, which is nothing but an inventory of its assets consisting of land, buildings, machin- ery, goods, raw materials, accounts re- ceivable, securities and cash. ‘These are divided into two groups—fixed and current. Fixed represents those that do not change such as land, buildings and current those that can be used to realize cash such as inventories and ac- counts receivable and investments. Corporations recognize another type of assets called intangible assets, usu- ally represented by the value of trade marks, goodwill, patents. This is the item that should be watched by the in- vestor as it is justifiable only in cases of corporations whose products are known and are usually built up through merit and advertising. Since an outlay of cash must result in the creation of an asset, accountants allow advertising expenditures to be credited however to good will. In most of our strongest companies this is placed on the balance sheet as $1. The corporation that lists its good will at $1, or not at all, usually represents a stronger company than one that boosts its surplus and asset value by using a large figpre to represent its intangible assets. Weak concerns inflate their balance sheets by ridiculous valuations for good will. These values should be scrutinized by the investor and if they do not represent potential value, the best policy is to stay clear of its stocks. Some values should be given but a distinction should be drawn by a poten- tial investor. The actual earnings a company shows over a period of years will give you the answer to the valua- tion of these assets. In most cases a company cannot earn 6 per cent. per annum on its total assets minus total liabilities df intangible assets are more than fixed assets, as represented by its land, buildings and equipment. Jay H. Petter: —__++>_ Universal Price Advance of No Value. One of the most insidious points of view being urged to-day is that prices at present do not reflect correctly the iiseceaeeciaemanranentersmommenenernmme—r MICHIGAN TRADESMAN “intrinsic” values of commodities and securities. The same thought is con- tained in statements to the effect that prices to-day are below “normal.” Since plans are being considered for restoring prices to what is termed the “normal” level, these ideas are of im- mediate practical significance. Those who speak of “intrinsic values” and “normal prices” obviously are of the opinion that these terms in- dicate something definite and unchang- ing, or that they may be used as a criterion for measuring the degree of soundness and well being in the eco- nomic system. It must be obvious to any one who will take the trouble to recall a few of the most elementary economic truths, however, that there is no basis for this view. Further, it should be equally ob- vious that there is no reason to believe an increase of all prices by 25 per cent. would leave us in any better shape than we are to-day. The only intrinsic value of a com- modity is its capacity to satisfy human wants. If it does not have this capac- ity, directly or indirectly, it is absolute- ly worthless. Since both the intensity of such wants and the supply of goods which may be used for their satisfac- tion are changing constantly the pecuniary values placed upon the com- modities are also always in a state of flux. It is impossible, therefore, to con- sider any particular price as “normal,” and to refer to “intrinsic values” as above or below the current price is meaningless. The price of each commodity must be considered in relation to that for every other commodity. It is this re- lationship which is important, not the absolute price. If the price level to- day was half, twice or ten times the presient level it would be of no social significance provided the same rela- tionship between all prices was main- tained, It is this aspect of the problem which is especially worthy of note to-day. If credit is forced into the economic sys- tem and prices advance it will do no good unless the increase is limited to those prices which are out of line. Even more important is the fact that if the credit is used to advance non- deflated values still higher the mal- adjustment in the economic organiza- tion will be worse than at present. > The difficulty to-day, in other words, is that the price relationship between various commodities is uneconomic. This is true not only in the case of in- dividual commodities, but between whole groups of commodities. The low price farmers get for their products as compared with the high price they have to pay for manufactured articles is a good example of the latter. It is such maladjustments as these that need correction to-day and not a great expansion of credit for the purpose of raising all prices. Ralph West Robey. [Copyrighted, 1932.] OO - Petter & Co. Fully Financed. J. H. Petter & Co. have removed from 601 Michigan Trust building to 339, 341 and 343. The organization is fully financed by the addition of $10,- 000 fresh capital and is now able to employ five salesmen, besides an office force of three people. Mr. Petter enjoys the confidence of the investing public to such an extent that his new undertaking is already on a basis, paying —_—__+-e Completing the Circle. A century ago those who traveled rode in their own carriages with coach- men and footmen or used the stage coaches. When the railroad was in- troduced in England the Duke of Wellington protested, saying that the country did not need railroads and that the gentry had allowed themselves “to ‘be cheated and bustled out of the best system and establishment that existed in any part of the earth.” England and the United States have completed the circle in the intervening hundred years and nowadays “the gentry” and all the rest of us have at our disposal “the best system and establishment” for private travel ever known. It is provided by the automobile, which, if it had been known in the great Duke’s time, would have led him to more vigorous protest against the railroads, on which he did not think it was safe for a woman to ride alone. —_—_+ +. Our politics and our economics are in conflict everywhere in the world to- day. “Our economics are necessarily international because of our interde- pendence upon each other. Our on the other hand, are Na- tional, increasingly so in every coun- try. The ‘first is forcing itself through frontiers toward an integrated world; the other is building up man-made barriers around a much larger number politics, 1l of political units than existed before the war. The forces are violent and imposing. Some better way must be found of accommodating each to the other or they will destroy each other. —Owen D. Young. SR Each time you think good thoughts and act them out in life they feed your mind and character. Nourishment can be had through use. Unused thoughts are like good books on the shelf which are unread, One becomes educated only through reading, study and application, not through mere possession.—Aaron Wirpel. only —_——_+~+-___— A hustler is all right if he knows where he is ‘going, 3 West Michigan's oldest and largest bank solicits your account on the basis of sound poli- cies and many helpful services .. . OLD KENT BANK 2 Downtown Offices 12 Community Offiices GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL BANK Established 1860 Incorporated 1865 Nine Community Offices GRAND RAPIDS NATIONAL COMPANY Investment Securities Affiliated with Grand Rapids National Bank eo ep Eg po een oe Ase ese ean a 5 a Et & Bi , ie ) - E 4 i a ; : a | & ul 552 RTE OEP TG OT OIE EN 12 RETAIL GROCER Retail Grocers and Meat Dealers Associa- tion of Michigan. President—William Schultz, Ann Arbor. First Vice-President—Paul Schmidt, Lansing. Second Vice-President—A. Bathke, Pe- toskey. Secretary — Herman Hanson, Grand Rapids. Treasurer—O. H. Bailey, Sr., Lansing. Directors — Ole Peterson, Muskegon; Walter Loefler, Saginaw; John Lurie, Detroit; Clayton F. Spaulding, Battle Creek; Ward Newman, Pontiac. Who Wants Resale Price Maintenance? Is the Capper-Kelly bill wanted as a law? Let’s see. Two Pacific coast coffee roasters have just put on a stop-price—meaning a price below which their goods must not be retailed by merchants who wish further supplies. ‘The plan has been in effect a few weeks. On the surface, the welcome thas been enthusiastic and unanimous. Apparently there was good reason for such approval, because canned cof- fees had been retailing at prices actual- ly below invoice cost, in some cases as much as five or six cents below, while the new arrangement puts a limit which at least returns full cost. But those roasters already experi- ence a falling off in their sales in some sections, less of their coffee being sold despite their having acceded to the de- mand by grocers that a profit in their goods be insured by “protection.” Funny? Yes, if you like that kind of a joke. The roasters in question do not like it, What is happening is told in one salesman’s letter. iHe reports to his house that Henry Blankson, prominent “independent” grocer in the town from which he writes, expressed his hearty approval of the new plan; “but,” goes on the salesman’s report, “I passed his store later in the day and found he had filled one ‘window with Skallawag brand which, being sold go-as-you-please, he had price-marked four cents below ours.” That story has its counterpart in what has happened to every trade- marked grocery item on which the maker has tried to maintain a fair re- sale price since that kind of effort has been put forth in the grocery business. We need not ask what logic the gro- cer uses to justify his actions. We only know the facts to be just what I report. We further know that, logic or no logic, if we could put any one of those grocers in the producer’s shoes, re- versing the positions of both, said gro- cer would squeal like a stuck pig about the “unfair” treatment he was getting in return for his protective efforts. We may also know—for it is as in- evitable as next sunrise—that we might enact a thousand Capper-Kelly bills; we might render our price maintenance as absolute in theory and practice as it stands to-day in England, yet, so long as grocers thus stab their friends in the back, such laws will be inactive and of no practical effect. Finally, this report comes to me di- rectly and it comes from one who says that he has no trouble whatever with the chains. Every bit of trouble he experiences is from our well-known friends, the “independents.” He ends up thus: “We shall never have main- MICHIGAN TRADESMAN tained prices in the grocery business until the individual grocers change their attitude and play fair themselves.” Which may perhaps show that laws will help only those who will help themselves; that it is a poor rule that works only one way, and that help that comes from without instead of from within is a slender reed on which to lean, Over in Canada there is at least one set of association officials who hold their feet on the groundwork of facts. Recently they announced that a forth- coming conference would devote little time to legislation. Success in the re- tail business, they say, is about 5 per cent, legislation and 95 per cent. sound management, Let it be noted that J am and remain a strong advocate of the propriety of the right of manufacturers to name and maintain minimum resale prices absolutely, regardless of how the goods travel to the consumer; but I know that such a tool can be used to best advantage only by merchants able best to do without it. The able mer- chant will find it a great benefit. There is not and cannot be devised a tool which will help the man who otherwise is helpless. I feared some unforeseen comebacks from chain taxation laws, but one I had not suspected has appeared. Pre- liminary reports from Kentucky seem to indicate that the cost of administer- ing the tax will exceed the revenue. There seems to be about $65,000 in- come in sight, and administration, col- lection, etc., will cost $90,000. Arizona seems to be but slightly better off. There the revenue in sight is $19,763 and cost of collection, etc., is estimated at $18,000. In Kentucky, therefore, the state would get $65,000 for the privilege of providing swivel chairs and other conveniences at a cost of $90,000 and in Arizona the tax- payers would provide $18,000 of sine- cures to gather in $19,763—a surplus revenue of $1,763. The Pilgrim Fathers quit their homes for the wilderness ostensibly for freedom to worship God, but on arrival they manifested that the great wilderness was not large enough for each to think as he liked without in- terference from his fellows, Under pressure of certain conditions, grocers gradually learned to get to- gether for self-protection from a com- mon enemy, They seemed to attain the enlightened idea that their line of business was bigger than anyone in it. That was the basis of early volun- taries, But now that voluntaries have been proved highly successful under good management and more of them are coming along daily to combat the “corporate chains,’ we see evidence of keen, not to say jealous rivalry among them. And just as the controversies and intolerance among various denom- inations of the Pilgrims were more bitter even than ‘between protestants and catholics, so—to judge from some attacks now being made by voluntaries on other voluntaries—is now the case among those who should be brothers fighting the common enemy “shoulder to shoulder.” All of which means nothing except a reaffirmation of the ancient truth: that there is really nothing constant but change; and it is not all small change at that. (Continued on page 23) March 2, 1932 But the basis of progress remains the same and voluntaries, whatever 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. TRUE FRIEND LILY WHITE FLOUR “The flour the best cooks use” Made by the Valley City Milling Co. Grand Rapids In Kalamazoo it’s CREAMO Kalamazoo Bread Co. G. A. LINDEMULDER CO. Wholesale Grocer 1438-1440 Eastern Ave., S. E. Grand Rapids, Mich. Little Boy Blue Canned Goods _ The Wm. Edwards Co. Olives Libby, McNeil & Libby, Inc., Canned Goods Lin-dee Spices “e a March 2, 1932 MEAT DEALER Michigan State Association of Retail Meat Merchants. President—Frank Corneil, Grand Rapids Vice-Pres.