4 a 5 3 5 sie mos IZ BR CRS RTS SNCS DOOYVDT AIA GRO , <> ESS eS DIRK 38.8 8 yer SANS! ; cy 2A wr ¢ 7 ey prt SO (shay iA a C DYKES ANG . se 4s 7 Mother's Day is May 13, 1934 La ddddddalllldllllillsiisidiliMsididddididddddididdididddddddidddsdddididddla LLAMA MAMA Abd Add ob M ALLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LET) “LLL LLL LLL Ln Liki itiLihisMMiiii ull N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N > ON THE AIR FOR CERTO MAY 18 - A ONE-HOUR ALL-STAR SHOW MARIA one of radio’s great ladies! Now Certo’s gracious hostess CONRAD THIBAULT nificent baritone —— ee ational favorite has long been 29 GEARED TO JELLY-MAKING SEASON! It’s “MARIA’S CERTO MATINEE” —an informal hour—a full hour—with and for the ladies. Rippling music, spar- kling vocal arrangements—friendly, chatty. Topped off with stars who are be- loved by the millions who regularly tune inonthe Maxwell Houseeveningprogram. Maria’s Certo Matinee will be broad- cast during the entire home jelly-making season which, with the arrival of the season’s first strawberries, opens this month and continues throughout the summer. While we are entertaining the ladies, we are also going to help you by selling them on the advantages of making jams and jellies with Certo. We’ll be telling them how, by using Certo, they elimin- ate long-boiling . . . how Certo gives them better jams and jellies, and more glasses to the batch. Planned to Boost Your Profits on 5 Items This great Certo program—certainly one of the greatest daytime programs ever presented—will help to increase your sales on five separate and distinct items. It will help you to sell (1) additional fresh fruit; (2) Certo; (3) sugar; (4) jelly glasses; (5) paraffin. Feature these products in your adver- tising and displays. And then suggest them to every customer. Sell more straw- berries and other seasonal fruit this year. Let the Certo show help you to convert many a box of strawberries into a five- item sale. For eye-catching, sales-building Certo display material, for help in building 5-Profit displays and preparing adver- tising... “ASK THE GENERAL FOODS SALESMAN” 4% “Maria’s Certo Matinee One Full Hour ¢ 3:00 to 4:00 e Friday Afternoons Beginning May 18 (Ecstern Daylight Saving Time) Over an N. B. C. COAST-TO-COAST NETWORK *This program is only part of the big Certo campaign about to start—color pages in magazines, big-space ads in many newspapers, and the Thursday morning General Foods Cooking School of the Air are also included. ADESMAN Fifty-first 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, $4.56 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 10cent_ each. Extra copies of current issues, 10 cents; issuesa month or more old 15 cents; issues a year or more old, 25 cents; issues five years or more old 50 cents. Entered September 23, 1883, at ae Postoffice of Grand Rapids as second class matter under Act of March 3, 1879. JAMES M. GOLDING Detroit Representative 507 Kerr Bldg. Printed by the Tradesman Company, Under NRA Conditions Impressions Received From Several Western Michigan Towns Allegan—In all my travel I never before was in Otsego and Allegan. Both are fine little cities, but the chain stores are raising havoc with them, the same as elsewhere. The paper mills are operating with much less than nor- mal labor. Allegan misses the Baker Furniture Co., which moved to Hol- land. Met Burrill Tripp for the first time. He is active in the operation of his two stores in Allegan, as well as his large store in Otsego. I also called at the office of the Allegan Gazette and met the editor, recently honored at a widely attended banquet, as one of the oldest active editors of the state. I found the Tradesman has a wide list of subscribers in Allegan, and every one of them had praise for it, one be- ing Mark Akom, grocer, now located in a new brick store with plate glass front. The arrangement of this store inside and the display of his stock is a model of convenience and shows the artistic skill of the owner. Other gro- cers contemplating building or remod- eling might profit by inspecting this small but neat store. Will leave in the morning for South Haven and return here by another route. The chains are giving the home merchants a hard rub. South Haven-—-I was somewhat sur- prised at the large percentage of sandy soil West of here to the big lake. The orchardists are busy with spraying. Saw many large apple orchards, also many vineyards. Better grading and packing is bringing Michigan apples forward. Both the apple growers and potato farmers can do much to reclaim the markets for their products, if they will build strong organizations toward this end. While in Bloomingdale to-day, was told the bond issue received three votes out of two hundred twenty-five. One need not be much of a prophet to know GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1934 it was a useless expense to bring this issue before the people. If the Federal Government would go after the monop- olies which are bleeding nearly every community, there would be some hope for return of better times. Benton Harbor—This has been a beautiful day and tulips are in bloom, also saw blossoms on a small tree. They are preparing for the coming blossom fete, the queen having been chosen, the honior going to a Muske- gon bud. She and her retinue will leave here Monday morning for Chicago, to extend invitations to the city; also will broadcast over the National chain of stations. When the fruit growers of Michigan get as well organized as those on ‘tthe Pacific coast, the industry will greatly increase in commercial im- portance. Watervliet is one of the outstanding country villages it has been my pleas- ure to visit. The big paper mill there is operating actively, giving employ- ment to many people. They produce book paper and a special brand for car- tons and wrapper for the big cigarette manufacturers. It is seldom in my travels that I find brothers in com- petition. with each other in the same line. John P. and his brother H. G. Geisler, both have large general stores. The former having been im business here for over thirty years, while his brother began business in 1910. They have large stocks of dry goods, cloth- ing, shoes, groceries, etc. The other merchants of the village carry good stocks and I heard little complaint as to trade conditions. From my observations it looks to me as though many food merchants are overburdened these days with collec- tion of the sales tax, and carrying wel- fare orders for the state and county. Often I find merchants with their tills nearly empty, as well as shelves de- pleted of stock, just because relief com- mittees are slow pay. I do not know of a more loyal set of men and women than those food merchants, who must assume the role of tax collectors and food providers and they should be re- membered and given patronage in pref- erance to the greedy National chain stores. Had an interesting guest in the per- son of a bright eyed newsboy this eve- ning, who contacted me to buy his paper. His appealing gaze at the vi- ands before me inspired the invitation and I learned he was one of a large famly of children. He told me he be- longed to a basebabll team which scor- ed a great victory over a rival team. When he could eat no more, he seized his cap and sack of papers, thanked me coutteusly and started on his quest for another sale. I predict this lad will make good, even if he has but half a chance. E. A. McPhail has moved from his former location on Main street, to one block East on Pipestone street. High rental and boss of trade through chain stores prompted the move. Mr. Mc- Phail says he has taken very heavy losses in recent years. Will take care of balance of account soon as he gets under way in his new location. The store he formerly occupied has been leased to the National Tea Co., a chain corporation selling foods. A. L. Leon. ard, a former subscriber, has been hard hit by the chains and banks closing. About all of the big chains are located here and sapping the life blood of trade to further enrich the big finan- cial centers. An active organizatiom of home owned business should be form- ed here to fight for the welfare of the city. This city, ay well as every other city could greatly, if they would wake up and show they thave fighting ‘blood in their veins. Automobile and trucks are all or- dered: off the streets after midnight, so the cleaning squad can scrub the pave- ments in the make ready for the com- ing festival and parade next week. A chorus of several hundred voices is be- ing recruited for rehearsal, for the mu- sical part of the program. Jesse Moon and Burnworth Grocery both received a two-year oleo refund, the former also being repaid a fine im- improve local conditions posed, with interest on all money re- turned. Both said they would not have received it were it not for the Trades- man. Many other food merchants here were entitled to a 2-year refund of the oleo tax, but not being Tradesman subs, did not know they had money due from the Government. I heard much complaint as to the loss of trade among local merchants, caused through the inroads of the big chain stores. Nearly all of the home merchants have been driven off Main street and their locations leased to greedy chains. What this city needs is a revival of their local chamber of commerce, which is supposed to stand loyally for the interests of the city. This organization should look upon the big chain stores, as an enemy to the welfare of their city. These greedy corporations come here for but one purpose—the profit on trade, which is the life-blood of business in every community. They do not invest their profits here in enriching the city, but they immediately transfer it to the big financial centers. This big loss of profits on Harbor trade im- poverishes the city and lowers the val- ue of all kinds of property. It is not the local merchants only who get hit, but it strikes vitally the welfare of 3enton every business and profession. The Chamber of Commerce should take the lead in enlisting the local press and Number 2642 every pulpit, in a campaign of enlight- enment, to show every citizen how they harm the welfare of their city, by patronizing these racketeers, that have no interest here only to exploit the community. Show stroys the opportunities of young men them how it de- and women, who desire to enter com- mercial life. Benton Harbor is a beau- tiful city of fine schools, churches and homes. It is located in the garden spot of the Great Lakes region, and is the outlet of great orchards and vineyards, manufactured the profits on besides its diversified products. If trade in this community could remain here among its own tradesmen, the city would soon be back to days of pros- perity. It was not long after my arrival here until the bewhiskered gentry I encoun- tered famous David, located here in the reminded me of the House off suburbs, so I decided to get a glance at the colony and parked my car under the direction of a patriarchal Sunday was the guide. opening day, which, brought a considerable 1aumiber of visitors, being ideal, King David was certainly a genius, even from a commercial standpoint. The great park and fruit farms devel- oped under his guidance has niot only proved financially profitable to the colony, but to the city as well. Thou- sands are attracted here annually through the wide advertising received through the newspapeers, and even the courts of Michigan, in its efforts to prosecute the organization, withdrew its case, all of which proved a pub- licity asset. I boarded one of the eight trains required to care for traffic on busy days on the House of David rail- way. This popular route is a delight to the kids as well as the grownups. The young engineer was just sprout- ing his hairsute adornment and as the conductor shouted all aboard, he pulled the throttle and the excursion was un- der way.. At the Zoo everyone was ordered out. Here for a dime you could enter and see the birds and animals in cages artistically arranged. Nearby was the athletic field where the whis- kered team. boys were to play a visiting I was told the House of David ball team was booked for a steady series of games up into July. At the restaurants soft drinks and beer are served and it was not yet decided whether hard liquors would be on the menu. In a chat with an old member he in- formed me there were about 250 of them, although only 144 would enter paradise or heaven, according to scrip- tural teaching. He said many ask why they do business on Sunday, being a religious body. As they interpret the Scriptures, Sunday does not (Continued on page 24) mean Lines of Interest to Grand Rapids Council The May meeting of Grand Rapids Council was called to order Saturday evening at 8 o'clock by Senior Coun- selor Ohlman, with all officers and executive committee in their stations. During the regular routine of business several matters of interest were dis- cussed. One of particular interest was the proposal of some of the mem- bers for a U.C.T. picnic to be held somewhere sometime in June. This proposal met with instant approval by the Council members. Senior Coun- selor Ohlman appointed Sentinel Tom Fishleigh as chairman of the picnic committee with power to select his own committee. He immediately appointed Junior Chaplain Raymond Shinn and L. V. Pilkington as members of his committee to aid him in putting over the best picnic that the Council has ever sponsored. An- nouncement of the progress of the Counselor Ghysels, committee will be given in these col- umns from time to time. Under the head of applications received for mem- bership, two new applications and four reinstatements were considered, The applications for new membership were from Henry Merkel, manager of a jewlry store at 6 Sheldon avenue, and John E. Burch, president of the Ben- nett Mills Co., 217-10 So. Division. Mr. Burch received the degrees of the or- der. Those re-instated were James A. Whittemore, A. R. Kolinski,, E. A. Wegal and D. W. Fish. Following the initiatory work Counselor Burch was called upon for remarks. A veteran of many fraternal initiations, he was not a loss for something to say. His remarks were appreciated because of their weight and bearing on the sub- ject of fraternalism. Mr. Burch is Past Exalted Ruler of the local lodge of Elks and a Past Grand Treasurer of the National body. The Council was very glad to welcome him as a mem- ber because of his ability to guide and direct through his wise council. Un- der the heading of the good of the or- der, Senior Counselor Ohlman intro- duced a distinguished visitor in the Supreme Past Counselor Ralph H. Davis, of Binghampton, N. Y. Counselor Davis is a past master at delivering messages to the frater- nity. He spoke at length on the team work program and made clear several points of its ramifications. He seemed particularly inspired in his talk because of a wire received earlier in the eve- ning from his son, Dick, who is a stu- dent at Courtland, N.Y. The wire an- nounced that Dick’s crew had won the shell race between the Frosh and Soph- omore teams of the school. The meet- ing closed at 10:30 to reconvene June 2. The June meeting will be just prior to the Grand Council session in Bat- tle Creek and will be the last regu- lar meeting held until September 1. person of Following the meeting the Ladies Auxiliary served a luncheon of ice cream and cake. Several musical num- MICHIGAN bers were played by Clifford Hallgren on the piano-accordion and a two-piece orchestra rendered music for dancing. There will be no entertainment at the June meeting, but some very im- portant business will be transacted and every member is urged to be present. Farmer Jones: ‘“What’s that I hear, Julian, about your hired man falling off the roof when he was painting the garage last week?” Farmer Brown: “Yeh. He fell into a barrel of turpentine.” Farmer Jones: “Did it hurt him much?” Farmer Brown: “Don’t know. They haven’t caught him yet.” The Ladies Auxiliary held their reg- ular meeting Saturday evening in the parlors of the Moose Temple. During the business session they elected offi- cers for the ensuing year. Mrs. Paul Schmidt was elected president; Mrs. T. F. Westfeldt, vice-president; Mrs. Tom Fishleigh, treasurer, and Mrs. Herbert Hudnut. secretary. Mrs. Har- ry Nash, retiring president, was pre- sented a very beautiful bouquet by the ladies. The next meeting of the Auxil- iary will be Sept. 1. Another traffic chisler who is one of the most contemptible is the motor- ist who fails to give child pedestrians the full measure of consideration to which they are entitled. There is little excuse for an adult to get bumped if he uses ordinary care, but children live in a strange world of make-believe. In the excitement of play the street may be, for the moment, an enchanted castle or a magic forest or an old In- dian trail. The voungsters move about in this entrancing fairy land far re- moved from actuality, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, and thinking only about their world of vouthful dreams. That is why so many of them dart in front of automobiles and get killed— or, through permanent injury, carry to their graves the indellible scars of momentary thoughtlessness, Little children are almost entirely at the mer- cy of the motorist. One can’t be too careful when the life of a child may be at stake. Employer: “Did you put that ‘bill’ where it would attract Mr. Smith’s at- tention?” Office boy: “Yes, sir; I stuck a pin through it and put it on his chair.” Clarence Van den Berg, of the Van den Berg Cigar Co., and Miss Ruth De Jonge were married Thursday eve- ing, May 3. The newlyweds are spend- ing their honeymoon in the East and upon their return will reside at 1301 Hope street. We extend our. congratu- lations and hope that there may never be a wave on their sea of matrimony. Marriage is not a lottery, for in a lottery you do have a chance. Wm. Jenkins—Bill to the traveling men—has been selected to manage the newly opened Western Hotel at Big Rapids. He will assume his duties at once. Bill managed the hotel several vears ago and ran a successful and well paying hotel because he knew the busi- ness. There is little doubt but what Mr. Jenkins will put the Western back near the top of the heap. J. C. Laraway underwent an opera- tion for the removal of his tonsils last week. He is back on the job again, but still has a very touchy throat. TRADESMAN Harry E. Ellis of 2500 Oakwood, has recovered after several weeks ill- ness with the flu. Upon returning to his work his company promoted him to succeed Friend Grimes as manager of the City Service Oil Co. Mr. Grimes will enter business for himself. We congratulate Harry on his promotion and extend our best wishes to Mr. Grimes for a huge success in his un- dertaking. Joe Robinson, of 852 Eastern avenue, suffered a severe injury to his hand last week. The wound required five stitches to close. He was polishing a piece of metal which slipped and drew his hand into the polishing wheel. Mrs. John Ripperger of 117 Pleas- ant, is recovering after several days illness. He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him. He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep. Awake him. He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a child. Teach him. He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man. Follow him, Notgniklip. ——_»--———— Items From the Cloverland of Michigan Sault Ste. Marie. May 7—Naviga- tion has opened. The whistles of the boats going through the locks and the ferry boats all in commission bring back to memory the good old times of by-gone days. The opening of navi- gation means much to the Sault, as the added activity and extra work offered puts old man depression out of the picture. This has been an unusual spring, as we had it only on the calen- dar. Old Man Winter held fort until the sudden change with Summer tem- perature within only a few days. It is true that the state parks have not opened here as yet, but everybody is enjoying the warm weather. Hun- dreds of cars are to be seen lined up at the Les Cheneaux Islands, where fishnig is exceptionally good at this time, Sunday is the big day, with pic- nic parties all along the shore, as well as in the woods. The Birch Lodge, formerly the Sey- mour Inn, located in the city limits on the Seymour road, has opened for the season with an announcement that it will specialize on chicken dinners. The roads are now in good condition, which should make this resort popular. Jim Biskus has returned from the South, where he spent the winter and is at present looking after the redecor- ating of his Summer cafe on East Portage avenue, known as the Lin- coln cafe. It will be completed in time to care for the tourist trade which will start before long, The grocery store at the Nebish Cut on the mainland is now in full swing again after being closed for a time dur- ing the quiet winter months. The new ferry connecting the Nebish Island with the mainland is also in operation. The new ferry operates on a call sched- ule. Canada is soon to vote upon the issue of whether titles may be conferred there and this raises the distressing question of whether the adopted citi- zens next door whom we call Canuck and he calls us Yank in the most friend- ly way will have to be addressed as Lord Canuck. Announcement was made last week that a St. Ignace liquor store will be opened next week by the state control commission. Joseph Thibault, super- visor from the third ward, will be the manager and Miss Gertrude McGrath will be cashier. The store will be in a building on State street formerly oc- cupied by the Booth Fisheries Co. The building has dock facilities at the rear. May 9, 1934 _ A. J. Jean, one of our well-known jewelers, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Lauretta, returned from Cali- fornia, where they spent the winter. En route they stopped for a short visit at Marquette with Mr. Jean’s son, Har- vard. They report having had a most delightful time in the land of sunshine. What’s in a name? Well, it’s all right to pay the help $4 per week if you call them vice-presidents. Fred Johnson, owner of Johnson's pavillion, formerly known as Gleason's pavillion, near the state park at Brim- ley, opened for business last Saturday. Mr. Johnson announces that he has secured the Rhythm Kings orchestra to furnish music for dances Saturday and Sunday evenings during the Sum- mer. Mr. Johnson will also operate the gas and oil station on the Brim- ley road. [ Thomas Looney has moved his con- fectionery store to 504 Portage avenue. W est, to the building formerly occu- pied by Mrs. Row’s bakery. Dredging operations on the river started last week and are now in full swing. There are about six dredges on a 24 hour schedule, which give much employment at good wages. A professor is an expert or an im- practical dreamer, depending on whether he’s for your political party or the opposition. The White cafe on Ashmun street, one of the best eating places in the city, changed hands last week, Mr. \ hite selling out to Mrs. McCaffrey. Mr. White has been in the business for several years, but failing health made it necesscary to get out of the business. Mrs. McCaffrey has had considerable experience in the restaurant business and should make a success in her new venture. _ The Mackinac Island state historical fair which will open on Fort Mackinac July 1, is destined to be a permanent institution, according to Roger M. An- drews, chairman of the Mackinaw Is- land state park commission. The pur- pose of the fair is to arouse interest in the preservation of Michigan historical exhibits and their loan to an annual state historical fair. William G. Tapert. —_++>___ Real Estate Reorganizations A gradual improvement in the earnings market valuations of large real estate properties, such as hotels, apartment hotels, apart- ment houses and office buildings, is being reflected in the better terms lately offered to creditors in reorganization proposals. In quite a number of instances reorganization plans that failed previously are being revised, with good prospects of early approval. Instead of demanding reductions as to principal and interest, with the latter conditional upon earn- ings In many cases, new plans fre- quently leave the principal intact and provide for a fixed inter- est payment. In addition, a share of future earnings is offered the creditors through stock distribu- tions. The increasing number of such settlements is helping to thaw out frozen mortgage investments and to stimulate some new mortgage investment. In addition, munici- pal finances are directly benefited by payment of tax arrears, usually a prime consideration with reor- ganization committees. —_+<-.—____ Preach not because you have to say something, but because you have some- thing to say.—Archbishop Whately. A = & A May 9, 1934 IN THE REALM OF RASCALITY on Questionable Schemes Which Are Under Suspicion Here is a list of abuses which are forbidden by the Federal Trade Com- mission: A distributor of jewelry and kindred products, including imitation pearls, will cease the use in its advertising of the word “pearls” to describe products which are not pearls. A distributor of nursery stock agrees to cease using in its advertisements word or phrases which would convey the impression that it grows the prod- ucts which it sells, when such is not true. The company will also cease using any words in its advertising which would imply that it is selling a new strain of a particular variety of nursery stock, possessing character- istics which are not to be found in the ordinary strain of that variety. A cigar manufactruer agrees to cease using the terms “throw-outs” or “fac- tory ‘throw-outs” and the words or figures “now 2 for © cents” or other words which would imply erroneously that the products are throw-outs or that the prices have been reduced, or that the products are of a quality us- ually sold at higher than two for five cents, when such is not true. Engaged in distributing aluminum ware, wine bricks, radios and radio supplies, a corporation agrees to stop using the words “associated manufac- turers’ as a part of its corporate name or in its printed matter so as to imply that it owns and controls the factory in which its products are made, when this is not true. Cigars manufactured by an individ- ual will no longer be described as “throw-outs” or “factory ‘throw-outs” when this is not true, nor will it be implied that the price of such products has been reduced or that they were manufactured with the intent of being sold at five and ten cents each and are now offered at two for five cents each, when this is not true. The word “taffeta” will no longer be used by an individual manufacturer of umbrellas or by a co-partnership man- ufacturing cotton and woolen fabrics in a way that would deceive buyers into believing that the fabrics are composed of silk, the product of the cocoon of the silk worm, when this is not true. Candles manufactured by a corpora- tion will no longer be labeled as “51 per cent. Beeswax,” or with numerals signifying other percentages of bees- wax when the content of that sub- stance in the product is less than those percentages. The company will em- ploy no words or phrases which would deceive the buyers into believing that the products are composed in whole or in substantial part of beeswax; un- less, when they are substantially so composed, the word “beeswax” will be accompanied by another word display- ed in conspicuous type so as to indi- cate the actual composition of the candles. A company and an individual manu- facturing cigars agree to abandon use of the words “throw-outs” or “factory throw-outs” or misrepresentations of MICHIGAN price so as to deceive buyers into be- lieving that their products are throw- outs, when this is not true. The com- pany also will stop representing that the prices have been reduced or that the cigars are of a quality which has regularly commanded a price higher than that at which the alleged throw- outs are advertised. Expressions like “Mai,” “Floral De Pomade,” “Narcisse,” or “Fleur de Mai” will no longer ‘be used by a cor- poration manufacturing cosmetics, fla- voring extracts, and spices ‘so as to im- ply that its preparations are imported from Franee. Company will also cease using the word “free’ in a way which would deceive buyers into be- lieving that merchandise is to be given as a gratuity in consideration of their purchases when in fact the price of the article alleged to be given free is included in the price paid for the other products. Improper use of the word “pearl” to describe imitation pearls will also be discontinued. The word or expression “throw- outs” as used to describe cigars which are not throw-outs will no longer be employed by an individual cigar manu- facturer in a way that would deceive buyers into believing that the cigars so represented do not pass inspection because of some imperfection and, therefore, are not being sold as the regular brand or at the price that would be asked for the same quality had they passed such inspection. Representing that its product can be relied upon to bring quick relief from gallstone pain or that the product pos- TRADESMAN sesses therapeutic value so that it will soften or dissolve, or cause removal of gallstones, will be discontinued by a copartnership manufacturing such a treatment, the claim having been found to be erroneous. An individual selling and distributing malt products and cordials will no longer describe his products as malt extracts. A corporation manufacturing facial cream will stop advertising in a way that would deceive buyers into believ- ing that the product, when applied to the face would be absorbed more deeply than other cosmetics, or would invigorate or nourish the skin, make the skin young, or heal skin erruptions. Company will no longer claim that this preparation keeps the skin sup- ple, young or active because of its al- leged duplication of the effects of a supposed “facial gland-hormone fluid,” when this is not true. Neither will the company say that its so-called bio- chemical laboratory was founded by a doctor alleged to be “an eminent skin specialist” or a “dermatologist to royalty.” Advertising to the effect that its grave vaults are guaranteed for 100 years against the admission of water or the effect of corrosion, when such statements are not warranted by the facts, will be discontinued by the man- ufacturer of a metal grave vault. Fictitious prices or false representa- tions of the value of its products will no longer be made by a corporation manufacturing food flavors and toilet preparations, nor will the company 2 advertise in such a way as to deceive buyers into believing erroneously that its products are extracts. Misrepresentation of a_ regularly manufactured cigar of a cheap grade as a “throw-out” from the factory from | ) a higher grade, will be discontinued by an individual manufacturing cigars. Foreign words or phrasese or pic- tures of a building simulating in ap- pearance the Eiffel Tower in Paris will no longer be used by an individ- ual manufacturing neckwear in a way that tends to deceive buyers into be- lieving that his products were made in France or elsewhere abroad and im- ported into the United States. This in- dividual will also stop using the words “silk” or “satin” in ways to deceive buyers into believing that the products sold are made of silk. A company engaged in canning shrimp and oysters will no longer use its corporate name in advertising nor will it employ the word “Star” in its slogan or otherwise so as to deceive buyers into the belief that this com- pany and the Star Fish & Oyster Co., Inc., an Alabama corporation, are one and the same, when this is not true. Specialty merchandise including food flavors, toilet preparations, and neck- laces, will no longer be marked with fictitious or exaggerated prices, nor will the word “pearl” be used to des- cribe products which are not pearls.The company selling these products agrees also to cease using the word “extract” to describe products which are not extracts. Name Return to Michigan Tradesman, Grand Rapids, Michigan PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT The Tradesman is circulating a letter among the retail merchants of Michigan, addressed to the President. Copies can be obtained in any quantity desired by addressing this office. No charge. The letter is as follows: PETITION HON. