DIN ; : , . J ) / PiPrag => > 5 ( 4 ‘ ya / oP DY CON : aN wn N 7 ‘ } Y, me ON my; py eo (PO A KY Se Ai C- Po HAC pip cf \ °F ZG Ly \ be By (\: (Vi\ = OH oe « 5 SJ D / SN fi Sot/ Se cS Cas Ha Ry we ere MASKS SS NEN EDINA q Aa NY Bb} Oy Ge iG Cy Ay zn a ~ EF | 1@ <7 " ACY \ A] ¥ . § BS : a OV/ daa a ay NOOR CA PN ONES) = P os ae (CTE Met ASW Pens Wein aisle Sasa ace ES th, XA fe PUBLISHED WEEKLY © 7@5 SWC iE TRADESMAN COMPANY. PUBLISHERSA O30) WARE a SOUIEOSG DOD AL. EE MDE OR ESS OOS SN GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1908 oO | Le = IN 7h \ Twenty-Fifth Year Number 1289 - Our Answer HIS beautiful work: of art is now in the hands of the lithographers, being _ printed in 14 colors—size 21x14 inches. We will gladly send one of these to any retailer who has not already received one, for use in window or store display. Simply send us your name and address on your business stationery and same will be sent you as soon as finished. Toasted Corn Flake Co., Battle Creek, Mich. 77 7 1lloge— 4% resident | P..S.—This is our ONLY answer to the malicious and uncalled for attack which was published in recent issues of trade papers by one of the imitators. WORDEN GROCER COMPANY Grand Rapids, Mich. The Prompt Shippers ee : ig th, AG gy, ig ete NG et ata My LOWNEY’S COCOA has maintained its high quality unimpaired regardless of the rise in the price of cocoa beans. For years now it has ap- pealed to the best trade on its merits and become a staple article with a sure demand, constant and growing. Wide advertising in street cars, newspapers and magazines will go on pushing, pushing, pushing. It is a safe investment and pays a fair profit. LOWNEY’S PREMIUM CHOCOLATE for cooking is of the same superfine quality. The WALTER M. LOWNEY COMPANY, 447 Commercial St., Boston, Mass. Every Cake aN of FLEISCHMANN’S without © ~Z : sell not Bs ccinile Senate YELLOW LABEL YEAST you 5 LAivcheson-te> a COMPRESSED 3, only increases your profits, but also g, YEAST. SSS : . . “cope eee gives complete satisfaction to your patrons. The Fleischmann Co., of Michigan Detroit Office, 111 W. Larned St., Grand Rapids Office, 29 Crescent Av. On account of the Pure Food Law there is a greater demand than evrfor #0 £ £ £2 SB SB Pure Cider Vinegar We guarantee our vinegar to be absolutely pure, made from apples and free from all artificial color- ing. Our vinegar meets the re- quirements of the Pure Food Laws of every State in the Union. wt st The Williams Bros. Co. Manufacturers Picklers and -Preservers Detroit, Mich. Makes Clothes Whiter-Work Easier-Kitchen Cleaner NO AI) pei ‘GOOD GOODS — GOOD PROFITS Twenty-Fifth Year Kent State Bank A consolidation of the KENT COUNTY SAVINGS BANK and the STATE BANK OF MICHIGAN with total assets amounting to nearly $6,000,000 The consolidation will beeome opera- tive about July first next and will be under the same successful management as the present combined banks. For a time the old quarters of both institu- tions will be maintained: The Kent County Savings Bank, corner Canal and Lyon streets; the State Bank of Michigan, corner Monroe and Ottawa streets, Grand Rapids, Mich. DIRECTORS L. H. Withey Edward Lowe T. Stewart White Daniel MeCoy Henry Idema A. W. Hompe E.H. Foote John A. Covode B. S. Hanchett Wm. H. Jones M.S. Keeler J. A. S. Verdier GRAND RAPIDS INSURANCE AGENCY THE McBAIN AGENCY Grand Rapids, Mich. FIRE The Leading Agency Commercial Credit G0., Lid. Credit Advices and Collections MICHIGAN OFFICES Murray Building, Grand Rapids Majestic Building, Detroit ELLIOT 0. GROSVENOR Late State Food Commissioner Advisory Counsel to manufacturers and jobbers whose interests are affected by the Food Laws of any state. Corre- spondence invited. 2321 Majestic Building, Detroit, Mich. TRAGE FREIGHT Easily and Quickly. We can tell you how. BARLOW BROS., Grand Rapids, Mich YOUR DELAYED FIRE AND BURGLAR PROOF AFES Grand Rapids Safe Co. Tradesman Building ‘ SPECIAL FEATURES. Page 7 2. Window Trimming. 4+. News of the Business World. 5. Grocery and Produce Markets. 6. Rube vs. Dude. 8. Editorial. 9. Industrial Peace. 12. Not So Bad. 16. A Woman’s Way. 18. Clothing Conditions. 20. Has Made Good. 22. Woman’s World. 24. Selecting a Career. 26. Stoves and Hardware. 28. Greek Meets Greek. 3U. Michigan Pioneers. 33. Review of the Shoe Market. 36. Butter, Eggs and Provisions. o7. New York Market. 38. A Fair Conspiracy. 40. Commercial Travelers. 42. Drugs. 43. Drug Price Current. RAILWAY CONDITIONS. an industrial: establish- ment in Western Michigan which for many years enjoyed a generous or- der business coming steadily and di- There is rectly from the great railway cor- porations in the country. About a year ago this business dropped sud- denly to practically nothing, and it was because the railways had _ stop- ped, to a very great extent, doing certain kinds of construction and re- pair work. A short while ago the newspapers announced ihat the Pennsylvania Railway Co. had succeeded in secur- ing a bonded loan of many millions of dollars in London. Almost immediately thereafter or- ders began to come to the Western Michigan factory, not only from the Pennsylvania system but from other great railway corporations, so that from employing ten or twelve men four and five months ago work is now provided for over fifty men, with the 1 steadily growing. The inference is that the success in acing Pennsylvania bonds the London market demonstrates clearly that there is plenty of ready money that high grade American traction bonds there increase in available abroad and for is no lack of confidence in European markets. This fact ‘has reassured the American corporations so that they are again taking up mainten- ance and extension improvements. Whether or not this correct the fact remains that, while the railway corporations are making dreadful references to the business depression, they are all of them feel- ing easier in Gveéby TESPECE except as to the publicity given to their auto- cratic efforts to freight readjust in Own way freight classifications and in all sorts coneluwsion 1s increase rates, their of complicated, puzzling methods of to make black white where receipts and tures accounting appear expendi- are involved. And now comes “an important of ficial’ who says that the Michigan United Railway Co., which already controls the interurban systems out from Detroit and extending west to Kalamazoo, will build a branch elec- 1908 ESMAN GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, Number 1289 tric railway from the latter city to|yet the patronage induced by this Grand Rapids over what is known as|little piece of care-taking was worth the Patterson right of way; that is tolthe trouble Say, a route all the way parallel to There are many towns in which a the G R & 1 R R. Phis statement fie coine apar ee linn may be based on facts because the| oom m eht be made equally profit Michigan United interests have also] .4), Tiere is giach Ge the tank of placed a large amount of bonds re aa 2 aca. which ell «ca. cently; but whether it is ‘true or Ap Wan tilly at becu coat iis otherwise, the proposed interurban cal be ee ved al the res urant connection between Grand Rapids 14 ag ahaa ba) aca and Battle Creek will be built and 2 an, fae : ie will prove valuable to both cities a 2 7. aacdl and all intermediate communities, as ee eli a well as to the builders. ee ee ee Or Curtains near your cake counter, MERCANTILE HOSPITALITY.|*"¢ you will need to double your There is as much hospitality neces. | Orders for crackers, cheese and cook sary on the part of the successful|'¢5» Not to mention the increase d storekeeper as of the true hostess ee — bananas ue other fruits Of course # is mot always made| S€eP_ the nook neatly swept o manifest in the same way, yet the| and, oo eo placard proprietor of any establishment who| ote ore not to leave banana fails to make his customers feel thar |5S!"S on the floor may be put up they are welcome is rapidly driving them to 4 which occurs to accord some real, genuine hospitality will tival. be cred ited in his favor. ; Cts i lf both you and your in a hurry, the main thin; PiisS tO Sine is your stock of what they want in the most expeditious and at the same time most complete manner. Neve: mind if you do have to take down a whole lot that they do not want to find just what they do want. If they apologize for making you so much tliat that is If they do not trouble, them part of the business. apologize, but assure ke it for granted that the re-arranging of your Seer. eo. Et: eutire stock periodically is only wholesome, do your part gracefully, even though it is a tritle galline People from the country who dri for a little trading a good hitching post. in look out If yours are not strong and plentiful, remedy t defect. Cire the his enterprising on advent of a new trolley line Occasion to in that plenty of good hitching posts in of the past door took form his customers there the the horses would be safe from heing frig rear store, where htened the cars. with which he It showed that he ing out for their interests, as well as own. Some by Patrons appreciated the alacrity made the change. was look- of these times he may take it into his head to put up a few rough sheds which tt «othe Another thoughtful his will pro- eC horses from the weather tradesman turn.- the into a lavatory, customers ed One cormer in Tear Of his store from the country finding it quite conven 10 rid the : dust and rearrange disheaveled hair ient be able to get of before going out shopping for the brief time which did not justify mak- hotel privileges. ing expenses The the trifling, to secure cost was merchant Every opportunity | mark of | 4 were] li some one is compelled to wait n ir fe another party or for 1 StOrm, Strive to make them feel they are not in the way. A com ortable seat should always be ex- nde If you are too busy to talk, em the daily paper. In a mo: MIENE e1sitire keep pleasant con versat going Incidentally cal Cl nm to any new stock you may lave, Dut mever try fG press a sale nder such circumstances. This, of course, iS mOt to foster the spirit of ld fashioned “loafing,’ but to render of HECESSILY vemence a pleasure rather than t bore Cordiality is a winning card. STUART ROBSON’S ESTIMATE. “Imitation is the sincerest flattery” } ’ 1-J I> ath Osc force of which is Chica are now announcine hold “Mer 1 he method and Sia W . SHPO Win and go about to wholesale ap social and busi . 1 ish successes have been WW Grand Rapids is son that, as a general thing, a is inal. lt ts sad really He Ver quite good i s the ori that Goodwin, capable versatile actor of EO d Siving oth, Fa Raymond, ay, was a 1 imitations of Edwin Bi UW John 1 STeat d Mr. (Good and act e ask« Robson how he. like ee himself as Mr. tone win’s) imitation one ot Robson in ‘My ell 1 iia al 29 tne | wo romios. his most serious replied: boy, it would make me blush to t you.” LO) MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ~~ Be CORATIONS i ‘apeeeiilis tere FZ A GADY Old-Fashioned Bedquilts Are All the Rage Now. Think of a window floor covered, with a cherry red and cream white linoleum with a and the sides paneled with cherry grapevine design red burlap and narrow cream white woodwork with a plain cream white | frieze and ceiling. Four ice cream tables are disposed about this small Wire-backed just like room. chairs, in a real ice cream parlor, surround | the tables, which are disposed in the At one of the tables in the background . sit four young lady comers. dummies, handsomely Flower-gar- “bushel- ostensibly garden fete costumes. den hats basket” hair. They are enjoying ice cream after some re- ception or the matinee. Over at one side of the miniature parlor stood a appropriately clad, who re spectfully effaced himself. Big palms and a Boston fern on the “freak” order, so long it trailed on the ground, set in fine red and white Jap jardinieres, lent their beauty to the scene. Hunting pictures adorned the walls and a plain cherry red rug across the center of the surmount their waiter, stretched floor. Attract attention? Think this idea, so well carried out, could fail of that? People each other and stepped on _ their neighbors’ “favorite” corns in the ef- fort to gain the vantage ground next | the glass, where the tinkling of the music box standing in the middie of the wall opposite the dummy waiter could be better heard through | the glass. Both the man and_ the lady dummies were jointed, which made it an easy matter for the win- dow dresser to pose the personnel. To be sure, the ice cream was not of the most delectable, it being com- posed of much less than the real thing, batting. Plates of delicious Nabisco wafers and Filipenos at the ladies’ table tempted their palates—if they had any—and certainly those of the tanders who were debar- namely, cotton curious bys red from participation. Old-Fashioned Bedquilts. A dry establishment — re- cently made a hit by lining the par- titions and background of a big wain- dow with a series of old-fashioned bedquilts made up of wonderful in- tricate “blocks.” ed of families which ‘have treasured | them for two or three generations— precious heirlooms, a monument to woman’s skill and patience which no mere money could touch. Grouped on the clean cotton covered floor were bolts of factory and small-fig- ured prints in red, yellow, blue and oe zo0cs gowned in| jostled | digestive stuff | These were borrow- | pink, the principal colors employed ‘im the making up of these bedquilts. It is quite the fad just now, and has |been for a number of months agone, ito revive this what-you-might-call- jlost art of “piecing bedquilts.” Prints jand white cotton are cut up into in- finitely tiny snips and put together into designs receiving such names as | we hear on our grandmothers’ and |greatgrandmothers’ lips. The bedquilts in this display were only in the window two days, so as not to soil them with the soot of ;a non-smokeless city. The exhibit, which was extremely interesting to /persons of every age, was ‘heralded lin the newspapers for a week be- ‘forehand and by placards in that ‘particular window in which it ap- |peared. The display, as I say, at- itracted wide attention and resulted ‘in an added impetus to the sale of ‘prints and factory. One dear old ‘lady who is a confirmed invalid was | wheeled down in ther chair to feast her eyes on what was looked upon lin her youth as the acme of fine lart. ‘Tis to be astonished at jthat our feminine ancestors had any optics left in their sockets, for not lonly were the dozens of “blocks” in | one of these bedquilts composed of ‘hundreds of pieces, but the designs ‘of the stitches with which the quilt- ‘ing was done were a marvel in themselves. I have in my possession a_ belov- ‘ed “tulip” quilt, in red and green and white, which came to me by in- |heritance, and which is only brought out to “dress up” a guest room on 'state occasions. Homelike Surroundings a Drawing Card. The home-ier a window can be gotten to appear the better where ‘interiors are presented. | A wideawake window trimmer not ‘long ago arranged a_ typical den, which was to advertise smoking jackets, the store dealing exclusively |in men’s clothing. The rich Orien- ital shades of the fabrics of the jhangings and cozy corners and di- | vans made a good foil for the ele- igant black velvet jackets sported by ithe three luxury-loving (dummy) i\men stretched in attitudes of ease ion the soft couches. Everywhere pipes showed addictment to the weed by the occupants of the apart- ment. An expensive Turkish pipe on teakwood tabourette stood in front | of each dummy, whiose lazy position |plainly indicated that mo thoughts of iwork intrided harshly on the — se- irene enjoyment of these lucky dogs. Needless to mention—so I won’t— ithat many a masculine onlooker en- | vied the dummies’ good time; and it Did you ever get tired explain- ing why it didn’t happen? Did you ever have folks refuse - to accept that old gag—‘‘It must have been a poor sack?’’ Wouldn’t you prefer pushing a brand that you can buy and sell with the distinct understanding —‘‘complete satisfaction or no sale?’’ Because we know just what goes into each sack labeled— Ge . alee We are able to make this guar- antee and can allow you to make the same guarantee to your cus- tomers. Wouldn’t you like to try it? Write us. Voigt Milling Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. Ask Your Grocer for a Trial Sack and be convinced that it has no equal. It is cheap- er to use because a sack of this Flour goes farther in baking than a sack of any other kind. Milled by our patent process, from choicest Northern Wheat,scrupulously clean- ed and never touched by human hands in its pro- cessof making. Ask your grocer for “WINGOLD” FLOUR. Bay State Milling Co. WINONA, MINNESOTA LEMON & WHEELER CO. Wholesale Distributors Grand Rapids, Mich. Kalamazoo, Mich. If you want to buy fruits, vegetables or produce Buy From Us If you want to sell vegetables, butter, eggs, poultry, etc. Sell to Us We can fill orders promptly for any quantity of strawber- ries, Bermuda onions, pine- apples, South and home grown vegetables, oranges, lemons, bananas. Our Market Letter Free The Vinkemulder Company Grand Rapids, Mich. Merchants’ Week We shall be glad to have you call and visit us during Merchants’ Week. We can then explain our facilities for handling your orders promptly. When you order goods, as a rule you want them shipped the same day, or the day following at the most. We aim to give immediate shipment together with quality of goods that brings repeat orders. We manufacture all kinds of coarse feeds and specialties. Grand Rapids Grain & Milling Co. L. Fred Peabody, Mgr. Grand Rapids, Michigan FOOTE & JENKS’ PURE FLAVORING EXTRACTS COLEMAN: c was-Voae ORIGINAL TERPENELESS EXTRACT OF LEMON Not Like Any Other Extract. Send for Recipe Book and Special Offer. Order of National Grocer Co. Branches or Foote & Jenks, Jackson, Michigan (Guaranty No. 2442) [rooeaisieus> Pure Vanilla JAXO N and the genuine FOOTE & JENKS’ Highest Grade Extracts. Four Kinds of Coupon Books are manufactured by us and all sold on the same basis, irrespective of size, shape or denomination. send you samples and tell you all about the system if you are anterested enough to ask us. Tradesman Company - We will Grand Rapids, Mich. See ota eer ar 4 pi 3 4 i i Sa Sener etn ety ssh nab gd ener is known that at least a dozen cost- ly smoking jackets were the result of this seductive picture of the dolce far nienit, The Pretty Maiden, Shady Nook idea may be utilized to sell harm- mocks, chairs impervious to the ele- ments and other practical porch ac- cessories. In these sensible days of health-seeking by life in the open air many families practically live in their sun parlors. Screened from flies and other insect pests, vined from the intrusive eye of the com- mon public, these outdoor rooms prove veritable havens of rest for human frailty. Hundreds of well folk have been made stronger by the possession of ome of these charming porch rooms, while as many scores of the tuberculosis affected—or ‘“‘tu- berlocosis,” as one tongue-twister always gets it—are restored to health and the happiness of loving friends by the efficaciousness of sun and air. We all hive too much in four-wall- ed stuffiness. Out, out into the God- given invigorative! It isn’t enough that the window dresser string hammocks across an otherwise empty store front, but he must create the proper “atmos- phere.” Let him get up an _ exhibit out of everything that would go to the comfortable furnishing of a shady nook. ‘Now every one knows that a hammock minus the pretty- maiden accompaniment Hamlet with the plaver of the title eliminated, so by all means 1s role grace- fully ensconce this mecessary con- comitant in a corner-swung ham- mock. And rig up the windows as near like an enclosed piazza as possible. Have neat or gay matting on the floor, bamboo or other rain- and-sun-proof porch furniture, a large bright rug or several smaller ones, besides hanging baskets, a bouquet or two of flowers and any- thing else befitting such an environ- ment, — ++. __. Movements of Michigan Gideons. Detroit, May 26—Louis V. Baker, State Superintendent of Oklahoma, is certainly a hustler. In the three months in which he has served in office he has formed two new camps at Guthrie and McAlester and_ ex- pects to be able to report another formed at Oklahoma City in the near future. Bloomington (IIl.) Camp starts off with a membership of twenty-five, and lots of enthusiasm and optimism. Thirteen of the number are new members. Chicago Camp was repre- sented quite largely at the meeting, National Secretary Garlick being one of the number, and a very interesting and profitable time is reported by him. Grand Rapids Camp of Gideons is interested in mission and Sunday school work in and about the city and the members frequently supply the smaller churches near the city. John Adams Sherick has conducted men’s meetings during the winter. He addressed the men at the Pres- byterian church last Sunday, May 24, at Mason. Brother Sherick is interesting and polished and _ his lectures are appreciated. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Gordon Z. Gage has been chosen and has accepted the leadership of the most important service that will be held at the next National con- vention—the sunrise prayer service Sunday morning, July 26. A _ splen- did meeting is assured and none can afford to miss it. Detroit Camp was favored last Saturday evening in having Brothers W. F. Parmelee and A. C. Pickett (yes, Sister Pickett, too) with them to help conduct the Volunteers of America service at 57 Monroe ave- nue. As an evidence of the success of their efforts two men came for- ward and expressed themselves as dissatisfied with their past and de- termined to lead a better life. Detroit Camp has elected the fol- lowing officers for the ensuing year: President—J. J. Kinsey. Vice-President—G. S. Webb. Secretary—-Aaron B. Gates. Treasurer—C. H. Joslin. Counselor—A. C. Holmes. The Camp decided to continue the Griswold House meetings the year around without vacation and to put up in that hotel and others framed cards giving notice of these meet- ings. At the meeting last Sunday evening the room was filled and a part of the hall. C. F. Louthain and G. S. Webb favored the audience with singing. 