—E PY. Abbott, Flint. Secretary—E. J. La Rose, Detroit. Treasurer—Pius Goedecke, Detroit. Next meeting will be held in Grand Rapids, date not decided. Claims Frosted Meats Are Here To Stay. ‘Boston, Feb. 22—Our attention has been called to an editorial published in your Jan. 27 issue of the Michigan Tradesman, headed “Are Frozen Foods Dying Out?” The question you bring up is certainly one asked by a great many retailers. You do not mention any particular line of frozen meats, but in speaking for our clients, on whom most of the attention has been focused, the answer is most decidedly “No.” In less than . nine months after our foods were put on a basis for commercial development, we have established over 200 outlets in New England and have started opera- tions in the New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburg territories. New dealers are coming in every day: in fact, limitations in production facilities and personnel needed to get each dealer off to a flying start have made it neces- sary to limit the number of dealers _who can be added each week. Your question “What Will the Fu- ture Bring in the Way of Packaged Meat?” is being answered by the thousands of women who are buying our meats regularly. I do believe that your views as to how this will affect the future of the independent merchant are not justified ‘by the experiences so far encountered. In the first place, it is only the well- established dealer who can afford to make the investment needed to handle our line of meats, ‘fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables. In the second place, neither our process, nor any other new way of distributing foods, is going to switch people from the customary channels through which they buy their daily food, The occasional sale of packaged meat cannot possibly justify the invest- ment in stock and zero temperature display equipment. It is true that the novelty would bring a few sales at the start. J am sure you will agree that human nature is a pretty difficult thing to change and that after a while peo- ple would slip back to their regular store just as they do for other neces- sities, As a matter of fact, the stores which have had the greatest success with our line are those stores which realize that the addition of the new frosted foods enables them to offer customers a more complete and rounded food service than they have ever been able to offer before, C. A, Holcomb. —_2.->>_____ Review of Meat Situation During February. A slightly stronger tone in the pork market at the close of February, con- trasted with weak demand and lower prices during the earlier part of the month, featured the meat trade during the month closing Monday, according to a review of the live stock and meat situation issued to-day by the Institute of American Meat Packers. A stronger demand for lard in the United Kingdom, due in part to the possibility that an import duty which has been proposed may be passed, fea- tured \the export trade. Trade in dressed beef showed some strength during the first part of the month, but as the period closed prices declined. The demand for dressed lamb was fair throughout February. The price of live hogs at the close of the month was slightly higher than MICHIGAN TRADESMAN at the close of January. Cattle prices showed little change. ‘The price of sheep and lambs improved during the month, In the export market, the demand for meats in the United Kingdom, both for immediate and future delivery, was very moderate during the month. Prices realized were generally under parity with the domestic market. Trade in lard already landed was good and prices showed some improvement over levels prevailing in January. The pro- posed tariff has resulted in increased purchases of lard already landed, and also stimulated buying of lard to ar- rive at different ports before March 1, the date the duty may go into effect if passed, On the continent, purchases of meats already landed were light, and there was practically no buying for shipment. Demand for lard already landed was fair, and there were some sales of lard for future shipment. Demand for all classes of oleo oil improved substan- tially during February, and prices ad- vanced, Trade in pork products in the do- mestic miarket was only fair, although as the month closed the market show- ed greater strength than it had during the earlier part of ithe period. Fresh pork loins, shoulders and butts declined in price in the first part of February. Loins regained some of the loss, but the other fresh cuts re- mained near the extremely low levels to which they had declined. Fresh pork shoulders at present prices are an especially good buy for the housewife. The price of cured and smoked hams advanced during February, with the lighter averages showing the greatest increase. Stocks of hams alt the pres- ent time are substantially lower than a year ago. Volume of trade in hams was not as great in February as in the preceding month. There was a good trade in standard grades of bacon, although prices were very low. At present price levels standard grades of bacon represent an outstanding buy for the housiewife. Trade in fancy ‘bacon was comparative- lv light. Prices continued low, and this grade also represents an eco- nomical purchase, There was a good volume of sales of picnics. The price declined during the first part of the month but strengthened slightly as the month closed. Trade in dry salt meats was only fair. Although tthere was a fair volume of sales of lard, sales were made at low levels and the price declined through- out the month, Sales of sausage were not up to a normal ‘igure for this season of the year, due in part to the competition of other meats and to the generally warm weather. Trade in cooked hams improved per- ceptibly in some sections of the coun- try, but this was not general. Hog receipts at principal markets were heavier than in February a year ago, butt were lighter than in January, 1932. Prices of live hogs declined dur- ing the early part of the month but strengthened as the month closed. The quality of the animals marketed wa's not quite as good as is usually the case at Ithis time of the year. Good well-finished light hogs from ithe areas in the Northwest affected by the drought. Hogs cut out at a loss dur- ing February; that is, the current value of ithe products on a fresh basis was less than the cost of the hogs plus expenses, The dressed beef market during February was not strong. An influx of unfinished steers tended to act as a depressant on the market. Conditions in the dressed beef itrade were such that increased offerings of any particu- lar grade caused unfavorable price ne- actions. Low pork prices continued to be a strong competitive factor in the dressed meat market. Receipts of cattle at principal mar- kets were considerably lighter than in the previous month and also were lighter than in February, 1931. ——_> > > —___ We must reconcile ourselves to what has happened and adjust our- selves to a new mode of living, one in which there is less luxury but more stability. Everywhere there has been a tendency to abandon the soil and flock to the cities. In time people may MR. GROCER for repeat sales get your supply of POSTMA’S DELICIOUS RUSK Fresh Daily POSTMA BISCUIT co. Grand Rapids, Mich. 50th Anniversary Recommended By Dry ste es 1882-1932 13 come to realize that the country offers a happier existence than complex city life. They may want to return to their farms, but then perhaps it will be too late. Jennings VanillaBean Extract Messina Lemon ‘‘Terpeneless’’ Ex- tract, Anise, Cassia, Clove, Rose, Almond, Orange, Raspberry, Win- tergreen, Peppermint. Jennings Flavoring Extract Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. OYSTERS (Chesapeake Bay) Blue Points in the Shell. Counts, Selects, and Standards. SEA FOODS LAKE FISH Wholesale GEO. B. READER Grand Rapids, Mich. Store, Offices & Restaurant Equipment G.R.STORE FIXTURE CO. 7 lonia Ave., N. W. Phone 86027 FRIGIDAIRE ELECTRIC REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS P eh RS RODUCT OF GENERAL MOTO WITH FAMOUS COLD CONTROL AND HYDRATOR All Models on Display at Showroom F. C. MATTHEWS & CO. 18 E. Fulton St. Phone 93249 VINKEMULDER COMPANY Grand Rapids, Michigan BRANCH AT PETOSKEY, MICH. Distributors Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Cranberries, Grapefruit, “Yellow Kid” Bananas, Oranges, Onions, Fresh Green Vegetables, etc. Are the canned foods you feature grown and packed in your home state? W. R. Roach & Co., Grand Rapids, main- tain seven modern Michigan factories for the canning of products grown by Michigan farmers. A complete line of canned vegetables and fruits 14 HARDWARE Michigan Retail Hardware Association. President—Chas. H. Sutton, Howell. Secretary—Harold W. Bervig. Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit. Making Plans For the Spring Sales Campaign. A lot of time in early March, when business inside the hardware store is still slack, can be profitably spent in getting out and getting in touch per- sonally with prospects in various lines. An aggressive canvass of such pros- pects will secure at least a few ad- vance orders. Such orders help ma- terially to give the spring selling cam- paign a good send off. This done, when the spring cam- paign does warm up, push your sell- ing aggressively. The more difficult it is to sell, the more aggressive you have to be. Whatever plans you may have made for your spring campaign, carry them out—unless, indeed, you can im- prove upon them as you go along. Set out to make your spring campaign bet- ter than your spring campaign last year; to make two or three blades of business grass grow where one grew before. The aggressive spirit trans- mitted into action is the sort of spirit that gets results. Now, as to your plans for the spring campaign. Perhaps you already have them more or less definitely formulat- ed. But if you have not, it is not too late to do some intelligent planning, and to make timely preparations for your forthcoming selling effort. Spring means much to the hardware dealer. Active trade under normal conditions begins with the melting of the snow, and continues right through until the arrival of warm weather. This winter in respect to weather con- ditions was rather abnormal. Business conditions, too, have been abnormal. Yet there is latent a normal need, ac- centuated by a couple of years of doing without things; and this need can in a good many instances be quickened in- to active demand. Particular attention should be paid to the farm trade. The normal needs of the farmer when spring opens are many. He requires implement paint, nails for repair work, pitchforks, shovels, implement repair parts. He requires seed; and there is no reason why the hardware dealer who caters to country trade in other lines should not supply seed in addition to other lines his rural customers buy. In fact, before starting to till the soil, the aver- age farmer has to add a good many items to his equipment; and while he will be a cautious buyer this year, yet he will be a buyer to some extent. Many dealers are inclined to scoff at outside salesmanship. They claim it doesn’t pay for the time it takes. Much depends on the store and the community. For the big city hard- ware store, the “road man” looking after rural trade is an anomaly, But the small town or village hardware dealer who is venturesome and hardy enough to make periodical trips throughout the surrounding country in the first three months of the year will be pretty sure to reap a harvest from such missionary work when the spring trade comes in, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN The farmer customer is a keen buy- er always; yet the is peculiarly re- sponsive to personal contact. In my own community J have noticed this. On the one hand, a farmer would buy a lot of things from mail order con- cerns. Yet the same farmer would buy groceries from a certain store where he had traded for thirty years, or would patronize a hardware dealer whom he knew personally regardless of what competitors might offer. The entire difference lay in the fact that in certain lines, the local dealer had failed to win the farmer’s confidence; in these other lines he had won it, and held it. In communities where there is a heavy farm trade, Saturday market days will be exceptionally busy. Steps should be taken to give your customers good service. The rural customer, even in this motor age, likes to take a few minutes to gossip; and such gos- sip often provides a stepping stone to further business. In towns where the country trade is an important factor, it is good policy to leave the Saturdays as clear as pos- sible for your farmer customers. Yet a good many city people, too, have a preference for shopping on Saturday. Some dealers by dint of advertising special features make an effort to bring out their town trade on other days of the week. Thus certain dry goods stores make a feature of Friday specials. This is an aspect of your merchandising that studying, might be worth 3uilders hardware is normally an important factor in the spring trade. Here, personal work counts also. If the hardware dealer can spare the time it is usually good business to do some scouting ‘before the season opens, to get a line on potential customers, and to pave the way for spring trade. Getting the early trade is important. rovided satisfactory service is given, contractors are apt to place their busi- ness with the same firm right through the season. Thus the dealer who se- cures the first few orders has a good chance to capture repeat orders. P It is good policy to canvass build- ers and contractors early. Persuade thean to place an initial order with you. Most people are willing to “try any- thing once.” You must depend on the quality of your goods and the efficien- cy of your service to keep them com- ing; though a follow up canvass will help. A Western hardware dealer at this season of the year once conducted a very aggressive building paper cam- paign. He made a tour of his city, stopping at every place where building was in progress. He canvassed either the owner or the contractor for build- ing paper; and in less than a month sold several hundred dollars’ worth. In addition, though he featured building paper, he picked up incidental orders for other lines, Cement is a line in regard to which there is some difference of opinion among hardware dealers. One dealer discussed his experience as follows: “My first year I sold twenty-four barrels of cement. My third year I sold over 800 barrels. The different result was due solely to different tac- tics. The first year IJ carried cement; the third year I featured it. “The first year I had the cement in iy warehouse at the rear of the store. If a customer asked me, “Do you handle cement?’ [ said ‘Yes,’ and if he wanted some [ sold it to him. After a couple of years of this, I realized that a tremendous amount of cement was being used in this town. And I wasn't selling anything like my share. So I began to talk cement to my cus- tomers, and to advertise it. The con- tractors soon began to realize that I was carrying cement, and as [ had a first class connection with them in other lines, my sales doubled, trebled and quadrupled.” If it is worth while to handle cement at all, it is worth while to push it ag- gressively. A window display of ready roofing is a seasonable item in your spring program. There is a steadily increas- ing demand for this line; and it will pay for steady pushing, Roofing man- ufacturers give their lines a lot of good publicity; and the value of many of the ready-made products has by this time been demonstrated by the test of actual experience. The hard- ware dealer can benefit himself by ty.ng up with the manufacturer’s ad- vertising campaign, For a window display, a miniature house, barn or garage, showing the roof and walls covered with the ma- terial, will attract attention. There is a good field, too, for metal- lic ceilings, siding and shingles. The owner of every building is a potential prospect. The great thing is to get the line started; for this, educative work, including a personal canvass is usually necessary. Results are cumulative. One satisfied customer brings another. Incidentally, your fellow merchants in other lines are often excellent pros- pects. Old plaster cracks, gets dis- March 2, 1932 colored and needs constant repairing and repapering. Here is the chance for the hardware dealer to get in some good missionary work for his line of metal ceiling and siding, and at the same time do a good bit of business. The wideawake hardware dealer’s paint campaign should be under way by this time. Actual spring painting may not become active for some weeks, but a considerable process of education by means of follow-up advertising is necessary before the average customer can be brought to the buying point. Quite often it is good policy to do some preliminary canvassing and get a few advance orders, The fact that you have sold paint to half a dozen well-known peopie before the painting season is even under way is a potent argument with the average prospect. Plan a persistent direct-by-mail and personal follow-up of your paint pros- pects. Persistence counts for a great deal in the paint department, Housecleaning lines should be fea- tured early in the spring selling cam- paign; and you can tie in with your displays of these lines the major labor- saving devices, such as washing ma- chines and vacuum cleaners. Plan for some good window displays of house- cleaning lines; they attract the fem- inine trade, which is a steadily increas- ing factor in the hardware business. A great thing in connection with the spring sales campaign is to plan it thoroughly and get it under way early. Don’t wait for the demand to start. Get out, get busy and help start the demand. Then, having made a good Start, keep at it. If things are coming smoothly, don’t allow your effort to slacken: and if business does not at once respond, push harder. Victor Lauriston. ———_e + -¢____ Fight with a smile, Fight frowns. Ss reapers \\ YES! ll | Wy (6 esta i | ! | Jy It’s time to order Coye Awnings ae SS ——S for Prices New patterns are in — New prices are quoted. REMEMBER An Attractive Front Brings Business Write or Phone CHAS. A. COYE, INC. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Michigan Hardware Co. 100-108 Ellsworth Ave., Corner Oakes GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 4 Wholesalers of Shelf Hardware, Sporting Goods and FISHING TACKLE Eee Ta re ee ee See ee ee ee ee Si Ae gee fe § Sees + + ___ Harmonize Views on Design Act. Complete harmony between retailers and manufacturers with respect to the enactment of a bill to provide copy- right design registration was report- ed last week by Ramsay Peugnet, sec- retary of the Silk Association. A new measure meeting the objections hitherto voiced by retailers is now be- ing drawn up by Representative W., I. Sirovich, chairman of the House com- mittee on patents. The meeting orig- inally scheduled for Friday in Wash- ington has been postponed until the new measure has been drafted. Re- tailers’ previous objections were based on the holding of the retailer respons- ible in the purchase or sale of mer- chandise alleged to be an infringement, —_+ +> _____. All Blanket Lines Ready This Week. Practically all of the leading wool and part-wool blanket lines will ‘be opened before the end of the week, and the entire market established on the new basis made last week. Buyers have been checking carefully to test the apparent strength in the market and to see if mills are going to adhere to some of the innovations in mer- chandising introduced. Retail group buyers ‘have expressed resentment at the price differential in favor of job- bers, and some have said that, as a re- sult, they will hold off purchasing as long as possjble. Groups have also shown opposition to the stipulation that they pay for samples, hitherto offered free. -——-—f—— Crystal Glassware in Demand. A growing vogue for crystal stem- ware accounts for the recent sharp in- crease in table glassware orders in the wholesale market. ‘Crystal is outsell- ing both wistaria and topaz glassware MICHIGAN TRADESMAN in the retail price ranges of $3.50 to $4.50 per dozen. Glasses decorated with etched floral designs or initials are preferred. Demand for beverage pitchers is confined to a new item de- signed to serve as a mixing bowl and a serving pitcher. ‘These are tall, nar- row pitchers, and are retailed, together with a metal mixing ladle, at $2.50. —__> + Shirting Prices Hold Firm. Since the price advances of 4% to % of a cent put into effect earlier in the month on shirting fabrics by convert- ers the market has been comparatively quiet, with buyers waiting to see if quotations will remain firm. Sellers have been holding goods steady at the new levels, despite the efforts of cutters-up to obtain concessions. The latter are delaying their cloth purchas- es pending the movement of Spring shirt styles to retailers in larger vol- ume that at present. Neat stripes con- tinue to ‘be a fairly popular item, with solid colored goods also wanted. —— +o -2 See Post-Easter Buying Peak. Another peak in buying activity of retailers is expected immediately after Easter ‘by leading manufacturers of apparel and fabrics here. Reviewing orders placed to date, they say that volume has been such as to indicate that the stores are operating on the smallest of stocks to test probable con- sumer demand. ‘This was held likely to continue right up until Easter. Ab- sence of stocks on hand at that time will tend to eliminate the usual post- Easter clearances and develop consid- erable buying of regular merchandise to be promoted for late Spring and early Summer business, it was asserted, > + > Low-End Kitchen Cutlery Active. Orders for low-end kitchen cutlery suitable for home wares promotions provided the only activity in the whole- sale market at present. (Stores are buying large quantities of merchan- dise to retail at 10 to 25 cents. They are taking limited amounts of better goods specially priced to sell below 50 cents. The call for pocketknives, usually active at this season of the year, and for table cutlery is at the lowest point of the year. Manufac- turers said yesterday that the slow de- mand for regular merchandise will probably continue for the next two months, : —-->-+ 2 ____ Spring Underwear Prices Firmer. The recent advances in the quota- tions on broadcloths, pajama checks, percales and other fabrics used in the men’s (Spring underwear have resulted in a noticeable stiffening in prices on gym pants and nainsook union suits. On very low-priced goods, isolated ad- vances of about 10 cents per dozen have ‘been put into effect or are being planned ‘by some mills. In other cases, a few lines which were priced on a cloth basis below the current market have been withdrawn, where mills were not covered on fabrics. ———_> ++ —_- Military Types Lead Novel Jewelry. In line with the trends in women’s Spring apparel, military styles in nov- elty jewelry are now forging rapidly to the fore and promise to dominate in the business placed in the weeks directly ahead. Combinations of stones with plain gold or silver effects or the metal types alone are outstand- ing. Because of the higher neckline in Spring dresses, buyers are ordering shorter necklaces. ‘Clips continue ac- tive, with bracelets and earrings show- ing an increase in demand. |Some pro- ducers are offering scarfpins for wo- 15 men’s wear, owing to the indicated vogue for Ascot scarfs this Spring. The blue and coral tones are favored, with some reaction noted on the part of the stores against white merchan- dise owing to the poor results experi- enced last Spring. 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. Ml S| oy MICHIGAN BELL TELEPHONE CO. THank YOU, MR. JONES, I’LL REPORT FOR WORK MONDAY MORNING” In many instances, the fact that an applicant for work has a telephone is the deciding factor in obtaining a job. Other things being equal, an employer is quite likely to hire the applicant whom he can reach most easily and quickly. The telephone in your home is an important busi- ei ness and social asset. And, in case of fire, & a @ a ° ™@ \\ sickness, accident or other emergencies, _ gy your telephone is Priceless Protection. GRAND RAPIDS PAPER Box Co. Manufacturers of SET UP and FOLDING PAPER BOXES SPECIAL DIE CUTTING AND MOUNTING G R AN D R A,P I DS, MICHIGAN 16 HOTEL DEPARTMENT How the National Orange Show Looked To Verbeck. Los Angeles, Feb, 27—Yesterday on a motor trip to the 22nd annual Na- tional Orange Show, at San Bernar- dino, sixty-five miles away, at the ten- der mercy of Mrs. Jacque Percy, an interesting personage from Michigan, and more particularly of Grand Rap- ids, who is certainly a chauffeur of some parts I enjoyed one of the pleas- antest days which California has con- tributed to my happiness. A_ typical spring day, with the “usual” embellish- ment of sunshine, almond blossoms, Japanese quinces, gorgeous foliage of every type with a background of snow- capped’ mountains, the stage setting was certainly complete. Nestling in the fairest valley of God’s kingdom, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, green hills and fertile val- leys, lies San Bernardino, the home of the National Orange Show. Califor- nians know of this wonderful exposi- tion of the orange, indeed its fame ex- tends beyond the seas, but to the tran- sient within our gates and the prospec- tive visitor, a few words in passing may be of interest. Picture, if you will, this wonderful valley in the dead of winter, with the majestic peaks that tower 10,000 or more feet in the air covered with snow, while the sun shines in all its glory and warmth in the valley below, where the famed Arrowhead on the mountainside stands out as a memorial of the art of those residents of the valley, the primitive red men, where hill and valley and dale are dotted with the green of the orange tree and the gold of the fruit. This is the setting of the National Orange Show. Picture again a mammoth ex- position building in a beautiful brook- side park, an auditorium more than 900 feet long and 150 feet wide with- out a pillar or post in the great struc- ture. ‘The very exterior seethes with expectancy. You cross the portals— and then comes a revelation. You pause, bewildered, for stretching be- fore you is a sight that can ibe seen nowhere else in the whole world, The orange show in all its wealth of splen- dor, of beauty, of magnificence. Mil- lions of oranges, interspersed with lemons and grapefruit, are blended to- gether in gorgeously beautiful designs. There are feature displays which have motion, others are stationary, but all of them colorful with not only the use of myriads of citrus fruits but multi- colored