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, PRESIDENT UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, D. C. We, the undersigned, merchants and business firms in the State of Michigan do first commend your prompt and aggressive action to relieve National human distress, for starting the wheels of business and giving further relief to the unemployed. We further commend your efforts toward monetary reform and your declarations for the enforcement of the Federal laws against monopolies. Mr. President, we have long suffered from competition of monopoly, as well as a shortage of money. Our places of business are local as well as our homes, many of us having long been identified with the growth and progress of our community. These unlawful invaders have no interest in the local community, but to get its money, which they immediately transfer to the great financial centers. We believe, Mr. President, the smaller business men have certain inalienable rights which, in justice, should be respected. We believe the first duty of Government is to guard and protect the welfare of its people, giving to those of small means the oppor- tunity to enter business and to enjoy the right to happiness and success. To this end I petition you and pray that you may be safely sustained in your warfare for the Nation, against the greatest enemy to human progress Business Location 4 MOVEMENTS OF MERCHANTS. Detroit—The Woods Coal Co. has increased its capital stock from $5,000 to $25,000. Brooklyn—The Brooklyn State Bank has increased its capital stock from $50,000 to $70,000. Saginaw—Smith’s Food Shop, Inc., has been organized with a capital stock of $10,000, all paid in. Detroit—The & Country Shop, Inc., has increased its capital from $5,000 to $10,000. Detroit—Siegel’s Pharmacy, 9100 Oakland, has reduced its capital stock trom $25,000 to $7,500. Trenton—The Peoples State Bank of Town Trenton has increased its capital stock trom $50,000 to $80,000. Bangor—The West Michigan Sav- ings Bank has increased its capital stock of $50,000 to $100,000. South Haven—The Jarka Great Lakes Corporation has increased its capital stock from $20,000 to $50,000. Detroit—Henry the Hatter, 205 Gra- tiot avenue, has reduced his capital stock from $45.000 to $15,000. Port Huron—The Acheson Oildag Co. has name to the Acheson Colloids Corporation. Detroit—The J. & T. Hurley, Inc., fuel and ice, has reduced its capital stock from $200.000 to $105,000. Detroit—The Building Products Co. has increased its capital stock from $150,000 to $165,000. Detroit—The United Distillers & Winers, Inc., has increased its paid in capital stock from $10,000 to $40,000. Detroit—Chemical Products, Inc., has been organized with a capital stock of $25,000, of which $15,000 is paid in. Detroit—The Draperies, Inc., 445 East Jefferson avenue, has changed its name to tne F. P. Mullen Co. 3enton Harbor—The A. W. Dean Co,, 347 Pipestone street, has changed its name to The Free Breath Products Co. Detroit—The P. D. Gadd Co. has ben organized to make trusses and belts with a capital stock of $1.000 all paid in. Detroit — The Family Bargain 4700 Michigan avenue, has changed its name to the Cohn Furni- ture Co. Bay City—The Kennedy-Maynard Electric, Inc., has been organized with a capital stock of $7,500, of which $5.400 is paid in. Washington—The Washington Ele- vator Co. has been organized with a capital stock of $155,000, of which $17,003 is paid in. Grand Rapids—The Bustraan Coal Co. has been organized with a capital stock of $12,000. all paid in, to handle coal and other fuel. Detroit—The Erie Bronze & Alu- minum Foundry, Inc., has been organ- ized with a capital stock of $10,000. of which $1,500 is paid in. changed its Stanidard Premier House. Detroit — Doyle-Oppenheim, Inc.. food products and beverages, has been organized with a capital stock of $10.- 000, of which $4,500 is paid in. Detroit — The Vesuvius Corporation has Graphite been organized to MICHIGAN handle graphite products with a cap- ital stock of $1,000, all paid in. Augusta—The State Bank of Au- gusta has changed its capitalization from $10,000 Common stock to $10,000 common and $10,000 preferred. Detroit—The Detroit Mirror & Glass Co. has been. organized to deal in glass, with a capital stock of $25,- 000, of which $15,500 is paid in. Detroit—The Jordan Machine Prod- ucts, Inc., has been organized with a capital stock of $10,000, of which $3,000 is paid in. It will do machine work. Detroit — The Mbjestic Pattern Works, Inc., has been organized to make wood and metal patterns. The capital stock is $10,000, $3,300 paid in. Detroit—The Watkins Cigar Co. has been organized to engage in the sale of general merchandise and drugs. The capital stock is $10,000, one-half paid in. Detroit—Glass & Sullivan, Inc. has been organized with a capital stock of $12,000, all paid in, to engage in the drug business at 8701 West Vernor highway. Detroit—The McLouth Steel Cor- poration has been formed to manu- facture flat steel, with an authorized capital stock of $500,000. of which $20,- 000 is paid in. Bedford—Mrs. Ann Alling of the Hubbard road has rented the store formerly occupied by Charles Ham- mond in Bedford and will move her grocery stock there. Big Rapids—Paul Hayward, for- merly proprietor of a grocery for sev- eral years on East Maple street, an- nounces he will reopen his grocery store at the same location Saturday. Central Lake—E. B. Gilt has merged his canning business into a stock com- pany with $26,000 capital stock, of which $3,500 is paid in. It will be known as the E. B. Gill Canning Co., Inc. Detroit—W. L. Douglas Shoe Co. moved their uptown Woodward ave- nue store to a new location, at 1542 Woodward avenue. James Knight is store manager. A. E. Harvey is dis- trict manager for Douglas. Allegan — Clarence Chamberlain, who has conducted a grocery store here for the past two vears, closed the business Saturday night and has an- nounced that he will move to Muske- gon and engage in the wholesale trade. What line of business he will conduct Was not stated. Kalamazoo—When work is finished on the store building of D. M. Carroll in Oakwood, on Oakland drive at White’s Road, the size of the store room will be doubled. The enlarge- ment is warranted by the steady growth in his grocery business which he established there last summer. Detroit—A new modernistic type of shoe store has been opened at 9810 Joseph Campau avenue, Hamtramck, leading Detroit suburb, by Sam Sel- man. It is known as the Cinderella shop, and specializes in quality wo- men’s shioes. A hosiery counter at the front is the only exception to display of merchandise. Kalamazoo—The A. W. Johnson Co., clothiers, will occupy more com- TRADESMAN modious quarters next fall when it moves from its present location in the Burdick Hotel building, which it has occupied for twenty years, to the store which until recently housed the Col- umbian Electric Co., 127 South Rose street. The change will be made be- tween Aug. 15 and Sept. 1. In the meantime plans are being made for the decoration and refitting of the new quarters. Allegan—Herman Vaupell, formerly cashier and later conservator of the First State Bank of Allegan, has an- nounced that the chairman of the Re- construction Finance Corporation, Washington, D.C., has notified him that the bank will be permitted to re- open in the next few weeks. The no- tice also contains the pleasing infor- mation that depositors are to be paid a 40 per cent. of their funds. The de- positors have waited long and patiently, but are now to be compensated by re- ceiving a larger dividend than many of the banks of the state have paid. Bancroft—Death claimed one of Bancroft’s pioneer merchants last Thursday when Henry Shane, 76, died at the home here from a heart attack. Mr. Shane was taken ill in his place of business the day before, but seemed to be improving up to the time of his death. Mr. Shane had conducted a jewelry store for fifty-two years in Bancroft, adding other lines to his bus- iness as the years went by. He was the Consumers Power representative. He had at some time held every muni- cipal office in the village. He was a charter member of Bancroft Masonic lodge and for 35 years was secretary of the lodge. Battle Creek—Eleven Battle Creek residents, all of them bakers for the last ten to twelve years, have banded together and establishd a new bakery in Battle Creek, known as the Consum- ers Baking Co. It is not only a home- owned enterprise, but a business estab- lished for the purpose of supplying only home-owned stores with Quality baking goods. The old Schmid Bakery, located on South Place, has been pur- chased and since the bakery opened a short time ago more than $16,000 in new equipment has been installed, In keeping with the spirit of the organ- izers of the new business all of the equipment, trucks, ovens and wrapping machines, have been bought in Battle Creek, Hartford—Robert W. Cochrane, 56, a former resident of this locality, and for many years proprietor of drug stores in Kalamazoo and Watervliet, died at his home in Venice. Calif., ac- cording to word received by his brother, D. F. Cochrane, editor of the Hartford Day Spring. He had been ill since last October. Mr. Cochrane spent his boyhood in Centreville, Springport, Bloomingdale, and other towns in which his father, the late Rev. H. F. Cochrane, was pastor. As a young man he entered the drug bus- iness in Kalamazoo and later conduct- ed drug stores in Watervliet and Kal- amazoo before going to Phoenix, Ari- zona, and Ventura, Calif. Last De- cember, he was graduated from the Los Angeles College of ‘Chiropractic, May 9, 1934 ’ serving also as a faculty member ani as instructor in therapeutics during | college course. Ludington — Maximum operat): hours for Ludington meat and ¢ cery stores were set at 64 per week a; meeting at City hall Tuesday night | representatives of twenty-one stores The hours, when approved Washington and by the code comm: tee for this district, will become a p: of the local food retailers’ code of { competition. Although maximut hours were fixed at 64, an agreemen: to retain the present schedule of 63 week was signed by all but two of} those present. The agreement was sup gested for the purpose of allowing mer- chants one hour a week leeway which to serve late customers. Th; operating hours agreed upon are fron 8 a. m. to 6 p. m., and until 9 p. m, on Saturdays, although the code allow: opening and closing hours to be indi vidually arranged, provided they posted in the stores as a regular sched- ule. Manufacturing Matters Manistique—The Northwoods Man ufacturing Co., manufacturer of han dles, has increased its capital stock from $30,000 to $40,000. Jackson—The Jackson. Paper Co. ha: been organized to manufacture paper and pulp and cardboard boxes, The capital stock is $1,000, alt paid in. Detroit—The Briggs Lumber ( has been organized with $25,000 cip- ital stock, of which $1,000 is paid in, to manufacture and sell lumber prod- ucts. Detroit—The Triad Corporation has been organized to manufacture paint and painting equipment, with a cap- ital stock of $10,000, of which $3,100 is paid in. Plymouth—The Plymouth Cooper- age Corporation, to manufacture wood packages, has been organized with capital stock of $250,000, of which $48.- 000 is paid in. Detroit—The Subday Products, Inc.. has been organized to manufacture auto heaters with a capital stock of $250,000 preferred and $5,000 common, with $10,000 paid: in. Flint—The General Foundry & Man- ufacturing Co. has been organized to manufacture automotive parts, with a capital stock of $100,000, of which $1,000 is paid in. Jackson—The Azuria Laboratories, Inc., has been organized to manufac- ture insecticides and disinfectants, with a capital stock of $5,000, of $3,000 is paid in, Detroit—The Lowry Manufacturing Co. has been organized to manufac- ture machines for cleaning metal coils, which with a capital stock of $25,000, of which $19,000 is paid in. —— +2. No Wonder She doesn’t paint, She doesn’t rouge, She doesn’t smoke, She doesn’t booze, She doesn’t kiss, She doesn’t pet, She’s 58 and single yet. H. E. Davis. ———_2>+>____ Beautiful memories are the flower gardens of life. i re aR cneaa BW ee sewer & f METAIRIE oil Neonpesipa ne Eo g 2 a i ZS ra eRermRRN May 9, 1934 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Essential Features of the Grocery Staples Sugar — Local jobbers hold cane granulated at 4.89c and beet granulated at 4.67c. Tea—No particular change has oc- curred in the first hands tea market during the week. Business is quiet at the moment, But the undertone is steady to firm, due to increased firm- ness in the primary markets. If the latter results in further advances in the primary markets, there will be ad- vances in this country. Coffee—During the week the market for future Rio and Santos coffee, green and in a large way, has been fairly steady. Business, however, was poor. There have been small fluctuations both up and down, but the general situation is dull. As to spot Rio and Santos, green and in a large way, there has been some shading in price since the last report and the market is not very steady. Demand has been quiet. Milds are where they were a week ago with a quiet demand. The jobbing market on roasted coffee remains sub- stantially as it was with a fair demand. Consumptive demand for coffee is good. Dried Fruits—The dried fruit market shows little change here and the shift- ing of values in the past week has been slight. The market can best be de- scribed as holding firm, with a fair rou- tine demand for fruits. Buying has nothing of a speculative character about it, although for what orders lack in volume they often make up in fre- quency. The trend continues to be cautious, with both local and interior buyers content to fill in requirements as they develop. There has been some resistance to higher prices, as in top grade Blenheims, but usually if there is enough demand from consuming channels for an item the price is not as important as it is sometimes made to appear. What would help all kinds of raisins along very well and, indeed, be a boon to the whole dried fruit market, would be defiinite news from Washing- ton as to the approval of the marketing agreement on Thompsons. The several disappointments which have been en- dured since last fall when the proposal for a marketing agreement first was made have tended to depress Thomp- sons, rather than anything else. Now that the growers and packers have reached an agreement the sooner the Government ratifies it the better. Stocks held on the spot are relatively moderate but adequate to present needs. The Coast market is strong, ac- cording to reports. There is a good, firm price structure there and it will help to sustain distributing centers, all of which have not quite caught up with the primary market. Canned Vegetables—The _ serious drouth situation which has affected the Middle West is having its effect in peas, corn and other items, as it is also ° influencing future wheat. There has been some fairly substantial business booked out of Wisconsin on new pack peas, according to canners in that state, and the weather developments are be- ing followed closely. Canned Fish—The end of the strike on Columbia River in a victory for the fishermen and cannery workers is seen in some quarters here as an incentive to other fishermen and cannery work- ers to fight more determinedly for their demands. It has been known for some time that unrest had spread to about every district where salmon is packed, even into Alaska, and labor leaders may be expected to use the victory achieved on the Columbia River to the best advantage in holding fishermen and workers in line later, should fu- ture strikes be called. The end of the strike on Columbia River has meant little as yet,as far as business here is concerned. There has been more or less difficulty experienced in getting the prevailing prices, so that the talk of possible higher prices on new pack goods failed to throw the trade into any kind of buying frenzy. New York pack prices are expected to be along soon, however, and may be higher than prevailing prices on spot goods. There is little else of interest in the trade. The opening prices on Maine sardines did not bring in much of a response from markets where these goods are sold, but a little business has been booked because of the short supply which has existed for some time back. Canned Goods Stocks—The quarter- ly stock statistics as of April 1 are especially interesting this spring, as showing the movement of canned foods from the packers to the distributors. In brief, distributors were holding 20 per cent. less goods on April 1 than on January 1, with every item showing a reduction except pineapple, and that an increase of 9 per cent. During the three-month period that distributors reduced inventories 20 per cent., pack- ers reduced their stock a fraction under 50 per cent. The answer seems to be that this sizable reduction from first hands did not pile up on second hands, but moved into retail channels, and a goodly portion of it presumably into consumption. Even stocks of canned peaches in the hands of packers were reduced during this three-month period from 4,105,137 cases on January 1 to 2,851,017 cases on April 1, a reduction of 31 per cent. on the fixed price sched- ule that has prevailed. And while pack- ers were reducing their stocks of peaches 31 per cent., stocks in the hands of distributors declined from 646,366 on January 1 to 633,450 on April 1, or 2 per cent. The statistics bear out the active trading period which set in around the time of the national conventions in January and based a good bit on the optimism which prevailed at that time. Since then there has been a reaction, but, after all, a period of active trading is bound to bring a reaction. The fact remains that stocks in distributors’ hands are only 13 per cent. larger on April 1 this year than on April 1 last year, while canners’ stocks on April 1 this year are some 31 per cent. less than on April 1 last year. Beans and Peas—Dull business and continued easy prices is again the story of the dried bean market for the week. Very little is doing and that at buyer’s prices. No change in dried peas. Cheese—Cheese is steady with mod- erate offerings at unchanged prices. Kraut—The National Kraut Packers’ Association of Clyde, Ohio, writes to members that the recent low price quoted on Ohio kraut was an offering by an insurance company of some salv- aged merchandise. The kraut, says the letter, was taken from the burned tanks at Mason, Mich., last winter, hauled to Fremont, Ohio, dumped into tanks there in its half-fermented state and has been recently taken out and canned. This action has angered kraut packers in the Middle West not a little. Aside from this, says the circular, the sauerkraut outlook is better. “The price cutters of the past few weeks seem to have arrived at a place where they are either sold out or have be- come disgusted with the results of their own methods and have withdrawn of- ferings at prices below cost.” Inciden- tally, New York State fancy sauerkraut seems to be pretty well fixed at $1.10, factory. Nuts—The nut market shows no particular change. There has been some routine business done, but hardly of a satisfactory volume. The price structure in foreign markets has under- gone very little change, and there is only enough business being done to fill in here. The futures market continues very dull. Salt Fish—The season for mackerel and other salt fish is drawing to a close and business is very quiet. Stocks, however, are low and the market is closing in good statistical position with prices steady to firm, Syrup and Molasses—Sugar syrup contnues firm on account of limited production. Demand is good with prices unchanged. Compound syrup is still dull without any price change. Finer grades of molasses sold by gro- cers are wanted in a small way with- out change in price. Vinegar—The strength of cider vine- gar continues a feature of that mar- ket. Wholesale grocers are buying good quantities. Prices stay at pre- vious levels. —_—_- Review of the Produce Market Alligator Pears—19c each. Apples—Northern Spy, $2 for No. 1; $2.25 for extra fancy; Delicious, $1.75 per bu. for No. 1 red. Asparagus—90c per doz. for home grown, Artichokes—Calif., 90c per dozen, 4 doz. in box. Bananas—4%c per Ib. Brockles—15c per bunch. Butter—Tubs, 24'%c; cartons, 25c. Cabbage — New from Texas, $2 per crate of 85 Ibs. Carrots—50c per dozen bunches of Calif. or $2.75 per case. Cauliflower—$2.25 per crate for Cal- ifornia. Celery—Florida, 6 and 8 doz. crates, $3.50. Cocoanuts—90c per doz. or $5.50 per bag. Cucumbers—No. 1 Florida, 90c and $1 per dozen, according to size. Dried Beans — Michigan Jobbers pay as follows for hand picked at ship- ping stations: @. FP. from farmer...) $2.05 Light Red Kidney from farmer-_- 3.75 Dark Red Kidney from farmer_. 4.75 Lieht Cranberry _....-... 4.50 Darke, Cranberry _____._____-____- 3.50 Eggs—Jobbers pay 9c per lb. for all clean receipts. They sell as follows: 5 Paney, fvesh white...) 18c¢ Candied fresh 2 17c Candied, large pullets...... 15¢ Cheeks 14¢ Garlic—12c per Ib. Grape Fruit—Florida grape fruit is held at the following prices: (A ea Ao 4.00 SO 4.00 96 oo 4.00 Green Beans — $2.75 per hamper for Louisiana grown. Green Onions — Shalots, 2lc per dozen from Indiana. Green Peas — $2 per hamper for California grown. Green Peppers—California, 60c per dozen. Lemons—The price is as follows: 360 Sunkist... a SO 300 Sunkist. = 6.50 JOO Ned Bale 6.00 S00 Red Ball 6.00 Limes—20c per dozen. Lettuce — In good demand on the following basis: California, 4s and 5s, crate_____-$5.00 Deaf, hothouse. 90 Mushrooms—30c per one Ib. carton Onions—Home grown, 8§¢ per bu. for Yellow; Texas Bermudas, $1.65 for Yellow, and $1.75 for White. Onions Sets—$5 per bu. Oranges—Fancy Sunkist California Navels are now sold as follows: I6 $3.25 ie 4.00 200) 4.50 Ae 4.50 Oe 4.50 Zoe 4.50 a0 4.25 Red Ball, 50c per box less. Florida Valencias in 45 lb. bags are held as follows: ao 0 1.65 Te 1.65 Parsley—30c per doz. for hot house. Potatoes — 75c per bu.; Idahos $2 per 100 lb. bag; new from Florida, $5.75 per bbl. Poultry—Wilson & Company pay as follows: Freauy Howls 99 3 13e bight Powls (00 lle ee 8c aMkeys 14c Cee 7c Radishes—35c per dozen bunches hot house. Red Raspberries — California, $1.65 for crate of 12 half pints. Rhubarb—90c per bu. of 30 Ibs. from Ind. Spinach—90c per bushel for Texas grown. Strawberries—24 pint cases La., $2; 24 quart case, $3.50. Sweet Potatoes — Jerseys from In- diana, $2.25 per bu. Tomatoes—Repacked Mexican, $1.50 for 10 lb. carton. Turnips—75c per bushel. Veal Calves — Wilson & Company pay as follows: Panicy 7 @8c COGe a 6c Vegetable Oysters—30c per doz. Wax Beans—$3.75 per hamper for Louisiana grown. from MUTUAL INSURANCE (Fire and Life) A N Remarkable Heritage Which Invo:ves Certain Obligations We are in a business that for back- ground and ancestry is hard to equal, although the parentage is perhaps a little mixed. To-day we take as a mat- ter of course the facilities that are available for our comfort and conveni- ence. We do not marvel much at the railroad, the steamship, the automobile, the telephone and telegraph, radio, air transportation and the thousand and one things which have been developed in a comparatively short time. They have become necessary to our present method of living and yet the first steam locomotive to run successfully on land nvented until 1805 —about a century and a quarter ag. and the first practical and steam- boat in American only in 1807, and was not successful most, if not all, of us here to-day re- member the first automobile, and the first wireless and the first successful air transportation by a heavier-than- air machine. When we consider all these inven- tions of science which are so much an essential part of our present life and without some of which this conven- tion with representatives from almost every part of the United States would have been impossible, they are infants in comparison with our business of insurance. The first president of our country, dear to the hearts of all Americans, apparently got along very well with- out the railroad, the automobile or even a bicycle and, if history correctly re- cords his many head-quarters and the many houses where he slept, he seems to have gotten around quite exten- sively, but he did have the benefit of insurance—his home in Philadelphia in 1790 was insured against loss by fire and by a mutual company. England in the 17th century, had no railroads but they had an insurance company and it was a mutual. We can go back 2,500 years to the communes of Assyria where magis- trates were appointed for each town and district to levy from members of the commune contributions to a fund against calamities such as drought and fire. If a fire occurred of accidental origin, the members to pay the loss of the one whose property was destroyed. magistrates assessed all The ancient Greeks and Romans and later the Anglo-Saxons had Guilds or- ganized for the purpose of providing against loss by fire and water. Wal- ford’s Insurance Encyclopeda gives the following in regard to these Guilds: “The first glimmer of the principle of mutual insurance arises in connection with the Anglo-Saxon Guilds, wherein made fixed periodical payments toward a common _ fund, whereby they secured each other against loss by fire, water, robber, or other calamity.” the members In Germany as early as the 16th cen- tury there were fire guilds (Brand- MICHIGAN gilden) which are recorded as having negotiated contracts of mutual insur- ance. These seem to have been quite successful and grew in number, later being consolidated into the Feuer Casse at Hamburg in 1676, one of the earli- est fire insurance associations of which we have any knowledge. Attempts were made in England in the early part of the 17th century to provide a method of indemnification for loss by fire but none were success- ful. Then came the great fire of Lon- don in 1666 which was undoubtedly the event that led to the formation of our modern fire insurance company. This calamity brought home to the inhabitants of London the necessity of having some adequate form of indem- nification against loss by fire and the next year, 1667, Nicholas son of “Praise-God Barebones” open- Barbon, ed an office where he offered to insure buildings against fire. Later in 1680 this became the Fire Office and