2-2 It is the bowed heart that heaven sees rather than the bent knee. What Is Doing in Michigan Cities. Written for the Tradesman. Drastic measures will be undertak- en by the Chamber of Commerce, Port Huron, to compel persons who have signed subscription blanks to settle their accounts. The total out- standing subscriptions amount to more than $7,500 and legal steps are threatened. A course in domestic science will be added to the curriculum of the Hastings public schools. The man- ual training department started two years ago has proved very success- ful. Manistee has adopted the system of scoring dairies on the basis of a score card prepared by the Dairy Di- vision, U. S. Department of Agri- culture, to improve its milk supply. Bay City has received $50,000 as the first payment on the $200,000 Wenonah Park bonds and the Park Commission will take active steps toward acquiring tie necessary property on the river front, which is to be converted into a beautiful park. Chas. F. Schultz has been elected President of the West Side Business Men’s Association at Owosso, to suc- ceed E. B. Stewart. Mr. Stewart has moved to the East Side. Prof. Roth, of Ann Arbor, State Forester, lectured in Grand Haven this spring under the auspices ofthe Wioman’s Club, and he spoke of the possibilities in the reforesting of the sand wastes in that section. His talk is bearing fruit, for a consign- ment of 15,500 . Norway spruce trees recently arrived from the State Forestry Department and they will be planted on the lake side of Dewey Hill. It that the trees will prevent the drifting in of sand from the lake and will also make a beauty spot of Dewey Hill. The mew city of Allegan ranging for a Home-Coming July 13-18. The Business Men’s Hillsdale has completed nent organization and following officers: President, Ford Foote; Vice-President, W. H. Van- deburg; Secretary and Treasurer, I. J. Frankstein. A credit department for collection and rating purposes‘has been formed and will be under the management of the Directors. The village of Vicksburg has organ- ed a Civic Improvemnt League. The Lee Paper Co. set the ball rolling by planting trees and shrubbery about the mills and keeping up Lee Park. The company has_ tendered the high school students the use of an acre of vacant ground between Prairie and Washington streets for use as a botanical garden and this waste place will be transformed in- to a bower of beauty. Clean-up Day was a every way in Muskegon, according to the report of Secretary L. P. Haight. The city is cleaner than it has been previous spring for years and pine and believed is is ar- Week Association of its perma- elected the success in any 3 the Common Council is being urged to pass a pending ordinance requir- ing that an inspector be appointed to see that the alleys are kept clean. Manual training and domestic sci- ence have been imtroduced in ‘the Jackson city schools. The Traverse City Record is urg- that the Common Council that city provide public bath houses for the boys and also for the con- venience visitors. At present the boys must undress be- hind lumber piles and dive from the docks, which is dangerous. Almond ee When a man steals the honey from sin he always tells himself that he will pay for it with the coin of pentance. ing ot of summer Griffen. re Lightning Rods We manufacture for the trade—All Kinds of Section Rods and Copper Wire Cables. E. A. FOY & CO. 410 E. Eighth St. Cincinnati, O. COST—LIGHT How to produce the greatest amount of light at the lowest cost is the combination you are looking for. The Improved Swem comes nearer giving these results than any other system made. Write us. SWEM GAS MACHINE CO. MAYER Special Merit School Shoes Are Winners Waterloo, Ia. Ground Feeds None Better WYKES & CoO. GRAND RAPIDS YX BRAND Two Heads on one body would be a freak of nature. “Two telephone systems in one city’’ is a freak of finance. The duplicate has no func- tion not possessed by the original. “Use the Bell” For hot water or steam have no equal. Come and see us Merchants’ Week—let’s talk it over. Cor. Louis and Campau Sts. Rapid Heater Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. ; ; f | Oe ee Cerere SPARE Mint eb ae oa cya ne meagan se Seo Raa trae teen aah eonaaae ae aasssahis MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Movements of Merchants. Saginaw—J. F. Popp has engaged in the meat busimess. Pontiac—A grocery store will be opened by Frank Bosworth. Alpena — A_ confectionery store will be opened by Wm. Smath. Jackson—L. Orrison is about to engage in the grocery business here. Alma—F. A. Bennett ts succeeded in the bakery business by Gloyd White. : Escanaba—W. Longtin is succeed- ed in the meat business by Henry Deloria. Jenton Harbor—A new general store is about ty be opened by J. T. Welton. Lansing—J. B. Clark & Son suc- ceed Samue! J. Hoar in the grocery and meat business. St. Joseph—M. W. Wells, of Ben- ton Harbor, is making preparations to engage in the jewelry business here. Dighton—Geo. Breen will continue the general merchandise business formerly conducted by Breen & Halladay. Union City—S. G. Newman, who discontinued his grocery two years ago to recruit his health, has again engaged in trade. Galien—F. T. Prince has engaged in the grocery business at this place, the Lemon & Wheeler Co., of Kala-| mazoo, furnishing the stock. Lawrence--A corporation has been formed under the style of the Law- rence Elevator Co., with an author- ized capital stock of $10,000, all of which has heen subscribed and paid in in cash. Albion—The grocery stock of E. C. Deyoe has been purchased by 3en Franklin, who was formerly en- gaged in the same line of trade here. Mr. Deyoe will remain in the store as a clerk. Port Huron—Brophy Bros., deal- ers in boots and shoes, will dissolve partnership, Thos. A. Brophy pur- chasing the interest of Charles A. Brophy. Thos. Brophy will engage in the shoe business in Detroit. Detroit—Wm. R. Hamilton & Co.,| undertakers, have merged their busi- ness into a stock company under the style of the William R. Hamilton Co., with an authorized capital stock of $5,000, all of which is subscribed and paid in in property. Detroit—The new building of Lee, Cady & Smart, wholesale grocers, is now completed and the owners are moving. into it. This structure, which is said to be built to last for- ever, is at the corner of Fort street, |Soule will return to his business of contracting and building. business | Jess Wisler’s new brick building was laid with appropriate ceremonies last Saturday evening. Mr. Wisler is the backbone of Mancelona. He has dome more to hold the town up and keep it forging ahead than any other citi- zen; and Mancelona has other good citizens also. Epoufette—Several Port Huron capitalists associated with W. Hause- knecht, of Jonesville, will install a sawmill of 20,000 feet daily capacity at this place, the machinery- having already been shipped. The new com- pany has 14,000 acres of virgin tim- ber, both hard and soft wood, and options on a considerable lot of oth- er timber. Alma—tThe interest of H. H. Soule in the Caple-Soule Hardware Co. has been sold to W. W. Caple and the company is now re-organized un- der the style of the Caple Hardware Co. of which J. S. Caple is Presi- dent and W. W. Caple Secretary, Treasurer and General Manazer, while A. B. Caple is a director. Mr. original Port Huron—G. C. Meisel, Oscar Hogan and Jacob Eichhorn have formed a copartnership under the style of Meisel, Hogan & Eichhorn to deal in dry goods. The officers of the company are as follows: |President, G. C. Meisel; Vice-Presi- ‘dent, Jacob Eichhorn; Secretary and Treasurer, Oscar Hogan. Messrs. Eichhorn and Hogan have each been identified for several years with the dry goods thouse of the G. C. Meisel Co. Escanaba—O. C. Curtis, for the past three years Secretary and Treas- urer of the Mashek Chemical and Iron Co., and one of the most prom- inent young business men of the Es- canaba district, thas resigned his po- sition and on June I went to Car- ter, to become Vice-President and Secretary of the Desmond Chemical Co. Mr. Curtis has also purchased an interest in the company and is considered to have been offered an exceptional business opportunity. Detroit—William E. Riley was ap- ‘pointed temporary receiver of the William Reid Glass Co. May 26 and ‘requested by Judge Swan to give a ‘bond of $5,000. The appointment ‘came as a sequel to the petition of (J. C. Widman & Co. et al. to have ithe Reid Co. declared an involun- itary bankrupt. The creditors, Geo. |W. Radford, Edwin S. Stringer and ‘the Widman Co., claim that the Reid 'Co. owes $15,000 which it can not ‘pay. The Reid Co., in its answer to west, and the Michigan Central Rail-|the petition, alleges that four notes road. held by Geo. W. Radford totaling Mancelona—The corner store of!$15,000 came into his possession wrongfully, and that the claim of Ed- win S. Stringer for $1,576.08 is ab- solutely without justification; that the company never engaged his serv- ices. The company requested that Riley be appointed receiver until Referee in Bankruptcy Lee E. Jos- lyn can hear the facts.in the case and make a decision. Manufacturing Matters. Port Huron—The Port Huron En- gine & Thresher Co. has again re- sumed operations and it is thought that by the middle of June a full force will be employed Houghton —- John A. Cochran, manufacturer of soft drinks at L’Anse, will move his factory to this place, although he will retain his place of business at L’Anse as a distributing point. Vanderbilt—Yuill Bros. are build- ing camps to log a large quantity of timber on the Mitchell-Belcher tract, six miles northeast of this place. The camps will be fitted up comfort- ably. The timber is on the Mitchell branch railroad connecting with the main line of the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central and the logs will be railed out. Menominee—Several shingle mill owners of the Upper Peninsula have been here and ‘n Marinette during the last week trying to secure help to operate their mills for the year and have been unable to obtain any. Prices paid to shingle men are some- what below that of last year and not near as much as their fellow em- ployes in the lumber end of the mill. Sagola—The Sagola Lumber Co. is developing a big farm near its mill at this place, and intends to raise all the hay and oats used in its logging operations and even to retail to local consumers. The com- pany also owns the old Metropolitan Lumber Co. farm, six miles east of Sagola, and is clearing new land this year and has about 240 acres under cultivation. Ypsilanti—The capital stock of the Homer Specialty Shoe Co. has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000. Bay City—-The Automatic Rotary Brick and Block Manufacturing Co. has been incorporated to conduct a mamtfacturing business, with an au- thorized capital stock of $10,000, of which $8,000 has been ‘subscribed, $2,000 being paid in in cash and $5,000 in property. Ripley—The sawmill of J. S. Pryor & Sons is in full operation with a full crew of men. The new planing mill building, sox52 feet, has been completed and the planing outfit, which was removed from the com- pany’s plant at Houghton, has been installed and is running smoothly. The company expects to save con- siderably by having all departments of its plant together as both saw and planing mill will be operated by power from the same boilers. Cadillac—The Williams Bros. Co. is considering the advisability of conducting a tenpin finishing plant in connection with its present plant. Two owners of similar plants have been in the city the last week con- ferring with the local company about the matter. Tenpins in the rough are among the important output of the Williams Bros. Co. plants here and at Manton and if the finishing fac- tory is arranged for it will be built in this city and the output of both plants would be made into bowling pins here. i < Business Changes in the Buckeye State. Cleveland——-The Buckeye Awning & Tent Co. has been incorporated, with an authorized capital stock of $20,000. Middletown—The Fetzer Agricul- tural Implement Co. will remove to Springfield, II. Alliance—The capital stock of the Alliance Gas & Electric Co. ‘has been reduced to $10,000. Cincinnati— The A. M. Lewin Lumber Go. has been incorporated with a capital stock of $150,000. Gallipolis—C. W. Cox, dealer in dry goods, has made an assignment, his liabilities being $14,000 and _ his assets $30,000. Hamilton—The Elite Baking Co. has been incorporated, with an au- thorized capital stock of $16,000. Marietta—Abict Bros. have pur- chased the grocery stock of Mc- Pherson Bros. Moundsville—L. A. Chalfant is succeeded in the confectionery busi- ness by S. J. Ganier. Newell--Moore & Melvin have engaged in the undertaking business. Sandusky—A petition in bankrupt- cy has been filed by the creditors of Gustav C. Kengalle, jeweler, whose assets are $1,675.60, with liabilities of $2,465.58. Springfield—-Fahien & Tehan have embarked in the dry goods busi- ness. Delta—The Fixler Trolley Stand Co. has been incorporated here, with a capital stock of $25,000. The com- pany will manufacture a new patent- ed trolley stand for holding trolley poles on electric cars. —_++>—___ Trade Changes in the Hoosier State. Churubusco—-A meat market thas been opened by Geo. B. Slagle '& Co. Elkhart—J. J. Hoffman, grocer, has sold his stock to W. A. Griffith. Farmland—-The Bly Botkin Drug Co. has been incorporated, with an authorized capital stock of $10,000. Indianapolis—Roy Downs has pur- chased the grocery stock of Hall & Hall. Ossian—The department store of Rector Bros. has been* destroyed by fire. Winchester — Ed. — J. ‘Hiatt suc- ceeds F. M. Johnson in the drug business. —_++>—_____ Will Erect a Coating Mill. Kalamazoo, June 2—At a meeting of the stockholders of the Monarch Paper Co. it was voted to increase the capital from $200,000 to $300,000. The company proposes to inicrease the size of the plant and double the output. The company thas been maintaining a coating mill in the ma- chine room. A coating mill will be erected. Work on tthe improve- ments will begin soon. —_—_—_-~—___ He is always generous who has left his purse at home. eRe en cen eae eNO ce ea En ed Renee eee ied MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Ast e 2 * The Produce Market. Asparagus—75c per doz. for home grown. Bananas—$1.50@2.25 per bunch. Beets—$1.25 bunches per box for Southern. Butter---The maret is firm and un- changed. Butter arriving now is showing fancy quality and meets with ready sale, either for consump- tive or speculative purposes. There will likely be a firm market at un- changed prices as long as the make continues as fine as niow. Near-by creamery is getting scarcer anid is selling on about the same basis as Elgin butter. Creamery is held at 24c for tubs and 25c for prints; dairy grades command 18@1oc for No. 1 and 14c for packing stock. Cabbage — Mississippi commands $1.25 per crate. Tennessee $1 per crate. ° Carrots--$1.20 per box for new. Celery—$1.25 per bunch for Cali- fornia. Home grown will begin to arrive next week. Cocoanuts—$4.50 per bag of go. Cucumbers—goc per doz. for hot house and 6o0c per doz. for Southern. Dressed Hogs—Dealers pay 7c for hogs weighing 150@z200 tbs. and 6c for hogs weighing 200 tbs. and up- wards. Eggs—Fancy are selling about on the same basis as a week ago. Pres- ent conditions are likely to exist for about two weeks, after which pro- duction will decrease and the mar- ket become firmer. Stocks of eggs in storage are about the same as a Local dealers now pay 134@14c on track for case count, holding case count at 144%@u15c and candled at 16c. Grape Fruit—Florida commands $5.50 for 8os and gos and $6 for 545 amd 64s. Green Onions-——t5e per doz. bunch- es for Silver Skins and 12c for Ever- green. Honey. er and 15c year ago. -17c per th. for white clov- for dark. Lemons—Prices are firming up more and more as warmer weather approaches, but on account of the large supplies on the coast it is not likely that prices will rule very ‘high the coming season. Californias are now held at $3.50, while Messinas have advanced to $3.50@3.75. Lettwce—toc per fb. for hot house. Onions—White Silver Skins (Tex- as Bermudas) command $1.75 per crate. Yellows fetch $1.50. The de- mand is heavy on account of the quality of the stock and the reason- ableness of the price. Oranges—The market jis firm and higher on all sizes and varieties. Navels are nearly off the market, be- ing now quoted at $4@4.25 per box. Mediterranean Sweets fetch $3.75 @4. Parsley—3o0c per doz. bunches. Peas—$1.75 per box for Southern grown Pieplant—goc per 50 th. box for home grown. Pineapples — Cubans command $2.75 for 42, $2.90 for 36s and $3 for 30s and 24s. Floridias fetch $2.75 for 42s, $3 for 36s, $3.10 for 30s and $3.20 for 24s. Plants—65c per box for cabbage and tomato. Potatoes—Olid command 65c and new fetch $1.30 per bu. Poultry—The list ‘has shown some unimportant fluctuations during the week, mostly toward a lower range. Ducks and geese have been in good supply, while young roosters are mostly getting so staggy that they are not having much demand. Broil- ers and peepers are coming in finely with ready demand at fairly high prices for good-sized stock. Local dealers pay g@toc for fowls and 25c for broilers; for ducks and 15c for turkeys. ioc Radishes—15c per doz. bunches for Round or Long. Spinach—6oc per bu. Strawberries — Ohio — stock mands $2.50(@3 for 24 qts. Michigan (St. Joseph) stock ranges from $2@ 2.25 for 16 qts. The crop is large and, with favorable weather, receipts will be heavy anid prices low. Home grown are already beginning to ar- rive. Tomatoes—$2 per 4 basket crate. Veal—Dealers pay 5@6c for poor and thin; 6@7c for fair to good; 7% com- @oc for good white kidney. Prices have held steady, but the supply most of the time has been quite heavy and the market shows a weaker ten- dency. >>. One Point in His Favor. A witty priest was once visiting a self-made” millionaire, who took him to see his seldom used library. “There,’ said the millionaire, pointing to a table covered with books, “there are my best friends.” “Ah,” replied the wit, as he glanc- ed at the leaves, “I’m glad you don’t cut them!” —_——e.2—__—_ * A. A. Johnson & Co., Sparta: Soap clubs and mail order house competi- tion trouble us to some extent. Not- withstanding this fact, however, our business has been better so far this year than during the first part of last year. Our stock is about as heavy as at this time during the past few years. We believe indications point to a good future trade. “ The Grocery Market. Sugar—The market is weak and featureless, reflecting the twofold ef- fect of a large stock and congestion im arrivals, together with dull trade conditions. The statistical position is strong and as soon as demand picks up prices may go higher. Tea—The market is unchanged as to values. Demand is fair, but the volume of business is scarcely equal to last year. The market for new Formosas opened during the week on a basis slightly higher than. last year. Even at the advance, how- ever, the teas will probably be bought. i Coffee—Rio and Santos without particular change, either in price or demand Mild coffees are firm and unchanged. Java and Mocha are steady and unchanged. Canned canned grades are Goods—-The demand _ for fruits is getting better and supplies are cleaning up fast, the market holding very firm. Pacific coast reports indicate that _ this year’s crops will be larger than the average which will mean much low- er prices the coming year. and corn look a little ac- count of the very bad reports con- cerning the crops, which are not only backward, but delayed to a large ex- Tomatoes firmer on tent. Corn is only just now being planted, whereas ordinarily the seed is gotten into the ground much ear- lier than this. The demand during the past three weeks has been very good and advances are expected by some. Prices on peas are strong supplies are scarce, and demand is good. The market on string and baked beans rules steady. Canned salmon is very firm and in better de- mand. Stocks are small. Advices from Columbia River indicate a very small catch thus far this season and if conditions do not improve 1aily, salmon prices will high for another year. mater: probably be Sardines are firm and cove oysters are steadq. No prices on future canned fish have as yet been named. Dried Fruits—Apricots show no change, either spot or future, and the demand for both is light. Cur- rants are in fair demand at unchang- ed prices. Raisins are dull and weak. Future citron is still in fair demand. Dates and figs are dull. but without further The demand is fair. Peaches are selling fairly well, at prices that still tend downward. Rice—Reports from the South in- dicate that stocks are becoming very small. Good grades are hard to find and present prices will probably hold until the new crop arrives. Prunes are firm, change in price. Syrups and Molasses—Compound syrup is dull and rules at unchanged prices. Sugar syrup is in fair de- mand at ruling prices. Molasses is not in particularly good demand, but is scarce and firmer. Cheese — Receipts are showing more grass amd better quality every week. Old cheese is about exhaust- ed and the consumptive trade is now almost entirely on new. The general cheese market is selling 15 per cent. below a year ago, but the market Or g : el is very healthy, and if there is any change it will be upward. Fish—Cod, thake and haddock are unchanged in price and light de- mand. Domesitic sardines are un- changed. New goods are obtainable in any quantity desired on a basis of $3.10 Eastport. Spot moving from hand-to-mouth, what below when the sale is miade from second hands, the packers’ market. Salmon is unchanged and in fair demand. Prices on futures of some grades will be mamed Prices on all grades of mackerel nominally unchanged, but it is rea- sonably certain that any buyer of a good lot could obtain sions. The demand for light. Provisions—Both goods are some- soon are sized conces- mackerel is pure and com- pound lard are selling well at ruling prices. Barrel pork, dried beef and canned goods are having a seasona- ble demand and a satisfactory is reported throughout. ——_+ ++ —____ Work Horses on Parade. A horse show in which the ani- mals exhibited are of the finest class- es ot driving and saddle stock is mo unusual spectacle for our people, but an exhibition of work horses, which toil six days in the week in drawing heavy loads, is of an innovation in this city. The quadrupedal servants of toil are no the pleasure, innings Last parade horses. sort trade those something Our less important than ministers to had are four-legged and the this time. Saturday there through the streets of The first exhibition of was given in Boston a few ago by a humane and the idea organizations cities. Two hundred and entries were made in Jorse Show, from idea can be formed est and enthusiasm idea, new to Grand received. The Tradesman believes that a movement of this kind, which tends toward the education of driv- ers and the general improvement of work stock, should be heartily ported by the public at large. ———~+<-.