flowers. There are temples, miniature lakes, Italian garden effects, replicas of old missions, each one an offering more beautiful than those first meeting your gaze, if such be possible. There is a military band, splendid in Colonial uniforms, a ballet, choral singing, led by that movie celebrity, Perry Askam, and words of wisdom declaimed by the great savant, Pro- fessor Einstein. (1 mean that eccentric individual who is constantly exploiting his “relatives.”) It is the great Cali- fornia winter event, and here we are in the open with topcoats checked else- where. ‘Somebody had a vision twenty- two years ago. It was born in the minds of a few far-sighted men. It was launched with the avowed pur- pose of being an asset to the Califor- ‘nia citrus industry, and through the years of its existence and wonderful development that principle has con- tinued to be the outstanding desire of its executives. Think of it. A charm- ing little city of a few thousands, cud- dled in the high Sierras, and a daily attendance of 250,000 at her annual orange fete. Every county in South- ern California is represented with a colorful exhibit. The one from Los Angeles surpasses any previous at- tempt. It must have cost thousands of dollars to produce, but it certainly represents money judiciously invested. It is but one of a score or more, any one of which would supply unalloyed pleasure if exhibited in an Eastern MICHIGAN TRADESMAN city. The thousands of cases of gold- en fruits on exhibition here, represent the finest product in the world, taken from ‘California’s most highly and scientifically cultivated groves; these oranges, lemons and grapefruit are certainly the acme of perfection in size, color and quality. The ‘National Orange Show has no pecuniary inter- est—profits of one year are put back into the show of the year following. There are no salaries for executives, the only managerial costs being for clerk hire. I first viewed it five years ago. It certainly surpasses itself each succeeding year and it supplies me with new and original forms of entertain- ment. Our outward trip was by Val- ley Boulevard, through many charming little towns and cities; our return by Foothills Boulevard, skirting along the very bases of Mt. Baldy, Wilson and Lowe, all snow-capped, with bright green verdure growing right up to the skyline. Now Southern Cali- fornia hasn’t always grown citrus fruits, as most people in the East suppose. In 1873 two small trees, released by the Bureau of Agriculture, at Washington, were brought here by some enterpris- ing pioneer. They originally came from Bahia, Brazil, and were of the Navel variety. Growers sought trees of this particular type and from the success attained in its propagation de-- veloped the present California citrus industry, which is foremost in rank among the few sections of the world capable of producing citrus fruits. Other citrus areas in the order of their importance are Florida, Spain, Italy and South America, The industry to-day returns to California growers in excess of $125,000,000 annually California land to the extent of 267,000 acres is now covered with many mil- lions of orange, lemon and grape fruit trees, and something like 200,000 of its population is vitally interested in its yields. One of the two original trees before mentioned still stands at River- side, surrounded by a stout iron fence. It has been nursed by loving hands for three-quarters of a century, and may be seen any day in the year with fruit in every stage of development from the components of the bridal wreath to the fully developed product, all at one and the same time. The develop- ment of the perfect fruit requires an average of fourteen months, from blossom to the table. Hence there is no annual harvest time. ‘The success of the citrus industry in this state is the reason why California is thought of as the home of the orange and lemon. Another reason is that ap- proximately 60 per cent. of oranges and 75 to 85 per cent. of all lemons consumed in the United States and Canada are grown in California. So California’s nickname, “The Golden State,” signifies not only the gold which was discovered here in the days of ’49, and the golden sunsets for which it is famous, but the delicious golden-colored citrus fruits which it produces in such abundance. When I speak of the introduction of oranges here in 1873 I have no desire to be misunderstood. I am referring to the navel type exclusively. There were orange trees of various varieties in the days of the Franciscan Fathers as far back as 1769. The padres had brought oranges from Spain, where the Portu- guese had previously introduced them from China, The first orchard of any size is said to have been planted at the San Gabriel Mission, near Los Angeles, in 1804 or 1805. However the real progress of the industry began with the introduction of the navel type in 1873, and this date seems to be the basic point in the chronology of the industry. Aloha! Acknowledging the receipt of a most interesting and newsy com- munication from a true daughter of the Orient, ‘but a 100 per cent. Ameri- can citizen, Miss Harriet Fujikawa, Honolulu, who speaks graphically of the recent Hawaiian tragedy. Miss Harriet, enthroned at Hotel Blaidell, in the “Paradise of the Pacific,” is a veritable fountain of information, and was of wonderful assistance to me several years ago when J was exhum- ing history in the South Seas. Hence- forth she will have the Tradesman as a reminder that her many kindnesses have not been forgotten. The labor unions have announced their policy of boycotting California products unless her governor pardons Mooney and Billings. A wonderful and progressive policy which, if strict- ly lived up to, would satisfy any execu- tive with a normal intestinal tract that coercion of this type is not politic. Every known judicial body and just recently the National Congress, have disregarded appeals which have finally developed into this threat. A speaker at a recent hotel conven- tion made the statement that a lot of hotel organizations were being cruci- fied by too much system. And he was perfectly right. “System based on sense” might be an appropriate slogan. Just how much a convention guest spends in a convention city will al- ways be a matter of conjecture, and, to my notion, will never be approxi- mately ascertained. It is even more elusive than the Santa Claus type of statistics. Some conventions will be made up of the “whoopee” type and only the bootleggers will be cognizant of any great degree of the prodigality of the visitors. The St. Andrews so- cieties and some of the religious organ- Hotel and Restaurant Equipment H. Leonard & Sons 38-44 Fulton St., W. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. HOTEL OJIBWAY The Gem of Hiawatha Land ARTHUR L. ROBERTS Deglman Hotel Co. Enjoy the delightful Govern- ment Park, the locks, the climate and drive. Sault Ste. Marie Michigan March 2, 1932 izations will go to the other extremes. The ordinary tradesman will keep no account of his transactions, and the hotel man will indulge in a lot of guess work, I can’t see what differ- ence it makes anyway. Warm Friend Tavern Holland, Mich. Is truly a friend to all travelers. All room and meal rates very reasonable. Free private parking space. GEO. W. DAUCHY, Mgr. Park Place Hotel Traverse City Rates Reasonable—Service Superb —Location Admirable. GEO. ANDERSON, Mgr. ALBERT J. ROKOS, Ass’t Mgr. 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 E $1 5o ene uropean Z and u er Day. RESTAURANT AND GRILL Cafeteria, Quick Service, Popular : Prices. Entire Seventh Floor Devoted to Especially Equipped Sample Rooms WALTER J. HODGES, Pres. and Gen. Mgr. CODY HOTEL IN THE HEART OF THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS Division and Fulton RATES $1.50 up without bath $2.50 up with bath CODY CAFETERIA IN CONNECTION Occidental Hotel FIRE PROOF CENTRALLY LOCATED Rates $2.00 and up EDWARD R. SWETT, Mgr. Muskegon -j- 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. NEIR, Manager. March 2, 1932 Frank L. Orcutt has written me. He conducts Hotel Northaway, at Beulah, in the summer time, gathering in the golden shekels, and in the winter he and his most delightful wife rest up and have a real good time visiting relatives, and entertaining their neigh- bors socially. Frank used to be a traveling man and used to stop with me before he was betrayed into the hotel field. But he has always been the same Orcutt and for some reason or other J have taken a fancy to him. Now in his goodness of heart he has involved himself in black and white and asked me to come back and talk it all over with him. Will I accept? Well, that acceptance is already filed, With Frank Orcutt and Henry Nelson, of the Manistee Chippewa, in juxta- position, I see where my Michigan vacation this year will be largely aug- mented—or something like that. Announcement has been made to the effect that the Inn, at Charlevoix, op- erated for many years by the Pere Marquette Railway, will not be run this year, at least not under their man- agement. It has not made any money for quite a long time. Andrew Cremer, a previous manager, was its most suc- cessful operator, but he severed his connection with the institution several years ago and it seems to have lost its “pep.” Perhaps some outsider may be- come interested and open it up for the approaching season. The editor intimates that certain reputable people are complaining about Los Angeles snowdrifts, and he has heard (rumor only) that Mel Trotter is wearing a winter overcoat out here, but does not say whose. And then he defies me to deny it. Certainly I will not. ‘In fact, we have had more snow here this winter than at any time in fifty-four years. But this rain. Why, it is valued at a dollar an ounce and we have had barrels of it. We may not be having a Govern- ment by commission, but we are sup- porting just thirty-five of them, mostly for the purpose of working out cross- word puzzles. Now we are undergoing the strenuous test of “un-hoarding.” Every one of these commissions, I be- lieve, is manned with dollar-a-year material, and ought not to be ex- pensive. The Wickersham Commis- sion only pulled down $364,000 for stationery and shoe shines and the Farm Relief Board was only a few laps behind. If you can’t get a Gov- ernment job, try and get on a com- mission. The manna may fall oc- casionally, If Uncle Sam places a tax on motion picture admissions, it is just going to \be too bad. About every house in Los Angeles has cut its rates two or three times during the past few months, in an effort to stimulate trade, but the movement has proven a rank failure. The finest theater in the city, built last year at a cost of millions, bulletins its offerings at 15 cents—any seat—at any time. J don’t blame Senator Brook- hart for breaking out in a spasm. If the picture offered is not really inde- cent, then it features gangsters, and these offerings should be prohibited to minors. And the radio is about in the same boat. If you can filter an hour of real entertainment out of an entire daily offering, you will be given an auto- mobile, or a trip to Mt, Lowe. Croon- ers of impossible songs and offerings of skin food have almost crowded the cigarette hours off the air, Of course Donald Novis, one of our local croon- ers, says that the crooners do not ap- peal to the lowest instincts. He claims that his crooning brings “happiness and comfort to his hearers.’’ If Donald has been counting me in the list who sail off into ineffable bliss when he croons, he can reduce his list of happy MICHIGAN TRADESMAN hearts by one, and [| will still insist on a long open season for their destruc- tion, A recent issue of the “Playground of a Nation,’ sent out by the Michigan Tourist and Resort Association, and edited by Edward Dreier, has come to me at the hands of an interested friend, and [ most certainly give it my OK. Hukh J. Gray, who has been secretary and manager of this organization for a good many years, announces that it is not an organization for profit, and he may well be believed. [I can go back to the good old days when David H. Day, of Glen Haven, wasi president, and have seen a lot of the officers and directors grow gray in the service, and nobody ever accused them of trying to profiteer. Their advertising is reliable and their medium of distribution all that is claimed for it. Frank S. Verbeck. ———_+ ++ Watch the Special Session of the Legislature, Lansing, March 1—Through the daily press we have been informed of Governor Brucker’s intention to call together the Michigan legislature for the consideration of taxation problems. It is not my purpose in this bulletin to discuss the necessity for such an ac- tion, as it is quite certain that there is no desire on the part of the present ad- ministration to add to government ex- penses, There has been a strong demand from the public urging the Governor to call a special session and by the time this bulletin is received, the official call will -have been sent out. Michigan is in a depressed financial condition. We are reaping the harvest of years of extravagant taxing and spending. It is time that the public generally stop urging the administrative board and the legislature to incur any additional expense for improvements which can consistently be postponed, This is no time to encourage any new schemes of taxation and we urge the members of our Association to keep an eye on the measures which will 'be presented at the special session, We will inform our members by bulle- tin and otherwise of ‘bills that will be introduced and we urge you to thor- oughly inform yourself as to the meas- ures that will be proposed and to con- fer