here for an annual consideration or premi- um a house might be insured against joss or damage by fire—a distinction being made in rate for brick houses and for those of frame construction. Today one of the bug-bears ever be- fore the insurance business is State Funds and it behooves us to be alert in watching It is interesting to note here tiat ap- parently the germ thas been lurking legislation in this respect. around the business for many years for it is recorded that in 1681, the year after the Fire Office was established in London, the city tried a scheme of municipal insurance but it was discon- tinued after two years. Then in 1683 came the first success- ful mutual fire insurance company— the Friendly Society, which survived for over 100 years. It was followed in 1696 by the Amicable Contribution or Hand-in-Hand which was also a mu- tual company which prospered from the beginning and was successful for over 200 years when it was absorbed by the Commercial Union Insurance Company of London. The various methods of providing insurance to-day—mutuals, reciprocals, Lloyds, stock companies—are only modifications and refinements of the earliest ideas of indemmification brought to the present state of per- fection through natural growth, just as the present steam locomotive may be said to be the development and growth of Trevithick’s New Castle engine and the present trans-Atlantic liner the am- plification of Robert Fulton’s Cler- mont. A novelist within a year wrote a fan- tastic story in which he pictured an- other flood covering the earth. There was no ark but there were some who survived by clinging to mountain peaks. When the waters subsided all their former evidences of civilization were gone and they started again as primitive people dependent solely on their own resources for existence. While the story dealt primarily with the moral aspect of the new civilization and is not particularly apropos of the present discussion, it is interesting to watch the development of some sort of order avt of the chaos. Self-preserva- TRADESMAN tion came first and after it an increas- ing desire for the comforts and secur- itw which they had enjoyed before the deluge. Had the novelist gone farther I think he might have depicted them as providing for the compensation of the individual for any losses he might sustain by fire or the elements—the loss to be borne by the whole group. Had he gone still farther he might have depicted one man or several in the group who saw the tremendous possibilities of profit in this matter of compensation and who accordingly or- iginated a new plan which everyone who cared to be protected should pay a certain sum each year in consideration of which they were to be indemnified up to a stated amount in case of loss. If, at the end of the year the total sum received by the individual in payment for losses sustained was less than the whole amount paid by them for the promised protection, the balance of the latter would be taken by the originator of the scheme as payment for his services. This story could be elaborated almost indefinitely and it would then be only a presenta- tion of what has actually taken place in the matter of insurance as recorded in history over a period of 2,500 years. It is easy to trace the mutual ideas and the stock company idea. The ini- tiative has some times come from the group desiring the protection—altru- istic perhaps in a sense but influenced in a large measure by a desire for pro- tection of ones own property——while at other times it has been developed as a purely commercial plan. It is true that progress in this line of human endeavor has been extremely slow and that it was not, as we have said, until 1683 that a successful mu- tual fire insurance company such as we have to-day was established in Lon- don. undere In this country the first organized company of which we have any record was the Friendly Society of Charles- ton, South Carolina, born in 1735, died in 1741. It was apparently not a very healthy child and did not long survive the rigors of the early colonial life in America. The next recorded effort toward in- surance was the Philadelphia Contribu- tionship founded in 1752 on the mu- tual plan and which has been success- fully in operation to the present—or for more than 180 years. May 9, 1934 In 1852 the company celebrated its centennial on which occasion Horace Binney, eminent jurist and for 41 years a member of the Board of Directors of the Contributionship and for 26 years its Chairman, stated in opening his ad- dress the following: “We began a hundred years ago with nothing but a good thought, a seed which when it was sown was no big- ger than a grain of mustard seed, ‘less than all the seeds that be on the earth’ and at this day how many lodge in security under the shadow of the tree that has sprung up from it! A cen- tury ago not an inhabitant of this city possessed a dollar of indemnity against loss of his dwellings by fire. To-day this Company insures eight millions of property in brick and stone buildings and holds seven hundred thousand dol- lars of effective, well-secured funds to indemnify the loss that may happen to them by fire.” Following the Contributionship came the Mutual Assurance Company of Philadelphia, 1784; The Baltimore Equitable Society, 1794; The Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, 1794, and The Providence Mutual Fire of Providence, R. I., 1800, all of them going strong to-day. Now it may be argued that it is just as commendable to pay $1 dividend to a stockholder as it is to pay $1 dividend to a policy-holder but we know that the dividend to the policyholder is spread much wider than the stock divi- dend; it benefits an infinitely greater number and what is much more im- portant and I think more worthy is that it enables many property owners to more adequately protect themselves against fire and other calamity because of the lower net cost. We personally are therefore sold on the mutual plan and we are justly proud of our heritage. Insurance has an ancient and for the most part an honorable history in which the mutu- als have appeared prominently from the beginning, But with all our enthusiasm and our belief in mutual insurance we cannot fail to realize what has been accom- plished for insurance generally by the stock companies. They have undoubt- edly learned much from the mutuals in the matter of inspections and fire pre- vention while the mutuals have like- wise learned much from the stock com- panies in the matter of rating, based on experience which the latter have OUR FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES ARE CONCURRENT | with any standard stock policies that you are buying - No interruption in dividend payments to policy holders since organization Michigan Bankers and Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Fremont, Michigan WILLIAM N. SENF, Secretary-Treasurer é 2% S 38 May 9, 1934 perhaps more scientifically tabulated and applied. And I think we may still profit from the stock companies in the matter of organization and leader- ship. The two have so much in common— the same article to merchandise-indem- nity—and the same service to render. The public still needs a deal of edu- cation in the matter of fire prevention and protection. Both have common enemies—state funds, burdencome tax- ation and other legislation detrimen- tal to the business. Other industries have found it to their advantage to unite and present a solid front in disposing of their prod- ucts, fruit growers, brass trade, coal producers, elevator manufacturers and many others. Henry ford in a statement, giving the reason why he thought Herbert Hoover should and would be elected president said: “He understands the point of view of the business man. His biggest work in the Department of Commerce, to my mind, has been in bringing the men en- gaged in each industry closer together and teaching them that they could co- operate one with the other and still do more business all around.” Insurance has a tremendous field in which there should be ample room for both stock and mutual companies but in which there is no room for the fly-by-night organization, whether stock, mutual, or reciprocal. The failure of an insurance company is to the insuring public a reflection on the business and the failure of a mutual company brings discredit to the whole group whether justly or not. It is therefore imperative that all who are responsible for the management of a mutual organization see that their house is in order. The stronger each individual com- pany becomes, the stronger will be- come our National Organization and the resulting benefit is obvious. Every policyholder in a mutual company should be made to feel a personal in- terest and pride in his company. He should be encouraged to consult the company in all matters of mutual in- terest—construction, appliances, safe- guards, and proper and adequate cov- erage—and the company must be equipped to give him intelligent infor- mation in all such matters. We have a heritage, but it carries with it certain obligations. An obliga- tion to furnish to an insuring public at a minimum cost of absolute indem- nification in case of loss; an obligation to lessen the fire waste through in- spections and education in the matter of fire prevention and fire protection and an obligation to each other in the true spirt of mutuality. J. H. R. Timanus. ———_>++-—__ Corporations Wound Up The following Michigan corporations have recently filed notices of dissolu- tion with the Secretary of State: American Dry Ice Corporation, Lan-_ sing. General Industrial Equipment Cor- poration, Detroit. H. Brewer & Co., Tecumseh. North Channel Ferry, Inc., Algonac. Mason-Chevrolet Sales Co., Luding- ton. Burks Construction Co., Detroit. MICHIGAN John Wood Manufacturing Co., De- troit. Wolverine Power Co., Edenville. W. B. Gregory & Son Co., Detroit. Neal Grocery Co., Bad Axe. Helm Building Co., Detroit. Multi Selecto Grand Rapids. Wiggly Phonograph, Inc., Piggly Northwest, Inc., Ironwood. George P. Way, Inc., Detroit. Shakeproof Lock Washer Co., De- troit. Furniture Factory Sales Rooms, Inc., Holland. Hunt Show Case Co., Bay City. Forman, Inc., Alpena. Detroit Warehouse Co., Detroit. Menominee Brick Co., Menominee. Door-Motive Corp., Detroit. Wotring Sales & Service, Inc., Dear- born. Crescent Oil Co., Saginaw. McLouth Steamship Co., Marine City. Tide Water Oil Sales Corp., Detroit. Dickerson Holding Co., Detroit. The Kettlewell Co., Detroit. Good Humor Ice Cream Co., Inc., Detroit. Andrews Michigan Corp., Detroit. Eastern Chevrolet Co., Detroit. Downtown Chevrolet Co., Detroit. Gratiot Chevrolet Co., Detroit. Flint Refrigeration Co., Flint. Michigan Mercantile Co., Morley. Home Wholesale Supply Co., Detroit. Standard Fish Co., Detroit. Riemenschneider Brothers, Toc., Pontiac. oe Mother Mother is the world’s most precious possessin. She is God’s noblest handi- work. Without her the human race must long ago have perished forever. Nurtured by her tender and loving care it still lives, and is striving to emulate the Master. No one can be so brave as Mother. No danger can swerve her from the call of duty; no pestilence can stay her footsteps upon an errand of mercy; and without a tremor or a faltering step, she walks unafraid along the brink of the abyss of eternity to fulfill her mis- sion of destiny. No love can be like unto that of Mother. Her child may neglect her, stray from her, aye, even disdain and forget her, but throughout the silent watches of the night, she will listen for his footstep, and breathe a forgiving prayer for his welfare and happiness. And when she is arrayed in the white robes of an angel, there can be en- shrined in the human heart no memory that is a dear as that of Mother. Upon our aching bed of pain, we long for the soothing touch of her hand. As we grow weary, and our footsteps falter upon the pathway of life, we are made stronger by the remembrance of her encircling arm. Then when we hear the clear call of the Maker, we shall go in the fond hope of an eternal meeting with Mother. WalterF. Meier. ——_+> > The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those who feel.— Horace Walpole. ——_--—__ Men are grateful in the same de- grees as they are resentful—Pope. TRADESMAN “a ROOSEVELT'S PROBABLE PITFALL The solution of the Nation’s economic problem will come through the development of character, health and intelligence. Instead of wasting money on useless subsidies—whether to industry under Republican administration or to the unem- ployed under Democratic administration—this money should systematically be used to develop the citizenry of the Nation. Some will say this is impractical, but I say it very practical. Statistics show that character is almost the only short crop that threatens America to-day. Alhough it may be a difficult task, a Department for Race Betterment, headed by a Secre- tary of Character, could accomplish much. He need merely do for men, women and children what the Secretary of Agri- culture has done for cattle, sheep and hogs! Surely our pres- ent methods of combatting war, crime, graft, class conflicts and business dishonesty have been of little avail. The billions of dollars now being spent annually in combatting these and other national cancers would bring far better results if used properly to develop and strengthen the nation’s character. Of course, we would never reach perfection. The fun is in the striving rather than in the arriving. The best method of attack lies in influencing the desires of people for things more worth while. What a nation does, depends upon what it wants. Those who voted for President Roosevelt will turn against him when they find he cannot give them what they want. If “priming the pump” does not give water, they will ungratefully claim they were deceived. This applies to organized labor and big business alike. Hence the “wants” and motives of both need be changed. The Secretary of Character should give consideration to the question of breeding. Vital statistics show that democracy will ultimately collapse unless nations give genetics and eugen- ics primary consideration. The present system whereby par- ents with good character have only one or two children and hence do not reproduce themselves; while parents with weak character have from three to eight children, spells necessarily disaster. Compared with this question of race betterment, all social and economic legislation is piffle. The birth standard is far more important than the gold standard. Whether the re- sult can best be accomplished through subsidizing the fit and restraining the unfit or by a system of sterilizing those who bear children without a license to do so or by some other method is a matter for study. The important fact is that no army or navy or “New Deal” or old deal is sufficient to save democracy and conserve liberty which is our most precious heritage. Only by the Federal Government giving greatest concern to char- acter development, can our Nation avoid internal revolution or fascism. A Republican reaction may serve as a narcotic to de- lay the evil day; but such relief will be but temporary. In the last analysis, our National future depends upon our National character—that is—whether it is spiritually or mate- rially minded. No one knows this better than the President. The demand of his party for immediate results forces him to devote all his efforts to “priming the pump.” This allows him no time to give the pump greatly needed repairs or to relocate it to provide a permanent source of water. In the meantime, people are impatient, selfish and ungrateful. The President’s goal is right; his intentions are of the best; but the one great pitfall ahead is that not sufficient attention is being given to strengthening the foundations. He should warn the voters con- tinually that only a revival of the Nation’s character will per- manently save the situation. Reforming the bankers and in- dustrialists is a step forward; but this will not save the Demo- cratic party unless supplemented by an effective movement to reform also the politicians, the infamous labor leaders and the voters themselves. Rocrer W. Basson. 8 FALL PLANS NOT YET MADE While a majority of retail depart- ments have had an improvement in both sales and profits over a year ago during the first four months of this year, there has been a wide variation in the showing, according to analyses made during the past yeek. Gains have ranged from as much as 300 per cent. for electrical appliance sections to much smaller increases in such lines as men’s clothing and furs, merchandise executives said, Due both to seasonal factors and the probability that some of the pent-up consumer demand for many items of merchandise has apparently been satis- fied, temporarily at least, it 1s not ex- pected that the departments which led during the last four months will retain leadership during the remainder of the year. Consumer sales resistance, the variation in buying trends throughout the country due to unequal NRA bene- fits, and the future price trend are fac- tors being considered by retail execu- tives in shaping departmental plans for the rest of the year. Buyers and sales promotion execu- tives, however, feel that the Summer semi-luxury sports wear, millinery, leisure and items is good. Dresses, travel garments, luggage, novel beach apparel and new accesso- ries, particularly following the vogue for white, are given first rating in the probable leading Summer departments. As yet comparatively little detailed attention has been given to develop- ment of plans for Fall, although diffi- culty in meeting the sales figures of last August is anticipated at this time. The largest increase in retail sales last year occurred in that month. outlook for Well-informed buyers, however, say they are already shaping plans for buy- ing about two weeks earlier, in order to eliminate possible diffculties in shipments, due to NRA restrictions on overtime and production. This will be particularly true of many items of style merchandise, on which stores must have prompt August and Sep- tember deliveries. It was added that another probable development in the Fall will be a lower initial mark-up on most Fall goods, in view of a stable or perhaps slightly lower Fall price level. The initial mark-up, it was said, may drop to around 36 per cent., against 38 per cent. or more a year ago, when averaging price increases on stocks on hand were common. y recent gain in elec- trical appliance sales the major ap- pliances led, with the increase in vol- ume on table items not being particu- larly noteworthy. Considerable stress was placed on the role which heavy national advertising by manufacturers played in the sales increase on the major appliances. Because of the suc- cess in this direction, the suggestion was made both stores and producers might tap a large consumer demand for lighting and bathroom fixtures, which have not received much general exploitation from the larger stores. In the heavy Following electrical items in signifi- cant sales gains came house-furnish- ings. The demand for this merchan- dise proved a feature of the general retail trade last Summer, in anticipa- tion of sharp price advances, and these MICHIGAN goods, ranging from furniture to floor coverings, continued quite active in most stores throughout the country until just before Easter. The post-Eas- ter demand then slackened by compar- ison, notably in the East, and buyers admit they face increasing difficulties in meeting the sales figures of last year, which continued to mount month by month until the August peak. It was pointed out that in the South and in many parts of the agricultural West, the experience of large depart- ment stores shows that the spurt in consumer buying in those sections was first in apparel, and only after this de- mand was satisfied did home furnish- ings volume rise. A good volume of home furnishings buying still continues in those areas. Practically all of the major accessory apparel departments went ahead dur- ing the last four months with the ex- ception of men’s clothing and furs. Coats and suits, children’s wear, dres- ses, blouses and neckwear and gloves showed up very well, particulary in the notable pre-Easter rise in which a number of these departments had gains of up to 100 per cent. over March a year ago. Merchandise executives and buyers are turning their attention now to see- ing what can be dore about inc-eas‘ng sales of men’s Summer wear. Last year a campaign to spur consumer interest in Summer goods was launched and store execui'ves are anxious to see this campaign, beginning around Father's Day, undertaken again this year, New departments are being sought. Since prohibition ended, many depart- ment stores added liquor sections, which have added from 2 to 5 per cent. to total store volume. Profit possibil- ities, however, have decreased with in- creased competition and the mark-up on liquors has now sagged to 26 per cent., against 40 per cent. at the start. Shoe repair, optical and in one case even dentistry departments are receiv- ing attention as possible additions by some stores. INDUSTRY MOVES AHEAD Deliberations of the United States Chamber of Commerce, completion of the tax bill and advancement of the stock exchange control measure and the reciprocal tariff plan were events at Washington which attracted most business interest in the week. The project for launching a home moderni- zation and building movement with private financing insured by the gov- ernment was regarded as a very sound one and calculated to provide activity where it is probably needed the most. While trade suffers a lull, basic in- dustry is still moving ahead very brisk- ly. The latest report on steel opera- tions shows the best rate since mid- July, 1933, in the pre-code boom. Automobile manufacturing wound up last month with an estimated total of 400,000 cars, which would be the larg- est for any such period since May, 1930. The weekly business index is up again. Without the cotton forward- ings series it is within almost a point of 86.4, which was the high made for last year in the week ended on July 15, which in turn was the highest back to July, 1931. TRADESMAN Slackening in trade has brought fears that production is running ahead too fast. While this may be true to some extent temporarily in some of the mer- chandise lines, it scarcely holds for the more durable goods. Replenishment has been required right along the line in such products, which has had the effect of pushing up numerous opera- tions where scarcities had developed. Little light can be thrown upon the real situation here in the absence of actual statistics. Producing rates and consumption can only be compared for an approximation. However, the ware- house report of the Bureau of Census indicated an increase in space occu- pied last year from 60.7 to 67.6, At the end of February, however, this per- centage had dropped to 67.2. CHAMBER SCORES NRA In a field-day of criticism which General Johnson did not invite this time, speakers at the sessions of the Chaniber of Commerce of the United States in Washington last week found grievous fault with the NRA on irany counts. However, the convention did not condemn the basic recovery 1-ro- gram ‘and, in fact, re-elected for a third term as president one who had fairly kind things to say about the ad- mimstration project. The negative character of the Cham- ber’s findings was more or less tradi- tional. For three years before the Roosevelt regime it offered nothing that resulted in any relief from the de- pression. Its main slogan was “Keep the Government Out of Business” even while those practices were indulged in that finally forced the Government into business to save the country from dis- aster. What spokesmen for the organiza- tion now urge are less spending, lower taxes and a balancing of the budget, all of which are administration objec- tives, but in the light of the realities of the situation. These realities require no extended exposition, There are mil- lions of unemployed to look after and millions of farmers who must be as- sisted unless the country wants revo- lution. There are probably few delegates who attended these sessions who would not admit that business with them has improved and, in many cases, astonishingly so. A strange psychology now seems to affect business men in such organized gatherings. Everything is collectively all wrong but individu- ally quite all right. No wonder Pres- ident Roosevelt felt called upon to tell them to stop crying “Wolf!” As he added, “The people as a whole will be impatient of those who complain and of those who hold out false fears.” DRY GOODS CONDITIONS Weather conditions continued to keep the brake on retail trade in the week. When the weather was favor- able, however, sales showed fair gains, so that the trade lull was not put down to other serious circumstances. Ready-to-wear and accessories _ still hold the lead in the volume done, with - home furnishings dormant in demand. Early chain store reports for April indicated much smaller increases than in the previous month, due in part to continuing rather May 9, 1934 the comparison with Easter business last year. Eleven systems reported a combined increase of 5.68 per cent.. which compared with a rise of 19.19 per cent. in March over the same month last year, It was estimated that local stores probably ran a little under their dol- lar volume of a year ago on the aver- age, although liquor sales may have enabled them to break about even. Re- sults in other sections of the country, according to reports here, were spotty. Some concern has been expressed over inventory positions by reason of the current setback in trade, and also because of weakness that has devel- oped in wholesale prices. Stock fig- ures do not disclose, however, much cause for anxiety. Stores in this re- serve district had stocks 24.2 per cent. above a year ago at the end of March. This was less than the rise in prices over the year, so that units must have been less despite greatly changed busi- ness conditions and prospects. Wholesale merchandise markets were quieter, and even the Summer de- mand subsided, because of unsatisfac- tory results at retail and the easing in market prices. Favorable weather and steps taken to control manufacturing, however, were expected to lead to a renewed demand within the near fu- ture. CLOAK CODE AGREEMENT From a rather prolonged deadlock the conference of retailers and cloak producers finally was able to reach a compromise last week upon code pro- visions affecting the two groups. The manufacturers stood out for net terms instead of the customary 8 per cent. and also for the abolition of group buying. They decided in the end to hold to the present discount, but were able to gain the consent of the retail- ers to stop group buying, This controversy from an outside viewpoint would have humorous as- pects. The retailers fought the dis- count change on behalf of the public, they asserted, although actually there would be little change in what the pub- lic would get. If the manufactuers sold net, then more value would be put into garments. Competition would attend to that. Retailers would have to raise prices temporarily perhaps, and then, as in the case of handbags, the whole- sale quotations would be lowered to fit into the regular retail price lines. Similarly in the case of group buy- ing. No manufacturer has to submit to the evils of this practice. The trouble has been that even some of those who have condemned this meth- od have not had backbone enough to avoid it. They camplain that when the stores promise additional business and ask in return for lower prices or larger discounts competition forces them into such bargaining. The fact is, that they could get volume otherwise and less expensively if they did not choose the easiest way. Settlement of these questions might not have been on the most straightfor- ward basis that could be desired, but at any rate it marked another step in the program of co-operation between buyers and sellers which should prove beneficial to all interests. SER pe NONE ek Hh MESES 1 RR a gant a xe eet e S May 9, 1934 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 9 OUT AROUND Things Seen and Heard on a Week End Trip I recently published a letter in this department from Geo. E. Lentzinger, a Cadillac grocer, suggesting that a law be enacted providing that everyone engaged in the retail business must be a resident of the county where his store is located. Commenting on the suggestion I stated that I did not think such a law could be enforced, because I doubted whether it would be sustained by the courts. The matter was brought to the attention of the veteran editor of the Modern Merchant and Grocery World, who reproduced the letter in his publication and com- mented on it as follows: “Mr. Lentzinger has his head in the clouds. I can get his point of view, however. Having for the first time in history received protective considera- tion from the Government, he feels en- couraged to go on, demanding more and more for the retail grocer. I would be willing to see a law compelling res- ident ownership in the case of a gro- cery chain, if it could be done, which by the way it could not, but what would such a law do to the telephone service, for instance? How would Mr. Lentzinger like a law which might be logically considered a companion law to the one he wants—a law forbidding the sale in Cadillac of any product not produced there? No, the idea is a thousand years ahead of the times.” Jess Roberts, proprietor of the Grei- lickville Grocery, near Traverse City, writes me as follows: Enclosed find eighteen petitions which I have had signed up. I ran into only one man who had not seen the petition in the Tradesman, but all de- layed doing anything with the appeal until same was brought to their atten- tion personally. It looks to me as though too many independent mer- chants have lost all interest in home life and are just looking ahead for the time to get on the welfare. My idea to get these petitions signed up would be through the U. C. T. boys —give every salesman some and_ get every merchant interested in the fight to drive the chains into a corner. A duplicate of the enclosed card oc- cupies a conspicuous place in my store: Chain Store Answers Your Check .. . No Good Delivery. =. .