___ The anthracite coal operators have decided to place 140,000 men at work our toilers their was a grand work this years association there, been adopted by citizens in has and many eighty-two the Work which a good as to the inter- with which this Rapids, ‘has been sil p- and put in storage 10,000,000 ‘tons of coal. This will give steady employ- ment to every man in the coal re- gion who wants work, for some time to come, and it way prevent the danger that possible labor troubles may cause a scarcity of fuel in the future. The three-year wage agree- ment under which the miners are working expires April I, 1909, and it is the desire of the operators to store before that time not less than 10,000,000 tons of coal in anticipa- tion of any prolonged wage dispute. There is little hard coal now. in storage nc cence The Dog’s Way. First Druggist—I call “Tonic.” Second Druggist—Why? First Druggist—He’s mostly whine with a slight infusion of bark. my dog MICHIGAN TRADESMAN RUBE VS. DUDE. It Pays, Sometimes, To Have Been| the Former. Written for the Tradesman. . | “The clerk who stands like a stick} behind his counter all day long is| like the peddler who carried his pack around all day and at night com- plained that no one had asked him what was in it.” There’s a young fellow in my store who could never, by the widest stretch of the imagination, be accus- ed of belonging in the same cate- gory as the clerk referred to in the above. When I got him I felt rather du- biouws—he looked like such a green- horn. As a matter of fact, he was just from the country, so his ap- pearance did not belie his late en- vironment. After engaging the young Rube I was more than half inclined to change my mind. How- ever, I thought that he couldn’t be any worse than a certain other one of the clerks, whom I was just on the eve of discharging. I decided to keep Young Hayseed just for the fun of the thing. If, by the rarest chance, he should make good I could let him stay on and fire the consequential incompetent ] Dude who considered himself IT; he regarded himself as the fellow of all the fellows for miles around. You could read it in his face, in his gait. in the pompous way in which he carried himself, in his manner to- wards the rest of the men in my eimploy. As for myself—well, he just tolerated his employer and that was all. It was “Greek meet Greek,” how- ever, when His Dudeship attempted to lord it over one of my clerks. That was a little woman who had looked after the store’s interests most con- scientiously for half a dozen years. That Dude would criticise her meth- ods most harshly, expatiating on the fact that he never would have done a thing thus-and-so. “Well, whether you my methods or not,” would exclaim the thoroughly exasperated little woman, “they sell the goods and that’s what pretty much all clerks are > hired for.” Having “met his Waterloo” with this unimpeachable statement the Dude would subside for a time, only to break out in a new spot of fault- finding. One day the Rube, who had been contemplating drastic measures t9 eliminate such unnecessary scoldings on the part of the Dude Element of the store’s clientele, literally took matters into his own hands by drag- ging the D. E. out on the lawn back of the building and turning the hose on him good and plenty. “Now will you let that little wom- peace!” demanded the approve of an live in Rube, while the D. E. spluttered, trying to escape the oncoming stream. The next Saturday night the Dude drew his week’s wages and left for parts unknown and we never saw him again. After the Rube had cleaned up the Dude, matters settled down quietly to business. He and the little old maid, who is eight or ten years his se- nior, are the best of chums, but with no thought of a possible mar- riage, as the disparity between their ages precludes the thought. The Hayseed now has general su- pervision of the entire store. He got me to put in shelving, counters and bet- That was the with me. thing we knew we were a brand hardwood floor, also a result of the persuasive powers of our Recent Acquisition. Then followed an appeal for a sub- scription to an authentic window new fixtures for the ter display of goods. first The walking on six months he was next new trimmers’ journal, and the _ store front soon began to take on new life. People commenced to stop and admire, whereas formerly the windows seldom could claim the look-in of half a dozen persons a day. These and other changes were brought about through the influence of my new Hayseed, whose name now, after five years of steady and faithful service, reads, alongside of mine, on the sign over the door— only it ist Hayseed nor Rube! Sometimes it pays to have been a Rube. This one, who started in my store with no money but, instead, brains and willing and made Dude, now, for all fertile competent while his may be ditch-digging I know. hands, good, ene- my, the I repeat: It pays, a Rube. sometimes, to A. W. —_—__>-> Good Sale That Was Made Wholly by Suggestion. Written for the Tradesman. Did you ever stop to figure out, Mr. Hardware Man, how much you and your clerks might increase sales in the tinware department? Why, I know one young fellow who is in this department and the sales from his stock are just double what they were with ‘his predeces- sor for corresponding months, right through the year. There must be a reason for this. I will tell you what it is: He goes out of his way to be pleasant to customers. He does not simply ask them what they want and then shut up like 2 steel trap while he gets it, does it up, takes their money and_ hands back their change. Far from that. It’s: “Good morning, Madam. What can I do for you this bright and cheery morning?” And then he looks at Madam with a smile that just fits in with his de- scription of the weather. “T want some little patty-pans,” re- plies the lady, at once warming to a young fellow who can make some- thing personal out of weather condi- tions. “Right over this way, Madam— Be careful of your nice dress on that nail there,” he cautions as they round a box that some one has care- lessly left in the aisle. have been Fenton. Tally No. 2 for a pleasant impres- sion given by the young man. “Now here we are at the ~patty- beams the clerk, with an air conducted pans,” as if he had personally the lady on a tour around the world and landed her safely at her own doorstep. ‘Which kind do you pre- er—tin or iron? We have both, as you see. Some people prefer the one, some the other. Things bake quicker in the tin, but the iron pans hold heat the longer.” Then there was his grammar—the ady noticed that the young man said, “the longer,” in place of where a less careful clerk would have said, “the longest.” Of course, good gram- mar doesn’t sell goods—that is, all alone—but we do like better to deal with a clerk who doesn’t “murder the king’s English.” This ideal clerk didn’t end with the patty-pan subject. Without seem- ing to force sales—to “stuff orders,” as ’twere—he adroitly fingered ove: kitchen- ware, saying a word or two as to the special merits of each in regard te convenience for the one who gets up the substantials and eke the del- icacies for the dining table. In con- sequence of this effective yet unob- trusive little running fire of culinary conversation there were sent to the lady’s residence, that morning, aside from the patty-pans, which really were the only objects she intended purchasing at this special place of business: several nearby articles of Will be at the Grand M. J. Rogan June 8 to June 12 showing his fall line of -Men’s Suits and Overcoats Out of Town Customers’ Expenses paid Representing the well known and reliable Men’s Clothing House Solomon Bros. & Lempert Rochester, N. Y. Morton House Rapids | w. J. with Weiss & Segal Clothing for Boys, Ages 2% to 20. 18-20-22-24 Washington Place, at Greene St. New York Will be at the Morton House, Grand Rapids, June 8 to 12. KIES Eee ne ena a a : 1 } I aluminium bread-mixer. 3 basting spoons. I sugar sifter. I china salt holder for gas stove. I china salt holder for kitchen table. I large dishpan. _ small chopping bowl for parsley. chain dishcloth for spiders. — large pancake griddle. I pancake turner. I soap. shaker. Mind you—pardon the repetition— these were all things that the lady had not the slightest intention of purchasing when she asked to see the patty-pans—there was several dollars’ worth to the good for the store that might have gone where else had not the clerk had a some- taking, a talking and a convincing “way wiz him,” as that little divil of an Anna Held calls it. Of course, every clerk is not the possessor of the “gift of gab,” to use a homely old expression, and every clerk who has it has not a persuasive manner to go with the other gift. Also every lady is not so tractable as was this one, or has. not. the wherewithal to buy what she might like, no matter with how masterful tactics merchandise is brought to her attention. But, take it by and: far, ‘tis a fine thing for any store to have its clerking clientele composed of in- dividuals who have good conversa- tional powers and a personality that is sure to appeal to the trading pub- lic. Philip Warburton. —_—_2-2.__ Effects of Dining Out. A certain gentleman prided him self upon the exactness with which he regulated all ‘his duties, both in social and busimess life. One even- ing he had occasion to go out to dine with a business acquaintance. “Don’t wait for me,’ he said to his better half. “I may be rather late, but ‘business is busimess,’ you know, and it can’t be helped.” The next morning the man_= of method was far from either looking or feeling well. At breakfast he sat toying listlessly with his toast and coffee, while his spouse sat stonily silent behind the coffee pot. The breakfast room clock was equally silent. “Maria, my dear, there must be something wrong with that clock. I am sure I wound it up last night,” remarked the husband. “No,” answered his wife, “you wound up Freddy’s music box in- stead, and it played ‘Home, Sweet Home’ until 3 o’clock in the morn- ing! The hall clock has also stop- ped and you have screwed your corkscrew right into the barometer!” 0 He Was Too Sly. “But you confess, papa,” protested the beautiful girl when the father showed indications of a desire to withhold his consent, “that you do not know of a single, solitary thing that is in the least derogatory to his reputation.” “That’s just it,’ replied the old gentleman. “I don’t like the idea of bringing anyone into my family who is so infernally sly as all that.” ” MICHIGAN Suggestion Counts for Much in Sales- manship. Written for the Tradesman. If you talk about blandishments it reminds me of how I was inveigled into investing in a hair net the last time I was at the Beauty Parlor. I was telling my chum how it hap- pened and we agreed that the artful little minx of a hairdresser who sold it to me is “onto her job all right all right.” She had worked more or less si- lently—-mostly less—on the nerve de- stroying task of extracting from my mop the hundred or two hairpins (of which one adds more and more as the time grows farther and farther from the day of the last dressing and the hair more and more tumbles down) when she _ insinuatingly — re- marked: “You didn’t have on any hair net.” “No,” I said. It was useless denying the soft im- peachment, so I owned up immedi- ately. “Don’t tell me you don’t like them,” she exclaimed, with the air of asserting that I was a Barbarian, a Nomad if f dared declare an aversion for the perishable trash. - “Oh, they’re nice if one is going autoing, or buggy-riding in the wind, or on a journey,” I admitted, half- heartedly. “Oh, I think they’re so nice—so very nice,’ purred she who gets a commission on everything she sells for the Beauty Doctor. “They keep the coiffure so smooth and lovely.” (This in a tone that implied—if it did not state—that you didn’t know what’s what if you disagreed with her expressed opinion.) IT had to say, “Yes,” There was no gainsaying her last statement. The hairpins being finally remov- ed from my devoted head to the shelf in front of me, to the very last mischievous rascal of a crinkler, the shampooing having been gone through—plus the drying, the oi! glow, the curling and the Frenching (invention of the Devil!)—the wily cohort of the Beauty Parlor was pro- ceeding to the most critical part of the art of which she is mistress—the wave over the forehead. Progressing from this through the various stages of arrangement she reached the place where the combs are adjusted. With the central one poised dainti- ly in dainty fingers, she said with the coaxingest of coaxing ways, and with a note of disappointment at a possi- ble refusal: “Now, Miss Kenyon, won’t you just let me put om one of our strone nets? Your hair looks so beautiful now ’twould be a great pity to go out in this wind and spoil it all with straggling locks.” Did I yield? What girl wouldn’t, although I abominate those nets? They make a stiff, ugly outline out of an articula- tion that may be nothing less than perfection. Now that girl is not only an ar- tist in her chosen profession—she is an adept in subtlety; the subtlety that sells a feminine an article that she has had absolutely no idea of pur- chasing and, moreover, an article that TRADESMAN she detests. The girl doesn’t know that I hate hair nets, so of course nothing can be laid to her door on that score; and I have been wonder- ing why more clerks at notion coun- ters do not follow some such tactics in the vending of hairdressers’ mer- chandise. The former sell many of the goods in which the latter deal— hairpins, kid curlers, all sorts of met- al crimpers, hair nets and the like, but they rarely have a word to say in favor of these articles. If you go along by their counter and your eye is attracted to some one or per- haps several of these things and you pause and look at them—or even fin- ger them—do they ever appear inter- ested and make any pleasant little timely remark about their conve- nience, etc.? Seldom. They let you pick up what you want in this line, hand it to them with the remark, “I’li take one of these,’ the clerk has it done up—or does it up herself, ac- cording to the rules of the store—and you walk off feeling somehow cheat- ed as to what is coming to you. Why couldn’t the girl dig up out of her cranium some kind of a re- mark if it wasn’t any more than: “This is a very good sort of a crimping iron—extra strong spring and yet easy to open.” Even that morsel would start talk and pave the way for conversation about hairdress- ers’ goods. She might know that if a customer looked at or asked for just one thing along this line she was interested in the subject and thai possibly she would buy others of such goods were they brought to her notice. The sale of half a dozen articles perhaps could be made if this course were pursued. At any rate, if only one thimg was bought on this occasion the fact that the clerk was a little bit companion- able would predispose the patron to pick out your store the next time she wanted any hairdressers’ articles. Suggestion goes such a long ways to- wards creating a want that it’s al- WwayS a mystery to me that more clerks do not avail themselves of this mental proces;. Erminie Kenyon. _—o-——> LUCK. Written for the Tradesman. Luck is a fiction, not a fact, In the affairs of man, The pluck to do, and nerve to act. Know not “It might have been;” Man is the measure of his will T’ aspire and act, his luck is nil. Luck never built a Brooklyn Bridge, Nor sung a tender song, It stands for self and privilege, And recks no right nor wrong, A fluctuating spawn of Fate, Whose law is neither work nor wait. To man no problem is so great, No object so remote, That purpose will not e’er create, From both his beam and mote, Resolving power to mould and bend All issue to its fruitful end. Men strive, imagine, build, achieve, And thoughtless tongues define Their compensation—Luck—and grieve That laurel thus should twine Upon a_ brother’s brow, alas, And their unfurnished temples pass. A surge of pity fills my heart For him who can not work, Or_him who, working, thinks in part, Whose judgment seems to shirk, For those who err, and fail, the ruck, Who always lay it onto Luck. Lewis W. Guyser. Taking the church as a fad does not make the life of faith. \ t H. LEONARD & SONS Wholesalers and Manufacturers’ Agents Crockery, Glassware, China Gasoline Stoves, Refrigerators Fancy Goods and Toys GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN BRUSHES Deck scrubs, floor, wall and ceiling brushes, wire scrubs, moulders’ brushes, radiator brushes, etc. MICHIGAN BRUSH CO. 211 So. Division St. Grand Rapids, Mich. CASH CARRIERS That Will Save You Money In Cost and Operation \ Store Fixtures and Equipment for Merchants in Every Line. Write Us. CURTIS-LEGER FIXTURE CO. 265 Jackson Boulevard, Chicago Dandelion Vegetable Butter Color A perfectly Pure Vegetable Butter Color, and one that complies with the pure food laws of every State, and of the United States. Manufactured by Wells & Richardson Cu. Burlington, Vt. The Perfection Cheese Cutter Cuts out your exact profit from every cheese Add, to appearance of store and increases cheese trade Manufactured only by The American Computing Co. 701-705 Indiana Ave. Indianapolis, Ind. Established in 1873 Best Equipped Firm in the State Steam and Water Heating Iron Pipe Fittings and Brass Goods Electrical and Gas Fixtures Galvanized Iron Work The Weatherly Co. 18 Pearl St. Grand Rapids, Mich. CURED -.Wi a Chioroform, Knife or Pain ee Dr. Willard M. Burleson 103 Monroe St., Grand Rapids Booklet free on application Mica Axle Grease Reduces friction to a minimum. It saves wear and tear of wagon and harness. It saves horse energy. It increases horse power. Put up in 1 and 3 Ib. tin boxes, ro, 15 and 25 lb. buckets and kegs,::half barrels and barrels. [ Hand Separator Gil is free from gum and is anti-rust and anti-corrosive. Put up in %, 1 and 5 gallon cans. STANDARD OIL CO. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. e oR Riga en RRR 2 oT NRE IP CRETE IE TET Tt AE RI IONE OH ORI AM NSIS NSA ETE RATER Sapa OP CIRM? SOS SE EI SLPS POO SPA LE EY AT NE I MA SR II RIT eg ET NT ERR ANE ET ES I Bei > Pe pectin a ahd ik ee fans a. 2s. Li pbcmaianea eta taenescranien ara isis ee pes MICHIGAN TRADESMAN rr DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF BUSINESS MEN. Published Weekly by TRADESMAN COMPANY Grand Rapids, Mich. E A. Stowe, President. Henry Idema, Vice-President. O. L. Schutz, Secretary. W. N. Fuller, Treasurer. Subscription Price. Two dollars per year, payable in ad- vance. Five dollars for three years, payable in advance. Canadian subscriptions, $3.04 per year, payable in advance. No subscription accepted unless ac- companied by a signed order and the price of the first year’s subscription. Without specific instructions to the con- trary all subscriptions are continued ac- cording to order. Orders to discontinue must be accumpanied by payment to date. Sample copies, 5 cents each. Extra copies of current issues, 5 cents; of issues a month or more old, 10 cents; of issues a year or more old, Entered at the Grand Rapids Postoffice. E. A. STOWE, Editor. Oo. L. Schutz, Advertising Manager. Wednesday, June 3, 1908 AN AUDITORIUM OR WHAT?) The material phase of the conven- tion hall Grand Rapids will prove the thing fatal to the enterprise unless the gentlemen most active, public spirited and sin- cere in pushing the matter are ex- tremely careful. proposition for There are a score or more of citi- zems who are each one able to sub- cribe for five thousand dollars’ worth of stock in such a venture and who will readily do so if they can dic- tate as to the site upon which the proposed building shall be erected And there are other scores who are able and willing to subscribe for five hundred to a thousand dollars of the stock if they can be a the neighborhood of the site to be occupied. : ssured as to Such subscriptions will be barren of even a suggestion of public spir- it and no such proposition as a great public social center—such as an audi- torium should be-—can thrive except upon a genttine basis of public spirit and civic pride. Not counting ecclesiastical struct- ures, there are two beautiful ground floor auditoriums well adapted for platform and musical entertainments already in Grand Rapids, and either one of these assembly rooms will accommodate 600 persons with seats. For the reason that these thalls are bound about by social conventionali- ties as private enterprises they would not in any way conflict with the idea of having one or two small halls in the auditorium building, and then, too, of course, the great room seat- ing at least 5.000 persons would con- stitute the chief feature of such a stricture. But aside from the great and the small halls the building should con- tain a public gymnasium, plunge an! other baths available at mot mre than 5 cents per bath, a large pub- lic reading room well equipped with current weekly and monthly publi- cations. There should be bowling floors, billiards, hasket ball, indoor base ball and numerous games avail- able, such as chess, dominoes and checkers, and all of these attractions should be, because of their cheap- ness, available to men and women, boys and girls at all hours at a cost not exceeding 5 cents per game or bath. Such an establishment, thus equip- ped would become a true social cen- ter that would successfully compete with the streets, the 5 cent moving picture shows and the saloons and would not. probably, come within gunshot of being self sustaining. It would not only attract great conventions, great orchestral organ- izations, great vocalists and great oraters to Grand Rapids, but, better still, it would place our city in a unique position before the entire country as a community which pro- vides all citizens with refining social privileges possible only, at present, to individuals having specific and liberal incomes. If Grand Rapids has sufficient pub- lic spirit and brotherly regard to produce such an institution, it will be well worth to the city each year a IO per cent. net interest upon a half million dollar investment. If such a quality of patriotism and democratic enthusiasm does not exist here, then the only thing to do is to trail along a mere imitator, satisfied with a “white elephant” which serves the few and is the perpetual jest of the many. - KEEP UP TO DATE. The man who is not strictly on time with all seasonable goods is about as lucky as the one who goes one minute behind the time to catch the tram. He may happen to find a customer who is a little behind- hand himself. but this is just a chance. Besides, the man who is a little behind in buying is often a lit- tle behind in paying. The choice customer wants his goods on time, as a rule. There is a season for many of the staple articles in almost any business. The grocer would now scarcely stock up on onion sets or garden seeds. Neither would the hardware man ex- pect to reap the profits from the sale of corn planters which were in de- mand a month or six weeks ago. Now he knows that the mowing ma- chine and horse rake are of more in- terest to the farmer. He knows, too, that if they are not on hand at the proper time he wil! look elsewhere. With crops to be saved, the money maker on the farm is not going to wait two or three weeks for you to order what should be on thand in season, ready for him to make his selection. Keep the ball rolling. Trade will not be brisk unless you constantly push a little. Anticipate the needs along the lines you handle and get ready for them. Better be two weeks in advance than two days behind. If you are early it reminds those in- clined to procrastinate of their com- ing needs, and they are more apt to hustle themselves and make the most of a bargain. With all the hustle, do not fail to get goods which are worth the money you must ask. “Value received” is a good local trademark. THE QUEEN BEE. What a month for the farmers of Western Michigan was the month of May with rain storms every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the month and wind storms and rain the re- mainder of the month and—then some. And what a month it was for the retail merchants. As though to bear out the oft-re- peated assertion that when the farm- ers suffer al! lines of business suf- fer, the condition of the highways in Michigan during the month of May was simply execrable. The farmers were not only unable to haul loads to town, but often found it impossible to “go to the store critter back,” as they say in Ken- tucky. All spring farm work was kept back and spring stocks of mer- chandise did not begin to move un- til it was time for midsummer open- ings. Indeed, it has been officially as- serted that it was the worst month of May that has been recorded in Michigan during the past thirty-five years. And yet, what of it? Practically the same comments are heard anxually and yet Michigan farmers and Michigan merchants ap- pear to be about as prosperous, well satisfied and agreeable as any inthe land. Jt is not so much a matter of weather as it is a question of temperament. Taking it by and wide Michigan is thoroughly well beloved by her peo pie and the way to discount all con- ventional comments by grumpy peo- ple is to make a carefully bitter criti- cism of specific characteristics of the commonwealth or her farmers or retail merchants. Then it is that one finds out very promptly that he thas “another think coming.” Then it is that our merchant or manufacturer or farmer calls a halt and imforms you that there is no average of an- nual climatic conditions superior to those of Michigan; that she has the most imdustrious, thrifty, clear head- ed and prosperous men and women in the land and that Michigan is the queen bee of as intelligent, hospita- ble and contented a lot of men and women as can be found anywhere. ANTICIPATE YOUR NEEDS. Even the largest and best equipped houses are sometimes out of certain articles, but every dealer should en- deavor to keep on hand at all times the leading staples in his branch of the business. The housewife who sends to the grocery in a hurry for a pound of coffee or a loaf of bread when com- pany comes unexpectedly is preity certain to express her opinion of the store which does not have it. More, her neighbors hear about it and seek elsewhere in an emergency. Equally vexed is the man who calls at the hardware for ten-penny nails, only to learn that they are out of that size but have some eight-penny. These will not answer, and the man goes away wondering why people can not keep what they pretend to sell. True, there are special cases which may be excused, just as the farmer may be sometimes excused for letting the flour get dangerously low before going to mill. Yet these are often due more to lack of fore- sight than to anything else. During the strawberry and other fruit canning season the groceryman will naturally expect a greater drain on the sugar barrel and should pre- pare for it. He knows or can soon learn whether most of his patrons use granulated or coffee A for this purpose, and should be ready for them. The dry goods’ merchant should carry a good stock of black and white thread of medium sizes at all seasons, but during the spring and fall dressmaking period there will be needed additional variety in the prevailing tints. To fail in keeping standard articles of the trade betrays a lack of inter- est, enterprise and judgment which at once leads to the question of effi- ciency. THE BUSINESS CALENDAR. In all popular summer resorts the calendar for the season is early plac- ed in the thands of local hotels, res- taunants and dealers, who make their plans accordingly. The same fore- sight may be in a measure accom- plished in every place of business, resulting in preparation that is am- ple and more satisfactory as well as more protable returns. What is your biggest week of the year? Js it Old Home week, fair week, holiday week, or what? Every town has some special attraction, more or less modified by local con- ditions. Whatever it is, make this the pivot upon which to swing yout profits. There are other days or weeks of less importance, yet still worthy of more than passing notice. Yet your stock is in quantity and in shape. Advertise it in the local papers from one to three weeks in advance of the date, giving descriptions and prices Fill your show windows with the most attractive material. You may not have room to display all the new things as you wish; let the goods given prominence be representative, and those interested along special lines will ask for more complete in- formation. Be sure that you have clerks enough to serve all within reasona- ble time. One of the most severe criticisms that can be offered is that customers must stand for hours and then possibly go way without being waited upon. Get clerks who know how and are willing to hustle in an emergency. The listless, don’t-care manner of some during special sales has lost more than one good patron. Willingness to serve should always be included in good salesmanship. Speaking of affinities—there is the baby just nicely and cleanly dressed and the coal bucket temporarily for- gotten and allowed to remain ir reach. Time settlement is mostly a matter of education. If you talk cash, you will get cash. If you talk time, cash settlements will be impossible. i Sighing for a lost Eden will not make a new earth. Re ere eaten en sien aetna once ne RE eT al Re ere eaten en sient astray yi Si acl INDUSTRIAL PEACE. Work of the Employers’ Association of Grand Rapids.* One of Nature’s fundamental laws seems to be that there is a cause or reason for the existence of every- thing or condition. Through all stages of human development _ this law can be traced and be made to account for the varied phases of life as found in the social and business world of to-day. Turning our attention to the mate- rial side of life we observe that busi- ness is built up almost entirely on trust and confidence in our fellow- men, the natural result of which can be described in two words, associa- tion and organization. Without association and organiza- tion there can be little progress be- yond the efforts of the individual, who, finding himself hampered in carrying out alone the plans which his busy brain has evolved, concludes that he must have the assistance of others. Having once seen a reason, based on necessity, and acting there- on he has begun the work of or- ganization, There are reasons, several of them, for the existence of the organization known as the Employers’ Associa- tion of Grand Rapids, and we wish. in the outset, to emphasize the fact that the prime reason is not that we may become a powerful fighting ma- chine, but, on the contrary, that we were called into being as a_ peace body for the purpose of maintaining industrial peace in our beautiful and much loved city. We endeavor to assist in building up our industries, which are the heart, arteries and veins of the com- munity through which flows the life blood of commerce so essential to the city’s welfare and progress. In carrying out the plans, those charged with the work have always been prompted and governed by the motto, “Live and let live.” That this statement is true or not we must leave to public sentiment to decide. Another prominent reason for our existence is in order that a labor bu- reau may be maintained where those seeking employment can _ register, and where the members of the Asso- ciation can record their labor wants. This bureau is absolutely free as regards fees. No applicant for work is required to pay a penny for any service which the office can render him. We have no black list or white list. Applicants are not even asked if they are members of a union or not. They are only required to give their name, address and experience in the class of work for which they apply. An earnest and sincere ef- fort is then made to place applicants among those of our members who are on record as desiring their particular kind of services. Failing in this non-members. are thoroughly can- vassed until, in many cases, success is attained and the applicant set to work, By this means the work is central- ized in one office and men are save. time and car fare that would other- *Annual addressof Daniel W. Tower deliver- ed at banquet at Hotel Pantlind May 27, 1908. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN wise be spent in looking over the en- tire city for work. When first organized the Labor Bureau was conducted on somewhat narrow and restricted lines with the benefits confined to but of re years your Committee has managed its affairs on a broader and more liberal basis, and the office system has been very much simplified. Women applicants are given all the aid possible in finding work, and i every conceivable way our efforts are put forth to serve employers and employes alike. We even go so far as to do the local and foreign ad- vertising desired by members who are in search of labor along special lines. This broad gauged humanitarian members only, | | Executive | |By non-members (men) ....... 988 (Potato. 22: Vola oue. 2,910 |Men sent to members ......... 2,340 |Men sent to non-members .... 921 ie ee 3,261 lor 73 per cegt. of male applicants ‘for work were sent out to fill possi- ble positions. During the same pe- riod in 1906 this percentage was but 57 per cent., showing a substantial in- |crease in the work of the office. It ;may surprise you to learn that these figures are nearly double those of the Chicago Employers’ Labor Bu- reau for a like period. We would like to be able to tell you just how many of these men were hired by members, but can not do so, for the reason that when a Daniel W. Tower policy, we are pleased to state, has gained the confidence of the working men, who, through lack of confi- dence, often fight shy of labor bu- reaus. In addition we have also gained the general support and co- operation of our members, who now register their labor wants before looking elsewhere. To give you an idea of the work of the Labor Bureau we quote from the report covering the six months from May 1, 1907, to November 1, 1907: Personal applicants at 21 Foun. tain street ee Via AAGe Wrtten applications ........... 113 Woten applicants ....... cles 263 Bota Goo. ea . .4,869 During this six months there were wanted (men) by mem- DORs rs tees oe cls cou os a F,022 member or non-member finds the man who suits him he nearly always forgets to report that he _ has hired one of the men whom the La- for Bureau has sent him. Fuller details will be given by Sec- retary Campau in his report, but in passing we would state that the re- sults ofthe Labor Bureau alone would justify the continued existence of this Association even if there were no other reasons. Our membership at present is comprised of the following sub-as- sociations: Furniture Manufacturers, Employers’ Association, Grand Rap- ids Metal Trades Association, Print- ing Trades Association, the Team Owners’ Association, and in addition there are a number of miscellaneous individual manufacturers and _ firms 9 who go to swell our list of mem: bers. Each sub-division is entirely inde- pendent of the others in managinyz its own affairs and electing dele- gates to serve on the Executive Com- mittee of the Employers’ Associa- tion. The number of delegates which each may elect is based on the combined pay-roll of the mem- bers comprising the sub-association. The Executive Committee is charg- ed with the responsibility of carrying out the plans of the Association, the most important work being the La- bor Bureau before mentioned. As a Committee we have endeav- ored to protect the legitimate in- terests of each of the members, and at the same time be just and fair to their employes. If we have made mistakes in the work please remem- ber that we always invite your kind- ly criticisms and suggestions. I take this opportunity to testify to the careful and conscientious rendered by the members of the services |Committee during the years that are past. When you consider the member- ship of the Executive Committee and realize: that your needs are being served by such men as Messrs. John Mowat, Geo. G. Whitworth, Geo. A. Davis, David Brown, L. A. Corne- linus, W. R. Fox and Willis F. Stan- ton, you can feel that they are do- ing their level best for you. men have a standing and reputation These in business circles that command the respect and support of all, and I trust that you members present ap- preciate their painstaking efforts as fully as does your President. You may not know that this As- sociation stands unique among = simi- lar associations of the country, that it has a reputation which extends to many industrial centers in distant states. A number of letters and sev- eral personal calls have been receiv- ed from those seeking information regarding our organization, particu- larly the Labor Bureau, because the latter ts carried on in a simple and effective manner, without complex machinery, and at such small ex- pense when compared with most la- bor bureaus of the country, While we stand for the open shop we do not uphold «unjust, dishonest or tyrannical treatment of employes. We believe it is the right and privi- lege of every working man to sell his labor in the highest market, and to exercise his constitutional liberty in selecting his employer. Your Com- mittee would just as quickly con- demn a member for unjust and harsh treatment of his employes as we would condemn labor for lawless de- struction of life and property. Working men, whether skilled or not, have the same right to organ- ize as have employers, and by all lawful means to seek to better their conditions, but they have no moral or legal right to use force and violence, nor to incite others to do so to pre- vent a man from earning his bread in any honest way, simply because that man does not choose to belong to a union. Conducted on legitimate and con- servative lines organization has been AEE 2 OF SOE RYT GRE OL LLL ENE TT Fe TT EIS OED ITS IEE IE A TI EE AINSI IEC Fe ' ‘ i ‘i emaee: IE AR AT SRE EA PDS FMRC TT RT etre ear wer epee PRE SRO NRE set Se TS THO RIES gags gc ee nD aH lbh SEAN ii dats of Bin a boa eA 2m BENS RECN BO NN M4 : eae ae: MICHIGAN TRADESMAN and can be of great benefit to the working man If all labor leaders were as level headed and as sincere in the interests of those they repre- sent as is John Mitchell, the late head of the miners’ union, or if they all co-operated with their employers as thoroughly as does the Locomo- tive Brotherhood there would be lit- tle cause for adverse criticism at any time. On the other hand if a few of the great corporations who have. so ruthlessly disregarded the national and state laws in the past can be forced to deal justly with the pub- lic in general, and labor in particu- lar, there will be less ground for the complaints that are heard from the great army of wage earners. that there is one law for the rich and an- other for the poor. It is inspiring to look over this au- dience and consider that you are by your pluck and energy giving em- ployment to nearly 7o per cent. of the -factory workers in the city’s indus- tries. You gentlemen in round num- bers represent Ioo firms, and proba- bly three-fourths of you have arisen from the ranks and have at one time been wage earners in the very con- cerns you now manage or. control with credit to yourselves and our city. Personally, IT am not ashamed but am proud of the fact that for ten years I carried a dinner pail and an- swered the 7 o'clock whistle at two of our largest factories. Can it be truthfully said by critics that you men who now _ constitute the largest part of the membership of this Association have changed ideas, as to what is right, honest and just between man and man, simply because you are now employers of labor instead of employes? I claim not, that you, as individuals or as members of this body, mean to be and are fair to those to whom you give employment. The average working man is a pretty decent sort of a fellow and has manhood enough to not want a part of his wage in the form of gifts or benefits that on the surface ap- pear to be an addition to the amount which he knows is his due. What he wants is just what he has earned and is rightly entitled to according to the ability and skill he possesses in his chosen line of work. In the past the greatest source of contention between employers and organized -labor has been the level wage scale, which put a premium on incompetency and handicapped brains and ability. By this means the in- different and incompetent workman is paid more than he can _ honestly earn and the man with exceptional skill and dexterity is held down and not allowed to be paid more than the fixed scale of his particular trade. He may know in his heart that he can earn more if allowed to, butt he can not receive the increase be- cause he is under a rule. - There are many indications that these conditions will soon undergoa change, for already some of the unions are agitating a classified or graded wage scale based on ability and training. This is a hopeful sign and will do much to draw employers and employes into closer relations, re- sulting in benefits to both. While not speaking for the Asso- ciation as a whole it is my personai opinion that differences f long standing between ak and employes will eventually be satisfac- torily settled by some form of profit sharing or co-operation. Just how this will be consummated I do not attempt to predict, but there are even now many concerns throughout the United States who have some such plan in practice with satisfactory re- sults; in fact, I understand that there are a few firms in this city that have a system of profit sharing with em- ployes and who consider the system a good one. In a way we believe that whatever benefits the employe will by reflex action be beneficial to his employer and the city in which he resides. To that end we will’ mention some ideas for work that have been sug- gested in committee meetings. Not all have originated with our Execu- tive Committee, some have come to us from outside, but all are worthy of your consideration and your ad- vice is solicited in relation to same. The Saturday half holiday which is now granted by many firms could be made almost universal by united action, resulting in good to all con- cerned. If there are faults in the so-called loan shark laws, allowing offenders to escape punishment on _ technicali- ties, we can as a body become a powerful factor in having the law strengthened and _ enforced, thereby protecting the sick and unfortunate against these human leaches who fat- ten on the distress of others. Better transportation facilities for our employes to and from their homes, especially during the morn- ing and evening hours is a fit subject for your attention. Insurance, both fire and accident liabilities, is of vital importance