directly with the members from your senatorial and representative dis- tricts. Advocates of taxation schemes will appear early in the session and will make urgent and almost imperative de- mands, Please remember that when once a scheme of taxation is voted up- on the people, it is fixed for good. It as the duty of the citizens of Michigan to sympathize with the Governor and the legislature at this time of their anxiety and financial distress. Kindly study the problems thoroughly and ad- vise your members to go slow on measures that will place a burden upon retail sales. Too many merchants are already hovering on the brink of bank- ruptcy to be able to bear any addition- al burdens. Early in February we visited the bedside of our good friend and former secretary of our Association, D. W. Robinson, at the University hospital, at Ann Arbor. The terrible operation which he had undergone for the re- moval of a brain tumor had left thim in an unconscious condition, but we were encouraged by the attending physician that there was a prospect of his recov- ery. Later calling upon his family at Alma we learned that he had been making substantial improvement. We were therefore saddened to learn that on the evening ‘of Feb. 21 his condition became worse, soon followed by his death. We have known Mr. Robinson intimately since he traveled over Cen- tral Michigan with his Cadillac car helping us to secure members for the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Associa- tion in 1920. He was a good merchant, but the closing of the factories in Alma and other discouraging conditions made life difficult for him. Even in disaster he was ‘hopeful and forward- looking. He had a good word for everybody. As secretary of our As- sociation for two years, he rendered the Association valuable service. His many business friends in Michigan ex- tend to Mrs. Robinson, daughter Vir- ginia and son Richard, their sincere sympathy in this time of their bereave- ment, Through the Detroit papers we learn of the passing of Edward C. Priehs of the -Priehs Mercantile Co., of Mt. Clemens, a member of the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. Mr. Priehs was an industrious and success- ful business man. Even in the face of declining health, he was always at his post and was cheerful and optimistic. His sudden death a few days ago was what Mr. Priehs had prophesied for himself. Several years ago he men- tioned to us his heart weakness, but he kept at his post to the end. Mt. Clem- ens loses a good citizen. It is with sadness that we will not again greet our friend, Mr. Ponsford, in his store at Northville. Years ago Mr. Ponsford was a traveling sales- man for a dry goods house and for several years had been in business in Northville. Not long ago he mention- ed to me that he was somewhat dis- couraged regarding his physical condi- tion. We are not informed regarding the immediate cause of his passing. Judging from conversation with him recently, business difficulties had taken away some of his courage and physical strength. His daughter, Beth, now Mrs. Morris Lapham, of, of Northville, survives. He was a fine, genial, hon- orable gentleman, A reputable real estate man in Lan- sing telephones us that ‘he has a one hundred’ acre farm, free from encum- brance, about twelve miles from Lan- sing, that he wishes to trade for a stock of merchandise. Anyone. inter- ested in this proposition, please com- municate with this office. Another racket went over big in a number of Akron stores. A man came in, made a. purchase, and paid for it with a twenty dollar ‘bill, received his change and departed. Shortly after- ward a woman came in and bought a small item. She gave a dollar bill, but when the change arrived she claimed it was a twenty. “Why,” she raved, “I couldn’t pos- sibly have given the clerk anything but a twenty dollar bill, as that’s all the money [ had in my purse. Now that I think of it, a while ago I phoned a girl friend. ‘She gave me a telephone number which J marked down on the corner of my twenty dollar bill. If there’s a twenty in your cash register with a phone number on the corner, that’s mine.” And, of course, there was such a twenty there—planted by the man who came in first. Jason E. Hammond, Mer. Mich, Retail Dry Goods Ass’n. 2 2 Easter Items Help Toy Volume. Fair buying for immediate delivery of Easter novelties and playthings fea- tures current activity in the toy trade. Orders placed at the local toy fair by jobbers, syndicates and department stores have stressed this merchandise, with little Summer or Christmas busi- ness developing as yet. Manufactur- ers feel that the Spring will develop some of the many “memos” taken by ibuyers at the fair into confirmations, but do not anticipate active Christmas buying until the beginning of Fall. Producers accordingly are taking re- newed steps to build up a _ steady month-to-month demand and will push wheel goods and outdoor junior athletic equipment strongly. —_>~ > ____ Keeping out of debt is a first-class life policy. 17 The Pantlind Hotel The center of Social and Business Activi- ties in Grand Rapids. Strictly modern and fire-proof. Dining, Cafeteria and Buffet Lunch Rooms in con- nection. 750 rooms — Rates $2.50 and up with bath. YOU ARE CORDIALLY invited to visit the Beauti- ful New Hotel at the old location made famous by Eighty Years of Hostelry Service in Grand Rapids. 400 Rooms - 400 Baths Menus in English MORTON HOTEL ARTHUR A. FROST Manager 18 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN March 2, 1932 DRUGS Michigan Board of Pharmacy. President—Clare F. Allen, Wyandotte. Vice-Pres.—J. W. Howard Hurd, Flint. Director—Garfield M. Benedict, San- dusky. Examination Sessions—Three sessions are held each year, one in Detroit, one in the Upper Peninsula and one at Ferris Institute, Big Rapids. This year’s Big Rapids session will be held June 21, 22 and 23. 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. Cut Out the Cutter. The cutter is still with us. Very much with us. Within a generation we have tried to choke him off with the Campion Plan, which succumbed through its own weight, and with the Miles Plan, which was enjoined by the Courts. Long and innumerable have been the efforts to legislate him out of existence—the Stephens Bills, the Kel- ly bills, ending with the Capper-Kelly Bill, which, so far, has left us “up in the air.’ We have buried him under reams of paper resolutions. Spell-bind- ing convention orators have fired hot shot at him. We have tried to out- advertise him. In a Western city a cutter filled one-half of a newspaper page with cut prices. A competitor came out with a full page. This rose to two pages, and then ran up to seven pages of cut-rate lists. One of the dealers went “broke,” but it was fine for the newspapers. The cutter is a friend of the journal editor in that he helps fill his pages with “live stuff,” and gives scribblers, such as the writer, a chance to air their views. The cutter lingers on at the same old stand. The law, gospel, de- nunciation and retaliation have failed to dislodge him. Possibly we can sur- vey him from another viewpoint. It may be that we have unduly magnified and overestimated the cutter. We have, perhaps, been over-sensitive. If the cutter put a popular shaving cream in his window at a reduced price we imagined his bank balance swelling and ours shrinking. This was erecting mountains out of mole hills. No cut-rate store expends its energy on an attack on a single competitor. One aggressive cutter publicly stated that to make a real success he must be able to draw customers from at least forty other stores. If we were to lose one-fortieth of our trade we would still be in the ring. Why not take a day off and think the thing over? Perhaps we can formu- late a plan which will “Cut the Cutter.” It is quite true that we cannot ignore the cut-rate man. But there is a good old rule which says: “Watch your com- petitor,. but do not follow him.” Per- haps we can find a method by which we can shake off the cut-rate yoke, and which will lead us out of the red of loss into the blue of increased sales and profits. There are many plans which might be suggested. Some have been tried and found workable. A very success- ful New York druggist who keeps twelve clerks busy works a scheme whereby cut-rate items are removed from display and put out of sight. He found it disconcerting to have cus- tomers stand in front of the counter and argue about prices. If they called for a given item, they got it—usually at the going price. But invariably they took something besides—otherwise, his salespeople were derelict. A retail druggist who passed away not long ago, leaving behind him up- wards of half a million dollars in in- vestments, all accumulated from his business, never cut prices. He sold service and goodwill, and his store was filled with patrons. He stated that at times he had looked out of his win- dow and had seen some of his cus- tomers passing his door and going into that of a competitor. This simply im- pelled him to renew his efforts to give his customers an enhanced service. Another retailer surrounded by cut- ters said that over his desk he has pin- ned the old motto—‘I keep a drug store, not a cur-rate shop’—and all hands live up to it. In our town there is a cut-rate drug store on one corner. Directly opposite stands a high-grade, exceptionally successful pharmacy. People continuously buy cigarettes and low-priced merchandise from the cut- ter, and walk across the street for their drugs, medicines and prescrip- tions. A druggist is a merchant, but he can sell pharmacy, and a lot of it, at a goodly profit. Over in Jersey, in a town where every doctor dispensed his own medi- cine, a druggist vigorously advertised his prescription department. He stated that the stressing of prescriptions and pharmacy helped him to sell more lead pencils. Trade and prestige can be augmented by giving the shop a drug store atmosphere. Reports have been made of cases where the restoration of the show globes, coupled with the showing of a few mortars and imple- ments of pharmacy, notably increased patronage. Until it has been tried, one can have no idea how much attention may be drawn through displays. of crude drugs and odd chemicals. A sort of “con- tinuous pharmacy week” may be found to be an antidote to a “cut-rate week.” A pharmaceutical halo will be found to be a stimulant to trade, prestige and profits. There are classes of goods primarily belonging to the drug trade which do not appear in the stock of the strictly cut-rate dealer. Even the cut-rate druggist does not exploit them. In this class of goods there lies an oppor- tunity to outwit the cutter. This class of commodities appears in catalogues under the rather indefinite title of “Sundries.”’ The class includes such items as hot water bottles, ice bags, rubber gloves, nipples, syringes, irrigators, thermometers, eye-cups and atomizers. The class includes sanitary napkins, suspensory ‘bandages, adhesive and medicated (antiseptic) soaps, first aid material and, accessories. In the same class come absorbent cotton, absorbent gauze, miscellaneous pad, and occes- sories made of cotton or gauze. Brush- es and sponges (including bath, hair, hand and tooth brushes) fall within this line. Materials for hygiene and sanitation, including disinfectants and insecticides, applications for the preser- vation and care of the body and skin, come within this class of “Sundries.” Ordinarily, the druggist puts the majority of these items under the term “hospital supplies” or “sick room sup- plies,’ and places them out of sight in closets or drawers hidden from the view of the customer. It is forbidden “to show them, to offer them or to talk about them.” This is a very mistaken attitude. Most of the articles enumer- ated might properly be classed as “household needs,” or, as one dealer puts it, “home needs.” Another dealer brands them as “household utilities.” Why not bring these goods out of their hiding-place; display them; ex- plain their uses; create a demand for them; increase their consumption? Through the exploitation of these and similar wares a screen can be thrown around and made to obscure the idea of cut prices. Recent twists in human affairs have caused people to think about their food. They find that the food which they take into their stomach is more im- portant than the clothes which they put on their backs, or the money which they place in their pockets. Here -is a chance for the drug store. Above all other merchants, the pharmacist is the man to furnish to his patrons the kind of food they should eat for their well. being—infant foods; invalid foods; everyday foods; food for the sick; food for the well. The pharmacist can dis- pense vitamins, calories, carbohydrates, tissue builders, energy builders—every and any kind of food suited to man, woman or child. There are no bargain rates for foods. The cut-rate men “do not speak the language.” Modern methods of merchandising, including the open display methods, lend themselves to the exploitation of the goods here suggested, into which cut prices do not enter. The druggist can sell home needs, household needs, health needs, supplies for the sick and for the well, supplies for the safety, comfort, well-being, contentment and happiness of his patrons. Into this realm of trade the cutter cannot force his way. For a half-century or more we have tried to suppress the cut-rate evil. We have built up varied plans and agreements. We have passed sol- emn resolutions. We have invoked the aid of the law. All measures have failed. Why not change the bait; fish up the stream and “Cut Out the Cut- ter?” Fred B. Kilmer. —_«-<_____ Japanese Goods Worry Rug Trade. Competition offered ‘by imported Japanese grass rugs is causing wide- spread concern among domestic pro- ducers of low-end grass goods. Aided by the sharp slump in exchange, im- porters are now able to offer these rugs in the 4x6 foot size to retail at $1. Comparable goods of domestic manu- facture must retail at $2 to $3. Al- though the competition is direct only in extreme low-end ranges, manufac- turers of ‘better goods and producers of fiber floor coverings are worried over the situation because they fear a trend to extreme mark-downs on all Summer rug products may develop. > - <- Kitchen Crockery Market Active. A substantial call for kitchen crock- ery in extreme low price ranges de- veloped in the market last week, as retailers made ilast minute purchases for home wares promotional events. Merchandise to retail under 50 cents was favored by the buyers and the major volume was in lines priced to retail at 25, 19, 15 and 10 cents. Mix- ing bowls, measuring cups, tea pots and a few cereal sets were called for. The majority of stores are opening their sales on the first of this month. Reports . from establishments now holding such events are said to be en- couraging, 2 __— Call For Electrical Goods Slackens. February trade in ithe wholesale electrical appliance market will show a slight improvement over the preced- ing month, ‘but remains far below ex- pectations. ‘On the basis of orders booked to date they estimate this month’s business will fall 20 to 25 per cent. below ithe levels of February, 1931. Buying over the last two weeks was confined to fill-in orders on sales merchandise. Regular goods have been inactive since the first of the year, when stores ltook sample lots in the lower-price ranges. Unless gen- eral business takes an unexpected turn, the socket appliance manufacturers see little chance for an increase in their sales before Summer. 