- No Sir Welepnuone 8. Never ‘Wauseon No One roi, =. ws. Bat Only Quality . Their Own Maute ok ee Welfare 4 2. 2. Wall St. Only Buture| 4) (1 2). | Book Out Buy From Your Independent Dealer For Prosperity Ithaca, May 3—You have been so kind in regard to the various questions put to you in regard to the NRA. Now the question comes in regard to the 2c the dealer is forced to pay on every ton of coal. Ina bulletin May 1, 1934, the so-called authority at Association of Commerce building, Grand Rapids, says: : “Enquiries have been received as to just what tonnage 1s covered by this tax. All coal sold by members of the industry involving a truck haul is tax- able.” Does this mean that coal taken by the customer himself is not taxable? As you have so bravely exposed the high salary paid the code man on the lead pencil code, I am sure you will find out if there is no tax on the coal taken by the farmer in his own trailer, etc. Doesn’t it seem that the code authority should tell what coal is not taxable? If the coal covered by the sale to farmers who get it themselves is not taxable, doesn’t 1t seem that the huge fees the authority has collected for March if they collected on these sales should be refunded? If you will kindly find out and ad- vise me, I would appreciate it. Why not give information in the Trades- man? You can readily see that with the hundreds of thousands of tons of coal taken by the farmer himself dur- ing the March period that a huge re- fund is due if the tax covers only sales involving a truck delivery. N. B. McCollum. To this enquiry I replied as follows: “There are, of course, two codes— one for wholesalers and one for re- tailers. You are a member of the retail code. “All coal which you sell which is taken away from your yard in trucks or wagons is subject to 2c per ton tax. “It you sell a carload of coal to a factory, and it is delivered to a side- track at the factory and unloaded by purchaser, it is not subject to the 2c tax. “The pay of the code people is fixed by the National code organization in Washington, subject to the approval of the NRA.” “Uncle Joe’ Downs, who lived in Grand Rapids more than fifty years and who was janitor of the Barnhart building, in which the Michigan Tradesman has been a tenant about thirty-five years, died last Saturday. He broke his hip about three years ago and. has been confined to a bed or chair ever since. The funeral was held Monday, with burial in Fairplains cem- etery. Mr. Downs was born in New York City, where he was made an orphan at an early age. He became a street waif. One night he took refuge in a doorway because of the rain. Here he was discovered by a lady who took him to her home, gave him the first food he had had that day, gave him a night’s lodging and his breakfast the next morning. She then decided to be- friend him longer and kept him in her home until he had secured a liberal education. Thinking the opportunity for lucrative employment would be more favorable in the West, he told his benefactress that if she would tell him how much she had expended on his keep and education, he would un- dertake to repay her before he got married or undertook to create a per- manent home for himself. She replied that he might repay her along the lines of his suggestion, but not by a money payment to her; that when he saw a child who needed help he could see that the child received the same treat- ment she had given him. I think Mr. Downs never failed to act on this in- junction, because I happen to know of. many children he helped in a material manner. From time to time he brought lads to me whom he had helped send to Moosehart and who spent time every summer at his resort cottage at Big Star Lake. I happen to know that for many years he sent barrels of ap- ples to Mooseheart every fall, so that every occupant of that famous place could have a Michigan apple. A Grand Rapids man who applied for a lucrative position in Chicago re- ceived word last week that his creden- tials were satisactory and that the place was his if he could pass the med- ical examination of the house physi- cian, The latter looked him over and said: “You have one poor eye, a bad heart and a rupture. I cannot pass you unless you hand me $200 on the side.” The applicant regarded the money sug- gestion as graft and returned home without reporting to his proposed em- ployer. The next day he called on his home physician, who gave him a thor- examination and pronounced every allegation of the Chicago phy- sician false. ough A intie lad 13 vears old was in a local hospital recently with a_ leg broken in two places. On his birthday the dietician directed that a special birthday cake be baked and sent up to him with his noonday meal, with thir- teen lighted candles, While he was en- joying his cake and the extra atten- tion shown him on his birthday, his mother joined him, having walked eighteen miles to be with him on his birthday. She was utterly devoid of money, but she could not permit the birthday of her boy to pass without seeing him on that occasion. Such is mother love. Spring Lake, May 4—We wish to thank you for your communication sent to us some time since in which you have expressed your desire that prompt action be obtained in the matter of repaving that part of U S 16 as it runs through Spring Lake As you are aware, the Michigan State Highway Department has since taken action which will assure a prompt repaving through Spring Lake. The surveying work has been complet- ed and we anticipate they will lose no time in getting at the road work. It is our desire to at this time thank you for your kind interest in the mat- ter, and for the very pointed way in which you have expressed your atti- tude. Your communication was a de- cided help. A. Peterson, Village Clerk. Bowling Green, Ohio, May 5—This is to acknowledge receipt of your let- ter relative to the article in this week’s Tradesman, I appreciate very much the excel- lent position you gave this article in your good paper and want you to know that I consider the mistake of overlook- ing the name of the town from which the letter was sent a very minor one. I have taken the Tradesman for a great many years and always look for- ward to its coming. I consider you to be one of the best friends the mer- chants have ever had in the publishing business and am most appreciative of the fights you put up for them. I hope to be going through Grand Rapids sometime in the very near fu- ture and assure you I am going to make it a point to drop in and see you, Fred Uhlman. ——_»~-—.__ Watervliet, April 24—To-day we re- ceived an application card for signing an individual Blue Eagle for trade. Our business is selling at retail dry goods, clothing, shoes and groceries. é What retail trade should we apply to for general merchandise? Watervliet is a city of about 1,400 population. In cities of our size do we come under the code wages and code hours? If so, what are the hours for work and wages? John P. Geisler, Proprietor Boston Store. On receipt of the above letter of en- quiry, I wrote the writer that I thought he was exempt from all code provi- sions, but that I would make sure I was right by an appeal to Washington. The reply from the office of the NRA 1S a follows: In addition to exemptions provided for in the Food Distributors’ Code, such as. restaurants, confectionery stores, selling of milk and milk prod- ucts by delivery from house to house and bakery products in bakery stores, retailers employing less than five peo- ple and doing strictly a local business within one community, in towns un- der 2,500 population are at present ex- empt from all provisions of the code, mi¢cluding Fatr Trade Practices and \ssessments. Chicaszo, May 7—-the Michiean Tradesman of April 18 contained an item from the Grocery World, relating how two members of a local meat deal- ers’ association had paid 171% cents per pound for some Swift’s Premium skinned hams, and two days later a chain store advertised this identical ar- ticle at 1344 cents. The caption of this news item was “What is the Answer?” It is a matter of company policy with us that the spread in the prices of our products between various classes of trade in the same competitive market be in line with the cost of soliciting, packaging, delivering and handling the business. We aim to safeguard against price spreads that favor any particular type of trade or are prejudicial to cer- tain dealers, The above is our settled policy. In the particular case referred to it may have been that there was a difference in the size of the hams. Swift’s Premi- um hams vary all the way from six pounds to twenty-four pounds. Some have the skin and fat removed while others do not. The range in price of various weights and kinds often runs as much as 2% cents per pound at wholesale. Furthermore, retailers do not follow the same merchandising methods—one may sell a whole or half ham, while others sell pieces of a ham. We do not believe you would find, On investigation, that there was a spread of 4 cents per pound on an iden- tical article. We can assure you that there was no such discrepancy in our selling price. It may be that the com- plaint referred to grows out of the fact that there was a general advance in the ham market during the period of Jan- uary 27 to March 3 which raised the wholesale price of Premium skinned hams, twelve to sixteen pound aver- ages, 2 cents per pound. As a matter of fairness to Swift & Company, we should appreciate it if you would print our letter. J]. PL Spane. fr. Saginaw, May 8—Why is it that when a regular salesman calls on his regular trade on such a day at about the same time each day that 85 to 90 per cent. of the merchants do not know what they want or have a thing looked up?’ This also applies to ex-salesmen who have gone into business and who should know what keeping a salesman hanging around to get an order in one to two and one-half hours that he should have been able to have had in at most thirty minutes to not over one hour. With most salesmen on a com- mission basis he has to step along if calling on retail grocery trade to get enough to break even. The average re- (Continued on page 23) FINANCIAL Banks Fail To Find Sound Borrow- ers Attempting to refute widespread criticism that they are not extending adequate credit to industry, commercial bankers declare that intensive efforts to drum up clients to whom business loans could be made on a fairly safe basis have proved fruitless. A month ago one well-known com- mercial institution sent out 500 letters to clients, asking them to recommend companies anxious to obtain operating funds, The result was “very disap- pointing,” in the words of an official of the bank, who added that he was still looking for customers. Compara- tively few replies were received to the letters, and of the names submitted not one developed into an actual borrower. Other banks have also sent out let- ters and in a number of cases field men. Bankers declare that they are most anxious to put their idle funds into circulation, adding that when a sound borrower appears considerable competition ensues for his account. The reason for the small amount of commercial loans going through now are summarized as follows: Many business men are trying to revive de- funct companies without the neces- sary private backing; the capital set- up of others has become so impaired that a loan for operating purposes would become in part an investment and probably could not be repaid with- in the usual limit; through inadequate information, branch banks sometimes turn down sound loans and in other cases refuse them because the cost of constant supervision is too high; large banks look with disfavor on small loans, because of low interest rates, cancellations, style changes and com- petition from outside industries make the lending of money for orders on hand more hazardous. In applying to a bank for a loan, companies sometimes do not supply the supplementary information that might warrant loans, which otherwise would be turned down because of an unsatisfactory financial statement. For instance, in one recent case a company which had large orders on hand from a reliable chain organization was re- fused a loan by a bank, but when the facts about the chain commitments came out the advance was granted. In some of these cases, however, banks are reluctant to approve a loan where it means constant checking up on the progress of the company. The expenses frequently run into several hundred dollars and must be charged against the account. Some companies are so anxious to obtain funds that they are willing to pay it, but others object. Because their profits on security transactions have diminished, large banks are no longer willing to carry small commercial accounts or extend small loans. Low interest rates make them unprofitable. One leading insti- tution was reported recently to have frowned on accounts under $5,000 and loans under $25,000. Bankers pointed out that the lending of money to cover orders on hand en- tails far more risk than it did some MICHIGAN years ago. In those days an order was considered to be more or less binding and cancellations were infrequent. In the last few years, however, in a de- clining market, cancellations became the rule. The experience was cited of the furniture industry last year, when buyers, fearful that they might not be able to obtain goods, placed identical orders with anywhere from three to eight manufacturers. The result was a flood of cancellations at the end of the season. Style changes and competition from outside industries must also be watched:. For instance, last year be- fore advancing a loan to a beer barrel producer, a bank assured itself by in- terviews with brewers that the steel type barrel would not make serious in- roads into the market for wooden coop- erage. Bankers also added that whereas last Spring they were inclined to ad- vance funds to their accounts to antic- ipate on material requirements in a rising market, the recent decline in commodities has cut down advance purchasing, and such loans are not be- ing made, The proposal for Government loans to industry, in whatever form it is finally approved, will undoubtedly re- lieve the burden on those companies which are not in a position to ask or obtain credit from banks to-day, it was felt. William J. Enright. ——__>- > Attitude May Arouse Suspicion Any attempt to interfere with the right of free speech, the freedom of the press or the right of petition, must arouse suspicions that unjustly reflect upon members of Congress and our executive officers. Recently the Reserve City Bankers Association was denounced for raising a fund of $60,000 with which to spread literature opposing certain features of the law that attempts to guarantee bank deposits. These bankers want the limit placed at $2500. They argue against an increase in the responsibil- ity of stockholders or depositors of one bank for the mistake of another bank beyond their control. Yet this Asso- ciation was criticised in Congress for conducting “propaganda.” Much depends on whether the de- bate is in the open and whether the public knows the sources of the funds used to influence their vote. The law says Congressmen must report what- ever aid they get in their campaigns. Private business and all manner of na- tional organizations or associations should be required to disclose whatever sums are used for public debate. And the petitioning groups should gladly comply. The time has come for business to recognize that in defense of its stock- holders, in protection of those who own the institutions they temporarily manage, funds can be legitimately spent to petition the people and thus Congress itself. Postage and printing and the hiring of halls or radio facili- ties or the presentation in advertise- ments of the viewpoint of companies affected by legislation of any kind is all a proper exercise of the right of petition. It may be regretted that such steps are necessary as a defense against dem- TRADESMAN agoguery but in a free government there can be no sound objection to the right of citizens, individually or col- lectively, to petition their government or to address the people generally by any means of communication available for the purpose. —_+ 2+ >__—_ Where Government Money Goes After two weeks of ebbing to unusu- ally low levels, the emergency spending of the Government last week picked up to about the average amount. A total of $134,000,000 was paid out by the Treasury Department in the seven days ending May 2, its records show. Of this total $87,000,000 was for emergency accounts such as the Re- construction Finance Corporation, pub- lic works, etc. During the preceding two weeks the emergency expenditures had fallen to a total about half that large. The in- crease last week brought it back to the Winter level. The pick-up in extraordinary ex- penses last. week was due largely to renewed spending by the Reconstruc- tion Finance Corporation. This agency alone poured out $35,000,000 last week spending more money than any other division of the Government, ordinary or extraordinary. Second on the list of spenders was the Public Works Administration, which cost the Government $20,000,- 000 during the week. The PWA is counted on to swell the flow of Gov- ernment cash this Summer so that in- dustry and employment will be ex- panded. The Federal Emergency Relief Ad- ministration spent $12,000,000 during the week, and the Civil Works Admin- istration, continuing on a very reduced basis, spent only $7,000,000 to wind up certain projects and pay off bills. The ordinary establishments of the Government combined spent only $47,000,000 during the week, only slightly more than half of what the emergency agencies spent in the same period . —_—_>- +o ____ Severe Setback Clouds the Business Picture It appears now as if a test period is directly ahead of us. At this time a great deal of economic experimentation has resulted in many conflicting forces which has left people in a confused state of mind. It has proved to many that laws cannot supplant the old eco- nomic rule of supply and demand and survival of the fittest. Consequently, it is expected business will decline for the next few months. The extent of this decline will de- pend upon PWA expenditures and selling activity. Automobile production has reached its seasonal peak. There- fore, steel production, in line with auto- mobile production, should also have some decline. It is now evident that the Administration in recent months has turned to the right through stop- ping silver legislation and bonus and deposit payoff inflationary measures. There is still, however, a mixing of re- covery reform and inflation with the Administration trying to please many groups. This is evidenced in the Pres- ident’s support to amending the secur- ity act, reported approval to the re- form labor bill and the belief that some May 9, 1934 negotiations are being made on a com- promise on silver. The actual facts of business are bet- ter than sentiment, with steel output being at the 4 year peak, rail operating nets showing sharp gains, tire ship- ments nearly 50 per cent. above those in 1933, living cost dropping during April and the American Telephone showing a gain in installations. In spite of these favorable factors, the securities market, both stocks and bonds, has suffered a severe setback for the first week of May to further cloud the business picture. J. Ht. Petter. —_2-++—___ Perpetual Utility Inventories A perpetual system of inventorying utility properties is being put into op- eration in Indiana by the Public Serv- ice Commission. The system is de- signed to provide material for “finger- tip appraisals’ whenever valuations for sale, security or rate adjustments are Ask for our Bulletin on the needed. The inventory files are to be kept up to date at all times. RAILROAD EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY We believe the facts are especially worth examina- 1 tion at this time. Copies are available without charge on request. ROGER VERSEPUT & CO. Investment Bankers—Brokers 813-816 MICHIGAN TRUST SLDG. Phone 8-1217 — ——— ¥ 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 Offices CITY of GRAND RAPIDS Schools These obligations are attractive General investments for income as well as appreciation. J. H. Petter & Co. Muskegon Phone 23-496 Grand Rapids Phone 94-417 EMRE APR PREIS BERS ENS 8 May 9, 1934 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 11 Official Program of the Manistee Convention Opening Session—Tuesday May 15, 2 p. m. Community Singing Members upon entering Convention room up to 2:30 p. m. will be registered and will qual- ify to participate in the attendance prize of a ‘Vegetable Mist Stand’ donated by the E. O. Bulman Manufacturing Co., Grand Rapids. Invocation The Mayor’s Welcome Response by Vice-President Bathke President’s Annual Address Secretary's Annual Report Treasurer's Annual Report Appointment of Committees on— Credentials Rules and order Resolution Auditing Nominating Question Box Modern Meat Cutting by D. W. Hartzell, Chicago Announcement by local committee Awarding of attendance prize -_ -« & & Tuesday Evening—8:30 p. m. Six reel new sound and color motion picture— “Out of the Spirit of °49,”’ featured by the Cali- fornia Packing Corporation. This film will be shown each evening during the convention at 8:30 p. m. and will be open to patrons of the Food Mart as well as retailers. ££ a « Wednesday Morning Session—9:45 a. m. Community Singing, to be led by Eleven Year Old Mystery Girl Call to Order by Vice-President Bathke. Report of Committee on Rules and Order. Address— ‘Value of Price Cards on all Merchan- dise,” by L. V. Eberhard, Grand Rapids. Address—lInterior Store Lay-out, by M. Hamady, Flint. Address—Credit Extension, by W. A. Rorke, Sag- inaw. Discussion—Distributing Business Througout Week. In charge, R. Eckert, Flint. Relation Trade Association to Code Administra- tion, by G. VanderHooning, Director of the National Association Retail Grocers. sc + 4 4 Wednesday Afternoon Session—1:45 p. m. Community Singing. Call to Order by Vice-President Eckert. Report—Nominating Committee. Address—Value of Window Display, by John Affeldt, Lansing. Discourse—Our Code, by H. C. Peterson, secre- tary National Association of Retail Grocers and Member of the National Code Authority. Election of Officers. Selection of 1935 Convention City. Announcement by Local Committee. + © © A Wednesday Evening Annual Banquet Chippewa Hotel. a © © ¢ Thursday Morning—9:45 a. m. Community Singing. — Members upon entering up to 10:15 a. m., will be registered and will qualify in participation of cash attendance prizes to be awarded at close of this session: Must be present. Three prizes will be award- ed, $25, $15, $10. All in cash and awarded by the State Association of Retail Grocers and Meat Dealers. Call to Order by President Schmidt. Introduction and Installation of New Officers. Report of Standing Committees. Report of Auditing Committee. Report of Resolution Committee. Question Box. Unfinished Business. Final Adjournment. 12 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN May 9, 1934 R E T A I # . R O C E R that some California grocers operate on Retail Grocers and Meat Dealers Associa- tion of Michigan, President—Paul Schmidt, Lansing. First Vice-President — Theodore J. Bathke, Petoskey. Second Vice-President—Rudolf Eckert, Flint. Secretary — Herman Hansen, Rapids. Treasurer—O. H. Bailey, Sr., Lansing. Directors—Holger Jorgenson, Muske- gon; L. V. Eberhard, Grand Rapids; A. A. Boyce, Bay City; Vincent A. Miklas, Manistee; Ward Newman, Pontiac. Grand “Business as Usual” Must Go On Last week a wakeful grocer said: I intend, of course, to conform to the The minimum make me extra code in every respect. of 6 per cent. will money. For the rest, I expect to go on just as I have been doing—wouldn't your” The correct answer to that was Yes, particularly because the grocery busi- ness is one—possibly there are others progressively —-which has done a sound job for and by itself. I know of none which, speaking purely from a sound economic standpoint, could more confidently “present” if and when called upon to show its record. And as we talked, a clerk came up with an empty mixed mustard carton, marked 10c. He had found that on the shelves among the full ones. The gro- answer cer laughed and said it was worth the ten cents this time, because he felt sure he knew just who had pilfered. Then he told a few that were new to me—so long since I was in the busi- ness. One was how in the bootlegger days when men drank extracts for the alcohol, empty cartons showed how, while apparently reading the label, they slipped the bottle out of the bottom and up their sleeve. And all this for a few pennies. Does this not substantiate a recent saving: That we in America have “im- except the basic Our human proved” everything character of our people? nature remains about as it was, and routine job runs the grocer’s about on former schedule. Schedules figured out in extended detail, covering articles at 25c to $10 per dozen or more are now widely pub- lished to guide grocers on the 6 per cent. mark-up provision. Seems to me this carries the extreme, promoting confusion and entailing loss to the rank and file of grocers. This because we experiences with “stop-prices,” that any definite minimum things to know, from becomes the maximum among the ignorant and ill-posted. Obviously, a 6 per cent margin can be applied only to the hardest, most basic staples. Among these are sugar, flour—or bread—milk, slat side meat (not fancy bacon, sliced), salt, lard and other cooking fats, cheese, potatoes, corn and other meals, pos- sibly such staples as ordinary standard canned tomatoes. A 6 per cent. margin can not be applied to anything above the line of bare necessities anywhere; and in the far West, this is emphat- ically so. The grocer who asked whether he should not continue as hitherto, an ac- tive, wakeful, up-to-date man, had an expense average of 19.6 per cent. last common year, What chance would he have on 6 per cent. gross if it were to be ex- tended beyond the commonest neces- saries of life? This, notwithstanding 10 to 11 per cent. average. Here is a well-known, nationally dis- tributed white soap; costs most grocers around $7.70 in my district. It is sold commonly for $10c; and that, obvious- That is economic, too; because this is not a necessary. Lower grades are ly, vields 23 per cent gross. basic basic. In passing it may be noted that this same grocer recently sold that soap at Difference between 10c and 9%c is not apt to strike careless thinkers as important. 3ut figure it out. It yields 18.94 per cent. plus—under 19 per cent.—four per cent. less than 23 per cent. Con- sider that 4 per cent. is from 1% to 2 per cent. more than grocers can aver- age, net, and the importance of little two for 19c on a sale day. things may become apparent. I have before me some computations on wholesale produce sales published by the Western Fruit Jobbers Associa- tion. Gross is given as 10.188 per cent., based on purchase price. The writer of that knew what he was talking about, but the taken in cross section, is no stabler than is our own, and one cause of its instability is precisely this method of wholesale produce business, computation—even as with ourselves. Figured properly—against sales—this average shrinks to 9.246 per cent.; and therefore, while I have have not gone into that, it is likely that the stated net of .34 per cent—say a third of one per cent..