to employes. Combined effort might result in wetting more favorable rates on both classes than is possi- ble with individual effort. Increased fire protection and extension of the fire limit may also be considered. Industrial education, particularly the broadening of the school work in manual training and the encour- agement of boys to learn trades, should be fostered by this body. What an opportunity exists for some man of wealth to found an art school especially fitted for teaching design as applied to architecture, in- terior construction, furniture and metal work. If there is present this evening a member who is acquainted with such a man of wealth, resident or non-resident, he should not let that man join the Great Majority without having used his _ influence with him to leave as a monument such an institution as we mention. Child labor, thank God, is almost unknown in our city’s industries, but we can use all the influence we pos- sess as an Association in forcing Con- gress to pass a national law that will adequately protect the young and We Light The Store 500 Candle Power at [4c Per Hour Cost Then, too, 1,500 Michigan merchants testify that the IDEAL, JR., gives a better and brighter light and that always makes a store more attractive. This invariably means increased business to the dealer. Guaranteed to be absolutely safe—never an explosion—never a fire—no smoke—no soot—occupies small space. Complete Catalogues The Home 66% Less Cost Than City Gas _ Do you realize what that means? Gas for light, heat or cooking in your own home for less than 50 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. What do you think of that? Don’t you think the IDEAL ought to be the plant for you? There isn’t a day goes by but that some critical buyer decides on the IDEAL for his use. | Light from an IDEAL is steadier, is popular. Needs no generating and is always ready for use. IDEAL LIGHT & FUEL CO. REED CITY, MICH. and Prices for the Asking W.R. Minnick, Michigan Sales Mgr. Grand Rapids Office, 363 Houseman Bldg. We Light clearer and brighter—that’s why it Ree nec Piieriaaialsibicc ~~ aks cai o 8, ~~ eee eee ee i ; Be a eee ae cela oe cece caae ee a ener DREN Re nace eat 2 f _ nseemnenanneimensnbaittiiiltetts —naaeaan erin aoe ad Svs cihareenepvicsicsienitilicaaouitsmmeccessaeiistoananianianeain MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 11 innocent, a law which is so sadly needed at present in some sections of our country. Our national emigration laws have proven ineffective as they do not pre- vent a great many of the undesirable element from Europe from flocking to this country, where they work for very low wages for a time under conditions in life that no self respect- ing American working man would consider. After accumulating a sum which seems to them a princely for- tune, many of them return to Eu- rope. During their stay here, how- ever, they have sadly demoralized conditions in the labor market. It is the duty of all employers’ associa- tions who have the welfare of our country at heart to seriously con- sider amendments to the emigration laws. There is no use denying the fact that state laws providing for the in- spection of factories ‘have accom- plished much good, bettering condi- tions, and adding to the safety of life and limb throughout the manu- facturing world. During the year 1906 the railroads of the United States managed to kill 7,090 people. This is an awful show- ing and one that we should all be ashamed of. An united effort should be put forth by such powerful forces as employers’ associations to urge the Government to control and su- pervise all common carriers to the extent that this terrible slaughter should be reduced to a minimum. It is a great relief to turn to the record of our city as recently made. The Factory Inspector reports there is a total of 21,000 wage in Grand Rapids. tory hands, clerks, office help, rail- road employes, etc. During the lasi seventeen months out of all the small earners This includes fac- army of workmen employed in our factories there was but one man kill- ed through accident. This speaks volumes for the care and attention given by your members to the safety of your employes. Before closing this report I desire to pay tribute to the exceptional ability and energy shown by your General Secretary, Mr. Francis D. Campau, and to Miss Lillian Wil- liamson, the attendant at the Labor Bureau. Mr. Campau has been untiring in his efforts to forward the work of the Association and has, by his tact and fairness in dealing with every problem presented, demonstrated that he is the right man in the right place, and I would request that in future the members of the Associa- tion become better acquainted with the work under way. Mr. Campau is ever ready to lis- ten to suggestions or complaints that have not reached the members of the Executive Committee, and _ is willing to offer legal advice to the members on matters pertaining strict- ly to relations between employers and employes. He has, by his abili- ty, won the confidence and respect of the Executive Committee, and I be- lieve I am expressing the individwal opinions of its members when I state to the industries of this city. Miss Williamson, in a modest and unassuming way, meets every appli- cant at the Labor Bureau, discharg- ing her duties in a courteous and businesslike manner. Her memory of faces is remarkable, and I would further state that the Association would lose a valuable and faithful employe if she should yield to some of the inducements that have been held out to her to go to labor bu- reaus in other cities. I trust that you will overlook our shortcomings and consider that it has been no light burden that the members of the Executive Comumit- tee have had to bear during the years that are told. We have devoted valuable time to your work, often at considerable personal sacrifice. As for myself, I am a plain man from the plain people and I trust too much will not be expected of me. Now just a word to each member: You have with few exceptions sup- ported us loyally, your complaints have been few and your serious crit- icisms still fewer. During a period of great business depression you have gone about your daily tasks. with energy and courage that have beer inspiring to all with whom you came in contact. When orders have been few and far between instead of be- ing “quitters” you have stuck to your work and with smiling strict attention to business been in- strumental in turning the tide of ad- faces and versity. Your whole attitude and ! that his work has been of great value spirit shown during these trying times have been beautifully express- ed in a few lines by some poet whose name. I regret to state, is unknown to me: Better to weave in the web of life A bright and golden filling, And do God’s will with a ready heart And hands that are swift and will- ing, Than to snap the threads Of our curious lives asunder And then blame Heaven for the tan- gled ends And sit and grieve and wonder. delicate minute 2-2-2 Ground Broken For Large Adiition. Monroe, May 26—The Monroe Binder Board Co. has broken ground for two buildings, in addition to the large plant now in operation. One building, 75x108 feet, will be an ad- dition to the finishing room and ex- tend to the south of it, while the other, 24x50, will connect the drying room. Like the other buildings of the plant, this will be of concrete block, one story high and well light- ed. These will make a floor space of nearly 50,000 square feet cover when completed. ————.—.—> Saginaw Merchants After Trade. Saginaw, May 26—A large party of prominent Saginaw merchants and manufacturers left Sunday evening Flora for a trade campaign of bay and lake ports be- tween here and Detroit. The Flora left twelve hours ahead of schedule under on the steamer to give the junketers more time for their work. They will return home by rail via Port Huron. ne LIKE A QUICK SELLER? THEN STOCK You run no risk of loss. Post 7 Formerly called \ \ Elijah’s Manna J Toasties Toastigs sold until they reach the consumer. We guarantee the sale of Retailer's stock, for we do not consider Post THIS GUARANTEE, coupled with ‘‘merit,” good profit and continuous advertising to create demand, makes a quartet of excellent reasons for pushing Post Toasties. Post Toasties food is made from pearly white corn, cooked, rolled into thin flakes and toasted a golden brown. Its delicious, crisp, toasty flavour tempts the appetite morning, noon and night. Supplied by All Jobbers “The Taste Lingers’”’ Made by Postum Cereal Company, Limited, Battle Creek, Mich. sisi eucemmaimemeneanemepamaneiatees NNT a IIE PITS RIESE WIE IEE AO | i 4 | i i 3 cece emueRpeN ts cet er oe i i i i i i i | i t t i E One Ee perma acpmears creamer: rE Ba SR RE TE MEET TI ITSP pi heer eae as ee is Ro 12 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN NOT SO BAD. Business Conditions in the Different Parts of Michigan. For the purpose of definitely as- certaining actual business conditions in Michigan, the Tradesman recent- ly sent a list of questions to fifty leading merclrants, and already over forty replies have been received. The merchants were asked to compare their volume of business during the first four months of 1908 with the corresponding period of a year. ago; also compare the present. size of their stock that carried three or four years ago. wath The latter question was asked for the purpose of determining, if pos- sible, whether or not retailers were carrying heavier stocks than usual. Out of the forty replies there are but two or three instances where stocks are a trifle heavy, while the remainder of the stocks are perfect- ly normal. A few say their stocks are lighter than ordinarily, but in no case is there any report of stocks larger than the actual requirements of the trade. Two-thirds of the plying have done merchants re- about as much business thus far this year as they did during the corresponding period a year ago and a few show increases of from § to 10 per cent. The best reports come from agricultural com- munities, although reports from mer- chants located in manufacturing towns are good excepting in places where factories are running lighter than usual. From these points a few merchants write that business is from 5 to 10 per cent. be- low the first four months of a year ago and one or two extreme cases show a falling off in business of 20 per cent. also Every one of those writing ex- presses enthusiasm over the _ pros- pects for fall business. Some of the replies are printed herewith, as follows: Lubben & Rankans, Coopersville. Business for the month of April was ahead of any month since we have been in here, during the last three years, and we have done over $800 more cash business since January 1 than during a corresponding period last year. Our stock is about as large as at that time. From present indications we believe that business will be fairly good in the future. Cat- alogue house competition interferes with us very little. Geo. M. Brooks, Stanton: Our sales during April this year were $1,000 larger than in April, 1907, and $2,500 more from January 1 until now than during the same time in 1907. I have about $1,000 more stock than a year ago and look for a good summer trade. I find that catalogue house competition en- croaches on our sales. I am_ only combatting in a general way. J. W. Milliken, Traverse City: Did not do as much business during Feb- ruary and March this year as during those months the year before, but April has been a much better month. I look for good business this year unless there is a crop failure. I feel no inconvenience from the competi- tion of catalogue houses. Godfrey Gundrum, Leroy: From January 1 until the present time my sales are 20 per cent. less than dur- ing the same period last year. My stock is also about 20 per cent. light- er than a year ago. I believe busi- ness will be dull during the summer. Catalogue house and premium soap club competition is making inroads on my trade. I am doing nothing to combat it because I think people will stop sending orders to these houses when the novelty has worn off, as it is sure to do. Kuyers & Mast, Stanwood: Since January I our business has dropped off about $400 from the amount we did during the same months of last year. Our stock is about as heavy as last year and I hope to have about the same amount of sales this year as last. Both catalogue houses and premium soap clubs depreciate our sales. We do not know what to do to fight this competition. Chas. F. Sears, Rockford: Busi- ness so far this year is not quite as good as during the same season in 1907, but we look for a better trade. Our stock is about as heavy as it was last May. Considerable cata- logue house merchandise comes here and the soap clubs are quite active. We are doing nothing special to ward off this competition. F. H. Smith, Fremont: My _ bust- ness is falling off each month and my stock is pretty heavy, as a large amount of my winter goods is left on my hands. I think my stock is about 20 per cent. heavier than a few years ago, but I look for pretty good trade in the future if the heavy rains do not injure the fruit crops. I am somewhat troubled with cata- logue house and premium soap club competition, but try to sell better merchandise for the same money. Abram W. Stein, Elmira: Busi- ness so far in 1908 has been fully 10 per cent. better than during the early part of last year and my stock is not within 10 per cent. as large. As the standard of wages is lowered, my trade is not quite as heavy as last year, but by extra effort I am. selling as much or more than ever. I sell for cash and pay all bills week- ly. Catalogue house and premium soap club competition are interfering considerably with my trade, but I think I have made some of my cus- tomers very sick and disgusted with them. I am willing to help down this competition. G. F. Cook, Grove: My stock is lighter than a year ago and my trade is better so far this year than last. Prospects for business are better than a year ago. I have very little outside competition, but I take some will be noticed and go the catalogue man a little better. So far it has had the desired effect. P. Medalie, Mancelona:—-Trade so far this year as compared with the same period last year has been very good and my stock is about as large as last year. I think it has been about the same the last three years. Indications for future business are good providing the potato crop turns out well. I am not troubled badly with catalogue house competition or premium soap clubs. I attribute my good business to the fact that my heaviest competitor is burned out aud will not resume business until next fall. Cole Bros., Kalkaska: We see no material change in business since January 1 of this year, and trade is running about the same as a year ago. Our stock is not as large as at that time, and we are reducing it wherever we can consistently. In- dications are not as good for future business owing to the decline in lumber products and our factories failing to put in as large a supply of logs as usual and the likelihood of be’ng obliged to shut down for six weeks or two months during late summer or early fall. In regard to catalogue houses, we make it known generally that we will gladly com- pete with their prices plus the freight from the city here. Occa- sionally a party brings their cata- logue in and we sell them a bill of goods from the catalogue and they are so much better pleased with the goods than they are where they have to send their money in with the or- der and take what they receive that the next time they want goods they leave their catalogue at home and take our word for prices and quality of goods. We pay very little atten- tion to the soap club question. It 1s rather a hard proposition to get around. If any one has this question solved would be glad to hear from him. J. A. Phillips, Grant: April shows a large increase in our business; in fact each month since January 1 has been better than the month preced- ing. My stock is about 20 per cent. larger than a year ago. Farmers about here all have money and are spending freely, so that indications are for good future business. Soap clubs are strong, but Chicago cata- logue houses are losing ground. [| am combatting this competition in a quiet way. Louis Caplan, Baldwin: My Aprit trade was less this year than last, but from January 1 business was a little ahead of the same period in 1908. My stock is larger than last year and is about double what it was a few years ago. Indications for fu- ture business seem to me to be good. Catalogue house and premium soap club competition has been pret- ty strong, but has been checked to a great extent, although it still exists. popular and well known things that ,1 do a great deal of advertising and try to convince the people that they get the best bargains at home and am satisfied with the result. A. B. Casé Co, Honor: Trade with us is all right, and so far this year, is as good as last. Our stock is nearly as large as at this time in 1907. Indications for future business are good. We are troubled’ with soap club and mail order house com- petition, but we use our customers courteously and sell as reasonably as possible, thus trying to these competitors. overcome W. K. Pringle, Muir: Mail orde: houses and soap-clubs cut in on our trade, but we are doing nothing to resist this competition. With dry weather we hope to have a good business from the rich farming coun- try tributary to Muir. Our stock is about as large as at this time last year and the months of January, Iebruary, March and April show a gain of about 5 per cent. over the same months of 1907. Glarum & Classens, South Frank- fort: We are buying stock in smali lots and often. Farm and fruit pros- pects are good, but the outlook is not so good. Soap clubs have been worked quite hard, but are dying a natural death, as people are getting tired of paying 35c for coffee which they say is no better than a 15c¢ or 18c coffee. Our stock is about as heavy as at this time last year considering the fact that we have our spring and summer goods bought ahead. We have had about 10 per cent. increase in our business so far this year over that period of last year. lumbering Otis Miner, Lake Odessa: I am troubled more or less with mail or- der house competition and soap clubs, but do all I can to hold my customers by advertising and accord- ing them fair treatment. I think in dications point to a good average business. My stock is about as large as at this time last year and trade since the first of the year is 10 per cent. heavier than during the first part of 1907. H. A. Potter, Ovid: I am not bothered with competition from cat- alogue houses. or premium soap clubs. Indications for future busi- ness are good and my stock is not as large as in May last year. Our sales so far this year are not quite up to what they were last year at this time on account of the bad weather. Thomas A. Carten, Ionia: I am somewhat inconvenienced by cata- logue house and premium soap club competition, but undertake to match and undersell them in every instance where I come in contact with it, and 1 advertise the fact that I do so. I think too many merchants are asleep at the switch on this thing. My sales so far this year show an in- crease of about Io per cent. over the Same months of last year. My stock Pa Se we oe ee ee ere en ee eer ae rece eres ses lead “slic “nti raat. ln rcipasonan ia ocia9 abit hatte i gs MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 13 | | _ Come to Grand Rapids Merchants’ Week June 10, 11, 12 HE Wholesale Dealers’ Association of the Grand Rapids Board of Trade cordially invite every merchant doing business in Michigan-and Northern Indiana outside of the city of Grand Rapids to a free entertainment, theatre party and banquet, to be held on the afternoon and evening of June 12. During ‘‘Merchants’ Week” on June 10, 11 and 12 every wholesale house in Grand Rapids will offer extra inducements to merchants to make their purchases here, and a grand free entertainment has been arranged to take place at Reed’s Lake during the afternoon and evening of June 12. On your arrival in the city you will be furnished with tickets entitling you to free transportation on the street cars to and from Reed’s Lake on Friday afternoon, June 12, and to all the entertainment features there, including Ramona Theatre at 3 o'clock, Toboggan or Figure Eight, Palace of Mirth, Ye Olde Mill, Circle Swing, Trip on World’s Fair Electric Launches, Steamboat Ride, Miniature Railway, Roller Skating Rink, Panama Canal, etc., ending with an elaborate Banquet for 2,000 People at the Reed’s Lake Auditorium at six o'clock in the evening, preceded by a thrilling Balloon Race. An Automobile Ride will be given about the city on Thursday, starting from the Board of Trade rooms on Pearl street at two o'clock. Eminent after dinner speakers will give addresses at the banquet and we can promise you one of the best affairs of the kind you ever attended. It is absolutely necessary that the committee know at the earliest possible moment how many are coming to the banquet, and tickets for that event will be furnished only to those who apply by mail signifying their intention to attend that particular function. Please bear in mind that no banquet tickets will be issued after the sixth day of June, and if you do not get your request for a ticket in before that time it will be too late, as after that date the caterer will not permit us to change the number of plates ordered. All other tickets will be issued to you on your arrival in this city, and you do not need to ask for them in advance, but if you wish to attend the banquet you must apply for your ticket before June 6. Don’t forget or overlook this. We want to treat everybody right and so we ask your help. Make up your mind about the banquet just as soon as you can and write to H. D. C. Van Asmus, Secretary of the Board of Trade, if you want a ticket. | Merchants’ Week Committee of the Wholesale Dealers’ Association of the Grand Rapids Board of Trade HEBER