0 Some salesmen, when promoted, rise to their new responsibilities, others merely swell up and buy bigger hats. EAST me PUTNAMS ER TOY ASSORTMENT PUTNAM FACTORY | National Candy Co., Inc. 24 Lbs. of ASSORTED EGGS and 24 ASS’T TOYS Not Too Many For Any Dealer. Grand Rapids, Mich. March 2, 1932 Corporations Wound Up. The following (Michigan corporations have recently filed notices of dissolu- tion with the Secretary of State: Bellefontaine Bridge & Steel Co., De- troit. : Van Buren County Canning Co., Hol- land. Memorial Park Plan Development & Sales Co., Lansing. Bensleys Dyers and Cleaners, ‘Traverse City, Dus-Pruf Auto Trunk Co., Detroit. Michigan Fruit & Produce Co., Detroit Cooley & Nanry, Ann Arbor. Industrial Morris Plan Bank of De- troit, Typewriter Inspection Co., Monroe. National ‘Garage and (Repainmen’s Finance Corporation, Detroit. Benedum-Trees Oil Co., Detroit. Kent-Muskegon Oil Co., Grand Rapids Inc., Adrian Sign Co., Inc., Adrian, Hansen & Shumsky, Inc., Traverse City. Peninsular ‘Sand Co., Oxford. Eco Co., Lansing. Frank H, Davis Co., Detroit. Section 10 Oil Co., Muskegon. Greenberg Agency, Detroit, National Custom Tailors, Detroit. Nathaniel Robbins Co., Grand Haven. P. -H. Whiting & Co., Inc., Lansing. BROOKSIDE BRAND WHISK BROOMS he ROTARY PRIZE cunt ee CO. ERDAM, ALL STYLES AND PRICES MICHIGAN TRADESMAN WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT are nominal, based on market » R. W. Hollister, Inc., Detroit. American Stock Holding Co., Detroit. Developments Corporation of Detroit. Zenith Carburetor Co., Detroit. India Products, Inc., Highland Park. Ponchartrain Shirt Co., Detroit. Clean Wear Supply Co., Detroit. BuiltOn aSheet ofPAPER Only a sheet of white paper, slapped’ on as an extra pre- caution against dust and bac- teria—but how often it is the deciding factor that brings the customer back! (WD DELICATESSEN PAPER is an all-around useful aid to the highest standard of service. It is proof against air and moisture, resists grease and is odorless and tasteless. Comes in rolls, boxes and neat wall cartons; convenient, econom- ical and a fine trade builder. Write us for working sheets and samples of our other Papers for your use or sale. Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company Kalamazoo Michigan inspection. Grand Rapids SPRING SPECIALTIES Marbles — Jacks — Rubber Balls Base Balls — Playground Balls Tennis Balls — Tennis Rackets Tennis Sundries — Golf Complete Sets Golf Balls — Golf Clubs — Golf Bags Golf Tees — Golf Practice Balls Sport Visors—Swim Tubes—Swim Animals Bathing Caps—Bathing Slippers—Swim Aids Sprayers — Rogers Paints — Paint Brushes Sponges — Chamois Skins — Electric Fans Soda Fountains and Soda Fountain Supplies Largest Assortment in our Sample Room We have ever shown and only the Best Advertised Lines — We certainly invite your Lines now on display. Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co. Michigan 19 Prices quoted Acids Boric (Powd.)-- 11%@ Boric (Xtal) -- oe Carbolia .......... 36@ Clisie . 40 @ wepriatio ioe 40 oe ae Se 15 @ Sulphurie —_______ 34%@ Tartarie 35@ Ammonia Water, 26 deg... 06 @ Water, 18 deg... 54%@ Water, 14 deg... 5%@ Carbonate ------ 20 @ Chloride (Gran.) 08 @ Barks Cassia (ordinary). 25@ Cassia (Saigon) -. 40@ Sassafras (pw. 50c) @ Soap Cut (powd.) a0G os 15@ Berries Cuben 2. @ Wien 2 @ funiver =........... 10@ Prickly Ash —-_---- @ Extracts Licorice, box -. 1 we Licorice, powd. ~- Flowers Arnica 75@ Chamomile Ged.) 35@ Chamomile Rom. @ Gums Acacia, 1st ~--._- @ Acacia, 2nd ~_--- @ Acacia, Sorts ._._... 20@ Acacia, Powdered 25@ Aloes (Barb Pow) 35@ Aloes (Cape Pow.) 25@ Aloes (Soc. Pow.) 75@ Asafoetida 50@ row. g Camphor ... 80@1 Guaige =... @ Guaiac, pow’d -.- @ King oo @1 Kino, powdered... @1 Myrrh @ Myrrh, powdered @ Opium, powd. 21 00@21 Upium, gran. 21 00@21 Shellac, Orange 40@ Shellac, White 55@ Tragacanth, pow. 1 25@1 Tragacanth -.. 1 - Turpentine ...._ Insecticides Arsenio, 0 7@ Blue Vitriol, bbl. @ Blue Vitriol, less 07@ Bordea. Mix Dry 10%@ Hellebore, White powdered -..... Insect Powder... 3@ 80 30 40 25 75 20 50 00 60 Lead Arsenate, Po. 11 @r Lime and Sulphur Dy... OG Paris Green ____ oO Leaves Buechy —.... @ Buchu, powdered @ Sage, Bulk __.... 25@ Sage, % loose _. @ Sage, powdered... @ Senna, Alex. -... 50@ Senna, Tinn. pow. 30@ Uva Urai ____.. 20 Olis Bitter, true, of... Almonds, Bitter, artificial ..___. 3 00@3 Almonds, Almonds. Sweet, Wee... 1 50@1 Almonds, Sweet, ---. 1 00@1 T5@1 imitation Amber, crude -- Amber, rectified AIRE oo Cloves Cocoanut %*@ Cod Liver ~----- 1 ane Croton ......... 8 0@ 23 45 % 8 % Cotton sae _. 1 25@1 60 Cubebs Eucalyptus . -—-- 1 00@1 25 Hemlock. pure. 2 00@2 26 Juniper Berries. 4 00@4 = Juniper Wood ~ 1 50@1 7 Lavender Gar’n. 1 25@1 50 Lemon 2 00@2 26 Linseed, boiled, bbl. @ 61 Linseed, raw, bbl. @ 58 Linseed, bld., less 68@ 76 Linseed, raw, less “s 73 Mustard, artifil. oz. 30 Neatsfoot -..... 1 2591 35 Olive. pure -... 3 00@5 00 Olive, Malaga, yellow —._..._- 2 50@3 00 Olive, Malaga, green .._...._. 2 85@3 2 Orange, Sweet 4 00@4 25 Origanum, pure. @2 60 Origanum, com’) 1 00@1 20 Pennyroyal .... 3 25@3 50 Peppermint -... 3 50@3 75 Rose, pure ._.. 13 50@14 00 Rosemary Flows 1 50@1 75 Sandelwood, B. L. —W-naunamee 13 (6G 76 Sassafras, true 2 00@2 25 Sassafras, arti’) 75@1 00 Spearmint -__... : G0@4 25 Sperm. 1 25@1 50 Taney oo. 5 00@5 25 ten USP... 66@ 75 Turpentine, bbl. _. @ 50 Turpentine, less 57@ 65 Wintergreen, leaf .......-. © G@E 25 Wintergreen, — bireh ...._.... --- 3 00@3 25 Wintergreen, art 75@1 00 Worm Seed .... 6 00@6 25 Wormwood -.. 7 00@7 25 Potassium Bicarbonate —____ zs 40 Bichromate -_... 15 25 Bromide 48@ 651 Bromide a 71 Chlorate, gran’d_. 21 28 Chlorate, powd. 17@ 23 Or Atal 7 24 Cyanide - 90 Fodide 0 4 od 28 Permanganate __ 22%Ww 86 Prussiate, yellow 35@ 45 Prussiate, red _. 70@ 175 Sulphate —_._.__ 35@ 40 Roots Alkanet _......_.. 380@ 40 Blood, powdered___ 30@ 40 Calamus -....... 25@ 65 Elecampane, pwd. 20@ 30 Gentian, powd. ~ 15@ 25 Ginger, African, powdered -_.... 20@ 25 Ginger, Jamaica. 40@ 60 Ginger, Jamaica, powdered -___._ 35@ 40 Goldenseal, pow. 2 50@3 00 Ipecac, powd. __ 3 oa 60 Licorice —..... 35@ 40 Licorice, powd... 15@ 26 Orris, powdered. 35@ 40 Poke, Powdered 25@ 40 Rhubarb, powd. —_ @1 00 Rosinwood, powd. @ 60 Sarsaparilla, Hond. Sreune 20 Sarsaparilla, Mexic. @ 60 Squills “ Squills, powdered 70@ 80 Tumeric, powd... 15@ 25 Valerian, powd. _. @ & Seeds Amiga 20 15@ 20 Anise, powdered _. @ 25 Bie, i4 2. 13@ 17 Canary 10@ 15 Caraway, Po 25 20@ Cardamon —.._._ 2 00@2 25 Corlander pow. .30 15@ 35 ji 15@ 20 Penney 20. 20@ 30 hae by 15 Fiax, sround 15 Foenugreek, powd. 109 20 Henan 8@ 156 Lobelia, powd. _... @1 100 Mustard, yellow 10@ 20 Musard, black... 20@ 25 Pour 15@ 25 Quince __________ 2 00@2 25 Sabadilla, ....___.. 30@ 40 Sunflower —_..... 12@ 18 Worm, American 0 30 Worm, Lavant — 5 00@5 75 Tinctures o- aes @1 80 Aloes ..... @1 56 ‘Asafoetida @2 28 annica ... @1 50 Belladonna - - @14 Benzoin _......... @3 28 the day of issue. Benzoin Comp’d_ Beene Cuntnantiia Capsicum —_. Guaite Guaiac, Ammon. Iodine -___. Iodine, Colorless. Iron, Clo. ee Opium, Camp. __ as Opium, Deodorz’d 9Q9H99099N 99999999999999 fad CT mt OU mt BO bt bt ht mt DO OD = BO OO P+ BO DO BO OO DD SSPSSSrSSROSRPASSSRRas Rhubarb -....___ Painta Lead, red dry __ 12@12% Lead, white dry 12@12% Lead, white oil — Ochre, yellow bbl. Ochre, yellow less Pe $ Red Venet’n Am. 3%@ 7 Red Venet’n Eng. 4@ 8 WS oii 8 Whiting, pen ... @ 4% Whiting 5%@10 Rogers Prep. — 3 45@32 65 Msceillaneous Acetanalid ...... 57@ 76 Amn 2. vs@ 13 Alum, powd, ____ 05%4@13 Bismuth, - Wale oo 1 72@2 00 Borax xtal powdered -.__.. o@ 13 ane po. 1 2%@1 60 Calomes 2 12@2 40 Carmine ....... 00@9 Cassia Buds -... 35@ 45 Cloves 25 35 Chalk Prepared__ ug 16 Chloroform .._.. 4 Choral Hydrate 1 20@1 60 Cocaine... 12 85@13 50 Cocoa Butter -... 40@ 85 Corks, list, less 30710 to 40-10% Copperas -....... 34@ 10 Copperas, Powd. 4@ 10 Corrosive Sublm 1 37@1 60 Cream Tartar -... 25@ 40 Cuttle bone ... 40@ 60 Dextrine _._.__ 6%4@ 16 Dover’s Powder 4 00@4 50 Emery, All Nos. “s a Emery, Powdered Epsom Salts, bbls. Soste Bpsom Salts, less ne 10 Ergot, powdered .. @4 00 Flake, White _. Formaldehyde, Gelatine ............ 60@ 70 Glassware, less 55% Glassware, full case 60%. Glauber Salts, bbl. @ 03 Glauber Salts less H4@ 10 Glue, Brown -... 20@ 320 Glue, Brown Grd 16@ 22 Glue, White -.__ a ig 36 Glue, white grd. 3 35 creme ae 35 EIQOO occ 96 lodime =... nae 6 itor 00 lodoform 8 65@9 00 —_ Acetate .. 17@ 2% EGCG meric ne @1 60 idaen powdered__ @1 & Menttial 4 88@6 00 Morphine -... 13 58@14 33 Nux Vomica —_.. 2 Nux Vomica, pow. 15@ Pepper, Black, pw, 35@ 45 Pepper, White, po. 55@ 65 Pitch. Burgundy. 10@ 20 Quassia -.._..... 15@ 20 Quinine, 5 oz. _— e = Rochelle BONS oun Saccharine -.... 2 cogs i Sak Peter 3 Seidlitz Mixture ten Soap, green -... 12%@ 25 Soap, mott cast — % Soap. white Castile, COMO nia @16 00 Soap, white Castile less, oe bar _. @1 60 Soda Ash ._____ 8@ 10 - Seaastnneae ne 10 SE crise 08 Snirits ae @1 20 Sulphur, roll _....... 4@ ll Sulphur, Subl. .. 4%@ 10 Tamarinds _..... 20@ 2 Tartar Emetic .. <3 60 Turpentine, Ven. 60 16 Vanilla Ex. pure 1 50@2 00 Venilla Ex. pure 2 2 50 Zine Sulphate _. 06 li Webster Cigar Co. Brands Websterettes -...... 33 50 Cincos a Webster Cadillacs -- 75 00 Golden Wedding Panatellas ........ 75 00 Commodore ......___ 95 00 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN GROCERY PRICE CURRENT These quotations are carefully corrected weekly, within six hours of mailing and are intended to be correct at time of going to press. Prices, however, are liable to change at any time, and merchants will have their orders filled at mar- ket prices at date of purchase. For price changes compare with previous issues ADVANCED Head Rice Bulk Raisins DECLINED Blue Rose Rice Rexo Toilet Paper AMMONIA Parsons, 64 oz. ------ 2 95 Parsons, 32 oz. —.---. 3 35 ; , 28 OR. : Ue 4 20 Parsons, 10 oz. ~----- 2 70 Parsons, 6 Oz. ------ 1 80 5 90 10 Ib. pails, per doz. 8 80 15 lb. pails, per doz. 11 70 25 lb. pails, per doz. 17 65 APPLE BUTTER Quaker, 12-38 oz.. doz. 2 00 ee. 12-38 oz. O68. nate BAKING POWDERS Royal, 2 oz., doz. _... % 4 oz., dos. _.. 1 & KC, 10c size, 8 oz. --- 3 60 KC, 15c size, 12 oz. -. 5 40 KC, 20c size, full Ib.__ 6 80 KC, 25c size, 25 oz. -. 9 00 KC, 50c size, 50 oz. -. 8 60 KC, 5 Ib. size ~--_- 6 50 KC, 10 ib. aize .._..--_ 6 50 BLEACHER CLEANSER Clorox, 16 oz., 248 .. 8 8 Lizzie, 16 o0z., 12s ---- 2 15 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. 6 90 Pinto Beans ~--------- 5 50 Red Kidney Beans -- White H’d P. Beans 3 00 Black Eye Beans __ Split Peas, Yell., 60 lb. 3 65 Split Peas, Gr’n, 60 Ib. 3 90 Scotch Peas, 100 Ib. -- 5 20 BURNERS Queen Ann, No, 1 -. 1 15 Queen Ann, No. 2 -- 1 25 white Flame, No. 1 ann 2. dos: —...__.- 2 26 BOTTLE CAPS Obl. Lacquor, 1 gross pkg., per gross ------ 15 BREAKFAST FOODS Kellogg’s Brands. Corn Flakes, No. 136 2 85 Corn Flakes, No. 124 2 85 Pep, No. 202 -.----- . 2 00 Krumbles, No. 424 --.. 2 70 Bran Flakes, No. 624 2 45 Bran Flakes, No. 602 1 50 Rice Krispies, 6 oz. -- 2 Rice Krispies, 1 oz. -- 1 All Bran, 16 oz. All Bran, 10 oz. ------ 2 70 All Bran, % oz. ---- 1 10 Kaffe Hag, 6 1-lb. ie cans BROOMS Peacock, 4 sewed -. 3 45 Our Success, 5 sewed 5 25 Hustlers, 4 sewed -. 6 00 Standard, 6 sewed -. 7 50 Quaker, 5 sewed -_-- 8 40 Warehouse ---------- 50 py = 1.796 Whisk, No, 3 2 25 ROLLED OATS Purity Brand Instant Flakes Pant i ORNS Y Small, 248 ~—------- 1 77% Large, 188 ---------- 3 25 ga Flakes Small, 24s _________ 177% Large, 188 se ee 3 25 China, large, 12s ---- 2 95 Chest-o-Silver, lge. -- 2 98 *Billed less one free display package in each case. Post Brands. Grape-Nuts, 248 ~----- 3 80 Grape-Nuts, 50 ------ 1 40 Instant Postum, ae 8 5 40 Instant Postum, No. 10 4 50 Postum Cereal, No. 0 2 25 Post Toasties, 36s -. 