—is probably even less. Results of the Louisville grocery sur- vey by Uncle Sam continue to dribble out—now six vears after the data were obtained! Yet we continue to ask for the privilege to submit ourselves and our business to Government control, “ouidance” and “help.” Well, one thing is sure: We pay the price—SI per year per person in the grocery business; for one point of Government is ever highly efficient—the machinery for the col- lection of taxes and imposts. Many things government cannot do. Among these is economize. This story is not new. It is old and has had many exemplifications. Gen- eral Merchant of Canada tells this time of a young man in his father’s old-fashioned ideas of fixed mark-up ratio prevailed, did a He studied a mail order catalogue and followed its pricings, high and low. Result, he got all the business, held his trade, made more money than formerly. This was the result of opening his eves to facts; investigating actualities: going on the plan that “what the other fellow can do, I can do.” That seems to be a fairly good com- mentary on a recent talk by an ex- pert. He said that the independent merchant must progress or perish — which is an unavoidable law of all na- ture—so why not among grocers? Every little while a “wise guy” writ- er says things worthwhile. Maybe you have noticed that at times in my own stuff. This time it is Dr. Frank War- ren, of Los Angeles, writing in the Commercial Bulletin, who shows that the value of a customer is great. It appears that every Californian bought $126 worth of grocery in 1932—$504 per family of only four persons. He goes on to hint that the grocer who sells $4 store where simple, obvious thing. “ ’ or $5 worth at any time to the head of a family should realize that he is getting only half, or third, or quarter of that family’s trade. I leave that part of the argument there for you to work out as far as you like. What is generally overlooked is this: That the entire set-up of a store divided by the number of persons who buy in it to see what a must be customer gets. We should most of us be startles to learn the figure. And if we once knew this cost, it is likely that grocers would be less indifferent to complaints, protests or other evi- dence of dissatisfaction. Independents fail in this oftener than bigger merchants. The smaller they That is a independence that sure are, the more independent. character of costs more than it is worth! Under title “More Money for Rat Hole,” Journal, reports proposal that Uncle Sam set Merchants Topeka, up another body with—Oh, a trifle of 3100,000,000 this time—to cut out mid- dlemen and market farm products di- rect. It could further issue $500,000,000 Government bonds — again small change these days. Idea is that Government could do Maybe—not likely. But what then of the citizens trained and a better job. set up in business? Maybe we see that once we start this governmental con- trol business, there is no end to it. Let’s anyway label this new one PDQ, since it would probably get rid of its $600,000,000 quite speedily—before we went back to the present highly effi- cient system. Paul Findlay. Proceedings of the Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Court April 25, 1934. On this day the sched- ules, reference, and adjudication in the mattr of Joseph M, Hayes, bankrupt No. 5679, wre received. The bankrupt is the owner of the Used Store Furniture equip- ment, located in Kalamazoo. The sched- ules show total assets of $600.00, (of which $350.00 are claimed exempt), and total liabilities of $7,079.55, listing the following creditors: : State of Michigan, Lansing, taxes__$17.97 City Of Malamazoo taxes 10.48 Bank of Kalamazoo =. 8 85 OD Wm. Conway Estate, Kalamazoo 1,300.00 3ailey Walker China Co., Bedford__512.00 American Metalware Co., Chicago 298.00 Ray Mie Co Buffalo = 96.00 Hunt Show Case Co., Bay City__ 112.00 Celery City Lumber Co., Kalamazoo 75.32 Enterprise Aluminum Co., Massilin 9.06 Arctic Ice Cream Co., Detroit__unknown Kalamazoo Gias&s Co... 17.80 Telephone Directory Advertisin Co. : Demo ean Jas. Janney, Jr., Philadelphia____ 2.14 Enquirer News, Battle Creek____ 4.58 Fiper Glass Co,, Chicago... 353 Kalamazoo Gazette 5 25.00 South Bend Malleable Range Co., Routh Hane oe 125.00 Schaiw Safe Co., Lafayette______ 12.50 Davisson, Pick-It-Shop, Kalamazoo 100.0: Pete Armenis, Kalamazoo______unknown H. J. Friedman, Kalamazoo____unknown Harry Edmonds, South Haven__ 30.00 H. J. Cooper Garage, Kalamazoo 20.00 A, W. Walsh Co., Kalama'zoo____unknown Frank S. Whelan, Kalamazoo____ 10.06 Barney Weenink, Kalamazoo__unknown John Apmenis, Kalamazoo... 5.00 Dr. Snow, Kalaimazoo______ 20.00 Dr, Dewey, Kalamazoo 30.00 Don Strickland, Kalamazoo___- 20.00 Peter Rickemore, Richlanc______ 35.00 Rene Bowers, Kalamazoo________ 72.00 D. V. Zeve, Inc., Cleveland ___ 33.63 Canton China Co., Detroit____ 64.00 Fountain Equipment Co., Cincinnati 21.00 Michigan Bell Telephone Co., IAIAINOZOG 34.59 Charles Stamm, Kalamazoo______ 15.00 Deans Dairy, Plainwell_________ 15.00 Walter Taylor, Kalamazoo______ 25.00 Standard Computing Scale Co., PO 62.45 Standard Computing DOO oo unknown Kalamazoo Sheet Metal Works__ 42.00 Kalamazoo Laundry Co., Kalama'zoo 16.60 Kalaimazoo Lumber Co... 42.045 J. Steinberg & Sons, Newark____ 66.41 Moorehouse Oil Station, Augusta 15.00 Frank Niessink, Kalamazoo______ 42.00 Federal Cash Register Co., Kansas City 76.65 Bert Miuburn tansime | 57.00 Bb. S. Peck, Kalamazoo 20.60 Wm. Metzger & Son, Kalamazoo 21,00 The Harter Corp. Sturcis..._ 12.00 N. J. Bauman, Kalamazoo______ 20.00 Joe Vander Roest, Kalamazoo_ 16.00 Kalamazoo Creamery, Kalamazoo 197.00 Jackson & Crane, Kalamazoo___ 10.00 The Gown Shop, Kalamazoo______ 13.04) J. R. Jones Sons & Co., Kalamazoo 40.00 i. A. Porter Co., Kalamazoo____ 42.06 Mich Tradesman G. R.._ 6.00 Mrs. Jas. Brlin, Richland. 100.00 W. E. Praeger, Kalamazoo_____ 100.00 Kalamazoo Industrial Bank______ 601.00 April 25, 1934. On this day the refer- ence, and adjudication, in the matter of Petroleum Marketers Mquipment Corpor- ation, a Michigan Corporation, bankrupt No. 5613, were received. This is an in- voluniary case and the schedules have been ordered filed, Upon receipt of same the assets and liabilities will be made known, April 25, 1934. On this day the refer- ence, and adjudication, in the matter of Quaker restaurant, bankrupt No. 6673, were received. This is an involuntary case and the schedules have been ordered filed. | Upon receipt of same the assets and liabilities will be made known. ——-_- >> Half a million automobiles are now im service in Germany, or approximate- ly one to every 130 citizens. To equal the proportion in the United States, a twenty-fold increase would be nec- essary. Only about one-sixth as many cars are driven in Germany as in other countries of Western Europe. German production of passenger automobiles in 1933 was practically double that of 1932. Ninety-four thou- sand units were turned out, according to the office of the Consul, Hamburg. 026) ae 0D) GED) CRED) CD) aD 0 eam om FOR BETTER BANANAS Call 9-3251 D. L. CAVERA & CO. The House That Caters to Independent Merchants Only ¢ OO 0D 0D 0 ED 0 CED CUED) em (OTe ‘nase omer ; Be ey oi) \ p halal ines che: ha Baki? ok tapSanie bape etal lel pice eat ica lacanhl Supply Your Customer With JENNINGS PURE FLAVORING EXTRACTS Jennings Flavoring Extract Co. GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN be May 9, 1934 MEAT DEALER Get These Three Things and You'll Have Something It is becoming increasingly apparent to the thinkers in the meat industry that the major handicaps to efficient distribution can be through: overcome only 1. Universal application of govern- ment which unwhole- some meats would be eliminated. 2. Establishing a inspection by uniform grading system, which would go far toward curbing misrepresentation and false ad- vertising; and 3. Local licensing of qualified meat dealers, which would weed out ineffi- cient dealers operating uneconomically. From meat trade evils which could be corrected by that program, such as -misrepresentation, false advertising and selling below cost, the codes for regu- lating the foods offer little or no re- spite. There are loopholes in them for anyone wishing to find a way out, and with these three evils continuing to run riot, the sum that the industry wil! contribute in fees to support the NRA code authorities will be a tremendous price to pay for the little to be gained. This is not to say that the codes for the grocery and other industries are not ‘beneficial. In fact a code should be helpful in this industry also in regu- lating wages and hours on an equable basis. But there is nothing in the food and grocery code, already in operation, or in the proposed retail meat code as tentatively constructed, that will in- sure people always getting meat from healthy animals, or the grade quality they pay for. There is nothing in these codes that will make it impossible or even difficult for merchants who wish to be unscrupulous in these things from That is not the fault of the meat code framers, for the first drafts submitted had provi- sions that would have been effective. With each new draft the provisions were modified to suit the Federal code carrying on unmolested, officials. Since the proposal that the Govern- ment be asked to assist financially in extending inspection into ali states so that all meats might be inspected un- der government supervision, the assur- ances have been received from prom- inent men in the packing and distrib- uting divisions of the industry that they are in hearty accord with the proposal. They have urged us to keep working along that line, and this we propose to do. We believe U. S. standardized grad- ing and local regulation, together with universal inspection would round out a program that would be of real bene- fit to the meat industry. What do you think? ——_—_>22—__—_ Why Meat “Goes Bad” When meat begins to show signs of decay in the cooler unduly early, the owner seldom seeks a remedy by at- tacking the cause at its source, for he usually does not know the nature of the agencies responsible for the decay or the means available to combat them. To supply this knowledge, a report of an investigation of “The Storage of MICHIGAN Meat in Small Refrigerators,” present- ed by R. B. Haines, Ph.D., and E. C. Smith, Ph. D., is now available. briefly, meat “goes bad’’ because it is attacked by moulds and_ bacteria which find their way on to its surface and there grow and multiply. The function of a refrigerator is to retard this growth, it is stated in a prepara- tory note by W. B. it is a mistake to imagine that a re- Hardy, who says frigerator is an infallible preserver of meat, no matter what its condition when it is put in. The most important thing to real- ize is that the parts of a health animal which are used for food are practically free from fungi and bacteria. These invisible organisms come from the dust in the air of slaughterhouses and shops, from the skin, hooves and gut of the animal, and from hands, knives and cloths which carry them from in- fected surfaces to clean ones. If meat becomes heavily infected by fungi and bacteria, ordinary refrigeration cannot prevent its rapid decay. Where trouble is experienced, the re- frigerator itself is seldom at fault. It is more likely that it is being over- loaded or otherwise misused; and most likely of all, that the meat is being heavily infected elsewhere on the prem- ises. The investigation which forms the basis of the report has shown that the cure for most cases of trouble in small refrigerators is to reduce contamination by strict cleanliness at all stages of handling. The damage done to meat by micro- organisms cannot be undone merely by removing the unsightly areas of growth, the investigators point out. The tissues are altered, the coloring matter of both the lean and fat is changed or destroyed, and products of unpleasant taste and odor are formed which diffuse into and taint the meat. The problem of prolonging the “life” of stored meat, which is the problem of delaying changes of this nature, is almost entirely a matter of inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms on the surface. This Special Report, No. 43, illus- trated with charts and tables, may be had by addressing the British Library of Information, 270 Madison avenue, New York City, enclosing 22 cents. —___—_2- > Frankfurt Trade Coming With a Rush Frankfurters have become quite a National dish and more of them are eaten in summer than when the weather is cooler. The adaptability of this delightful dish to quick lunches, picnic parties and other places where elaborate meais are neither desired nor possible has undoubtedly added immeasurably to Hardly an automobile run is found where the roadway is not their use. studded at short intervals with stands where quick lunches may be had, and frankfurters always assume an impor- tant position in the menus of such Then there are the baseball parks, the circus grounds, the indoor places. sporting events, and such places sup- small meal of Amusement plying a_ substantial frankfurters and parks and seaside resorts would not be rolls. TRADESMAN quite the same without this appetizing morsel, for there seems to be no par- ticular kind of food that quite takes its place. This is the time, then, to keep well stocked in frankfurters to meet this demand, for it will add many dollars to any store’s income—dollars ‘that would ‘be spent elsewhere. The general approval which frank- furters have received has been due largely to the quality of the food. Man- ufacturers of frankfurters catering to ordinarily good trade realize that they must make their product out of strictly high quality meat in order that it may come up to consumers’ demands, Not only must the meat be high in quality but it must be strictly fresh and made in the best possible manner. Succes in making frankfurters re- quires men who are expert in the craft. looked upon as extremely valuable to Expert foremen of sausage kitchens are | the manufacturing houses and it is largely upon their skill that the suc- eess of their business hes as far as sausage products are concerned. All frankfurters high class concerns. are made of high manufactured by quality meat and prepared skillfully under strictly sanitary conditions. It is a serious mistake to offer customers sausage produced by any but high class manufacturers. —_—_»+»-+____ Codes and Monopolies Will the NRA through the develop- ment of codes create monopolies in re- straint of trade and thus destroy the small industrialist and business man? In anticipation of this danger, the 13 President appointed the Advisory Re- view Board with Clarence S. Darrow is chairman. It seems from a review of some of the codes by the Advisory Board that they “are developing a monopolistic trend and are doing injury to the small industrialists and business men.” Ob- servations of Senators Nye and Borah point to the same conclusions. Those who favor the NRA plan as a reform or remedial measure in busi- ness relations admit that code prac- tices in any given line of business tend to force every unit in that line to the same wage schedule and commodity price schedule, thus doing away with competition. When codes actually de- velop into monopolies, the anti-trust act may be invoked, or should this be found inconsistent with the apparent plan to stop destructive competition, as some think it would be, the codes may be brought ultimately under regu- latory legislation similar to the regu- latory powers exercised over our public utilities. The only hope to be found in the creation of the codes is to make easier the bridling of predatory interests, maintenance of reasonable wages and incomes, payment of reasonable divi- dends on actual capital invested and the stabilization of business otherwise. >> A new all-metal filter for viscous and non-viscous fluids can be built of prac- tically any metal (to withstand various corrosive conditions), is said to be easily cleaned, applicable to almost any filtration job, Thi NEW PACKAGE means MORE TEA PROFITS I HE New Tender Leaf Tea packages Ma you to speed up your turnover on Tender Leaf Tea more than 14%. And you sell it by the package for a lower price. Your customers MEMBER US. on Tea. WE DO OUR PART will buy more of it. Push it and get more profits TENDER LEAF TEA A Product of CHASE & SANBORN Division STANDARD BRANDS INCORPORATED 14 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN May 9, 1934 HARDWARE Michigan Retail Hardware Association. President — Henry A. Schantz, Grand Rapids. Secretary—Harold W. Bervig, Lansing. Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit. Field Secretary — L. S. Swinehart, Lansing. Pleasant Reports From Both Presi- dent and Secretary President’s Message I was proud of the way in which members turned out at the group meet- ings. The Secretary informs me that the attendance was the largest in five years and 25 per cent. ahead of last year. I attended the meetings in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Holland and Whitehall and I was particularly impressed with the optimistic feeling expressed by dealers about conditions and prospects for increased business. I could not let this opportunity pass without thanking the speakers and the chairman at each meeting, Our old friend, E. B. Gallaher, Clover Manu- facturing Co., and publisher of Clover Business Service, which he sends free to every association member, came all the way from Norwalk, Connecticut, to address the Detroit meeting. This ex- pression of friendship for our organi- zation is most pleasing. Ralph W. Carney, of the Coleman Lamp & Stove Co., was the feature speaker at the first two weeks of our group meeting series. His demonstra- tion of dramatic salesmanship stimu- lated many members to greater efforts in capturing the electrical appliance market. Mr. Carney’s talk will, un- doubtedly, result in thousands of dol- lars of business in electrical merchan- dise, for our members. During the last week of our group meetings Irwin E. Douglas, of the National office, gave the feature ad- dress on “Building A Market For Our Customers.” Mr. Douglass gave doz- ens of specific ideas not only on how to market local products but also on how to make our home town a more important trading place for customers in our towns and in our trading area. Henry A. Schantz, Pres. Secretary’s Report Judge Guy A. Miller, of the Wayne County Circuit Court, has handed down the first court decision on the sales tax. If upheld by the Supreme Court it will reverse many of the rul- ings of the State tax commission in the operation of the Sales tax law. The principle points in the decision handed down by Judge Miller are as follows: 1, Act 167 of the Public Acts of 1933 is a (the sales tax law) is a valid exer- cise of the taxing power. 2. No tax can be imposed upon sales of goods im- ported into the state when made by the importer and in the original pack- age. 3. No tax can be imposed upon sales to the ultimate consumer, when deliveries following the same are made by interstate or foreign shipments. 4. Sales of tools, materials, supplies and power used and consumed in the man- ufacture of tangible personal property destined for resale are not sales tax- able under Act 167, Public Acts of 1933. This means that, in the judge’s opin- ion, merchandise sold to manufactur- ers, whether or not forming a compo- nent part of the article manufactured, are not subject to sales tax. It will eliminate the necessity of paying a tax on merchandise such as_ lubricants, chains, waste, hand tools, grinding wheels, belting, polishing products and other merchandise and materials used in the manufacture of tangible personal property for re-sale. It should be clearly understood that the State tax board still claims that such items are taxable and, until such time as they either accept this ruling or until the matter is finally passed on by the Supreme Court, they will at- tempt collection of tax on such items. We suggest to all members selling fac- tory supplies that they do not pay the State sales tax on articles covered by Judge Miller’s ruling. However, in making deductions for such sales on the sales tax Report they should be entered separately and a careful rec- ord maintained of such sales in case the final decision should be adverse. Obviously, it will be impossible, es- pecially since Judge Miller’s ruling, to expect factories to pay the sales tax on goods exempted from the sales tax by the decision. Interstate Sales and the Sales Tax In the last month’s Merchandiser mention was made of House bill No. 8303 providing that the sales tax should apply to sales from points without the state shipped into states which have a sales tax. The passage of this bill will help correct the present situation whereby mail order and other houses shipping into Michigan are relieved from payment of the sales tax. The bill is now in the Interstate Commerce Committee of the National House of Representatives. Opposition has de- veloped, apparently sponsored by man- ufacturers’ organizations who are bit- terly opposing the measure. This is a point in which every hardware man is vitally interested. Every member is specially requested to immediately write his state repre- sentative in care of House of Repre- sentatives, Washington, D.C., asking that he use his influence to get this bill favorably reported from the Inter- state Commerce Committee and to support it when it reaches the floor of the House The Association Legislative Coun- cil, consisting of eighty-three mem- bers, have been requested to act as representatives of the hardware men in their districts, favoring this bill, but the efforts of that council should be supplemented by letters from indivi- dual members. Act now. It is for your interest. Work is being continued in the ef- fort to secure competitive prices on merchandise sold by the hardware re- tailer. Principally because of heavy ad- vance purchases by syndicates the competitive situation, in some lines, is difficult. The plan laid down by the National Price Competition Commit- tee contemplates that that committee shall, at intervals of about twice a month, forward to each state office a list of about ten items on which compe- tition has been found to be difficult. The state office requests from each member of the Trade Relations Com- mittee the cost on such items. This information is compiled and forwarded to each member of the Associate Com- mittee which, in Michigan, is composed of twenty members. These members will write their sources of supply ask- ing that efforts be made to secure a more competitive price. Code Assessments and Compliance Certificates Attempts are being made to assess hardware men on sales of merchandise covered by other than the general re- tail code. The National Recovery Ad- ministration has disapproved of the idea of multiple assessments except in special cases where dealers have a sep- arate department or are doing a very considerable portion of their business in such lines. Retail dealers are, of course, subject to the local retail code authority assessments in towns in which such organizations have been perfected. This office suggests that dealers do not sign “compliance certificates.” Such signing is unnecessary, as dealers car- rying such lines are subject to the code, whether signed or not. Certain liabili- ties attend signing. Building Materials Code Are hardware dealers required to sell building materials at specific prices dictated by some other group? Answer: No. However, hardware dealers selling products covered by the lumber and building materials code are subject to the provisions of that code, on such merchandise, the same as lumber deal- ers themselves. This code specifies that merchandise, covered by the code shall not be sold for less than certain mini- mum prices which, according to the National Recovery Administration, are established as follows: “ The discounts on building materials, such as roofing, felt, shingles, millwork, etc., that are not sold on the thousand feet basis, take a mark-up, based on replacement cost, of 45 per cent. in cities or trade areas with 500,000 population or more, 4324 per cent. with a population of 75,000 to 500,000 and 42% per cent. with less than 75,000 population. If a dealer wishes to base his price on the minimum carload price he may do so. If he prefers to use a jobber’s price or an L.C.L. price that is established or published, he may base his mark-up on that: but in no event can he sell for less than the minimum price estab- lished by the use of the above over- head mark-up based on replacement cost.” Please note that the selling price is based on replacement cost. Are dealers required to file prices with the code authority? Answer: Yes, prices should be filed with the Lumber & Building Materials Code Authority, Hunter M. Gaines, 804 Capital Savings & Loan Building, Lansing (for the Lower Peninsula). They can also be filed with the sub-code authorities if desired, but that is not necessary. When filing, the price list should be accompanied by a statement as to con- ditions of sale, that is the length of terms allowed customers to make pavement. No discount can be given on purchases other than a 2 per cent. discount fot payment made by the 10th of the month following date of delivery. Prices, when filed, must be maintained until new list is filed. New prices can be filed at any time so long as they are not less than the established mini- mum. Can lumber dealers, having their own lines protected, cut prices on builders hardware, paint, fence, and other lines commonly carried in hard- ware stores? Answer: If any such con- ditions exist in your locality promptly inform this office. Lumber dealers are expected to conform to ethical business practices and complaints of this nature will be presented to the lumber and (Continued on page 23) JUST THINK. What You Can Save in Time and Money by making our house your chief source of supply. YOU CAN’T BEAT IT FOR SERVICE and you get all the advantages of LOW PRICES AND GOOD VALUES Aluminum Ware Enameled Ware Tinware Paper Goods Ironstone China are Kitchenware Electric Refrigerators FLASH — Something New — A Big Hit — Just received a wonderful line of Chromium Plated ware ranging in size to | 14 inch diameter, to retail for $1.00. Write us at once H. LEONARD & SONS Since 1844 FULTON AND COMMERCE GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. £ £ May 9, 1934 DRY GOODS Michigan Retail Dry Goods —." President—Thomas Pitkethly, First Vice-President—D, Lihicchaler, —— ~~ Second ce-President—He cCor- mack, Ithaca. — Secretary- Treasurer—Clare R. Sperry, Port Huron. Manager—Jason E. Hammond, Lansing. Arrow Fall Shirts Ready May 14 Confident that the current sharp up- turn in their business will be main- tained, Cluett, Peabody & Co. will offer the widest assortment of styles and pat- terns in their Fall lines of Arrow shirts ever presented, C. R. Palmer, presi- dent, announced last week. Salesmen will take the new line on the road, starting on May 14, with prices un- changed from the current Spring lev- els. Mr. Palmer said that the higher- price ranges in particular have been broadened. Sales volume since the start of this year has shown an un- usual spurt, he declared, and the com- pany expects continued gains in the Fall, ——_> 22 __ Browns Lead Fall Woolen Hues New browns are strongly empha- sized in the forty-six woolen colors for Fall, issued last week by the Textile Color Card Association in advance swatch form. The browns are of warm hue and to complement them a series of beige hues are also featured, In- cluded in the brown shades are: Ma- lacca, a new chestnut type; tabac, a tobacco hue; rose mahogany, grape- brown and lighter tones known as Oloroso and Spanish cherry. Greens were rated as likely to rival browns in fashion importance, with the bluish and almond types having greatest sig- nificance. ——_2 2. - —__ White Coats Supersede Pastels While weather conditions have not permitted the expected expansion in demand, interest in white coats and suits has grown to a point where they are definitely superseding the pastel types, it is reported. From some sec- tions, however, there is still a fair call for pastels. The swagger types in the popular price ranges lead. Production of linen coats and suits has been kept at a high point, although fears were expressed in one quarter that there may be an overproduction. For Fall, marked popularity is already being pre- dicted for new tweed fabrics. —_++»—__ Wheel Goods Price Issue Up While the total volume of orders placed at the recent toy fair was well ahead of a year ago, the situation on wheel goods left a great deal to be desired from the standpoint of both manufacturers and retailers. Quite a few buyers did not cover their require- ments because prices were considered too high. Manufacturers, however, stood pat, with the result that the situ- ation remains to be ironed out. This may be accomplished through forth- coming conferences between manufac- turers and retailers. ———-»-—}-@———— Fall Spreads Ready June 15 Fall bedspread lines are scheduled to open about June 15, a few weeks earlier than they did last year, accord- ing to selling agents here yesterday. Rayons, particularly the warp num- bers, will again predominate, the ratio to cottons being about 60 to 40. What MICHIGAN TRADESMAN effect the price cut in yarn will have on spread quotations is not known yet, but since the standard retail price ranges will be maintained, the reduc- tion may be reflected in better quality. Rose and green will continue as the predominant colors. Some modified modernistic types will be included in the new ranges as they have met with consumer acceptance. —_——_> >.