A. KNOTT, L. M. HUTCHINS W. K. PLUMB JOHN SNITSELER Chairman SAMUEL KRAUSE R. J. PRENDERGAST D.C. STEKETEE H. C. ANGELL F. E. LEONARD GUY W. ROUSE F. E. WALTHER F. L. BLAKE WM. LOGIE J. J. RUTKA FRANK WELTON M. B. HALL A. B. MERRITT JOHN SEHLER 14 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN is about the same as at that time. Geo. E. Seaman, Bailey: My busi- ness so far this year has been abou 20 per cent. better than during same period last year. My stock is larger now than at that time. Indications for future business are favorable. I am doing nothing to ward off cata- logue house or premium soap club competition, although it inconven- iences me to some extent. W. W. Pearson, Newaygo: Indi- cations for future business are good, although trade from January 1 until now is about, 20 per cent. less than during the corresponding period of last year, owing to the fact of the cement plant being shut down four months. I am troubled somewhat with competition from mail order houses and premium soap clubs, but am not trying to fight them in any way. Jas. Bristol, Ada: Indications are that business will run about as it has in the past. My stock is about as large aS a year ago and my cash sales for the month of April were only $7 less than during the same month last year. I feel very little competition from catalogue houses or premium soap clubs. Chas. P. Lillie, Coopersville: 1 have done a little over $1,000 more business during. the first four months of this year than during the same time last year and I think my stock is about the same. My trade de- pends largely on the crops. I think trade will be about the same as it is during most political years. My cus- tomers say nothing regarding cata- logue houses or premium soap clubs, and I do not know whether their competition hurts my business. or not. Wilcox & Godding, Eaton Rapids: Our stock is about as heavy as it was a year ago and business since January 1 has been about 25 per cent. lighter than for the same period in 1907. We are unable to account for the present decrease in business, as this is a farming country and farmers are making money. iWe are bothered by both catalogue house competition and premium soap clubs. To overcome this, we use mailing list and quote lower prices than the soap houses, but we do not give prizes. E. R. Collar, Lowell: I am doing nothing in particular to combat mail order house or premium soap club competition, although I am consid- erably bothered with same. I do not consider indications for future business very good. My stock is not as large as it was a year ago. There has been little difference be- tween so far this year and last, al- though the month of March was better this year than last. F. W. Hubbard & Co., Hartford: Our stock of merchandise is not so large now as it was a year ago and business has been about the same Same time last year. Crops gener- ally will be good, but the peaches are gone, which were a big item with our customers. Mail order house and premium soap club com- petition is felt by us and the only way we are endeavoring to over- come same is by advertising good reliable goods at fair margins. LaDu & Baldwin, Coral: Ow trade for the first four months oi this year amounted to within $110 less than it did for the correspond- ing period of last year; however, business has fallen off considerably during May, due, we believe to the heavy rain which has put the farm- ers back with their work. Cata- logue houses cut into our trade on cream separators to some_ extent, but otherwise do not affect us much. We endeavor to ‘show people that they pay just as much in nearly all cases for what they buy through such finms in friendly talks at times when they are not prospective buy- ers for any particular article and we believe we have done more to cause our trade to patronize home deal- ers than we could have done by any other method. The R. G. Peters Salt & Lumber Co., Eastlake: Business so far this year is ahead of what it was up to this time last year. Our stock is about as large as a year ago. Al- though it is some heavier than a few years ago we-are doing a greater volume of business. Mail order house or premium soap club competition troubles us very little. Barnhard Mercantile Co., White Cloud: Business so far this year has been equal to last year up to March 1, but from that time on has run about I5 per cent. less. We have bought very light on all cot- ton goods, so our stock is much lighter than last year. We think the outlook for business is good. If farm products command fair prices trade will be good. We are bothered con- siderably with catalogue house com- petition and premium soap clubs. This is a hard question to handle, al- though we talk the matter over with our customers and try to show them the many reasons for buying at home. Wright Bros., Hastings: Our busi- ness has run behind about $100 per week since last year as compared with the same _ space of time in 1907. Our stock is larger and bet- ter assorted than a year ago and is about Io per cent. larger than it was a few years ago. Our chances for fall trade are good providing the farmers have a good harvest, which looks very promising at present. We feel that peddlers and mail order houses interfere considerably with our trade and we are now forming a business men’s league here and are going to have our city attorney draft some new ordinances. and will try our best to stop. peddlers, soap clubs, etc. so far this year as it was during C. L. Kimball & Son, Crystal: Our Sixty-Six Years of Superiority KINGSFORDS’ OSWEGO stir STARCH Acknowledged by the best cooks everywhere to be indispensable in the making of fine desserts, deli- cious sauces, soups, gravies, filling—dainty cooking of all kinds. T. KINGSFORD & SON, Oswego, N. Y. NATIONAL STARCH CO., Successors sales for the month of April were Do You Know That we grind a superior grade of Fruit Powdered Sugar Peerless XX XX Sugar Peerless Standard or Fine Frosting Sugar Judson Grocer Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. RO Deer Or Tene eee ene rete Se ee eerie eee A a errirea ott 7 etme er oe are en enter reas capa URE TREE ce eoemeenantae eet aaemmntnnadiaaaaaatainenendt aad oe eon ; = aes : ae ; ‘ cree eer rr eer ee teal ee soa ppaadenLaternsaa a 8 Pepen Pear ree gases ere Se eee aes eaten ere a renee a re a a era Teac eee a en ate rat ee nee cnees recat haa oT aera ee ae ene a $175 less than in April of 1907, while from January I until May 25 our sales have fallen short by $269 from our sales for the same period of 1907. In the spring of 1907 we had a fair stock of men’s and_ boys’ clothing, which we have closed al- most entirely out and have had very little clothing trade this spring. Our assortment is not any larger than a few years ago, having cut out cloth- ing, making it that much smaller. If crops turn out well we think trade will be on the basis of last year. We are troubled to quite a large ex- tent by catalogue houses, but think the soap clubs are not as numerous as last year. We are doing all we can in the way of meeting their prices, but in many instances we do not get the opportunity to com- pete. L. C. Madison, East Jordan: I think I did more business for the month of April than I did a year ago and from January I until now it has been about the same as last year during the corresponding period. My stock is about as large as it was a year ago and I think it is about 25 per cent. larger than it was a few years ago. Prospects for future busi- ness are quite flattering, although most of the manufacturers are run- ning with less help and_ shorter hours. I am troubled with consid- erable competition from both mail order concerns and premium soap clubs. I am doing nothing to ward off this competition. What can a person do? I agree to sell as cheap as any catalogue house, freight add- ed, to my patrons. I think the more you say about them the more you advertise their business. A. M. Kobe, Hart: The volume of my business January 1 of this year to the present time is about the same as during the same period of 1907. My stock is larger than at that time, but indications for future business are good. I am troubled to some ex- tent with catalogue house competi- tion and soap clubs and am selling ten bars of good soap for 25 cents. Mrs. J. C. Neuman, Dorr: I have had only about half the amount of trade at my store this year com- pared with the same period last year. My stock is mot as large as at that time. I try to please my customers, but that is the only effort I have made to combat mail order house or premium soap club com- petition, although Sears, Roebuck & Co. receive some orders from here. However, many of those who order merchandise in this way are disap- pointed in their purchases and have discontinued sending for more goods. Indications for future business are doubtful on account of the great amount of rain. -———-—»>o.oe The latest about bats is that they migrate like birds. This has been definitely proved by observations in Washington, where large numbers of them were seen flying in broad daylight at great elevation. They migrate regularly in the autumn and in the spring. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 15 Magic Mirror of London Inventor. Lift up your eyes and enjoy a peep into London or Peking. That is what you can do with the lynno- scope, as claimed by John Wellesley Lynn, the inventor. These are the achievements he records for the mar- velous mo!d of his brain. It al- lows people in London to see any one in America instantly. It reflects any written message at once to the most distant places. It enables any person to see right through any hu- man being or solid substances as if they were not there. The lynno- scope consists of three distinct in- struments. They are used in reflect- ing images like a mirror, and are not connected by wires or worked by electricity. These instruments are the operator, the transmitter, the receiver. The operator is like a large square box with a hole at each end mounted on the end of a tele- graph pole, while the transmitter is a similar box. It contains, however, a telescopic arrangement which focuses the image from the opera- tor. At the other end where the im- age is to be reflected is another box- like arrangement. At one end it has a large brass funnel like a phonio- graph; and at the other a screen, on which the image is reflected as in 2 looking glass. All that is necessary in studying reflections any distance over land is to fix a transmitter on the highest available point, hilltop or a tower. and the image is correctly reflected in the receiver. It will be possible, declares Mr. Lynn, to pre- sent an actual reflection of the Der- by being run to an audience at a matinee at any London theater. By this he means not a living cinemato- graph picture, but an actual reflec- tion of the event. He has secured perfect reflections at a distance of 186 miles and he ‘has. photographed scenes eighty miles away. He ex- perimented at Buckingham palace and made a niece of a famous Eng- lish artist apparently invisible. A curious accident helped him to the solution of a scheme he had worked on for nine years. As he experi- mented in his laboratory with ‘his apparatus he found that he was look- ing through carpet and floor to a transmitter in the cellar. He thought there was a hole in the floor, but there was instead a magic in the machine. Mr. Lynn has been award- ed a diploma for optical discoveries and is ready to show what he can do before any committee of scientific experts. —_—————_?-—-— The Standard Oil investigation has brought out the fact that the first bottle of vaseline was made in Ohio. The discoverer was Dr. Charles L. Morehouse, of an old Ohio family. Vaseline is a sort of by-product of petroleum. Nearly half a century ago Dr. Morehouse was in the oil business in Ohio. This was at the time John D. Rockefeller was get- ting his beginning. It was in the six- ties that Dr. Morehouse, while carry- ing on some other experiments, dis- covered vaseline, and a bottle of it was exhibited at one of the Ohio State fairs, where it was awarded a medal. Dollars in store for the grocer that pushes Holland Rusk (Prize Toast of the World) The public wants it and all the grocer has to do is to sell it—taking a good substantial profit. Large Package Retails 10 Cents. Holland Rusk Co., Holland, Mich. FIREWORKS This being presidential year we look for a big demand for fireworks and other Fourth of July Goods We carry everything in this line and are pre- pared to make prompt shipments. Catalogue mailed for the asking. Our ‘Leader’ Fireworks Assortment Is a Winner. - ~- Price $8.50 PUTNAM FACTORY _ Grand Rapids, Mich. The Silent Partner In most concerns the silent partner takes no active part in the conduct of the business, simply allows his money to be used and at the end of the year takes part of the profits. The McCASKEY ACCOUNT REGISTER SYSTEM is the BEST | SILENT PARTNER any merchant can get. It’s a WONDER | WORKER. : It takes care of the accounts. | It compels your clerks to be CAREFUL and ACCURATE. It stops all forgetting to charge goods. It eliminates disputes. It pleases your customers. It draws NEW TRADE to your store. It brings in the CASH faster than any two-legged collector. It gives you complete information about your business. It gives you complete proof of loss in case of fire. It is always ready for work, is never late. It is never cross or tired. It don’t draw any salary or take any share of the profits. | Mr. Merchant, don’t you want to get rid of some of the hard work you | have been doing? Ifso, GET A McCASKEY. Drop us a postal for information—it’s FREE THE McCASKEY REGISTER CO. 27 Rush St., Alliance, Ohio | Mfrs. of the Famous Multiplex Duplicate and Triplicate Pads; also the different styles of Single Carbon Pads. Agencies in all Principal Cities. 16 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN A WOMAN’S WAY. Why She Likes To Come To Grand Rapids. Written for the Tradesman. I live in a rather small city within hity miles of Grand Rapids, and real- ly do more trading in the latter place than in my home town. Vil tell you how it is: I buy all my staple supplies where I live. I divide up the cost of these among three or four of our best stores. In the spring and fall of every year I lay in between $25 and $50 worth of necessaries for the house, in the way of linen for the table, for the kitchen, for the bathroom, besides sheets and pillow cases and an occasional bed- spread, dresser scarf or pair or twe of muslin curtains to freshen up the sleeping surroundings. I can generally suit my require- ments very nicely on any of these goods at our own stores. But when I want something extra fine along any of these lines I don’t depend on our home establishments, but hie me to Grand Rapids, where the person is, in truth, hard to suit if she can not please herself with the lovely things to be found in the Valley City stores. Sometimes our own tradesmen de- mur quite strenuously when they hear of something fine that I have picked up in Grand Rapids, saying that they could have ordered for me anything I wanted; but there is a great satisfaction to any woman, if she has some money to spend on what appeals to her taste, be it wear- ing apparel or objects of household decoration—I say, there is a deal of enjoyment to every such woman to “shop around” and find for herself just what she likes best. When I go up to Grand Rapids T always carry along my list, that I may have been six or eight weeks in making out. Items are never care- lessly jotted down thereon. Al- though my husband is what might be called “well fixed,” I am _ not what would be considered extrava- gant for one in my position; however, I like pretty things as well as the next one, and I always buy first-class quality in everything. I don’t get the most costly, but I am not the per- son to put up with shabby or shoddy material of any description. The way I do with my Grand Rapids shopping, I watch the daily paper from there—my husband thinks he could not get along without it— and when I see that special bargains are to take place, I make a mental note of their dates, and then plan my trips accordingly. Perhaps the so-called bargains are wonderful ones, perhaps not; at any rate a bargain sale has this advan- tage: there is always a greater va- riety of goods spread out for pa- trons’ selection and consequently you don’t have to bother the clerks to display a lot of merchandise for your especial benefit. In suits, coats, shirt waists, etc., I am always able to secure a nice bargain at the end-of-the-season Grand Rapids sales. I get. much bet- ter quality then for my money than I do at the beginning of a season; and as I am a “medium sized” wom- an I am not difficult to fit. When I come home with my new _ togs my friends always seem to think I am very lucky in my findings. And that is so. Sometimes a lady friend goes up to Grand Rapids with me, and then the time passes all too quickly for both of us. We go around to all the stores, lunch together at the Pant- lind and likely as not are given a spin around the residence portion of the city by some friends who own automobiles, or through that delight- ful young forest known as the Gar- field Maze. This Maze is owned by Mr. Charles W. Garfield, one of Grand Rapids’ most philanthropic citizen-bankers Not content with the donation to that city of the splendid Playgrounds, he has given up to forestry, of which he is the most ardent lover, ° the planting of ten acres to many varie- ties of Michigan trees to see which are best adapted to this particular climate. The wildbirds are glad he included in that planting the mul- berry trees, for whose fruit they have a remarkable affinity. And _ this charming Maze is open to the entire public. Mr. Garfield is so generous, so unselfish, that when people pro- fusely thank him for the great en- joyment he has conferred on them he emphatically insists that “the pleasure is all his.” Truly a benefac- tor to his generation is this Mr. Gar- field. Also our auto friends give us quite often the treat of a drive through John Ball Park, and those are, in- deed, Red Letter Days with us. In addition there is the Museum, where one may spend a profitable hour or so; and the frequent exhib- its of famous paintings at the Ryer- son Public Library just north of Ful- ton Street Park give the visitor something to think of for many and many a day. We can hear at Grand Rapids such noted lecturers as Professor Charles L. Zueblin, of Boston, several of whose recent stereoscopic talks on Civic Beauty I was fortunate enough to be able to hear. Then there are matinees and other entertainments the like of which we do not ever have in my home town. If one stays over Sunday there are dozens of churches of countless de- nominations,’ where one may hear expounded any kind of religion that most appeals to him. If one likes best to be fed on The New Thought, which comfortable doctrine is very attractive to some sinners just at present, one may get all! one wants at some of the popular churches. Tf a person “feels under convic- tion” he may go down to Mel Trot- ter’s Mission on Market street, a block from Monroe, and “get reliz- ion” in the “good old-fashioned way.” If he have religion already, or the “old-time religion’ isn’t “good enough” for him, he at least will be interested in seeing Mr. ' Trotter sway a vast audience—composed of nearly every stratum of the city’s life—-by his wonderful personal mag- netism. At the Mission drunkards are helped on their feet again and again—no matter how many _ times they stumble. Here others deep in sin have a hand extended when everybody else’s is turned against them and are assisted to obtain hon- est employment. At the Mission— which nearly every one in Michigan has heard of as having been res- cued from the Devil’s clutches when it was the old Smith’s Opera House—many a man “gives _ testi- mony” that he used to find his chief pleasure in attending variety per- formances in that very house, where- as now he is “trying his level best” to have all his old associates come there and gain the “peace to the soul” that is sung about again and again by the congregation. Society women go home from the .Mission with less frivolity in their hearts and the de- sire and determination to live not wholly totheir own amusement. More than one business man, by Mr. Trot- ter’s burning words, has “got a_ vi- sion” of something besides mere pil- ing up of gold; that he owes more to his family than a grouchy footing of unwelcome bills and continual ab- sence from home: and these men are now fulfilling an entirely different “mission” for themselves than the one that formerly enthralled them. And the way they sing at the Mis- sion! Well, ’tis said on very good authority that the roof has to be spiked down regularly on Monday mornings—attributable to the well- known fact that “Mel will make ’em sing, whether they can or not!” Aud they sing—’twould do your soul good to hear the Missionites. Every time I go there I get inspiration for good that helps me all the time in my daily home life. Whenever I come up to Grand Rapids I manage to go and get a fresh supply of re- ligious enthusiasm. Now I think I have given a num- ber of “good and sufficient reasons” why it is both pleasant and profitable occasionally to visit the Furniture City of the World. I. Taulksom. — OO Finance and the Markets. Nothing about a _ metropolitan newspaper shows more plainly a high degree of organization than an accurate and comprehensive report of the world’s markets. As might be expected, The Chicago Record-Her- ald covers this field in the same sat- isfactory manner that is characteris- tic of the paper’s entire news serv- ice. It tells its readers every day what consols are worth in London, what money and stocks are worth in New York, what wheat and the other grains are worth in Chicago, Kan- sas City, Minneapolis and the other markets and presents in addition ac- curate information on the events and conditions that determine these values. The Record-Herald is the only morning paper in Chicago having its own special correspondent to cover the New York stock market. George S. Beachel’s letters report the daily movements of the New York stock and money markets in a way that shows the writer’s close association with the men who rule in those af- fairs in Wall street. Equal atten- tion is devoted to the Chicago stock and financial markets and to the daily movements of prices on the Board of Trade. The “Speculative Gossip” and the notes that record Wall street and LaSalle street happenings con- tain many a line that shows a bit of the real “inside” history of the va- rious markets. The Record-Herald makes it a point to cover in full the financial reports of companies and corporations and devotes particular attention to banking interests in Chi- cago and the West. +22 Good Report From the Sawdust City. Muskegon, May 26—That the in- dustrial situation in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights industries is be- coming better each day was gained from the bright prospects sent out from concerns the last week. The J. T. Simonson Co., handlers of iron, machinery and mill supplies, reports the trade increasing. The concern is just now installing a 250- horse power engine in the works of the new Badger Woodenware Co., at Boyne City, Mich. The Browne-Morse’ Co., manufac- turer of cabinets and sectional book- cases, last week closed a contract for $30,000 worth of goods to be made up for one concern. The order will keep the institution in operation for some time and more are expect- ed to follow. The Alaska Refrigerator Co. is busy making up and_ shipping the huge ice boxes that are now known the world over. The Rogers Iron & Boiler Co. will hereafter operate the plant with Muskegon river power from the Grand Rapids-Muskegon Power Co. and a 45-horse power dynamo is be- ing installed. Many other manufac- turing institutions report business in good condition with excellent pros- pects for the future. ——~»+.