2 85 Post Toasties, 24s .. 2 85 Post’s Bran, 24s ---- 2 70 BRUSHES Scrub Solid Back, 8 in. ---- 1 50 Solid Back, 1 in. -.-- 1 75 Pointed Ends -------- 1 25 Stove sas shaker ---...--------- No 60 22. -- 2 00 Peerless —-.----------- 2 60 Shoe No. 4-0 ------ eee 2 25 No 2-0 ....... -.- 3 00 BUTTER EPEOe Dandelion ----~------- CANDLES Electric Light, 40 Ibs. 12.1 Plumber, 40 Ibs. ----- a“ Paraffine, 6s ~-------- 14% Paraffine, 12s ---.--- 14% Wicking -------------- 40 Tudor, ~~. per box -- 30 CANNED FRUITS Hart Brand Apples No. 10) 2 4 95 Blackberries Pride of Michigan .--. 3 25 Cherries Mich. red, No. to oe Ze Red, No. 2 ---------- 3 50 Pride of Mich. No. 2-- 3 00 Marcellus Red ~—----- 2 56 Special Pie —-.-_..... 1 35 Whole White -------- 3 26 Gooseberries No. 10 _.......____—_ 8 60 Pears Pride of Mich. No 2% 8 60 Plums Grand Duke, No. 2%-- 3 25 Yellow Eggs No. 2%4_. 3 25 Black Raspberries 2 3 6 Pride of Mich. No. 2_. 3 10 Red Raspberries NO, Oe 50 ING. 8 — 3 15 Marcellus, No. 2 ----__ 3 60 Pride of Mich. No. 2__ 4 00 Strawberries No. 2 ee 4 25 BOS.) Soe 1 40 Marcellus, No. z ____. 3 26 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. Cove Oysters, 5 oz. __ Lobster, No. %, Star Shrimp, 1, wet -_____ Sard’s, % Oil, Key —_ Sardines, % Oil, k’less Salmon, Red Alaska__ Salmon, Med. Alaska Salmon, Pink, Alaska Sardines, Im. %, ea. io@ae Sardines, Im., %, ea. 25 Sardines, Cal. --__.___ 1 10 Tuna, 1% Van Camps, doz. me OTR bo et 4 09 09 69 bo ty ~ o _ ee 3 60 CANNED MEAT Bacon, Med. Beechnut 2 40 Bacon, Lge. Beechnut 3 60 Beef, Lge. Beechnut 5 10 Beef, No. 1, Corned __ 2 40 Beef, No. 1, Roast __ 2 70 Beef, 2% oz., Qua., sli. 1 35 Beef. 4 oz. Qua. sii. 2 25 Beef. No. 1. R’nut. sii. 4 50 Beefsteak & Onions, s. 2 70 Chili Con Car., 1s ____ 1 20 Deviled Ham, %s _.__ 1 50 Deviled Ham, %s ____ 2 85 Potted Beef, 4 oz. __.. 1 10 1 Potted Meat, % Libby 652 Potted Meat. % Libby 90 Potted Meat, % Qua. 75 Potted Ham, Gen. % 1 46 Vienna Saus. No. % 1 00 Vienna Sausage, Qua. $0 Veal Loaf. Medium __ 2 25 Baked Beans Campbells ~...._______ 70 Quaker, 16 oz. __-____ = Fremont, No. 2 2... 12 Van Camp, med. -_... 1 25 CANNED VEGETABLES Hart Brand Baked Beans Medium, Plain or Sau. 65 No. 10 Sauce ------~__- 4.00 Lima Beans Little Quaker, No. 10 11 50 Little ee No. 1_- ; 45 Baby, No, 2 2620 25 Baby. No. 1 1 45 Pride of Mich. No. 2_. 1 80 Marcellus, No. 10 -__. 8 20 Red Kidney Beans NO, 10 5 No; 22 1 10 BOF, ee 15 String Beans Little Dot, No. 2 ~--. 2 65 Little Dot, No. 1 —--.. 1.80 Little Quaker, No. 1. 1.65 Little Quaker, No. 2 __ 2 35 Choice, Whole, No. 2. 2 20 Chioce Whole, No. 1-. 1 35 Cut, Noe.210 2.22 es 9 50 Cut, No. 2 2 1 75 Cat: Noe. 1 35 a Pride of Mich. No. 2__ 1 45 Marcellus, No. 2 ---. 1 30 Marcellus, No. 10 ---. 7 25 Wax Beans Little Dot, No. 2 ---- 2 65 Little Dot, No. 1 -_-- 1 80 Little Quaker, No. 2_- 2 35 Little Quaker, No. 1 1 65 Choice Whole, No. 10-12 50 Choice Whole, No. 2-- 2 20 Choice, Whole, No. 115 Cut. No: 100 9 50 Cut, No.2 20505 1 75 Cut, NO. Losses 1 35 Pride of Michigan —. 1 45 Marcellus Cut, No. 10_ 7 25 Beets Small, No. 2% Extra Small. No. 2 -_ 2 80 Fancy Small No. 2 -- 2 25 Pride of Michigan -_ 2 00 Marcellus Cut, No. 10 5 50 Marcel. Whole, No. 2% 1 75 Carrots Diced: No. 2 —..----- 1 05 Diced, No. 10.~---_-_- 5 25 Corn Golden Ban., No. 2-- 1 60 Golden Ban., No. 10 10 00 Little Quaker. No. 1.1 35 Country Gen., No. 1-- 1 25 Country Gen., No. 2_-. 1 45 Pride of Mich., No. 1 95 Marcellus, No. 2 ----- 1 15 Fancy Crosby, No. 2-- 1 45 Whole Grain, 6 Ban- tam, No. 2 22--.-~ = 2 30 Peas Little Dot, No. 2 ---- 2 40 Little Quaker, No. 10 11 25 Little Quaker, No. . ae 215 Little Quaker, No. 1 45 Sifted E. June, No. it 9 75 Sifted E. June, No. 2-- 1 75 Sifted E. June, No. 1-- 1 25 Belle of Hart, No. Pride of Mich., No. 2-_ 1 50 Marcel., BE. June, No. 21 35 Mareel.. E. Ju.. No. 10 7 5A Templar BE. J., No. 2 1 30 Templar EB. Ju.. No. 10 7 90 Pumpkin Nov A022 oe eee 4 35 No. 236. 1 35 No: 2 222002 1 05 Sauerkraut No. 10) 2 4 70 No: Ste oe ee 1 25 INO. 2) 95 Spinach No. 24 22 2 25 No: 2 2220022 1 80 Sauash Boston, No. 3 -------- 1 35 Succotash Golden Bantum, No. 2 2 25 Hart, No: 2 2--2_--.- 210 Pride of Michigan -_ 1 95 Marcellus, No. 2 ---- 1 35 Tomatoes No: 40 2.20220 - 5 30 No. 3% <2. ee No oe 1 60 Pride of Mich., No. 2% 2 00 Pride of Mich., No. 2_-1 35 CATSUP Sniders, 8 oz. ~------- 1 35 Sniders, 14 oz. -------- 2 15 Sniders, No. 1010 -.-- .90 Sniders, Gallon Glass. 1 25 CHILI SAUCE Sniders, 8 oz. --------- 2 10 Sniders, 14 oz. ~------- 3 00 Sniders, No. 1010 ---- 1 25 Sniders, Gallon Glass_ 1 45 OYSTER COCKTAIL ° Sniders, 8 oz. ~------ 2 Sniders, 11 oz. -------- 2 40 Sniders, 14 oz. ~------- 3 00 Sniders, Gallon Glass 1 45 CHEESE Roauefort 2. 60 Wisconsin Daisy ------ 17 Wisconsin Flat ---_---- 17 New York June -------- 27 Sap Sago. 22 40 Date eee a 19 Michigan Flats -------- 17 Michigan Daisies ~-.—- 17 Wisconsin Longhorn -- 17 Imported Leyden --.._. 27 1 lb. 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. 1 86 Kraft, Brick, % Ib. — 1 85 Kraft Limburger,% Ib. 1 85 CHEWING GUM Adams Black Jack ---- 65 Adams Bloodberry -... 65 Adams Dentyne Adams Calif. Fruit -- 65 Adams Sen Sen 6 Beeman’s Pepsin ------ 65 Beechnut Wintergreen_ Beechnut Peppermint-- Beechnut Spearmint -- Doublemint wee wenn == Peppermint, Wrigleys -- 65 Spearmint, Wrigleys -- 65 Juicy eruit 22-32-2222! 65 Krigley’s P-K -.------- 65 ene 28 ee ene 65 Teanerry: .-.0 2 65 COCOA —— +> When a woman is unable to give a plausible excuse for the inexcusable she simply says “because.” —_+~++____ Giving advice is like kissing—in- expensive and pleasant. lositive protection profitable investment is the policy of the wy MICHIGAN 2 SHOE DEALERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Mutual B utlding : Lansing, Michigan March 2, 1932 OUT AROUND. (Continued from page 9) fornia orange if he could obtain one from Florida. Considering the many millions of dollars Eastern people have poured into California, changing it from a pauper community to one roll- ing in wealth, its action in prohibiting the shipment of Michigan apples into California is one of the most selfish pieces of legislation ever conceived and carried into execution. All reports I receive from Florida are of a very discouraging character. The tourist crop is only about 50 per cent. as large as it was a year ago. Hotels have lost money hand over fist. Many hotels have cut their rates in two, but even that does not seem to attract enough attention to enable them to meet expenses. In many towns the moving picture houses have closed. Train service: has been ma- terially reduced, although most of the people who visit Florida do so with automobiles. J am certainly very sorry to receive such reports from the land of sunshine, because Florida must have many good seasons to restore the pros- perity which once ruled supreme in all parts of the commonwealth, E. A. Stowe. > + +____ Who Wants Retail Price Maintenance? (Continued from page 12) their form and set-up, are founded on four major points: 1. Modernized stores. 2. Organized buying, leaving grocer’s time free for the vital job of selling. 3. Collective advertising—a specialized function that few indi- vidual grocers are fitted to perform, but which can be done from central headquarters effectively, for little cost per store. 4. Supervised merchandis- ing, which permits the employment of experts as well trained as those in the employ of the corporate chains. Add to this discipline like unto the laws of the Medes and Persians, alter- ing not for anyone or anything, as practiced for forty years by Frankford, for outstanding example, and success attends these organizations, just as it attends well organized corporate chains. Economics plays no favorites. It knows not “fair” or “unfair.” It knows only able or not able. A late development is the vast, open, virtually unfurnished market wherein all kinds of foods are sold with the minimum of service or style. Some are doing big things. But when we reflect we find this is no more than a variation of what has happened many times in the past. It goes well for a time in places, permanently in other places; loses popularity and is replaced elsewhere — nothing constant but change. Paul Findlay. -——_++>_ Items From the Cloverland of Michi- gan. Sault Ste, Marie, March 1—The old saying ‘Make hay while the sun shines,” applies to the ice situation here. While several hundred men are working day and night, trying to fill the ice houses, the warm days have caused much alarm. The surface of the ice is covered with water, making the harvest difficult and the honey combed ice much inferior to that of other years. The weather man can see no indications of colder weather, so that the frigid refrigerator agents may yet enjoy a good season. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN R. E. ‘Beale, who recently opened a bakery at 213 Amn street, has taken a partner in the business, Mrs. Smyth, who will have charge of the home cooking department. The place is known as the Cozy ibakery. It is en- joying a large patronage on account of the varied lines of baked goods and food prepared, which are of excellent quality, and make many new customers and make the bakery popular. William Blair, who for several years conducted a meat market at Pickford until last year, has again opened the market and will continue serving the people home grown meats. “T’'ve been on Jenten diet so long,” says an unemployed friend, “that a square meal now would make any day took like Easter.” The lumberjack is not a thing of the past as yet. Last week a party of citizens from there called on Harry Schmidt, foreman for the Boniface Lumber Co., at its camp six miles North of McMillan, On the way to camp the party met one of the “trains,” of logs coming out—sleighs drawn by a huge tractor, The “train” was com- posed of fifteen sleighs, fourteen of them loaded with pulp wood and the other with telephone poles. Had the party been there a day sooner they would ‘have witnessed what is said to be the world’s record load. A ten ton tractor hauled out twenty-nine sleighs, five loaded with 10,000 feet of logs, each and twenty-four loaded with pulp wood, This load totaled 50,000 feet of logs and more than 300 cords of pulp wood. About 165 employes have been working there all winter. The group went into ithe woods, where virgin pulp wood stands, where raging axes and saws resound on every side. Ata junction of the icy roads ds located the dinner camp, where the men are fed, cafeteria style, on a sleigh converted into a restaurant. Along the woods trails and at ‘the woods camp are shacks of the piecemakers. These shacks are thatched with evergreens. Here the piecemakers do their own cooking. And now Canada has raised her tariff on everything except American tourists. Clarence Tapert returned this week from Chicago, where he attended the confectionery jobbers convention for the past week, Walter Dingman the well-known proprietor of the hotel at Emerson, left last week for Marquette, where he expects to make his future home. Chester Moran, formerly superin- tendent of the ‘Sault News Printing Co., is now at the Chelsea naval hos- pital, near Everett, Mass. He has been in failing health for the past sev- eral months. He will be with his fam- ily who. reside there. If you want to see a busy place just call at the court house and see Sam Taylor, county clerk, give out auto licenses. The last minute purchasers line up is the longest in its. history. William G. Tapert. Re tae agape Master of His Own Destiny. The day of “‘rule-of-thumb” re- tailing is gone. Thousands of re- tailers to-day are despondently waiting for better times. In our town, a strictly retail community in direct competition with two large metropolitan cen- ters, we have attempted to ana- lyze conditions. We believe we can prove conclusively that the average retailer is at least 50 per cent. to blame for present condi- tions. The customer of to-day has a far greater knowledge of mer- chandise than has the retailer who is selling it. Yet in fifty stores we recently visited 80 per cent. of the salespeople were waiting for something to happen, instead of studying their merchandise. An eminent retail authority recently analyzed about 200 salespeople in an average town and declared 75 per cent. were misfits in the retail field. National advertising, magazine articles, radio and many other sources of information have edu- cated the consumer to such an extent that a well-known author- ity has said, “It will be five years before the retailer has the same knowledge as the customer.” As long as we had a seller's market the retailer was not aware of his weaknesses. Consequently only a handful of the larger retail institutions attempted to train themselves and their employes. The retailer, from the one-man store to the store employing hun- dreds, is entirely the master of his own destiny. He must realize that he alone can do more to create a seller's market than all other factors put together. Let us see what he must do. i. Hire only those who can qualify; set up higher standards. 2. Have a constant, definite program for training employes in merchandising and salesmanship. 3. Study constantly advertise- ment writing and window trim- ming. 4. Adopt a full-fledged credit policy and adhere to it. 5. Increase accounts receivable turn-over. 6. Increase merchandise turn- over. 7. Increase service. 8. Turn on the lights in order that he may find his shortcomings before his customers find them and that employes may intelli- gently study their merchandise. The entire secret of the retailer catching up with the customer's knowledge lies in the ability of merchants to get together to study the complexities of present-day retailing and to educate their em- ployes. Edwin J. MacEwan. —_2-.