> Lamp Promotions Scored Complaints that the promotion of ex- treme low-end lamps threatens to dis- rupt the improved conditions which have cbtained in the industry since the recovery program got under way are voiced by better-grade lamp producers. The manufacturers take exception to the emphasis placed by retailers on lamps to sell around $3 and argue that such promotions were responsible for a sharp drop in medium and better grade lamp sales last month. April sales volume, it was held, will fall 10 to 15 per cent. below the levels of March. Makers of the low-price goods report heavy re-orders for products to sell under $5. —_+- Set For Summer Hat Promotion Both large and = small retailers throughout the country have been completing plans for the opening of the retail season in Summer millinery next week, In preparation for the promo- tion, more than 1,500 advertising mats have been requested by stores and newspapers, it was reported last week at the offices of the Millinery Code Authority, which is sponsoring the event. Three thousand requests, it was added, have been received for the book- let “How To Sell Summer Millinery,” for distribution to retail sales people. Retailers are well equipped with stocks to launch the season, it was reported in the trade. + — Dinnerware Prices Advanced A price rise of 61%4 per cent. on major lines of low-end dinner ware went into effect in the wholesale market last week. The advance, condemned in some quarters as likely to generate active re- sistance from buyers, was held by pro- ducers to be necessary to bring sales prices for volume numbers into line with higher manufacturing costs. Crit- icism of the rise was expressed by buy- ers who said yesterday that demand for dinner ware last month was below expectations and that any rise in prices will tend to slow up consumer pur- chasing. ——> > Beer Glass Orders Disappoint With the season in which wholesal- ers place orders for beer glasses draw- ing to a close, manufacturers express disappointment both as to volume and profits. One or two producers report an active business, but the majority say sales quotas will not be filled. Part of the dissatisfaction is traced to the fact that sharp preferences for types of glasses have developed this Spring. Buyers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and in New York State are ordering a particular type glass for their trade and production costs have risen accordingly. ——_+--. Home Wares Volume Under Par Current sales volume in home fur- nishings is proving a sharp disappoint- ment to local retail executives. The poor showing in these lines has been noted for several weeks now and con- trasts sharply with the fairly good trade being done on ready-to-wear and accessories despite adverse weather conditions. The present sales figures contrast with a sharply improving vol- ume in home furnishings last year which continued until the end of August. For this reason, it is not ex- pected that the home wares lines will make a favorable comparative showing until next September. 2-2 — Promote Maize for Men’s Wear For the first time in several years, all branches of the men’s furnishings markets are promoting a novelty color for Spring and Summer wear to sup- plement the regular shades. The color is maize and it is being used in sweat- ers, shirts, neckwear and_ hosiery. While manufacturers have expressed enthusiasm over its possibilities, stores, of course, are moving cautiously and placing only limited orders. Producers, however, are confident that it will prove acceptable to consumers throughout the country, citing the fa- vor shown to it in Southern resorts last Winter. —_e---—--— Rename Fall Underwear Prices A few of the leading producers of heavyweight ribbed cotton underwear reinstated prices on their goods last week at levels unchanged to somewhat higher levels than those prevailing when lines were withdrawn some weeks ago. The volume of business booked before withdrawal was so large that most producers are well sold ahead into early Fall and can afford to stand the current lull in purchasing. The quietness has also extended to Spring goods and current orders for shirts, shorts and union suits are at a low level. In spite of fabric declines, however, no weakness in underwear quotations has yet developed. —_——_>--2 To Extend Swim Suit Season An attempt to extend the retail bath- ing suit season beyond the middle of June will be made this year by the National Knitted Outerwear Associa- tion, Sidney S. Korzenik, secretary, an- nounces, There is no reason why suits should not be sold at unchanged prices all through July, he maintains, as the volume of retail business that month is large. He predicts an excellent beach wear season, because of increased pur- 15 chasing power and more leisure time for workers. Mr. Korzenik also an- nounces that current swim suit produc- tion is 20 per cent. below last year, be- cause of hour restrictions and the Phi- ladelphia shutdown. > 2-2 - Father’s Day Committee Named Plans for the promotion of Father’s Day on June 17 by the men’s wear trades were started in New Yark last week, when a committee of twenty representatives from the leading chain and specialty shops was appointed to accept subscriptions from manufactur- ers. Louis Gutterman of Knickerbock- er Haberdashers, Inc., and president of the Associated Men’s Wear Retail- ers of New York, Inc., was named chairman. A budget was set to cover printed material necessary for distri- bution to retailers and a radio cam- paign publicizing the event. —_—_+-+ Glass Activity Well Maintained Activity in the glass industry changed little during last week and production and demand are holding close to the levels previously reached. Warmer weather will exert a favorable influence, especially on window glass and narrow-neck containers. Except in staple items, the manuacturers are un- able to stock glass products in large quantities. The demand for glass con- tainers is being maintained and is much better than it was three weeks ago. Production of plate glass persists at a high rate, with the bulk of the demand coming from the automobile manufac- turers, —_—_~++ > Giftwares Buying Reviving Selling agents for giftware manufac- turers in New York City are consid- erably heartened by the arrival of buy- ers from stores in the Middle West and New England. The buyers are here to fill requirements for June sales and spread purchases over a variety of items including silverware, ornamen- tal glass and chinaware, metal novelties and picture frames. With few excep- tions the orders are for articles to re- tail at $5 or less. April business, nor- mally good, was barely equal to that of the corresponding month last year, selling agents said. —_o---2——_—— Growth of rot-producing bacteria is said to be retarded in a new milk can having a self-venting lid which allows undesirable gases to escape. The lid is offered for use on old cans, also. Insure your property against Fire and Wind- storm damage with a good MUTUAL Com- pany and save on your premiums. 320 Houseman Building THE GRAND RAPIDS MERCHANTS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY affiliated with THE MICHIGAN RETAIL DRY GOODS ASSOCIATION Grand Rapids, Michigan 18 HOTEL DEPARTMENT Pleasant Words For Some Pleasant People Milwaukee, Wis., May 8—Here is one told me at the meeting of the Old Time Salesmen the other day. Two men entered a Grand Rapids cafeteria, seemingly strangers to each other, but evidently working together. One se- lected a bowl of soup and received a check for a dime. The other came to the same table a few minutes later, bearing a tray, for which the check represented an investment of $1.80. During the meal they exchanged checks and the man with the full stom- ach proceeds to the cashier's desk, lay- ine down his check ant a thin dime. The second man arises later. He elances at his enormous check, be- comes highly indignant, summons the head waiter. What is it all about, he wants to know? What do they mean by handing him a check for that amount when all he had was a bowl of soup and a glass of water? The man- ager comes over. He _ observes the empty bowl of soup and a glass of empty bowl, and there is nothing for him to do but apologize, and get it settled for a dime. He realizes that the other fellow “trimmed” him, but what can he do about it? He cannot prove the two men were in cahoots. Reminding me of a story recently told by a conductor. It is of one of those individuals who doesn’t like to pay his fair. The starting point for his little scheme must be from a station where passengers may get on a train without showing their tickets. The slick one, waiting for a train, strikes up a conversation with someone near him, about their destinations. He asks the other man to let him see his ticket. While he is examining it he makes a mark on it with his pencil, usually fig- ures, that can be identified afterwards. Say that he marked $235” on the other man’s ticket. He hands it back and boards the train, taking a seat where the other man’s ticket will be taken up first. Later, the conductor, having tak- en up this particular ticket, asks the slicker for his. The latter, indignantly, of course, replies that the conductor has already taken up his ticket, in the smoker or elsewhere. Naturally the conductor insists that he is mistaken, and offers the alternative of leaving the train or “digging up” the amount of the fare, but the cheat is insistent on an investigation. “You must have it in your pocket,” he says, ‘Look, I can tell it if I see it. I was eating my breakfast at the lunch counter and I marked down on it, absent-mindedly, the amount of money’ spent on ex- pense account yesterday. It was $2.35. Look and see if you haven’t a ticket in your pocket with that amount scratched on it with a lead pencil.” Whereupon the conductor looks through his collection of tickets, finds the one in controversy, apologizes for his error, and the dead-beat proceeds on his way. Unfortunately, owing to other en- gagements, I was able to have but a limited time with J. Bingham Morris, the recently appointed manager of Ho- tel Rowe, Grand Rapids, whom I found to be a very pleasing individual, well cast for the position he is now occu- pying. However JI had an opportunity of getting a line on the various im- provements being made in the hotel, which include changing the office to face the main entrance, subdivision of the former lobby into a dining room and lounge, enlargement of the fire- place at the North end of the old lobby for the new dining room, new en- trances to dining room and lounge and replacement of frescoings and modern- istic mirrors, Recently the dining room MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Phillip Jordan J. Bingham Morris on the East was replaced with a club room and bar, having beamed ceiling, grilled windows and tavern type fur- niture. Radios have been placed in the guest rooms, many of which have been redecorated and refurnished. Copper plumbing throughout has also been in- stalled. Modernization of the hotel will cost approximately about $200,000. The Metropolitan Life nsurance Co., owner, recently released the property to the American Chain hotel system, with whom Mr. Morris has been associated in the past. Mr. Morris has a most pleasing personality and will, no doubt, prove a winner in his new position. I shall watch his future movements with much interest, having been fortunate enough to have at least formed his acquaintance. Much of the pleasure I have reaped from my most recent visit to Michigan, must be accredited to Philip Jordan, the present manager of the Morton Hotel, who certainly showed me every attention and courtesy on my recent visit to his establishment. From per- sonal observation I would be warranted in my statement that for all purposes May 9, 1934 and in most respects the Morton is as fresh and comfortable as it was when its construction was completed several vears ago. Of course, in the first place it was built just right in the beginning, but I have discovered in many _ in- stances that an institution which is oc- cupied by a promiscuous clientele be- gins to disintegrate soon after its in- stallation. Not such is the case with the Morton, which is always kept up to date and one would be justified in the statement that, like rare old wine, it is just as acceptable and comfort- ing to the public as it was on the day of its opening. Many attractive fea- tures have been added since Mr. Jor- dan’s advent, and the good work is continuing. Its main dining room is most attractive, a rare grill room is available and the cafeteria still gives attractive service to its patrons. Just now the work of establishing a cock- tail nook, most attractive in charac- ter, is being undergone. There is a personal touch evidenced at the Mor- ton, which appeals especially to me, and I think most of my readers will admit that I have been around some. Mr. Jordan is ever in evidence, knows how to approach his guests, displaying a genuine sincerity which must appeal to them, and this spirit is observable in all the employes. Meal service at the Morton is most excellent, and the dis- criminating public substantially prove by their presence that they realize what is being done for them. A din- ner served while I was there—upon which a most moderate charge is made —is represented by the accompanying menu: + Fresh Shrimp Cocktail Chilled Tomato Juice Fruit Cup with Fresh Strawberries Essence of Tomato, Tapioca Cream of Asparagus Assorted Relish Fresh Caught Whitefish, Hoteliere Ham and Eggs, Country Style Roast Capon, Celery Dressing Filet Mignon, Cabaret Sauce Broiled Pork Chops, Apple Sauce Roast Prime of Beef, au jus Whipped, Gratine and Candied Sweet Potatoes New Green Beans Sugar Corn ' Pineapple and Cream Cheese Salad Peach, Chocolate Cream and Cocoanut Custard Pie Vanilla Custard Pudding Chocolate Eclaire Chocolate Ice Cream Orange Ice Assorted Cheese, with Wafers Beverages While a previous announcement of a change in the management of Hotel Crathmore, Grand Rapids, was some- what premature, it actually occurred last week, when my particular friend, E. H. (Ted) Beecher, actually retired from the management thereof, and was succeeded by Harry Melconian, collab- orating with Albert Metzner and Spa- rio Duches, forming a new organiza- tion for its future operation. Mr. Metz- ner, I believe, is to be in charge of same. The present activities are to be confined to the original Crathmore property, legal complications at pres- ent preventing the actual employment of the entire property for hotel pur- poses. As before stated, Mr. Beecher is uncertain as to his plans for the im- mediate future, but being an active and successful operator, no doubt is expressed as to his future successes. By the way, Sunday week Mr. and Mrs. Beecher took me for a 160-mile tour of observation through the Hess Lake and Croton Dam section, giving me a first-time view of the wonders of that region, including the wonderful Hardy Dam, said to be one of the most important in the entire Nation. At Newaygo I had an added pleasure in meeting H. E. Hedler, who oper- ates the Valley Inn, at that place, and is making an outstanding success of the project. I used to visit Newaygo dur- ing the regime of my friend, E. N. Manning, since deceased, and was trained to expect much from his suc- cessor. I was in no way disappointed, for the Inn flourishes like the prover- si i Boke alicia Ree May 9, 1934 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 17 bial green bay tree, is kept in won- derful physical conditions, and is en- Joying a most satisfactory patronage. Announcement has been made of the proposed installation of an up-to-date buffet bar at Hotel Northland, Mar- quette. As soon as legal requirements have been completed, beer and liquor by the glass will be offered, under con- ditions which are pleasing and comfort- ing, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Austin, present operators of Hotel Kalkaska, Kal- kaska, it is announced, will take over Hotel Wolverine, Boyne City, and form the nucleus of a chain, which I could wish would terminate in an or- ganization following in Statler’s foot- steps. Mrs. (Agnes) Austin was for some time connected with the executive staff of the Morton Hotel, and also, in conjunction with her husband, enjoys a valuable acquaintance throughout Western Michigan. At the Reid Hotel, I had the pleas- ure of meeting W. E. Scofield, who now resides in South Haven, who for forty years operated as a hotel broker in Chicago and was active in the sale and transfer of many of the most im- portant hotels in the Middle West. Had a wonderful chance to refresh my memory in hotel history and hope to meet him again in the near future. Mr. Scofield was one of the first ten- ants to occupy quarters in the Tacoma building, the very first of Chicago’s modern office affairs, and one of the last to leave on its disintegration. “Dave” Reid, who passed on a year or so ago while operating Reid’s Hotel, South Haven, was one of the dearest friends I ever had, but he has a very close second in Raymond G., his son, who has been conducting that enter- prise ever since the death of the senior. His interesting wife backs him up sub- stantially in his duties, and Mrs. Reid, Sr., is still very much in evidence in the establishment, which is just as at- tractive as ever with added new fur- nishings, including carpets and drape- ries, as well as oodles of fresh paint. There is a high degree of “hominess” to be observed here. The Reid is well patronized, and is worthy of its pat- ronage. Feeding is specially featured here. This is a sample of what they provided for me, and I claim to know, at least, what I require: Old Fashioned English Split Pea Soup Celery Olives Roast Prime Ribs of Beef, au jus Grilled Lamb Chops with Bacon Fried Lake Trout, Tartar Sauce Special Chop Grill Shredded Lettuce and Egg Salad Mashed, French Fried and Steamed Potatoes 3uttered String Beans Assorted Home-Baked Pies Peach Sauce, with Wafers Beverages The dinner was served for a 45-cent charge. The pies, especially, were all that is claimed for them. The Reids transported me to Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. At the former place I had a brief visit with Arthur Frost, who has been managing Hotel Vincent for the past year and is said to be making a satisfactory showing to his backers. On the occasion of the present visit Mr. Frost had his hands full supplying a dinner to the various candidates for the exalted position of queen for the forthcoming Blossom Week, which is on outstanding affair in this particu- lar section each year. My tour of Michigan terminated at the Four Flags Hotel, at Niles, where I enjoyed a most agreeable (though short) visit with Mrs. Meta Jennings, who, in conjunction with a sister, oper- ates the property and has been doing so successfully for some time. The Four Flags, which is really one of Michigan’s newest as well as popular enterprises, was receiving its custom- ary seasonable’ rehabilitation, The rooms are all being redecorated, new carpets are being laid, and paint is being applied in pleasing taste, especi- ally to the bath rooms, in various at- tractive colorings. This hotel is sure enjoying a most wonderful trade, and everyone around the place seems to be most enthusiastic over future pros- pects. A luncheon served while I was there comprised the following offer- ings: Vegetable Soup Iced Tomato Juice Fried Filet of Forty-Fathom Fish, Tomato Sauce Minched Chicken with Green Peppers, on Toast Breaded Veal Cutlets toast Loin of Pork, with Preserves Mashed and Hashed Browned Potatoes Carrots, Vichy Apple, Cherry and Blueberry Pie Chocolate Nut Pie with Whipped Cream Pineapple and Orange Sherbet Vanilla Ice Cream Beverages At the Reid Hotel I noticed the fol- lowing sentence posted in its rooms: “Our check-out hour is 6 o'clock. If Inconvenient to vacate at this time, please notify office and every courtesy will be extended.” So much “mellower” than the threat of “charge for an ex- tra day” we see at most places. Frank S. Verbeck. 22 >____ Abandonment of Regimentation The happenings in Washington during the past week have con- vinced many observers that the Administration is now sincere in its plans to curtail regimentation of industry. By reducing Government par- ticipation in the NRA code appli- cation further, business will be given an opportunity to show what it can do over the coming months, it is believed. Seasonal factors pointing to a business recession, conditions will not be altogether right for a fair test of the new policy. However, the favorable effects on textile markets during the past few days of the decision of the NRA to per- mit a full closing down of silk mills for a week indicate that the new decision of the Administra- tion will help curtail the extent of the seasonal recession. Success of plans to stimulate building would help stem the sea- sonal recession also, although the full effects of a revival of heavy industry would not be felt for a period of months. Consolidation of Shipping Lines Proposed Finding many instances of un- economical steamship operation through maintenance of small units, the Administration is about to recommend a plan for volun- tary consolidations to shipping lines, particularly those obligated to the Government, it is learned. A survey of the various serv- ices has been launched by the Commerce Department's Ship- ping Board Bureau with a view to formulating a unification policy. It is the intention to lay the proposed consolidation system before the shipping lines similar to the method followed by the Interstate Commerce Commission with respect to railroads. In the event the lines fail to act on the recommendation within a period of six months or a year, compul- sory legislation would be sought. —_—__¢2.—__ Enactment of Air Mail Bill Seen The Black-McKellar air mail bill, with amendments _ being worked out by the Post Office De- partment and Senator O’Maho- ney, is scheduled for acceptance by the Senate as an Administra- tion measure, it is learned. The Republican-sponsored Au- stin- White bill proposing the res- toration to their former holders of the air mail contracts canceled some time ago by the Administra- tion, and the creation of a com- mission to further investigate the situation, will be brushed aside, it is expected, as the Democrats come to the support of the Ad- ministration. It may be that this bill, if subjected to a roll call, will not cammand thirty votes. -—_2+-___ New Readers of the Tradesman The following new subscribers have been received during the past week: J. W. Johnson, South Haven Lillian Lauman, South Haven Twenty-one Mrs. Reno Morgan, Grand Junction Victor E. Cooley, Bloomingdale A. V. Maaren, Kalamazoo Tarbell & Stevens, Paw Paw J. H. Leverton, Watervliet H. G. Geisler, Waterviiet Frank E. Hlarris, Watervliet A. P. Umphrey, Coloma Coloma Hardware Co., Coloma Harry W. Hill, Coloma Mack Mulder, Benton Harbor Alto H. Wolf, Benton Harbor U. C. T. Council, Battle Creek A. L. Leonard, Benton Harbor FE. W. Haas, Benton Harbor D. D. Johnson, Benton Harbor Chas. H. M. Wegner, Benton Harbor Witson’s Bakery, St. Joseph De Vine Shop, Grand Rapids —_—_+~-—.__ New in tires: A tire of new tread design said to be both non-skid and noiseless; a tube which can be run flat without being cut to ribbons; another tube incorporating new puncture seal- ing principles and light enough for use on smallest cars. Warm Friend Tavern Holland, Mich. Is truly a friend to all travelers. All room and meal rates very reasonable. Free private parking space. JAMES HOEKSEMA, Manager “A MAN IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS” That is why LEADERS of Business and Society make their head- quarters at the PANTLIND HOTEL “An entire city block of Hospitality’ GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Rooms $2.00 and up. Cafeteria -t- Sandwich Shop Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Glassware, China, Silverware H. LEONARD & SONS 38-44 Fulton St., W. GRAND RAPIDS - MICHIGAN Store, Offices & Restaurant Equipment G.R.STORE FIXTURE CO. 7 lonia Ave., N. W. Phone 86027 ot °, ° IMIORTON 400 ROOMS EACH WITH BATH $1.50 up Grand Rapids’ Friendly Hotel Phil Jordan, Manager THE ROWE GRAND RAPIDS The Most Popular Hotel in Western Michigan 300 ROOMS — SHOWERS SERVIDOR Direction of American Hotels Corp. J. Leslie Kincaid, President CODY HOTEL GRAND RAPIDS RATES—$1 up without bath. $2.00 up with bath, CAFETERIA IN CONNECTION ALL GOOD ROADS LEAD TO IONIA AND THE REED INN Excelient Dining Room Rooms $1.50 and up MRS. GEO. SNOW, Mgr. Park Place Hotel Traverse City Rates Reasonable—Service Superb —Location Admirabie. GEO. ANDERSON, Mgr. ALBERT J. ROKOS, Ass’t Mar. New Hotel Elliott STURGIS, MICH. 50 Baths 50 Running Water furopean D. J. GEROW, Prop. Occidental Hotel FIRE PROOF CENTRALLY LOCATED Rates $2.00 and up EDWARD R. SWETT, Mor. Muskegon «se Michigan Columbia Hotel KALAMAZOO Good Place To Tie To 18 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN May 9, 1934 DRUGS Michigan Board of Pharmacy President—Earl Durham, Corunna. Vice-President—M. N. Henry, Lowell Other members of the Board—Norman Weess, Evart; Frank T. Gillespie, St Joseph; Victor C. Piaskowski, Detroit. Director—E. J. Parr, Lansing. Examination Sessions — Three sessions are held each year, one in Detroit, one in the Upper Peninsula and one at Ferris Institute, Big Rapids. Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association. Officers elected at the Jackson Conven- tion of the M. S. P. A. President—Duncan Weaver, Fennville. First Vice-President — Paul Gibson, Ann Arbor. Second Vice-President — J. E. Mabar, Pontiac. Treasurer — Wm. H. Johnson, Kalama- zoo. Secretary—R. A. Turrel, Croswell. Executive Committee—A. A. Sprague, Ithaca; Leo J. LaCroix, Detroit; J. M. Ciechanowsky, Detroit; M. N. Henry, Lowell; Benj. Peck, Kalamazoo; J. E. Mahar, Pontiac. Economic Council of Independent Retailers The 158 year old document, born amidst the demand for equality, liberty and justice was conceived by its cre- ators to further the ideas of Democ- racy, a Government of the people, by the people and for the people; not for any individual group, but the greatest good for the greatest number. During the last decade, with the tre- mendous strides of industry in the so- called machine era, there was no cor- responding evolution in our methods of Government to cope with the chang- industrial conditions. This pro- duced an inequality of opportunity, de- nial of justice and industrial discrim- ination, The laws for the protection of the individual were there: but, because of the combersome and expensive method ing of enforcement the individual aggrieved unable to demand his lawful rights. In the case of business at large, the trade association was which was supposeed to function as the body to safeguard against industrial discrimination, fell down on the job. Instead of taking the initiative in correcting abuses, the trade association became a debating so- ciety, beng content to pass resolutions and then sit back with a feeling of satisfaction of a job well done. The National Recovery Act was passed in an attempt to right these wrongs. It was the American way, based fundamentally on the preamble to the constitution. Turning to the problems of the re- tail drug trade, the Recovery Act pro- vides for self government of the in- dustry under Government supervision and of unfair Trade Practices. A code thas been adopted. The im- portant point is not so much what is included or excluded from it at the present time, but that it is there as a framework for future ‘building and re- solves itself at present into proper ad- the least bureau- the elimination ministration with cratic tendencies. The best method of administration of the code should be through local code authorities. These bodies should become the focal point in securing a square deal to all—Retailer and Con- sumer alike. The proper procedure in organizing these local code authorities and scope of proper working sphere is essential. Let us first look at its organization. The most important feature must be the election of the loca] code authority for a stated period by individuals com- In the case of local ing within its jurisdicton. of larger cties, some system sub groups may be necessary with lim- ited authority and working under guid- ance of the city code authority. No right to levy any assessment unless an local code authority has any open election has been held. The prin- ciples of self government of industry have not been fulfilled unless such an election has been held. An chosen ‘by each group to take charge of 11 il executive secretary should be all administrative work; weekly meet- should be held: the retailers at large should be kept informed of the ings doings of the local code authority. Any remuneration for time actually expend- ed by members or executive secretary should be decided upon by the Electors of the group. Monthly expense state- ments must be prepared. In order to assure uniform admin- istration under our system of forty- nine governments, it is necessary that every state pass supplemental legisla- tion in the manner of New York State jen) to bring all intra state transactions i the same category as inter state trans- This certain and do with drawn out litigation. The Scope of Work 1. Retailer Protection —Discrimination by wholesaler or man actions. will eliminate loopholes away long ufacturer against individual retailers or classes of retalers. —Misleading claims by retailers to the public, to the detriment of other re- tailers, which claims are not based on honesty or fair dealing. —Elimination of spurious and so called “Hot” merchandise from retail outlets. 