___ Kalamazoo Sore on the G. R. & I. Kalamazoo, May 26—The Kala- mazoo Commercial Club proposes to take up the cause of the Grand Trunk & ‘Western Railroad in its ef- fort to secure an entrance into this city. For more than a year the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad has opposed the coming of the Grand Trunk into this city. The latte: railroad purchased the City Inn property, a large tract of land in the center of the city and close to the Grand Rapids & Indiana tracks. The G. R. & I. company, learning of it, blocked entrance by building more than half a hundred switches on land over which it would be necessary for the Grand Trunk to build. Busi- ness men are much wrought up over the attitude of the G. R. & I. offi- cials. A committee of fifty business men has been named to call on the G. R. & I. officials and protest vigor- ously against the high-handed tac- tics of the road and its attorneys. A She Had. “IT have never loved before,” he said. “Well,” she replied, “I am not running a kindergarten.” . ei FE nai ist meena aaianttseresibeeiainaiccamnaseciaiccl ‘aomajoein Se MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 17 eee Ae eee ee ene oes Manufactured | “Ina ) | Und Class by : Sanit | Itself” sents Conditions Made in Five Sizes G. J. Johnson Cigar Co. Makers Grand Rapids, Mich. | } 18 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN CLOTHING CONDITIONS. Business Not So Bad as Complaints Would Indicate. Following close upon the financial readjustment, already evidenced in easier money and the more normal condition of some kinds of securi- ties, business ts slowly seeking its proper level. Depression is being swept away by real liquidation and real buying. And, while the spirit of economy and conservatism yet re- mains in the shadow of the turmoii, most people seem to feel that the tempest has passed, although realiz- ing that they must go slowly, les- sening their purchases of goods and, while sailing along .close-hauled, like the careful sailor who would sooner lose a little time than risk carrying too much sail while the skies are still unsettled, are confining themselves more strictly to the business in hand, selling what they have, and getting out of debt in real earnest. The clothing business has for some time been in process of liquidation, which, if wisely carried out, will result in readjustment that should correct the errors of the past. The Value of a Good Name. Out of it all there is no doubt that one of the most important results of the experiences had is the way that retail clothing merchants have come to regard standard manufacturing organizations, and the live, new school element in the clothing indus- try. To-day the clothing manufac- turer is being considered from a new standpoint. Manufacturers and re- tailers have been brought to a reali- zation as never before of the value of a name that stands for honest dealing and straightforward meth- ods. As one important merchant factor expresses it tersely, “To-day it is knowing when buying just what you are going to get.” Fall orders with the aggressive standard manufacturing concerns are running close to last year’s, break- ing even or showing slight gains. And the small live houses are break- ing even and also making some gains, while the less aggressive ex- press dissatisfaction with the busi- ness and complain that conditions are the cause of their falling be- hind. Business Not as Bad as Complaints. According to the statements. of travelers, which are based on in- formation obtained through their close intimacy with the merchants they sell, the falling off in retail business has not been as bad as the complaints. They claim not to have found -matters as bad as the talk, nor as bad as they themselves expected to find them. Getting right down to figures. with merchants in their offices, and going over their books together, salesmen state that they found that the complaints of very bad business were unwarranted by the actual amount of business done. Many cases have been cited to us in substantiation thereof, but one that will serve as an example of the real state of business affairs is this, and it is a good average of the con- ditions encountered by salesmen: The clothing merchant does a busi- ness of $100,000 a year, and is located in an industrial town where for sixty days during the period for which the figures were quoted the coal miners were on strike, and the general loca! conditions were bad for business. Yet between February 1 and May 1 the business of this clothier showed a falling off of only 8 per cent. from the amount done between the same dates in 1907. Gains Through New Accounts. Fall gains and good showings as compared with last year's figures have been made largely through the taking on of new accounts, and sales- men report that they do not recall a season before when there has been so much switching around by mer- chants to standard new line houses. The very fact that retailers are not overbuying, and that wholesalers are getting some_ increased business through new accounts, is healthy. In fact, many of the live manufactur- ing organizations have admonished salesmen against urging customers to buy as liberally as before, com- mending underbuying as the retail- er’s best policy. The new conditions which the clothing interests are fac- ing, and the radical changes in styles, are said to warrant the course taken by buyers. There is no doubt that the majori- ty of dealers are buying short of their needs in the belief that addi- tional stocks can be picked up in the markets later. It is because supple- mentary requirements are likely to be larger than usual that wholesal- ers look forward to an_ increased house trade this summer. Not Buying Cheap Goods. There is, perhaps, not a manufac- turing concern that did not come out for fall with more higher-priced ranges of clothing than were shown in the lines before, and this is in particular true of many of the organ- izations specializing on popular grades, and more business has been done on the higher-priced lines. It seems, according to the reports ob- tained from different manufacturing concerns, that retailers have appar- ently carried over more of the cheap and popular-priced stocks than of the better grades, and consequently are buying more of the latter and cur- tailing on the cheaper sorts. ° The statements of salesmen are to the effect that they found many re- tailers in different sections of the country, who do a large business and cater to a variety of trade, selling clothing at from $10 to $35, who have bought for fall little or nothing to sell below $20, and, having the cheaper goods on hand in fair quan- tities purpose bunching it -with the “stickers” of better grade for a clean- up sale at the opening of the next season, so as to get out from under this stock as rapidly as possible and then replenish from wholesalers’ stocks as needed. The Clothier as an Educator. According to the consensus of salesmen’s reports regarding the great trade outside of the big cities, they have learned from retailers that the $10 clothes wearer has been edu- cated to understand that a $10 suit represents false economy, and that by the outlay of a little more money this man becomes better. dressed, gets longer service out of his clothes and is a better satisfied customer. The retail clothier is the most im- portant factor in the educating of the public to the intrinsic merits of ready-for-service clothing. And, as every season there are more and more men being won over from the custom tailor, and there yet remain more to be gained, it behooves every clothier to conduct a campaign of education with that end in view. There is room for great improve- ment in the advertising that is done by many retail clothiers, and while there has been a noticeable and very commendable improvement in the publicity done by certain ones who were very much in need of it, we would like to see the good work continued and know that it is spread- ing all over the country, for, ac- cording to the reports we receive of the good results accruing from better advertising, every merchant will find it pays to put out the best clothing advertisements he can possibly gei this year. Get after the custom- tailored men especially. Optimistic Over Improving Condi- tions. There is a distinctly more optimis- tic feeling among Rochester manu- facturers of fine clothing. In spite of rather slow selling early in the season many houses say they are up to 75 per cent. of their last year sales at this date, and they report that conditions are improving every day. This improvement is, how- “Always Our Aim” To make the best work gar- ments on the market. To make them at a price that insures the dealer a good profit, and To make them in such a way that the man who has once worn our garments will not wear ‘‘something just as good,” but will insist upon having The Ideal Bran¢ Write us for samples. THE HING GRAND RAPIOS, MICH When you open your store in the morn- ing do you doso with every account posted to the dot, ready for instant settlement, regardless of whether it is pay day or any other day? When you close your store at night do you absolutely know that all goods sold during the day were sold at the proper prices ? When you open your store in the morn- ing are youso equipped that you will be notitied of every transaction that will take place in your store that day? When you close your store at night do you absolutely know that there have not been any credits extended to custom- ers who were not worthy of same? When you open your store in the morn- ing have you a system that will enable you to prevent forgotten charges? When you close your store at night do you absolutely know that the clerks did not make any errors in the addition of any sales made during the day? When you open your store in the morn- ing have you surrounded your clerks with the kind of environment and conditions that will tend to keep them honest? When you close your store at night do you absolutely know that no customer receiv ceive ed any goods that you did not re- your pay for? When you open your store in the morn- ing is your system such that you can fol- low every C.O.D sale until the cash is in your cash drawer? When you close your store at night do you absclutely know that you have all the money that has been received on ac- count and the customer has received a proper credit? When you open your store in the morn- ing a will e incide o you do so under conditions that liminate 75 per cent. of the labor nt to old and antiquated methods? When you close your store at night do yo u absolutely know how much you sold for cash and how much on credit? When you open your store in the morn- ing do you do so under a system that will insure profits and prevent losses’? When you close your store at night do you know how much you have expend- ed for the day and what the expenditure was for? When you open your store in the morn- ing have you a device that will make from 600 to 6,000 selling suggestions per day both to your clerks and to your cus= tomers? When you use an AMERICAN AC- COUNT REGISTER YOU KNOW morn- ing, noon or night. The one system in all the world that both makes money and saves money for its users! The American Case and Register Co. Alliance, Ohio J. A. Plank, General Agent Cor. Moaroe and Ottawa Streets Grand Rapids, Mich. McLeod Bros., No. 159 Jefferson Ave. Detroit, Mich. Cut off at this line Send more particulars about the Ameri- can Account Register and System. PUN ooo os vas wee ee ace "POWD: 22 << cose Pin tess dewe sees chee were sacs PUEBLO voce scene ssane cbexe, Sebvat ess 7 ‘ § - J Se te ne nae re ar seen 3 Ee ee eee re re ee ere inn se inh oce j } neon ae a raenen eres rane ee eee ee SO enn en ini Ron Sanaa aantbeg 3 epics in, Fae een erecta Ry nner me Feiaambanen aeasdamndteamciaemts Peres Serene Nese tae ever, spotted, for it comes from sec- tions not so much affected by idle- ness of wage earners, and also from dealers who seem to be concentrat- ing their purchases with a few good houses to a greater extent than us- ual. The great amount of shifting ac- counts is benefiting the large, strong houses, and yet the small, compact houses, with a clientele among mer- chants who cater to the best trade, say that their sales to date are rath- er larger than they had anticipated. Someone must be getting more or- ders than they are willing,to state, if the remark of a prominent wool- en salesman here on the’ eleventh tells the truth. He said his house is getting duplicate orders to the extent of a thousand pieces a day on an average, and had been for two weeks. That is full of signifi- cance to the trade, for it indicates a confidence in the late trade theory and shows that the alert manufactur- ers are providing for a rush of or ders late in the season. One house that is usually well in- formed said it expected enough of this late: trade to bring its total up to a year ago, and is providing it- self with fabrics along that belief. Another feature that is helping the Rochester market is the popularity of fancy fabrics and extreme models in both suits and overcoats. This mar- ket is in the front rank with respect to its wealth of new designs, which are selling the best and, as usual, is a large user of the most fetching patterns in fine fabrics. This is illustrated by the experi- ence of one of the most progressive of the smaller houses last season, a house that plunged on browns and struck the popular chord so well that it received an uncommonly large number of duplicates. The head of the house said that one retailer or- dered so many of these brown suits that they would not have been sent if he had not been a ten-day mer- chant. Students of styles and tendencies in other houses had similar experi- ences, going to show that an intelli- gent grasp of the fabric situation means a maximum of prosperity even in these’ times.—Apparel Ga- zette. ——_»+ +. ___. Always on the Grafting Line. Jackson, May 27—Presenting a let- ter signed “Business Agent Lee,” of the machinists’ union of Detroit, and alleging that they were soliciting ad- vertisements for a programme of a convention of the International Union of Machinists to be held in this city next July, two persuasive strangers collected $200 to $300 from business men here and flitted from the city when an unusually inquisi- tive one made an enquiry of local machinists and found that no con- vention is to be held here. The police got on the trail of the confi- dence men, but they sneaked out of the city under the cover of dark- ness. The men masqueraded under the names of Sands and Hayes. —— ee The man with many corns always wants to go barefoot in the crowd. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Got a Second Call From Oppor- tunity. There probably is no position in the entire organization of a modern industry that admits of more petty tyranny being kind of tyranny that leaves scars on men’s souls—than does the job of foreman. On the other hand, the right kind of a man in this position can omit the hectoring and still shown—the achieve as good results as his more overbearing compeer. And sometimes by so do- ing he may cast bread upon the waters that will return to him after many days. The difference between the master and toiler is frequently dependent upon some caprice of chance and the favoring winds of fortune may veer at any time. Jim was known as‘one of the best “straw bosses” in Packingtown. He apparently treated his men no better than the rest, still he got more work out of his gang than did his fellows. His formula was simple. what a day’s work was, willing to pay for it. up to the men. Gives Young Lithuanian Place. Into his purlieus came one morn- ing a young Lithuanian whose entire stock of English was comprised in the brokenly expressed salutation with which he greeted Jim: “Please give me a job, mister.” Jim looked the applicant over and his experi- enced eye at once took in the some- thing different that distinguished the young foreigner from his fellows. Jim replied in the universal lan- raage of a nod and turned over to the new man the general manage- ment of a truck that was idle near by. He learned the new man’s name was Anton, with a patronymic com posed of a bunch of staccato sound- ing consonants. Most of the names on Jim’s pay roll looked like a line of printers’ pi; so Anton was not dis- similar in that respect. In due time a numbered brass tag or check merged him and his name into the toiling mass of his fellows. Every morning he stood in line and called out his number, “qtr,” as he passed the timekeeper’s window. But there was a spirit in Anton that cried out at his submergence. Back in the land of the double headed eagle America had meant to him a land like Beulah; a land wherein labor was worthy its hire and worthy labor the only nobility. The promise of opportunity was the lure that brought him here. Forgets All About Him. With the aptness born of interest he picked up the new language and customs of the Americans. This found him favor in the eyes of Jim, who taught him many of the thou- sand and one tricks of the trade in the yards. He was Jim’s assistant when he had been on the gang three years, The company was one of the min- or concerns of Packingtown and further advancement for Anton was nearly an impossibility, so Jim, after much scheming and_ wire pulling, He knew and was The rest was finally landed his protege in one of the large packing companies. Then the hurly-burly of business crowded the young Lithuanian back out of Jim’s thoughts, save once whei he heard that Anton had been made a foreman. Then fate played a little trick on Jim. The trust of its tentacles and benevolently as- similated the little plant where he had worked for fifteen years. Follow- ing the time honored such cases, reached out one precedent in the plant was closed down and most of the force laid off, and Jim suddenly found himself de- pendent on the little mercies of men. When the last hope was gone that the plant might reopen, Jim startea out on a quest the like of which he had not been on for fifteen years— he was looking for a job. He was 45, but how young the world suddenly seemed to have grown. Experience, accompanied by a few gray hairs grown in accumu- lating it, was below par. Young blood, push, and initiative wete de- sired. Then the mere fact of his be- ing jobless was a handicap to him because of its effect upon his age. cour- $12 a Week Looks Small. Finally he got work as a checker in the same plant where he six years before had young week secured a place for the The $12 pei about half his former salary— would keep his family a few jumps Lithuanian. ahead of the wolf, anyway. But he could not get over the feeling of be- ing a member in good standing of 19 the Ancient and Dishonorable Order of Hasbeens. His situation was made more un- comfortable when he learned that Anton of the unpronounceable sur- superintend- Thencefor- name was an assistant ent in the same plant. ward his avoid his former employe and quietly strive object was to to secure work elsewhere. “Good morning, Mr. the salutation Smith,” was that one day caused him to start at the uncommon sound of his common name. It was Anton, superintendent. was nothing in his the assistant There manner to sug- thought of their relations, and Jim gest any changed involuntarily warmed towards the man his pride had caused him to avoid. “Jim, | am looking for a good man to take Cop- place as foreman—he’s going to Kansas City, you know—and i should be glad if you would take it continued Anton. ley’s * . J . . . . Jim’s conflicting emotions admit- ted of a few incoherent sentences the gist of which comprehended an acceptance of the offer. talk developed the fact that Anton had known of Jim’s presence on the plant for some time, Then a long but he had not approached him until he had something to offer as a pro- motion. So Jim got a second call from op- portunity because he once had used judiciously the little brief authority that was delegated to him. John D. White. Why In T r Don’t Jones Pay His Bill? Have you ever wondered why Mr. Jones does not pay at more frequent intervals? Have you ever wondered why it is you have several Bad Accounts? Isn’t it a fact that you don’t like to dun Jones, as he buys a great deal of goods from you and you are afraid you might offend him? Isn’t it a fact, also, you would have dunned Mr Peck had you known his account had grown so large—but now it is too late, his bill has grown too large for him to pay, so he has left you and is trading with one of your compeétitors? The Keith System gives your customer a bill with every purchase made, showing the total of his account to date. These slips are numbered the same as the originals in book form, which constitute your record. The good customer wants to know what he owes at all times. The good business man wants to know what the shaky customer owes at all times, so that he can stop credit before it is too late. Write today for our new catalog. The Simple Account Salesbook Co. Sole Manufacturers, also Manufacturers of Counter Pads for Store Use 1062-1088 Court Street Fremont, Ohio, U. S. A. NS NLA et MSS Mal 20 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN HAS MADE GOOD. National Wholesale Grocers’ Asso- tion Justifies Its Existence.