>___ How Chain Store Employes Are Treated. The local manager of one of our three chain stores was fired from his job Saturday night (explana- tions to the contrary). Said job paid the magnificent salary of $20 a week; and his second man the large salary of $3 a week. The manager, a married man and the father of three small chil- dren, was a World War veteran. (Post Rodgers, American Legion of Palmyra and Riverton, please note). He was fired with this ex- planation — that he was short stock—and his last stock taking was six or seven weeks ago. On top of that, they took $2.63 from the magnificent salary of $20 to pay for a supposed shortage in the cash register. A register that was held together by a tomato can else it wouldn't ring. The system of all good chain stores when taking an inventory 23 of a man’s stock and they find him short, is to make a retake within three days. This they fail- ed to do. But it took this chain store seven weeks to find that this poor man was short a few pounds of prunes. Do you want the truth? This man was fired because they hired a new man for $2 a week less. So you see the great big chain store saves $5 a week in salaries; $2 from the manager and all of the salary of the second (he was fired too). Is it about time we patronized our own in- dependent merchants? — River- ton, N. J. New Era. GREENE SALES CO. SPECIAL SALES CONDUCTORS Reduction — Money-raising or Quitting Business Sales. 142 N. Mechanic St. Phone 9519 JACKSON, 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 CoO. Saginaw. Phone 61366 JOHN L. LYNCH SALES CO. SPECIAL SALE EXPERTS Expert Advertising Expert Merchandising 209-210-211 Murray Bldg. Grand Rapids, Michigan Business Wants Bepartment 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. For Rent—M. N. Parris store building in Grand Rapids, 50 x 100, suitable for general merchandising. If necessary, will divide to suit. Original fixtures on hand. M. N. Parris, telephone 54024, 1201 So. Division Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich. 502 For Sale—General store in Michigan’s best farming section: sugar beets, peas, beans, dairying, poultry. Address No. 504 c/o Michigan Tradesman. 50 Vil pay cash for any stock of mer- chandise, none too large or too smail. Write, phone, or wire. L. LEVINSOHN, Saginaw, Mich. 2 he 24 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN March 2, 1932 Lansing’s Oldest Business Man Hon- ored at Testimonial Dinner. Members of the Lansing Chamber of Commerce, of various business and civic organizations and a number of old customers, united Monday with the North Side Commercial Club in a tes- timonial program for John Affeldt, oldest active business man in Lansing and oldest member of the club. There was a large turnout and the North side business district was decorated with flags for the occasion. Mr. Affeldt, although well past his 84th milestone, opened his place of business on East Grand ‘River avenue Monday morning as he has since 1885, and was ‘fit as the proverbial fiddle. Mr. Affeldt has had not only an inter- esting business career, but is one of the few remaining veterans of the Franco-Prussian war alive in the United States to-day. Mr. Affeldt was born in Rerlo, Germany, November 8, 1847, and came of a family of shepherds. The shepherd of the time, however, was not particularly a herder of sheep. His business was of larger scope. He John Affeldt. dealt in cattle and food animals, killed and prepared meat for farmers and large landowners, and also conducted not infrequently a retail meat business in some town in his province. Mr. Affeldt’s parents moved to Flat- low, Germany, when he was a small boy. In 1869 Mr. Affeldt was subject to military service and entered the army. Being able to read and write Mr. Affeldt was assigned to the tele- graphic service when Germany entered war with France in 1870. He served through 1871 when the Prussians had two army corps surrounding Paris. Following the surrender of the French and the negotiations for treaties, Mr. Affeldt returned to Flatlow to follow his trade. He re-entered army service for a few months in 1876 when his country adopted a new model ‘of small firearms, On October 1, 1876, Mr. Affeldt was married to Miss Rosina Beuman. Mrs. Affeldt died in September, 1926. In 1881 the young couple decided to mi- grate to America, where a number of their relatives had preceded them. They settled in Grand Haven, where Mr. Affeldt worked in the freight houses of the Grand Trunk Railway. Mr. Affeldt wanted to settle in Lan- sing, but times were not good. The old Bement shops finally offered a job here and the family moved to Lan- sing in 1882. For two years Mr. Affeldt worked for the Bement Co. and then entered the employ of the old Lansing Wagon Works. For some time Mr. Affeldt had planned on entering business for him- self. On November 1, 1885 an oppor- tunity to buy the old Eckert market on East Grand River avenue, presented itself. With his brother Fred, the two opened their new place of business. First day’s receipts were $5. The firm did a wholesale and retail business at the start, Mr. Affeldt managing the wholesale and slaughtering department, In 1890 the firm bought a lot from the Hart estate and built a substantial two story building. This thas since been added to and a grocery and green stuff line added. Mr. Affeldt bought his ‘brother’s interest and then formed the firm of Affeldt & Sons. Besides busy in his own line Mr, Af- feldt has served as water and light commissioner and in other capacities for the city.. He bought the home on Pearl street where he still lives the first week he arrived in Lansing. Clarence E. Holmes, superintendent of the school for the blind, and others who had known Mr. Affeldt for many years, “testified for John.” James P. Edmonds, also an old friend and vet- eran business man of Lansing, showed a number of slides of Lansing build- ings and institutions in an early day. > + + ___ Additional Movements of Merchants. Ishpeming — John E. Lindbom. prominent in the business life of Ish- peming for many years, died last Thursday at the home of his son-in- law, Albert Bjork. He was apparently in the best of health and only a day or two previous remarked about how well he was feeling. He was seated in a chair and just about to rise when seized by a heart attack. Mr. Lind- bom had many friends in Ishpeming and his death is mourned by all of them. He led a true Christian life and was a devout member of Bethel Luth- eran church for fifty years, during thirty-five years of which time he served as a deacon. Mr. Lindbom was born in Filipstad, Varmland, Sweden, in 1854 and cante to Ishpeming direct from there in 1878. For several years after his arrival in this city he was en- gaged in plastering and bricklaying in partnership with his brother, Gust Lindbom. Thirty-five years ago he started in the hardware and undertak- ing business andi continued to be active until 1927. For a number of years prior to his retirement his son-in-law, Mr. Bjork, was associated with him as a partner. The business is now being continued by Mr. Bjork. About two years ago Mr. Lindbom and his wife left to make their home in Long Beach, Cal., but returned to the city last November after Mrs. Lindbom had been taken ill. A few weeks prior to their return they celebrated their fif- tieth anniversary of their marriage. Wyandotte—At a recent meeting of the State Board of Pharmacy, a grace- ful tribute was paid to John C. Caha- lan, of Wyandotte, a former druggist. by granting him an ornamental life license. The license was presented by Clare F. Allan, president of the State Pharmacy Board. Mr. Cahalan, one of the early men in the retail drug trade, had been putting up prescrip- tions for many years, when the State legislature, in 1886, decided that drug- gists should be licensed. He was among the first to apply for and receive his certificate of authority. Mr. Cahalan, at the age of 12, began his appren- ticeship to the business by going to work for John Bennett, who conducted a drug store at the corner of Biddle and Eureka avenues. Mr. Bennett la- ter removed to Lansing, where he con- ducted a pharmacy on Washington avenue for many years. He also en- tered politics, serving as mayor of the city. Mr. Cahalan went out of the drug business in 1909, but still retains his interest in the pharmacist’s calling. He was “up to snuff’ in everything that pertained to the old-fashioned drug store, but modestly admits that he might fall down on the require ments of being a cafeteria manager and selling hardware, peanuts and cooking utensils to-day. Bay City—The annual spring open- ing of Bay City merchants will be held Wednesday, March 9, according to Oscar C. Boucher, secretary of the Re- tail and Wholesale Merchants’ Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. The merchants also agreed to close their stores between 12 noon and 1:30 p. m., March 25, Good Friday. The same closing time was observed last year. There also was some discussion to the effect titat the mercharts may close Saturday nights during July and Aug- ust. No definite decisicn was reached, however. —__.-.__—_ Wherein the Muskegon Plan Could Be Improved. Reports recently reached the Trades- man that Muskegon independent gro- cers were dissatisfied with the present method of handling its welfare dis- bursements, because it enabled the chain stores to secure the lion’s share of the business. This report appears to be greatly exaggerated, judging by the following letters from representa- tive independent grocers: Muskegon, March 1—I am in re- ceipt of your letter wherein you ask whether or not the Muskegon inde- pendent merchants are satisfied with the way the city of Muskegon is handling its poor orders. There is, undoubtedly, some mis- understanding of this matter. All the poor orders given out are made out to home owned stores and are complete- ly filled by these merchants. So far as the poor orders in themselves go, there has been no dissatisfaction here on the part of the independent stores, because orders issued are made pay- able at the store of any independent merchant the applicant may name. ‘Chain stores are given no consiédera- tion in this distribution. ‘However, there has been a great deal of discussion concerning the method in which the city dependents have been paid. A goodly number of the men now on the city list are being paid in cash. Of this money the inde- pendents get very little if any at all. People who are receiving cash from the city usually trade at the chain stores. At these stores they are free to purchase malt, olives, cigarettes and any other luxury they want, while the independents, serving city work- ers under the order plan, are not al- lowed to sell these unnecessary items. The merchants here, in other words, are anxious to have all welfare work- ers paid by orders made out directly to independent merchants, believing that we thereby might also help to serve the city in, aiding with its prob- lem, besides keeping the money thus spent here in this tocality. If all workers were thus paid in orders, rather than cash, there would be the possibility of our ;working out a list of foods they would be eligible to pur- chase. We have had such a list, but under the present arrangement the question of what they shall or shall not be permitted to purchase has, of necessity, been dropped. I hope this letter answers your en- quiry satisfactorily. J always appre- ciate a visit from you when you are in Muskegon. O. Peterson. Muskegon, March 1—In reply to your letter I will say the city is not giving any orders for groceries on chain stores—they all go to the inde- pendent merchants. ‘However, men working on certain jobs are paid in cash. J think a lot of that is spent in chain stores, but not all. I suppose there is some dissatis- faction on this matter, but I believe the city commission is doing its best to regulate these matters. You know there are always men ready to :find fault, no matter what is done. M. E. Aamodt. ——_o-2. —____ Everybody’s Business. In connection with the recent Fire Prevention Week, Secretary of Agri- culture Arthur M, Hyde made a plea to farmers and rural dwellers to re- duce the gigantic annual fire loss on farms—a loss said to total $100,000,- 000 in property and 3,500 lives. Fire Prevention Week is over. But that advice is still good—and will al- ways be good. Every fire prevented, as Secretary ‘Hyde pointed out, repre- sents that much gain for the commun- ity, and a reduction in farm fire loss is equivalent to an increase in farm income, At present, farm jproperty losses due to ‘fire total about a ‘fifth of the entire National waste in property, and a third of the waste in lives. Practically al! farm fires, like those in cities, are pre- ventable. The principal causes are defective chimneys and flues, sparks on combustible roofs, lightning, care- less use of matches and_ smoking, spontaneous ignition of farm products, careless handling and storage of gasoline and other inflanimable and explosive liquids, defective wiring .and improper use of electrical appliances. Almost all of these menaces may be munimized lby care and thought on the part of the farmer. Every community should organize in an effort to prevent fire. It should do this, not for one week each year only, but for fifty-two weeks, Public opin- ion should be used to bring home tto the individual his personal responsibil- ity for fire. Every ‘fire damages the whole community, and costs the whole community money. 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