2. Consumer Protection. —Misleading advertising claims by manufacturer and retailer to detrimeni of public. --Substitution to the detriment of pub- lic and honest retailer (Differentiation between substitution and switching) 3. General —Price stabilization (not according to present methods, special article to foi- low on this subject) —QOverproduction of pharmas‘es and pharmacists (general study with ommendations) —Employment and ——Working conditions ——Minimum scale—voluntary agreements to minimum scale according to locality, cost of liv- ing, etc. ——Registration of unemployed Local unemployment insurance (general study with recommendations) —Credit—Uses general study. rec- Unemployment. wage raise wage and abuses, Space does not permit the detailed discussion of each problem and the method of procedure. One salient point must be borne in mind. The local code authority in order to succeed in this tremendous task must have the power to contact directly, without any red tape, county, city, state or Federal au- thority as conditions may arise. Let us not be misled by false pro- phets. Demand open elections and see that fitted—not machine politicians are chosen for the great task. What is your reaction to this article? Is_ there other Pharmaceutical question you would like observer to individuals properly any discuss? Address all communications to Editor Economic Council of Ind. Ret., 151 Saint Ann’s Ave., N. Y. C. —__—_o»9—____ Shall We Close Our Stores? A New York publication is advoca- drug stores as a in the voice our opposi- ting the closing of protest against the drug code. tion to such a plan. unfairness May we To our great sor- row we see the name of Monte Pow- president of the N.A.R.D., dragged into this stunt publicity. President Roosevelt General Johnson are doing their best to adopt ell, the and fair and just rules for all codes, but they must proceed slowly. When a pharmacist opens a store it takes him more than a year to adjust himself to trade, locality, etc. He pa- tiently labors to adapt himself to the existing conditions of the territory. Now picture yourself in the position of our present administration that is trving to change the “Dog eat dog” policy which has existed for these many years. It is practically changing the very character of the people in this country. labeled The reactionary groups this a “revolution” and are demanding an investigation of the infamous brain-trust. The Council is not attempting to play the part of super-patriot in this National drama, but we are appealing to the reason of every pharmacist to stay away from any kind of demonstra- tion. We have to remember that we have Marbles Base Balls SPRING SPECIALTIES Rubber Balls Golf Supplies Tennis Supplies are called upon to “Strike” against the very government that permits us to exist, for any fair minded economist will tell you that you are only a “Ne- the present system of distribction. cessary evil in wasteful The code will gradually improve. The National Review Board with Clarence Darrow as chairman will, in our opin- ion, bring many changes in the NRA for the benefit of the little fellow. The secretary of the board is Samuel C. Henry who is a real friend to the retailer. Instead of all this publicity bally- hoo concentrate your efforts and activ- the author- ities and cooperate with the National body. ities through local code >> Pure Food and Drug Legislation To ascertain the true position of the pharmacists relative to the pure food and drug legislation now before Con- gress, we present a very interesting letter picked from hundreds of letters received from all parts of the country. It is from a pharmacist practicing in It states in part: time the patent medicine Barons get in a jam, they start the thumping among the retailers to urge them to get busy and save the Bacon. California. “Every These Volume Vultures never did give a hoot about the retail druggist or his profits. So why should we rally round their fag and pull chestnuts for them.” To round out the picture as to the stand of pharmacists in this country on this pending legislation we repro- duce in part am editorial printed in the Vrginia Pharmacist, by its editor, W. F. Rudd: “American pharmacy is being cred- ited through the pharmaceutical press as opposing all bills that have been sponsored by those government offi- (Continued on page 22) Jacks Playground Balls Seed-Disinfectants Bathing Supplies Soda Fountain Supplies Picnic Supplies White Wash Heads Kalsomine Brushes Turpentine Varnishes Enamels Brushing Lacquer Etc., Etc. Shelf Papers Insecticides Goggles Waxed Papers Paint Brushes a Sundries Now on Display in Our Sample Room. Come look them over. A Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co. Grand Rapids Michigan May 9, 1934 MICHIGAN WHOLESALE DRUG PRICE CURRENT Prices quoted are nominal, based on market the day of issue. Acetic Wo 8, ib. Boric, Powd., or Carbolic, Xtal., tre, Wo Muriatic, Com’1L, Nitric, Ib. Oxalic, lb, Sulphuric, Tartaric, 1d. ALCOHOL Denatured, No. 5, gal... Grain, gal. Wood, gal, ALUM-POTASH, USP ume I 04 @ Fowa or Gra. ib... 04440 AMMONIA _ sucentrated, ib, _ 06 @ So ID 05%@ Se 1D 054%4@ Carbonate ib, 20 @ muriace Up: ib 18 @ Muriate. Gra. 1b. 07% @ Muriate, Fo. Ib 22 @ ARSENIC Pound 2 07 @ BALSAMS Copaina 1b. 2 60 @1 Hie, Cana. pb 200 @2 Mir Oree ip 50 @i1 Parag, Ip oo 300 @ 3 Tog ib, 150 @1 BARKS Cassia Ordinary 1b 200 @ Ordinary, Po., Ib.----_- 25 @ paleon Ib @ Saigon, £o., Ip. 50 @ Oe 40 @ Him, Powd ib 38 @ ae Eo 38 @ Sassafras (P’d lb. 50)__-__- @ So0aptree, cut, }b.__.... 20 @ Soaptree, Po., ee 35 @ BERRIES Cubeb, Ib. 00 @ @Cubep, Fo. ib. @ aumiper, 1b, 00 10 @ BLUE VITRIOL Poon (oe 06 @ BORAX ed or Mtal ip. 06 @ BRIMSTONE Pound foo 04 @ CAMPHOR Pound 220) 80 @1 CANTHARIDES Russian Powd. 3 8 @ 4 Chinese. Powd, @ 2 CHALK Crayons White, dozen _.._| @ 3 Dustless, dozen -------- @ 6 French Powder, Coml., lb.-- 034%@ Precipitated, Ib. ......_.__- 12 @ Prepared, ip, 0.05 14 @ White, tump, 1b..__----_ 03 @ CAPSICUM Poee 1 60 @ Powder ib. oe 62 @ CLOVES Whole Wb. 002 30 @ Powdered ib... 35 @ COCAINE so... 14 75@15 COPPERAS tet lb 03% @ Powaered ib. 22.0: 4 @ CREAM TARTAR PORN 2 @ CUTTLEBONE Pound 2 40 @ DEXTRINE Yellow Corn, Ib..----------- 064@ Witte Corse, b..-—_..._-- 07 @ EXTRACT ee a wt tie Pa. 50 @ 13 10 00 oo oo 70 15 40 45 40 10 15 15 15 70 60 FLOWER Arnies ip. 50 Chamomile German, homian, 1, 2 Saffron American, Ib. Spanish, ozs. lb. Ib. FORMALDEHYDE, BULK 09 Pound oo 20 FULLER’S EARTH Powder. 1), 2020 05 10 GELATIN Pound (0 55 @_~ 65 GLUE Bron, Bro. Ib 20 @ 30 Grod, Dark ib. 16 @ 22 Whi, Blake, 1b 27%@ 35 White Gd. Ib... 25 @ = 36 White AXX light, lb.._____ @ 40 RippOm 2 424%@ 50 GLYCERINE Pound oe 16%@ 45 GUM Aloes, Barbadoes, so called, lb. gourds_-_-_- @ 60 Powe. 1p. 2220 2 35 @ 45 Aloes, Socotrine, Ib. @ Powd TD, 2 @ 80 Arabic, first, Ib. = @ 40 Arabic, sec: Ib, @ 30 Arame, sorts, Ib, _ 15 @ 25 Arabic. Gran ib. _2.2 @ 35 Avamic, a. I 6 25 @ 35 Asatoetida, Ib. 47 @ 50 Asafoetida, Po., lb... __ 75 @ 82 Guaiae Ip oo @ 70 Guaise, powd. 2 @ Hino, Ib) 20 @ 90 King, pawd., ib. @ 1 00 Morrh tb oo @ 60 Myrrh Pow. Ib... @ Shellac, Orange, tb... 22%@ 30 Ground, Ibi 22%@ 30 Shellac, white (bone dr’d) lb. 35 @ 45 Tragacanth No. ft; bbls. 150 @i1 75 No 2. ibe. 135 @1 50 Fow., 1b. 20230 125 @1 50 HONEY Pound = 25 @ 40 HOPS %4s Loose, Pressed, lb._____-_ @ 1 00 HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Pound, eros (292002) 0 27 00 @29 00 1% ID, gross ooo 17 00 @18 00 MAD ross 2 11 00 @11 50 INDIGO Madras. ib. 200 @ 2 25 INSECT POWDER Pure, Ip) 222000 31 @ 4 LEAD ACETATE Mtap 1b i @ 2 Powd. and Gran... 25 @ = 35 LICORICE Extracts, sticks, per box_. 1 o @ 2 00 Lozenges, oe @ 50 Waters, (24s) box... @ 1 50 LEAVES Buchu, Ib., short __..._ @ 60 Buen, Ib. lone. @ Buchu, P'd., 1D. 2 @ 70 Sage, bulk, 1p 25 @~ 30 Sage, loose pressed, 4s, lb. @ 40 Sage, ounces ooo @ 8 Sage, P’d and Grd.__.._____ @ 35 Senna Alexandria, Ib. _________ 35 @ 40 ‘innevelia, Woo 2 25 @ 40 Powd ib 2-0 25 @ 365 Uva Oret Ib @ 31 Uva Urst; Pd lb, 22 @ 45 LIME @hloride, med., dz. ________ @ 8 Chloride, large, dz._.._.___ @ 1 45 LYCOPODIUM Pound ....20 45 @_ 60 MAGNESIA Carb. 46s. Ibo @ 30 Carb. yes, 1b.2) 2 @ 32 Carb. Powe. Ibi 02 16 @ 2% Oxide, Hea Ih @ 17 Oxide, lent, Ib. @ 175 MENTHOL Peund 220200 454 @ 4 88 MERCURY Pound (202 150 @1 75 TRADESMAN MORPHINE Cunces 2. @11 ye: | eI ls eee EE SE nes @13 MUSTARD sulk, Powd. Bereee ID. 45 @ Ne ft Wo 25 @ NAPHTHALINE Bale ip, 09 @ Higke Wp 2.0 09 @ NUTMEG POUnG 2 @ Powoaered, Ib, @ NUX VOMICA POUNG fo @ Fowdered, Ib. 2) 14 @ OIL ESSENTIAL Almond Bit., true, ozs. @ Bit. art. oz78. ....._ @ Sweet, truc, Ib.._.___.. 140 @2 Sweet. art. Ibs.._._____ 15 @i1 Asmber, crude, ib... 7] @i Amber, reet., Ib. 130 @2 Aivece Ibo 100 @1 Bee te ee 400 @4 Bergamot ip 325 @ 3 Camepue. I oo 150 @ 2 Caraway Sd Ib 280 @ 3 Cassia USE Ib 210 @2 Cedar Leal lp. 170 @2 Cedar Leaf, Coml., Ib._.____ 100 @1 Citronella Ih 100 @t Cloves, ib. 2 Li @ 2 Cyoton ibs. 2 400 @ 4 Gabeo Ib. 2 425 @4 Brisevaon Ibo 2 270 @3 Micaivtus Ib 8 @l1 MONDO 225 @ 2 memoce Pa ih 170 @2 Hemieek Com. ib, 10e @i Juniper Ber., by ee 300 @3 sUunipEe Wd Ib 150 @i1 Lav. Flow., a Oe 450 @ 5 Lav. Gard.. FD 125 @i Lemon, oe 200 @ 2 Mustard true, ozs... @1 Mustard art. ozs. @ Orange Sw ib. 300 @3 Origanum art. Ib... 100 @i1 Pennyroval ib. 2% @83 Peppermint Ip 425 @ 4 Rose, Gr 2 @ 2 Rese. Geran, ozs... @1 Rosemary Flowers, Ib 10 @t Sandalwood mE Ib 800 @ 8 WsE mh 450 @4 Sassafras move. ID 190 @2 yr ID 8 @1 Spearmint, Ib 250 @ 3 Genesys, We 350 @4 mine, Red, Ib 150 @2 thvine, Whi, Ip. 175 @ 2 Wintergreen Beat truce ib 560 @6 ive, Ip ooo 400 @4 SW 75 @1 Wormseed, 1 350 @ 4 Wormwood, Ib .. 450 @5 OILS HEAVY @astor fal 145 @1 Cocoanut, Ib 22%@ Cod Liver, Norwegian, gal. 120 @1 Cot. Seed, gal 8 @1 Mare ies fal 155 @1 Lard, No. t gal 125 @1 Linseed, raw, gal,__ ee 78 @ Dimnseed Holl, gal = #§ MM & Neatsfoot, extra, gal.______ 80 @1 Olive Malaea, gal . 250 @3 Ure: ae 300 @5 Sperm, far 123 @1 mawner fab 2 75 @ War gab 50 @ Witaie gal @ 2 OPIUM Gum, ozs., $1.40; Ib... 17 50 @20 Powder, ozs., $1.40; Ib._____ 17 50 @20 Gran., ozs, $1.40: Ib.______ 17 50 @20 PARAFFINE BeOwng 2 064%4@ PEPPER Blaek erd. Ibo 25 @ Red: ora.. ID 45 @ White ord. ib... 40 @ PITCH BURGUNDY Pomn@ 20 @ PETROLATUM Amber Plain. tb 12 @ Amber Carb, bb. 14 @ Cream Wht tb 17 @ Hity White, Ib 20 @ Snow White, Ib... 22 @ PLASTER PARIS DENTAL ECR @ 5 Hess Ih, 2 eo 03%@ POTASSA Canstie, stks i 55 @ Tiguor 1p, @ 80 96 oo No 18 40 50 25 25 75 08 88 40 POTASSIUM Acetate th. 2. Bicarbonate, 3ichromate, Bromide, lb. Carbonate, Ib. Chlorate Xtal., Powd., Gran.,, Iodide, lb. Vermanganate, Prussiate Red, Ib, Yellow, lb. lb. Ib. QUININE 5 Of. Cans, Of6................ Pound Aconite, Powd., Alkanet, Ib. Alkanet, Powd., Belladonna, Powd., Blood Fowa., ib . Burdeek, Powd., Ib _______- Calamus, Bleached, Split and Peeled, Ib. Calamus, Ordinary, Ib.______ Calamus, Powd., Ib... __ Bleeampanc Ib Gentian, Powd., Ginger, African, Powd., lb. Ginger, Jamaica, Limed, Ib. Ginger, Jamaica, Powd., lb. Goldenseal, Powd., lb._----- 1 Hellebore, White, Powd., Indian Turnip, Powd., Ipecac. FPowa.. 1b... 3 Hi¢orice, Ih oo Licorice, Powd. Mandrake, Powd., Marshmallow, Cut., Marshmallow, Powd., Orris, Ib. Orris, Powd., Orris, Fingers, Pink, Powd., Poke, Powd., thubarb, Ib. Rhubarb, Powd., Sarsaparilla (Honduras, cut) 1 Sarsaparilla, Med., Cut, Ib. Squills| Powd., ip........ Tumeric. Powd.. Ib... _ Valerian, Powd., ib.-__.____. Epsom, Ib. Glaubers Lump, Gran., Gran. Rochelle, Soda, Ib, Anise, lb. Canary, Recleaned, Ib.--.--- Cardamon, Bleached, Ib.--- Caraway, Dutch, Ib... Celery I) 2 Colchicum, Powd., Coriander, Ib. Hennel ib 2 Flax, : Miax Ground, Ib... Hemp, Recleaned, Bobetia Fowd.. ib... Mustard, Black, Mustard, White, Poppy. Blue, Ib... Quince, Ib. Rape, Ib. Sabadilla, Powd., Sunflower, Ib. Worm, Levant, SOAP Castile, Conti, White A Bicarbonate, Caustic, Col, Hyposulphite, Phosphate, Ib. Sulphite Xtal., Dry, Silicate, Sol., ‘gal Hee oe SULPHUR Edent ib oo SYRUP Rock Candy, Gals... TAR +4. Fints dozen... Pints, dozen . 2 Quarts dozen 0 TURPENTINE Gallons oo. & po SEN 30 42 15 66 —~ PQOHHH QHQONO DODODDHHHHHDHHHHON9 ® Q9O* oe 99 wo QOD QOH 899 @ nb = _ yea) 30 40 17 20 MICHIGAN GUIDE TO MARKET CHANGES The following list of foods and grocer’s sundries is listed upon base prices, not intended as a guide for the buyer. Each week we list items advancing and declining upon the market. By comparing the base price on these items with the base price the week before, it shows the cash advance or decline in the mar- ket. This permits the merchant to take advantage of market advances, upon items thus affected, that he has in stock. By so doing he will save much each year. The Michigan Tradesman is read over a broad territory, therefore it would be impossible for it to quote prices to act as a buying guide for everyone. A careful merchant watches the market and takes advantage from it. ADVANCED Crushed Pineapple Canned Apricots Apple Butter DECLINED Holland Herring Peanuts Bran Flakes, No. 624.. 1 90 Supreme, No. 2 in : ueeuiees Bran Flakes, No. 650-- $5 SYTUP —————————————— 25 Little Bo Peep, med... 1 35 Rice ee 0Z.-- . wr Hart Special, No. 2__ 1 36 i _.. 2 25 Rice Krispies, 1 0z.---- Little Bo Beep, Ige.—-- 210 All Bran, 16 oz. ---_— 2 30 Cherries—Royal Ann . : All Bran, 10 0z. _-_-_- 276 Supreme, No. 2%---- 2 75 All Bran, % 0z. ------- 1x Supreme, No. 2 2 10 Kaffe Hag, 6 1-Ib. . oe ~~ @ : = Nee 2 8% ibralter, No. 244---- 5 —— ee Whole Wheat Fla., 24s : rd - 7 Whole Wheat Bis., 24s 5 igs so te 1 75 Wheat Krispies, 24s-_- 2 40 Beckwith Breakfast, ee Post Brands No 18 2 12 00 Grapenut Flakes, 24s-- 2 10 Carpenter Preserved, Grape-Nuts, 24s ------ 3 90 5 om. g@ipss 2 1 35 BAKING POWDERS Grape-Nuts, 50s ------ 160 Supreme Kodota, No. 11 80 Instant Postum, No. 2 : rs ies 0 Instant Postum, No. a rui ala ay ; oa — 2 “4 Postum Cereal, Ne. 0. 2 25 Supreme, No. 10_---_ 12 00 Royal 12 oz., doz.___- 385 Post Toasties, 36s____290 Quaker, No. 10- oe 11 00 Royal. 5 Ibs.. doz.__-- 20 00 Post Toasties, 24s___.290 Supreme, No, 2%---- 3 15 : : Post Brank, PBF 24_. 315 Supreme, No. 2------ 2 35 Post Bran, PBF 36-- 315 Supreme, No. i------- 1 80 Sanka 6-1 moo 257 Quaker, No. 24%------ 3 15 Amsterdam Brands Goosberries Gold Bond Par., No.5% 759 Michigan, No. 10_-_-- 5 35 Prize, Parlor, No. 6_-- 8 00 White Swan Par., No.6 8 50 Grape Fruit Florida Gold, No. 5--- 4 75 Florida Gold, No. 2__ 1 37% BROOMS (Quaker, 8 o7,.. 90 Quaker, 5 sewed-__---- 675 Quaker 2% ____ 1 37% Warehouse —..-------- 7 25 Winner, 5 sewed_----- 5 75 Grape Fruit Juice Top Notch ---------- 450 Florida Gold, No. 1-- 90 Ouaker, No, 1. 90 Quaker Noe. 5... 4 50 BRUSHES Loganberries Scrub Premio, No. 10 ____ 75 Progress, dozen ~_-~-- 90 Peaches Stove Forest, solid pack, Shaker, dozen -_------ 20 Nao ib 85 Sh Gibralter, halves, . oe No. 10 = i cae “ig ccs ; 00 Topcen, dozen ------ 90 Supreme, sliced, No. 10 7 50 250z., 4doz.in case._ 8 10 aprons, halves, 2 5 one 0 mo 19 2. i 7d s “i i . on, ee Médimn 20 06 Gut Tuneh 150 Cassia. 5c pke.. doz... @40 Faney -—.--__- 50 oz., dozen___-_____ 110 MUELLER’S PRODUGTS Poor _ Boned, 10 lb. boxes___ 16 Ginger, Africa __ @19 Macaroni, 9 oz._______- 2 10 Mixed, No. 1_______-__ @30 mites —— S : e nue Mixed, 10c pkgs., doz. @65 TWINE Seeded, bulk -_______- 6% Ege Noodl Loins 3 Yutmege, 70@90 ______ Ge Foon 2 by cone ___. 40 i ae: & es, 6 OZ. ___- 210 Pons oo is SHOE BLACKENING Jutinegs, 105-110 @43 Cotton, 3 ply ball } Thompson's S’dless blk. 6% Egg Vermicelli, 6 oz. 210 Butts ------------------ ia tid Peas, dot. 120 «(Sper Hack ss Qt 17 oe S--—___ 40 Quaker s'dless blk.---- Egg Alphabets, 6 oz... 210 Shoulders __________..._. 09 EE. Z. Combination, dz. 1 30 ee ae a ebasg ee as 7% Cooked Spaghetti, 24c, Sparcribs ae Dri-Moot, doz. .._._____ 2 00 Quaker Seeded, 15 0z._. 7% 1 og 996 Neck Bones 03 Biebys, doz. = 1 30 Pure Ground in Bulk VINEGAR Trimmigns _____.___.___ 07 Shinola, doz__._._____ go Allspice, Jamaica _._.. @18 _¥.0O.B. Grand Rapids : Cloves, Zanzbar _____. @23 Cider, 40 grain______ 181, California Prunes Saseia, Canton. ___.__ @22 White Wine, 40 grain 1944 90@100, 25 Ib. boxes __@07 Ginger, Corkin __.---. @17 White Wine, 80 grain 241% 80@ 90, 25 lb. boxes __.@07% NUTS STOVE POLISH Deustere @21 r 70@ 80, 25 Ib. boxes --@08% Whole PROVISIONS Blackne, per doz..._..l 30 Mace Penang -______ @n) 60@ 70, 25lb. boxes__@08% Almonds, Peerless ____ 1544 Black Silk Liquid, doz. 130 Pepper, Black _______ 2 quid, @20 wic 50@ 60, 251b. boxes _.@09% Brazil, large _________ 14% Barreled Pork Black Silk Paste, doz..1 25 Nutmegs -____________ GI Mo 6, a5 KING 40@ 50, 25lb. boxes_.@10% Fancy Mixe@ ____- 6 Clear Back____- 16 00@1s 00 Enameline Paste, doz. 130 Pepper, White -_______ @30 No 9 Pergross -______ 80 30@ 40, 25lb. boxes _-@11% Filberts, Naples _____ 20 Short Cut, Clear_____ 12 00 Emameline Liquid, dez. 1 30 Pepper, Cayenne _____ @26 No.2 Per Sr0ee .----—- 1 25 20@ 30, 25 lb. boxes _.@13 Peanuts, Vir. Roasted 10 E. Z. Liquid, per dez._ 1 30 Paprika, Spanish __-___ @36 No. 3. Per SOs —-——.. 1 50 18@ 24, 25 tb. boxes _.@15% Peanuts, Jumbo ____- i Radium, per doz._____- 1 30 Peerl ig ty i@r doz, “< Pecans, 3, star __..______ 25 Dry Salt Meats Rising Sun, per doz.___ 1 30 Rochon _ per doz. 90 Pecans, Jumbo _____-___ is DS een 20-25 10 654 Stove Enamel, dz._ 2 80 ¢ : Hoch a oo Hominy Pecans, Mammoth ___--- 50 Vuleanol, No. 10, doz. 1 30 = qpjiqy p a Rayo a Pearl, 100 Ib, sacks... 350 Walnuts, Cal, _____- 14@20 Stovoil, per doz.-__--_- Oe €. i CG ea " iS 07 Lard ae | Pure in tierces... 07 Ca a Pur on 1 ” u oods 60 lb. tubs _____ dva d a a a s1b.Macaroni, 20 1b,bx. 1 28 Ht tube adams SALT pdr or at apaary 1 35 we Egg Noodle, 10 1b. box 125 _—Salted Peanuts OG pile odsauee & 980.8. Grand Rapids ine! Be 3 25, Bushels, Wide Band Fancy, No, 1__________.10% 101b. pails ____-advance % Colonial, 24, 2 Ib.._.-- S yo i. eC eee 12—1 Ib. Cellop’e case. 125 5b. pails ___-_advance 1 Colonial, 36-1% __---- in 2a | 2 Market, drop handle. 90 Pearl Barley 3 1p. pails _-__- adeemes i ‘Colonial, lodised. 24-2. 136 Savary i'or. 90 Market, single handle. 95 ma. 7 00 Compound, tierces _-. 07% Med. No.1, bbis.--_--- a6 ea 9 Market, extra ______ _ 1 60 Barley Grits__.--_---- 5 00 Compound, tubs _______ Om Mee tel Wie 16 taaic i. © Splint bigs 8 60 i en 4 60 Shelled Farmer Spec., 70 lb.-. 1 00 meric, 1% oz.--.-_- 16 Splint, mednams ea Almonds) 0 39 Packers Meat, 50 Ib.__ 8 Splint, smelt 6 50 i eee Sesnise, 125 a Sausages Cream Rock for ice , a ap. Dage Boloens cream, 100 Ib., each 8% na. 10 Bilberts ——_-— 8 oo gS Miter Sale. 2001. bal 4 00 > oa Bod Gee we ao 4g Frankfort ---—----_-_- 13 ee ee ae ee, A __ 219 Farrel, 10 gal., each___ 2 55 : . ---~ oe 5 Salt, . Powd., bag 5 gal., per gal.____ . Tongue, Jellied __-_---- 6 OD tetas a th chasis ae . Pearl, 100 Ib. sacks_--- 7% Weadencesa 1% 8 4. per tele ie Qs . Dkgs.___ : eee ie.lll,.,.Ld.,.LlLcLcL OU OO foe hl OOOO 2 25 Pails Dromedary Instant --- 3 50 MINCE MEAT 10 at. Galvanzed _____. 2 60 None Such, 4 doz._.__- 6 20 12 qt. Galvanized _____ 2 85 Jiffy Punch Quaker, 3 doz. case 265 sri Gent, IdiG Ib._-16 Gloss 14 at. Galvanized “~~ 3 10 Yo Ho, Kegs, wet, Ib.- A oe ee 1 at. Biaring Gal. Jr. 3 doz. Carton_-_---_---- 2 25 . — Hams, Cert., Skinned as 1 oe 8 leat. tm Dairy... i 4 00 Assorted flavors. eee ft ee te oo OLIVES—Plain — = beef Silver Gloss, 48, 1s__-_ 11% Mo Frage Quaker, 24 4 0z. cases 1 87 ee Elastic, 16 pk 1 38 cele 68 EVAPORATED MILK Quaker’ 24 7% of cs. 355 California Hams -_---- @10 = Ti 50 1 ot Mouse, wood, 6 holes__ 70 Quaker, Tall, 10% oz. 285 yiuiser, <4 01 0%. cS.) 32 Picnic Boiled Hams---.@16 IZED ger, bs. --_-_-__- 2 82 Mouse, tin, 5 holes. 65 Quaker, Baby, 4 doz... 143 0) tak. aoe cy #22 Bottled Hama ot | @23 7 Rat, wood _____ ~ 100 Quaker, Gallon, % dz... 2.85 | sal. glass, each_-_--130 Minced Hams __------- @12 Ras, suit 1 00 Carnation, Tall, 4 doz. 2 95 Baeon 4/6 Cert... @ 17 Mouse, spring_________ 20 Carnation, Baby, 4 dz. 1 48 OLIVES—Stuffed sy oe Oatman’s D’dee, = : ] Quaker, 24 2% oz. es. 1 87 a Tub Oatman’s D’dee, x © Quaker, 24 4 oz. cs.__ 2 75 Beef ee Pet, Tall .—-_---_----- 295 Quaker, 24 5 oz. cs._.355 Boneless. rump_-_-_- @19 00 Ll aS eee : - eae Galvanized _____ sn Pet, Baby, 4 dozen--_ 145 Quaker, 24 71% oz. es. 4 55 Blue Karo No 10 eT Sault G4 eheenieee. is Borden’s, Tall, 4 doz. 295 Quaker, 24 10 oz. es. 5 95 Rad Kar oN vo a rn eens " Borden’s, Baby, 4 doz. 148 Quaker, 12 32 oz. cs.__ 7 88 Liver Red Kare a Lge a 1 Gallon @lass each §1 89 Beet 10 ‘ee Run’g, 32, 26 oz.. 2 4) Red Karo, No. 10. 7 3 46 Cale 35 Five case lots.......__. 2 . eee B Washboards FRUIT CANS ee 07% iodized, 32, 26 oz.--_-- 240 ee oi bers 5 50 ive case | c Imit. Maple F ss, single. 5 Ball Mason PARIS GREEN iia oo a" Orange, No. 1%. 7a. 3 87 Glass, single__________ 8 00 F. 0. B. Grand Rapids "ene ue 34 Orange. No. 3, 30 cans 4 34 Double Peerless_______ 8 50 One pint ..- S00 32 BORAX ; Single Peerless________ 7 50 (aoe oe pas UU 30 RICE te aa Northern Queen______ 5 50 Wait galion 2... -_-___ 12 40 Fancy Blue Rose__---- 5 00 2 y . com Maple and Cane Universal 0 7 25 Masow Can Tops, ero. 2 8 Pane Head ot 10 24,1 Jb packages —--- 2.25 Kanuck, per gal ------ 1 10 , x francois i Core ‘ 96,14 lb. packages__-. 4 00 . Wood Bowl w FRUIT CAN RUBBERS PICKLES Grape Juve 13 in. Butter 5 5 00 Presto Red Lip, 2 gro. Welch. 12 quart case-. 440 15in. Butter _____--_- 9 00 eavten 78 RUSKS Welch, 12 pint case 225 17in. Butter _____ 18 00 Presto White Lip, 2 Sweet Small Postma Biscu: Go. WASHING POWDERS Walch. 46-4 ca cace ¢ OTE Botte 25 00 gro. carton___-------- 83 1, and C, 7 oz., doz.-. 92% 18rolls, percase _.....210 Bon Ami Pd., 18s, box. 1 90 : ee ee Z Paw Paw, quarts, doz. 2 80 12rolls, per case ____-- 139 Bon Ami Cake, 18s---- 1 65 18 cartons, percase ___ 2 35‘ Brillo -_-_--__--_-_-.-- 85 GELATINE 12 cartons, per case ___ 1 57 Big 4 Soap Chips 8/5-. 2 30 WRAPPING PAPER Jell-o, 3 doz.-------—- i 80 Dill Pickles Chipso, large -----—- 3 45 COOKING OIL Fibre, Manilla, white__ 05 Minute, 3 doz.._------- 405 Gal., 40 to Tin, doz.___ 8 20 Climaline, 4 doz.------ 3 60 Siena! Ne 7 Vie, 06% Knox’s, 1 dozen_----- 225. 30 of. Glass Thrown... 1 50 Grandma, 100, 5c------ 3 50 PI azola Butchers D F__ 06% Jelsert, 3 doz.-.------- 1 40 Grandma, 24 large... 3 50 mits) 2 dog. ‘6 fan oC “a SALERATUS camkoy, ta lage _ 2 a0 Guaris. } doz eee Kraft Strige 09% PIPES do oe es ee 6G Dot ie 0.1 ae et Gallons, 1 don. 6 a HONEY Cob, 3 doz. in bx. 1 00@1 20 1 fenees ten 4 eee © Lux Flakes, 50 small__ 4 80 Lake Shore 1 1b. doz-- 1 90 , Lux Flakes, 20 large. 4 55 YEAST CAKE Old Dutch Clean., 4 dz. 3 40 Masie. 3 doz: 2 70 JELLY AND PRESERVES PLAYING CARDS SAL SODA Ontaeen, 6... 3 90 TABLE SAUCES Sunlight, 3 doz. _____ "270 Pure, 30 lb. pails------ 260 Blue Ribbon, per doz. 450 Granulated, 60 Ibs. cs. 135 Rinso, 24s ------------ 480 Lee & Perrin, large... 5°75 Sunlight.1% doz. __.._ 1 35 {mitation, 30 Ib. pails. 160 Bicycle, per doz._----- 470 Granulated, 18-2% Ib. Hinse, 405,05 295 Lee & Perrin, small__. 3 35 Yeast Foam, 3 doz.____ 2 70 Pure Pres., 16 0z., dz. 1 80 Torpedo, per doz.----- 2 50 packages 00 115 Spotless Cleanser, 48, Pepper Jo 160 Yeast Foam, 1% doz... 1 35 12 oz. Apple Jelly, dz. 95 30 6g 2 $5 Royal Mint = 2 40 13 oz. Mint Jelly, dz. 1 60 Sani Flush, 1 doz.._-- $25 Tobasco, small_______ 3 75 7 oz, Cranberry Jelly, dz 90 Sapolio, 3 doz.______-_ 315 Sho You, 9 0z., doz.___ 2 0¢ POP CORN Speedee, 3 doz._------ ; 20 A-litaveae 4 75 ee Cer Sure P 25 lb. bags 1 25 COD FISH Sunbrite, 60s__________ 10 A-l eamal 2 85 eischmann, per doz.__- % ene. S 85 Yellow, 26 lb. bags-__.1 25 Mother Ann, 1 lb. pure 25 Wyandot. Cleaner, 248 160 Caper, 2 0z.____-_---_- 330 Red Star, per doz.-__--- 20 22 SHOE MARKET Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers Association. President—Clyde Taylor, Detroit First Vice-President—M. A. Mittleman, Detroit. Vice-President—Arthur Allen, Grand Rapids. Vice-President — Edward Dittman, Mount Pleasant. Vice-President—K. Masters, Alpena. Vice-President—Max Harriman, Lan- sing. Vice-President — Fred Nedwick, Sag- inaw. Vice-President—Richard Schmidt, Hills- dale. Vice-President—Edward Stocker, De- troit. Vice-President—B. C. Rapids. See’y and Treas.—Joseph Burton, Lan- sing. Field Sec’y—O. R. Jenkins, Portland. Yearly dues $1 per person. Olsee, Grand Press the Sale of Shoes in Season Two merchants set out to make a market trip by automobile. They left their home town and New York was their destination —a two days’ journey. A traveling salesman accompanied one of the buyers. The idea was for the men to meet at a half-way point to rest and refresh themselves for the night. When they seached their first night’s destination, at the belated din- ner, the traveling salesman said: “T know more about the business of you two fellows after to-day’s riding than I ever knew before. In your case, Jim, you have taken a dozen risks to life and limb and all your conversation is about the hazards of the day. You have told us of the stretch of road on which you were able to do seventy miles an hour. You bemoaned the blowout. If you run your business at the life or death rate that you drive your car, it must be in a sorry mess.” The salesman then commented on his companion, Dan, who arrived at the first day’s destination several hours ahead of Jim and none the worse for the journe® The salesman said: “I can see, Dan, how you do business and the smoothness of operation in the store must parallel your steady gait of forty miles per hour over the road. At no one time were you operating with- out reserve speed. You were pressing the distance all the time and you ar- rived at the destination physically and mentally fit.” The parallel between driving a car and driving a business needs no more elaboration, for it is obvious the char- acter of the business is pretty much the behavior of the merchant as a man as well as a business man. In the next eight weeks, the profits of the Sum- mer season must be made and the smoothness of operation should be the first thought of the merchant. Every day’s shoe selling must show “a pick- up.” Every individual in the store must be made responsible for the operation of a properly balanced service. Now is the time to pick up the energy form- erly wasted in store duties not leading to a useful sale. “Press the sale” of shoes at retail. Have something definite to sell each day and each week. The theme of Sport Shoe Week seems more and more logical as a peak promotion be- cause of the backward weather and the delay in Summer shoe buying. Spring shoes, as such, were nipped by the late frosts. Some merchants put more speed into selling and more P.M.’s on each pair to help move the Spring shoes. Don’t dump new _ shoes in MICHIGAN clearance—they are too good to sacri- fice. Now comes the best selling period of the vear—eight weeks to move a mountain of shoes at a profit. Never were the showings to the public more interesting. There is a thrill in san- dals for women customers; the novelty of the heavy crepe soles for young men customers and the splendid diversity of basic whites, ventilated and Sum- mer types of shoes for men. It now appears that the eight weeks will be heavily concentrated on sport and nov- elty type footwear. All the more rea- son for getting a thrill over the busi- ness when the public is interested in “going places.” Give a reward to the salesman who makes a double-header and increase it for the man who makes three cash sales to a customer, for that type of salesmanship is a glory to any busi- ness. The public is going to find ex- pression of the new leisure in foot- wear _ first—provided presses that point. The machinery of industry is geared up to a better rate of speed of production and distribu- tion than ever before. To move the shoes in season is to prevent the pos- every store sibility of loss after season. The pub- lic wants to see new shoes. It is no way to open up a sport shoe season with a window full of the errors of previous seasons, marked at a price to clear. Freshen the goods with a fresh approach. Create fresh opportun- ities for giving the public desires for new shoes. It has taken months of preparation to get the shoe stores of this country ready for the eight weeks of selling just ahead. To fall down now would interrupt the entire scheme of national shoe recovery. It is true, the public has been pretty consistently buying pairs of shoes for use during the de- pression. But mere utility shoes are not enough to give the necessary bulge to business. Perhaps the extra thrill is not to be expected in an industry that has kept a level keel. The public is receptive to new and better shoes and this is the time to “press the sale” in a steady movement all along the line in men’s, women’s and children’s foot- wear so that the first six months of operation in 1934 may be put on the record as being the shoe industry’s contribution to national recovery. — Boot and Shoe Recorder. —_s2+2>___ Weather Cuts Sport Shoe Sales Lack of demand for sport shoes be- cause of the unseasonable weather has held down sales in local stores, retail- ers report, with the result that cur- rent volume is only about equal to that of last year. Stores are still con- fident, however, that they will have the biggest sport shoe season in many years and that as soon as warm weath- er sets in sales will spurt, In men’s styles, most of the emphasis will be accorded styles between $3.50 and $6. All white and white in combination with black and brown will lead, the small demand appearing at present in- dicates. —_2 2 >_____ Don’t bet on what you feel in your bones—unless it is rheumatism. —— ti << The folly of fools attracts more peo- ple than the wisdom of the wise. TRADESMAN Less Government Relief Spending Reduced spending on the part of the Government for relief and public works purposes, as com- pared with the level of recent months, is an important factor in the tendency for retail trade vol- ume to contract, many believe. Such expenditures are now be- ing made through the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the Public Works Administration and the Civil Works Administra- tion, with the latter tending to dis- appear. All three of these agencies are spending about $30,000,000 weekly on the average, recent fig- ures show. At the beginning of the year such expenditures were running at the rate of $50,000,- 000 to $75,000,000 weekly. The lower figure is expected to con- tinue into the fall. At that time, failure of business to mmprove would cause a spurt in expendi- tures, it is believed. a a Code Authority Personnel Prob- lems More effective code enforce- ment is still hampered greatly by lack of adequate personnel, both in code authorities and special en- forcement agencies, many familiar with the situation feel. The chief reason is said to be lack of funds, which precludes the hiring of expert assistants in suffi- cient numbers. The situation is likely to improve as the regula- May 9, 1934 tions on assessments of dues be- come effective. However, the prescribed procedure will take time to effect, with the result that many enforcement agencies will be only partially active during the coming critical months. Nearly 80 per cent. of the established code authorities are said to operate without legal counsel. In addition to the lack of funds, this is caused also by indi- cations that Washington authori- ties prefer to deal with business men directly rather than with their legal or association representa- tives. —_»>+..