* Fellow members of the Nationa Wholesale Grocers’ Association: We must surely be the favorites of a kind fate and I congratulate you that “our lines are cast in pleasant places.” : Hitherto we have held our annual meetings in the busy marts of trade, where the roar of industry made familiar music to our accustomed ears. But, enticed by the blandish- ments of our genial friends of the New Jersey, New York and _ Penn- sylvania Associations, we have been lured to this incomparable city, where whispering winds and mur- muring waters give us a realizing sense of the truth of the good old saying that “Variety is the spice of life.” it is a law of Nature that our mental processes are responsive to our material environment. We may therefore aspire to great results from our meeting of 1908, under the stimulus of the matchless beauty and limitless attractions of this premier pleasure resort of the Nation, It is natural that this occasion and this assemblage should invite remem- brance of the past, no less than contemplation of the future. Natur- ally, our minds revert to conditions which prevailed when we held our last meeting in Chicago, that mighty metropolis of the West. At that time buoyancy and trade expansion were rampant and the commercial pulse of the Nation was throbbing with feverish activity. Hope and confidence ran- high and all the arte- ries of trade were congested with burdensome traffic. 3ut even then the storm signals had been hung out by the far-sighted. Unwelcome ad- monitions to conservatism, from sources entitled to confidence, had been forthcoming, but were, as a rule, unheeded or laughed to scorn by the over-confident. It is need- less to discuss in this presence the succession of events, fresh in our minds that followed in rapid suc- Suffice it to say that the crash came as a bolt from a clear sky. From a riot of activity to a paralysis of stagnation was the mag- ic transformation of a few days. Ex- treme optimism gave way to hope- less pessimism. An insatiable de- cession. mand for cars and commodities was succeeded by a surfeit of the one and a paucity of the other. But if the disaster was unprecedented in sever- ity, in the decline of trade and the shrinkage of values, there is some compensation in the enduring lesson it taught us. Yea, more, it has left us a legacy of pride in the courage and fortitude of the American peo- ple in the face of adversity, and: it has also given us renewed confidence in our resourcefulness in ing and overcoming disaster. My chief purpose in referring to this period of peril and misfortune is to give expression to the sense of pride that we all feel at the admira- ble manner in which the members of confront- *Annual address of William Judson at third annual convention National Wholesale Gro- cers’ Association at Atiantic City, June 3, 1908. our Association weathered the gale, demonstrating the soundness of their methods and the wise conservatism of their policies. Happily, the rising sun of prosper- ity is again heralded on the horizon of the commercial future and we may soon contemplate the panic as an incident of the past and as only a bit of unusually rough road in our onward march to. greater ments. achieve- So rapidly do events crowd upon each other in this age of restless ac- tivity that each of our annual meet- ings is an epoch-marking event in the history of our organization. We must not only keep up with the march of progress but we must lead the procession in commodity merchandising if we are to justify cur continued existence and our ti- tle to the name we bear. It is a source of both pride and pleasure fer me to state to you that our As- sociation has “made good” as to all reasonable expectations or rational4 demands that could be made upon it. Since our last annual meeting our ranks have been reenforced by many valuable accessions of influentia! wholesale grocers from all over the United States. This not only adds greatly to our efficiency, but to our prestige as well, and our organiza-. tion now embraces a very large percentage of the distributing power ot the wholesale grocery trade of the Nation. This fact confirms our be- lief that our Association justifies its existence by the results it achieves. In this connection I will call to mind that at our last annual meet- ing we decided to work for the ac- complishment of sundry purposes or measures which our interests and the interest of the public seemed to make it incumbent upon us to advo- cate and labor to accomplish. ‘It is now my privilege to say to you that success has already rewarded our ef- forts in about 60 per cent. of the eases in which we have undertaken to bring about reforms and accom- plish things decided on at Chicago. The credit for these gratifying re- sults is largely due to the zeal and intelligent efforts of the several ef- ficient committees in whose hands you placed the work in question. It is not my purpose, however, to an- ticipate the reports of these com- mittees, which will be rendered in detail by their respective chairmen, but it is eminently fitting and prop- er that you should know from me how loyally and successfully they have served the Association. Indeed, while the initiative of our Association in its organic capacity constitutes the motive power, so to speak, yet it is very largely through the machinery of our committees that we must obtain results. In connection with the work of our committees we have had varied ex- periences and learned many things that will be valuable assets to us in our future endeavors. One of the most gratifying results of our united efforts is a growing recognition on the part of both manufacturer and wholesale grocer of mutuality of in- terest and dependence. The nego- tiations of our Association, through our several committees, with the producers and manufacturers of the country, have given us a better con- ception of the impelling motives that govern manufacturers in their dealings with us. Through this means we have found that manufac-~ turers and transportation companies, however large and influential, are as much creatures of circumstance as we are, and that their policies are dictated by the fiat of inexorable conditions as they exist and not by mere whim, avarice or arrogance, as is sometimes thoughtlessly and un- justly supposed to be the case. We have learned somewhat more _ defi- nitely the tremendous responsibili- ties resting upon the shoulders of the administrative officers of these concerns and the conflicting cur- rents of pressure brought to bear upon them from powerful opposing forces, necessitating, in many in- stances, a middle course’ betwieen what they themselves would like to do and what is demanded of them by forces and conditions over which they have no control. Our commit- tees are, therefore, more and more impressed as the months go by with the integrity of purpose of the great producing, manufacturing and: trans- portation interests to deal equitably and fairly with us. This is, in fact the only logical conclusion, because we are just as important to them as they are to us. Anything that min- imizes our activities retards their progress and hinders their prosper- ity. To handicap us paralyzes them. These facts, borne in mind, form the basis of negotiations predicated up- on the wellbeing and the necessities of each. We have, therefore, learn- ed that it is a mistake to try by harsh and unreasoning measures to coerce those whom we would influence. We have learned that faultfinding and crimination are not arguments. We have found that unenlightened and unintelligent contention for conces- sions or changes of policy incom- patible with the interests and, possi- bly, with the continued existence of the concern with whom negotiations are pending erects an insurmounta- ble barrier between us and the at- tainment of the object sought. Again, trade is a game of give and take. When we ask a concern of magnitude to modify a policy that has won its success and established its prestige we will fail, and deserve to fail, in our purpose if we merely demand such change without sup- porting the request with cogent ar- guments showing that, while we will be accommodated and benefited, the best interests of the concern itself will also be enhanced. This situation brings our Associa- tion face to face with the reciprocity proposition as to what we are go- ing to do in consideration of con- cessions or changes of policy that we may seek at the hands of the pro- cGucer and manufacturer. In this con- nection IT am reminded of an _ inci- dent that occurred at the White House during the administration of President Harrison. A delegation of statesmen from a neighboring nation called on him to negotiate certain matters of trade reciprocity. He listened attentively to all they had to say and it appears that while ask- ing for a great deal they had but little to offer in return. In other words, they wanted to swap a mole hill for a mountain. At the conclu- sion of their presentation of the mat- ter President Harrison reflected a moment and quietly but firmly re- marked: “Why, gentlemen, you have nothing to trade.” Now we are essentially tradesmen, and we know better how to trade than to do anything else, and it is, therefore, not wise for us when we want anything to abandon the trade proposition with which we are most experienced for diplomacy with which we are, possibly, less familiar. When we want something from the other fellow we will greatly increase our prospects of getting it if we have something to trade him. In making a request or urging a demand much depends upon the viewpoint from which the conditions are observed and also upon the known facts upon which the demand is based. A demand that may seem reasonable to us from the informa- tion and data at our command, when laid before the manufacturer or transportation company, may be met with countervailing facts and argu- ments that will put the matter in another light and show conclusively that our contention is, im whole or in part, untenable, and that the thing asked for, if granted, would not ac- complish the desired purpose, while cawsing possible loss and _ inconwve- nience to the concern from which the concession is asked. I make these remarks in justice to our comumit- tees, because it is impossible for us all to be present at the conferences held by our committees with con- cerns with whom negotiations are prosecuted, and hence we can not know in detail or feel the force of the countervailing arguments that are presented by the other side to the conference. And if we do not always get all that we ask for we should be encouraged by what our committees do get, and feel no dis- position to criticise them for not al- ways obtaining all that is desired. It has been wisely. said that all civic progress is the result of com- promise. It should be borne in mind that the other party to the confer- ence has opinions and rights which are entitled to respect, and if a com- promise can be obtained, as a result of these counterforces, that is fairly equitable and just to each side, it is as much as commercial and political history would justify us in expecting. To always get all that we demand might make us vain and arrogant and set us to riding recklessly for a very hard fall. In general terms I may say that our committees have found the large interests indifferent to thoughtless criticism and unresponsive to any- thing having the appearance of threats or coercion, but always amenable to conciliatory approach and to intelligent argument based on facts. Our experiences in this particular remind me of the old fable we learn- eegpnianiiatisinainicntineaienei~ajsinnaiuon ocieiaelaaalall De Se Te eee ae oer Sie age sadec 5, eget stot aie ed in one of our readers when we were school boys. As the story ran, the wind, and the sun had a dispute as to which had the more power and influence, and in order to settle the controversy they agreed to try out their powers on a lone traveler on the highway. It was agreed that whichever should rid him of this cloak should be the winner. The wind was to have the first inning and began to storm and bluster and beat mercilessly upon the traveler, throw- ing dust in his face and. pelting him with sticks and flying missiles of all kinds, with the result that the trav- eler gathered his cloak the tighter around him and bid defiance to the gale of the wind god. Then the wind subsided and the sun burst through the clouds, shining quietly but warm- ly and steadily upon the traveler un- til he ceased to scowl and finally threw off his cloak and smiled with contentment in response to the win- some Power and warmth had won against fuss and_ bluster. sunshine. Experience has confirmed in our minds the truth of the old adage that “Molasses catches more flies than vinegar,” and the splendid results to which T referred at the outset of my talk have been achieved by our com- mittees along negotiation. lines of conciliatory Experience has taught us that in standing up for our rights and = in demanding the recognition to which we are entitled it should be done without bravado on the one hand or fawning on the other. When our grievances, claims or demands are presented with a force and dignity commensurate with the magnitude of the business interests we represent we are always sure of a respectful hearing and consider- ate treatment. In this connection I want to em- phasize as strongly as I can one vi- tally important duty; that is, when, through one of our committees, we enter into an agreement with a man- ufacturer or a transportation com- pany that every member of our As- sociation take a personal interest in carrying out our part of the agree- ment as faithfully as though it were a financial obligation. It would be a fatal .mistake for the individual members of our Association to take a lukewarm interest in carrying in- to execution in good faith our part of any agreement into which we might enter, through the . negotia- tions of one of our committees. It needs no argument to support the con- tention that, when an agreement is entered into and the other party car- ries out his part of it with fidelity, if we or_any portion of us should treat our obligations in the premises with indifference we will find it a hard- er and harder matter to get corpor- ations to enter into agreements of any nature whatsoever with us. In fact, the faithful and energetic dis- charge of agreements and obligations will be the measure of our success, out prestige and our usefulness. Just here the thought occurs that it would be a good thing to always deal with each other along the lines that experience has taught us to deal with the big corporations. Per- MICHIGAN TRADESMAN fect candor, frankness and. sincerity in dealing with each other at all times will mitigate a multitude of our ills. It was my privilege at our last an- nual meeting to call attention to the vast amount of gratuitous work done by the jobber in handling stapte commodities without profit. I point- ed out that this was indefensible from any legitimate viewpoint. It is a preposterous proposition that we should invest large capital, main- tain expensive establishments, em- ploy expert department heads, gath- ex the commodities of the world in- to our warehouses, take the risk of doing business and then lay down to our customers a large percentage of the staple commodities we handle without profit. By so doing we rob ourselves of profits to which we are entitled, minimize our importance, cheapen in the eyes of the public the service we render and lower the standard of commercial dignity. But the leaven is working. We are wak- ing up to our shortcomings as well as our opportunities. If I mistake not, the death knell of profitless business will soon be sounded. Job- bers are not only getting tired of do- ing a large volume of business for nothing, but they are getting asham- ed of it as well. When once we fully realize the enormity of this offense against good, plain, everyday common sense the practice will be discontinued. The retailer will be benefited by such a course because stability in prices will follow the withdrawal of the bad example of the jobber. The whole catagory of confusion, subterfuge and misrepre- sentation which grows out of this practice wil! disappear with its aban- donment, and the whole fabric of the grocery business, both wholesale and retail, will be lifted to a higher ethical plane and placed on a more stable and profitable basis. As to matters of legislation, it is my privilege to report to you that we have been largely instrumental in bringing about legislation in the in- terest of both ourselves and the pub- lic. The pure food law, so beneficent in its far-reaching results, is a con- spicuous example. It is true that we have not yet accomplished all we desire, but our experience in this particular is the common experience of mankind, relating to measures conceived in the interest of humani- ty at large. It requires patience and perseverance to make progress in legislative matters. Therefore, when we have to our credit the achieve- ments already accomplished through the efforts of this Association we have little cause for discouragement, but every reason to be proud of our record in influencing legislation in the interest of commerce and on_ beha!f of the public. In this connection it may be re- marked that the majority of our legislators, both state and national, have not had the advantage of a practical business training, conse- quently they do not have the clear perception of the necessity for the adoption of certain measures in the public interest that is so readily ap- parent to us. This is no reflection upon them because it is impossible that any small aggregation of. men should possess that versatility of in- formation and experience that would make them experts on all matters of public This duty to importance. brings us face to face with a selves and to the public that we can- not-evade if we would, and I believe that we would not evade it if we could. Instead of taking only a pas- sive interest in legislative matters of vital importance to commerce and to the public, it is our duty to active- ly and energetically work for the en- actment of such laws as we know from our broad basis of observation and experience to be expedient. This we can do in part by corre- spondence and by interviews with our representatives and, still more effec- tively, when justifies, by sending committees to our legislative bodies to give them the benefit of information that we possess through the channels of practical experience. Many and even harmful statutes are incorporated into the laws of the land through the indif- ference of those whose knowledge, if properly laid before the legislative bodies, would forestall the enact- ment of useless and even vicious leg- islation. On the other hand, manv important economic measures. fail of enactment into law through the luke- warmness or indifference of whose information, if properly brought to bear, would secure their enactment, and it is to this impor- tant duty that I think we may ad- occasion useless those OUr-| the economic conditions | een een nee 21 dress ourselves with the expectation of gratifying results. Conspicuous wanting examples. are not administrative offi- with the best inten- made grave errors, pos- sibly through lack of familiarity with where cers—doubtless tions—have with which An organization with the versatile talent, knowledge and experience possessed by our members could be largely useful in they were dealing. giving counsel that would enable state and national executive officers ‘to avoid mistakes. that may be far- reaching in their bad effects. least, I want to say that our efficient ~ Secre- tary has labored earnestly and in- telligently at all times to further the best interests of the Association and has discharged with Last, but by no means fidelity the du- ties devolving upon him. Our eminent merits the highest commendation for the est, able and efficient which he has served the organization. counsel earn- manner in In conclusion I desire to express my grateful appreciation for the un- failing courtesy with which I have at all times been treated by both our officers and members. Our work is becoming better and better knowl- from ex- with the edge and skill that come co-ordinated perience, and in thanking your kind attention | you that the past achievements of this Associatton, gratify- ing, seem to be only the prelude to broader and future. you for congratulate however usefulness greater achievements in the The Mill That Mills BIXOTA FLOU In the Heart of the Spring Wheat Belt mend Bixota. The excellent results women are daily obtaining from the use of Bixota Flour is creating confidence in its uniform quality. Grocers handling the line know this—and the result is that all recom- Stock Bixota at once if you want more flour business at better profits. 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