__ Pure Food and Drug Legislation (Continued from page 18) cials who are at least in a position to know most about the need for better control of foods and drugs and the advertising that is being done to sell them. this is largely true. In the field of Pharmacy however, there are certain groups that do not believe such oppo- sition is good either for the people whose welfare is shared by pharmacy as well as other health professions, or for the Retail Pharmacist who in the chain of distribution is closest to the individual consumer.” Unfortunately it seems to us —_—_»>- > The beautiful is the most useful in art; but the sublime in art is the most helpful to morals, for it elevates the mind.—J oubert. —_+-+.—____ It takes the man with a cork leg to laugh at the man who wears a wig. ES EVEN DETROIT depression proof () om EENANCHAK CONDEIIEION STRONGER THAN BEFORE IHE DEPRESSION — WE HAVE MAINTAINED OUR DIVIDEND RAKE OF NOK HESS THAN 35 MICHIGAR SHOE DEALERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURAACE COMPANY ERANSIANG MUTUAL BUILDING GRAND RAPEDS May 9, 1934 Pleasant Reports From Both Presi- dent and Secretary (Continued from page 14) building materials code authority for corrective action. 3uilding Supplies Code This code covers relatively few items carried in hardware stores but includes products similar to the following: Ce- ment and cement products, cement pipe, roof tile, common brick, drain tile, face brick, fire brick and clay, gypsum products, lime and lime products, metal lath, sewer pipe, etc. Overhead costs, below which goods should not be sold, on delivered sales in quantities of less than five tons, irrespective of the num- ber of deliveries of such sales, are established at 40 per cent. of the cost of such merchandise. This percentage was established April 10 and will con- tinue until Nov. 1 unless changed by the code authority. The code provides that “all prices, terms, and conditions of sales as de- veloped under the uniform cost ac- counting system or established by an appropriate rule or regulation within any trade area, shall be published by each dealer within each trade area and shall be filed with the code authority or its delegated agents, Any deviation from such published prices, terms and conditions of sale until new prices, terms and conditions of sale shall have been published and filed shall be con- strued as unfair competitive practice.” Price list on builders supplies should be filed with Olin C. Eckley, Code Authority, Ypsilanti. Sales Possibilities The Consumers Power Co., under direction of H. H. Koelbel, Supervisor of Co-operative Merchandising, is do- ing some intensive work in promoting the sale of electric stoves and electric water heaters. 155,000 two color circu- lars are being distributed to electric resident customers, This circular car- ries a coupon to be sent or given to the electrical dealer by the customer and contains the names and addresses of dealers in each locality who handle electric ranges and/or water heaters. Illustrations are shown of twelve of the most popular electric ranges. Every dealer, handling electric ranges, should feature them in his advertising, window and interior displays during the campaign. This co-operative endeavor should have the full and complete sup- port of every dealer in the Consumers Power Co. territory, Further partic- ulars can be had from the managers of the power company in each area. Irrigation Equipment Professor O. E. Robey, of the Mich- igan State College, has developed an irrigation system known as the “Por- ous Hose Irrigation System” especially designed to give economical irrigation to garden and orchard crops. The principle of the system is the use of a porous hose made of canvas or other fabric, the water being pumped into one end of the hose, the other end closed; when the hose becomes filled with water and slight pressure has de- veloped the water leaks out through the pores. This method prevents erod- ing the ground or injuring the plant by wetting the leaves and foliage. It is successfully used for potatoes, straw- berries, celery, garden truck, small MICHIGAN fruits and orchards. Write the Mich- igan State College, Extension Division, for Bulletin No. 133. Contact this of- fice for source of supply for materials used in installation of this system of irrigation. 3oxing Charge on Glass One of our members, believing he was charged too much for boxing, complained to his source of supply who replied that this charge was estab- lished by the NRA code. That state- ment is not true. There has been some standardization as to boxing charges with a considerable variation in appli- cation but the code does not control boxing charges. Investigate Before Investing If approached by the representatives of the following firms, write this office: National Adjusting Assn., Chicago sirdsell Loan & Finance Co., Chicago Affiliated Underwriters Loan & Fi- nance Co., Chicago Rogers Silverware National Distrib- utors, Detroit *American Table Ware Co., Detroit "Utility Distributors, Detroit. *Same principals also use eight other names. If members have any difficulty in settling for purchases made from the Floral City Rose Co., Manchester, Con- necticut, write this office. This firm is represented by Leo Travis. Infor- mation is available to members ap- proached by representatives of the Nomis Oil Burner Corporation, Lafa- yette, Indiana. Membership Campaign Through the assistance of members, a special campaign has been carried on in a number of counties in the South- ern part of the state. Other areas will be covered later. In some counties it developed that there were no really de- sirable prospects represented on the membership list. Nearly fifty new mem- bers were added during April. The number of new members enrolled and the chairmen who have concluded their campaigns are: 6—Geo. Milius, Alkton 5 Chas: HH. Miller, Pint 3—Julius Nagel, Grosse Pte. 2—J. H. Lee & N. J. Workman, Muskegon 1—A. H, Hunt, Grand Rapids 1—J. C. Verseput, Grand Haven 1—Chas. H. Sutton, Howell 1—Jas. Tyre, Detroit 1—R. S. Spencer & A. A. Munger, Charlotte. The first prize, so far, goes to Geo. Milius, Elkton; second prize to Chas. H. Miller, of Flint, and third prize to Julius Nagel, Grosse Pointe. Harold W. Bervig, Sec’y. —_+ +> OUT AROUND (Continued from page 9) tailer wants to buy as cheap as he can but never seems to want to help the one who is trying to give him his mer- chandise at a low cost by helping the jobber’s salesman cut the jobber’s overhead by having their wants looked up and ready for their regular sales- man. It surely gives a man or a sales- man a pain when in a hurry. Maybe he has several more stops to make and he has waited on one foot, then on an- other for over one hour and he has no more stops in that town. Maybe he has called before and you were out and this is his call back and he stands even after you have been nice to him and said, “John, hurry up a little, will you, TRADESMAN as I have so many more stops to make and finish at such and such a town be- fore they close.” But he stands and visits with some one or lets his clerks go out in the back room and do some work uncalled for that could wait until he had finished his buying, but no, he holds you up another hour, talking about something he knows about or should not know anything about when in business and also pays more attention to A. & P. and Kroger stores and other competitors than he does his own by having his orders and wants looked up and ready for his reg- ular salesman. You see I say regular, as this 1s the excuse for one who is not expected. I sometimes wonder as I look back over the years gone by how tmies have changed. Then nearly every merchant had his order ready when you called, as he knew you had to make some more stops and get the train out at such a time. Then they did not force you to wait for him to take in- ventory of his stock first before you got your order. Several will say you have got to do this nowadays to get price, and I will say he is all wet, be- cause in talking to and with your sales- man and even other ones, if the re- tailer has his order ready and price is given him and he can buy the certain items cheaper elsewhere he will just forget it and go on to the next item. No use holding up a man, who after he pays his expense of the week or the day, has lost money on the trip be- cause he was held up so long by one or two he was unable to call on two or three more that day and would probably have broken even or made a few cents. Some independent retail grocers are very properly named and lose several thousand dollars each year as lots of commercial men laid off or who have retired, or for some other reason have left the road, think back and remember how so and so treated him when he called and even when he bought merchandise from him when he could have bought it all from the job- ber he worked for at wholesale There are several salesmen, I will agree, who take up lots of time, try high pressure methods, etc., but the man who calls regularly should be treated and given the best of courtesy, as he will, if treated with respect, give a retailer some good pointers and help him, but if he does the retailer soon forgets and starts back where he left off in lots of cases. What they need to wake them up is to take all men off the road and all wholesalers take out their telephones and either call for their merchandise and haul it themselves or call in person and leave orders for the delivery on such a certain day and if they forgot they would not have goods to sell and the salesmen wouldn’t have to wait for a $15 to $50 order for over two hours. If he was ina A. & P. or chain store he would get his needs looked up and mail them for delivery at such a time or he wouldn’t be working long for them. I am off the road, but have a son working who has been selling the retail grocery trade several years and I have been with him several times on trips and when in the stores at differ- ent times on his asking just to see this swift retailer who could always be counted on to talk about his competi- tor this or that or the chains and | have talked with other salesmen who said they have the same thing to con- tend with, so I know it is not just from one source. I am not signing my name but I am a regular reader of your Tradesman and thought maybe you could put something in your wonder- ful Out Around department which would wake up some of these inde- pendent retailers for their own good. From an Old Traveler. Cadillac, May 7—I was pleased to get your letter containing the item from the Modern Merchant and Gro- cery World, with remarks as to my item to you on absentee ownership. nothing 23 Of course, the editor of the magazine must know, for he is a Philadelphia lawyer. However, I am going to try and get above the clouds and hitch my wagon t oa star; at least, “we must work until Jesus comes.” In the first place let us see what the ultimate outcome will be in case my idea is not put into effect. It is my firm belief that if the chain or absen- tee ownership is not curbed that the Government will have to take over merchandising and that is not a thou- sand years ahead of us, for the people of these United States will not stand for retailing to be in too few hands when they control much more than they do and if you don’t believe that they are gaining control fast just call on your produce dealer in Grand Rap- ids, namely Ellis Bros. The editor seemed to think that I was talking for the independent retaii grocer, but I believe that everybody is affected by this chain system. At least things have not been so rosy since they came. Our Government seems to be doing a plenty to help the farmer, all to no avail, and it never will so long as these chiselers buy their product with a buy- ing power. By the way, I believe that a good sales department is vital to any production department and I can’t see it any other way than that the retail grocer is the sales department for the farmer (he being the production de- partment) and when these big chains buy their goods, with a buying power they can take all that the Government can hand the farmer and we will have to keep on handing them as long as his goods are taken from him by a buying power. Who wants his labor sold by a buying power anyway. He surely will not get what he should have. I read one year—I believe in your paper —of six hundred thousand salesmen who were good consumers leaving the road, Which is the better, 10,000 customers or one which would take more than 10,0007 Which is the more substan- tial? Which will put you out of busi- ness the quicker? Some time ago, say in 1913, I worked for the Seager En- gine Works in Lansing, manufactur- Phone 89574 John L. Lynch Sales Co. SPECIAL SALE EXPERTS Expert Advertising Expert Merchandising 209-210-211 Murray Bldg. Grand Rapids, Michigan BUSINESS WANTS DEPARTMENT Advertisements inserted under this head for five cents a word the first insertion and four cents a word for each subse- quent continuous insertion. if set in capita! 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. Dry Goods, Ready-to- Wear, Furnishings Clothing, Shoes, Groceries, Furniture, Hardware, Etc. will buy entire stock and fixtures, or any part. Also short leases taken over. All transactions confidential. Write, Phone, or Wire LOUIS LEVINSOHN Phone 27406 655 So. Park St. Saginaw, Michigan FOR SALE—Hardware and farm im- plement business in a good town and farm community. Good business for the right man, Good reason for selling. Ad- dress No. 640, c/o Michigan Tradesman. De. For Sale—Fully equipped meat market in city of 10,000 doing good business, Rea- son for selling, have other business. Ad- dress No. 643, c/o Michigan Tradesman. ace 643 WANTED—Small stock of general mer- chandise. Must be good farming com- munity. Address No. 645, c/o Michigan Tradesman, 645 seamen eeamencaetncainsrenten atta CTL: AOR Ret Ct eRe etre ee 24 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN May 9, 1934 ing the Olds engine. They had agents and branches all over the world until the Rumley Products Co., of LaPort, Ind., signed a long time contract to take their output. They pulled off all of their agents, closed their branches and then what happened? Well, I will tell vou. The Rumley Co. failed and the Seager Engine Works never opened. Big business is hazardous to business. I believe that my idea should be worked out for the sake of all the people. including big business itself. We process what the farmer raises. If a man and his wife happen to be working we holler. A few years ago, before the new deal, anyone with an earning capacity had to turn over so much to the welfare to hold his job. These absentee merchants sailed along and nobody could touch them. Our governor recently said that the chain store tax would not be consti- tutional, but the judge and our attorney general said it was. Well, I see a chain store tax receipt all framed up in Montgomery’s window. Now, while we have a great president —one who has not got to bow to any- body and is not afraid of the cars—let us get this thing started and we might bunt the bull off the bridge. I would like to hear from lots of other merchants. We could put an amendment out and it will be a good job; also, it will not be hard to enforce, for the chains could not do business in the allevs, but must wear red vests and use a good many 200 watt lights. George E. Lutzinger. C. Elmer Wolfinger the long-time Hopkins druggist. writes me as fol- lows: “IT am enclosing check for $1.50 to pay my subscription to the Tradesman for six months. I hope to dispose of July 1 I will have been in business forty-six years. The Tradesman has been our constant visitor during all that time.” the business soon and retire. If any of my readers feel that they can throw any light on any of the problems which are presented to me in this department from week to week I shall be glad to receive their assistance. Ann Arbor, May 8—In the Michigan Tradesman of December 6, 1933, you have a picture of Charles W. Garfield. The Michigan Forester, the annual magazine published by the Forestry Club at the School of Forestry and Conservation, University of Michigan, is dedicating this year’s annual to Mr. Garfield, whom we all know as a fine gentleman and a great worker for conservation and forestry in Michigan. Professor Jotter told me that he thought you would be glad to loan us your cut of Mr. Garfield. If you could loan it to us we should like to have it this week if possible. We are sorry to write you at such a late date, but we did not find this picture until to-day. It gives me great pleasure to com- ply with this request. I am surprised at the large number of merchants who are making no effort to secure the rebate due them on the payment of good money for oleo taxes which Uncle Sam had no business to accept or retain. If I can be of assis- tance in securing the return of these payments to their rightful owners I shall be glad to act. The time for re- demption expires June 30 of this year. I have always felt that it was unfair for the Government to retain money illegally collected in a matter of this kind by taking advantage of the stat- ute of limitations. Money wrongly re- ceived and retained should be restored to the rightful owner with use, no mat- ter how long a period the funds are withheld from the rightful owner. The statute of limitations does not convey title to cash obtained by mistake or through ignorance or misinterpreta- tion of the law. E. A. Stowe. —_—_—__+- + Impression Received From Several Western Michigan Towns (Continued from page 1) every seventh day, but comes only once in a thousand years. This old member had been with the colony twenty-four years, having joined it when King David was preaching his gospel in Van Couver, B. C. He said he never regretted coming into the or- ganization and he had fult faith in the King. He said many unemployed men had applied to them for aid and they always take them in and set them to work to earn their way. About every line of genius is represented in the colony, as they do all their own build- ing and many of them are artistic structures, as well as the landscaping of the grounds. Lawyer Dewhirst is the head of the colony and lives in state in the big house, once the home of the King. Queen Mary has with- drawn from the colony, which deeded to her the hotel in Benton Harbor, also 400 acres of fruit farms as her share. My informant said she wanted to run the colony, but he was opposed to any woman being in charge. I did not wonder the old man was content with his home and the removal of want in the future. Harmony now prevails among the membership, in which each one works for his keep. Here they are working out their lives in peace and plenty. Possibly society and govern- ment might learn something from this experiment which could be utilized in building a government that will not permit the exploitation of its people by greedy wealth or possibly these colony members are being explotted and do not know it. E. B. Stebbins. ——_++->—_____ Ten Code Tips to Watch Carefully Display “Wages and Hours” Poster prominently. Failure to do so is a se- rious code violation. Posters may be obtained free from your local code secretary. Pay your assessment promptly. Failure to do so destroys your stand- ing and protection and is a code viola- tion in accordance with National Code Authority regulations which are ap- proved and made a part of the code by the Administrator. Pay wages of at least minimum re- quirements. Observe hours of work provisions, plainly stated in code, easily understood. Do not interfere with the right of employes to bargain collectively, in other words, to organize for their mu- tual benefit and protection. Comply with “loss leader” provi- sions, also plainly stated. Do not sell below cost and COST includes addi- tion, to cover minimum wages, of 2 per cent. for wholesalers, 6 per cent. for retailers and 8 per cent. for direct buy- ers, plus transportation cost anywhere where such cost is 10c per hundred pounds and above, based on published 5th class rate by public carriers. Do not use false or misleading ad- vertising of any kind. Do not accept or give advertising al- lowances, quantity discounts, cash dis- counts or gifts to influence trade, un- less earned or in legitimate consumer sales promotion. Do not slander a competitor. Do not discriminate in price. What one customer pays must be the same as asked of other customers for similar quantities under similar conditions. Use common sense. Codes are sim- ply common sense applied. They are prepared by the members of an indus- try for that industry. If changes should be made they can be easily done. If code provisions oppress the legitimate small business, appeals for exemption will be given prompt attention. Keep a copy of your code always at hand. Ignorance is no excuse in law! ——_—_-$--—__—__ Vertical Co-operation in Industry Co-operation between produc- ers and distributors in the same line of business is expected to im- prove considerably in the near future as the new trade practice committees authorized by the NRA earlier this year begin to function. Heretofore conflicts of inter- est within the vertical structure of industry could not be compro- mized by negotiations between those involved, except in a few cases where proper authority had been specifically provided for in the codes. Generally such questions have been referred until now to NRA headquarters. However, decisions have been forthcoming only in a few exceptional cases, and the de- lay involved has made such a course of procedure impractical in any event. The appointment of trade practice committees to govern re- lations between producers and distributors as is now authorized will provide a medium for the so- lution of such difficulties. Rules formulated by such committees in joint sessions require Administra- tion approval to become effec- tive, it is true. This is likely to be reduced to a mere formality, however, as practical solutions for complicated inter-industry prob- lems are worked out. Wheat Crop Prospects Reports of extensive drouth in several wheat growing areas in this country, notably in the North- west, and in Canada, and indica- tions that the European wheat crop also will be smaller than originally estimated, have com- bined to raise wheat quotations considerably. Since the prospect of a larger winter wheat crop in this country was chiefly responsible for the conclusion of grain experts that a bad technical situation was devel- oping in the market, crop condi- tion reports from now on will ex- ert a predominant influence on wheat prices. Since crop condition reports at this stage are at best estimates that may change quickly from day to day, almost with every change of the weather, prospects are that wheat prices will fluctuate sharply in the coming weeks. However, the trade is now inclined to be- lieve that a larger part of the in- ternational wheat surplus will be needed to cover actual consump- tion requirements during the com- ing year than had been expected only a short while ago. ——— Retail Sales Fail to Expand There was no improvement in retail sales last week despite the fact that the weather turned fa- vorable and many stores attempt- ed to stimulate demand by spe- cial offerings at reduced prices. Reports from nation-wide mer- chandise organizations indicate that dollar sales in the first week of May remained virtually on a par with a year ago. Unit sales, on the other hand, were from 15 to 25 per cent. smaller on the average. This applied equally to most sections of the country, in- cluding the formerly favored ag- ricultural regions. A somewhat better showing was made in De- troit, Chicago and on the Pacific Coast. Merchants at this time do not anticipate any material expansion in sales volume except in sections where Government disbursements are being made on a substantial scale. —+-+—___ Securities Act Amendment Disappointment is being ex- pressed by many who had hoped that Congress would amend the Federal Securities Act sufficiently at this session to permit a revival of long-term financing on a nor- mal scale this summer and fall. The amendments sponsored by Senator Fletcher are held inade- quate because they apparently do not touch the civil liabilities im- posed by the act in connection with misstatements and omissions of material facts in prospectuses. Modification of such civil liabili- ty is held necessary to give relief to the capital market. The far broader amendments sponsored by Senator Thomas would give such relief, but the Fletcher proposals seem to have the right of way, being amend- ments to the pending stock ex- change control measure. Se Drug Jobbers Ask Longer Week Wholesale druggists are preparing a supplementary code, which would ex- empt them from restricting their oper- ations to forty hours, as now provided by the General Wholesale Code, un- der which they are working. It is the contention of the druggists that they must he at all times prepared for rush and unexpected deliveries of drugs and other medicinal goods to hospitals, doc- tors, stores, etc., and that the forty- hour week hampers the distribution of their products. It is also argued that the hour restriction places a financial burden on wholesale drug houses. Other factors in the industry, such as raw material producers and manufac- turers, have been asked to urge a re- laxation of the hour rule. eet emai tai THE TRADESMAN COMPANY P R J NT J N operates a complete commercial printing plant, and would welcome you as a customer. e@ @ ‘ i c | S j c | ‘7 ~~ MICHIGAN BELL TELEPHONE CO. “YOU'RE CONNECTED!” This wife and her husband discussed haying a telephone. They considered the convenience. . . the social and business advantages ... the protection to life and property that a telephone affords. They compared its value with its moderate ne —— cost... Now, their telephone is connected. The installer is leaving. From this minute on, the family can reach relatives and friends easily and quickly . . . can keep in closer touch with business associates. And, in case of fire, accident, sickness or prowlers, they can summon aid instantly by telephone. You can have telephone service for as little as $2.50 or less a month, Call, visit or write the Telephone Business Office to place an order. Installation will be made promptly. 4A A A A er Distributors of PINE TREE BRAND FARM SEEDS Inoculation Semesan A GARDEN SEEDS Vegetables and Flowers | SEEDS 4@ Bulk Packet We Specialize in LAWN GRASS and GOLF COURSE Mixtures 4 INSTANT SERVICE Wholesale Only Write for our Special Prices A A A ALFRED J. BROWN SEED CO. 25-29 Campau Ave. Telephone 9-4451 Grand Rapids, Mich. eel ro) °. e 2 0 0 0am ‘° GRAND RAPIDS PAPER Box Co. Manufacturers of SET UP and FOLDING PAPER BOXES SPECIAL DIE CUTTING AND MOUNTING G R AN D MICHIGAN RAPIDS KEEP SUPPLIED WITH LILY WHITE FLOUR “The flour the best cooks use”’ VALLEY CITY MILLING COMPANY Portland Kalamazoo — Traverse City Grand Rapids — Rademaker-Dooge Grocer Go. 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Caddy AVAVE igh H 2 K I D i> Candy Butternuts____11 1b. Caddy Spiced Jelly Drops ---13 lb. Caddy “cag ee gee 14 Ib. Caddy Spiced Jelly Beans ___17 lb. Caddy Orangettes ____-_--- 13 Ib. Caddy oc Sasi d Tip Top Jellies____-- 13 lb. Caddy Drons 12 lb. Caddy Assorted Cream Anise Squares ______- 15 lb. Caddy Waters 121b.Caddy Cocoanut Bon Bons__10 lb. Caddy EVERY ITEM A POPULAR SELLER Order From Your Jobber National CandyCo.,inc. PUTNAM FACTORY Grand Rapids, Mich. ~~ — Quaker Products Quality --- Purity --- Flavor A few of the many items packed under this popular brand. CANNED FRUIT CANNED VEGETABLES PRESERVES DRIED FRUIT PEANUT BUTTER COFFEE SPICES SALAD DRESSING Sold by Independent Dealers Only. LEE & CADY TE TT EI ET CTC ECC